Dave,

I have to agree with Leo--any huge flock will be here today and gone 
tomorrow.  Elaine and I experienced our largest flock on Quantico Rd. (or 
possibly Athol Rd.) in Wicomico Co. about three years ago, when we spotted a 
flock of more than 100,000 birds.  We stopped the car in the road and 
scanned the flock, then found ourselves in the middle of it, as it moved 
from a field on one side of the road to a field on the other side.  Being in 
the middle of that avian mass left an indelible (sp?) impression.  I was 
very disappointed that in a flock of that magnitude I could find no 
Yellow-headed Blackbird.

Stan Arnold
Ferndale (AA Co)




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "CURSON, David" <>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 1:22 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Blackbird Flock Hotspots


Can anyone suggest sites in Maryland for particularly spectacular blackbird 
flocks in autumn?  See the message below for a chance to put Maryland on the 
Discovery Channel. This would be a great opportunity to show off some our 
wild marshes to a wide audience.

It would need to be a site where really large flocks (>20,000?,  > 50,000?) 
can reliably be found.

Any ideas? I'll happily forward them.

Dave

David Curson, PhD
Director of Bird Conservation,
Audubon Maryland-DC
Tel: (410) 675 4963



From: Cate Donnegoold [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 9:25 AM
To: IBA
Cc: Cate Donnegoold
Subject: Blackbird Flock Hotspots

Hello,

I work for a Production Company in England creating a series of programs on 
North American Wildlife for the Discovery Channel.  I am currently 
researching both location and time of year for witnessing (and filming) 
species of blackbird flocking together to migrate after breeding.  No 
particular species is necessary, though they must not be introduced (so no 
starlings please) - I also believe various species will often flock 
together?

Would you possibly be able to help me with some advice on timings and 
locations of particularly spectacular flocks, or indeed put me it touch with 
someone else who may be able to help me?

Many thanks,
Cate Donnegoold

Production Secretary, Wild Horizons Ltd
59 Cotham Hill, Cotham, Bristol  BS6 6JR
Telephone: 0117 906 4320