For the past 2 weeks we have had as many as 11 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS on the path near the Cranberry Marsh Raptor Watch platform. Recently the number has fallen to 4-6, one of which has been very light-breasted and having dark eyes--it is slightly smaller than its full-adult partners, and often seemed to be shunned by the latter.
This Nov.25 morning several of us witnessed a similar bird, it having only slightly pale eyes. Now then, Craig McLauchlan's research indicates that "a juvenile RB that is moulting into a 1st-basic male has a dark eye, it becoming paler as the moult completes". The watching of these Rusties was the only thing that kept us busy, other than our usual camaraderie. It was great to have Connie and Jack from Stouffville with us. As you may gather---no migrating raptors this morning. Doug Lockrey, Whitby,ON _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
