Menu of Jan.-May 2003 Bird Field Notes
by Kathy Merrifield from the Sandpiper (a publication
of Yaquina Birders & Naturalists, Lincoln County, Oregon)
Comments about abundance or seasonality refer only to LINCOLN COUNTY.
-------------------------------
Month of
Sandpiper, Volume 24
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January 2003
February 2003
March 2003
April 2003
May 2003
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BIRD FIELD NOTES from the January 2003 Sandpiper 24(1)
Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations: Bayview
Pasture=field east of junction of Beaver Creek Road and North Alsea Bay
Road, Beaver Creek=creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Big Creek
Reservoir (= Newport Reservoir)=1 mile N of central Newport along 101,
Criteser Moorage=marina at about mile 10.2 along north Yaquina Bay Road,
Eckman Lake=lake 2 mi east of Waldport along Hwy 34, Eckman Slough=slough
between Alsea Bay and Eckman Lake, fide=reported to, Hidden Valley=valley
between Newport and Toledo accessible by downward road at about mile 11.9
along north Yaquina Bay Road, HMSC =Hatfield Marine Science Center,
HY=hatch-year (bird that hatched in YEAR), Idaho Flats=large embayment
just east of HMSC, Little Whale Cove=residential area 1 mi S of Depoe
Bay, Newport Heights=1 mile east of downtown Newport, OBOL=Oregon Birders
On Line, Ona Beach=state
park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge along Hwy 101 at Beaver
Creek, Sallys Bend=large embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay,
Smelt Sands=SP along coast 1 mi N of downtown Yachats, Thiel Creek=creek
about 3.5 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge, Thornton Creek=creek between
Toledo and Eddyville, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi north of Ona Beach along Hwy
101, YBCBC=Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count, YBNJ=Yaquina Bay North
Jetty, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty, Yaquina Bay SP=park immediately
north of Yaquina Bay Bridge west of Hwy 101.
* * * * * * * * * * *
LOONS - HERONS
Over 1200 RED-THROATED LOONS, over 200 PACIFIC LOONS, and at least
10 COMMON LOONS flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP). YBNFT saw
Red-throateds and some Commons in Idaho Flats on 1/18. JS spotted a
Pacific off YBSJ on 12/24-27.
A PIED-BILLED GREBE waved its right foot in the air while resting on
the Oregon Oyster Company docks at high tide on 1/4 (KM). HORNED GREBES
swam off Boiler Bay on 12/25-26, when 6 RED-NECKED GREBES were at YBSJ
(TH & CA), where JS also saw Red-neckeds on 12/24-27. DF observed an
EARED GREBE in Eckman Lake on 1/6. 40 WESTERN GREBES were off Boiler Bay
on 12/21 (PP) as were several on 12/25-26 (TH & CA), and a CLARK'S GREBE
joined hundreds of Westerns in Sally's Bend on 1/4 (YBCBC.)
SB, B&SLo, & LO found 11 NORTHERN FULMARS and 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER
dead on 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in December. A light
NORTHERN FULMAR flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP).
A Brown Pelican flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP), followed by
4 on 12/26 (TH & CA). YBCBCwatchers spotted several more late pelicans
on 1/4, 3 remained at YBSJ for YBNFT on 1/18, and one flew under the
bridge and up lower Yaquina Bay on 1/20 (WH). Most of 80 BRANDT'S
CORMORANTS off Boiler Bay on 12/21 flew N (PP). A GREAT EGRET was in
Eckman Lake on 12/24 (JS).
* * * * * * * * * * *
WATERFOWL
A BRANT flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP). A HY BRANT frequented
the YBSJ "gull pond" on 1/3; RL drove within 15 ft, and the brant didn't
care. YBNFT counted 1 BRANT at Idaho Flats on 1/18. A probable
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE/CANADA GOOSE hybrid whose white "front"(area around
bill) and sides of head were separated by curved, vertical black; its
neck was black, bill was dark pink, and legs were orange (JS). It joined
4 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 90 CANADA GEESE in Bayview Pasture on
12/24-27 (JS).
YBCBC counted at least 3 EURASIAN WIGEONS among hundreds of
AMERICAN WIGEONS in Idaho Flats and 1 in Hidden Valley on 1/4. 3
AMERICAN WIGEONS flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP). REDHEADS rested
and CANVASBACKS cavorted in Sally's Bend on 1/4 (YBCBC).
80 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, 20 BLACK SCOTERS, and 350 of
600 SURF SCOTERS flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP). TH & CA observed
uncountable Surfs and a few Blacks there on 12/25-26. Over
300 BLACK SCOTERS rode the waves off Yaquina Head on 1/4 (YBCBC). A male
HARLEQUIN DUCK swam in the Boiler Bay Surf on 12/21 (PP); TH & CA saw
another there on 12/25-26, TB spotted 1 at YBSJ on 1/6, and a female was
off YBSJ and a male off Yaquina Head on 1/18 (YBNFT). A female and an
immature LONG-TAILED DUCK joined the scoter raft off Boiler Bay on 12/21
(PP).
5 BUFFLEHEADS flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP).
RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were off YBSJ on 12/24-27 (JS) and Boiler Bay on
12/21 (PP). 2 male HOODED MERGANSERS swam in Sally's Bend on 1/4 (KM).
* * * * * * * * * * *
DIURNAL RAPTORS - GROUSE
WHITE-TAILED KITES were active over Idaho Flats on 1/2 (JL), 1/3
(RL), and 1/18 (YBNFT), and YBCBC noted several kites as well as several
NORTHERN HARRIERS, SHARP-SHINNED HAWKS, and BALD EAGLES throughout the
area on 1/4. On 1/20, another BALD EAGLE flew in towards Yaquina Head
carrying something smaller than a murre, followed by a subadult trying to
steal this item (WH).
On 1/2, JL had a great look at the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK along the
Idaho Flats nature trail; RCa found a Red-shouldered in the Yaquina
Bay marsh at 35th Street, and on 1/4, YBCBC located another in Yaquina
Bay SP as well as many RED-TAILED HAWKS. A Red-tailed kited perfectly in
the Yaquina Head headwind for YBNFT on 1/18.
An AMERICAN KESTREL was active near Whale Cove Restaurant on 12/25
(TH & CA). YBCBC counted 4 PEREGRINE FALCONS, 1 MERLIN, and several
AMERICAN KESTRELS on 1/4. 2 Peregrines, probably an adult male and an
adult female, soared and stooped over the Newport Bayfront slope in the
1/5 east wind; the male was aerially active there on 1/6, and on 1/8,
performed courtship stoops for the female (PWL).
Instead of grousing about the 1/4 weather, inland YBCBC teams
groused in the rain to find several RUFFED GROUSE.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SHOREBIRDS
9 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and 12 KILLDEER joined songbirds and geese
in Bayview Pasture on 12/24-27 (JS).
A SPOTTED SANDPIPER teetered on pilings upstream from Criteser
Moorage in upper Yaquina Bay on 1/4 (KM). 120 SURFBIRDS,
53 BLACK TURNSTONES, and 1 SANDERLING graced Smelt Sands SP on 1/6 (TB).
Many gulls and sandpipers use the Oregon Oyster Company docks in
upper Yaquina Bay as a roost at high tide. On 1/4, 55 DUNLINS, 175
WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 25 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and 1 BLACK TURNSTONE retreated
there from an especially high storm surge-augmented spring tide (KM). At
south Seal Rock the same day, 70 DUNLINS and 40 SANDERLINGS chased the
waves among foot-high, sun-drenched, wind-driven foambergs from the
momentous high tide (KM). YBNFT spotted 9 Leasts in Idaho Flats on 1/18.
A WILSON'S SNIPE skulked among blackberry canes along Yaquina Bay in
Toledo on 1/4 (KM).
SB, B&SLo, LO found 19 phalarope sp. and 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER dead
along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in December. Over 300 RED
PHALAROPES darted in the surf or flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP).
26 RED PHALAROPES were in and near Bayview Pasture on 12/24-27, where two
were dead on the road (JS).
* * * * * * * * * * *
GULLS
3 BONAPARTE'S GULLS, 1 FRANKLIN'S GULL, and 1 HEERMANN'S GULL flew
S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP). 1 Bonaparte's appeared for YBCBC on 1/4.
300 mostly immature GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21,
and 10 HERRING GULLS were there (PP); other Herrings were at YBSJ on
12/24-27 (JS) and Idaho Flats on 1/18 (YBNFT). YBCBC counted several
THAYER'S GULLS on 1/4 and also saw a 1st-winter GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL
joining the Newport Bayfront crowd (of gulls) begging for scraps at Mo's
(YBCBC). RING-BILLED GULLS visited YBSJ on 12/24-27 (JS).
30 CALIFORNIA GULLS and over 500 MEW GULLS flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21
(PP). On 1/4, 205 Mews retreated during high tide on the Oregon Oyster
Company docks, and about 30 continually circled over the most turbulent
surf off Seal Rock (KM). 60 Black-legged Kittiwakes flew S off Boiler
Bay on 12/21 (PP); 4 others were spotted during the 1/4 YBCBC. 800 gulls,
mostly Westerns and Glaucous-wingeds and their hybrids but also 200 Mews,
a dozen Herrings, and several Thayer's roosted in Yachats River mouth on
1/18, while offshore, 20 Mews caught 3-inch fish (WH).
* * * * * * * * * * *
ALCIDS
Over 2500 COMMON MURRES flew S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP). On
1/20, about 2500 tightly packed COMMON MURRES called constantly while
swimming rapidly with outstretch necks on the water off Yaquina Head on
1/20 as small flocks flew around all over (WH). 2 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS flew
S off Boiler Bay on 12/21 (PP), and TH & CA saw some there on 12/25-26.
YBCBC counted a RHINOCEROS AUKLET on 1/4. 2 CASSIN'S AUKLETS were the
only alcids found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in
December (SB, B&SLo, LO). 3 MARBLED MURRELETS and a few of the 13
ANCIENT MURRELETS off Boiler Bay on 12/21 flew S (PP); Ancients were also
there on 12/25-26 (TH & CA).
YBCBC's 1/4 MOURNING DOVE was staked out at a Toledo feeder. A
NORTHERN PYGMY OWL perched on the very tip of a tree along the west side
of Hwy 101 between Cape Perpetua and Yachats on 1/7 (DP). A Hummingbird
sp. inspected DHG through her HMSC office window on 1/3, the day before
YBCBC field teams and 6 feeder watchers produced a record 17 ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRDS. RCh heard her first Wandemere ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD male
performing the dive display on 1/6, and on 1/7, there were 2.
* * * * * * * * * * *
WOODPECKERS - TANAGERS
Near the Newport Airport on 1/4, a flicker sp. intently excavated an
anthill; YBCBCers' OBOL report relates their suspicion of a "GELDED"
FLICKER followed by the realization during post-CBC study that it was
really a "Yellow-shafted" NORTHERN FLICKER (fide OBOL). Oh well. The
watch for neutered woodpeckers continues.
On 1/1, a NORTHERN SHRIKE started the year right by chasing kinglets
at DF's Thornton Creek feeder. Another NORTHERN SHRIKE worked the fence
line along the east side of the Newport Municipal Airport on 1/4 (YBCBC).
