This noon we drove down Leitcher Wharf Rd in CV Co, toward the Patuxent from Pr 
F - a region of large open fields, in search of Pipits, Longspurs, etc. We found 
none of the target species, but on off-shoot Mallard Pt Rd, came across a flock 
of 20 Rusty Blackbirds in a front yard, associating with (but not homogeneously 
mixed in with) ~ equal number of C Grackles - including some "Bronzed". A most 
unusual find for the county, or anywhere nowdays, especially in such numbers. I 
notice I almost never find Rusties by themselves anymore, but always in the 
company of some other icterids such as grackles or red-wings. Perhaps their 
reduced numbers, unable to satisfy their instinct for grouping, compels them to 
seek out flocks of similar species to associate with.

Fred & Jane Fallon
Huntingtown