Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Oregon Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Friday, November 20 at 11:55 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Firespot,©Tony Disley

20 Nov Re: Commercial shabbiness!?!?! ["Darrel Faxon" ] 20 Nov RBA: Lesser Black-backed Gull Sherman Co. [Craig Miller ] 20 Nov New birding job with Jackson Bottom, Hillsboro ["Greg Gillson" ] 21 Nov Re: Commecial shabbyness!?!?! ["HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " ] 20 Nov Re: Commercial shabbiness!?!?! [Joel Geier ] 20 Nov Re: Runt gull [Tim Rodenkirk ] 20 Nov Re: Runt gull ["Darrel Faxon" ] 20 Nov Re: Runt gull [Mike Patterson ] 20 Nov Commecial shabbyness!?!?! [DJ Lauten and KACastelein ] 20 Nov Re: Runt gull [Tim Rodenkirk ] 20 Nov Re: Runt gull [Keith Owen ] 20 Nov Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies [Tom McNamara ] 20 Nov Runt gull ["Greg Gillson" ] 20 Nov Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies ["HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " ] 20 Nov K-Falls, Thursday Birding Bunch 11-19-09 [Julie Van Moorhem ] 20 Nov Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies [David Irons ] 20 Nov Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies [Norgren Family ] 20 Nov Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies ["Paul T. Sullivan" ] 19 Nov Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies [Norgren Family ] 19 Nov Brookings area shorebirds ["Don & Karen Munson" ] 19 Nov Re: Oregon Birds [Tim Rodenkirk ] 19 Nov OT: Wild Arts Festival [Vern DiPietro ] 19 Nov Oregon Birds ["Mike and MerryLynn" ] 19 Nov Point Arena CA Laysan [Bob ARCHER ] 19 Nov Pacific Loon - Yamhill Co ["Thomas Love" ] 19 Nov Help finding pine siskins please [Heather Watts ] 19 Nov Boiler Bay ["Phil Pickering" ] 19 Nov Swainson's Thrush In Peru - Birdbase and Netbook Use ["Jeff Harding" ] 18 Nov RBA: Portland, OR 11-19-09 [Harry Nehls ] 18 Nov Re: OT post Steller's seaLions NOT [Vern DiPietro ] 18 Nov Boiler Bay ["Darrel Faxon" ] 18 Nov Lesser Yellowlegs heads west, and a nice surprise in the mailbox today [Joel Geier ] 18 Nov Defective Gulls ["R. Adney Jr." ] 18 Nov Re: Mute Swan Curry [Norgren Family ] 18 Nov Re: SE Portland ... Redhead [Norgren Family ] 18 Nov Kingbirds, Long-tailed Duck ["Wayne Hoffman" ] 19 Nov Mute Swan Curry [] 18 Nov Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] ["Sherry Hagen" ] 18 Nov Re: SE Portland ... Redhead [Scott Carpenter ] 18 Nov Columbia Estuary Report - 11/18/2009 [Mike Patterson ] 18 Nov Fw: PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) ["Carol Karlen" ] 18 Nov RAPTOR ROUTE: Youngs Bay - 11/18/2009 [Mike Patterson ] 18 Nov Re: WT Sparrows in Oregon Increasing Rapidly? [Alan Contreras ] 18 Nov WT Sparrows in Oregon Increasing Rapidly? ["John Thomas" ] 18 Nov Eugene Wed Morning [Sylvia Maulding ] 18 Nov new species at Galapagos [Jim Greaves ] 18 Nov Re: PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) [Norgren Family ] 18 Nov White-throated Sparrow, Eugene yard [Brandon Green ] 18 Nov Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] [Charles Swift ] 18 Nov PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) ["Carol Karlen" ] 18 Nov Eugene Black Phoebe [Vjera Thompson ] 18 Nov The birth of a new Galapagos finch species? [Jim Moodie ] 18 Nov The birth of a new Galapagos finch species? [Jim Moodie ] 18 Nov Boiler Bay ["Phil Pickering" ] 18 Nov Yellow-shafted Flicker, Lacamas Lake [Lyn Topinka ] 18 Nov Tropical kingbird maybe ["Margaret" ] 18 Nov Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer [Tim Rodenkirk ] 18 Nov Raptor Run Harrisburg-Coburg [Barbara Combs ] 18 Nov Newport Tropical Kingbirds on Tuesday Nov. 17--Yes [Range Bayer ] 17 Nov Lesser Canada Geese in the Great Grey Universe [Norgren Family ] 17 Nov Off Topic: Steller's Sea Lions [Vern DiPietro ] 17 Nov Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] [Joel Geier ] 17 Nov Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer [Joel Geier ] 17 Nov PHOTO ESSAY: Why a duck? [Mike Patterson ] 17 Nov South Jetty Florence [Hendrik Herlyn ] 18 Nov Re: Curry Golden Plover ["HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " ] 17 Nov Re: T. Kingbird maybe ["Phil and Christina" ] 17 Nov T. Kingbird maybe ["Margaret" ] 17 Nov local RBA: PACIFIC LOON (Chehalem Creek) Yamhill County [Norgren Family ] 17 Nov Re: Curry Golden Plover [Tim Rodenkirk ] 17 Nov Re: Avisys on a Netbook? Anna's Hummers in The Boondocks... ["Sherry Hagen" ] 17 Nov Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer [khanh tran ] 17 Nov Re: Curry Golden Plover [Hendrik Herlyn ] 17 Nov Townsend's solitaire - Portland [Grant Canterbury ] 17 Nov Lesser Yellowlegs at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, Benton Co. [Joel Geier ] 17 Nov Coos Booby Update 11/17/2009 [Tim Rodenkirk ] Subject: Re: Commercial shabbiness!?!?! From: "Darrel Faxon" <5hats AT peak.org> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:54:48 -0800 Woodburn ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Geier" To: "Oregon Birders OnLine" Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 6:28 PM Subject: Re: [obol] Commercial shabbiness!?!?! > Two words: > > Compare Tigard. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: RBA: Lesser Black-backed Gull Sherman Co. From: Craig Miller <gismiller AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:56:30 -0800 Hi all, I just got an e-mail report from Stuart Johnson that he found a LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL at the John Day Dam. His description looks good for this species. See his e-mail report below: From: Stuart Johnson -- johnstonstuartf AT hotmail.com Cathy Flick and I found an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull in with a big raft of gulls (rough est. 100 +, a mix of Ring-billed and California, mainly) on the water above John Day Dam in Sherman Co., OR, at 13:00 this afternoon and we studied it in Cathy's fantastic-optics Swarovski scope (bright images on a cloudy, grey day with a fine sparse spitting of rain drops) through 13:50. It was still with the raft when we left. We saw all the pertinent field marks... very dark, slaty mantle, at least 2x darker than adjacent Californias; yellow legs and feet (seen when it took flight; heels also visible when it was swimming with it's tail towards us); white spots at tips of black primaries; clean white underparts and tail, but with 'dirty' small streaks on head and dark grey / slaty smudge close around eyes, above and at rear, blending into the little dense streaks on the rest of the face. Bill yellow-gold with a red spot on gonys (near tip on lower mandible), but there was no black with the red; bill seemed short for size of gull and it was not massive, but wider, more substantial than adjacent Calif. Gull bills. Overall size was a little larger than Calif. Gull and we noticed that it didn't dwarf Ring-billed Gulls, like a large gull species might. You could see that it's body bulk was heavier than Calif. and Ring-billed, but the length of the gull was not that much greater than those two species. And finally, we did see very clearly the pale creamy eye with black pupil. The Less. Blk-back was with a subadult Ring-billed when we first saw it out nearer the middle of the river (but not deemed to be in Klickitat Co.); slowly they swam in toward our position on a diagonal course and we watched it dozing, preening, bathing, in flight, everything but perched. I was up at John Day Dam on 12 Nov., scoping from the WA side, and noticed the very large raft of gulls over on the Oregon side...so we decided to check out the Oregon side today when we went afield. The Lesser Black-backed could have been present with that big flock of gulls for some time now! Have been keeping an eye out for this species, but wondered if maybe I had been overlooking it, never having seen one before. Thought the dark grey mantle might be very similar to Calif. Gull. Wow, it definitely is not. When the gull flew upriver a short ways to drop down into the big raft of gulls, we easily picked it out just by scanning with binoculars. If any of you have an opportunity to look for it and succeed in seeing it, would you please let me know; I'd like to include your data in the fall season phenology that I compile for the Columbia River Gorge. All the best.............Stuart Johnston _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: New birding job with Jackson Bottom, Hillsboro From: "Greg Gillson" <greg AT thebirdguide.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:49:10 -0800 Friends, As many of you may know, I was laid off from my high-tech, high-stress job at Tektronix in Beaverton in August. I have just begun an exciting part time job with the City of Hillsboro's Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve http://www.jacksonbottom.org/. My duties will include public interaction with nature viewers and bird watchers on the 725 acre Preserve, teaching bird classes at the Nature Center, and leading field trips in the Tualatin Valley. The list of bird project ideas seems endless, but I'll be choosing what will be first here in the next few weeks. (A class on ducks seems obvious! I'm already overhauling the bird checklist.) One thing I will initiate immediately is a free bird walk in the mornings during the week. Close-by locales where we could meet include Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove, and Jackson Bottom, Rood Bridge Park, and Dawson Creek Park in Hillsboro. These walks would be informal, for an hour or two, perhaps starting about 9 am, or so. If interested in joining me, please send email so we don't have too large of a group size. If you happen to see a good bird at Jackson Bottom write it on the sighting white board outside and come in to the Nature Center and let the staff know--and look me up to see if I'm there to spend some time showing you the best birding spots and talk about ideas for classes, field trips, and projects. A large mitigation project is starting and I hope to have opportunities to influence design of trails and viewing blinds (so you are not looking into the sun at dawn?). Anyway that's the news. Greg Gillson _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Commecial shabbyness!?!?! From: "HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " <ninerharv2 AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:33:57 +0000 Sorry, Dave! For a minute I thought he was talking about Coos Bay. I admit to living in Coos County as well but in Bandon not in Coos Bay. When I retired from the valley to live on the coast, somehow Coos Bay did not show up on the radar screen. Harv Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:25:45 To: Subject: [obol] Commecial shabbyness!?!?! Commercial shabbyness?!?!?!!  How dare you!  I can't believe it.  Coos Bay is by far the best, coolest, most awesome place in Oregon.  Coos County has nothing but the finest.  Give me a break.  I'm speechless. Ok, I admit, I just got back from New Jersey, and you want to talk about commercial shabbyness???? Yeah, yeah, I'm a little biased.  I live here. Heck, I've chosen to stay here. Every silver lining has a touch of grey! Cheers Dave Lauten PS - you take me seriously, well, you do so at your own risk....... ;-) _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Commercial shabbiness!?!?! From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:28:42 -0800 Two words: Compare Tigard. _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Runt gull From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:28:36 -0800 (PST) The runt Western that Russ Namitz and I saw was the size of a CA Gull, definitely way small as I remember.  I think Russ took video?  The bird looked exactly like a Western, just a miniature. Tim RCoos Bay --- On Fri, 11/20/09, Mike Patterson wrote: From: Mike Patterson Subject: Re: [obol] Runt gull To: "OBOL" Date: Friday, November 20, 2009, 4:36 PM From the photo, this doesn't look remarkably small, but photos, especially those taken through any kind of telephoto can be deceptive.... According to Pyle (vol II): L.o.occidentalis    female wing chord   378-409    male wing chord     399-438 L.o. wymani    female wing chord   368-407    male wing chord     398-434 Not really much difference. Re: Runt gull From: Tim Rodenkirk Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:58 -0800 (PST) Hi Greg, I remember seeing a runt Western type gull in Charleston about a year ago. �I even called up Russ Namitz. �I think we determined it was a wymani Western, they are the southern most race and can be a bit smaller. �I couldn't find much about actual measurements in my Gulls of the Americas though? My two cents,Tim RCoos Bay� -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Why a duck? http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Runt gull From: "Darrel Faxon" <5hats AT peak.org> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:16:44 -0800 Mike, You are right. There was more size discrepancy between those two gulls than is apparent in the photo. Just seconds before I snapped it, the bird was standing right next to a small California Gull, and there was no difference in size between the two. Darrel ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Patterson" To: "OBOL" Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 4:36 PM Subject: Re: [obol] Runt gull > From the photo, this doesn't look remarkably small, but photos, > especially those taken through any kind of telephoto can be > deceptive.... > > According to Pyle (vol II): > > L.o.occidentalis > female wing chord 378-409 > male wing chord 399-438 > L.o. wymani > female wing chord 368-407 > male wing chord 398-434 > > Not really much difference. > > Re: Runt gull > From: Tim Rodenkirk > Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:58 -0800 (PST) > > Hi Greg, > I remember seeing a runt Western type gull in Charleston about a year > ago. �I > even called up Russ Namitz. �I think we determined it was a wymani > Western, > they are the southern most race and can be a bit smaller. �I couldn't > find much > about actual measurements in my Gulls of the Americas though? > > My two cents,Tim RCoos Bay� > > -- > Mike Patterson > Astoria, OR > Why a duck? > http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Runt gull From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:36:15 -0800 From the photo, this doesn't look remarkably small, but photos, especially those taken through any kind of telephoto can be deceptive.... According to Pyle (vol II): L.o.occidentalis female wing chord 378-409 male wing chord 399-438 L.o. wymani female wing chord 368-407 male wing chord 398-434 Not really much difference. Re: Runt gull From: Tim Rodenkirk Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:58 -0800 (PST) Hi Greg, I remember seeing a runt Western type gull in Charleston about a year ago. �I even called up Russ Namitz. �I think we determined it was a wymani Western, they are the southern most race and can be a bit smaller. �I couldn't find much about actual measurements in my Gulls of the Americas though? My two cents,Tim RCoos Bay� -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Why a duck? http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Commecial shabbyness!?!?! From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein <deweysage AT verizon.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:25:45 -0800 Commercial shabbyness?!?!?!! How dare you! I can't believe it. Coos Bay is by far the best, coolest, most awesome place in Oregon. Coos County has nothing but the finest. Give me a break. I'm speechless. Ok, I admit, I just got back from New Jersey, and you want to talk about commercial shabbyness???? Yeah, yeah, I'm a little biased. I live here. Heck, I've chosen to stay here. Every silver lining has a touch of grey! Cheers Dave Lauten PS - you take me seriously, well, you do so at your own risk....... ;-) _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Runt gull From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:58 -0800 (PST) Hi Greg, I remember seeing a runt Western type gull in Charleston about a year ago.  I even called up Russ Namitz.  I think we determined it was a wymani Western, they are the southern most race and can be a bit smaller.  I couldn't find much about actual measurements in my Gulls of the Americas though? My two cents,Tim RCoos Bay  --- On Fri, 11/20/09, Greg Gillson wrote: From: Greg Gillson Subject: [obol] Runt gull To: "OBOL" Date: Friday, November 20, 2009, 1:35 PM http://www.pbase.com/gregbirder/image/119556225 Darrel Faxon sent me a photo of an apparent Western Gull (molting into 3rd year plumage?). He suggested it was shockingly small (see his comments below). Googling "runt gulls" finds many hits from birders discussing apparent small gulls, but not many scientific papers, other than "runt eggs." Kaufman mentioned runt Greater Black-backed Gulls in his Advanced Birding book. Steven Mlodinow wrote a BirdFellow piece on runt birds in July. http://birdfellow.com/journal/2009/07/04/the_midget_frigate_confusion_in_the_baja_sun Measurements listed in Gabrielson and Jewett for Glaucous-winged and Western Gull lengths were about 24-28 inches, while California Gulls were listed as 20-23 inches in length. Greg ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darrel Faxon" <5hats AT peak.org> To: "Greg Gillson" Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 11:15 AM Subject: gull photos Greg,     Would you mind posting these photos to OBOL?  