Date: 10/13/26 4:06 pm From: Tim Bray via groups.io <tbray...> Subject: Re: [Mendobirds] Rusty Blackbird refound
13 October 2026 - The Rusty Blackbird returned to the platform at Laguna
Point just before noon today. We walked out and found no blackbirds,
spent a little time looking around and chatting with two other birders,
and just as we turned around to leave a few Brewer's Blackbirds flew up
and landed on the deck railing. We waited and more came in, and finally
the Rusty landed on the railing a few feet away from us. The Brewer's
clearly hoped we had brought them treats, and when none were offered
they began moving around the point, foraging among the rocks and along
the edges of the vegetated terrace. The flock moved around a lot and the
Rusty was difficult to track, it often disappeared behind rocks. Be
careful, there is one female Red-winged Blackbird with them, but the
Rusty is unmistakable once you see it. Photos in the checklist:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S402106165
Looking at eBird the only previous reports are unattributed historical
records from October 1986 (Garcia River mouth) and November 1989 (Ukiah
WWTP). Great find by Junco Bullick on September 30, and lucky for us it
has stuck around.
--
Cheers,
Tim
“I now belong to a higher cult of mortals for I have seen the
albatross.” Robert Cushman Murphy, 1912
mendocinocoastaudubon.org
kzyx.org/show/ecology-hour
kzyx.org/show/oak-and-thorn
On 10/11/2026 6:10 PM, Roger Adamson via groups.io wrote:
> The (a??) Rusty Blackbird was seen today at Laguna Point about 4:45-5:15 in a flock of about 40 Brewer’s Blackbirds. The birds were foraging on the rocks near the west platform at the west end of Laguna Point. I will add photos to my eBird list.
> Roger Adamson
> Fort Bragg
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