Menu of January-May 2001 (sections 01.1-01.43) Bird Field Notes 
             by Kathy Merrifield from the Sandpiper (a publication 
             of Yaquina Birders & Naturalists, Lincoln County, Oregon) 
-----------------------------------------
Section   Month of 
No.       Sandpiper, Volume 22
-----------------------------------------
01.1      January 2001 
01.8      February 2001 
01.19     March 2001 
01.27     April 2001 
01.35     May 2001 

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01.1      BIRD FIELD NOTES from the January 2001 Sandpiper 22(1)
                         by Kathy Merrifield

      Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to 
LINCOLN COUNTY only.  

      Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations:  Bayshore 
Beach=ocean beach along north Alsea Bay Spit, Beaver Creek=creek flowing 
through Ona Beach State Park, Coquille Point=MP 3.4 on Yaquina Bay Road, 
Eckman Lake=lake just east of Waldport along Hwy 34, Eckman Slough=slough 
between Alsea Bay and Eckman Lake, HMSC =Hatfield Marine Science Center, 
HY=hatch-year (bird that hatched in 2001), Hidden Valley=valley between 
Newport and Toledo accessible by downward road at about mile 11.9 along 
north Yaquina Bay Road, Idaho Flats=large embayment just east of the 
HMSC, Ona Beach=state park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge along 
Hwy 101, Sallys Bend=large embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, 
Sandpiper Village=residential areas west of Hwy 101 and just north of 
Waldport, Sawyer's Landing=marina at MP 4.1 along North Yaquina Bay Road, 
Thiel Creek=creek about 3.5 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge, USFWS = U. S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi north of Ona Beach 
along Hwy 101, YBCBC=Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay 
South Jetty.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.2                         PASSING THE TORCH

      Why would an antisocial grouch like me become field notes editor?  
Simply because the countless benefits I have derived from these field 
notes have resulted in a huge debt of gratitude.  When the call for a new 
editor came, I could not in good conscience ignore it.  The Sandpiper 
field notes over the 12 years I've received them are now zealously 
guarded bound volumes serving as priceless references.  

      Among my lessons from these field notes and from previous editors 
(Range Bayer and Darrel Faxon) is the skill and value of observation.  
Observation is the basis of both science and creativity.  I have learned 
as much about observation, science, and creativity from the collective 
YB&N effort, and especially from Range, than I have from years of formal 
study.  

      So if you see smoke drifting over the Coast Range, it's just because 
the torch has been passed over here.   Thanks, everyone, and thanks, 
Darrel and Range!  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.3                         LOONS - TUBENOSES

      Up to 80 RED-THROATED LOONS were off Boiler Bay in PP's 1/4, 1/9, 
and 1/10 seawatches, and 65 flocked off Seal Rock on 1/15 (KM).  30 
PACIFIC LOONS flew south off Boiler Bay on 1/10 (PP).    
 
      Single EARED GREBES were off Boiler Bay on 1/1 (PS) and Seal Rock on 
1/15 (KM), and 13 flocked in Sally's Bend on 1/7 (KM).  

      48 NORTHERN FULMARS were found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near 
Thiel Creek in December (B&SLo, LO); of the 40 in PP's 1/10 seawatch, 
only two were light-phase.  2 SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATERS flew off Boiler 
Bay on 1/1 (PS).  13 SOOTY SHEARWATERS found dead along 4.6 miles of 
beach near Thiel Creek in December (B&SLo, LO), and 1 flew off Boiler Bay 
on 1/10 Jan (PP).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.4                             WATERFOWL

      The high count of 155 BRANT in Yaquina Bay was noted in the USFWS 
1/2&3 midwinter count (RL).  About 30 WHITE-FRONTED GEESE grazed in a 
pasture near Ona Beach on 1/20 (LO).  The USFWS count also recorded 
1,646 AMERICAN WIGEONS in Yaquina Bay and 3,170 in Alsea Bay (RL).  
2 male EURASIAN WIGEONS were at Idaho Flats on 12/17, 1/6, and 1/8 (KM, 
MR, BLl).  In Eckman Lake a male REDHEAD performed for SaL on 1/15.  

      The high count of HARLEQUIN DUCKS was 9 off Seal Rock on 1/4 (TaB); 
others were in Boiler Bay on 1/4 (PP) and off Devil's Punchbowl SP on 
1/6 (MR).  3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS were 2 miles south of Waldport on 12/31 
(JGe), and they were recorded off Yaquina Head on 12/17 & 18 (BLM). 
 
      150 scoters including 15 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS and 135 SURF SCOTERS 
rafted 2 mi south of Waldport on 1/1 (JGe).  750 BLACK and SURF SCOTERS 
rafted off Yaquina Head on 1/7, and on 1/15, 1300 WHITE-WINGED and SURF 
SCOTERS rafted off Yachats (KM).  Small numbers of BLACK SCOTERS were at 
YBSJ on 1/4 (TaB) and at Boiler Bay on 1/4 and 1/10 (PP).  

      CP saw a male BARROW'S GOLDENEYE at Sawyer's Landing on 1/19.  A 
pair  of HOODED MERGANSERS, unusual in salt water, at the south end of 
HMSC Nature Trail on 12/27 and 29 (JGr) and 3 pairs at mouth of King 
Slough on 1/9 (BLl) suggested large amounts of fresh water entering the 
bay.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.5                       RAPTORS - SHOREBIRDS

      An OSPREY flew over YBSJ on 1/4 (TaB), and another flew over Newport 
Safeway on 1/15 (CP), perhaps evaluating the fish counter.  TrB spotted a 
distant WHITE-TAILED KITE over Hidden Valley on 1/15.  On 1/1, a 
COOPER'S HAWK circled over the SE corner of Devil's Lake (PS).  

      The ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK frequenting Yaquina Head through December was 
harassed on 12/12 by the AMERICAN KESTREL present throughout the period 
(BLM).  Another AMERICAN KESTREL perched along Hwy 20 barely west of the 
Lincoln County line 1/15 (JS, SSi, TrB).  On 11/1, a MERLIN flew swiftly 
over Wandemere (RC).  

      A PEREGRINE FALCON fed on a kill on the large rock off Devil's 
Punchbowl SP on 1/5 (MR). Others were at YBSJ on 1/4 (TaB), near Moolack 
Beach on 1/2 (MR), Yachats on 1/15 (PV, MC) and Yaquina Head on 5 
December dates (BLM).  

      BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS flock in winter; 15 gathered at Depoe Bay on 
1/1 (PS) and 14 at both Boiler Bay (PP) and Depoe Bay (TaB) on 1/4.  DT 
found a ROCK SANDPIPER at YBSJ on 12/30, and PS found one at Depoe Bay on 
1/1.  At least 25 COMMON SNIPES were in the ponds across from Logsden 
Store on 1/6 (BL).  Eckman Lake hosted 60 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS on 
12/26 (RW).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.6                          GULLS - SHRIKE

      51 adult COMMON MURRES and 18 chicks were found dead along 4.6 miles 
of beach near Thiel Creek in December (B&SLo, LO).  Rafts of 1000 or more 
were off Yaquina Head on 12/30&31 (BLM), and 2700 were off Seal Rock on 
1/15 (KM).  Single PIGEON GUILLEMOTS were at Boiler Bay on 1/1, 1/4, and 
1/10 (PS, PP).  At least 350 ANCIENT MURRELETS flew south off Boiler Bay 
on 12/30 in tight, fast-moving strings (DT).  

      An ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD frequented D&BM's Waldport feeder almost daily 
throughout the period.  

      1 NORTHERN FLICKER yellow/red intergrade was at HMSC, 6 Jan (MR), 
and another was at Wandemere on 1/11 Jan (RC).  Hidden Valley rewarded 
TrB, JS, and SSi with a woodpecker grand slam - DOWNY, HAIRY, and 
PILEATED WOODPECKERS and NORTHERN FLICKER.  

      CP located a NORTHERN SHRIKE in Hidden Valley on 1/6, probably the 
same one identified in the 12/30 YBCBC.  
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01.7                      CHICKADEES - BLACKBIRDS

      MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES were at South Beach on 1/7 (MR), and south 
Waldport on 1/20 (JW).  A ROCK WREN picked insects off the walls at the 
US Coast Guard Air Facility, Newport, throughout December and was last 
observed on 12/30 (JMe).  A HERMIT THRUSH was 2 mi south of Waldport on 
1/1; another was at Sandpiper Village on 1/3 (JGr).  SSc wonders why a 
female VARIED THRUSH hit her Neskowin (Tillamook County) window on 1/8 in 
the pre-dawn rainy darkness.  Ideas, anyone?   

      JGr saw a PALM WARBLER at HMSC on 1/8.  An early male 
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER visited Coquille Point on 1/4 (BLl, JMa), and a 
CLAY-COLORED SPARROW frequented JMa&LM's Coquille Point feeder through at 
least 1/18.  CP saw the season's first WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at his 
Toledo feeder on 1/20.   


      OBSERVERS:  Tanya Bray (TaB), Trent Bray (TrB), Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Rebecca Cheek, 
Marcia Cutler, Pat Dickey, Joel Geier (JGe), Jill Grover (JGr), 
Wayne Hoffman, David Irons, Bob Llewellyn (BLl), Sally Lockyear (SaL), 
Bob (BLo) & Shirley (SLo) Loeffel, Roy Lowe, Linda & John (JMa) MacKown, 
Kathy Merrifield, Joe Metzler (JMe), Dawson & Bobby Mohler, Laimons Osis, 
Chuck Philo, Phil Pickering, Mark "Rudi" Rudolph, Shirley Schwartz (SSc), 
Jamie Simmons, Sarah Simmons (SSi), Paul Sullivan, David Tracey, 
Ruth Warren, Paula Vanderheul.   


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01.8  BIRD FIELD NOTES from the February 2001 Sandpiper 22(2)
                    by Kathy Merrifield

      Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to 
LINCOLN COUNTY only.  

      Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations: Beaver 
Creek=creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Coquille Point=SE 
Corner of Sally's Bend along Yaquina Bay Road, Eckman Lake=lake just east 
of Waldport along Hwy 34, HMSC=Hatfield Marine Science Center, Idaho 
Flats=large embayment just east of the HMSC, Ollala Lake=reservoir along 
West Ollala Creek 4 miles north of Toledo, Ona Beach=state park about 6.6 
mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge along Hwy 101, Sally's Bend=large 
embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, Ten Mile Creek=creek along 
coast just south of Lane County line, Thiel Creek=creek about 3.5 mi 
south of Yaquina Bay bridge, Thornton Creek=creek between Toledo and 
Eddyville, Tidewater=about 8 mi east of Waldport, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi 
north of Ona Beach along Hwy 101, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.9              CORRECTION TO LAST MONTH'S FIELD NOTES

      In the January 2001 Field notes, the listing of sooty shearwaters 
and murres during the dead bird walk at Thiel Creek was the field notes 
editor's error; no shearwaters or murres were seen in the dead bird walk 
during December.  
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01.10                       VALUING THE COMMON

      Please don't fear that your sightings are too mundane to submit.  
Because of limited space, not all records can be published in The 
Sandpiper, but all WILL become part of the Birds of Lincoln County 
project.  Records of the common are at least as important as records of 
the rare.  Keep those cards and letters coming, folks.  
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01.11                    2000 BEACHED BIRD REPORT

      Upon death, all organisms contribute to the great integrated 
ecosystem of our planet, but the beached birds along 4.6 miles of beach 
near Thiel Creek play an additional role in death:  their bodies 
contribute to the greater body of Lincoln County ornithological knowledge 
by indicating numbers, condition, and distribution of birds still living.  

      Birds other than murre chicks totaled 312 in 2000, the fourth low 
year in a row and the lowest since 1985.  NORTHERN FULMARS were the most 
abundant species, totalling 119, present every month but June, and 
peaking in November and December.  Adult COMMON MURRES totaled 51.  The 
comparatively low count of 18 COMMON MURRE chicks may reflect low ocean 
mortality or low chick production, the latter perhaps due to BALD EAGLE 
disturbance at nearby rookeries.     

      Next in abundance were adult WESTERN GULLS (18), SOOTY SHEARWATERS 
(14), adult RHINOCEROS AUKLETS (13, low compared to previous years), and 
WESTERN GREBES (9).  The 2 CASSIN'S AUKLETS were the lowest count on 
record; other alcid counts were also low.  

      Dead birds lack the charm of their living counterparts, except to 
parasitologists.  This is yet another reason to appreciate the dedication 
of B&SL and LO for their 23rd year of tireless work on this valuable data 
set.  
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01.12                         LOONS - HERONS

      RED-THROATED LOON numbers during PP's Boiler Bay 6 seawatches on 
1/25, 1/29, 2/2, 2/5, 2/18, and 2/21 ranged from 12 on 1/29 to 200, 
mostly flying south, on 2/18.  Some of the 120 RED-THROATED LOONS 
inciting a feeding flock at Seal Rock on 2/18 sported the black bills of 
breeding plumage (KM).  From 1 to 12 PACIFIC LOONS frequented Boiler Bay 
during PP's seawatches.  

      WESTERN GREBE numbers at Boiler Bay peaked at 140 on 2/18 (PP).  
From 4 to 7 EARED GREBES swam in Sally's Bend on 1/26 and 1/28 (HH, KM), 
and 2 of 4 there performed part of their courtship ritual on 2/18 (KM).  

      NORTHERN FULMAR numbers in PP's Boiler Bay seawatches peaked on 
2/18, when at least 200 flew in both directions; 10 were  found dead 
during January near Thiel Creek (B&SL, LO).  One FORK-TAILED 
STORM-PETREL was found dead along the same stretch (B&SL, LO).

      A BROWN PELICAN flew past Colony Rock at Yaquina Head on 1/19 (BLM), 
and one visited Boiler Bay on 2/5 (PP).  

      BRANDT'S CORMORANTS with breeding plumes were first seen at YBSJ on 
2/11 (KM) and at Boiler Bay on 2/18 (PP).  At least half of the 25 
PELAGIC CORMORANTS at Boiler Bay on 2/5 showed white on their rumps (PP).  
A DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT flew over the Yaquina Head Lighthouse parking 
lot (BLM); this is usually the only cormorant species that flies over 
land.  

      2 GREAT EGRETS were in the SE corner of Alsea Bay on 1/28, and 5 
were there on 2/11 (KM).   
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.13                            WATERFOWL

      133 BRANT slurped eelgrass in Sally's Bend at low tide on 2/18 (KM).  
25 scaup sp. flew north off Boiler Bay on 2/5 (PP).  3 REDHEADS were in 
Sally's Bend on 1/26 and 1/28 (HH, KM), and a male was in Eckman Lake on 
2/11 (KM).    

       Lone LONG-TAILED DUCKS were off Ten Mile Creek on 1/24 (KA), Seal 
Rock on 1/28 (KM), Boiler Bay on 2/2 (PP), and YBSJ on 2/4 (JC).  

      1 HARLEQUIN DUCK was at YBSJ on 1/26 (HH), up to 5 surfed off Seal 
Rock on 1/26, 1/28, and 2/18 (HH, KM), and 4 were off Ten Mile Creek on 
1/4 (KA).  

      About 35 BLACK SCOTERS were off Ten Mile Creek on 1/24 (KA), and 
35 flew south off Boiler Bay on 2/2 (PP).  

      Sharp-eyed HH spotted a female BARROW'S GOLDENEYE in Sally's Bend on 
1/26;  at least 12 of both sexes created a peaceful early morning scene 
in Netarts Bay (Tillamook County) on 1/31 (B&SL).  

      2 male RED-BREASTED MERGANSER "saluted" to 2 females in Sally's Bend 
on 2/18 (KM).  Saluting is part of the courtship ritual, which is begun 
in late winter.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.14                              HAWKS

      NH saw one OSPREY and heard another at Olalla Lake on 2/12.  On 2/5 
at Boiler Bay, PP watched one of the local adult BALD EAGLES make several 
passes at a flying light-morph NORTHERN FULMAR just beyond the kelp; the 
eagle appeared to be trying to grab the fulmar or knock it down and 
nearly made contact a couple of times despite the fulmar's skilled 
evasion.  BALD EAGLES have visited Tidewater only within the last 2 years 
and then rarely; P&BW saw one on 2/13.  Perhaps the BALD EAGLE JT saw at 
Ona Beach on 2/2 will nest there.    

      A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK allowed RC a quick glimpse in her Wandemere 
yard on 2/15.  "About once a week I suspect such a presence when the jays 
are noisily mobbing some invisible threat in the dense pines by the drive 
or when I find a pathetic scattering of junco feathers under a feeder," 
she writes.  Oh, well, I suppose we all have to eat.  

      PL noted a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at Hwy 101 MP 158 near Yachats on 
1/30.  On 2/6, a pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS was "fooling around" over 
Yachats - flying around, calling, circling, and diving while remaining 
very close to each other (BB), suggesting early breeding cycle pair-
maintenance behavior described in Vol. 5 of R. S. Palmer's 1988 Handbook 
of North American Birds.  A RED-TAILED HAWK at Yaquina Head for much of 
January was joined by a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK between 1/17 and 1/25 (BLM).  

      A PEREGRINE FALCON during 3 January days and an AMERICAN KESTREL 
during most of the month completed the Yaquina Head hawk compliment 
(BLM).  JCa watched a PEREGRINE FALCON harass COMMON RAVENS at YBSJ on 
2/4.   
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01.15                       SHOREBIRDS - ALCIDS

      A ROCK SANDPIPER at YBSJ accompanied surfbirds and turnstones on 2/4 
(JCa).  SANDERLINGS  were reported along the outer rocky coast at Yachats 
on 1/28, (AR), Seal Rock on 2/11, (KM), and Boiler Bay on 2/21 (PP).  A 
lone GREATER YELLOWLEGS on 1/28 and 8 on 2/11 foraging in Eckman Lake was 
joined by 73 to 80 DOWITCHER sp. on both dates (KM).  5 COMMON SNIPES 
along in pasture pond along the Yachats River 5 miles inland rendered 
KM's 2/18 snipe hunt a success.  

      PP counted 15 or fewer MEW GULLS on each seawatch day except on 
1/29, when at least 300 flew south; CALIFORNIA GULLS, HERRING GULLS, and 
THAYER'S GULLS continued there in very low numbers throughout the period.   
PP also noted from 40 to at least 150 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES on 1/29, 
2/2, 2/5, and 2/18; most on 1/29 and 2/18 flew south.  22 BLACK-LEGGED 
KITTIWAKES circled above RED-THROATED LOONS and COMMON MURRES forming a 
feeding flock at Seal Rock on 2/18 (KM).  1 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was 
found dead on the beach near Thiel Creek in January (B&SL, LO).

      COMMON MURRES in breeding plumage made an early landing at Yaquina 
Head on 1/25 and remained through 1/26 (JW of BLM).  The percentage of 
breeding plumage among COMMON MURRES at Boiler Bay increased from 60 to 
90% through the period; numbers peaked at least 4000 on 2/5, and most 
flew south on and after that date (PP).  1 murre was found dead on the 
beach near Thiel Creek in Jan (B&SL, LO).  

      At YBSJ, a PIGEON GUILLEMOT was in winter plumage on 2/4 (JCa), and 
another there on 2/11 exhibited the characteristic dark crown and nape of 
a juvenile (KM).  At Boiler Bay, PP counted 9 ANCIENT MURRELETS on 2/18 
and 1 on 2/21; 130 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS on 2/18 and 94 on 2/21 flew south, 
and a CASSIN'S AUKLET visited on 2/18.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.16                      PIGEONS - WOODPECKERS

      The season's first BAND-TAILED PIGEON came to BB's Yachats feeder on 
2/3.  

      On 1/24, a male ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD frequenting RC's feeder all 
winter sang and allowed a female to visit without attack, both for the 
first time.  ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were also reported at Yachats from 2/1 
to 2/12 (BB, J&JG), Coquille Point on 2/16 (J&LM, RB), and throughout the 
period at D&BM's Waldport feeder.  The first male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD at 
Tidewater appeared on 2/4; a second arrived on 2/5, and the two started 
fighting on 2/6 (J&KC).  

      The resident yellow-shafted intergrade NORTHERN FLICKER remained at 
RC's Wandemere feeder through 2/22.   A pair of HAIRY WOODPECKERS visited 
Tidewater on 2/18 (BW).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.17                        VIREOS - WAXWINGS

      HUTTON'S VIREOS began singing along Beaver Creek on 2/18 (EH).  

      A RAVEN uttered its "knocking" call as it flew over D&BM's Waldport 
yard, and as spring approaches, RAVENS also emit their territorial 
"whining" call there.  A GRAY JAY perched in a bare mountain ash happily 
ate suet until displaced by STELLAR'S JAYS in Neskowin (Tillamook Co.) on 
1/20 (SS).  

      WRENTITS have lived in EH's yard near Idaho Flats again this year, 
now that wax myrtles he planted provide sufficient cover.  

      The most recent MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES were reported on 1/22 in south 
Newport (SM) and south Waldport on 1/29 (JW).  BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES 
were pairing up on 2/7 at Tidewater, but CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES were 
still in groups (J&KC).  RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES are somewhat irregularly 
irruptive (RB).  They were reported in Waldport on 1/19 (D&BM), Tidewater 
on 2/5 (J&KC), and Yachats on 2/14 (J&JG).  

