From tc at empnet.com Tue Jan 1 00:10:07 2008 From: tc at empnet.com (Tom Crabtree) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:10:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] Request for Info on Image Stabilizing Binoculars References: <010120080515.10775.4779CC7B0003444A00002A1722243429029B0A02D29B9B0EBF0E9B9B0A9D0A0D03@att.net> Message-ID: <002301c84c4d$b8cfad70$6500a8c0@1120639> Marshall, I played with these when I was at Cornell's Labratory of Ornithology this spring. They work amazingly well. Coincidentally, I saw them on extreme discount today through Buy.com. Other places probably have them at as low a price as well. I thought they would be great for pelagic trips. Tom Crabtree, Bend http://www.buy.com/prod/canon-9332a002-12-x-36-is-ii-binoculars-with-optical-image-stabilizer/q/loc/111/90141682.html Canon 9332A002 12 x 36 IS II Binoculars with Optical Image Stabilizer Product Image enlarge image Pricing Additional Info Price: $509.95 Shipping: $8.32 ------------------------------------------------ Total Price: $518.27 Ships from and sold by Adorama Camera What's this? In Stock: Usually ships in 1 to 2 business days. Very few left In Stock! Order soon -- product may sell out. See all 9 New from $518.27 What's this? Extended Warranties from $59 .edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/23d35b86/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 49 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/23d35b86/attachment-0008.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 1841 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/23d35b86/attachment-0009.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 114 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/23d35b86/attachment-0010.gif From sandyleapt at comcast.net Tue Jan 1 10:17:43 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:17:43 +0000 Subject: [obol] Pine Siskins Message-ID: <010120081817.27070.477A83C700024062000069BE22007510909B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi all. I've been seeing Pine Siskins in the neighborhood and down at the Zimmerman Heritage Farm (City of Gresham Public Park) since mid December. Today I got some nice pictures of them. Santa brought me really nice camera that takes most of the challenge out of taking backyard bird photos. I digress, should I be reporting Pine Siskins when they show up? I've had them as garden birds for years. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland From nelsoncheek at charter.net Tue Jan 1 10:38:17 2008 From: nelsoncheek at charter.net (WALTER NELSON) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 10:38:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] Unusual (?) Whimbrel at Yaquina Bay South Jetty Message-ID: <20080101183118.DQFB17353.aarprv04.charter.net@D9FD2761> OBOL, Yesterday Janet Lamberson spent some time studying a WHIMBREL that has been seen for at least the past week at Yaquina Bay South Jetty day use area. She raises questions as to whether the bird could be a Siberian subspecies. Darrel Faxon comments that the Siberian subspecies has been recorded along the Oregon coast, so it is a possibility. I have included Janet's description and Darrel's comments below. Directions to the bird's location: at the south end of Yaquina Bay Bridge, turn W and then turn onto 26th St/Jetty Way toward the ocean. From Janet's notes, it seems yesterday the bird was on the rocks of the finger jetty nearest the bridge. However, on 12/24 the bird was foraging on the rocks at the shoreward end of the finger jetty just W of the large gravel pullout by the water (locally known as the "gull puddle") and a few days later it was seen foraging in the grass at that same parking area. Janet's description: >I checked the south jetty at lunchtime and found a Whimbrel frantically foraging on the rocks on the near end of the first finger jetty. >Tide was low slack, about 2.5 feet at 12:30. >The Whimbrel was ID'd based on medium-long strongly decurved pinkish bill, grey legs, head stripes and mottled pattern to the wings and back. >The undersides were mostly unmarked, white undertail coverts, barred tail as seen from below. >This Whimbrel looks intriguingly like a Siberian subspecies or even a Bristle-thighed Curlew, based on the relatively short, thick strongly decurved bill, but Oregon >records of Bristle-thighed are almost all from May (one is from Boiler Bay in Sept(!)). It could be a Siberian, but most likely a juvenile regular American. >I didn't get a good look at the rump or underwings - maybe will try again on the way home. Foraging on the rocks is unusual, I usually see them in groups of several >birds foraging on the mudflat inside the bay, but I guess they can be found on the outer rocky coast as well, according to BOGR. And Darrel's comments: >Rebecca, > The Siberian form of Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus variegatus is not uprecedented here. I saw a very clearly marked bird of this form on the southern side of Idaho >Flats one spring. Unfortunately I have neither details of plumage nor record of the date, since it was "only a subspecies". >I know there is also a record, I believe from the fall, on one of the Clatsop County beaches. That record was published in Oregon Birds, with photos. So it most >certainly could happen. Might, in fact, be more expected than a Whimbrel at Yaquina Bay any more, at least this time of year. Variegatus is very gray, and quite >distinct from hudsonicus, so I would think any careful observer could tell the difference. >The photographed bird from Clatsop had a considerably white rump, and may have been considered to be the nominate race phaeopus. ______________________ Rebecca Cheek 14399 S. Coast Hwy South Beach, OR 97366 541-867-4699 nelsoncheek AT charter.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/f73546f8/attachment.htm From dpvroman at budget.net Tue Jan 1 09:39:22 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 09:39:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Happy New Year Birders! Message-ID: <008201c84c9d$4162a760$de9cd140@Warbler> ...time to start that year list all over again. My first bird for the year was a WOOD DUCK, heard in pre-dawn flight just outside this morning. Going to be the year of the Duck. Others for the year so far include the usual suspects around our place. Happy New Year birding, Dennis (north of Grants Pass) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/75e18113/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Tue Jan 1 11:19:16 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 11:19:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane County Big Year comes to a close. Final Tally -- 289 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Congratulations to Dave and Diane! The list of people Dave birded with could be another county record. Larry (my first bird for the year is Townsend's Warbler). _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of DAVID IRONS Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 11:04 PM To: obol; Steve Heinl; Steve Bailey; David Fix Subject: [obol] Lane County Big Year comes to a close. Final Tally -- 289 Happy New Year to you All, Technically, about one hour and twenty minutes of listing time remain as I write this. Practically speaking, my final birding efforts for 2007 ended about eight hours ago. I had no plans to post anything, but since David Fix referenced my Lane County Big Year record, I thought I would take the time to say thanks to all those folks who helped me in my quest. A Big Year is far from a solitary pursuit. My effort was enhanced by many birds found by others, by birds I found using directions someone else had provided, shared rides, shared driving, shared homes, and in one case shared optics. I was encouraged by family members, friends, and even birders who I don't know very well to "go for it." There are several Lane County birders who try for a big county year list every year and Diane Pettey decided to do a big year this year as well. Having announced my intentions to several folks early on, I was ever diligent about not getting dusted by one of these fine folks. Diane and I worked closely together all year. We took many trips into the field together, shared strategies, spent nights at each others homes, and it was fun to help Diane get new birds each of the last two days of the year (Short-eared Owl on the 30th and Common Goldeneye today). I received several timely calls from Sylvia Maulding, Paul Sherrell, Don DeWitt (whose record I was challenging), Dennis Arendt, Don Schrouder, Alan Contreras and others who seemed to have as much interest as I did in finding the outer limits of what is possible in a year in Lane County. Without their support Don's old record may have held up. Ultimately, I ended up at 289, breaking Don's old Lane and state single-county year list record of 273. Diane hit 276, also topping Don's old record. It has been an incredibly fun pursuit, made more so by the many folks who I birded with in Lane, some only briefly (see list below). I am thankful for having had the opportunity to "go for it" and equally thankful that I can go back to regular birding in 2008. If you ask me what my county year list is next year, expect a blank stare. Thanks most to my girlfriend Jennie and Diane's husband Mike for tolerating our crazy pursuit of ultimately meaningless numbers. To all a Happy New Year List and to my Lane County Year List goodnight! Dave Irons Eugene, OR People I birded with in Lane Co. this year: (sorry if I left someone off, I started keeping track in June) Rick Ahrens Jack Anderson Dennis Arendt Rich Armstrong Nanette Armstrong Ann Bartley Cynthia Bassett Bob Bender David Brown Jennifer Brown Becky Carlson Jim Carlson Les Colburn Alan Contreras Lydia Cruz Don DeWitt Daniel Farrar Fred Ferguson Bob Fish David Fix Jeff Gilligan Greg Gillson George Grier Troy Guy Ed Hansen Judie Hansen Randy Henderson Anne Heyerly Dan Heyerly Steve Heinl Diane Horgan Bill Hunter Jim Jacobson Tim Janzen Laura Johnson Lillian Irons Lucy Irons Stuart Irons Kit Larsen Maitreya Jim Maloney Charlene Maloney Sylvia Maulding Barry McKenzie Larry McQueen Judy Meredith Allison Mickel Tom Mickel Steve Mlodinow Russ Namitz Bruce Newhouse Mark Nikas Margie Paris Dael Parsons Matt Peterson Diane Pettey Jude Power Al Prigge Holly Reinhard Roger Robb W. Douglas Robinson Owen Schmidt Don Schrouder Lisa Sheffield Tim Shelmerdine Paul Sherrell Tom Shreve Mary Shreve Randy Sinnott David Smith Tom Snetsinger John Sullivan Bob Stites Bill Stotz Zanah Stotz Noah Strycker Iain Tomlinson Dave Westerfield Jay Withgott Sheran Wright _____ Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. Get it now! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/748ca6af/attachment.htm From greg at thebirdguide.com Tue Jan 1 12:22:36 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:22:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler Message-ID: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> Pat French sent me two photos she quickly snapped yesterday, 31 December 2007, at Bayocean Peninsula, Tillamook Co. I am reluctantly identifying it as a Wilson's Warbler. Pat doesn't have any observations other than the photos, as it appeared while she was observing some other birds, then it quickly flew off. Matching Wilson's it is green above, slightly paler below, no wingbars or breast streaking. The tail seems short. The eyering seems too prominent, though. It suggests Connecticut on the face, but doesn't look grayish. Take a look and see if something else comes to mind. I even got out my European guide to see if some kind of Old World flycatcher or warbler would fit. http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9501_warbler.jpg http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9502_warbler.jpg Greg Gillson The Bird Guide, Inc. greg at thebirdguide.com http://thebirdguide.com From llsdirons at msn.com Tue Jan 1 12:54:50 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 20:54:50 +0000 Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler In-Reply-To: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> References: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> Message-ID: Greg et al., This bird is a Yellow Warbler, likely an adult female. There are a couple elements that point to Yellow. 1. The very conspicuous and uniformly broad eye-ring, which is creamy yellow. This distinctive eyering is more white on an immature. The face is very plain and the large eye really stands out. 2. The inner margins of the tertials are edged with white or near white. This can be seen fairly well on the first photo. 3. Finally, it is not easy to see on either of these images, but the undertail coverts appear quite long on this bird, which tends to make the tail look short from below. Undertail covert length is an underrated field mark on dull Yellow Warblers. I find it quite useful when sorting out dull greenish and yellowish warblers from below in the Fall. Dave Irons Eugene, OR > From: greg at thebirdguide.com > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:22:36 -0800 > Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler > > Pat French sent me two photos she quickly snapped yesterday, 31 December > 2007, at Bayocean Peninsula, Tillamook Co. > > I am reluctantly identifying it as a Wilson's Warbler. > > Pat doesn't have any observations other than the photos, as it appeared > while she was observing some other birds, then it quickly flew off. > > Matching Wilson's it is green above, slightly paler below, no wingbars or > breast streaking. The tail seems short. The eyering seems too prominent, > though. It suggests Connecticut on the face, but doesn't look grayish. > > Take a look and see if something else comes to mind. I even got out my > European guide to see if some kind of Old World flycatcher or warbler would > fit. > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9501_warbler.jpg > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9502_warbler.jpg > > Greg Gillson > The Bird Guide, Inc. > greg at thebirdguide.com > http://thebirdguide.com > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/feb5adc5/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Tue Jan 1 12:59:05 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 20:59:05 +0000 Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler In-Reply-To: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> References: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> Message-ID: A Yellow Warbler is an excellent winter find. There are a few winter records of Yellow Warbler for Oregon. My dad and I found one on the Portland CBC about 35 years ago. Dave Irons > From: greg at thebirdguide.com > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:22:36 -0800 > Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler > > Pat French sent me two photos she quickly snapped yesterday, 31 December > 2007, at Bayocean Peninsula, Tillamook Co. > > I am reluctantly identifying it as a Wilson's Warbler. > > Pat doesn't have any observations other than the photos, as it appeared > while she was observing some other birds, then it quickly flew off. > > Matching Wilson's it is green above, slightly paler below, no wingbars or > breast streaking. The tail seems short. The eyering seems too prominent, > though. It suggests Connecticut on the face, but doesn't look grayish. > > Take a look and see if something else comes to mind. I even got out my > European guide to see if some kind of Old World flycatcher or warbler would > fit. > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9501_warbler.jpg > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9502_warbler.jpg > > Greg Gillson > The Bird Guide, Inc. > greg at thebirdguide.com > http://thebirdguide.com > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/801f28db/attachment.htm From katandbill at yahoo.com Tue Jan 1 13:26:40 2008 From: katandbill at yahoo.com (Kat & Bill) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 13:26:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Eugene - First Yard Birds of the Year Message-ID: <535737.31406.qm@web53907.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi OBOL, My first bird today was a Downy Woodpecker. Bill's was a Lesser Goldfinch. We heard a Great Horned Owl last night, but it wasn't midnight yet, so we didn't claim it! Kat in Eugene ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From dpvroman at budget.net Tue Jan 1 13:33:49 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 13:33:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler References: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> Message-ID: <003401c84cbe$012b6ee0$8f38fb48@Warbler> Have to agree with Dave on the Yellow Warbler. The very first thing that caught my attention (even with the a somewhat fuzzy photo) was the eye-ring on a pretty much yellow-colored bird. Yellow Warbler came to mind pretty quickly. The other features of the bird are pretty Yellow Warbler-like as well. It's the paler-colored ones that make you do a double-take. As for age, the primary flight feathers appear to be brownish, which would lean the bird in the direction of a "SY" bird (that is second year bird today, on the 31st it would have been "HY," or hatch year bird; birthdays on the first of the year). But, the photo is fuzzy, which makes calling the flight feather color a bit difficult at best. The eye-ring color is more adult-like, however, if a HY/SY bird, it could have molted body/head feathers, but would not have molted flight feathers yet at least. Dennis Greg et al., This bird is a Yellow Warbler, likely an adult female. There are a couple elements that point to Yellow. 1. The very conspicuous and uniformly broad eye-ring, which is creamy yellow. This distinctive eyering is more white on an immature. The face is very plain and the large eye really stands out. 2. The inner margins of the tertials are edged with white or near white. This can be seen fairly well on the first photo. 3. Finally, it is not easy to see on either of these images, but the undertail coverts appear quite long on this bird, which tends to make the tail look short from below. Undertail covert length is an underrated field mark on dull Yellow Warblers. I find it quite useful when sorting out dull greenish and yellowish warblers from below in the Fall. Dave Irons Eugene, OR > From: greg at thebirdguide.com > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:22:36 -0800 > Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler > > Pat French sent me two photos she quickly snapped yesterday, 31 December > 2007, at Bayocean Peninsula, Tillamook Co. > > I am reluctantly identifying it as a Wilson's Warbler. > > Pat doesn't have any observations other than the photos, as it appeared > while she was observing some other birds, then it quickly flew off. > > Matching Wilson's it is green above, slightly paler below, no wingbars or > breast streaking. The tail seems short. The eyering seems too prominent, > though. It suggests Connecticut on the face, but doesn't look grayish. > > Take a look and see if something else comes to mind. I even got out my > European guide to see if some kind of Old World flycatcher or warbler would > fit. > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9501_warbler.jpg > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9502_warbler.jpg > > Greg Gillson > The Bird Guide, Inc. > greg at thebirdguide.com > http://thebirdguide.com > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. Get it now! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/001e8048/attachment.htm From Dalpdx at aol.com Tue Jan 1 15:14:44 2008 From: Dalpdx at aol.com (Dalpdx at aol.com) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 18:14:44 EST Subject: [obol] unusual Anna's display Message-ID: My wife and I have noticed a peculiar habit that our resident male Anna's Hummingbird displays. Sometimes while perching he will slowly fall backwards and hang upside down momentarily then quickly fly and right himself. He has done this on several occasions. Also, we have noticed as he approaches the hummingbird feeder he will hover then fly in a narrow downward spiral... backwards! He then 'snaps out of it' and lands on the feeder. He will beat his wings while feeding and the female feeds without beating her wings. This is the second year that we have had resident Anna's at our house. But we are baffled at the display of the male. Has anyone seen such displays or can explain this activity? Darryl dalpdx at aol.com **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/b4f540c0/attachment.htm From sheilach at nwtec.com Tue Jan 1 15:01:07 2008 From: sheilach at nwtec.com (sheila chambers) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 15:01:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] Crazed Sharpie Message-ID: <00bb01c84ccb$4dbbe250$783f2d0c@Sheilas> LeavesSitting on my deck rail is a Sharp-shinned hawk. He's been there for quite some time now. He's watching my little House sparrows, my caged House sparrows. He knows he can't get to them but he still likes to sit on the deck railing and watch them. Those little rascals also know the Sharpie can't reach them so they stay in sight just to taunt him. When I came to the window of the dinning room where their cage is, the Sharpie stayed put, only when he flew closer for a better look and saw me did he fly off, but not far. Now he's back again, he just can't seem to punish himself enough by watching a bunch of small birds he has no chance of having for 'lunch'. Is he nuts?? He's back yet again, sitting on the deck rail only a few feet from where I sit typing this. Poor, frustrated Sharpie! The usual suspects are here when the Sharpie isn't around but I just heard some cheeping and the Sharpie has left his perch. Trying for some catchable lunch? With all the cover close to and around the feeders, he hasn't much of a chance there either. Looks like rain again, ah well, happy new year anyhow and good birding! Sheila from Harbor Or. From tmacport99 at hotmail.com Tue Jan 1 15:23:00 2008 From: tmacport99 at hotmail.com (Tom McNamara) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 15:23:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] ? inre Sauvie Island CBC Ross's Goose Message-ID: Would someone who knows where on the island this bird was seen post the location, please. The list, rather than a personal reply, might be better because others may wish to know. Thanks in advance. Happy New Year all Tom _________________________________________________________________ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/ From celata at pacifier.com Tue Jan 1 15:37:53 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:37:53 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon in the New Year Message-ID: <477ACE9C.AF29C757@pacifier.com> The ARCTIC LOON is still hanging out in Blind Slough. It was seen by multiple observers. The Black Phoebe and Palm Warbler reported yesterday were not relocated today. The wind was out of the east 18-20 and while much warmer than yesterday, not really ideal for kack checking. There were no fewer than 25 CINNAMON TEAL and a BLUE-WINGED TEAL at Svensen Island. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From birder at iinet.com Tue Jan 1 15:44:49 2008 From: birder at iinet.com (Sherry Hagen) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 15:44:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Message-ID: <00a201c84cd0$4c475170$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> Arden & I spent the first day of the year morning at Brownmead where I photographed the very cooperative ARCTIC LOON along with Ruth Sullivan and Egor (last name?) who were down from the Tacoma area. It was great to see Ruth out birding after all she has been through and the smile on her face as she was able to photograph this special loon. The wind was a little nasty so we did not find the Black Phoebe or Pine Warbler. We drove around Ridgefield River "S" unit adding birds to Arden's year list. We were surprised by the traffic jam of birders out driving the loop. We also wondered how many of the paid the fee and how many just drove in. The Barred Owl was seen just minutes before we came down the hill before the refuge but it flew into the trees and we did not locate it. A Rough-legged Hawk was seen and pretty much the rest of the normal water and otherwise birds of the refuge. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder at iinet.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/71ba1d10/attachment.htm From watice at msn.com Tue Jan 1 15:47:10 2008 From: watice at msn.com (BILL ROSIE TICE) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 15:47:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] New Year Start Message-ID: Hi Folks, I usually don't start a big year unless there are a few rare birds that are more or less gettable, which means here in Polk County I probably won't be going for it this year. I do enjoy getting a new list going so spent a few hours beating the bushes around the county. I was fortunate to find the Farmer Rd Mockingbird still hanging around. There was a Black Phoebe south of Independence. Otherwise Canvasback, Eurasian Widgeon, Barn Owl and Snow Goose were nice birds to pad a new year county list. I think I got about 60 species for the day. Bill -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/fde0d048/attachment.htm From pppahooie at comcast.net Tue Jan 1 16:01:48 2008 From: pppahooie at comcast.net (pppahooie at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:01:48 +0000 Subject: [obol] ? inre Sauvie Island CBC Ross's Goose Message-ID: <010220080001.27110.477AD46C00057E7B000069E622007621940A070101080E9F9F9F@comcast.net> Tom and OBOL, We were counting on Oak Island Rd on Sauvie (Sat 12/29/07). I did not take specific note of the location, but I believe we were past the paved section and the feeder, but not yet past the gate. On the right side of the road there is a section where the blackberry has been cut down. A mudflat is visible. I'm remembering it as the same area where Andy Frank saw the flock of Dunlin. On Thursday when I was out scouting for the count there was another flock of shorebirds there, but the Goose was not seen then. (Those peeps were too far off in the rain and snow for me to id.) K. Bachman -------------- Original message -------------- From: Tom McNamara > > > > Would someone who knows where on the island this bird was seen post the > location, please. The list, rather than a personal reply, might be better > because others may wish to know. Thanks in advance. > Happy New Year all > > Tom > > _________________________________________________________________ > The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 > Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/9545cf60/attachment.htm From 5hats at peak.org Tue Jan 1 16:22:14 2008 From: 5hats at peak.org (Darrel Faxon) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 16:22:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon References: <00a201c84cd0$4c475170$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> Message-ID: <006501c84cd5$8a850ea0$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> Sherry, You did mean Palm Warbler, not Pine Warbler, didn't you? Darrel ----- Original Message ----- From: Sherry Hagen To: Obol messages Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 3:44 PM Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Arden & I spent the first day of the year morning at Brownmead where I photographed the very cooperative ARCTIC LOON along with Ruth Sullivan and Egor (last name?) who were down from the Tacoma area. It was great to see Ruth out birding after all she has been through and the smile on her face as she was able to photograph this special loon. The wind was a little nasty so we did not find the Black Phoebe or Pine Warbler. We drove around Ridgefield River "S" unit adding birds to Arden's year list. We were surprised by the traffic jam of birders out driving the loop. We also wondered how many of the paid the fee and how many just drove in. The Barred Owl was seen just minutes before we came down the hill before the refuge but it flew into the trees and we did not locate it. A Rough-legged Hawk was seen and pretty much the rest of the normal water and otherwise birds of the refuge. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder at iinet.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/f9f5080b/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Tue Jan 1 16:22:10 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 16:22:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] unusual Anna's display In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Darryl, I have to wonder what you have in the feeder! Larry _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Dalpdx at aol.com Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 3:15 PM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] unusual Anna's display My wife and I have noticed a peculiar habit that our resident male Anna's Hummingbird displays. Sometimes while perching he will slowly fall backwards and hang upside down momentarily then quickly fly and right himself. He has done this on several occasions. Also, we have noticed as he approaches the hummingbird feeder he will hover then fly in a narrow downward spiral... backwards! He then 'snaps out of it' and lands on the feeder. He will beat his wings while feeding and the female feeds without beating her wings. This is the second year that we have had resident Anna's at our house. But we are baffled at the display of the male. Has anyone seen such displays or can explain this activity? Darryl dalpdx at aol.com _____ See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/a8458199/attachment.htm From richarmstrong at comcast.net Tue Jan 1 16:33:38 2008 From: richarmstrong at comcast.net (rich armstrong) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 16:33:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] tree sparrow References: <008f01c84b6d$193fa8e0$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> Message-ID: <00d901c84cd7$1e59a450$0101a8c0@armstrong> 1. paula vanderhuel and i met cheryl whelchel out at e e wilson and did a long walk looking for palm warbler. 2. we did not find the palm warbler, but we did find an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW - another example of the patagonia picnic table effect. it was in a flock of golden-crowned sparrows and juncos eating sunflowers. there were many LINCOLN'S SPARROWS and 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in the area. i guess it was about 230 pm. 3. directions a. take the same hq road as for the palm warbler. b. go all the way to the northmost east-west road c. go right (east) about 100 feet d. on the left is an opening that goes to a sunflower field with a small pond behind it. e. all the birds were in that field and would flush to surrounding bushes and back to the field 4. cheryl got some pictures and will post at least the best on her website - she will email the midvalley listserve when she gets home and gets it downloaded Rich Armstrong 541-753-1978 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karan & Jim Fairchild" To: ; "MidValley Birds" Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:22 PM Subject: [obol] Airlie CBC Palm Warbler directions > Fellow Birders, > > Karan and I were covering the north half of E.E. Wilson WMA, north of > Corvallis, today Dec 30. I went off separately midafternoon > (~3pm) to poke around a small storage shed just south of the > northern-most east-west paved road (there is a barn owl box on > building's west side). From this shed I walked northeast to rejoin Karan > and intersected a loose group of house finches, song, > Lincoln and -crowned sparrows, plus this bird, which all settled into the > large scattered clumps of multi-flora(sp?) roses. > > The shed can be reached by continuing north for about a mile and a half on > the paved road in front of the E.E.Wilson office. It > will be 50 yards off this road and on your right (east) a couple hundred > yards shy of the pavement end. > > As an aside, there is a large planting of sunflowers to this building's > south, and the general area about was very thick with birds, > both with passerines, and raptors (7 raptor species in 1/2 hour!). > > It'd be great for someone else to find this bird, Karan and I were unable > to relocate it, particularly for being a rarity for Benton > County and for this time of year. > Cheers, > Jim Fairchild > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From andy.frank at kp.org Tue Jan 1 16:37:21 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (Andy Frank) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 16:37:21 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sauvie Island Ross's Goose and Barrow's Goldeneye Message-ID: <000301c84cd7$a363b780$6500a8c0@familyroom> Tom and Obol, the location of the Ross's Goose seen on the Sauvie Island CBC on Saturday was as Karen recalled. From the dirt parking area at the end of Oak Island Road (just before the closed gait) the bird was seen to the east among a flock of Pintails. The area was visible through a break in the blackberries. At the same spot a flock of about 40 Dunlin flew in. I don't see that this was ever posted but an unexpected find for Sauvie Island seen that day was a Barrow's Goldeneye found by Wink Gross and David Mandell. It was near the viewing platform on the east end of the island but wasn't visible from the stand itself. Taking advantage of the CBC and the ability to walk into closed areas, they had walked on a road to the north of the water there and found the bird in a slough past the main body of water. Andy Frank From vireogirl at yahoo.com Tue Jan 1 17:19:43 2008 From: vireogirl at yahoo.com (Vjera Thompson) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 17:19:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Dexter Grebes, E. Wigeon (Lane County) Message-ID: <203592.50933.qm@web56307.mail.re3.yahoo.com> OBOLers, Eddie and I did some New Year's Day birding today. We started by finding the TRUMPETER & TUNDRA SWANS out by the airport. Then we headed out to Dexter, and after a good hour of searching found the GREBE slam that Dave & Diane reported. The SNOW GOOSE was still hanging out with the other geese at the park. We found two waterfowl species they did not report: EURASIAN WIGEON (one male) and REDHEAD (one male). We also counted at least 41 CANVASBACKS. We did not see the Red-throated Loon. Complete list on birdnotes.net. Good birding, Vjera & Eddie Thompson Eugene, OR vireogirl at yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 1 17:58:44 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 17:58:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Boreal Owl Song- Question 12/31/07? Message-ID: <725983.31722.qm@web45106.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Just back from a couple days of snowshoeing near Diamond Lake in Douglas Co. My wife and I spent the past few nights at motel along the N. Umpqua River and drove up to the snow each day. On New Years eve we were slugging up the Mt. Thielsen trail (there was 12-16" of fresh powder and we were breaking trail, slow going!). After about a 1/3 of a mile I stopped for a chickadee/kinglet flock when I suddenly heard a perfect Boreal Owl song. As it was 10:30 in the morning on a beautiful blue, crisp morning I thought this a bit unusual. There was a Gray Jay or two in the area, so I suspect they imitated the song although they were in the opposite direction from where I heard the song. Has anyone ever heard a Gray Jay imitate a Boreal Owl song? I know they can imitate pygmy-owls pretty well. It was an impressive imitation if that is what it was? Makes you wonder where they learned the song if so?? We were in a mixed conifer stand dominated by mt. hemlock/lodgepole pine with scattered pacific silver fir, noble/shasta red fir, western white pine, and with even a few ponderosa pines, not exactly Boreal Owl habitat but hey, who knows? Nothing other unusual to report; Mt. Thielsen looked like an ice sculpture, it was absolutely gorgeous up there! Merry New Bird, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 1 18:02:58 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 18:02:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] P.O. CBC results+ rarities Message-ID: <254397.5839.qm@web45115.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I am forwarding the abbreviated results from the might soggy PO CBC that was on Saturday the 29th. I I didn't stay for the countdown, but here is the preliminary report I got from Jim Rogers- sounds like a couple of excellent rarities. Tim R Coos Bay --- Jim Rogers wrote: > From: "Jim Rogers" > To: "Tim Rodenkirk" > Subject: Re: P.O. CBC > Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:53:17 -0800 > > Hi Tim - > > We had a pretty good count considering inauspicious > beginning - unofficial > total = 133 sp. Had a couple of rare sightings: Don > Munson had an apparent > Arctic Loon - white flank patch, and Terry & Dave > had a longspur that wasn't > a Lapland. They think either Chestnut-collared or > McCowns. Only owl was a Gt. > horned that spoke to Don & Karen in the middle of > the day. Grassy Knob = > dense fog, cold blowing mist - nasty with no > owls.(and no Acorn Woodpecker > either). > > Good Birding - Jim ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From dirtgirl16cr125 at msn.com Tue Jan 1 17:58:43 2008 From: dirtgirl16cr125 at msn.com (Cheryl Whelchel) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 17:58:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] pics of American Tree Sparrow at EE Wilson Message-ID: As promised by Rich Armstrong here are the 5 best Tree Sparrow pictures. http://flickr.com/photos/vgswallow16/ Cheryl Whelchel Tangent -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/5df8b756/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Tue Jan 1 18:04:09 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:04:09 -0800 Subject: [obol] Boreal Owl Song- Question 12/31/07? In-Reply-To: <725983.31722.qm@web45106.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I would believe ANYTHING of a Gray Jay. Remember that Oregon's first specimen came from the Fort Klamath area. The owls could be at Crater Lake rim or Diamond peak. Who is looking? March is probably the time to check. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos > From: Tim Rodenkirk > Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 17:58:44 -0800 (PST) > To: > Subject: [obol] Boreal Owl Song- Question 12/31/07? > > Just back from a couple days of snowshoeing near > Diamond Lake in Douglas Co. My wife and I spent the > past few nights at motel along the N. Umpqua River and > drove up to the snow each day. On New Years eve we > were slugging up the Mt. Thielsen trail (there was > 12-16" of fresh powder and we were breaking trail, > slow going!). After about a 1/3 of a mile I stopped > for a chickadee/kinglet flock when I suddenly heard a > perfect Boreal Owl song. As it was 10:30 in the > morning on a beautiful blue, crisp morning I thought > this a bit unusual. There was a Gray Jay or two in > the area, so I suspect they imitated the song although > they were in the opposite direction from where I heard > the song. Has anyone ever heard a Gray Jay imitate a > Boreal Owl song? I know they can imitate pygmy-owls > pretty well. It was an impressive imitation if that is > what it was? Makes you wonder where they learned the > song if so?? We were in a mixed conifer stand > dominated by mt. hemlock/lodgepole pine with scattered > pacific silver fir, noble/shasta red fir, western > white pine, and with even a few ponderosa pines, not > exactly Boreal Owl habitat but hey, who knows? > > Nothing other unusual to report; Mt. Thielsen looked > like an ice sculpture, it was absolutely gorgeous up > there! > > Merry New Bird, > Tim R > Coos Bay > > > > ______________________________________________________________________________ > ______ > Looking for last minute shopping deals? > Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. > http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From sylviam at clearwire.net Tue Jan 1 17:53:12 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 17:53:12 -0800 Subject: [obol] Flinley NWR, Snow Geese Message-ID: <477AEE88.7070803@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL This afternoon Rick and I found three juvenile SNOW GEESE along Bruce Rd. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From sylviam at clearwire.net Tue Jan 1 18:24:14 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:24:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] Benton County, Burrowing Owl Message-ID: <477AF5CE.2070805@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL The BURROWING OWL is still along Llewellyn Rd. at the north end of the landing strip. Llewellyn is just off Hwy 99 south of Corvallis. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From celata at pacifier.com Tue Jan 1 18:29:31 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:29:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] What will be my 400th species? Message-ID: <477AF6C5.9D182440@pacifier.com> About 10 years ago I did an extrapolation of when I'd hit 400 species in Oregon. The linear regression, based on the number of new species I was finding each year predicted 2007. As of yesterday, I have seen 399 species in Oregon (400 if one counts EURASIAN TREE SPARROW). Not a bad prediction from 10 years out. As most of you know, I'm too lazy to chase rare birds more than about 45 minutes away and I don't expect to change that attitude any time soon, because I'm old and set in my ways. So, what will my 400th species in Oregon be, given that it will have to be either in Clatsop County or on a familly trip to somewhere? Now I know what you're thinking, "we don't even know what Mike's seen in Oregon. How can we possibly know what he hasn't seen?" Well, it's a game and it should be challenging. There will be prizes. I will collected guesses until Jan 30. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From sylviam at clearwire.net Tue Jan 1 18:21:22 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:21:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane County, Black Phoebe Message-ID: <477AF522.5030906@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL Today about 10:30 I found a BLACK PHOEBE along Washburn Lane. It was between Cox Butte Rd. and Ferguson Rd. by a farm pond. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From dendroicaman at peak.org Tue Jan 1 18:48:30 2008 From: dendroicaman at peak.org (Karl Fairchild) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 20:48:30 -0600 Subject: [obol] Common Loon at Ankeny 1-1-08 Message-ID: <477AFB7E.7030709@peak.org> Hi All, Observed a COMMON LOON swimming on the northernmost pond of Eagle Marsh about 1130 this morning. Sorry to not report it sooner, just walked in the door a few minutes ago. Later in the afternoon, just missed Rich Armstrong's AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at EE Wilson. Not a bad day to be out though, and a good way to get back into a new year and a return to Oregon after a week in Florida. Good Birding, Karl From namitzr at hotmail.com Tue Jan 1 18:58:08 2008 From: namitzr at hotmail.com (Russ Namitz) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:58:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lincoln Co. birds 1/1 Message-ID: Birded down the coast from my parents house in Lincoln City. Road's End (LC) 1 GLAUCOUS x GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL -all white with light brown blobs on back & breast/belly -dirty bill, black diffusing unequally into dull fleshy base Devil's Lake (LC) 1 EARED GREBE Schooner Creek Bridge/mouth of Siletz Bay (LC) 2 BLACK SCOTER Boiler Bay 1 ANCIENT MURRELET Nothing to report from Yaquina or Alsea Bay. Still lots of THAYER'S GULLS & SURFBIRDS at the state park in Yachats. Good birding, Russ Namitz Coos Bay From gorgebirds at juno.com Tue Jan 1 18:59:52 2008 From: gorgebirds at juno.com (Wilson Cady) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 18:59:52 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Message-ID: <20080101.185953.3564.1.gorgebirds@juno.com> My wife and I ventured out of our snowy driveway and joined the many others who decided that the ARCTIC LOON at Brownsmead would be a good bird for the first day of the year. We spotted it as we drove over the Barendse Road bridge, making it one of the easiest "chases" we have participated in. On our way home we checked the Lewis River at Woodland, Cowlitz and Clark counties, where we had two RED-THROATED and two COMMON LOONS. We were unable to relocate the Pacific Loon that was there last Saturday during the Sauvie Island CBC. Wilson Cady Washougal, WA From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Tue Jan 1 19:10:08 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 22:10:08 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] first bird of the year. Message-ID: <11598491.1199243409167.JavaMail.root@elwamui-cypress.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hello folks, As I bleary eyed my way to the coffee pot this morning, my first bird was the Annas hummingbird we have been watching for a while now and with that first glimpse, I learned something. SHE is a HE! She had been showing up with a tiny patch of red in the middle of the throat. All other features immature or female normal. She disappeared just before the recent snow-freeze event and I have been worried about her. HE showed up this morning with the right side of his throat red, but the left side white. I am pretty sure it is the same bird as I recall asking if it is normal for the females to have a red spot that seemed to get bigger or smaller depending on how one saw it, or a question similar to that. I thought perhaps she was having gender issues and it turns out I was right. She is molting out into what I hope will be a very handsome he. I immediately went to my bird book and consulted it, then spent a great deal of time examining the bird who thoughtfully posed for me so I could see the different colours of green and blue on his back, and the white tips to the outer tail feathers. I had expected them to be all black but I guess that comes in later? Any one out there know anything about Annas hummingbird molt patterns? Since I am now going to learn all I can about this bird... I shall begin with molting. On a similar note, I also saw a red-orange rocket coming out of the pine in the front yard. I suspect an adult male rufous hummingbird but unless I can see more then just an orange streak, I won't say anything except to ask how likely it is to have him here now in winter? All the best and happy new year Andrew From celata at pacifier.com Tue Jan 1 19:28:36 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:28:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] What will be my 400th species? References: <477AF6C5.9D182440@pacifier.com> Message-ID: <477B0498.C57100ED@pacifier.com> Okay, here are some boundaries... there are NO species on my list that were not accepted by the OBRC at least one of the times that I claimed to see them though that is not a necessary criterion for me to put something on my list. My Clatsop County list is 332 so 83% of all the species I've seen in Oregon I've also seen in Clatsop County. The current Clatsop County list is something around 370 species. The fewer guesses you make, the better your prize will be if you guess correctly. Mike Patterson wrote: > > About 10 years ago I did an extrapolation of when I'd hit 400 species > in Oregon. The linear regression, based on the number of new species > I was finding each year predicted 2007. As of yesterday, I have seen > 399 species in Oregon (400 if one counts EURASIAN TREE SPARROW). Not a > bad prediction from 10 years out. > > As most of you know, I'm too lazy to chase rare birds more than about > 45 minutes away and I don't expect to change that attitude any time > soon, because I'm old and set in my ways. So, what will my 400th > species in Oregon be, given that it will have to be either in Clatsop > County or on a familly trip to somewhere? > > Now I know what you're thinking, "we don't even know what Mike's > seen in Oregon. How can we possibly know what he hasn't seen?" > > Well, it's a game and it should be challenging. > > There will be prizes. > > I will collected guesses until Jan 30. > -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From devon_batley at hotmail.com Tue Jan 1 20:22:36 2008 From: devon_batley at hotmail.com (Devon Batley) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 04:22:36 +0000 Subject: [obol] Christmas valley ramble Message-ID: A wander down to Christmas Valley found us in the Sand Dunes adjacent to the Lost Forest. the trip turned up a few nice birds Golden eagles Red tailed hawk Bald eagle (2 friendly adults) Northern Goshawk (adult) Kestrel Northern shrike Rough-legged hawks _________________________________________________________________ Fancy some celeb spotting? https://www.celebmashup.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/31c0cea7/attachment.htm From greg at thebirdguide.com Tue Jan 1 20:49:16 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 20:49:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] New photos to albums Message-ID: <009a01c84cfa$d45a45c0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> I spent some time adding birds to the Recent Bird Photos: Sandy Leaptrott: Pine Siskin, Black-capped Chickadee, and Anna's Hummingbird. Lois Miller: American Coot, Belted Kingfisher, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead. Greg Gillson: Western Scrub-Jay, American Kestrel, Fox Sparrow, Bewick's Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, RED-SHOULDERED HAWK (Prescott Park, Columbia Co.), Hooded Merganser. Additional photos by Greg Gillson on my Oregon Bird Photos page: Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, Rock Pigeon, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-throated Loon, American Wigeon, Clark's Grebe, American Coot, Arctic Loon, Gadwall, Western Grebe. Access through the Bird Guide's main page: http://thebirdguide.com Greg Gillson The Bird Guide, Inc. greg at thebirdguide.com p.s. No birds seen or heard yet in 2008. A flock of Canada Goose tonight will probably ruin it, though. From tanager at nu-world.com Tue Jan 1 21:27:34 2008 From: tanager at nu-world.com (Anne & Dan Heyerly) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 21:27:34 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane Co. Raptor Route #1 Jan 1, 2007 Message-ID: <000001c84d00$2f237210$8d6a5630$@com> Anne, I, and Holly Reinhard completed the Lane #1 route today. This is the route that covers the area extending from Cantrell Rd. to the south to Hwy. 36 to the north between Territorial Rd. on the west and Fisher Rd./Fir Butte/Merryman Rd./Alvadore Rd./Vogt Rd./Greenhill Rd. on the east. Fern Ridge Reservoir is in the middle of the route and the Eugene Airport is on the area?s eastern edge. The weather today was dry, overcast, and foggy (200 yard visibility) for the first couple of hours then gradual improvement to approximately 2 miles. In spite of the limited early visibility we saw a record number of Red-Shouldered Hawks (5). My apologies for not having last year?s numbers at hand. Here are the numbers: Red-tailed Hawk 39 Buteo species 1 American Kestrel 21 Northern Harrier 18 Bald Eagle 8 (all immature) Rough-legged Hawk 2 (both light-phase individuals along Alvadore Rd. just north of where Franklin Rd. takes off to the west) Red-shouldered Hawk 5 (4 imm and 1 adult) White-tailed Kite 2 (a very low number) Merlin 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 Accipiter species 2 Turkey Vulture 3 Good birding, Dan Heyerly Eugene No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1206 - Release Date: 1/1/2008 12:09 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/8c58d509/attachment.htm From birdboy at bkpix.com Tue Jan 1 21:30:41 2008 From: birdboy at bkpix.com (Noah Strycker) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 21:30:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Request for Info on Image Stabilizing Binoculars In-Reply-To: <010120080515.10775.4779CC7B0003444A00002A1722243429029B0A02D29B9B0EBF0E9B9B0A9D0A0D03@att.net> References: <010120080515.10775.4779CC7B0003444A00002A1722243429029B0A02D29B9B0EBF0E9B9B0A9D0A0D03@att.net> Message-ID: Hi Marshall (and Obol), I have used Canon 12x36 IS (Image Stabilized) binoculars for several years now, nearly exclusively (I also own a pair of Leica 8x32s). They have their ups and downs; many people think they're gimmicky, but I'm addicted. Here's the quick and dirty (I get asked about this fairly often; just delete if not interested!): First off, about the Image Stabilizer. It works. Amazingly, incredibly well. You can handhold the binoculars without a tremor. Reactions to it vary, I think because some people have steadier hands than others. Most people can hold 7-8x binoculars steady enough, which is partly why most birding binoculars are in that range. With the IS, anyone can lock onto a bird at pretty much any magnification, like an invisible tripod. Which means higher powered binoculars are feasible (hence my choice of 12x). You can see details other birders miss. With higher magnification, obviously, long-range birding is improved: seawatching, shorebirding, waterfowling, looking at distant raptors, etc. However, short-range birding (flitty forest songbirds, for instance) is tougher, since the field of view is smaller, making it harder to pick out birds and follow them through foliage. Downsides: The Canons are NOT waterproof at all, whatever they say. They're durable enough for regular birding (I use them hard), but get them wet and you'll airing them out for three days or sending them in to be professionally cleaned. They fog inside easily when wet. The optics, while excellent, are not cutting-edge; they're not great in low-light conditions and aren't as bright generally as I'd expect from others. If you wear glasses, just try folding down the eyecups - you still can't see very well. The extra technology inside makes the binocs bulky and quite heavy. And the binoculars take batteries (2 AA's) to make the stabilizer work - they eat through them at about a pair every one or two days of full-time birding for me, and I've always got extras in my pocket in case they run out. I wore through the neckstrap within a year or two, but that's probably because I bird too much, and easily replaced. The Canons come in several magnifications, I'd recommend 12x because (a) lower powers could be handheld anyway and there are better optics out there in that range, and (b) higher powers are overkill for regular birding, they're too heavy to carry around - get a spotting scope! Ironically, pelagic birding is the ONE situation where I leave the image-stabilizers at home. They don't stand the weather/wetness of pelagic trips (I nearly ruined them on my first pelagic trip), and the image stabilizer compensates for minor hand vibrations, not eight foot swells. Same reason you can't set up a tripod/spotting scope on a small, heaving boat. In this case, the higher magnification gets in the way since it's harder to locate birds (on that trip I could hardly get a bird in view, before the optics got soaked). I'll dust off my Leicas instead. If you're interested in purchasing binoculars, definitely look through a pair before you buy. In my experience, "top" birders sometimes smirk at Image Stabilizers, since they're sort of different, and not many birders use them. However, you won't believe how many people ask to look through them out of curiosity. Whatever works for you, works, and, personally, I'm a fan. They've introduced me to many life birds on several continents. I'd be happy to field any more specific questions; I also own two Canon Image-Stabilized camera lenses (300mm and 600mm) which are equally enthralling :) Good birding, Happy CBC'ing, and Happy New Year, Noah Strycker On Dec 31, 2007 9:15 PM, wrote: > A birding friend of mine in Bend would like to purchase an Image > Stabilizing binocular. They are quite an investment, so he would appreciate > feedback from OBOL on personal experience with these binoculars, and any > wisdom on the pros and cons of various models and features. > > He is thinking of a 12X or 14X power; however, he will use them for > general birding and is not sure if that level of magnification is optimal. > He would also like a weather-proof model with good optics. > > A quick check on the internet indicated at least 3 manufacturers with > various models: Canon, Nikon (StabilEyes), and Fujimon (Techno-Stabi). > > Any help would be much appreciated. You can reply directly to me and I > will colate the responses in a summary email later. > > Thank-you, > Marshall Beretta > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/2cc92a36/attachment.htm From rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com Tue Jan 1 21:57:11 2008 From: rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com (John Rakestraw) Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 21:57:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] gull quiz - no hybrids allowed Message-ID: <44244.57716.qm@web37012.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I put photos of three first cycle gulls on johnrakestraw.net. The goal is to give folks a chance to practice gull ID without the fear of hybrids or other deceptive beasts. Enjoy. John Rakestraw Portland --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080101/27780cf5/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Wed Jan 2 00:31:48 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 08:31:48 +0000 Subject: [obol] Searching for Steve Nemitz??? Message-ID: Does anyone know this birder, or how I might contact him? Thanks, Dave Irons _________________________________________________________________ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/4012c9b3/attachment.htm From uuspirit at yahoo.com Wed Jan 2 01:10:42 2008 From: uuspirit at yahoo.com (Mary Reese) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 01:10:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Lesser Goldfinches & Pine Siskins in NE Portland Message-ID: <852938.84806.qm@web54108.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I've been getting Lesser Goldfinches at my feeder for one month now. Only one the first week, then gradually the flock grew to about 10. I've never had them before, and I've lived here for 8 years. I'm off NE 148th between Halsey & Sandy. Getting an equal number of Pine Siskins too. Haven't seen one of those for years, so it's a treat. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From geraldham at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 01:38:36 2008 From: geraldham at comcast.net (geraldham at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:38:36 +0000 Subject: [obol] FW: Where is Brush Prairie???? Message-ID: <010220080938.13355.477B5B9C00098D910000342B2215575474030E080B040E9D0A09@comcast.net> -------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- From: geraldham at comcast.net To: tweeters at u.washington.edu Subject: Where is Brush Prairie???? Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:36:22 +0000 > .....Brush Prairie is an unincorporated rural community about 15-20 miles > north-northeast of Vancouver, Wash..---3-4 miles south of Battle Ground, Wash. > ....Haven't seen the Varied Thrush again---since yesterday's sitings.. Heard > several hundred CANADA GEESE flying overhead at dusk, heading wet-northwest to > roosting areas---presumably near Ridgefield and the wildlife area there. > Hundreds--sometimes I think *thousands*, in numerous individual flocks, fly over > Brush Prairie with great noise, just after dawn, towards the feeding areas in > the western areas of the Columbia gorge, and.......come back overhead coming > west at dusk. For some reason, haven't heard them pass overhead hardly at > all---till tonight. > .....An adult BALD EAGLE has been 'hanging around' over the open farmland > west of town the last few days. The foothills of the Cascades are covered with > snow down to the 800-1000ft elevation, and are a beautiful backdrop to the > lowlands.. There so much standing water around that the ducks are spread pretty > far apart, not in concentrated colonies like usual.. Lots of SPARROWS, > BLACK-CAPPED CHIckADEES, OREG. JUNCOS AND FINCHES ---the usual "urban" winter > dwellers. > > .....Cheers....Gerald Hamilton > Brush Prairie, Wash. > geraldham at comcast.net From cdmcclellan at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 07:21:43 2008 From: cdmcclellan at comcast.net (Constance McClellan) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 07:21:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Really really red shouldered hawk Message-ID: <9CB52A49-C625-49BE-8440-934E94AC3CB3@comcast.net> Yesterday (Jan 1) we saw a hawk that had large, bright red 'epaulettes' (scapulars) on both wings. These feathers even seemed to flap a bit when the bird flew, and they were so large as to be square- shaped patches rather than linear. Please, fellow hawkwatchers, is this normal or possible for red shouldered hawks or did someone apply a paintbrush to this bird? This siting was in a field on the west side of Hwy 219 just south of Hillsboro directly west of Jackson Bottoms. There were also tundra swans, numerous Canada geese and pintails, and a large, dark red- tailed hawk (who may have run the other one off by this time.) To view the field we turned west off 219 onto Wood St. (directly across from the driveway to the wastewater viewing area) parked at a gate, and walked south across a dry, higher field until we came to a dropoff that provided a view of the flooded field. (The swans had been easily visible through the trees on the left side of 219 when we were driving north.) At Jackson Bottoms we saw lots of pintails, some mallards and coots, a bewick's wren, a nuthatch, a small flock of golden-crowned sparrows. The eagles were not around but had been seen earlier in the day. Connie McClellan From gnorgren at earthlink.net Wed Jan 2 07:39:22 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 07:39:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon directions Message-ID: Someone had requested explicit directions to the Brownsmead ARLO. I haven't noticed any posted in the intervening 36 hours. In part due to my father's work when I was growing up I feel like I have an above average knowledge of Oregon geography, but Brownsmead is pretty obscure. I once had a business associate residing there, so I set off with considerable confidence, but by the time I was in the neighborhood was beginning to have second thoughts. Had I missed the turn? Could it possibly be this far? Brownsmead is midway between Astoria and Clatskanie. For the overwhelming majority of Oregonians by far the best way is Hwy 30 all the way from Portland. Leave Portland as if you were visiting Sauvie Island, but drive on by the Sauvie Island Bridge and stay on 30 until Gnat-Ziak Road, which is close to 15 miles west of Clatskanie. It must be almost 90 miles from Portland. I'm sure many people looking at a map(or heaven forbid, Mapquest-don't do it)will be tempted to take I-5 north to Longview and cross on the bridge there. I strongly advise against it. For starters, daytime traffic on I-5 leaving Portland can be glacial. Then you must negotiate the industrial- commercial-residential complex of Kelview to get to the bridge over the Columbia. It's miles from I-5. The bridge is single lane and sometimes traffic backs up there as well. The towns of Scappoose, St Helens, Rainier, and Clatskanie have only two or three traffic lights a piece and do not dramatically slow the journey. Anyone driving from Washington will want to use the Longview bridge. When you see the Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery westbound on Hwy 30 you are very close, maybe a mile and a half to the turnoff. A roadsign says Brownsmead at the Gnat-Ziak Rd jct, but there is no warning sign. A short distance from the Hwy the county road reaches the bottomland and you immediately see a bridge. This is not the Barendse Bridge that has been mentioned so often. Proceed left on the bank of Blind Slough and you will soon reach it. I got there a few minutes till 8am on New Year's Eve and had been out of the car some five seconds when the Arctic Loon glided into view. After responding to the effects of excess coffee consumption I walked to the middle of the bridge and found the bird almost out of sight downstream. It was feeding in relaxed fashion, but the out=going tide and current combined are quite deceptive. Check the numerous postings. It moves around alot and some folks have had to work harder and wait longer. The setting is stunningly beautiful, especially compared to many other rarities I've chased. Non-birders may not mind this trip to the "other Columbia Gorge". You can proceed west to Astoria and go inland on Hwy 26 for a change of scene on the return trip, but much of that route is at high elevation and prone to snow and ice. Lars Norgren From celata at pacifier.com Wed Jan 2 08:18:30 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:18:30 -0800 Subject: [obol] Need directions? try birdnotes Message-ID: <477BB94A.422A3E40@pacifier.com> I can't speak for other counties, but just about every place I've ever birded has been placed in the Oregon site guide section of http://birdnotes.net For example: go to birdnotes> click on "Site Guides for Oregon" then type "Brownsmead" into the search box. They don't all have maps, but Brownsmead, Wireless Rd and several others do. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From drheath at worldnet.att.net Wed Jan 2 08:19:22 2008 From: drheath at worldnet.att.net (David Heath) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 08:19:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon yesterday Message-ID: <000b01c84d5b$3d5fa460$260a490c@lucky> My first bird of the year was an Anna's Hummer at my feeder, but the bird of the day was the highly cooperative Arctic Loon at Brownsmead. Great way to start the year! My thanks to those who provided directions. David From jeffgill at teleport.com Wed Jan 2 08:35:02 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:35:02 -0600 Subject: [obol] Bayocean Mystery Warbler In-Reply-To: <000901c84cb4$0c7752f0$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> Message-ID: It looks like an adult female Yellow Warbler. The pale eye-ring and pale streaks on the primaries are good for that species. The bill is right as well. I once saw an adult male Yellow in December in Portland. Jeff Gilligan Portland On 1/1/08 2:22 PM, "Greg Gillson" wrote: > Pat French sent me two photos she quickly snapped yesterday, 31 December > 2007, at Bayocean Peninsula, Tillamook Co. > > I am reluctantly identifying it as a Wilson's Warbler. > > Pat doesn't have any observations other than the photos, as it appeared > while she was observing some other birds, then it quickly flew off. > > Matching Wilson's it is green above, slightly paler below, no wingbars or > breast streaking. The tail seems short. The eyering seems too prominent, > though. It suggests Connecticut on the face, but doesn't look grayish. > > Take a look and see if something else comes to mind. I even got out my > European guide to see if some kind of Old World flycatcher or warbler would > fit. > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9501_warbler.jpg > > http://thebirdguide.com/temp_images/IMG_9502_warbler.jpg > > Greg Gillson > The Bird Guide, Inc. > greg at thebirdguide.com > http://thebirdguide.com > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From baileydc at pdx.edu Wed Jan 2 08:54:24 2008 From: baileydc at pdx.edu (David Bailey) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:54:24 -0800 Subject: [obol] Really really red shouldered hawk Message-ID: <477BC1C0.5090308@pdx.edu> I also saw this bird, a RED-TAILED HAWK, with bright red epaulets with dull-yellow terminal band. They appeared to be fabric, but I was unsure. I was driving west on HWY 26 (the Sunset Hwy) and was passing the large stadium and grandstand in Hillsboro. The bird was perched on a power pole to the north of the highway. I thought that the bird might have been fixed with patagial tags by a bander, but these would have been quite large ones compared to those I have seen on other birds. It looked like a Red-tailed Hawk dressed up like a Red-winged Blackbird. I am sure that I saw the same bird Connie did. Anyone know any more on the history of this bird? David David C. Bailey Seaside, Oregon > Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 07:21:43 -0800 > Yesterday (Jan 1) we saw a hawk that had large, bright red > 'epaulettes' (scapulars) on both wings. These feathers even seemed to > flap a bit when the bird flew, and they were so large as to be square- > shaped patches rather than linear. Please, fellow hawkwatchers, is > this normal or possible for red shouldered hawks or did someone apply > a paintbrush to this bird? > > This siting was in a field on the west side of Hwy 219 just south of > Hillsboro directly west of Jackson Bottoms. There were also tundra > swans, numerous Canada geese and pintails, and a large, dark red- > tailed hawk (who may have run the other one off by this time.) To view > the field we turned west off 219 onto Wood St. (directly across from > the driveway to the wastewater viewing area) parked at a gate, and > walked south across a dry, higher field until we came to a dropoff > that provided a view of the flooded field. (The swans had been easily > visible through the trees on the left side of 219 when we were driving > north.) > > At Jackson Bottoms we saw lots of pintails, some mallards and coots, a > bewick's wren, a nuthatch, a small flock of golden-crowned sparrows. > The eagles were not around but had been seen earlier in the day. > > Connie McClellan From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Wed Jan 2 09:13:06 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 09:13:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Subject: first bird of the year/Nutria question Message-ID: <427756.72070.qm@web60821.mail.yahoo.com> My first of the year was an Anna's as well. Unless I sleep in past 8, it'll almost certainly be an Anna's or Dark-eyed Junco. I birded Fern Ridge early yesterday afternoon (Fisher Butte, I think... whatever the hunting area off of 126 is called). There was a decent amount going on (WHITE-TAILED KITE, COOPER'S HAWK, KESTREL, along with several MARSH WRENS and SONG SPARROWS, among others). Anyway, on the way back to the parking area, I saw a dead nutria near the weeds right at the side of the path. And not far from it in the middle of the path was a bunch of cracked corn. That seemed a little too coincidental to me. Is somebody poisoning them? If so, I'm a little concerned about other species eating the corn as well. Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: first bird of the year. From: Andrew Marshall Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 22:10:08 -0500 (EST) Hello folks, As I bleary eyed my way to the coffee pot this morning, my first bird was the Annas hummingbird ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/5ccee3b9/attachment.htm From jmeredit at bendnet.com Wed Jan 2 10:33:03 2008 From: jmeredit at bendnet.com (Judy Meredith) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 10:33:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] bird tracks in the snow - question Message-ID: <006701c84d6d$e98cc530$0a00a8c0@MOM> Birders During Santiam Pass CBC yesterday, some of us saw some tracks in the snow and hope to identify them. They were sizable and going from tree well to tree well. I thought it was likely that grouse were making the tracks but do not have adequate references at home. I checked various references I do have at home - Birders Handbook, Audubon's Encyclo birds NA, etc as well as on line. My Peterson "tracks" book is only mammals. I did find on-line photos of Ruffed Grouse tracks and what I saw did not appear to be theirs or perhaps different snow conditions make their tracks closer together / farther apart? And I did not photograph the tracks we saw. Perhaps I need to go to a library but OBOL seems to be a great library of minds! If anyone has suggestions of where else to look at tracks info I would love ideas. Good birding, Judy jmeredit at bendnet.com From dan-gleason at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 11:01:49 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 11:01:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] bird tracks in the snow - question In-Reply-To: <006701c84d6d$e98cc530$0a00a8c0@MOM> References: <006701c84d6d$e98cc530$0a00a8c0@MOM> Message-ID: <05C2D41C-0432-4CDF-9B57-ECDFABDB7581@comcast.net> Hi Judy, Bird tracks in the snow at high elevation sure sounds like grouse. Sooty Grouse spend the winter at high elevation where they eat mostly the buds, needles and young cones from conifers. Almost all of their time is spent in the trees but they do occasionally come to the ground. Sometimes they will fly into a snow bank to elude predators or to avoid a storm. They are well protected in their new "snow cave." Their primary method of reaching these higher elevation winter grounds from the low elevation breeding areas is by walking. When they return to low elevation breeding areas in the spring, they often fly to the top of a ridge and glide to lower areas below, repeating this until they finally reach the breeding elevations. An interesting reference to bird tracks and other signs is: Elbroch, Mark and Eleanor Marks.2001. Bird Tracks & Sing - A Guide to North American Species, Stackpole Books. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 2, 2008, at 10:33 AM, Judy Meredith wrote: > Birders > During Santiam Pass CBC yesterday, some of us saw > some tracks in the snow and hope to identify them. > > They were sizable and going from tree well to tree well. > I thought it was likely that grouse were making the tracks > but do not have adequate references at home. I checked > various references I do have at home - Birders Handbook, > Audubon's Encyclo birds NA, etc as well as on line. My > Peterson "tracks" book is only mammals. I did find on-line > photos of Ruffed Grouse tracks and what I saw did not > appear to be theirs or perhaps different snow conditions > make their tracks closer together / farther apart? And I > did not photograph the tracks we saw. > > Perhaps I need to go to a library but OBOL seems to > be a great library of minds! If anyone has suggestions > of where else to look at tracks info I would love ideas. > Good birding, > Judy > jmeredit at bendnet.com > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/48bf6721/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Wed Jan 2 11:24:59 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 11:24:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] RBA: Mountain Plover - Linn Co. Message-ID: <768957.76898.qm@web39509.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Mark Nikas left a message on my home machine at 11:17 a.m.: He found a MOUNTAIN PLOVER in Linn County, in the general vicinity of Brownsville. Directions: I-5 Exit 209 Diamond Hill Rd. Go east .9 miles; it was on the north side of the road in a dirt field. Jamie Corvallis woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/5c34a092/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Wed Jan 2 11:52:49 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 19:52:49 +0000 Subject: [obol] Updated: Wintering bird photos (owls, gallineous birds, and buntings) Message-ID: Hi Obolers! I just updated some recent photos of the following birds from my trip this weekend to the Okanogan. Highlights included a flock of 40 Sharp tailed grouse, a flock of 12 ruffed grouse, one snowy owl, and a black headed gull. Wintering finches were low in number but we managed to find common redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, white winged crossbills, and snow buntings as well. Large groups of gray patridges and chukars were also seen. See the full report on Tweeters. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_photos&page=all Good birding, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Wed Jan 2 11:53:21 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 19:53:21 +0000 Subject: [obol] Updated: Wintering bird photos (owls, gallineous birds, and buntings) Message-ID: Hi Obolers! I just updated some recent photos of the following birds from my trip this weekend to the Okanogan. Highlights included a flock of 40 Sharp tailed grouse, a flock of 12 ruffed grouse, one snowy owl, and a black headed gull. Wintering finches were low in number but we managed to find common redpolls, Bohemian Waxwings, white winged crossbills, and snow buntings as well. Large groups of gray patridges and chukars were also seen. See the full report on Tweeters. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/recent_photos&page=all Good birding, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/8a89182f/attachment.htm From moorebuesing at verizon.net Wed Jan 2 11:56:27 2008 From: moorebuesing at verizon.net (Don Moore & Pam Buesing) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:56:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] re-really really red shouldered hawk Message-ID: <0AAF7867-0DB9-4DDB-AA53-28E3292D0533@verizon.net> I too saw this hawk by the side of Hwy. 26. I was east of cornelius pass road, heading west on 26 when I saw a hawk-sized bird in the trees, with a lot of red on the wings. I immediately thought of Harris's Hawk. Wishful thinking. When I got abeam of the bird, I saw that it was clearly a red-tailed hawk with what appeared to be plastic on the wing. The plastic was red with the black letters TR on it. For what it's worth. Don Moore Subject: Re: Really really red shouldered hawk From: David Bailey Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:54:24 -0800 I also saw this bird, a RED-TAILED HAWK, with bright red epaulets with dull-yellow terminal band. They appeared to be fabric, but I was unsure. I was driving west on HWY 26 (the Sunset Hwy) and was passing the large stadium and grandstand in Hillsboro. The bird was perched on a power pole to the north of the highway. I thought that the bird might have been fixed with patagial tags by a bander, but these would have been quite large ones compared to those I have seen on other birds. It looked like a Red-tailed Hawk dressed up like a Red-winged Blackbird. I am sure that I saw the same bird Connie did. Anyone know any more on the history of this bird? David David C. Bailey Seaside, Oregon > Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 07:21:43 -0800 > Yesterday (Jan 1) we saw a hawk that had large, bright red > 'epaulettes' (scapulars) on both wings. These feathers even seemed to > flap a bit when the bird flew, and they were so large as to be square- > shaped patches rather than linear. Please, fellow hawkwatchers, is > this normal or possible for red shouldered hawks or did someone apply > a paintbrush to this bird? > > This siting was in a field on the west side of Hwy 219 just south of > Hillsboro directly west of Jackson Bottoms. There were also tundra > swans, numerous Canada geese and pintails, and a large, dark red- > tailed hawk (who may have run the other one off by this time.) To view > the field we turned west off 219 onto Wood St. (directly across from > the driveway to the wastewater viewing area) parked at a gate, and > walked south across a dry, higher field until we came to a dropoff > that provided a view of the flooded field. (The swans had been easily > visible through the trees on the left side of 219 when we were driving > north.) > > At Jackson Bottoms we saw lots of pintails, some mallards and coots, a > bewick's wren, a nuthatch, a small flock of golden-crowned sparrows. > The eagles were not around but had been seen earlier in the day. > > Connie McClellan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/cfd99098/attachment.htm From birder at iinet.com Wed Jan 2 12:45:06 2008 From: birder at iinet.com (Sherry Hagen) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 12:45:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sorry about the mistake Message-ID: <00b001c84d80$5ba287b0$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> For those who wanted a correction Yes I meant Palm Warbler, not Pine Warble for the Brownsmead area.... oops!!! Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder at iinet.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/1cf166ca/attachment.htm From ed.mcvicker at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 13:04:55 2008 From: ed.mcvicker at comcast.net (Ed McVicker) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:04:55 -0800 Subject: [obol] re-really really red shouldered hawk In-Reply-To: <0AAF7867-0DB9-4DDB-AA53-28E3292D0533@verizon.net> References: <0AAF7867-0DB9-4DDB-AA53-28E3292D0533@verizon.net> Message-ID: <477BFC77.9040806@comcast.net> Some time ago Dave Helzer from PDX/Port of Portland wildlife control (Sorry, Dave, as no doubt I have the title wrong.) reported a Red-tailed Hawk they trapped, tagged and relocated. I think I remember Dave saying it had wing tags and that they released it somewhere in Washington County. Anyone else remember this? Ed McVicker Portland Don Moore & Pam Buesing wrote: > I too saw this hawk by the side of Hwy. 26. From di4tbirds at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 13:26:42 2008 From: di4tbirds at comcast.net (di4tbirds at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:26:42 +0000 Subject: [obol] Grebes and ducks at Dexter Res. Message-ID: <010220082126.4425.477C0192000B9F4E0000114922155558849C0B9D070D9BCB070B@comcast.net> Obol: Ellen Cantor and I birded Dexter Res in Lane Cty this am looking for the 6 grebe species. We got 5 missing only Clark's. One Eared grebe along with several Pied-billeds were on the East side of the causeway. Also on the eastside were two Canvasbacks, rafts of both Ruddy's and Ringnecks as well as lots of gulls. All other grebes species were seen on the west side of the causeway. There were 3 Horned grebes very close to the causeway overlook. While we were watching one caught and swallowed a small fish. Ducks seen included one Redhead, Gadwalls, Com. Mergansers and the Common goldeneyes. We discovered a little park off West Boundary Rd that provided a good view of the birds on the east side of the causeway. A nice morning of birding in the rain. Diane Horgan From nepobirds at yahoo.com Wed Jan 2 13:36:35 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 13:36:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Varied Thrushes Message-ID: <22126.73192.qm@web46011.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I saw a varied thrush in the yard earlier this morning and then, after looking out the office window about an hour ago, I saw 3 more. I snapped a couple of photos of them in the mountain ash. I was so excitied to finally see then around. Has anyone else been seeing them as of late? http://bp2.blogger.com/_lN7HLlPAMn0/R3wCBMtsqMI/AAAAAAAAAEY/-iToxbdM6wU/s1600-h/Varied+Thrush.jpg http://bp2.blogger.com/_lN7HLlPAMn0/R3wChMtsqNI/AAAAAAAAAEg/qs13EueErWQ/s1600-h/varied+thrush2.jpg Seth Reams NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/522bde73/attachment.htm From uuspirit at yahoo.com Wed Jan 2 14:10:07 2008 From: uuspirit at yahoo.com (Mary Reese) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 14:10:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Has something changed with OBOL daily postings? Message-ID: <144337.15147.qm@web54111.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Used to get OBOL postings everyday at noon. Since the holidays they have stopped. What happened? ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From jvanmoo at sisna.com Wed Jan 2 08:21:18 2008 From: jvanmoo at sisna.com (Julie Van Moorhem) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 08:21:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] New Years Day in Klamath Falls Message-ID: <13E87FA5-46FC-4789-BC59-518E86FDD6A3@sisna.com> Hi Folks, I started the 2008 birding season with an audible GREAT HORNED OWL just before dawn at my house.. A DOWNY WOODPECKER was one of the first birds at the feeder yesterday morning and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER put in an appearance before I left to go birding with Marilyn Christian. We birded Moore Park, Putnam Point/Link River, Veteran's Park/Link River/Lake Ewauna, Miller Island WMA, and Lower Klamath along Stateline and Township Rd. crossing between on Straits Drain. About 60 BALD EAGLES on the ice at the Lower Klamath auto tour loop exit area; many TUNDRA SWANS, GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, and raptors galore! Also, lots of RING-NECKED PHEASANTS--we probably saw 15. Complete list below--53 species Pied-billed Grebe Black-crowned Night Heron Great Blue Heron Tundra Swan Greater white-fronted Goose Canada Goose Mallard Northern Shoveler Lesser Scaup Barrow's Goldeneye Common Goldeneye Bufflehead Common Merganser Hooded Merganser (about 10 drakes and some females at Putnam Pt.) Ruddy Duck Northern Harrier (many Lower Klamath) Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk (Miller Island at boat ramp at river) Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk (many Lower Klamath) Ferruginous Hawk 2 (Lower Klamath Lake Rd. east of Fugate Rd.) American Kestrel Ring-necked Pheasant California Quail American Coot Ring-billed Gull Herring Gull Rock Pigeon Mourning Dove Great Horned Owl Downy Woodpecker Northern Flicker Red-breasted Sapsucker Steller's Jay Black-billed Magpie Common Raven Mountain Chickadee Brown Creeper White-breasted Nuthatch Pygmy Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet American Robin European Starling Spotted Towhee Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Western Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Lesser Goldfinch House Sparrow Good birding in 2008 y'all, Julie Van Moorhem Klamath Falls From sylviam at clearwire.net Wed Jan 2 13:46:37 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:46:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eur. Collared Doves, Alvadore and Pacific Loon, Fern Ridge. Message-ID: <477C063D.9050307@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL Today after Paul, Don and I left the Wed. morning birding group we found two EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES on 3rd St. in Alvadore, this was about 11:30. We then went to Fern Ridge Dam and had a PACIFIC LOON. Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Wed Jan 2 14:37:45 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 17:37:45 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] too bads! Message-ID: <1690350.1199313465910.JavaMail.root@elwamui-cypress.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hi Folks, Too bads? Too bad the local CBC (Dallas) was not a day later, the Annas hummingbird could have been added, along with a few other birds absent due to dreadful weather Too bad it wasn't day before yesterday, the Annas hummingbird could have been added, along with a few other birds absent due to dreadful weather, as well as the Common Loon that showed up wrapped in a shirt. A friend found it in the middle of Hwy 22. It is now at a rehab centre, hopefully getting over what ever caused it to come down in the middle of a busy highway. And if it were today, we could have had all the local suspects, Annas included plus a lone female golden crowned kinglet who was busy working the hazel in the front yard, pipping rather forlornly it sounded, as if wondering where the rest of the gang went. Still, I enjoyed my first ever CBC, even if it was just twice around the back 5 acres freezing my fingers off and seeing very few birds through sideways blowing sleet. All the best Andrew From ksimpson68 at gmail.com Wed Jan 2 15:55:17 2008 From: ksimpson68 at gmail.com (Kelly Simpson) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 15:55:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sandy River Delta Birds Message-ID: <8fe776e10801021555r4a971ba3qe82b5894bbdeb378@mail.gmail.com> Hello! I'm trying to find out as much as possible about birding in the Sandy River Delta. So....what kinds of birds are seen there? Interesting facts? What makes it good bird habitat? Thank you in advance for your help! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/75b1a70b/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Wed Jan 2 15:58:46 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 15:58:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Port Orford CBC rarities- update Message-ID: <643582.20598.qm@web45105.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Jim Rogers left me a message and I guess they decided not to count the Arctic Loon which was reported off Cape Blanco on the 29th. Jim said that he and Don decided that since the bird was pretty distant, the weather not so great, and there was no photo of the bird, that it would be best not to count it. Jim did encourage anyone birding in that area to keep an eye out for a different looking loon though! Merry New Bird, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From Oropendolas at aol.com Wed Jan 2 16:45:10 2008 From: Oropendolas at aol.com (Oropendolas at aol.com) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 19:45:10 EST Subject: [obol] Mountain Plover - Yes Message-ID: Hello all, As of 4:00 PM, the Mountain Plover is right where Mark Nikas reported it, .9 Miles east of I-5 exit #409 it was standing alone in the mud field ~ 20 yards from the road on the North side. John Sullivan Springfield, OR **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/85f611d6/attachment.htm From Oropendolas at aol.com Wed Jan 2 17:33:18 2008 From: Oropendolas at aol.com (Oropendolas at aol.com) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 20:33:18 EST Subject: [obol] New Years Day Birds Message-ID: Hello All, Laura Johnson, Tanya Bray and I started our 2008 year lists at Fern Ridge and surrounding area. Dense fog ALL morning got us off to a slow start but it mostly lifted by early afternoon and we had a good day. A few of the highlites and misses of the day were: We were unable to relocate the MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE that Laura found on the Eugene CBC Sunday in the Santa Clara neighborhood on the corner of Blackfoot and Crocker, but Tanya spotted an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER about a block South of there. We also could not relocate the TRUMPETER SWANS that have been hanging out North of Eugene. The whole flock of TUNDRA SWANS that they were with during the Eugene CBC had moved from the Southeast corner of Hwy 99 and Meadowview to the Southwest corner of Meadowview and Greenhill. Distance and lingering fog prevented us from picking them out from there. There was a MERLIN in the very active ACORN WOODPECKER Oak Grove on Royal Ave., east of Fern Ridge and the BLACK PHOEBE was present at the viewing platform in the Fisher Unit of FRR. After checking out Alan's RED-THROATED LOON on the pond in the Northeast corner of the East Coyote Unit, we had great looks at a westbound fly over PRAIRIE FALCON. John Sullivan Springfield, OR **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/47b28500/attachment.htm From rcbrumitt at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 17:41:00 2008 From: rcbrumitt at comcast.net (Clint Brumitt) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 17:41:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] Mountain Plover - Yes References: Message-ID: <009901c84da9$b258b970$37d5ab43@CB2> One question here. Is there an exit #409 off of I-5 in Oregon? If it is incorrect, what should it be? Good birding, Clint Brumitt ----- Original Message ----- From: Oropendolas at aol.com To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 4:45 PM Subject: [obol] Mountain Plover - Yes Hello all, As of 4:00 PM, the Mountain Plover is right where Mark Nikas reported it, .9 Miles east of I-5 exit #409 it was standing alone in the mud field ~ 20 yards from the road on the North side. John Sullivan Springfield, OR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/5ee784fa/attachment.htm From Oropendolas at aol.com Wed Jan 2 17:42:38 2008 From: Oropendolas at aol.com (Oropendolas at aol.com) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 20:42:38 EST Subject: [obol] Mountain Plover I-5 Exit #209 Message-ID: Sorry about that, I should have said Exit #209 east of Harrisburg. I hope no one has headed off the map into Washington! John **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/b1f9b96a/attachment.htm From craig at greatskua.com Wed Jan 2 17:46:16 2008 From: craig at greatskua.com (Craig Tumer) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:46:16 -0700 Subject: [obol] Varied Thrushes Message-ID: <20080102184616.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.bf9c54dfd1.wbe@email.secureserver.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/be581d91/attachment.htm From namitzr at hotmail.com Wed Jan 2 19:45:05 2008 From: namitzr at hotmail.com (Russ Namitz) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:45:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Oregon Big Year 2007 = 355 species Message-ID: Prompted by a friend of mine from Maine, I did a Big Year for Oregon in 2007. Having only birded certain parts of the state, I thought this would be a great opportunity to work on my Oregon birdlist and explore some of the others areas of the state. For example, I had never birded Malheur in the spring for migrants. I ended adding 26 new state birds this year. I want to echo Dave Iron's comments about gratitude for the multitude of people that helped me along on my journey. I didn't keep track of all the names, but I really appreciate our Oregon birding community. Thank you. I ended up tying Phil Pickering's 1986 record. Funny thing is we both grew up in Lincoln City. I was unable to make a winter trip to the Enterprise/La Grande area or a September trip to Malheur. My last bird of the year was a Short-eared Owl in the farm fields SE of Albany on 12/28. Bird on, Russ Namitz Coos Bay From marknikas at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 20:25:10 2008 From: marknikas at comcast.net (Mark Nikas) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 20:25:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] Linn County birds Message-ID: <010701c84dc0$a10de0c0$880ba8c0@Library> Birders, I spent the day birding western Linn County and had an above average day. One of the first birds I saw was the MOUNTAIN PLOVER that Jamie S. quickly spread the word on. My Kowa scope literally broke in half while setting up to scope the plover. We'll see how well they back up their lifetime warranty. A PRAIRIE FALCON was on a power pole at the plover site. This site is a brand new Wetland Reserve Program property that is just starting to be returned to native prairie. It has harbored several nice birds the past 6 months and will hopefully only get better. It is private land and all viewing must be done from the road. Traffic is light and shoulders are fairly wide. I went into Brownsville and successfully refound an ANNAS HUMMINGBIRD that Rich Armstrong found at a feeder during last week's CBC. These are harder to come by than you would think in Linn County. I then stopped at the sewage ponds on Hwy 228 and was surprised to see the OLDSQUAW found by Barb Combs last week was still present. It was on the back pond. As she had mentioned, extensive construction work is being done there but no one was working there today. The gate that used to have a "do not enter sign" has been removed. The SWAINSONS HAWK found 10 days ago by Cheryl Whelchel continues to frequent the field at the NW corner of Tangent Dr. and Oakville Rd. The BURROWING OWL wintering at the north end of Davis Rd. didn't seem to mind all the rain. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues to be elusive but present at White Pine Rd. I was having such good luck seeing uncommon birds in the county that I decided to try for the Blue Jay found by Don Boucher back in November at the north end of Peoria Rd. I didn't see it but the weather was lousy. There was a flock of 975 TUNDRA SWANS off Smith Rd. - a regular wintering site. No scope so I couldn't see if there were any Trumpeters. There have been some here in past years.Nearby at the intersection of Bluebbery Rd. and CR211 was a flock of at least 65 HORNED LARKS. Couldn't pull anything else out of the flock though. There was no Burrowing Owl here or at other nearby sites where they've been regular past winters. A N SHRIKE was off Belts Rd. - a regular site for them in winter. Mark Nikas From larmcqueen at msn.com Wed Jan 2 21:12:00 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 21:12:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wed morning, Eugene airport Message-ID: We decided to drive Greenhill Road (Meadowlark Prairie and Eugene Airport area) and Washburn Lane (just west of Junction City) instead of walk around in the rain. Birding was generally good. Not all species were counted. Great Blue Heron Great Egret - 1 Gr. White-fronted Goose - 7 with the swan flock Canada Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan - probably 300. We did not find the Trumpeters previously reported near Meadowview Rd Gadwall - small flock A. Wigeon mallard N. Shoveler N. Pintail Green-winged Teal Ring-necked Duck - about 5 Bufflehead - 1 White-tailed Kite - 2 N. Harrier - 3 Red-tailed Hawk - 10 Rough-legged Hawk - 1 (Meadowlark Prairie) A. Kestrel - 9 R-n Pheasant Coot Black-bellied Plover - 50 Killdeer - 200+ Mew Gull - 1,probably more Ring-billed Gull - lots Herring Gull - 1 Glaucous-winged Gull Mourning Dove Scrub Jay Raven Crow Bewick's Wren - 1 Robin Starling Pipit Yellow-rumped Warbler - 2 Song Sparrow Red-w. Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird The bird list may be incomplete, as I left early - Larry McQueen, with Nate Senner, Dennis Arendt, Kit Larsen, Sylvia Maulding, Don Schrouder, Paul Sherrell, Roger Robb. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/29007b7a/attachment.htm From linda at fink.com Wed Jan 2 21:29:13 2008 From: linda at fink.com (Linda Fink) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:29:13 -0800 Subject: [obol] new yard bird! Message-ID: <477C72A9.8080405@fink.com> A rufous-tailed, tail-cocking-and-dropping thrush sat right in front of me as I walked back from examining the latest tree-across-fence. Even though we live just downhill a few hundred feet from where Hermit Thrushes hang out all winter, this is the first time I've ever seen one on our farm near Grand Ronde. Hermit Thrush becomes yard bird #134... although I'm considering backing up to 133 because I didn't actually see the white-fronted geese flying over. They are the only birds (other than saw-whet and screech owls) that I've listed by sound alone and think I should wait until one actually appears in view... yes, sigh, Hermit Thrush should be #133. Might Gray Jays be next? They made it as far as 1/4 mile up the road (north) from our place last fall... There are several "easy" birds I've yet to see here, such as, believe it or not, Rock Doves. My neighbors have pigeons that occasionally circuit this far but I've never seen a wild population come by our place. Neighbors 1/4 mile down the road (south) have both red and white-breasted nuthatches coming to their feeders. I've only see red here. Maybe 2008 will be the year we pass the #135 mark on the Fink Family Farm, sw Yamhill County. Linda Fink From brrobb at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 21:55:02 2008 From: brrobb at comcast.net (Roger & Betty Robb) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 21:55:02 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wed Morning Addendum Message-ID: <000801c84dcd$2eae52f0$0a00a8c0@RROffice> A few more birds found by the Wed morning group included good numbers of DUNLIN at the Eugene Airport, 2 LEAST SANDPIPERS north of Cox Butte Rd near Junction City and a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE on Washburne Lane. Roger Robb Springfield, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/e74f0010/attachment.htm From brrobb at comcast.net Wed Jan 2 21:56:34 2008 From: brrobb at comcast.net (Roger & Betty Robb) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 21:56:34 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wed Morning Again Message-ID: <000801c84dcd$65f6d9d0$0a00a8c0@RROffice> and, we found a pair of CINNAMON TEAL at Meadowlark Prairie. Roger Robb -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/12a64f9d/attachment.htm From warrech at earlham.edu Wed Jan 2 21:46:41 2008 From: warrech at earlham.edu (Chris Warren) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:46:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, Portland, 01/02/08 Message-ID: The weather was less than great, scratch that, bleeding awful this morning along Marine Drive in North Portland but the birds were pretty descent. I picked up my life BARROW?S GOLDENEYE at Hayden Island. I always appreciate a life bird especially when its in its most conspicuous plumage and right next to other, easily-confused-with species. None of the female Goldeneyes appeared to be a BAGO but they might be worth picking through again. To get to the site, for those who aren?t familiar, take I-5 N and take the Jansen Beach exit. Follow the exit off to the left and follow the N Hayden Island Road until it dead-ends at a gate. Park and take the path through the briars to the right of the gate. This paths leads down to the beach. Most birds that I?ve seen here were between a sewer pipe leading under the channel and a set of pylons to the west of the railroad trestle. Approach the ducks with caution they are particularly spooky here. If the BAGO isn?t there check directly across the channel or hang tight. I was there for ten minutes before it flew in from somewhere nearby. Number?s of most birds were down although I admit I didn?t bother to stand in the sleet and count every Cackler. However, Kelley Point had some very good numbers. I hope some of these stick around for the CBC. Here?s a Highlight list. Broughton Beach 01/02/08 Common Loon ? 1 (flyby) Lesser Scaup ? 39 Hayden Island 01/02/08 RED-THROATED LOON ? 1 Common Loon ? 2 (flybys) Common Goldeneye ? 20 BARROW?S GOLDENEYE ? 1 (adult male) Lesser Scaup ? 3 Mew Gull ? 38 (I?ve had big numbers here all winter) Kelley Point Park 01/02/08 RED-THROATED LOON ? 8 !! (carefully counted, all visible from the beach access near the bathroom) RED-NECKED GREBE ? 2 (same individuals from last week) Chris Warren Portland, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/60e0b960/attachment.htm From carolk at viclink.com Wed Jan 2 23:01:36 2008 From: carolk at viclink.com (Carol Karlen) Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 23:01:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA: Red-throated Loon (Yamhill Co.) Message-ID: <001801c84dd6$7d300be0$8c76fea9@home> Today while doing my Yamhill County Raptor Route a RED-THROATED LOON was feeding in the fishing pond at the Sheridan Wetlands Park. Directions: From Hwy 18 going west of McMinnville take Exit 33 at Sheridan turn right on Ballston Road. Go past the cemetery and down in the dip, turn left at the Sheridan Wetlands Park sign and drive to the parking lot at the fishing pond (the loon was right in front of us today). The Sheridan Sewage Ponds are also located here by the fishing pond. You can walk along the fishing pond to view the ponds, or with a scope the best view of the four sewage ponds is from inside the cemetery at the east end - the maintenance folks are okay with birders using this view point. Good birding, Carol Karlen McMinnville From hnehls at teleport.com Wed Jan 2 23:33:17 2008 From: hnehls at teleport.com (Harry Nehls) Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:33:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA: Portland, OR 1-3-08 Message-ID: - RBA * Oregon * Portland * January 3, 2008 * ORPO0801.03 - birds mentioned Emperor Goose Ross?s Goose Common Goldeneye Barrow?s Goldeneye Red-throated Loon ARCTIC LOON Osprey MOUNTAIN PLOVER Black Phoebe Tree Swallow Northern Mockingbird Yellow Warbler Palm Warbler American Tree Sparrow - transcript hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly) number: 503-292-6855 To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 compiler: Harry Nehls coverage: entire state Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report was made Thursday January 3. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. On January 2 a MOUNTAIN PLOVER was seen near Brownsville. Take exit 209 off I5 and drive east about a mile. It was on the north side of the road. The Blind Slough ARCTIC LOON continues to be seen in Brownsmead. A PALM WARBLER and a BLACK PHOEBE were also reported from the area. The EMPEROR GOOSE is still being seen at the Elk Viewpoint east of Reedsport. On December 31 a YELLOW WARBLER was on the Bayocean Peninsula at Tillamook Bay. A ROSS?S GOOSE was seen December 29 near the end of Oak Island Road on Sauvie Island. That day a BARROW?S GOLDENEYE was on the east side of the Island. On January 2 a BARROW?S GOLDENEYE was among a flock of COMMON GOLDENEYES at the railroad Bridge on Hayden Island. A group of eight RED-THROATED LOONS were on the Willamette River at Kelley Point Park in North Portland December 28. A MOCKINGBIRD was seen January 1 along Farmer Road east of Baskett Slough NWR. On December 30a PALM WARBLER was at the Wilson WMA north of Corvallis. On January 1 a TREE SPARROW was in the same area. A group of six TREE SWALLOWS were seen December 28 near the Eugene Airport. On January 1 an OSPREY was along the Deschutes River north of Madras. Another was at Sunriver December 30. That?s it for this week. - end transcript -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080102/bcd9ba4f/attachment.htm From winkg at hevanet.com Thu Jan 3 06:53:03 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:53:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 01/02/08 Message-ID: <20080103145210.3A5791500D1@smtp4.oregonstate.edu> Here is the summary of my morning dogwalks from NW Seblar Terrace to the Pittock Mansion for the week 12/27/07 to 01/02/08. Species in ALL CAPS were neither seen nor heard the previous week. Additional information about my dogwalk, including an archive of weekly summaries and a checklist, may be found at http://www.hevanet.com/winkg/dogwalkpage.html We did the walk 6 days this week. Species # days found (peak #, date) CACKLING GOOSE 1 (50, 12/27) RED-TAILED HAWK 1 (1, 12/30) BAND-TAILED PIGEON 3 (5, 12/28) Mourning Dove 1 (1, 12/31) Anna's Hummingbird 6 (2) Downy Woodpecker 1 (1, 12/30) HAIRY WOODPECKER 1 (1, 12/30) Northern Flicker 4 (2, 12/30) PILEATED WOODPECKER 2 (2, 1/1) Golden-crowned Kinglet 5 (10, 1/2) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 (2, 12/31) Bewick's Wren 1 (1, 1/1) Winter Wren 3 (1) HERMIT THRUSH 3 (1) American Robin 5 (3, 12/30) Varied Thrush 6 (10, 1/2) Black-capped Chickadee 6 (12) Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3 (5, 1/1) Red-breasted Nuthatch 1 (1, 12/30) Brown Creeper 3 (2) Steller's Jay 5 (5) WESTERN SCRUB-JAY 3 (1) American Crow 2 (3, 12/30) European Starling 1 (1, 12/30) House Finch 6 (15) Pine Siskin 4 (45, 1/2) Spotted Towhee 6 (5) FOX SPARROW 1 (2, 12/30) Song Sparrow 6 (10) Dark-eyed Junco 6 (25, 12/28) Misses (birds found at least 3 days during previous 2 weeks but not found this week): Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hutton's Vireo Wink Gross Portland From David.Helzer at portofportland.com Thu Jan 3 07:28:20 2008 From: David.Helzer at portofportland.com (Helzer, David) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 07:28:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] Really really red shouldered hawk In-Reply-To: <546bd4230801022036u67ef444di2169c2534940d9e4@mail.gmail.com> References: <477BC1C0.5090308@pdx.edu> <546bd4230801022036u67ef444di2169c2534940d9e4@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <69545A1E88CACE4382EEAE3F825D86A609C9F8@portexbe2.pop.portptld.com> OBOL, The wing-tagged YR red-tailed hawk in Washington County is from Portland Airport, banded by Carole Hallett. She sent a message to OBOL, but I don't think it went through, so I am re-sending - see below. I have also included below the email about the bird I sent to OBOL on 12/22 in response to David Smith's sighting of the bird. Information on any and all sightings appreciated. Dave Helzer Wildlife Technician Port of Portland Aviation Environmental Portland International Airport T: 503.460.4879 C: 503.830.0713 david.helzer at portofportland.com ________________________________ From: Carole Hallett [mailto:carole.hallett at gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:37 PM To: David Bailey Cc: Oregon Birders Online; Bonneybt at aol.com; Helzer, David Subject: Re: Really really red shouldered hawk Hi there, This was probably a HY red-tail that I caught at Portland International Airport and released near McMinnville, OR on 11/1/07. The bird has an orange plasic VID band on the left leg with black letters 'YR', and orange patagial tags with on both wings with the same code. It also has a silver federal band on the right leg. The wing tags ensure the bird can be readily identified if it returns to the airport. It has been seen in the vicinity of Hwy 26/Cornelius Pass Rd. - Jackson School Rd. since early November. Information on any and all sightings appreciated. Thanks, Carole Hallett Wildlife Biologist Pacific Habitat Services 503-806-5792 ========================= Message sent to OBOL on 12/22/07: OBOL, The YR red-tailed hawk observed by David Smith was marked at Portland Airport by raptor biologist Carole Hallett. Thanks for the report David! This effort is part of a monitoring and management program for red-tailed hawks on the airfield. The red-tail program is a part of the Port's larger PDX wildlife management program, which narrowly focuses on a few high-risk species with the goal of reducing wildlife/aircraft strikes at PDX. This bird also has a silver USFWS band on its right leg and a plastic orange band on its left leg with the letters YR. It was first captured at PDX on 9-30-2007 and released off-site. It was aged as a juvenile (hatch year) at that time. It was re-captured at PDX on 10-29-2007 when it was fitted with the orange wing tags. Since then, its has been seen along Hwy 26 in Washington County and reported to Portland Audubon. We would appreciate any future sightings of this bird, they can be sent to me or to Carole: carole.hallett AT gmail.com Since this bird hangs out along Hwy 26, please use caution for vehicle traffic if slowing down or stopping to get a better look. Thanks again to David for the report. Dave Helzer Wildlife Technician Port of Portland Aviation Environmental Portland International Airport T: 503.460.4879 C: 503.830.0713 david.helzer at portofportland.com From gnorgren at earthlink.net Thu Jan 3 09:06:10 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:06:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] Tagged Redtail Message-ID: <9d9306b721e8609155aa5bde328efbff@earthlink.net> Two of my sons and I saw this bird just after sunset on Dec 24. It was perched on a streetlight at the jct of Croeni and Westmark and sat calmly with us parked immediately below it allowing a view of the plastic and aluminum leg bands. The Rough-leeg was at the eastbound entrance ramp of Hwy 26 and 185th 2/2. Lars Norgren From cdmcclellan at comcast.net Thu Jan 3 09:13:05 2008 From: cdmcclellan at comcast.net (cdmcclellan at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:13:05 +0000 Subject: [obol] Really really red shouldered hawk Message-ID: <010320081713.9229.477D17A00003AEBF0000240D2200745672020E04040A040C0C030B0C@comcast.net> So this is an aviation safety-tagged bird! I wonder why the YR wasn't visible on the patagial tags when we saw the bird? I got a fairly good look through binoculars of the hawk from above while it was flying between trees. Since the orange-red color seemed close to the color of the red on a RTH's tail, they really had this occasional birder going! But now I'm educated as to the existence and function of patagial tags. My pilot friend is wondering whether patagial tags could possibly interfere with the aerodynamic efficiency of the hawk's flight. Connie McClellan -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Helzer, David" > OBOL, > > The wing-tagged YR red-tailed hawk in Washington County is from Portland > Airport, banded by Carole Hallett. She sent a message to OBOL, but I > don't think it went through, so I am re-sending - see below. I have > also included below the email about the bird I sent to OBOL on 12/22 in > response to David Smith's sighting of the bird. > > Information on any and all sightings appreciated. > > Dave Helzer > Wildlife Technician > Port of Portland Aviation Environmental > Portland International Airport > T: 503.460.4879 > C: 503.830.0713 > david.helzer at portofportland.com > > ________________________________ > > From: Carole Hallett [mailto:carole.hallett at gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 8:37 PM > To: David Bailey > Cc: Oregon Birders Online; Bonneybt at aol.com; Helzer, David > Subject: Re: Really really red shouldered hawk > > > Hi there, > > This was probably a HY red-tail that I caught at Portland International > Airport and released near McMinnville, OR on 11/1/07. The bird has an > orange plasic VID band on the left leg with black letters 'YR', and > orange patagial tags with on both wings with the same code. It also has > a silver federal band on the right leg. The wing tags ensure the bird > can be readily identified if it returns to the airport. It has been seen > in the vicinity of Hwy 26/Cornelius Pass Rd. - Jackson School Rd. since > early November. > > Information on any and all sightings appreciated. > > Thanks, > Carole Hallett > Wildlife Biologist > Pacific Habitat Services > 503-806-5792 > > ========================= > > Message sent to OBOL on 12/22/07: > > OBOL, > > The YR red-tailed hawk observed by David Smith was marked at Portland > Airport by raptor biologist Carole Hallett. Thanks for the report David! > This effort is part of a monitoring and management program for > red-tailed hawks on the airfield. The red-tail program is a part of the > Port's larger PDX wildlife management program, which narrowly focuses on > a few high-risk species with the goal of reducing wildlife/aircraft > strikes at PDX. > > This bird also has a silver USFWS band on its right leg and a plastic > orange band on its left leg with the letters YR. It was first captured > at PDX on 9-30-2007 and released off-site. It was aged as a juvenile > (hatch year) at that time. It was re-captured at PDX on 10-29-2007 when > it was fitted with the orange wing tags. Since then, its has been seen > along Hwy 26 in Washington County and reported to Portland Audubon. > > We would appreciate any future sightings of this bird, they can be sent > to me or to Carole: carole.hallett AT gmail.com > > Since this bird hangs out along Hwy 26, please use caution for vehicle > traffic if slowing down or stopping to get a better look. > > Thanks again to David for the report. > > > Dave Helzer > Wildlife Technician > Port of Portland Aviation Environmental > Portland International Airport > T: 503.460.4879 > C: 503.830.0713 > david.helzer at portofportland.com > From goosemiller at msn.com Thu Jan 3 09:47:55 2008 From: goosemiller at msn.com (Marilyn Miller) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:47:55 -0800 Subject: [obol] Artic Loon and a snow adventure - long Message-ID: Hi Obol: An Artic Loon and an adventurous drive home! (Long message, if you are busy you can delete now) 502 miles - check 14 hours - check Artic Loon - check Snow Adventure - check Imagine driving from Bend to Brownsmead to see your lifer Artic Loon. Then image the drive home from Brownsmead to Bend. First, we had traffic, pouring rain, dropping temperatures, around Mt. Hood the packed snow and packed ice was receiving a thin layer of moisture that turned to slick ice for the top layer. Darkness arrived, our plan to get out of the tough driving conditions before dark failed. Now image driving through a beautiful forest with lots of snow on the trees, multiple feet of snow under the trees, the snow piled high on each side of the road thus narrowing it by a third of its size, no place to pull off, the road slick, packed snow, packed ice, pitch black, no stars, no moon due to the cloud cover. Now image a slow moving vehicle ahead of you doing about 40 miles per hour when everyone else (unwisely) wants to drive 50 miles per hour. 35 miles per hour would have been the safe speed to drive. I was driving behind the slow car that was leading the pack with plenty of room between me and the car in front of me and at least ten cars behind me, following way, way too closely. NOW image getting a blowout in your rear passenger side tire, with a hole about seven inches. Due to my superior driving skills (smile) Craig and I are alive to tell this tale! I was driving carefully along and then the dramatic blowout! I found out that my truck goes from handling really well to having a mind of its own. My truck immediately tried to go out of control and went into a slide. My eyes were wide open! Some where in the back of my mind I made a split second decision to head for the snow bank not the opposing lane. Craig and I watched the snow bank looming in front of us coming closer and closer! In my rear view mirrors I watched the cars behind me slide around me and get past me, scary! A couple of them were so close they took up the entire view in the rear mirror and at the last second slid around us! Then I brought us to a stop with just the nose of my truck in the snow bank. I put my truck into low four wheel drive, got us half off the road and as much in to the snow bank as I safely could. We had no cell phone reception. Craig jumped out and put flares on the road. A female trucker stopped and radioed a trucker coming the other way to stop for Craig. Craig jumped in that truck and drove off to get help. The female trucker said "don't worry there are no bears, cougars or Big Foots around here to attack you. Just put on your coat for padding and your seat belt in case someone slides into you. Happy New Year" and then she left. Well, a bear, cougar or Big Foot would have been wonderful to see, I have been photographing wild animals (moose, bear, elk, bison, etc.) for years. I would have welcomed the sight of any wild animal. What had me petrified was the part about another vehicle sliding into me. NOW imagine sitting in my truck with other vehicles maneuvering and sliding around you in the dark. It was really exciting when two trucks would come from opposing directions and squeeze by! My flares were burning out so I started rationing them, only putting out one at a time. My battery was dying; my flashers were slowing dwindling away. I made a plan when all my flares were gone, and my flashers were gone that I wasn't going to sit in a dark vehicle that would be invisible. I was going to use my car mats and hike into the trees and sit on them. I had two pairs of warm gloves, my heavy warm winter jacket, thermal underwear on so I would have been okay for quite awhile. NOW image a flat bed tow truck pulling over and two young very cute guys stopping and asking if I needed help! I yelled out "Please rescue me!" They laughed and said okay. The two young cuties (about 20 years old?) said they would change my tire and jump start my truck. Craig then rode up in an Oregon Department of Transportation Truck. The ODOT truck asked the two guys if they had it under control and then cancelled the tow truck he had sent for. I got to sit in the big fancy tow truck and eat their pretzels while my tire was changed and my truck jump started. I also got to smell six orders of food from the Olive Garden that the guys were bringing home to parents and girlfriends. I gave the two guys a big hug, Craig shook their hands and then Craig and I drove the rest of the way home very thankful because it could have ended up a lot worse. LESSONS LEARNED: Always carry at least twenty long flares. If you need them a few is NOT enough. Always bring snow boots when ever driving in snowy conditions. You never know when you are going to have to walk or stand in deep snow. I had not brought mine. Always bring a very warm sleeping bag for everyone in the car. I bring one 90 percent of the time, this time I had not. Always bring more than one flashlight. We ended up using mine to wave traffic around us when the flares had all burnt out. Always bring food, water, etc. and be prepared to be stuck in the snow for long periods of time! I always carry jumper cables, snow shovel, mechanical kit, and axe; tow ropes, etc., in the back of my truck. I am going out today to buy a hand crank flashlight from REI, an orange cone, twenty flares, get my battery in my truck cleaned, my tire fixed and then tomorrow we are headed out to Hart Mountain to do our last Christmas Bird Count of the year. We saw the Artic Loon, had an exciting fun adventure, the trip was a success! End! Marilyn Miller Bend, Oregon new email: goosemiller at msn.com as of 5-1-06 From rkorpi at hotmail.com Thu Jan 3 10:34:40 2008 From: rkorpi at hotmail.com (Ray Korpi) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 10:34:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Kelley Point Park and Portland CBC Message-ID: All, I saw the posting on Kelley Point Park. The park, by an anomaly of CBC circles, is not in the Portland CBC circle but is in the Sauvie Island/Vancouver CBC circle. The Portland circle bisects the western of the two lakes at Smith-Bybee, and both circles miss the Clark College Campus. The Rivergate area with the Longspurs of years gone by is actually between the circles. For good birding, I'd sit at Joe's Crab Shack Bar in Vancouver since the Portland circle just gets to the Washington side at that spot Ray Korpi rkorpi at hotmail.com Former Portland CBC compiler -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/ff50c53d/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 3 10:44:30 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 10:44:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] 2 rare loons in Brownsmead?! Message-ID: <525103.63019.qm@web39506.mail.mud.yahoo.com> During the past couple of weeks I've read reports of both an Arctic Loon and an Artic Loon at Brownsmead. It's interesting that everyone that has reported one of them has apparently missed the other. Oh well, one more addendum for BOGR... Jamie Simmons Corvallis --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/8fffe627/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 3 11:18:47 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 11:18:47 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Time to submit listing results for 2007 Message-ID: <90485.94052.qm@web39504.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Happy New Year, Obolonians! ...WHAT'S NEW:... -Deadline is January 31st (to get results published sooner this year!) -Website for submitting is not yet up. Watch OBOL for updates. ......................... It's that time of year again! See the form in the curent issue (arrived in December) of Oregon Birds for the categories and thresholds. Refer to "ABA Recording Rules" for what is or is not countable. (See: for the rules and interpretation of them) There are currently 2 ways you can submit your 2006 Oregon listing results. (NOTE: The website for entering and submitting data may be up soon... I'll post updates on OBOL.) -Use the form in the current issue of Oregon Birds (arrived in December) and snail mail it to me. -Email them directly to me. If sending county listing results, please list them ALPHABETICALLY by county. I will send you an email as acknowledgment that I received your results if submitted via email or the website. (Note: If you enter both life and year results on the web you should receive acknowledgment of both.) The deadline for me to receive results is January 31st. Jamie Simmons Corvallis woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/e8329caf/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Thu Jan 3 11:59:54 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:59:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arrival and departure dates Message-ID: For the Handbook of Oregon Birds, we would like to include average and early/late dates for migrants at representative locations in Oregon. Right now it is likely that we'll use the following locations owing to my assumption that there is good data over time: COOS LINCOLN CLATSOP ROGUE VALLEY CORVALLIS PORTLAND KLAMATH CENTRAL OR UMATILLA CO or UNION CO (not sure what is available) MALHEUR NWR (not sure what is available. If you have or know of good phenology data for any of these sites, please let me know. I already have Corvallis and partial Central Oregon. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From carol at bishopcards.com Thu Jan 3 12:53:31 2008 From: carol at bishopcards.com (Carol Bishop) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:53:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] Varied Thrush and Lesser Goldfinch Message-ID: I meant to report a few days ago that we have had a flock of Lesser Goldfinch here (SW Portland near Multnomah Village, with plenty of fir and cedars here) for about a month now. This is notable because I have lived here for five winters now and this is the first time ever?summer OR winter?that we have had them come to the feeders in our yard. Also, usually we have had at least four and sometimes as many as eight Varied Thrush arrive here in early November and stay until March or April, visible from dawn until dusk, but this year we have only a single Varied Thrush that visits the yard once a day with a flock of smaller birds (chickadees, nuthatch, bushtits sometimes). We did see a pair of the thrushes one day but the female has not come back (if it was the same male we see daily). It is kind of disappointing as I looked forward to watching the thrushes as part of the winter routine, but I guess the weather has changed their habits. I?ve been reading the obol list as a digest for about two months now and am really enjoying it. Carol Bishop Portland carol at bishopcards.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/67ef9adb/attachment.htm From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Thu Jan 3 13:07:58 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 16:07:58 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] Annas molt speed Message-ID: <17592501.1199394479242.JavaMail.root@elwamui-little.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hi Folks, our Annas, formerly female, now most magnificently male is molting at an amazing speed. I saw him two days ago, and one side of him was red, the other white. Also his head had no red on it that I could see, and the gorget was merely a short bib. Well today he is in the Rubinia, getting very wet, with a fully red forehead, both sides of his face red, and the gorget is beginning to trail out at each bottom corner. Still has white outer tail corners though. Nice clear views of a truly beautiful bird, much needed at this time of year! All the best Andrew From dondewitt at hotmail.com Thu Jan 3 13:52:00 2008 From: dondewitt at hotmail.com (Don DeWitt) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:52:00 +0000 Subject: [obol] Leaburg Lake, (Lane) possible Arctic Loon Message-ID: OBOL, Dan Heyerly called just now, about 1:30 pm Thursday, to report a loon he's watching up the McKenzie River at Leaburg Lake. Dan has limited optics available to him and the bird tends to stay distant, diving often. Dan thinks that given the bird's white cheek, dark nape, scaly back, and especially the large amount of white it tends to show along the waterline and back to the flanks, it might be an ARCTIC LOON. He's seen this species once before and emphasizes that this is a "possible" call, and he hopes someone with good optics and camera can get up to see the bird. It has been visible near the dam, both from the park along the highway and from the parking lot over across the dam toward the fish hatchery. Don DeWitt, Eugene _________________________________________________________________ i?m is proud to present Cause Effect, a series about real people making a difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_Cause_Effect -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/0c5fc1dd/attachment.htm From watice at msn.com Thu Jan 3 14:02:05 2008 From: watice at msn.com (BILL ROSIE TICE) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 14:02:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Red-thorated Loon Still Present Message-ID: Hi Folks, Just thought I'd alert anyone who may be interested in padding their Yamhill Co list that the Red-throated Loon found yesterday by Carol Karlin was still there at the Sheridan Wetlands today around noon. Now, if that bird would only fly a few mile over to Polk County......................I'd be much happier. Bill Tice -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/038cf0a4/attachment.htm From daveb at sparkplug.com Thu Jan 3 14:01:24 2008 From: daveb at sparkplug.com (Dave Bowers) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:01:24 -0800 Subject: [obol] sold: tripod In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Hi Folks, My medium weight tripod has sold. Thanks much, Cheers, dave -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/99ecec35/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Thu Jan 3 14:35:55 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 14:35:55 -0800 Subject: [obol] Mt. Plover -- no dice Message-ID: Dennis Arendt and I did not find the MOUNTAIN PLOVER that was reported yesterday by Mark Nikas, off I-5 at Exit 209. But we did find 14 Bald Eagles at this site, a Peregrine, Rough-legged Hawk, Kestrels, a Harrier, Red-tails, Cacklers, Canadas, and distant ducks. Noah Stryker was already at the site when we arrived around 9. We then went to the Brownsville sewage ponds - a first for us - and found a large group of ducks on the back pond that contained 1 EURASIAN WIGEON and 1 LONG-TAILED DUCK, which was reported initially by Barb Combs and seen yesterday by Mark. Other ducks here were numbers of Shoveler, Green-winged Teal, Am. Wigeon, Ruddy Ducks, Les. Scaup, Bufflehead, 7 Canvasback, and several Ring-necked Ducks. Larry McQueen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/6b3e24ff/attachment.htm From brrobb at comcast.net Thu Jan 3 15:37:55 2008 From: brrobb at comcast.net (Roger & Betty Robb) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 15:37:55 -0800 Subject: [obol] Leaburg Lake Loon Message-ID: <000801c84e61$aab6cc80$0a00a8c0@RROffice> Don DeWitt just called regarding the possible Arctic Loon at Leaburg Lake. He and Dennis Arendt viewed a loon on the lake with scopes and believe it is a juvenile Common Loon. Roger Robb Springfield, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/acff47d2/attachment.htm From dan at heyerly.com Thu Jan 3 15:39:50 2008 From: dan at heyerly.com (Dan Heyerly) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 15:39:50 -0800 Subject: [obol] Leaburg Lake Loon Message-ID: <000001c84e61$eee57af0$6500a8c0@Dan> The bird previously reported by me through Don DeWitt as a possible Arctic Loon indeed is a Common Loon. Don DeWitt called me a few minutes ago to report that the weather was better than when I first saw this bird, and also that the optics the three birders (Don DeWitt, Dennis Arendt, and Clint Brummit) had trained on this bird were better than the version loaned to me by a motor home owner in the campground by the dam. They agreed that this bird was showing a lot of white on the flanks at times, but that overall everything else pointed to it being a Common Loon. Good birding, Dan Heyerly -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/634435a3/attachment.htm From contopus at telus.net Thu Jan 3 15:21:01 2008 From: contopus at telus.net (Wayne Weber) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 15:21:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Vancouver, BC RBA for January 2, 2008 Message-ID: <06d701c84e5f$4df683c0$e9e38b40$@net> This is Wayne Weber with the Vancouver Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Wednesday, January 2nd, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited, with stores in Vancouver and North Vancouver. The RBA telephone number is (604) 737-3074. If you have a report, please leave your name, telephone number, date, and location of your sighting at the end of this recording, including numbers of birds seen wherever possible. To skip the recording and leave your message, press the pound sign on your phone and begin speaking after the tone. RARE BIRD ALERT (out of town) for an ARCTIC LOON which has been photographed and seen regularly from December 9 through January 2 at Brownsmead, just east of Astoria, OR. For updates, check the transcripts of the OBOL e-mail group at http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html Another out-of-town ARCTIC LOON was reported on December 26 from Quadra Island, BC, but apparently has not been seen since. Out of town RARE BIRD ALERT for a BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER seen on December 22 to 30 at Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. For updates, phone the Nanaimo RBA at (250) 390-3029 . Sightings for Wednesday, January 2nd At Canoe Pass (a channel of the Fraser River), near the Westham Island bridge in Delta, a CLARK'S GREBE and a drake CINNAMON TEAL were reported. Fifteen BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were still at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta. The HARRIS'S SPARROW was still present along 188th Street S of 8th Avenue in Surrey. Sightings for Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 The PRAIRIE FALCON was seen again near the foot of 72nd Street in Delta. Nearby, along the Boundary Bay dyke between 72nd and 64th, were an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and a SAVANNAH SPARROW. At a pumpkin field along 72nd Street were 33 AMERICAN PIPITS and an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. Near the foot of 88th Street was an immature GLAUCOUS GULL and an adult WESTERN GULL. Also in Delta, the WILLET and 4 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS were seen together at the base of the Tsawwassen ferry jetty. Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were seen at the usual spot along Highway 10 in Delta west of 104th Street. In Pitt Meadows, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen along Thompson Road east of Neaves Road, and an AMERICAN KESTREL was nearby. In Abbotsford, a male TOWNSEND'S WARBLER was seen in the 2000 block of Winfield Drive. Sightings for Monday, December 31st The HARRIS'S SPARROW along 188th Street in Surrey, about 150 metres south of 8th Avenue, was seen again. A female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, at a feeder near the gift shop. Sightings for Sunday, December 30th A HARRIS'S SPARROW was seen along 188th Street in Surrey, about 100 metres south of 8th Avenue. At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, a "HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK, 6 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 5 SANDHILL CRANES, 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS, and 12 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen. In Surrey, a drake REDHEAD was seen with CANVASBACKS at Surrey Lake Park on 152nd Street, and 7 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen near the intersection of 160th Street and 48th Avenue. Two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen in a large blackbird flock along Bell Road in the Matsqui Prairie area of Abbotsford. In Port Moody, an AMERICAN DIPPER was seen along Noon Creek. Sightings for Saturday, December 29th A third-winter SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen along 68th Street in Delta, not far south of River Road. Near Boundary Bay in Delta, a GYRFALCON was seen along 112th Street south of Highway 99, and 7 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen with TRUMPETER SWANS near John Oliver Park, north of Highway 99 and east of 112th. Birds reported from the Reifel Bird Sanctuary included 5 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS along Fuller Slough, 5 SANDHILL CRANES, 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS. Four BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen along the Tsawwassen ferry jetty in Delta, 3 SURFBIRDS were at the ferry terminal, and the WILLET was at the base of the jetty. Six EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were along Highway 10 in Delta between 96th and 104th Streets. Mud Bay Road (40th Avenue) in Surrey, west of Highway 99, produced an immature GYRFALCON, 5 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and 20 CACKLING GEESE. Sightings for Friday, December 28 At least 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen feeding on crabapples at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta. No sightings reported for December 27th Sightings for Wednesday, December 26th A GYRFALCON was seen and photographed along 40th Avenue (Mud Bay Road) in Surrey, west of Highway 99. Outside the Vancouver area, an ARCTIC LOON was reported from Quadra Island. No sightings reported for Monday, December 24th or 25th Sightings for Sunday, December 23rd The BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen again in Nanoose Bay. The Ladner Christmas Bird Count, held under somewhat rainy and windy conditions, tallied at least 138 bird species. Highlights included: A SLATY-BACKED GULL and 2 GLAUCOUS GULLS at the Burns Bog landfill. (Please note that the landfill is not normally open to birders, but rare gulls can sometimes be seen among gull flocks in nearby fields.) Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES along Highway 10 between 96th and 104th Streets in Delta. Nine MUTE SWANS, mostly along Canoe Pass near the Westham Island bridge. A LONG-EARED OWL, 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, 5 SANDHILL CRANES, and 21 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Three HUTTON'S VIREOS and a RHINOCEROS AUKLET at Point Roberts, Washington. Eight BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS on the Tsawwassen ferry jetty, and the wintering WILLET at the base of the jetty. Sightings for Saturday, December 22nd A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen coming to a feeder in the 2400 block of Cross Road, near the library in Nanoose Bay, between Nanaimo and Parksville on Vancouver Island. Sightings for Friday, December 21st The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen again in the quadrangle at St. John's College at the University of BC in Vancouver, and also across the road on the W side of NW Marine Drive. In North Vancouver, a BLACK OYSTERCATCHER and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW were seen at the Maplewood Conservation Area in North Vancouver. Seven AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were seen along the Boundary Bay dyke just east of 72nd Street in Delta, plus one more in a pumpkin field along 72nd Street. A GLAUCOUS GULL was reported from the Boundary Bay dyke between 80th and 88th Streets in Delta. Sightings for Thursday, December 20 A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT, very rare in winter, was seen in the enclosed area at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta. The AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen again with juncos at the Maplewood Conservation Area. An EARED GREBE was seen from the White Rock pier in White Rock, a regular spot for this species. Birds seen along 40th Avenue in Surrey, west of Highway 99 toward Mud Bay, included a GYRFALCON, 21 CACKLING GEESE, 4 AMERICAN PIPITS, 3 CEDAR WAXWINGS, 15 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and 20 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS. Sightings for Wednesday, December 19th An AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen in North Vancouver along the path just past the entrance to the Maplewood Conservation Area. Sightings for Tuesday, December 18th The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen again at St. John's College at the University of BC in Vancouver. Sightings for Monday, December 17th A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was found at St. John's College near the intersection of University Boulevard and Lower Mall Road on the University of BC campus in Vancouver. Birds seen at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta include 9 COMMON REDPOLLS, 10 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 15 CEDAR WAXWINGS, a VIRGINIA RAIL, 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS, and a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL. At Blackie Spit in Surrey, 6 MARBLED GODWITS and a LONG-BILLED CURLEW were seen. Nearby at Elgin Heritage Park were 50 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. The leg-banded PRAIRIE FALCON, which may or may not be an escaped bird, was seen again near the foot of 88th Street on Boundary Bay in Delta. Nearby, east of the foot of 72nd Street along the dyke were up to 9 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, 2 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, and a SHORT-EARED OWL. If you have any questions about birds or birding in the Vancouver area, please call Wayne at 604-597-7201, Viveka at 604-531-3401, or Larry at 604-465-1402. Thank you for calling the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert, and good birding. For further information about birding in the Vancouver area, log onto the Vancouver Natural History Society website at http://naturevancouver.ca Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus at telus.net From rflores_2 at msn.com Thu Jan 3 16:32:51 2008 From: rflores_2 at msn.com (Bob Flores) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 16:32:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] Going after the black-headed gull this Saturday Message-ID: I am possibly going after the bh gull at Grand Coulee on Sat. I will be leaving VERY early in the morning and coming back the same day. Is there someone interested in joining me? I have room for one or two and will be leaving from Ridgefield area. Bob Flores Ridgefield, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/651fa8f9/attachment.htm From linda at fink.com Thu Jan 3 17:16:20 2008 From: linda at fink.com (Linda Fink) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:16:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] red-throated loon still at Sheridan Message-ID: <477D88E4.1080804@fink.com> Bill Tice said: "the Red-throated Loon found yesterday by Carol Karlen was still there at the Sheridan Wetlands today around noon." And today around 1 p.m. We must have just missed Bill. The loon was very cooperative, giving good looks at its white face, upturned bill, and pale back with "stars" that give this Gavia its stellata species name. Linda Fink From larmcqueen at msn.com Thu Jan 3 17:21:09 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 17:21:09 -0800 Subject: [obol] Subject: first bird of the year/Nutria question In-Reply-To: <427756.72070.qm@web60821.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Brandon, I can explain the corn. Last Saturday (the day before the bird count), Dennis Arendt and I scattered a bird seed mix that happened to have crack corn as an ingredient, on the Royal Ave pathway and on some of the dikes, in order to attract sparrows for the count. Since the sparrow flocks were not in evidence, we thought they needed some enticement. Turns out, the seed didn't help much on count day. I can't explain the dead nutria, except that we witnessed one of the duck hunters shooting nutria near the lookout. You may draw your own conclusions from this. Larry McQueen _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Brandon Green Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 9:13 AM To: OBOL Subject: Re: [obol] Subject: first bird of the year/Nutria question My first of the year was an Anna's as well. Unless I sleep in past 8, it'll almost certainly be an Anna's or Dark-eyed Junco. I birded Fern Ridge early yesterday afternoon (Fisher Butte, I think... whatever the hunting area off of 126 is called). There was a decent amount going on (WHITE-TAILED KITE, COOPER'S HAWK, KESTREL, along with several MARSH WRENS and SONG SPARROWS, among others). Anyway, on the way back to the parking area, I saw a dead nutria near the weeds right at the side of the path. And not far from it in the middle of the path was a bunch of cracked corn. That seemed a little too coincidental to me. Is somebody poisoning them? If so, I'm a little concerned about other species eating the corn as well. Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: first bird of the year. From: Andrew Marshall Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 22:10:08 -0500 (EST) Hello folks, As I bleary eyed my way to the coffee pot this morning, my first bird was the Annas hummingbird _____ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/cee4a6d5/attachment.htm From ahlerstom at hotmail.com Thu Jan 3 17:23:07 2008 From: ahlerstom at hotmail.com (Tom Ahlers) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 17:23:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] Request for Info on Image Stabilizing Binoculars Message-ID: I have had Canon 12 X 36 Image Stabilizing binoculars for several years. I love them and use them birding, boating, and at games. I have used them successfully on pelagic trips and have used them in rain with no ill effects so far. These are NOT gimmicks. They work and work well. I see much more detail than the folks standing next to me with ordinary binocs. The only complaint I hear is that they are heavy. When these die, I would buy again without hesitation. I, too, have an image stabilizing lens--Nikon 400mm (Nikon calls it Vibration Reduction VR). the quality of pictures I can get handholding the camera/lens is amazing. TFA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/d0f5e265/attachment.htm From Joe.Fontaine at oregonstate.edu Thu Jan 3 17:50:05 2008 From: Joe.Fontaine at oregonstate.edu (Fontaine, Joe) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 17:50:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Linn County Birding Thurs 1/3 (Mtn Plover NO) Message-ID: Birders, Jamie Simmons and I took a quick lunch break to Linn county today to try to see some of the good birds seen recently. We saw several other folks out and about also looking for the same birds. Diamond Hill Road (east of exit 209 off of I-5): NO mountain plover. We looked for about 40 minutes along with Tim Rodenkirk and John Sullivan but couldn't re-locate the bird. The strong south winds and rain didn't help with searching so perhaps the bird is still around. Other birds in the area included several BALD EAGLES and 1000+ DUNLIN swirling around. Brownsville sewage ponds (hwy 228): LONG-TAILED DUCK 1 White Oak Rd/White Pine Rd (just east of Peoria Rd): NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD 1 Tangent and Oakville Rd: SWAINSON'S HAWK 1 dark morph bird We saw the hawk in the same spot as reported by Mark Nikas yesterday --on the ground to the NW of the intersection. This is a really interesting bird to look at and a fun identification challenge. good birding, Joe Joe Fontaine 104 Nash Hall Dept of Fisheries & Wildlife Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 joe.fontaine at oregonstate.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/1c42b1a4/attachment.htm From fschrock at gmail.com Thu Jan 3 18:57:28 2008 From: fschrock at gmail.com (Floyd Schrock) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 18:57:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] red-throated loon still at Sheridan In-Reply-To: <477D88E4.1080804@fink.com> References: <477D88E4.1080804@fink.com> Message-ID: <390ebd880801031857v33945ds192cb317d4e809a5@mail.gmail.com> I also saw the Red-throated Loon at Sheridan today at about 12:30 p.m. Documentation photo for the Yamhill Co. list can be seen at: < http://empids.blogspot.com/ > Floyd Schrock McMinnville, OR On Jan 3, 2008 5:16 PM, Linda Fink wrote: > Bill Tice said: "the Red-throated Loon found yesterday by Carol Karlen > was still there > at the Sheridan Wetlands today around noon." > > And today around 1 p.m. We must have just missed Bill. The loon was very > cooperative, giving good looks at its white face, upturned bill, and > pale back with "stars" that give this Gavia its stellata species name. > > Linda Fink > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Floyd Schrock McMinnville, Oregon USA http:\\empids.blogspot.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/ff6e3d60/attachment.htm From cgates at webformixair.com Thu Jan 3 18:41:51 2008 From: cgates at webformixair.com (Charles R. Gates) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 18:41:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] FW: Bird Videos Sharing Site Message-ID: Don't know if others have seen this video sharing sight or not. -----Original Message----- From: al at acrllc.com [mailto:al at acrllc.com] Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 1:21 PM To: cgates at webformixair.com Subject: Bird Videos Sharing Site To Whom It May Concern: Birdcinema.com is proud to announce its renovated site. After feedback from users birdcinema.com has worked on a redesigning the site. On Friday November 2, 2007 the new site was launched. The new design accomplishes the following: -Loads 60 % faster than the old design -Complies with web 2.0 -Streamlines the workflow -Includes a way to transfer videos from other video web sites -Has a dedicated area, bird TV for documentaries, how to and other educational videos -Includes a picture section where pictures can be uploaded and are secure Birdcinema is looking for documentaries, educational videos, how-to videos, or other material along these lines. Come and see the new changes for yourself. Our mission is to create a community for bird enthusiasts and gather video of every species on the planet. Also we are looking for partners and sponsors to expand our presence on the World Wide Web. Please contact David Garcia about becoming a partner or sponsor at garciada at acrllc.com. We look forward to seeing you and your member's videos on birdcinema.com. Thanks The Birdcinema staff No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.2/1184 - Release Date: 12/14/2007 11:29 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 - Release Date: 1/2/2008 11:29 AM From mlafaive at msn.com Thu Jan 3 19:04:25 2008 From: mlafaive at msn.com (Margaret LaFaive) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 19:04:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA: SNOWY OWLS (Morrow County) Message-ID: Eric Henze just called me to report that this afternoon (Thursday, January 03, 2008) he saw 2 SNOWY OWLS while running the Ione Raptor Route. The birds were located along Strawberry Road (may be signed as Strawberry Lane). The first bird was .3 of a mile west of the intersection of Strawberry Rd. and Lloyd Morgan Rd. (this may be signed as Lloyd Rd.). (Delorme, p. 85 B6.) He first noted the bird either on or near a pile of ?refuse? on the south side of the road. It then flew west and across to the north side of the road and landed on a wooden post where it remained for the next 20 minutes. When Eric started up the truck and drove slowly past, the bird flew west and back to the south side of the road toward the crest of a hill where it seemed to dive down to the ground. When Eric crested the hill he found a Snowy Owl on the ground and first assumed that it was the individual he had already observed, but he quickly noticed another Snowy Owl flying west. The bird on the ground flew up and to the west as well and eventually landed on the south side of the road about 1.7 miles west of the junction mentioned above. Eric saw 26 raptors on the route so the two Snowy Owls represented almost 8 percent of his total. Good Birding, Margaret LaFaive -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/a551b138/attachment.htm From cowgirl at harborside.com Thu Jan 3 21:43:37 2008 From: cowgirl at harborside.com (Lois Miller) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:43:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders Message-ID: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> first....Happy New Year to everyone !! I had a customer come in my store today and tell me she had read that you shouldn't feed hummingbirds because it would damage their liver.....so she took down her feeders. I have not heard anything like this and wondered if anyone else has ? thanks Lois Miller very wet and windy Port Orford -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/c86e6036/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Thu Jan 3 22:11:26 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:11:26 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> Message-ID: <477DCDC4.63619E00@pacifier.com> As long as on sticks to pure sucrose (C & H pure cane sugar) and stay between 15 and 20% concentration (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) with no dye or other additives, hummingbirds are getting almost exactly what they'd be getting from flowers. Renal stress has been hypothesized if hummingbird feeders over sweeten the juice. I've heard of folks making 35-40% solutions working from the more is better philosophy. Hummingbirds use sucrose as an energy source NOT a nutrition source and heavily suppliment visits to your feeder with delicious nutritious insects. They don't need super-charged juice. Stick to a 20% solution and you shouldn't be doing the hummingbirds any harm. > Lois Miller wrote: > > first....Happy New Year to everyone !! > > I had a customer come in my store today and tell me she had read that you shouldn't feed > hummingbirds because it would damage their liver.....so she took down her feeders. I have > not heard anything like this and wondered if anyone else has ? > thanks > Lois Miller > very wet and windy Port Orford > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From dan-gleason at comcast.net Thu Jan 3 22:08:55 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 22:08:55 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders In-Reply-To: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> Message-ID: There are a great many misconceptions about hummingbirds and this is just one of them. As long as you are feeding sugar water ONLY, there will be no damage to the liver. Table sugar is pure sucrose (also known as dextrose) and sucrose is the sugar in flower nectars and the only sugar that you should ever feed hummingbirds. They cannot digest most other sugars. Small quantities of fructose and glucose can usually be handled and traces of these sugars may be in some nectars but it should not be given as the main sugar. In fact, if glucose or fructose is the only sugar provided, hummingbirds will avoid them all together. There is some thought that honey may cause liver damage, although the evidence is weak. However, honey should NEVER be used in hummingbird feeders as it is a complex of many sugars, most of which hummingbirds cannot digest. Additionally, honey often contains fungal spores and some of these can infect the tongue making it impossible for the bird to feed. Some bacterial contaminants in honey may be the culprit in the suspected liver damage or may cause other harmful infections. In any case, honey is not a natural food for hummingbirds. It is a product of bees and something a hummingbird would never encounter in the wild. Use table sugar only at a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Hummingbirds will often avoid feeders with much higher concentrations than this. Most species will still come even if the concentrations are as low as 1:8 but 1:4 is the closest concentration to that of most flowers. If you provide the sugar-water only and change the feeder regularly to keep the solution from growing fungi or bacteria, there will be no problems for the hummingbirds and they will probably appreciate the extra treat, especially this time of year. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 3, 2008, at 9:43 PM, Lois Miller wrote: > first....Happy New Year to everyone !! > > I had a customer come in my store today and tell me she had read > that you shouldn't feed hummingbirds because it would damage their > liver.....so she took down her feeders. I have not heard anything > like this and wondered if anyone else has ? > thanks > Lois Miller > very wet and windy Port Orford > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/7316524f/attachment.htm From paul at furzwo.com Thu Jan 3 22:49:03 2008 From: paul at furzwo.com (Paul Buescher) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 22:49:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders In-Reply-To: References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> Message-ID: <031f01c84e9d$e5696220$6501a8c0@paul> My sister in law had told me over the years that she feed her hummers a 50% mixture. When I suggested that the recommended ratio was 1 to 4 she said that she tried that and the birds left. As soon as the mix went back to 50% the birds returned. This was amazing enough until I finally made out to their house (outside of Scappose) to see her mixing procedure, fill the feeder half way with sugar, add hottest tap water and shake until the sugar dissolves. Then without cooling time the feeder is put back out for the birds. She has 50+ Rufus and Anna's during the summer but none during the winter. The early arrivals, mid March, tap on the kitchen window to remind of her obligations if the feeders are not out. Warm Regards, Paul _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Dan Gleason Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 10:09 PM To: Lois Miller Cc: obol OBOL Subject: Re: [obol] hummingbird feeders There are a great many misconceptions about hummingbirds and this is just one of them. As long as you are feeding sugar water ONLY, there will be no damage to the liver. Table sugar is pure sucrose (also known as dextrose) and sucrose is the sugar in flower nectars and the only sugar that you should ever feed hummingbirds. They cannot digest most other sugars. Small quantities of fructose and glucose can usually be handled and traces of these sugars may be in some nectars but it should not be given as the main sugar. In fact, if glucose or fructose is the only sugar provided, hummingbirds will avoid them all together. There is some thought that honey may cause liver damage, although the evidence is weak. However, honey should NEVER be used in hummingbird feeders as it is a complex of many sugars, most of which hummingbirds cannot digest. Additionally, honey often contains fungal spores and some of these can infect the tongue making it impossible for the bird to feed. Some bacterial contaminants in honey may be the culprit in the suspected liver damage or may cause other harmful infections. In any case, honey is not a natural food for hummingbirds. It is a product of bees and something a hummingbird would never encounter in the wild. Use table sugar only at a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Hummingbirds will often avoid feeders with much higher concentrations than this. Most species will still come even if the concentrations are as low as 1:8 but 1:4 is the closest concentration to that of most flowers. If you provide the sugar-water only and change the feeder regularly to keep the solution from growing fungi or bacteria, there will be no problems for the hummingbirds and they will probably appreciate the extra treat, especially this time of year. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 3, 2008, at 9:43 PM, Lois Miller wrote: first....Happy New Year to everyone !! I had a customer come in my store today and tell me she had read that you shouldn't feed hummingbirds because it would damage their liver.....so she took down her feeders. I have not heard anything like this and wondered if anyone else has ? thanks Lois Miller very wet and windy Port Orford _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080103/360f4ec3/attachment.htm From ptsulliv at spiritone.com Thu Jan 3 23:32:48 2008 From: ptsulliv at spiritone.com (Paul T. Sullivan) Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 23:32:48 -0800 Subject: [obol] milestone Message-ID: <002001c84ea5$99542ca0$edc963d8@dell307ac3e2b6> OBOL: At this year-end, CBC time, folks are inclined to report milestones of birding: big years, big counts, goals reached. With my participation in the Illinois Valley CBC on Dec.16, 2007, I (almost) reached my goal of participating in ALL of Oregon's Christmas Bird Counts. [The catch is that this year a Little Applegate count was added. I don't even know where it is, but when I find out, I'll try to connect with the folks who do it. I couldn't make it this year.] Why do this? Well, CBC's are FUN. Through the many years and many sites I've seen that CBC's are part data collection event, part competitive event, and a good part social event. Each count has it's own character. Small towns are more folksy, or neighborly, than cities. Cities more organized. I've enjoyed them all and met a lot of fine people on the way. Good birding, everyone, Paul T. Sullivan From m.denny at charter.net Fri Jan 4 07:39:51 2008 From: m.denny at charter.net (mike denny) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 07:39:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> <477DCDC4.63619E00@pacifier.com> Message-ID: <001001c84ee8$0cd16d90$228abd44@BLACKBIRD> Hello all, I (MerryLynn) always used to feed hummers at 1:4 but after seeing Tom Lamb's hundreds of hummers come back year after year to his 50% feeders I changed this fall to the higher solution and had more hummers later then ever before. Right now there is an Anna's Hummingbird coming to a feeder in Walla Walla (since Nov 20) - The lady feeding switched over to 50% when the weather got colder and this little male Anna's comes in every 15 - 30 minutes all day. So I use 1:4 in the hot summer then the higher solution when the weather cools. I believe the main thing is to change feeders frequently because the higher the solution the faster it ferments. Happy Hummingbirding! ******************************************************************** Mike & MerryLynn Denny 1354 S. E. Central Ave. College Place, WA 99324 509.529.0080 (h) IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED! ******************************************************************* From baybirders at embarqmail.com Fri Jan 4 07:54:49 2008 From: baybirders at embarqmail.com (Carol Cwiklinski & Steve Small) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:54:49 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] Comments? snowy plover plan Message-ID: <1677844821.3721001199462089722.JavaMail.root@md17.embarq.synacor.com> Does anybody have any comments on the?Oregon snowy plover plan? So far I haven't found anything that stands out, needing a comment.? Carol Cwiklinski -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/110978ca/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Fri Jan 4 08:35:18 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 08:35:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] local RBA:ROSS' GOOSE Washington County Message-ID: At 8:25am this morning(1/4) an adult ROSS' GOOSE was on Schmadeke Reservoir. This is a 5 acre impoundment on Hayward Rd 1.4 miles west of Hwy 26. It was in a flock of over 100 Canada Geese. They roost on this pond and will probably leave soon, but may well return tonight. The pool is clearly visible from the county road, surrounded by heavy woods. Lars Norgren From john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Fri Jan 4 09:09:14 2008 From: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com (Born Again Bird Watcher) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:09:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders In-Reply-To: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> Message-ID: <004601c84ef4$89b44a60$9d1cdf20$@com> I was discussing feeding hummingbirds with Sheri Williamson while I was back in Cape May this past autumn. She reinforced my understanding that the use of commercial hummingbird feed mixes (the red stuff especially) is particularly bad for the health of the birds and emphasized that a home mixed solution of four parts water to one part sugar is the best choice. As Mike wrote, this most closely reproduces what they would be obtaining from the flowers on which they feed. Peace and good bird watching, John E. Riutta Owner, Born Again Bird Watcher By Post: P.O. Box A Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. e-mail: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Internet: www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com mobile: (503) 577-5383 From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Lois Miller Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2008 9:44 PM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders first....Happy New Year to everyone !! I had a customer come in my store today and tell me she had read that you shouldn't feed hummingbirds because it would damage their liver.....so she took down her feeders. I have not heard anything like this and wondered if anyone else has ? thanks Lois Miller very wet and windy Port Orford -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/232de02c/attachment.htm From gismiller at gmail.com Fri Jan 4 09:58:26 2008 From: gismiller at gmail.com (Craig Miller) Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:58:26 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hart Mtn CBC Cancelled Message-ID: <477E73C2.1080400@gmail.com> Hi all, For anyone out there that is planning to attend the Hart Mountain CBC, I've gotten official word from the coordinator that the CBC has been canceled due to hazardous weather conditions and power outages. This is very disappointing, because it was set to be one of the best attended counts at Hart Mountain in years. Oh well, maybe next year... Craig Miller From cgates at webformixair.com Fri Jan 4 09:58:40 2008 From: cgates at webformixair.com (Charles R. Gates) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:58:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] November WW Xbill? Message-ID: Does anyone remember who found a White-winged Crossbill near Still Creek campground on November 22nd? I can't locate my note on that sighting. Chuck Gates No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 - Release Date: 1/2/2008 11:29 AM From gismiller at gmail.com Fri Jan 4 10:01:22 2008 From: gismiller at gmail.com (Craig Miller) Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:01:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] milestone In-Reply-To: <002001c84ea5$99542ca0$edc963d8@dell307ac3e2b6> References: <002001c84ea5$99542ca0$edc963d8@dell307ac3e2b6> Message-ID: <477E7472.70000@gmail.com> Paul, FYI: It looks like there will be another new count next year--Lakeview. So be sure to add that one to your "to do" list. Craig Miller Paul T. Sullivan wrote: > OBOL: > > At this year-end, CBC time, folks are inclined to report milestones of > birding: big years, big counts, goals reached. > > With my participation in the Illinois Valley CBC on Dec.16, 2007, I (almost) > reached my goal of participating in ALL of Oregon's Christmas Bird Counts. > > [The catch is that this year a Little Applegate count was added. I don't > even know where it is, but when I find out, I'll try to connect with the > folks who do it. I couldn't make it this year.] > > Why do this? Well, CBC's are FUN. Through the many years and many sites > I've seen that CBC's are part data collection event, part competitive event, > and a good part social event. Each count has it's own character. Small > towns are more folksy, or neighborly, than cities. Cities more organized. > I've enjoyed them all and met a lot of fine people on the way. > > Good birding, everyone, > > Paul T. Sullivan > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > From dkmunson at wildblue.net Fri Jan 4 09:40:33 2008 From: dkmunson at wildblue.net (Don & Karen Munson) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:40:33 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time) Subject: [obol] Binoculars Message-ID: <477E6F91.000003.02280@OFFICE> Thanks to everyone for all your information on purchasing binoculars. It's been most helpful. Karen Munson Brookings -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/25c926c3/attachment.htm From dan-gleason at comcast.net Fri Jan 4 10:18:26 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:18:26 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders In-Reply-To: <001001c84ee8$0cd16d90$228abd44@BLACKBIRD> References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> <477DCDC4.63619E00@pacifier.com> <001001c84ee8$0cd16d90$228abd44@BLACKBIRD> Message-ID: ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 4, 2008, at 7:39 AM, mike denny wrote: > Hello all, > I (MerryLynn) always used to feed hummers at 1:4 but after seeing > Tom Lamb's > hundreds of hummers come back year after year to his 50% feeders I > changed > this fall to the higher solution and had more hummers later then ever > before. Right now there is an Anna's Hummingbird coming to a feeder > in Walla > Walla (since Nov 20) - The lady feeding switched over to 50% when the > weather got colder and this little male Anna's comes in every 15 - 30 > minutes all day. > So I use 1:4 in the hot summer then the higher solution when the > weather > cools. > I believe the main thing is to change feeders frequently because > the higher > the solution the faster it ferments. > Happy Hummingbirding! > > ******************************************************************** > Mike & MerryLynn Denny > 1354 S. E. Central Ave. > College Place, WA 99324 > 509.529.0080 (h) > > IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED! > ******************************************************************* > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/d11da047/attachment.htm From acontrer at mindspring.com Fri Jan 4 10:20:34 2008 From: acontrer at mindspring.com (Alan Contreras) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:20:34 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Subject: [obol] Hart Mtn CBC Cancelled Message-ID: <12861345.1199470834826.JavaMail.root@mswamui-swiss.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Just be glad you're not counting in California Saturday 5th. Latest forecast for the central Sierra is ten FEET of snow in 48 hours and winds gusting to 145 mph in the passes. -----Original Message----- >From: Craig Miller >Sent: Jan 4, 2008 9:58 AM >To: OBOL >Subject: [obol] Hart Mtn CBC Cancelled > >Hi all, > >For anyone out there that is planning to attend the Hart Mountain CBC, >I've gotten official word from the coordinator that the CBC has been >canceled due to hazardous weather conditions and power outages. This is >very disappointing, because it was set to be one of the best attended >counts at Hart Mountain in years. > >Oh well, maybe next year... > >Craig Miller >_______________________________________________ >obol mailing list >obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > >To unsubscribe, send a message to: >obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. Alan Contreras - Eugene, Oregon From dan-gleason at comcast.net Fri Jan 4 10:20:30 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:20:30 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders In-Reply-To: References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> <477DCDC4.63619E00@pacifier.com> <001001c84ee8$0cd16d90$228abd44@BLACKBIRD> Message-ID: Somehow my reply got stripped before this got sent and only the message I was responding to was sent. I'll try again. -- I would ask you to reconsider the concentration of sugar you use. We use a 1:4 solution and we have Anna's Hummingbirds all day long. There is almost never a time when I don't see at least one hummer in the bush or at one of our two feeders. Very high concentrations of sugar are generally avoided but levels higher than 1:3 may be still attractive and may pose some risk to the birds. Much of the sugar consumed is immediately used as an energy source but a portion of it may be stored in the crop for later use. It is this stored sugar that is problematic if it is in high concentration. High concentrations of sugar (or salts and other electrolytes) will tend to draw liquid from the surrounding tissues and may cause excess dehydration. The bird may be coming more often simply because it needs more liquid to satisfy an unnatural thirst, and the more high sugar it consumes, the more liquid it will need. This is clearly not a healthy situation. It may not be immediately life-threatening but it is not good for the bird. You may see it feed more frequently, but it may be at the expense of the bird's well-being. In a normal situation, hummingbirds use feeders as a supplement to their diet. During the summer months, feeders account for less than 10-12% of their diet. It may be higher in the winter, especially during long cold spells. Insects, mites, spiders and their eggs are an important component of their diet and their only source of protein. Using a solution that may pull them away from searching for these sources (by requiring them to drink more) also puts them at greater risk. These birds evolved to utilize nectars which have a concentration of sucrose that is close to 1:4. Most birds cannot digest sucrose in any quantity. Hummingbirds, sunbirds, orioles and a few others can and some find it necessary, but not in very high concentrations. We should not be providing foods that will take them away from what they have evolved to utilize. if we wish to feed them and enjoy their presence, we should do so in a manner that is best for the birds, not for us. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 4, 2008, at 10:18 AM, Dan Gleason wrote: > > ------------- > Dan Gleason > dan-gleason at comcast.net > 541 345-0450 > > > On Jan 4, 2008, at 7:39 AM, mike denny wrote: > >> Hello all, >> I (MerryLynn) always used to feed hummers at 1:4 but after seeing >> Tom Lamb's >> hundreds of hummers come back year after year to his 50% feeders I >> changed >> this fall to the higher solution and had more hummers later then ever >> before. Right now there is an Anna's Hummingbird coming to a >> feeder in Walla >> Walla (since Nov 20) - The lady feeding switched over to 50% when the >> weather got colder and this little male Anna's comes in every 15 - 30 >> minutes all day. >> So I use 1:4 in the hot summer then the higher solution when the >> weather >> cools. >> I believe the main thing is to change feeders frequently because >> the higher >> the solution the faster it ferments. >> Happy Hummingbirding! >> >> ******************************************************************** >> Mike & MerryLynn Denny >> 1354 S. E. Central Ave. >> College Place, WA 99324 >> 509.529.0080 (h) >> >> IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED! >> ******************************************************************* >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> obol mailing list >> obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >> http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol >> >> To unsubscribe, send a message to: >> obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/47722eec/attachment.htm From cncschneider at msn.com Fri Jan 4 10:46:25 2008 From: cncschneider at msn.com (Carl & Christine Schneider) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:46:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Turkey Vulture Message-ID: Hi Birders, I saw a TURKEY VULTURE today at the Oregon Garden a count week bird for the Silverton CBC. Matthew Schneider Silverton, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/1f679bad/attachment.htm From nepobirds at yahoo.com Fri Jan 4 11:02:33 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 11:02:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Cedars Message-ID: <662869.38493.qm@web46007.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> We just had a flock of about 20 - 25 cedar waxwings in the yard. I went outside to fill a couple of our feeders up when I heard them. I looked up into the walnut and there they were! It was pretty exciting because we haven't seen or heard them, at least in the backyard, for about a month. A very nice treat. Seth Reams NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/2118887d/attachment.htm From WeberHome at att.net Fri Jan 4 09:43:03 2008 From: WeberHome at att.net (Cliff & Joanne Weber) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:43:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hummer ratios Message-ID: <20080104174335.083C710402F@smtp3.oregonstate.edu> OBOL, hello! We don't wish to get in the middle of a hummer war, but merely to point out that equal parts sugar to equal parts water may be a 50/50 mixture, but it does not factor out to a 50% ratio; no, it's actually a 100% ratio. A true 50% ratio is one full cup of C&H sugar to two full cups of water; and even that is too high. We subscribe to a number of birdy magazines and without exception all recommend a 25% ratio of 1/2 cup of sugar to two full cups of water. On icy days, we increase the sugar to 3/4ths cup as a preventative measure to retard the freezing process. One has to wonder if a 50/50 mixture might even lead to hummer diabetes (if such a thing exists). Cliff & Joanne Weber Beaverton (Bethany area) From celata at pacifier.com Fri Jan 4 12:06:01 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:06:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] hummingbird feeders (some light reading) References: <00b001c84e94$c15be2d0$0357f204@Lois> <477DCDC4.63619E00@pacifier.com> <001001c84ee8$0cd16d90$228abd44@BLACKBIRD> Message-ID: <477E918C.69B0FF1@pacifier.com> Hummingbirds and sugar water http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Condor/files/issues/v102n01/p0235-p0238.pdf http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/JFO/v068n02/p0245-p0252.pdf The BNA on kidneys Kidneys Three-lobed, cranial largest, middle well-developed and distinct from caudal lobe. Relatively small (mass of both kidneys from one male: 42 mg, 80% of prediction from body mass). Renal medulla poorly developed, few of nephrons looped as required for concentrating urine (Johnson 1968, Johnson and Mugaas 1970). Size and medullary structure thus reflect dietary water excess (see Food habits: drinking, urination defecation). Rufous are highly salt-sensitive, as their kidneys and lower gastro- intestinal tract are unable to concentrate urine. Rather, the lower gastro-intestinal is effective in reabsorbing electrolytes, resulting in a highly dilute urine, highly desirable in a nectarivous animal, ingesting large quantities of water (Lotz and Martinez del Rio 2004). -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Fri Jan 4 13:00:53 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 13:00:53 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Subject: Hummer ratios Message-ID: <646589.85107.qm@web60817.mail.yahoo.com> Keep in mind that a 50% by mass sugar-water mixture can also act as a wasp and hornet magnet in the summer. Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: Hummer ratios From: "Cliff & Joanne Weber" Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 09:43:03 -0800 OBOL, hello! We don't wish to get in the middle of a hummer war, but merely to point out that equal parts sugar to equal parts water may be a 50/50 mixture, but it does not factor out to a 50% ratio; no, it's actually a 100% ratio. A true 50% ratio is one full cup of C&H sugar to two full cups of water; and even that is too high. We subscribe to a number of birdy magazines and without exception all recommend a 25% ratio of 1/2 cup of sugar to two full cups of water. On icy days, we increase the sugar to 3/4ths cup as a preventative measure to retard the freezing process. One has to wonder if a 50/50 mixture might even lead to hummer diabetes (if such a thing exists). Cliff & Joanne Weber Beaverton (Bethany area) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/9ad31d5f/attachment.htm From tjanzen at comcast.net Fri Jan 4 13:06:41 2008 From: tjanzen at comcast.net (Tim Janzen) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 13:06:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] November WW Xbill? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20080104210615.75147150050@smtp4.oregonstate.edu> Dear Chuck, The original posting is as below. I was up in that area cross country skiing with my family on January 1, but I didn't see any crossbills. In fact, I saw very few birds. Sincerely, Tim Janzen ________________________________________ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of m_scatt at yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 9:36 PM To: OBOL Subject: [obol] White-winged Crossbill, Mt. Hood This afternoon, on the Ski trail between Government Camp and Trillium Lake (near Still Creek campground), was a juvenile (or young female) WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. It was perched in the top of a small hemlock tree. Adrian Hinkle -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Charles R. Gates Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:59 AM To: obol Subject: [obol] November WW Xbill? Does anyone remember who found a White-winged Crossbill near Still Creek campground on November 22nd? I can't locate my note on that sighting. Chuck Gates No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 - Release Date: 1/2/2008 11:29 AM _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Fri Jan 4 13:12:17 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 13:12:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] Fern Ridge Loon and Yellowlegs Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801041312o494dc646p317eb7691e2c9c25@mail.gmail.com> Obol, The RED-THROATED LOON that Alan C. found on Sunday's CBC, is still on CLEARY POND off of KR Nielson Rd in the Coyote unit at Fern Ridge. This pond is directly south of the parking lot on Nielson, surrounded by a dike. Today it was the only bird on the small pond. Just down KR Nielson (about a half mile from Cantrell) I ran into a decent sized shorebird flock. I was impressed by 45 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. Could not find a Lesser in the bunch. With the legs, were twice as many LB DOWITCHERS and DUNLIN. -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/6306864e/attachment.htm From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Fri Jan 4 14:58:21 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 14:58:21 -0800 Subject: [obol] Fwd: Fern Ridge Loon and Yellowlegs In-Reply-To: <69b790a80801041331m30f58609lc03497f85c28d78b@mail.gmail.com> References: <2b1bbd260801041312o494dc646p317eb7691e2c9c25@mail.gmail.com> <69b790a80801041331m30f58609lc03497f85c28d78b@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801041458w131e53b7ha94ab4f645b3c1b7@mail.gmail.com> OBOL - FYI - A map of Cleary Pond. Yes, the oval pond is Cleary Pond. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Roger Date: Jan 4, 2008 1:31 PM Subject: Re: [obol] Fern Ridge Loon and Yellowlegs To: Daniel Farrar is the oval shaped pong 'cleary' pond? http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=eugene,or&ie=UTF8&ll=44.048239,-123.248792&spn=0.010888,0.017874&t=h&z=16&om=1 On Jan 4, 2008 1:12 PM, Daniel Farrar wrote: > Obol, > The RED-THROATED LOON that Alan C. found on Sunday's CBC, is still on > CLEARY POND off of KR Nielson Rd in the Coyote unit at Fern Ridge. This > pond is directly south of the parking lot on Nielson, surrounded by a dike. > Today it was the only bird on the small pond. > Just down KR Nielson (about a half mile from Cantrell) I ran into a > decent sized shorebird flock. I was impressed by 45 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. > Could not find a Lesser in the bunch. With the legs, were twice as many LB > DOWITCHERS and DUNLIN. > > -- > Daniel Farrar > Eugene, Oregon > jdanielfarrar at gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Roger ~~~~//~~~~ low cost web hosting: http://www.dreamhost.com/r.cgi?91357 -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/0734b4c1/attachment.htm From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Fri Jan 4 16:01:44 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 16:01:44 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA...sort of....BAIKAL TEAL LANE County Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801041601y4ccca6d8tb4175f295461f480@mail.gmail.com> Obol, On December 31, 2007 a hunter took a drake BAIKAL TEAL from Fern Ridge Reservoir's south side. The bird was within the Christmas count circle. Identifiable photos do exist, but are unhelpful for dealing with cage bird issues such as clipped toes. The bird was taken simultaneously with a CINNAMON TEAL (which was reported by CBCers on Sunday). The bird is apparently at a taxidermists. I am in the process of documenting this second state record. This appears to be a wild bird as it was flocking with other teal species. If any info is available on captive Baikals in the state, the info would be most helpful. This is at least the second major asian vagrant found by hunters in 2007 in Lane County.... -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/ab6bc2bf/attachment.htm From WeberHome at att.net Fri Jan 4 16:38:37 2008 From: WeberHome at att.net (Cliff & Joanne Weber) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 16:38:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] Schmadeke Lake Message-ID: <20080105003908.C64C34102D0@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> OBOL, hello; We tried to find a recently reported Ross' Goose but the wind was so gusty at the site that the available birds were driven to shelter in a little cove at the southeast corner of the lake where there is lots of deadfall in the water and visibility through the trees is very limited. The lake is on private land, and seems to belong to a fishing club. Since non members can't enter the grounds, us outsiders are forced to make do with some iffy parking along the shoulder of Hayward Road. On-site were a Belted Kingfisher, two Hooded Mergansers (both male), eight Common Mergansers (four boys, four girls), and one Great Blue Heron. The first half mile of Hayward Road is paved, and the next mile to the lake is mostly gravel. Catch Hayward Road off of Hwy 26 west, right across the street from the little community of Manning. Coming from Portland, Hayward Rd will be on the left, in between the intersection of Hwy 47 to Banks and Hwy 47 to Vernonia. If you get to the Vernonia exit; you've gone to far. Google satellite image: http://tinyurl.com/23bfpb ADA accessible? . .No Off-street parking? . .No Restrooms? . .No Gourmet Coffee? . .No Cliff & Joanne Weber Beaverton (Bethany area) From rcbrumitt at comcast.net Fri Jan 4 16:54:32 2008 From: rcbrumitt at comcast.net (Clint Brumitt) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 16:54:32 -0800 Subject: [obol] Weather and birding. Message-ID: <002801c84f35$893c98d0$37d5ab43@CB2> I just saw the current weather forecast. The guy must have been a birder. He was predicting the sightings of Red Phalarope in Reno and Salt Lake City due to heavy winds. Stay safe and enjoy the storms. Clint Brumitt -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/d50f157f/attachment.htm From bigfishy at att.net Fri Jan 4 17:01:22 2008 From: bigfishy at att.net (bigfishy at att.net) Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:01:22 +0000 Subject: [obol] Snow Geese Message-ID: <010520080101.8440.477ED6E200043135000020F822216125569B0A02D29B9B0EBF97089C070009070D@att.net> Driving back from work on Crow road, we spotted 6 snow geese, huddled up with 2 White Fronted Geese. This was west on Dukhobar Lane ~ 1/4 mile. They were near a small mud puddle/ pond. Also seen were several Turkey Vultures Bob Fish\ Creswell -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/33081ada/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Fri Jan 4 17:33:18 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 17:33:18 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Birds 1/4/07 Message-ID: <667003.49023.qm@web45108.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> What a windy day! Not much rain but fierce winds, we'll see if anything blows in. I birded for a few hours, here are the highlights: Empire area of Coos Bay: 2- SNOWY EGRETS 3- BRANT Charleston: 2- BROWN PELICANS Cape Arago: 1- SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (good looks just offshore in the high wind) several BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and a few BONAPARTE'S GULLS were in the same vicinity with the shearwater. Also lots of Surfbirds and Black Turnstones but no Rock Sandpiper- they must have all gone down to CA. N. Spit of Coos Bay: 2- male REDHEADS The AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was still out on the north spit as of 1/2- I didn't look for it today. ENJOY! Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From seanaburgett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 4 17:55:56 2008 From: seanaburgett at yahoo.com (Sean Burgett) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 17:55:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Hummingbird at WSU Vancouver Message-ID: <788733.67178.qm@web34504.mail.mud.yahoo.com> OBOlers, While attending a two day class at the Vancouver WSU campus, I oberserved today, 1/4/08, a hummingbird species. Without binos, my first thought was large, so maybe it was an it was an over-wintering Anna's, but it really blew me away seeing a hummingbird on the 4th of Jan. Anyone seen a hummer in this area during the current winter? Good Birding, Sean Burgett ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080104/170c65ad/attachment.htm From davect at bendnet.com Fri Jan 4 18:52:27 2008 From: davect at bendnet.com (david tracy) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 18:52:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bend Costa's Hummingbird Message-ID: <5DBF5E85-9F5A-4A37-ADD3-D05F1EC8EB13@bendnet.com> We have still been seeing a female Costa's Hummingbird at our feeders this winter. She seems to show up mostly on cold, wintery days. Judging by her appearance, I believe this is the same bird that showed up on October 17th and has been seen by multiple observers for the past few months. I missed seeing her on the Bend CBC, but she showed up the next day and so was recorded as a count week bird. Based on recaptures of banded birds, hummingbirds have been shown to have remarkable site fidelity year after year returning to the same yard to spend the winter. Since we had a Costa's show up last year in November that stuck around until mid January or so and looks basically identical to the bird we are seeing this winter, I am guessing this is probably the same bird. We also have 3 Anna's Hummingbirds coming to the feeders, one adult male was at the feeder on Wednesday morning at 07:15 when it was 10 degrees F. david tracy davect at bendnet.com From tc at empnet.com Fri Jan 4 20:47:10 2008 From: tc at empnet.com (tc at empnet.com) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 23:47:10 -0500 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird at WSU Vancouver Message-ID: <380-2200816544710200@M2W008.mail2web.com> Fellow Alice's restaurant masacree & movement members: ARLO was still in his usual location between Alice's Restaurant and the church nearby the restaurant, with his friends WEGR and RTLO (no sign of her husband Ray or Faucho the dog. More precisely, it was along Pentilla Road between the Barendse Bridge and Jackson Road, much closer to the Jackson Road end this afternoon around 3:30 pm. I'm not sure what people meant when they said there is little viewing opportunity and few parking places along Pentilla Road. You can see the slough every inch of the way along the road and we didn't see another vehicle the whole time we were on the road. I wonder if the earlier poster who said that was acutally along Aldrich Point Road, which is a mistake you can make if you tak the Gnat Creek Road exit off Hwy 30 and then take the first bridge you come to on the right. The map at www.westerngrebe.com/arlo/image_map.gif is extremely helpful in making sure you get to the right place. Nice bird. "Just remember if you want to end war and stuff you have to sing loud" Tom Crabtree Bend, OR -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft? Windows? and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting From gnorgren at earthlink.net Fri Jan 4 21:51:51 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 21:51:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] Schmadeke Lake In-Reply-To: <20080105003908.C64C34102D0@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> References: <20080105003908.C64C34102D0@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> Message-ID: <487a4f24107972e5b0c75c9c31fcbbff@earthlink.net> The property is leased (quite recently) to the fishing club. The owner is presumably still Carl Schmadeke, who built the reservoir in the late sixties. The house across the street is a rental and currently vacant(frankly no longer habitable), also part of the pond property. It surely would do no harm to squeeze a car off the road where the fishing driveway is cabled off. Then one can peer through the bushes at leisure. There was an adult Tundra Swan here the day before THanksgiving. Just one. I tip=toed through the fir grove to get an extra close look, be sure it wasn't a Trumpeter, which it wasn't. The geese had all departed by nine. Smaller numbers of Western Canada Geese have roosted here for several years in winter, sometimes arriving after dark. I put Double-crested Cormorant on my year's list last year at this pond. It seems mildly surprising, given its forest location. Actually there is tolerable coffee just west of the Hayward Rd turnoff from Hwy 26, drive-up if desired, sit-down too. The local veterinarian owns it, his children operate it, everyone in NW Washington County eats there. The portions are so generous you might want to consider splitting an order. Closes at 2 seven days a week. Lars Norgren On Jan 4, 2008, at 4:38 PM, Cliff & Joanne Weber wrote: > OBOL, hello; > > We tried to find a recently reported Ross' Goose but the wind was so > gusty > at the site that the available birds were driven to shelter in a > little cove > at the southeast corner of the lake where there is lots of deadfall in > the > water and visibility through the trees is very limited. > > The lake is on private land, and seems to belong to a fishing club. > Since > non members can't enter the grounds, us outsiders are forced to make > do with > some iffy parking along the shoulder of Hayward Road. > > On-site were a Belted Kingfisher, two Hooded Mergansers (both male), > eight > Common Mergansers (four boys, four girls), and one Great Blue Heron. > > The first half mile of Hayward Road is paved, and the next mile to the > lake > is mostly gravel. > > Catch Hayward Road off of Hwy 26 west, right across the street from the > little community of Manning. Coming from Portland, Hayward Rd will be > on the > left, in between the intersection of Hwy 47 to Banks and Hwy 47 to > Vernonia. > If you get to the Vernonia exit; you've gone to far. > > Google satellite image: http://tinyurl.com/23bfpb > > ADA accessible? . .No > > Off-street parking? . .No > > Restrooms? . .No > > Gourmet Coffee? . .No > > Cliff & Joanne Weber > Beaverton (Bethany area) > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > From rbayer at orednet.org Fri Jan 4 22:01:30 2008 From: rbayer at orednet.org (Range Bayer) Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 22:01:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Lincoln Co. Swallows Message-ID: <1697.198.177.26.235.1199512890.squirrel@shemp.dialoregon.net> Hi, Swallows are rare in Lincoln County in winter. On Dec. 18, Laimons Osis saw a SWALLOW sp. flying over the flooded pasture near Seal Rock Stables (pasture area at about Milepost 1.6 along South Beaver Creek Road; this is the Beaver Creek that flows through Ona Beach State Park). It didn't have the white rump of a Violet-Green, so it may have been a Tree Swallow but visibility was poor because of the rain. On Jan. 3, Laimons identified two TREE SWALLOWS over Seal Rock Stables. Cheers, Range Bayer From tc at empnet.com Fri Jan 4 21:48:22 2008 From: tc at empnet.com (tc at empnet.com) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 00:48:22 -0500 Subject: [obol] FW: Re: ARLO still around Message-ID: <380-2200816554822266@M2W027.mail2web.com> Let's try this again with the correct subject heading this time.... Fellow Alice's restaurant masacree & movement members: ARLO was still in his usual location between Alice's Restaurant and the church nearby the restaurant, with his friends WEGR and RTLO (no sign of her husband Ray or Faucho the dog. More precisely, it was along Pentilla Road between the Barendse Bridge and Jackson Road, much closer to the Jackson Road end this afternoon around 3:30 pm. I'm not sure what people meant when they said there is little viewing opportunity and few parking places along Pentilla Road. You can see the slough every inch of the way along the road and we didn't see another vehicle the whole time we were on the road. I wonder if the earlier poster who said that was acutally along Aldrich Point Road, which is a mistake you can make if you tak the Gnat Creek Road exit off Hwy 30 and then take the first bridge you come to on the right. The map at www.westerngrebe.com/arlo/image_map.gif is extremely helpful in making sure you get to the right place. Nice bird. "Just remember if you want to end war and stuff you have to sing loud" Tom Crabtree Bend, OR -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft? Windows? and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web LIVE ? Free email based on Microsoft? Exchange technology - http://link.mail2web.com/LIVE From kit619 at ida.net Sat Jan 5 09:47:26 2008 From: kit619 at ida.net (Kit Struthers) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 10:47:26 -0700 Subject: [obol] Dubois, Idaho, Grouse Days Message-ID: <001201c84fc3$09918d50$6501a8c0@birdlady> 6th Annual Dubois Grouse Days Date:4/11/2008 - 4/12/2008 City:Dubois, Idaho Event Description: A two-day conservation-focused event to learn about and experience the land and life of the sage and sharp-tailed grouse in Idaho's Upper Snake River Plain. Friday Registration, field trip and Dinner; Saturday lek tours, field trips, auction, raffle, kids events, banquet, interesting and informative speakers; photo blinds available all week. Free camping. Contact: Jeri Tavenner or Curtis Keetch at (208) 374-5422 jtavenner at fs.fed.us; ckeetch at fs.fed.us Kit Struthers, Idaho Falls, ID kit619 at ida.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/a779152c/attachment.htm From goosemiller at gmail.com Sat Jan 5 09:55:28 2008 From: goosemiller at gmail.com (Marilyn Miller) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 09:55:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] November WW Xbill? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <477fc47c.1abb720a.3b1e.ffffd5ae@mx.google.com> Hi Chuck and Obol: I saw three White-winged Crossbills while driving from Bend to Eugene over Santiam Pass on December 26, 2007. The weather conditions were horrible and a tree had fallen across the highway. While a line of cars were waiting for the tree to be cleared, I got out my binoculars, rolled down the window and started looking around. I was surprised to see three White-winged Crossbills sitting in a tree right next to my car. Some guy showed up, who just happed to be carrying a chain saw, sawed up the tree, another guy put a tow rope around the tree and dragged it to the side of the road. Ahh, winter pass driving, it only took me five and half hours to get to Eugene that day. It was a new LANE County bird for me. Marilyn Miller -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Charles R. Gates Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:59 AM To: obol Subject: [obol] November WW Xbill? Does anyone remember who found a White-winged Crossbill near Still Creek campground on November 22nd? I can't locate my note on that sighting. Chuck Gates No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 - Release Date: 1/2/2008 11:29 AM _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 5 10:01:04 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 10:01:04 -0800 Subject: [obol] WW X-bill record Message-ID: One of the "Hinklets" saw that WW Crossbill by Mt. Hood while skiing; I think it was Adrian. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From ernstaj at spiritone.com Sat Jan 5 10:52:31 2008 From: ernstaj at spiritone.com (A&J Ernst) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 10:52:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hummingbirds Message-ID: <200801051852.m05Ipx9W002639@ruby.spiritone.com> Hello All, I would like to thank Dan Gleason and agree with him regarding the sugar concentration issue when feeding hummers. I work at a local bird store and I hear this too often from customers - "I use a stronger concentration in my feeders and I get MORE hummingbirds". I kindly remind them that the stronger sugar mixes can actually dehydrate the hummers and can ultimately be detrimental to their health. Many folks are not aware of this. Jeff Ernst ernstaj at spiritone.com Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:20:30 -0800 From: Dan Gleason Subject: Re: [obol] hummingbird feeders To: Dan Gleason Cc: obol OBOL , mike denny Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Somehow my reply got stripped before this got sent and only the message I was responding to was sent. I'll try again. -- I would ask you to reconsider the concentration of sugar you use. We use a 1:4 solution and we have Anna's Hummingbirds all day long. There is almost never a time when I don't see at least one hummer in the bush or at one of our two feeders. Very high concentrations of sugar are generally avoided but levels higher than 1:3 may be still attractive and may pose some risk to the birds. Much of the sugar consumed is immediately used as an energy source but a portion of it may be stored in the crop for later use. It is this stored sugar that is problematic if it is in high concentration. High concentrations of sugar (or salts and other electrolytes) will tend to draw liquid from the surrounding tissues and may cause excess dehydration. The bird may be coming more often simply because it needs more liquid to satisfy an unnatural thirst, and the more high sugar it consumes, the more liquid it will need. This is clearly not a healthy situation. It may not be immediately life-threatening but it is not good for the bird. You may see it feed more frequently, but it may be at the expense of the bird's well-being. In a normal situation, hummingbirds use feeders as a supplement to their diet. During the summer months, feeders account for less than 10-12% of their diet. It may be higher in the winter, especially during long cold spells. Insects, mites, spiders and their eggs are an important component of their diet and their only source of protein. Using a solution that may pull them away from searching for these sources (by requiring them to drink more) also puts them at greater risk. These birds evolved to utilize nectars which have a concentration of sucrose that is close to 1:4. Most birds cannot digest sucrose in any quantity. Hummingbirds, sunbirds, orioles and a few others can and some find it necessary, but not in very high concentrations. We should not be providing foods that will take them away from what they have evolved to utilize. if we wish to feed them and enjoy their presence, we should do so in a manner that is best for the birds, not for us. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/3a87c205/attachment.htm From shelmert at loswego.k12.or.us Sat Jan 5 11:26:05 2008 From: shelmert at loswego.k12.or.us (Shelmerdine, Timothy (Tim)) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 11:26:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Maine trip summary Message-ID: Happy New Year, everybody. Please delete this message if you do not like reading about others' birding trips. On Thursday, I got back from a week long trip to Maine. I understand that not everyone would think of Maine as a winter birding destination, but there are some species such as Great Cormorant and Purple Sandpiper that are either more easily seen this time of year, or others, as in the case of Dovekie, are unlikely to be seen in the U.S. at other times. I had some nice birding, both good and bad weather, and saw 5 of my 6 target species. Black Guillemots were easily seen in a number of locations, as were Great Cormorants. I had a number of distant views of Razorbills, but as I still need to take a summer trip to Maine some year, hope to see those closer and in their alternate plumage. I had one distant flyby Dovekie at West Quoddy Head (the easternmost point in the U.S.), and if weather conditions had allowed, might have been able to take the ferry to Monhegan Island and had a better view. This seems to be a decent year for Dovekie. I had nice views of Purple Sandpipers, including 60 at the Cliff House in Ogunquit. I took the ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven, and have probably never been more miserable on a boat, standing in very cold rain, and with the wind in my face some of the time. I could tell the passengers sitting in their heated vehicles and the ferry crew thought I was insane, something I was starting to question myself. Fortunately the trip was only an hour and a quarter each way, and I could warm up in the heated passenger area in-between legs of the trip. At East Quoddy Head (Campobello Island, New Brunswick) I was able to get my best views of Razorbills and other birds feeding in a tidal rip, and also saw Atlantic White-sided Dolphins feeding with the birds and Harbor Porpoises. I had a couple of nice flocks of Pine Grosbeaks, but missed the redpolls reported from a number of locations. I did miss Iceland Gull, despite searching gull flocks in a number of locations. Anyway, with all the snow, the Maine coastline was beautiful, and the room prices were very reasonable in the off-season. I did rent a midsize SUV, a Jeep Liberty, as it turned out, and although I did not need to use the 4-wheel drive often, it was helpful at times. Please feel free to e-mail if you would like any details or a more complete list of the birds I saw. Good birding, Tim From dondewitt at hotmail.com Sat Jan 5 11:54:41 2008 From: dondewitt at hotmail.com (Don DeWitt) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 19:54:41 +0000 Subject: [obol] Clay-Colored Sp. at Hatfield Center, Newport Message-ID: OBOL, Anne Heyerly just called with news of a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW seen from the walkway along the bay reached from the Hatfield Marine Center. The bird has been flying back and forth between the shelter and a big willow patch. (Gusty winds over there at times but not bad, partly clear. Hail and lightning earlier this morning.) Anne's call came at about 11:45 this morning, Saturday. Don DeWitt, Eugene _________________________________________________________________ Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/22546568/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Sat Jan 5 13:04:33 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:04:33 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lower Columbia Birders trip - 1/5/2008 Message-ID: <477FF0BC.49F67B8D@pacifier.com> The Lower Columbia Birders braved the elements - hail, sleet thunder and lightning - to travel to Svensen Island and Brownsmead. We found the ARCTIC LOON without difficulty. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was with other sparrows on the road to Bughole. Big flock of SNOW GEESE on the river at Svensen Is. Very high water. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Snow Goose 300 [1] Canada Goose Cackling Goose Tundra Swan 3 Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-Winged Teal Canvasback 6 Ring-necked Duck Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-throated Loon 6 Arctic Loon 1 [2] Pied-billed Grebe Horned Grebe Western Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret 1 White-tailed Kite 1 Bald Eagle 8 Northern Harrier 10 Red-tailed Hawk 7 American Kestrel 2 Peregrine Falcon 2 Black-bellied Plover 6 Greater Yellowlegs 13 Dunlin 250 Long-billed Dowitcher Mew Gull Western Gull Glaucous-winged Gull Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Steller's Jay Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Common Raven Black-capped Chickadee Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Varied Thrush European Starling Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow Lincoln's Sparrow White-throated Sparrow 1 [3] White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird Western Meadowlark 12 Brewer's Blackbird Pine Siskin House Sparrow Footnotes: [1] Svensen Island [2] Blind Slough at Pentilla Rd [3] Near Bughol Rd Total number of species seen: 63 -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From goosemiller at gmail.com Sat Jan 5 14:28:21 2008 From: goosemiller at gmail.com (Marilyn Miller) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 14:28:21 -0800 Subject: [obol] White-winged Crossbills LANE County (not Linn County) In-Reply-To: <003501c84fcf$8c0b6240$880ba8c0@Library> Message-ID: <47800470.1cbc720a.7643.0a10@mx.google.com> Hi Alan and Mark and OBOL: I just doubled checked the map it was definitely LANE county. It was after Trail Bridge Reservoir and right before Hwy 242 (Old McKenzie Highway). See Delorme page 49. I bird quite a bit and am aware of county lines. Thanks, but I get to keep it on my LANE County checklist! Marilyn Miller -----Original Message----- From: Mark Nikas [mailto:marknikas at comcast.net] Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 11:17 AM To: Marilyn Miller Subject: Re: [obol] November WW Xbill? Hi Marilyn, The Lane County line is a good 20 miles below Santiam Pass. Your Crossbills were most likely in Linn County. They keep eluding me there. Mark Nikas ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marilyn Miller" To: "'Charles R. Gates'" ; "'obol'" Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 9:55 AM Subject: Re: [obol] November WW Xbill? > Hi Chuck and Obol: I saw three White-winged Crossbills while driving from > Bend to Eugene over Santiam Pass on December 26, 2007. The weather > conditions were horrible and a tree had fallen across the highway. While a > line of cars were waiting for the tree to be cleared, I got out my > binoculars, rolled down the window and started looking around. > > I was surprised to see three White-winged Crossbills sitting in a tree right > next to my car. Some guy showed up, who just happed to be carrying a chain > saw, sawed up the tree, another guy put a tow rope around the tree and > dragged it to the side of the road. Ahh, winter pass driving, it only took > me five and half hours to get to Eugene that day. > > It was a new LANE County bird for me. > > Marilyn Miller > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu > [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Charles R. Gates > Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:59 AM > To: obol > Subject: [obol] November WW Xbill? > > Does anyone remember who found a White-winged Crossbill near Still Creek > campground on November 22nd? I can't locate my note on that sighting. > Chuck Gates > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1207 - Release Date: 1/2/2008 > 11:29 AM > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1209 - Release Date: 1/4/2008 12:05 PM > > From heinjv at dcwisp.net Sat Jan 5 14:39:53 2008 From: heinjv at dcwisp.net (Jim & Vikki Hein) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 14:39:53 -0800 Subject: [obol] Douglas County Kittiwake Message-ID: <20080105224000.18FC114090@mail.dcwisp.net> Obol, This morning I saw a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE at the Stewart Park duck pond in Roseburg. This is a small "lake" next to Freddies where people dump old white bread to "feed the ducks". The wind must have blown it in last night. Jim Hein From dkmunson at wildblue.net Sat Jan 5 15:28:51 2008 From: dkmunson at wildblue.net (Don & Karen Munson) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 15:28:51 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time) Subject: [obol] Storm refugees Message-ID: <478012B3.000005.02160@OFFICE> I stopped by the Port of Brookings-Harbor this morning. Some of the more interesting birds were LONG-TAILED DUCK, PEREGRIN FALCON chasing the local pigeons, GLAUCOUS GULL and there are still a few BROWN PELICANS around. Don Munson Brookings -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/067434ef/attachment.htm From carolk at viclink.com Sat Jan 5 15:56:17 2008 From: carolk at viclink.com (Carol Karlen) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 15:56:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] 2 imm GLAUCOUS GULLS at McMinnville Message-ID: <000b01c84ff6$a861f400$8c76fea9@home> OBOL, We got out to western Yamhill county this blustery day. In the large gull flock ~1 mile west of McMinnville along Hwy 18 (associated with the landfill), we found at least 2 first-year GLAUCOUS GULLS (there could have been more) in a flock of ~800 Glaucous-winged Gulls, with a few HERRING, ~20+ THAYER'S, and a couple California Gulls. A bit further west we saw a flock of 1000+ Starlings. The landfill also attracts crows & ravens. We went first to the Sheridan fishing pond at 9 AM, but did not find the Red-throated Loon seen a couple days ago. A couple fishermen had beat us to the pond. We returned ~11 AM and found birds on the pond, but still no R-t. Loon. :-( We also checked the adjacent sewage ponds, plus both the fishing and sewage ponds at Willamina. No loon there either. :-( We found a Pied-billed Grebe at Sheridan and a Horned grebe at the Willamina fishing pond. There was also a flock of Siskins at the Willamina fishing pond. Raptors for the morning included White-tailed Kite, imm Bald Eagle, Red-tailed hawks, N. Harrier, & Kestrels. A Cooper's Hawk appeared in Carol's yard late this afternoon. Carol Karlen Paul Sullivan From David.Helzer at portofportland.com Sat Jan 5 16:48:40 2008 From: David.Helzer at portofportland.com (Helzer, David) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 16:48:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Osprey in Portland Message-ID: <69545A1E88CACE4382EEAE3F825D86A609CA0C@portexbe2.pop.portptld.com> I saw an Osprey today carrying a huge fish on the south side of Portland Airport today, which makes a very nice addition to the Portland CBC species list. It turns out that Ry Thompson, Dan vdB and their CBC crew saw the bird catch the fish at Whittaker Ponds a few minutes prior to it flying over the Airport. Whittaker Ponds is just south of the Airport property. Dave Helzer Wildlife Technician Port of Portland Aviation Environmental Portland International Airport > T: 503.460.4879 C: 503.830.0713 david.helzer at portofportland.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/ca37f6bf/attachment.htm From chukarbird at yahoo.com Sat Jan 5 17:44:14 2008 From: chukarbird at yahoo.com (Kathy Andrich) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 17:44:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] 1-5-08 Brownsmead Arctic Loon (ARLO), YES, Plus Word of Caution Message-ID: <940114.10034.qm@web52903.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi Tweeters and OBOL, Five of us Tweeters, John Puschock, Diane Yorgason-Quinn, Susan McNeill, Etta Cosey and myself had a sucessful run for the ARLO in Oregon. A life bird for all but John who has seen it in Alaska. It was first spotted on the north end of the Barendse Bridge and we followed it up the little short road to the right (east) side of the bridge until we hit a gate. The loon left shortly thereafter and as were getting ready to back out of this little road a man came out asking us to leave right away as we were on private property and that he had called the sheriff. We were in the general area quite awhile after that and we never noticed the sheriff. But several of us couldn't help but notice he had on a holster and pistol. So going down there is not recommended though there were signs (many tire tracks) others have driven down to this gate. The road is not posted to stay out. We later saw the loon in the slough off of Pentilla Rd on the other side of the bridge and got a lot of very satisfying looks at this bird as it was actively feeding and preening. Several Red-throated Loons in the area and we saw one Common. The focus was the ARLO but we did see one Bonaparte's Gull, a Pileated Woodpecker and some Meadowlarks in the area as well as the reported Western Grebes (we missed the Clark's but many of the grebes were sleeping), and Horned Grebes. The White-tailed Kite failed to make an appearance. Good trip and good company. A la Jay Withgott, our weather related list of events included: Rain mixed with snow=slush on I-5 Rainbow Thunder Lightning Hail Sunshine with some blue sky More rain and wind. The lack of other birders was notable, maybe everyone has seen it already. A great map of the Arctic Loon area is at: http://www.westerngrebe.com/arlo/ Cheers, Kathy Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian (chukarbird at yahoo dot com) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From celata at pacifier.com Sat Jan 5 18:03:16 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:03:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] Plus Word of Caution References: <940114.10034.qm@web52903.