2 GRAY JAYS appeared for YBCBCers in the hills way up N Beaver Creek
Rd. on 1/4.
A BARN SWALLOW flew (or was blown) over the Smelt Sands SP parking
lot on 1/6 (TB). YBNFT spotted a TREE SWALLOW along the Idaho Flats
nature trail on 1/18.
YBCBC found an AMERICAN DIPPER along Elkhorn Creek on 1/4.
11 VARIED THRUSHES formed a post-storm feeding flock in Bayview
Pasture on 12/24-27 (JS). Several VARIED THRUSHES continued regularly in
Gloria Baum's Little Whale Cove forested yard as of 1/17.
A TOWNSEND'S WARBLER visited BB's Yachats yard on 12/22. SS & TD
saw a female TOWNSEND'S WARBLER in Newport on 1/2. A flock of 30
Townsend's gleaned the hemlock trees in RL's Eckman Lake yard on 1/12.
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS attended YBSJ on 12/24-27 (JS); a Yellow-rumped
and a female Townsend's gleaned insects in the tops of RCh's Wandemere
neighbor's trees on 1/7. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER visited
J&ST's Newport Heights yard on 1/4. CP found a
winter-plumage male WESTERN TANAGER on 1/6 on the north side of
San-Bay-O Circle, just east of Hwy. 101 in north Newport.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SPARROWS-FINCHES
A SPOTTED TOWHEE joined waterfowl and other songbirds in Bayview
Pasture from 12/24-27 (JS). A SWAMP SPARROW below the dam at the Big
Creek Reservoir came through for the YBCBC Dam Team on 1/4. In
Wandemere, the first SONG SPARROWS of spring tuned up on 1/3 (RCh). The
biggest FOX SPARROW assemblage RCh has ever seen continues in her
Wandemere yard; now that they ate all the seed she scattered for them,
they're digging huge pits in the flower beds looking for more. A
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW on 12/25 was Paul Reed's Christmas gift in his
Newport yard. Another White-throated visited J&KC's feeder 4 miles east
of Waldport on 1/8. 25 DARK-EYED JUNCOS fed alongside other songbirds
and waterfowl on in Bayview Pasture on 12/24-27 (JS).
A SNOW BUNTING was a late-day YBCBC find at YBNJ on 1/4.
On 1/1, a flock of 50 or so RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS paid a new year's
visit to RCh's Wandemere feeders, and they have returned several days
since.
A WESTERN MEADOWLARK camped along the Idaho Flats Nature trail on
12/24-27 (JS); on 1/2, JL observed about 24 meadowlarks out her HMSC
office window.
On 1/5, CP found a LESSER GOLDFINCH on the north side of San-Bay-O
Circle, just east of Hwy. 101 in north Newport; the next day, 2 were
there. A small band of Pine Siskins added winter warmth to the Seal
Rock Fire Hall on 1/6 (SaL).
OBSERVERS: Carol Ambruster, Betty Bahn, Tanya Bray,
Sara Brown, Randy Campbell (RCa), Rebecca Cheek (RCh),
Jorrie & Ken Ciotti, Todd Dunkirk, Darrel Faxon, Dawn
Harris Grafe, Wayne Hoffman, Eric Horvath, Tony Hull, Janet Lamberson,
Peter W. Lawson, Sally Lockyear (SaL), Bob (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel, Roy
Lowe, Kathy Merrifield, Laimons Osis, Diane Pettey, Chuck Philo, Phil
Pickering, Jamie Simmons, Stacy Strickland, Jim & Shirley Thielen,
Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count (YBCBC), Yaquina Birders and Naturalists
Field Trip (YBNFT) led by EH.
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BIRD FIELD NOTES from the February 2003 Sandpiper 24(2)
Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations: Bayview
Pasture=field east of junction of Beaver Creek Road and North Alsea Bay
Road, Beaver Creek=creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Boone
Slough=freshwater slough at road mile 8.9 along north Yaquina Bay Road,
Burnham Creek=creek flowing into the NE corner of Alsea Bay; Coquille
Point=SE Corner of Sally's Bend, Criteser's Moorage=marina at about mile
10.2 along north Yaquina Bay Road, Eckman Lake=lake 2 mi east of Waldport
along Hwy 34, Eckman Slough=slough between Alsea Bay and Eckman Lake, Fox
Creek=2 mi S of Seal Rock SP on U. S. 101, Henderson Creek=creek entering
ocean just south of South Beach SP, HMSC=Hatfield Marine Science Center,
Idaho Flats=large embayment just east of HMSC, Mike Miller Park=county
park on east side of Hwy 101 in south Beach, Moolack Beach=immediately N
of Yaquina Head, Newport Heights=1 mile east of downtown Newport,
NWR=National Wildlife Refuge, OBOL=Oregon Birders On Line,
OCA=Oregon Coast Aquarium,
Ona Beach=state park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge along Hwy
101 at Beaver Creek, Sallys Bend=large embayment east of the LNG tank at
Yaquina Bay, Thiel Creek=creek about 3.5 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge,
USFWS=US Fish & Wildlife Service, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi north of Ona
Beach along Hwy 101, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty, Yaquina Head=head
immediately S of Moolack Beach.
* * * * * * * * * * *
YB&N STARS
Oregon Field Ornithologists (OFO) provides a certificate of thanks
to those who are generous hosts to birders visiting their yards to see
rarities. "Generous hosting" includes such acts of kindness as providing
a place to sit, coffee, and perhaps a sheltered respite for those waiting
for the rarity to appear at the feeder. J&LM have recently been honored
as recipients of an OFO certificate of thanks (see INDIGO BUNTING,
below). Thanks from all of us, too, J&LM, for being good observers, for
reporting numerous rarities, and for being gracious hosts!
* * * * * * * * * * *
BEACHED BIRD REPORT FOR 2002
The 25th year of surveys on Lincoln County beaches between Beaver
Creek and Henderson Creek (including Thiel Creek) has been completed by
B&SLo, SB, and LO. Birds other than murre chicks totaled 432 in 2002;
the average annual count for the previous 24 years was 449, and the
average for 1998-2002 was 355. Phalaropes (201), fulmars (63), and
murres (39) were the most abundant. 181 phalaropes caught in a November
storm kept the 2002 count from being one of the lowest on record and made
that month's count the highest November on record. In contrast, counts
for February, April, and August were the lowest, or close to it, for
those months. The 25 murre chicks were another low count. This may have
been due to low ocean mortality because chick production as measured at
the Yaquina Head colony was good. Numbers of other alcids and of scoters
were also low. The disemboweled WILLOW PTARMIGAN found in July provided
a little excitement, although surveyors concluded that its presence was
due to human intervention of some kind.
Why were most counts low in 2002? Relatively good weather with
little west wind prevailed. One factor might be reduced west wind,
because it can bring large quantities of dead birds from beyond our
nearshore waters.
Dead birds lack the glamour of those still alive, but this
long-established, well-defined study is an important contribution to
knowledge of coastal and pelagic birds. Thanks, B&SLo, SB, and LO! We
really appreciate your hard and consistent work.
* * * * * * * * * * *
LOONS - HERONS
About 5 RED-THROATED LOONS/min flew N over at least 7 others resting
on the water off Yachats on 2/9 (KM). YBNFT found RED-THROATED LOONS and
COMMON LOONS in Idaho Flats and at YBSJ on 2/17. On 2/18,
3 PACIFIC LOONS joined 38 COMMON LOONS in the channel at YBSJ (MD),
where, on 2/6, WH observed an immature YELLOW-BILLED LOON at 4:30 PM, a
good time to view the evening loon raft there.
DFr, NS & HH saw at least 2 EARED GREBES in Sally's Bend on 2/1. Up
to 6 HORNED GREBES dived synchronously with 10 COMMON GOLDENEYES off
Sawyer's Landing on 1/26 and with 15 Surf Scoters in Alsea Bay west of
101 on 2/9 (KM). Single RED-NECKED GREBES were at YBSJ on 1/17 (GG) and
off Yachats on 2/9 (KM). Of the 100 WESTERN GREBES in E Sally's Bend on
1/26, at least 4 had quite orange bills and discernible white before the
eyes, suggesting CLARK'S GREBES (DS). Sally's Bend hosted a total of
230 WESTERN GREBES on 1/26, some brandishing the inflated throats and
jabbing bills of threat displays (KM). A big flock of Westerns floated
off Boiler Bay on 2/17 (GG).
3 NORTHERN FULMARS were found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near
Thiel Creek in January (B&SLo, SB, LO). A BROWN PELICAN rested on YBSJ
on 1/30 (CP). A single DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT occupied its usual
Beaver Creek-bank spot on 2/2 (LO).
On 2/10, a high-flying flock of 16 GREAT BLUE HERONS flew from W of
Hwy 101 towards the estuary east of OCA, making slow headway into a stiff
easterly breeze (BO). 4 GREAT EGRETS fished the east shore of Alsea Bay
on 2/9 (KM).
* * * * * * * * * * *
WATERFOWL
The USFWS Winter Waterfowl Trend Survey of coastal Oregon was flown
on 1/9-10 (DP). Waterfowl numbers were low in most survey areas,
including Lincoln County. The 29,082 dabblers totaled 73% and the 16,575
divers totaled 128% of their 5 year means, while the 46,278 combined
ducks totaled 86% of the 5 year mean. The 4,756 geese totaled 119% of
the five year mean. The grand total for all waterfowl, 51,595, was 88%
of the five year mean. Of particular concern is the total of 557 BRANT,
counted from the ground for accuracy. Virtually unchanged from the 551
counted last year, this was the 3rd lowest wintering BRANT total recorded
in Oregon.
2 SNOW GEESE (1 adult and 1 immature) visited Siletz Bay NWR on
1/26 (DS). 136 BRANT fed in Sally's Bend on 1/26 (KM), many were there
on 2/1 (SJ), and HR, while birding with her class on 2/17, counted 41
there for her life list sighting.
On 2/16, DS spotted an EURASIAN WIGEON in Idaho Flats, where HR
noted at least 2 Eurasians among 50 AMERICAN WIGEONS on 2/17. 95
CANVASBACKS graced Sally's Bend on 1/26 (KM, DS). Beaver Creek Valley,
now flooded, was a good place to see RING-NECKED DUCKS as of 2/3 (LO).
On 1/17, hundreds of SURF SCOTERS rafted off Boiler Bay and in the
Yaquina Bay channel (GG). In upper Yaquina Bay and Sally's Bend on 1/26,
SURF SCOTERS lazily demonstrated the basics of courtship (KM). A lone
male WHITE-WINGED SCOTER joined Surfs in Sally's Bend the same day (DS).
On 2/9, 160 Surfs, 80 White-wingeds, and 15 BLACK SCOTERS floated off
Yachats under lines of northward-flying White-wingeds and Surfs (KM).