When I first saw this bird yesterday at D River in Lincoln City it gave me a start because it was as small as the smallest California Gulls present.  I see no reason not to label it a Western Gull in second winter plumage, but it was incredibly small for that species.  Judging from the amount of brown in the wing coverts, I would assume it is behind most birds of similar age in sequence of molt, and surmise it may have been bird which hatched late in the season and is behind in development of both size and plumage.  That is only a hypothesis on my part, but I cannot think of any other reason for it to be so small.  Anyway, if you don't mind posting the photos, I would appreciate it.  Perhaps they will foster some interesting discussion. Darrel _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Runt gull From: Keith Owen <youngwarriors AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:48:27 -0800 There is a biologist at Walla Walla University in College Place, WA named Dr. Joe Galusha who has been studying a breeding colony of Western Gulls in Puget Sound for many years. If you contacted him he might be able to give you more information on size varition in Western Gulls. > From: greg AT thebirdguide.com > To: obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:35:04 -0800 > Subject: [obol] Runt gull > > http://www.pbase.com/gregbirder/image/119556225 > > Darrel Faxon sent me a photo of an apparent Western Gull (molting into 3rd > year plumage?). He suggested it was shockingly small (see his comments > below). > > Googling "runt gulls" finds many hits from birders discussing apparent small > gulls, but not many scientific papers, other than "runt eggs." Kaufman > mentioned runt Greater Black-backed Gulls in his Advanced Birding book. > > Steven Mlodinow wrote a BirdFellow piece on runt birds in July. > http://birdfellow.com/journal/2009/07/04/the_midget_frigate_confusion_in_the_baja_sun > > Measurements listed in Gabrielson and Jewett for Glaucous-winged and Western > Gull lengths were about 24-28 inches, while California Gulls were listed as > 20-23 inches in length. > > Greg > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Darrel Faxon" <5hats AT peak.org> > To: "Greg Gillson" > Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 11:15 AM > Subject: gull photos > > > Greg, > Would you mind posting these photos to OBOL? When I first saw this bird > yesterday at D River in Lincoln City it gave me a start because it was as > small as the smallest California Gulls present. I see no reason not to > label it a Western Gull in second winter plumage, but it was incredibly > small for that species. Judging from the amount of brown in the wing > coverts, I would assume it is behind most birds of similar age in sequence > of molt, and surmise it may have been bird which hatched late in the season > and is behind in development of both size and plumage. That is only a > hypothesis on my part, but I cannot think of any other reason for it to be > so small. Anyway, if you don't mind posting the photos, I would appreciate > it. Perhaps they will foster some interesting discussion. > > Darrel > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: Tom McNamara <tmacport99 AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:26:22 -0800 Lars, Echoing some others: a really nice piece. Thanks for taking the time to write it. good birding all, Tom _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Runt gull From: "Greg Gillson" <greg AT thebirdguide.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:35:04 -0800 http://www.pbase.com/gregbirder/image/119556225 Darrel Faxon sent me a photo of an apparent Western Gull (molting into 3rd year plumage?). He suggested it was shockingly small (see his comments below). Googling "runt gulls" finds many hits from birders discussing apparent small gulls, but not many scientific papers, other than "runt eggs." Kaufman mentioned runt Greater Black-backed Gulls in his Advanced Birding book. Steven Mlodinow wrote a BirdFellow piece on runt birds in July. http://birdfellow.com/journal/2009/07/04/the_midget_frigate_confusion_in_the_baja_sun Measurements listed in Gabrielson and Jewett for Glaucous-winged and Western Gull lengths were about 24-28 inches, while California Gulls were listed as 20-23 inches in length. Greg ----- Original Message ----- From: "Darrel Faxon" <5hats AT peak.org> To: "Greg Gillson" Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 11:15 AM Subject: gull photos Greg, Would you mind posting these photos to OBOL? When I first saw this bird yesterday at D River in Lincoln City it gave me a start because it was as small as the smallest California Gulls present. I see no reason not to label it a Western Gull in second winter plumage, but it was incredibly small for that species. Judging from the amount of brown in the wing coverts, I would assume it is behind most birds of similar age in sequence of molt, and surmise it may have been bird which hatched late in the season and is behind in development of both size and plumage. That is only a hypothesis on my part, but I cannot think of any other reason for it to be so small. Anyway, if you don't mind posting the photos, I would appreciate it. Perhaps they will foster some interesting discussion. Darrel _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: "HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " <ninerharv2 AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:18:44 +0000 Lars A beautiful piece. Love the "commercial shabbiness" reference. And it is nice to finally tell it like it is for those coming in from out of town expecting to get up close and personal with the Brown Boobie. Finally, I now understand why I should not regret just missing Tim on every excursion afterall with this mule duty business. Harv Schubothe Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: Norgren Family Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:47:46 To: Subject: [obol] Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies       After helping Tim Rodenkirk put out seed at Millicoma Marsh on Armistice Day I sat down at the picnic pavillion there (out of the rain) and made my morning sales calls. I eventually saw a couple, each armed with scope and tri=pod, emerge from the north trail and walk up some steps to their car, which was parked next to the school. I ran over and, noticing the out of state plates, asked if they were in Coos Bay to see the booby. They had heard of no such thing, but were seeking refuge from the rain after watching twelve White=throated Sparrows on the seed Tim has been putting down. They were just thrilled, as one doesn't get to see this sort of thing in Bellingham.       Incidental to the sparrows they had seen a White=tailed Kite and a Black Phoebe. They were spending multiple days and nights in Coos Bay then proceeding to the Willamette Valley. They took down notes on how to see the booby, but after the rain stopped they returned to the trails of Millicoma Marsh to look at more Sparrows. I struggled to decide how best to spend the coming free hours left to me. It didn't rain again that day. The agony of choice was almost overwhelming.        I had asked Tim about the North Spit, dreaming of Longspurs and Gyrfalcons, Tufted Ducks or Shrikes. He said the flats were under water and the ponds awash in duckhunters. Cape Arago would be a change of pace, but required traversing, anew, the breadth of Oregon's Bay Area in all its commercial shabbiness. For I had started serious use of my favorite scope almost four hours earlier by the Dairy Queen between Empire and Charleston. The Brown Booby Tim Rodenkirk pointed out to me was a mile away. On a postage stamp it wouldn't have filled up the space reserved for the price. A backdrop of spruces on the far shore of the bay helped accent its white belly, while obscuring the chocolate colored back and hood. Against this dark hood its beak, blue as a scaup's bill, was plainly evident as it sat dead center on some steel framework, dwarfed by cormorants. This was at 60X magnification. "Thank goodness it's heavily overcast and 43 on a November morning "I thought. Under most circumstances the whole thing would be an exercise in futility due to heat distortion.      About 15 seconds after bringing this Roger Tory Peterson on microfilm into focus, it dropped off the ship channel marker and just feet about the water flew eastward with a wingbeat somewhere between a Gyrfalcon and a Western Gull. In 10 or 20 seconds it was out of sight around some point I didn't know the name of. "Well I'm glad that's out of the way, and so early in the day!" I said to Tim. "Let's go look for Swamp Sparrows!"       As luck would have it, Tim had two twenty pound bags of bird seed in his pickup. When doesn't he have two or three twenty pound bags on hand between Halloween and Christmas? If you're a birder in Coos Bay in November, you might consider bringing crutches as a prop if you want to avoid becoming another one of Tim's mules. So here it was noon, and I'm talking to serious birders who are still off the internet. They've photographed tigers in India and spent 30 days on the island of Taiwan, but they couldn't get to the parking lot at the mouth of Pony Slough. There's a fine boat ramp there, big enough to load and unload multiple boat trailers at once. Parking places for the hoards and a regulation bicycle path. But the access road is gated and always locked. I was first there in 1976 and we drove out there about once every two hours. There were always tons of birds and pretty much always some new species. I wondered how long ago my pair of interlocutors had visited the place. Clearly pre-Patriot Act.       Although it was lunchtime for most, it was closer to supper for me. I had gotten out of bed at 3, to drive 248 miles from the westernmost Dairy Queen in Washington County to the westernmost Dairy Queen in Coos County. I chose the eastside of Pony Slough for my next destination. It meant prolonged foot travel, which I reasoned might keep me awake. It almost seemed foolish to give up precious hours to the part of Coos Bay I know best, when some novel area was an option. But it was a short drive, and promised ample privacy. Park at the Maritime Museum in North Bend, and follow the well worn path beaten by decades of homeless commuters to the railroad tracks. These were laid and first carried an engine in 1905. Now a scant century later they are abandoned. They go northwest across the eastern two thirds of Pony Slough, before swinging north to cross the estuary.       The abandonment proves to be a hindrance to birding. Scots broom, once cut back on a regular basis, is now growing amok. Palm Warblers may still winter here, but there are no gaps between shrubs where they can reveal themselves. And the once sweeping vistas of the slough with its stunning variety of waders, gulls, and waterfowl, are largely blocked. I had had half a mind to bring a bag of birdseed. Evidently pruning loppers would be more useful.         To get a look at the scores of shorebirds enjoying low tide I struggled through the broom hedge and down the rip-rap to firm mudflats. With a steep, albeit short, south facing slope at my back I found the temperature extremely pleasant. And watching distant, pink thunderheads scudding before cold fronts quite enjoyable. The tide was now coming up the main channel, but the water in Pony Slough was still flowing downstream at a brisk rate. I followed feeding loons and grebes down with the current, then east, up the main channel and under the swing bridge.        There were no rarities, but sunlight and comfort were abundant, a context I don't associate with loons and grebes in basic plumage. It was after lunch and chefs would be free to receive my sales pitch. My client here in North Bend might be free to go chase the booby. A half-dozen gainful and responsible possibilities beckoned, but not as hard as the imaginary call of larks in the starve-acre dunes on the dredge spoils to my south. The sunlight and vigorous cumulous clouds seemed too great a treasure to be squandered.       The commonest mistake people make about birding Coos Bay is making it a day trip. If my own highway madness seems a contradiction to this advice, it is because I was there on business. I had anticipated arriving at first light and going down to Fossil Point with my most important vendor. She has taken up birding since we entered into business, but in a fashion I find mildly bizarre. Perhaps it is practiced by millions. She owns no field guide, and shows no interest in mine. When she sees an unfamiliar bird she photographs it, then goes back to the office and searches images on the internet until a match is made. However unorthodox it seems, it can work. She's got pictures of Western Bluebirds along the Trans-Pacific Highway to prove it.       At first light her paperwork was in chaos and the booby put on the back burner. By the time I checked back in person, with the westering sun burnishing Virginia Avenue and 101 alike, three of her employees had been diverted from their regular tasks, and the worst day of the year was becoming the worst day of her career. My load of perishables was hours away from being ready, a late dinner at home no longer a possibility. I followed the road back to Charleston, stopping at every public access to the bay. The parking lot of the Empire boat ramps held plenty of gulls too close for a scope, but my brain was getting too dull too process a novel mix of species, a local dialect if you would. The multitude of piers and pilings all hosted at least one bird, but no boobies. Some kind of raptor was directly into the ever lower sun.       I drove a short way south and determined it to be an Osprey. This would be a surprise at almost all parts of Oregon in November, but here in Coos Bay it's becoming a fixture. In fits and starts I worked south from Empire until at last I passed Pigeon Point and parked at the pumping station beyond Dairy Queen. The parking space was now in shade, but the whole bay was bathed in intense evening sun. The stanchion preferred by the booby was NORTH, not west,of the observation point, and therefore well lit at 4:17 in the afternoon. And there on the uppermost steel bar was the booby, to the very inch where it was seven and a half hours before.      It was no bigger in my scope than before. Some Western Gulls were mingled with the Cormorants now and they were bigger than the booby. It was preening, always a good sign. Apparently it planned to spend the night here. I wished I could. The couple of lunchtime acquaintance were based at Captain John's in Charleston. I stayed there the night before the Count two years ago and would recommend it. Lodging is significantly cheaper than on the north coast, as are the mushrooms.       I didn't keep a list of bird species, I never do if it's not a CBC. But my payload may prove more exotic to many readers: 140 pounds of porcini--mostly Boletus edulis, but some Boletus aereus, and even half a kilo of Boletus fibrillosus; nine pounds of Pied-de-mouton(Dentinum repandum); eight pounds of Hedgehog Mushroom (Dentinum umbillicatum), eight pounds of Yellowfoot(Cantharellus tubaeformis) and fortythree pounds of Cauliflower Mushroom. This last species sounds far more delicious by its latinate binomial--Sparassis crispa. And that size harvest is surely a record for the Coos basin.      I got home at one in the morning. Gosh darn it if I never did see a Swamp Sparrow.    Lars Norgren Only one month 'til the Coos Bay CBC It needs you. The greatest count in Oregon for over three decades. I dipped on the Ruff last year but got my first Red Fox Sparrow. Who knows what awaits you? _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: K-Falls, Thursday Birding Bunch 11-19-09 From: Julie Van Moorhem <jvanmoo AT sisna.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:17:43 -0800 Hi Folks, The Thursday Birding Bunch (Marilyn Christian, Dave Potter and I) had a great day. Our first stop was Miller Island (Klamath WMA) where we saw a lot of TUNDRA SWANS, RING-NECKED PHEASANT (2), HORNED GREBE (6), a NORTHERN HARRIER taking a bird with spectacular agility, a NORTHERN SHRIKE and a few ducks, flickers, etc. On our way to the south we cruised along Lower Klamath Lake Rd. and saw many buteos in the fields and telephone poles--most appeared to be RED-TAILED HAWKs (26 that we counted but a lot were too far out to ID). Approximately 120 TUNDRA SWANS were in a flooded field with some ducks. We also saw a NORTHERN HARRIER, an AMERICAN KESTREL and GREAT HORNED OWL (2 in the same tree--maybe a pair). From Lower Klamath Lake Rd we turned west onto Township Rd. Although we probably only travelled about a mile to a mile and a half, we counted 27 RED-TAILED HAWK, and 9 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Turning south on a road about 1 mile east of Straits Drain we found 3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 6 RED-TAILED HAWK and 6 NORTHERN HARRIER. TUNDRA SWANS were present in good number (approx. 130 in two flocks). HORNED LARK were present (~20) but we didn't see any longspurs. Straits Drain yielded 16 RED-TAILED HAWK, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (2), 2 BALD EAGLEs and a PRAIRIE FALCON. Another PRAIRIE FALCON was located at the jct of Straits Drain and Township Rd. Back on Lower Klamath Lake Rd heading southeast, we spotted a GOLDEN EAGLE, RED-TAILED HAWK (4), NORTHERN HARRIER (2), an AMERICAN KESTREL, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, another PRAIRIE FALCON, and a FERRUGINOUS HAWK. After leaving Merrill and heading east on the K-Falls-Malin Hwy (OR 39) we spotted another PRAIRIE FALCON, our fourth and last for the day. Heading north out of the Malin area on Harpold Rd. we saw RED- TAILED HAWK (2), a FERRUGINOUS HAWK, RED-TAILED HAWK (8), 4 unidentified buteos and a BALD EAGLE. Heading into Bonanza still on Harpold Rd we saw ~45 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE on telephone wires in one location. Mostly TUNDRA SWAN (~300) were on the pond on Bliss Rd. Coming back into town we cut off from Hwy 140 onto Crystal Springs Rd. (runs west from the Olene Gap on the south side of the Lost River) and found a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK IN a pond beside the road. At first we thought it had hit some wires or something and was dead, but in a few seconds it splashed a bit (I guess it was staking a bath) and took off to a power pole and stood there like an Anhinga holding it's wings out to dry. Quite an unexpected sight. Along the canal at Reeder Rd/ Hill Rd jct we saw 100 COMMON MERGANSERS down by the dam. On Short Rd. we found two flocks of GREAT EGRET (12 in one group and 14 in another group). Along the C Canal at the KID Irrigation area we found GREATER YELLOWLEGS (4) LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER (21), and KILLDEER (7). It was definitely a spectacular end for our Birding Bunch for 2009! Good birding y'all, Julie Van Moorhem Klamath Falls _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: David Irons <llsdirons AT msn.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:52:24 +0000 Lars, Thanks for the Coos Bay/North Bend restaurant reviews. This birder always wonders where to eat when he is off his home turf. Dave Irons > From: gnorgren AT earthlink.net > Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:58:40 -0800 > To: obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > Subject: Re: [obol] Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies > > The Florida Street neighborhood is > also a great place for windshield > birding passerines. A Tropical Kingbird > was there in October. Whatever n-s street > intersects it at the shore, going south > to Virginia is unpaved and potholed. > It is trimmed with very dense brush > and produced White-throated Sparrow > on last year's CBC. If you are > constrained by a time budget and > can't do Millicoma (perish the thought) > try the spot. Yeong's, on Virginia > Street has some of the best burgers > in Oregon, and portions that might > make you consider sharing an order. > For more elegant dining to celebrate > the latest lifer there's Porta, also > on Virginia and right in front of the > former westside access to Pony Slough. > The chef/co-owner was the penultimate > chef at the storied Genoa(RIP), for > decades the best restaurant in the > Pacific nw. Remember, its the south > coast and you won't have to pay > Pearl District prices(Porta is better > than all Pearl District restaurants > but one, anyway). Lars > On Nov 20, 2009, at 3:59 AM, Paul T. Sullivan wrote: > > > Lars, > > > > A nicely written piece, very descriptive of a time and place many of > > us enjoy. > > > > Yes, there are great birders out there who do not have any of the > > high-tech toys so commonly used by other voices prominent on the > > web: cameras, wireless connections, geeky savvy, etc, etc. They get > > to enjoy birds too. > > > > And there is the new breed who don't use bird books, but operate > > with camera and the web exclusively. Folks younger than you and > > me. They get to enjoy birds too. > > > > Then there are the old folks, like you and me, who drive half way > > across the state to see a bird in person. We get to enjoy the > > birds, too. > > > > One comment about access to Pony Slough: While no one can access > > the west side of the slough anymore, due to the expansion of the > > airport security zone, the east side is still available. The hike > > down from the museum on the RR tracks to the NE side of the slough > > is one access, as you describe. > > > > However, one can also drive to the west end of Florida St. by > > turning west off Hwy 101 in North Bend. You can park there and walk > > out to the edge of the bay and scope most of it, depending on the > > state of the tide. > > > > Good birding, everyone, > > > > Paul T. Sullivan > > -------------------------------- > > Subject: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies > > From: Norgren Family > > Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:47:46 -0800 > > > > ... they couldn't get to the parking lot > > at the mouth of Pony Slough. There's a fine boat > > ramp there, big enough to load and unload multiple > > boat trailers at once. Parking places for the hoards > > and a regulation bicycle path. But the access road > > is gated and always locked. I was first there in > > 1976 and we drove out there about once every two > > hours. There were always tons of birds and pretty > > much always some new species. I wondered how long > > ago my pair of interlocutors had visited the place. > > Clearly pre-Patriot Act. > > .... I chose the eastside of > > Pony Slough for my next destination. It meant prolonged > > foot travel, which I reasoned might keep me awake. > > It almost seemed foolish to give up precious hours > > to the part of Coos Bay I know best, when some > > novel area was an option. But it was a short drive, > > and promised ample privacy. Park at the Maritime > > Museum in North Bend, and follow the well worn path > > beaten by decades of homeless commuters to the > > railroad tracks. These were laid and first carried > > an engine in 1905. Now a scant century later they > > are abandoned. They go northwest across the eastern > > two thirds of Pony Slough, before swinging north > > to cross the estuary. > > The abandonment proves to be a hindrance to > > birding. Scots broom, once cut back on a regular > > basis, is now growing amok. Palm Warblers may > > still winter here, but there are no gaps between > > shrubs where they can reveal themselves. And > > the once sweeping vistas of the slough with its > > stunning variety of waders, gulls, and waterfowl, > > are largely blocked. I had had half a mind to > > bring a bag of birdseed. Evidently pruning loppers > > would be more useful. > > To get a look at the scores of shorebirds > > enjoying low tide I struggled through the broom > > hedge and down the rip-rap to firm mudflats. > > With a steep, albeit short, south facing slope > > at my back I found the temperature extremely > > pleasant. And watching distant, pink thunderheads > > scudding before cold fronts quite enjoyable. > > The tide was now coming up the main channel, > > but the water in Pony Slough was still flowing > > downstream at a brisk rate. I followed feeding > > loons and grebes down with the current, then > > east, up the main channel and under the swing bridge. > > .... Lars Norgren > > > > Only one month 'til the Coos Bay > > CBC It needs you. The greatest > > count in Oregon for over three > > decades. I dipped on the Ruff > > last year but got my first Red > > Fox Sparrow. Who knows what awaits > > you? > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _________________________________________________________________ Bing brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MFESRP&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TEXT_MFESRP_Local_MapsMenu_Resturants_1x1 _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:58:40 -0800 The Florida Street neighborhood is also a great place for windshield birding passerines. A Tropical Kingbird was there in October. Whatever n-s street intersects it at the shore, going south to Virginia is unpaved and potholed. It is trimmed with very dense brush and produced White-throated Sparrow on last year's CBC. If you are constrained by a time budget and can't do Millicoma (perish the thought) try the spot. Yeong's, on Virginia Street has some of the best burgers in Oregon, and portions that might make you consider sharing an order. For more elegant dining to celebrate the latest lifer there's Porta, also on Virginia and right in front of the former westside access to Pony Slough. The chef/co-owner was the penultimate chef at the storied Genoa(RIP), for decades the best restaurant in the Pacific nw. Remember, its the south coast and you won't have to pay Pearl District prices(Porta is better than all Pearl District restaurants but one, anyway). Lars On Nov 20, 2009, at 3:59 AM, Paul T. Sullivan wrote: > Lars, > > A nicely written piece, very descriptive of a time and place many of > us enjoy. > > Yes, there are great birders out there who do not have any of the > high-tech toys so commonly used by other voices prominent on the > web: cameras, wireless connections, geeky savvy, etc, etc. They get > to enjoy birds too. > > And there is the new breed who don't use bird books, but operate > with camera and the web exclusively. Folks younger than you and > me. They get to enjoy birds too. > > Then there are the old folks, like you and me, who drive half way > across the state to see a bird in person. We get to enjoy the > birds, too. > > One comment about access to Pony Slough: While no one can access > the west side of the slough anymore, due to the expansion of the > airport security zone, the east side is still available. The hike > down from the museum on the RR tracks to the NE side of the slough > is one access, as you describe. > > However, one can also drive to the west end of Florida St. by > turning west off Hwy 101 in North Bend. You can park there and walk > out to the edge of the bay and scope most of it, depending on the > state of the tide. > > Good birding, everyone, > > Paul T. Sullivan > -------------------------------- > Subject: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies > From: Norgren Family > Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:47:46 -0800 > > ... they couldn't get to the parking lot > at the mouth of Pony Slough. There's a fine boat > ramp there, big enough to load and unload multiple > boat trailers at once. Parking places for the hoards > and a regulation bicycle path. But the access road > is gated and always locked. I was first there in > 1976 and we drove out there about once every two > hours. There were always tons of birds and pretty > much always some new species. I wondered how long > ago my pair of interlocutors had visited the place. > Clearly pre-Patriot Act. > .... I chose the eastside of > Pony Slough for my next destination. It meant prolonged > foot travel, which I reasoned might keep me awake. > It almost seemed foolish to give up precious hours > to the part of Coos Bay I know best, when some > novel area was an option. But it was a short drive, > and promised ample privacy. Park at the Maritime > Museum in North Bend, and follow the well worn path > beaten by decades of homeless commuters to the > railroad tracks. These were laid and first carried > an engine in 1905. Now a scant century later they > are abandoned. They go northwest across the eastern > two thirds of Pony Slough, before swinging north > to cross the estuary. > The abandonment proves to be a hindrance to > birding. Scots broom, once cut back on a regular > basis, is now growing amok. Palm Warblers may > still winter here, but there are no gaps between > shrubs where they can reveal themselves. And > the once sweeping vistas of the slough with its > stunning variety of waders, gulls, and waterfowl, > are largely blocked. I had had half a mind to > bring a bag of birdseed. Evidently pruning loppers > would be more useful. > To get a look at the scores of shorebirds > enjoying low tide I struggled through the broom > hedge and down the rip-rap to firm mudflats. > With a steep, albeit short, south facing slope > at my back I found the temperature extremely > pleasant. And watching distant, pink thunderheads > scudding before cold fronts quite enjoyable. > The tide was now coming up the main channel, > but the water in Pony Slough was still flowing > downstream at a brisk rate. I followed feeding > loons and grebes down with the current, then > east, up the main channel and under the swing bridge. > .... Lars Norgren > > Only one month 'til the Coos Bay > CBC It needs you. The greatest > count in Oregon for over three > decades. I dipped on the Ruff > last year but got my first Red > Fox Sparrow. Who knows what awaits > you? > _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: "Paul T. Sullivan" <ptsulliv AT spiritone.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:00:24 -0800 Lars, A nicely written piece, very descriptive of a time and place many of us enjoy. One comment about access to Pony Slough: While no one can access the west side of the slough anymore, due to the expansion of the airport security zone, the east side is still available. The hike down from the museum on the RR tracks to the NE side of the slough is one access, as you describe. However, one can also drive to the west end of Florida St. by turning west off Hwy 101 in North Bend. You can park there and walk out to the edge of the bay and scope most of it, depending on the state of the tide. Good birding, everyone, Paul T. Sullivan -------------------------------- Subject: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: Norgren Family Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:47:46 -0800 ... they couldn't get to the parking lot at the mouth of Pony Slough. There's a fine boat ramp there, big enough to load and unload multiple boat trailers at once. Parking places for the hoards and a regulation bicycle path. But the access road is gated and always locked. I was first there in 1976 and we drove out there about once every two hours. There were always tons of birds and pretty much always some new species. I wondered how long ago my pair of interlocutors had visited the place. Clearly pre-Patriot Act. .... I chose the eastside of Pony Slough for my next destination. It meant prolonged foot travel, which I reasoned might keep me awake. It almost seemed foolish to give up precious hours to the part of Coos Bay I know best, when some novel area was an option. But it was a short drive, and promised ample privacy. Park at the Maritime Museum in North Bend, and follow the well worn path beaten by decades of homeless commuters to the railroad tracks. These were laid and first carried an engine in 1905. Now a scant century later they are abandoned. They go northwest across the eastern two thirds of Pony Slough, before swinging north to cross the estuary. The abandonment proves to be a hindrance to birding. Scots broom, once cut back on a regular basis, is now growing amok. Palm Warblers may still winter here, but there are no gaps between shrubs where they can reveal themselves. And the once sweeping vistas of the slough with its stunning variety of waders, gulls, and waterfowl, are largely blocked. I had had half a mind to bring a bag of birdseed. Evidently pruning loppers would be more useful. To get a look at the scores of shorebirds enjoying low tide I struggled through the broom hedge and down the rip-rap to firm mudflats. With a steep, albeit short, south facing slope at my back I found the temperature extremely pleasant. And watching distant, pink thunderheads scudding before cold fronts quite enjoyable. The tide was now coming up the main channel, but the water in Pony Slough was still flowing downstream at a brisk rate. I followed feeding loons and grebes down with the current, then east, up the main channel and under the swing bridge. .... Lars Norgren Only one month 'til the Coos Bay CBC It needs you. The greatest count in Oregon for over three decades. I dipped on the Ruff last year but got my first Red Fox Sparrow. Who knows what awaits you? _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Coos Bay as a birding destination, with or without boobies From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:47:46 -0800 After helping Tim Rodenkirk put out seed at Millicoma Marsh on Armistice Day I sat down at the picnic pavillion there (out of the rain) and made my morning sales calls. I eventually saw a couple, each armed with scope and tri=pod, emerge from the north trail and walk up some steps to their car, which was parked next to the school. I ran over and, noticing the out of state plates, asked if they were in Coos Bay to see the booby. They had heard of no such thing, but were seeking refuge from the rain after watching twelve White=throated Sparrows on the seed Tim has been putting down. They were just thrilled, as one doesn't get to see this sort of thing in Bellingham. Incidental to the sparrows they had seen a White=tailed Kite and a Black Phoebe. They were spending multiple days and nights in Coos Bay then proceeding to the Willamette Valley. They took down notes on how to see the booby, but after the rain stopped they returned to the trails of Millicoma Marsh to look at more Sparrows. I struggled to decide how best to spend the