Tricolored Blackbird - Julie Van Vemden
Report

Contributor

Julie Van Vemden Media from this contributor

Date

Location

Los Vaqueros Reservoir--Kellogg Creek Staging Area
Contra Costa, California, United States
Media from this location Illustrated Checklist
Map
Map Coordinates: 37.8476767, -121.7010124
Age
Not specified
Sex
Not specified

Observation details

A notable amount of crickets were seen jumping along the path towards the blackberry patch. Flocks of approximately 80 tricolored blackbirds were observed foraging and returning to the patch, with an estimated 600 or more at the site. Activity levels were extremely high and were accompanied by loud vocalizations. A handful of females were seen perched atop the patch with food in their beaks. A flock of nearly 100 birds (primarily males) were observed flying across the water and returning to the bush- 4 males were spotted carrying food and 4 more were carrying twigs. The birds were actively foraging on the ground in the foothills and along the water. There was murmuring from within the blackberry patch as well. Overall, the colony seems to have returned with considerable activity. Four coyotes were spotted in the hills, although they were more distant from the site this time.

Technical information

Dimensions
1170 pixels x 1904 pixels
Original file size
421.09 KB