425 Surfs gathered in Alsea Bay on 2/9 (KM).
A female LONG-TAILED DUCK swam in Alsea Bay on 1/26 (JF & RM), a
probable adult female was in the Yaquina Bay channel the same day (StS),
and a male was off Boiler Bay on 2/1 (SJ). 3 HARLEQUIN DUCKS occupied
YBSJ on 2/1 (DFr, NS & HH), as did 4 on 2/17 (YBNFT), the same day 2 swam
in the Boiler Bay surf (GG).
On 1/26, about 40 COMMON GOLDENEYES in Sally's Bend (DS) and 10 at
Sawyer's Landing courted vehemently (KM). Beaver Creek Valley, flooded
as of 2/3, was a good place to see BUFFLEHEADS and COMMON GOLDENEYES
(LO).
20 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS, included 2 courting groups of about 5,
enjoyed Alsea Bay on 2/9 (KM). 2 HOODED MERGANSERS swam slowly upstream
off Sawyer's Landing on 1/26 (KM), some were at Idaho Flats Marina on 2/1
(SJ) and in flooded Beaver Creek Valley as of 2/3 (LO), and 6 rested in
Alsea Bay at the mouth of Burnham Creek on 2/9 (KM).
* * * * * * * * * * *
DIURNAL RAPTORS
While braving the rain on 1/26, DS spotted a WHITE-TAILED KITE over
Idaho Flats. On 1/27, a COOPER'S HAWK sat for at least half an hour on
top of a utility pole south of Waldport (DFx). On 2/1, DFr, NS & HH
missed the Coquille Point bunting but noted a hungry-looking
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK in the neighborhood.
Near the HMSC on 2/12, SK noticed half a dozen crows taking turns
attacking what looked like a raptor on the ground. Concerned that the
raptor might be hurt, he walked over to investigate and found a
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK with a tweety bird of some kind, SK said. More
concerned with SK's approach than with the crows bothering it, the
Sharp-shinned flew away.
On 1/18, RG saw a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK near the Idaho Flats
boardwalk. TD spotted a mature melanistic RED-TAILED HAWK near YBSJ on
2/3: it was chocolate-brown except for the red tail and some slightly
lighter coloration under the wings.
Since 1/4, an AMERICAN KESTREL frequented Beaver Creek mid-valley
through at least 2/3 (LO). RG spotted a MERLIN near the YBSJ puddles on
1/18. Another MERLIN flew tentatively across SaL's Yachats yard on 2/2,
stopping momentarily on the west fence and casting a not-too subtle
glance at the feeders. On 1/27 a PEREGRINE FALCON took a bath in a
Bayview Pasture puddle, while crows perched in a tight cluster in one of
the nearby alders, firmly awaited the Peregrine's departure. 2
Peregrines again enjoyed the east wind over the Bayfront on 2/6,
reminiscent of their appearance in the 1/5 east wind and were probably
the same two birds (PL). BO saw a single Peregrine on 2/4 over Idaho
Flats, headed east scaring gulls but not stooping at anything, and
another on 2/10 headed west over the HMSC USFWS building.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SHOREBIRDS
9 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS moved past Depoe Bay on 2/1 (SJ), and 12
gathered under the bridge there on 2/17. A SPOTTED SANDPIPER teetered
in upper Yaquina Bay near Toledo on 1/26 (KM).
It was an account that only a biologist could love: RC's
description of a BLACK TURNSTONE dead on Ona Beach on 1/28 included,
"upper breast black, lower breast disintegrating." BLo, intrigued, said
that they'd never found a dead BLACK TURNSTONE in their beach survey; KM,
intrigued, wanted the bird for her collection.
2 ROCK SANDPIPERS joined BLACK TURNSTONES at YBSJ on 1/26 (StS), 2
ROCK SANDPIPERS joined over 30 turnstones there on 2/1 (DFr, NS & HH),
and GG found another ROCK SANDPIPER under the Depoe Bay bridge with
15 BLACK TURNSTONES and 30 SURFBIRDS on 2/17.
About 100 DUNLINS worked the Beaver Creek Valley grass as of 2/3
(LO). On 2/9, 640 SANDERLINGS and 160 DUNLINS circled and pivoted as one
over E Alsea Bay but landed once in a while so KM could identify them.
1 phalarope sp. was found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel
Creek in January (B&SLo, SB, LO). 3 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES flew S
together close to the Yachats shore on 2/9 (KM).
* * * * * * * * * * *
GULLS - ALCIDS
WH visited Yachats on 1/18 and scoped the gulls roosting on the sand
in the river mouth and at other locations up and down the beach. At
least 800 birds were present, dominated by WESTERN GULLS, GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS, and their hybrid offspring, WH said. Also present were perhaps
200 MEW GULLS, a dozen or so HERRING GULLS, a few more than that
THAYER'S GULLS, and a bird that WH tried unsuccessfully to turn into a
Kumlien's. (He couldn't eliminate GW x Western, but it didn't really
look like one). About 30 MEW GULLS were catching 3-inch fish off the
sand beach in the river mouth, and several young Thayer's were catching
4-inch fish in a cove north of the river mouth.
Among several MEW GULLS in Beaver Creek Valley as of 2/3, one waited
for the peeps to find something before running at them in hope of
stealing the morsel (LO).
Most of at least 550 gulls participating in 3 simultaneous tight
feeding frenzies off Yachats on 2/9 were MEW GULLS and GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS; joining them were about 70 unidentified large gulls, about 30
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, and 2 BONAPARTE'S GULLS (KM). A
BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE flew past Boiler Bay on 2/1 (SJ), another passed
there on 2/17 (GG), and another visited YBSJ on 2/18 (MD).
4 murre sp. were found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel
Creek in January (B&SLo, SB, LO). On 2/8, about 600 COMMON MURRES passed
Wandemere between 8:30 - 8:45 AM (RC). Those 3 tight feeding frenzies
off Yachats on 2/9 were instigated by COMMON MURRES, and murre flocks of
15 or more flew between feeding sites as well as in most other
directions.
3 MARBLED MURRELETS drifted off Yachats on 2/9 (KM), and 2 flew past
Boiler Bay, while another floated in the heavy surf there on 2/17 (GG).
* * * * * * * * * * *
PIGEONS - SWALLOWS
2 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS arrived at LO's Beaver Creek feeder on 2/14,
20 days before their previous first arrival date there.
LO heard the Beaver Creek Valley BARRED OWL at 6 AM on 2/3.
Speaking of BARRED OWLS, PS phoned LO about the supposed BARRED OWL found
during the beached bird study in October 1998; DNA analysis indicated
that it was a BARRED OWL-SPOTTED OWL hybrid.
On 2/2, J&KC saw the first male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD of the season at
their feeder 4 mi E of Waldport; 2 on 2/5. True to form, a male
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD appeared at J&JG's N Yachats feeder on 2/14. Perched
in a serviceberry tree above some blooming rhododendrons, he had a good
view of the prospects there. J&JG usually get one good sighting of the
first to appear and then see no more for several days or weeks.
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS left J&JG's yard in about early February.
MN saw what was probably a TREE SWALLOW at Fox Creek on 1/22. On
1/18, a BARN SWALLOW flew over YBSJ (RG), and on 1/ 21, CP saw one
BARN SWALLOW at YBSJ and another flying north at Moolack Beach. On 2/6,
at least 5 BARN SWALLOWS foraged over the South Beach Peninsula dunes,
where 2 WRENTITS also sang (RC).
* * * * * * * * * * *
WARBLERS - SISKINS
A bright and beautiful male TOWNSEND'S WARBLER had been attending a
Waldport suet feeder for several weeks when SaL enjoyed it on 2/3.
Another Townsend's visited CP's Toledo yard daily as of 2/8. Townsend's
are uncommon to locally common in winter west of the Cascades, sometimes
joining winter foraging flocks.
On 2/6, the South Beach Peninsula dunes were alive with the sound of
music... of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (RC).
A LINCOLN'S SPARROW appeared for RG along the HMSC Nature Trail on
1/19.
On 1/22, J&LM identified an unusual visitor to their Coquille Point
yard as an INDIGO BUNTING. DFx reported later that day that the
forehead, crown, sides of head, back, and wings were mostly bright
cinnamon brown, and the primaries and tertials bore dark inner webs and
bright cinnamon edges. It sounded like a female. JS reported from his
sighting on 1/25 that the bunting also had a nickel-size patch of dark
blue feathers on the left side of the upper breast. It sounded like a
male. KM has concluded from the e-mail discussion that followed that the
bird was a male or a female. Particulars are in OBOL archives. Many
observers saw the bunting, and J&LM were quick to report the rarity and
were tremendously gracious hosts during the viewing process. [It was
last seen on Jan. 27.]
YBNFT found a fresh dead WESTERN MEADOWLARK along the HMSC Nature
Trail on 2/17; EH found that it was unmarked but had no body fat and
wondered if it had starved to death.
On 2/7, 6 live RED CROSSBILLS flew over RC's Wandemere home, where
on 2/10, 30 PINE SISKINS flew around the Wandemere treetops.
OBSERVERS: Gert Bernstein, Sara Brown, Rebecca Cheek,
Jorrie & Ken Ciotti, Mike Denny, Todd Dunkirk, Daniel Farrar (DFr),
Darrel Faxon (DFx), Joe Fontaine, James & Janice Gerdemann, Roy Gerig,
Greg Gillson, Hendrik Herlyn, Wayne Hoffman, Eric Horvath,
Steven Jaggers, John of Cape May, NJ (JOCM), Steve Kupillas,
Peter Lawson, Sally Lockyear (SaL), Bob (BLo) and Shirley Loeffel (SLo),
John & Linda MacKown, Ed McVicker, Kathy Merrifield, Randy Moore,
Michael Noack, Bob Olson, Laimons Osis, Chuck Philo, Dave Pitkin,
Holly Reinhard, Stephen Shunk (StS), Jamie Simmons, David Smith,
Bob Stites, Pete Stoessl, Noah Strycker, James & Shirley Thielen,
YBNFT, led by EH and including JOCM.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BIRD FIELD NOTES from the March 2003 Sandpiper 24(3)
Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations: Beaver
Creek=creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Big Rock
Creek=tributary joining the Siletz River at Logsden; Bird Guide web site, Boone
Slough=freshwater slough at about mile 8.9 along N Yaquina Bay Road,
Criteser Moorage=marina at about mile 10.2 along N Yaquina Bay Road,
Driftwood Beach SP=park about halfway between Seal Rocks and Waldport,
Eckman Lake=lake 2 mi east of Waldport along Hwy 34, Eckman Slough=slough
between Alsea Bay and Eckman Lake, fide=reported to ("FEE-day;" Latin for
faith, trust, and confidence; female gender, of course), Fox Creek=2 mi S
of Seal Rock SP on U. S. 101, HMSC=Hatfield Marine Science Center, Idaho
Flats=large embayment just east of HMSC, Moolack Beach=beach immediately
N of Yaquina Head, Nute Slough=freshwater slough at about mile 9.3 along
N Yaquina Bay Road, OBOL=Oregon Birders On Line, Ona Beach=state park about
6.6 mi S of Yaquina Bay bridge along Hwy 101 at Beaver Creek, Perpetua
Bank=undersea elevation (hill) 32 miles W of Yachats, Sally's Bend=large
embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, Sam Creek=tributary of
Simpson Creek 6 mi eastbound on Hwy 20 from E Toledo turnoff; Thiel
Creek=creek 3.5 mi S of Yaquina Bay bridge, Tidewater=about 8 mi east of
Waldport, Wandemere=about 0.5 mi N of Ona Beach along Hwy 101,
YBSJ=Yaquina Bay South Jetty, Yaquina Head=head immediately S of Moolack
Beach.
