[bsg] FW: Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz~~!!

From: "Ingold, James" <James.Ingold@xxxxxxxx>
To: <LABIRD-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, <bsg@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 10:54:30 -0600
BIRD STUDY GROUP

"Get Rusty" this spring to save a declining blackbird!
 
Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz- Calling All Birders!
 
Why?  Over the past half-century, the historically abundant Rusty Blackbird has 
endured one of the steepest population declines ever documented among North 
American landbirds. Within the last 15 years, scientists have learned more 
about this bird's breeding and wintering ecology, and this knowledge allows us 
to target conservation initiatives during these phases of this bird's annual 
cycle.  However, as with many migratory species, we know very little about 
Rusty Blackbird ecology, distribution, and habitat use during migration. Are 
there hot spots where many individuals congregate?  Are there stopover areas 
that are used predictably each year, and are these locations protected? The 
Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz will address these and other questions 
to help focus future research and conservation of one of North America's most 
vulnerable blackbirds. We're recruiting an army of birders to participate in 
this effort to help conserve this fascinating songbird.  Will you accept our 
birding challenge?
 
Who?  The International Rusty Blackbird Working Group, eBird, and the Vermont 
Center for Ecostudies are partnering with local organizations to recruit 
volunteer observers from across the southeastern U.S., East Coast, Midwest, 
Alaska, and Canada.
 
What? Each participating state, province, and territory will have a 3-8 week 
target window during which birders will search for Rusty Blackbirds.  Within 
this window, birders may explore favored birding haunts or newly identified 
areas that they suspect may harbor Rusty Blackbirds. We'll provide some 
guidance on potential habitats to explore, but birders should feel free to get 
creative - and ambitious! - with their searching.
 
When?  Spring 2014 kicks off the first year of this three-year Spring Migration 
Blitz; the Blitz window will span early March through mid-June, with more 
specific timeframes identified for each state or province to account for the 
northward migratory progression.  
 
Where?  Get ready for a continent-wide event!  The Spring Blitz will span the 
Rusty Blackbird's entire spring migration range, from the wintering grounds in 
the southeastern United States, up the East Coast and through the Midwest to 
Canada and Alaska.
 
How do I get involved?  Easy!  If you'd like to contribute data to the Spring 
Migration Blitz effort, bird as you normally do, focusing on potential Rusty 
Blackbird habitat during the Blitz time frame established for your region.  You 
can seek out the best-known places for Rusty sightings or explore uncharted 
territory.  Make sure to report ALL of your observations to eBird - we want to 
know both where you saw these birds and where you didn't.  Check out the newly 
revamped website of the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group 
(http://rustyblackbird.org/outreach/migration-blitz/ ) for information about 
identification, vocalizations, habitat preferences, and types of data to 
collect to support this initiative. Also,
contact Spring Migration Blitz Coordinator Judith Scarl 
(jscarl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ) to get involved in the broader Blitz initiative!
 
Thanks for "Getting Rusty" with us this spring!  Like us on Facebook 
(https://www.facebook.com/rustyblackbirdspringblitz ) to follow up-to-the 
minute information about our Blitz, and happy birding!
 
The International Rusty Blackbird Working Group
eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Vermont Center for Ecostudies


 
This message is intended only for the use of the Addressee(s) and may contain 
information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and/or EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE 
under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby 
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information 
contained herein is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this communication in 
error, please destroy all copies of the message, whether in electronic or hard 
copy format, as well as attachments and immediately contact the sender by 
replying to this email.
[bsg] FW: Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz~~!!

Other related posts:
