The Ides of March have passed, so we're half-way through the survey
period for contributing to the Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz.
Virginia has made a good start with its part of the survey. I had
prepared a map showing the locations in Virginia where Rusties have been
reported this month. Unfortunately, the map made the email too large
for our listserve. Alas! In the map I summarized those sightings which
have been submitted to ebird thus far. If you're interested in seeing
the map, you can go to eBird, select "Explore Data" and then "Range and
Point Maps" and fill in Rusty Blackbird, March to March, current year,
Virginia, and on the right hand menu "Show Points Sooner" and you'll get
the map. There are some clusters of activity and some places in our
lovely state that haven't yet reported any Rusty Blackbirds. If you've
completed some surveys but have yet to submit the results, please do
so. If you've put off getting out and looking for Rusties, your time to
"spring" into action is now. I know the weather hasn't been kind. But
visit those good Rusty Blackbird habitats and check them out. Please
remember that if you don't actually find any Rusties, submit a report
since negative data is needed as well. For those who may have lost the
link to the website, here it is with all its information on habitat
preferences, identification tips, survey protocol, data sheets, and more:
http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/
Let's finish the month in true Blitz fashion.
Bob Ake
State coordinator for Virginia
Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz
