During the last hour of daylight Veterans Day there were at least three  
Rusty Blackbirds in the leafless trees along the cross dike at Hughes  Hollow. 
 They were flocked with mostly Red-winged Blackbirds and a few  Cowbirds.
 
Yesterday, November 12, also late in the afternoon, there again was a mixed 
 flock in these same trees.  I could only find one Rusty, however.   There 
were also Starlings and six Robins.  The flock was about 80 birds  split 
among three trees.  Periodically some would fly off and light in  trees 
adjacent to the parking lot.  Some would fly back.  
 
A word of caution: duck season opens today and there was a handful of  
hunters checking things out at Hughes yesterday.  They will undoubtedly be  
there today.  The season runs through November 26.  BTW, I saw not a  single 
duck or goose either day!
 
Bob Mumford
Darnestown