hi dcbadger welcome to the garden helper. i have 2 or 3 ideas, but you will get more before the week is out i am sure.

idea one is to make a scare crow of sorts using the pinwheels you get at the store for about a dollar. they usually are shiney and birds don't like the noise or the flashing lights. ditto adding some wind chimes to your porch.

second, get some netting like they use to protect fruit trees from birds and build a "cage" over your plants. the sun and rain will still get in, but the birds won't.

3rd put out some used cd's that you would otherwise throw away on strings. same idea as the pin wheels.

good luck and let us know how you make out!