Guest post by Samantha Arthur, Tricolored Blackbird Conservation Program Manager

I'm writing you from Merced County with great news.

Generous people like you made it possible for a dairy farmer to sign an agreement a few days ago to delay the harvest of a field that has attracted Tricolored Blackbirds. This agreement lessens the economic impact to his livelihood while allowing these birds to spend the spring free to do what birds do best: courting, breeding, nesting, and fledging.

While I am happy to see this colony develop, I am less optimistic about potential colonies in Kern and Tulare Counties. The number of colonies in the southern part of the Central Valley is down from last year and experts predict drought conditions will continue into next year.

While we’ve accomplished a lot, our resources are running low. I worry constantly about whether what I’m doing is enough to save this species from extinction.

Please send your most generous gift today. Audubon California will use 100% of your donation to the Tricolored Blackbird Conservation Fund to:

1. Increase habitat by restoring natural and private wetlands
2. Compensate farmers for delaying harvest to let young birds fledge
3. Take the next step toward a long-term solution

We’ve done the math -- guaranteeing that a Tricolored Blackbird has the right habitat and can fully fledge works out to about a dollar a bird. It’s a small price to pay to protect this beautiful California species.