I was also thinking that the inevitable waste-water dumping into FP could
be a good thing for this species by isolating their islands. I wonder if
there are any other things that we could do to help the species at this
location? Maybe one of us could peruse Jamarillo and Burke's *New World
Blackbirds *for any possible information. Projects, projects, projects...
On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 11:49 PM, Matthew G Hunter <matthewghunter@xxxxxxxxx
wrote:
I agree Jimmy, that it would be good to learn more about the Tricolored
Blackbirds here in Douglas County. What I recall is that Bob and Jeannie
Pollock first noticed them at Ford's Pond in about 2005 and they were noted
most years since. Their numbers were lower and they were not as easy to
find the last 2-3 years. I wonder if the current high water, which isolates
their favorite island(s) from "mainland" will encourage them to colonize
the island(s) again, as the last couple years the island was accessible in
spring/summer.
In regard to learning more, ... I had assumed, like everyone else, that
since the birds were present in the breeding season, that they must be
breeding. However, I was told by someone from California that the species
often forms satellite colonies that just check things out and that they
usually don't breed until their numbers build up higher (more immigrants).
I could not verify this information in the Birds of North America account (
http://bna.birds.cornell.edu). Nevertheless, I am not aware of any
documentation of breeding in Douglas County. This could come in the form of
nests, or better yet, feeding of young. So, I agree Jimmy, let's see what
we can learn this year!
Matt
On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 8:02 PM, Russ Namitz <namitzr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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/
