Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Oregon Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, September 2 at 12:03 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Blue Bird of Paradise,©Jan Wilczur

2 Sep some Tabor birds [Tom McNamara ] 2 Sep RUFF Yaquina Bay [Don Stein ] 2 Sep B&W Warbler West Linn? ["Thomas Love" ] 2 Sep Re: Question about 06 Douglas County Caracara [David Irons ] 2 Sep Banded Rhinoceros Auklet [Russ Namitz ] 02 Sep "Leucistic" finches ["kolwicz AT minetfiber.com" ] 01 Sep RBA: Portland, OR 9-2-10 [Harry Nehls ] 1 Sep Sprague River Wayside [Julie Van Moorhem ] 1 Sep Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 09/01/10 [Wink Gross ] 1 Sep beetles in Robin's nest ["pamela johnston" ] 1 Sep Chapman School Vaux Swifts [Andy Frank ] 1 Sep the range of color in finches ["pamela johnston" ] 1 Sep Ruff Photos - Yaquina Bay [Roy Lowe ] 1 Sep Re: Local RBA Lincoln Co. Ruff ["Wayne Hoffman" ] 1 Sep Local RBA Lincoln Co. Ruff ["Wayne Hoffman" ] 1 Sep PHOTOS: Ruffage at HMSC [] 2 Sep Wandering Tattlers, Harlequin Duck at Florence [] 1 Sep Question about 06 Douglas County Caracara ["Charles Gates" ] 1 Sep Wednesday ECAS to Sisters, Calliope and four springs along Green Ridge ["judy" ] 1 Sep Re: Ruffs at Yaquina Bay near HMSC Nature Trail--Resighted [Range Bayer ] 1 Sep Re: Leucistic Goldfinches ["Tom Shreve" ] 1 Sep Ruffs at Yaquina Bay near HMSC Nature Trail [Range Bayer ] 1 Sep Wed morning, Eugene ["Larry McQueen" ] 01 Sep Three Sisters Wilderness, 27-30 Aug (Lane & Deschutes Co.) [Joel Geier ] 01 Sep Three Sisters Wilderness, 27-30 Aug (Lane & Deschutes Co.) [Joel Geier ] 1 Sep Re: Leucistic Goldfinches [Dan Gleason ] 1 Sep American goldfinch molt ["Marti Ligocki" ] 01 Sep Re: Leucistic Goldfinches [DJ Lauten and KACastelein ] 1 Sep Leucistic Goldfinches [Steve and Diana Parsons ] 1 Sep Updated Shorebird VIDEOS: You guess the species before opening the video links [khanh tran ] 31 Aug Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER ["judy" ] 31 Aug Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER [Tim Rodenkirk ] 31 Aug Ankeny Tu afternoon ["Thomas Love" ] 31 Aug Re: Sharp-tails [Alan Contreras ] 31 Aug Sharp-tails [Alan Contreras ] 31 Aug Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER [DJ Lauten and KACastelein ] 31 Aug Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER ["Tom Crabtree" ] 31 Aug Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER [DJ Lauten and KACastelein ] 31 Aug Re: Swainson Thrush calls at night ["Steve Engel" ] 31 Aug Cooper Spur (Mt. Hood) woodpeckers & friends [Mary Reese ] 31 Aug Swainson's Thrushes at night [Luke Redmond ] 30 Aug Yaquina Bay Phalaropes ["Wayne Hoffman" ] 30 Aug Baskett Slough - late report ["Wayne Hoffman" ] 30 Aug Re: Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? [Tim Rodenkirk ] 30 Aug Swainson's Thrush [Norgren Family ] 30 Aug Re: Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? ["pamela johnston" ] 30 Aug Tillamook Bay Pintail [Barbara and John Woodhouse ] 30 Aug Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? [Wink Gross ] 30 Aug Re: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding [Joseph Blowers ] 30 Aug Re: ID help [Mike Patterson ] 30 Aug ID help [Brandon Green ] 30 Aug Re: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding ["Paul E. Bloch" ] 30 Aug Re: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding [Dan Gleason ] 30 Aug Obol: Inter-species finch feeding ["woodenapple AT juno.com" ] 30 Aug Re: possible COMMON TERN - Ankeny NWR [Shawneen Finnegan ] 30 Aug possible COMMON TERN - Ankeny NWR [Erik Knight ] 29 Aug Three-toed Woodpeckers at Cooper Spur - video & photos [Diana Byrne ] 29 Aug test ["Diana Bradshaw" ] 29 Aug North Portland shorebirds [Adrian Hinkle ] 29 Aug OR Shorbird Festival highlights [Russ Namitz ] 29 Aug Cascade Mtn. trip- Klamath Co. 8/27-8/29/2010 [Tim Rodenkirk ] 29 Aug Ferruginous Hawk [Andrea Wagner ] 30 Aug Census Count: Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Marion County, Oregon on August 29, 2010 [] 29 Aug third broods [Andrew Marshall ] 29 Aug new dogwalk bird [Wink Gross ] 29 Aug Census Count: Clatsop County, Oregon on August 29, 2010 [] 28 Aug Linn County Short-billed Dowitcher - Griggs ["Jeff Harding" ] 28 Aug Mt. Tabor (afternoon) [Rhett Wilkins ] 28 Aug Crater Lake [Kevin Smith ] 28 Aug Lane coast birds [Alan Contreras ] 28 Aug Delta Ponds Eugene [Jim Carlson ] 28 Aug Florence birds [Alan Contreras ] 28 Aug Interview with "Ghost Bird" producer/director Scott Crocker now up on BirdFellow.com [David Irons ] 27 Aug Late summer movement [Brandon Green ] 27 Aug Book wanted [Alan Contreras ] 28 Aug ride share to Mongolian Plover? [] Subject: some Tabor birds From: Tom McNamara <tmacport99 AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:00:29 -0700 Birders, Just took a short nip up to Mt Tabor park and was pleased to find a good movement of BT Gray warblers ~ 35-40. Other birds there: 5 OC warblers 2 Wilson's " 1 Warbling vireo seen, a few others heard 1 Hammond's flycatcher at least 2 WW pewees 2-3 W tanagers buncha RB nuthatches and CB chickadees good birding, Tom _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: RUFF Yaquina Bay From: Don Stein <madsteins AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 12:41:51 -0400 Hatfield Marine Center 9/2/10 6:45-7:45 AM Birds feeding by together on muddy edge and rivulets, about 200 feet north of shed. Lighting only fair because of rising sun making it difficult to see juvenile edging. RUFF 1 Adult, basic plumage, worn coverts MARBLED GODWIT 4 PECTORAL SP 2 Adults LEAST SP 18, No juveniles Whimbrel 1 On distant south shore, left of path/bridge, in line with town houses. Don Stein Depoe Bay _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: B&W Warbler West Linn? From: "Thomas Love" <tlove AT linfield.edu> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:40:07 -0700 Any details on this 30 Aug sighting, reported on Harry's Portland RBA? Tom Love _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Question about 06 Douglas County Caracara From: David Irons <llsdirons AT msn.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 16:13:28 +0000 Chuck, If this sighting had been reviewed by the OBRC it would appear online either in the Accepted or Not Accepted category. Offhand, I can't remember ever reviewing a Caracara record from Douglas County, and I don't think there is one currently in circulation. Harry Nehls could best answer questions regarding whether it has ever been submitted. Dave Irons From: cgates326 AT gmail.com To: obol AT oregonbirds.org Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:20:18 -0700 Subject: [OBOL] Question about 06 Douglas County Caracara I need help with a Crested Caracara record from Douglas County on 5/19/06. Does anyone know who saw this bird? Was this sighting reviewed by the OBRC? As far as I can tell, there are no caracara records listed on the OBRC website or in BOGR. Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others. Ambrose Bierce _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Banded Rhinoceros Auklet From: Russ Namitz <namitzr AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 08:42:31 -0700 Drove the beach at the North Spit of Coos Bay yesterday in the permissable drive zone and found several thousand WESTERN SANDPIPERS/SANDERLINGS. There was 1 BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and 1 BLACK TURNSTONE as well. Oh, and a WHIMBREL flew over. Dead on the beach, was a banded RHINOCEROS AUKLET. I have submitted the metal band to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Washington, D.C. and should know the results in a couple weeks. The last dead RHAU that I found came from Middleton Island, Alaska. Good birding, Russ Namitz Coos Bay _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: "Leucistic" finches From: "kolwicz AT minetfiber.com" <kolwicz@minetfiber.com> Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:16:30 -0700 I've been seeing a lot of American Goldfinches that look like this, too, and they all seem to be males. I assumed that it was molt-related. Boy are they ugly! Frank _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: RBA: Portland, OR 9-2-10 From: Harry Nehls <hnehls6 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:40:12 -0700 - RBA * Oregon * Portland * September 1, 2010 * ORPO1009.01 - birds mentioned Greater White-fronted Goose Northern Pintail Ferruginous Hawk American Golden-Plover Pacific Golden-Plover Semipalmated Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Ruff Short-billed Dowitcher Common Tern Vaux¹s Swift Acorn Woodpecker Red-eyed Vireo Swainson¹s Thrush Hermit Thrush BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER Fox 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 September 2. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. On August 30 a BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was reported from West Linn. Waterfowl are now migrating with flocks of WHITE-FRONTED GEESE reported and large numbers of PINTAILS now on Tillamook Bay. Early HERMIT THRUSHES and FOX SPARROWS were reported during the week. Some migrating SWAINSON¹S THRUSHES are now being heard during the night. VAUX¹S SWIFT numbers are now increasing at evening roosts with about 3000 at Portland¹s Chapman School Chimney September 1. On August 26 three PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVERS were near Flores Lake and an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was at Bandon. On August 31 a SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was at Bandon. A group of five SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS was seen August 28 at the South Jetty of the Siuslaw River. On September 1 two RUFFS were along the Hatfield Science Center Nature trail on Yaquina Bay. On August 29 an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER was at Rest Lake in Ridgefield NWR. That day an ACORN WOODPECKER was at Pittock Mansion in Portland¹s West Hills. Among the many migrants on Mt. Tabor August 27 was a bright RED-EYED VIREO. On August 29 a FERRUGINOUS HAWK was reported near Independence. A COMMON TERN was seen August 29 at Ankeny NWR. A juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was seen August 29 at Griggs Pond near Lebanon. A very early SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER was reported August 27 at Hatfield Lake near Bend. A SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER was there the next day. On August 31 a RED-EYED VIREO was at Tetherow Crossing near Redmond. That¹s it for this week. - end transcript _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Sprague River Wayside From: Julie Van Moorhem <jvanmoo AT sisna.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:32:20 -0700 Hi Folks, Jean Van Hulzen and I birded the Sprague River Wayside area (4 miles east of Bly off Hwy 140) today. The highlight was a GRAY CATBIRD that Jean found along the river. Other birds seen: Warbling and Cassin's Vireos, Townsend's Solitaire, Lewis and Downy Woodpecker, Western Tanager, lots of Western Wood Pewee, and Rock and House Wren. We heard a Clark's Nutcracker. Good birding y'all, Julie Van Moorhem _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 09/01/10 From: Wink Gross <winkg AT hevanet.