One red-winged blackbird does not an early spring make
February 4, 2001

Does one red-winged blackbird at a feeder mean an early spring? Or is that wishful thinking for winter-weary folks?

Woodland Dunes' records for the past four years show that red-wings have been returning two weeks earlier each year. Is that a sign of global warming or an indication that the birds are wintering farther north each year?

The red-winged blackbird has been the subject of ornithological observation throughout the years. Numerous species of red-wings are spread widely over the continent wherever they can find suitable marshes in which to breed. The marsh at Woodland Dunes apparently provides the perfect habitat. the return of red-wings in spring is a heralded event, but one lone red-wing doesn't mean the ice is out of the marsh.

Extensive studies dating to the early 1900's explained the normal northward migration pattern of the species in the spring. It will be interesting to note whether the pattern has changed through the years. A researcher in those early years divided migratory waves into seven classes in the vicinity of Ithaca, NY "Vagrants" arrived from February 25 to March 4; migrant adult males from March 13 to April 21; resident adult males from March 25 to April 10; migrant females and immature males from March 29 to April 24; resident adult females from April 10 to May 1; resident immature males and females may not arrive until June.

Is the bird at the feeder an early bird vagrant or one that never headed south?

When the first true migrants arrive, flocks of adult males may appear by the hundreds. About 4:30 in the afternoon they might alight in the shelter of a few scraggly dry cattails. Sometimes they may alight in nearby trees and unite in song.

Later, resident birds begin to arrive. The males establish their territory. Adult females soon join them and nesting begins about the first week in May.

Early nests are often built on the dried stalks of cattails. As the cattails get green and grow, the nests are liable to get tipped sideways, threatening the youngsters.

the young red-wings are ready to leave the nest at an early age, often hanging onto nearby stems even if they aren't ready to fly. In addition the youngsters are subject to predation by everything from hawks to snakes.

Mankind is probably the worst enemy adult red-wings have as the birds are shot by the thousands where they gather in huge flocks in areas such as rice fields in the south. On the whole they are very beneficial as much of their food consists of insects.

Soon, we hope, the welcome"conqueree" song will be heard, and if Bernie Brouchoud is right, it will be sooner than usual.