From: Gough, Greg [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 3:28 PM
To: 
Subject: RE: rusty blackbird blitz

 

Dear Maryland/DC Birders,

 

One of the most declining songbirds in North America is the Rusty Blackbird.
In an effort to figure out where its current major wintering areas are, a
survey will be held in early Febuary. If you are interested in volunteering
to help find rusty blackbirds, please see:

 

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Research/Rus
ty_Blackbird/blitz.cfm

 

Collaborating with Cornell's Laboratory of Ornithology and National Audubon
Society's e-Bird project, we are enlisting the power of the birding public
(you!) to help locate local, but predictable, wintering concentrations of
Rusty Blackbirds. We are mobilizing an all out "blitz" to locate Rusty
Blackbirds and create a map of wintering Rusty Blackbird "hot spots" that
will help focus research, monitoring and conservation attention.

 

You can go wherever you like, whenever you like, and as often as you like
anytime between the dates of February 7-15, 2009. We are simply seeking
observations on the number of birds present at each location visited, along
with very basic habitat information. All you have to do is submit your
observations (or lack thereof) via e-Bird. We will do the rest! 

 

Sincerely,

 

Gregory Gough

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center