      DF, CP, RC, and WN, along with JM, the pioneering rock-wrenner, 
finally got a good look at the ROCK WREN at the Coast Guard Air Facility, 
Newport Airport on 1/28.  It foraged for insects on the ground around the 
perimeter of the building and then checked out the helicopter and 
equipment inside the hangar before flying up for a thorough search of the 
rafters (RC).  

      DIPPERS have been singing along Beaver Creek as of 2/11; salmon are 
spawning, so there are probably quite a few eggs to eat (EH).  

      Tidewater experienced a huge influx of AMERICAN ROBINS on 2/18 (BW), 
and robins were also moving through Wandemere as of 2/22 (RC).  VARIED 
THRUSHES loved eating sunflower chips at Tidewater on 2/7 (J&KC), and 
D&BM enjoyed their near-annual VARIED THRUSH from 1/10 through at least 
1/15 at their Waldport feeder.  A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was observed on 
2/18 and 2/19 along Thornton Creek Road (DF).  

      EUROPEAN STARLINGS sang VARIED THRUSH songs at Wandemere for RC, who 
has noticed with other species' calls that starlings' imitations occur 
about the time the real thing is expected.  A CEDAR WAXWING joined 
starlings in Yachats on 2/4 (BB).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.18                       WARBLERS - FINCHES

      Single PALM WARBLERS were spotted at HMSC on 1/6 (KA) and 2/9 (DM).  
An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER visited EH's South Beach house near Idaho Flats 
on 1/9.  TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS love J&KC's peanut butter feeder at 
Tidewater, where they feasted on 2/7.  Single TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were 
also in D&BM's Waldport yard on 2/15 and joined a kinglet flock at 
Tidewater on 2/18 (BW).  It's always interesting to see what turns up in 
those winter flocks.       

      Cassius the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continued at Coquille Point through 
2/16 (J&LM), where a Pink-sided DARK-EYED JUNCO was also noted (RB; 
A&AS).  

      BLM staff noted a WESTERN MEADOWLARK at Yaquina Head on 1/6.  

      Large flocks of PINE SISKINS were active in trees but not feeders 
near Idaho Flats and in Tidewater as of 2/18 (EH, BW), but increasing 
numbers found feeders in Waldport by 1/31 (D&BM) and Wandemere by 2/12, 
where, by 2/22, 80 of these tiny birds were enough to intimidate jays and 
starlings (RC).  A few AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, the siskins' escorts, 
arrived at Wandemere on 2/2, and numbers increased thereafter (RC).  Last 
and perhaps rarest, a COMMON REDPOLL joined HOUSE FINCHES at Tidewater on 
2/22 (J&KC).   


      OBSERVERS:  Kama Almasi, Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, 
Jim Carlson (JCa), Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie and Ken Ciotti, Darrel Faxon, 
James and Janice Gerdemann, Hendrik Herlyn, Neil Holcomb, Eric Horvath, 
Pete Lawson, Bob and Shirley Loeffel, Sue Martin, Dave Mellinger, 
John and Linda MacKown, Kathy Merrifield, Joe Metzler, 
Dawson and Bobby Mohler, Walt Nelson, Laimons Osis, Chuck Philo, 
Phil Pickering, Alan Reid, Alan and Anna Schmierer (A&AS), 
Shirley Schwartz, Jim Thielen, Jean Weakland, Jennifer Weiss (BLM), 
Bunny and Pat Wright.  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
01.19      BIRD FIELD NOTES from the March 2001 Sandpiper 22(3) 
                            by Kathy Merrifield

      Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to 
LINCOLN COUNTY only.  

      Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations:  Agate 
Beach=beach south of Yaquina Head; Beaver Creek Marsh=marsh just east of 
Hwy 101 managed by Wetlands Conservancy, Eckman Lake=lake just east of 
Waldport along Hwy 34, Eckman Slough=slough between Alsea Bay and Eckman 
Lake, HMSC=Hatfield Marine Science Center, Hidden Valley=valley between 
Newport and Toledo accessible by downward road at mile 11.9 along north 
Yaquina Bay Road, Newport Heights=1 mile east of downtown Newport, Port 
Dock=series of docks along Newport Bayfront, Thiel Creek=creek about 
3.5 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge, Thornton Creek=creek between Toledo and 
Eddyville, Tidewater=about 8 mi east of Waldport, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi 
north of Ona Beach along Hwy 101, Wecoma Dock=dock north of HMSC parking 
lot, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty.
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.20                      LOONS THROUGH HERONS

      PP seawatched at Boiler Bay for an average of 1.1 hours on each of 
10 days from 2/23 through 3/19: RED-THROATED LOON numbers peaked at over 
100 on 3/2, and PACIFIC LOON numbers were highest on 3/1 and 3/2, when at 
least 10 were present.  Some COMMON LOONS at YBSJ were in or near 
breeding plumage on 3/7 and 3/11, and most others are transitional (PK, 
KM); at least 20 were in the Yaquina River from the bar to the port dock 
on 3/17 (TR).  A YELLOW-BILLED LOON first spotted at YBSJ by CP on 3/5 
granted good views while it preened (DP, AS, and CP); one was also at 
YBSJ on 3/15 (DS) and 3/19 (CP).  

      On 3/8, 2 EARED GREBES joined a mixed flock in Sally's Bend, and 
another was in Idaho Flats (HH, JS); 2 in Sally's Bend on 3/18 and 2 of 3 
PIED-BILLED GREBES in Eckman Lake on 3/11 were in breeding plumage (KM).  
A RED-NECKED GREBE at YBSJ had developed breeding plumage by 3/8 (PK), 
and most of the 50 or so in the Yaquina River from bar to port dock 3/17 
were transitional (TR).  At Boiler Bay, WESTERN GREBE numbers peaked at 
50 on 2/25 and 2/26 (PP).  

      NORTHERN FULMARS were present on 7 of PP's 10 Boiler Bay seawatching 
days, peaking at 25 on 3/2, the same day a SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER 
appeared. 
 
      PP noted a slow trickle of DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS, mostly singles 
and pairs, flying north over his Lincoln City house from about 3/12-16. 
1 BRANDT'S CORMORANT was the only bird other than 3 large gulls found 
along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek during February; this ties the 
lowest month on record, which was set a year ago (B&SLo, LO).
  
      On 2/23, 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS flew north 1/4 mile off Boiler Bay at 
500 ft (PP).  Beaver Creek Marsh hosted a GREAT EGRET ON 3/17.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.21                            WATERFOWL

      DF first heard and identified and then saw two TRUMPETER SWANS 
flying north over Seal Rock on 3/11.  12 BRANT flew north off Boiler Bay 
on 3/2, and 4 followed on 3/13 (PP). 175 BRANT were in Sally's Bend and 
Idaho Flats on 2/28 (JF), TR counted somewhat fewer than 200 in outer 
Yaquina Bay on 3/17, and 145 in Sally's Bend on 3/18 pecked eelgrass from 
shallow water (KM).  

      A WOOD DUCK swam across the Alsea River at Tidewater on 3/14 (P&BW).  
Large flocks of AMERICAN WIGEONS and NORTHERN PINTAILS remained at Idaho 
Flats as of 3/7 (PK).  On 3/11, a flock of 35 GREATER SCAUP flew north 
off Seal Rock, and during 7 5-min watches spanning 2.5 hours, 302/hour 
flew north (KM).    

      Single LONG-TAILED DUCKS joined a large mixed-species raft at 
Sally's Bend on 3/8 and 3/11 (HH, JS, DD and DP, and a female was in 
Idaho Flats on 3/15 (DS).   From 8 to 10 HARLEQUIN DUCKS courted at Seal 
Rock on 2/25 and 3/11 (KM), and up to 7 provided classic views at YBSJ on 
3/7, 3/8, and 3/18 (PK, HH, JS, MR).  

      At Boiler Bay, BLACK SCOTER numbers peaked at 15 on 3/2, and 
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS peaked at over 600 and SURF SCOTERS at over 800 on 
3/1.  During 7 5-min watches spanning 2.5 hours, 21 scoter spp./hour flew 
north on 2/25, and 739/hr flew north on 3/11 (KM).  2 male BARROW'S 
GOLDENEYES joined COMMON GOLDENEYES at Sallys' Bend on 3/11 (DD, DP).  
Courtship activities of flocks of 3 to 6 SURF SCOTERS at YBSJ on 3/11 
included the chest-lifting display, and the courtship displays of several 
small groups of RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS in Sally's Bend on 3/18 involved 
some things that aren't even in the book; KM's friends have stopped 
asking her what she saw at the beach over the weekend.  

      A few HOODED MERGANSERS ventured uncharacteristically into upper 
Yaquina Bay on 3/8 (HH, JS), and 13 were in south Siletz Bay on 3/10 
(EN).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.22                         DIURNAL RAPTORS

      CP's birdwatching dog PuP saw the first reported TURKEY VULTURE 
flying high over their Toledo home on 2/23: CP was out in the yard when 
PuP started acting strangely and looking straight up.  PuP has previously 
concentrated on finding owls.  Single TURKEY VULTURES soared over the 
north shore of Yaquina Bay on 3/5 (WH) and over Hidden Valley on 3/8 
where a WHITE-TAILED KITE also hovered (HH, JS).  2 TURKEY VULTURES 
soared over Wecoma Dock on 3/14 (SK) and 2 over Tidewater on 3/20 (P&BW).  

      3 adult BALD EAGLES flew together into the wind over Agate Beach on 
3/8 (BL), an adult frequented the Yachats bar on 3/8, 9, and 11 (BB), an 
immature on 3/16 at Boiler Bay may be progeny of the local pair (PP), and 
one or more were sporadically present throughout February at Yaquina Head 
(BLM).  

      AMERICAN CROWS chased a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in J&KC's Tidewater yard 
on 2/23: it had a crow on the ground before about 12 crows drove the hawk 
to the ground.  After J&KC disrupted, the hawk chirped as it finally was 
able to fly away.  On 3/12, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK on a post in BLo's yard 
preened, spread its tail, looked directly into BLo's binoculars, showing 
a gold inverted triangle between its eyes, and flew away.  Songbirds 
returned within an hour.  BLo posted this posted hawk over the internet.  
A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK surprised RC during feeder rounds in Wandemere on 
3/19.  

      1 to 2 AMERICAN KESTRELS were sporadically present throughout 
February at Yaquina Head (BLM).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.23                         GROUSE - GULLS

      WH flushed a probable BLUE GROUSE along Cook Creek, a tributary of 
Yaquina River, above Toledo on 3/5.  

      Very few AMERICAN COOTS have been reported this winter; is this a 
bad coot year?  A VIRGINIA RAIL called from Beaver Creek Marsh on 3/17 
(BT, P&JH).  

      1 to 2 ROCK SANDPIPERS joined flocks of SURFBIRDS and 
BLACK TURNSTONES at YBSJ on 2/28 (JF) and 3/8 (HH).  At least 1 WILLET 
was in the Bayfront vicinity on 3/17 (P&JH, TR).  A COMMON SNIPE in 
Eckman Slough on 2/25 demonstrated its camouflage (KM).  

      On 3/2, at least 200 MEW GULLS  flew north off Boiler Bay; a maximum 
of 40 occurred on other seawatch days (PP).  On the afternoons of 3/12 
and 3/13, a continuous parade of squadrons of mostly adult 
CALIFORNIA GULLS and some large gulls flew north above the D River 
Wayside beach, peaking at 50/minute on 3/13.  Off Boiler Bay on 2/23, 
200 WESTERN GULLS flew north, and on 3/2, at least 600 flew south; 
80 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS flew south on 2/23 and at least 300 followed on 
3/2 (PP).  

      An adult GLAUCOUS GULL joined about 10 WESTERN GULLS in Waldport 
Heights on 3/10 (SL).  A 3rd winter GLAUCOUS GULL was chummed to the 
Sally's Bend dock on 3/17 (GG, TS), and another displayed all its plumage 
perfectly while selecting just the right tidal channel in Idaho Flats on 
3/18 (KM).  A 2nd winter GLAUCOUS GULL finialed a light pole under the 
Yaquina Bay bridge on 3/17 (MR), and a first winter GLAUCOUS GULL was at 
the Nye Beach turnaround in Newport on 3/20 (WH).  HERRING GULL numbers 
at Boiler Bay peaked on 3/1, when at least 100 flew north (PP).  1 to 2 
THAYER'S GULLS visited Boiler Bay on 2/25 and 3/1 (PP).  

      At least 1500 adult BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES flew north off Boiler 
Bay on 2/25, at least 700 (mostly adults) flew south on 2/26; these 
flights may relate to weather fronts approaching our coast from the Gulf 
of Alaska.  At least 3000 (20% 1st winter) flew south on 3/2 (PP).  220 
off Yachats on 2/25 apparently attempted northward flight, but many were 
blown southward (KM).  In the Yachats River mouth, 3 were present on 
2/25, 15 on 3/8, 11 on 3/11, and "several" on 3/17 (P&JH, SL, KM, BT).  
On 3.8, SL noted that they kept to the flock perimeter and moved around 
more often than other gulls.  As always, short folks have to look out for 
themselves.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.24                       ALCIDS-HUMMINGBIRDS

      COMMON MURRE numbers at Boiler Bay peaked on 3/13, when at least 
1000 flew north (PP).  COMMON MURRES were often present on breeding rocks 
at Yaquina Head when eagles were not (JW of BLM).  

      3 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS in breeding plumage were at YBSJ on 3/7 (PK); on 
3/8, 6-8 at YBSJ were in breeding plumage and 2 were in winter plumage 
(HH, JS).  2 in breeding plumage were at Boiler Bay on 3/8, and up to 20 
were present thereafter (PP).  At least 50 were in Yaquina Bay from the 
bar to the port dock on 3/17 (TR).  

      A pair of MARBLED MURRELETS flew south off Boiler Bay on 2/25, and 
6 were present on 2/26; an ANCIENT MURRELET visited on 3/2 (PP).  
RHINOCEROS AUKLETS first appeared at Boiler Bay on 2/23; 46 flew south on 
3/2, and 28 flew north on 3/5 (PP).  

      BAND-TAILED PIGEONS visited RC's Wandemere feeder on 3/2 and BB's 
Yachats feeder daily as of 3/4.  

      RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS appeared in WH's South Beach yard on 2/26, 
Eckman Lake on 3/3 (RL), P&BW's Tidewater feeder on 3/4, J&KC's Tidewater 
feeder on 3/8, D&BM's Waldport home on 3/11, BB's Yachats yard on 3/12, 
Wandemere on 3/16 (RC), and Newport Heights on 3/19 (M&PL).  On 3/21, 
when 15 males were visible from J&KC's Tidewater home, one was going to 
spend the night in a hanging fuchsia until JC moved it.  
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were present as of 3/7 in BB's Yachats yard and 
through 3/15 at D&BM's Waldport home.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.25                     WOODPECKERS - SPARROWS

      The intergrade NORTHERN FLICKER remained at Wandemere through 3/19 
(RC).  NORTHERN FLICKERS are visiting D&BM's Waldport feeders more 
frequently in March.  

      A SAY'S PHOEBE dropped in at Yaquina Head on 2/22 (BLM).  

      Primaries with white bases gave lent a dramatic air to an 
AMERICAN CROW at Waldport on 3/17 (BT, P&JH).  

      VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS flew over Wandemere on 3/10 (RC).  Several 
TREE SWALLOWS appeared at Beaver Creek Marsh on 3/17 (BT, P&JH), and two 
at Tidewater were mating (J&KC).  

      BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES are nesting somewhere near SK's Newport 
home: on 3/14, one flew onto his porch to pick up hair tufts from the 
shedding cat.  

      The TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was still being seen in the orchard 
0.4 miles north of Hwy 20 along Thornton Creek Road on 3/4 (DF).  A 
VARIED THRUSH appeared 3 times in early March at D&BM's Waldport feeder.  

      A PALM WARBLER was 100 yards into the HMSC nature trail on 3/15 
(DS).  A female WILSON'S WARBLER was present at Newport Heights as of 
3/19 (M&PL).  

      Migrant WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS typically arrive during late March; 
they were first noted at Yaquina Head on 2/23 (BLM) and at Tidewater on 
3/10 (BW) and started singing in Wandemere on 3/16 (RC).   However, some 
winter:  WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS at D&BM's Waldport feeder joined 
FOX SPARROWS, GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS, and SONG SPARROWS nearly every day 
from 2/16 through 3/15.  Cassius the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continues at 
J&LM's feeder near the east side of Sally's Bend, 3/16, and it was seen 
by BT, P&JH, MM, and TR on 3/17.  

      DARK-EYED JUNCO songs were first heard in Wandemere on 2/24 (RC).  A 
Canadian Rockies Slate-colored DARK-EYED JUNCO has visited SL's Yachats 
feeder daily since January.   
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.26                      BLACKBIRDS - FINCHES

      1 - 3 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were sporadically present throughout 
February at Yaquina Head, and one sang on 2/18 (BLM).  

      Dead RED CROSSBILLS were at BB's Yachats home on 3/5; a pair of live 
ones visited on 3/8, and on 3/9, 3 pairs were near but not at her feeder; 
a pair was at Newport Heights as of 3/19 (M&PL).  

      Mostly female AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES arrived at BB's Yachats home on 
3/7, and a male in winter plumage visited Tidewater on 3/18.  PINE SISKIN 
activity has slowed in Wandemere, but has been going strong at the 
Aquarium and Lincoln County Fairgrounds; maybe they use feeders now 
because they have eaten most of the alder (RC).  Siskins also feasted on 
hemlock seeds at Tidewater in early March (J&KC), strafed SK's Newport 
black sunflower seed feeder on 3/10-3/11, invaded P&BW's Tidewater 
thistle feeders, and empty D&BM's Waldport sunflower tubes within a few 
hours.  

      EVENING GROSBEAKS appeared at Tidewater on 3/6 (PW, J&KC).   

      OBSERVERS:  Betty Bahn, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at Yaquina 
Head Outstanding Natural Area, Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie and Ken Ciotti, 
Don DeWitt, Darrel Faxon, Jeffrey Fleischer, Greg Gilson, 
Patricia and Jeff Harding (P&JH), Hendrik Herlyn, Wayne Hoffman, 
Philip Kline, Steve Kupillas, Mary and Paul Land (M&PL), Bob Llewellyn, 
Sally Lockyear, Bob and Shirley Loeffel (B&SLo), Roy Lowe, 
John and Linda MacKown, Kathy Merrifield, Marilyn Miller, 
Dawson and Bobby Mohler, Eric Nelson, Laimons Osis, Diane Pettey, 
Chuck Philo & Pup Philo (PuP), Phil Pickering, Mitch Ratzlaff, 
Tim Rodenkirk, Al Schmierer, Tim Shelmerdine, David Smith, 
Bill Thackaberry, Jennifer Weiss of BLM, Pat and Bunny Wright.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
01.27      BIRD FIELD NOTES from the April 2001 Sandpiper 22(4) 
                            by Kathy Merrifield

      Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to 
LINCOLN COUNTY only.  

      Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations:  Bayshore 
Beach=ocean beach along north Alsea Bay Spit, Beaver Creek=creek flowing 
through Ona Beach State Park, Coquille Point=SE Corner of Sally's Bend, 
Eckman Lake=lake just east of Waldport along Hwy 34, HMSC=Hatfield Marine 
Science Center, Idaho Flats=large embayment just east of the HMSC, Mike 
Miller Park=county park on east side of Hwy 101 in south Beach, Newport 
Heights=1 mile east of downtown Newport, NWR=National Wildlife Refuge, 
Sallys Bend=large embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, 
Tidewater=about 8 mi east of Waldport, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi north of 
Ona Beach along Hwy 101, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty, Yaquina John 
Point=point near Hwy 101 and just south of Waldport.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.28                     LOONS THROUGH TUBENOSES

      PP seawatched an average of 1.75 hrs from Boiler Bay on 12 days 
during the reporting period.  PP's RED-THROATED LOON numbers ranged from 
20 on 4/12 to over 1500 on 4/6; PACIFIC LOON numbers ranged from 2 on 
4/11 to over 250 on 4/16, and COMMON LOON numbers ranged from 1 on 3/28 
and 3/30 to 150 on 4/12, all flying north.  1 YELLOW-BILLED LOON flew 
south alone on 4/16.  

      Loon calls and courtship displays are rarely observed in Oregon; one 
COMMON LOON called from YBSJ on 4/15 (DT), and 2 called and displayed in 
Sally's Bend on 4/8 (KM).  

      Small grebes have developed breeding plumage.  Up to 5 EARED GREBES 
remained at Sally's Bend through 4/8 (HH, KM); dozens of HORNED GREBES 
were there on 4/1 (SS, SR, HH, AC).  RED-NECKED GREBE pairs flew north 
off Boiler Bay on 4/16 and 4/17 (PP), and one was at YBSJ on 3/31 (JS).  
PP's Boiler Bay WESTERN GREBE numbers ranged from 1 on 4/10 to 40 on 
4/12.  A CLARK'S GREBE joined many Westerns at Sally's Bend on 4/1 (HH).  

