Here's a little tip I learned last summer from a friend for saving your strawberries from getting munched by the birds:

Early in the season, before the strawberries start turning red, pick some little strawberry-sized stones and paint them red. When you scatter these fake strawberries along your berry patch,  the curious and hungry birds come to check them out with a feast on theri mind.. But once encountering these fairly boring imposter berries they soon lose their interest and leave the patch alone even after the real ones are starting to ripen..

Fun to do with kids, parents, grandparents, friends, wwoofers.. anyone :)

Yumm!