Berries of the Koehne holly (Ilex koehneana, below) litter the driveway, though these hundreds barely dent the holly’s many clusters. The ripe berries have been dislodged by flocks of robins that are not regularly seen in such numbers, but dependably visit this holly and another equally large ‘Mary Nell’ later in winter.

Berries of the ‘Mary Nell’ holly remain green weeks longer into autumn, so it is unsurprising that robins frantically feast on Koehne before returning in several weeks for a second helping. While other hollies in the garden have berries, none are carried in such quantities to attract this number of birds as the Koehne holly vibrates with dozens of robins feeding, then racing off to devour their meal before dashing back to take their fill.

The scene is frenetic, not typical for this tranquil garden, but as a snow squall coats the garden, there is also frenzied competition for sunflower seed at the feeder. As the storm passes and bright sunshine returns, the frenzy slackens.

Sadly, as I strolled the garden earlier in the day, I saw deer rutting damage to the treasured ‘Manyo no sato’ Japanese maple that was a retirement gift a year ago. Multiple branches were broken from the shrubby tree that is now a single trunk scrapped free of its smooth bark.

I recently remarked that ‘Manyo no sato’ was a spring’s growth away from fitting splendidly into this mature garden, but this timetable has been set back by several years. A year ago, a wire cage was constructed around a larger ‘Koto no ito’ maple after gnawing by beavers residing in the nearby farm pond. Fortunately, damage to the Japanese maple was superficial with the bark quickly healing and no sign of diminished growth. The cage will remain through this winter, while it appears that beavers are gaining adequate supplies for their lodge from several buttonbushes (Cephalanthus occidentalis) at the garden’s border.

So, on this day in early January, we experience the thrill of the robins’ scavenging and the disappointment of the damaged Japanese maple. Wildlife of every sort is welcomed into the garden with more joy experienced than disappointment. Clear skies have returned minutes before sunset with hawks soaring overhead at the forest’s edge. A lone cardinal visits the feeder as I look over the snow-covered garden.