The Battle of Winterberry Hollow

February 15, 2010:            

I witnessed an overthrow of power today, as a totalitarian mockingbird was hording an abundance of food on a very snowy and cold morning. There was a larger group of robins who had returned from their southern overwintering grounds, searching for a place to eat. They gathered together along an unfrozen stream, first 10 or 15, then a few more each minute until their numbers were close to a hundred or so. They waited patiently while the lone ruler sat on his perch amidst the beautiful and bounteous food supply. Occasionally a bold upstart would attempt a landing on a branch to grab a plump piece of fruit, only to be attacked by the commander. Even my presence a foot or two away did not deter the dramatic interplay between the two factions. I felt like a reporter on the front lines of a skirmish, watching the events unfold as bystander not really changing the outcome. The mockingbird guarded his precious winterberry cache and for quite a while was able to stave off attacks from the impatient and impetuous marauders who would fly in and attempt an attack. However, as the numbers of robins grew, the tide began to turn. For several hours the lone mockingbird was able to stand his ground but at some point the robins had had enough and they banded together and descended upon the branches of the winterberry en masse. The mockingbird made a few more attacks on the intruding gang of robins, but to no avail. Their sheer numbers were just too great, so he joined in the fracas, eating as many of the fruits as he could amidst all the ravenous interlopers . Within a few minutes of frenzied feasting, every last berry was consumed, leaving the monarch sitting alone in a barren landscape. Where there was plenty a few moments before was now a barren wasteland which will not see production for 3 more seasons and only if the proper pollination occurs in Spring. But the robins were happy and this battle is now declared over! If the band of robins had not visited today, the mockingbird would have had enough food for the rest of the winter, but now he’ll have to move on to some other less preferred and probably not as tasty food source (maybe the buckberries?) and we’ll have to get used to the view from our window without the colorful winterberries! Good thing Spring is near!