Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!ukma!psuvm.bitnet!kiv From: KIV@PSUVM.BITNET Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: Mockingbirds Message-ID: <45637KIV@PSUVM> Date: 20 Jun 88 13:41:28 GMT References: <2028@mtuxo.UUCP> Organization: The Pennsylvania State University - Computation Center Lines: 31 I strongly urge you to examine (or have somone knowledgable in botany) the plants that are supposedly invading your woods. It is likely that these are native species which in fact may be attracting the mockingbirds that you desire. Poison ivy (Rhus radicans) is a native species and many birds feed on the fruits during the late summer. I strongly urge you to investigate the food preferences of the mockingbird before you reduce or eliminate species which may attract this species. Where do you find this information? Try the library, the encyclopedia, a local bird club or Audubon Society. For the size plot that you have, I sincerely doubt that you need a bulldozer. Perhaps a rototiller or small garden tractor with a tiller attachment. Also, before you rip everything up locate your plant source. If you delay, the disturbed soil that you leave behind will surely yield an abundance of opportunistic pioneer plant species, many which are alien (introduced from other countries). Waiting untill September will not reduce the risk of Poison Ivy infection, since the oils of the roots and vines is still active year round, especially if you try to pull up the roots. Also, do not expect to erradicate all the species. They are resilient, especially poison ivy. However, waiting untillsongbird migration will reduce the risk of chasing the Mockingbirds away. FINALLY, I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU ATTEMPT SUCH A RADICAL ALTERATION OF YOUR PLOT. My notes are not meant to suggest that I condone your actions. I interpret your inquiry in a way that does not suggest to me that you know what you are doing. The actions you suggest will displace many of the terrestrial (mice, voles , moles ,insects, snakes) organisms from your plot for at least a year, perhaps more. This includes the birds that you wish to attract. On the other hand, you will attract many introduced species which are not native. Also, any soil disturbances that are near water- ways or wetlands will most likely require approval from the state environmental protection agency.