frost protection

From what, Pipe? If you are thinking about frost, most fruit bushes are pretty hardy - unless you are growing an exotic one, just leave them alone - they should do fine.

Nothing in the autumn - they should be frost hardy unless they are exotic (in which case swathe them in fleece in early autumn if frost is forecast and then wrap them in straw for the winter months). If you are worried about late frosts in the spring - keep plenty of fleece handy and an eye on the weather forecasts.
If you are worried about birds - netting is the only answer but I usually share and share alike with my garden birds. There is usually enough for both them and me..