H all --

This is cross-posted from BirdChat since many ospreyers are not on that list -- any questions should be directed to the Smithsonian (contact info in this posting), or to Cornell.

Gail Mackiernan
Colesville, MD
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To: 
Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Rusty Blackbird Hot Spot Blitz
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:44:41 +0000
> Mark Your Calendars for the Rusty Blackbird Hot Spot Blitz!  
> 
> The Rusty Blackbird has been steeply declining with estimates of an 85-99%
> population drop over the past 40 years.  The cause for this alarming decline
> is not known and the increasingly sparse and patchy winter distribution of
> the Rusty Blackbird is making it more difficult to learn more about
> distribution, abundance, and ecology as a basis for conservation efforts. 
> Collaborating with Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's and National Audubon
> Society’s e-Bird project, the Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group
> (RBTWG) needs your help to find local, but predictable wintering
> concentrations of Rusty Blackbirds by participating in the Rusty Blackbird
> Hot Spot Blitz. 
> 
>  
> 
> The Rusty Blackbird Hot Spot Blitz will occur, February 7-15, 2009,
> throughout the Rusty Blackbird winter range in over 20 midwestern and
> southeastern states.  Participants will simply be asked to visit locations
> where they have previously sighted or would expect to encounter Rusty
> Blackbirds and submit their observations via e-Bird.  There are no
> datasheets or daily time restrictions. 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.  If you are unfamiliar with areas which may support Rusty
> Blackbirds in your region, contact the Blitz coordinator for ideas. As a
> result of these efforts, the RBTWG is hoping to create maps of wintering
> Rusty Blackbird "hot spots" that will help direct research, monitoring and
> conservation attention.  
> 
>  
> 
> If you don't use eBird regularly, please consider entering all your
> observations of Rusty Blackbirds (even outside the Blitz period).  Your
> observations of will be used by researchers currently studying their steep
> long-term population decline.
> 
> Additional instructions and information on identification, habitat
> preferences, etc., will soon be posted on the Smithsonian Migratory Bird
> Center's Rusty Blackbird website:
> > http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ConservationAndScience/MigratoryBirds/Research/Rusty_B
> lackbird/
>  
> Information and instructions will also be available on Cornell Laboratory of
> Ornithology's e-Bird site:
> 
> http://ebird.org
>