The Red Winged Blackbirds that live on the eastern edge of Kirk Yard, Gary, Indiana are quite unique. They are located in a swampy area very near the southern tip of Lake Michigan and Clark Road. Back in the late 1800's railroad track was built through this swampy area that would be know today as an "environmentally sensitive" area.
Trains on the Elgin Joliet & Eastern Railway leaving or entering Kirk Yard ran at 10 mph. Crews on the engines and caboose's would toss bread from their sandwiches out to the wild birds. This started over 115 years ago and continues to this day. Along the way some very unique things started to happen.
This area is where the Red Wing Blackbirds make their nests, right along the tracks. These birds are very common throughout the greater Calumet Region and all over the United States, but along a 1 mile section of EJ&E track, they are very special.
Wild birds are usually ready for a free treat. Instead of just tossing the bread out for the birds some crew members started holding the bread between their fingers. The birds responded by flying up and snatching the bread on the wing. Over time the young birds would learn to do this by watching the older birds.
One special day a fearless male Red Wing Blackbird flew into the cab of my engine and sat on my hand. I would bring the birds cracked corn, which they just loved. I've written a more indepth article about these amazing birds, including a photograph, at Helium.com.
The Red Wing Blackbirds "tamed up" quite a bit but not all of them. If a crew member forgot to bring anything for them, look out. They would sit on the railing of the locomotive and say things in bird language I'm sure was not fit for tender ears. They would be very loud and demanding.
It was always a joy for me to feed the birds and the special event inside the cab really made me feel good. The birds were there before I was born and I hope they will be there long after I'm gone for all to enjoy.
Tags=> Tame red wing blackbirds, EJ&E railroad blackbirds, calumet region, kirk yard, gary indiana, hand feeding wild red wing blackbirds, railroad crews hand feed red wing blackbirds,
Tags=> Tame red wing blackbirds, EJ&E railroad blackbirds, calumet region, kirk yard, gary indiana, hand feeding wild red wing blackbirds, railroad crews hand feed red wing blackbirds,
