By Mia McPherson, on March 2nd, 2012% Red-winged Blackbirds are birds that I associate with spring, the males begin calling perched on top of reeds, cattails, grasses and shrubs and flash their brightly colored coverts to attract a mate.
 Male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelius phoeniceus) - Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/350, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light Red-winged Blackbirds are one of the most abundant songbirds in North America. They prefer marshes and wetlands and build cup-shaped nests woven with grasses and mud.
 Female Red-winged Blackbird with nesting material - Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light When I photographed the female Red-winged Blackbird above I had been walking on a narrow path through a stand of mangroves to get to a tidal lagoon to photograph shorebirds there when I heard a rustling sound and this female with nesting material in her bill popped up from the ground to perch on the top of the mangrove. I took a few pictures and quickly went on my way. I didn’t want to disturb or disrupt her from building her nest.
Lately I have heard the Red-winged Blackbird males calling more frequently, it won’t be long before they begin the nesting season in earnest.
Mia
More Red-winged Blackbird images
By Mia McPherson, on October 28th, 2011% 
Male Ring-necked Pheasants in autumn grasses and Pickleweed (from 2010)
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Some days when I don’t go out to photograph I look back through my files to find out what birds I had seen around the same time last year so I’ll know what birds I might find in certain locations. I also like looking back through the files because I find images I haven’t edited yet.
There are quite a few Ring-necked Pheasants to be found at the Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area but they can be a challenge to find out in the open. I photographed these two males (one is mostly hidden) last year. We’d already had frost so the Pickleweed had turned crimson red in some spots, combined with the straw colored grasses this turned out to be a rather colorful image. Ah, autumn is very beautiful.
Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow (from 2010)
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I like the subdued colors in the image above of this juvenile White-crowned Sparrow. The leaves on this shrub had already fallen and pale golden grasses made for a nice background setting. Despite the bird and the setting having similar coloration the birds stands out very well.
Pied-billed Grebe (from 2008)
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
The Pied-billed Grebes that I have seen very little of during the summer are now making their appearance. They might be “plain” birds but what they lack in color they make up for with their attitudes, they are fiesty little grebes. I’ve seen them chasing after Red-breasted and Common Mergansers with fish to try and grab the food, Red-breasted Mergansers outweigh the Pied-billed Grebe by approximately 1.3 lbs and Common Mergansers out weigh them by 2.4 lbs. Pretty gutsy birds.
Red-winged Blackbird male
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
In October and November large flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds can be found in the Salt Lake Valley along with similar flocks of Starlings and Yellow-headed Blackbirds. I love the sound of the flocks lifting off in unison when I can hear the “whoosh” of their wings.
The Red-winged Blackbird above posed for over 10 minutes on this cattail giving me plenty of time to get my exposure right, photographing black birds is a challenge. When the temps get really chilly Red-winged Blackbirds (and other species) get “sticky”, meaning they are less apt to fly off right away.
Male Northern Harrier hovering in flight (from 2010)
Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Autumn means more Northern Harriers in the local places where I photograph birds, although harriers are year-round residents in the Salt Lake Valley, I see them most often and in greater numbers during the fall and winter. Male and female harriers look very different from each other. The male is often called the “Gray Ghost” though I’ve had many hits on my blog for the key words “light morph northern harrier”. The females are darker, brownish and have paler yellow eyes than the male.
Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk (from 2010)
Tooele County, near the Stansbury Mountains, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Raptors like this juvenile Red-tailed Hawk move down fom the high country during the autumn to the valleys to stay during the winter, the past few weeks I have seen their numbers increasing.
This Red-tailed Hawk was basking in the morning light near the top of an earthen dam with the Stansbury Mountains in the background. I couldn’t have asked for better light.
Photographing birds during Autumn is a wonderful time for me in Utah, the beautiful fall colors delight and enthrall me, the air gets nippy and I find myself feeling a surge of energy whenever I am outdoors. I’m thinking about adding new base layers to my clothing, warmer, insulated boots and buying a box of hand warmers so I don’t freeze my finger tips off.
