ML647186441

Media notes

green lines denote the cowbirds among the grackles

Observation details

Highest count I've had here. I brought my spotting scope to view the flocks of birds gathering on the towers as they left their nighttime roosts. Majority of birds are Great-tailed Grackles. Mixed in were the Bronzed Cowbirds, identified by red eyes, large ruff on neck of males, and heavy bills. Today the birds only landed very briefly, so I was not able to determine sexes as I typically do. Photos show the flying flocks that had landed briefly on the towers before flying north. Useless for ID, I identified them while they were perched and used the photos for determining counts since they did not stay long. Photos only added to show the flock sizes. Other birds were seen on the tower, some denoted by a green line I added. The first birds appeared at 7:25 and all were gone by 7:30. Typically this species does not hang around at this site. Later, did see 1 female Bronzed Cowbird within the Red-winged Blackbird feeding flock that gathers near the northern boat ramp. Typically these birds use the tower located here as the primary landing perch, 32.281130, -111.031521. Usually they also perched on this tower, but it was not used today: 32.283168, -111.033032

Additional species

• Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus