Sorry. I missed your location. I'm in sWI and see honeysuckle & 2 species
of invasive-exotic buckthorn on light soil in dry woods & degraded prairie &
old-field sites. What is the edible buckthorn you grow?
About robins, I have to wonder if they aren't seeking moisture. I never see
them at the bird-baths, but then I don't watch all day. I wonder if when
they can't get enough juicey earthworms, cutworms, grubs, etc., then they
must feed on juicey berries. Any bird watchers on the list who know about
this?
Kathryn, Tartarian Honeysuckle is horribly invasive around here. It is all
over the place and difficult to control. Around here, the birds do not
bother them much and the berries linger until fall.
It is easily recognized by it's tendency to produce twinned berries.
On the other hand, I have not noticed any buckhorn in the wild. The kind I
grow is for fruit and has not been bothered by the birds.
This is an unusual year as far as birds eating fruit. I have a number of
tart cherry trees that are usually quickly stripped by the robins, but this
year the fruit is still on the trees after about of month. I've been picking
3 weeks running now.