On the last day of 2025 I visited Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I was able to take a video of a large flock of blackbirds lifting off.
Most were Red-winged Blackbirds, with Common Grackles mixed in. There may also have been a few Rusty and Yellow-headed Blackbirds, along with some starlings.
The sound of the blackbirds lifting off was loud and exhilarating. For a moment, I almost felt like I was part of the flock.
I simply couldn’t resist taking more videos.
This is three videos of mostly Red-winged Blackbirds joined together, filmed on the last day of 2025 at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. The blackbirds were there in large numbers that day.
In the background, Snow Geese can be heard, and toward the end, a vehicle moving on the gravel road.
I didn’t take many still photos of the blackbirds because I felt that the videos conveyed the sheer number of living, moving blackbirds better that morning.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-winged Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
There’s something mesmerizing about the mass motion of murmurations; thanks for sharing!
They are beautiful to see and hear too! An amazing scene, thank you for sharing!! 😍