[Tweeters] Neal Road blackbirds (King Cty.)

[pan]

Hi, Tweets,

Yesterday mid-morning, Spencer H. and I, and a few others, searched through the blackbirds continuing across the river from the north end of Neal Road in eastern King County.  The proportion of cowbirds is increasing.  We did see a female Yellow-headed blackbird and a female Rusty Blackbird that looked different from recently photographed ones.  Be aware, however, that the farm operators are apparently becoming less tolerant of the birds, as we heard about three gunshots from there, which flushed the birds for awhile.  This may be connected to the increase in calf-occupied veal pens, and so use for feed, in recent weeks.  I do not know whether actual ammunition or "blanks" were used (and so whether direct bird mortality is a risk), nor whether they've pursued permits for such.  Spencer also found a White-throated Sparrow in the blackberries across the river, perhaps continuing from January.  

of 13 March, 2021,

Alan Grenon
Seattle
panmail AT mailfence.com