JIm Hamm Nature Area (Longmont) Huge numbers of Blackbirds

[Jay Hutchins]

All:

First post here, wanted to share an incredible sight I’ve be watching for two years now at Jim Hamm Nature Area.  Last fall I was out there in the evening and witnessed huge numbers of YHBL, RWBL and EUST gathering in the evening to roost.  Got over there the next morning and witnessed approximately 10,000+ birds depart for the day en masse.  I’m guessing on the counts, but it is easily 10k birds, probably more.  And the sound they make!  Pretty cool to witness.  And like last year, one morning in late September they had all left for warmer climes down south, so I don’t know how much longer they will stick around.

Anyways, I was out there again this foggy Tuesday morning and got some video to share as I know I will get flagged on ebird for a high count.  I was able to take some screen shots off the camera so you can get a sense of how many birds there are.  **Warning!!**  It was extremely foggy this morning, so the picture quality is poor.  Please keep in mind that the departure took over 8 minutes for them to leave and the camera is only covering a very small section of sky.  Trust me, there are a bazillion birds there!

I’ll be out there tomorrow (Wed, 9/27) at about 6:30 am, the show started today around 6:45 and lasted until about 7:15.  Evening is pretty cool to watch them come in, but they dribble in over the course of an hour or so, mornings are the best as they all leave together.

Question:  How does one really guesstimate these numbers?  Would love to hear any suggestions.

Jay Hutchins

[Jay Hutchins]

Short video from the morning 9/26.  Pretty foggy,so quality is not exceptional.  https://youtu.be/vtH_IHercn0


Jay