Hello James et al.~
I know that recently the numbers of Tricolored Blackbirds at Ford's Pond has
decreased, but for years it used to be a reliable spot to see this species in
summer (assumed breeders) that possible occurred after Birds of Oregon: General
Reference was published. Matt H can add more detail.
Cheerio,Medford Russ
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2016 18:59:02 -0800
Subject: [Umpqua Birds] Tricolored Blackbirds Ford's Pond
From: billstinj@xxxxxxxxx
To: umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Matt discovered a female Tricolored Blackbird in the picture that I
submitted to ebird. I personally find this to be a really fascinating
discovery.
Birds of Oregon does not list Tricolored Blackbirds as confirmed breeding
in Douglas County. It does, however, state that their winter populations
increase in Klamath, Jackson, Deschutes, and Crook County in February and
March. In 2015, they were reported from March through June at Ford's Pond,
ranging from 1 to 8 birds. In May of 2013 and 2014 there were also large (10<)
numbers reported in May.
Does the Ford's Pond area represent a bastion of Tricolored Blackbirds on
the west side of the Cascades? There are surely, at least in Ebird reports,
more observations of them over an extended period of time than in any other
location north of Jackson County on the west side of the Cascades.
These birds are rapidly declining in their already limited range in the west.
It would be really neat if we could monitor their presence in the Ford's Pond
area to try and discover more about their comings and goings.
--
James Billstine
http://birdsandbrawn.blogspot.com/
