Around 4:00 this afternoon I witnessed a massive flock of 2000+ blackbirds flying north over Hwy. 22 north of Mankato in Blue Earth County. The majority appeared to be Red-winged Blackbirds, but I'm guessing there were other species present as well.
This seems like an excessively large overwintering flock. A couple winters ago there was a flock of around 200 blackbirds overwintering near Kasota (on Hwy. 22 between St. Peter and Mankato), and last winter there was a small mixed flock (grackles and red-wings) present on the north side of St. Peter. But 2000+ seems almost unbelievable for early January. Bob Dunlap, Nicollet County
