[CT Birds] Half Hardy Birds and Rusty Blackbirds

[streatham2003 at aol.com]

Hi All,

I'm not a big fan of drawing conclusions from a few personal observations, but is it me or does there seem to be a large number of half hardy birds this year that have survived this rather mild winter. The number of reports of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Orioles sp etc seem much higher than usual.

Also I noticed a number of Rusty Blackbird reports from feeders this year (we had 3 on the Wilton Bird Count coming to a feeder on the CBC). I don't usually associate then with feeders - perhaps they have learned a few new tricks from the grackles? I wonder what, if anything this years CBC might tell us about how they are faring - their significant decreases over the last few years are a pretty depressing development - does anyone have any idea whether we are any closer to determining why they are doing so badly? 

Also thought I'd share my favorite message from a participant in the Big January thus far: "I am not sure who started this incredibly fun thing - but do they work for an oil company?"

Luke Tiller
Wilton

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