Subject: [Tweeters] Tricolored Blackbirds-- anybody know a breeding locality?
Date: Jun 30 23:07:58 2006
From: Wayne C. Weber - contopus at telus.net


Tweeters & Inland Birders,

In 1998, the first breeding colony of Tricolored Blackbirds in WA was
discovered-- I believe it was by David Beaudette-- near Wilson Creek,
east of Soap Lake in Grant County. Although small numbers nested there
for several years, it now looks like this breeding site has been
abandoned. (This species is known for frequently moving its breeding
colonies, depending on marsh habitat conditions.) In fact, does
anyone know for sure whether the species nested successfully at Wilson Creek
in 2004 or 2005?

Tricoloreds have been reported at various times from quite a few
Eastern Washington localities, including at least Adams, Lincoln,
Klickitat, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Spokane Counties as well as
Grant County. However, if they no longer breed near Wilson Creek,
finding them in Washington could be almost a total crapshoot for
birders. Does anyone know another probable or possible breeding
locality? If not, let's keep a sharp lookout for one. The geographic
distribution of this species can change rapidly (as it has done in
Oregon), and providing up-to-date birdfinding information may be a
challenging proposition.

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net