States and Dates

Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz 2015

The Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz aims to track Rusty Blackbirds from their wintering grounds in the southeastern United States throughout their entire migratory journey into the northeastern United States, Canada, and Alaska.  This northward migration generally begins in early March and finishes when the last birds reach their breeding grounds in northern Canada.  Capturing such an extensive process requires a long window and a certain degree of flexibility.  The overall Blitz window lasts from the beginning of March through mid-June, with recommended target dates for each state and province listed below. Of course, migratory timing can vary based on environmental factors, so please report Rusty Blackbirds to the “Rusty Blackbird Spring Migration Blitz” protocol on eBird whenever you encounter them during their northward migration!

U.S. StateTarget Blitz Dates
AlabamaAll of March
Alaskamid-April through end of May
ArkansasAll of March
Connecticutmid-March through April
Delawareall of March through mid April
District of Columbiamid-March through mid-April
FloridaAll of March
GeorgiaAll of March
IllinoisAll of March through mid April
IndianaAll of March through mid April
Iowamid March- mid April
KansasAll of March
KentuckyAll of March and first week in April
LouisianaAll of March
Mainemid-March through all of April
Marylandmid-March through mid-April
Massachusettsmid-March through April
MichiganAll of March through first week in May
Minnesotamid-March through mid-April
MississippiAll of March
MissouriAll of March, first week in April
NebraskaAll of March through mid April
New Hampshiremid-March through end of April
New Jerseymid-March through end of April
New YorkMarch and April
North CarolinaAll of March
North Dakotamid-March through mid-April
OhioAll of March through mid April
OklahomaAll of March
Pennsylvaniamid-March through end of April
Rhode Islandmid-March through April
South CarolinaAll of March
South Dakotamid-March through mid-April
TennesseeAll of March
TexasAll of March
Vermontmid-March through end of April
VirginiaAll of March
West VirginiaAll of March
Wisconsinmid-March through all of April

Canadian Province/TerritoryTarget Blitz Dates
British ColumbiaApril through mid-May
Northwest Territoriesmid-April through end of May
AlbertaApril through mid-May
Saskatchewanmid-April through mid-May
ManitobaApril through mid-May
OntarioApril through mid-May
QuébecApril and May
Newfoundland and Labradorlast week in April and all of May
New BrunswickAll of April
Nova Scotiamid-April to mid-May
Yukonmid-April through end of May
NunavutMid-May through mid-June