Subject: [Tweeters] Tricolored breeding colony found in Whitman co, WA
Date: May 29 21:19:08 2005
From: Bob Flores - rflores at smwireless.net


Doug Schonewald, Randy Hill,Steve Mlodinow and I found forging tricolors today along Texas Lake Rd, Delorme pg 72 2-D. We had between 50-100 birds forging in flocks along a 2-3 mile stretch of the road. Some were on top of the rolling hills and others along the road and there were flying birds flying flight lines to the colony. We contacted the land owner along the coulee we watched the birds fly into and were able to find the colony. There were about 100-120 breeding pairs we took plenty of photos and checked the surrounding area for more colonies but found none.

People who wish to see tricolors should be able to find forging birds along Texas Lake Road. The colony is on private land and that should be respected.

This is a area I have felt harbored a breeding colony for several years now because of sightings I and others have had during the breeding season. These could, and probably are, the birds that winter in Othello. I am glad we found these as I told the others "I am getting tired of looking at every blackbird around Othello hoping to find the breeding colony" that supports the numbers we see in Othello.

Cheers

Bob Flores
Othello, WA