coming free hours left to me. It didn't rain again that day. The agony of choice was almost overwhelming. I had asked Tim about the North Spit, dreaming of Longspurs and Gyrfalcons, Tufted Ducks or Shrikes. He said the flats were under water and the ponds awash in duckhunters. Cape Arago would be a change of pace, but required traversing, anew, the breadth of Oregon's Bay Area in all its commercial shabbiness. For I had started serious use of my favorite scope almost four hours earlier by the Dairy Queen between Empire and Charleston. The Brown Booby Tim Rodenkirk pointed out to me was a mile away. On a postage stamp it wouldn't have filled up the space reserved for the price. A backdrop of spruces on the far shore of the bay helped accent its white belly, while obscuring the chocolate colored back and hood. Against this dark hood its beak, blue as a scaup's bill, was plainly evident as it sat dead center on some steel framework, dwarfed by cormorants. This was at 60X magnification. "Thank goodness it's heavily overcast and 43 on a November morning "I thought. Under most circumstances the whole thing would be an exercise in futility due to heat distortion. About 15 seconds after bringing this Roger Tory Peterson on microfilm into focus, it dropped off the ship channel marker and just feet about the water flew eastward with a wingbeat somewhere between a Gyrfalcon and a Western Gull. In 10 or 20 seconds it was out of sight around some point I didn't know the name of. "Well I'm glad that's out of the way, and so early in the day!" I said to Tim. "Let's go look for Swamp Sparrows!" As luck would have it, Tim had two twenty pound bags of bird seed in his pickup. When doesn't he have two or three twenty pound bags on hand between Halloween and Christmas? If you're a birder in Coos Bay in November, you might consider bringing crutches as a prop if you want to avoid becoming another one of Tim's mules. So here it was noon, and I'm talking to serious birders who are still off the internet. They've photographed tigers in India and spent 30 days on the island of Taiwan, but they couldn't get to the parking lot at the mouth of Pony Slough. There's a fine boat ramp there, big enough to load and unload multiple boat trailers at once. Parking places for the hoards and a regulation bicycle path. But the access road is gated and always locked. I was first there in 1976 and we drove out there about once every two hours. There were always tons of birds and pretty much always some new species. I wondered how long ago my pair of interlocutors had visited the place. Clearly pre-Patriot Act. Although it was lunchtime for most, it was closer to supper for me. I had gotten out of bed at 3, to drive 248 miles from the westernmost Dairy Queen in Washington County to the westernmost Dairy Queen in Coos County. I chose the eastside of Pony Slough for my next destination. It meant prolonged foot travel, which I reasoned might keep me awake. It almost seemed foolish to give up precious hours to the part of Coos Bay I know best, when some novel area was an option. But it was a short drive, and promised ample privacy. Park at the Maritime Museum in North Bend, and follow the well worn path beaten by decades of homeless commuters to the railroad tracks. These were laid and first carried an engine in 1905. Now a scant century later they are abandoned. They go northwest across the eastern two thirds of Pony Slough, before swinging north to cross the estuary. The abandonment proves to be a hindrance to birding. Scots broom, once cut back on a regular basis, is now growing amok. Palm Warblers may still winter here, but there are no gaps between shrubs where they can reveal themselves. And the once sweeping vistas of the slough with its stunning variety of waders, gulls, and waterfowl, are largely blocked. I had had half a mind to bring a bag of birdseed. Evidently pruning loppers would be more useful. To get a look at the scores of shorebirds enjoying low tide I struggled through the broom hedge and down the rip-rap to firm mudflats. With a steep, albeit short, south facing slope at my back I found the temperature extremely pleasant. And watching distant, pink thunderheads scudding before cold fronts quite enjoyable. The tide was now coming up the main channel, but the water in Pony Slough was still flowing downstream at a brisk rate. I followed feeding loons and grebes down with the current, then east, up the main channel and under the swing bridge. There were no rarities, but sunlight and comfort were abundant, a context I don't associate with loons and grebes in basic plumage. It was after lunch and chefs would be free to receive my sales pitch. My client here in North Bend might be free to go chase the booby. A half-dozen gainful and responsible possibilities beckoned, but not as hard as the imaginary call of larks in the starve-acre dunes on the dredge spoils to my south. The sunlight and vigorous cumulous clouds seemed too great a treasure to be squandered. The commonest mistake people make about birding Coos Bay is making it a day trip. If my own highway madness seems a contradiction to this advice, it is because I was there on business. I had anticipated arriving at first light and going down to Fossil Point with my most important vendor. She has taken up birding since we entered into business, but in a fashion I find mildly bizarre. Perhaps it is practiced by millions. She owns no field guide, and shows no interest in mine. When she sees an unfamiliar bird she photographs it, then goes back to the office and searches images on the internet until a match is made. However unorthodox it seems, it can work. She's got pictures of Western Bluebirds along the Trans-Pacific Highway to prove it. At first light her paperwork was in chaos and the booby put on the back burner. By the time I checked back in person, with the westering sun burnishing Virginia Avenue and 101 alike, three of her employees had been diverted from their regular tasks, and the worst day of the year was becoming the worst day of her career. My load of perishables was hours away from being ready, a late dinner at home no longer a possibility. I followed the road back to Charleston, stopping at every public access to the bay. The parking lot of the Empire boat ramps held plenty of gulls too close for a scope, but my brain was getting too dull too process a novel mix of species, a local dialect if you would. The multitude of piers and pilings all hosted at least one bird, but no boobies. Some kind of raptor was directly into the ever lower sun. I drove a short way south and determined it to be an Osprey. This would be a surprise at almost all parts of Oregon in November, but here in Coos Bay it's becoming a fixture. In fits and starts I worked south from Empire until at last I passed Pigeon Point and parked at the pumping station beyond Dairy Queen. The parking space was now in shade, but the whole bay was bathed in intense evening sun. The stanchion preferred by the booby was NORTH, not west,of the observation point, and therefore well lit at 4:17 in the afternoon. And there on the uppermost steel bar was the booby, to the very inch where it was seven and a half hours before. It was no bigger in my scope than before. Some Western Gulls were mingled with the Cormorants now and they were bigger than the booby. It was preening, always a good sign. Apparently it planned to spend the night here. I wished I could. The couple of lunchtime acquaintance were based at Captain John's in Charleston. I stayed there the night before the Count two years ago and would recommend it. Lodging is significantly cheaper than on the north coast, as are the mushrooms. I didn't keep a list of bird species, I never do if it's not a CBC. But my payload may prove more exotic to many readers: 140 pounds of porcini--mostly Boletus edulis, but some Boletus aereus, and even half a kilo of Boletus fibrillosus; nine pounds of Pied-de-mouton(Dentinum repandum); eight pounds of Hedgehog Mushroom (Dentinum umbillicatum), eight pounds of Yellowfoot(Cantharellus tubaeformis) and fortythree pounds of Cauliflower Mushroom. This last species sounds far more delicious by its latinate binomial--Sparassis crispa. And that size harvest is surely a record for the Coos basin. I got home at one in the morning. Gosh darn it if I never did see a Swamp Sparrow. Lars Norgren Only one month 'til the Coos Bay CBC It needs you. The greatest count in Oregon for over three decades. I dipped on the Ruff last year but got my first Red Fox Sparrow. Who knows what awaits you? _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Brookings area shorebirds From: "Don & Karen Munson" <dkmunson AT wildblue.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:47:06 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time) Of local interest was a LONG-BILLED CURLEW at the mouth of the Winchuck River today. This is not a ho hum bird around here even in the normal spring and fall migration windows. Almost equally as exciting was a SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER out standing in his field on Oceanview Drive pretending to be a Mongolian PL. It was out of the migration window too. Don Munson Brookings, Curry County_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Oregon Birds From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:39:06 -0800 (PST) Mike and MerryLynn and other OBOLers, We are very lucky indeed to have the fabulous crew working on Oregon Birds, I sure love getting every copy, thanks all of you, we are so lucky to have such a great publication! Tim RodenkirkHappy In Coos Bay --- On Thu, 11/19/09, Mike and MerryLynn wrote: From: Mike and MerryLynn Subject: [obol] Oregon Birds To: "OBOL" Date: Thursday, November 19, 2009, 5:11 PM Hello All, I am writing because I must thank Jeff Harding and all those folks that VOLUNTEER to put Oregon Birds together each quarter. WOW does it ever look nice. Greg Gillson's cover photo is crisp and clear. Thank-you all involved and I hope that this regional birders journal gets everyone's support on this list. Later Mike .................................................................................. Mike and MerryLynn Denny Birding the beautiful Walla Walla Valley If you have not birded, you have not lived _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: OT: Wild Arts Festival From: Vern DiPietro <vernd AT oregonfast.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:21:28 -0800 Hello OBOL, I was disappointed to not be juried into Wild Arts this year, but know that's how it is in the art world. but the upside was No outlay of time , effort or money to be ready for the show in November. WAIT! How about a little spin on life? I got a call Wednesday that there was an opening due to a cancellation. Yeeee Hawwwww.... oh wait... no preparation, and set up in 2 days. Arrrrrrgh I've printed a slew of new work, but haven't matted them. I figure that they can be as prints or I'll mat and ship them. So, I will be there at Wild Arts Festival this weekend, booth 42, upstairs across from the elevators. Please stop by and say hey! Best, Vern http://www.audubonportland.org/support-us/fundraising-events/waf/waf Vern DiPietro Ada Oregon. www.vernondipietrophotographer.com "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind." -- Dr Seuss _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Oregon Birds From: "Mike and MerryLynn" <m.denny AT charter.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:08 -0800 Hello All, I am writing because I must thank Jeff Harding and all those folks that VOLUNTEER to put Oregon Birds together each quarter. WOW does it ever look nice. Greg Gillson's cover photo is crisp and clear. Thank-you all involved and I hope that this regional birders journal gets everyone's support on this list. Later Mike .................................................................................. Mike and MerryLynn Denny Birding the beautiful Walla Walla Valley If you have not birded, you have not lived _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Point Arena CA Laysan From: Bob ARCHER <rillo3 AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:47:04 -0800 Hi: For those of you that follow "Al", the Laysan Albatross has returned as of yesterday to the Point Arena Harbor, CA. I think it is his 17th or so year. If anyone is heading south for Thanksgiving it might be a fun stop. Bob Archer PDX _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Pacific Loon - Yamhill Co From: "Thomas Love" <tlove AT linfield.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:26:18 -0800 The PACIFIC LOON remains at the spot along North Valley Road, about 1 ½ mile north of the Tilikum Retreat Center, easily viewed from the narrow road shoulder. Thanks Lars and Carol for assistance! Tom Love tlove AT linfield DOT edu _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Help finding pine siskins please From: Heather Watts <hewatts AT ucdavis.edu> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:51:16 -0800 I'm a biologist at University of California, Davis studying pine siskins. I'm trying to find locations in OR that currently have large numbers of pine siskins. Any feedback on where pine siskins have been sighted recently would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Heather Watts hewatts AT ucdavis.edu Davis, CA -- Heather E. Watts, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior University of California - Davis Davis, CA 95616 _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Boiler Bay From: "Phil Pickering" <philliplc AT charter.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:20:20 -0800 7:00-8:30 (11/19): overcast wind S 30+ swells 15+ 3 Red-throated Loon 40 Common Loon 1 Red-necked Grebe 35 Northern Fulmar 150 Brown Pelican (N) 200 Brandt's Cormorant (N) 30 Pelagic Cormorant 1 Brant 1 Harlequin Duck 100+ Black Scoter 12000 White-winged Scoter (assume same group seen 11/17) 200 Surf Scoter 2 Red-breasted Merganser 1 Red Phalarope 5 Mew Gull 400 California Gull 40+ Herring Gull 200 Western Gull 30 Glaucous-winged Gull 6 Heermann's Gull 2 Black-legged Kittiwake 200 Common Murre 25 Pigeon Guillemot (S) 1 Marbled Murrelet North Siletz Bay 8:45 - 500 Pelican 1200 California Gull (almost all adult) 400 Herring (almost all adult) 30 Heermann's Phil philliplc AT charter.net _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Swainson's Thrush In Peru - Birdbase and Netbook Use From: "Jeff Harding" <jeffharding AT centurytel.net> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:25:14 -0800 I took my netbook, an Acer AspireOne, to Peru a few weeks ago. It is very handy, and powerful enough for whatever you want to run. We found internet connections in most of the hotels we stayed at, including the new "Long-whiskered Owlet" lodge at Abra Patricia. With 140 gigs on the hard drive, there is plenty of room for downloading photos. Of course that isn't the problem it was a few years ago, since SD cards hold so much now. In Moyobamba at the Hotel Puerto Mirador, the WiFi did not reach the rooms, but we could use the internet while in the bar, with excellent Pisco Sours, or around the pool, where there were Rufous-fronted Thornbirds, Hauxwell's Thrushes, Thrush-like Wrens, and once, at the same time, a Lettered Aricari and a Guilded Barbet. I use BirdBase for recordkeeping, and it certainly does well on the netbook. I'm not very good at taking notes, but find it easy to record sightings in BirdBase, though I don't think I remember every little tyranulet or colorful tanager - it would be better to keep track as you go along. Sometimes the names in the book don't correspond to the Birdbase lists, but that is life in the bird world. A few photos from our trip are here, though I have to organize, label and add more: http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffharding06/Peru2009# There was a Swainson's Thrush outside Tarapoto, to bring it around to Oregon birds. A Thrush-like Antpita popped out while the Swainson's Thrush was there, kind of different company than it keeps here in the north. Good Birding, Jeff _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: RBA: Portland, OR 11-19-09 From: Harry Nehls <hnehls6 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:33:15 -0800 - RBA * Oregon * Portland * November 19, 2009 * ORPO0911.19 - birds mentioned Trumpeter Swan Tundra Swan Eurasian Wigeon Canvasback White-winged Scoter Common Goldeneye Barrow¹s Goldeneye Red-breasted Merganser BROWN BOOBY Brown Pelican Northern Goshawk Swainson¹s Thrush Gyrfalcon American Golden-Plover Heermann¹s Gull Tropical Kingbird Varied Thrush BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER American Tree Sparrow Harris¹s Sparrow - transcript hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly) number: 503-292-6855 To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 compiler: Harry Nehls coverage: entire state Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report was made Thursday November 19. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. The Coos Bay BROWN BOOBY continues to be seen. On November 15 a bright BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen in Redmond. It could not be relocated. Large numbers of BROWN PELICANS continue along the central and southern Oregon coast. Three TROPICAL KINGBIRDS were seen during the week in Florence, three at Sallys bend near Newport, and two along Wireless Road near Astoria. On November 15 a GYRFALCON was near Brookings. An AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was seen that day at New River near Langlois. On November 17 seven TRUMPETER SWANS were at Svenson Island east of Astoria. On November 14 a movement of 104 VARIED THRUSHES was seen at Mt. Tabor Park in Portland. A GOSHAWK was also there that day. Large flocks of wigeon are now at Westmoreland Park in Portland, including some EURASIAN WIGEON. A TREE SPARROW is now being seen at the Fernhill Wetlands. On November 14 two SWAINSON¹S HAWKS were along Livermore Road north of Baskett Slough NWR. A HEERMANN¹S GULL was seen November 17 at Finley NWR. On November 15 four BARROW¹S GOLDENEYES and 25 COMMON GOLDENEYES were at the mouth of Eagle Creek near Bonneville Dam. A HARRIS¹S SPARROW was in Bend November 12. On November 14 a WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, a RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 320 TUNDRA SWANS, and 300 CANVASBACKS were on Davis Lake south of Bend. That¹s it or this week. - end transcript _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: OT post Steller's seaLions NOT From: Vern DiPietro <vernd AT oregonfast.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:01:00 -0800 Hello OBOL, It is with a red face that I sit corrected by Wayne Hoffman who kindly pointed out that my photos of Steller's Sea Lions are actually California Sea Lions. Jeez... No wonder I have a hard time with Peeps. Thanks Wayne for your kind email. Vern Vern DiPietro Ada Oregon. www.vernondipietrophotographer.com "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind." -- Dr Seuss _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Boiler Bay From: "Darrel Faxon" <5hats AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:33:34 -0800 November 18 12 noon to 12:30 hundreds and hundreds of Brown Pelicans, several thousand in all, and all moving north about 100-200 feet above the ocean. a few Red Phalarope one possible Xantus' Murrelet. small alcid; swimming; very black above, strikingly white below. It was a couple hundred yards off. I was using 10X binoculars. Kept losing sight of the bird between the high swells, and never did get as good a look as I wanted to get. Finally lost sight of it altogether Darrel _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Lesser Yellowlegs heads west, and a nice surprise in the mailbox today From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:36:32 -0800 Hello folks, On a lunchtime walk I encountered the LESSER YELLOWLEGS again, this time at Toketie Marsh (remediation wetland for Coffin Butte Regional Landfill) which is just across the highway from E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area. The bird flew in from the east along with one Greater Yellowlegs. They circled the upper pond together, several times, but found it not to their liking and continued west after a few derisive calls from the Greater Yellowlegs. I enjoyed watching the two of them flying together. The slimmer Lesser Yellowlegs required only a wingbeat or two to squirt past the Greater Yellowlegs, after which its heavier companion would labor to catch up. I wonder if they'll show up at Darrel Faxon's place as their next stop. Back at my driveway, I had a nice surprise waiting in the mailbox: Issue 34:4 of /Oregon Birds/. If you're not a subscriber or if it hasn't landed in your mailbox yet, you can take a peek at: http://www.oregonbirds.org/journal.html to see the contents. Thanks to editor Jeff Harding for another beautiful issue. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Defective Gulls From: "R. Adney Jr." <rfadney AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:43:51 -0800 I stopped in Winchester Bay today while working to attack my nose bag for lunch. While eating and feeding goodies to the resident gull population, I started noticing a few birds with missing appendages. Six out of 32 birds only had one leg. All were missing their right leg, or it was severely deformed. Here is a link to some pics of the gulls in question. Please let me know what you think the reason/s for this may be. http://avianpics.blogspot.com/2009/11/defectives.html Rich Adney http://avianpics.blogspot.com/ http://adneyvisualarts.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/adneyvisualarts/ _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141665/direct/01/_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Mute Swan Curry From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:17:37 -0800 Seems to be a bit of a trend. I believe a Mute Swan was recorded on Tillamook CBC about 4 years ago. I recall other reports scattered about nw Oregon and sw Washington in the colder months. I think there is a sizeable feral population in British Columbia now. Canada Geese, not native to Europe, now nest in Sweden and migrate to Germany. I don't know if Mute Swans taste better than Skyrats, but prep time per pound is certainly more favorable. Lars Norgren On Nov 18, 2009, at 4:50 PM, cowgirl AT harborside.com wrote: > How unusual would it be to have a Mute Swan with three Tundra's at > New River this afternoon ? > Lois Miller > Port Orford > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: SE Portland ... Redhead From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:12:22 -0800 Over at Westmoreland 2-3pm 1 adult THAYER'S GULL, 1 3rd year THAYER'S GULL, 1 adult HERRING GULL with 125 Olympics. About 10 RING-BILLED GULLS No Mews or Californias Lars Norgren On Nov 18, 2009, at 2:27 PM, Scott Carpenter wrote: > The male REDHEAD and female CANVASBACK were still at Westmoreland > Park this afternoon, and were keeping company with a female LESSER > SCAUP. > > Scott Carpenter > Portland, Oregon > > On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 9:27 PM, m_scatt AT yahoo.com > wrote: > This morning we headed up Mt. Tabor (SE Portland). Immediately after > entering the SW corner of the park, we noticed a large, loose flock > of VARIED THRUSHES flying overhead towards the SW. In less than a > minute we counted 64 of them. After that it slowed down a bit, but > we continued to see small flocks overhead. By the end of our walk we > had counted 104 Varied Thrushes flying overhead and an additional 10 > or 12 calling throughout the park. Noteworthy for the Willamette > Valley was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK that we saw circle low over the park > and head to the north. > > In the afternoon we walked to Westmoreland Park and nearby Crystal > Springs. At Westmoreland Park there were over 120 gulls. Most of > them were Glaucous-winged but there were several Ring-billed, > Herring, and a Western. For the third time in the past week, we saw > a male REDHEAD, female CANVASBACK, and female EURASIAN WIGEON on the > main pond. Crystal Springs held the usual variety of ducks, > including a Wood Duck x Mallard hybrid. There was also a GREEN HERON. > > For the past 6 days we've seen 4 juvenile GREATER WHITE-FRONTED > GEESE at Clinton Park (adjacent to Franklin High School). > > Good Birding! > > Adrian and Christopher Hinkle > Em Scattaregia > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Kingbirds, Long-tailed Duck From: "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:04:04 -0800 I was able to make brief checks at the LNG Tank site on Yaquina Bay both yesterday (Nov. 17) and today (18th). Yesterday at least 2 Troppical Kingbirds were present and very vocal ( and sounded almost rowdy, rather than melancholy). Today I saw 1 kingbird in willows off to the SW from the blackberry hedge. Yesterday I also had a quick flyby by a nice Ad male Merlin, taiga type. This afternoon at 3:30 a quick visit to the South Jetty Yaquina Bay yielded a nice drake Long-tailed Duck, in fact with a long tail. Wayne _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Mute Swan Curry From: cowgirl AT harborside.com Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:50:17 +0000 How unusual would it be to have a Mute Swan with three Tundra's at New River this afternoon ? Lois Miller Port Orford Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] From: "Sherry Hagen" <birder AT iinet.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:47:20 -0800 I don't have to page down in Avisys with the "6.00 J" version. After updating to "J", Avisys stated right at the top of it's screen: "Netbook 1024x600" and everything shows on the screen and whatever Jerry Blinn has built into it, it works. I really wanted to take the little gal with me on our recent trip to Peru but I had so much camera equipment already and it was one more weighty thing to pack so I left it home. Wasn't much time to use it anyway. I take it on trips in the states though and here I can usually connect to the internet something pretty much lacking in Peru. The processing power statement referred more to my wanting to download photos from my camera not anything to do with Avisys running properly. But as many people who bird that own cameras, that might be something to check for in a Netbook if you too want to download photos from your camera. Not all Netbooks are created equal in that way. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder AT iinet.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Geier" To: "Oregon Birders OnLine" Cc: "Sherry Hagen" Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 6:26 PM Subject: Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] > Hi Sherry, John, Pam & All, > > As a recent convert to traveling with a netbook, I can't imagine that > Avisys version 6 dot anything would pose a serious challenge to the > processing power that comes with even a low-end modern processor chip. > > Granted, I don't use Avisys, but just considering what a bird listing > program does, I can't believe it would put any strain on a netbook > that's capable of rendering web page graphics. > > I'm just home from a week-long working trip where I relied exclusively > on a Hewlett-Packard 110 Mini (yes, trying to support the local economy > in Corvallis at least indirectly). I had some problems loading the Linux > Ubunto netbook remix on this just before I left (probably since I was in > a hurry), but I was able to run the CygWin Linux emulator and do some > serious number-crunching on an elevation database that would make my > very fast dual-processor, dual-core workstation at home slow down a bit. > I used it for some graphics-heavy presentations using PowerPoint and > OpenOffice Impress, without a single hitch. > > I also compiled all of my groundwater modeling codes inside CygWin, and > actually got a few to run, though finally the little Intel Atom chip > choked when I asked it to resolve intersections among half a million > random polygons. Oh well, my workstation at home also considers that to > be a tough problem that requires several *days* of processor time before > it comes back with an answer! > > So, if AviSys doesn't require several hours or days to come back with an > answer on your current computer, I think you'd do fine with a netbook. > > The screen aspect ratio is the only negative that I can think of -- it > means that you need to page down to view the average web site at full > size. Positives include longer battery life (I was able to keep mine > going on batteries through a 9-hour flight) and low power use which > means you can run it indefinitely off a cigarette-lighter voltage > converter if you're birding out of a vehicle on an extended trip. > > The small size means that you can actually work in airline economy class > without sticking your elbows into the face of the person next to you. > Plus it's a lot less weight to lug around -- you could even take it in > the field with you while birding, though I can't think of any reason why > someone would want to do that. > > Bottom line, speaking as someone who makes computers work a lot harder > than the average computer user, I think a netbook is the way to go. For > heavy-duty calculations I'll still rely on my workstation at home, but > there's really nothing similar that comes up in ordinary consumer > software, and presumably AviSys as well. So ... go for it! > > Happy birding, > Joel > > -- > > Sherry Hagen wrote: > > You have to be careful which NetBook you get (I think). I ws told some > of > them are just for internet/email. I bought an Eec PC which the guy > recogmended so that I could upload photos to it on the road. I just this > past weekend update the Avisys version to "6.J" and it works fine. That > was > the recommendation on Avisys for Netbooks due to their screen size. It > works > great. > > Sherry Hagen > Vancouver, WA > birder AT iinet.com > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Thomas" > To: "OBOL" > Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 2:39 PM > Subject: [obol] Avisys on a Netbook? Anna's Hummers in The Boondocks... > > >> Pam has her Avisys listings on a PC laptop. My Avisys listings are on a >> MacBook running Parallels. This MacBook plus Parallels plus Windows XP >> plus >> Avisys sometimes runs smoothly but has lately been giving us the "heebie >> jeebies" and some headaches. >> >> We are seriously considering a dedicated NetBook (ultra small laptop) for >> Avisys and e-mail on the road BUT wonder if the NetBooks are powerful >> enough >> to run this program. Any "Deep Techies" out there that know? I am trying >> to >> figure this out on the Avisys website and not finding clear info yet. >> These >> little NetBooks don't have a lot of computing power and we don't want to >> get >> one that doesn't work. >> > > > _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: SE Portland ... Redhead From: Scott Carpenter <slcarpenter AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:27:21 -0800 The male REDHEAD and female CANVASBACK were still at Westmoreland Park this afternoon, and were keeping company with a female LESSER SCAUP. Scott Carpenter Portland, Oregon On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 9:27 PM, m_scatt AT yahoo.com wrote: > This morning we headed up Mt. Tabor (SE Portland). Immediately after > entering the SW corner of the park, we noticed a large, loose flock of > VARIED THRUSHES flying overhead towards the SW. In less than a minute we > counted 64 of them. After that it slowed down a bit, but we continued to see > small flocks overhead. By the end of our walk we had counted 104 Varied > Thrushes flying overhead and an additional 10 or 12 calling throughout the > park. Noteworthy for the Willamette Valley was a NORTHERN GOSHAWK that we > saw circle low over the park and head to the north. > > In the afternoon we walked to Westmoreland Park and nearby Crystal Springs. > At Westmoreland Park there were over 120 gulls. Most of them were > Glaucous-winged but there were several Ring-billed, Herring, and a Western. > For the third time in the past week, we saw a male REDHEAD, female > CANVASBACK, and female EURASIAN WIGEON on the main pond. Crystal Springs > held the usual variety of ducks, including a Wood Duck x Mallard hybrid. > There was also a GREEN HERON. > > For the past 6 days we've seen 4 juvenile GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at > Clinton Park (adjacent to Franklin High School). > > Good Birding! > > Adrian and Christopher Hinkle > Em Scattaregia > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol >_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Columbia Estuary Report - 11/18/2009 From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:02:47 -0800 Columbia Estuary Report - 11/18/2009 There were 7 TRUMPETER SWANS at Svensen Island yesterday. Also at Svensen were 75 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, 8 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a whole bunch of LEAST SANDPIPERS too sneaky to get a proper count of. There was a big flock of dowitchers at Jackson Rd as well. An adult SNOW GOOSE was with CANADA GEESE on Jackson Rd, Brownsmead. There are 2 different juveniles in different flocks between Wireless Rd and Capp Rd on the Youngs Bay loop. There are probably 20000 CACKLING GEESE in the dairy pastures around Brownsmead and smaller flocks around Youngs Bay. The recent flooding has pushed the local KILLDEER population in to some really big flocks. Over 100 are hanging out together at Wireless Rd and another big flock of at least 75 is at Jackson Rd, Brownsmead. Storms earlier in the week did not bring in much in the way pelagic species, perhaps the storms predicted for this weekend... -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Why a duck? http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Fw: PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) From: "Carol Karlen" <carolk AT viclink.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:56:17 -0800 I need to make a correction on the first reported loon over at the Willamina Sewage Ponds/fishing Pond way back on 16 November, 1994. As some of you know the sewage pond/fishing pond for Willamina is partially in two counties per Bill: "Carol, Nice to find a great bird in one's own county. The first record, for what it is worth, was actually in Polk County. I saw that bird and talked with John, and knowing where the county line is, it was only on the Polk side of the line, in the old fishing pond......................." Bill Tice Birding: The best excuse for getting outdoors, and avoiding chores. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carol Karlen" To: "OBOL" Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:46 AM Subject: PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) > Yamhill County Records for Pacific Loon: > 1 at Willamina Sewage Ponds, 16 Nov. 94 [JL} > 1 at Willamina Fishing Pond, 4 Nov. 06 [QN,FS] > > Good birding, > > Carol Karlen > McMinnville > _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: RAPTOR ROUTE: Youngs Bay - 11/18/2009 From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:53:28 -0800 Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Clatsop County, Oregon Youngs River Route - Waluskee, Youngs Bay, Lewis And Clark, Astoria Airport, N.Clatsop Plains. 62.5mi; 2.5 hrs Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Bald Eagle 11 [1] Northern Harrier 3 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 [2] Red-tailed Hawk 2 American Kestrel 6 Peregrine Falcon 1 Footnotes: [1] 4 sub adult [2] Wireless Rd near Schauerman's Total number of species seen: 7 -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Why a duck? http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: WT Sparrows in Oregon Increasing Rapidly? From: Alan Contreras <acontrer AT MINDSPRING.COM> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:52:33 -0800 White-throated Sparrows tend to have "peak" years in the state from time to time, when in late fall and early winter, in particular, one can occasionally find small groups of them, especially on the outer coast and at major sparrow patches in the western interior valleys. Look for them mainly with Golden-crowned Sparrows or juncos, not as often with White-crowned Sparrows. They are more willing to go into areas of fairly heavy tree cover than are White-crowns. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON acontrer AT mindspring.com > From: John Thomas > Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:43:00 -0800 > To: obol > Subject: [obol] WT Sparrows in Oregon Increasing Rapidly? > > We have one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at our feeder and are always thrilled to > see them. We never see more than one or two and not every winter. Like one > of the small guides says, these are probably the first "rare" birds that > backyard birders see; however, it doesn't mean they will ever actually show > up! The feeder area at Robert Frost Elementary has never had WT Sparrows in > a decade of sightings. It would make my day to be able to show the kids a WT > Sparrow right outside their school window. > > After our first count - including WHITE-THROATED SPARROW- for Project > Feederwatch at home on Sun-Mon, I decided to check out what other folks were > seeing. It looks like we might have a spike this winter as 12 have already > been reported at various feeders with only 26 sites reporting. The total was > 3 or 4 for each count last year with many more sites reporting. Previous > years are similar to this lower count so it looks like something might be > shifting here in OR. > > The Cornell site is http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/index.html and then you > click on "Explore Data" and "Bird Summaries by State/Province" and then go > to Oregon. > > Good Birding, > John Thomas > NE Marion Co > > PS Thanks for netbook info from everybody. Much appreciated! -J > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: WT Sparrows in Oregon Increasing Rapidly? From: "John Thomas" <johnpam AT mtangel.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:43:00 -0800 We have one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at our feeder and are always thrilled to see them. We never see more than one or two and not every winter. Like one of the small guides says, these are probably the first "rare" birds that backyard birders see; however, it doesn't mean they will ever actually show up! The feeder area at Robert Frost Elementary has never had WT Sparrows in a decade of sightings. It would make my day to be able to show the kids a WT Sparrow right outside their school window. After our first count - including WHITE-THROATED SPARROW- for Project Feederwatch at home on Sun-Mon, I decided to check out what other folks were seeing. It looks like we might have a spike this winter as 12 have already been reported at various feeders with only 26 sites reporting. The total was 3 or 4 for each count last year with many more sites reporting. Previous years are similar to this lower count so it looks like something might be shifting here in OR. The Cornell site is http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/index.html and then you click on "Explore Data" and "Bird Summaries by State/Province" and then go to Oregon. Good Birding, John Thomas NE Marion Co PS Thanks for netbook info from everybody. Much appreciated! -J _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Eugene Wed Morning From: Sylvia Maulding <sylviam AT clearwire.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:49:09 -0800 Hello OBOL Eleven of us birded Mt. Pisgah west side under sunny skies. Canada Geese Wood Ducks Red-tailed Hawk Mourning Dove Anna's Hummingbird Downy Woodpecker Red-breasted Sapsucker Northern Flicker Hutton's Vireo Steller's Jay Western Scrub-Jay Crow Black-capped Chickadee Bushtit White-breasted Nuthatch Brown Creeper Bewick's Wren Winter Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kingler Western Bluebird Robin Yellow-rumped Warbler Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco House Finch Dennis Arendt, Dave Brown, Fred Chancy, Dave Hill, Kit Larsen, Sylvia Maulding, Craig Merkel, June Parsson, Roger Robb, Paul Sherrell, Becky Uhler. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: new species at Galapagos From: Jim Greaves <lbviman AT blackfoot.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:37:30 -0700 According to the "save whatever it is from humans" brigades, evolution is over! Guess they're wrong! http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/speciation-in-action/ "Darwin was right, but for the wrong reasons" - Anon "The wisdom of Nature's design" - National Audubon Society How is that different from "Intelligent Design"? _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:07:01 -0800 An adult eagle was quite low in an ash tree , to the north of the house, yesterday. As I recall, it's a ranch style house and it always slays me to see this eyrie in a tree literally feet from the dwelling. Lars On Nov 18, 2009, at 10:56 AM, donalbri AT teleport.com wrote: > > Hi Lars and Carol, > > I stopped by and saw the loon swimming in the sunshine at 10:00 this > morning. As Carol said, it's a beautiful bird. Thanks for > reporting it Lars! > > The deal with the road name is a confusing one. If you're coming > from the north, you'd have every reason to think you're on Spring > Hill Road, but for some reason, the road name changes to North > Valley Road at the old townsite of Dewey, about a mile and a half > north of the Pacific Loon location. > > There's a very large Bald Eagle nest in a fir tree just southwest of > the pond that the loon was on. The eagles seem to be in the area > most times of the year, but I didn't see any this morning. > > Don Albright > Newberg, Oregon > donalbri AT teleport.com > > > -----Original Message----- >> From: Carol Karlen >> Sent: Nov 18, 2009 10:46 AM >> To: OBOL >> Subject: [obol] PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) >> >> Thanks Lars for reporting this beautiful Pacific Loon in Yamhill >> County. >> >> The location for this loon is 14726 NORTH VALLEY ROAD (not >> Springhill Rd). >> Coming from Newberg follow Hwy 240 west to Ribbon Road, turn right >> and you >> will reach North Valley Road. Go north on North Valley Rd. till you >> come to >> the wetlands covered in water. Parking is a problem, but there is >> room to >> park on the right side across a driveway with a cable. Also it is >> okay to >> park at the next driveway which is paved as long as you park to one >> side so >> you don't block the driveway. >> >> Yamhill County Records for Pacific Loon: >> 1 at Willamina Sewage Ponds, 16 Nov. 94 [JL} >> 1 at Willamina Fishing Pond, 4 Nov. 06 [QN,FS] >> >> Good birding, >> >> Carol Karlen >> McMinnville >> >> >> >> >> Subject: local RBA: PACIFIC LOON (Chehalem Creek) Yamhill County >> From: Norgren Family >> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:58:13 -0800 >> >> A juvenile PACIFIC LOON was >> at 14726 Springhill Road at 1pm and >> still at 3pm 11/17. This is a few miles >> north of the Chehalem Valley Hwy(240? >> runs between Newberg and Yamhill). >> This a permanent wetland, quite deep >> under water at present, not exactly >> Heerman's Gull, but only the second >> loon I've seen away from the coast >> in my life. Lars Norgren >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> obol mailing list >> obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org >> http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol > _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: White-throated Sparrow, Eugene yard From: Brandon Green <brandon.green18 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:37:35 -0800 The wife and I moved into a new house in North Eugene this past weekend. Given all of the shrubbery along the backyard fence, I figured that it may be good sparrow habitat. Indeed, we were rewarded with two GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS right off the bat. Earlier this morning, I caught a brief glimpse of what appeared to be a White-crowned Sparrow. After waiting a few minutes, it re-appeared and revealed itself to be a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bIQ8d1HN9MMsh-y0s5TK6A?authkey=Gv1sRgCNn9htLwmcGtOw&feat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vAfGGt2iIrhlD_18y0XX6Q?authkey=Gv1sRgCNn9htLwmcGtOw&feat=directlink (Apologies for the photo quality. The windows here are inferior to those at our previous residence.) I realize that WT Sparrows are not unheard of in the valley and out on the coast in the winter, but I was pretty surprised to find one in my backyard. Brandon Eugene _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] From: Charles Swift <chaetura AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:30:58 -0800 On Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 6:26 PM, Joel Geier wrote: > Hi Sherry, John, Pam & All, > > As a recent convert to traveling with a netbook, I can't imagine that > Avisys version 6 dot anything would pose a serious challenge to the > processing power that comes with even a low-end modern processor chip. > .... > I think the problem w/ Avisys and Netbooks had to do w/ screen size and resolution, not computing power. This seems to have been resolved in the J release of Avisys 6 as reported here: http://www.avisys.net/UPDATE6.HTM -- Charles Swift Moscow, ID chaetura AT gmail.com_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: PACIFIC LOON (Yamhill Co.) From: "Carol Karlen" <carolk AT viclink.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:46:34 -0800 Thanks Lars for reporting this beautiful Pacific Loon in Yamhill County. The location for this loon is 14726 NORTH VALLEY ROAD (not Springhill Rd). Coming from Newberg follow Hwy 240 west to Ribbon Road, turn right and you will reach North Valley Road. Go north on North Valley Rd. till you come to the wetlands covered in water. Parking is a problem, but there is room to park on the right side across a driveway with a cable. Also it is okay to park at the next driveway which is paved as long as you park to one side so you don't block the driveway. Yamhill County Records for Pacific Loon: 1 at Willamina Sewage Ponds, 16 Nov. 94 [JL} 1 at Willamina Fishing Pond, 4 Nov. 06 [QN,FS] Good birding, Carol Karlen McMinnville Subject: local RBA: PACIFIC LOON (Chehalem Creek) Yamhill County From: Norgren Family Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:58:13 -0800 A juvenile PACIFIC LOON was at 14726 Springhill Road at 1pm and still at 3pm 11/17. This is a few miles north of the Chehalem Valley Hwy(240? runs between Newberg and Yamhill). This a permanent wetland, quite deep under water at present, not exactly Heerman's Gull, but only the second loon I've seen away from the coast in my life. Lars Norgren _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Eugene Black Phoebe From: Vjera Thompson <vireogirl AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:30:58 -0800 (PST) OBOLers, Eddie just had a BLACK PHOEBE show up at his work. He works near the W 11th Canal in west Eugene, not far from Rexius. I remember it wasn't that long ago (by long ago, I mean in the last 10 years) that Lane County birders chased Black Phoebes and now they're near his work and my work (Springfield). Vjera Thompson Eugene, OR vireogirl AT yahoo.com _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: The birth of a new Galapagos finch species? From: Jim Moodie <jmoodie AT cocc.edu> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:52:47 -0800 My daycare provider actually directed me to this story (nice to know I'm not just another parentie face) and I thought it is worth sharing with the birding community. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/speciation-in-action/ It does provide food for thought: what does it take to be a separate species? Are there speciation events going on locally that are similar to this case (e.g. crossbills)? Perhaps some of us have seen a new species and the population has gone extinct before it could become established or other birders could tick it off! Think of the extra work for the records committee. Come to think of it, I have this small population of Purple Finches that began breeding in my neighborhood here in Bend about five years ago. Let's see, Carpodacus moodiensis flows off the tongue nicely... Cheers, Jim Dr. James Moodie Science Department Central Oregon Community College Bend, OR 97701 541-383-7282_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: The birth of a new Galapagos finch species? From: Jim Moodie <jmoodie AT cocc.edu> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:52:47 -0800 My daycare provider actually directed me to this story (nice to know I'm not just another parentie face) and I thought it is worth sharing with the birding community. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/speciation-in-action/ It does provide food for thought: what does it take to be a separate species? Are there speciation events going on locally that are similar to this case (e.g. crossbills)? Perhaps some of us have seen a new species and the population has gone extinct before it could become established or other birders could tick it off! Think of the extra work for the records committee. Come to think of it, I have this small population of Purple Finches that began breeding in my neighborhood here in Bend about five years ago. Let's see, Carpodacus moodiensis flows off the tongue nicely... Cheers, Jim Dr. James Moodie Science Department Central Oregon Community College Bend, OR 97701 541-383-7282_______________________________________________ COBOL mailing list COBOL AT lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/cobol To unsubscribe, send a message to: COBOL-request AT lists.oregonstate.edu with the word "unsubscribe" in the body. Subject: Boiler Bay From: "Phil Pickering" <philliplc AT charter.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:54:32 -0800 6:45-8:15 (11/18): mostly clear, wind SSW 10-20, swells 10+ 2500 Red-throated Loon 100 Pacific Loon 60 Common Loon 8 Red-necked Grebe 5 Western Grebe 200+ Northern Fulmar (2/3+ light) 500 Brown Pelican (most N in first 30 min) 600 Brandt's Cormorant (N) 20 Pelagic Cormorant 118 Brant 40 Northern Pintal 5 Black Scoter 70 White-winged Scoter 500 Surf Scoter 3 Red-breasted Merganser 2 Red Phalarope 1 Bonaparte's Gull 40 Mew Gull 300 California Gull 6+ Herring Gull 800 Western Gull 150 Glaucous-winged Gull 4 Heermann's Gull 17 Black-legged Kittiwake (all adult) 16000 Common Murre (most in first 45 min) 1 Pigeon Guillemot 18 Marbled Murrelet (pairs S) 1 Rhinoceros Auklet Phil philliplc AT charter.net _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Yellow-shafted Flicker, Lacamas Lake From: Lyn Topinka <pointers AT pacifier.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:37:42 -0800 hi group ... over the weekend I was looking at some images of a Flicker I shot at Lacamas Lake in early October and realized it was a Yellow-shafted variety ... the books comment on it being an Eastern variety and Great Plains --- I'm now curious as to how common is this variety out here ??? ... is this the kind of bird to jump up in joy about ??? ... is this the kind of bird folks on OBOL and Tweeters want to hear about so they can try and find it themselves ??? ... or is it rather common in spite of where the books say it lives ??? ... here's an image with under tail showing and just hint of red on back of head visible ... Flicker on the right is a red-shafted female ... http://columbiariverimages.com/Birds/Images09Oct/lacamas_lake_northern_flickers_10-07-09_B.jpg a nice shot of under the wings ... the two birds have switched positions ...they were having an all-out fight BTW and they tumbled and twisted pecking at each other through two trees while we watched ... http://columbiariverimages.com/Birds/Images09Oct/lacamas_lake_northern_flickers_10-07-09_F.jpg Lyn Lyn Topinka http://EnglishRiverWebsite.com http://ColumbiaRiverImages.com http://RidgefieldBirds.com _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Tropical kingbird maybe From: "Margaret" <mtweel AT charter.net> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:24:21 -0800 Sorry, that was Tuesday morning I saw the bird. It rained and hailed afterwards and I left. Janet Lamberson must have seen them just after I left. Glad they are still here. Marg Tweelinckx_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:30:34 -0800 (PST) Joel,   You da man, definitely the Wizard of Snoz!   