For the past few weeks, a handsome Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, has spent a good portion of his days singing loudly and beautifully, serenading to inform the neighbors that this is his territory. Flitting from the Roughleaf Dogwood, Cornus drummondii, to other points of interest in the garden, he returns repeatedly to the dogwood to perch and sing.

Not only does the dogwood provide nice cover with its shade-producing foliage, but the luscious creamy fruits are a draw for many birds, especially this avian crooner.

I observed Mr. Vocalist for several days, attempting to get at least one decent photo of a berry in the beak. Finally–success! If you look at the above photo, you’ll notice a group of 4 berries. Now check out the photo below, you’ll see that 3 of the berries are still attached to the tree, and one berry has landed firmly in the bird’s beak.

He looks jaunty and a little cocky, as he’s nibbling another nosh.

The bird has gone quiet in the last couple of days and I haven’t spotted much mockingbird activity in the back garden. I still hear melodious mockingbird song, but no longer are avian arias performed, but only short stanzas in songbird voice. The dogwood berries have also mostly disappeared, with just a few hanging on near the ground.

The small tree provided for pollinators in the spring, shade and cover all summer, and berries in autumn. Roughleaf dogwoods are a good example of if you plant them, they will come.