Blackbirds are relatively scarce in the mocosocoBirds region since December. Christmas Bird Count totals bear this out (RWBL = Red-winged Blackbird; BHCO = Brown-headed Cowbird; COGR = Common Grackle).

The blackbird drought ended today. After observing over 2,000 Canada Geese in the South Branch of the Raritan River by the Opie Road/River Road Bridge (Hillsborough and Branchburg Townships), a ride towards Norz Farm on River Road in Hillsborough showed that a large number of Icterids were blanketing the road. The multitude was covering the corn stubble. A cloud of black would occasionally lift off, circle the field and re-position itself in the cornfield. Hundreds of Brown-headed Cowbirds perched in a group of trees next to the road. Many local birders have yet to see a Brown-headed Cowbird in 2013. The Red-winged Blackbird flock numbered at least 2,000 and probably more. An estimate was made of one cloud when another equally large cloud was observed to the east. A smaller number of European Starlings were present as well. Just as soon as they appeared, they were gone.

A lack of blackbirds was also discussed last winter. That scarcity ended with the Common Grackle invasion of last February. See that post here. This year there were no Grackles.
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In Morris County, Simon Lane reports that the drake Canvasback continues in the back pond of Florham Park Fields, the single drake Redhead is still at the Clark Drive ponds in Mt. Olive Township, and a light-morph Rough-legged Hawk was seen flying in the vicinity of Morristown Airport on Columbia Turnpike (CR510). Get the ducks while you can considering the freezing weather in the forecast this week.