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <478036D5.3915D8B4@pacifier.com> Some folks are more friendly than others around Brownsmead. To keep everyone happy please please please: - stay on the main roads (Pentilla, Jackson, Barendse, Brownsmead Dike) - pull to the side of the road as best you can when stopping or parking so folks can get around you. - don't park on the Barendse Rd bridge, use the pullouts on the south end. - when in doubt, assume it's private property. - spend some money at the Knappa Store and tell them why you're there. Kathy Andrich wrote: > So going down there is not recommended though > there were signs (many tire tracks) others have driven > down to this gate. The road is not posted to stay out. > -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From Oropendolas at aol.com Sat Jan 5 20:24:44 2008 From: Oropendolas at aol.com (Oropendolas at aol.com) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 23:24:44 EST Subject: [obol] Lane Raptor Route #2 Message-ID: Hello All, Today, Jan. 5, I conducted the second run of the season for the Lane Co. route #2. This 80 mile route covers the West Eugene Wetlands area and north between Greenhill Road and River Road to Hwy 36 near Junction City then between Hwy 99W and Washburn Road to the Lane County line. I made it through most of the route before the weather got really nasty. The dry (almost saw the sun once) between rain / sleet squalls throughout the day brought lots of birds out to dry. Here's today's numbers: RTHA - 28 AMKE - 23 NOHA - 11 WTKI - 10 (haven't seen this many on the route since 2004) RSHA - 2 BAEA - 8 ( 5 Adults, 3 Immature ) RLHA - 2 ( Together on the south side of Territorial Highway just north of Cheshire ) COHA - 3 ( 2 Adults and 1 very soggy Immature ) Also had a NORTHERN SHRIKE and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW along the route. John Sullivan Springfield, OR **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/318fe0e7/attachment.htm From winkg at hevanet.com Sat Jan 5 21:11:16 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:11:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] Portland CBC preliminary results Message-ID: <20080106051020.B204941025C@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> Despite the dire forecast, the weather for the Portland Christmas Bird Count today was a lot better than expected--and so was the birding. The preliminary species count is 119, which demolishes the old record of 113 set in 1976 and tied in 1979. The North Portland team really delivered the goods with the previously reported OSPREY, BARN and TREE SWALLOW, multiple COMMON and RED-THROATED LOONS, and 3 BARN OWLS. SE Portland recorded the only ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and WESTERN SCREECH-OWL. The Lake Oswego team found the only SPOTTED SANDPIPER. The NW area produced the only RED CROSSBILLS, EVENING GROSBEAKS, and HAIRY WOODPECKERS and 10 of the 11 PILEATED WOODPECKERS. SW Portland had one of the oddest sightings: 7 SNOW GEESE flying in a V-formation with 8 TUNDRA SWANS. There were no inexplicable misses: all the regularly occurring species were located. Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's count a big success! Wink Gross, compiler Portland CBC From dhughes55 at clearwire.net Sat Jan 5 20:38:59 2008 From: dhughes55 at clearwire.net (Denise Hughes) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 21:38:59 -0700 Subject: [obol] Malheur County Raptor Survey Message-ID: <000901c8501e$0f6a3a00$2e3eae00$@net> I ran two raptor routes in December. Each route is approximately 75 to 80 miles long. The first route starts in Ontario and follows the Snake River, crisscrossing agriculture fields, going to Farewell Bend State Park and finishing in southwestern Ontario. RTHA - 40 AMKE - 60 NOHA - 5 BAEA - 1 adult GOEA - 1 RLHA - 1 Prairie Falcon - 2 Cooper's Hawk - 1 The second route is around the city of Nyssa RTHA - 41 MAKE - 54 NOHA - 5 Prairie Falcon - 1 Denise Hughes Caldwell, Idaho -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/8d36c453/attachment.htm From nelsoncheek at charter.net Sat Jan 5 21:53:20 2008 From: nelsoncheek at charter.net (WALTER NELSON) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 21:53:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yaquina Bay CBC Preliminary Results Message-ID: <20080106054613.IHHM14098.aarprv06.charter.net@D9FD2761> A record 35 field observers turned out today for the Yaquina Bay CBC, despite a grim weather forecast. But once again our good luck held! By daybreak the lightning and hail had stopped, winds quieted to only 25 mph or so, and the forecast deluges held off until 3:45 PM. The most dramatic remnant of last night's storm was enormous surf on the beaches and jetties, with seas running 25-30' on top of an 8' high tide in mid-morning. Coastal observers sensibly stayed off the beaches (what beaches?) until later in the day. With 2 feeder watchers still to report, we have tallied 132 species, near the record for this count circle! Good finds included a single BROWN PELICAN on the Yaquina River at Toledo (doubtless blown inshore last night); SHEARWATER sp.; LONG-TAILED DUCK; RED-SHOULDERED HAWK; RUFFED GROUSE; WHIMBREL; ROCK SANDPIPER; RED-PHALAROPE; GLAUCOUS GULL; BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE; COMMON MURRE; WESTERN SCREECH OWL; PILEATED WOODPECKER; GRAY JAY; WHITE-THROATED, CLAY-COLORED, and SWAMP SPARROWS; TREE SWALLOWS and BARN SWALLOWS. Many, many thanks to all our local stalwarts and especially to all the terrific visiting talent from Corvallis, Eugene and Bend! ______________________ Rebecca Cheek, Compiler 541-867-4699 nelsoncheek AT charter.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/37467c34/attachment.htm From cgates at webformixair.com Sat Jan 5 22:22:06 2008 From: cgates at webformixair.com (Charles R. Gates) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 22:22:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] Paulina Winter Raptor Survey Message-ID: Nicole Nielson-Pincus and I did the Paulina Winter Raptor Survey today (eastern Crook County). Numbers were quite low but the weather was good. Most notably, we found only 2 Red-tailed Hawks in over 40 miles of road. Amazing!! We did find 9 Bald Eagles, 6 Golden Eagles, and 3 Prairie Falcons. One Rough-leg and one Harrier rounded out the day. We also found 2 Northern Shrikes. Chuck Gates Powell Butte No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1210 - Release Date: 1/5/2008 11:46 AM From craig at greatskua.com Sat Jan 5 22:46:58 2008 From: craig at greatskua.com (Craig Tumer) Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2008 23:46:58 -0700 Subject: [obol] Eurasian wigeons in Portland, Oregon and question Message-ID: <20080105234658.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.d628b74eec.wbe@email.secureserver.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080105/0d329521/attachment.htm From jwrinn at juno.com Sat Jan 5 23:11:32 2008 From: jwrinn at juno.com (Justin Wrinn) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 23:11:32 -0800 Subject: [obol] ARCTIC LOON Saturday afternoon In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <005801c85033$60bcf6d0$2236e470$@com> I easily found the Blind Slough ARCTIC LOON this afternoon around 4:15 - a lifer for me, as I'm sure it has been for many of you. The weather cleared up right before I got there and didn't start raining again until after I left, and the loon was very cooperative - just posing for me out in the middle of the water about 75 yards north of the bridge and not diving very much. I was able to get a great close-up look from the road (less than 100 feet away) for as long as I wanted. Unfortunately I got a really late start today and forgot my camera in the rush to get there before dark... Justin Wrinn Milwaukie, OR From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sun Jan 6 08:48:13 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 08:48:13 -0800 Subject: [obol] Tillamook 1/3 Message-ID: I hitched a ride on the wrestling bus Jan 3. Behind the football field grandstand at Tillamook High School is a large flooded field. 5000 Baldpates were there avoiding fierce winds, with only token quantities of other species (Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead). In my areas of the Eugene and Coos Bay CBCs it was the reverse- Pintails outnumbered other species by several orders of magnitude. In my teenage years these puddle ducks generally left the northern part of the state by Thanksgiving. Now they seem to stay here all winter sometimes. But then Cackling Geese formerly wintered in California . The real point of this posting is that I scanned the flock and picked out the male Eurasian Wigeon. I came up with seven, scattered more or less evenly from east to west. With a little practice I could spot them instantly, without specific details. The light was poor and the birds distant, unlike Westmoreland Park. I imagine the cognescenti do the same with gulls. Tillamook High School is downtown. Proceed south on 101 from its jct with Hwy 6. When you get to the Blue Star Coffee drive-up turn left(east) and the city street will lead to the school in a few blocks. The football field is hidden behind all the classrooms , etc.. Given the prevailing winter winds(SW) the grandstand provides considerable shelter while scanning the puddle. This field is barely visible from Hwy 6 as it leaves town, too far way to provide real fun. Lars Norgren We (Banks) beat the Fishermen(Astoria) 43-34. Tillamook humiliated us due to a surfeit of forfeits. From alderspr at peak.org Sun Jan 6 12:06:43 2008 From: alderspr at peak.org (Karan & Jim Fairchild) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 12:06:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yaquina Bay gull drowning bufflehead Message-ID: <007301c8509f$aadd4870$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> We visited Yaquina Bay during the CBC count day (Jan 5, 08) and were able to add an EARED GREBE to the South Jetty area count, but wanted to report one behavior we're not familiar with: An adult Glaucous-winged Gull was making a ruckous calling while another floating nearby held a female bufflehead under its breast, apparently attempting to drown it. The bufflehead managed to largely keep its head above water anyway. Several changes of grip didn't help the gull, and it worked its way to shore, walking a ways bearing the struggling duck while trying to dispatch it. The duck escaped twice, but was quickly recaptured. It escaped again, this time when the gull was distracted by the other gull and two crows sailing in from overhead. The duck rapidly ran/flapped away and then swam along shore at least not acutely injured, and the gull soon returned to the last escape point. It did not seem to see the escapee not far away along the shore. The drama apparently ended there--gull smarts only go so far. Jim (and Karan) Fairchild From dan-gleason at comcast.net Sun Jan 6 12:20:09 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 12:20:09 -0800 Subject: [obol] Diabetic birds? In-Reply-To: <20080104174335.083C710402F@smtp3.oregonstate.edu> References: <20080104174335.083C710402F@smtp3.oregonstate.edu> Message-ID: <411E9350-0E3E-42A8-942C-D24B954E8145@comcast.net> No observations or field notes, just information about Diabetes in birds for anyone interested. - Dan On Jan 4, 2008, at 9:43 AM, Cliff & Joanne Weber wrote: > > > One has to wonder if a 50/50 mixture might even lead to hummer > diabetes (if > such a thing exists). > Do birds get Diabetes? Can it be induced by high levels of sugar? Short answer: Yes, birds can become diabetic but probably not through exposure to high sugar. Diabetes in most birds is different than Diabetes in mammals. Here is a brief look at Diabetes and how it differs in birds. What we commonly refer to as Diabetes is a disease of mammals that is more properly called Diabetes mellitus to distinguish it from Diabetes insipidus, a very different disorder. (See below). Type I, or juvenile Diabetes, is the result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that mediates the uptake of glucose by cells of the body. A failure to produce sufficient insulin will result in a rise in the level of sugar in the blood. Type II Diabetes is the result of either a decrease in insulin production or, more often, a condition known as "insulin resistance." With insulin resistance, the body produces enough insulin but the cells no longer respond to it as effectively as in the normal condition. Either way, blood sugar levels can rise and fluctuate over a greater range than is normal or desirable. Obesity and prolonged exposure to high levels of sugar are just two of many factors that may contribute to the onset of Type II Diabetes. (Keep in mind that I am presenting a very simple view here as this is not intended to be a detailed discussion of mammalian Diabetes.) There is a second hormone that is important to the regulation of blood sugar and it is called Glucagon. Glucagon is also produced by the pancreas but its effect is the opposite of insulin. When the blood sugar becomes low, glucagon is released by the pancreas and induces cells in to liver to release glucose into the bloodstream (the liver is stimulated to convert stored glycogen into glucose). Thus, insulin keeps the blood sugar from becoming too high and glucagon keeps it from being too low. A balance in the levels of these two hormones keeps the blood sugar in a normal and healthy range. So, Diabetes in mammals is caused by too little insulin or insulin resistance. In birds, Diabetes is caused by the pancreas producing too much glucagon rather than a problem with insulin. The increased glucagon overwhelms the action of insulin. The result is the same - too much sugar in the blood. Blood sugar levels typically are higher in birds than mammals and other conditions can cause a rise in blood sugar as well, so a diagnosis can be difficult to assess. Stress in birds will cause the sugar level to rise as will corticosteroids. This is sometimes a problem for pet birds that are treated with steroids by vets who are unaware of this and birds will then show symptoms that mimic Diabetes. Dirunal raptors are an interesting exception. In these birds, Diabetes most often seems to have the same cause as in mammals, too little insulin rather than too much glucagon. The original questions concerned hummingbirds becoming diabetic by feeding on high levels of sugar at feeders. This has a very low probablilty of occurring for many reasons. Feeders account for only a small portion of a hummingbird's diet so they are not constantly consuming high levels of sugar. Under normal circumstances, glucagon is only released when sugar levels drop below a certain level, so high sugars will not induce excess glucagon production which is the cause of Diabetes in birds (except diurnal raptors). --- [Diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder in mammals where the kidneys do not conserve any water, causing very dilute urine. The resulting frequent urination and excess thirst are similar to these same symptoms in Diabetes mellitus.] Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Sun Jan 6 13:53:37 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 16:53:37 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] Annas female extra Message-ID: <20246561.1199656417774.JavaMail.root@elwamui-little.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hi Folks, The male Annas is spectacular, and has been very entertaining. This morning however he was absent. He seems to disappear when the weather gets rough, and we have an inch of snow on the ground (I know, only an inch some of you are saying, an inch too much is my reply)so I don't expect him around til it warms up. Yesterday however, he was out between both feeders getting very wet from the rain. Anyway, today, we have a very definite female Annas at the feeders. At least, I am going to assume she is because she has solid green on her back, no hints of blue around the shoulders yet, and her throat has only the tiniest dot of red in the middle, with just the merest hints of streaking on the rest of it. Nice white tipped outer tails too. Now if the two could only meet each other... if she sticks around that is. Any one know the results for the Dallas area CBC. It was my first CBC so I am curious as to how we did. All the best Andrew please stop by my photo albums at http://atlanticsalmonflyguy.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php or find me at webshots under the pseudonym Atlanticsalmonflyguy. Comments are always appreciated. Thank-you! From tanager at nu-world.com Sun Jan 6 14:19:25 2008 From: tanager at nu-world.com (Anne & Dan Heyerly) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 14:19:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene feeder birds Jan. 6, 2008 Message-ID: <001701c850b2$3337b9f0$99a72dd0$@com> One MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE on the suet feeder was a first-of-year bird for us a few minutes ago (approx. 2:00pm). It is only the second time we have had MOCH here since mid 2000. PINE SISKINS have also taken over all the feeders today. The current weather must have moved birds around and down a bit. We are glad we came home via Hwy. 20 from Newport last night, since Hwy. 126 is closed between Noti and Mapleton! Dan Heyerly Eugene (off Oakway Rd. in the Ferry St. Bridge neighborhood) No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 1/6/2008 11:57 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080106/12fa2535/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sun Jan 6 15:01:41 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 15:01:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Tillamook 1/3 In-Reply-To: <000801c8508f$3e855510$0308a8c0@D48XBZ51> References: <000801c8508f$3e855510$0308a8c0@D48XBZ51> Message-ID: As a fifth grader I read a story about a Montana sheep herder who kept one black sheep for every hundred white sheep in her flock. This was a crude method of counting the whole flock. In recent years I've often wondered if some such formula might pertain to wigeon. I was ruminating on this at Tillamook last week, but hesitated to go public. Inevitably I was thinking of Wayne, too, as he was in Don McDonald's station wagon with me when I saw my first Eurasian Wigeon a few 100m west of the cheese factory in March of 1973. Those were the days! Four lifers between the cheese factory and Barview in the course of an hour or less. Will I ever do the same in the state of Oregon now or in the future? Lars On Jan 6, 2008, at 10:09 AM, Wayne Hoffman wrote: > Hi- > > Your description of finding the Eurasian Wigeons reminded me of my > experience yesterday on the Yaquina Bay CBC. We were in Beaver Creek > vally, with extensive flooded pastures, and ended up about 650 > Wigeons. The wigeons were scattered in groups of 20-80 rather than > massed up as they usually are. I told my companions that there should > be a Eurasian Drake for every 300 American Wigeons, so by the time > they got up to 300, they better find one. They ended up with 2 > Eurasian Drakes and an apparent hybrid. Actually, I have generally > heard 1 per 500, but I was not sure we would get to 500 wigeons, and I > wanted them to work at it. > > The winter distributions of dabbling ducks in western Oregon is really > patchy, by species: different species are wintering in big groups in > different places, but using habitat that looks pretty similar to me. > I was over at Ankeny Refuge last weekend and saw huge groups of > Pintails and Green-winged Teal, but not many wigeons. Yesterday we > had maybe 100 pintails and less than 50 teal with our 600 wigeons. > etc. > > Wayne > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norgren Family" > > To: "obol" > Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 8:48 AM > Subject: [obol] Tillamook 1/3 > > >> I hitched a ride on the wrestling >> bus Jan 3. Behind the football field >> grandstand at Tillamook High School is >> a large flooded field. 5000 Baldpates >> were there avoiding fierce winds, with >> only token quantities of other species >> (Pintail, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead). In >> my areas of the Eugene and Coos Bay CBCs >> it was the reverse- Pintails outnumbered >> other species by several orders of >> magnitude. In my teenage years these >> puddle ducks generally left the northern >> part of the state by Thanksgiving. Now >> they seem to stay here all winter sometimes. >> But then Cackling Geese formerly wintered >> in California . >> The real point of this posting is >> that I scanned the flock and picked out >> the male Eurasian Wigeon. I came up with >> seven, scattered more or less evenly >> from east to west. With a little practice >> I could spot them instantly, without specific >> details. The light was poor and the birds >> distant, unlike Westmoreland Park. I imagine >> the cognescenti do the same with gulls. >> Tillamook High School is downtown. Proceed >> south on 101 from its jct with Hwy 6. When >> you get to the Blue Star Coffee drive-up >> turn left(east) and the city street will >> lead to the school in a few blocks. The >> football field is hidden behind all the >> classrooms , etc.. Given the prevailing >> winter winds(SW) the grandstand provides >> considerable shelter while scanning the >> puddle. This field is barely visible from >> Hwy 6 as it leaves town, too far way to >> provide real fun. Lars Norgren >> >> We (Banks) beat the Fishermen(Astoria) 43-34. >> Tillamook humiliated us due to a surfeit >> of forfeits. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> obol mailing list >> obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >> http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol >> >> To unsubscribe, send a message to: >> obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > From dpvroman at budget.net Sun Jan 6 13:23:35 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 13:23:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ashland Bohemian Waxwing Message-ID: <000601c850aa$68e6d5c0$5597d140@Warbler> Dick Ashford reported finding a BOHEMIAN WAXWING at his place in Ashland on 01-05-08. Was with a flock of Cedar Waxwings. A pretty unusual treat down this way. Will have to take a closer look at Josephine Co Waxwings now! Dennis -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080106/1cecae1b/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sun Jan 6 15:19:46 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 15:19:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] Diving Shovelors Message-ID: <2c58751d35fae34085b12db6f53cb16c@earthlink.net> Three Northern Shovelor in the Hog Pond north of Roy(Washington County) were diving completely under water this afternoon. Presumably this was to feed, as all three did it repeatedly as long as I watched. They only stayed down five to ten seconds a piece, but this was certainly a new one for me. Lars Norgren From birdboy at bkpix.com Sun Jan 6 16:08:19 2008 From: birdboy at bkpix.com (Noah Strycker) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 16:08:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Finley 1/6 etc. Message-ID: Hi birders, Finley this afternoon... Cabell Marsh: 1 - COMMON YELLOWTHROAT Bruce Rd: 3 - SNOW GEESE 2 - WHITE-FRONTED GEESE Joe Fontaine, Jamie Simmons, Karl Fairchild and I relocated the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW at E.E. Wilson (north of Corvallis) this morning. Good birding, Noah Strycker -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080106/b8bfe900/attachment.htm From Jfitchen at aol.com Sun Jan 6 16:14:27 2008 From: Jfitchen at aol.com (Jfitchen at aol.com) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 19:14:27 EST Subject: [obol] Virginia Rail, Vanport (Mult) Message-ID: Hello Obol, Today at about 2:00 p.m., I relocated the VIRGINIA RAIL spotted by Bob Locket and Tony de Falco at Vanport Wetlands during the North Portland/Columbia Riparian portion of yesterday's CBC. The bird responded to my lame vocal imitation. It is in the grassy/reedy edge just inside the fence along the south side of the wetland about 40 feet west of the interpretive sign. Cheers, John Fitchen Portland **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080106/6c2f5c92/attachment.htm From john.gatchet at oc.npuc.org Sun Jan 6 16:34:27 2008 From: john.gatchet at oc.npuc.org (John Gatchet) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 16:34:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Columbia County White-throated Sparrows, N. Saw-whet Owl Message-ID: <41450F4C98633F449B0D441BFA16956F0110759D@npuceb.NPU.NA.SDA> Yesterday I birded Columbia County County and found 5 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS. Three were along Reeder Road on the north end of Sauvie Island. They were on the west side of the road about 100 feet before your reach the road to Gilbert River Boat Ramp as you head north. The road is signed and on the Columbia River side of the road there is the # 6 sign to the beach. There was a PEREGRINE FALCON and a lone SNOW GOOSE .10 mile south of this spot. There were 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS along Collins Road (DeLorme p. 71, C-8. They were in a sparrow flock of approximately 60 sparrows. As you leave Erickson Dike Road and travel east on Collins Road there is a ditch coming from the south. The birds were moving around in this area. I saw two WHITE-TAILED KITES along Beaver Dike Road in this same general area. A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL was calling along Honeyman Road out of Scappoose (DeLorme p. 66, B-2) At the intersection of Dike Road and Columbia Avenue there were 32 GREAT EGRETS in one field and a lone one in an adjacent field. I proceeded along Honeyman E Road, from this spot and tallied 20 more GREAT EGRETS for a total of 53 in this area. A flooded field contained 38 GREATER YELLOWLEGS. A ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was perched in a tree along Honeyman E Road. This area is east of Scappoose. John F. Gatchet Gresham, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080106/5762451f/attachment.htm From uskestrel at yahoo.com Sun Jan 6 17:34:54 2008 From: uskestrel at yahoo.com (Carol Ledford) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 17:34:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Columbia River Gorge Birds - Troutdale to Stevenson Message-ID: <962396.79677.qm@web54204.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Today, I took a little drive out the Gorge starting at Troutdale (exit 17) to see what water birds I could find. In the ponds to the south of I-84 at the Rooster Rock Park exit were several TUNDRA SWANS, LESSER SCAUP, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and BUFFLEHEAD. On the ponds near Multnomah Falls I found COMMON MERGANSERS and Bufflehead. At Eagle Creek (exit 41, I think) were numerous Common Mergansers, as well as both COMMON and BARROW?S GOLDENEYE ? always a treat to find! At Cascade Locks Park, I enjoyed watching CANADA GEESE, both goldeneyes, and hordes of AMERICAN COOTS feeding just offshore from my location. As I was about to leave, a PEREGRINE FALCON made a couple of swoops over my car, and then landed right on the beach not more than 100 feet from me. Very cool! I crossed over to the Washington side of the river at Cascade Locks and drove on to Stevenson. Two WESTERN GREBES were on the slough across the highway from the fairgrounds, which is recovering from the damage sustained during the recent flooding. There were far fewer birds there than I?ve usually seen. On the way back home via Hwy. 14, I stopped at the Franz Lake overlook, and spotted CANVASBACK. What a lovely way to avoid housecleaning! Carol Ledford --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080106/0a2770d4/attachment.htm From johnpam at mtangel.net Sun Jan 6 17:52:38 2008 From: johnpam at mtangel.net (John Thomas) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 17:52:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] Where to Find Group Call of Crossbills? Message-ID: Does anyone know of a location for an mp3 (or otherwise) track of a GROUP of Red Crossbills? I know what the individual call sounds like; but, what does a group of 15-20 all chattering sound like? Reason I am asking is that I saw a distant group of birds yesterday way up on Douglas Fir trees in Silver Creek Falls State Park and thought they were Crossbills. They called loudly as a group and headed over the ridge. Immediately referencing my iPod did not particularly help as the individual chip may (or may not) have been one little portion of what I was hearing. Super birders would know by the gestalt or jist or "hey, been there, done that." I have only seen them a couple times and it has not sunk in yet. Thanks much, Good Birding, John Thomas 5 mi N Silverton From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sun Jan 6 18:02:27 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:02:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Where to Find Group Call of Crossbills? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: I don't have such a recording. In groups where multiple birds are calling, the sound is a rolling but *uneven* pattern of chips, vaguely similar in cadence to what you might hear from a sizable flock of pipits or goldfinches. If you hear something more like a dry trill - like a finch imitating a kingfisher - that is what White-winged Crossbill sounds like, and it is normally a much more *even* trill of chips, though they make other sounds as well. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos > From: John Thomas > Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 17:52:38 -0800 > To: > Subject: [obol] Where to Find Group Call of Crossbills? > > Does anyone know of a location for an mp3 (or otherwise) track of a GROUP of > Red Crossbills? I know what the individual call sounds like; but, what does > a group of 15-20 all chattering sound like? > > Reason I am asking is that I saw a distant group of birds yesterday way up > on Douglas Fir trees in Silver Creek Falls State Park and thought they were > Crossbills. They called loudly as a group and headed over the ridge. > Immediately referencing my iPod did not particularly help as the individual > chip may (or may not) have been one little portion of what I was hearing. > > Super birders would know by the gestalt or jist or "hey, been there, done > that." I have only seen them a couple times and it has not sunk in yet. > > Thanks much, Good Birding, > John Thomas > 5 mi N Silverton > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From carolk at viclink.com Sun Jan 6 19:26:49 2008 From: carolk at viclink.com (Carol Karlen) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 19:26:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Linn County birds revisited Message-ID: <000e01c850dd$27e87780$8c76fea9@home> OBOL: We visited Linn county on Jan. 1, looking for the N. Mockingbird twice, but saw only a Cooper's Hawk, a Sharpshin, and a Gt. Horned Owl at the site mentioned by Mark Nikas below. At the corner of Tangent Dr. and Oakville Rd. we found 300 American Pipits. Today, Jan. 6, we tried to replicate Mark's success: Our weather was nice at McMinnville & Farmer Rd. near Baskett Slough, snow in Corvallis, and rain at Brownsville, then clearing south of there, then rain again. Results: -Brownsville sewage ponds -- LONG-TAILED DUCK -Diamond Rd. exit 209 off I-5 -- PRAIRIE FALCON, several Bald Eagles, 125 Am Pipits, 250 Dunlin, 125 Least Sandpipers. 1 David Smith. NO Mt. Plover in 1.5 hrs. -Belts Rd. -- no N. Shrike, 25 W. Meadowlarks -Brownsville again -- no Anna's Hummingbird, but we didn't know the address of the feeder -American Drive -- Tundra Swans, Killdeer, Dunlin, Peregrine Falcon -Davis Rd., north end -- flooded culverts, no Burrowing Owl -Tangent Dr. and Oakville Rd., NW corner -- SWAINSON'S HAWK -White Pine Dr. off White Oak Dr. -- NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD Paul Sullivan Carol Karlen > ---------------------------- > Subject: Linn County birds > From: "Mark Nikas" > Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 20:25:10 -0800 > > Birders, > > I spent the day birding western Linn County and had an above average day. > One of the first birds I saw was the MOUNTAIN PLOVER that Jamie S. quickly > spread the word on. My Kowa scope literally broke in half while setting up > to scope the plover. We'll see how well they back up their lifetime > warranty. A PRAIRIE FALCON was on a power pole at the plover site. This site > is a brand new Wetland Reserve Program property that is just starting to be > returned to native prairie. It has harbored several nice birds the past 6 > months and will hopefully only get better. It is private land and all > viewing must be done from the road. Traffic is light and shoulders are > fairly wide. I went into Brownsville and successfully refound an ANNAS > HUMMINGBIRD that Rich Armstrong found at a feeder during last week's CBC. > These are harder to come by than you would think in Linn County. I then > stopped at the sewage ponds on Hwy 228 and was surprised to see the > OLDSQUAW found by Barb Combs last week was still present. It was on the back > pond. As> she had mentioned, extensive construction work is being done there but no > one was working there today. The gate that used to have a "do not enter > sign" has been removed. The SWAINSONS HAWK found 10 days ago by Cheryl > Whelchel continues to frequent the field at the NW corner of Tangent Dr. and > Oakville Rd. The BURROWING OWL wintering at the north end of Davis Rd. > didn't seem to mind all the rain. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD continues to be > elusive but present at White Pine Rd. I was having such good luck seeing > uncommon birds in the county that I decided to try for the Blue Jay found by > Don Boucher back in November at the north end of Peoria Rd. I didn't see it > but the weather was lousy. > > There was a flock of 975 TUNDRA SWANS off Smith Rd. - a regular wintering > site. No scope so I couldn't see if there were any Trumpeters. There have > been some here in past years.Nearby at the intersection of Bluebbery Rd. and > CR211 was a flock of at least 65 HORNED LARKS. Couldn't pull anything else > out of the flock though. There was no Burrowing Owl here or at other nearby > sites where they've been regular past winters. A N SHRIKE was off Belts > Rd. - a regular site for them in winter. > > Mark Nikas From cgates at webformixair.com Sun Jan 6 19:40:20 2008 From: cgates at webformixair.com (Charles R. Gates) Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2008 19:40:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] Osprey Message-ID: Nancy MacDonald just called from Prineville to report an Osprey on the Crooked River south of town. The bird was with a Bald Eagle at a deer carcass. She did not notice the bird feeding. This is the 3rd Osprey in Central Oregon in the last few weeks. Chuck Gates Powell Butte No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 1/6/2008 11:57 AM From mberetta at att.net Sun Jan 6 21:04:33 2008 From: mberetta at att.net (mberetta at att.net) Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:04:33 +0000 Subject: [obol] Summary: Image Stabilizing Binoculars Message-ID: <010720080504.21290.4781B2E1000CEEE20000532A22230680329B0A02D29B9B0EBF0E9B9B0A9D0A0D03@att.net> Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for information and experience with Image Stabilizing (IS) Binoculars. The following is a summary of the feedback: All responses were positive on using the IS binoculars. Steadying hand-shaking allowed a clearer view of birds with a higher magnification than the usual field binoculars. One person even uses their IS from a moving car to view wildlife. Use of the IS on pelagic trips was mixed (hand-shaking is different than 8 foot swells). Canon was the only type commented on (with the exception of a positive experience with discontinued Zeiss 20x60 which actually work without batteries). The Canon 12 x 36 IS was the most popular by far. In addition, one each for Canon 10x30 and 15x50. The IS feature apparently makes problems with higher magnification somewhat irrelivant, with weight and field of vision more important factors in the decision of how powerful. It was interesting that the weather-worthiness of the Canons was a mixed experience. Some folks have not had any problem with water in rain or pelagic trips; while others had, and warned not to believe the "waterproof" claims. The issue experienced with water was fogging internally which required several days to dry out or even needed professional cleaning. It was not apparent whether different models were involved in these varied experiences, or whether there are newer models where Canon has fixed the problem. Several people mentioned the extra weight of the binoculars as an issue (but the stability of the IS seems to outweigh [pun intended] the inconvenience). Another issue is having to carry around batteries in the field. Depending on degree of usage, the estimate was between one and two days on a pair of AA batteries. Other areas of caution to consider were: adequate optics (not top-of-the-line); less bright in lower-light conditions; longer focus distance and smaller feld of view making the higher magnification harder for normal birding in foliage. Finally, several of those responding were also photography buffs who owned IS camera lenses as well (with great results in telephoto pictures). If you desire to protect the binocular optics, a recommendation was made to screw on inexpensive neutral camera filters which are easy to replace should they inadvertently get scratched in the field. Two birders specifically mentioned suggestions for purchasing the Canon 12 x 36 IS: buy.com and buydig.com. Googling found many references for price shopping. Thank-you again to everyone who replied to my email. Marshall Beretta -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/6b1de84d/attachment.htm From ethaus at aol.com Mon Jan 7 06:13:44 2008 From: ethaus at aol.com (ethaus at aol.com) Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:13:44 -0500 Subject: [obol] Columbia Birders Message-ID: <8CA1F4EA5DE2DCC-1350-79E5@MBLK-M19.sysops.aol.com> Can anyone tell me if the Columbia Birders still gather for a walk the first Saturday, 8am, at the Maritime Museum in Astoria?? Their schedule used to be in the Warbler (Portland Audubon) but hasn't been included for the last two or three years.? It was always a fun trip and a good reason to stay overnight in Astoria as I recall. Ed Hausafus Eagle Creek (Clackamas Co.) ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/bda1fca9/attachment.htm From grassjb at msn.com Mon Jan 7 09:09:38 2008 From: grassjb at msn.com (Jeff Grass) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:09:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] bird guide in Oaxaca, Mexico Message-ID: Obol, I was in Oaxaca, Mexico, over Christmas and spent a great day afield with an excellent local bird guide. I saw 90 species for the day, including 19 Mexican endemics and 6 hummingbird sp., as we birded from the valley floor (@5000' elev) to 9000' up in the mountains nearby. He considered that a bit below average; the CBC record for Oaxaca city is about 350 sp. Roque speaks excellent English, is a very knowledgeable guide, and a charming man to be with. He has a 4wd Jeep Wagoneer and will pick you up at your lodging any place near Oaxaca ciy. If you're going to be in that area, I recommend him highly. He also guides longer trips to other parts of Oaxaca state (which has about 750 sp. total). He will happily tailor your outing to suit your particular interests. Apparently he is very busy during the peak tourist season there (late-Dec through March), so be sure to contact him in advance. His name is Roque Antonio, address: Av. Juarez 59, Teotitlan del Valle, 70420 Oaxaca, Mexico. Phone: (951) 524-4371. email: roque_antonio740 at hotmail.com web: www.mexonline.com/econtours.htm Good birding, Jeff Grass -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/78522f6e/attachment.htm From jbw at oregoncoast.com Mon Jan 7 09:29:18 2008 From: jbw at oregoncoast.com (Barbara & John Woodhouse) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:29:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] Loons Message-ID: I have a question for the many Loon experts out there. We have watched videos of all the Loons in slow motion and have noticed that the bump on their foreheads deflates immediatly before diving. We are wondering if this is a sack or just feathers flattened. We have seen it on 5 Loon species including the Arctic. Also if it is a sack is it for salt glands or...? Barbara & John Woodhouse Tillamook From winkg at hevanet.com Mon Jan 7 09:32:18 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:32:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] bird guide in Oaxaca, Mexico Message-ID: <20080107173122.5A7931500E8@smtp4.oregonstate.edu> I will happily second Jeff's recommendation of Roque Antonio as a birdguide in Oaxaca. I'll add, too, that he can combine birding with craft shopping and sightseeing in the central valley of Oaxaca to entertain a non-birding spouse. Great guy and guide! Wink Gross Portland From nelsoncheek at charter.net Mon Jan 7 09:42:05 2008 From: nelsoncheek at charter.net (WALTER NELSON) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:42:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Newport area - uncommon birds Message-ID: <20080107173455.QDHV14098.aarprv06.charter.net@D9FD2761> The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW (previously reported to OBOL on Saturday) was seen again yesterday morning by the Bend Birders. It is hanging around near the wooden shelter by the edge of the marsh, HMSC nature trail. Chuck Philo called at 9AM today to say he was looking at a WESTERN SCRUB JAY at NE 7th St. in Newport, by the Cash&Carry. A count week bird for us. ______________________ Rebecca Cheek nelsoncheek AT charter.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/a7ace9cf/attachment.htm From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Mon Jan 7 09:39:58 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:39:58 -0800 Subject: [obol] Another Eugene MOUNTAIN DEE Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801070939y477775abwd123367089e5ebcb@mail.gmail.com> Obol, Just now, outside the EMU (lunchroom) on University St and 14th, I heard then saw a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE in a large mixed flock. Not bad with out binoculars. I must of looked a little crazy to the passing by students as I stood there pishing under the spruce the flock was in. The flock also contained GC KINGLET, BUSHTIT, CHESTNUT-BACKED DEE (did not see or hear BC), and TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. Now off to my 10 o'clock class. -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/6151c664/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Mon Jan 7 11:22:23 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 11:22:23 -0800 Subject: [obol] Loons In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Barbara and John, It's my observation that this is a flattening or the crown plumage that takes place on (probably) all diving birds prior to diving. I really think the entire plumage is compacted prior to diving and not just the crown feathers, as it's a way to reduce the amount of air in the plumage to minimize flotation, or to make it even possible to submerge. I have observed fuzzy grebe chicks trying to dive, only to get their heads under water while their tiny feet paddled frantically and aimlessly. Larry -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara & John Woodhouse Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 9:29 AM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Loons I have a question for the many Loon experts out there. We have watched videos of all the Loons in slow motion and have noticed that the bump on their foreheads deflates immediatly before diving. We are wondering if this is a sack or just feathers flattened. We have seen it on 5 Loon species including the Arctic. Also if it is a sack is it for salt glands or...? Barbara & John Woodhouse Tillamook _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From tlove at linfield.edu Mon Jan 7 11:57:56 2008 From: tlove at linfield.edu (Thomas Love) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 11:57:56 -0800 Subject: [obol] poking around Yamhill Co; Turkey Vulture Message-ID: <48AAF0D003D67944931DDDC72D022F120C2CC6E5@exchangedb.wfo.linfield.edu> Poked around central Yamhill County this morning for a few hours, mostly just getting out, finding year birds. Was surprised to see a soaring TURKEY VULTURE about a mile east of Whiteson, I think this is the first mid-winter TV I've ever seen in Oregon. Also saw a MERLIN dash across 99W in downtown Newberg. On a larid note - the large flock of large gulls just SW on Hwy. 18 of the RV place (on SW side of McMinnville) is easily viewable from the pull-in (dangerous to park on the shoulder of this very busy highway). This morning it was quite easy to locate GLAUCOUS (2 immatures), WESTERN (one nicely marked adult), THAYER'S, HERRING and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS as well as a dozen or so COMMON RAVENS. There were probably some Californias mixed in as well but I didn't see any. MaryAnn - your ship has come in! Tom Love tlove at linfield.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/ccda8448/attachment.htm From contopus at telus.net Mon Jan 7 12:23:22 2008 From: contopus at telus.net (Wayne Weber) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 12:23:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Vancouver, BC RBA for January 6, 2008 Message-ID: <0bb401c8516b$2654c7a0$72fe56e0$@net> This is Wayne Weber with the Vancouver Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Sunday, January 6th, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited, with stores in Vancouver and North Vancouver. This update was recorded at 11 AM on January 7th. The RBA telephone number is (604) 737-3074. If you have a report, please leave your name, telephone number, date, and location of your sighting at the end of this recording, including numbers of birds seen wherever possible. To skip the recording and leave your message, press the pound sign on your phone and begin speaking after the tone. RARE BIRD ALERT (out of town) for an ARCTIC LOON which has been photographed and seen regularly from December 9 through January 5 at Brownsmead, just east of Astoria, OR. For updates, check the transcripts of the "OBOL" e-mail group at http://www.birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html Sightings for Sunday, January 6th The CLARK'S GREBE was still present with several WESTERN GREBES near the Westham Island bridge over Canoe Pass, as were two MUTE SWANS. Birds reported from the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta included 17 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 7 CEDAR WAXWINGS, an immature GLAUCOUS GULL, two AMERICAN BITTERNS, 3 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 2 SANDHILL CRANES, and 4 VIRGINIA RAILS. The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was still present at St. John's College on the west side of the University of BC campus in Vancouver. The HARRIS'S SPARROW was seen by several observers along 188th Street in Surrey, south of 8th Avenue, and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was also seen at 442 188th Street. Five MARBLED GODWITS were on the east side of Blackie Spit in Surrey. Forty AMERICAN PIPITS and 2 AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were seen in and near the pumpkin field on 72nd Street in Delta, north of 36th Avenue. A SNOW BUNTING was seen along the Tsawwassen ferry jetty in Delta, and the WILLET was present as usual near the base of the jetty. Sightings for Saturday, January 5th A flock of 19 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were seen at Shoreline Park on Burrard Inlet in Port Moody. Sightings for Friday, January 4th The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen again at St. John's College on the University of BC campus. At Blackie Spit in Surrey, a LONG-BILLED CURLEW, 6 MARBLED GODWITS, and a WESTERN SANDPIPER were seen. Sightings for Thursday, January 3rd The CLARK'S GREBE at Canoe Pass and the HARRIS'S SPARROW at 188th Street near 8th Avenue in Surrey were both seen again. At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, 15 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS, 3 COMMON REDPOLLS, and 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS were seen. Sightings for Wednesday, January 2nd At Canoe Pass (a channel of the Fraser River), near the Westham Island bridge in Delta, a CLARK'S GREBE and a drake CINNAMON TEAL were reported. Fifteen BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were still at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta. The HARRIS'S SPARROW was still present along 188th Street S of 8th Avenue in Surrey. A drake REDHEAD was seen at Surrey Lake, off 152nd Street north of 72nd Avenue in Surrey. Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were reported in the 4100 block of River Road in Delta. These are presumably different birds from the flock of 6 to 8 which have frequently been seen several miles farther east Along Highway 10 in Delta. Sightings for Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 The PRAIRIE FALCON was seen again near the foot of 72nd Street in Delta. Nearby, along the Boundary Bay dyke between 72nd and 64th, were an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, a LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and a SAVANNAH SPARROW. At a pumpkin field along 72nd Street were 33 AMERICAN PIPITS and an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW. Near the foot of 88th Street was an immature GLAUCOUS GULL and an adult WESTERN GULL. Also in Delta, the WILLET and 4 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS were seen together at the base of the Tsawwassen ferry jetty. Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were seen at the usual spot along Highway 10 in Delta west of 104th Street. In Pitt Meadows, an immature GOLDEN EAGLE was seen along Thompson Road east of Neaves Road, and an AMERICAN KESTREL was nearby. In Abbotsford, a male TOWNSEND'S WARBLER was seen in the 2000 block of Winfield Drive. Sightings for Monday, December 31st The HARRIS'S SPARROW along 188th Street in Surrey, about 150 metres south of 8th Avenue, was seen again. A female YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD was seen at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, at a feeder near the gift shop. Sightings for Sunday, December 30th A HARRIS'S SPARROW was seen along 188th Street in Surrey, about 100 metres south of 8th Avenue. At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, a "HARLAN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK, 6 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS, 5 SANDHILL CRANES, 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS, and 12 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen. In Surrey, a drake REDHEAD was seen with CANVASBACKS at Surrey Lake Park on 152nd Street, and 7 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen near the intersection of 160th Street and 48th Avenue. Two RUSTY BLACKBIRDS were seen in a large blackbird flock along Bell Road in the Matsqui Prairie area of Abbotsford. In Port Moody, an AMERICAN DIPPER was seen along Noon Creek. Sightings for Saturday, December 29th A third-winter SLATY-BACKED GULL was seen along 68th Street in Delta, not far south of River Road. Near Boundary Bay in Delta, a GYRFALCON was seen along 112th Street south of Highway 99, and 7 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were seen with TRUMPETER SWANS near John Oliver Park, north of Highway 99 and east of 112th. Birds reported from the Reifel Bird Sanctuary included 5 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS along Fuller Slough, 5 SANDHILL CRANES, 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS and 20 CEDAR WAXWINGS. Four BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS were seen along the Tsawwassen ferry jetty in Delta, 3 SURFBIRDS were at the ferry terminal, and the WILLET was at the base of the jetty. Six EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES were along Highway 10 in Delta between 96th and 104th Streets. Mud Bay Road (40th Avenue) in Surrey, west of Highway 99, produced an immature GYRFALCON, 5 SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and 20 CACKLING GEESE. Sightings for Friday, December 28th At least 20 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were seen feeding on crabapples at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta. No sightings reported for December 27th Sightings for Wednesday, December 26th A GYRFALCON was seen and photographed along 40th Avenue (Mud Bay Road) in Surrey, west of Highway 99. Outside the Vancouver area, an ARCTIC LOON was reported from Quadra Island. No sightings reported for Monday, December 24th or 25th Sightings for Sunday, December 23rd The BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen again in Nanoose Bay. The Ladner Christmas Bird Count, held under somewhat rainy and windy conditions, tallied at least 138 bird species. Highlights included: A SLATY-BACKED GULL and 2 GLAUCOUS GULLS at the Burns Bog landfill. (Please note that the landfill is not normally open to birders, but rare gulls can sometimes be seen among gull flocks in nearby fields.) Two EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES along Highway 10 between 96th and 104th Streets in Delta. Nine MUTE SWANS, mostly along Canoe Pass near the Westham Island bridge. A LONG-EARED OWL, 2 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS, 5 SANDHILL CRANES, and 21 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Three HUTTON'S VIREOS and a RHINOCEROS AUKLET at Point Roberts, Washington. Eight BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS on the Tsawwassen ferry jetty, and the wintering WILLET at the base of the jetty. Sightings for Saturday, December 22nd A BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER was seen coming to a feeder in the 2400 block of Cross Road, near the library in Nanoose Bay, between Nanaimo and Parksville on Vancouver Island. Sightings for Friday, December 21st The NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was seen again in the quadrangle at St. John's College at the University of BC in Vancouver, and also across the road on the W side of NW Marine Drive. In North Vancouver, a BLACK OYSTERCATCHER and a LINCOLN'S SPARROW were seen at the Maplewood Conservation Area in North Vancouver. Seven AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were seen along the Boundary Bay dyke just east of 72nd Street in Delta, plus one more in a pumpkin field along 72nd Street. A GLAUCOUS GULL was reported from the Boundary Bay dyke between 80th and 88th Streets in Delta. If you have any questions about birds or birding in the Vancouver area, please call Wayne at 604-597-7201, Viveka at 604-531-3401, or Larry at 604-465-1402. Thank you for calling the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert, and good birding. For further information about birding in the Vancouver area, log onto the Vancouver Natural History Society website at http://naturevancouver.ca Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus at telus.net From vireogirl at yahoo.com Mon Jan 7 12:51:41 2008 From: vireogirl at yahoo.com (Vjera Thompson) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 12:51:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Springfield E Wigeon Message-ID: <685937.24124.qm@web56310.mail.re3.yahoo.com> OBOLers, Eddie and I went for a walk at lunchtime today at Island Park (Springfield, Lane County). Notable was a SPOTTED SANDPIPER up on the grass due to the high river, and a male EURASIAN WIGEON (a first for me at this park). Complete list on birdnotes.net. Vjera & Eddie Thompson Eugene, OR vireogirl at yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From hnehls at teleport.com Mon Jan 7 13:12:57 2008 From: hnehls at teleport.com (Harry Nehls) Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:12:57 -0800 Subject: [obol] White Pelican Message-ID: Obolers, There was a White Pelican this morning floating around in Westmoreland Park in Portland. That park seems to attract all kinds of odd birds. Harry Nehls Portland, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/a5fec70b/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Mon Jan 7 13:26:51 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 13:26:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] OR Listing website is up; Feb 7 deadline Message-ID: <372982.65033.qm@web39501.mail.mud.yahoo.com> The website is up and running; thanks to Ray Korpi! It's that time of year again! See the form in the latest issue of Oregon Birds for the categories and thresholds. Refer to "ABA Recording Rules" for what is or is not countable. (See: http://www.americanbirding.org/resources/reslistru2.htm for the rules and interpretation of them) There are 3 ways to submit your 2007 Oregon listing results: -Use the form in the latest issue of Oregon Birds and snail mail it to me. -Enter them at the listing website: http://thor.clark.edu/korprt/ListHome.htm (Do not be concerned that the years shown on the year list results say 2002--I'll know that you're sending 2007 results.) -Email them directly to me. If county listing results are included, please list them ALPHABETICALLY by county. I acknowledge receipt of results sent by email or via the website. (Note: If you enter both life and year results on the web you should receive acknowledgement of both.) The deadline is now FEBRUARY 7th due to my delay with the website. Jamie Simmons Corvallis woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/4c69e355/attachment.htm From bwegener8 at comcast.net Mon Jan 7 13:54:46 2008 From: bwegener8 at comcast.net (Brian Wegener) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 13:54:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] Gull trying to drown Bufflehead in Yaquina Bay Message-ID: <000b01c85177$ebd39810$6401a8c0@your4105e587b6> It was only a simulated drowning. The gull was trying to get some information out of the Bufflehead. It wouldn't qualify as torture under the current regime. (I know. I am bad. No need to take up obol bandwidth to spank me.) ;^} BW -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/114b51b3/attachment.htm From gv32 at cornell.edu Mon Jan 7 14:15:33 2008 From: gv32 at cornell.edu (Gerrit Vyn) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 17:15:33 -0500 Subject: [obol] (no subject) Message-ID: Greetings, I am an audio producer at the Cornell lab of Ornithology and am interested in hearing whether Oregon and Washington birders prefer bird audio CDs with or without voice announcements and why. Voice announcements are the spoken bird names of bird species which precede the birds vocalizations on a CD. In responding, please also include you level of birding experience (ie. beginner, casual, backyard, advanced, expert). Please respond to me off list at gv32 at cornell.edu. Thank you for you time. Gerrit -- ~~~ Gerrit Vyn Production Engineer Macaulay Library - Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 254-2436 gv32 at cornell.edu Our Mission: "To interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds." ~~~ From tshelmerdine at yahoo.com Mon Jan 7 15:06:34 2008 From: tshelmerdine at yahoo.com (Tim Shelmerdine) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 15:06:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon on Sunday Message-ID: <861378.7937.qm@web62101.mail.re1.yahoo.com> The Brownsmead area Arctic Loon was easily seen in nice sunlight around 11:00 yesterday morning. It was on the Pentilla Lane side of the slough, about 200 yards west of the Barendse Bridge. I owe a debt of thanks to all who kept posting sightings of this bird. Tim ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/ea425e56/attachment.htm From mimz607 at epud.net Mon Jan 7 15:06:05 2008 From: mimz607 at epud.net (mimz607 at epud.net) Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:06:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Petersons Guide Insert In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1199747165.4782b05d05ff7@www.epud.net> Happy New Year OBOLists, I lost my Peterson's guide this summer and finally bought a new guide. I can't find the index insert you could buy to put in the front and then have the red dots on the corresponding pages. Does anyone know where to purchase one of those or if there might be something new and improved out there? Marcia Maffei N Eugene From birdboy at bkpix.com Mon Jan 7 16:26:08 2008 From: birdboy at bkpix.com (Noah Strycker) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 16:26:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] Benton Co. 1/7 Message-ID: Hi Birders, Philomath Raptor Run: 13 - RED-TAILED HAWK 13 - AMERICAN KESTREL 3 - NORTHERN HARRIER 1 - MERLIN - Blair Rd 1 - ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK - Decker Rd 1 - WHITE-TAILED KITE - Decker Rd 1 - COOPER'S HAWK - Airport Rd 1 - SHARP-SHINNED HAWK - Decker Rd Finley Refuge Rd: 1 - LEWIS' WOODPECKER 2 - ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 1 - EURASIAN WIGEON Stow Pit Rd: 1 - WESTERN GREBE in flooded field Good birding, Noah Strycker -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/182ba1e6/attachment.htm From dicka at ashlandhome.net Mon Jan 7 16:55:24 2008 From: dicka at ashlandhome.net (Dick Ashford) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 16:55:24 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yaquina Bay gull drowning bufflehead In-Reply-To: <007301c8509f$aadd4870$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> Message-ID: <005501c85191$2913a440$6501a8c0@LAPTOP> I have observed similar behavior on two occasions in northern CA. In the first case, the gull was a Western Gull and the duck was a female Bufflehead. The Bufflehead did not escape. The second instance involved a Glaucous-winged Gull and a female Common Goldeneye, who made it to safety as a group of us watched through scopes. Cheers, Dick Dick Ashford Board President Klamath Bird Observatory P.O. Box 758 Ashland, OR 97520 Ph: (541) 482-0396 (h) www.klamathbird.org -----Original Message----- From: Karan & Jim Fairchild [mailto:alderspr at peak.org] Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 12:07 PM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Yaquina Bay gull drowning bufflehead We visited Yaquina Bay during the CBC count day (Jan 5, 08) and were able to add an EARED GREBE to the South Jetty area count, but wanted to report one behavior we're not familiar with: An adult Glaucous-winged Gull was making a ruckous calling while another floating nearby held a female bufflehead under its breast, apparently attempting to drown it. The bufflehead managed to largely keep its head above water anyway. Several changes of grip didn't help the gull, and it worked its way to shore, walking a ways bearing the struggling duck while trying to dispatch it. The duck escaped twice, but was quickly recaptured. It escaped again, this time when the gull was distracted by the other gull and two crows sailing in from overhead. The duck rapidly ran/flapped away and then swam along shore at least not acutely injured, and the gull soon returned to the last escape point. It did not seem to see the escapee not far away along the shore. The drama apparently ended there--gull smarts only go so far. Jim (and Karan) Fairchild From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 7 17:45:50 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 01:45:50 +0000 Subject: [obol] Favorite 2007 bird, mammal, and scenic images Message-ID: Hi all, I uploaded my favorite bird, mammal, and scenic images for 2007. I was extremely lucky in 2007 to see so many wonderful critters in some amazing settings. Capturing their beauty was always a fun challenge! It is difficult to pick a favorite image or moment. However, seeing a black wolf up close, staring in my soul was simply amazing! Another favorite moment was pursuing a flock of rock ptarmigans while running along the rocky tundra with my flimsy, flip-flops. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&page=all OR if you want to see a slideshow presentation. Just click below, sit back and relax! http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&view=slideshow Hope you will be able to get out and witness similar experiences in this great NW setting. We should feel very fortunate to live in such a spectacular area! The opportunities for exploration are limitless. Happy New Year and Good birding to you! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/86866ed3/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 7 17:45:55 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 01:45:55 +0000 Subject: [obol] Favorite 2007 bird, mammal, and scenic images Message-ID: Hi all, I uploaded my favorite bird, mammal, and scenic images for 2007. I was extremely lucky in 2007 to see so many wonderful critters in some amazing settings. Capturing their beauty was always a fun challenge! It is difficult to pick a favorite image or moment. However, seeing a black wolf up close, staring in my soul was simply amazing! Another favorite moment was pursuing a flock of rock ptarmigans while running along the rocky tundra with my flimsy, flip-flops.http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&page=allOR if you want to see a slideshow presentation. Just click below, sit back and relax!http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&view=slideshow Hope you will be able to get out and witness similar experiences in this great NW setting. We should feel very fortunate to live in such a spectacular area! The opportunities for exploration are limitless. Happy New Year and Good birding to you!Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/fa4f402f/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 7 17:49:52 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 01:49:52 +0000 Subject: [obol] Favorite images for 2007 (Resend-Sorry!!) Message-ID: Hi all, I uploaded my favorite bird, mammal, and scenic images for 2007. I was extremely lucky in 2007 to see so many wonderful critters in some amazing settings. Capturing their beauty was always a fun challenge! It is difficult to pick a favorite image or moment. However, seeing a black wolf up close, staring in my soul was simply amazing! Another favorite moment was pursuing a flock of rock ptarmigans while running along the rocky tundra with my flimsy, flip-flops. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&page=all OR if you want to see a slideshow presentation. Just click below, sit back and relax! http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&view=slideshow Hope you will be able to get out and witness similar experiences in this great NW setting. We should feel very fortunate to live in such a spectacular area! The opportunities for exploration are limitless. Happy New Year and Good birding to you! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 7 17:49:58 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 01:49:58 +0000 Subject: [obol] Favorite images for 2007 (Resend-Sorry!!) Message-ID: Hi all, I uploaded my favorite bird, mammal, and scenic images for 2007. I was extremely lucky in 2007 to see so many wonderful critters in some amazing settings. Capturing their beauty was always a fun challenge! It is difficult to pick a favorite image or moment. However, seeing a black wolf up close, staring in my soul was simply amazing! Another favorite moment was pursuing a flock of rock ptarmigans while running along the rocky tundra with my flimsy, flip-flops. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&page=all OR if you want to see a slideshow presentation. Just click below, sit back and relax! http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&view=slideshow Hope you will be able to get out and witness similar experiences in this great NW setting. We should feel very fortunate to live in such a spectacular area! The opportunities for exploration are limitless. Happy New Year and Good birding to you! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/82074bcb/attachment.htm From paul at furzwo.com Mon Jan 7 23:11:18 2008 From: paul at furzwo.com (Paul Buescher) Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 23:11:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] ARLO Message-ID: <047901c851c5$aad9d970$6501a8c0@paul> Obolers, I arrived at Blind Slough around 1200 7 Jan 08 to find no loons. So, with big lens on tripod began photographing the grebes that were most cooperative. By 1400 only the Red-throated had made an appearance. That led to the now famous drive around the farm land to see what else was out there; most outstanding was the flock of Starlings that rival any flock on the Interstate Bridge. 1445 and back to Pentilla Rd where ARLO was abeam the blue house ( this is a few hundred meters plus a couple of yards west of the bridge) at the right turn. I would say this bird is catching everything that swims by. Of approx. 15 attempts the success rate approached 90%. No rain, light wind, some sun which of course had all the birds back lit. Fashionable late is better than a no show. Warm Regards Paul -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080107/b65ee094/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 8 06:34:37 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 06:34:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Emperor Goose- NO Message-ID: <753714.32457.qm@web45115.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I forgot to post that this past Sunday, the 6th, I could not relocate the Emperor Goose at Dean's Creek east of Reedsport. I was also there very late in the PM (just at dark) on the 3rd and could not find it either. It is possible I missed it, but just thought I'd let people know it may not be around or that it may be going elsewhere? If anyone has seen it in the last few days it would be worth posting- Thanks! Happy Birding, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 8 06:37:19 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 06:37:19 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Birds Message-ID: <101483.31201.qm@web45116.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I talked to Mike Wihler last night and he saw about a half dozen swallows at Mytle Point Marsh in SE Coos County on Sunday the 6th. It was late and getting dark and he could only make out one but thought it was probably a TREE SWALLOW. That's it for now, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Tue Jan 8 08:29:01 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 08:29:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Fwd: [nwcalbird] banded sparrow sightings In-Reply-To: <00a601c84f60$9bfe5410$3902a8c0@acer2e68c49b20> References: <00a601c84f60$9bfe5410$3902a8c0@acer2e68c49b20> Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801080829s2bc81766led70102ae336016f@mail.gmail.com> Obol, I saw this on the NW CAL birds list. Probably won't see these sparrows anytime soon in Oregon, but you never know. Maybe they'll be at your feeder this April/May. Daniel ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ken Burton Date: Jan 4, 2008 10:02 PM Subject: [nwcalbird] banded sparrow sightings To: nwcalbird , RRAS I'm color-banding sparrows at various locations in McKinleyville, Arcata, and Eureka. If you see one, please notify me of the species, date, location, and color combination. The colors being used are light blue, dark blue, green, red, yellow, orange, and metal (silver). There are two bands on each leg and the metal band is always on the bottom. Please report colors in this order: left top, left bottom, right top, right bottom. Thanks for your help! Ken Burton Arcata 826-0319 __._,_.___ __,_._,___ -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/bf80fc4e/attachment.htm From winkg at hevanet.com Tue Jan 8 10:36:03 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:36:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] Portland CBC "Eagle Eye Award" Message-ID: <20080108183506.BB718150183@smtp4.oregonstate.edu> Every year the Portland Christmas Bird Count presents its "Eagle Eye Award" to the participants who spot the best bird of the count. This year, the award goes to Ry Thompson and his team (Jesse Rosenbluth, Rachel Felice, Jane Van Dyke, George Neavoll, Bill Bradford, and Dan van den Broek), who collectively gasped when an OSPREY plucked a 12" carp out of a pond right in front of them in the North Portland/Columbia Riparian region. This was only the second time an Osprey has been found on the Portland CBC during its 82-yr history. The first time was a single bird found in 1947! Congratulations Ry and "the D Team"! Wink Gross, compiler Portland Christmas Bird Count From celata at pacifier.com Tue Jan 8 12:15:18 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 12:15:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] Parakeet Aukleet at Newport? Message-ID: <4783D9B3.4A9DF098@pacifier.com> Word on the street is that a PARAKEET AUKLET was picked up in the Newport area and sent to re-habbers at the Oregon Aquarium. I may have pictures soon, but anybody who knows somebody at the aquarium may want to check into this. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From woodenapple at juno.com Tue Jan 8 12:28:26 2008 From: woodenapple at juno.com (woodenapple at juno.com) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 20:28:26 GMT Subject: [obol] Obol: Black Turnstone and R-W Blackbird juxtaposed Message-ID: <20080108.122826.5064.0@webmail22.vgs.untd.com> Greetings and Happy New Year! My wife and I were in Newport for a long weekend of R and R. Although birding wasn't the primary focus, we did get some in during the sporadic lulls in the rain. The most interesting sighting to us involved two very common species, Black Turnstone and Red-winged Blackbird. I managed a photo at the gull puddle of these two species together. There was also a single Dunlin on the periphery but not in the picture. Rudi _____________________________________________________________ Fast Computer Training. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2121/fc/Ioyw6i3mAUDGafIs3Vh3eoqFuLVvtxTIvlgGzW6usNn0DKv0golQ07/ From gv32 at cornell.edu Tue Jan 8 12:31:47 2008 From: gv32 at cornell.edu (Gerrit Vyn) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 15:31:47 -0500 Subject: [obol] Voice announcements on CDs Message-ID: Hello everyone, Thanks to all of you that provided your input to my query yesterday regarding voice announcements on bird Cds. I'm sorry that I can't reply to each of your thoughtful e-mails individually. As I suspected, there are many opinions on both sides. We'll be looking into pricing options that may satisfy both camps. Good birding, Gerrit -- ~~~ Gerrit Vyn Production Engineer Macaulay Library - Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 254-2436 gv32 at cornell.edu Our Mission: "To interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds." ~~~ From willclemons at yahoo.com Tue Jan 8 13:43:40 2008 From: willclemons at yahoo.com (Bill Clemons) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 13:43:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Portland CBC "Eagle Eye Award" Message-ID: <753872.75405.qm@web55107.mail.re4.yahoo.com> Hi Wink, Being a CBC compiler is a task that is certainly privately, appreciated by all participants, but seldom lauded by any. I hereby Thank you, Wink Gross! I also Thank All CBC Compilers (from section compilers to entire count circle compilers) for accepting the task. Well Done to All! How about adding another Award: Best Count Week Bird (perhaps new annual category to point out the importance of, and rules for "Count Week" Species): Awarded in 2007/2008 to Harry Nehls, or whomever first saw the "Count Week" White Pelican at Westmreland Park of all places! Bill Clemons SW of Portland in Mtn Park Willclemons AT Yahoo dot com ****************************************************** Subject: White Pelican From: Harry Nehls Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:12:57 -0800 Obolers, There was a White Pelican this morning floating around in Westmoreland Park in Portland. That park seems to attract all kinds of odd birds. Harry Nehls Portland, Oregon ********************************************* Subject: Portland CBC "Eagle Eye Award" From: Wink Gross Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:36:03 -0800 Every year the Portland Christmas Bird Count presents its "Eagle Eye Award" to the participants who spot the best bird of the count. This year, the award goes to Ry Thompson and his team (Jesse Rosenbluth, Rachel Felice, Jane Van Dyke, George Neavoll, Bill Bradford, and Dan van den Broek), who collectively gasped when an OSPREY plucked a 12" carp out of a pond right in front of them in the North Portland/Columbia Riparian region. This was only the second time an Osprey has been found on the Portland CBC during its 82-yr history. The first time was a single bird found in 1947! Congratulations Ry and "the D Team"! Wink Gross, compiler Portland Christmas Bird Count ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From willclemons at yahoo.com Tue Jan 8 13:58:29 2008 From: willclemons at yahoo.com (Bill Clemons) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 13:58:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] OOPS! Re: Portland CBC "Eagle Eye Award" Message-ID: <615013.81640.qm@web55103.mail.re4.yahoo.com> OOPS! After reading Wink's post about the Portland CBC "Eagle Eye Award", I went straight to typing in my hurry to nominate for a new award for "Count Week" bird. I should have first used my fingers and thumbs to count the number of days from Dec 29, 2007 until Jan 7, 2008. Oh well, it is still a good idea in my opinion, but the WHITE PELICAN at Westmoreland Park would not qualify. Sorry Harry. Bill Clemons SW of Portland in Mtn Park Willclemons AT Yahoo dot com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From willclemons at yahoo.com Tue Jan 8 14:23:16 2008 From: willclemons at yahoo.com (Bill Clemons) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 14:23:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] OOPS! AGAIN!! RE my previous post Message-ID: <703308.40898.qm@web55106.mail.re4.yahoo.com> RE: OOPS! Re: Portland CBC "Eagle Eye Award" I guess I was right first, then wrong second. My head hurts. This is too much calculating. I participated in the Ridgefield NWR CBC on Dec 29, but the Portland (Lake Oswego section) on Jan 5. Therefore the White Pelican at Westmoreland would qualify as a Portland "Wonder". WARNING: This is what can happen when you have too much time on your hands. Bill Clemons SW of Portland in Mtn Park Willclemons AT Yahoo dot com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com Tue Jan 8 14:34:59 2008 From: shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com (Shawneen Finnegan) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 14:34:59 -0800 Subject: [obol] Whistling Wonder: Patrick Dugan Message-ID: <6AC7E6B2-2B09-4477-B1FF-332883B0AA67@gmail.com> This is a must listen of a master bird whistler. I met Patrick Dugan years ago when I lived back east. Patrick and Frank Gallo drove down to New Jersey to chase a rare bird where I was first introduced to Patrick's skillful whistling of a Winter Wren's song. I was flabbergasted. Both Frank and Patrick are long-time birders who live in Connecticut. Here is the link: http://www.wfcr.org/field_notes/index.html or the direct link http://www.wfcr.org/field_notes/relationships/071231_FN_bird_whistler.mp3 Enjoy. Shawneen Finnergan Portland, Oregon From greg at thebirdguide.com Tue Jan 8 15:29:07 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 15:29:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] LAYSAN ALBATROSS trips: March 1 & April 19 Message-ID: <20080108152907.07i2c0hjc4sg4kkc@webmail.thebirdguide.com> Friends, Two Perpetua Bank pelagic trips from Newport, Oregon, this spring target LAYSAN ALBATROSSES. The first is March 1, and is only 7 weeks away and confirmed with the charter. About a dozen spaces remain. Based on the recent signup rate this trip will fill in about 2 weeks, or so. Rarities and target birds on March Perpetua Bank trips: LAYSAN ALBATROSS (2001, 2003, 2006, 2007) SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS (2001, 2006) FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (2002, 2006) SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (2001, 2003, 2006, 2007) MANX SHEARWATER (2003) LEACH'S STORM-PETREL (2001) ANCIENT MURRELET (2001, 2002, 2003) HORNED PUFFIN (2007) March 2006 photo trip report: http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/archive/03182006.htm March 2007 photo trip report: http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/archive/03252007.htm Though we were over part of the present route in April 1995, we have never had an official Perpetua Bank trip in April. There will be more expected regular species, and the chance for rarities is just as good as March, or better. LAYSAN ALBATROSSES are seen on about 75% of trips from January to early May. Because we really want to get out there, we will, if necessary, use profits saved from last year to fund this trip. Thus, it will not cancel due to insufficient signup. Annotated checklist of seabirds at Perpetua Bank: http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/annotated_checklist.htm Oregon semi-monthly seabird abundance list: http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/bar_chart.htm The advertised price for both of these 11-hour trips is $155, but there are "early signup discounts" of up to $20 per person available (while they last) on the April 19 trip. Preparation, terms & conditions: http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/newport_preparation_tradewinds.htm Please visit our web site for more information and reservations: http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/ Looking forward to some exciting seabirding this spring! Greg Gillson The Bird Guide, Inc. greg at thebirdguide.com From banjsmith at yahoo.com Tue Jan 8 16:02:55 2008 From: banjsmith at yahoo.com (William Smith) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 16:02:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Thank you, Khan! Message-ID: <996828.75892.qm@web57309.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Hi Khan! It is no surprise how you beautifully captured these elusive, and difficult-to-spot birds. We were fortunate to have you as our guide in the Wallowas last spring. You blew us away with your uncanny skills to spot, hear, and id birds at far distances. You are really a bird magnet! We, and perhaps others, are quite envious but in awe. Your images are simply beautiful! We appreciate you sharing these treasures with all of us as we vicariously follow your trip reports and adventures. Thank you for your generosity and contribution to Tweeters and OBOL. Keep up the excellent work! We look forward to seeing more. N. Jean and W. Smith (Vancouver, WA) Subject: Favorite images for 2007 (Resend-Sorry!!) From: khanh tran Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 01:49:58 +0000 Hi all, I uploaded my favorite bird, mammal, and scenic images for 2007. I was extremely lucky in 2007 to see so many wonderful critters in some amazing settings. Capturing their beauty was always a fun challenge! It is difficult to pick a favorite image or moment. However, seeing a black wolf up close, staring in my soul was simply amazing! Another favorite moment was pursuing a flock of rock ptarmigans while running along the rocky tundra with my flimsy, flip-flops. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&page=all OR if you want to see a slideshow presentation. Just click below, sit back and relax! http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/favorite_images_2007&view=slideshow Hope you will be able to get out and witness similar experiences in this great NW setting. We should feel very fortunate to live in such a spectacular area! The opportunities for exploration are limitless. Happy New Year and Good birding to you! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/a81daf06/attachment.htm From oschmidt at att.net Tue Jan 8 17:09:53 2008 From: oschmidt at att.net (Owen Schmidt) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 17:09:53 -0800 Subject: [obol] BAIKAL TEAL in Oregon (not an RBA) Message-ID: ......... 2 photos taken by Dave Holland, forwarded by Daniel Farrar, of the Baikal Teal taken at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, West Coyote Unit, in Lane County, 31 December 2007, may be viewed here: http://web.mac.com/olschmidt/BATE/Index.html oschmidt at att.net Tuesday, January 8, 2008 From rneyer at gmail.com Tue Jan 8 17:14:06 2008 From: rneyer at gmail.com (Rob Neyer) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 17:14:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] BAIKAL TEAL in Oregon (not an RBA) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Most definitely not an RBA, though next time you might want to offer a DBA (Dead Bird Alert) to the sensitive among us... -rob On Jan 8, 2008 5:09 PM, Owen Schmidt wrote: > > ......... 2 photos taken by Dave Holland, forwarded by Daniel Farrar, > of the Baikal Teal taken at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, West Coyote > Unit, in Lane County, 31 December 2007, may be viewed here: > http://web.mac.com/olschmidt/BATE/Index.html > > oschmidt at att.net > Tuesday, January 8, 2008 > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/8e0bb93e/attachment.htm From PTWEET2005 at msn.com Tue Jan 8 20:01:51 2008 From: PTWEET2005 at msn.com (NANCY FRASER) Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 20:01:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] Off topic-bluebird monitors needed Message-ID: The Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project (PBRP) is seeking volunteers to monitor Western Bluebird trails. Monitors are trained and assigned to a trail under the tutelage of a volunteer bander. Established trails are primarily in Yamhill, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The monitoring season is from late March through August, with monitors expected to visit nestboxes at least once a week, spending 2-3 hours observing and recording information. An information and registration session is planned for early February: PBRP Spring Bluebird Information Session Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon At Champoeg State Heritage Area Visitors' Center Attend this session and learn about the Western Bluebird nesting cycle, see a video taken inside a nestbox, and have an opportunity to talk with current volunteer monitors and banders. Please contact either the PBRP telephone message line at 503 245 8449 to register or visit the website at www.prescottbluebird.com. Nancy Fraser PBRP Spring Session Coordinator -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/341ae83e/attachment.htm From warrech at earlham.edu Tue Jan 8 20:15:40 2008 From: warrech at earlham.edu (Chris Warren) Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:15:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sauvie Island, 01/08/09, White-throated Sparrow, Merlin Message-ID: I had a very good day today on Sauvie Island eventually racking up 53 species even missing a few I expected to find. On top of that I counted more species and numbers of sparrows than I think I have found yet on Sauvie. I ended up with 7 sparrow species not including towhees or juncos. The best bird of the day for me was an adult male Taiga MERLIN on North Reeder Road. The best spot was by far Rentenaar Road. Here?s a more inclusive list (not entirely complete) than I usually post because I recorded number more carefully today. I still feel the waterfowl numbers are low but pretty good in relation to each other. Sauvie Island 01/08/09 Snow Goose ? 1,065 Canada Goose ? 336 Cackling Goose ? 3,642 Tundra Swan ? 8 (Rentenaar Road) American Wigeon ? 4 Mallard ? 200 Northern Shoveler ? 25 Northern Pintail ? 785 Ring-necked Duck ? 9 Lesser Scaup ? 3 Bufflehead ? 3 Common Merganser ? 7 Ruddy Duck ? 1 CALIFORNIA QUAIL ? 3 (my first for the island) (Rentenaar Road) Western Grebe ? 7 Double-crested Cormorant ? 26 Great Egret ? 2 Bald Eagle ? 3 Northern Harrier ? 9 (an amazing 6 along Rentenaar alone) Red-tailed Hawk ? 6 American Kestrel ? 5 MERLIN ? 1 (adult male Taiga race on North Reeder Rd.) American Coot ? 70 Sandhill Crane ? 103 Mourning Dove ? 7 White-breasted Nuthatch ? 1 (my first for the island) Marsh Wren ? 3 Spotted Towhee ? 7 Savannah Sparrow ? 6 Fox Sparrow ? 2 Song Sparrow ? 45 Lincoln?s Sparrow ? 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW ? 1 (tan-striped morph) (Rentenaar Road) White-crowned Sparrow ? 19 Golden-crowned Sparrow ? 144 (conservative) Dark-eyed Junco ? 22 Red-winged Blackbird ~ 1546 Brewer?s Blackbird ~ 1375 Brown-headed Cowbird ~ 50 (one flock) PURPLE FINCH ? 1 (Rentenaar Road) House Finch ? 12 Chris Warren Portland, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080108/9f70eeb5/attachment.htm From sshunk at paradisebirding.com Tue Jan 8 21:31:29 2008 From: sshunk at paradisebirding.com (Stephen Shunk) Date: Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:31:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Turkey Vulture outside Sisters In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20080109053129.821A41484@arkroyal.cnchost.com> Hello all, Sorry for the late report, but Cami Masperi, Kris Falco, and I saw our first TURKEY VULTURE of the year on Saturday. The bird was sitting on a fence post and hanging out with RAVENS along Highway 20 at the scenic turnout (Plainview area). I think it's safe to say that this is the first of the year for Central Oregon. Must be plenty of dead stuff around. Steve Shunk -- Paradise Birding: Tours for Bird Lovers Sisters, Oregon USA http://www.paradisebirding.com 541-408-1753 -- From sarahp at ci.hillsboro.or.us Wed Jan 9 09:37:02 2008 From: sarahp at ci.hillsboro.or.us (Sarah Pinnock) Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 09:37:02 -0800 Subject: [obol] Banded Red-tail from PDX Arrives at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve Message-ID: Staff and volunteers at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve spotted the banded Red-tailed Hawk that was observed off Highway 26 near the Hillsboro Stadium last week. It has the bright orange tags on both wings and was spotted this morning at the south end of the Wetland. Sarah L. Pinnock Wetlands Education Specialist Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve _ ( ' )> / ) ) // " " -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080109/55be2ff6/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Wed Jan 9 14:30:57 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:30:57 -0800 Subject: [obol] Raptor Route: Lower Columbia River 1/9/2008 Message-ID: <47854AEF.9C2E7916@pacifier.com> I ran the Lower Columbia Raptor Route this morning under cloudy, but rain-free skies (3.3hrs, 66mi). Lots of BALD EAGLES. The ARCTIC LOON is still cruising Blind Slough and I FINALLY managed to find the BLACK PHOEBE which was behind the yellow house on the east of Jackson Rd. It was working the fence near the satellite dish. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Arctic Loon 1 [1] White-tailed Kite 3 Bald Eagle 20 Northern Harrier 10 Cooper's Hawk 1 Red-tailed Hawk 14 Rough-legged Hawk 1 American Kestrel 5 Peregrine Falcon 2 Pileated Woodpecker 1 Black Phoebe 1 [2] Footnotes: [1] Blind Slough [2] Yellow house at Jackson Rd Total number of species seen: 11 -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From celata at pacifier.com Wed Jan 9 15:39:30 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:39:30 -0800 Subject: [obol] How big is that Arctic Loon anyway Message-ID: <47855AF9.526BFDC6@pacifier.com> I managed a shot of the ARCTIC LOON today while it was quite close to a RED-THROATED LOON, just for scale. http://home.pacifier.com/~mpatters/obrc/arlo20080109sm10.JPG -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com North Coast Year in Review http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2007/12/review2007.html From kevinkei at webformixair.com Thu Jan 10 16:08:40 2008 From: kevinkei at webformixair.com (Kevin Smith) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:08:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Madras Raptor Route Message-ID: <4786B388.1050509@webformixair.com> Kei and I did the Madras Raptor Route today (still using lots of tissue) with the following results. 27 red-tailed Hawks 25 Am. Kestrels 13 N. Harriers (11 males) 4 Rough-legged Hawks Temp 38 deg. heavy overcast, light wind, NO snow. Kevin -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: kevinkei.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 107 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080110/33ee2b4f/attachment.vcf From m.denny at charter.net Wed Jan 9 17:21:39 2008 From: m.denny at charter.net (mike denny) Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 17:21:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Great Gray Owl Message-ID: <003701c85327$274655d0$7ebc8b4b@BLACKBIRD> Hello all, There is a Great Gray Owl just west of Milton Freewater in Umatilla county at the junction of Triangle Station Road and Triangle road. First found by Gina Miller over a week ago - I (MerryLynn) saw it an hour ago catching prey in a pasture by the skeleton of a barn. Take Stateline road west from hwy 125 - turn left on Winesap - stay right at split and go about 2 miles - turn left on Triangle Station road and left on Triangle road. It was right there but has been seen further east also. This may be the same bird that was south of Lowden, WA from Nov. 19 to Dec. 1. Beautiful bird and so fun to watch! MerryLynn ******************************************************************** Mike & MerryLynn Denny 1354 S. E. Central Ave. College Place, WA 99324 509.529.0080 (h) IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED! ******************************************************************* From larmcqueen at msn.com Wed Jan 9 19:46:11 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 19:46:11 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wed morning, Eugene Message-ID: Alton Baker Park, Day Island section. Most notable: lack of sparrows and towhees. D-c Cormorant - 10 Pied-billed Grebe - 2 Canada Goose - a few Mallard - 10 Gadwall - 2 Am. Wigeon - probably 20 Wood Duck - 2 Ring-necked Duck - 1 Bufflehead - 3 Great Blue Heron - 3 GREEN HERON - 1 Bald Eagle - 1 adult Merlin - 1 took off from its perch at 30mph and went after a siskin at 73mph !!! Ring-n. Pheasant - 1 Glaucous-winged Gull - 3 Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Flicker - 3 Downy Woodpecker - 2 Scrub Jay - 3 Crow - 20 Robin - 50 Starling - nc Black-c. Chickadee - 3 Brown Creeper - 1 Red-winged Blackbird - 20 W. Meadowlark - 8 in one flock Purple Finch - 3 House Finch - 2 Pine Siskin - flock of 40+ Golden-crowned Sparrow - 4 D-e Junco - 2 Song Sparrow House Sparrow - 12 Ellen Cantor, Don DeWitt, Don Schrouder, Kit Larsen, Roger Robb, Sylvia Maulding, Fred Chancy, George Grier, and Larry McQueen. We missed you, Paul, and hope you will be back soon! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080109/bae51191/attachment.htm From jmeredit at bendnet.com Wed Jan 9 21:27:51 2008 From: jmeredit at bendnet.com (Judy Meredith) Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 21:27:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bend - Old Mill Pond - Wednesday morning birders Message-ID: <031a01c85349$8bc3eb90$0a00a8c0@MOM> OBOL Bend birders copied the Eugene group and started some "Wednesday Morning Birding". We went along Deschutes river along the Farewell Bend Park, west side of Bend. Report is in Birdnotes under "Bend". http://birdnotes.net We chose old Mill Pond for a couple of hours of waterfowl study. The group was Marion Davidson, Kim Boddie, Don Sutherland, Sheran Wright, Howard Horvath and Judy Meredith and eventual cameo appearances by Dean Hale and Peter Low. The Hooded Mergansers had to be the stars, so very brilliant in the morning sun and so many of them, 16 in one raft and there were several smaller groups as well. Perhaps the Common Loon was the most unusual bird for that spot. Maybe the higher elevation lakes are frozen now and the river is nearly wide-open here. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): 17 Greater White-fronted Goose 2 Snow Geese Canada Geese 1 Cackling Goose American Wigeon - no Eurasian Mallard Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Common Merganser COMMON LOON Great Blue Heron Bald Eagle Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel American Coot 13 Ring-billed Gull - reports of 50 last week. Rock Dove Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Townsend's Solitaire American Robin Spotted Towhee Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco House Sparrow Total number of species seen: 27 Good birding, Judy Meredith jmeredit at bendnet.com From hnehls at teleport.com Wed Jan 9 23:25:31 2008 From: hnehls at teleport.com (Harry Nehls) Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:25:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA: Portland, OR 1-10-08 Message-ID: - RBA * Oregon * Portland * January 10, 2008 * ORPO0801.10 - birds mentioned Snow Goose ARCTIC LOON American White Pelican Great Egret Turkey Vulture Osprey Greater Yellowlegs Black-legged Kittiwake Snowy Owl Tree Swallow Bohemian Waxwing Common Yellowthroat American Tree Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow - transcript hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly) number: 503-292-6855 To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 compiler: Harry Nehls coverage: entire state Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report was made Thursday January 10. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. The ARCTIC LOON at Blind Slough in Brownsmead is still being see. Six TREE SWALLOWS were at Myrtle Point January 6. Two TREE SWALLOWS were at Seal Rock Stables south of Waldport January 3. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW is now being seen along trail at the Hatfield Science Center in South Beach. A flock of 300 SNOW GEESE were at Svenson Island east of Astoria January 5. Over a thousand SNOW GEESE are still being seen on Sauvie Island. On January 6 a flock of 38 GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 33 GREAT EGRETS were in Scappoose Bottoms. On January 5 an OSPREY was at the Portland Airport. A WHITE PELICAN was in Westmoreland Park in SE Portland January 7. A TURKEY VULTURE was south of McMinnville January 7. On January 6 a YELLOWTHROAT was at Finley NWR and a TREE SPARROW was at the Wilson WMA north of Corvallis. On January 5 a BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was at Stewart Pond in Roseburg. A BOHEMIAN WAXWING was in Ashland January 5. On January 5 a VULTURE was near Sisters. An OSPREY was south of Prineville January 6. On January 3 two SNOWY OWLS were NE of Ione. That?s it for this week. - end transcript -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080109/5901a86d/attachment.htm From winkg at hevanet.com Thu Jan 10 07:44:43 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:44:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 01/09/08 Message-ID: <20080110154345.D178C4102A6@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> Here is the summary of my morning dogwalks from NW Seblar Terrace to the Pittock Mansion for the week 01/03/07 to 01/09/08. Species in ALL CAPS were neither seen nor heard the previous week. Additional information about my dogwalk, including an archive of weekly summaries and a checklist, may be found at http://www.hevanet.com/winkg/dogwalkpage.html We did the walk 6 days this week. Species # days found (peak #, date) Cackling Goose 1 (? [heard only], 1/3) SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 1 (1, 1/9) Band-tailed Pigeon 1 (3, 1/3) Mourning Dove 5 (7, 1/9) Anna's Hummingbird 4 (4, 1/9) Downy Woodpecker 3 (2, 1/9) Hairy Woodpecker 1 (1, 1/9) Northern Flicker 4 (4, 1/3) Pileated Woodpecker 1 (1, 1/3) Golden-crowned Kinglet 3 (10, 1/3) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 (2, 1/3 & 9) Bewick's Wren 1 (1, 1/9) Winter Wren 3 (1) Hermit Thrush 2 (2, 1/9) American Robin 3 (1) Varied Thrush 5 (9, 1/6) Black-capped Chickadee 6 (25, 1/9) Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2 (10, 1/3) Red-breasted Nuthatch 2 (3, 1/3) Brown Creeper 2 (4, 1/3) Steller's Jay 6 (8, 1/3) Western Scrub-Jay 1 (1, 1/7) American Crow 2 (2, 1/3 & 9) HUTTON'S VIREO 2 (2, 1/3) House Finch 6 (15, 1/9) Pine Siskin 5 (50, 1/3) Spotted Towhee 6 (15, 1/9) Fox Sparrow 3 (1) Song Sparrow 6 (18, 1/9) Dark-eyed Junco 6 (30) In the neighborhood but not found on dogwalk: BUSHTIT Wink Gross Portland From ginnyknepper at hotmail.com Thu Jan 10 07:44:45 2008 From: ginnyknepper at hotmail.com (Ginny Knepper) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:44:45 -0800 Subject: [obol] Visiting Kauai Hawaii Message-ID: I am planning a trip to Kauai the end of this month. Looking for resources and people to hook up with during my visit. Would appreciate any contacts I could get ahold of during my stay to bird with. Ginny Knepper ginnyknepper at hotmail.com Portland, OR Ginny _________________________________________________________________ Make distant family not so distant with Windows Vista? + Windows Live?. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/digitallife/keepintouch.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_VideoChat_distantfamily_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080110/75f8582e/attachment.htm From sheilach at nwtec.com Thu Jan 10 11:18:00 2008 From: sheilach at nwtec.com (sheila chambers) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:18:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sharpie catches breakfast Message-ID: <006701c853c1$097f7280$b53f2d0c@Sheilas> LeavesAnother dim, dreary, wet day in Harbor. Many birds are stuffing their crops at the feeders. Suddenly they flee, all but one. A young Sharpie has landed on the far side of the feeder shelter, then it hops on top and looks through the branches covering the frame, then it hops down to the other side and peers through as a small bird scuttles over to the other side of the feeder shelter. The Sharpie hops to the other side then back as the deadly 'game' of cat and mouse continues. The young bird finally made an fatal error by trying to sneak out the other side of the feeder shelter, the Sharpie plunged through the gaps in the branches and after some fancy foot work came up with a unfortunate young White-crowned sparrow. The young Sharpie had caught breakfast. When there was a pause in the endless pouring rain, I added more leaves and branches to the shelter to make it more Sharpie resistant. Also at the feeders today were three WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, WHITE-CROWNED, FOX, GOLD-CROWNED, LINCOLN and SONG SPARROWS, 'OREGON' JUNCOS, SPOTTED TOWHEES, PINE SISKINS, AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, BLACK-CAPPED and CHESTNUT-SIDED CHICKADEES, HOUSE FINCHES, HOUSE SPARROWS and ENDLESS RAIN!!! Sheila from WET Harbor Oregon wishing for some SUN!! From gnorgren at earthlink.net Thu Jan 10 14:29:41 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:29:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County Message-ID: <5c5caa618828ff5257449a0ffea64924@earthlink.net> I just saw Two adult Trumpeters in the flooded pasture south of Hwy 26 before its jct with Hwy 47. An additional 13 swans were in the field, some of which were Tundras. I have never seen swans here in 15 years. The same number of birds were present two hours earlier, but I didn't have time to check. Lars Norgren MANNING Oregon From dhughes55 at clearwire.net Thu Jan 10 14:49:46 2008 From: dhughes55 at clearwire.net (Denise Hughes) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:49:46 -0700 Subject: [obol] Visiting Kauai Hawaii In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <00a901c853db$1b1567b0$51403710$@net> Have you tried Birding Pal? I checked and a few people from Hawaii are on the list. http://www.birdingpal.org/ Just click on the country, state or area. Denise Hughes Caldwell, Idaho From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Ginny Knepper Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 8:45 AM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Visiting Kauai Hawaii I am planning a trip to Kauai the end of this month. Looking for resources and people to hook up with during my visit. Would appreciate any contacts I could get ahold of during my stay to bird with. Ginny Knepper ginnyknepper at hotmail.com Portland, OR Ginny _____ Make distant family not so distant with Windows VistaR + Windows LiveT. Start now! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080110/2b09f975/attachment.htm From ovenbird2003 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 10 15:33:16 2008 From: ovenbird2003 at yahoo.com (Holly Reinhard) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:33:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Lane County MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE Message-ID: <190910.29656.qm@web30515.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Obol, While walking to the bus stop this morning around 11:30 on 21st street near UO, I came across a flock of mixed Chickadee species, including one vocal MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. I heard his raspy call and then got good looks at his white-eyebrowed face. Later I had Chestnut-backed also, so I got an overall Chickadee grand-slam! It seems like there have been a fair amount of Mountain Dees down in the valley the past few weeks...maybe because of the cold weather lately? Anyway, it was a nice bird to get so early on in my year list. :) -Holly Reinhard Eugene, OR ovenbird2003 at yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From watice at msn.com Thu Jan 10 18:01:06 2008 From: watice at msn.com (BILL ROSIE TICE) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:01:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] local rba: Polk County Message-ID: Hi Folks, I got out this afternoon, mainly trying out my new camcorder, learning how to use it for an upcoming vacation. While at BSNWR I saw a single AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. This is the 10th county record. Otherwise, just the usual birds around. There was a NOrthern Shrike along Colville and Livermore Rds, 3 Bald Eagles on the refuge, a flock of large, pink-footed gulls at the North end of Livermore Rds, many of which I believe were Thayer's Gulls. There are good numbers of waterfowl at Baskett Slough NWR now, including dozens of Tundra Swans and a few Snow Geese. William Tice Dallas, Or _ ( ')> /) ) // " " -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080110/c198329e/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Thu Jan 10 18:28:39 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:28:39 +0000 Subject: [obol] White-winged Crossbill vocalization (Where to find group call of crossbills) Message-ID: Hi all, My interpretation of the WW crossbills flight call (not in full song) is based on my earlier observations this winter in Northcentral Washington in the Okanogan and Salmo Pass area this summer. Birds in the Salmo Pass (NE Washington) were singing away last July/August. The many wintering flocks that I have observed the last couple months have only emitted flight or chattering calls as they disappear high into the cone laden tree tops. During the winter months, I have not heard the distinctive song consisting of thrills and warbles. Several flocks have either emitted a nasal, non melodious chet, chet calls as if they were scolding at something OR another flight call that is much drier and rapid in tone; "chut, chut, chut', having an electric quality to it. It reminds me of the fast chattering call of a common redpoll or a pine siskin on "uppers". Also, the spacing of the calls is not as even as the red crossbills. Of course, there are alot of variation in the calls of the Red crossbills. However, I think the WW crossbills have a rather distinctive, flight call. It has been a good year for them in Alberta and WA. One of my favorite wintering finches, even in good flight years they are still tough to find in Oregon and Washington. There have been a few sightings reported the last several months in Oregon but mostly in Northcentral WA. I am still waiting for that irruptive invasion of boreal finches in Oregon :( The Stokes series (both Western and Eastern) has excellent recordings and you can hear the flight call at the very end of the track. Good birding and Best Wishes for 2008!! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) [obol] Where to Find Group Call of Crossbills? Alan Contreras acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sun Jan 6 18:02:27 PST 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't have such a recording. In groups where multiple birds are calling, the sound is a rolling but *uneven* pattern of chips, vaguely similar in cadence to what you might hear from a sizable flock of pipits or goldfinches. If you hear something more like a dry trill - like a finch imitating a kingfisher - that is what White-winged Crossbill sounds like, and it is normally a much more *even* trill of chips, though they make other sounds as well. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Thu Jan 10 18:28:42 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:28:42 +0000 Subject: [obol] White-winged Crossbill vocalization (Where to find group call of crossbills) Message-ID: Hi all, My interpretation of the WW crossbills flight call (not in full song) is based on my earlier observations this winter in Northcentral Washington in the Okanogan and Salmo Pass area this summer. Birds in the Salmo Pass (NE Washington) were singing away last July/August. The many wintering flocks that I have observed the last couple months have only emitted flight or chattering calls as they disappear high into the cone laden tree tops. During the winter months, I have not heard the distinctive song consisting of thrills and warbles. Several flocks have either emitted a nasal, non melodious chet, chet calls as if they were scolding at something OR another flight call that is much drier and rapid in tone; "chut, chut, chut', having an electric quality to it. It reminds me of the fast chattering call of a common redpoll or a pine siskin on "uppers". Also, the spacing of the calls is not as even as the red crossbills. Of course, there are alot of variation in the calls of the Red crossbills. However, I think the WW crossbills have a rather distinctive, flight call. It has been a good year for them in Alberta and WA. One of my favorite wintering finches, even in good flight years they are still tough to find in Oregon and Washington. There have been a few sightings reported the last several months in Oregon but mostly in Northcentral WA. I am still waiting for that irruptive invasion of boreal finches in Oregon :( The Stokes series (both Western and Eastern) has excellent recordings and you can hear the flight call at the very end of the track. Good birding and Best Wishes for 2008!! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) [obol] Where to Find Group Call of Crossbills? Alan Contreras acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sun Jan 6 18:02:27 PST 2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't have such a recording. In groups where multiple birds are calling, the sound is a rolling but *uneven* pattern of chips, vaguely similar in cadence to what you might hear from a sizable flock of pipits or goldfinches. If you hear something more like a dry trill - like a finch imitating a kingfisher - that is what White-winged Crossbill sounds like, and it is normally a much more *even* trill of chips, though they make other sounds as well. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/8da72a87/attachment.htm From monika.wieland at gmail.com Thu Jan 10 20:01:20 2008 From: monika.wieland at gmail.com (monika.wieland at gmail.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:01:20 GMT Subject: [obol] Census Count: Yaquina Bay, Lincoln County, Oregon on January 10, 2008 Message-ID: <200801110401.m0B41KSS014128@rottweiler.furfly.com> This report was mailed for Monika Wieland by http://birdnotes.net Date: January 10, 2008 Location: Yaquina Bay, Lincoln County, Oregon Precipitation: none Birds seen from the beach near the Hatfield Marine Science Center and historic Newport waterfront. The other highlight of the day was at Boiler Bay, which revealed an eared grebe, two ancient murrelets, and three harlequin ducks. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Brant 100 American Wigeon 8 Greater Scaup 8 Surf Scoter 30 White-winged Scoter 1 Bufflehead 20 Common Goldeneye 2 Red-breasted Merganser 3 Common Loon 3 Horned Grebe 2 Pelagic Cormorant 4 Red-tailed Hawk 1 American Coot 50 Mew Gull 8 Ring-billed Gull 5 Western Gull 40 Unidentified gull 10 Rock Dove 10 Belted Kingfisher 1 American Crow 10 White-crowned Sparrow 4 Total number of species seen: 21 From gnorgren at earthlink.net Thu Jan 10 21:26:37 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:26:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] Crossbill flight calls Message-ID: To me the Red Crossbill is typically Bik- Bik, Bik-Bik. When I was camping in the North Woods in Saskatchewan I heard White-wings daily and they were always saying Bik=a=Bik, Bik-a-Bik. No mistaking the two, although the family resemblance was also unmistakable. I had an acquaintance at college who worked in North Cascades Nat. Park in the summer of 1984. She claimed White-winged Crossbills were abundant there that summer. Lars Norgren From dinpdx at yahoo.com Thu Jan 10 21:39:37 2008 From: dinpdx at yahoo.com (dwight porter) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:39:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Shrike at Sauvie Island Message-ID: <26325.19381.qm@web31604.mail.mud.yahoo.com> At Sauvie Island around 2pm today I saw a shrike, it was too far away and rainy to tell which kind but it had a bobbing flight style similar to woodpeckers. It was at the levee with the paved sidewalk access, across the road from the kennel on Reeder Road. I went back after the rain stopped but couldn't relocate it. Dwight Porter Portland, OR ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From davect at bendnet.com Thu Jan 10 22:10:07 2008 From: davect at bendnet.com (david tracy) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:10:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] Crossbill flight calls Message-ID: A great collection of recordings of the different types of Red Crossbill vocalizations and spectrograms can be seen and heard at: http://research.amnh.org/ornithology/crossbills/diagnosis.html Another source for free online bird vocalizations is the Macaulay Library: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/macaulaylibrary/?lk=lpro Dave david tracy davect at bendnet.com On Jan 10, 2008, at 9:51 PM, Norgren Family wrote: > Subject: Crossbill flight calls > From: Norgren Family > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:26:37 -0800 > To me the Red Crossbill is typically > Bik- Bik, Bik-Bik. When I was camping in > the North Woods in Saskatchewan I heard > White-wings daily and they were always > saying Bik=a=Bik, Bik-a-Bik. No mistaking > the two, although the family resemblance was > also unmistakable. > I had an acquaintance at college who > worked in North Cascades Nat. Park in the > summer of 1984. She claimed White-winged > Crossbills were abundant there that summer. > Lars Norgren > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol AT lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave AT lists.oregonstate.edu. > > From gnorgren at earthlink.net Thu Jan 10 22:11:16 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:11:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] Swans in Banks area Message-ID: There has been a dramatic increase in swan numbers and number of sites used by swans in nw Washington County this week. For years there has been a few dozen at the hunt club between the Dersham Rd/Mountaindale exit of Hwy 26 and the East Fork of Dairy Cr., although I recall none there last winter. It was a fairly dry year. This morning I left my car at the garage in Banks for service, only to discover they didn't have the parts on hand. To kill time I walked the train tracks, expecting Golden- crowned Sparrows. Maybe I'd get lucky and find a Lincoln's. Instead I saw swans overhead, flying in fours and sixes, apparently landing in the Killin Wetland complex. One group only came as a pair, but made a 180 degree turn above me, conveniently vocalizing and revealing them to be Trumpeters. I got the impression their necks were 30% longer in flight than the Tundra Swans. Is this a valid field mark? An errand to Forest Grove revealed 150 swans on the east side of Hwy 47 where it crosses the South Fork of Dairy Creek. This is about midway between Banks and Forest Grove, just south of the dog-leg Hwy 47 makes after VandeHey Lane. There is good parking on the east side of the road here and the swans did not mind when I did so about 11am. This is also managed as a hunt club, so may not have swans on Saturday morning when the club members are trying to get their money's worth. Swans have frequented this spot for years, but never before in such numbers. That's an actual count, not just an estimate. I had no scope or discretionary time so cannot comment on the taxonomic purity of the flock. I had a tight schedule to meet as I headed to Portland just before noon. I was surprised to see over a dozen swans on the south side of Highway 26 just east of Banks Jct(Hwy 47). Returning two hours later I stopped and counted 15 birds. Conveniently two of them were close enough to the road that I could see the pink on their lower mandibles. The same pair of Trumpeters that had disdained TUNDRA company that morning at Killin? Some of the other, more distant swans were clearly Tundras, but I couldn't vet them all. This is a totally stupid place to stop anyway, almost no shoulder, a ten foot drop=off, and maniacal traffic. Bringing the children home from school one and a half hours later I noticed the flock there had doubled. I stopped at 5pm on the eastbound shoulder(just as stupid as the westbound one, but a little closer and no cars blocking the view every ten seconds) and counted 27 swans. Gathering dusk precluded any meaningful species ID. I guess I'm trying to grok the swans until I can play the same game I learned with wigeon. Until last summer this was a scrap of native marsh, mostly rushes, badly over-grazed by a herd of filthy Holsteins. The adjacent higher ground was planted to field corn. Last year the land owner tilled the marsh and planted corn there as well. The swans may take a few days to clean the spot out. If one proceeds north on Mountaindale Rd from Hwy 26 it leads to Hahn Rd just west of Mountaindale(an abandoned store). From this jct Pederson Creek Wetland is visible, the alter ego of Killin Wetland. Numerous swans were there last Sunday, but too far away to look like much at 60X. Lars Norgren From lgoodhew at surfin-g.com Thu Jan 10 19:31:46 2008 From: lgoodhew at surfin-g.com (Larry & Jacque Goodhew) Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:31:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Message-ID: <478672A2.7634.8A240D@lgoodhew.surfin-g.com> We along with John and Sue Rogers took the drive to see the Loon. No luck for several hours then it came sailing along with 2 Red-throated Loons. They sailed under the bridge and we were able to get some good photes. We also found the Black Phoebe, which flew around the big barn as we were there. Also had the White-tailed Kite. Thanks Mike. A long drive but a great day birding. Larry and Jacque Goodhew Walla Walla, WA From FoxSparrows at aol.com Thu Jan 10 22:32:09 2008 From: FoxSparrows at aol.com (FoxSparrows at aol.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:32:09 EST Subject: [obol] American Tree Sparrows in Harney County Message-ID: .... well... ALMOST in Burns. I found three AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS about a mile east of town on Hotchkiss Lane, in a wild rose hedgerow. I saw three additional birds earlier in the day on the Central Patrol Road northeast of Buena Vista Station. They were almost the only birds out there today... raptors are still VERY SCARCE in Harney County this winter... I saw only one Redtail and NO ROUGH-LEGS all day! Steve Dowlan Hines, Oregon At the edge of Great Basin... Where life is good! **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/342ca287/attachment.htm From sandyleapt at comcast.net Fri Jan 11 08:08:37 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:08:37 +0000 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Message-ID: <011120081608.24038.47879484000F3A5F00005DE622007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi all. I went to Brownsmead yesterday with Alice and Steve Nemetz. We saw the Arctic Loon. So, we saw "the" Loon at approximately 1:30 or 2:00p.m. (I think) on 01/10/08. It was taking a nap on the water between the bridge and the boat launch. It woke up and did a little, successful, fishing. We also saw the White-tailed kite, a red-necked Loon, 5 Trumpeter Swans and other really interesting, beautiful birds. Met Tom MacNamara while watching the Arctic Loon. (Forgive me Tom if I misspell your last name). I will give you a complete list of birds seen after I confirm it with Steve and Alice. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland From uuspirit at yahoo.com Fri Jan 11 10:02:28 2008 From: uuspirit at yahoo.com (Mary Reese) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:02:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Old news from December - orange-tagged red-tailed hawk from PDX In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <546979.19233.qm@web54101.mail.re2.yahoo.com> This is old news (see accompanying emails). My partner Jim & I saw one of the orange-tagged red-tailed hawks on Dec. 17 at Whitaker Ponds at about 3pm. It was extremely spooked by our presence, and we could not get close enough, even with scope, to read the tag. It hung out in the trees to the left of the front pond. Whitaker Ponds is an overlooked good place to bird if you're looking for a quick trip in town. It's a small Portland Parks & Recreation property located on NE 47th between Columbia Blvd & Cornfoot Road right in the middle of an industrial district - not too far south of the PDX runway. It's right on the Columbia Slough. The drive-through gate is often locked, but that doesn't mean the park is closed. You can enter the walk-in gate anytime during daylight hours. There is a trail around the front pond (there are two), and it's a nice place to have a picnic in the gazebo. Outhouse available. I recommend going on the weekend, because during the week there is quite a bit of noise from nearby businesses - forklifts, etc. - so it's difficult if you're trying to bird by ear. Mary Reese & Jim Allen NE Portland ------------------------------------------------------- --- Sarah Pinnock wrote: > Hello, Mary! > > My understanding is that two red-tailed hawks were > trapped and banded at the Portland Airport. If you > see one and can read the numbers, they are asking > for that information to be posted on OBOL along with > the location where the bird was spotted. > > I think the orange tags are to make it easier to > identify the birds and > track their movements. > > Sarah L. Pinnock > Wetlands Education Specialist > Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve > > ------------------------------------------------- > -----Original Message----- > From: Mary Reese [mailto:uuspirit at yahoo.com] > To: "Sarah Pinnock" > Is there more than one orange-tagged red-tailed hawk > from PDX? We saw one on Dec 17 at Whitaker Ponds, > just a stone's throw south of PDX. What's the story > on the orange tags? > > Mary Reese > > ------------------------------------------------- > > > > Message: 15 > > Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2008 09:37:02 -0800 > > From: "Sarah Pinnock" > > Subject: [obol] Banded Red-tail from PDX Arrives > > at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve > > To: > > > > Staff and volunteers at Jackson Bottom Wetlands > > Preserve spotted the banded Red-tailed Hawk that > > was observed off Highway 26 near the Hillsboro > > Stadium last week. It has the bright orange tags > > on both wings and was spotted this morning at the > > south end of the Wetland. > > > > Sarah L. Pinnock > > Wetlands Education Specialist > > Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From d_maxs at hotmail.com Fri Jan 11 10:36:02 2008 From: d_maxs at hotmail.com (D.Max Smith) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:36:02 -0700 Subject: [obol] Hillsboro Gulls Message-ID: Obolers, I found a good group of large, pink-footed gulls in the baseball fields of Hillsboro Stadium. Most were GLAUCOUS-WINGED, with a few THAYER'S GULLS and an adult HERRING GULL mixed in. A very light-colored individual appeared to be a second year GLAUCOUS GULL or GLAUCOUS HYBRID. It had a bicolored bill, a very bright gray mantle, brown mottling on the breast and scapulars, and very bright grayish outer primaries and white inner primaries. Any ideas? There were many other hybrid varieties hanging around, so any fellow masochistic larophiles out there should stop by to have a look. Max Smith, Hillsboro _________________________________________________________________ Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/d535c2e3/attachment.htm From David.Helzer at portofportland.com Fri Jan 11 13:28:19 2008 From: David.Helzer at portofportland.com (Helzer, David) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:28:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Old news from December - orange-tagged red-tailed hawk from PDX Message-ID: <69545A1E88CACE4382EEAE3F825D86A609CA16@portexbe2.pop.portptld.com> Mary and OBOL, Thanks for the report of the wing-tagged Red-tailed Hawk at Whitaker Ponds in NE Portland. This bird was marked at PDX and is likely not the bird that has been seen around the Hillsboro area. If you read the tag, I suspect is would read EU. The bird in Hillsboro is YR. Both also have an orange leg band with the same code. Any future reports can be send to me or to raptor bander Carole Hallett: carole.hallett AT gmail.com This effort is part of a monitoring and management program for red-tailed hawks on the airfield at Portland Airport. The red-tail program is a part of the Port's larger PDX wildlife management program, which focuses on a few high-risk species with the goal of reducing wildlife/aircraft strikes at PDX. Thank you. Dave Helzer Wildlife Technician Port of Portland Aviation Environmental Portland International Airport >T: 503.460.4879 C: 503.830.0713 david.helzer at portofportland.com == Subject: Old news from December - orange-tagged red-tailed hawk from PDX From: Mary Reese Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:02:28 -0800 (PST) This is old news (see accompanying emails). My partner Jim & I saw one of the orange-tagged red-tailed hawks on Dec. 17 at Whitaker Ponds at about 3pm. It was extremely spooked by our presence, and we could not get close enough, even with scope, to read the tag. It hung out in the trees to the left of the front pond. Whitaker Ponds is an overlooked good place to bird if you're looking for a quick trip in town. It's a small Portland Parks & Recreation property located on NE 47th between Columbia Blvd & Cornfoot Road right in the middle of an industrial district - not too far south of the PDX runway. It's right on the Columbia Slough. The drive-through gate is often locked, but that doesn't mean the park is closed. You can enter the walk-in gate anytime during daylight hours. There is a trail around the front pond (there are two), and it's a nice place to have a picnic in the gazebo. Outhouse available. I recommend going on the weekend, because during the week there is quite a bit of noise from nearby businesses - forklifts, etc. - so it's difficult if you're trying to bird by ear. Mary Reese & Jim Allen NE Portland From prigge1 at mindspring.com Fri Jan 11 15:30:28 2008 From: prigge1 at mindspring.com (Allen Prigge) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:30:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA, Local interest on Skinner Butte Message-ID: <000601c854a9$f44b4940$3b07f304@alrup5ujaxzzmc> Townsend's Solitaire--Seen ~3:00pm today eating Pyracantha berries. Bushes are easily seen from south end of the Skinner Butte parking lot. Al Prigge -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/99703062/attachment.htm From sandyleapt at comcast.net Fri Jan 11 16:08:11 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:08:11 +0000 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Message-ID: <011220080008.4723.478804EB0009B0730000127322070208539B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi Sylvia. Thanks. It's very possible the swans are tame, we went up that way looking for the emperor geese that belonged to a waterfowl collector who used to live at the pond. It looked like the pens/aviaries seemed to have been destroyed in the big December storm. I did check my "Birds of Oregon" after receiving your e-mail and read the information on distribution of Trumpeter Swans in Oregon. It is noted that Trumpeter Swans winter in several places (Sauvie Island and the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant site) not far from where Steve, Alice and I saw them in Brownsmead. Wild or not, how lucky I am to have seen them. Sandy -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Sylvia Maulding > I was told that the Trumpeter Swans on the large pond are tame and > belong to that house. > > sandyleapt at comcast.net wrote: > > Hi all. > > > > I went to Brownsmead yesterday with Alice and Steve Nemetz. We saw the Arctic > Loon. So, we saw "the" Loon at approximately 1:30 or 2:00p.m. (I think) on > 01/10/08. It was taking a nap on the water between the bridge and the boat > launch. It woke up and did a little, successful, fishing. We also saw the > White-tailed kite, a red-necked Loon, 5 Trumpeter Swans and other really > interesting, beautiful birds. > > > > Met Tom MacNamara while watching the Arctic Loon. (Forgive me Tom if I > misspell your last name). > > > > I will give you a complete list of birds seen after I confirm it with Steve > and Alice. > > > > Sandy Leaptrott > > NE Portland > > _______________________________________________ > > obol mailing list > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > > > > -- > Sylvia Maulding > Springfield, OR > sylviam at clearwire.net From judie310hansen at comcast.net Fri Jan 11 16:34:16 2008 From: judie310hansen at comcast.net (Hansen Judie) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:34:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] Kauai Message-ID: After Ginny asked for help birding in Kauai I e-mailed a friend who spends a good bit of time there. She has responded directly to Ginny and copied me. Here is additional information for anyone interested. It comes from two separate e-mails from my friend in Portland. I had a good day with the following quide, whom I think is the only one on Kauai. The birding companies that come toHawaii all use him. He is David Kuhn, 808-335-0398, info at soundshawaiian.com He can tailor the trip to whatever your friend wants to do. I wanted to do the Alakai Swamp to see the uncommon endemics and we were successful. The terrain is a bit rigorous and demanding, but this old guy was able to do it. Our birding is done informally with just us so I can't recommend any particular group or person. However, I can point you in these directions: *the best website is "Kokee State Park" (no other words) *click onto "birds" found in the left column *voila! *this is the best site that I've found, quite exciting actually! Another website is "Alakai Swamp Trail." Click away! The Alakai Swamp is perhaps the best place to find Kaua`i's endangered birds. It isn't the easiest trail to hike and, certainly, if it has been raining, don't go. However, if it's dry, take your time and lots of water, keep your eyes and ears open and you'll come upon a birding treasure. A friend of mine, maybe you know him, is John Hammerstad. He is the cr?me de la cr?me of birders and when last on Kaua`i had a personal guided birding trek into the AlakaiSwamp. I have a call into him now asking for this guide person's name. He knew where to find the rare species, and that was John's goal. As soon as I hear from him, I'll send what he has to say along to you. (see above) Another spot that is superb for shore and seabird watching is at the Kilauea Lighthouse. No strain for hiking here at all and very interesting and exciting. Hawai`i's state bird, the Nene, is fairly abundant here. A delightful double whammy when you're here is that the Humpback whales can be easily seen. These giants migrate to Kaua`i beginning around December, departing for colder climes about May. Calves are born at this time and breeding takes place. There is alot of breaching which is a thrill to see. Watch for their spouts! Keep your eyes glued for their fins and their tails. Normally, you would probably see the breaching, but the fins and tails are harder to witness. The whales are just another incredible treat on Kaua`i. A call into the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, an office located in Lihue, may bring you some more information. There are a number of entries for their department, and I don't know just which one will work. I suggest you try the one for the Division of Forestry & Wildlife at 274.3433. This is a local call, and no where on the island do you need to include the area code as we have to do on the mainland. While we don't know this lady per se, we did talk with her a couple of times re. Sierra Club hikes. Her name is Karen Tilley, 821.8008. She coordinates their hikes and because she does, she just may know directly about any bird hikes or be able to direct you to someone who does. Be sure to keep your binoculars with you at all times. Birds are everywhere. If I may be so bold to say, anywhere you hike, picnic, gawk, you will come upon them. Granted there areALOT of chickens and roosters that are the bane of any other bird. The islanders tolerate them, some even think they're just fine. Ron and I, however, hate the damn things. Ah, well... I could wax on and on about one of my favorite places on earth, Kaua`i, so had best close before your eyes roll back in your head! Totally enjoy and embrace Kaua`i!" Judie Hansen, Eugene -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/1389fcb7/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Fri Jan 11 16:56:55 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:56:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Birds 1/11/2008 Message-ID: <291243.57332.qm@web45107.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> N. Spit of Coos Bay, 50's, cloudy, PM: The AMERICAN TREE SPARROW is still around and I was able to find one PALM WARBLER also. As I was getting ready to leave overhead was a calling OSPREY just as two adult BALD EAGLES and a PEREGRINE FALCON all simultaneously flew by. Merry New Bird! Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com Fri Jan 11 17:02:18 2008 From: rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com (John Rakestraw) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:02:18 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Ankeny NWR Dunlins Message-ID: <812416.17506.qm@web37008.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I birded Ankeny NWR south of Salem today. There was a fair variety of species, but numbers were pretty low. The most interesting sighting was a flock of Dunlin over Pintail Marsh. The flock of (I'm guessing) 500 birds circled in tight formation over the water for at least half an hour. I don't know why. It was great fun to watch, especially when they all turned in unison, creating a roaring sound with their wings. A few photos are at johnrakestraw.net. Cheers, John Rakestraw Portland --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/8b93b79f/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Fri Jan 11 17:48:51 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:48:51 +0000 Subject: [obol] Willamette Valley tour, Linn Co. TRUMPETER SWAN and SWAINSON'S HAWK, Polk PELICAN Message-ID: Since I am no longer chained to Lane Co., I decided to take a spin up the Willamette Valley today. I was able to relocate the SWAINSON'S HAWK near the intersection of Tangent Dr. and Oakville w. of Tangent. This bird was originally found by Cheryl Whelchel about two weeks ago and has remained in the area. I saw it on the w. side of Oakville Rd. about 3/4 mile n. of Tangent Dr. I also relocated the AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN that Bill Tice found yesterday at Baskett Slough N.W.R. It was in the large lake south of Coville Rd. near the spot where the water is on both sides of the road. I also had four Snow Geese at this site. On the way up Hwy 99E I found a large flock of swans on Linn West Rd. just e. of Hwy 99E. It was raining so I did not scope the entire flock, but I did find two TRUMPETER SWANS (one adult, one immature) very close to the road. I also checked out a nice gull flock on the n. side of Glass Rd. (goes w. from Hwy 99E) just south of the small town of Tangent. Most of the birds were Mew Gulls (about 250-300), but there was a nice assortment of pink-foots including about 25-30 THAYER'S GULLS (mostly 1st cycle birds), about 10 HERRING GULLS, 30-40 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS and one 1st cycle WESTERN GULL. Going west from Tangent on N. Lake Creek Rd. (which turns into Tangent Dr.) I found a couple additional flocks of mostly pink-footed gulls. Most of these birds were GLAUCOUS-WINGEDS, with a few HERRING and THAYER'S mixed in. I spent a little time at Ankeny and must have observed the same flock of Dunlin that John Rakestraw reported. I had never been close enough to a swirling flock of Dunlin to hear the wing rush, which was surprisingly loud when the birds were close. Dave Irons Eugene, OR _________________________________________________________________ Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/285ad323/attachment.htm From 5hats at peak.org Fri Jan 11 18:15:57 2008 From: 5hats at peak.org (Darrel Faxon) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:15:57 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ravens Message-ID: <002c01c854c1$14605ce0$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> OBOL, Ravens have provided a bit of interest here at Thornton Creek ( Lincoln ) the past few days. I heard one repeatedly giving a loud, melodious, bell like two note call most similar in tone and cadence to the call note of a Mountain Quail. Anybody ever head them make such a note? Then today a loose flock of twenty five flew over my house. It is pretty unusual to see that many here at one time. Darrel -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/cb448587/attachment.htm From bettyehunt at aol.com Fri Jan 11 18:19:37 2008 From: bettyehunt at aol.com (bettyehunt at aol.com) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:19:37 -0500 Subject: [obol] Waldport Area Falcon - Peregrine? Message-ID: <8CA22D8B6D666D1-15CC-3F99@WEBMAIL-MB18.sysops.aol.com> Greetings from Wonderful Waldport! I turned south onto 101 from Bayview at about 11:30 this morning and saw a fair-sized falcon heading south as well.? I had already committed to crossing the bridge, so getting a good look was out of the question.? To make matters worse, it was misting somewhat, but I was able to watch the bird fly into a large tree on the north side of the bay.? The light was poor, but I had the impression of a fairly light bird; the real distinction to me was that it was of pretty good size.? Just wondering if anyone has been seeing a similar bird in the area of late. OBTW - Red-winged Blackbird singing in the oxbow today - getting an early start? Bettye Hunt ________________________________________________________________________ More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! - http://webmail.aol.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/894ef3ed/attachment.htm From bouchdon at peak.org Fri Jan 11 18:19:54 2008 From: bouchdon at peak.org (Don Boucher) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:19:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bird quizzes for the Willamette Valley Message-ID: <000e01c854c1$a0963900$d58bb242@Donny> Hello, I put together some nature quizzes you can take online Willamette Valley Birds 1 - easy 10 questions http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/y52AsZ/Willamette-Valley-Birds-1 Willamette Valley Birds 2 - advanced 10 questions http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/y5eMO9/Willamette-Valley-Birds-2 For other Willamette Valley nature quizzes, follow the links on the Neighborhood Naturalist home page: http://www.neighborhood-naturalist.com/neighborhood-naturalist_home.htm Don Boucher Corvallis, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/3b0d71a2/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Fri Jan 11 18:55:35 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:55:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Anyone looked for Linn Mt. Plover? Message-ID: <503798.28445.qm@web39511.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Has anyone looked for the Mt. Plover again along Diamond Hill Rd. in Linn Co. since the day after it was found? It's an easy and quick stop off of I-5, about .9 miles east of the freeway, north of the road. The day after it was found was very windy and it may have been hunkered down behind the dirt clods there. Look beyond the big clods, in the short, sparse dead grass. Jamie Corvallis --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/6eba3bf1/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Fri Jan 11 19:00:15 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:00:15 +0000 Subject: [obol] Anyone looked for Linn Mt. Plover? In-Reply-To: <503798.28445.qm@web39511.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <503798.28445.qm@web39511.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Jamie, I looked for the Mountain Plover this morning at about 9:00AM. I have made three trips to the site since the original discovery without success. Dave Irons Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:55:35 -0800 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com To: list at midvalleybirding.org; obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Anyone looked for Linn Mt. Plover? Has anyone looked for the Mt. Plover again along Diamond Hill Rd. in Linn Co. since the day after it was found? It's an easy and quick stop off of I-5, about .9 miles east of the freeway, north of the road. The day after it was found was very windy and it may have been hunkered down behind the dirt clods there. Look beyond the big clods, in the short, sparse dead grass. Jamie Corvallis Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. _________________________________________________________________ Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/5d3938ed/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Fri Jan 11 19:04:50 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:04:50 +0000 Subject: [obol] Shrike at Sauvie Island In-Reply-To: <26325.19381.qm@web31604.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <26325.19381.qm@web31604.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Dwight, A shrike flying with an undulating flight (suggestive of a woodpecker) is a Northern Shrike, which is the expected species around these parts in the winter. Loggerhead Shrike, which is rare in the Willamette Valley at any season, tends to fly very directly with very fast continual wingbeats. Dave Irons Eugene, OR > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:39:37 -0800 > From: dinpdx at yahoo.com > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Subject: [obol] Shrike at Sauvie Island > > At Sauvie Island around 2pm today I saw a shrike, it > was too far away and rainy to tell which kind but it > had a bobbing flight style similar to woodpeckers. It > was at the levee with the paved sidewalk access, > across the road from the kennel on Reeder Road. I went > back after the rain stopped but couldn't relocate it. > > Dwight Porter > Portland, OR > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ Watch ?Cause Effect,? a show about real people making a real difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/c6dbee73/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Fri Jan 11 20:21:51 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:21:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] Handbook donors needed Message-ID: I would like to round up some *pledges* from donors interested in supporting the art to be included in the 2009 Handbook of Oregon Birds being prepared for OSU Press by me and Hendrik Herlyn. There are two ways that you can contribute to this activity: 1. We need about $2500 for the art itself. We think that this will be tax-deductible to OSU but we are still waiting for some technical issues to be worked out at the press. Examples of the new black-and-white art and photos will include a variety of seabirds in flight, types of "Canada" geese, female finches, uncommon plumages of teal and scaup (in color if available), and immature and overhead swallows. The final list of illustrations is not quite settled, but these are leading contenders. 2. We need another $1000 if we want to include a set of color plates (8 pages). Donations to cover the cost of color plates are definitely tax-deductible. The color plates would be used to provide the best photos and art we can get to illustrate difficult birds such as Catharus thrushes, juvenile sparrows, juvenile rails, certain gulls, maybe forms of Fox Sparrow and the like that are either poorly handled by field guides or in which there are northwest-specific issues that would benefit from special treatment. Please let me know if you would be interested in making a donation to the project. Do NOT send any donations; it will be summer before we get final approval for the book and we can't do refunds. Thus we are currently looking for pledges, not checks. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From gnorgren at earthlink.net Fri Jan 11 21:04:59 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:04:59 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ravens In-Reply-To: <002c01c854c1$14605ce0$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> References: <002c01c854c1$14605ce0$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> Message-ID: <1cd6468abede6decbc93dd119d762c64@earthlink.net> "Belling" by Ravens has been a familiar concept to me since my father pointed it out during a ski trip on Mary's Peak at least thirty-five years ago. I assume this is their song. The Blue Jay makes a similar sound, higher pitched, less charming, but bell-like none-the-less. Could it be restricted to the vicinity of Ravens' actual nest site? I'm really fascinated that you hadn't heard it before Darrel, since you started birding before I was born, and I've only lived full-time in the Coast Range 14 years. The first two decades that I birded I considered this belling a rare treat, perhaps heard less than once a year. But circumstantial evidence indicates Ravens nest within earshot of my house. I hear the belling regularly, almost always associated with fair weather. The bird(s?) near my house are usually half-hearted about it. I'd call it subdued, unlike the full-blown bell notes I have heard elsewhere in February and March. Lars Norgren On Jan 11, 2008, at 6:15 PM, Darrel Faxon wrote: > OBOL, > ??? Ravens have provided a bit of interest here at Thornton Creek ( > Lincoln ) the past few days.? I heard one repeatedly giving a loud, > melodious,?bell like two note call most similar in tone and cadence to > the call note of a Mountain Quail.? Anybody ever head them make such a > note?? Then today a loose flock of twenty five flew over my house.? It > is pretty unusual to see that many here at one time. > ? > Darrel?_______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From gnorgren at earthlink.net Fri Jan 11 21:26:06 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:26:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] Waldport Area Falcon - Peregrine? In-Reply-To: <8CA22D8B6D666D1-15CC-3F99@WEBMAIL-MB18.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CA22D8B6D666D1-15CC-3F99@WEBMAIL-MB18.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <856c732d22f6c033c8cd9a101fab6745@earthlink.net> Peregrines have in my experience have been fairly routine at Alsea Bay in winter for two decades now. Coastal birds are typically quite dark. But minutes after arriving at Coos Bay this year the Saturday before the CBC I met Tim Rodenkirk, Vjera and Eddie Thompson, fortuitously on the shores of Pony Slough. A peregrine caught our attention flying low over the tide flats, only to land next to a much bigger one. The one already sitting was enormous and PEARLY gray. I've never seen a Peregrine so pale before. This is presumably the tundrius subspecies. Soon the larger bird flew off with what Tim thought might be a teal in its talons. The arrival of the smaller bird is a little puzzling. It surely couldn't have hoped to steal the prey, and the big Peregrine displayed no antagonism. Do Peregrines ever stay in pairs far from their eyrie, a thousand miles or more? Lars Norgren On Jan 11, 2008, at 6:19 PM, bettyehunt at aol.com wrote: > Greetings from Wonderful Waldport! > > I turned south onto 101 from Bayview at about 11:30 this morning and > saw a fair-sized falcon heading south as well.? I had already > committed to crossing the bridge, so getting a good look was out of > the question.? To make matters worse, it was misting somewhat, but I > was able to watch the bird fly into a large tree on the north side of > the bay.? The light was poor, but I had the impression of a fairly > light bird; the real distinction to me was that it was of pretty good > size.? > > Just wondering if anyone has been seeing a similar bird in the area > of late. > > OBTW - Red-winged Blackbird singing in the oxbow today - getting an > early start? > > Bettye Hunt > More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail! > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From rbayer at orednet.org Fri Jan 11 23:47:37 2008 From: rbayer at orednet.org (Range Bayer) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:47:37 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Dec. Lincoln Co. Bird Notes Received Through 12/31 Message-ID: ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ BIRD FIELD NOTES from the December 2007 Sandpiper 28(10) for Observations Received Through Dec. 31 by Range Bayer The Sandpiper is a publication of Yaquina Birders and Naturalists, a Lincoln County (Oregon) natural history group. Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to LINCOLN COUNTY only. If you have any Lincoln County field notes, please share them with Range (rbayer at orednet.org; P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365; 541-265-2965) by the 20th of the month. Bird field notes columns in the Sandpiper since 1992 are at http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#recent (all lower case letters). Many Lincoln Co. sites are in the Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide (http://www.oregoncoastbirding.com/). Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations: BEAVER CREEK: creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, HMSC: OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, IDAHO FLATS: large embayment just east of HMSC, LNG TANK: large green Liquefied Natural Gas tank on the north side of Yaquina Bay about 1.5 miles east of Yaquina Bay Bridge, ONA BEACH: State Park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay bridge along HWY 101 at Beaver Creek, SALLY'S BEND: large Yaquina Bay embayment east of the LNG tank, SEAL ROCK STABLES PASTURE: pasture at about Milepost 1.6 along South Beaver Creek Road, SOUTH BAY: Yaquina Bay mudflats south of Sally's Bend, SPANISH HEAD: pullout north of Inn at Spanish Head at 4009 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, WANDEMERE: about 0.5 mi north of Ona Beach State Park near HWY 101, YBSJ: Yaquina Bay South Jetty. WATERFOWL-BROWN PELICAN TUNDRA SWANS usually only briefly stop, but one lingered. DM spotted 12 at south Siletz Bay that remained several hours on Nov. 11. On 12/10, HJ beheld 6-8 Tundras flying south in a "V" inland, about 2 miles north of the town of Siletz. The lone Tundra at Seal Rock Stables first reported on 11/25 (VA) lingered until at least 12/18 (LO). The Dec. 2-3 storms did not diminish BRANT numbers. JL counted 133 at Idaho Flats on Nov. 30, and, after the storm, 133 on 12/4 and 138 on 12/10. On 12/21, RB counted 140-150 at Yaquina Bay embayments. YB&N is a project partner of the International Brant Monitoring Project (IBMP) (http://www.padillabay.gov/brant/), and RB relays on significant Brant sightings in Lincoln County to their Observation Log (see link on the left side of their web page). On 12/18, LO found that the flooded fields near Seal Rock Stables had a nice complement of waterfowl besides the swan: CANADA GEESE, GADWALLS, MALLARDS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN PINTAILS, and RING- NECKED DUCKS. PG and other Salem birders viewed a LONG-TAILED DUCK at south Siletz Bay on 12/6. On 12/22, SaL unsuccessfully searched hard for a BARROW'S GOLDENEYE amongst the COMMON GOLDENEYES at Alsea Bay. No Barrow's have been reported this winter. Many RED-THROATED LOONS continued migrating south with 600 during PPi's 60-minute seawatch at Spanish Head in Lincoln City on 12/6. In Nov., 146 dead NORTHERN FULMARS were found along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach (B&SLo, L&VO). This is the second-most ever found in a month--they recorded 298 in Nov. 2003. The third-most was 145 in December 2005, so very high numbers have been reported every other winter recently. During PPi's 12/6 seawatch at Spanish Head, he did not see any fulmars or other tubenoses--so fulmars have definitely declined since his Nov. seawatches. BLo's team also found a beached FORK-TAILED STORM-PETREL in Nov. After the Dec. 2-3 storms, many dead BROWN PELICANS were reported on OBOL in the Port Orford (Curry Co.) area (RN; DL). Some live ones lingered in Lincoln Co.: 2 at Seal Rocks on 12/16 (PPa), 1 at YBSJ on 12/17 (CA), and 1 at the Newport Bayfront to at least 12/20 (HS). GREAT BLUE HERON Yes, GREAT BLUE HERONS can perch in trees! During early Dec. mornings, WO saw 2 roosting in trees at Old Pioneer Cemetery near the south end of Yaquina Bay Bridge. Before the major Dec. 2-3 storms, RB counted 33 herons on 11/21. After the storm, heron numbers dropped to 19-20 during two counts (see graph below). These are less than the 27-29 found Dec.-Jan., which suggests that the big storms caused a decline in heron numbers that did not occur last winter. The mystery is whether the decline is a result of mortality or from some herons going elsewhere. Well, we have completed the yearly cycle for herons at Yaquina Bay! The graph is similar to other years, though the timing and size of the peak can vary. Are Great Blue Herons migratory at Yaquina Bay? Migration is often defined as the regular movement to and from an area. Clearly, some herons remain in winter (see graph), so not all herons migrate. But the repeated pattern in timing of spring increases and fall declines suggest that herons at Yaquina Bay have the possibility of being partially migratory. Part of the population may migrate away in fall before December and return before May. Partial migration occurs in many birds, but obviously is harder to discern than complete migration, such as for Great Egrets (see graph). Thanks for following a "heron year" at Yaquina Bay! RB's Censuses of Great Blue Herons (X) and Great Egrets (e) Within 1 Hour of Predicted Low Tides Less Than +0.8 ft at Yaquina Bay Embayments (Idaho Flats, Sally's Bend, and South Bay) 160- X 150- 140- X X 130- X 120- 110- X 100- X 90- X 80- e 70- XX e 60- X e 50- e X 40- e 30-X X XXX XXX e X 20-----------------------------------XX 10- e 1-4- e ee e 0-e e eee ee e eee '|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''| Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec LINCOLN COUNTY RAPTOR ROUTE The December Lincoln Co. raptor route was conducted on 12/8 by JL, WN, and RC. The route runs from Alsea Bay north to Lincoln City, inland following Hwy 229 to Siletz and Toledo, and along the Yaquina River back to Newport. Numbers of Red-tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons were higher than during their Raptor surveys the past 3 winters! Oregon Winter Raptor Surveys are coordinated by the East Cascades Birds Observatory (ECBC) (http://www.ecbcbirds.org/Default.aspx?tabid=73) ------------------------------------------- Dec-Feb.__________________ Lincoln Co. 2004- 2007-2008 Raptor Route 2007* 12/8 ------------------------------------------- Turkey Vulture 0-1 0 No. Harrier 0-5 3 White-t. Kite 0-3 1 Sharp-shin. Hawk 0-2 0 Cooper's Hawk 0-4 2 Accipiter sp. 0-1 0 Red-should. Hawk 0-2 0 Red-tail. Hawk 10-22 24 Bald Eagle ad. 2-22 14 " " subadults 1-5 2 " " unknown 0-2 0 " " total 4-27 16 Merlin 0-1 0 Am. Kestrel 0-5 0 Peregrine Falcon 0-3 4 RAPTOR SUM 29-62 50 Counts 3 1 Miles 117- 119 121 Hours 6.5-8 8 Snowy Owl 0-1 0 Burrowing Owl 0-1 0 * Ranges for Dec.-Feb. periods in 2004-2005, 2005-2006, and 2006-2007. See Feb. 2007 Sandpiper for ranges each winter; individual counts are in earlier Sandpipers. STUNNED COOPER'S HAWK The afternoon of 12/7, BB reports that "a COOPER'S HAWK arrived, wrapped in a rug, on my doorstep with an urgent request for help." It was found on the pavement on HWY 101 south of Yachats. BB was an excellent choice because she is a retired nurse and has also worked on rehabbing oiled birds. She determined after a brief, unresisted exam that there were no apparent injuries. The hawk was docile and seemed stunned. It was then placed in a covered kennel in a quiet warm place. BB tried calling around for assistance, and Chintimini Wildlife Rehab Center near Corvallis (541-745-5324; http://www.chintiminiwildlife.org/) suggested that she keep it overnight and see if it had recovered enough to be released in the morning. If injuries were then apparent, it would be transported to Chintimini. The next morning, the hawk seemed fully recovered in the kennel. So BB and a helper took it out to release: "one wearing heavy leather gloves, and one ready with the blanket in case it couldn't fly" After release, "it flew happily into the forest, with no apparent lingering signs of injury." BB did well--thanks! If you find an injured or sick bird, try calling around because, especially on the weekend or after 5 PM, it can be hard to get ahold of someone. If you find an oiled bird (whether live or dead), please call Mike Szumski, Natural Resource Damage Assessment/Spill Response, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 503-705-5747. If you find an injured or sick bird that is not oiled, try * call Oregon State Police dispatch at 1-800-452-7888. * call the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) (541-867-4741) office in South Beach--they are closed on weekends and holidays. * Oregon Coast Aquarium at times has also rehabilitated seabirds or waterbirds, but they have limited resources for bird rehabilitation--call them at 541-867-3474 to see if they can help. If those options do not work, your other options: * call Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Corvallis at 541-745- 5324. * call the Wildlife Rehab Center of the North Coast (Astoria area) at 503- 338-3954 pager and leave a return phone number. * call Salem Wildlife Rehab Association at 503-856-8242. * call Portland Audubon Wildlife Care Center at 503-292-0304. * let nature take its course. Please note that an animal may try to defend itself and injure you, if you are not careful about its bill and feet. Safety first! You are responsible for your own safety. For information about sick or injured wildlife, also see: http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/nature.htm#rehab OTHER RAPTORS-ALCIDS A brown (female or immature male) NORTHERN HARRIER foraged at Yaquina Head on 12/5 (CA) and near Seal Rocks on 12/14 (KB). On 12/14-15, a COOPER'S HAWK was inspecting birds coming to bird feeders in BB's Yachats neighborhood--it is unknown if it may be the same one that BB released. An immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK on utility line near Yachats' Community Park on 12/7 (fide BB) was our only one this month. On 12/9, WN was outside his & RC's Wandemere home when a PEREGRINE FALCON overtook and captured a flying pigeon! The Peregrine was "last seen heading for the beach with its still-struggling prize." 100+ AMERICAN COOTS fed at Idaho Flats on 12/21 (RB). They have made a comeback at Yaquina Bay. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS have become scarce in recent winters. ME had our only report, with 85 in late Nov. at Siletz Bay. Our biggest BLACK OYSTERCATCHER count was 4 off Yachats 804 trail on 12/5 (SaL). If you see concentrations of 10 or more along the Oregon Coast, please email oystercatcher researcher Elise Elliott-Smith (eelliott- smith at usgs.gov). Lone WHIMBRELS were reported at several sites, including at Siletz Bay by PG and other Salem birders on 12/6. A probable Whimbrel visited Yachats Community Park on 12/7 (fide BB). At the YBSJ, RC & WN found 1 near the "gull puddle" on 12/24, and JL spotted presumably the same Whimbrel on the rocks on the first "finger" west of the Bridge on 12/31. 1 ROCK SANDPIPER was with a flock of BLACK TURNSTONES at Depoe Bay on 12/6 (PG and other Salem birders). MR had our latest report of BONAPARTE'S GULLS (5) at Alsea Bay, west of the Bridge on 12/4. 1 ANCIENT MURRELET and 2 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS were beached north of Ona Beach in Nov. (B&SLo, L&VO). 2 live Ancients were seen during a Spanish Head seawatch on 12/6 (PPi). MOURNING DOVE-LESSER GOLDFINCH 1-6 MOURNING DOVES were at DG's Toledo home in mid-December. After setting a record for the most BARRED OWL reports in Nov., we did not have a single report in Dec. But it was not without looking. PR continued to walk the trail from Nye Street to Sam Moore Park in Newport every Thursday since he and others reported one there in early Nov., and did not see any. LT reports that our first yellow-shafted NORTHERN FLICKERS (2) of the winter arrived on 11/29 at her home near Three Rocks Road in northern Lincoln Co. LO detected a SWALLOW sp. flying over the flooded pasture near Seal Rock Stables on 12/18. It didn't have the white rump of a Violet-Green, so it may have been a Tree Swallow but visibility was poor because of the rain. RC&WN detected the first HERMIT THRUSH at their Wandemere home on 12/9. Hermits appear to be less common so far this winter, since R&CF noted on 12/13 that they normally have 2-3 at their Newport home, but this year they have only seen 1 sporadically. On 12/13, R&CF also reported that they "normally have four to six FOX SPARROWS in our [Newport] yard and for the past four years we have had one with a very distinctive large white eye ring. Sure enough it has turned up again this year! A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW remains at DG's Toledo feeder through 12/16. Storms can reveal fascinating behaviors in birds. During the 12/2 storm, MC saw DARK-EYED JUNCOS hunkered down on the ground near her Bayshore Beach home north of Waldport. When wind gusts briefly blew tree branches up off the ground, the juncos ran (not flew!) in to peck at food that was briefly exposed. This was not without risk, since gusts occasionally blew a junco around. There were several PINE SISKIN reports with a peak count of about a 100 in early Dec. at L&JM's Coquille Point home east of Sally Bend. A LESSER GOLDFINCH also lingered into early Dec. at L&JM's home. OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Vikki Anderson, Cindy Ashy, Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Kitty Brigham, Rebecca Cheek, Maureen Collson, Mark Elliott, Roy & Cathy Filby, Patrick Gallagher, Dawn Grafe, Herb Jennings, Janet Lamberson, Dave Lauten, Sally Lockyear (SaL), Bob Loeffel (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel (SLo), Linda & John MacKown, Dona Morris, Russ Namitz, Walt Nelson, OBOL (Oregon Birders On Line; recent postings at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html), Laimons & Vicki Osis, Woody Ouderkirk, Pam Parker (PPa), Phil Pickering (PPi), Paul Reed, Maggie Rivers, Howard Shippey, Laura Todd. From jmeredit at bendnet.com Fri Jan 11 21:55:30 2008 From: jmeredit at bendnet.com (Judy Meredith) Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:55:30 -0800 Subject: [obol] BRANT in Prineville and ECBC raptor Survey Message-ID: <028801c854df$bdb19070$0a00a8c0@MOM> Local RBA for central Oregon and a wee bit of good politics. See below, forwarded messages. Judy jmeredit at bendnet.com ---- Original Message ----- From: Charles R. Gates David shas and I also located the Brant north of Prineville. This is a first for Crook County and about the 3rd record for Central Oregon. Forget Clinton or Obama...... DOUGILL FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -----Original Message----- From:Steve Dougill Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 1:00 PM To: cobol at lists.oregonstate.edu; Fleischer, Jeff Subject: [COBOL] BRANT in Prineville and ECBC raptor Survey While doing the ECBC rator survey today with Damian Fagen we found a BLACK BRANT in a mixed flock of about 300 Canada Geese. Also 3 SNOW and 1 small Canada. I know this is a rare bird in Central Oregon and I hope that hunters don't move the flock off too quickly. location: North end of Puckett Rd on the east side of the raod. From the Madras Hwy turn east on gerke RD a couple of miles northwest of Prineville. Turn north on Puckett Rd. The flock was on the east side of the road: 3hrs 42 miles 42 degrees and no wind Prineville raptor run 41 RED TAILED HAWK 19 KESTREL 2 HARRIER 1 ADT, 5 IMM BALD EAGLE 1 IMM GOLDEN EAGLE 4 ROUGH LEGGED HAWK 3 FERUGINOUS HAWK 4 PRARIE FALCON 1 SHARP SHINNED HAWK 2 BUTEO SP Steve Dougill, Redmond, Deschutes Co., OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080111/e680a5ad/attachment.htm From dpvroman at budget.net Sat Jan 12 09:08:11 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:08:11 -0800 Subject: [obol] Jo Co outing Message-ID: <000001c8553d$f15c4060$422fff04@Warbler> Yesterday (01-11-08) Phil Hicks and myself went out to see what we could find in the Grants Pass area (Josephine Co). I kind of jokingly said to Phil that we should try for 100 species. Well, we didn't really try all that hard to reach this figure on our casual outing. We ended up finding 75 species (2 more possible, but not positive on them); I did get 2 more once I got home for 77 species for the day (without any Owl or Rail effort). After a check of the list of possible birds around GP area about now, found 30+ additional species that might be around...so, 100 in a day around here might be possible. Some of the more interesting finds: 1 ROSS'S GOOSE (Lower River Rd) 3 EURASIAN WIGEON (3 different locations) 2 GADWALL (Lower River Rd) 1 PEREGRINE FALCON (Lower River Rd) 1 OSPREY (east of GP) GREAT BLUE HERON, GREEN HERON, BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON and GREAT EGRET all seen at once location (Roguelea Ponds). Interestingly, several GREAT EGRETS at another location along Lower River Rd still had breeding plumes hanging from their bodies. One bird had so many plumes it looked like it was wearing one of those fluffy petticoats of olden days, minus the Poodle skirt. ...and most of the more commonly found suspects in the Valley. Dennis (north of Grants Pass) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/9caef709/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 12 09:56:33 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:56:33 -0800 Subject: [obol] Midwinter movements Message-ID: Today my south Eugene yard is stuffed with Robins. Robins are, oddly enough, unusual in my yard and normally pass through in early spring. Accompanying them is a single Cedar Waxwing, also uncommon here most winters though a few have been in the neighborhood. The waxwing called attention to itself by bathing in the wet sump in my back yard, rather odd. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 12 10:59:39 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 10:59:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA probable YB LOON Dexter Dam Lane Co Message-ID: Daniel Farrar just saw a loon (10:30 Saturday) off the boat ramp at Dexter State Park (by the dam, on Hwy 58 maybe 10 miles SE of jct of 58 and i-5) that he thinks is a Yellow-billed Loon based on bill size and color, posture and back barring. He had to leave the area to continue a raptor survey. I think I'll go take a look. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From deweysage at verizon.net Sat Jan 12 11:16:14 2008 From: deweysage at verizon.net (DJ Lauten and KACastelein) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:16:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] interesting bird related article... Message-ID: <478911FE.1000306@verizon.net> http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/12/6338/ Cheers Dave Lauten From paul at furzwo.com Sat Jan 12 11:23:02 2008 From: paul at furzwo.com (Paul Buescher) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:23:02 -0800 Subject: [obol] A nest worth watching Message-ID: <005101c85550$8d1a6100$6501a8c0@paul> Obolers, I went out to Sauvie Island for the first time in over a year and found the usual suspects. However, as I was heading home from the far reaches of Reeder Road I saw two heads in a very large nest. They belonged to mature Bald Eagles. The nest is located across the road from Marshall Beach, a manufactured home park, about 150 meters from the road. This is near the Reeder store. With the trees leafless this time of the year there seem to be several eagle nests on the island. An update on Red-throated Loons on North Portland Harbor channel-Monday we had our usual one, today (12 Jan 08) we had four. Plus two flybys by Bald Eagles, most likely the same one. Warm Regards, Paul Buescher West Hayden Island Moorage -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/4b9bd55b/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Sat Jan 12 11:31:13 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:31:13 +0000 Subject: [obol] Bald Eagle numbers in the Willamette Valley this winter? Message-ID: Greetings All, Yesterday, while cruising about the Willamette Valley, I saw an amazing number of Bald Eagles. I did not keep an accurate count, but I saw at least 30-35 in total. It seems that there are more about this winter than usual. I know that the first day I went looking for the Mountain Plover I saw at least 16, including 10 right at the restoration area along Diamond Hill Road. Linn County in particular seems to have more than normal. I have not seen an excessive number around Lane. I would be interested in the thoughts of others regarding eagle numbers, particularly those of you who do regular raptor runs. Thanks, Dave Irons _________________________________________________________________ Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/4e07477d/attachment.htm From mchar5 at msn.com Sat Jan 12 11:31:43 2008 From: mchar5 at msn.com (Jim Harleman and/or Kathy McNeill) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:31:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bohemian waxwings, Jackson County Message-ID: Obolers, Just received a call from Frank Lospalluto who is currently skiing the Pilot Rock area conducting the monthly Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument count. Attempts to walk the area this morning were aborted because of deep snow. Frank, who lives in the area reported that he heard what he thought were three Bohemian waxwings a few days ago and hoped to see some today. His excited phone call, a few moments ago, reported that he saw about 50 waxwings, and that he counted 44 Bohemian waxwings. He was in Area 2 of the count which is where the Pilot Rock Road is crossed by the Pacific Crest Trail. Area 2 is about a 1/3 mile stretch of the PCT south of the road. Jim Harleman -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/0eb8285c/attachment.htm From deweysage at verizon.net Sat Jan 12 11:38:48 2008 From: deweysage at verizon.net (DJ Lauten and KACastelein) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:38:48 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ravens In-Reply-To: <1cd6468abede6decbc93dd119d762c64@earthlink.net> References: <002c01c854c1$14605ce0$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> <1cd6468abede6decbc93dd119d762c64@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <47891748.1010206@verizon.net> These raven vocalizations are fairly well documented if you read Ravens in Winter and Mind of a Raven by Bernd Heinrich. Both of these books are very fascinating. The calls are very specific to age class and mating status. My understanding is if you know the different calls, you can learn a lot about the individual ravens in your neighborhood. I am not 100% certain, but it is very likely that the "belling" call is made by an adult, paired, female (Kathy would know better than I would). It is likely territorial. Ravens are at the moment getting ready to start breeding. Cheers Dave Lauten Bandon OR deweysage at verizon.net Norgren Family wrote: > "Belling" by Ravens has been a familiar >concept to me since my father pointed it out >during a ski trip on Mary's Peak at least >thirty-five years ago. I assume this is their >song. The Blue Jay makes a similar sound, higher >pitched, less charming, but bell-like none-the-less. >Could it be restricted to the vicinity of Ravens' >actual nest site? I'm really fascinated that >you hadn't heard it before Darrel, since you >started birding before I was born, and I've only >lived full-time in the Coast Range 14 years. > The first two decades that I birded I considered >this belling a rare treat, perhaps heard less >than once a year. But circumstantial evidence >indicates Ravens nest within earshot of my house. >I hear the belling regularly, almost always >associated with fair weather. The bird(s?) near >my house are usually half-hearted about it. >I'd call it subdued, unlike the full-blown >bell notes I have heard elsewhere in February >and March. Lars Norgren >On Jan 11, 2008, at 6:15 PM, Darrel Faxon wrote: > > > >>OBOL, >> Ravens have provided a bit of interest here at Thornton Creek ( >>Lincoln ) the past few days. I heard one repeatedly giving a loud, >>melodious, bell like two note call most similar in tone and cadence to >>the call note of a Mountain Quail. Anybody ever head them make such a >>note? Then today a loose flock of twenty five flew over my house. It >>is pretty unusual to see that many here at one time. >> >>Darrel _______________________________________________ >>obol mailing list >>obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >>http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol >> >>To unsubscribe, send a message to: >>obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. >> >> >_______________________________________________ >obol mailing list >obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > >To unsubscribe, send a message to: >obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/22b69010/attachment.htm From tanager at nu-world.com Sat Jan 12 11:50:39 2008 From: tanager at nu-world.com (Anne & Dan Heyerly) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:50:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane Co. Dexter Res. 1/12/2008 Yellow-billed Loon confirmed Message-ID: <000001c85554$69de9db0$3d9bd910$@com> Alan Contreras called at 1144am to confirm the sighting of the ?likely? YBLO reported earlier by Daniel Farrar. Alan took photos. The bird was between the Dexter State Park?s boat ramp and Hwy. 58. Dan Heyerly No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.1/1220 - Release Date: 1/11/2008 6:09 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/5f803bda/attachment.htm From tanager at nu-world.com Sat Jan 12 11:53:18 2008 From: tanager at nu-world.com (Anne & Dan Heyerly) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:53:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane co. Fern Ridge WMA (E. Coyote Unit) 1/12/2008 Message-ID: <000501c85554$c81c2280$58546780$@com> Fred Chancey called me at 1030am this morning to report seeing a Prairie Falcon heading south over Hwy. 126 (W. 11th Ave. AKA Route F) just east of Perkins Peninsula Park. It was heading full speed into the E. Coyote Unit. Sorry about the delay in posting this, but it slipped my mind until my phone started ringing with Alan?s news about the Dexter Yellow-billed Loon. Dan Heyerly (Message Monitor and Filterer) No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.1/1220 - Release Date: 1/11/2008 6:09 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/a655cfb5/attachment.htm From alderspr at peak.org Sat Jan 12 12:22:04 2008 From: alderspr at peak.org (Karan & Jim Fairchild) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 12:22:04 -0800 Subject: [obol] Fw: Ravens Message-ID: <005501c85558$cedecc90$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> ----- Original Message ----- From: Karan & Jim Fairchild To: Darrel Faxon Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 10:13 PM Subject: Re: [obol] Ravens Darrel and Obol readers, In several of his books, Bernd Heinrich discusses many of the various vocalizations of ravens, and I'm reviewing "Ravens In Winter" regarding the bell-like note you heard. I'm not likely to recall his observations correctly so I won't try, but I more often hear this sound and the related single or repeated 'knock' made by a single bird, or between a pair of ravens, likely mated pairs. From what I've seen here as well, groups of ravens, apparently not paired, don't seem to use these calls--the bell (or xylophone) tone, or the knock. Our aussie shepard mix dog likes to chase off large birds overhead (hawks, vultures, jets, etc), and he will immediately dash off in any random cardinal direction, with eyes to the sky, in response to a single raven's "tock", even to our poor imitation of one.... Jim Fairchild ----- Original Message ----- From: Darrel Faxon To: Obol Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 6:15 PM Subject: [obol] Ravens OBOL, Ravens have provided a bit of interest here at Thornton Creek ( Lincoln ) the past few days. I heard one repeatedly giving a loud, melodious, bell like two note call most similar in tone and cadence to the call note of a Mountain Quail. Anybody ever head them make such a note? Then today a loose flock of twenty five flew over my house. It is pretty unusual to see that many here at one time. Darrel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/944050cb/attachment.htm From johndeshler at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 13:22:51 2008 From: johndeshler at yahoo.com (John Deshler) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:22:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Audubon Portland seeking Trip Leader/Master Birder Coordinator Message-ID: <611436.26548.qm@web34214.mail.mud.yahoo.com> This sounds like a pretty sweet gig for someone who can deliver the goods. Deadline Monday 1/14. http://www.audubonportland.org/about/jobs/master_birder/ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 12 13:40:49 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:40:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] YB Loon at Dexter Lake Message-ID: The Yellow-billed loon was easy to see at a distance from the boat ramp at the s. end of Dexter dam parking complex at mid-day. However, it was mainly to the southeast, mixing loosely with a large swarm of coots, cormorants and both scaup. My photos at extreme range are very poor so I am going back out to try for more at 2:00. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From sandyleapt at comcast.net Sat Jan 12 13:45:37 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:45:37 +0000 Subject: [obol] Bald Eagles in NE Portland/Gresham Message-ID: <011220082145.10707.478935010009161C000029D322135753339B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi all. I just finished up my garden day at the Zimmerman Heritage Farm (17111 NE Sandy Blvd, Gresham, OR). I saw two Bald Eagles while I was working in the garden. I saw two flying together away from me when I arrived at 8:30 a.m. I thought eagles? Nah, Blue Herons. Then, while cutting blackberries out of the Hydrangeas and Roses, much to my surprise, a Bald Eagle cruised by about 100 feet from where I was working. I was at the top of the little hill, it was flying along at just below eye-level north of the railroad tracks about 10:30 a.m. Then while cleaning tools up and getting ready to go home about 11:30 a.m., one Bald Eagle soared high above the wetlands north and east of the Zimmerman House/Museum. There were lots of other birds about all morning. Bewick's Wrens and the finches hang out between the House/Musem and the Buttery (rickety old brick building covered in vines.) The land north of the railroad tracks is that land that is being restored to native habitat. A reminder, the Zimmerman Heritage Farm is a City of Gresham Park and so there's parking. Enjoy. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland From wulfbird at gmail.com Sat Jan 12 14:12:48 2008 From: wulfbird at gmail.com (D. D.) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:12:48 -0800 Subject: [obol] Help for a Red-tailed Hawk at Ridgefield NWR Message-ID: OBOL, I realize this is in WA and this has been posted to the Tweeters list by someone else, but I want to add it to OBOL in the hopes that something can be done for this Red-tailed Hawk. I follow several other wildlife photographers online, especially those who visit Ridgefield NWR often. Several have documented this Red-tailed Hawk's damaged eye: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwhorselady/2187772035/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainriver/2185823471/ I doubt this hawk is able to hunt with its condition and will probably not survive long. If anyone can suggest how to help, please contact me or post to the list. Many thanks Damian Portland, OR http://flickr.com/photos/ddavalos -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/1a9a8503/attachment.htm From rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 14:14:29 2008 From: rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com (John Rakestraw) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:14:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Tualitin River NWR Eurasian Wigeon Message-ID: <499204.62606.qm@web37015.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I made a brief stop at Tualitin River NWR Saturday around noon and scoped the marsh from the overlook by the buildings. Best bird was a male Eurasian Wigeon. John Rakestraw Portland --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/3167aa7f/attachment.htm From nepobirds at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 13:59:19 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:59:19 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Townsend's Warblers Message-ID: <805031.44381.qm@web46010.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I just wanted to ask a quick question. We just had 6 or 7 Townsend's warblers all competing for the same suet cake. We have seen them before but only as singles. Is it normal for them to flock together? Thanks. Seth and Michelle NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/bf8ac4f8/attachment.htm From andy.frank at kp.org Sat Jan 12 14:28:19 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (Andy Frank) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:28:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Portland odd sighting Message-ID: <000601c8556a$6f5c6680$6400a8c0@homefih7ejbwju> Around noon today in NW Portland a large flock of birds flewover. There appeared to be a single Sandhill Crane at the front with a perfect "V" formation of Cackling Geese following. I had never seen this before and am wondering if others have, or whether I somehow mistook something else for the Crane. It was significantly larger than the geese, had an extremely long neck, slender body, and somewhat rolling wingbeats. I am quite sure it wasn't a Canada Goose. It appeared to be all gray but the lighting made that difficult to tell. Andy Frank -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/be0241f8/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Sat Jan 12 14:52:01 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:52:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Portland odd sighting In-Reply-To: <000601c8556a$6f5c6680$6400a8c0@homefih7ejbwju> Message-ID: Frank, I witnessed an escaped love-bird taking the lead of a flock of Canada geese at Alton- Baker Park in Eugene, some yrs back. If a tiny parrot can do this, a Sandhill should not have a problem, and neither should the geese! Larry _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Andy Frank Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 2:28 PM To: obol at lists.orst.edu Subject: [obol] Portland odd sighting Around noon today in NW Portland a large flock of birds flewover. There appeared to be a single Sandhill Crane at the front with a perfect "V" formation of Cackling Geese following. I had never seen this before and am wondering if others have, or whether I somehow mistook something else for the Crane. It was significantly larger than the geese, had an extremely long neck, slender body, and somewhat rolling wingbeats. I am quite sure it wasn't a Canada Goose. It appeared to be all gray but the lighting made that difficult to tell. Andy Frank -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/be730363/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Sat Jan 12 14:55:53 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:55:53 -0800 Subject: [obol] Townsend's Warblers In-Reply-To: <805031.44381.qm@web46010.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Yes. Townsend's usually join a feeding flock, with chickadees being the core species. There are usually several Townsend's if there's one. Food will also bring them together, but they will compete for space. Larry _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Seth Reams Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 1:59 PM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Townsend's Warblers I just wanted to ask a quick question. We just had 6 or 7 Townsend's warblers all competing for the same suet cake. We have seen them before but only as singles. Is it normal for them to flock together? Thanks. Seth and Michelle NE Portland - Gateway area _____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/f99f9881/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sat Jan 12 15:16:27 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:16:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] JoCo outing Message-ID: <2481ef8e7f8421adfde35c38cd834bde@earthlink.net> Begin forwarded message: > The results of your email command are provided below. Attached is your > original message. > > > - Unprocessed: > I would suggest they ALREADY have them. > Despite the widespread snow in my daily > existence, many classic signs of Spring > have been posted the past two plus weeks- > swallows, Turkey Vultures, and Ospreys, > which in my childhood were very much > March arrivals. Even snowfall on the > western fringe of the Willamette lowlands > has strong Spring connotations. > We may see a situation where lowland > birds have already fledged, while the > Cascade summits have so much snow that > spring will be in danger of not > happening. Lars Norgren > > - Done. > > > From: Norgren Family > Date: January 12, 2008 9:59:19 AM PST > To: obol-request at lists.oregonstate.edu > Subject: JoCo Outing > > > Egrets "still" had breeding plumes? > I would suggest they ALREADY have them. > Despite the widespread snow in my daily > existence, many classic signs of Spring > have been posted the past two plus weeks- > swallows, Turkey Vultures, and Ospreys, > which in my childhood were very much > March arrivals. Even snowfall on the > western fringe of the Willamette lowlands > has strong Spring connotations. > We may see a situation where lowland > birds have already fledged, while the > Cascade summits have so much snow that > spring will be in danger of not > happening. Lars Norgren > > > From wulfbird at gmail.com Sat Jan 12 15:24:49 2008 From: wulfbird at gmail.com (D. D.) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:24:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Help for a Red-tailed Hawk at Ridgefield NWR In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I've spoken to the Audubon Wildlife Center and they have advised me that I should attempt to trap the hawk as long as it is not flying and can approach it without much trouble. I'm trying to contact the the photographers to see if they've observed the hawk flying at all. The center mentioned that if the Hawk could still fly, then we'll have to wait for its condition to degrade enough to approach it. Unfortunately, flickr is currently down and I can't contact the photographer at this moment. On Jan 12, 2008 2:12 PM, D. D. wrote: > OBOL, > > I realize this is in WA and this has been posted to the Tweeters list by > someone else, but I want to add it to OBOL in the hopes that something can > be done for this Red-tailed Hawk. I follow several other wildlife > photographers online, especially those who visit Ridgefield NWR often. > Several have documented this Red-tailed Hawk's damaged eye: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwhorselady/2187772035/ > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainriver/2185823471/ > > I doubt this hawk is able to hunt with its condition and will probably not > survive long. If anyone can suggest how to help, please contact me or post > to the list. > > Many thanks > > > Damian > Portland, OR > http://flickr.com/photos/ddavalos > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/38c1c9d1/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Sat Jan 12 15:23:35 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:23:35 +0000 Subject: [obol] YB Loon at Dexter Lake In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I was also fortunate enough to see the Dexter Res. YELLOW-BILLED LOON at about 1:00PM today. I initially saw the bird from the boat ramp at the south end of the dam. The bird was quite a ways off from this vantage point, so I drove around to the north end of the dam and got quite a bit closer. Of course at that point the bird began swimming out towards the middle of the lake, so I was never really close. There is a nice big pullout at the north end of the dam, but the light angle is not as good because you are then looking south towards the sun. Walking north along the top of the dam and looking back to the east would be the best bet after about noon. I spent some additional time birding other sections of the reservoir and found the following: Red-throated Loon -- one still present, found originally by Diane Pettey and I on Dec 31. Clark's Grebe -- I saw at least one among the 25-30 Westerns. Horned Grebe -- at least eight. Eared Grebe -- one on the east side of the causeway towards the north shore Snow Goose -- still one immature hanging out with the domestic geese at Lowell State Park (just east of the dam on the north shore) Canvasback -- 54 all on the east side of the causeway Lesser Scaup -- at least 200 Ring-necked Duck -- about 100 Redhead -- at least 6 Common Goldeneye -- about 20 Dave Irons Eugene, OR There was a nice assortment of gulls at Lowell State Park that included, Herring, Thayer's, Glaucous-winged, California (many) and Ring-billed (many). > Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:40:49 -0800 > From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu; acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM > Subject: [obol] YB Loon at Dexter Lake > > The Yellow-billed loon was easy to see at a distance from the boat ramp at > the s. end of Dexter dam parking complex at mid-day. However, it was mainly > to the southeast, mixing loosely with a large swarm of coots, cormorants and > both scaup. My photos at extreme range are very poor so I am going back out > to try for more at 2:00. > > -- > Alan Contreras > EUGENE, OREGON > > McCain/Obama in 08 ! > > acontrer at mindspring.com > www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary > www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ Make distant family not so distant with Windows Vista? + Windows Live?. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/digitallife/keepintouch.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_VideoChat_distantfamily_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/0451539c/attachment.htm From dpvroman at budget.net Sat Jan 12 15:38:07 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:38:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] JoCo outing References: <2481ef8e7f8421adfde35c38cd834bde@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <003501c85574$32cad4e0$db29ff04@Warbler> Had not considered the Egrets were now growing they breeding plumes. As you mention, with the snow and cool weather in the valleys of late, preparing for nesting just doesn't seem to be what birds should be doing right now. Thanks for your thoughts on this Lars, Dennis >> >> Egrets "still" had breeding plumes? >> I would suggest they ALREADY have them. >> Despite the widespread snow in my daily >> existence, many classic signs of Spring >> have been posted the past two plus weeks- >> swallows, Turkey Vultures, and Ospreys, >> which in my childhood were very much >> March arrivals. Even snowfall on the >> western fringe of the Willamette lowlands >> has strong Spring connotations. >> We may see a situation where lowland >> birds have already fledged, while the >> Cascade summits have so much snow that >> spring will be in danger of not >> happening. Lars Norgren From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 12 15:54:36 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:54:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] Audubon Portland seeking Trip Leader/Master Birder Coordinator In-Reply-To: <611436.26548.qm@web34214.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Did this just come out? If so they obviously don't want any applicants, with a Jan 14 deadline and no e-mails allowed. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos > From: John Deshler > Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:22:51 -0800 (PST) > To: > Subject: [obol] Audubon Portland seeking Trip Leader/Master Birder Coordinator > > > This sounds like a pretty sweet gig for someone who > can deliver the goods. Deadline Monday 1/14. > > http://www.audubonportland.org/about/jobs/master_birder/ > > > > ______________________________________________________________________________ > ______ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. > http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From kevinkei at webformixair.com Sun Jan 13 16:14:01 2008 From: kevinkei at webformixair.com (Kevin Smith) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:14:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Last Three Months' Shoot Message-ID: <478AA949.8040101@webformixair.com> Thank goodness I was able to get things consolidated and combine the last three months. Take a look at http://www.kevinsmithnaturephots.com click on "New Sightings" Kevin Smith -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: kevinkei.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 107 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/bdd74622/attachment.vcf From sandyleapt at comcast.net Sat Jan 12 16:59:03 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:59:03 +0000 Subject: [obol] Tri-Colored Black Birds Message-ID: <011320080059.11879.478962570007398100002E6722069997359B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Thanks Dave. To anyone interested in following up on the search for the Tri-colored Blackbirds, there are also lots and lots of Starlings. The birds I saw this morning were not Starlings. Please check out the entire message for the address where I saw the birds. It is a City of Gresham Park. The big white house is a museum. The park is open dawn to dusk. I don't know my Blackbird songs perfectly, but I was hearing something that I don't think was a Brewer's Blackbird or a Red-winged Blackbird around 8:30 (01/12/08) this morning at the Zimmerman Heritage Farm, 17111 NE Sandy Blvd in Gresham. The song and the silhouettes were Blackbirds but bad light. There were lots of birds around for a while, but they disappeared when the Bald Eagle showed up, not that I'm complaining. I suspect the Tri-colored Blackbirds may be hanging out north of the railroad tracks at the above address. There's some land that is, I think, wetland mitigation given by the Port of Portland to the City of Portland back there. I don't get to wander north of the railroad tracks because, at times, there are large camps of transient people back there and the Gresham Police advise against wandering around alone back there. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: DAVID IRONS > > Sandy, > > I would post this to OBOL. There are several Portland area birders who might be > interested in checking out this blackbird flock. > > Dave Irons > > > From: sandyleapt at comcast.net > > To: llsdirons at msn.com > > Subject: Tri-Colored Black Birds > > Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:12:53 +0000 > > > > Hi Dave, > > > > A while back you were looking for the Tri-colored Blackbird colony in North/NE > Portland. I don't know my Blackbird songs perfectly, but I was hearing > something that I don't think was a Brewer's Blackbird or a Red-winged Blackbird > around 8:30 this morning at the Zimmerman Heritage Farm, 17111 NE Sandy Blvd in > Gresham. The song and the silhouettes were Blackbirds but bad light. There > were lots of birds around for a while, but they disappeared when the Bald Eagle > showed up, not that I'm complaining. > > > > I suspect the Tri-colored Blackbirds may be hanging out north of the railroad > tracks at the above address. There's some land that is, I think, wetland > mitigation given by the Port of Portland to the City of Portland back there. I > don't get to wander north of the railroad tracks because, at times, there are > large camps of transient people back there and the Gresham Police advise against > wandering around alone back there. > > > > Sandy Leaptrott > > NE Portland > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. > http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: DAVID IRONS Subject: RE: Tri-Colored Black Birds Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:30:24 +0000 Size: 2255 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/1616e94a/attachment.eml From tetraka at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 16:45:03 2008 From: tetraka at yahoo.com (tetraka at yahoo.com) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:45:03 GMT Subject: [obol] Birding Trip Report: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County, Washington on January 12, 2008 Message-ID: <200801130045.m0D0j370008721@rottweiler.furfly.com> This report was mailed for Robert Lockett by http://birdnotes.net Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County, Washington Temperature: 45 degrees fahrenheit Percentage of sky covered by clouds: 80% Precipitation: showers/intermittent rain Audubon Society of Portland field trip, co-led by Robert Lockett and Adrienne Wolf-Lockett. 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. Weather varied from overcast to showers to partial sun. Nine participants enjoyed a walk in the Carty Unit before doing the auto tour route. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Canada Goose Cackling Goose [1] Tundra Swan Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-Winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Ruddy Duck Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret [2] Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-shouldered Hawk [3] Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk [4] Eurasian Kestrel Peregrine Falcon American Coot Sandhill Crane Glaucous-winged Gull Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker Steller's Jay Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee White-breasted Nuthatch Bewick's Wren American Robin Varied Thrush European Starling Spotted Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird House Finch Footnotes: [1] Outnumbered Canada Geese 20:1 [2] 2 [3] reported by participants; not seen by leaders. [4] 1 adult Total number of species seen: 47 From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 12 18:14:13 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:14:13 -0800 Subject: [obol] YB Loon photos Message-ID: I have placed two of Barry McKenzie's extreme-range digiscoped photos of the Dexter YB Loon on my bird photo blog: www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM. The bird is fairly easy to see well in scopes but does not usually come close enough for photos. Daniel Farrar, who found it, may have better photos. Mine are worse. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From roygerig at hotmail.com Sat Jan 12 19:08:46 2008 From: roygerig at hotmail.com (Roy Gerig) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:08:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] Polk County 1-12-08 Message-ID: I birded around Baskett Slough NWR for 2 hours in the early afternoon today and found: 1 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN that Bill Tice reported yesterday 5-6 SNOW GEESE at least 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS 2 CINNAMON TEAL 26 CANVASBACK (a big number in Polk County) on the pond near Myers Rd. between Perrydale Rd. and Smithfield Rd., adjacent to BSNWR. 1 GLAUCOUS GULL, 1 beautiful adult in the several hundred mostly ugly pink-legged gulls just east of the north end of Livermore Rd. Roy Gerig, Salem OR/Obama! _________________________________________________________________ Watch ?Cause Effect,? a show about real people making a real difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/f232cdc8/attachment.htm From nettielh at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 19:59:03 2008 From: nettielh at yahoo.com (Annette (Lange) Hildebrand) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 19:59:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] TRNWR BackYard Bird Walk and later Baskett Slough Message-ID: <62945.81576.qm@web50206.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Elaine from Back Yard Bird Shop ... was our fearless leader! It was a wonderful morning, even though damp. Boots are needed to wade a few spots to strictly stay on the "trail only section" allowed this time of year. Walks are free and Elaine is patient, brings her scope so that everyone can have a great look, her bird book and she can see and hear birds everywhere! Lovely day ...... esp. to see the RED SHOULDERED HAWK and WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCH! ( I'm leaving out the two bald eagles who lunched on a pintail ) Later, Fred and I went on to ......................... Basket Slough - A Lone White Pelican and 4 or so Snow Geese were swimming in with the many ducks! Pintails are so striking this time of year. Every field seemed to have Northern Harrier's flying low (more female than male) and Kestrel perched high! Off Smithfield Road, a large Rough Legged?, or at least our best guess. It was larger than marsh hawk and red tail, most noticeable for me was the tail! It had one very large, thick dark band on tail's edge. Upper tail white. I've never seen a band this thick before, though have never seen a Rough Legged before. Only other bird in book would be a golden eagle but that is highly unlikely I think? It is winter and juveniles could be looking for small mammals, birds etc. Was anyone else out her on Saturday? I will be pouring over OBOL to see what others find! 49 species for a gray wet day ... a beautiful day! Annette --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/d57cd4ce/attachment.htm From frankdanl at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 20:57:43 2008 From: frankdanl at yahoo.com (frank lospalluto) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:57:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] CSNM-Pilot Rock Area Monthly Survey,Jackson Co.,01/12/08 Message-ID: <969227.10641.qm@web36710.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Just wanted to share the results of a survey on skis down here in the borderlands. There was 4 to 6 feet of snow in the area surveyed after a stormy week (to put it mildly). However I have seen good numbers of American Robins and Cedar Waxwings this winter in the Siskiyou Summit, Upper Colestin Valley and Pilot Rock Areas despite the snowy weather. Red-tailed Hawk 2 Northern Flicker 1 Steller?s Jay 9 Western Scrub Jay 4 Mountain Chickadee 15 Oak Titmouse 1 Brown Creeper 2 White-breasted Nuthatch 2 Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 Golden-crowned Kinglet 4 Western Bluebird 8 Townsend?s Solitaire 25 American Robin 123 Varied Thrush 1 Cedar Waxwing 79 BOHEMIAN WAXWING 44 Oregon Junco 5 CSNM-Cascade Siskiyou National Monument frank ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From kirkpat at charter.net Sat Jan 12 20:57:27 2008 From: kirkpat at charter.net (Douglas Kirkpatrick) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 20:57:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Kauai In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <001d01c855a0$cbefd540$2772ba44@D7CDFN81> Hi, All, I hate to dash cold water on the subject but feel compelled to mention the following. After last month's discussion of Kauai birding, my wife and I arranged to have David Kuhn guide us for a day through the Alakai swamp to see the endemics. We DID see 5/8 of the target species but it was somewhat of a disappointment compared to many other birding guides we've gone with. David seems to have lost his enthusiasm for the joys of birding and nature study. He marches you in, shows you the birds (more or less) and then marches you out. There's no commentary on anything else and getting information on the other flora and fauna is like pulling teeth. It's not cheap either (one "day's birding" is 4 hours and costs $250 for two people). Just be advised before you sign on. Doug Kirkpatrick (who just had a great time Wednesday driving out to Brownsmead and spending a leisurely hour with ARLO) Medford After Ginny asked for help birding in Kauai I e-mailed a friend who spends a good bit of time there. She has responded directly to Ginny and copied me. Here is additional information for anyone interested. It comes from two separate e-mails from my friend in Portland. I had a good day with the following quide, whom I think is the only one on Kauai. The birding companies that come toHawaii all use him. He is David Kuhn, 808-335-0398, info at soundshawaiian.com He can tailor the trip to whatever your friend wants to do. I wanted to do the Alakai Swamp to see the uncommon endemics and we were successful. The terrain is a bit rigorous and demanding, but this old guy was able to do it. Our birding is done informally with just us so I can't recommend any particular group or person. However, I can point you in these directions: *the best website is "Kokee State Park" (no other words) *click onto "birds" found in the left column *voila! *this is the best site that I've found, quite exciting actually! Another website is "Alakai Swamp Trail." Click away! The Alakai Swamp is perhaps the best place to find Kaua`i's endangered birds. It isn't the easiest trail to hike and, certainly, if it has been raining, don't go. However, if it's dry, take your time and lots of water, keep your eyes and ears open and you'll come upon a birding treasure. A friend of mine, maybe you know him, is John Hammerstad. He is the cr?me de la cr?me of birders and when last on Kaua`i had a personal guided birding trek into the AlakaiSwamp. I have a call into him now asking for this guide person's name. He knew where to find the rare species, and that was John's goal. As soon as I hear from him, I'll send what he has to say along to you. (see above) Another spot that is superb for shore and seabird watching is at the Kilauea Lighthouse. No strain for hiking here at all and very interesting and exciting. Hawai`i's state bird, the Nene, is fairly abundant here. A delightful double whammy when you're here is that the Humpback whales can be easily seen. These giants migrate to Kaua`i beginning around December, departing for colder climes about May. Calves are born at this time and breeding takes place. There is alot of breaching which is a thrill to see. Watch for their spouts! Keep your eyes glued for their fins and their tails. Normally, you would probably see the breaching, but the fins and tails are harder to witness. The whales are just another incredible treat on Kaua`i. A call into the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, an office located in Lihue, may bring you some more information. There are a number of entries for their department, and I don't know just which one will work. I suggest you try the one for the Division of Forestry & Wildlife at 274.3433. This is a local call, and no where on the island do you need to include the area code as we have to do on the mainland. While we don't know this lady per se, we did talk with her a couple of times re. Sierra Club hikes. Her name is Karen Tilley, 821.8008. She coordinates their hikes and because she does, she just may know directly about any bird hikes or be able to direct you to someone who does. Be sure to keep your binoculars with you at all times. Birds are everywhere. If I may be so bold to say, anywhere you hike, picnic, gawk, you will come upon them. Granted there areALOT of chickens and roosters that are the bane of any other bird. The islanders tolerate them, some even think they're just fine. Ron and I, however, hate the damn things. Ah, well... I could wax on and on about one of my favorite places on earth, Kaua`i, so had best close before your eyes roll back in your head! Totally enjoy and embrace Kaua`i!" Judie Hansen, Eugene -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/a0f03373/attachment.htm From shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com Sat Jan 12 21:46:05 2008 From: shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com (Shawneen Finnegan) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:46:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Friday, Arctic Loon report Message-ID: <6123BB79-5D53-4647-8FAA-4A14E67B8D29@gmail.com> Yesterday (Friday) I joined Mike Danzenbaker (from California) on his quest to photograph the ARCTIC LOON. We were quite successful, arriving just after Noon, finding the loon along Pentilla Road. It was very cooperative and stayed for a long time west of the bridge. Eventually it made its way to the east side of the bridge, up by the boat launch ramp area along Gnat Creek Road. The other bird of note that we saw was the BLACK PHOEBE. The easiest way to describe where it was would be to take Jackson Road from the west end of Pentilla Road, and turn left at Brownsmead Dike Road. Mike Patterson saw the phoebe around the yellow house at this intersection. We finally found it was by turning left on Brownsmead Dike Road from the end of Jackson. Not far are the the railroad tracks with a small slough paralleling the tracks on the left (west) side of the road. The phoebe was working this slough and the fence around the cow pasture nearby. The WHITE-TAILED KITE continues in the area also. Shawneen Finnegan Portland, OR From raptorrunner97321 at yahoo.com Sat Jan 12 21:49:33 2008 From: raptorrunner97321 at yahoo.com (Jeff Fleischer) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 21:49:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Linn County Eagle Mania and Raptor Rapture :) Message-ID: <486892.64669.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hello Everyone, As part of the National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey Project, I conducted my survey today here in Linn County. Last January, I put together a set route path that I will be doing each January. This route is 145 miles long and includes most of the Linn County Valley floor south of Hwy 228 that runs east-west from Brownsville to the Willamette River. North of Hwy 228, the route covers the area east of I-5 to the eastern foothills north to several miles north of Hwy 34. I started the route at 7:35 AM at I-5 Exit 209. This is the area where the Mountain Plover was reported last week. The first section ran east along Diamond Hill Dr. I knew I was in for something special when I found 8 Bald Eagles between I-5 and Gap Rd. Heading south on Gap Rd next, I really knew that this was going to be a special day when I connected up with the resident GOLDEN EAGLE pair and 9 more BAEAs. I REALLY knew this was going to be a special day when I then found 14 more BAEAs along Priceboro Rd all the way west back to I-5. The rest of the day was an exceptional experience along the route as I found a total of 123 Bald Eagles!! The age breakdown was 68 full adult birds and 55 subadult birds. To give you an idea of how that compares with what I found last January 15 when I did the inaugural survey, on that day I found a total of 55 BAEAs (23 adults, 32 subadults). Darn near all of the Bald Eagles today were associated with flocks of sheep. BAEAs in Linn County during the winter pretty much depend on this food source to survive the cold, wet winters that we experience here. Birds were observed feeding on sheep carcasses, or perched on the ground or in nearby trees in close proximity to the sheep. It has been my experience over the last 6 winters while doing my raptor surveys that BAEAs peak in February, the timing of which coincides with the major sheep lambing season as well as northern migration activity. So, it appears that we may be in form some really eyepopping BAEA numbers when this activity gets into full swing. It should be noted here that eventhough eagles are capable of taking very young newborn lambs, their primary food source is usually the carcasses of adults that die throughout the winter or the afterbirth biomass that is readily available during lambing. So, Bald Eagle viewing today was exceptional and very enjoyable and rewarding :) BUT.... this is not the whole story of my experience today! Besides the GOEA pair seen on Gap Rd, while oogling the BAEAs on Priceboro Rd, I had a MERLIN scream by me no more than 50 yards in front of my jeep! When I am doing raptor type surveys in Linn County, finding a Merlin automatically elevates my attempt at completing the falcon grand slam as it is the toughest of the four to find. The third falcon to be seen was a beautiful adult PEREGRINE FALCON along Twin Buttes West Dr just east of I-5. It zoomed by me going west and I watched it cross over I-5 and drop back down again. Continuing south on Weggner Rd then crossing over I-5 on Bond Butte Dr, I turned north on Rowland Rd and at the intersection of Rowland Rd and Twin Buttes W Dr (west of I-5) I refound the bird perched in a small snag northeast of the intersection. It afforded near full scope views, a real stunning bird! So now I had 3 of the 4 legs of the grand slam under my belt. Usually in my experience covering this area for my raptor runs, I have found that the second easiest falcon to find next to American Kestrels is the Prairie Falcon. During my December raptor run in this part of Linn County (Linn Unit 4 route to be specific) I had found 4 Prairie Falcons so my confidence was high to find at least one of them this time around the area. I continued on the survey and finally found one PRAIRIE FALCON perched on a tree along Hwy 228 about a mile east of the Pioneer Villa complex. Without going back through all my records tonight, I believe this was the 4th or 5th time that I have found all 4 falcon species in one day. Great fun! :) BUT.......this was NOT the end of my great experience today! While driving west on Sub Station Rd (this is several miles north of the town of Harrisburg) from Powerline Rd, I had just crossed over Hwy 99E when I looked south and saw a bird perched on a small tree along the highway several hundred yards south of Sub Station Rd. I stopped and looked at it with my binocs and noted that it just didn't look right for a Redtailed Hawk. Sure enough, when I put my scope on the bird, I was looking at a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK!! I turned around and drove south on Hwy 99 to get a closer look. Enroute to the location, I saw the bird take flight and cross west over the highway and turn south along the western edge of the highway. It landed on a fence post and sat pretty as you please for my several minute viewing pleasure :) This was not a full adult bird. I remember reading about a posting of a RSHA that was found near the pond on Powerline Rd just west of Hwy 99 awhile back and can't remember if that bird was posted as an adult or immature bird. Anyway, finding a RSHA in this area added immensely to my experience today :) BUT........... I was still destined for one more treat. While traveling west on the graveled portion of Glaser Rd I found 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKs about midway between Sevenmile Lane and Parker Rd. When I got to the intersection of Glaser and Sevenmile I was treated to 3 additional RLHAs, two of which were kiting for prey within 50 yards of me. One of them successfully stooped on a probable vole while the other eventually drifted further west towards I-5. So, for today, my raptor species list while conducting this Bald Eagle survey looked like this: Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Northern Harrier American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Sharp-shinned Hawk I wanted to add that after I completed my survey I headed straight for the intersection of Tangent Dr and Oakville Rd to locate the Swainson's Hawk that has been hanging around that area the last couple of weeks. I suspect that this bird might have taken cover for the evening as I was unable to relocate it in the failing light of the approaching evening. I did find some solice though in finding another RLHA while driving north on Oakville Rd on my way home. In response to Dave Irons' earlier posting about his BAEA sightings and requests for input from other Linn County birders, Dave, looks like we have some major eagle use going on here in Linn County this winter :) I am looking forward to monitoring their numbers on the rest of the ECBC raptor surveys run by various folks here in Linn County as well as the other Willamette Valley counties. Jeff Fleischer East Cascades Bird Conservancy Winter Raptor Survey Project Coordinator Albany, OR ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From vernd at oregonfast.net Sat Jan 12 22:14:52 2008 From: vernd at oregonfast.net (Vernon DiPietro) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:14:52 -0800 Subject: [obol] WARNING: disturbing eagle story Message-ID: <06C45B4D-AC5A-4772-B661-D8C637907F43@oregonfast.net> Hello OBOL, I try and keep up on what's happening in Kodiak AK where I lived for a period of time, by glancing at the public radio website (KMXT) now and then. A news story concerning Bald Eagles was posted 11 Jan. that I thought I would post the link to. How it happened is pretty amazing, though rather disturbing, describing the death of 19 of 50 BAEA. http://www.kmxt.org/ When I lived up there, we used to go to the harbor on occasion and watch the Sea Lions and Eagles down by the fisheries compete for scraps. 