Check out our latest story! Tricolored blackbirds

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.  Our latest story: 'They just showed up' Once described by explorers as the 'most abundant bird species in coastal southern California,' tricolored blackbird populations are in sharp decline due to habitat loss.  This year, however, they were found nesting spots on five national wildlife refuges throughout northern California and the central valley. "They came later than normal this breeding season, but it's pretty exciting because they haven't nested here in four years," said Geoffrey Grisdale, wildlife biologist at Kern National Wildlife Refuge in Delano, California.Credit: Geoffrey Grisdale/USFWS   Thousands of tricolored blackbirds nest on California wildlife refuges By Byrhonda Lyons September 20, 2017 This summer while many Californians were celebrating the end of the years-long drought, tricolored blackbirds were finding nesting spots on five national wildlife refuges throughout northern California and the central valley. "They just showed up," said Geoffrey Grisdale, wildlife biologist at Kern National Wildlife Refuge in Delano, California. "They came later than normal this breeding season, but it's pretty exciting because they haven't nested here in four years." Once described by explorers as the, 'most abundant bird species in coastal southern California,' tricolored blackbird populations are now in sharp decline due to habitat loss. Over the past 70 years, their population has decreased by 80 percent. The species is under review for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Continue to full story...   Stay Connected with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region     This email was sent using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pacific Southwest Region · 2800 Cottage Way · Suite W-2606 · Sacramento, CA 95825