* * * * * * * * * * *
LOONS - HERONS
BGPT counted 21 COMMON LOONS, 4 PACIFIC LOONS, and
8 RED-THROATED LOONS during their 3/1 Perpetua Bank trip. 12 winter-
plumaged Red-throateds gathered in the channel near Idaho Flats on 3/16
(KM).
On 2/23, 1 PIED-BILLED GREBE dove in the fresh water of Boone Slough
as did at least 2 at Eckman Lake (KM). Single EARED GREBES foraged in
Sally's Bend on 2/23 and 3/16 (KM). BGPT spotted 3 RED-NECKED GREBES
during their 3/1 Perpetua Bank trip (WH), and 2 rode the YBSJ swells on
3/16 (KM). The 250 WESTERN GREBES in Sally's Bend on 2/23 decreased to
140 on 3/16; they disperse upstream in spring (KM). On 3/16, a
CLARK'S GREBE joined 31 Westerns at YBSJ, and another joined 140 Westerns
in Sally's Bend (KM).
The highlight of BGPT's 3/1 Perpetua Bank trip, writes TS, was
heralded by WH calling out "MANX SHEARWATER!" as he put into words the
name that several others couldn't articulate because their jaws were on
the deck; 2 black-and-white shearwaters with clean white undertail
coverts took flight for all to see. But really, BGPT's view of
3 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES playing tug-of-war with beef fat must have
been a close second. BGPT's other tubenose totals were 4 BLACK-FOOTED
ALBATROSSES, 1 LAYSAN ALBATROSS, 9 NORTHERN FULMARS, 8 PINK-FOOTED
SHEARWATERS, 12 SOOTY SHEARWATERS, and 4 SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATERS.
1 NORTHERN FULMAR and 1 FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL were found dead
along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in February (B&SLo, LO, SB).
GK & VH, experienced frigatebird observers, had a magnificent view
of a FRIGATEBIRD, probably a MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD, over Moolack Beach
on 3/16.
"Not rare, but an incredible sight," reports MN, who often paddles
his surfboard up Beaver Creek. During his 2/28 trip, a GREAT BLUE HERON
took flight from a tree, then another, and another, and then a fourth - a
dramatic event from right there at water level.
* * * * * * * * * * *
WATERFOWL
Lots of BRANT flew around the lower bay on 3/10 (SK), and the 3/16
high tide pushed 152 into the Idaho Flats salt marsh, where they fed on
Salicornia and practiced threat displays (KM).
On 2/23, 19 AMERICAN WIGEONS accompanied a typical male EURASIAN
WIGEON in Sally's Bend, and 17 GADWALLS pottered around Eckman Lake (KM).
BGPT counted 15 LESSER SCAUP offshore on 3/1. Courting-sized groups
totaling 35 Lessers meandered around Idaho Flats shallow water on 3/16,
while about 100 GREATER SCAUP floated passively farther out (KM). 1 male
and 2 female RING-NECKED DUCKS occupied the Logsden beaver pond as of 3/2
(BLe). CANVASBACK numbers had dwindled to about 16, but over 200 scaup
spp., mostly Greaters, remained in Sally's Bend on 2/23, the same day a
female CANVASBACK joined a pair of REDHEADS in the fresh water of Boone
Slough (KM). On 3/16 in Sally's Bend, 11 drifting REDHEADS were far more
passive than a marauding trio of female CANVASBACKS (KM).
BGPT counted 60 SURF SCOTERS and 18 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS during
their 3/1 Perpetua Bank trip (TS). 1050 Surfs flocked in Alsea Bay, and
at least 10 male BLACK SCOTERS courted 2 females in turbulent troughs
among 30 SURF SCOTERS diving for food off Lost Creek on 3/16 (KM). Over
900 Blacks were off Boiler Bay on 3/13 (fide HN). HARLEQUIN DUCKS at
YBSJ were represented by 1 female, 1 dull male, and 1 bright male on
3/16; about 50 RUDDY DUCKS remained in Sally's Bend the same day (KM).
2 female BUFFLEHEADS swam in the Logsden beaver pond on 3/2; by
3/17, a male had joined them (BLe). At least 200 BUFFLEHEADS and 55
COMMON GOLDENEYES graced Alsea Bay on 3/16, the same day about 80 Commons
floated in Sally's Bend (KM). SK enjoyed BUFFLEHEAD courtship in upper
Yaquina Bay: as of 3/20, 2 courting males puffed up and swam in circles
around a female until she sidled over to one; the pair swam casually side
by side until the lucky male attacked the other and drove him off. The
pair then paddled off into the sunset.
"Finally, the first birds of spring are arriving!" exclaimed BW of
Tidewater on 3/1; "pairs of COMMON MERGANSERS are cruising the Alsea
River." 2 Commons had also arrived on the Siletz River at Logsden on
3/17 (BLe). Groups totaling 25 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS courted in the
Alsea Bay low tide sunset on 3/16 (KM), and about 50 relaxed in Sally's
Bend the same day (KM). 1 male and 3 female HOODED MERGANSERS bobbed
through the Nute Slough outflow on 2/23 (KM), and a pair of Hoodeds was
in the Logsden beaver pond on 3/17 (BLe)
* * * * * * * * * * *
DIURNAL RAPTORS - TURKEYS
On 2/25, a TURKEY VULTURE flew over an apparently lively-looking MN
during his Beaver Creek paddle; another (or the same one) soared N on the
sea bluff updraft past Wandemere the same day (RC). Yet another TURKEY
VULTURE flew over Logsden on 3/12 (B&MLe), and on 3/17, at least 6 soared
over Idaho Flats (RF).
On 3/2, an OSPREY carried nesting material southward over the South
Beach dunes (RL). An acrobatic WHITE-TAILED KITE performed in the Idaho
Flats wind on 3/13 (JL).
On 3/2, a BALD EAGLE sat on the power lines crossing the Alsea River
4 mi E of Waldport (J&KC). On the Alsea at Tidewater the same day, PW
watched a BALD EAGLE and a salmon wrestle nearly to a draw until the
eagle pinned the fish on the bank; after several attempted lifts with
lots of eating in between, the eagle ended up consuming most of the fish
it had wanted to carry away. BW reports that the battle took so long
that PW finally tired of watching and missed the eagle's exit. "He's
back now, sitting in his favorite spruce as usual (the eagle, not PW),"
she reports. A juvenile BALD EAGLE wandered around Idaho Flats on 3/18
(SK).
AMERICAN KESTRELS are uncommon in our area, so one in Logsden on
3/12 was noteworthy; TWO there on 3/20 were highly unusual (BLe). On
3/18-20, a PEREGRINE FALCON visited Driftwood Beach (MN).
2 WILD TURKEYS frequented the roadsides of Hwy 20 at Burnt Woods on
2/24 (RB) and east Lincoln County on 3/18 (TW). RB suspects these are
among those introduced by ODFW in that area several years ago. RC&WN
reported turkeys in this area a couple of months ago, but KM, another
turkey, forgot to write it down. At any rate, be sure to pack your shot
(glasses) if you're coming east. (You knew I couldn't leave this one
alone, didn't you?)
* * * * * * * * * * *
SANDPIPERS - ALCIDS
A stiff-winged river crossing betrayed a winter-plumaged SPOTTED
SANDPIPER above Criteser Moorage in upper Yaquina Bay on 3/16 (KM). On
2/23, a restless flock of 70 LEAST SANDPIPERS finally settled on the
Oregon Oyster Company mudflats (KM). On 3/16, an amoeboid airborne flock
of 300 SANDERLINGS, 125 DUNLINS, and 75 WESTERN SANDPIPERS and/or
LEAST SANDPIPERS roamed the Alsea Bay shallows before finally condensing
on the mud (KM).
4 gulls - A WESTERN GULL, a GLAUCOUS GULL, a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL,
and a MEW GULL - were found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel
Creek in February (B&SLo, LO, SB). BGPT counted 151 HERRING GULLS,
16 THAYER'S GULLS, 84 Westerns, 160 Glaucous-winged, 27 Western X
Glaucous-wingeds, 1 Glaucous-winged X Herring, 5 CALIFORNIA GULLS,
1 RING-BILLED GULL, 22 Mews, and 153 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES on their 3/1
Perpetua Bank trip. 180 kittiwakes were off Boiler Bay on 3/13 (fide
HN). WH keeps an eye on the Yachats River mouth gull aggregation, which
on 3/8 totaled about 850, including about 120 Herrings, at least 30
Thayer's, at least 30 Californias, and one 2nd winter kittiwake; the rest
were Westerns, Glaucous-winged, and their offspring. On 3/9 at YBSJ, WH
noted several adult Herrings and a first winter apparent
Glaucous X Herring. 5 non-adult Herrings, 1 winter adult California, and
105 Mews formed 3/16 Idaho Flats gull flock (KM).
1 murre sp. and 1 CASSIN'S AUKLET were found dead along 4.6 miles of
beach near Thiel Creek in February (B&SLo, LO, SB). On 3/1, BGPTers
enjoyed diagnostic views of the stark black-and-white winter plumage of
6 pairs of MARBLED MURRELETS (TS). Also that day, BGPTers compared
RHINOCEROS AUKLETS' stunning breeding plumage to what resembled flying
potatoes but turned out to be CASSIN'S AUKLETS (TS); in addition, they
logged 59 COMMON MURRES and 12 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS. 340 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS
were off Boiler Bay on 3/13 (fide HN), and 8 in breeding plumage rode
downstream with the tide and flew back up with the wind at YBSJ on 3/16
(KM).
* * * * * * * * * * *
PIGEONS - BLACKBIRDS
Spring arrived on 3/19 at Fox Creek when 4 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS ate
MN's broadcast seed.
On 2/24, a male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD appeared at RF's yard 5 mi N of
Newport; the attempt of several resident ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS to drive it
away was unsuccessful. Several male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS arrived in RC's
Wandemere yard on 2/25. 2 more Rufous' appeared in RF's yard, which
hosts 2 resident pairs of ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, a female of which
collected down from old pearly everlasting stems and leaves on 2/10; a
juvenile Anna's fledged there on 3/10. A female Rufous arrived in
Tidewater on 2/27 and a male on 3/1, and several more showed up on 3/2
(PW). On 3/12, a female hummingbird sp. visited blue hyacinth, an
unusual hummingbird choice due to scent if not color, in DS's yard
between Siletz and Logsden. On 3/16, a female RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
collected cotton provided by J&KC on their porch 4 mi E of Waldport; she
alternately chirped and stabbed the cotton ball, pulling out a little
cotton with each stab, continuing until she had collected a mouthful of
fuzz before flying E. Meanwhile, back at RF's Hummingbird Ranch, on
3/19, the Rufous Gang's aggression towards the Anna's was no longer
returned.
