Musings on the mimids:

Since we moved to this farm on the Flint Ridge upland (western Muskingum
County) in 2000, we have usually had an overwintering mockingbird
(sometimes two), except for a 2009 - 2012 absence, when they didn't seem to
around except in summer. I figured that this had to do with the mortality
of the earlier-occurring birds, and this saddened me somewhat. It changed
for the 2012-2013 winter with the reliable presence of a mocker along the
forest edge at a spot I would pass on my almost daily walks around the
property, a spot I call the "bend," where a tributary ridge extends
northward from the main upland, along with some open field.

The habitat is right for overwintering mockingbirds, with plenty of fruit,
rose hips (multiflora) and such to sustain them, as it does bluebirds as
well.

This year looks like there is to be an abundance of these flashy, active
birds. It must have been a successful season for them, this year or last.
At least three, possibly more are hanging out in our 57 acres, in different
locations, and I have come to know them at the northern, middle, and
southern mockingbirds (realizing of course that the "common" name labels
them all as "northern."

Territories: 1) the north lot and the Spring Hollow, 2) the "bend" and
adjacent filed and forest (middle territory,) and 3) The southern
territory, across the hill and down by our neighbors, the Shanks. I would
estimate that the centers of these loosely defined territories/locations
are about 250 meters, 800 feet or so, from each other. (Note: Mockingbirds
don't do surveying, although geologist-landowners sometimes do, for deeper
understanding.)

Monday, I was cleaning up some debris/logs from the 2012 windstorm (6/29/12
derecho) from our north lot, and I exposed some of the soil below. Within a
few seconds, certainly within one minute, a mockingbird (the "northern" one
I assume) swooped in from a roadside tree, jumped into the void and plucked
a large June Bug white grub from the ground, which it pecked and prodded
for several minutes while working on deriving the useful parts of a meal
from the large package as found. I often marvel at how much the birds watch
us, waiting for the opportunities presented by human disturbance, mowing,
debris-clearing and such. It often doesn't take long if they are diligent.

Yesterday, this mockingbird (or another from the same territory) was
singing at 2:25 PM. I believe this is the latest in the season that I have
ever heard such song. Cardinals, Carolina wrens, zonotrichid sparrows,
sure,... but mockingbirds? I always thought that such vocalization had to
do with season photo-period, the length of daylight. So I have heard as
well - seems like a good explanation. If so, November 15 would be the rough
equivalent of February 3, and I have never heard mockingbird song that
early in the season either. Of course, it was 61 degrees F and sunny, so I
felt a little like singing as well. I suppose the exception makes the rule.

Life is for learning.

Bob Evans
Geologist, etc.
Hopewell Township, Muskingum County

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