Hummingbird or a Hummingbird Moth?

Something is abuzz in the bottlebrush buckeyes.

Blurred and erratic movement, wings generate enough wind to move the leaves around. Hummingbird or a hummingbird moth? They both move so fast, but a closer look will tell!

We’ve enjoyed watching the ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) and the snowberry clearwing moths (Hemaris diffinis) drink nectar from the blooms of the bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora). Flowers are fading, and we’ll miss them, but soon, the wingstem and evening primrose will take their turn in the Habitat Gardens.

Speaking of moths, National Moth Week is coming up, July 23-31, you can read more about it and how you can get involved here.

How to Remove Stiltgrass from Ruffner Trails

UPDATE: Our volunteer training day was a success! Big thanks to the volunteers who joined us in learning how to identify and remove stiltgrass from the trails. We collected 16 bags — that’s 62.41 pounds!

Our second self-led volunteer opportunity — removing stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) from the mountain — is underway! This invasive plant can be tricky to identify as it resembles several native grasses, whitegrass (Leesia virginica), and nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi) — don't pull these!

Check out this video from Conservation Director, Jamie Nobles, explaining how to id stiltgrass on the trails. Please join us Saturday, July 16th from 8 - noon for a volunteer training day. Click here for more info and to sign our waiver.

Self-Led Volunteer Opportunity #2: Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimenium)

stiltgrass (Microstegium vimenium)

We appreciate all of the volunteers who helped us in our efforts to remove nandina or "heavenly bamboo" (Nandina domestica) from the mountain last winter. We collected an estimated total of 167,321 berries!

We could use your elbow grease again this summer to control another invasive species at Ruffner—Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum.)  

Stiltgrass is an aggressive, weak-rooted, and sprawling annual grass. The growth habit of this species is typically to lie flat along the ground or propped up against other vegetation. Plants usually have multiple weak stems with aerial rootlets near the base (hence the name “stiltgrass”).

Where can I find it?

Stiltgrass is often seen in disturbed, moist areas such as trail and forest edges. We often see it on the Lizard Loop, Pipeline, Wetlands, Buckeye, and Quarry trails.  It may also be found along other trails or service roads on the mountain.

What can I do to help?

Invasive Plant Station at South East Lake Trailhead

Ruffner will have a collection station at the South East Lake Trailhead (main trailhead) with collection bags and a deposit bin for the invasive plant collection. Stiltgrass is an annual plant, so if it can be removed prior to seed production (September) the potential spread may be controlled.  It can be easily pulled by hand without the use of special equipment.

Grab a bag or 2 at the station before you begin your hike to pull stiltgrass if found along your way.  

  1. Identify stiltgrass. (Note: there are several native grasses similar to stiltgrass such as whitegrass, nimblewill, and deertoungue grass— (Don’t pull these! More about them at the collection station.)   

  2. Pull stiltgrass. Be sure to get as many weak roots as possible and place them into the collection bag.  Please be aware of potential hazards such as poison ivy, thorns/briars, venomous animals, stinging biting insects/spiders, or other seen or unseen issues before grabbing the grass.  

  3. Finally, return your filled bags to the collection station at the trailhead and record what trails you covered.  We will measure out the collected materials and then destroy them to help prevent the spread of this invasive plant. (Additional collection stations may also be installed at the other trailheads.)

Discarded stiltgrass

What is Ruffner going to do with the collected material?

We will weigh out the collected material weekly to get an idea of how much stiltgrass is being removed.  We will report these numbers in a few different ways so that Ruffner’s visitors have a chance to see the progress. 

**If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, we encourage you to join us for an Invavsive Removal Volunteer Training Day on July 16th from 8 am-noon. Click here for more info and to sign our waiver.

 This project along with other similar efforts will reduce the number of invasive species on the mountain and will greatly increase the potential for our native species to thrive in this ecosystem.

Native Plants at Protective Stadium

Yay to native plants and bravo to Protective Stadium and Macknally Land Design for prioritizing native species in their landscape. Can't wait to see all of the birds and pollinators it will attract! Be sure to check out the native plant gardens if you're attending the World Games next week!

Bring All Butterflies to Your Yard!

The nectar-rich blossoms of the bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) are attracting lots of butterflies. With the help of the excellent guide on Alabama Butterfly Atlas, we identified this beautiful butterfly as a pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor). The butterfly uncoils its proboscis (an elongated sucking mouthpart that works like a straw) to probe and sip nectar from each flower. It’s important to provide nectar plants and larval host plants if you want butterflies. We will be planting host plant native pipevine, also called woolly Dutchman’s pipe (Isotrema tomentosum) in the Habitat Gardens for the caterpillars to eat.

We want more butterflies!

Birmingham Children's Theatre at Ruffner

We are excited to partner with Birmingham Children's Theatre for a special hike-meets-theatre immersive experience at Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain Park, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve!  Lace up your tennis shoes, slather on the sunscreen, grab your water bottle and get ready to be deputized as a BCT Junior Ranger.

  • Show run time is one hour.

  • The show will take place throughout the preserve, with one mile of walking.

  • Performances are recommended for ages 4-10.

  • Tickets are $10 for children and $20 for adults.

Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets! 

1214 81st Street South, Birmingham, AL 35206 | 205.833.8264 info@ruffnermountain.org