New Jersey tea Those robins work fast the same thing happened with my holly tree This year I had a ton of berries on my oversized Holly tree The last time I had that many berries was in 2002 anyway a large flock of robins came and ate them all! Sarah

Hey Tea. Interesting and to be expected. Where do you live in North Jersey?

I still have all of my winterberries (both Winter Red & Harvest Gold) as well aronia 'brilliantissima' and most of the American & blue hollies here at the shore in Monmouth County.

Noticed a lot more robins in the canopy on the 31st; also that all of the resident birds (bluejays, song sparrow, cardinals, etc) were singing/cackling away that morning as I walked my dog. Brought a big smile to this writer's face as I projected a mental picture of the calendar knowing that we were now a month beyond the winter solstice.

BTW, did the robins at least leave a "tip" after dining at your place? It's typically 15-20% :^ ))))))))

Birdsong - I'm sure they did leave a "tip" but it's all out there in the swamp.

Yesterday, on my walk, the swampy area up the road held robins, bluebirds, song sparrows, titmice, white-throated sparrows all singing away. It's a great "birdy" place 'cause in addition to the wetlands, a stream runs through the area, making it very attractive to the birds.

I'm in Hunterdon County, close to the Morris County line.

Re: the calendar - I figure it's all uphill from here - even if it should snow with the angle of the sun getting higher every day the snow won't stay around too long - says she with her fingers crossed. I probably just jinxed us. It does look as if we are headed for a couple of weeks of below normal temps. again.

Comin back at ya. No jinx. The time frame between the old traditional president birthdays has always been "peak time" for massive noreaster storms here in NJ.

We dodged a bullet here near the ocean. But 6". All of that snowpack will only add to recharging acquifers and helping all of the plants in our gardens.

Regards

Ted

Ted, there are close to 20" on the ground up here. Over in the NJ forum I posted that the main road has yet to be plowed and it's so nice and quiet - no cars - it's heaven - like the "good old days".

And you are so right about this time of the year being prime time for snow storms - if I recall correctly, the 70's produced many a President's Day (or was it still Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays back then?) storm.

I guess I am late chiming in here but my winterberries are still here at the end of march. This in spite of the Mockingbirds eating on them all winter long. Still have lots of berries around on all sorts of shrubs.