To top off a stellar hummingbird month, a male COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD
visited the flowering rosemary in EH's South Beach garden on 3/8, as did
one last season.
On 3/16, a TREE SWALLOW sat on a lawn chair on P&BW's Tidewater
patio ... clinking a thimble-sized drink with a little pink umbrella in
it - no, not really.... Actually, BW said it looked cold.
On rainy 3/5, 6 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS joined a herd of elk along Big
Rock Creek (BLe). On 2/28-3/1, "big masses" of AMERICAN ROBINS, joined
by a few VARIED THRUSHES, covered several Toledo yards in their eternal
quest for worms (CP). VARIED THRUSHES still attended P&BW's Tidewater
feeders as of 3/1. On 3/9, MN mused that in all the years he's lived in
the area, he doesn't recall seeing VARIED THRUSHES out in the open at Fox
Creek nearly as much as he has this winter; usually they're out only in
very cold weather. A HERMIT THRUSH sang near WH's South Beach our yard
on 3/2.
Every day from 1/28 through at least 3/4 at CP's Toledo suet feeder,
a female TOWNSEND'S WARBLER provided late winter sparkle, taking breaks
to rest in a nearby holly tree.
A WESTERN MEADOWLARK among the YBSJ dunes on 3/16 reminded KM that
it was still winter, but the memory of Eckman Lake RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS
practicing their songs on 2/23 suggested the hope of spring.
OBSERVERS: Range Bayer, Bird Guide Pelagic Trip, Sara Brown,
Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie & Ken Ciotti, Roy Filby, Wayne Hoffman, Vicki
Hoover, Eric Horvath, Greg Krutzikowsky, Steve Kupillas, Janet Lamberson,
Bob (BLe) & Martha Llewellyn, Bob (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel, Roy Lowe,
Kathy Merrifield, Harry Nehls, Walt Nelson, Michael Noack, Laimons Osis,
Chuck Philo, Dorothy Scott, Jamie Simmons, Tom Snetsinger,
Tom Wainwright, Pat & Bunny Wright.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BIRD FIELD NOTES from the April 2003 Sandpiper 24(4)
Abbreviations and some Lincoln Co. site locations: Bayview
Pasture=field east of junction of Beaver Creek Road and North Alsea Bay
Road, Beaver Creek=creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Bird Guide
web site for information about pelagic trips, Burnham
Creek=creek flowing into the NE corner of Alsea Bay; Driftwood Beach
SP=park about halfway between Seal Rocks and Waldport, Eckman Lake=lake
2 mi east of Waldport along Hwy 34, Eckman Slough=slough between Alsea
Bay and Eckman Lake, Fox Creek=2 mi S of Seal Rock SP on U. S. 101,
HMSC=Hatfield Marine Science Center, Idaho Flats=large embayment just
east of HMSC, Mike Miller Park=county park on east side of Hwy 101 in
south Beach, OBOL=Oregon Birders On Line, Olalla Lake=lake 3.5 mi N of
Toledo, Ona Beach=state park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge
along Hwy 101 at Beaver Creek, Devil's Punchbowl=SP at Otter Crest
(between Yaquina Head & Cape Foulweather), Quail St.=southernmost
residential street and beach access in Seal Rock, Sallys Bend=large
embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, Spanish Head=small
headland in S Lincoln City, 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, USFWS=US Fish & Wildlife Service,
Wandemere=about 0.5 mi north of Ona Beach along Hwy 101, YBSJ=Yaquina Bay
South Jetty.
* * * * * * * * * * *
LOONS - GREBES
As of 4/16, PP checked Spanish Head or Boiler Bay about every other
day starting 3/26, and "it was been absolutely dead migration-wise; 4/16
was the first hint of any significant loon migration. In other words,
things seem to be very, very late getting started this spring," he wrote.
Accordingly, off Boiler Bay, 150 RED-THROATED LOONS flew S on 3/13, but
the tide turned on 4/16, when at least 250 PACIFIC LOONS and/or RED-
THROATED LOONS flew N along an upwelling line at least 2 mi off Spanish
Head (PP). PP found migration really whipping along off Boiler Bay on
4/18, when 1000 variable-plumaged Red-throateds, 400 breeding-plumaged
Pacifics, and at least 2500 more of one or both continued the northward
pilgrimage. MC&PV found COMMON LOONS and PACIFIC LOONS in Yaquina Bay on
3/30, and MR enjoyed close views of Pacifics there on 4/13.
1 winter-plumaged and 7 breeding Commons and 1 winter Pacific joined
7 WESTERN GREBES in an Alsea Bay mouth evening raft on 4/6 (KM).
1 WESTERN GREBE was found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel
Creek in March (B&SLo, LO, & SB). JG counted 25 Westerns at YBSJ on
3/27, and they were plentiful off Boiler Bay and in Yaquina Bay on 3/30
(MC&PV). The dives of a CLARK'S GREBE among 4 Westerns averaged 42 sec,
and the grebe swam underwater as far as 30 m per dive (KM).
6 RED-NECKED GREBES flew S off Boiler Bay on 3/13 (PP), 4 dove near the
Alsea Bay Port Dock on 4/6 (KM), one or more joined HORNED GREBES and
EARED GREBES in the Yaquina Bay mouth upstream from Hwy 101 on 3/30
(MC&PV), and Red-neckeds joined another Eared at YBSJ on 3/27 (JG).
SL spotted one or more Eareds in Yaquina Bay the week of 3/23 and in
Alsea Bay on 3/28. HORNED GREBES were in Yaquina Bay on 3/23 (SL) and
3/27 (JG) and at YBSJ on 4/13 (MR), several in breeding plumage. A
PIED-BILLED GREBE ventured into brackish water in upper Yaquina Bay 3/30
(MC&PV).
* * * * * * * * * * *
SHEARWATERS - HERONS
Over 1000 SOOTY SHEARWATERS flew S off Boiler Bay on 4/18 (PP). One
NORTHERN FULMAR and one FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL were found dead along
4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in March (B&SLo, LO, & SB).
2 BROWN PELICANS flew south off Seal Rock on 4/2 (DP), 3 pelicans
flew off Newport on 4/7 (PD), and 9 flew S off Boiler Bay on 4/18 (PP).
During his 3/23 beached bird walk, dedicated biologist LO enjoyed the
bright blue gular pouch and wisps of isolated white feathers on the back
of a dead BRANDT'S CORMORANT. At the Alsea Bay Port Dock on 4/6, a
breeding adult DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, complete with a deep yellow
throat and bill and two black crests, yawned as its head filled KM's
scope, providing an unsurpassed view of its fluorescent turquoise mouth
lining under sparkling blue eyes. PELAGIC CORMORANTS in the Waldport
area on 3/27 sported breeding plumage (JG).
A GREAT BLUE HERON watched JM and a friend fish from the bank of
Olalla Lake. After one of the fishermen made a catch, the heron flew and
landed about 30 feet away, from where it watched the men intently. They
offered a perch, which the heron took. It also watched their stringer
holding submerged, legal-sized trout. This heron was a fisherman who was
watching other fishermen, wrote RB; this behavior by Great Blues has been
reported at other lakes, but this is the first time that RB has heard
about it in Lincoln County.
A low-flying Bald Eagle spooked a single GREAT EGRET and some
GREEN HERONS in Beaver Creek Valley on 3/22 (YBNFT), 3 GREAT EGRETS
fished the southern shallows of Alsea Bay on 4/6 (KM), 4 inhabited North
Beaver Creek valley as of 4/9 (LO), and another there greeted the 4/20
YBNFT.
* * * * * * * * * * *
WATERFOWL
Western CANADA GEESE in Beaver Creek Valley were paired as of 3/22
(YBNFT). 52 Aleutian CANADA GEESE, including numbers 38X and 41X,
flocked in Bayview Pasture on 4/6 (KM). 54 Aleutians were there on 4/8
(RC&WN) and 4/10, including 38X and 41X (LO), but by 4/13, all were gone
(RC&WN). DP of USFWS added this information to other data on Aleutians;
it exemplifies the valuable contributions citizen birders can make to
science, including this wintering and migration land usage study
involving a recovering goose population.
Several BRANT were in Idaho Flats on 3/30, and later that day, near
low tide, over 90 rested at the base of YBNJ, where they often take
refuge from human bay usage, especially just before their spring
migration (MC&PV); 129 flocked there on 4/6 (KM). A flock of 11 BRANT
flew N off Boiler Bay on 4/18 (PP).
In Beaver Creek Valley, the 3/22 YBNFT noted paired MALLARDS and up
to 4 RING-NECKED DUCKS. 4/20 YB&NFTers found 4 WOOD DUCKS, several
GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 1 CINNAMON TEAL, and at least 1 Ring-necked at Mike
Miller County Park on 4/20. As of 4/20, up to 4 Ring-neckeds occupied a
flooded, brushy stream on the S side of Hwy 20 at MP 5 (PD). SL saw
GREATER SCAUPS in Yaquina and Alsea Bays the week of 3/23. A tight flock
of 15 GREATER SCAUPS dove near the YBNJ BRANT "refuge" on 4/6 (KM).
2 REDHEADS frequently swam in the flood pond at MP 5 N of Hwy 20 through
4/15 (PD).
As of 4/16, PP had yet to see any strings of northbound SURF SCOTERS
in regular observations from Boiler Bay or Spanish Head; on 3/13, over
100 Surfs, 300 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS, and 900 BLACK SCOTERS flew S off
Boiler Bay, but on 4/18, 70 Surfs flew N (PP). A female SURF SCOTER swam
on the Fox Creek freshwater pond on 3/26 (JG). MC&PV saw all 3 scoter
spp. off Boiler Bay on 3/30. 230 Surfs and at least 2 White-wingeds
scattered in small groups off Seal Rock on 4/6 (KM).
1 HARLEQUIN DUCK was found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel
Creek in March (B&SLo, LO, & SB). On 3/27, about 10 Harlequins swam
among the scoters at Seal Rock (JG), where MC&PV saw 3 males and 1 female
on 3/30 and YBNFT saw 5 on 4/20. DP counted 14 Harlequins at nearby
Quail Street on 4/2; a pair negotiated Devil's Punchbowl on 4/13 (MR).
A late pair of COMMON GOLDENEYES remained in Newport on 4/13 (MR).
SL spotted 1 or more COMMON MERGANSERS in the Siletz Bay area on
3/27. At least 30 RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS courted in Alsea Bay on 4/6
(KM), and 12 flew S off Spanish Head on 4/16 (PP).
* * * * * * * * * * *
DIURNAL RAPTORS - RAILS
P&BW's Tidewater TURKEY VULTURE advent was on 3/20. OSPREYS arrived
at Eckman Lake on 3/22 (RL) and at Depoe Bay the week of 3/23 (SL).
Single OSPREYS sat in trees along Idaho Flats on 3/24 (RF), secured
breakfast at Driftwood Beach on 3/29, sat on a nest along Alsea Bay on
3/28 (SL), and flew over OCA carrying food and trailing vegetation while
enduring immature BALD EAGLE harassment on 4/4 (PR). (Actually, most
harassment is probably immature.) A chirping OSPREY circled over Alsea
Bay and Burnham Creek on 4/6 (KM), and JL enjoyed the antics of another
over Idaho Flats on 4/16.
