We are two weeks into the Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz in Minnesota. A few tidbits:
Wisconsin is beating us, as of a few days ago. (See eBird map here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=661859463876343&set=a.591206517608305.1073741828.591107727618184&type=1&theater). However, I think we still have a chance to pull through. Here in northern Iowa (~10 miles south of MN), I didn't encounter any Rusty Blackbirds until just yesterday. Now every blackbird flock I've seen includes at least a few Rusties. So keep your eyes peeled--they're definitely close to Minnesota, if not in Minnesota already. Good places to look are open forested areas near or in water. Although Rusties aren't too keen on foraging in agricultural settings or at bird feeders, they have done both. I've been told that Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (Sherburne County) and various areas in Carver County hold a lot of Rusties during migration. Again though, any wet and wooded area has the potential to harbor Rusties. The best way to detect them is to listen for their gurgling/Killdeer-esque song. For more information on separating them from other species, and on how to report them to eBird, visit http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you for those who have put effort forward, and good (Rusty Black)birding! Alyssa DeRubeis Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz Minnesota State Co-coordinator Lake Mills, IA ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
