Minty Fresh Bird Breath

On my balconies I'm growing two types of mint. I've got a spearmint plant in a good sized planter that I received —along with my plum tree— from David when he was forced by his landlady to close his rooftop garden. That has always done well, although the mint leaves are not super tasty. Last summer I bought a small black mint at a farmers' market in Yoyogi Park, and coaxed it along through the rest of the hot months when it became infested with some sort of aphid-like pest. During the early spring the black mint took off and was doing quite well indeed.

When I stepped out onto the balcony to water my plants this morning I noticed that many of the branches had partially bitten off leaves! Even some main stems were truncated. Nothing other than a bird could have gotten up here to the 6th floor and done that kind of damage. I've since moved it to the back of the balcony, out of reach of the railing, and will hope that will keep the herbivores away. At least they didn't attack my baby zucchini plants. (knock on wood)