SL spotted a WHITE-TAILED KITE just south of Lincoln City during the
week of 3/23. A male NORTHERN HARRIER patrolled the Idaho Flats trail on
3/24 (RF).
SL saw BALD EAGLES near Siletz, Depoe, and Alsea Bays the week of
3/23. On 3/24, LO saw 2 adult BALD EAGLES near their nest in the Beaver
Creek area. A first year eagle sat on an Idaho Flats stump on 3/24 (RF),
single eagles were at Boiler Bay and Otter Rock on 3/30 (MC&PV), a 4th
year BALD EAGLE caught a PIGEON GUILLEMOT off Seal Rock on 4/2 (DP), and
an adult visited the Yachats River mouth regularly through at least 4/17
(BB).
A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK visited MN's Fox Creek yard on 3/30. A
COOPER'S HAWK landed near a Yachats feeder, disrupting a dinner party for
20 minutes as erstwhile diners enjoyed exemplary views (BB). An
AMERICAN KESTREL had attended the Beaver Creek area for several months as
of 3/22 (LO).
In late March, KM asked her hairdresser, Burnt Woods resident KG,
what she knew about the Burnt Woods Turkeys. "There are 4 turkeys,"
stated KG authoritatively; their origin was unknown. (Snip, snip...)
Asked about turkey habitat and behavior, KG said "mostly they just stand
next to the highway. (Snip, snip...) It looks like they're playing
chicken."
YBNFT heard SORA calls along Beaver Creek on 4/20; another birder
there using a Sora recording had heard calls of 6.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SHOREBIRDS - TERNS
On 3/30, up to 9 noisy BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS flew around Boiler Bay,
as did up to 5 at Depoe Bay, 2 at Rocky Creek SP, 1 off YBNJ, and up to
5 at Seal Rock; 4 GREATER YELLOWLEGS waded in upper Yaquina Bay (MC&PV).
A lone WILLET flew down Alsea Bay on 4/6 (KM).
Other than BLACK TURNSTONES at Boiler Bay, Depoe Bay and Seal Rock,
where they were joined by SURFBIRDS on 3/30, "Other shorebirds were
scarce to come by, as noted by other visitors to the coast this weekend;
we found most of them sitting on docks," noted MC&PV. It just goes to
show that you won't see many shorebirds if all you do is sit on the
docks. On 3/30, HMSC docks hosted up to 10 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and upper
Yaquina Bay docks hosted 6 DUNLINS, 1 WESTERN SANDPIPER and several
hunkered LEAST SANDPIPERS (MC&PV). Maybe it was high tide; many
shorebirds use docks as high tide roosts. SL found 2 DUNLINS on Idaho
Flats mud the week of 3/23. About half of 13 DUNLINS along the SW shore
of Alsea Bay on 4/6 were in breeding plumage (KM). On 3/27, SL observed
a WILSON'S SNIPE in the Siletz Bay area. JG spotted a snipe probing the
mud at the edge of the Fox Creek pond on 3/27, "kindly staying out in the
open so that our kids had good views."
A lone winter adult BONAPARTE'S GULL flew from the Alsea Bay
embayments to channel on 4/6 (KM). WESTERN GULLS, MEW GULLS, RING-BILLED
GULLS, and CALIFORNIA GULLS gathered on Idaho Flats on 3/30 (MC&PV).
Over 300 WESTERN GULLS and over 800 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS flew S off
Boiler Bay on 3/13 (PP). As the 4/6 evening tide came in, 275 MEW GULLS,
15 Western and Glaucous-wingeds, 1 breeding adult Ring-billed, and 1
breeding adult California gathered on the shrinking SW shore of Alsea Bay
(KM).
180 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES flew S off Boiler Bay on 3/13; over
1000 more followed on 3/23 (PP). 1 kittiwake was found dead along
4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in March (B&SLo, LO, & SB), and a
single adult flew N off Seal Rock on 4/6 (KM).
2 single CASPIAN TERNS flew N off Driftwood Beach on 4/4 (MN).
* * * * * * * * * * *
ALCIDS - WOODPECKERS
Over 15,000 COMMON MURRES, 60% breeding and 40% winter-plumaged,
flew S off Boiler Bay on 3/13, followed by over 500 on 3/23 and over
700 on 4/18 (PP). Also off Boiler Bay, 340 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, all but
10 breeding, flew S, followed by 60 on 3/23 (PP). Several guillemots off
Waldport on 3/27 (JG) and 14 off YBSJ on 4/6 (KM) were in breeding
plumage, but on 3/27, about 10% of those in OCA retained winter plumage
(JG). However many guillemots there were at Seal Rock on 4/2, there was
1 less after DP saw one nabbed by a BALD EAGLE. At least 5 guillemots
had returned to the ocean between Quail Street and Driftwood Beach on 4/5
(MN). Meanwhile, back at Boiler Bay, 8 MARBLED MURRELETS flew S on 3/13,
followed by 12 on 3/23, and over 300 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS flew S on 3/13,
followed by 8 on 3/23 (PP); 1 flew N there on 4/13 (MR).
Dead puffins made headlines - or at least, deadlines. 3 murre sp.,
3 CASSIN'S AUKLETS, a RHINOCEROS AUKLET, and a HORNED PUFFIN were found
dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel Creek in March (B&SLo, LO, &
SB). The dismantled yet identifiable Horned Puffin washed up on 3/9 in
the new wrack line about 1/2 mile S of Lost Creek (BLo). In addition, DP
found another HORNED PUFFIN, dead for some time, at Seal Rock on 4/2.
1 MOURNING DOVE visiting RC&WN's Wandemere feeders on 4/9 was
followed by two each on 4/11 and 4/13. They've had sporadic springtime
visits from a single Mourner for the past two years; RC wonders if
romance is in the spring air. Perhaps the 2 in MN's Fox Creek yard on
4/18 were Wandemere birds that migrated south. The uniform mouse-gray
coloring, dull yellow feet, smudged dark bill tip, and relatively small
body of 1 among 20 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS attending RC&WN's Wandemere feeder
gave it the appearance of a recently fledged juvenile. RC&WN's first
Band-taileds appeared on 2/11, they've been regular since late February
and increased since late March. Might this bird by a locally hatched
immature? Up to 15 Band-taileds arrived on 3/11 at BB's Yachats feeder,
and at least 15 (expected to summer as usual) arrived at PD's Toledo yard
on 4/4.
SL spotted a HAIRY WOODPECKER near Siletz Bay on 3/27. A tailless
female NORTHERN FLICKER roosting in a nest box in J&KC's yard 4 mi E of
Waldport was chased away by a nesting flicker pair as of 4/20; the
tailless female used to sit with a red-yellow intergrade flicker on the
nearby powerline.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SONGBIRDS
DF heard a CASSIN'S VIREO at Thornton Creek on 4/12; it was the
first he'd noted in the county for several years, and probably on the
earliest ever arrival date for this location.
The crows outside SK's HMSC window were at it again this year on
4/4; they seemed to be building multiple nests in the shore pines. As of
4/6, a STELLER'S JAY awaited SS' daybreak Dog-feeding, hoping to nab dry
dog food before Chloe Dog rounds the corner in SS' Neskowin (Tillamook
County) yard. On 3/3 and 3/11, a Steller's perched on a twig and
daintily dipped his bill into the hummingbird feeder spout in SS'
Neskowin yard; she captured the thief on video on 4/15.
A large flock of TREE SWALLOWS arrived at Eckman Lake as of 3/22
(RL); by 4/6, flying swallows there totaled at least 60, including about
10 Violet-greens among the Trees (KM). A large flock of VIOLET-GREEN
SWALLOWS arrived in Tidewater on 3/20 (P&BW), and Violet-greens were in
Beaver Creek Valley on 3/22 (YBNFT) and Depoe Bay the same week (SL).
A NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW circled off a Seal Rock bluff a few times
before swooping south on 4/6 (KM).
A RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH materialized at BB's Yachats suet feeder on
4/7. WINTER WRENS and MARSH WRENS delighted YBNFTers in Beaver Creek
Valley on 3/22. WINTER WRENS sang near Boiler Bay and Rocky Creek on
3/30 (MC&PV).
On 3/12, an AMERICAN DIPPER called, bobbed, and dove along the creek
near SS' Neskowin (Tillamook County) home. On 3/27, SL saw a RUBY-
CROWNED KINGLET near Siletz Bay. MC&PV heard a GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET at
Rocky Creek SP on 3/30. An AMERICAN PIPIT flew N off Boiler Bay on 4/18
(PP).
YBNFT spotted YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS in Beaver Creek Valley on 3/22.
JS noted a singing ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER south of Waldport on 3/30, and
CP heard his first singing Orange-crowned of spring in Toledo on 4/9.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS arrived on 3/25, their latest arrival date,
in P&BW's Tidewater yard just in time to eat grass seed PW had
distributed in hope of a vigorous lawn; GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS followed
on 4/5. White-crowneds arrived in MN's Fox Creek yard on 4/8. A
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW visited CP's Toledo yard on 4/17.
RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS greeted YBNFT in Beaver Creek Valley on 3/22.
SL noted BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS near Depoe and Siletz Bays the week of 3/23.
MN enjoyed a male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD in his Fox Creek yard on 4/14.
A male and female PURPLE FINCH visited MN's Fox Creek feeder for the
first time this year on 3/30; they ate sunflower seeds, and the male sang
in the treetops. PURPLE FINCHES were daily visitors at P&BW's Tidewater
feeder as of 4/7.
On 3/30, CP saw his first EVENING GROSBEAK of the year in Toledo; if
we weren't sure it was spring before, we can be sure now.
OBSERVERS: Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Susan Boehlert (SBo; 3/22
YBNFT), Sara Brown, Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie & Ken Ciotti, Marcia Cutler,
Pat Dickey, Darrel Faxon, Roy Filby, Kim Gary, Joel Geier, Steve
Kupillas, Janet Lamberson, Steve Lay, Bob & Shirley Loeffel (B&SLo),
Roy Lowe, Kathy Merrifield, Jim Miller, Walt Nelson, Michael Noack,
Bob Olson, Laimons Osis, Chuck Philo, Phil Pickering, Dave Pitkin of
USFWS, Mitch Ratzlaff, Paul Reed, Jamie Simmons, Paula Vanderheul,
Pat & Bunny Wright, YB&N Field Trip (YBNFT), led on 3/22 by LO and on
4/19 by BO.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BIRD FIELD NOTES from the May 2003 Sandpiper 24(5)
Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations: Bayview
Pasture: field east of junction of Beaver Creek Road and North Alsea Bay
Road, Beaver Creek: creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, Bird Guide
pelagic trips, Chicken Ranch (CR): an inundated Pleistocene
sand/gravel beach about 30 NM W of Newport; Darkey Creek Road: 2 mi E of
Eckman Lake along 34, Driftwood Beach SP: park about halfway between Seal
Rocks and Waldport, Eckman Lake: lake 2 mi east of Waldport along Hwy 34,
Eckman Slough=slough between Alsea Bay and Eckman Lake, fide: reported to,
Fox Creek: 2 mi S of Seal Rock SP on U. S. 101, HMSC: Hatfield Marine
Science Center, Idaho Flats: large embayment just east of HMSC, Marsh St.
seep: seepy ocean cliff and beach west of Marsh Street and 0.6 mi S of
Quail St.; Nelson's Island (NI): seamount 12 NM N of Newport, NM: nautical
mile(s), OBOL: Oregon Birders On Line, OCA: Oregon Coast Aquarium, Quail St.:
southernmost beach access in Seal Rock 0.9 mi. S of Seal Rock SP, Sallys
Bend: large embayment east of the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay, SP=State Park,
Spanish Head: small headland in S Lincoln City, 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: 0.5 mi
north of Ona Beach SP on 101.
