Volunteers are needed for the second annual Rusty Blackbird Blitz taking place January 30 through February 15. Participants report sightings via the eBird program led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society. The blitz is coordinated by the International Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center along with the Cornell Lab and Audubon.

Like Jochen did in his recent struggle with an absurdly good photographer I debated whether or not to link to this post with one picture.  But, really, I felt that 10,000 Birds readers would be best served by seeing it.  Just promise to come back.  Please?

Magnificent Frigatebird Blog reports that Mark Obmascik’s The Big Year is being turned into a movie starring Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, and Jack Black.  Now this could be interesting…

The international petition against illegal hunting in Malta which we highlighted last week has received over 22,000 signatures in just one week. “Although the BirdLife partnership is primarily targeting its members with this petition and it has been only a week since we launched it, support is pouring in from all corners of the world. Moreover, opinion polls in Malta have shown that the overwhelming majority is strongly against the illegal killing of migratory birds and the unsustainable practice of spring hunting.” said Joseph Mangion, BirdLife Malta President. Please, please sign the petition and help end the illegal slaughter of Europe’s birds!