Hi all -
Val's identification of Rusty Blackbirds is an important one, both for local
avifaunal lists and for the species as a whole. I wonder if it would be
worthwhile for all of us to include mention of Rusty Blackbirds in these posts
(and on eBird) when we observe them. According to BBS data, their populations
have declined by some 97.9% since 1966; that's the sharpest decline for any
North American passerine, even greater than for Henslow's Sparrow (96.4%). To
request copies of the North American Landbird Conservation Plan, which has
interesting information of this sort, check the web at:
http://www.partnersinflight.org/cplan.htm
Here in town, I've seen no Rusties this year, despite looking for them; most
of the thickets and woods they favored by waterways have been cut out or
thinned for 'development' (over by the former Cape Charles golf course, now
cleared
for homes). The thinking is that their decline has to do with the loss of
forested wetlands and edges in the southeastern United States.
Today's high winds out of the north have brought about 58 Common Loons into
the harbor at Cape Charles, along with many gulls and Forster's Terns. There
was apparently some flight of Song Sparrows last night (an abundant species
this fall), as they are all around the pier at the harbor mouth as well.
Ned Brinkley
Cape Charles, VA
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