Kip’s Comments - October 10, 2026

How Poison Ivy Suddenly Appears

In the event you might wonder how poison ivy suddenly appears where it may not have been before, I documented one propogator this morning. Actually, I saw many poison ivy spreaders but only photographed one.

Yellow-rumped Warbler and Poison Ivy Berries - Image 1161500

Along a spot on the Wapsipinicon River where I often see wildlife, today there were hundreds of blackbirds, grackles, and a handful of yellow-rumped warblers. The yellow-rumped warblers were busy snacking on poison ivy berries. The propogation will happen when the warblers fly away and poop some of the berries out. Odds are some of the berries will survive traveling through the bird and will become established where the bird deposits/drops them.

Yellow-rumped Warbler and Poison Ivy Berries - Image 1161545

Yellow-rumped Warbler and Poison Ivy Berries - Image 1161417

The same process happens with many berries and seeds. Poison ivy just happens to be one of the more noticed plant species when it suddenly appears where it had not been before.

Poison Ivy Berries - Image 1161600