The annual Blackbird Bonanza at Jim Hamm Nature Area has begun!

[Jay Hutchins]

Had a nice surprise this week when the annual phenomenon of huge numbers of Yellow-Headed & Red-winged BB's, Starlings and Grackles started at Jim Hamm Nature Area in Longmont.  Was out last weekend (8/25) and had zero RWBB's and about 400 YHBB.  Went out yesterday and saw 3,000+ (?) birds.  YHBB's are probably 75% of the total count.  Hard to to get a count, see video here: https://youtu.be/jyJU7m3KeNc  2:15 long, nice shot at 2:03.

If the migration patterns are like the last two years, the numbers will increase dramatically through September, as in 15,000+ birds.  The evening gathering is pretty neat, a ton of noise as the come in to the cattails/reeds to roost.  Morning is by far the best, last two days the large departure murmurs were around 6:30 am.  Had a bonus Osprey this morning and two juvenile Coopers's Hawks yesterday.

Jim Hamm is at the intersection of 17th and Pace in Longmont.  If coming from out of town, I'd suggest accessing via Southbound Pace as it's a right turn, there's a TON of traffic on Pace St. in the morning.  They're building a new subdivision right across the street on 17th, will be interesting to see if all of the construction (they're still moving dirt vs building) has an impact.

I will be posting again over the weeks to come as the numbers (should) increase and call it the "Blackbird Bonanza" the weekend of 9/15-16.  Would love to see some fellow birders out there, especially to help estimate how many birds are actually there (hint: it's a LOT!).

Happy (black) birding!

Jay Hutchins

Longmont CO