I don't have any photo editing software right now, so these are full frame and not enhanced. It was a dull and dreary afternoon at Santa Ana NWR - at least weather-wise it was. The rain held off, and we were able to relocate one of the Rusty Blackbirds reported yesterday and refound this morning. The location was originally Willow Lake #1, the small pond on the tram loop. After JD arrived, it moved to the dike separating Willow Lake #1 from Willow Lake #2.
This bird has a pale eye, rufous fringes on the tertials and flight feathers, and a thin bill compared to a female Brewer's Blackbird. Note also the habitat selection as the area is a brushy swamp, quite different from the typical Brewer's Blackbird habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (feed lots and big box store parking lots).
Thanks to those that found it and reported it!
