[Birdtalk] rusty blackbird still at Fish Springs

[Dave Hanscom]

The blackbird was in his usual location again today.  Thanks to Pat 
Jividen for directions.  Although a noisy group of birders had scared him 
off just before we arrived, he returned soon after they left.  We parked a 
ways down the road to give him some space, and he was soon back feeding 
along the edge of the canal.  At one point I was wishing I had Paul 
Higgins' camera attached to my scope when I watched him gulp down a huge 
grub.  Yummm.

The 60 miles of dirt road was frozen hard and smooth when we went out 
early in the morning, so we were able to make excellent time.  It had 
melted to sloppy mud by mid afternoon, however.  Also, a couple of snowy 
areas, although just a few hundred feet long, would be kind of tricky 
without all-wheel drive, especially later in the day.

I'd recommend that regular passenger cars go by way of Lynndyl, rather 
than Tooele.  (I say that based on comments by some other people who were 
there today who said they'd come via the southern route.  It's longer, but 
involves much less unpaved road.)

Dave Hanscom