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Dear All, Jan 30, 2013
This subject came up in 2002; pasted below in sequence. Not conclusive
but perhaps these berries become more attractive with age or, as Pat
suggested, perhaps more attractive with hunger. In either case they can
serve as bird food.
Yt, DW
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Dear All, Feb 22, 2002
Maple sap is running at 16 Overlook Rd. Earlier than usual but not a
record.
There is a fairly large colony of Japanese Barberry (Berberis
thunbergii) at the far end of Prospect St. (Kentville) and last fall
they were loaded with red or orange berries so I cut two sprigs as
winter decoration. They have been on the kitchen window sill since, in a
small jug of water, and early this week buds started to open.
Shrubs now have no berries. Do birds eat them ?
Yours truly, Davw Webster, Kentville
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Dave, I'm sure others have told me that PHEASANTS are at least one species
that will go after barberries on the bushes. Cheers from Jim
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Feb 27, 2002
David:
A Hermit Thrush spent more than a week in the yard of Lynn Baechler in
Sydney Forks at the end of January and into the first days of February this
year. It spent much of its time feeding on barberry fruits.
David McCorquodale
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Brian Dalzell wrote:
> Just as I was coming out of the dollar store in Grand Harbour, I heard a
> flock of 19 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS [Jaseur boréal] overhead. They landed in
> front of the museum in some birches, then flew down into a Japanse
> Barberry. It is the only berry bush left on the island with any berries.
>
> Perhaps it takes a long time for them to "ripen" as these berries appeared
> translucent and deep red today, not as opaque and orangey-red as in the
> fall. Anyway, it is a miracle the waxwings can find stuff localized like
> this -- unless they have been here before. I have a record for this exact
> same spot of 12 birds on March 25, 2000....
>
Hi Brian & All, Mar 19, 2002
Your account of the Waxwings feeding on Japanese Barberry is a good
reminder that introduced plants are desirable additions to biodiversity,
if they may feed some creatures that otherwise might go hungry.
I dare say many birds know vast areas of countryside better than
many people know the hills they see from their doorstep.
Yours truly, Dave Webster, Kentville
> They should be in Labrador in about another month, so hang in there
> Labradorians! Their "churring" calls are certainly a welcome sound on a
> sunny, but cool winter afternoon. Just before they fly off, they all seem
> to reach the same pitch, and off they go. Are any left in Nova Scotia?
>
> -------------------------------------
> Brian Dalzell
> 62 Bancroft Point
> Grand Manan, NB
> E5G 3C9
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