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 21:14:34 -0700 Here is the summary of my morning dogwalks from NW Seblar Terrace to the Pittock Mansion for the week 08/26/10 to 09/01/10. Species neither seen nor heard the previous week are in ALL CAPS. Additional information about my dogwalk, including an archive of weekly summaries and a checklist, may be found at http://www.hevanet.com/winkg/dogwalkpage.html We did the walk 6 days this week. Species # days found (peak #, date) DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT 1 (3, 8/28) Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 (1, 8/26) COOPER'S HAWK 2 (1, 8/26 & 29) RED-TAILED HAWK 2 (1, 8/26 & 30) Band-tailed Pigeon 2 (4, 8/30) Mourning Dove 4 (2) VAUX'S SWIFT 1 (10, 8/26) Anna's Hummingbird 6 (13, 8/26) Rufous Hummingbird 4 (3) Hummingbird sp. 5 (3) *ACORN WOODPECKER 1 (1, 8/29) Downy Woodpecker 3 (2) HAIRY WOODPECKER 2 (1, 8/26 & 30) Northern Flicker 6 (3) Pileated Woodpecker 1 (2, 8/27) PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER 1 (1, 8/27) EMPIDONAX sp. 2 (1, 8/26 & 30) Hutton's Vireo 4 (3, 8/27) Warbling Vireo 1 (1, 8/28) Steller's Jay 6 (12, 8/28) Western Scrub-Jay 4 (1) American Crow 6 (6, 8/27) VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW 1 (2, 8/26) Black-capped Chickadee 6 (16) Chestnut-backed Chickadee 6 (10) Bushtit 2 (15, 9/1) Red-breasted Nuthatch 6 (12, 8/27) Brown Creeper 6 (4) Bewick's Wren 4 (2) Pacific Wren 1 (1, 8/27) Swainson's Thrush 4 (2, 8/26) HERMIT THRUSH 1 (1, 8/29) American Robin 4 (3, 8/26) VARIED THRUSH 1 (1, 8/30) CEDAR WAXWING 2 (10, 9/1) Orange-crowned Warbler 1 (3, 8/30) Black-throated Gray Warbler 5 (3) Townsend's Warbler 2 (3, 8/30) Wilson's Warbler 6 (5, 8/30) Spotted Towhee 6 (8, 8/26) (SOOTY) FOX SPARROW 1 (1, 8/30) Song Sparrow 6 (8) Dark-eyed Junco 6 (12, 8/26) WESTERN TANAGER 2 (1, 8/28 & 30) Black-headed Grosbeak 3 (2, 8/26) House Finch 6 (10) PINE SISKIN 1 (1, 8/26) LESSER GOLDFINCH 2 (2, 8/26 & 27) American Goldfinch 3 (2) EVENING GROSBEAK 1 (2, 8/28) *ACORN WOODPECKER is a new species for my dogwalk In the neighborhood but not found on dogwalk: WESTERN SCREECH-OWL Wink Gross Portland _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: beetles in Robin's nest From: "pamela johnston" <pamelaj AT spiritone.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:37:55 -0700 This week my husband took down an empty American Robin nest and we compared it to one that was built and used earlier this year. The outside of the newer one was covered in moss and the older one with lichen. They both were constructed of mud and grass and lined with fine grass stems. I lifted the grass lining to expose the mud base and found near the bottom of each a dead beetle or two. They were dark and scarab-like, with a slight irridescence. A few years ago Floyd Schrock found the Violet-green Swallows in his nest-cam box were bringing in small live beetles while building their nest, presumably to consume nest parasites, and I'm guessing something like this is happening here. I will photograph the beetles and send a picture to anyone who wants to take a look. Pamela Johnston outside McMinnville _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Chapman School Vaux Swifts From: Andy Frank <andydfrank AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:37:45 -0700 The VAUX SWIFTS are back! Tonight at Chapman School in NW Portland the consensus was that there were about 3000 of them. I had estimated 2000, someone else 3000, and another 3000-4000 so take your pick. A COOPER'S HAWK came and sat on the chimney until it grabbed one. It then flew to a nearby tree, ate, and then returned for another. As it got darker, several bats showed up as well. This becomes quite the spectacle as the month goes on with increasing numbers of both birds as well as spectators with the latter reaching several thousand later in the month. In the past the number of spectators has created real problems for those living in the area. Parking on NW Pettygrove above NW 25th Ave becomes impossible early each night so please be prepared to park several blocks away. Please don't even think of parking in someone's driveway; last year there was an increased police presence and it's possible your car won't be there when you return. Feel free to have a picnic dinner on the hill as many do, but please also clean up after yourself. Audubon has friendly volunteers staffing a table most nights with information about the birds. Andy Frank_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: the range of color in finches From: "pamela johnston" <pamelaj AT spiritone.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:25:51 -0700 As Dan Gleason said in his discussion of pale Goldfinches, the females prefer males of brighter color, in American Goldfinch and House Finch. A study of House Finches mentioned in a brief article in Smithsonian said that male House Finches will hang out with less colorful males that make them look more brilliant. (Sort of like girls with homelier friends, a remark which I take full discredit for.) Pamela Johnston _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Ruff Photos - Yaquina Bay From: Roy Lowe <rlowe AT casco.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:32:19 -0700 I have also posted few photos of the two ruffs that Mike Patterson found along the Hatfield Marine Science Center trail at Yaquina Bay today. Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/24707703 AT N06/ Roy _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Local RBA Lincoln Co. Ruff From: "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:57:37 -0700 OOPS - I got scooped! Happens sometimes when you report findings before reading the accumulated posts. Oh well - I guess i can feel proud I was abvle to identify it properly when I just saw it in flight. Wayne ----- Original Message ----- From: Wayne Hoffman To: OBOL Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 6:20 PM Subject: [OBOL] Local RBA Lincoln Co. Ruff At 5 Pm today (Sept. 1) I was watching a small group of Whimbrels and Marbled Godwits off the nature Trail behind HMSC (Hatfield Marine Science Center) when they, and numerous California Gulls flushed, and a couple more godwits came flying by, accompanied by a juv. male Ruff (description below). Then the flusher followed, an adult Peregrine. Description of probable Ruff: Medium-sized shorebird, much smaller than Whimbrels and godwits - appeared close to the size of a Greater Yellowlegs. The bird appeared long-tailed and longish winged, without an especially long neck (in flight). Feet extended 1-2 cm beyond the end of its tail, but I did not note foot color. The bill was fairly short - certainly shorter than Greater Yellowlegs. Upperparts and chest were warm buffy, the back appeared scaly. Prominant white patches on the upper sides of rump, with narrow brown divider between them. Upper surface of wings with narrow white stripe most of the wing length. Belly and wing linings white. The Ruff and the other shorebirds were not in panic flight, but did leave the area. The Ruff circled in front of me as if it would land, then left to the north out of sight around the bend of the shoreline. I was not able to relocate any of the birds. The Peregrine was large, likely female, and was molting tail feathers. The outer rectrices were about half grown, and some rectrices may have been missing, giving an appearance oddly suggestive of a Pomarine Jaeger tail. No smaller shorebird were seen at HMSC but one Red-necked Phalarope was at the South Jetty, and a single Least Sandpiper bathed there in a rain puddle. Wayne ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Local RBA Lincoln Co. Ruff From: "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:20:02 -0700 At 5 Pm today (Sept. 1) I was watching a small group of Whimbrels and Marbled Godwits off the nature Trail behind HMSC (Hatfield Marine Science Center) when they, and numerous California Gulls flushed, and a couple more godwits came flying by, accompanied by a juv. male Ruff (description below). Then the flusher followed, an adult Peregrine. Description of probable Ruff: Medium-sized shorebird, much smaller than Whimbrels and godwits - appeared close to the size of a Greater Yellowlegs. The bird appeared long-tailed and longish winged, without an especially long neck (in flight). Feet extended 1-2 cm beyond the end of its tail, but I did not note foot color. The bill was fairly short - certainly shorter than Greater Yellowlegs. Upperparts and chest were warm buffy, the back appeared scaly. Prominant white patches on the upper sides of rump, with narrow brown divider between them. Upper surface of wings with narrow white stripe most of the wing length. Belly and wing linings white. The Ruff and the other shorebirds were not in panic flight, but did leave the area. The Ruff circled in front of me as if it would land, then left to the north out of sight around the bend of the shoreline. I was not able to relocate any of the birds. The Peregrine was large, likely female, and was molting tail feathers. The outer rectrices were about half grown, and some rectrices may have been missing, giving an appearance oddly suggestive of a Pomarine Jaeger tail. No smaller shorebird were seen at HMSC but one Red-necked Phalarope was at the South Jetty, and a single Least Sandpiper bathed there in a rain puddle. Wayne _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: PHOTOS: Ruffage at HMSC From: celata AT pacifier.com Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 18:13:53 -0700 (PDT) As previously reported, I flushed 2 RUFFS from the _Salicornia_ near the bridge/elevated platform thing along the walking path behind the Hatfield Marine Science Center. My very first impression was Buff-breasted Sandpipers (buffy color), but shifted to Pectorals when I saw their shape. Only when I relocated them on the beach with WHIMBRELS and MARBLED GODWITS did I get a good enough look to properly ID them. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbalame/ I went to tell Dawn Grafe and Roy Lowe at the USFWS office and then a big gang of us went back and relocated them. They took off and made a lap around the bay. I went back to my car while everyone else gave chase. ---- Mike Patterson At large near Newport _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Wandering Tattlers, Harlequin Duck at Florence From: di4tbirds AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 01:07:01 +0000 (UTC) OBOLERS: After morning showers the day was mild, no wind but very foggy at Florence. On the South Jetty I had very nice looks at two Wandering tattlers, huddled together on the rocks and one female Harlequin Duck in the channel. There were lots of Pigeon Guillemots in the river and a few Common Murres, one baby Murre. I also had a very good look at what I believe was a Red Phalarope, all grey back extending up the back of the head, no stripes on the back, thickish bill, a dark gray spotch on the neck behind the eye but not touching the eye. Diane Horgan _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Question about 06 Douglas County Caracara From: "Charles Gates" <cgates326 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:20:18 -0700 I need help with a Crested Caracara record from Douglas County on 5/19/06. Does anyone know who saw this bird? Was this sighting reviewed by the OBRC? As far as I can tell, there are no caracara records listed on the OBRC website or in BOGR. Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others. Ambrose Bierce _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Wednesday ECAS to Sisters, Calliope and four springs along Green Ridge From: "judy" <jmeredit AT bendnet.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 17:17:30 -0700 Report was mailed for Judy Meredith by http://birdnotes.net - title "Sisters'. > > Six Central Oregon Wednesday birders went to Calliope Crossing > and then up to various springs along Green Ridge. We enjoyed seeing > Steve Shunk briefly at Calliope, busy with clients so a brief visit. > Springs were nice today. The area with the most birds was certainly > Thorn Springs, most diversity was at Whiskey Springs and in the near > bust department, Bear Springs and Prairie Farm. All was not lost at Bear > Springs though as ripening thimbleberries were there to ease our pain. > Yum! Weather cool and windy so not the ideal conditions for > visiting a series of springs. By the 2 pm hour it was sunny at Thorn > Springs and that is also where we had the most birds, so whether due > to timing, temperature or the spring conditions, who knows. Five species > of warblers today, not bad for central Oregon. > > Wild Turkey - feathers only, no birds, Thorn Springs > Turkey Vulture > Osprey > Red-tailed Hawk > American Kestrel > Virginia Rail - heard by a few at Calliope. > Mourning Dove > Vaux's Swift - a few at Calliope with variety of swallows. > Williamson's Sapsucker - near Bear Springs > White-headed Woodpecker - Whiskey Springs > Northern Flicker > Pileated Woodpecker - heard only, Bear Springs > Olive-sided Flycatcher - mult locations, Pip-pip-pips often. > Western Wood-Pewee > Cassin's Vireo - Calliope > Warbling Vireo - Calliope > Steller's Jay > Common Raven > Tree Swallow > Violet-green Swallow > Barn Swallow > Mountain Chickadee > Red-breasted Nuthatch > Pygmy Nuthatch > Mountain Bluebird > Townsend's Solitaire > American Robin > Orange-crowned Warbler - Calliope, Whiskey and Thorn Springs > Nashville Warbler - Calliope, Thorn > Yellow-rumped Warbler > Townsend's Warbler - Calliope and Thorn Springs > Common Yellowthroat - Calliope > Chipping Sparrow - dozens > Song Sparrow > Dark-eyed Junco - dozens > Red-winged Blackbird - Calliope > Brewer's Blackbird > Cassin's Finch - Bear Springs > House Finch > Pine Siskin > Evening Grosbeak - Calliope and Bear Springs > House Sparrow > Total number of species seen: 41 > > Birders today Howard Horvath, Cindy Zalunardo, Sherrie Pierce, Jim > Weishaupt, > Marion Davidson, and Judy Meredith > Good birding, > jmeredit AT bendnet.com _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Ruffs at Yaquina Bay near HMSC Nature Trail--Resighted From: Range Bayer <range.bayer AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:54:55 -0700 Hi, Chuck Philo just telephoned. One is still on the mudflats near the shelter along the HMSC Nature Trail, and the other is about a hundred yards north of the shelter on the mudflats. -- Range Bayer, Newport, Oregon On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 4:04 PM, Range Bayer wrote: > Hi, > >     Dawn Grafe telephoned that Mike Patterson just saw and > photographed 2 Ruffs along with Marbled Godwits near the OSU Hatfield > Marine Science Center Nature Trail.  