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Permalink Reply by Bosque Bill on December 28, 2011 at 7:05am

I was fortunate to get one good look at the Rusty Blackbirds, but when I went back with my camera I was not so lucky. They have been sighted in an area south of the most southern of the bosque ponds at Tingley Beach (not the little lakes near the parking areas where people fish.} There is a wet area with little, shallow pools between the river and the new elephant building that has recently been painted with a jungle/savannah mural. There is an entrance to the bosque near there along Tingley Drive; walk in from that gate and the area is ahead and a little to the left..

The Rusty Blackbirds were feeding along the edge of these pools, actually finding things in the water to eat, when I saw them. They are easily frightened and will fly high into the cottonwood trees, so approach quietly and carefully with patience.

There is a Sora reportedly back in there, too, but it stays hidden in the reeds most of the time. I believe the longspur was only seen flying overhead; I believe they are more likely found among the Horned Larks out on the west mesas and volcano areas. The Least Sandpiper was seen on a sandbar in the rio just west of this same location.

Good luck in your quest and post about your search.