* * * * * * * * * * *
LOONS - EGRETS
One PACIFIC LOON was found dead along 4.6 miles of beach near Thiel
Creek in April (B&SLo, LO, SB). PP seawatched off Boiler Bay an average of
3.83 hours on each of 6 days; RED-THROATED LOON numbers there peaked on 5/3
at over 150, PACIFIC LOON numbers peaked the same day at over 10,000, and
COMMON LOON numbers peaked on 4/22 at over 70; all flew N. Off Wandemere
on 4/22, loons (probably Pacific) moved N all day, and on 5/2, 20/min flew
N from at least 0700-0720 (RC).
WH counted 9 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES on the way to the Chicken Ranch
(CR) and Nelson Island (NI) for halibut fishing on 5/9. Not to be outdone
(outhalibutted? outchickened?), TG counted 75 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSSES on
5/10 and 11 on 5/16 during CR halibut fishing trips. BGPT counted 306
Black-footeds and 1 LAYSAN ALBATROSS off Newport on 5/20. TG reported and
described in detail a MOTTLED PETREL on his 5/10 CR trip.
2 NORTHERN FULMARS and 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER were found dead along 4.6
miles of beach near Thiel Creek in April (B&SLo, LO, SB). The RJs saw at
least 20 Sooties up to 1 mi off Spanish Head on 5/2. Over 25,000 Sooties
flew S off Boiler Bay on 5/3 (PP). WH saw 14 fulmars, 210 PINK-FOOTED
SHEARWATERS, and 12 Sooties during his 5/9 CR/NI trip. TG saw 50 fulmars,
hundreds of Sooties, and 20 Pink-footeds on 5/10 CR trip and 5 fulmars, 50
Sooties, and 2 Pink-footeds on his 5/16 CR trip. On 5/20, BGPT counted 23
fulmars, and 157 Pink-footeds, 2794 Sooties, and reported and described a
MANX SHEARWATER 1 mile off Nye Beach.
One BROWN PELICAN flew off Wandemere on 4/16 as did a line of 7 on
4/22 (RC), The RJs saw up to 15 pelicans flying N off Spanish Head on 5/3.
A BRANDT'S CORMORANT BLo recovered on his 4/29 beached bird walk near
Thiel Creek was the victim of a crab snare, a 2X2X3 inch metal mesh bait
box to each corner of which a semi-rigid nylon line is attached so that,
when "fished" from a pole, it lays on the bottom in an "X." The lines,
looped at the ends, entangle a crab as it approaches the bait. One of
these loops had drawn tight around the cormorant's neck, and the snare
trailed the dead bird. The life of a diving bird is full of hazards.
4 GREAT EGRETS arriving in N Beaver Creek 4/1 had departed by 4/5,
but 2 GREAT BLUE HERONS there kept the memory alive (LO). As of 5/18, a
GREEN HERON flew over OCA most mornings, heading for nearby forest (BL).
Meanwhile, back at Beaver Creek, DF scored a heron trifecta on 5/18: Great
Blues, egrets, and greens won, placed, and showed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
WATERFOWL
On the evening of 5/19, flocks of 15 and 29 large CANADA GEESE (LCG)
(which were probably the introduced Western subspecies) flew N over the
HMSC in flocks about 20 seconds apart (RB). 47 LCG flew N over King
Slough and Sally's Bend on 5/21 about noon followed by at least 24 over
Idaho Flats in early PM, and 27 flew N over SW Newport on 5/22 midmorning
(RB).
Up to 3 BRANT remained in Idaho Flats from 4/22 through 5/21 ( KM,
JF&JS, GG). On 5/2 a flock of 55 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE flew N off
Boiler Bay (PP).
On 5/2 off Boiler Bay, 4 MALLARDS, 3 NORTHERN PINTAILS, 1 AMERICAN
WIGEON, 4 NORTHERN SHOVELERS, 30 GREEN WINGED TEAL, 40 other dabbling
ducks, 7 REDHEADS, and 30 scaup flew N (PP).
12 mostly paired WOOD DUCKS occupied N Beaver Creek on 4/5 (LO); 2
pairs were visible there on 5/10 (YBNFT). On 5/2, a female WOOD DUCK flew
onto a sunny dead shorepine limb in MN's Fox Creek yard to bask for 3 mins
before flying. Several GREEN-WINGED TEAL paired along N Beaver Creek on
5/10 (YBNFT). Remaining dabblers also included a lone male Pintail in
Eckman Lake and 13 AMERICAN WIGEONS in SE Alsea Bay on 5/4 (KM), a EURASIAN
WIGEON in the Salmon River Estuary on 5/9 (fide PJ), a CINNAMON TEAL pair
in N Beaver Creek on 5/10 (YBNFT), one Cinnamon there on 5/18 (DF), and a
male shoveler in Idaho Flats on 5/13 (CP).
The latest-reported pochards included 20 RING-NECKED DUCKS in N
Beaver Creek on 4/5 (LO), a male REDHEAD there on 5/10 (YBNFT), and 3
GREATER SCAUPS in the Alsea Bay embayments on 5/4 (KM).
Peak scoter drama off Boiler Bay included 100 WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS
and over 6000 SURF SCOTERS in flocks up to 200 on 5/3 and lone BLACK
SCOTERS on 4/22 and 4/30; all flew N (PP). CP spotted a HARLEQUIN DUCK at
Quail St. beach on 5/11, and JF&JS saw 2 there on 5/18. In the Alsea
embayments on 5/4, a tight flock of 9 male and 5 female-plumaged COMMON
MERGANSERS exhibited their late summer behavior of synchronous diving. 7
HOODED MERGANSERS swam along Beaver Creek on 4/5 (LO).
* * * * * * * * * * *
DIURNAL RAPTORS - RAILS
About a year ago, sometime last season anyway, a rural Logsden
neighbor of BL dug a shallow grave for a recently deceased cow, which upon
burial bloated up real nice for the coyotes to dig up. On about 5/15, 20
TURKEY VULTURES gathered at the bloat, and 8 circling on 5/21 were joined
by 1 adult BALD EAGLE. (Don't try this in town, folks.) TJ mused on 5/2
that TURKEY VULTURES seemed to be more numerous in the Lincoln Co. Coast
Range than usual at this time of year - musta been near Logsden (perhaps
with the windows rolled up.)
Single OSPREYS flew over Idaho Flats on 4/22 (KM) and Yachats on 5/1
(BB), and 2 were over Eckman Lake on 5/4 and 5/18 (KM). A juvenile BALD
EAGLE flew over Wandemere on 4/22 (RC). 2 mostly dark immatures perched on
an Alsea Bay snag on 5/4 (KM). YBNFT saw 2 eagles at the N Beaver Creek
nest on 5/10. On 04/29, an immature COOPER'S HAWK blasted through RC&WN's
Wandemere yard, scattering finches and sparrows but capturing none; it then
search for lurkers in vegetation and even walked around to peer into fern
clumps. On 4/18, LO spotted an AMERICAN KESTREL that had been present at N
Beaver Creek all winter.
LO saw 2 AMERICAN COOTS along N Beaver Creek and heard several
VIRGINIA RAILS there on 4/5.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SHOREBIRDS
A lone SEMIPALMATED PLOVER scouted Yaquina Bay on 4/30 (DF), 50 flew
N off Boiler Bay on 5/2 (PP), and DP counted 51 on Quail St. beach on 5/6,
along with 7 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and 1 PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER. 7
breeding-plumaged Black-bellieds anchored the Idaho Flats mixed flock on
4/22 (KM), 5 visited Siletz Bay on 5/2 (RJs), and 5 were on Driftwood Beach
on 5/5 (MN).
A LONG-BILLED CURLEW appeared in Yaquina Bay on 4/30 (DF), and DP saw
another in Idaho Flats on 5/13. WHIMBRELS stalked the beach at Surfland on
4/3 (LO) and Driftwood Beach on 4/29 (MN). MMC admired over 60 WHIMBRELS
on the Salishan Golf Course on 5/1, and at least 130 fed there happily on
5/2 (DP); the Salishan Golf Course has been recognized by National Audubon
for fostering good wildlife habitat (RB). 400 WHIMBRELS flew N off Boiler
Bay on 5/3 (PP), 68 gathered in Alsea Bay on 5/4 (KM), 12 occupied Quail
St. beach on 5/6 (DP), at least 30 enjoyed the Marsh St. seep on 5/11, at
least 20 joined a MARBLED GODWIT in Idaho Flats on 5/21 (BL), and 74
dispersed on an upper Alsea Bay mudbar on 5/28 (KM). Other single MARBLED
GODWITS were in Yaquina Bay on 4/30 (DF), Siletz Bay on 5/2 (RJs), and
Idaho Flats on 5/18 (DF).
10 GREATER YELLOWLEGS waded along N Beaver Creek on 4/5 (LO), as did
15 along N Beaver Creek on 5/10 (YBNFT). On 5/10, the Beaver Creek log
pond hosted a SPOTTED SANDPIPER getting his spots (YBNFT); another was at
Quail Street beach on 5/1 (CP). 2 WANDERING TATTLERS wandered the beach
between Quail St. and Alsea Bay on 5/6 (DP), 1 was there on 5/11 (CP), and
1 visited Boiler Bay on 5/18 (JF&JS). DF spotted a RUDDY TURNSTONE in
Idaho Fats on 5/18.
A breeding-plumaged RED KNOT visited Idaho Flats on 4/22 (KM); 1 was
in Yaquina Bay on 5/2 (RJs), and 1 was on the beach between Quail St. and
Alsea Bay on 5/6 (DP). 8 breeding-plumaged DUNLINS probed Idaho Flats on
4/22 (KM), several arrived at Driftwood Beach on 4/28 (MN), 200 flew N off
Boiler Bay on 5/2 (PP), 98 joined DP for his Quail St.-to-Alsea Bay beach
walk on 5/6, and 20 were in Gov. Patterson SP on 5/11 (JSi).
160 WESTERN SANDPIPERS flocked in Idaho Flats on 4/22 (KM), over
15,000 flew N off Boiler Bay on 5/3 (PP), DP counted 477 between Quail St.
and Alsea Bay on 5/6; on 5/4, 260 flew around Bayview as did 160 in Idaho
Flats (KM), where DF saw 2 on 5/18.
DP found at least 3 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS among hundreds of look-
alikes between Quail St. and Alsea Bay on 5/6 and also counted 515
SANDERLINGS (1 in breeding plumage) and a LEAST SANDPIPER there.