Tim R Coos Bay --- On Tue, 11/17/09, Joel Geier wrote: From: Joel Geier Subject: Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer To: "Oregon Birders OnLine" Cc: "khanh tran" , "Dave Irons" , "Tim Rodenkirk" Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 6:58 PM Dear Khanh, Dave, Tim et al., I would like to draw attention to the proper spelling of the word "SNOZ." According to my upper Midwest upbringing which of course is the only correct one, I know that this should be spelled "SCHNOZZ", no matter what Tim Rodenkirk says. I am also pretty sure that this invalidates every bird report that Mr. Rodenkirk -- all three adumbrations of him -- has or have ever sent in, regardless of his other skills as a birder. Sorry for all of you folks who ticked the Brown Booby based on Tim's identification, but ... well, the guy can't spell the word SCHNOZZ so how can you trust his ID skills? OK, just kidding. What I really think is that Khanh, Dave, and the Tim R Trinity contribute tremendously to birding in Oregon. Each of you have your own styles (three different styles, in Tim's case) and ways of sharing your understanding of birds. There are frequent and inevitable misunderstandings among people who approach birding from different perspectives. But all of you are good at finding birds, sharing what you find, and most importantly, sharing your unique knowledge with other birders. What ticks me off about all three (or is it all five?) of you is that you seem to always be in the field. How you manage that is a mystery, though in Tim's case I'll allow that there might actually be a fourth Tim who keeps up the day job at BLM. Once you're at three, four is not such a stretch. Anyway keep on finding birds & sharing what you know. Rest assured that we birders out here in the ether appreciate it, and we appreciate your unique approaches. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Raptor Run Harrisburg-Coburg From: Barbara Combs <bcombs232 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:03:07 -0800 Robin Gage and I did the Harrisburg-Coburg raptor run on Sunday, November 15. The rain sprinkle that lasted a few minutes did not require use of windshield wipers. The mostly cloudy day meant we had excellent viewing conditions. Results: 18 Red-tailed Hawk 34 American Kestrel 2 Northern Harrier 2 Cooper's Hawk 1 Merlin -- Barbara Combs obie '70 Lane County, OR_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Newport Tropical Kingbirds on Tuesday Nov. 17--Yes From: Range Bayer <range.bayer AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:02:25 -0800 Janet Lamberson saw at least 2 tropical kingbirds remaining at the blackberry patch on the road out to the LNG tank today at lunchtime on Nov. 17, so they did not depart after the big storm! Janet also spotted 2 red phalaropes at the Yaquina Bay south jetty gull puddle the morning of Nov. 17. Cheers, Range Bayer, Newport, Oregon Lincoln Co. Bird Information at http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/bird.htm _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Lesser Canada Geese in the Great Grey Universe From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:25:21 -0800 A Eugene birder was trying to identify a goose in Eugene to subspecies, reminding me of a pair of geese at Dawson Corporate Park in Hillsboro last October. Stefan Schlick had reported an Emperor Goose there, and when I arrived I found not only Stefan and the Emperor, but a federal biologist as well. There were Cackling Geese, Western Canada Geese and a pair of fairly dark brown geese, intermediate in size and bill length to the preceding taxa. Both Taverner's Cacklers and Lesser Canada Geese breed over wide areas, hence they show considerable color variations. The field guide illustrations we see invariably illustrate Lesser Canadas as pale= pretty much a down-sized version of B. c. mofitti, the "Western Canada Goose". The biologist told us that Lessers commonly nest at the head of Cook Inlet, where they typically are dark brown. Likewise, Taverner's nesting close to the south coast of Alaska are much darker brown than the subspecies as a whole. Lesser is the smallest "Canada" Goose and Taverner's the largest "Cackling" Goose. In the words of the biologist that evening thirteen months ago, individuals of these two species can be"indistinguishable in the hand" when captured in suburban Anchorage. As someone eager to promote interest in sub=species of white-cheeked geese among amateurs, this is probably a bad anecdote to relate. But I really love it. I was spurred on to post it by Mike Patterson's photo essay of today. The text, understated as always, reminds us that the geese can presumably identify each other. They don't need us to be able to identify them. Returning from business in Newberg I stopped at Fernhill Lake. The gull roost there has finally surpassed 100 birds, for the first time this season. To my delight this meant numerous gulls I couldn't identify to precise species. One was probably a third year HerringXGlaucous-wing Hybrid. Another perhaps a first year bird of the same blend. With gulls, apparently, they sometimes don't need to identify each other. Lars Norgren _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Off Topic: Steller's Sea Lions From: Vern DiPietro <vernd AT oregonfast.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:53:15 -0800 Hello OBOL, Today at the cove between Heceta Head Light house and Sea Lion Caves, there was a huge number ( I'm going to say 5,000) of Steller's Seal Lions. I made it down the cliff (Undetected down and back up) and got to within a stone's throw of them. The calling was very VERY loud, and left my ears ringing when i got back to the car. A wonderful experience! The opening slide show on my site has a few of the images. Vern Vern DiPietro Ada Oregon. www.vernondipietrophotographer.com "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind." -- Dr Seuss _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Avisys on a Netbook? [mostly non-birding geek stuff] From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:26:15 -0800 Hi Sherry, John, Pam & All, As a recent convert to traveling with a netbook, I can't imagine that Avisys version 6 dot anything would pose a serious challenge to the processing power that comes with even a low-end modern processor chip. Granted, I don't use Avisys, but just considering what a bird listing program does, I can't believe it would put any strain on a netbook that's capable of rendering web page graphics. I'm just home from a week-long working trip where I relied exclusively on a Hewlett-Packard 110 Mini (yes, trying to support the local economy in Corvallis at least indirectly). I had some problems loading the Linux Ubunto netbook remix on this just before I left (probably since I was in a hurry), but I was able to run the CygWin Linux emulator and do some serious number-crunching on an elevation database that would make my very fast dual-processor, dual-core workstation at home slow down a bit. I used it for some graphics-heavy presentations using PowerPoint and OpenOffice Impress, without a single hitch. I also compiled all of my groundwater modeling codes inside CygWin, and actually got a few to run, though finally the little Intel Atom chip choked when I asked it to resolve intersections among half a million random polygons. Oh well, my workstation at home also considers that to be a tough problem that requires several *days* of processor time before it comes back with an answer! So, if AviSys doesn't require several hours or days to come back with an answer on your current computer, I think you'd do fine with a netbook. The screen aspect ratio is the only negative that I can think of -- it means that you need to page down to view the average web site at full size. Positives include longer battery life (I was able to keep mine going on batteries through a 9-hour flight) and low power use which means you can run it indefinitely off a cigarette-lighter voltage converter if you're birding out of a vehicle on an extended trip. The small size means that you can actually work in airline economy class without sticking your elbows into the face of the person next to you. Plus it's a lot less weight to lug around -- you could even take it in the field with you while birding, though I can't think of any reason why someone would want to do that. Bottom line, speaking as someone who makes computers work a lot harder than the average computer user, I think a netbook is the way to go. For heavy-duty calculations I'll still rely on my workstation at home, but there's really nothing similar that comes up in ordinary consumer software, and presumably AviSys as well. So ... go for it! Happy birding, Joel -- Sherry Hagen wrote: You have to be careful which NetBook you get (I think). I ws told some of them are just for internet/email. I bought an Eec PC which the guy recogmended so that I could upload photos to it on the road. I just this past weekend update the Avisys version to "6.J" and it works fine. That was the recommendation on Avisys for Netbooks due to their screen size. It works great. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder AT iinet.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Thomas" To: "OBOL" Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 2:39 PM Subject: [obol] Avisys on a Netbook? Anna's Hummers in The Boondocks... > Pam has her Avisys listings on a PC laptop. My Avisys listings are on a > MacBook running Parallels. This MacBook plus Parallels plus Windows XP > plus > Avisys sometimes runs smoothly but has lately been giving us the "heebie > jeebies" and some headaches. > > We are seriously considering a dedicated NetBook (ultra small laptop) for > Avisys and e-mail on the road BUT wonder if the NetBooks are powerful > enough > to run this program. Any "Deep Techies" out there that know? I am trying > to > figure this out on the Avisys website and not finding clear info yet. > These > little NetBooks don't have a lot of computing power and we don't want to > get > one that doesn't work. > _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:58:21 -0800 Dear Khanh, Dave, Tim et al., I would like to draw attention to the proper spelling of the word "SNOZ." According to my upper Midwest upbringing which of course is the only correct one, I know that this should be spelled "SCHNOZZ", no matter what Tim Rodenkirk says. I am also pretty sure that this invalidates every bird report that Mr. Rodenkirk -- all three adumbrations of him -- has or have ever sent in, regardless of his other skills as a birder. Sorry for all of you folks who ticked the Brown Booby based on Tim's identification, but ... well, the guy can't spell the word SCHNOZZ so how can you trust his ID skills? OK, just kidding. What I really think is that Khanh, Dave, and the Tim R Trinity contribute tremendously to birding in Oregon. Each of you have your own styles (three different styles, in Tim's case) and ways of sharing your understanding of birds. There are frequent and inevitable misunderstandings among people who approach birding from different perspectives. But all of you are good at finding birds, sharing what you find, and most importantly, sharing your unique knowledge with other birders. What ticks me off about all three (or is it all five?) of you is that you seem to always be in the field. How you manage that is a mystery, though in Tim's case I'll allow that there might actually be a fourth Tim who keeps up the day job at BLM. Once you're at three, four is not such a stretch. Anyway keep on finding birds & sharing what you know. Rest assured that we birders out here in the ether appreciate it, and we appreciate your unique approaches. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: PHOTO ESSAY: Why a duck? From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:21:46 -0800 You all may have heard that it rained a bit here on the North Coast yesterday. The fields of Brownsmead were flooded today. http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Why a duck? http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/12750/ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: South Jetty Florence From: Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:03:20 -0800 (PST) Hello all, I made a quick afternoon dash out to the Siuslaw South Jetty today, hoping for something good blown in by last night's storm. I didn't find too much of note, though. Among the highlights: at least 800 Brown Pelicans on the rocks between the channel and the North Jetty cove, and another 150 or so on the tip of the South Jetty 5 Red Phalaropes 1 female Harlequin Duck off the base of the South Jetty I posted some pictures at http://actitistours.blogspot.com/ On my way back, I briefly stopped to look for the Tropical Kingbird along 1st Street without success. Happy Birding Henrik _________________________________ Hendrik G. Herlyn 435 Laurel Street, Apt. 2 Florence, OR 97439 USA Phone: 541-997-2730 E-Mail: hhactitis AT yahoo.com _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Curry Golden Plover From: "HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " <ninerharv2 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:51:48 +0000 Alas, I had tossed out a vote for Pacific based on leg length. Frankly, I thought the bill was larger and certainly thicker than the American. However four primary tips clinches it for American. Harv The number of primaries is four, however and I concede this makes the distinction. Unfortu Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: "David C. Bailey" Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:09:14 To: Subject: Re: [obol] Curry Golden Plover The bird Lois photographed near New River http://www.loismiller.zoomshare.com/0.html does appear to be an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER as both Rich and Alan have mentioned. I agree with Rich that the leg length while interesting, is difficult if not impossible to assess in the photographs. I don't know that it has been mentioned that the bird is in juvenile plumage, as evidenced by the even-aged feathers throughout. Points favoring identification as  American Golden Plover rather than Pacific: 1. Four (rather than fewer) primaries are distinguishable by their tips in which extend beyond the tertials inn the closed wing. 2. White, rather than buffy supercilium 3. Overall dull gray appearance of upperparts 4. Gray barring of neck and sides of breast 5. Very long wings as evidenced by the distance the wing-tips project beyond the end of the tail feathers (different trait than no. 1 above) 6. Appears small-billed and small-headed compared to my recollection of Pacific GP. Unfortunately, identification of these species isn't like that of a "Scarlet Tanger" in a snowfield, so we have to go with the our best guess based on a cobbling together of  the traits that point toward one direction or the other. Some of these individuals will not be identifiable to species from the observations and evidence obtained. I await others to chime in on this one. David David C. Bailey Gearhart, Oregon > *Subject: Re: Golden Plover* > From: Rich Hoyer > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:45:46 -0600 > Hi All, > > I'll pipe in and suggest that this is an American Golden-Plover. The  > grayish overall color and long primary extension beyond the tertials  > and tail are better for this than Pacific Golden-Plover. An amazing  > find, by the way. > > Good Birding, > > Rich > --- > Rich Hoyer > Tucson, Arizona > http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/ > > Senior Leader for WINGS > http://wingsbirds.com > --- > > On Nov 16, 2009, at 12:26 AM, Lois Miller wrote: > > > Knute Andersson and I birded New River in Langlois this afternoon  > > and I took some photos of a Golden Plover.  I can't decide if it's  > > American or Pacific though. If someone wants to look and let me know  > > I would sure appreciate it. I have not seen them often enough in  > > winter plumage to figure it out. One of these days I'm going to  > > understand shorebirds.....I hope :) > > Please click on the " photos " section under Golden Plover > > http://www.loismiller.zoomshare.com/0.html > > Thanks > > Lois Mille > > Port Orford >   _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: T. Kingbird maybe From: "Phil and Christina" <phils AT rio.