[TN-Bird] Re: Brewers, Rusty Blackbirds - Davidson Co.
- From: richard connors <didymops07@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: ed.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:04:25 -0600
This reminds be, a coupe of weeks ago (2/15) at Burns Branch, Natchez Trace
Parkway in Williamson County I observed the largest flock of Rusty
Blackbirds that I haves seen so far in one flock. High count was 72 birds.
That was several passes with binocs observing them in the meadow, and in
the trees when spooked, and a scope view of some working the creek and
bank. I've seen bigger flocks when mixed with Brewer's, but all these
appeared to be rusties.
Richard Connors
Nashville
On Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 2:10 PM, Ed Schneider <ed.schneider@xxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> While taking the western loop to avoid downtown on my way home this
> morning, I drove through Belle Meade, and noticed a large (over 200) flock
> of blackbirds on a lawn on the corner of Iroquois Ave. and Belle Meade
> Blvd. I made a U-turn and turned onto Iroquois, just as the flock flushed
> into two large trees. The majority were Common Grackles, I would say 60%,
> but the starlings were very few, maybe 30 individuals. The rest of the
> flock was composed mostly of winter-plumaged Rusty Blackbirds, but then I
> noticed some birds that looked superficially like grackles, but 25-30%
> smaller and shorter tailed... as I doubted myself (I'd never confidently
> seen Brewer's before), I noticed what I thought were female Brown-headed
> Cowbirds, until I saw the bill and was confident I was looking at a handful
> of Brewer's Blackbirds for the first time!
>
> Having the three species on the ground, flying around, and perched in
> trees at close range next to each other was truly a great study. Always
> nice to see over 40 Rusties in a neighborhood flock as well!
>
> Good birding,
>
> Ed Schneider
> Nashville
> Davidson Co.
>
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