SANDERLINGS in transitional plumage and Semipalmateds enjoyed the Marsh
Street seep (within DP's area) on 5/13 (CP).
68 dowitcher sp. probed Idaho Flats on 4/22 (KM), when 40 flew N off
Boiler Bay (PP). WH saw 23 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES during his 5/9 CR/NI
trip, TG saw 7 on 5/10 and 12 on 5/16 CR trips, JF&JS saw "tons" off Boiler
Bay on 5/18, the same day Roy Lowe spied 2 in Eckman Lake, BGPT counted 98
off Newport on 5/20, and over 3000 flew N off Boiler Bay on 5/19 (PP).
* * * * * * * * * * *
JAEGERS - ALCIDS
WH saw 1 PARASITIC JAEGER during his 5/9 CR/NI trip, and TG saw a
POMARINE JAEGER on his 5/16 CR trip. Off Newport on 5/20, BGPT found 1
SOUTH POLAR SKUA, rare in spring, along with 1 POMARINE JAEGER, 2 PARASITIC
JAEGERS, and 2 LONG-TAILED JAEGERS.
A BONAPARTE'S GULL was in Yaquina Bay on 4/30 (DF), over 500, mostly
adults, flew N off Boiler Bay on 5/2 (PP); 5 visited the mouth of Beaver
Creek on 5/10 (YBNFT), 1 neared full breeding plumage at Gov. Patterson
State Park on 5/11 (JSi), 15 were in Idaho Flats on 5/13 (CP), as were 20
during TG's 5/16 CR trip, and "lots" in Idaho Flats on 5/18 (DF). Single
immature HEERMANN'S GULLS flew N off Boiler Bay on 5/2 and 5/19 (PP). On
5/4, 40 bright breeding CALIFORNIA GULLS flocked along S Alsea Bay, and 11
more gathered in Idaho Flats (KM). RC observed a northward movement of
Californias along the Wandemere beach starting 5/11. On 5/18, 152
Californias flocked on a mudbar in Alsea Bay opposite McKinley Marina, and
70 occupied Idaho Flats (KM). 90 MEW GULLS in bright breeding plumage
flocked in S Alsea Bay on 5/4 (KM). During his CR fishing trips, TG saw 2
SABINE'S GULLS on 5/10 and 4 on 5/16, and BGPT counted 4 off Newport on
5/20. 4 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES, mostly immature, flew N off Boiler Bay on
5/4 (PP).
RC spotted a CASPIAN TERN off Wandemere on 4/16 and 2 on 4/22; 2
moved around Alsea Bay on both 5/4 and 5/18 (KM), and 80 singles flew N
over the Boiler Bay shore on 5/2 (PP). A COMMON TERN was off Boiler Bay on
5/2 (PP). WH saw and described a COMMON TERN 10 mi offshore on his 5/9
trip, and TG saw 3 ARCTIC TERNS during his 5/10 CR trip. JF&JS found an
adult Arctic in Idaho Flats on 5/18, and 5 were off Newport on 5/20
(BGPT).
2 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS and 2 murre sp. were found dead along 4.6 miles
of beach near Thiel Creek in April (B&SLo, LO, SB). COMMON MURRE numbers
off Boiler Bay peaked on 5/2, when over 6000 flew N (PP). PP saw 40 PIGEON
GUILLEMOTS off Boiler Bay on 5/19; guillemot numbers at Driftwood Beach
reached 11 as of 5/5, and some started to fly over the beach near nest
sites (MN). 1 CASSIN'S AUKLET was off Boiler Bay on 5/2 (PP), and TG saw
6 Cassin's during his 5/10 CR trip. Over 1500 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS flew S
off Boiler Bay on 5/4 (PP); TG saw 50 Rhinoceri during his 5/10 and 3
during his 5/16 CR trips. JF&JS spotted a TUFTED PUFFIN off Boiler Bay on
5/18. PP saw 24 MARBLED MURRELETS off Boiler Bay on 5/3.
* * * * * * * * * * *
HUMMINGBIRDS - CHICKADEES
Females RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS began collecting cotton in J&KC's yard 4
mi E of Waldport on 4/22. BL wonders if the record gathering of 8 Rufouses
at his Logsden feeders on 5/18 was precipitated by the cool weather of the
proceeding week.
A PILEATED WOODPECKER tapped on J&KC's flicker nest box 4 mi E of
Waldport on 4/10; NORTHERN FLICKERS copulated there on 4/15-18 and chased
away all the winter flickers, a HAIRY WOODPECKER visited on 5/3 and a DOWNY
WOODPECKER explored elderberry shrubs there on 5/4.
CP spotted a WESTERN KINGBIRD along the Idaho Flats Nature Trail on
5/9. On 4/21, PD heard the first WARBLING VIREO of the year in her Toledo
area. A partially albinistic STELLER'S JAY patterned like a Dalmatian
visited J&KC's yard 4 mi E of Waldport in late May.
On 4/8, 6 TREE SWALLOWS checked J&KC's nest boxes 4 mi E of Waldport,
and on 4/18, they collected nest materials. At Wandemere on 4/21, Trees
nested in a new box erected in response to competing Violet-greens (RC).
As of 4/25, many Trees and a few BARN SWALLOWS, CLIFF SWALLOWS, and Violet-
greens nested in Logsden (BL). The first Barn flew over Wandemere on 4/30
(RC), and Trees copulated on 5/1 in J&KC's yard. On 5/4, the Eckman Lake
flock included at least 4 NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS; 2 carried nest
material there on 5/18 (KM).
On 4/18, a CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE collected cat fur 4 mi E of
Waldport, and on 5/14, adults carried food to the nest; the bottom 3.5" of
their 4" nests are green lichen and the top is cat fur (J&KC). MARSH WRENS
and WINTER WRENS sang along N Beaver Creek on 4/5 (LO) and 5/10 (YBNFT).
The first HOUSE WREN PD has ever seen in her Toledo yard sang from a wire
on 5/6. An AMERICAN DIPPER dipped in Logsden on 5/18 (BL)
* * * * * * * * * * *
THRUSHES - TANAGERS
LO heard a VARIED THRUSH singing near his Beaver Creek house on 4/20,
and MN's last VARIED THRUSH observation at Fox Creek was on 4/21. An
albinistic AMERICAN ROBIN (dark eyes, rose on breast, otherwise white) with
a normal mate visited V&DM's yard along East Darkey Rd on 4/25-27.
Whit! or What? MN was pleasantly surprised on 5/5 by the single
"whit" of a SWAINSON'S THRUSH; BW, waiting for the Swainson's "what?" heard
it on 5/16, and BL heard the "whit" on 5/19 & 21 at OCA; MN was already
hearing the Swainson's spiraling trill on 5/20.
An AMERICAN PIPIT flew N off Boiler Bay on 4/22 (PP). A flock of at
least 40 CEDAR WAXWINGS flew over OCA on 5/21 (BL).
PD heard the year's first WILSON'S WARBLER in her Toledo yard on
4/21, LO heard one along N Beaver Creek on 4/24. On 5/5, a Wilson's
joined a large flock of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS eating vine maple flowers in
P&BW's Tidewater yard. Since 5/13, YELLOW WARBLERS have occupied the South
Beach log pond (CP). Yellows sang and gleaned insects from willows along
Darkey Creek Road east of Waldport on 5/18 (KM). PD, still listening,
first heard a BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER in her Toledo yard on 5/3. A
male NASHVILLE WARBLER foraged through the snowball bush in Thornton Creek
on 5/1 (DF), the same day a male Nashville gleaned insects from cherry
flowers in J&KC's yard 4 mi E of Waldport.
On 5/8, 3 WESTERN TANAGERS visited J&KC's peanut butter feeders 4 mi
E of Waldport, and another visited Siletz on 5/15 (BL).
* * * * * * * * * * *
TOWHEES - FINCHES
SPOTTED TOWHEES copulated in J&KC's yard 4 mi E of Waldport on 5/22.
The RJs found a LARK SPARROW in Cutler City on 5/3. On 5/ 8, an adult
CHIPPING SPARROW visited the Newport Plumbing parking lot on NW 15th (WH).
J&KC, 4 mi E of Waldport, last saw WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS on 4/15.
POTTED JUNCO CHRONICLES: DARK-EYED JUNCOS nesting in hanging Fuchsia
pots in RC&WN's Wandemere yard returned for their 3rd nesting season,
gathering nest material on 4/8, first trying a rosemary bush (1st egg,
4/14, incubation began 4/16) but then rushing to the fuchsia baskets after
RC hurriedly hung them out. The female collected CC-N's hair on 4/20,
incubation began 4/30, and 3 fuzzy black newly potted juncos hatched 5/15
or 16. The male has attacked his window reflection only twice as of 5/12.
On 5/1-2, a ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK visited J&KC's yard 4 mi E of
Waldport, where a BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK had arrived on 4/29. Black-headeds
arrived in BB's Yachats yard on 5/4, J&KC's yard and LO's N Beaver Creek
yard on 5/7, and on 5/8 in P&BW's Tidewater yard, 5/13 in RC&WN's Wandemere
yard, 5/15 in MN's Fox Creek yard, and 5/18 in BL's Logsden yard.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS arrived in J&KC's yard 4 mi E of Waldport on
4/20 and in Wandemere on 4/26 (RC). J&KC reported a possible female
ORCHARD ORIOLE 4 mi E of Waldport on 5/13. AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES enjoyed
Yachats feeders and fields as of 4/21 (BB) and began attending both OCA and
Logsden feeders en masse on about 5/7 (BL). EVENING GROSBEAKS arrived on
4/13 in J&KC's yard 4 mi E of Waldport, BB's Yachats feeder on 5/1, and
PD's Toledo yard on 5/5, 13, & 19,
* * * * * * * * * * *
FINAL THOUGHT
PD inspires us as she remembers the juncos, robins, chickadees,
towhees, and song and white-crowned sparrows whose songs make going outside
for any reason (even to take out the trash) such a pleasure this time of
year!
OBSERVERS: Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Bird Guide Pelagic Trips (BGPT;
guided on 5/20 by GG, PP, & Tom Snetsinger); Susan Boehlert (SBo), Sara
Brown, Sean Burgett (SBu), Judy Butts, Rebecca Cheek, Chan Cheek-Nelson,
Jorrie & Ken Ciotti, Pat Dickey, Darrel Faxon, Joe Fontaine, Greg Gillson,
Troy Guy, Wayne Hoffman, Paul Jacobsen, Tim Janzen, Bob Llewellyn,
Bob & Shirley Loeffel (B&SLo), Kathy Merrifield, MMcabema2@aol.com (MMC),
Virginia & Don Morrison, Walt Nelson, Michael Noack, Laimons Osis, Chuck
Philo, Phil Pickering, Dave Pitkin, Road Jaegers (RJs: TJ, Terrie Murray,
Johnny Powell, Bob Wilson), Jamie Simmons (JSi), John Sullivan (JSu),
Pat & Bunny Wright, Yaquina Birders and Naturalists Field Trip (YBNFT) led
by LO on 5/14.
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