Q: When will birds start eating my native berries? I have many that are untouched. —T. J., Westhampton
A: Congratulations on planting native berries for your feathered friends, T.J. They are exactly the food many of these overwintering stalwarts need during these cold times. Growing a winter berry garden is a great way to feed the birds and add beauty to your landscape at the same time.
During warmer parts of the year, many birds flock to native soft berry-producing shrubs such as blueberries for the insects on them as well as the berries. With insects now below ground or in hiding, birds need to make up that energy source some other way. Many local birds such as cedar waxwings, bluebirds and robins depend on berries along with certain seeds to help fill that nutrition gap until spring.
Often, birds wait until mid- to late winter when other food sources are gone before eating the remaining berries. Some berries produced in temperate months look pretty but are hard, marble-like or bitter. Birds know this. Crabapples and rose hips with their hard, tangy fruit are examples of these types, though birds do not eat all crabapple varieties. Winter’s freezing and thawing cycle softens the fruit and mellows its flavor, making the berries palatable for the birds. Think of how tangy grapes become softer, sweeter raisins over time. Birds have discerning tastebuds! While some berries may already be soft enough for them to eat, others will take a bit longer. This is probably why you still see uneaten berries hanging around. Give them time — they will likely be gone over the next couple months.
You do not mention which type of berry bushes you have, but a few berry-producing natives are elderberry, spicebush, native viburnum and winterberry. Elderberry is popular among many birds. Spicebush is very high in lipids (fats), making it a valuable energy source. Robins will eat spicebush as well as softened crabapples and chokeberries among others. Eastern native viburnums grow abundant berries. Winterberry attracts numerous birds including cedar waxwings and bluebirds. Their beautiful red berries make both festive holiday décor and a post-holiday feast for local birds — a win-win!
These winter months are a great time to think about adding new or additional native berry-producing plants to your yard this coming spring. Check out information sources such as the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Native Plant Trust and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (it is not just for Texas) for ideas and inspiration.
Thanks for asking a (local) Master Gardener, T.J.
Have a gardening dilemma? Please send questions, along with your name/initials and community, to the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association at AskAMasterGardener@wmmga.org. One question will be selected and answered per week. wmmga.org