I learned on Saturday’s bird walk that American robins love the fruit of Amur cork trees (Phellodendron amurense). I returned to see if I could photograph the birds eating the fruit. I had plenty of opportunity to do so.
Cork trees are invasive in our region. Birds eat the fruit and spread the seeds widely. In addition to the robins, I also saw cedar waxwings in the tree but I didn’t catch them with fruit in their bills.
Near the ponds, a castor-aralia tree (Kalopanax septemlobus) bloomed. On the first of October! This must be the latest-flowering tree in the Arboretum.
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) enjoyed this late nectaring opportunity.