They were first on the mudflats > near the bench on the hill near the bridge at the south end of the > Nature Trail, then they flew northeast to the mudflats near the > shelter along the Nature Trail. > > Range Bayer, Newport _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Leucistic Goldfinches From: "Tom Shreve" <TASGENL AT COMCAST.NET> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:21:48 -0700 We get a large number of American Goldfinches to our feeders in Tillamook County as well, up to 50 or more at a time. There is always a range of coloration. I have posted some photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_pix/ Dan's explanation fits what I have seen quite well. I can't often ID a specific bird, I have yet to see a banded Goldfinch at our feeders, but this year there was a very pale male distinguishable by his underdeveloped feet. In pictures 1 through 5 of the Pale Male progression photo set you can follow his coloration from June 15 to August 10. In the fifth picture he has begun to molt. We had another male almost as pale that was otherwise normal in appearance. Some of the other photos show the range of coloration we have seen in males this year. In mid-August I began to see hatch year birds with buffy wing bars, some were being fed as shown in the hatch year birds photo set. They are distinguishable from the females at this point by overall color and wing bar color. At the same times males appeared in the first stages of molt as shown in photos in the male molt set. Tom Shreve -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces AT oregonbirds.org [mailto:obol-bounces AT oregonbirds.org] On Behalf Of Dan Gleason Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 11:53 AM To: DJ Lauten and KACastelein Cc: obol AT oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: [OBOL] Leucistic Goldfinches I agree completely with Dave's assessment. If the birds were leucistic, the black regions would not be so prominent. I suspect something more subtle is going on. Yellow (and bright reds and oranges) are the result of carotenoid pigments deposited in the feathers as the feathers develop. Carotenoids are plant-based pigments and cannot be directly made by birds, they must come from the diet. In some birds, the carotenoids in the diet become incorporated into the feathers and the bird shows the color of the pigment. But not all birds directly deposit dietary pigments in their feathers. In some birds, the pigments from the diet are modified into a slightly different carotenoid before being incorporated into the feathers. This is the case with the American Goldfinch. If the enzymes responsible for this change in structure are defective, the bird will be unable to produce the end pigment that is put into developing feathers. The goldfinches showing the color variation in the photo may have this enzyme problem and it may be that this deficiency could be passed to their offspring, although, this is not necessarily the case. There is also another explanation, which may be even more likely. Birds that are heavily infected with parasites or otherwise in ill health, may have paler pigmentation. Under such stresses, the carotenoids from the diet are used by the immune system and may not be available in sufficient quantity to provide the bright coloration normally seen on a goldfinch. The fact that the black is nearly normal is further evidence since melanin production is not affected by these health conditions. In many of these species (Goldfinch, House Finch, etc.) females are more attracted to brightly colored males. By selecting these males, they are selecting males that are healthier and will provide higher quality of mates for themselves and provide a better diet for their young. The less fit and paler males are not chosen. However, changes in melanin-based coloration do not change selectively patterns in the females. Since melanin deposition is much less affected by ill health, females do not choose males on this basis. Changes in melanin can lead to other behavior patterns, however. For example, in male House Sparrows, the dominant and more aggressive males are also the ones with the largest black bib. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason AT comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Sep 1, 2010, at 10:53 AM, DJ Lauten and KACastelein wrote: > Looking at this photo, I have doubts as to whether this is true leucism. Note that all the feathers that should be black, are black. The only feathers that appear out of ordinary, are the yellow body feathers. It would rather amazing for one person at one feeder to have multiple leucistic birds, when leucism is very rare in the first place. I suspect one of a couple of things is going on. Either these birds are going thru very heavy body molt - this is a male, and in winter they lose the breeding or alternate plumage and look much more female like. It may be possible that the body molt is just a whole lot messier than we are aware. It would be interesting to know whether all the 'leucistic' individuals are all the same sex, or different sexes. Alternatively, it could be that these birds are suffering from some diet related effect. Maybe they are not getting enough of some vitamin or mineral or too much of something and it is effecting their plumage as they molt. Another possible explanation is that they are suffering from some feather or skin disease or mite infestation, which is really messing up their feathers. Regardless, I do not think this is real leucism. > > Cheers > Dave Lauten > > On 9/1/2010 10:12 AM, Steve and Diana Parsons wrote: >> I am noticing more leucistic American Goldfinches at the feeder this year. Sometimes as many as four at the feeder simultaneously. The cooler, wetter weather has increased activity quite a bit. >> >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_parsons/4948269249/ >> >> Steve >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OBOL mailing list >> OBOL AT oregonbirds.org >> http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Ruffs at Yaquina Bay near HMSC Nature Trail From: Range Bayer <range.bayer AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 16:04:37 -0700 Hi, Dawn Grafe telephoned that Mike Patterson just saw and photographed 2 Ruffs along with Marbled Godwits near the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail. They were first on the mudflats near the bench on the hill near the bridge at the south end of the Nature Trail, then they flew northeast to the mudflats near the shelter along the Nature Trail. Range Bayer, Newport _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Wed morning, Eugene From: "Larry McQueen" <larmcqueen AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 12:34:53 -0700 We did Skinner's Butte this morning, and found basically one mixed group of passerines, containing a few vireos, flycatchers, warblers, and tanagers. Then we walked around Dennis's neighborhood on Friendly St. (slightly s-w Eugene) looking for the same sort of fall groups and feeder birds. What we found at Skinner's: Turkey Vulture - 2 Vaux's Swift - numbers feeding overhead Anna's Hummingbird - 4 Willow Flycatcher - 1 Western Wood Pewee - 8 Western Scrub-Jay - 8 Cassin's Vireo - 6 Hutton's Vireo - 2 Black-capped Chickadee - 10 Chestnut-backed Chickadee - 2 Bushtit - flock Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Brown Creeper - 2 Bewick's Wren - 3 Cedar Waxwing - 7 Orange-crowned Warbler - 2 Townsend's Warbler - 4 Black-throated Gray Warbler - 6 Wilson's Warbler - 2 Western Tanager - 8 Song Sparrow - 2 Lesser Goldfinch - flock House Sparrow Additional species found in Dennis's neighborhood: Rufous Hummingbird - 6 Pacific-slope Flycatcher - 1 (high "tink" note and good views) American Crow - 2 Black-headed Grosbeak - 1 American Goldfinch - 6 House Finch - 5 European Starling - several Dennis Arendt, Fred Chancey, Don Schrouder, Paul Sherrell, Sylvia Maulding, Dave Brown, Dave and Sally Hill, Dan Gussett, Craig Merkel, and Larry McQueen (Al Prigge arrived at Skinner's as we were leaving) _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Three Sisters Wilderness, 27-30 Aug (Lane & Deschutes Co.) From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:47 -0700 Hi all, Wil and I joined Steve & Ashleigh Dougill for a backpacking trip along the west side of the Three Sisters, from Devils Lake to Lava Camp in McKenzie Pass, 27-30 Aug. For the most part we followed the Pacific Crest Trail, but on Saturday afternoon we did a side hike up to the westernmost of the Chambers Lakes, at around 7400 ft in the saddle between South & Middle Sister. We got there just as a snowstorm was coming in, so retreated to our base camp at 6600 ft. There we enjoyed just a drizzle for the rest of the evening (which froze to leave a bit of ice on the tents overnight), rather than the foot or more of snow which fell on the Chambers Lake that night (according to a wilderness ranger who camped there overnight). On Sunday we had beautiful weather and enjoyed the lupines, paintbrush etc. as the sun came out. Monday morning we woke up to more snow in our camp at Minnie Scott Spring, and hiked out 2+ inches of the white stuff, though it was melting back to slush by the time we got down to McKenzie Pass. Birds other than OREGON JUNCOS and CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS were scarce along most of the route. We scanned lingering snow fields every chance we got, as well as the base of the Irving Glacier on Middle Sister, but we didn't detect any rosy-finches or pipits. We found a couple of immature AMERICAN DIPPERS (as singles) working the edges of two different tarns, but no shorebirds. AMERICAN KESTRELS seemed to be migrating through the high pumice plains, as we saw several in situations that didn't seem to have much prey base. Steve thought that a large FALCON sp. soaring over talus slopes and occasionally resting on cliffs on the west side of Middle Sister looked a bit more like a Peregrine than a Prairie Falcon in terms of shape, but it was a half mile or more off so hard to be sure. Of several accipiter sp. that we had brief looks at, the only one that gave us a really good look was a noisy juvenile SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in a forested area. A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD that Steve spotted in the lava field as we came over the NW side of Collier Cone might be notable for Lane Co. Just before that, we met a couple of incoming hikers who mentioned seeing a whitish "owl" in the lava flow. Their description was pretty sketchy but they described it as having a rounded head like an owl. Maybe a Barn Owl? Or a male harrier? Woodpeckers were scarce, apart from a handful of Northern Flickers. A bit north of the Matthieu Lakes in McKenzie Pass (Deschutes Co.), Steve saw a juvenile Sapsucker sp. that he figured was probably a Red-breasted Sapsucker. Lava Lake Camp seemed to have quite a bit of woodpecker activity including at least one Hairy Woodpecker along with the flickers. The surrounding forest looked good for Three-toed and Black-backed, but we were too wet and cold at the end of the hike to spend much effort on searching. Other species encountered along the trail included (mostly) Mountain & (a few) Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Gray Jay, Common Raven, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-rumped, Townsend's and Hermit Warblers (just a few of the last two species). I thought I heard a couple of Evening Grosbeaks in one spot, and we found Pine Siskins in a few places, but otherwise finches were very scant, as was the cone crop. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Three Sisters Wilderness, 27-30 Aug (Lane & Deschutes Co.) From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:47 -0700 Hi all, Wil and I joined Steve & Ashleigh Dougill for a backpacking trip along the west side of the Three Sisters, from Devils Lake to Lava Camp in McKenzie Pass, 27-30 Aug. For the most part we followed the Pacific Crest Trail, but on Saturday afternoon we did a side hike up to the westernmost of the Chambers Lakes, at around 7400 ft in the saddle between South & Middle Sister. We got there just as a snowstorm was coming in, so retreated to our base camp at 6600 ft. There we enjoyed just a drizzle for the rest of the evening (which froze to leave a bit of ice on the tents overnight), rather than the foot or more of snow which fell on the Chambers Lake that night (according to a wilderness ranger who camped there overnight). On Sunday we had beautiful weather and enjoyed the lupines, paintbrush etc. as the sun came out. Monday morning we woke up to more snow in our camp at Minnie Scott Spring, and hiked out 2+ inches of the white stuff, though it was melting back to slush by the time we got down to McKenzie Pass. Birds other than OREGON JUNCOS and CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS were scarce along most of the route. We scanned lingering snow fields every chance we got, as well as the base of the Irving Glacier on Middle Sister, but we didn't detect any rosy-finches or pipits. We found a couple of immature AMERICAN DIPPERS (as singles) working the edges of two different tarns, but no shorebirds. AMERICAN KESTRELS seemed to be migrating through the high pumice plains, as we saw several in situations that didn't seem to have much prey base. Steve thought that a large FALCON sp. soaring over talus slopes and occasionally resting on cliffs on the west side of Middle Sister looked a bit more like a Peregrine than a Prairie Falcon in terms of shape, but it was a half mile or more off so hard to be sure. Of several accipiter sp. that we had brief looks at, the only one that gave us a really good look was a noisy juvenile SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in a forested area. A MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD that Steve spotted in the lava field as we came over the NW side of Collier Cone might be notable for Lane Co. Just before that, we met a couple of incoming hikers who mentioned seeing a whitish "owl" in the lava flow. Their description was pretty sketchy but they described it as having a rounded head like an owl. Maybe a Barn Owl? Or a male harrier? Woodpeckers were scarce, apart from a handful of Northern Flickers. A bit north of the Matthieu Lakes in McKenzie Pass (Deschutes Co.), Steve saw a juvenile Sapsucker sp. that he figured was probably a Red-breasted Sapsucker. Lava Lake Camp seemed to have quite a bit of woodpecker activity including at least one Hairy Woodpecker along with the flickers. The surrounding forest looked good for Three-toed and Black-backed, but we were too wet and cold at the end of the hike to spend much effort on searching. Other species encountered along the trail included (mostly) Mountain & (a few) Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Gray Jay, Common Raven, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Yellow-rumped, Townsend's and Hermit Warblers (just a few of the last two species). I thought I heard a couple of Evening Grosbeaks in one spot, and we found Pine Siskins in a few places, but otherwise finches were very scant, as was the cone crop. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis _______________________________________________ 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: Re: Leucistic Goldfinches From: Dan Gleason <dan-gleason AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 11:52:48 -0700 I agree completely with Dave's assessment. If the birds were leucistic, the black regions would not be so prominent. I suspect something more subtle is going on. Yellow (and bright reds and oranges) are the result of carotenoid pigments deposited in the feathers as the feathers develop. Carotenoids are plant-based pigments and cannot be directly made by birds, they must come from the diet. In some birds, the carotenoids in the diet become incorporated into the feathers and the bird shows the color of the pigment. But not all birds directly deposit dietary pigments in their feathers. In some birds, the pigments from the diet are modified into a slightly different carotenoid before being incorporated into the feathers. This is the case with the American Goldfinch. If the enzymes responsible for this change in structure are defective, the bird will be unable to produce the end pigment that is put into developing feathers. The goldfinches showing the color variation in the photo may have this enzyme problem and it may be that this deficiency could be passed to their offspring, although, this is not necessarily the case. There is also another explanation, which may be even more likely. Birds that are heavily infected with parasites or otherwise in ill health, may have paler pigmentation. Under such stresses, the carotenoids from the diet are used by the immune system and may not be available in sufficient quantity to provide the bright coloration normally seen on a goldfinch. The fact that the black is nearly normal is further evidence since melanin production is not affected by these health conditions. In many of these species (Goldfinch, House Finch, etc.) females are more attracted to brightly colored males. By selecting these males, they are selecting males that are healthier and will provide higher quality of mates for themselves and provide a better diet for their young. The less fit and paler males are not chosen. However, changes in melanin-based coloration do not change selectively patterns in the females. Since melanin deposition is much less affected by ill health, females do not choose males on this basis. Changes in melanin can lead to other behavior patterns, however. For example, in male House Sparrows, the dominant and more aggressive males are also the ones with the largest black bib. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason AT comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Sep 1, 2010, at 10:53 AM, DJ Lauten and KACastelein wrote: > Looking at this photo, I have doubts as to whether this is true leucism. Note that all the feathers that should be black, are black. The only feathers that appear out of ordinary, are the yellow body feathers. It would rather amazing for one person at one feeder to have multiple leucistic birds, when leucism is very rare in the first place. I suspect one of a couple of things is going on. Either these birds are going thru very heavy body molt - this is a male, and in winter they lose the breeding or alternate plumage and look much more female like. It may be possible that the body molt is just a whole lot messier than we are aware. It would be interesting to know whether all the 'leucistic' individuals are all the same sex, or different sexes. Alternatively, it could be that these birds are suffering from some diet related effect. Maybe they are not getting enough of some vitamin or mineral or too much of something and it is effecting their plumage as they molt. Another possible explanation is that they are suffering from some feather or skin disease or mite infestation, which is really messing up their feathers. Regardless, I do not think this is real leucism. > > Cheers > Dave Lauten > > On 9/1/2010 10:12 AM, Steve and Diana Parsons wrote: >> I am noticing more leucistic American Goldfinches at the feeder this year. Sometimes as many as four at the feeder simultaneously. The cooler, wetter weather has increased activity quite a bit. >> >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_parsons/4948269249/ >> >> Steve >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OBOL mailing list >> OBOL AT oregonbirds.org >> http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org >> >> > > > > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: American goldfinch molt From: "Marti Ligocki" <ligockisas AT impeccableimages.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 11:41:40 -0700 Hello OBOL - Lew and I have had many American goldfinch this year that look like Steve's picture. We estimate that we have upwards of 50 in the yard, front and back, at a time. We did a feeder study for six weeks ending last week, so we were keeping a closer eye on the goldfinches than previous years. Our take on it was molt, as Dave suggests. We also have a very white looking Western scrub-jay that is otherwise very scruffy because of molt. This has been a bumper year for hummingbirds, American goldfinch and mourning doves, based on the numbers we're seeing in your yard now as compared to prior years. In line with another post, we have adult Dark-eyed juncos visiting the tray feeders with begging youngsters, suggesting that this is the third brood for the season. Marti Ligocki Southeast Salem_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Leucistic Goldfinches From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein <deweysage AT verizon.net> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:53:11 -0700 Looking at this photo, I have doubts as to whether this is true leucism. Note that all the feathers that should be black, are black. The only feathers that appear out of ordinary, are the yellow body feathers. It would rather amazing for one person at one feeder to have multiple leucistic birds, when leucism is very rare in the first place. I suspect one of a couple of things is going on. Either these birds are going thru very heavy body molt - this is a male, and in winter they lose the breeding or alternate plumage and look much more female like. It may be possible that the body molt is just a whole lot messier than we are aware. It would be interesting to know whether all the 'leucistic' individuals are all the same sex, or different sexes. Alternatively, it could be that these birds are suffering from some diet related effect. Maybe they are not getting enough of some vitamin or mineral or too much of something and it is effecting their plumage as they molt. Another possible explanation is that they are suffering from some feather or skin disease or mite infestation, which is really messing up their feathers. Regardless, I do not think this is real leucism. Cheers Dave Lauten On 9/1/2010 10:12 AM, Steve and Diana Parsons wrote: > I am noticing more leucistic American Goldfinches at the feeder this > year. Sometimes as many as four at the feeder simultaneously. The > cooler, wetter weather has increased activity quite a bit. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_parsons/4948269249/ > > Steve > > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org > > _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Leucistic Goldfinches From: Steve and Diana Parsons <sparsons AT canby.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:12:05 -0700 I am noticing more leucistic American Goldfinches at the feeder this year. Sometimes as many as four at the feeder simultaneously. The cooler, wetter weather has increased activity quite a bit. http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_parsons/4948269249/ Steve _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Updated Shorebird VIDEOS: You guess the species before opening the video links From: khanh tran <khanhbatran AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 03:36:45 +0000 Hi all, Here are updated shorebird videos from this past weekend. See if you can guess the species before opening the video links. Be sure to watch in 720P or higher for better resolution. Allow videos to process if your computer speed is slow. Watching in 480 is okay, too. Sorry for the wind noise!! Shorebirds are sure fun!! ************************FEATURED VIDEOS****************************** A) This bird is generally nests on wetter lowland tundra compared to it's counterpart. It's feeding next to its cousin who has black armpits. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGHQfXl41Vw For a comparison, a younger bird: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knSNMbEgJBs ********************************************************************** B) I consider this bird the mini 'Roadrunners' of the sandy beaches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T3ykzHExB8 ************************************************************************* C) This juvenile lobed species has a boldy striped back and thin bill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEADg8ev6wU *************************************************************************** D) A shorebird that combines both features of Tringa sandpipers and dowitchers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0WRaAvcLD8 ****************************************************************************** Enjoy! ktbirding.com Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER From: "judy" <jmeredit AT bendnet.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:31:59 -0700 Sept 2 - Perhaps that is the one I was wondering about. A good birder found a suspect last weekend in Bend but Nay-sayers told him and the list that it was way too early for Sharp-tailed. So, perhaps there WAS one in Bend last weekend. Hatfield at the first pond there are grassy edges so it seemed plausible to me. Anyway, WAY TO GO guys. Dave and Kathy ROCK! Judy jmeredit AT bendnet.com From: Tim Rodenkirk Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 7:16 PM To: DJ Lauten and KACastelein ; OBOL obol Subject: Re: [OBOL] Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER Nice find Kathy! Believe it or not, that is at least the 22nd record for Coos Co., most of which have been at Bandon Marsh NWR. The earliest previous record for Coos was September 3rd a few years back by one D. Lauten and K. Castelein. If there was someone birding Bandon Marsh daily this time of year, no telling what would be found? Maybe Alan Contreras should spend two weeks there instead of Malheur in the fall? Merry migration! Tim R Coos Bay -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein To: OBOL obol Sent: Tue, August 31, 2010 11:32:35 AM Subject: [OBOL] Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER 8/31 Bandon Marsh NWR Coos Cty Kathy just called from Bandon Marsh where she is watching a juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. She reports an AMERICAN and PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER present also. The sandpiper was out on the open flats but flew north just a few minutes ago. Cheers Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein Bandon OR deweysage AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:16:35 -0700 (PDT) Nice find Kathy! Believe it or not, that is at least the 22nd record for Coos Co., most of which have been at Bandon Marsh NWR. The earliest previous record for Coos was September 3rd a few years back by one D. Lauten and K. Castelein. If there was someone birding Bandon Marsh daily this time of year, no telling what would be found? Maybe Alan Contreras should spend two weeks there instead of Malheur in the fall? Merry migration! Tim R Coos Bay ________________________________ From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein To: OBOL obol Sent: Tue, August 31, 2010 11:32:35 AM Subject: [OBOL] Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER 8/31 Bandon Marsh NWR Coos Cty Kathy just called from Bandon Marsh where she is watching a juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. She reports an AMERICAN and PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER present also. The sandpiper was out on the open flats but flew north just a few minutes ago. Cheers Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein Bandon OR deweysage AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Ankeny Tu afternoon From: "Thomas Love" <tlove AT linfield.edu> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:50:59 -0700 I somewhat unexpectedly found myself at the state fair today, so took the opportunity (natch) to run down to Ankeny to see if the tern or godwit were still around. I didn't see them, but there were some good birds at Pintail Marsh, including LESSER YELLOWLEGS (3), GREATER YELLOWLEGS (2+), SEMIPALMATED PLOVER (2 or 3), LEAST SANDPIPER (10), WESTERN SANDPIPER (2+) and WHITE PELICAN (2). A juvenile gull was I think a first year CALIFORNIA GULL transitioning into first winter plumage. It was breezy and the birds, shorebirds especially, seemed a bit nervous - up and around, down, up again. Tom Love tlove AT linfield DOT edu _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Sharp-tails From: Alan Contreras <acontrer AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:36:12 -0700 The Heinl record was from Fern Ridge, not LCC. Alan Contreras Sent from my iPhone On Aug 31, 2010, at 1:12 PM, Alan Contreras wrote: > There are multi-observer sight records of sharp-tail at the Lane Comm College ponds 22 Aug 1973 (mcQueen et al.) see Am. Birds 28:95, and 28 aug 1987 (steve Heinl), pub. In birds of lane county. > > Alan Contreras > Sent from my iPhone > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Sharp-tails From: Alan Contreras <acontrer AT mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:12:18 -0700 There are multi-observer sight records of sharp-tail at the Lane Comm College ponds 22 Aug 1973 (mcQueen et al.) see Am. Birds 28:95, and 28 aug 1987 (steve Heinl), pub. In birds of lane county. Alan Contreras Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein <deweysage AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:44:47 -0700 According to Kevin Karlson, that may be the all time early date for the lower 48! Cheers Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein On 8/31/2010 12:59 PM, Tom Crabtree wrote: > Congrats Kathy, according to Birds of Oregon that's an all-time early date > for the state, beating the previous record by a couple of days. > > Tom > > -----Original Message----- > From: obol-bounces AT oregonbirds.org [mailto:obol-bounces AT oregonbirds.org] On > Behalf Of DJ Lauten and KACastelein > Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 10:33 AM > To: OBOL obol > Subject: [OBOL] Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER > > 8/31 Bandon Marsh NWR Coos Cty > > Kathy just called from Bandon Marsh where she is watching a juvenile > SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. She reports an AMERICAN and PACIFIC GOLDEN > PLOVER present also. The sandpiper was out on the open flats but flew > north just a few minutes ago. > > Cheers > Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein > Bandon OR > deweysage AT verizon.net > > > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org > > > _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER From: "Tom Crabtree" <tc AT empnet.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:59:17 -0800 Congrats Kathy, according to Birds of Oregon that's an all-time early date for the state, beating the previous record by a couple of days. Tom -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces AT oregonbirds.org [mailto:obol-bounces AT oregonbirds.org] On Behalf Of DJ Lauten and KACastelein Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 10:33 AM To: OBOL obol Subject: [OBOL] Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER 8/31 Bandon Marsh NWR Coos Cty Kathy just called from Bandon Marsh where she is watching a juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. She reports an AMERICAN and PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER present also. The sandpiper was out on the open flats but flew north just a few minutes ago. Cheers Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein Bandon OR deweysage AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Bandon SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER From: DJ Lauten and KACastelein <deweysage AT verizon.net> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:32:35 -0700 8/31 Bandon Marsh NWR Coos Cty Kathy just called from Bandon Marsh where she is watching a juvenile SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER. She reports an AMERICAN and PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER present also. The sandpiper was out on the open flats but flew north just a few minutes ago. Cheers Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein Bandon OR deweysage AT verizon.net _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Swainson Thrush calls at night From: "Steve Engel" <sengel AT audubonportland.org> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:46:07 -0700 Have heard SWTH calls overhead my SE Portland home (10 blocks due east of Mt Tabor) between 10pm and 1am each night beginning 8/26. Have not listened for long but have heard > 10 calls / minute. Steve Engel Adult Education Coordinator Audubon Society of Portland 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210 EMAIL: sengel AT audubonportland.org PHONE: 503-292-6855 x 119 (main) 971-222-6119 (direct) web: www.audubonportland.org HOW TO REGISTER FOR ADULT CLASSES: http://audubonportland.org/trips-classes-camps/adult/registrationinfo Message: 9 Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:00:44 -0700 From: Wink Gross To: obol AT oregonbirds.org Subject: [OBOL] Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Yesterday on my dogwalk, I saw my First of the Fall HERMIT THRUSH. This morning we found a FoF VARIED THRUSH and FoF FOX SPARROW. However, although I have found a few Swainson's Thrushes in the past week, I have yet to hear any going overhead at dawn. They're late. Has anybody heard any yet? Wink Gross NW Portland _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Cooper Spur (Mt. Hood) woodpeckers & friends From: Mary Reese <uuspirit AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:03:10 -0700 (PDT) Jim & I went to the Cooper Spur burn Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, staying overnight at the nearby Nottingham Campground on Hwy 35.  Nothing much happening Saturday except a flock of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS and then a single male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER(see photos & movie).  The next morning we awoke to ice on our tent & car (what a surprise for August, brrrrr), and 3 GRAY JAYS sitting above the tent waiting for breakfast.  They flew in quiet as little owls.  Went back up to Cooper Spur at about 9:00 am and were literally surrounded by woodpeckers after walking into the burn only a few yards.  Several Black-backed, one male HAIRY, and one male WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER (too quick for a photo, darn).  More Western Bluebirds, and far away a female WESTERN TANAGER and a few AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES.  Also heard a NUTHATCH nonstop from a distance, don't know which kind. Thanks to whoever put the little pile of rocks by the parking space - we knew exactly where to stop a couple miles from where the pavement ends.  If you're going up there, just park in that spot, or if it's taken, there's another wide spot in the road just a little ways up.  There is no trail - just bushwhack your way up into the burn, have a seat on a log and wait.  The woodpeckers will be by soon enough.  Morning seems to be better, as all but one of the woodpeckers left after 10:00.  For some easier walking, there is a trail you can take at the left edge of the burn - it's the fire break.  Kinda rough hiking in spots, but not impossible.  Wear boots and long pants, not low tennis shoes or shorts, because the crunchy pine needles and ashy ground is very soft and dusty.  Also there are a lot of potholes in the ground where the fire burned the trees down to the roots.  Be careful when crawling over all those logs (you will have to step over lots of them).  The burned off branches can be pretty sharp - I goughed my leg and got a pretty ugly bruise.  Bring first aid creme and bandaids just in case. I had never been in a burn before.  I expected to be depressed, but instead I was amazed at the beauty we found.  Mother Nature knows what she's doing when she rejuvenates forests.  Lots of the little trees didn't burn at all - the fire jumped right over them.  And there were thousands of new little baby trees coming up everywhere.  Also, the forest was already filling up with wild roses, trillium, ferns, and bear grass.  