Every year around this time, the hardy winter robins show up on West Island looking for the berries on the holly trees to be just right to eat. After they get cold and warm a couple of times, they taste better, according to some experts. These guys hung around the yard for a day or two, and then suddenly hundreds of birds converged upon the holly, devouring its berries in two days. The first day, the tree was pretty much stripped bare. The second day, the leftovers on the ground, and a few stragglers on the branches got gobbled up. Usually there are a few blue jays in the mix, but they remained elusive this year.
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- Before the Big Feed begins, this holly tree has lots of red berries on 1/21/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- After the Big Feed, this holly tree has just one or two berries left on 1/23/19. Photo by Beth David.
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- This guy holds the berry in his beak for a just a second before gobbling it up during the annual big feed on the berries of a big holly tree on West Island in Fairhaven on 1/21/19. By the end of the day on 1/22, all the berries will be gone. Photo by Beth David.
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- Four birds on one branch (and one below) seem to take a breather at the same time during the annual feed on the berries of a big holly tree on West Island in Fairhaven on 1/21/19. By the end of the day on 1/22, all the berries will be gone. Photo by Beth David.
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- This healthy looking robin balances with his wing as he gobbles up a berry during the annual big feed on the berries of a big holly tree on West Island in Fairhaven on 1/21/19. By the end of the day on 1/22, all the berries will be gone. Photo by Beth David.
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- This chubby little guy holds the berry in his beak for a just a second before gobbling it up during the annual big feed on the berries of a big holly tree on West Island in Fairhaven on 1/21/19. By the end of the day on 1/22, all the berries will be gone. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the entire 1/24/19 issue: 01-24-19 WomensMarch