      Tubenoses predominated in B&SLo and LO's March beached bird walks 
along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek; 28 dead NORTHERN FULMARS and 
1 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL were found along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel 
Creek during March (B&SLo, LO).  LO picked up 8 of them in a half mile of 
beach on 3/16, perhaps due to tidal accumulation and prolonged west wind.  
Also present were 2 large gulls, 1 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, 1 COMMON 
MURRE, 1 RHINOCEROS AUKLET, and 1 unidentified alcid; this ties the 
lowest month on record, which was set a year ago (B&SLo, LO).  On 3/28, 
JG found a dead SOOTY SHEARWATER next to a banana peel at Seal Rock; both 
were ripe.  

      Tubenose results from the Bird Guide's pelagic trips out of Newport 
on 3/24 and 4/14 are below. On 3/24:  101 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES, 
2 LAYSAN ALBATROSSES, 1 SHORT-TAILED 
ALBATROSS, 171 NORTHERN FULMARS, 2 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, 29 SOOTY 
SHEARWATERS, 3 SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATERS, 1 LEACH'S STORM-PETREL; 4/14:  1 
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS, 2 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER, 1000 SOOTY SHEARWATERS.  

      1 BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER flew south off Boiler Bay on 4/10, single 
MANX/BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATERS appeared there on 4/11 and 4/16, and single 
PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS passed on 4/5 and 4/12 (PP).  PP's SOOTY 
SHEARWATER numbers varied from 0 on several days to over 1500 on 4/13; 
flight direction varied.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.29                     PELICANS THROUGH DUCKS

      On 4/8, a lone BROWN PELICAN flew south across the Yachats sunset 
(SaL), and an immature flew north off Boiler Bay on 4/16 (PP). 

      PP's BRANDT'S CORMORANT numbers varied from 3 on 4/5 to 200 on 4/11, 
with southward flight predominating; PP has noticed an annual strong 
reverse migration.  Several thousand PELAGIC CORMORANTS flew north off 
Yachats on 4/14, according to a friend of RC.  One long, undulating line 
of Pelagics flew north past Wandemere on the same day, and about a dozen 
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS flew north off Wandemere on 4/12 (RC).
  
      A GREAT EGRET visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium boardwalk on 4/15 
(DT).  

      SS, SR, HH, and AC saw 19 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE at Siletz NWR 
on 4/1.  4 BRANT flew north low over the water off Boiler Bay on 3/28, 
13 were there on 4/12, and 330 flying north in small flocks hugged the 
water off Boiler Bay on 4/1 (PP).  On 3/25, 161 BRANT tipped up to 
procure eelgrass from the low tidal water of Sally's Bend, inspiring a 
few WESTERN GULLS to do the same in Sally's Bend; on 4/1, 139 BRANT 
remained (KM).  On 4/14, about 200 Aleutian CANADA GEESE flew north over 
a Newport Middle School soccer game (RL).    

      Dabbling ducks fly over the ocean, too:  at Boiler Bay, PP saw 15 
GREEN-WINGED TEAL on 4/1, and up to 400 NORTHERN PINTAILS on 6 seawatch 
days.  A male CINNAMON TEAL floated in Sally's Bend on 4/1 (KM).  A pair 
of RING-NECKED DUCKS swam in a roadside pond between Alsea Bay and Seal 
Rock on 4/14 (JS).  

      The last reported HARLEQUIN DUCKS were a pair flying south off 
Boiler Bay on 4/10 (PP).  A beautiful spring-plumaged pair of 
LONG-TAILED DUCKS flew south off Boiler Bay on 4/3 (PP).  PP's Boiler 
Bay WHITE-WINGED SCOTER numbers ranged from over 200 on 3/30 to 25 on 
4/13, and SURF SCOTER numbers ranged from 80 on 4/3 to 2900 flying north 
on 4/12.  KM seawatched in 7 5-min periods spanning 2 to 2.5 hours off 
Yachats on 3/25 and 4/8; 5 scoter sp./hour flew north on 3/25, and 
81/hour flew north on 4/8.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.30                              HAWKS

      2 OSPREYS chirped from the dead top of an old spruce at Mike Miller 
County Park on 3/25 (KM), one sat on a nest in the same tree used last 
year across 101 from Bayshore Beach as last year on 4/17 (JW), and a pair 
visited a Tidewater spruce on 4/19 (PW).  A male NORTHERN HARRIER 
escorted SaL as she ran along the HMSC Trail on 4/8.  

      On 3/28, PP watched one of the Boiler Bay BALD EAGLES cruise low 
over the kelp to pluck a resurfacing RED-THROATED LOON off the water, 
haul it up to a tree, and chow down.  A cloud of feathers flew west in 
the breeze.  On 4/5, an adult BALD EAGLE endured a half hour of 
AMERICAN CROW harassment in LH's neighbor's tree in Newport; LH heard the 
swooshing of wings and rustling of branches as the eagle flew away.  
WOW!!, she says; this was worth the trip outside in bare feet and t-shirt 
with her camera.  On 4/11, LH's lunchtime entertainment on the deck of 
the SandBar in Nye Beach was a pigeon-scattering BALD EAGLE flying north.  
Another BALD EAGLE visited Tidewater on 4/19 (PW).  

      The SHARP-SHINNED HAWK that seems to follow the PINE SISKIN flock at 
RC's and WN's Wandemere feeders daily as of 4/15 whooshed past WN while 
loaded down with a siskin close enough to ruffle his hair and landed 8 
feet away, just in front of their dog.  WN and the dog were too 
astonished to move, giving the hawk time to gather itself and its meal 
and dash into the trees.  SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS were also south of Waldport 
on 4/1 (JS) and at the Siletz gun range on 4/4 (CP)

      SS  gained a dramatic back-yard bird when an adult RED-TAILED HAWK 
sat just a few yards from her house in Neskowin (Tillamook County) on 
3/2.  2 RED-TAILED HAWKS were 8.5 miles up North Beaver Creek on 12 March 
(EH). 

      An AMERICAN KESTREL was in Beaver Creek Valley on 4/6 (LO).  A 
MERLIN checked at RC's Wandemere feeders for activity as it circled on 
4/3; another visited residential north Newport on 4/13 (BO).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.31                      QUAILS THROUGH ALCIDS

      EH's first MOUNTAIN QUAIL of spring was 8.5 miles up North Beaver 
Creek on 3/12.  2 CALIFORNIA QUAIL were 3 miles up Keller Creek Road from 
the picnic area, 3/25 (KM).  

      A GREATER YELLOWLEGS waded along the HMSC trail on 4/1 (JS), and at 
least 50 were at Siletz NWR on 4/1 (SS, SR, HH, AC).  A SPOTTED SANDPIPER 
called from McNary Lane between Toledo and Newport on 3/31 (JS).  
WHIMBRELS were first reported from Idaho Flats on 4/15 (DT); 7 flew north 
off Boiler Bay on 4/16 (PP), and 7 were in Idaho Flats on 4/18 (DP).  
P&JH saw about 8 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and one LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER at 
Idaho Flats on 4/14.  

      A COMMON SNIPE probed the Idaho Flats marsh on 3/7 (EH).  CP often 
sees COMMON SNIPES on log landings (cleared log-processing areas which 
become muddy from heavy machinery use); he saw 2 snipes at a Siletz long 
landing on 4/5.  Several COMMON SNIPES were in marshy areas on the fill 
between the LNG tank and Yaquina Bay Road during WH's 4/7 weed-pulling 
party.

      PP noted a light POMARINE JAEGER, probably an adult, at Boiler Bay 
on 4/1 and single FRANKLIN'S GULLS on 3/28 and 4/6.  8.5 breeding-
plumaged adult BONAPARTE'S GULLS/hr flew south off Yachats on 4/8 (KM).  
Single albino MEW GULLS, perhaps the same individual, were observed in 
the HMSC area on 4/8 (CL), 4/14 (PP, P&JH), and in Sally's Bend on 4/18 
(DP).  PP's Boiler Bay numbers of WESTERN GULL ranged from 50 on 3/28 to 
over 1000 on 4/3 and of GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL ranged from about 5 on 3/30 
to 300 on 4/6; many Glaucous-wingeds were immature.  A 2nd year 
GLAUCOUS GULL was in Idaho Flats on 4/15 (DT), and another of unspecified 
age was there on 4/18 (DP).  

      17 winter-plumaged BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES joined a large gull 
gathering in the Yachats River Mouth on 3/19 (DF); 123/hour flew south 
off Yachats on 3/25, and 226/hour flew south on 4/8 (KM).  PP's Boiler 
Bay BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE numbers varied from 15 on 3/28 to over 1200 on 
4/3 but dwindled to 5 on 4/17.  

      CASPIAN TERNS at Boiler Bay numbered from 1 on 5 days to 23 on 4/11; 
PP thinks many migrate a bit inland from the beach and avoid flying over 
the ocean.  About 50 CASPIAN TERNS flew north over the shore and highway 
between Yachats and South Beach on 4/15 (WH).  

      Among the thousands of COMMON MURRES observed in his Boiler Bay 
seawatches, PP pinpointed a melanistic individual corresponding to the 
"extreme dark morph," unrecorded outside California, pictured in the 
Sibley Guide; murre numbers peaked at over 1000 on 4/13, when all flew 
north.  PP also saw a THICK-BILLED MURRE there among the madding crowd on 
4/10, and PIGEON GUILLEMOT numbers decreased from 100 on 3/30 to 12 on 
4/16.  

      On 3/27, MARBLED MURRELETS called as they flew over SS's Neskowin 
(Tillamook Co.) home along the edge of Siuslaw National Forest.  Up to 
13 MARBLED MURRELETS were reported at Boiler Bay from 3/30 through 4/17, 
up to 30 or more CASSIN'S AUKLETS from 4/6 through 4/14, up to 120 
RHINOCEROS AUKLETS from 3/30 through 4/17, and up to 2 TUFTED PUFFINS on 
4/11 and 4/16 (PP).  On 4/14, observers on the Bird Guide pelagic trip 
were treated to 7 CASSIN'S AUKLETS, 20 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS, and 
1 TUFTED PUFFIN. 
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.32                    PIGEONS THROUGH SWALLOWS

      BAND-TAILED PIGEONS visited P&BW's Tidewater feeder in 4/11.  The 
first reported VAUX'S SWIFT flew over Eckman Lake on 3/24 (RL).  

      A RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD appeared in LL's Waldport yard on 2/20, making 
it our earliest record this year.  RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS visited 
salmonberry flowers at EH's forest land 8.5 miles up North Beaver Creek 
road on 3/2, as of 3/20 foraged more at red-flowering currant than at 
sugar water feeders in D&BM's Waldport yard, and on 3/23 collected cotton 
batting at J&KC's home 1 mi east of Eckman Lake.  ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS 
were at the LNG tank, Sally's Bend on 4/7 (WH), at Depoe Bay on 4/15 
(DT), and at D&BM's Waldport feeder throughout the period.    

