Evidence of an American Robin eating Sumac.
Like so many others, I’ve spent more time this past year watching birds than I may ever have. Watching birds, whether in the wild or from your windows is the perfect socially distanced, stay-close-to-home activity.
One of my favorite bird-watching spots is the Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) tree outside my office window. The tree sits above the bird feeders so there is a constant coming and going of birds. The clusters of red, fuzzy berries formed this year still cling to the tree and are a source of food for winter birds. I knew this weedy-looking tree had wildlife benefits. But who specifically did it benefit, I wondered?