This morning we had a solitary blackbird at our Haverhill Corner feeder which from its size, coloration, bill size and shape, had to be either a male Rusty or Brewer's Blackbird.  We see the Rusty fairly regularly in small flocks at nearby Bedell Bridge State Park during fall migration, but even by late September already the males have taken on their rust colored winter plumage.  This bird was the perfect picture of breeding season plumage, and apparently would have to be a Brewer's, the only problem being he was way east of normal range for the species, rarely seen east of the Mississippi.  Has anyone else seen a Brewer's in these parts lately? 
One bit of "jizz" for this bird, which I could not find mentioned in any identification guide, was a persistent up and down pumping of the tail. 

****************************************************************
To post messages, send e-mail to:  [log in to unmask]
Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages.
To contact the list owner:  [log in to unmask]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Web based archives and subscription management are available at:
http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html
****************************************************************