      A HAIRY WOODPECKER was 8.5 miles up North Beaver Creek on 3/12 (EH).  
A DOWNY WOODPECKER was in EH's South Beach yard on 3/14, and a 
PILEATED WOODPECKER visited there on 3/9; another called from a deep forest 
hemlock along the Yachats River on 4/8 (KM).  The intergrade 
NORTHERN FLICKER present at Wandemere through much of the winter was last 
seen 4/3 (RC).  

      EH noted a HUTTON'S VIREO in his South Beach yard on 3/9.  An 
AMERICAN CROW pair in Wandemere defending territory as of 4/14 vigorously 
attacked other crows, a RED-TAILED HAWK, several TURKEY VULTURES, and a 
COMMON RAVEN (RC).  

      VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS arrived at EH's South Beach yard at dawn on 
3/12, appeared on 3/22 at Tidewater (BW), and explored purple martin 
houses along the HMSC trail on 3/23 (JGr); about 15 flew over McNary Lane 
between Toledo and Newport and a few more were south of Waldport on 
3/31(JS).  TREE SWALLOWS have been 1 mile east of Eckman Lake since 3/19 
(J&KC), and PuP pointed them out to CP over Toledo on 3/25; at least 15 
flew over McNary Lane between Toledo and Newport on 3/31 (JS), and a few 
examined bird houses in Tidewater on 4/18 (P&BW).  At least 
7 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were also at McNary Lane on 3/31 (JS).  
BARN SWALLOWS arrived at Waldport on 3/19 (J&KC) and  outside Toledo on 
4/15 (RC).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.33                    WRENTITS THROUGH WARBLERS

      WRENTITS were regulars as of 3/22 at Tidewater (BW), and they kept 
SaL company on the 804 trail in Yachats on 4/7.  2 MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES 
were still enjoying the suet and black sunflower seeds as of 3/23 at 
Yaquina John Point (JW).  A BROWN CREEPER crept to JW's south Waldport 
yard on 3/14.  

      WINTER WRENS sang on 3/14 8.5 miles up North Beaver Creek (EH) and 
at McNary Lane between Newport and Toledo on 4/1 (JS) and were seen 
regularly as of 3/22 at Tidewater (BW).  A pair of BEWICK'S WRENS was 
nesting just off the HMSC nature trail as of 3/23 (JGr).  The ROCK WREN 
still frequented Coast Guard air facility as of mid-March (JM).  

      EH's South Beach yard hosted a HERMIT THRUSH in South Beach on 3/9.  
The last VARIED THRUSHES were at D&BM's Waldport feeder on 3/16, in RC's 
Wandemere yard as of 3/28, and singing in residential north Newport on 
4/13 (BO).  A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE remained along Thornton Creek Road as 
of 3/23 (DF).  

      On 4/1, a EUROPEAN STARLING imitated a GREATER YELLOWLEGS behind the 
HMSC, but SS, SR, HH, AC caught on due to the absence of any yellowlegs 
in that particular pine tree.

      TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS and YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS visited EH's South 
Beach Yard on 3/6; an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER followed them there on 3/10 
and in D&BM's Waldport yard as of 3/31; CP heard some in Toledo on 4/7, 
and others sang for BO in residential north Newport on 4/12.  A 
COMMON YELLOWTHROAT sang for CP in Siletz on 4/8.  PALM WARBLERS were 
along the HMSC trail on 4/15 (P&JH) and at the HMSC in mid-April (IF).  
As of 4/15, BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER, TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS, and 
ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS had arrived 1 mi E of Eckman Lake, and a 
MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER appeared on 4/19 (J&KC).  On 4/1, distant views of 
Myrtle YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS reveal a masked bird, because the dark eye 
patch molts a bit ahead of the rest of the head, as noted by AC as he 
observed them in partial breeding plumage behind HMSC with SS, SR, and 
HH.  Who was that masked bird?

      D&BM have observed warblers in their Waldport yard insert their 
beaks into red-flowering currant flowers but can't tell whether they are 
eating nectar or insects; WILSON'S WARBLER sampled these inviting flowers 
on 3/30 and 4/14.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.34                 SPARROWS THROUGH WEAVER FINCHES

      Cassius the CLAY-COLORED SPARROW remained at J&LM's home at Coquille 
Point, Yaquina Bay, through 3/27.  A few migrant SAVANNAH SPARROWS were 
at Yaquina Bay on 4/1 (SS, SR, HH, AC).  Numerous SAVANNAH SPARROWS and 
one GRASSHOPPER SPARROW accompanied WH and associates during a 4/7 French 
Broom-pulling party at the LNG tank at Sally's Bend, and one sang at HMSC 
on 4/12 (BO).  On 3/31 at YBSJ, JS heard several SAVANNAH SPARROWS and 
saw one with extensive facial yellow; another at YBSJ on 4/14 had little 
facial yellow.  P&JH found a LINCOLN'S SPARROW along the HMSC trail on 
4/15.  GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS were south of Waldport on 4/1 (JS), 
arrived in Wandemere on 4/14 (RC), flocked with WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS on 
4/17 (PW), and frequented D&BM's Waldport feeder throughout the reporting 
period.  A VESPER SPARROW joined SAVANNAH SPARROWS at the YBSJ gull 
puddle on 4/19 (AS).  

      A Slate-colored DARK-EYED JUNCO visited J&LM's Coquille Point home 
on 3/27.  Beginning on 4/16, a male DARK-EYED JUNCO alternated an attack 
on his window reflection with loud singing from a nearby perch through at 
least 4/18, when RC closed the blind; he and his new mate are considering 
RC's adjacent Japanese garden as nesting habitat.  Juncos have left 
P&BW's Tidewater yard as of 4/18; maybe their windows aren't very 
interesting.  

      RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, unusual at feeders, visited P&BW's Tidewater 
feeder on 4/11, and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS arrived there on 4/18.  
PURPLE FINCHES arrived at D&BM's Waldport feeder on 3/31 and at RC's 
Wandemere feeder on 4/13.  One HOUSE FINCH pair in D&BM's Waldport yard 
plucks red-flowering currant flowers, sucks on the ovary, and spits out 
the petals and sepals.  

      A flock of RED CROSSBILLS investigated hemlock seeds on 3/26 1 mi E 
of Eckman Lake (J&KC), and they took over ML's Newport Heights bird bath, 
feeder, and Douglas fir most of the week of 3/26; pairs ate black 
sunflower seeds at JWe's Seal Rock feeder on 4/7 and RC's Wandemere 
feeder on 4/8, and some visited residential north Newport on 4/13 (BO).  
On 4/20, BW was dismissed early from jury duty but instantly shifted from 
juror to witness upon arriving home to witness 8-10 RED CROSSBILLS 
descend upon her Tidewater birdbath.  A clue to their identity was BB's 
account of two dead crossbills under her pond cover last month.  This 
sounds like a crime drama; will Perry Mason become involved next?  

      Sick-looking PINE SISKINS that fluff up, stumble, use their wings to 
balance, stay on the ground near feeders, drink frequently, and sometimes 
die, are exhibiting what OSU Extension is calling "fluffed disease" that 
appears to be Salmonella toxicity, according to Chintimini Wildlife Rehab 
Center.  RB notes that feed and droppings probably mingle in the feeder 
or on the ground, and the disease is spread rapidly.  RB continues that 
besides disinfecting the feeder, Chintimini recommends changing the 
location of the feeder to avoid accumulation of droppings and seed 
residue.  Because these outbreaks are so hard on siskins, discontinuing 
or tapering off the amount fed them after the first "fluffed" one appears 
may help by encouraging them to search for natural food and not to 
concentrate in large numbers at one location for too long.  

      PINE SISKINS arrived at JW's Yaquina John point feeder on 3/8, up to 
175 continued at Wandemere through 3/28 and dwindled through 4/14 (RC), 
and hordes are still eating thistle and sunflower seeds at P&BW's 
Tidewater feeders as of 4/18.  J&KC saw their yard's first 
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH of the year 1 mi E of Eckman Lake on 4/16.  A 
LESSER GOLDFINCH ate sunflower seeds at D&BM's Waldport feeder on 3/21, 
and one visited J&KC's feeder 1 mi E of Eckman Lake on 4/15.  

      HOUSE SPARROWS carried nesting material into one of the 
PURPLE MARTIN boxes along the Siuslaw Bay (Lane County) docks on 4/4 
(SaL).  They will always be with us; maybe we should add House Sparrows 
to death and taxes.  

      OBSERVERS:  Range Bayer, Betty Bahn, Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie and Ken 
Ciotti, Alan Contreras, Darrel Faxon, Ian Fleming, Joel Geier, 
Jill Grover (JGr), Patricia and Jeff Harding, Louise Hemphill, 
Wayne Hoffman, Eric Horvath, Mary Land, Lola Landis, Cindy Lawes, 
Sally Lockyear (SaL), Bob and Shirley Loeffel (B&SLo), Roy Lowe, 
John and Linda MacKown, Kathy Merrifield, Joe Metzler, 
Dawson & Bobbie Mohler, Walt Nelson, Bob Olson, Laimons Osis, 
Diane Pettey, Chuck and Pup Philo, Phil Pickering, Susanna Rinard, 
Alan Schmierer, Shirley Schwartz, Jamie Simmons, Shawn Steinberg, 
David Tracey, Jean Weakland, Jennifer Weiss (JWe) of BLM, 
Pat and Bunny Wright.  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
01.35       BIRD FIELD NOTES from the May 2001 Sandpiper 22(5) 
                            by Kathy Merrifield

      Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to 
LINCOLN COUNTY only.  

      Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations:  Bayshore 
Beach=ocean beach along north Alsea Bay Spit, Bayview Pasture=field east 
of junction of Beaver Creek Road and North Alsea Bay Road, Beaver 
Creek=creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Beaver Creek 
Marsh=marsh just east of Hwy 101 managed by Wetlands Conservancy, 
Coquille Point=SE Corner of Sally's Bend, Cougar Mountain=peak 6 mi east 
of Lincoln City, Eckman Lake=lake just east of Waldport along Hwy 34,  
HMSC=Hatfield Marine Science Center, Idaho Flats=large embayment just 
east of the HMSC, Newport Heights=1 mile east of downtown Newport, Nute 
Slough=freshwater slough at about mile 9.3 along north Yaquina Bay Road, 
Ona Beach=state park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge along Hwy 
101, Sally's Bend=large embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, 
Schooner Creek=northern tributary of Siletz Bay, Thiel Creek=creek about 
3.5 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge, Tidewater=about 8 mi east of 
Waldport, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi north of Ona Beach along Hwy 101, 
YBNJ=Yaquina Bay North Jetty, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty, 
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.36             CORRECTION TO LAST MONTH'S FIELD NOTES

      In the April 2001 field notes, the editor wrote that March 2001 was 
the lowest MONTH on record in B&SL&LO's beached bird walks; this should 
have read the lowest MARCH on record.    
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.37                         LOONS - HERONS

      During the May reporting period, PP seawatched an average of 1.67 
hours on each of 16 days from Boiler Bay; RED-THROATED LOON numbers 
varied from 1500 on 4/21 to 1 on 4/27 to 500 on 5/10, PACIFIC LOON 
numbers peaked on 5/10 at 8000, and COMMON LOON numbers peaked at 100 on 
5/10.  36 RED-THROATED LOONS/hour flew north of Yachats on 4/22 (KM).   
COMMON LOONS called while flying over BO's Newport house on 5/15.  A 
YELLOW-BILLED LOON visited Boiler Bay on 5/9 (DM, CM, TJ).  

      PIED-BILLED GREBES remained in Beaver Creek Valley through 4/10 
(LO).  The latest RED-NECKED GREBE was at Boiler Bay on 5/7 (PP), and the 
latest EARED GREBES wore breeding plumage on 4/28 at Sally's Bend (MC, 
PV).  

      The Bird Guide led several pelagic trips out of Newport; their 
results for tubenoses follow.  On 4/22:  145 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES, 
18 NORTHERN FULMARS, 720 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 10 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, 
55 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS, 1 LEACH'S STORM-PETREL.  5/5:  
17 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES, 1 LAYSAN ALBATROSS, 8 NORTHERN FULMARS, 
1 FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER, 3 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, 220 SOOTY 
SHEARWATERS, 8 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS.  5/6:  3 NORTHERN FULMARS, 
206 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 3 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS.  5/13:  80 BLACK-FOOTED 
ALBATROSSES, 10 NORTHERN FULMARS, 15 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS, 
200 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, 43 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETRELS.    

      B&SL and LO found 15 NORTHERN FULMARS and 1 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL 
during their April Beached Bird Walks along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel 
Creek.  On 4/22, about 350 NORTHERN FULMARS/hr flew in varied directions 
off Seal Rock, and during 7 5-min watches spanning 2.5 hours off Yachats, 
74/hr flew south (KM).  20 PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATERS flew off Boiler Bay on 
4/21, followed by 1 on 4/28 and 2 on 5/15, and single MANX SHEARWATERS 
visited on 5/9 and 5/10 (PP).  SOOTY SHEARWATER numbers off Boiler Bay 
reached 15,000 on 4/21 and again on 5/1 (PP).  14 FORK-TAILED 
STORM-PETRELS flew off Boiler Bay on 5/1 followed by 1 on 5/10 (PP).  

      On 5/12, 5 BROWN PELICANS flew north past Yaquina Head (DPi); 6 on 
5/18 and 1 on 5/19 flew past Boiler Bay (PP).  On 4/21, YB&NFT discovered 
a GREEN HERON at the Ona Beach Log Pond and 3 GREAT EGRETS among 
GREAT BLUE HERONS in Beaver Creek Valley.  A juvenile 
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON was reported over Idaho Flats on 5/17 (PK). 
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.38                            WATERFOWL

      25 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were at the Beaver Creek Valley 
Grange Hall on 4/10 (LO), and a northbound flock flew over Thornton Creek 
on 4/18 (DF).  900 possible White-fronteds and 1 SNOW GOOSE flew over 
Siletz on 4/25 (CP), 50 flew north over the Boiler Bay parking lot on 
4/27 (PP), 81 joined about 150 CANADA GEESE in Bayview Pasture on 5/5 
(JS), and late single White-fronteds at Idaho Flats on 5/16 (AS) and 5/17 
(PK) may have been incapacitated (RB).  

      Non-breeding western CANADA GEESE fly north to the Columbia River to 
molt (RL, PP).  Flocks flew north over Eckman Lake on 5/12, Yaquina Head 
on 5/13 (DPi), and Lincoln City, Boiler Bay, and the Salmon River on 
5/17-19 (PP).  60 BRANT flew north off Boiler Bay on 4/21; 170 followed 
on 5/1 and 168 on 5/2 (PP); the latest one was at YBSJ on 5/15 (BO).   

      WOOD DUCKS had paired in Beaver Creek Valley and GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 
NORTHERN PINTAILS, and MALLARDS remained on 4/21 (YB&NFT).  A MALLARD hen 
with 8 tiny ducklings swam across the Alsea at P&BW's Tidewater home on 
5/14.  A GADWALL remained at Nute Slough on 4/28 (MC, PV).  
NORTHERN SHOVELERS remained in Beaver Creek Valley through 4/10 (LO); 
3 pairs swam off P&BW's Tidewater dock on 4/23, and 15 off Boiler Bay on 
5/1 were followed by one more on 5/10 (PP). 

      1 to 2 BLACK SCOTERS frequented Boiler Bay through 5/15, and 1 was 
off Seal Rock on 4/28 (MC, PV).  92 scoter spp./hr flew north off Yachats 
on 4/22, and 222/hr flew north on 5/6 (KM).  An adult LONG-TAILED DUCK 
dove in the Boiler Bay kelp on 4/23 (PP).   
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.39                         RAPTORS - RAILS

      JS found an OSPREY and AS a NORTHERN HARRIER at Idaho Flats on 5/6; 
another harrier visited Yaquina Head beginning 4/15 (JW of BLM).  

      Over Yaquina Head on 3/16, a BALD EAGLE harassed a snake-bearing 
buteo, after which the eagle caught the dropped snake in mid-air; an 
eagle there on 4/28 flew northeast from the COMMON MURRE colony with a 
murre in its talons (JW of BLM).  TK told LO that BALD EAGLE chicks were 
rumored as of 4/24 in a new nest near Ona Beach SP; in late April and 
early May, BB saw 1 adult and 1 immature 2-3 times a week over Yachats, 
and one escorted BO over the Yaquina Bay Bridge on 5/7.  

      MC & PV spotted a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK along Idaho Point Road on 4/28.  
A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK visited Yaquina Head on 3/2 (BLM).  TJ, DP, and party 
saw a PEREGRINE FALCON at Beverly  Beach on 5/4.  BGPT saw a MERLIN in 
Idaho Flats on 5/5.  

      AS spotted 2 MOUNTAIN QUAIL along the Siletz River on 5/11.  A 
VIRGINIA RAIL responded to calls for YB&NFT in Beaver Creek Valley on 
4/21, 2 more were in Beaver Creek Marsh on 5/5 (JS), and 1 was at Idaho 
Flats on 5/12 (AS).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.40                           SHOREBIRDS

      Golden-Plover spp. visited Boiler Bay on 4/21 and  5/7 (PP).  5 
breeding-plumaged BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS foraged in Idaho Flats on 4/22 
(KM); 6 were there on 4/28 (DR), and a few continued through 5/6 (JS) and 
at Boiler Bay through 5/19 (PP).  Up to 19 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS were at 
Idaho Flats on 5/4 (AS), 5/6 and 5/12 (JS); 15 were at Bayshore Beach on 
5/6 (KM), and up to 3 at Boiler Bay through 5/19 (PP).  

      WANDERING TATTLERS visited Seal Rock on 5/17 (PK) and Boiler Bay on 
5/15 (PP) and SPOTTED SANDPIPERS the LNG tank on 4/28 (MC, PV) and Idaho 
Flats on 5/17 (PK).  Up to 29 WHIMBRELS were at Sally's Bend and Idaho 
Flats, their usual Yaquina Bay haunts, through 5/17 (MC, PV, AS, JS, PK); 
Salishan Golf Course hosted 71 on 5/4 (PP), and 170 on the first fairway 
on 5/8 provided an impressive gallery for EN.  Up to 30 visited Boiler 
Bay through 5/19 (PP), small flocks were at Bayshore Beach on 5/1 (JG), 
and one there on 5/6 never could swallow a 2.5 cm long mole crab (KM).  
Single LONG-BILLED CURLEWS were at Idaho Flats on 5/1 (JG) and 5/4 (AS).  
MARBLED GODWITS were at Bayshore Beach on 5/1 (JG), Agate Beach on 5/4 
(TJ, DP, and party), Idaho Flats on 5/7 (BGPT) and 5/12 (AS), and Boiler 
Bay on 5/9 (PP).    

      1 RUDDY TURNSTONE joined BLACK TURNSTONES at YBSJ on 4/28 (MC, PV), 
and up to 4 were at Idaho Flats on 5/5 (BGPT, JS).  1 RED KNOT visited 
Bayshore Beach on 5/1 (JG), up to 3 visited Idaho Flats on 5/5-7 (JS, JF, 
BGPT) and singles were at Boiler Bay on 5/9 and 5/10 (PP).  40 
SANDERLINGS remained in Idaho Flats on 4/22, and of 40 at Bayshore Beach 
on 5/6, 5 were in full breeding plumage (KM).  DUNLIN numbers off Boiler 
Bay peaked at over 1000 on 5/4, continuing through 5/19 (PP), and 
remained at Idaho Flats through 5/12 (AS).  At least 6000 calidrids passing 
Boiler Bay on 5/7 were mostly DUNLINS and WESTERN SANDPIPERS (PP)[This was 
originally reported as being at Idaho Flats by BGPT, but the error was 
discovered in December 2002].  Over 13,000 WESTERN SANDPIPERS flew north 
off Boiler Bay on 5/3, and smaller numbers continued there through 5/11 
(PP).  776 WESTERN SANDPIPERS and LEAST SANDPIPERS/hour flew north off 
Yachats on 5/6 (KM).  

      12 Dowitcher sp. were off Boiler Bay on 4/21, and 2 probed Idaho 
Flats on 5/12 (AS); 8 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS visited Idaho Flats on 5/4 
(AS) and 2 on 5/6 (JS).  

      Boiler Bay RED-NECKED PHALAROPE numbers peaked at over 20,000 on 
5/9, and flights continued through 5/19; 3 RED PHALAROPES appeared on 
both 5/9 and 5/10 (PP).  On 4/22, BGPT saw 25 Red-neckeds and 11 Reds, on 
5/5, 730 Red-neckeds and 33 Reds, and on 5/6, 162 Red-neckeds and 1 Red.  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.41                         GULLS - ALCIDS

      A PARASITIC JAEGER flew past Boiler Bay on 5/9 (PP).  2 FRANKLIN'S 
GULLS visited Salishan Spit on 5/13 (EN), and 3 flew north off Boiler Bay 
on 5/19 (PP).  

