One of my goals this summer was to shoot some yellowhead blackbirds. But not only have I not gotten any pictures, I've not even seen one. In fact, I haven't seen one in three or four years. Does anyone out there in cyberland know where I can get said photo opportunities within a reasonable driving distance of the Twin Cities?
John, they're common at Sherburne NWR near Zimmerman, about an hour from your part of the cities. They nest there. For more info and directions, go to www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne
I've found refuge officials at most NWRs are very helpful in putting birders/photographers on locations, unless you're talking about rare/sensitive species, which the YHBB is not. A quick phone call to HQ should put you in the game. I'm sure there are YHBB closer to you, but at Sherburne you'll have people who know the refuge and the species to help you out, and that removes most of the uncertainty from things.
Heck, you may not even get to the refuge. You may just find some singing in cattail marshes while you're on your way there.
Posted by Kent Staubus on July 31, 2007 at 12:00 PM
I would suspect the swamps around the airport would be full of them. Otherwise, I know I see them in the sloughs out around Browns Valley and Granite Falls west of The Cities.
Several years ago we saw them up near Bemiji. Look for Yellow Head Blackbirds perching on reeds in wetlands. The Red Winged Blackbirds do the same down here in Texas. We only spotted them while driving around.
Posted by Ken Bachofer on August 1, 2007 at 10:09 PM
John,
The lake I live on has a large area of cattails where I see yellow-head blackbirds all the time. I live near St. Cloud so if you don't mind the drive I'd be glad to take you out on the pontoon to look for some. The chances are best in the Spring when they're nesting but I still see them now. I use the pontoon for all kinds of photography around the lake, especially of Loons.
Discussion
4 repliesThanks in advance for any help.
I've found refuge officials at most NWRs are very helpful in putting birders/photographers on locations, unless you're talking about rare/sensitive species, which the YHBB is not. A quick phone call to HQ should put you in the game. I'm sure there are YHBB closer to you, but at Sherburne you'll have people who know the refuge and the species to help you out, and that removes most of the uncertainty from things.
Heck, you may not even get to the refuge. You may just find some singing in cattail marshes while you're on your way there.
Kent in Kauai
The lake I live on has a large area of cattails where I see yellow-head blackbirds all the time. I live near St. Cloud so if you don't mind the drive I'd be glad to take you out on the pontoon to look for some. The chances are best in the Spring when they're nesting but I still see them now. I use the pontoon for all kinds of photography around the lake, especially of Loons.