Rusty Blackbirds

I've seen and heard a few, off and on, since October, here in NC.

Last night, the temps dropped down to almost 26. My feeders were busy yesterday and this morning, with chickadees, juncos, white-throats, cardinals, etc. even had a few Eastern Bluebirds.

My youngest came running into my room excitedly this morning, shouting there was a HUGE flock of black birds.

For about twenty minutes, and they are still there, a "cloud" of Rusties have been in the trees right behind me, feeding. I normally see them, as they pass through, and have seen them feed, a few blocks over. But I've not been able to watch them for such a length of time, since I was in my car, supposedly going to the grocery store, ("I'll be right back, hon, I'm gonna see if I can see any Rusties and go pick up some milk.") and in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

Today, I got video on our new camcorder of them diving from the trees and eating, from the window of my son's room. Got to watch them and was totally thrilled at their diving all over the place, down to the ground. Amazing aerobatics.

Sweet.

Hey Leylandbirds, isn't it great when you get those opportunities!  Congratulations.  I don't get to see Rusty BBs very often.

The trreeees are alliiive

with the call of Russtieeess...

Was busy shooting videos just a few minutes ago, then remembered I had a camera. 

I have GOT to clean that window. And stop getting so excited, when trying to take a picture.

I am thrilled they have returned. And it looks like they brought more of 'em with 'em. :D

The video camera is new to me. I'm still learning to take vids, and how to load the things. I'll get some links up, so you can see what I'm seeing.

Sorry, if I appear to be broken, jagged in thoughts. I can't describe how thrilled I am they are back. I didn't know if they'd return to the same feeding grounds as last winter season. Obviously, they do. 

I've seen a few, that may have been in passing, on their way somewhere else. 

This cloud has been around for the last two days and are in the exact same spot as the cloud from last season. So I wonder if it's some of the same birds. But this cloud is definately bigger. From what I saw, from the results of the Rusty Blackbird Blitz last February, down your way, Dave and in some of the southern most states, they collected in the thousands. My area can't support that many, but there are definintely more than the fifty to a hundred or so I saw last year. Looks almost doubled. I'll need to spend more time observing them to get a better idea of how many.