Yes, I am looking forward to the birds I’ll see and photograph this autumn and winter but just being out there with them is great too.
Mia
By Mia McPherson, on March 27th, 2011% 
Audubon’s Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)
Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, not a set up, natural light
I have the fever. Aspirin won’t help nor will bed rest because spring fever can only be cured by getting out and soaking up spring! For a little while today the sun was shining and teasing me. A storm is rolling in tonight and tomorrow is going to be cruddy … but a high pressure front is coming in after this storm and the weather is looking better, spring time is knocking at the door.
It is about time for a cure for this spring fever.
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) collecting mud for its nest
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Nikon, f6.3, 1/400, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I’ve seen signs of Ravens, Black-billed Magpies, Canada Geese, Horned Larks and other birds preparing their nests. It won’t be long and there will be many more pairs of birds mating and incubating eggs. They have spring fever too.
Quite a few species of trees have started to open their buds, I’m seeing green on the willows, a flush of new blooms on some cherry trees and I have been hearing the songs of the chorus frogs. There are crocus, snowdrops and grape hyacinths in bloom and the daffodils and tulips will soon follow along with the sweet perfume of the lilacs.
Yes, spring is warm, inviting and exciting.
Western Grebes (Aechmorphus occidentalis) courting in early spring
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 400, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Don’t get me wrong, I love winter and the birds I see then. I love to see the mountains heavily covered in snow, frosted vegetation and breathing in the brisk air.
Spring seduces me. Refreshes me. It whispers to me softly to come outside to savor nature and wildlife and feel the warm breeze caress my skin. It beckons to me to go camping to spend the daylight hours exploring and promises star-filled nights out where all I might hear are the sounds of howling coyotes and the hoot of an owl or two. Away from the city, out where you can hear for miles.
Male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelius phoeniceus) singing on old cattails
Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, not a set up, natural light
Spring has a musical rhapsody which is entirely its own. Birds such as this Red-winged Blackbird seem unable to resist singing outloud and why should they? It is a great time of the year.
The snow melt will fill the mountain streams and as they tumble downward towards the valleys the tinkling and gurgling sounds that creates will fill the air. Yum, sitting on a sun warmed rock streamside and listening to that in the spring?
Priceless.
Mia
By Mia McPherson, on January 30th, 2011% 
Adult Red-winged Blackbird (Agelius phoeniceus) male singing
Pinellas County, Florida
Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
In December of 2010 and January of 2011 the national media outlets reported several mass die offs of birds in the United States. On December 31, 2010 over 5000 blackbirds died and fell on the town of Beebee, Arkansas. On January 4, 2011 near Labarre, Louisiana 500 blackbirds and starlings were reported dead. It was reported that the mass die off in Arkansas was caused by illegal fireworks going off which startled the blackbirds into flying at night, smashing into objects because of their poor night vision.
Recently the USDA accepted responsibility for a smaller die off in South Dakota which brought to light a little known program called “Bye bye Blackbird” which uses DRC-1339, a poison that is also called an avicide. I didn’t see this program brought to national attention in the evening news.
Adult European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Salt Lake County, Utah
Nikon D200, f5.6, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm with 1.4x TC at 260mm, natural light
Target species of the “Bye bye Blackbird” USDA program are blackbirds, starlings, grackles, cowbirds, and pigeons.
A bit about European Starlings: Few people in North America like European Starlings, my thoughts on that are not to blame the bird but to place the blame where it belongs with the people who introduced this species in 1890 – 1891 in New York’s Central Park.
It only took 60 years for European starlings to make their way from the Atlantic coast all the way to the Pacific and a mere 100 birds has now been estimated at over 200 million. They do compete with native species for food and nesting cavities.
Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) male singing
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/350, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Of the blackbird target species there are Red-winged Blackbirds, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Brewer’s Blackbirds, the less common Tricolored Blackbird, and the rare Rusty Blackbird. The depredation order is currently under review because of the impact it may have on the declining population of the Rusty Blackbird.
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) male
Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Cowbirds are also targeted by the Bye bye Blackbird program, there are 3 species which can be affected, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Shiny Cowbirds and Bronzed Cowbirds. Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found throughout most of North America while the Shiny and Bronzed Cowbirds are more localized to certain geographical areas.
Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) male
Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
There are three grackle species that are also targeted by the “Bye bye Blackbird” program, Common Grackles, Boat-tailed Grackles and Great-tailed Grackles. Common Grackles cover the largest geographical area, Great-tailed Grackles are found throughout the southwestern United States while Boat-tailed Grackles seem to prefer being along the east coast.
Adult male Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) male singing
Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah
Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Why was the USDA “Bye bye Blackbird“ program started and when did it begin? It began in the 1960′s and became a part of the USDA later. The program was started to aid farmers, dairy farmers and ranchers in the reduction and removal of avian “pests”. Dairy farmers say that a large flock of starlings or blackbirds can eat 200 pounds of feed a day and that their feces can spoil the feed.
Through the US Fish and Wildlife Service there is a “depredation order” which allows anyone kill blackbirds, starlings or grackles who claims they pose health risks or economic damage. Some areas of the country require permits but farmers are often able to hire private contractors who don’t need to report their bird culls to any authority.
USDA agents killed more than 4 million starlings, blackbirds, grackles and cowbirds in 2009.
“Every winter, there’s massive and purposeful kills of these blackbirds,” says Greg Butcher, the bird conservation director at the National Audubon Society. “These guys are professionals, and they don’t want to advertise their work. They like to work fast, efficiently, and out of sight.”
I have to wonder:
* Why aren’t the farmers required to cover the feed they say is being lost daily or annually?
* Would the birds even be there if the feed was covered?
* Would the birds be defacating on the feed if the feed were covered?
* Why should this program to exterminate these species be paid for by the government?
* What are the effects on non-target species who eat seeds?
* What are the effects on raptors who may ingest the poisoned birds?
* What are the long-term effects of DRC-1339 on humans and the environment?
* How many other birds are dying because of DRC-1339 that we don’t know or hear about?
The USDA says that DRC-1339 does not affect livestock, pets or humans but they didn’t think that DDT would cause the well documented problems for birds that it did. How many times has the USDA or FDA said that a poison or medication wouldn’t be harmful only later to have to recant those statements because it was harmful? How many government studies have been proven wrong?
From promedmail.org: Known exceptions are owls and felines, with LD’s of about 5 mg/kg placing them in the sensitive category.
Last I checked felines included a well known family pet, the cat. And owls are protected.
DRC-1339 causes severe renal failure and congestion to the bird’s major organs, does that sound humane? I don’t think so.
What is next?
* If a Golden or Bald Eagle takes, kills and ingests a lamb or a calf will they be on the Bye bye Blackbird hit list too? They would be causing economic damage.
* Who is watching the private contractors to make sure they are “dosing” the target species safely if they don’t have to report to authorities?
* Why are the private contractors not required to report the number of birds (or species for that matter) to government authorities?
I’d hate to think that our great-grandchildren won’t ever know the sound of a Red-winged Blackbird singing on a spring morning. There needs to be more transparency & accountability about the “Bye bye Blackbird” program.
I’m really bothered by the USDA Bye bye Blackbird program, are you?
Mia
Juvenile male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelius phoeniceus) singing
Pinellas County, Florida
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/800, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm at 400mm, natural light
http://www.truth-out.org/bye-bye-blackbird-usda-acknowledges-a-hand-one-mass-bird-death67028
http://www.sustainabilityforum.com/news/bye-bye-blackbird-usda-mass-bird-deaths
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=2400:1001:2123109730310003::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,86850
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Photographing a Tricolored Heron from a tidal lagoon
Focusing on Wildlife Contributor
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