Rusty Blackbird at Middle Creek

 A Rusty Blackbird was reported at Middle Creek the last few days - it's another rather rare species for our area - so with forecast calling for heavy snow the next 2 days, I thought it was a good day to go birding and look for this species.

 

As I entered Middle Creek Wildlife Area, I noticed that most of the ponds had a thin layer of ice on them...limiting the waterfowl species that I would be seeing - which was ok, sincew I was looking for a land species that likes wetter habitat - the Rusty Blackbird.

A started at stop one - observing Coots, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, and Hooded Mergansers..plus a few other species...my count was at 16 when I left stop 1.

Hood mergansers

Hooded Merganser Pair

 

Lesser Scaup

After leaving stop 1 I drove around the tour road, adding Meadowlark, Bluebirds and Northern Harrier  plus a few other species..bringing my count to 28.

As it would turn out, 28 is where my count stopped..I did not see the Rusty Blackbird, or for that matter any Grackles either. A little disappointed I headed for home, after about 2 1/2 hours of looking to no avail and making another loop on the tour road.

On the home, I spotted a huge flock of 'blackbird species' foraging along the road in a wet area...one of few not frozen. I immediately stopped and began glassing the birds...spotting Red Winged Blackbird, Brown Headed Cowbird, Starling, Common Grackle. and finally a Rusty Blackbird...and then another...I kept scanning the large group....but a car drive past and they all scatters....but I did have my Rusty Blackbird for the year at a most unlikely spot...just goes to so you...always check the flocks...just don't drive past..it may pay off,  as it did for me (the photo below was taken at Middle Creek on March 11 by Zack Millen).

Rusty Blackbird at Middle Creek

Until next time - good birding.