Anyway, the deed is done. I've divided my run in half and covered one half with tarp. Because there are still a few holes and corners where it doesn't quite fit, I've ringed the whole thing on the top with straps of aluminium foil and thin plastic that flap in the wind and hopefully discourage wild birds from making themselves comfortable there. It's not very neat - as it is a kind of half circle, actually it looks a bit funny, like a big, lumpy circus tent with little flags made from rubbish...

But I hope it works, anyway. I just discovered that our neighbor's huge pine trees, which are only about 30 meters away, are stuffed full with what must be hundreds of twittering wild birds