[birdky] Rusty Blackbird Blitz ended yesterday! Please submit observations!

From: "Heyden, Kathryn (FW)" <kathryn.heyden@xxxxxx>
To: "birdkentucky" <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:24:41 -0500
Thanks to all who participated in the 2011 Rusty Blackbird Blitz!  The
Blitz ended Sunday, but please continue to enter any observations you
had for the Blitz period.  It would be best if observations were
reported by the end of this week.  Participating is easy!  Simply report
any Rusty Blackbird Observations you had between January 29th - February
13th, 2011 to e-bird!
 

Patterns of Rusty Blackbird occurrence may have been a bit different in
2011 than in recent years.  It's possible that the cold and snowy
weather we had starting so early this winter affected Kentucky's
distribution.  They seem like they may have been a little tougher to
find in some areas this year.

 

Preliminary Results can be viewed at the website below:

 

Explore Data
<http://ebird.org/ebird/GuideMe?src=changeDate&speciesCodes=rusbla&getLo
cations=states&states=US-KY&parentState=US-KY&reportType=species&monthRa
dio=on&bMonth&eMonth&bYear 11&eYear 11&continue.x@&continue.
y> 

 

Even though the Blitz is over, it is still very helpful to contribute
data for Rusty Blackbirds.  If you don't use eBird regularly, please
consider entering all your observations of Rusty Blackbirds (even
outside the Blitz period).  All observations will be used by researchers
currently studying their steep, long-term population decline.  Rusties
will continue using wintering areas through March.  In March and April
we get many migrating Rusty Blackbirds moving through, which sometimes
show up in unexpected places.  All reports are appreciated. 

 

KY Birders have already located several areas which are being used for
research of Rusty Blackbirds!  Over the past two winters, I've been
catching Rusty Blackbirds at a few sites and taking blood and feather
samples in order to contribute to projects going on within the Rusty
Blackbird Technical Working Group to assess possible reasons for
decline.  I'll pass along reports on any results.

 

For those who still wish to report observations, the necessary
information is below.  Remember that negative observations are important
too!

 

Protocol and additional information on identification, habitat
preferences, etc., have been posted on the Smithsonian Migratory Bird
Center's Rusty Blackbird website:

 

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Research
/Rusty_Blackbird/protocol.cfm

 

Please report observations to Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's e-Bird
site:

 

http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/rubl-survey-2010

 

Thanks to anyone who participated!  

 

-Kate

 

 

Kate Heyden

Avian Biologist

Nongame Branch

KY Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

#1 Sportsman's Lane

Frankfort, KY  40601

Phone:  1-800-858-1549 ext. 4475

Fax:  502-564-4519

kathryn.heyden@xxxxxx <mailto:kathryn.heyden@xxxxxx>  

www.fw.ky.gov <http://www.fw.ky.gov/> 

 

Did you know... Department of Fish and Wildlife receives NO state tax
dollars and manages wildlife for all citizens? 

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[birdky] Rusty Blackbird Blitz ended yesterday! Please submit observations!

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