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 ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Please consider joining our Society, at www.ohiobirds.org/site/membership.php. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: listserv.miamioh.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]