I have been very interested in the several emails that have mentioned Mimosa
trees. I had no idea that they were so popular with birds. I think the
tree is listed as an invasive species in Virginia. Our neighbor had two and
couple of years ago, first one tree died then the other. But their many
descendants are springing up just across the road. Another neighbor cut his
large one down but had to keep cutting it for years before it finally gave
up. A third neighbor asked me what it was called and if it would be a good
one for her yard. I said, "Don't plant it". Now I am not sure what to
think.
This is sort of off-topic so it might be better to reply off-list.
Nancy Young
Blue Ridge
-----Original Message-----
From: Schnably, Susanna [mailto:Susanna.Schnably@xxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 2:52 PM
To: 'Brenda Tekin'
Cc: 'va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: Re: [Va-bird] RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS BEFORE THE STORM
Thank you, Brenda, both for the photo and the information about mimosas.
Your comment about the kinglets "fluttering about like hummingbirds" was
interesting--while I was trying to identify them I was wondering if they
were hummingbirds at first because of the way they were moving around--and
because they were so tiny. The mimosa was a volunteer, and I felt lucky it
grew where it did just because it's a tree I've loved from childhood, but
now I have even more reason to feel lucky about it.
Susanna
-----Original Message-----
From: Brenda Tekin [mailto:brenda@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 2:40 PM
To: Schnably, Susanna
Subject: RE: [Va-bird] RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS BEFORE THE STORM
Hello Susanna.
Down here in Stuarts Draft area (Augusta County), our Mimosa has been a HUGE
magnet for kinglets and lots of other birds. This time of year I always
make it a point to monitor the tree for interesting birds. Last year,
amongst the kinglets we had an extreme late date Tennessee Warbler actively
feeding in the tree during the October 29 snow/ice storm.
Several of us surmise the birds are feeding on insect larvae/eggs.
Mimosas attract a wide array of insects, including butterflies and the
dreaded mimosa webworm. Yesterday a large flock of 100+ juncos flew in
during the snow showers and most were on the ground picking through the leaf
litter (dropped mimosa leaves). Some of them were up in the Mimosa along
with at least 8 Ruby- and 4 Golden-crowned Kinglets and the first winter
male Magnolia Warbler, which has been here for several days now and has set
the extreme late date for Augusta County. There has been a continuing
feeding frenzy in the mimosa tree today with a flock of at least 20
Ruby-crowned Kinglets, handful of siskins and goldfinches and the Magnolia
Warbler.
I've managed to capture quite a few images and it does indeed look like they
are picking off small specs, most on underside of the leaves. It's rather
comical watching them as they try to maneuver under the drooping fronds
oftentimes forced to flutter about like a hummingbird.
I have attached an image of the warbler. The bright yellow helps to locate
it amongst the kinglets.
Best,
Brenda Tekin, Stuarts Draft, VA
Blue Mountains Nature Photography, including Birds of Virginia
www.birdsofvirginia.com
434-962-4936
-----Original Message-----
From: Schnably, Susanna [mailto:Susanna.Schnably@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 2:04 PM
To: 'va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: [Va-bird] RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS BEFORE THE STORM
I had a wonderful pre-storm sighting of about 10-12 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS
Monday morning about 9:30am in my mimosa tree in Falls Church, VA. This was
well before the storm's fury, but during the drizzle that led up to it.
They looked like they were playing among the dripping fronds of the
tree--delightful to see, and the first time I've seen them in my yard.
Susanna
