Subject: [Tweeters] Rusty Blackbird at Ridgefield NWR
Date: Dec 16 16:59:22 2006
From: washingtonbirder.Knittle Knittle - washingtonbirder at hotmail.com


Birded Ridgefield NWR this afternoon and refound the Rusty Blackbird earlier
found by Joe Higbee and photographed this past week. It was just over
half-way through the trees after the blind. I had my window down listening.
I first heard one Swamp Sparrow then the Rusty. I kept following the
Rusty by moving my car foward than backwards for 40 mins by ear before it
got up high enough for me to see it. I kept hanging around the backside of
dry grass which was floating on the water. I have seen them hanging aorund
water in years past so along with the call notes and it being very secretive
I kind of figured this was a good prospect. The only other blackbird even
anywhere close was a female Red-winged Blackbird that landed once in the
tree above where I could hear the Rusty. Thanks to Joe for first finding
it. I think it may hang around for those with time to wait for it to
appear. Near the end of the trees section I heard another Swamp Sparrow.

The Rusty did not respond to my pishing, but 2 Marsh Wrens did along with a
Spotted Towhee and a Licoln's Sparrow.


Ken Knittle
Washington Birder newsletter
2604 NE 80th Street
Vancouver, WA 98665
360-574-2590
mailto:washingtonbirder "at" hotmail.com