Dear New York Birders, With less than one month until kickoff we wanted to welcome everyone back to the Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz. We have been gearing up and planning for the 2015 season, the second year of a 3-year study headed up by the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group (IRBWG). Through a partnership with eBird, the Working Group seeks to collect as much data and information as possible in an effort to develop conservation strategies and management programs aimed at reversing the trend in the dramatic population decline of Rusty Blackbirds. Based on available data we know that the Rusty Blackbird’s population has declined at an alarming 85-99% in the past 40 years. To learn more about the Working Group and it’s purpose please check out this link: http://rustyblackbird.org/working-group/purpose/
So once again we are seeking your help! First, a huge thanks to all of last years participants who helped exceed the programs expectations. New York observers submitted 1696 checklists, a 46% increase in the number of checklists containing Rusty Blackbird sightings since 2013 (pre-blitz era). The target blitz period for New York State is March 1 - April 31. During this time period we are encouraging birders to head out and search for Rusty Blackbirds and to submit their data through eBird using the “Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz” protocol. This drop down will be available in eBird on March 1st and should be used whenever you are searching for Rusty Blackbirds, even if you don’t find any. Researchers are interested in both presence and absence of the species. Based on last years data, the researchers at IRBWG have developed an Areas of Interest Map. This map contains priority locations that should be surveyed in addition to your search efforts. We encourage everyone to check out this map and be sure to visit these sites during the blitz window: http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/2015-areas-of-interest/ There are often many excellent questions raised by blitz participants and as a result a Frequently Asked Questions page was developed on the rustyblackbird.org website: http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/2015-areas-of-interest/areas-of-interest-frequently-asked-questions/ Also, social media users should follow the blitz Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/rustyblackbirdspringblitz rustyblackbird.org contains a tremendous amount of information but we understand that there are always going to be questions. For this reason New York State has three Blitz Coordinators that are available to help answer questions and to get interested folks started on the blitz. Again, we encourage folks to check out the website but please do not hesitate to contact any of the coordinators listed below. Thank you again for helping to make the blitz successful and we look forward to another great season!! Best, Derek Rogers ([email protected]) - Long Island Blitz Coorindator Mike Shanley ([email protected]) - NYC/Staten Island Blitz Coordinator Will Raup ([email protected]) - Upstate NY Blitz Coordinator -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
