Everyone was interested in seeing the female Rusty Blackbird that Steven McDonald found on New Year morning. So instead of following our usual pattern, we walked directly do the east-most low water crossing in the Town and Country playing fields where the blackbird has been seen ever since Seven found it. On the way we found a mixed group of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings land in the top of a tree and I got this poor photo:
When we got to the Rusty Blackbird spot initially I didn't find the bird, but while scanning with my spotting scope I found a single Wilson's Snipe foraging along the edge of the creek bed near a group of about a dozen Least Sandpipers. Most of the group at least got glimpses of the snipe through my spotting scope which was fun. Wilson's Snipe can be a hard bird to see because they like to stay hidden in marshy or creek-side vegetation. And I haven't seen many on the trail in the last few years.
Finally someone in the group spotted the Rusty Blackbird a little further downstream. Everyone got great looks at it through my spotting scope, but it was a bit too far away for good photos. Here's one of my photos from Jan 1:
The blackbird was the highlight of the walk, and a life bird for a few folks there. I was so happy she was still in the same spot! I assume it's because it's a good place to forage and has plenty of protective cover along the creek bed edges.
It was fun seeing a few wild ducks on the creek, just three species: American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Northern Shoveler. On our way back we watched a large distant flock of at least 90 ducks flying north. They were too far away to identify. Maybe they were heading to Ganzert Lake?
Here's our complete list on eBird.
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