However, there has been no apparent deer damage in the many native American patches that have been examined. A day or two later, after berry size had been measured, a return to the patch to gather berries for taste-testing was disappointing. All fruit was gone except for shreds of berry skin on some stems. Twenty percent, or more, of berries had been partially eaten. Half or more of each damaged berry remained.
Mice are the suspects.
Fruit production from the protected areas was no greater than from adjacent unprotected areas. Not conclusive, but assuming other natural foods were available, lingonberry is not number one on avian menus. Coyotes, fox, sea gulls, and black bear are common here.