I was confused, however, as to why the fire crews came in with chain saws and cut so many of the burned trees down, instead of leaving it natural.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/marymargaretreese/sets/72157624846650662/      Mary Reese                     uuspirit AT yahoo.com     503-929-7788 cell        _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Swainson's Thrushes at night From: Luke Redmond <luk916 AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:22:46 -0400 I've been hearing Swainson's Thrush calling overhead at night for about the last five nights from my SE Portland home. Times have been variable (but definitely not dusk or dawn, more like 11pm-3am), and definitely not the numbers that Tim alluded to, yet. Tonight was perhaps the earliest I've heard one this season, about 10pm, along with a few Barn Owls beginning after dusk. Luke Redmond _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Yaquina Bay Phalaropes From: "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman AT peak.org> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:05:49 -0700 This evening about 5:45 PM 7 Red-necked Phalaropes were swimming along next to the rocks of the Yaquina Bay south jetty east of the first finger. The ones I got good looks at were adults nearing completion of their prebasic molts. Wayne_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Baskett Slough - late report From: "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman AT peak.org> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:03:05 -0700 I did a quick drive through on Colville Road Saturday morning (Aug. 28). The narrows were mostly dry, with just a shallow puddle a few hundred feet across on the north side. it was attended by several KILLDEER, 6 WWESTERN SANDPIPERS, 6 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and one BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Also 3 imm. RING-BILLED GULLS. Wayne_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:01:15 -0700 (PDT) Hi All, I get up very early every morning and have not heard any Swainson's Thrushes yet this year. We'll see what the next few days bring though. This is just about the time to hear the first migrants give or take several days. And I don't mean one or two calls in an hour, more like one or two calls per second when they get moving (at least on the south coast; so as not to mistake them for your neighborhood breeding thrush that call on and off all summer around sunrise). Like I said, any day now... Tim ________________________________ From: Wink Gross To: obol AT oregonbirds.org Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 4:00:44 PM Subject: [OBOL] Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? Yesterday on my dogwalk, I saw my First of the Fall HERMIT THRUSH. This morning we found a FoF VARIED THRUSH and FoF FOX SPARROW. However, although I have found a few Swainson's Thrushes in the past week, I have yet to hear any going overhead at dawn. They're late. Has anybody heard any yet? Wink Gross NW Portland _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Swainson's Thrush From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:33:25 -0700 I have heard one at dawn most mornings since I first posted about it a week or so ago. But then I sleep outside this time of year, live on a ridgetop in the Coast Range, and go to sleep around 9, so I am always awake at dawn. I have not heard them aloft in the evening yet, which is often more obvious here than at dawn. I haven't seen or heard any White- fronted Geese which is well behind average. Bill Thackaberry reported some last week, which would be right on schedule for my data point. A rainy night precluded fresh air slumber last night. I noted multiple Wilson's Warblers next to the house this morning. Although they nest here, I hadn't noticed any for at least a month. Lars Norgren Manning, Oregon _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? From: "pamela johnston" <pamelaj AT spiritone.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:13:12 -0700 Although I haven't heard early AM Swainson's Thrush calls, I have seen them on the road just after sunset. They apparently feed on roadkill insects or something that emerges along the roadway after dusk. They tend to be in places that are wooded on both sides of the road, and they fly across in front of the headlights as I go. Pamela Johnston outside McMinnville ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wink Gross" To: Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 4:00 PM Subject: [OBOL] Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? Yesterday on my dogwalk, I saw my First of the Fall HERMIT THRUSH. This morning we found a FoF VARIED THRUSH and FoF FOX SPARROW. However, although I have found a few Swainson's Thrushes in the past week, I have yet to hear any going overhead at dawn. They're late. Has anybody heard any yet? Wink Gross NW Portland _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Tillamook Bay Pintail From: Barbara and John Woodhouse <jbw AT oregoncoast.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:07:09 -0700 This morning we saw the first wave of ducks had come in over night, there were several hundred Pintail feeding at low tide along Bay Ocean rd. Barbara & John Woodhouse Tillamook _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Summer ending in a hurry, but where are the Swainson's Thrushes? From: Wink Gross <winkg AT hevanet.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:00:44 -0700 Yesterday on my dogwalk, I saw my First of the Fall HERMIT THRUSH. This morning we found a FoF VARIED THRUSH and FoF FOX SPARROW. However, although I have found a few Swainson's Thrushes in the past week, I have yet to hear any going overhead at dawn. They're late. Has anybody heard any yet? Wink Gross NW Portland _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding From: Joseph Blowers <jblowers AT ix.netcom.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:29:07 -0700 You might be right. A few weeks ago I saw a Black-capped chickadee feeding suet to a juvenile Red-breasted nuthatch that was begging at our feeders. Joe Blowers On Aug 30, 2010, at 12:46 PM, woodenapple AT juno.com wrote: > Greetings, Obolists! > > Yesterday I saw a bird behavior I hadn't seen before. In our N. Eugene/Santa Clara-area backyard, House Finch and American Goldfinch are two of the most common species. Up on the utility wire, a juvenile goldfinch was begging from, and being fed by, an adult. They both then flew down to our sunflower seed feeding station. The closest bird to the juvenile goldfinch upon landing happened to be an adult male housefinch. The goldfinch juvie begged from the housefinch male which then FED IT! There were no juvenile housefinches present. Has anyone else seen something similar? It looks like the response to begging behavior is pretty hardwired. > > Rudi > > ____________________________________________________________ > Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance > If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Program > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c7c0ac3bb89c957029st06vuc > > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: ID help From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:19:40 -0700 Note the yellow inner webs of the tail.... -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Oregon Tiger Beetle http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/northcoastdiaries/16627 _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: ID help From: Brandon Green <brandon.green18 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:10:01 -0700 A small, yellow warbler-like bird visited my yard twice this morning and I managed to get a couple mediocre photos during its second visit. I have tentatively identified it as a hatch-year YELLOW WARBLER, but wanted to get the opinion of others before recording it. This individual was foraging through my bushes and didn't exhibit any tail/wing flicking or bobbing. It was approximately 5" long and did not call or sing. This may not be evident in the photos, but I recall the loral region being somewhat light in color. Here are the photos... http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4943118422_057c07fb7d_o.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4942532485_1e21673588_o.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4943118598_7d9df5deed_o.jpg The light loral region made me consider vireos, but this individual seems to yellow to match one with a prominent eye ring. It's definitely not small or stocky enough to be a Hutton's. There is also no overhanging upper mandible. The wing bar patterns seem to match a Yellow Warbler's. Late August is also good for Yellow Warbler movement. Thanks in advance... Brandon Eugene _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding From: "Paul E. Bloch" <paul AT mahonia.us> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:50:47 -0700 Here is a photo and story about this Northern Cardinal and Goldfish in BirdScope from Cornell Lab of Ornithology. On 30 Aug 2010, at 1:25 PM, Dan Gleason wrote: > > An even stranger case was observed (and photographed) many years in the east (I believe in Virginia, but I am not sure). For several days, a Northern Cardinal was seen feeding goldfish. It was apparently gathering insect larvae at the edge of a goldfish pond. Goldfish came to the surface and did what goldfish typically do - open and close their mouths. The gaping behavior and color of the mouth triggered a feeding response from the cardinal who put food into the mouth of the goldfish. This went on for several days and in the photo I have seen, a goldfish is actually raising its head out of the water to be fed by the cardinal. The cardinal apparently was also successful at raising its own young. A photo of this can be found in the college ornithology textbook "The Life of Birds" 4th ed. 1988 by Joel Welty and Luis Baptista, pg. 362. > > Dan Gleason _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding From: Dan Gleason <dan-gleason AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:25:36 -0700 This type of behavior occurs from time to time. The instinct to feed is very strong and sometimes it can be triggered by behaviors in another species with similar actions. Many years ago, I watched a male Red-breasted Nuthatch feed baby Hairy Woodpeckers. A pair of nuthatches was completing a nest in a dead tree. The cavity was about 10 feet from the ground. Approximately, 15 feet above their nest hole was a larger hole with a family of Hairy Woodpeckers in it. The young were close to fledging and very vocal, as young woodpeckers typically are. The nuthatch was bringing food to his mate who was spending more and more of her time in her nest hole. When he would land on the trunk of the tree between the two nest holes, he usually dropped down to his mate with the food. However, he sometimes heard the woodpeckers calling. On many of those occasions, he went to investigate and many times entered the nest hole. You could hear the chattering of the young woodpeckers as he fed them and he would leave the hole without the food he had brought. Sometimes, a young woodpecker would poke its head out of the hole and be fed there by the nuthatch. Once, I saw the nuthatch trying to leave the hole just as the male Hairy Woodpecker was entering. Both seemed startled but no aggression occurred by either bird. This behavior went on for about 4 days and ceased when the female nuthatch settled into the nest to incubate and the male became the prime provider of food. A couple of days later, the woodpeckers left the nest. It made an interesting show for a few days. An even stranger case was observed (and photographed) many years in the east (I believe in Virginia, but I am not sure). For several days, a Northern Cardinal was seen feeding goldfish. It was apparently gathering insect larvae at the edge of a goldfish pond. Goldfish came to the surface and did what goldfish typically do - open and close their mouths. The gaping behavior and color of the mouth triggered a feeding response from the cardinal who put food into the mouth of the goldfish. This went on for several days and in the photo I have seen, a goldfish is actually raising its head out of the water to be fed by the cardinal. The cardinal apparently was also successful at raising its own young. A photo of this can be found in the college ornithology textbook "The Life of Birds" 4th ed. 1988 by Joel Welty and Luis Baptista, pg. 362. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason AT comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Aug 30, 2010, at 12:46 PM, woodenapple AT juno.com wrote: > Greetings, Obolists! > > Yesterday I saw a bird behavior I hadn't seen before. In our N. Eugene/Santa Clara-area backyard, House Finch and American Goldfinch are two of the most common species. Up on the utility wire, a juvenile goldfinch was begging from, and being fed by, an adult. They both then flew down to our sunflower seed feeding station. The closest bird to the juvenile goldfinch upon landing happened to be an adult male housefinch. The goldfinch juvie begged from the housefinch male which then FED IT! There were no juvenile housefinches present. Has anyone else seen something similar? It looks like the response to begging behavior is pretty hardwired. > > Rudi > > ____________________________________________________________ > Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance > If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Program > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c7c0ac3bb89c957029st06vuc > > _______________________________________________ > OBOL mailing list > OBOL AT oregonbirds.org > http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Obol: Inter-species finch feeding From: "woodenapple AT juno.com" <woodenapple@juno.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:46:01 GMT Greetings, Obolists! Yesterday I saw a bird behavior I hadn't seen before. In our N. Eugene/Santa Clara-area backyard, House Finch and American Goldfinch are two of the most common species. Up on the utility wire, a juvenile goldfinch was begging from, and being fed by, an adult. They both then flew down to our sunflower seed feeding station. The closest bird to the juvenile goldfinch upon landing happened to be an adult male housefinch. The goldfinch juvie begged from the housefinch male which then FED IT! There were no juvenile housefinches present. Has anyone else seen something similar? It looks like the response to begging behavior is pretty hardwired. Rudi ____________________________________________________________ Obama Urges Homeowners to Refinance If you owe under $729k you probably qualify for Obama's Refi Program http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c7c0ac3bb89c957029st06vuc _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Re: possible COMMON TERN - Ankeny NWR From: Shawneen Finnegan <shawneenfinnegan AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:03:45 -0700 I am currently looking at the juvenile Common Tern at Pintail Marsh. There is also a Marbled Godwit, a Green Heron, Pectoral Sandpiper but a young Bald Eagle had been causing havoc. Shawneen Finnegan Portland On Aug 30, 2010 11:20 AM, "Erik Knight" wrote: OBOLers, There was a possible COMMON TERN in non-breeding plummage frequenting Pintail Marsh at Ankeny NWR early Sunday afternoon. It stayed near the North end where there are extensive mudflats and only once landed briefly. This tern was medium-sized, white tail, wings light gray, dark cap with some black around the eyes, white forehead, dark carpal bar(more visible when bird was perched), dark coloration on outer edge of primaries, short dark bill, had a light buoyant flight. Another birder named Roy(didn't get his last name) had been observing this bird before I arrived and had tried getting better looks from the West side of the marsh. -- ------------------------------------- Erik Knight Portland, Oregon _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: possible COMMON TERN - Ankeny NWR From: Erik Knight <erikknight05 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:19:54 -0700 OBOLers, There was a possible COMMON TERN in non-breeding plummage frequenting Pintail Marsh at Ankeny NWR early Sunday afternoon. It stayed near the North end where there are extensive mudflats and only once landed briefly. This tern was medium-sized, white tail, wings light gray, dark cap with some black around the eyes, white forehead, dark carpal bar(more visible when bird was perched), dark coloration on outer edge of primaries, short dark bill, had a light buoyant flight. Another birder named Roy(didn't get his last name) had been observing this bird before I arrived and had tried getting better looks from the West side of the marsh. -- ------------------------------------- Erik Knight Portland, Oregon_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Three-toed Woodpeckers at Cooper Spur - video & photos From: Diana Byrne <diana.byrne AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:17:04 -0700 At Cooper Spur burn on Mt. Hood today from 1pm-2pm, I saw 2 Three- toed Woodpeckers, 1 Black-backed Woodpecker, 1 Hairy Woodpecker, and a Gray Jay. Here's a video and photos of 2 Three-toed Woodpeckers who spent a lot of time on either side of the same tree, occasionally peeking around at each other. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ3BpyLqaCo Photos: http://portlandbirder.blogspot.com/2010/08/three-toed-woodpeckers.html Thanks again to John Gatchet for posting directions earlier. -Diana Byrne NW Portland _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: test From: "Diana Bradshaw" <Diana AT 2bradshaws.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:20:36 -0700 _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: North Portland shorebirds From: Adrian Hinkle <adrian.hinkle AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:38:31 -0700 Today we biked from the Vanport MAX stop to various locations in NE Portland. Vanport Wetlands was very quiet and water levels were low. The only shorebirds were Killdeer. The only good shorebirding was along the Columbia Slough near the sewage treatment plant. Most shorebirds were on the slough, but a few were roosting at the sewage ponds. Highlights included: Semipalmated Plover--1 Killdeer--15 Spotted Sandpiper--5 Solitary Sandpiper--1 Western Sandpiper--15 Semipalmated Sandpiper--2 Least Sandpiper--40 After that stop, we quickly checked the Smith Lake boat ramp. There were 67 American White Pelicans flying over the far side of Smith Lake. Water levels were too high for shorebirds. This morning at Mt. Tabor we saw a Chipping Sparrow and other more regular migrants, including Olive-sided Flycatcher and White-crowned Sparrow. Good birding! Adrian and Christopher Hinkle_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: OR Shorbird Festival highlights From: Russ Namitz <namitzr AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:34:16 -0700 8/28 Saturday = Bandon & Coos Bay areas All of the expected shorebird species were seen including BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, a WILLIT and a flock of 25 MARBLED GODWITS. The 5 hr Bird Guide pelagic was a success with over 100 SABINE'S GULLS seen, a handful of BULLER'S SHEARWATER and a probable, dark-rumped LEACH'S STORM-PETREL. 8/29 Sunday = Bandon & Coos Bay areas There were 2 PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER reported from Bandon Marsh NWR. Also seen on field trips were continuing BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS and 2-3 AMERICAN BITTERNS at the North Spit of Coos Bay. The evening programs were excellent and I laughed more on Friday with Ram Papish's bird jeopardy than I have in quite awhile. I learned that I am an "expert" at all! I was pleased to locate a "Helldiver" (Red-necked Grebe) and a "Bullhead" (Black-bellied Plover) the next day for festival participants. A special thanks goes out to Dawn Grafe and Roy Lowe of the USFW for great planning and smooth transitions. Thank you to all the volunteer trip leaders as well. Hope to see you all next year. Good birding, Russ Namitz Cape Arago Audubon Society _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Cascade Mtn. trip- Klamath Co. 8/27-8/29/2010 From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:28:32 -0700 (PDT) Holly and I are our two dogs headed up to do a backpacking/hiking trip on the south end of the Diamond Peak Wilderness this weekend (all in Klamath Co.). We headed out on Friday in sun and shorts and backpacked in from east of Summit Lake. On our way in we saw most of the usual bird species (Gray Jay, Mt. Chickadee, Townsend's Solitaire, Clark's Nutcracker, etc. etc.) plus a Pine Martin. We took the main trail then headed off trail a mile to a beautiful little lake with a small knoll adjacent to it, without sign of any previous visitors. On Saturday morning we woke up to an elk bulging below camp which lasted, on and off, a couple hours. It started raining about 7AM and lasted until about 3PM. We hiked in the rain, mostly off trail, and climbed up Crater Butte (a little over 6,900') where the rain turned to snow- very COOL, so we stopped for lunch there. On our way back to our campsite (GPS is so nice!) we saw a large gray accipiter whipping through the very open mtn. hemlock/lodgepole pine forest, probably a NORTHERN GOSHAWK. On arriving back at camp we bailed for the tents, for a slight reprieve from the rain then the sun came out after a couple hours and we dried out our camp before dark. Sunday morning started clear and cool, 26F at camp at sunrise with a calling BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER that frequented many of the local snags including a couple whitepbark pines on the local promontory. Diamond Peak and adjacent peaks was totally white after some overnight snow showers, which we had good views of from our camp. An ample camp fire kept us nice and toasty during the cool periods this weekend. On our cross country hike out with some trail we saw no one in a several hours, a very enjoyable weekend for sure! Fall is such an great season : ) Tim R Coos Bay _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Ferruginous Hawk From: Andrea Wagner <andreawagner06 AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:18:32 -0700 My husband and I saw a Ferruginous Hawk sitting in a field outside of Independence today. It was along Independence Hwy in the fields just north Greenwood Rd S. I am relatively new to birding and this area, but it was very large, completely white breast, brown leg streaks, brown streaked head (a juvenile). It let us pull over pretty close to it too. Is this bird seen very often in this area? Thanks, Andrea Independence, OR_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Census Count: Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Marion County, Oregon on August 29, 2010 From: ErikKnight05 AT gmail.com Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:38:00 GMT This report was mailed for Erik Knight by http://birdnotes.net Date: August 29, 2010 Location: Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Marion County, Oregon Prevailing wind speed: < 1 km/h gusting to: 6-11 km/h Percentage of sky covered by clouds: 80% Precipitation: none from 11:42AM to 4:04PM. Small tern observed on North end of Pintail Marsh. Immature bird, white tail, light gray on upper wings, light buoyant flight, black cap, some black over eyes, small dark bill. Was airborne most of time during observation. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Canada Goose 19 Gadwall 75 Mallard 200 Cinnamon Teal 20 Northern Pintail 45 Green-Winged Teal 130 Pied-billed Grebe 6 American White Pelican 17 [1] Great Blue Heron 3 Great Egret 16 Turkey Vulture 6 Osprey 3 Northern Harrier 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 [2] Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 3 Semipalmated Plover 2 Killdeer 5 Greater Yellowlegs 14 Lesser Yellowlegs 14 Spotted Sandpiper 1 Least Sandpiper 40 Eurasian Collared-Dove 1 [3] Vaux's Swift Belted Kingfisher 1 Downy Woodpecker 2 Northern Flicker 1 Western Wood-Pewee 4 Western Scrub-Jay 5 Violet-green Swallow Cliff Swallow Barn Swallow American Robin 2 European Starling Cedar Waxwing 50 Common Yellowthroat 5 Western Tanager 1 Spotted Towhee 1 Savannah Sparrow 5 Song Sparrow 2 Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird American Goldfinch Footnotes: [1] Pintail Marsh [2] Eagle Marsh [3] Pintail Marsh, near tracks Total number of species seen: 43 _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: third broods From: Andrew Marshall <andrewm25 AT earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:48:49 -0400 (EDT) Hi Folks, With the weather having been so mild here in Dallas this year, our resident towhees, song parrows and juncos have succeeded, despite the scrub jays in producing 3 litters. The front yard song sparrows and towhees as well as the pair of song sparrows in the wood pile have newly fledged young out right now, the third set for each pair, the there are new juncos out again, third time this year so far... if the weather continues this way, til next year, do you think they might try again? Other news, the violet green swallows succeeded for the first time in a years against the house sparrows. I put a barrier on the nest box entry holes, narrowing them to ovals, foiling the sparrows attempts to stuff them with crap. Then when I saw the most aggressive pair chasing the swallows off the boxes anyways, I trapped and disposed of them. Chestnut backed chickadees and black capped chickadees only produced one litter each this year, sparrows drove them out before I could stop them. Had a flicker pair investigate a nest log I put up for them. A big hollowed out log with natural hole entry I converted to a bird box. Starlings tried to take it originally, but filling it with saw-shavings and removing the crap they stuffed it with a few times allowed the flickers to come in and show them who was boss. What can I do next year to insure the flickers take to it before the starlings, aside from shooting the starlings, who have gotten very wary of me when I am out and about with shotgun? They have become very hard to hit and I hate wasting ammo anyway. They dont like the sparrow trap either it seems. I was hoping an owl would take it but flickers are fine by me also. Would love to see a brood of them next year. And lastly, the wood ducks beat the starlings to the wood duck box, earlier this year. I know this as I found a newly hatched (still had an egg tooth) duckling that had been attacked by a bullfrog and killed. I shot the frog. Didnt see the duck or the other ducklings, but I have seen them try now for many years, only to be chased off by starlings. The duck box is in the middle of a very dense patch of willow and mud, and too high to get at to clean out so the ducks are on their own. So much for the bird life here on the outskirts of Dallas... best wishes Andrew please stop by my blog at http://atlanticsalmonflyguy.blogspot.com/ check out the links to my other pages, sign up, leave comments, add to the history. Thank-you! _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: new dogwalk bird From: Wink Gross <winkg AT hevanet.com> Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:53:55 -0700 After 10 years of dogwalks, any new bird for the list is going to be a surprise, but some are bigger surprises than others. Such was the ACORN WOODPECKER at the Pittock Mansion this morning, sitting in the top of a fir tree, calling "KRACK-em, KRACK-em" and "wicka-wicka-wicka". There are a lot of trees at the mansion, but not many (or any?) oaks, so he moved on pretty quickly. The other interesting thing on my dogwalk this morning was that a few days ago, I saw a pure, white albino junco on NW Seblar Drive. I've often wondered how predators react to albino birds. Do they think, "ew! that's weird! don't want to eat that" or "yum! marzipan!"? This morning I found out. We flushed a COOPER'S HAWK on Seblar Drive. It was carrying the albino junco. Wink Gross Portland_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Census Count: Clatsop County, Oregon on August 29, 2010 From: lcain AT astoria.k12.or.us Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:04:41 GMT This report was mailed for Lee Cain by http://birdnotes.net Date: August 29, 2010 Location: Clatsop County, Oregon over clearcuts just east of Seaside, at about sundown Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Common Nighthawk 15 Total number of species seen: 1 _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Linn County Short-billed Dowitcher - Griggs From: "Jeff Harding" <jeffharding AT centurytel.net> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:18:13 -0700 There was a juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher at the Griggs mill ponds this afternoon. With it were a half-dozen Lesser Yellowlegs, two or three Greater Yellowlegs, a few least Sand-pipers and Killdeer, no other dowitchers. These birds were in the pond north of the road in to the Weyerhauser facilities. Park at the gate and walk up the road about 30 yards, then scramble up to a dike and down through the willows. The mud is beyond a marshy open area just beyond the willows. One of the Lesser Yellowlegs either had been color marked and a little remained at the base of one leg, or a fresh small wound and a little blood. It looked more like paint, but only a little. Photos are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffharding06/20100828# Good birding, Jeff _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Mt. Tabor (afternoon) From: Rhett Wilkins <rhettwilkins AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:05:56 -0700 There was a Western Scrub-Jay on Mt. Tabor this afternoon. Actually, there's more to report... While the following species have been noted on Tabor recently, I found it most interesting how birdy the "mountain" was for 4:00pm. I remember well missing so many desirable species in the spring because of my late starts, but these birds were thick and active in the heat of the day. WEWP, WAVI, OCWA, TOWA, and BTYW were all seen from one vantage point on the south to southwest side of the park, and I'm not sure I've ever seen birds respond so readily to pishing. I was overwhelmed by the cloud of birds that surrounded me for but a moment. - Red-tailed Hawk (2 - overhead) - Anna's Hummingbird (10 - well dispersed, but typically in pairs and chasing one another) - Olive-sided Flycatcher (1 - conspicuous in "Flycatcher Corner") - Western Wood-Pewee (3) - Warbling Vireo (2) - Orange-crowned Warbler (1) - Townsend's Warbler (7+) - Black-throated Gray Warbler (9+) Good Birding! Rhett Wilkins boundtobird.blogspot.com_______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Crater Lake From: Kevin Smith <kevinsmithnaturephotos AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:07:28 -0700 Just returned from Crater Lake. Four great days! Wonderful weather. Good boat trip (saw the Old Man of the lake), got wet. Great hikes. Some great food. Good camp ground. Added one bird to the Park's Bird List! Got great shots of a Pika. Not a whole lot of birds (except Juncos EVERYWHERE! Still feeding young). 1-Turkey Vulture 1-Sharp-shinned Hawk 1-Cooper's Hawk 3-Red-tailed Hawks 1-Kestrel 1-Prairie Falcon 1-Peregrine Falcon Ring-billed Gulls California Gulls 1-Band-tailed Pigeon (?) Rufous Hummers 1-White-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker (heard) Steller's Jays (and juveniles) Clark's Nutcrackers Crows Ravens Mt. Chickadees Creepers (heard) Ruby-crowned Kinglets (?) 1-Mt. Bluebird 2-Robins 1-Yellow-rumped Warbler 1-Western Tanager Juncos-too many to count) House Finches Red-Crossbillls Pine Siskins and ONE-Caspian Tern! Not on the Park's Bird List (got good photos for confirmation) Rained on the way home. ALMOST SNOWED!! Kevin & Kei Smith -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Lane coast birds From: Alan Contreras <acontrer AT MINDSPRING.COM> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 15:19:34 -0700 I spent part of Saturday birding around Florence with Magnus Persmark. The outer coast was characterized by cold, a steady north wind 15-20 and frequent dense blowing fog. The only significant action was around the crab dock flats and cove on south jetty road in the morning. Collectively those adjacent sites contained about 80 SEMI PLOVER, 50 WESTERN SANDPIPER, 10 LEAST and a surprising FIVE SEMI SANDPIPERS. I can't recall seeing more than four Semi Sandpipers together in Oregon before; certainly never so far south on the coast and in one flock. Also present at the cove in the afternoon was a Wandering Tattler that we checked carefully as it was spending a lot of time feeding on the mud. One unusual feature of the shorebird flocks was that many of the Semi Plovers were behaving very aggressively toward each other, with lots of chatter and head-down, spread-tail rushing each other. A migrant Orange-crown was in the willows on the north side of the creek at Stonefield Beach. A female Cinnamon Teal and a Bittern were at the dog pond, as was a hunter's rig and a doe on the far side of the pond that remained in exactly the same position facing the parking area for perhaps ten minutes. I concluded that she was either a very impressive lure for bow season or a very impressive police plant. Magnus thought there was an outside chance that she was alive. We did not cover the deflation plain, having no desire to freeze our tatushkas off walking north into that wind in a cold fog too dense to see through. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON acontrer AT mindspring.com Oregonreview.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Delta Ponds Eugene From: Jim Carlson <jmcrlsn AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:37:16 -0700 (PDT) A short walk around the ponds this morning found the SOLITARY SANDPIPER still in the first pond north of the Valley River Center NW parking lot.  There were 5 green herons, a black phoebe and a few male wood ducks also.  There was one greater yellowlegs in the next pond and a lesser yellowlegs in the pond with the causeway and beaver lodge. Jim Carlson _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Florence birds From: Alan Contreras <acontrer AT mindspring.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:20:58 -0700 Saturday am there are at least five semi sandpipers together at the cove north of the crab dock. At s jetty rd Florence. Cold and windy. Alan Contreras Sent from my iPhone _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Interview with "Ghost Bird" producer/director Scott Crocker now up on BirdFellow.com From: David Irons <llsdirons AT msn.com> Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:41:59 +0000 Greetings All, BirdFellow.com once again proudly shares the writing of Elizabeth J. Rosenthal in its online journal. Liz recently interviewed Scott Crocker, who produced and directed "Ghost Bird." The film explores our connection to the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, which has become (to many) the poster child for modern bird extinctions. It also investigates the implications of and the claims and counter-claims surrounding the reported rediscovery of an Ivory-billed in Arkansas. I haven't had the opportunity to see this film yet, but I look forward to finding a showing or purchasing the DVD. Crocker Interview Dave IronsContent Editor BirdFellow.com _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Late summer movement From: Brandon Green <brandon.green18 AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:02:30 -0700 A hatch-year DE JUNCO and a second BH GROSBEAK arrived in my backyard yesterday and continued to visit and feed throughout today. I'm assuming that the Junco was raised locally. This morning, a SONG SPARROW visited my ground feeder and returned at least twice. I typically don't host them until October. Two weeks ago, I was hosting three RUFOUS HUMMERS, but appear to be down to one now. Year-round species are also beginning to flock in higher numbers in my neighborhood. This includes AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES (30+) and BUSHTITS (20+). Brandon Eugene _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: Book wanted From: Alan Contreras <acontrer AT MINDSPRING.COM> Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:17:57 -0700 Does anyone out there have a copy of Weber & Larrison's 1977 Birds of Southeastern Washington that they'd be willing to part with for a reasonable price? -- Alan Contreras 795 E 29th Ave EUGENE, OREGON 97405 acontrer AT mindspring.com Oregonreview.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org Subject: ride share to Mongolian Plover? From: SJJag AT comcast.net Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:57:39 +0000 (UTC) Thinking about chasing the "Lesser Sand Plover" on Sat. Anyone want to car pool? Steve Jaggers Milwauikie, Or. _______________________________________________ OBOL mailing list OBOL AT oregonbirds.org http://oregonbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/obol_oregonbirds.org