      On 5/6, 90 adult BONAPARTE'S GULLS flew off Seal Rock, and 56/hour 
off Yachats flew north (KM); first appearing at Boiler Bay on 5/7, their 
numbers peaked at over 600 on 5/9 (PP), and 6 stopped by Idaho Flats on 
5/12 (AS).  Breeding-plumaged adults comprised 85% of 400 MEW GULLS just 
east of the Alsea Bay bridge on 4/22 (KM).   At Boiler Bay, small numbers 
of MEW GULLS, RING-BILLED GULLS, and HERRING GULLS continued through 
5/10-12, and northward-flying CALIFORNIA GULL numbers peaked at over 400 
on 5/10 (PP).  The latest THAYER'S GULL was a first spring at D River on 
5/19, and the first reported HEERMANN'S GULL flew south off Boiler Bay on 
5/10 (PP).  2 juvenile BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, unusual in embayments, 
joined the Idaho Flats flock on 5/12 (AS), and two dead adults were on 
the Thiel Creek Beach in April (B&SL, LO).  At Boiler Bay through 5/11, 
kittiwakes peaked at over 800 on 5/9, the same day 3 SABINE'S GULLS flew 
past (PP); BGPT enjoyed 3 more on 5/7.  On 5/1, SL found a SABINE'S GULL 
wing during her Thiel Creek beached bird walk, providing the first study 
record for the species.  

      Up to 16 CASPIAN TERNS passed Boiler Bay through 5/19, and singles 
were in Idaho Flats on 5/4-6 (AS, JS).  BGPT and PP had diagnostic views 
of up to 5 ARCTIC TERNS from 5/5 to 5/13.  

      PIGEON GUILLEMOTS copulated at Yaquina Head on 3/22-23 (JW of BLM).  
At Boiler Bay, PP saw up to 8 MARBLED MURRELETS throughout the period; up 
to 6 CASSIN'S AUKLETS visited on 4/21-23, 400 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS flew 
north on 4/21 and continued in lesser numbers through 5/19, and 2 TUFTED 
PUFFINS dropped by on 4/21. 
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.42                        PIGEONS - PIPITS

      Dead in the (bird) bath:  a BAND-TAILED PIGEON in P&BW's Tidewater 
yard in early May;  a swollen crop and breathing difficulty ruled out a 
French Revolution-style murder, and besides, it was not writing letters 
at the time.  Live BAND-TAILED PIGEONS visited D&BM's Waldport feeder on 
4/16, delighted YB&NFT on 4/21, gobbled seed at BB's Yachats feeder in 
early May, visited J&ST's Newport feeders on 5/7, joined AS and a 
MOURNING DOVE along Schooner Creek on 5/10 and AS by himself along the 
Siletz River on 5/11.  

      VAUX'S SWIFTS first appeared in Newport on 4/30 (BO).  RUFOUS 
HUMMINGBIRDS joined JS in Beaver Creek Marsh on 5/5 and AS along the 
Schooner Creek trail on 5/10, Siletz River on 5/11, and Idaho Flats on 
5/12, emptied P&BW's Tidewater feeder daily as of 5/8, and remained in 
D&BM's Waldport yard through 5/20, where an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD last 
visited on 4/24.  

      Along the Schooner Creek/Cougar Mt. trail on 5/10, AS found 2 HAIRY 
WOODPECKERS, 4 NORTHERN FLICKERS, and 5 PILEATED WOODPECKERS; on 5/11, he 
spotted 2 Hairys, 1 flicker, and 2 Pileateds along the Siletz River.  A 
DOWNY WOODPECKER remained through the period at Newport Heights (P&ML). 

      AS's flycatcher finds along the Siletz on 5/11 include 1 WESTERN 
WOOD-PEWEE, 1 HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER, and 16 PACIFIC SLOPE FLYCATCHERS and 
along the Schooner Creek/Cougar Mt. trail 5 Hammond's and 14 Pacific-
Slopes.  2 WESTERN KINGBIRDS adorned the LNG gate area on 4/28 (MC, PV).

      On 5/10, AS noted 2 HUTTON'S VIREOS and 6 WARBLING VIREOS along 
Schooner Creek/Cougar Mt. trail; 6 WARBLING VIREOS warbled along the 
Siletz River on 5/11 (AS), and several frequented Newport Heights during 
May (P&ML). 

      NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS were in Beaver Creek Valley by 4/10 
(LO) and Beaver Creek Marsh by 5/5 (JS) and nest-built at Seal Rock on 
5/6 (KM).  On 5/12, a TREE SWALLOW grabbed a CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE at 
its nest hole during an eviction attempt at K&JC's yard 1 mile east of 
Eckman Lake.  In a tumble of entwined chirps, the fighters went to the 
ground before each flew to safety, after which K&JC decreased the 
chickadee's hole size and put up more swallow houses.  PURPLE MARTINS 
arrived at HMSC on 4/24 and were spotted in Idaho Flats through 5/12 
(BGPT, JS, AS) and along the Siletz River on 5/11 (AS).  

      1 MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE remained in the Agate Beach residential area on 
4/1 (EH).  2 CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE pairs nested in K&JC's yard 1 mile 
east of Eckman Lake. A BROWN CREEPER crept to Ona Beach SP on 5/5 (JS).  
RED-BREASTED NUTHATCHES were present throughout the period at Newport 
Heights (P&ML).

      A WINTER WREN sang 8.5 miles up the north fork of Beaver Creek on 
3/29 (EH).  MARSH WRENS and WINTER WRENS sang for YB&NFT on 4/21 in 
Beaver Creek Valley; AS saw 12 WINTER WRENS along the Schooner 
Creek-Cougar Mt. trail on 5/10, at least 18 along the Siletz River on 
5/11, and at least 12 in Idaho Flats on 5/12.  BEWICK'S WRENS were at 
Idaho Flats on 5/12 (AS) and at Newport Heights throughout the period 
(P&ML).  

      On 3/29, a DIPPER sang for EH 8.5 miles up the north fork of Beaver 
Creek; another was along the Siletz River on 5/11 (AS).  

      Along with 4 VARIED THRUSHES, up to 4 SWAINSON'S THRUSHES were along 
Schooner Creek/Cougar Mt. trail on 5/10.  Swainson's were also along the 
Siletz River on 5/11 and at Idaho Flats on 5/12 (AS), and P&BW's first of 
year arrived in Tidewater on 5/15.  A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE stopped by 
Yaquina Head on 4/27 (BLM).    

      AMERICAN PIPITS visited Boiler Bay on 4/26 and 5/1, 4, and 10 (PP) 
and Beaver Creek Marsh on 5/5 (JS).  
*      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *

01.43                       WARBLERS - FINCHES

      LO found COMMON YELLOWTHROATS in Beaver Creek Valley on 4/10, and 
they accompanied WILSON'S WARBLERS there on 4/21 (YB&NFT).  WILSON'S 
WARBLERS arrived at Agate Beach on 4/23 (AS), Yaquina Head on 4/28 (BLM), 
Waldport on 5/3 (D&BM), Beaver Creek Marsh on 5/5, south of Waldport and 
Idaho Flats on 5/6 (JS), Schooner Creek on 5/10 and the Siletz River on 
5/11 (AS), and Tidewater on 5/15 (P&BW).  YELLOW WARBLERS were outside 
EN's HMSC office on 5/9, at Idaho Flats on 5/12 (AS) and at D River on 
5/19 (PP).  TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS were at Yaquina Head on 4/13 (BLM) and 
Agate Beach on 4/23 (AS), and they joined BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS 
and HERMIT WARBLERS throughout the period at Newport Heights (P&ML).  
11 Hermits were along the Schooner Creek-Cougar Mt. trail on 5/10 and 
14 along the Siletz River on 5/11 (AS). 

      K&JC's feeder hosted a WESTERN TANAGER 1 mi E of Eckman Lake on 
5/13.  

      FOX SPARROWS last appeared at LO's Newport feeder on 4/25 and D&BM's 
Waldport feeder on 5/13.  AS found 2 VESPER SPARROWS a mile inland from 
Depoe Bay on 4/21 and another among YBNJ dunes on 4/23.  GOLDEN-CROWNED 
SPARROWS became unusually abundant at D&BM's Waldport feeder the last 
week of April before the last one visited on 5/3, although they continued 
at P&BW's Tidewater feeder through 5/8.    

      BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS arrived in Yachats on 4/27 (BB), 1 mi east of 
Eckman Lake on 4/30 (J&KC), Tidewater on 5/4 (P&BW's), and Waldport on 
5/6 (D&BM's); a pair visited Tidewater on 5/15 (P&BW).  On 5/19, PP 
spotted a male LAZULI BUNTING at D River.  

      BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS copulated in J&KC's yard on 4/29 1 mi east of 
Eckman Lake; a female lacking breast streaking visited a feeder outside 
SK's HMSC office on 5/1.  Yaquina Head hosted a WESTERN MEADOWLARK on 
3/1-2 (BLM).  

      A fluffed HOUSE FINCH at Coquille Point on 5/9 may have had the same 
disease afflicting many siskins last month (L&JM).  A sick RED CROSSBILL 
on ground at Idaho Point was reported to RB on 4/23; healthy ones visited 
LH's Newport feeder on 4/24 and used a Newport utility wire on 5/15 (MH); 
several were along the Schooner Creek/Cougar Mt. trail on 5/10 and the 
Siletz River on 5/11 (AS) and nesting in Newport Heights on 5/20 (P&ML).  

      EVENING GROSBEAKS visited BB's Yachats feeder on 5/6, RC's Wandemere 
feeder on 5/9, and P&ML's Newport business the week of 5/13.  AMERICAN 
GOLDFINCHES replaced PINE SISKINS at P&BW's Tidewater feeder as of 5/4, 
but siskins stuck it out with goldfinches at D&BM's Waldport feeder 
through 5/13.  

      OBSERVERS:  Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Bird Guide Pelagic Trip (BGPT), 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) staff at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural 
Area, Rebecca Cheek, Marcia Cutler, Darrel Faxon, John Fitchen, 
Jill Grover, Louise Hemphill, Mary Holbert, Eric Horvath, Tim Janzen, 
Paul & Mary Land, Bob Loeffel, Shirley Loeffel, Terry Keady, 
Steve Kupillas, David Mandell, Linda & John MacKown, Kathy Merrifield, 
Craig Miller, Dawson and Bobby Mohler, Eric Nelson, Bob Olson, 
Laimons Osis, Chuck Philo, Darlene Philpott, Phil Pickering, 
Dave Pitkin (DPi), Doug Robberson, Alan Schmierer, Jim & Shirley Thielen, 
Paula Vanderheul, Pat & Bunny Wright, Yaquina Birders and Naturalists 
Field Trip (YB&NFT).  
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