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:26:41 -0800 I got good looks at it in that area about 11:30 AM on Monday. Similar behavior, but it did sit in the open for us for awhile. Phil Shepard -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces AT oregonbirdwatch.org [mailto:obol-bounces AT oregonbirdwatch.org]On Behalf Of Margaret Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 5:16 PM To: obol Subject: [obol] T. Kingbird maybe While waiting for my venetian blinds to be cleaned. I went over to the LNG tank and walked down the road to about halfway. In the many blackberry bushes a yellow bird flew up in the air and quickly went down out of sight. It acted like a flycatcher. So maybe the tropical king bird is still there. I won't add it to my life list as I certainly didn't see it well enough. ( Monday morning). Marg Tweelinckx_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: T. Kingbird maybe From: "Margaret" <mtweel AT charter.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:15:49 -0800 While waiting for my venetian blinds to be cleaned. I went over to the LNG tank and walked down the road to about halfway. In the many blackberry bushes a yellow bird flew up in the air and quickly went down out of sight. It acted like a flycatcher. So maybe the tropical king bird is still there. I won't add it to my life list as I certainly didn't see it well enough. ( Monday morning). Marg Tweelinckx_______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: local RBA: PACIFIC LOON (Chehalem Creek) Yamhill County From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:58:13 -0800 A juvenile PACIFIC LOON was at 14726 Springhill Road at 1pm and still at 3pm 11/17. This is a few miles north of the Chehalem Valley Hwy(240? runs between Newberg and Yamhill). This a permanent wetland, quite deep under water at present, not exactly Heerman's Gull, but only the second loon I've seen away from the coast in my life. Lars Norgren _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Curry Golden Plover From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:22:03 -0800 (PST) I don't think there is any question or confusion on the American Golden-plover that Knute Andersson and Lois Miller found except that there was some photos that Knute took that most didn't see that were not as diagnostic as Lois's photo.  I think mostly Lois was confused, but I'm sure she is now an expert on golden-plover ID! Curry is a tough county for shorebirds, so any golden-plover is a good find- an American is a really good find!  Definitely a late one. ENJOY!Tim RodenkirkCoos Bay --- On Tue, 11/17/09, Hendrik Herlyn wrote: From: Hendrik Herlyn Subject: Re: [obol] Curry Golden Plover To: obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org, "David C. Bailey" Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 3:31 PM I fully agree with those who've piped up already: this bird looks very much like an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER to me, for all the reasons pointed out by David, Alan, Rich et al. Nice find, certainly the less-expected species of  the two at this time of year in Oregon (seems to me we had quite a good showing of Americans this fall). Happy Birding Hendrik _________________________________ Hendrik G. Herlyn 435 Laurel Street, Apt. 2 Florence, OR 97439 USA Phone: 541-997-2730 E-Mail: hhactitis AT yahoo.com --- On Tue, 11/17/09, David C. Bailey wrote: From: David C. Bailey Subject: Re: [obol] Curry Golden Plover To: obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 1:09 PM The bird Lois photographed near New River http://www.loismiller.zoomshare.com/0.html does appear to be an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER as both Rich and Alan have mentioned. I agree with Rich that the leg length while interesting, is difficult if not impossible to assess in the photographs. I don't know that it has been mentioned that the bird is in juvenile plumage, as evidenced by the even-aged feathers throughout. Points favoring identification as  American Golden Plover rather than Pacific: 1. Four (rather than fewer) primaries are distinguishable by their tips in which extend beyond the tertials inn the closed wing. 2. White, rather than buffy supercilium 3. Overall dull gray appearance of upperparts 4. Gray barring of neck and sides of breast 5. Very long wings as evidenced by the distance the wing-tips project beyond the end of the tail feathers (different trait than no. 1 above) 6. Appears small-billed and small-headed compared to my recollection of Pacific GP. Unfortunately, identification of these species isn't like that of a "Scarlet Tanger" in a snowfield, so we have to go with the our best guess based on a cobbling together of  the traits that point toward one direction or the other. Some of these individuals will not be identifiable to species from the observations and evidence obtained. I await others to chime in on this one. David David C. Bailey Gearhart, Oregon > *Subject: Re: Golden Plover* > From: Rich Hoyer > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:45:46 -0600 > Hi All, > > I'll pipe in and suggest that this is an American Golden-Plover. The  > grayish overall color and long primary extension beyond the tertials  > and tail are better for this than Pacific Golden-Plover. An amazing  > find, by the way. > > Good Birding, > > Rich > --- > Rich Hoyer > Tucson, Arizona > http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/ > > Senior Leader for WINGS > http://wingsbirds.com > --- > > On Nov 16, 2009, at 12:26 AM, Lois Miller wrote: > > > Knute Andersson and I birded New River in Langlois this afternoon  > > and I took some photos of a Golden Plover.  I can't decide if it's  > > American or Pacific though. If someone wants to look and let me know  > > I would sure appreciate it. I have not seen them often enough in  > > winter plumage to figure it out. One of these days I'm going to  > > understand shorebirds.....I hope :) > > Please click on the " photos " section under Golden Plover > > http://www.loismiller.zoomshare.com/0.html > > Thanks > > Lois Mille > > Port Orford >    _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Avisys on a Netbook? Anna's Hummers in The Boondocks... From: "Sherry Hagen" <birder AT iinet.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:08:05 -0800 You have to be careful which NetBook you get (I think). I ws told some of them are just for internet/email. I bought an Eec PC which the guy recogmended so that I could upload photos to it on the road. I just this past weekend update the Avisys version to "6.J" and it works fine. That was the recommendation on Avisys for Netbooks due to their screen size. It works great. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder AT iinet.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Thomas" To: "OBOL" Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 2:39 PM Subject: [obol] Avisys on a Netbook? Anna's Hummers in The Boondocks... > Pam has her Avisys listings on a PC laptop. My Avisys listings are on a > MacBook running Parallels. This MacBook plus Parallels plus Windows XP > plus > Avisys sometimes runs smoothly but has lately been giving us the "heebie > jeebies" and some headaches. > > We are seriously considering a dedicated NetBook (ultra small laptop) for > Avisys and e-mail on the road BUT wonder if the NetBooks are powerful > enough > to run this program. Any "Deep Techies" out there that know? I am trying > to > figure this out on the Avisys website and not finding clear info yet. > These > little NetBooks don't have a lot of computing power and we don't want to > get > one that doesn't work. > > On the bird front, we have several Anna's Hummingbirds back for the second > winter we have observed them. Prior to last winter, we didn't think they > ever came this far out into the boondocks. So we took down the feeders and > stored them. Last winter we kept up one for an experiment (OK, I admit we > were looking for a vagrant, a rarity...) and it paid off with Anna's > Hummingbirds during the ice and cold. > > We have an immature male and a female showing up intermittently since the > Rufous buzzed south. They are very shy and the male is even more hit and > miss than the female. Several flowers are still blooming (!) and this is > very strange to say the least : Hardy Fuschia, Cape Fuschia, several types > of Salvia, and even a little Jupiter's Beard. I speculate that this helps > keep them around. They seem to prefer the flowers over our feeders. > > Good Birding, > John Thomas > NE Marion County > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org > http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol > _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Why Phalaropes can be tough to photograph with a cheap camera and unskilled photographer From: khanh tran <khanhbatran AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:36:56 +0000 Hi Dave, I think you were missing my intent or point. Your approach of teaching is more pedantic and technical than mine. I simply don’t have time to type out these details in words that can be subjective. I come from a very technical and scientific background (microbiology and biochemistry) so birding is my escape to have FUN. My style is to keep things simple and not overwhelm anyone with alot of details. Initially, I learn best with less details and visuals. If the opportunity allows, I then focus on other minute details when needed. Realistically, most birds in the field often do not allow close approach or extended looks. Thus, zoning on key features can be crucial. I know I was comparing 'apples and oranges' in terms of time frame and its relations to plumage and molting variations of both species. That is why I dated the images. Pictures can say a lot. In this case, I learned a new borrowed word from Tim Rodenkirk: “It’s all in the SNOZ”. My loyal supporters appreciate my simplicity in denoting very little comments with my images. This allows them to study or confirm their id using other alterative resources if they choose. Color, size, and other fine,structural descriptions can be subjective. Besides, I am not eloquent in relating these into words. I think the cool thing about posting images and information online is that it's free and accessible. Not all birders have the resources in owning many different field guides or books showing plumage variations or other details. When were criterias defined or needed to share photos and experiences?? I suggest before you send a rather condescending, public email and belittle my attempt to share, you should: 1) Brighten your images so the birds can be easier to see. My co-worker made this suggestion. 2) Obtain photos of a red-necked phalarope at the same time frame for comparsion to illustrate your point. I think birders can benefit with having both of us as resources. I am not out to compete with anyone. Anyone who has birded with me knows my willingness to share and unintentionally teach others. I hope some do it vicariously through my photos and trips. I feel extremely fortunate to have a fun escape and rewarding HOBBY. I am just more casual in my approach. Good birding, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Re: Curry Golden Plover From: Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:31:32 -0800 (PST) I fully agree with those who've piped up already: this bird looks very much like an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER to me, for all the reasons pointed out by David, Alan, Rich et al. Nice find, certainly the less-expected species of  the two at this time of year in Oregon (seems to me we had quite a good showing of Americans this fall). Happy Birding Hendrik _________________________________ Hendrik G. Herlyn 435 Laurel Street, Apt. 2 Florence, OR 97439 USA Phone: 541-997-2730 E-Mail: hhactitis AT yahoo.com --- On Tue, 11/17/09, David C. Bailey wrote: From: David C. Bailey Subject: Re: [obol] Curry Golden Plover To: obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 1:09 PM The bird Lois photographed near New River http://www.loismiller.zoomshare.com/0.html does appear to be an AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER as both Rich and Alan have mentioned. I agree with Rich that the leg length while interesting, is difficult if not impossible to assess in the photographs. I don't know that it has been mentioned that the bird is in juvenile plumage, as evidenced by the even-aged feathers throughout. Points favoring identification as  American Golden Plover rather than Pacific: 1. Four (rather than fewer) primaries are distinguishable by their tips in which extend beyond the tertials inn the closed wing. 2. White, rather than buffy supercilium 3. Overall dull gray appearance of upperparts 4. Gray barring of neck and sides of breast 5. Very long wings as evidenced by the distance the wing-tips project beyond the end of the tail feathers (different trait than no. 1 above) 6. Appears small-billed and small-headed compared to my recollection of Pacific GP. Unfortunately, identification of these species isn't like that of a "Scarlet Tanger" in a snowfield, so we have to go with the our best guess based on a cobbling together of  the traits that point toward one direction or the other. Some of these individuals will not be identifiable to species from the observations and evidence obtained. I await others to chime in on this one. David David C. Bailey Gearhart, Oregon > *Subject: Re: Golden Plover* > From: Rich Hoyer > Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:45:46 -0600 > Hi All, > > I'll pipe in and suggest that this is an American Golden-Plover. The  > grayish overall color and long primary extension beyond the tertials  > and tail are better for this than Pacific Golden-Plover. An amazing  > find, by the way. > > Good Birding, > > Rich > --- > Rich Hoyer > Tucson, Arizona > http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com/ > > Senior Leader for WINGS > http://wingsbirds.com > --- > > On Nov 16, 2009, at 12:26 AM, Lois Miller wrote: > > > Knute Andersson and I birded New River in Langlois this afternoon  > > and I took some photos of a Golden Plover.  I can't decide if it's  > > American or Pacific though. If someone wants to look and let me know  > > I would sure appreciate it. I have not seen them often enough in  > > winter plumage to figure it out. One of these days I'm going to  > > understand shorebirds.....I hope :) > > Please click on the " photos " section under Golden Plover > > http://www.loismiller.zoomshare.com/0.html > > Thanks > > Lois Mille > > Port Orford >    _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Townsend's solitaire - Portland From: Grant Canterbury <grantandstacy17 AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:19:12 -0800 This afternoon Larry Salata spotted a Townsend's Solitaire in the courtyard of the BPA/FWS Federal office building at 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland. It has been hanging out in the hawthorn trees feeding on berries for the last hour or two. A very elegant slim little bird, and one that neither of us recalled having seen before in the metro area. Maybe the winds blew it down from the mountains. - Grant Canterbury _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Lesser Yellowlegs at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, Benton Co. From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:09:22 -0800 Hello folks, During a lunchtime walk today, I saw a LESSER YELLOWLEGS in the company of three Greater Yellowlegs, on the Canal Pond at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area. My copy of /Birds of Oregon: A General Reference/ is packed away but I think that Nov 17th is a rather late date for the species. I'd nearly given up on the possibility to add this one to my "motorless" year list, but there it was -- in place of the Red Phalarope that I was hoping for but didn't find. The usual wintertime contingent of sparrows is now thick in the wildlife area. When the sun came out after some showers, I heard a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW sing briefly, then enjoyed watching five different sparroids bathing in a single mud puddle: SPOTTED TOWHEE, SONG SPARROW, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, SOOTY FOX SPARROW, and OREGON JUNCO. The Lincoln's Sparrow was more nervous than the rest, and barely got wet before it dashed back to cover. It's interesting how, after hunkering down in the rain for hours, sparrows will head straight to the nearest puddle to bathe as soon as the rain lets up. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol Subject: Coos Booby Update 11/17/2009 From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:47:30 -0800 (PST) It was very windy yesterday and quite wet overnight and this morning in Coos Bay with scattered "sucker holes" today.  I went out during one of these dry periods and found the BROWN BOOBY actively feeding in the bay straight out from the overlook across from Hedge Lane in Empire. Only 33 days until the Coos Bay CBC!  Also, the bay was littered with BROWN PELICANS, I imagine there must be over 1,000 and they were just everywhere.  Only saw 1 RED PHALAROPE during the brief break and a few BRANT.  The bay was stuffed with ducks, loons and grebes in general. Thousands of gulls around also, including a few HEERMANN'S as would be expected with so many pelis around. The tide was high enough that the BLACK TURNSTONES were loitering around the parking area at Fossil Point. ENJOY!Tim RodenkirkCoos Bay _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT oregonbirdwatch.org http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol