As our spotters are looking for Tricolored Blackbird nesting colonies in the southern part of the Central Valley, one of our staff members captured this mixed flock of blackbirds on a ranch in Yolo County. She estimated that maybe 70 percent of the birds here are Tricolored Blackbirds. Tricolored Blackbirds tend to breed in the southern part of the valley in spring and early summer, then come up to the northern part to make a second attempt. Time will tell if these birds will stay put or head south. The landowner in this case is looking to install some habitat for the birds adjacent to a pond, a move we wholeheartedly applaud.