30-40 BAEA and the almost the same number of Sea Lions was not uncommon. Best, Vern Vern DiPietro Between Ada and Portland Oregon. www.vernondipietrophotographer.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/123ad557/attachment.htm From tamickel at rio.com Sat Jan 12 22:27:53 2008 From: tamickel at rio.com (Tom & Allison Mickel) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:27:53 -0800 Subject: [obol] Kauai References: <001d01c855a0$cbefd540$2772ba44@D7CDFN81> Message-ID: <00e301c855ad$6dcec630$4000a8c0@tas> Doug couldn't have described David Kuhn better! These were our exact sentiments also -- except from ten years ago. And ten years ago, he wouldn't take "clients" into the Alakai swamp proper without "testing" your hiking abilities first. Therefore, one had to pay for two days of David's time in order to be guided into the Alakai swamp to see the really rare native birds. We opted out after experiencing one day with David. Allison & Tom Mickel Eugene ----- Original Message ----- From: Douglas Kirkpatrick To: 'obol' Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2008 8:57 PM Subject: Re: [obol] Kauai Hi, All, I hate to dash cold water on the subject but feel compelled to mention the following. After last month's discussion of Kauai birding, my wife and I arranged to have David Kuhn guide us for a day through the Alakai swamp to see the endemics. We DID see 5/8 of the target species but it was somewhat of a disappointment compared to many other birding guides we've gone with. David seems to have lost his enthusiasm for the joys of birding and nature study. He marches you in, shows you the birds (more or less) and then marches you out. There's no commentary on anything else and getting information on the other flora and fauna is like pulling teeth. It's not cheap either (one "day's birding" is 4 hours and costs $250 for two people). Just be advised before you sign on. Doug Kirkpatrick (who just had a great time Wednesday driving out to Brownsmead and spending a leisurely hour with ARLO) Medford After Ginny asked for help birding in Kauai I e-mailed a friend who spends a good bit of time there. She has responded directly to Ginny and copied me. Here is additional information for anyone interested. It comes from two separate e-mails from my friend in Portland. I had a good day with the following quide, whom I think is the only one on Kauai. The birding companies that come toHawaii all use him. He is David Kuhn, 808-335-0398, info at soundshawaiian.com He can tailor the trip to whatever your friend wants to do. I wanted to do the Alakai Swamp to see the uncommon endemics and we were successful. The terrain is a bit rigorous and demanding, but this old guy was able to do it. Our birding is done informally with just us so I can't recommend any particular group or person. However, I can point you in these directions: *the best website is "Kokee State Park" (no other words) *click onto "birds" found in the left column *voila! *this is the best site that I've found, quite exciting actually! Another website is "Alakai Swamp Trail." Click away! The Alakai Swamp is perhaps the best place to find Kaua`i's endangered birds. It isn't the easiest trail to hike and, certainly, if it has been raining, don't go. However, if it's dry, take your time and lots of water, keep your eyes and ears open and you'll come upon a birding treasure. A friend of mine, maybe you know him, is John Hammerstad. He is the cr?me de la cr?me of birders and when last on Kaua`i had a personal guided birding trek into the AlakaiSwamp. I have a call into him now asking for this guide person's name. He knew where to find the rare species, and that was John's goal. As soon as I hear from him, I'll send what he has to say along to you. (see above) Another spot that is superb for shore and seabird watching is at the Kilauea Lighthouse. No strain for hiking here at all and very interesting and exciting. Hawai`i's state bird, the Nene, is fairly abundant here. A delightful double whammy when you're here is that the Humpback whales can be easily seen. These giants migrate to Kaua`i beginning around December, departing for colder climes about May. Calves are born at this time and breeding takes place. There is alot of breaching which is a thrill to see. Watch for their spouts! Keep your eyes glued for their fins and their tails. Normally, you would probably see the breaching, but the fins and tails are harder to witness. The whales are just another incredible treat on Kaua`i. A call into the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, an office located in Lihue, may bring you some more information. There are a number of entries for their department, and I don't know just which one will work. I suggest you try the one for the Division of Forestry & Wildlife at 274.3433. This is a local call, and no where on the island do you need to include the area code as we have to do on the mainland. While we don't know this lady per se, we did talk with her a couple of times re. Sierra Club hikes. Her name is Karen Tilley, 821.8008. She coordinates their hikes and because she does, she just may know directly about any bird hikes or be able to direct you to someone who does. Be sure to keep your binoculars with you at all times. Birds are everywhere. If I may be so bold to say, anywhere you hike, picnic, gawk, you will come upon them. Granted there areALOT of chickens and roosters that are the bane of any other bird. The islanders tolerate them, some even think they're just fine. Ron and I, however, hate the damn things. Ah, well... I could wax on and on about one of my favorite places on earth, Kaua`i, so had best close before your eyes roll back in your head! Totally enjoy and embrace Kaua`i!" Judie Hansen, Eugene ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.1/1220 - Release Date: 1/11/2008 6:09 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080112/e37f08dd/attachment.htm From contopus at telus.net Sun Jan 13 06:34:00 2008 From: contopus at telus.net (Wayne Weber) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 06:34:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] Linn County Eagle Mania and Raptor Rapture :) In-Reply-To: <486892.64669.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> References: <486892.64669.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <005f01c855f1$56aae9e0$0400bda0$@net> Jeff and Oregon Birders, I enjoyed your account of what was obviously a spectacular eagle-counting and raptor-watching day in Linn County. In parts of southern British Columbia-- e.g. the Okanagan Valley-- the largest concentrations of Bald Eagles are seen in February and early March around cattle operations, where they are feeding on the afterbirths of newborn calves. I discovered this while studying bird use of cattle feedlots during the 1980s. (There are few sheep in most parts of British Columbia.) In most areas of BC, the biggest concentrations of eagles are found around salmon spawning streams like the Squamish River, or around large concentrations of waterfowl such as at Boundary Bay. You would probably enjoy counting birds of prey in the Fraser River Delta near Vancouver, where we have done monthly raptor counts for many years. The winter birdlife of this area is very similar to that of the Willamette Valley. However, the relative abundance of the four falcon species is quite different. Peregrines and Merlins are easily the two most frequent species, Kestrels are rare (usually not more than 3 or 4 wintering in the entire area), and Prairie Falcons are extremely rare, although one has been wintering near Boundary Bay this winter. In addition, there are usually one or two wintering Gyrfalcons, so in years like this when a Prairie Falcon is present, there is a possibility of a 5-falcon day, and a number of local birders have managed the grand slam (I never have). Keep up the good work. I'm off today to take part in the annual midwinter Eagle/swan count in the B.C. Southern Interior, where I cover Nicola and Douglas lakes and vicinity. Sincerely, Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus at telus.net -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Jeff Fleischer Sent: January-12-08 9:50 PM To: MIDVAL; obol at lists.orst.edu Subject: [obol] Linn County Eagle Mania and Raptor Rapture :) Hello Everyone, As part of the National Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey Project, I conducted my survey today here in Linn County. Last January, I put together a set route path that I will be doing each January. This route is 145 miles long and includes most of the Linn County Valley floor south of Hwy 228 that runs east-west from Brownsville to the Willamette River. North of Hwy 228, the route covers the area east of I-5 to the eastern foothills north to several miles north of Hwy 34. I started the route at 7:35 AM at I-5 Exit 209. This is the area where the Mountain Plover was reported last week. The first section ran east along Diamond Hill Dr. I knew I was in for something special when I found 8 Bald Eagles between I-5 and Gap Rd. Heading south on Gap Rd next, I really knew that this was going to be a special day when I connected up with the resident GOLDEN EAGLE pair and 9 more BAEAs. I REALLY knew this was going to be a special day when I then found 14 more BAEAs along Priceboro Rd all the way west back to I-5. The rest of the day was an exceptional experience along the route as I found a total of 123 Bald Eagles!! The age breakdown was 68 full adult birds and 55 subadult birds. To give you an idea of how that compares with what I found last January 15 when I did the inaugural survey, on that day I found a total of 55 BAEAs (23 adults, 32 subadults). Darn near all of the Bald Eagles today were associated with flocks of sheep. BAEAs in Linn County during the winter pretty much depend on this food source to survive the cold, wet winters that we experience here. Birds were observed feeding on sheep carcasses, or perched on the ground or in nearby trees in close proximity to the sheep. It has been my experience over the last 6 winters while doing my raptor surveys that BAEAs peak in February, the timing of which coincides with the major sheep lambing season as well as northern migration activity. So, it appears that we may be in form some really eyepopping BAEA numbers when this activity gets into full swing. It should be noted here that eventhough eagles are capable of taking very young newborn lambs, their primary food source is usually the carcasses of adults that die throughout the winter or the afterbirth biomass that is readily available during lambing. So, Bald Eagle viewing today was exceptional and very enjoyable and rewarding :) BUT.... this is not the whole story of my experience today! Besides the GOEA pair seen on Gap Rd, while oogling the BAEAs on Priceboro Rd, I had a MERLIN scream by me no more than 50 yards in front of my jeep! When I am doing raptor type surveys in Linn County, finding a Merlin automatically elevates my attempt at completing the falcon grand slam as it is the toughest of the four to find. The third falcon to be seen was a beautiful adult PEREGRINE FALCON along Twin Buttes West Dr just east of I-5. It zoomed by me going west and I watched it cross over I-5 and drop back down again. Continuing south on Weggner Rd then crossing over I-5 on Bond Butte Dr, I turned north on Rowland Rd and at the intersection of Rowland Rd and Twin Buttes W Dr (west of I-5) I refound the bird perched in a small snag northeast of the intersection. It afforded near full scope views, a real stunning bird! So now I had 3 of the 4 legs of the grand slam under my belt. Usually in my experience covering this area for my raptor runs, I have found that the second easiest falcon to find next to American Kestrels is the Prairie Falcon. During my December raptor run in this part of Linn County (Linn Unit 4 route to be specific) I had found 4 Prairie Falcons so my confidence was high to find at least one of them this time around the area. I continued on the survey and finally found one PRAIRIE FALCON perched on a tree along Hwy 228 about a mile east of the Pioneer Villa complex. Without going back through all my records tonight, I believe this was the 4th or 5th time that I have found all 4 falcon species in one day. Great fun! :) BUT.......this was NOT the end of my great experience today! While driving west on Sub Station Rd (this is several miles north of the town of Harrisburg) from Powerline Rd, I had just crossed over Hwy 99E when I looked south and saw a bird perched on a small tree along the highway several hundred yards south of Sub Station Rd. I stopped and looked at it with my binocs and noted that it just didn't look right for a Redtailed Hawk. Sure enough, when I put my scope on the bird, I was looking at a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK!! I turned around and drove south on Hwy 99 to get a closer look. Enroute to the location, I saw the bird take flight and cross west over the highway and turn south along the western edge of the highway. It landed on a fence post and sat pretty as you please for my several minute viewing pleasure :) This was not a full adult bird. I remember reading about a posting of a RSHA that was found near the pond on Powerline Rd just west of Hwy 99 awhile back and can't remember if that bird was posted as an adult or immature bird. Anyway, finding a RSHA in this area added immensely to my experience today :) BUT........... I was still destined for one more treat. While traveling west on the graveled portion of Glaser Rd I found 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKs about midway between Sevenmile Lane and Parker Rd. When I got to the intersection of Glaser and Sevenmile I was treated to 3 additional RLHAs, two of which were kiting for prey within 50 yards of me. One of them successfully stooped on a probable vole while the other eventually drifted further west towards I-5. So, for today, my raptor species list while conducting this Bald Eagle survey looked like this: Bald Eagle Golden Eagle Red-tailed Hawk Rough-legged Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Northern Harrier American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Sharp-shinned Hawk I wanted to add that after I completed my survey I headed straight for the intersection of Tangent Dr and Oakville Rd to locate the Swainson's Hawk that has been hanging around that area the last couple of weeks. I suspect that this bird might have taken cover for the evening as I was unable to relocate it in the failing light of the approaching evening. I did find some solice though in finding another RLHA while driving north on Oakville Rd on my way home. In response to Dave Irons' earlier posting about his BAEA sightings and requests for input from other Linn County birders, Dave, looks like we have some major eagle use going on here in Linn County this winter :) I am looking forward to monitoring their numbers on the rest of the ECBC raptor surveys run by various folks here in Linn County as well as the other Willamette Valley counties. Jeff Fleischer East Cascades Bird Conservancy Winter Raptor Survey Project Coordinator Albany, OR ____________________________________________________________________________ ________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Sun Jan 13 08:32:06 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:32:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Birds 1/12/2008 Message-ID: <139370.15554.qm@web45114.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Cape Arago Audubon field trip to the Empire and Charleston area of Coos Bay, 0900-1230, partly sunny, pretty nice morning, highlights: 1- RUDDY TURNSTONE (at Fossil Point, an overwintering bird that was seen several times in December but was hard to relocate and missed on the on the CBC) 1- LONG-TAILED DUCK 2- BLACK SCOTER 1- PIGEON GUILLEMOT 2- EARED GREBES 12- BRANT (numbers slowly increasing) 2- BROWN PELICANS (one begging for food on the docks in Charleston) Also got a late note from Jack Thomas that he found two MOUNTAIN PLOVERS near the Empire boat ramp in a grassy area around 2PM, more info if I can refind them which is along my Bald Eagle survey route today. Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From kevinkei at webformixair.com Mon Jan 14 09:09:54 2008 From: kevinkei at webformixair.com (Kevin Smith) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:09:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Oops!! Message-ID: <478B9762.9000408@webformixair.com> Sorry!! My hands are all thumbs, I guess. Try THIS link. Kevin Thank goodness I was able to get things consolidated and combine the last three months. Take a look at http://www.kevinsmithnaturephotos.com click on "New Sightings" Kevin Smith -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: kevinkei.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 107 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/1b7ae1b8/attachment.vcf From dpvroman at budget.net Sun Jan 13 08:32:56 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 08:32:56 -0800 Subject: [obol] Jo Co Cassin's Finch Message-ID: <000601c85601$f43aa820$ca2bff04@Warbler> This morning (01-13-08) at our place (just east of the Merlin I-5 exit, Josephine Co), among the usual group of Purple Finch was at least one female CASSIN'S FINCH. Not a "regular" bird in the valley areas here, but do turn up now and again. With the Cassin's, we have all 3 Carpodacus finches at our place now. The WHITE-THROATED SPARROW seen here late last year is still around (spotted again this morning). Dennis (north of Grants Pass) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/b8d45409/attachment.htm From ggrier at efn.org Sun Jan 13 12:17:21 2008 From: ggrier at efn.org (George Grier) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 12:17:21 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed Loon At Dexter Lake Message-ID: <5.0.0.25.2.20080113121320.01f4d570@pop.efn.org> The YB LOON, previously spotted by Daniel Farrar and posted yesterday, continues to be well-seen from the boat ramp at the south/west end of Dexter Lake just off Hwy 58 east of Dexter. It could also be seen from the covered bridge pullout at the other end of the lake. Many folks had good looks while we were there from 10:30 to 11:30 this morning. Cynthia Pappas & George Grier Springfield. OR From namitzr at hotmail.com Sun Jan 13 13:30:15 2008 From: namitzr at hotmail.com (Russ Namitz) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:30:15 -0800 Subject: [obol] Coos MOUNTAIN PLOVERS - NO In-Reply-To: <139370.15554.qm@web45114.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Tim Rodenkirk and I searched for the reported Mountain Plovers with no luck this morning. Later in the morning Judy Brown and Eric Clough also stopped by, but didn't see anything either. I went out to Cape Arago and saw species similar to what Tim reported yesterday from Empire. In the fields by Bastendorff Beach turnoff, there were 23 WILSON'S SNIPE, but I didn't see any will smaller bills. Darn. An adult COOPER'S HAWK also buzzed through and picked off one of the 15+ KILLDEER feeding in the field. One of the Northern Elephant Seals at Simpson Reef now has a pup. This is the best spot to view this species of pinniped on the Oregon coast and the only known OR location where it breeds. Cheers, Russ Namitz Coos Bay From celata at pacifier.com Sun Jan 13 14:10:32 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:10:32 -0800 Subject: [obol] Brownsmead on Sunday - 1/13/2008 Message-ID: <478A8C31.BC6508C8@pacifier.com> It was a beautiful sunny day at Brownsmead and all the unusual stuff was out and remarkably easy to find. The ARCTIC LOON spent the whole morning in the Slough just west of net pens and was easily seen by anybody who was looking. Both the BLACK PHOEBE and the PALM WARBLER were noisily working the fence at the house with the MODALE/FERRERO sign in the window. I also saw an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and several YELLOW-RUMPS between there and the grange. I also found a PRAIRIE FALCON which was seen last week, I think by Sylvia Maulding, though I'm not sure she posted it to anyone but me. I posted photos of today's finds at: http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From larmcqueen at msn.com Sun Jan 13 14:57:40 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:57:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Exhibit extension Message-ID: My bird painting exhibit "The Spirit of Birds", has been extended once again, until June 15th 2008. Place: Law School Center (15th and Agate St), University of Oregon, Eugene, in the administration reception area on the main floor at the north end of the building. Time: this area is open 9 to 5 Mon to Fri (closed weekends). Paintings do not include illustrations done for the recently published "Birds of Peru". Larry McQueen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/71e63aab/attachment.htm From brrobb at comcast.net Sun Jan 13 15:09:26 2008 From: brrobb at comcast.net (Roger & Betty Robb) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:09:26 -0800 Subject: [obol] Three Loons at Dexter Resevoir, Lane Co. Message-ID: <000801c85639$57d17ad0$0a00a8c0@RROffice> I found Daniel's YELLOW-BILLED LOON this morning at 8:00 in the SW corner of the lake near the boat ramp. The RED-THROATED LOON was further out on the lake to the east of the boat ramp. I also found a COMMON LOON east of the causeway. Roger Robb Springfield, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/689aaa3b/attachment.htm From sylviam at clearwire.net Sun Jan 13 14:35:27 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 14:35:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] YB Loon and Com. Loon Dexter Message-ID: <478A922F.7040603@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL We had great looks at the YELLOW-BILLED LOON this morning from the boat ramp at the west end of Dexter Lake about 10:00-11:00. Then after the wind died down at the covered bridge parking lot about noon I saw a COMMON LOON on the east side. One EARED GREBE was also seen on the east side, along with REDHEADS. From the west side of the parking lot I saw four HORNED GREBES. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From jefflin1 at earthlink.net Mon Jan 14 07:07:42 2008 From: jefflin1 at earthlink.net (Jeffrey Pugh) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:07:42 -0800 Subject: [obol] Snow goose near Glide Message-ID: <410-22008111415742750@earthlink.net> On my way back from the Glide transfer site today, I birded my way back home via Whistler's Lane. At about milepost 3 there is a pond I check out regularly. There was a SNOW GOOSE hanging out with the CANADA GEESE and WIGEON in the field just south of the pond. Linda Smith Jeffrey Pugh jefflin1 at earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/b20ca819/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Downloaded Program Updates.lnk Type: application/octet-stream Size: 519 bytes Desc: Downloaded Program Updates.lnk Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/b20ca819/attachment.obj From dondewitt at hotmail.com Sun Jan 13 17:18:14 2008 From: dondewitt at hotmail.com (Don DeWitt) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 01:18:14 +0000 Subject: [obol] local RBA: Red-naped Sapsucker at Dexter Lake Message-ID: OBOL, This afternoon Jeff Grass and I found an adult male RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER near the boat ramp area at the west end of Dexter Reservoir. We were about to join other birders who were standing there viewing the YELLOW-BILLED LOON, but as we pulled into a parking space just north of the boat ramp we noticed a sapsucker about a foot from the ground on the glistening sapwells at the base of a maple-type tree less than 20 feet away from us. Still inside the vehicle, we studied the bird, in profile, in bright sunshine, for several minutes. The strong white lines on the face, the red on nape, top of head and entire throat, the black border below the red of the throat (but not completely framing it as it would with Yellow-bellied Sapsucker) and the heavy white barring reaching around from the bird's back all made it a close match for the illustration of RED-NAPED in Sibley's Guide, which we consulted as we watched the bird. We could even see some red smudging on the cheek of the bird, back of the eye and between the white lines. And, obviously, the bird did not have the complete red hood and red onto the breast that a Red-breasted Sapsucker would show. The bird was in the mixed stand of mature trees just north of the boat ramp. The well tree it was using was the 4th tree from the boat ramp. (Vjera Thompson located another tree in that stand which also had active sap wells.) Other birders were still trying to relocate the sapsucker when we left. All had enjoyed great views of the YELLOW-BILLED LOON. Don DeWitt, Eugene _________________________________________________________________ Watch ?Cause Effect,? a show about real people making a real difference. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/52672b87/attachment.htm From tetraka at yahoo.com Sun Jan 13 17:39:08 2008 From: tetraka at yahoo.com (Robert Lockett) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:39:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] eurasian kestrel? In-Reply-To: <003301c8562a$58c99440$2edf2946@usermj5tjr71vq> Message-ID: <556874.57503.qm@web38705.mail.mud.yahoo.com> No, I just wanted to see if anybody was reading my message. It was a typo. Sorry about that. I'll go back and edit the Birdnotes data so that it doesn't become an ongoing piece of bad datum. Robert --- Larry Cottrell wrote: > We get OBOL in the digest forum. So any posting on > Sat. we don't read until Sun. You have probably been > asked this question. Are you sure that you saw a > Eurasian Kestrel? > Thanks in advance, > Karen Cottrell ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From 4cains at charter.net Sun Jan 13 17:07:38 2008 From: 4cains at charter.net (Lee and Lori Cain) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:07:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] South Jetty Snowy Plover Message-ID: <001301c85649$db8fe0e0$d6d38b4b@hbhsb01> This AM Lori and I found a banded SNOWY PLOVER on the river beach at the South Jetty Columbia River. It was foraging in the wrack line. I was able to definitely make out a blue band on each leg, and on the left leg there may have been one more dark band below the blue one, possibly green? On the way home I saw my first WHITE-TAILED KITE of the year, at King Avenue in Warrenton. Lee Cain Aquatic Biology/Integrated Science Astoria High School >//////> >//////> >//////> From kevinkei at webformixair.com Mon Jan 14 18:52:09 2008 From: kevinkei at webformixair.com (Kevin Smith) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:52:09 -0800 Subject: [obol] Large Format Darkroom?? Message-ID: <478C1FD9.2070204@webformixair.com> Does anyone know who might be interested in a large format darkroom set up? This is 4"X5" on down. Color capable, but mostly B&W. Complete! Kevin Smith -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: kevinkei.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 107 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/deea94b6/attachment.vcf From cgates at webformixair.com Sun Jan 13 20:15:43 2008 From: cgates at webformixair.com (Charles R. Gates) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:15:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Crook County Brant - Yes Message-ID: While birding with Craig and Goose-eye (Marilyn) Miller today, we managed to find the Brant reported from Crook County a couple of days ago. Today it was with a large group of Canadas near Barnes Butte Lake, north of Prineville. There were two Snow Geese in the area and a Ferruginous Hawk as well. Chuck Gates No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.2/1222 - Release Date: 1/13/2008 12:23 PM From tanager at nu-world.com Sun Jan 13 21:19:34 2008 From: tanager at nu-world.com (Anne & Dan Heyerly) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:19:34 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane Co. Local RBA: Red-Naped Sapsucker confirmed Message-ID: <000e01c8566d$0e1154e0$2a33fea0$@com> Just minutes after Don DeWitt and Jeff Grass (the ones who found this bird) left Dexter State Park this Sunday afternoon, a group of us re-found the previously reported Red-Naped Sapsucker. Vjera and Eddie Thompson had left the area less than 1 minute before the sapsucker flew into its favored tree with the active sap wells. Viewing the Yellow-billed Loon was spectacular in the afternoon sunlight. It generally kept its distance, and it moved around a lot, but at times it came fairly close and the views were awesome. This appears to be another demonstration of the Patagonia Effect, at Dexter State park anyway. Good Birding, Dan Heyerly No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.2/1223 - Release Date: 1/13/2008 8:23 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/7706effc/attachment.htm From bcraig777 at comcast.net Sun Jan 13 22:16:19 2008 From: bcraig777 at comcast.net (Bruce) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:16:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] ARLO and friends Message-ID: <478AFE33.2090306@comcast.net> Went to Brownsmead today. Had to put up with sunshine and mild weather, otherwise a good birding day. ;;--)) Quest was for ARLO and got extended good views as well as some reasonable photos. It generally stayed toward the north bank, so photos are backlit. Later cruised around the area and found a RED-THROATED LOON along Brownsmead Dike Lane, and it was kind enough to pose in good light. Best sighting for the day was along Bug Hole Road where a WHITE-TAILED KITE was perched about 500 feet east and a NORTHERN HARRIER about 300 feet east. We watched the Kite preen for awhile, then it took off and, with clear premeditation, buzzed the Harrier. I got one shot with both in the frame just after the buzz, but at that distance, focus isn't great. Still, it was pretty funny to watch. Link to a few photos: http://www.birdphotographique.com/Temp/index.htm Bruce and Sheila Craig. From ellencantor at gmail.com Sun Jan 13 22:39:51 2008 From: ellencantor at gmail.com (Ellen Cantor) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:39:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] Early Spring in the West Eugene Wetlands--Red-shouldered Hawk and Lesser Goldfinches Message-ID: <7058c4c60801132239o623ae075x74de2e940a9349ff@mail.gmail.com> A fine afternoon biking and birding in the West Eugene Wetlands on the Fern Ridge bike trail. Nothing like sun after weeks of rain and cold to get those bird hormones humming! A flock of about 8 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS included 3 avidly singing males. I watch a pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS in a courtship flight--great synchronous flight with swoops,dives, and soars. Another adult RED-TAIL HAWK looked very territorial when it swooped over to an immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK while it was preening in the sun; the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK blasted away from its perch, loudly calling out its outrage. Finally I saw a flock of about 7 LESSER GOLDFINCHES. The 3 new 2nd year males were brightly colored: bright yellow underparts, olive green backs, black wings with white wingbars; they did not yet have their black caps. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080113/71df05d4/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sun Jan 13 23:12:30 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 23:12:30 -0800 Subject: [obol] American Robins Message-ID: Alan Contreras reported Robins in his yard, with the remark that they are unusual at this date. Context is everything. I remember getting my first field guide for Christmas(at the age of nine) and being dumbfounded to find American Robin illustrated, with its own text, allotted the same treatment as Coppery-tailed Trogon. Who could be so benighted as to need this information in print? But I no longer take them for granted. Two years ago I went out to the Columbia South Jetty on New Year's Day to see the Snowy Owls. It was a tempestuous excursion, with frequent gusts on the beach up to 70mph. The owls seemed to enjoy it very much, engaging in aerobatics I never dreamed an owl would contemplate. But other species were clearly not amused. By sunset I had added neither Robin nor Junco to my year's list. I apparently stayed close to home the next two weeks, without a trip to Portland or even Forest Grove, because I didn't put American Robin on my list until Jan 16. I don't expect them here at our house before the last ten days of the month. This year I heard one from the yard the first hour I was outside. Also a Purple Finch, which I've never recorded on this gloomy north=slope (elev 830ft) before late February. It really seems a significant number of species are already on the move, northward and upslope I presume. The plethora of swans has seemingly forsaken this neighborhood already. When I first started noticing them mid-week I assumed they were still in the process of moving southward. Now I suspect it's the opposite. Lars Norgren MANNING Oregon From uuspirit at yahoo.com Mon Jan 14 00:12:59 2008 From: uuspirit at yahoo.com (Mary Reese) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:12:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Fairview Woods Park & Sandy River Delta Message-ID: <784673.94251.qm@web54107.mail.re2.yahoo.com> FAIRVIEW WOODS PARK is a tiny piece of forest in a residential neighborhood at the east end of Bridge Street, complete with the constant roar of I-84. Parking is whatever you can find in front of people's houses on this narrow street. Looks like it used to be a Portland Housing Authority "nature trail" behind an apartment complex, complete with trash in the woods near the buildings. But now that it belongs to the City of Fairview, it looks like they have started to clean things up. The birding was fair, and we were the only ones there at 8:30am. Varied thrush (1) Bushtit (lots) Golden-crowned kinglet (1) Lesser goldfinch (lots) Pine siskin (lots) Steller?s jay Bewick?s wren (1) Song sparrow Brown creeper Black-capped chickadee Killdeer (heard) Downy woodpecker (1 male) American robin European starling (predominant species here) Cackling goose (30 overhead) Spotted towhee SANDY RIVER DELTA - 10:30 to 12:30 (We took the new trail to the left (nice!) that has been carved through the blackberries along the low ridge. Birding at the Delta today was a bust. There were probably a hundred cars and a hundred dogs, even one horse, but almost no birds on this beautiful sunny day. The silence was eerie.) Red-tailed hawk (1) Belted kingfisher (1 male) Song sparrow (1) Black-capped chickadee Scrub jay (1) Gull sp. (1) American crow (10) Spotted towhee Mary Reese & Jim Allen NE Portland / Fairview ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From tunicate89 at yahoo.com Sun Jan 13 18:07:34 2008 From: tunicate89 at yahoo.com (Cindy Ashy) Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:07:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Glaucous Gull at Nye Beach Message-ID: <629376.8322.qm@web51808.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I saw my first Glaucous Gull this winter at Nye Beach last week....a first winter perfect specimen....but was too involved with other stuff to post. Cindy Ashy ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From sandyleapt at comcast.net Mon Jan 14 07:23:28 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:23:28 +0000 Subject: [obol] American Robins Message-ID: <011420081523.15172.478B7E700006B43700003B4422007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> I noticed a flock of 100 to 200 American Robins at the Zimmerman Heritage Farm (17111 NE Sandy Blvd, Gresham OR) on Saturday and maybe 50 or more in my neighborhood and garden in NE Portland over the weekend. Also of note to me is the fact that I've been hearing birds singing. Mostly Song Sparrows, House Finches and a few Blackbirds. Is that unusual/early? or just feels that way to me this year? One other thing, the House Sparrows are beginning to gather nesting materials. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Norgren Family > Alan Contreras reported Robins in > his yard, with the remark that they are > unusual at this date. Context is everything. > I remember getting my first field guide > for Christmas(at the age of nine) and > being dumbfounded to find American Robin > illustrated, with its own text, allotted > the same treatment as Coppery-tailed Trogon. > Who could be so benighted as to need this > information in print? > But I no longer take them for granted. > Two years ago I went out to the Columbia > South Jetty on New Year's Day to see the > Snowy Owls. It was a tempestuous excursion, > with frequent gusts on the beach up to 70mph. > The owls seemed to enjoy it very much, engaging > in aerobatics I never dreamed an owl would > contemplate. But other species were clearly > not amused. By sunset I had added neither Robin > nor Junco to my year's list. > I apparently stayed close to home the > next two weeks, without a trip to Portland > or even Forest Grove, because I didn't put > American Robin on my list until Jan 16. I > don't expect them here at our house before > the last ten days of the month. This year I > heard one from the yard the first hour I was > outside. Also a Purple Finch, which I've > never recorded on this gloomy north=slope > (elev 830ft) before late February. > It really seems a significant number of > species are already on the move, northward > and upslope I presume. The plethora of swans > has seemingly forsaken this neighborhood > already. When I first started noticing them > mid-week I assumed they were still in the > process of moving southward. Now I suspect > it's the opposite. Lars Norgren MANNING Oregon > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Mon Jan 14 07:36:26 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:36:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Singing Birds/Signs of Spring In-Reply-To: <011420081523.15172.478B7E700006B43700003B4422007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Message-ID: <488105.75777.qm@web45108.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Hi Sandy, Lars, and All, I hear certain birds sing almost any warm, sunny day in the winter including RW Blackbirds, WC Sparrows, WT Sparrows, Fox Sparrows, RC Kinglets, etc. The male Anna' Hummers are displaying quite a bit also lately, even in areas away from feeders like out on the north spit of Coos Bay. Of course it's pretty balmy down here on the south coast, and the first flowers are already up (mostly non-native) including skunk cabbage and Hooker's willow, so our phenology may be a bit ahead of some inlands areas (particularly the east side!). Only a few weeks until the first vultures and hummers start migrating through- yeah!! Merry "mid-winter" from the south coast, Tim R Coos Bay --- sandyleapt at comcast.net wrote: > I noticed a flock of 100 to 200 American Robins at > the Zimmerman Heritage Farm (17111 NE Sandy Blvd, > Gresham OR) on Saturday and maybe 50 or more in my > neighborhood and garden in NE Portland over the > weekend. > > Also of note to me is the fact that I've been > hearing birds singing. Mostly Song Sparrows, House > Finches and a few Blackbirds. Is that > unusual/early? or just feels that way to me this > year? > > One other thing, the House Sparrows are beginning to > gather nesting materials. > > Sandy Leaptrott > NE Portland > -------------- Original message > ---------------------- > From: Norgren Family > > Alan Contreras reported Robins in > > his yard, with the remark that they are > > unusual at this date. Context is everything. > > I remember getting my first field guide > > for Christmas(at the age of nine) and > > being dumbfounded to find American Robin > > illustrated, with its own text, allotted > > the same treatment as Coppery-tailed Trogon. > > Who could be so benighted as to need this > > information in print? > > But I no longer take them for granted. > > Two years ago I went out to the Columbia > > South Jetty on New Year's Day to see the > > Snowy Owls. It was a tempestuous excursion, > > with frequent gusts on the beach up to 70mph. > > The owls seemed to enjoy it very much, engaging > > in aerobatics I never dreamed an owl would > > contemplate. But other species were clearly > > not amused. By sunset I had added neither Robin > > nor Junco to my year's list. > > I apparently stayed close to home the > > next two weeks, without a trip to Portland > > or even Forest Grove, because I didn't put > > American Robin on my list until Jan 16. I > > don't expect them here at our house before > > the last ten days of the month. This year I > > heard one from the yard the first hour I was > > outside. Also a Purple Finch, which I've > > never recorded on this gloomy north=slope > > (elev 830ft) before late February. > > It really seems a significant number of > > species are already on the move, northward > > and upslope I presume. The plethora of swans > > has seemingly forsaken this neighborhood > > already. When I first started noticing them > > mid-week I assumed they were still in the > > process of moving southward. Now I suspect > > it's the opposite. Lars Norgren MANNING Oregon > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > obol mailing list > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From 5hats at peak.org Mon Jan 14 08:04:26 2008 From: 5hats at peak.org (Darrel Faxon) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:04:26 -0800 Subject: [obol] American Robins References: <011420081523.15172.478B7E700006B43700003B4422007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Message-ID: <004101c856c7$2efa85f0$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> Sandy, Singing birds this time of year are neither early or unusual. Song Sparrows annually begin to tune up as soon as the daylight begins to lengthen in the evenings around the time of the winter solstice. You can expect to hear the birds singing any time during the first sunbreak after December 21, occasionally even a few days before that if the weather is especially nice. It always amazes me how they know to detect such minute differences in daylight. Darrel ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Norgren Family" ; "obol" Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 7:23 AM Subject: Re: [obol] American Robins >I noticed a flock of 100 to 200 American Robins at the Zimmerman Heritage >Farm (17111 NE Sandy Blvd, Gresham OR) on Saturday and maybe 50 or more in >my neighborhood and garden in NE Portland over the weekend. > > Also of note to me is the fact that I've been hearing birds singing. > Mostly Song Sparrows, House Finches and a few Blackbirds. Is that > unusual/early? or just feels that way to me this year? > > One other thing, the House Sparrows are beginning to gather nesting > materials. > > Sandy Leaptrott > NE Portland > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: Norgren Family >> Alan Contreras reported Robins in >> his yard, with the remark that they are >> unusual at this date. Context is everything. >> I remember getting my first field guide >> for Christmas(at the age of nine) and >> being dumbfounded to find American Robin >> illustrated, with its own text, allotted >> the same treatment as Coppery-tailed Trogon. >> Who could be so benighted as to need this >> information in print? >> But I no longer take them for granted. >> Two years ago I went out to the Columbia >> South Jetty on New Year's Day to see the >> Snowy Owls. It was a tempestuous excursion, >> with frequent gusts on the beach up to 70mph. >> The owls seemed to enjoy it very much, engaging >> in aerobatics I never dreamed an owl would >> contemplate. But other species were clearly >> not amused. By sunset I had added neither Robin >> nor Junco to my year's list. >> I apparently stayed close to home the >> next two weeks, without a trip to Portland >> or even Forest Grove, because I didn't put >> American Robin on my list until Jan 16. I >> don't expect them here at our house before >> the last ten days of the month. This year I >> heard one from the yard the first hour I was >> outside. Also a Purple Finch, which I've >> never recorded on this gloomy north=slope >> (elev 830ft) before late February. >> It really seems a significant number of >> species are already on the move, northward >> and upslope I presume. The plethora of swans >> has seemingly forsaken this neighborhood >> already. When I first started noticing them >> mid-week I assumed they were still in the >> process of moving southward. Now I suspect >> it's the opposite. Lars Norgren MANNING Oregon >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> obol mailing list >> obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >> http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol >> >> To unsubscribe, send a message to: >> obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > From nepobirds at yahoo.com Mon Jan 14 08:30:06 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:30:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Singing birds and Robins Message-ID: <849356.95642.qm@web46001.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I'm going to combine a couple of posts into one. We also live in NE Portland and saw 40 to 50 robins yesterday. They were almost acting like bushtits in that they were in a small flock (3-8) would fly into our trees and then, as soon as the next small flock arrived, the first flock would move onto the next tree. This behavior was kept up for a while until about 40-50 Am. robins had passed through. It was wonderful to see. We have only been seeing them 1 or 2 at a time for a couple of months now. Now, as for the singing birds. Not only have we had a song sparrow that has been singing (quite a few different songs this little guy has) on his perches for nearly a month now but we have also noticed the house finches singing. We have at least 3 song sparrows that have chosen their spots in the yard. The Anna's in the yard (3 of them - 2 females and 1 male) are starting to do their singing and diving apparently in search of their next mate. It's all wonderful to see and to be woken up every morning with the songs of these awesome creatures is beautiful. Seth and Michelle NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/10ddab9e/attachment.htm From dvanzyone at yahoo.com Mon Jan 14 08:41:42 2008 From: dvanzyone at yahoo.com (don vanzant) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:41:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] (no subject) Message-ID: <14594.59539.qm@web56803.mail.re3.yahoo.com> --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/cfb523ae/attachment.htm From kspinks at thprd.com Mon Jan 14 08:53:45 2008 From: kspinks at thprd.com (Kyle Spinks) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:53:45 -0800 Subject: [obol] Portland odd sighting Message-ID: <478B2318.9BD6.0045.0@thprd.com> Last week about 30 Sandhill Cranes flew over my house, heading east, at about 500 feet up. The bottom lands below my farmhouse are flooded so I've had all sorts of waterfowl and other birds curious about the 'lakefront property' that has been around since the major flooding a few weeks back. I just figured they were heading down to the water with the other zillion birds. Our filbert orchard has the usual 20-40 robins and the feeders are always busy with R-b Nuthatches, B-c Chickadees, B-e Juncos, and House Finches. The suet feeder regularly gets a Downy Woodpecker, and the Anna's Hummingbird hangs around the nectar feeder all winter each year. Kyle Spinks 6 miles south of Hillsboro on Hwy 219 >>> "Andy Frank" 1/12/2008 2:28 PM >>> Around noon today in NW Portland a large flock of birds flewover. There appeared to be a single Sandhill Crane at the front with a perfect "V" formation of Cackling Geese following. I had never seen this before and am wondering if others have, or whether I somehow mistook something else for the Crane. It was significantly larger than the geese, had an extremely long neck, slender body, and somewhat rolling wingbeats. I am quite sure it wasn't a Canada Goose. It appeared to be all gray but the lighting made that difficult to tell. Andy Frank From deweysage at verizon.net Mon Jan 14 09:14:39 2008 From: deweysage at verizon.net (DJ Lauten and KACastelein) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:14:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] South Jetty Snowy Plover In-Reply-To: <001301c85649$db8fe0e0$d6d38b4b@hbhsb01> References: <001301c85649$db8fe0e0$d6d38b4b@hbhsb01> Message-ID: <478B987F.2030807@verizon.net> Hello Lee, Great news on the plover! I am wondering if there is any chance that the bird had 2 bands and one of the bands had a stripe thru the middle (the left band)? Could you tell me what leg the "second" band was on? Thanks for the report. Cheers Dave Lauten Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center deweysage at verizon.net Lee and Lori Cain wrote: >This AM Lori and I found a banded SNOWY PLOVER on the river beach at the >South Jetty Columbia River. It was foraging in the wrack line. I was able >to definitely make out a blue band on each leg, and on the left leg there >may have been one more dark band below the blue one, possibly green? > >On the way home I saw my first WHITE-TAILED KITE of the year, at King Avenue >in Warrenton. > >Lee Cain >Aquatic Biology/Integrated Science >Astoria High School > > >>//////> >//////> >//////> >> >> > >_______________________________________________ >obol mailing list >obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > >To unsubscribe, send a message to: >obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/ec26a0cb/attachment.htm From debbydecarlo at gmail.com Mon Jan 14 10:53:18 2008 From: debbydecarlo at gmail.com (Debby de Carlo) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:53:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] top 10 Message-ID: <682cb5cf0801141053m1d0a1fe2v649ac34c3c8df077@mail.gmail.com> I'm writing a travel book about where to bird in the Pacific Northwest. If someone were coming to Oregon for the first time to bird, what would your top 10 recommendations be, including some from every eco-region? (The birding trails website will be at the back of the book.) Thanks. Debby de Carlo debbydecarlo at gmail dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/32eac9b6/attachment.htm From kirkpat at charter.net Mon Jan 14 11:00:46 2008 From: kirkpat at charter.net (Douglas Kirkpatrick) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:00:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] top 10 In-Reply-To: <682cb5cf0801141053m1d0a1fe2v649ac34c3c8df077@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <000701c856df$c587b480$2772ba44@D7CDFN81> Brownsmead? ;-) Doug K _____ From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Debby de Carlo Sent: Monday, January 14, 2008 10:53 AM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] top 10 I'm writing a travel book about where to bird in the Pacific Northwest. If someone were coming to Oregon for the first time to bird, what would your top 10 recommendations be, including some from every eco-region? (The birding trails website will be at the back of the book.) Thanks. Debby de Carlo debbydecarlo at gmail dot com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/3b61af9c/attachment.htm From wulfbird at gmail.com Mon Jan 14 11:13:36 2008 From: wulfbird at gmail.com (D. D.) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:13:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] Help for a Red-tailed Hawk at Ridgefield NWR In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: We've managed to contact someone at Ridgefield NWR HQ and they've agreed to take care of the hurt Red-tailed Hawk. Apparently it is still flying around, but the wound is infected and seems to be getting worse. Hopefully it will get the help it needs. Thank you to all of you who wrote me with the names of people and organizations that could help. I greatly appreciate it. Damian On Jan 12, 2008 3:24 PM, D. D. wrote: > I've spoken to the Audubon Wildlife Center and they have advised me that I > should attempt to trap the hawk as long as it is not flying and can approach > it without much trouble. I'm trying to contact the the photographers to see > if they've observed the hawk flying at all. The center mentioned that if the > Hawk could still fly, then we'll have to wait for its condition to degrade > enough to approach it. Unfortunately, flickr is currently down and I can't > contact the photographer at this moment. > > > > On Jan 12, 2008 2:12 PM, D. D. wrote: > > > OBOL, > > > > I realize this is in WA and this has been posted to the Tweeters list by > > someone else, but I want to add it to OBOL in the hopes that something can > > be done for this Red-tailed Hawk. I follow several other wildlife > > photographers online, especially those who visit Ridgefield NWR often. > > Several have documented this Red-tailed Hawk's damaged eye: > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwhorselady/2187772035/ > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/rainriver/2185823471/ > > > > I doubt this hawk is able to hunt with its condition and will probably > > not survive long. If anyone can suggest how to help, please contact me or > > post to the list. > > > > Many thanks > > > > > > Damian > > Portland, OR > > http://flickr.com/photos/ddavalos > > > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/bcb6dd06/attachment.htm From richarmstrong at comcast.net Mon Jan 14 11:27:44 2008 From: richarmstrong at comcast.net (rich armstrong) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:27:44 -0800 Subject: [obol] sedge wren References: Message-ID: <00b501c856e3$8a03aa00$df0f0f05@armstrong> doug robinson just called to report a SEDGE WREN at e e wilson about 100 yards due north of the shed before one gets to the multiflora. this is the same general area where the tree sparrow has been seen on at least 4 different days. Rich Armstrong 541-753-1978 since the american tree sparrow has now been seen at least 4 separate times, and since joel mentioned locations way below, i thought i would remind people of where the american tree sparrow has been seen - just in case this helps someone. using jim fairchild's shed/barn with barn owl box as reference (the shed is about 50 yards east of the hq road and about 150 yards south of the northmost east-west road). 1. paula, cheryl, and i found the bird on tuesday 1/1 essentially due north of the shed and just north of the northmost east-west road. this is maybe 150 yards north of shed. 2. nanette & i refound it (a miracle i think) on 1/4 roughly 150 yards northeast of the shed, about 50 yards south of the northmost east-west road. i would guess this is about 150 yards from location 1. 3. as far as i could tell the group of jamie/karl/noah/joe had it further southeast of that location, but significantly east of the shed. i don't think this was very far from location 2. 4. and joel seems to have found it south of the shed, which is about 150 yards southwest of above locations. i might add that the sunflower patch south of the shed had the most golfinches and juncos, and all the white-crowns each of the 4 days i was out in that area. this might be 200 yards from location 3. 5. the total distance between locations is not very much as the sparrow flocks fly as they go from sunflower patch to sunflower patch. 6. each sighting seems to have been in a flock with crowned sparrows (and every flock of anything seems to have juncos with it). so for anyone going out to try to find the tree sparrow, i would suggest looking at every flock of crowned sparrows that you find. Rich Armstrong 541-753-1978 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Geier" To: "MidValley Birds" Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 1:55 PM Subject: [birding] American Tree Sparrow continuing,funky goldfinch(?) at E.E. Wilson > Hi folks, > > I took a long walk around E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area this morning, to > check out the area around the shed where Jim & Karan Fairchild found the > Palm Warbler on 5 Jan, and where Rich Armstrong, Paula Vanderheul and > Cheryl Whelchel later found an American Tree Sparrow. > > I was able to find the(?) AMERICAN TREE SPARROW but not the warbler. I'd > forgotten how pretty Am. Tree Sparrows are. It was with a mixed flock of > mostly White-crowned Sparrows and juncos, about 50-75 yards south of the > shed where Jim & Karan found the Palm Warbler. > > There were also a dozen SAVANNAH SPARROWS in the area, along with > Lincoln's, Golden-crowned, Song & Sooty Fox Sparrows. > > After that I checked the NE part of the refuge to see how many WHITE- > THROATED SPARROWS are still around (I came up with 5 in that area plus 2 > closer to our house), and tried once more, without success, to find a > Swamp Sparrow or a Harris's Sparrow. Still, it was pretty nice diversity > of "emberizids" on the refuge. Here are my tallies from a 3-hour walk: > > Spotted Towhee 40 > American Tree Sparrow 1 > Savannah Sparrow 12 > Sooty Fox Sparrow 22 > Song Sparrow 55 > Lincoln's Sparrow 28 > White-throated Sparrow 7 > Golden-crowned Sparrow 105 > White-crowned Sparrow 15 > Oregon Junco 190 > Slate-colored Junco 2 > > Happy birding, > Joel > > P.S. My question mark on the word "the" before "American Tree Sparrow" > is because, if I remember right, this was the same spot where Rich & co. > encountered the sparrow on 1 Jan. I'm not sure how far this is from the > second location where Rich found an Am. Tree Sparrow a couple of days > later. If there have been two sightings in each spot, and if it's more > than 1/8 mile or so between spots, then I'd start to wonder about the > possibility of two different American Tree Sparrows in that area. > > -- > Joel Geier > Camp Adair area north of Corvallis > > _______________________________________________ > list mailing list > list at midvalleybirding.org > http://midvalleybirding.org/mailman/listinfo/list -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/79ecfbb7/attachment.htm From jvanmoo at sisna.com Mon Jan 14 11:38:39 2008 From: jvanmoo at sisna.com (Julie Van Moorhem) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:38:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Klamath Falls Winter Wings Festival Message-ID: <537DA755-F316-46A0-9701-81C71EF33E2C@sisna.com> Hi Folks, Looking for something to do Presidents' Day Weekend, February 15-17, 2008? Come to Klamath Falls for the Winter Wings Festival. Klamath Basin Audubon Society in conjunction with Klamath Wingwatchers will host the event at the Oregon Institute of Technology. Visitors to the festival can participate in early morning field trips called ?flyouts? to observe Bald Eagles as they leave their roosting area at the Bear Valley Refuge near Klamath Falls. Other field trips take visitors to see the Bald Eagles forage in the nearby refuges and view the spectacular flocks of waterfowl. The Festival provides transportation to all of the major field trips during the three-day event. Participants can also enjoy a variety of workshops, mini-sessions, free family activities, vendors, and special receptions. Trish Nixon, the raptor specialist at the Peregrine Fund?s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, will be the keynote speaker on Feb. 15, 2008. Her talk on condor recovery entitled ?Back by Popular Demand: California Condors and Aplomado Falcons in the American West? will be preceded by a welcome reception. Several other presenters are making their first appearance at the Festival. Naturalist and author from the San Francisco bay area, John Muir Laws, will share nature-sketching techniques in two workshops. Photographer and naturalist Damian Fagan of Bend will host a session on Oregon owls and how to identify their calls. Canon USA and Leo?s Camera shop of Klamath Falls is sponsoring a full-day workshop on Saturday for the first time. Canon Technical Advisors will offer a two-hour session in the morning on bird photography using the latest Canon equipment including digital SLR cameras, image stabilized long lenses, and accessories. Canon professional equipment will be available for loan during a 5-hour break for participants to take a self-directed photography safari to the local refuges or nearby birding site. Technical advisors will demonstrate the Canon's professional printing products with participants? images in the afternoon. Raptor identification, monitoring, and protection and the Bald Eagle recovery will take center stage on Saturday as the subject of two special workshops by Dr. Jeff Smith, Science Director at Hawkwatch International and Frank Isaacs, Senior Faculty Research at Oregon State University who are returning to the Festival. The two speakers will join forces on Sunday for a full-day follow-up field trip on raptor identification in the Klamath Basin. Family-friendly free activities that are both fun and educational will be featured on Friday afternoon and Saturday. In addition to live birds, there will be hands-on nature related craft projects, a migration obstacle course offered by the Klamath Bird Observatory, and exhibits. Visitors interested in more details should review the Festival website, www.winterwingsfest.org, for updated registration and program information. Call Travel Klamath at 1-800-445-6728 for travel information or contact Todd Christian, Festival Registrar at singingbear at charter.net or 541-850-0084 for festival brochures and registration information. On-line registration available. Hope to see you at the festival. Good birding y'all, Julie Van Moorhem Klamath Falls -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/0f19dbbf/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Mon Jan 14 11:44:48 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:44:48 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lincoln Snow Bunts Message-ID: Trent Seager saw two Snow Buntings in driftwood at South Beach park today. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From douglas.robinson at oregonstate.edu Mon Jan 14 12:41:10 2008 From: douglas.robinson at oregonstate.edu (Douglas Robinson) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:41:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sedge Wren at EE Wilson, Benton County Message-ID: A Sedge Wren was at EE Wilson this morning, 14 Jan. I flushed it from a patch of tall dead grass in the north part of the area. For those who saw the Polk County bird, the habitat looks somewhat similar, but is less dense and has no standing water. Interestingly, the Polk bird was found at about the same time last year. Are we detecting a trend yet? EE Wilson is north of Corvallis off of Hwy 99W. Go east on Camp Adair Road and park at the main headquarters. Walk north about 1.5 miles to a shed on the east side of the road. The wren was 100 yards due north of the shed, just south of a multiflora rose hedgerow. This is more or less the same place where American Tree Sparrow and Palm Warbler have been seen in the last couple weeks. I believe this is the third state record for Sedge Wren and is a first for Benton County. Have fun out there Doug -- From gerard.lillie at comcast.net Mon Jan 14 13:02:00 2008 From: gerard.lillie at comcast.net (gerard.lillie at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:02:00 +0000 Subject: [obol] Exhibit extension Message-ID: <011420082102.17813.478BCDC8000B8CE90000459522069997350A0704040704D20B9D0E9D0A09@comcast.net> I was going to ask you if you were "the" Larry McQueen listed as the principle artist. I bought the guide becuase I plan on returning to Peru at some point and wanted to dream a bit in the mean time. Excellent work, the plates are top notch. Gerard Lillie Portland, OR -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Larry McQueen" My bird painting exhibit ?The Spirit of Birds?, has been extended once again, until June 15th 2008. Place: Law School Center (15th and Agate St), University of Oregon, Eugene, in the administration reception area on the main floor at the north end of the building. Time: this area is open 9 to 5 Mon to Fri (closed weekends). Paintings do not include illustrations done for the recently published ?Birds of Peru?. Larry McQueen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/0bec2670/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: "Larry McQueen" Subject: [obol] Exhibit extension Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:57:58 +0000 Size: 711 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/0bec2670/attachment.eml From sengel at audubonportland.org Mon Jan 14 13:34:25 2008 From: sengel at audubonportland.org (Steve Engel) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:34:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Audubon Portland seeking Trip Leader/Master Birder Coordinator Message-ID: <200801142134.m0ELYMYE060450@broadway.hevanet.com> The position was announced on the Audubon Society of Portland website the morning of January 2nd. Steve Engel Adult Education Coordinator Audubon Society of Portland 5151 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210 EMAIL: sengel at audubonportland.org web: www.audubonportland.org PHONE: 503-292-6855 x 119 (main) 971-222-6119 (direct) From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Mon Jan 14 13:54:03 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:54:03 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] Am. tree sparrow directions at EE Wilson? Message-ID: <22608064.1200347644092.JavaMail.root@elwamui-little.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hi Folks, Not sure which 'shed' y'all are talking about. In re. to HQ, or as if going to the fishing pond, where would I look? Is it the biggish round metal shed? Better yet, if I am driving in from 99w, which gate do I park at? I know the roads better then I know the 'sheds', except for the round one. Wouldn't mind seeing the American tree sparrow my self next time I am at Wilson. Many thanks all the best Andrew >Message: 29 >Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:27:44 -0800 >From: "rich armstrong" >Subject: [obol] sedge wren >To: "obol" >Message-ID: <00b501c856e3$8a03aa00$df0f0f05 at armstrong> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" > >doug robinson just called to report a SEDGE WREN at e e wilson about 100 yards due north of the shed before one gets to the multiflora. this is the same general area where the tree sparrow has been seen on at least 4 different days. >Rich Armstrong >541-753-1978 > >since the american tree sparrow has now been seen at least 4 separate times, and since joel mentioned locations way below, i thought i would remind people of where the american tree sparrow has been seen - just in case this helps someone. >using jim fairchild's shed/barn with barn owl box as reference (the shed is about 50 yards east of the hq road and about 150 yards south of the northmost east-west road). >1. paula, cheryl, and i found the bird on tuesday 1/1 essentially due north of the shed and just north of the northmost east-west road. this is maybe 150 yards north of shed. >2. nanette & i refound it (a miracle i think) on 1/4 roughly 150 yards northeast of the shed, about 50 yards south of the northmost east-west road. i would guess this is about 150 yards from location 1. >3. as far as i could tell the group of jamie/karl/noah/joe had it further southeast of that location, but significantly east of the shed. i don't think this was very far from location 2. >4. and joel seems to have found it south of the shed, which is about 150 yards southwest of above locations. i might add that the sunflower patch south of the shed had the most golfinches and juncos, and all the white-crowns each of the 4 days i was out in that area. this might be 200 yards from location 3. >5. the total distance between locations is not very much as the sparrow flocks fly as they go from sunflower patch to sunflower patch. >6. each sighting seems to have been in a flock with crowned sparrows (and every flock of anything seems to have juncos with it). so for anyone going out to try to find the tree sparrow, i would suggest looking at every flock of crowned sparrows that you find. >Rich Armstrong >541-753-1978 >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Joel Geier" >To: "MidValley Birds" >Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 1:55 PM >Subject: [birding] American Tree Sparrow continuing,funky goldfinch(?) at >E.E. Wilson > > >> Hi folks, >> >> I took a long walk around E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area this morning, to >> check out the area around the shed where Jim & Karan Fairchild found the >> Palm Warbler on 5 Jan, and where Rich Armstrong, Paula Vanderheul and >> Cheryl Whelchel later found an American Tree Sparrow. >> >> I was able to find the(?) AMERICAN TREE SPARROW but not the warbler. I'd >> forgotten how pretty Am. Tree Sparrows are. It was with a mixed flock of >> mostly White-crowned Sparrows and juncos, about 50-75 yards south of the >> shed where Jim & Karan found the Palm Warbler. >> >> There were also a dozen SAVANNAH SPARROWS in the area, along with >> Lincoln's, Golden-crowned, Song & Sooty Fox Sparrows. >> >> After that I checked the NE part of the refuge to see how many WHITE- >> THROATED SPARROWS are still around (I came up with 5 in that area plus 2 > please stop by my photo albums at http://atlanticsalmonflyguy.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php or find me at webshots under the pseudonym Atlanticsalmonflyguy. Comments are always appreciated. Thank-you! From warrech at earlham.edu Mon Jan 14 15:36:52 2008 From: warrech at earlham.edu (Chris Warren) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:36:52 -0800 Subject: [obol] North Portland WRS 01/14/08, Orange-crowned Warbler, Harbor Seal Message-ID: I ran the North Portland Winter Raptor Survey for the first time this month today with marginal results. Ridiculously, I have yet to pick up a Northern Harrier at the airport with doing the survey but have seen them on three other occasions there this winter. Kelley Point Park produced my second ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER of the year. I hadn't had one since September until the CBC on Jan. 5th. Are these over-wintering birds or early migrants? Also at Kelley Point I again saw the pinniped that I had identified as a California Sealion a little while back. Today it was not far off the beach and gave me great looks at its ears (or lack there of) and even of its belly showing me that this we indeed a HARBOR SEAL, not a Sealion. In searching online I found a NOAA page that states that its common to Pacific Harbor Seals are found up to Bonneville during the fish runs (http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Seals-and-Sea-Lions/upload/CR-Pinnip ed-FS.pdf) Its still wild to sea a marine mammal in fresh water like this. Here's a highlight list for the day and the WRS results. North Portland Winter Raptor Survey 01/14/08 Red-tailed Hawk - 8 (tied for the lowest count in the past two years) American Kestrel - 11 Bald Eagle - 8 (record high for the last two years) Marine Drive 01/14/08 Greater Scaup - 60 Lesser Scaup - 135 Common Goldeneye - 9 Common Loon - 2 Red-throated Loon - 2 Western Grebe - 1 Kelley Point Park 01/14/08 Red-throated Loon - 3 HARBOR SEAL - 1 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - 1 White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 Hayden Island 01/14/08 Common Goldeneye - 8 Common Merganser - 1 Red-throated Loon - 3 Western Grebe - 1 Chris Warren Portland, OR From andy.frank at kp.org Mon Jan 14 15:28:43 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (andy.frank at kp.org) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 23:28:43 GMT Subject: [obol] Birding Trip Report: Wapato Access Greenway State Park, Multnomah County, Oregon on January 14, 2008 Message-ID: <200801142328.m0ENShMo029100@rottweiler.furfly.com> This report was mailed for Andy Frank by http://birdnotes.net Date: January 14, 2008 Location: Wapato Access Greenway State Park, Multnomah County, Oregon I had a nice walk around Wapato on Sauvie Island this afternoon, leaving just as the rain started. The lake is now quite full. Best bird was a male Eurasian Wigeon at the north end of the lake. Andy Frank Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Canada Goose [1] Cackling Goose [2] Eurasian Wigeon [3] American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-Winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser [4] Common Merganser [5] Pied-billed Grebe [6] Double-crested Cormorant [7] Great Blue Heron Red-tailed Hawk Northern Flicker Steller's Jay Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Bewick's Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin European Starling Song Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Footnotes: [1] flyover [2] flyover [3] 1 male at north end of lake [4] at south end of lake [5] in channel [6] in channel [7] in channel Total number of species seen: 28 From ellencantor at gmail.com Mon Jan 14 16:23:43 2008 From: ellencantor at gmail.com (Ellen Cantor) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:23:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed Loon still at Dexter Message-ID: <7058c4c60801141623m18359de4i3ba78e851aee274c@mail.gmail.com> Mid-day my friend Jerry Hall and I went to find the YELLOW-BELLIED LOON. We went to the boat ramp at Dexter State Park where it had been reported and got some great close looks as it was hanging out close to shore. The loon was in a little cove between the dam and the boat ramp. Other birders filtered in with scopes and cameras with big lenses. After about 20 minutes of good viewing, the loon started making its way across the lake towards the marina park just south of Lowell. We did not find the RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER. Jerry and also birded around Lowell. Birds of interest include 4 HORNED GREBES, RUDDY DUCKS, 3 PINTAILS (one male). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/42639f7a/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Mon Jan 14 16:33:17 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:33:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] North Portland WRS 01/14/08, Orange-crowned Warbler, Harbor Seal In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <453178.54817.qm@web45108.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Your Orange-crowned is an overwintering bird, a few winter here and there in the lowlands of western Oregon each winter but it usually takes a sharp eye (and ear) to find them in the wintertime. We had 4 on the Coos Bay CBC this year which tied our record which shows you how uncommon they are although if you know where to look for them (urban neighborhoods with a variety of vegetation including blackberry thickets and other non-native flowering shrubs are particularly good habitat) they can usually be found with some effort. In Coos County the first migrants usually show up the last week of March or so and begin singing almost as soon as they arrive. The "springy" weather took a major turn and we are now officially back to winter for another day or so down here in Coos which will soon be followed by more spring like weather later in the week- how we come to really appreciate the sunshine in W. Oregon! Enjoy, Tim R Coos Bay --- Chris Warren wrote: > I ran the North Portland Winter Raptor Survey for > the first time this month > today with marginal results. Ridiculously, I have > yet to pick up a Northern > Harrier at the airport with doing the survey but > have seen them on three > other occasions there this winter. Kelley Point > Park produced my second > ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER of the year. I hadn't had > one since September until > the CBC on Jan. 5th. Are these over-wintering birds > or early migrants? > > Also at Kelley Point I again saw the pinniped that I > had identified as a > California Sealion a little while back. Today it > was not far off the beach > and gave me great looks at its ears (or lack there > of) and even of its belly > showing me that this we indeed a HARBOR SEAL, not a > Sealion. In searching > online I found a NOAA page that states that its > common to Pacific Harbor > Seals are found up to Bonneville during the fish > runs > (http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Marine-Mammals/Seals-and-Sea-Lions/upload/CR-Pinnip > ed-FS.pdf) Its still wild to sea a marine mammal in > fresh water like this. > > Here's a highlight list for the day and the WRS > results. > > North Portland Winter Raptor Survey > 01/14/08 > > Red-tailed Hawk - 8 (tied for the lowest count in > the past two years) > American Kestrel - 11 > Bald Eagle - 8 (record high for the last two years) > > Marine Drive > 01/14/08 > > Greater Scaup - 60 > Lesser Scaup - 135 > Common Goldeneye - 9 > Common Loon - 2 > Red-throated Loon - 2 > Western Grebe - 1 > > Kelley Point Park > 01/14/08 > > Red-throated Loon - 3 > HARBOR SEAL - 1 > ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - 1 > White-breasted Nuthatch - 1 > > Hayden Island > 01/14/08 > > Common Goldeneye - 8 > Common Merganser - 1 > Red-throated Loon - 3 > Western Grebe - 1 > > Chris Warren > Portland, OR > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Mon Jan 14 17:46:50 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:46:50 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wallowas Message-ID: I am planning to be in Wallowa County this weekend with Trask Colby. Any bird news from up that way? -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From sandyleapt at comcast.net Mon Jan 14 19:41:23 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:41:23 +0000 Subject: [obol] Singing birds and Robins Message-ID: <011520080341.19613.478C2B63000860A200004C9D22007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Thank you Michelle and Seth, Tim, Darrel and Pam. I did notice on Saturday that the willows at the Zimmerman Heritage Farm are on the verge of bursting into bloom. I did hear a male Anna's Hummingbird while working down there on Saturday. The male Anna's sing and fuss so much in my garden I almost tune them out now. Not good. I did get some nice pictures of an immature male Anna's in my garden Saturday afternoon if anyone is interested. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Seth Reams > I'm going to combine a couple of posts into one. We also live in NE Portland and > saw 40 to 50 robins yesterday. They were almost acting like bushtits in that > they were in a small flock (3-8) would fly into our trees and then, as soon as > the next small flock arrived, the first flock would move onto the next tree. > This behavior was kept up for a while until about 40-50 Am. robins had passed > through. It was wonderful to see. We have only been seeing them 1 or 2 at a time > for a couple of months now. > > Now, as for the singing birds. Not only have we had a song sparrow that has > been singing (quite a few different songs this little guy has) on his perches > for nearly a month now but we have also noticed the house finches singing. We > have at least 3 song sparrows that have chosen their spots in the yard. The > Anna's in the yard (3 of them - 2 females and 1 male) are starting to do their > singing and diving apparently in search of their next mate. > > It's all wonderful to see and to be woken up every morning with the songs of > these awesome creatures is beautiful. > Seth and Michelle > NE Portland - Gateway area > > > --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: Seth Reams Subject: [obol] Singing birds and Robins Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:30:44 +0000 Size: 3810 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/cb8db157/attachment.eml From sandyleapt at comcast.net Mon Jan 14 19:48:44 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:48:44 +0000 Subject: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County Message-ID: <011520080348.27546.478C2D1C00061FFF00006B9A22007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Wonderful! I am trying to remember what year it was that a flock of Swans visited the onion flats in Sherwood Oregon. I don't know if they were Trumpeters or Tundra Swans. The onion flats are the area west of Cipole Rd and South of 99W. It had to have been during the 1970s. I remember the local news stations filming the birds. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Norgren Family > I just saw Two adult Trumpeters > in the flooded pasture south of Hwy > 26 before its jct with Hwy 47. An > additional 13 swans were in the field, > some of which were Tundras. I have > never seen swans here in 15 years. > The same number of birds were present > two hours earlier, but I didn't > have time to check. Lars Norgren > MANNING Oregon > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From birdboy at bkpix.com Mon Jan 14 19:53:25 2008 From: birdboy at bkpix.com (Noah Strycker) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:53:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Malheur NWR Bohemian Waxwings, Tree Sparrows Message-ID: Obol, Spent Saturday around Malheur with my dad. We found a flock of 26 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS with one CEDAR WAXWING at Page Springs Campground eating juniper berries. AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS were the most common bird along the northern section of Malheur's Center Patrol Road, with several flocks totaling about 30 birds (including several at the Field Station's feeders). Otherwise, it was quiet and frozen. A few ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, COMMON GOLDENEYE, and NORTHERN SHRIKES added some winter spice. Good birding, Noah Strycker -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/6d4a6e87/attachment.htm From craig at greatskua.com Mon Jan 14 20:20:01 2008 From: craig at greatskua.com (Craig Tumer) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:20:01 -0700 Subject: [obol] North Portland WRS 01/14/08, Orange-crowned Warbler, Harbor Seal Message-ID: <20080114212001.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.2ea424c03d.wbe@email.secureserver.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080114/e8f740fe/attachment.htm From drheath at worldnet.att.net Mon Jan 14 20:26:42 2008 From: drheath at worldnet.att.net (David Heath) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:26:42 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lunch on Huayna Picchu Message-ID: <006d01c8572e$d5ac2540$510a490c@lucky> Sound intriguing? My friend and I have signed up for a Kolibri trip to Manu and Machu Picchu June 15-26 (including lunch on top of the promontory overlooking the place, where all those photos are taken from). On the theory that more birding eyes are better (and the fact that even 2 or 3 more people would make this a bargain-price trip), we would welcome some fellow OBOListas. If I'm not mistaken, a VIB attached to this list did a nearly identical trip last year. Have a gander: http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/birdingperukolibri/perutours/peru_tours.asp?idtourk=129 I'll be doing a pelagic trip the day before. My friend, being apprehensive about mal de mer, is thinking about a day trip to Ticlio. By all means reply off-list if you want to ask me anything, or just get in touch with Gunnar. David Heath Portland From llsdirons at msn.com Mon Jan 14 20:14:23 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:14:23 +0000 Subject: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County In-Reply-To: <011520080348.27546.478C2D1C00061FFF00006B9A22007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> References: <011520080348.27546.478C2D1C00061FFF00006B9A22007507849B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Message-ID: Sandy, The field you speak of was definitely a magnet for wintering Tundra Swans 25-30 years ago. The birds in that field were presumed to be predominantly Tundra Swans. Thirty years ago, Trumpeter Swans were encountered with far less frequency in the Willamette Valley than they are these days. Trumpeters were often reported, but rarely verified by reliable observers back then. In the 70's, Trumpeters were just beginning on the long slow road to recovery. They were thought to be near extinction in the 1930's. I can't ever remember of a report of Trumpeter Swans from that location, perhaps Harry Nehls or one of the other long-time Portland area birders can remember Trumpeters there. In recent years, Trumpeter Swans have made a significant population recovery across the nation, returning to several historic sites where they had been absent for nearly a century. Since swans migrate as family groups, small groups turn into modest flocks over time. A classic example of this is the Airlie (southern Polk Co.) flock. Trumpeter Swans began appearing there about 20 years ago. Initially, I think there were only about 8-10 birds and now that flock has grown to upwards of 60 birds. I think Joel Geier's high count is 62 if memory serves me right. Until this winter I had not seen Trumpeter Swan in any Willamette Valley counties other than Polk and Multnomah. This winter I finally saw them in both Lane and Linn after many years of scouring through Tundra Swans. Dave Irons Eugene, OR > From: sandyleapt at comcast.net > To: gnorgren at earthlink.net; obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:48:44 +0000 > Subject: Re: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County > > Wonderful! I am trying to remember what year it was that a flock of Swans visited the onion flats in Sherwood Oregon. I don't know if they were Trumpeters or Tundra Swans. The onion flats are the area west of Cipole Rd and South of 99W. It had to have been during the 1970s. I remember the local news stations filming the birds. > > Sandy Leaptrott > NE Portland > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: Norgren Family > > I just saw Two adult Trumpeters > > in the flooded pasture south of Hwy > > 26 before its jct with Hwy 47. An > > additional 13 swans were in the field, > > some of which were Tundras. I have > > never seen swans here in 15 years. > > The same number of birds were present > > two hours earlier, but I didn't > > have time to check. Lars Norgren > > MANNING Oregon > > > > _______________________________________________ > > obol mailing list > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista? + Windows Live?. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_MediaCtr_bigscreen_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/9d5ccc79/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Mon Jan 14 21:06:51 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:06:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] YB Loon photo Message-ID: I have posted a great photo of the Dexter YB Loon, taken today by Don Lown, on my bird photo site: http://contrerasbirds.blogspot.com/ -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Mon Jan 14 22:18:03 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 22:18:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Am. tree sparrow directions at EE Wilson? Message-ID: <402786.19888.qm@web39501.mail.mud.yahoo.com> From sandyleapt at comcast.net Tue Jan 15 07:26:28 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:26:28 +0000 Subject: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County Message-ID: <011520081526.5756.478CD0A4000507080000167C22058861729B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Thanks Dave. As I think about it, there were at least 100 swans, so it would have had to be Tundra Swans. Of course I was a mere child at the time ;) I hope now that there is a wildlife refuge in almost the same area the swans will return. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: DAVID IRONS > > > Sandy, > > The field you speak of was definitely a magnet for wintering Tundra Swans 25-30 > years ago. The birds in that field were presumed to be predominantly Tundra > Swans. Thirty years ago, Trumpeter Swans were encountered with far less > frequency in the Willamette Valley than they are these days. Trumpeters were > often reported, but rarely verified by reliable observers back then. In the > 70's, Trumpeters were just beginning on the long slow road to recovery. They > were thought to be near extinction in the 1930's. I can't ever remember of a > report of Trumpeter Swans from that location, perhaps Harry Nehls or one of the > other long-time Portland area birders can remember Trumpeters there. > > In recent years, Trumpeter Swans have made a significant population recovery > across the nation, returning to several historic sites where they had been > absent for nearly a century. Since swans migrate as family groups, small groups > turn into modest flocks over time. A classic example of this is the Airlie > (southern Polk Co.) flock. Trumpeter Swans began appearing there about 20 years > ago. Initially, I think there were only about 8-10 birds and now that flock has > grown to upwards of 60 birds. I think Joel Geier's high count is 62 if memory > serves me right. > > Until this winter I had not seen Trumpeter Swan in any Willamette Valley > counties other than Polk and Multnomah. This winter I finally saw them in both > Lane and Linn after many years of scouring through Tundra Swans. > > Dave Irons > Eugene, OR > > > From: sandyleapt at comcast.net > > To: gnorgren at earthlink.net; obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:48:44 +0000 > > Subject: Re: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County > > > > Wonderful! I am trying to remember what year it was that a flock of Swans > visited the onion flats in Sherwood Oregon. I don't know if they were > Trumpeters or Tundra Swans. The onion flats are the area west of Cipole Rd and > South of 99W. It had to have been during the 1970s. I remember the local news > stations filming the birds. > > > > Sandy Leaptrott > > NE Portland > > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > > From: Norgren Family > > > I just saw Two adult Trumpeters > > > in the flooded pasture south of Hwy > > > 26 before its jct with Hwy 47. An > > > additional 13 swans were in the field, > > > some of which were Tundras. I have > > > never seen swans here in 15 years. > > > The same number of birds were present > > > two hours earlier, but I didn't > > > have time to check. Lars Norgren > > > MANNING Oregon > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > obol mailing list > > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > obol mailing list > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Put your friends on the big screen with Windows Vista? + Windows Live?. > http://www.microsoft.com/windows/shop/specialoffers.mspx?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_CPC_Medi > aCtr_bigscreen_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: DAVID IRONS Subject: Re: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington County Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:26:45 +0000 Size: 8523 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/86094403/attachment.eml From kevinkei at webformixair.com Wed Jan 16 09:23:44 2008 From: kevinkei at webformixair.com (Kevin Smith) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:23:44 -0800 Subject: [obol] MY Kind of Raptor Route Message-ID: <478E3DA0.8060204@webformixair.com> Now, THIS is MY kind of Raptor Route! A cup o' hot Joe in one hand and my bins in the other. My posterior solidly placed in my swivel chair and my camera close at hand. What have I seen?? 1 Golden Eagle 1 Red-tailed Hawk 1 Merlin 1 American Kestrel interacting with a pair of Northern Flickers GREAT Yard Birds! What NEXT? Kevin -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: kevinkei.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 107 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/47b432a4/attachment.vcf From jorrie at peak.org Tue Jan 15 10:47:03 2008 From: jorrie at peak.org (Jorrie & Ken) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:47:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] Help: Band-tailed Pigeon Message-ID: A lady has found a BAND-TAILED PIGEON that appears to be tame as he sits on her shoulder and preens her. None of the neighbors say it is theirs. He is staying in her garage. She is feeding him and giving him water but is afraid the local cats might get him and doesn't know if it will survive on it's own. She lives in Burbank, CA. Does anyone have any suggestions for her? If so, please contact me directly. I sent her a list of rehabilitators in her area. Thank you for your help. Jorrie Ciotti Waldport, OR From puma at smt-net.com Tue Jan 15 12:11:43 2008 From: puma at smt-net.com (Pat Waldron) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:11:43 -0700 Subject: [obol] Help: Band-tailed Pigeon References: Message-ID: <478D137F.9070503@smt-net.com> Hi Jorrie and OBOL, My experience with Band-tailed Pigeons is that they can become very tame. I found a mature fledgling, one that fell from its nest and was covered with biting ants. I removed the ants and put it in the middle of a three acre field that had cracked corn and oyster shell that I dump for them. Soon, one by one Band-tails flew down until there were about 250 of them feeding with the mature fledgling. I sat way back in the grass along the fence on the sidelines reading a book, ready to scream bloody murder if a raptor came... (sorry Jeff). After a short time, something spooked the Band-tails, and they all took flight, except for the mature fledgling, who tried to fly with them, but could only fly a foot off the ground. Over the period of 15 minutes, birds landed and ate, and I became engrossed in my book until I felt some thing on my leg. The mature Band-tail fledging had walked 200 yards, back to where I was sitting, and got on my lap. It was a unique experience. I took the Band-tail into the house, away from ants, and put water and ALL PURPOSE CHICKEN FEED GRANULES into our bath tub, lined with Wall Street Journals. The next morning I found the young bird dead, and I double plastic bagged it and buried it in the forest, and burned the newspapers. Jorrie, I would say that if the bird can fly, it has a chance. Tell her to feed it the above granules, or a higher protein GAME BIRD feed she can get at a FEED STORE. Possibly, this bird has bonded to people. I think Steve McDonald, of Eugene, has had experience with a Band-tail that stayed with his chickens. If I recall correctly, his Band-tail would join other Band-tails when they migrated through. But, would always return to his chicken pen. Steve may be able to give you more information. I do not have his email address, maybe someone else does. Pat Waldron East of Scio Jorrie & Ken wrote: >A lady has found a BAND-TAILED PIGEON that appears to be tame as he >sits on her shoulder and preens her. None of the neighbors say it is >theirs. He is staying in her garage. She is feeding him and giving him >water but is afraid the local cats might get him and doesn't know if >it will survive on it's own. She lives in Burbank, CA. Does anyone >have any suggestions for her? If so, please contact me directly. I >sent her a list of rehabilitators in her area. Thank you for your help. > > >Jorrie Ciotti >Waldport, OR >_______________________________________________ >obol mailing list >obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > >To unsubscribe, send a message to: >obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > From judie310hansen at comcast.net Tue Jan 15 14:02:01 2008 From: judie310hansen at comcast.net (Hansen Judie) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:02:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene Trumpeter Swans Message-ID: <2C907956-DCA1-4C02-A9F9-6876AF4A2A20@comcast.net> David Irons just called (2 PM) to report the seven Trumpeter Swans are at the corner of Milliron and Greenhill Roads and easily seen. Lane County, near the Airport His mother From dpvroman at budget.net Tue Jan 15 14:45:37 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:45:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] 2nd N. Grants Pass raptor survey Message-ID: <002401c857c8$5a11c990$4337fb48@Warbler> Today (01-15-08) the 2nd North Grants Pass Raptor count was accomplished. Time: 3 hrs; miles driven: 38.2; weather: mostly clear (nice day for Jan) Species observed: Red-tailed Hawk - 15 American Kestrel - 8 Bald Eagle - 1 (adult) Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 White-tailed Kite - 4 Osprey - 1 Way less Red-shoulders detected this time out, along with a few less Kites. Two Kites were perched on power lines (near one another) like Kestrels; not positive this is common perching behavior with Kites. Bald Eagle was near a nest tree used last year. Osprey along the river off Lower River Rd. About 27 Great Egrets in the pastures along Lower River road. Dennis (north of Grants Pass) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/04ba0664/attachment.htm From richarmstrong at comcast.net Tue Jan 15 12:57:14 2008 From: richarmstrong at comcast.net (rich armstrong) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:57:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] e e wilson (benton) References: Message-ID: <007701c857b9$35005680$df0f0f05@armstrong> 1. today was an incredible day at e e wilson (north benton county)!!!!!!!!! it did NOT rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there was NO wind!!!!!!!!!!!!!! birds were active. 2. looking for the sedge wren we flushed a SHORT-EARED OWL from the grass on east side of the path going north from shed. 3. also there was a BARN OWL in the barn owl box today - we have checked that box every day of the i think 7 days we have gone out there now and this is 1st day there was an owl. 4. then we found doug robinson's SEDGE WREN. it was almost to the multiflora (big reddish bushes) and about 50 yards east of the trail. 5. we also saw a male RING-NECKED PHEASANT fly (i don't think the ones at e e wilson count as they are released birds, but nice to see). 6. then searching for the tree sparrow, nanette found a HARRIS' SPARROW in the huge flock south of the shed. 7. there was also 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a few LINCOLN'S & SAVANNAH SPARROWS, and a few PURPLE FINCHES among all the golden & white-crowns & juncos & am goldfinches & red-winged blackbirds. Rich Armstrong 541-753-1978 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/792a3a42/attachment.htm From kevinkei at webformixair.com Wed Jan 16 15:22:39 2008 From: kevinkei at webformixair.com (Kevin Smith) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:22:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Culver Raptor Route for January Message-ID: <478E91BF.2010209@webformixair.com> So, we had to do some driving---------Here is the Culver Raptor Route for January Temp 33 deg Partly cloudy 27 miles 2:20 hours 23 Red-tailed Hawks 16 American Kestrels 3 Northern Harriers 1 Golden Eagle 4 Rough-legged Hawks 1 Prairie Falcon 3 Bald Eagles-1 adult, 1 3rd yr, 1 juvenile 3 Great Horned Owls BEAUTIFUL DAY!! Kevin & Kei Smith -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: kevinkei.vcf Type: text/x-vcard Size: 107 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/dd24ca4c/attachment.vcf From roygerig at hotmail.com Tue Jan 15 15:47:20 2008 From: roygerig at hotmail.com (Roy Gerig) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:47:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington Co. Message-ID: A slight amendment to Dave Irons' account of the southern Polk County Trumpeter Swan flock: In the early 1980s soon after I'd begun reporting on this flock which was then reliably at Maple Grove, when numbers were in the teens and low 20's from year to year, I spoke to the farmer whose land they spent most of their time on. He was quite aware of the fact that they were Trumpeters, not Tundras, and seemed pleased that they'd chosen his field to winter on. As he and I watched them, it was apparent that he knew how to tell them from Tundras. I have confidence in his statement then that 6-8 of them had first appeared in 1975 or 1976, 30+ years ago not 20. The flock grew and gradually moved south and east to Airlie and further, sometimes mixing with some of the 300 or so local tundra, sometimes not. This is, or was, the southernmost wintering flock of the Trumpeter population that winters mostly in British Columbia. Toward the end of the 1980s or early 1990s, the flock size was in the 30s, and they had began to spend some time a few miles southeast, around Suver. By the time Joel Geier (moved into the area?) started birding there and reporting on the flock they had moved mostly into the Suver area. Roy Gerig, Salem OR _________________________________________________________________ Get the power of Windows + Web with the new Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_powerofwindows_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/046808ff/attachment.htm From tanager at nu-world.com Tue Jan 15 17:10:42 2008 From: tanager at nu-world.com (Anne & Dan Heyerly) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:10:42 -0800 Subject: [obol] Y-B Loon still at Dexter 1/15/2008 Message-ID: <004501c857dc$9e883f50$db98bdf0$@com> 15 January 2008 Anne and I just returned from Dexter Reservoir a few minutes ago (It is 507pm) and are pleased to report the YB-Loon is still present. We first saw it on the north side of the pool just upstream from the dam. We watched it for a bit then spent 30 min. or so looking for the previously reported Red-naped Sapsucker. We did not find the sapsucker, but while we were busy searching for it the loon moved over to the area between the boat ramp and Hwy. 58, much closer. We were able to see it much better with our bins than we could earlier with the scope. Dan No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.2/1224 - Release Date: 1/14/2008 5:39 PM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/55a214f9/attachment.htm From tc at empnet.com Tue Jan 15 19:13:38 2008 From: tc at empnet.com (Tom Crabtree) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:13:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] BAIKAL TEAL in Oregon (not an RBA) References: Message-ID: <00ae01c857ed$ca0303c0$6500a8c0@1120639> Interesting news regarding this species. I was talking to Larry Balch today (former Guru of Attu) who indicates that something is going on with this species as there has been a huge increase in sightings of Baikal Teal in the Aleutians since 2000. That would give some credence to this being a wild bird, and also give us a chance to see one alive one of these days. Former Oregonian, Steve Heinl, might have some insight on this for those that still have a way of contacting him. Tom Crabtree Bend From phils at rio.com Tue Jan 15 19:23:30 2008 From: phils at rio.com (phils at rio.com) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:23:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Y-B Loon still at Dexter 1/15/2008 In-Reply-To: <004501c857dc$9e883f50$db98bdf0$@com> References: <004501c857dc$9e883f50$db98bdf0$@com> Message-ID: <2155.71.34.224.102.1200453810@71.34.224.102> Christina and I spent some time at Dexter this afternoon. We could not locate the YB-loon, but we had great looks at the RN-sapsucker in the trees by the boat ramp at about 1:30. A beautiful bird! Phil Shepard > 15 January 2008 > > Anne and I just returned from Dexter Reservoir a few minutes ago (It is > 507pm) and are pleased to report the YB-Loon is still present. We first > saw > it on the north side of the pool just upstream from the dam. We watched > it > for a bit then spent 30 min. or so looking for the previously reported > Red-naped Sapsucker. We did not find the sapsucker, but while we were > busy > searching for it the loon moved over to the area between the boat ramp and > Hwy. 58, much closer. We were able to see it much better with our bins > than > we could earlier with the scope. > > Dan > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.2/1224 - Release Date: 1/14/2008 > 5:39 PM > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From jeffgill at teleport.com Tue Jan 15 19:25:30 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:25:30 -0600 Subject: [obol] BAIKAL TEAL in Oregon (not an RBA) In-Reply-To: <00ae01c857ed$ca0303c0$6500a8c0@1120639> Message-ID: The species has had a huge increase in its normal range in eastern Asia. A freshwater area in South Korea that I visited a few years ago gets many thousands. The birds feed at night in the rice fields that were created after salt water estuaries were destroyed and turned into freshwater areas for rice production. One location that I visited had an observation building that as I understand had been particularly built for the purpose of observing the huge flock of Baikal Teal. Some other species have also benefited by the destruction of these estuaries, unfortunately many have not. The losers include Chinese Egret, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Great Knot and many others. On 1/15/08 9:13 PM, "Tom Crabtree" wrote: > Interesting news regarding this species. I was talking to Larry Balch today > (former Guru of Attu) who indicates that something is going on with this > species as there has been a huge increase in sightings of Baikal Teal in the > Aleutians since 2000. That would give some credence to this being a wild > bird, and also give us a chance to see one alive one of these days. Former > Oregonian, Steve Heinl, might have some insight on this for those that still > have a way of contacting him. > > Tom Crabtree > Bend > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From badkitty at studkitty.com Tue Jan 15 18:55:44 2008 From: badkitty at studkitty.com (Jacqui) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:55:44 -0800 Subject: [obol] [OBOL] Very urban Beaverton Feeder Birds + ID help Message-ID: <478D7230.7080400@studkitty.com> Hi Obol Been having some excitement lately at the feeders: * I'm still getting lots of Gold Finches at the big, white thistle feeder. Seems they are all Lessers at this time. I'm getting a group of 12-15 several times a day. * ID help: Also at the sock, I have seen 3 X now what I believe to be a Pine Siskin in with the gold finches. Too small for a house finch, and more delicate beak as well, notched tail. I can't see any yellow however, and the streaking on the breast looks much more striking than the pictures & descriptions I've read, but It can't be anything else, could it? Anyway I've never seen a Siskin at my feeder & only seen them a couple of times (from afar w/ other birders being the ID'ers) so I am not familiar with them. Any help would be appreciated. Yesterday I had 3 Siskins at one time w/ Lessers GF's at the thistle feeder. * I have a small metal tray (the ash catcher under the BBQ) where I put seed for the Juncos that come and today I had a song sparrow there too. I get scrub Jays there too. * I put out the suet feeder recently (in summer I can't because I get Starlings and European sparrows), and am getting the occasional bunch of Bushtits w/ random CBChickadees. Keeping my eyes open for the occasional Townsends Warbler...none so far here. I also had a Bewicks Wren at the suet today. That is a first for me (Bewicks at suet). * I have been getting a regular Anna's hummer - they only come one at a time but I don't think it is the same bird. Most seem 1st yr or female but the other day saw a male w/ distinct pink flashes on throat mostly. The angle where I sit and where the feeder HAS to be situated on this small 2nd level deck is not good in terms of light direction but I do my best. * Frequently in nearby trees there is a Coopers Hawk getting Mobbed by the crows - and today it was a Red Tailed Hawk. * I'm about 2 miles from a golf course and at about 8am hundreds (sometimes thousand(s) of geese descend into the air going in every direction and those are fun to check out. * Various gulls fly over, killdeer, hearing the occasional nuthatch. Always Robins around. Thanks for reading. -- Jacqui Parker Portland, OREGON ........... I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes Charles Lindbergh (1902 - 1974), Interview 1974 ( '< / ) ) // " " From jeffgill at teleport.com Tue Jan 15 19:45:49 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:45:49 -0600 Subject: [obol] National Wildlife Federation field guide (informal review.) Message-ID: FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA (Edward S. Brinkley, National Wildlife Federation). I hadn't been aware of this field guide - it has a 2007 copyright date. I purchased a copy yesterday. Please excuse me if this has previously been reviewed on OBOL. While I haven't spent a lot of time with it, I am at least preliminarily very impressed. It uses photographs. Unlike some past photographic books, this one really delivers. It has 527 page, dealing with 750 species, and has 2,100 very fine photographs. The text was good for the species I looked at, and the range maps were accurate for those species. The real strength of the book is the photographs. Did you ever expect a North American field guide with 6 photos of Red-footed Booby, with 5 photos of Blackpoll, with photos of all of the forms (or perhaps species) of Fox Sparrow? It even has photographs of Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Passenger Pigeon, Carolina Parakeet, and Eskimo Curlew. If for no other reason it is good to have them always remain in the forefront so birders are reminded of what has and can happen. They used quality paper and binding. The list price is only $19.95. This is a must get. If you plan to buy a new field guide I would suggest you get this rather than the next bi-monthly (or so it seems) revision of the National Geographic Guide. Portland Audubon has them in stock. From marciafcutler at comcast.net Tue Jan 15 20:31:12 2008 From: marciafcutler at comcast.net (Marcia F. Cutler) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:31:12 -0800 Subject: [obol] Central Benton Raptor Run results 1/15/08 Message-ID: <002701c857f8$a0046e50$e9913b47@melvintrex4uoq> Paula Vanderheul and I did the Central Benton Co. raptor run today, starting with a little frost on the road and ending with a mixture of sun and clouds. We found a nice assortment of raptors including 2 different owl species. Our route took 5 hrs. 55 minutes and covered 65 miles and included the boardwalk trail to Cabell Marsh. Red-tailed Hawk - 29 American Kestrel - 22 Northern Harrier - 8 Bald Eagle - 2 adults (they must be nearly all on the other side of the Willamette River!) Rough-legged Hawk - 9 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 White-tailed Kite - 1 Peregrine Falcon - 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 1 Burrowing Owl - 1 Short-eared Owl - 1 Marcia F. Cutler -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/46d75803/attachment.htm From gdalindy at msn.com Tue Jan 15 20:53:39 2008 From: gdalindy at msn.com (GLEN LINDEMAN) Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2008 20:53:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Polk County Red-shouldered Haawk Message-ID: Hi all- Kathy Patterson, Wes Craven and I completed the North Polk county raptor route today. Maybe our best day ever (3rd year) for this route, as we found two new birds: a Merlin along Hanna Rd in nw Independence, and a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk along Farmer Rd, just east of the rr tracks. (Farmer Rd is east of Hwy 99W, just north of Coville Rd, the ne entrance to the Baskett Slough NWR.) Our totals for the day for the 113 mile route were: 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 72 Red-tailed Hawks 6 Rough-legged Hawks 62 American Kestrels 1 Merlin 45 Northern Harriers 6 Bald Eagles (5 adults, 1 juvenile) 2 Peregrine Falcons 1 Cooper's Hawk - Glen Lindeman ^'^ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080115/dbb23010/attachment.htm From dpvroman at budget.net Wed Jan 16 06:26:27 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:26:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] National Wildlife Federation field guide (informal review.) References: Message-ID: <002001c8584b$c9a53ca0$d297d140@Warbler> Jeff and other bird book collectors, As it turns out, I pick up a copy of this book shortly after the holidays. Was not aware of it until I was checking though books at Barnes and Noble. As Jeff mentions, it is a pretty impressive book, and, although kind of thick, it's the size of most field going guides. It could be carried along with you if you have a pocket for a thick book. By the way, if your looking in this book for the Sparrows...there after the Finches, which is not like most of the AOU order field guides you may be used to. Sometimes actual photos of birds are of more value in IDing that tough bird over illustrations. It's nice to have both, however. Will agree, a worthy additional to your bird book collection. Dennis > FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA (Edward S. Brinkley, National > Wildlife > Federation). > > > I hadn't been aware of this field guide - it has a 2007 copyright date. > > I purchased a copy yesterday. Please excuse me if this has previously > been > reviewed on OBOL. > > While I haven't spent a lot of time with it, I am at least preliminarily > very impressed. It uses photographs. Unlike some past photographic > books, > this one really delivers. It has 527 page, dealing with 750 species, and > has 2,100 very fine photographs. The text was good for the species I > looked > at, and the range maps were accurate for those species. The real strength > of the book is the photographs. Did you ever expect a North American > field > guide with 6 photos of Red-footed Booby, with 5 photos of Blackpoll, with > photos of all of the forms (or perhaps species) of Fox Sparrow? It even > has > photographs of Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Passenger Pigeon, Carolina > Parakeet, > and Eskimo Curlew. If for no other reason it is good to have them always > remain in the forefront so birders are reminded of what has and can > happen. > They used quality paper and binding. The list price is only $19.95. > > This is a must get. If you plan to buy a new field guide I would suggest > you get this rather than the next bi-monthly (or so it seems) revision of > the National Geographic Guide. > > Portland Audubon has them in stock. From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Wed Jan 16 06:55:02 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:55:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos warblers 1/15/2008 Message-ID: <140212.85166.qm@web45113.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Spent a few hours around and about the Coos Bay area on a beautiful, sunny, Tuesday afternoon, here is my warbler total: Eastside neighborhood, Coos Bay: 1- ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER 1- TOWNSEND'S WARBLER N. Spit of Coos Bay: many- YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS 1- PALM WARBLER Also, the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW is still around too. This past Sunday in Charleston I stumbled upon a PALM WARBLER while doing my Bald Eagle survey (perhaps a first report for an eagle survey?). Merry happy sunny Wednesday! Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From sandyleapt at comcast.net Wed Jan 16 07:18:39 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:18:39 +0000 Subject: [obol] YB Loon photo Message-ID: <011620081518.2222.478E204E000F3BB9000008AE22007456729B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi all. Thank you Alan and Don for the YB Loon photo. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Alan Contreras > I have posted a great photo of the Dexter YB Loon, taken today by Don Lown, > on my bird photo site: http://contrerasbirds.blogspot.com/ > > -- > Alan Contreras > EUGENE, OREGON > > McCain/Obama in 08 ! > > acontrer at mindspring.com > www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary > www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From celata at pacifier.com Wed Jan 16 08:18:47 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:18:47 -0800 Subject: [obol] From the Regional CBC Editor: Details Message-ID: <478E2DEA.824B73FF@pacifier.com> I apologize for having to send this to the whole list, but it is the most efficient mechanism I have. Compilers are apparently getting to the chore of entering CBC data this week, because I've been getting lots of "what do I have to send details for?" queries. As always the details required list can be found at: http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/cbc/CBC_FAQ.html which is linked to the regional editor's CBC page http://home.pacifier.com/~mpatters/cbc/cbc_WAOR_reg.html MOST IMPORTANT: the NAS entry system AUTOMATICALLY FLAGS as details may be requires any species a compiler checks as unusual and any species added to a count list, unusual or not, even stuff like Rock Pigeon, Cackling Goose or "sooty" Fox Sparrow. If you don't think it's unusual, uncheck the box. If you do think it's unusual check the FAQ. I do not want details on Eurasian Collared Doves, Barred Owls, etc. Thank you for your patience. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From greg at thebirdguide.com Wed Jan 16 08:14:17 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:14:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] local RBA Trumpeter Swans Washington Co. Message-ID: <20080116081417.hg682rqzr48s48s8@webmail.thebirdguide.com> Adding to Roy Gerig's interesting history of the Polk County flock is the data from the Forest Grove CBC and the Trumpeter Swans in the Gaston area of Washington County. Forest Grove CBC (1987-2005): Frequency: 56%, Median Count (when non-zero): 2, High Count: 6. This seems to indicate that it is perhaps only a single family of Trumpeter Swans that winter in the Gaston area, and that this family has not grown significantly in 20 years. Most sightings include young birds, so it is not simply a single pair of long-lived birds. In contrast, for Tundra Swans: Forest Grove CBC (1987-2005): Frequency: 100%, Median Count: 903, High Count: 3314 This data from the "Annotated checklist of Washington County, Oregon," most-recently updated 12 December 2007: http://thebirdguide.com/washington/washington%20birdlist.doc Greg Gillson Hillsboro, Oregon greg at thebirdguide.com http://thebirdguide.com From frenchp at lanecc.edu Wed Jan 16 09:39:46 2008 From: frenchp at lanecc.edu (Pat French) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 09:39:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] Birds and Burns of the Interior West research publication Message-ID: <478DD0E20200002C000453BF@mailhost.lanecc.edu> I thought some of you might be interested in this publication. It can be found on line at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr712.pdf Pat From LammergeierEyes at aol.com Wed Jan 16 11:11:13 2008 From: LammergeierEyes at aol.com (LammergeierEyes at aol.com) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:11:13 EST Subject: [obol] Sauvie Island Advice, Please Message-ID: Hi all- new to the list and was hoping for some logistical advice re birding Sauvie Island. I've lived up in Portland for over a year now and continue to be perplexed by the rules for birding S.I., what areas are off-limits in the winter, and how approachable are the birds during the season anyway? In short and in practice I'd love it if someone just gave me the low down on strategies and realities of birding there during hunting season. What's the best half-day or day long route for working the area? Thanks so much Blake Matheson Carmel California & Portland Oregon **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/2ee7c8a0/attachment.htm From warrech at earlham.edu Wed Jan 16 11:59:20 2008 From: warrech at earlham.edu (Chris Warren) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:59:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] Correction Message-ID: The Prairie Falcon was present today, the 16th, not the 15th as I had originally posted. Sorry. Chris Warren Portland, OR From warrech at earlham.edu Wed Jan 16 11:43:38 2008 From: warrech at earlham.edu (Chris Warren) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:43:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] PRAIRIE FALCON, Multnomah County, Sauvie Island, 01/15/08 Message-ID: I just returned from a frozen and foggy Sauvie Island where I happened across my #160 species for Multnomah County, an adult PRAIRIE FALCON, along Oak Island Road. The bird was initially perched in a tree at the bend in the road near the end of Oak Island Road ( http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=45.699915,-122.831805& spn=0.01118,0.019484&t=h&z=16&om=0&msid=107660305781230153645.000443dc10d376 d8474f7). It flew twice to two other trees nearer the parking for Oak Island. I was able to take a few poor shots of the bird through the fog. I have posted them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/22884719 at N03/. I was able to confirm the ID several times as it perched and flew showing off the black ?wingpits.? Also present on the island was a flock of 45-50 American Pipits along Gillihan Road of which I was unable to pull out anything more exciting. Still nice to see a flock this size. Chris Warren Portland, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/4f6815ba/attachment.htm From sheilach at nwtec.com Wed Jan 16 12:40:25 2008 From: sheilach at nwtec.com (sheila chambers) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:40:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] A 'new' bird! Message-ID: <001b01c85880$1ac7f7b0$783f2d0c@Sheilas> LeavesI was walking up the trail from Harris beach after a nice walk in which I saw two BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS when I heard some FOX, WHITE-CROWN SPARROWS and some YELLOW RUMPED WARBLERS making alarm calls. I stopped and looked around and finaly saw a very small owl with white 'eyebrows' sitting on a bare branch near the trail. It was a SAW WHET OWL , the first one I've seen here. At the port of brookings/Harbor with a cold, sharp wind cutting through my cloths, I saw a BROWN PELICAN, SURF SCOTTERS, WESTERN & GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, and some WESTERN GREBES . At home in Harbor, there were the usual suspects, WHITE-CROWN, GOLD-CROWN, FOX, SONG and WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS, HOUSE FINCHES, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, HOUSE SPARROWS, ROBINS, SPOTTED TOWHEE, and trying to get 'lunch' from this bunch is a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. At least it's not yet raining again! Sheila from Harbor OR. From ladwil at comcast.net Wed Jan 16 13:15:05 2008 From: ladwil at comcast.net (Lisa Ladd-Wilson) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:15:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Robin-palooza Message-ID: Hey, Suddenly there are robins everywhere. I look out my back window and, in two separate trees, I count 31 robins. I then look out my front window, and another tree holds 16 of 'em. Is it the cold weather? Mating? Some sort of robin re-enactment of the school scene in "The Birds"? A few are noisily combative with each other. Mostly, though, they seem huddled. My yard area is not usually a huge draw for robins, and definitely not all at one time. It's a noticeable grouping. What up? Lisa NE Portland From pat2ly at comcast.net Wed Jan 16 13:53:24 2008 From: pat2ly at comcast.net (Pat Tilley) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:53:24 -0800 Subject: [obol] South Polk County Raptor Route Message-ID: <075a01c8588a$38296ff0$25001418@tilleyab2fh17c> Carol Karlen and I did the south Polk County raptor run on Tuesday afternoon after the icy roads thawed. We started at the wetlands along Helmick and Ash Creek Drive in Monmouth. The route encompasses three loops with Helmick Rd. the common central road. One loop goes east across Stapleton and south on Highland following Parker Rd. across Oak Hill Rd.and looping around on Buena Vista picking up the American Bottoms area; the second loop runs west of Corvallis Rd. on Airlie, out Tartar Rd. where we found the WT Kite, returning east on Simpson Rd; the third loop takes in Elkins Rd., Zumwalt Rd. and loops onto Smith Rd. south on Kings Valley Hwy. to Airlie and back on Elkins Rd. to Helmick. We covered the 85 miles in 4.5 hours finding 105 raptors: 44 Red-tailed Hawk; 43 American Kestrel; 10 Northern Harrier; 1 Bald Eagle; 5 Rough-legged Hawk; 1 White-tailed Kite; and 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk Pat Tilley Salem, OR. pat2ly at comcast.net From jmeredit at bendnet.com Wed Jan 16 14:08:35 2008 From: jmeredit at bendnet.com (Judy Meredith) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:08:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bend birds - nothing rare, Bend Wednesday Birders Message-ID: <004d01c8588c$57467480$0a00a8c0@MOM> Hi OBOL Five of us braved the cold this morning and checked out a few places around Bend just enjoying what we could find on open water. Mirror Pond/Drake Park and Hatfield were our locations. List recorded on birdnotes for Bend. http://birdnotes.net. Nothing unusual was found. Very cold with bright sunshine so the plumage of the ducks really stood out. A Virginia rail sunning it self and preening against the edge of the reeds made us all smile a while. Birds seen (in taxonomic order): Canada Goose Mute Swan - 1 at Mirror Pond Gadwall - 3 at Hatfield American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail - Hatfield Green-Winged Teal Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Common Goldeneye - one bird, Mirror Pond Hooded Merganser - both locations a few birds. Common Merganser - Mirror Pond Ruddy Duck - Hatfield, dozens Bald Eagle - 2 adults Drake Park and 2 adults Hatfield. Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Virginia Rail - total 3, concentrated at inlet where there is still open water. One out preening in the sunshine. Rock Dove Northern Flicker Steller's Jay Western Scrub-Jay American Crow Common Raven Townsend's Solitaire American Robin European Starling Cedar Waxwing - tried hard but could not find Bohemians. Spotted Towhee Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco House Finch House Sparrow Total number of species seen: 33 - Mute Swan doesn't "count". Enjoyable morning together, Janice Rising, Marion Davidson, Howard Horvath, Kevin Smith and Judy Meredith. Judy jmeredit at bendnet.com From larmcqueen at msn.com Wed Jan 16 14:55:38 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:55:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wed morning, Eugene Message-ID: This morning it was Delta Ponds and portions of the Willamette River, by the Valley River bike trail. P-b Grebe - 12+ D-c Cormorant - 500+ These were grouped in the trees lining the river seen from Valley River parking. Bald Eagle - 1 adult arrived and caused the cormorants to take off in several huge swarms. Red-tailed Hawk - 1 Great Blue Heron - 5 Canada Goose 170+ Wood Duck - 2 Gadwall - 25+ A. Wigeon - 15+ Mallard - 20+ Shoveler - 15+ Green - w Teal - 32 Ring-necked Duck - 7 L. Scaup - 25+ on the river Bufflehead - 30+ Hooded Merganser - 3 C. Merganser - 1 Coot - 150+ G-w Gull - 6 Gull hybrid - looked like it could be a G-w x Herring Belted Kingfisher - 3 Downy Wdp. - 2 Scrub Jay - 8 Crow - 35 Bushitit - 20 Black-cp. Chickadee - 8 Brown Creeper - 2 Bewick's Wren - 2 R-c Kinglet - 1 Robin - 7 Starling - 20 Towhee - 1 Fox Sparrow - 1 Song Sparrow - 12 Golden-crowned Sparrow - 8 D-e Junco - 2 Red-wg Blackb - 5+ House Finch - 13 Lesser Goldfinch - 5 3 River Otters and one Nutria. Sylvia Maulding, Roger Robb, Dick Weeks, Kit Larsen, Don DeWitt, George Grier, Dennis Arendt and Larry McQueen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/fe6e486d/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Wed Jan 16 16:29:49 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:29:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] A new plover! Message-ID: A possible new species of plover was discovered by David Bakewell and Peter Kennerley in Malaysia and Singapore. Check out the website to see stunning photos of the "White-faced Plover". http://www.surfbirds.com/Features/plovers1108/malayplovers.html Larry McQueen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/c48ad7b0/attachment.htm From pamelaj at spiritone.com Wed Jan 16 17:31:43 2008 From: pamelaj at spiritone.com (pamela johnston) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:31:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Baskett Pelican continues Message-ID: <002a01c858a8$b9128d90$c66cf204@yourw5st28y9a3> Bonnie Laux and I saw the American White Pelican at the Colville Rd narrows at Baskett Slough NWR today during the noon hour. John Fitchen and Andy Frank had just arrived from a successful quest for the Sedge Wren, and we all saw it fly in. Pamela Johnston From dhughes55 at clearwire.net Wed Jan 16 17:30:22 2008 From: dhughes55 at clearwire.net (Denise Hughes) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:30:22 -0700 Subject: [obol] National Wildlife Federation field guide (informal review.) In-Reply-To: <002001c8584b$c9a53ca0$d297d140@Warbler> References: <002001c8584b$c9a53ca0$d297d140@Warbler> Message-ID: <009601c858a8$88ef3ff0$9acdbfd0$@net> If you are looking for a deal, amazon.com has the book for $13.57. Denise Hughes Caldwell, Idaho -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis P. Vroman Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:26 AM To: Jeff Gilligan; OBOL Subject: Re: [obol] National Wildlife Federation field guide (informal review.) Jeff and other bird book collectors, As it turns out, I pick up a copy of this book shortly after the holidays. Was not aware of it until I was checking though books at Barnes and Noble. As Jeff mentions, it is a pretty impressive book, and, although kind of thick, it's the size of most field going guides. It could be carried along with you if you have a pocket for a thick book. By the way, if your looking in this book for the Sparrows...there after the Finches, which is not like most of the AOU order field guides you may be used to. Sometimes actual photos of birds are of more value in IDing that tough bird over illustrations. It's nice to have both, however. Will agree, a worthy additional to your bird book collection. Dennis obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From joel.geier at peak.org Wed Jan 16 18:22:35 2008 From: joel.geier at peak.org (Joel Geier) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:22:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] Polk County Trumpeter Swan flock history Message-ID: <1200536555.3612.96.camel@localhost.localdomain> Hi Roy (& OBOLers ... also MidValley list participants who may be interested in this history), Thanks for the summary of the "Maple Grove" flock of Trumpeter Swans. About 20 of them were "back home" in the Maple Grove fields this December. Sean Burgett alerted me to a concentration of 100+ swans on the Luckiamute River flood pond near Helmick State Park (south of Monmouth) and I went looking for them, eventually finding the Trumpeter flock back on their home patch in Maple Grove. As Roy notes, I started reporting on this flock after we moved to a farm house in the Suver area just about 12 years ago (spring of 1996?), and had them show up in the adjoining field the next winter. This prompted me to get in touch with Salem Audubon Society (back when Maggie Meikle was around -- anybody heard from her lately?), since I was surprised by the idea of Trumpeter Swans, and John Lundsten came out to confirm the sighting. In subsequent years (after I found out about OBOL thanks to a fellow grad student in geology at OSU) I got to meet quite a few of you who stopped by to view the swans. We moved from that place to the other side of E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area three years ago. It was hard to leave such a great location but we just couldn't go on renting forever. Since then I haven't monitored that field as closely but the Trumpeters did return there, until this year when I haven't seen them there at all. What's happened at that location is that our old neighbor Walt (who was in his 80s) died three years ago, right after we moved, and the habitat has been affected as a result. Walt had kind of a laissez faire attitude about farming. He was not real big on equipment upgrades or equipment maintenance. He was also not real big on the idea of a manicured-looking farm. He was the last farmer whom I know of in the area who pastured cattle (not counting the OSU beef ranch in Soap Creek Valley). He left the oaks alone (good for the White- breasted Nuthatches), and most importantly for the swans, he left an overgrown apple orchard between the Corvallis/Independence Highway. Walt's kids and grandkids who took over managing the land have some different idea about how to farm. One of them preemptively tore down the apple grove this year (apparently not everyone in the family was happy with that, but he did it before the ones who disagreed could say anything). With that orchard gone, that field is pretty exposed to highway traffic. I suspect that is why the Trumpeter Swans haven't been back to the Suver area this year. I haven't checked the Maple Grove location since mid-December. Twenty Trumpeters is a small number compared with my peak count of 65 a few years ago. My hope is that the "new county records" around the valley, such as the Lane Co. group, reflect dispersal of the Polk Co. flock rather than a reduction in its numbers (e.g. due to breeding failures or winter predation). Digressing a bit, I am deeply saddened to witness the passing of the generation of farmers that Walt represented. These were WW II vets who were not consciously "green" in their attitudes, but their way of doing things -- hanging onto "obsolete" practices as well as obsolete equipment -- was often more beneficial to wildlife than what I see from most of the younger generation of farmers. I knew a lot of farmers like Walt when I was growing up on a farm in the upper Midwest. I don't see many more like them out there. I do see a few younger farmers who are consciously protecting wildlife habitat, so that gives me some hope for the future. But we need more of them. Happy birding, Joel Roy Gerig wrote: A slight amendment to Dave Irons' account of the southern Polk County Trumpeter Swan flock: In the early 1980s soon after I'd begun reporting on this flock which was then reliably at Maple Grove, when numbers were in the teens and low 20's from year to year, I spoke to the farmer whose land they spent most of their time on. He was quite aware of the fact that they were Trumpeters, not Tundras, and seemed pleased that they'd chosen his field to winter on. As he and I watched them, it was apparent that he knew how to tell them from Tundras. I have confidence in his statement then that 6-8 of them had first appeared in 1975 or 1976, 30+ years ago not 20. The flock grew and gradually moved south and east to Airlie and further, sometimes mixing with some of the 300 or so local tundra, sometimes not. This is, or was, the southernmost wintering flock of the Trumpeter population that winters mostly in British Columbia. Toward the end of the 1980s or early 1990s, the flock size was in the 30s, and they had began to spend some time a few miles southeast, around Suver. By the time Joel Geier (moved into the area?) started birding there and reporting on the flock they had moved mostly into the Suver area. Roy Gerig, Salem OR -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis From joel.geier at peak.org Wed Jan 16 18:27:46 2008 From: joel.geier at peak.org (Joel Geier) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:27:46 -0800 Subject: [obol] Polk County Trumpeter Swan flock history In-Reply-To: <1200536555.3612.96.camel@localhost.localdomain> References: <1200536555.3612.96.camel@localhost.localdomain> Message-ID: <1200536866.3612.98.camel@localhost.localdomain> Sorry, this sentence should have read: > He left the oaks alone (good for the White- > breasted Nuthatches), and most importantly for the swans, he left an > overgrown apple orchard between [that field and] the Corvallis/Independence Highway. -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis From sdoran at bendbroadband.com Wed Jan 16 19:20:28 2008 From: sdoran at bendbroadband.com (sdoran at bendbroadband.com) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:20:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] Blue Jay in Bend Message-ID: Greetings from Bend! My husband and I moved to Bend 2 years ago from Oregon City. I had fed the birds there for years and enjoyed a wide variety of birds. I had no idea of the variety of birds I might have here. Was I surprised! I put out 2 mixed variety sunflower feeders and 2 thistle feeders and a block of suet. I also have a pond. I have identified over 40 species of birds in my yard. My biggest shock of all was the Blue Jay that arrived the second week of December! He joined the stellar jays and the scrub jays at the suet and sunflower feeders. They don't like him much! He was only here for a week but I saw him again yesterday and he is sure a handsome bird. I haven't heard anyone else report seeing this jay in Oregon this winter. I talked to Dean Hale here in Bend and he said they have spotted one before but only briefly. I feel pretty special to have him visit me. Susan Doran Bend From celata at pacifier.com Wed Jan 16 19:42:01 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:42:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Possible Yellow-billed Loon at Brownsmead Message-ID: <478ECDD0.CB5C7D02@pacifier.com> Judy McIntyre thought she saw a YELLOW-BILLED LOON about a week ago at Wolf Slough which is on private property just north of Blind Slough Station Rd across Blind Slough. She saw it again today and sent me photos from too far away, which look very much like a Yellow-billed Loon. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From andy.frank at kp.org Wed Jan 16 19:46:22 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (Andy Frank) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 19:46:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sedge Wren photo Message-ID: <000301c858bb$8788fe90$6500a8c0@familyroom> Under the assumption that a poor photo is better than no photo at all, one of the Sedge Wren in flight is at http://andyfrank.blogspot.com/. It at least shows the overall pale coloration and the reddish rump. The bird was by the first set of red bushes about 100 yards directly north of the shed which in turn is about 1 mile north of the refuge headquarters. It was quite active and secretive and did not stay in the open, or in any one place, for long. Andy Frank From andy.frank at kp.org Wed Jan 16 21:38:39 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (Andy Frank) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:38:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ooops. Never mind... Message-ID: <000601c858cb$36e2d5a0$6400a8c0@homefih7ejbwju> I have been corrected that the photo I posted was of a Marsh Wren. Please accept my apologies. And thanks to those who politely pointed out my error. I took about 10 photos at the time. About half of them contained no bird as it had moved, a few were very blurry, one was very clearly of a Marsh Wren. I had thought that this was the Sedge Wren. It has been pointed out that this bird most likely is also a Marsh Wren and on looking again, I agree. I apologize for the error. There were several Marsh Wrens in the same area which at the time made a nice contrast with the Sedge Wren. The Marsh Wrens were clearly darker overall, and in looking at this photo again, I realize the bird in it is not nearly as light in color as the Sedge Wren. I will add that the Sedge Wren was in the low clumps of grass most of the time but a few times flew into the red bushes allowing a better view. When in the grasses, it would hunker down until we walked closer, and then usually fly about 20 feet to another clump of grasses. Andy Frank -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/78f3ed57/attachment.htm From winkg at hevanet.com Wed Jan 16 22:03:17 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:03:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] Red-shouldered Hawks, Merlins, Sauvie Island Message-ID: <20080117060314.E26F9410256@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> I missed the Prairie Falcon today on Oak Island Rd today, but instead found 2 RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS: one at the "Big Bend" on Oak Island Rd. and the other at the intersection of Oak Island and Reeder Rds. A MERLIN also zoomed past while I was at the Big Bend. A RED-THROATED LOON was in the Columbia just off the east side marina on Reeder Rd and a male EURASIAN WIGEON was at Coon Pt. A PILEATED WOODPECKER was along Rentenaar Rd. Late in the day, a second MERLIN zoomed over Gillihan Loop Rd. Beautiful day out there! Wink Gross Portland From winkg at hevanet.com Wed Jan 16 22:34:13 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:34:13 -0800 Subject: [obol] Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 01/16/08 Message-ID: <20080117063309.4DBC74102C5@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> Here is the summary of my morning dogwalks from NW Seblar Terrace to the Pittock Mansion for the week 01/10/07 to 01/16/08. Species in ALL CAPS were neither seen nor heard the previous week. Additional information about my dogwalk, including an archive of weekly summaries and a checklist, may be found at http://www.hevanet.com/winkg/dogwalkpage.html We did the walk 7 days this week. Species # days found (peak #, date) Cackling Goose 2 (5, 1/15) CANADA GOOSE 1 (25, 1/15) NORTHERN PINTAIL 1 (18, 1/13) COOPER'S HAWK 2 (1, 1/11 & 13) GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL 1 (4, 1/13) Band-tailed Pigeon 2 (2, 1/13) Mourning Dove 6 (6, 1/11) Anna's Hummingbird 6 (4, 1/13) Hairy Woodpecker 1 (1, 1/11) Northern Flicker 5 (2) Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 (5, 1/13) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 (1, 1/13) Bewick's Wren 2 (1, 1/13 & 14) Winter Wren 5 (2) American Robin 5 (15, 1/13) Varied Thrush 7 (11, 1/15) Bushtit 2 (20, 1/13) Black-capped Chickadee 7 (20, 1/13) Chestnut-backed Chickadee 3 (5) Red-breasted Nuthatch 3 (2) Brown Creeper 3 (3) Steller's Jay 6 (5) Western Scrub-Jay 1 (1, 1/13) American Crow 6 (5) House Finch 6 (35, 1/13) Pine Siskin 4 (40, 1/13) Spotted Towhee 7 (7) Fox Sparrow 3 (1) Song Sparrow 7 (18) GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW 1 (1, 1/15) Dark-eyed Junco 7 (30) In the neighborhood but not found on dogwalk: EUROPEAN STARLING, EVENING GROSBEAK Misses (birds found at least 3 days in previous 2 weeks but not found this week): Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hermit Thrush Wink Gross Portland From jbw at oregoncoast.com Wed Jan 16 22:36:19 2008 From: jbw at oregoncoast.com (Barbara & John Woodhouse) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:36:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Tillamook E Raptor run Message-ID: Yellow Fir Rd in the South to Freddies in the North. 5.5 hours 70.2 miles Temps were betweem 25 F and 40 F bright sun. Redtailed Hawks 17 Am. Kestrel 11 Bald Eagle Adult 1 Whitetailed Kite 3 Total 32 Best non raptors of the day were 3 Meadow Larks on the Base at the Sacred Heart Cemetry. A Black Phoebe on the North end of the Air Museum in a twiggy bush hawking insects 6 Blue Birds on Fawcette Creek Rd Barbara & John Woodhouse From hnehls at teleport.com Wed Jan 16 23:29:28 2008 From: hnehls at teleport.com (Harry Nehls) Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:29:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA: Portland, OR 1-17-08 Message-ID: - RBA * Portland * Oregon * January 17, 2008 * ORPO0801.17 - birds mentioned Brant ARCTIC LOON Yellow-billed Loon American White Pelican Brown Pelican Prairie Falcon Red-naped Sapsucker Black Phoebe SEDGE WREN Bohemian Waxwing Palm Warbler American Tree Sparrow Snow Bunting - transcript hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly) number: 503-292-6855 To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 compiler: Harry Nehls coverage: entire state Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report was made Thursday January 17. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. On January 14 a SEDGE WREN was found at the EE Wilson WMA north of Corvallis. It continues to be seen. Park at the headquarters and walk north about 1.5 miles to a shed on the east side of the road. The bird is found in a multiflora hedge about 100 yards north of the shed. The Brownsmead ARCTIC LOON continues to be seen. A BLACK PHOEBE, a PALM WARBLER, and a PRAIRIE FALCON are nearby. Several BROWN PELICANS are still being seen along the southern Oregon coast. On January 14 two SNOW BUNTINGS were at South Beach State Park south of Newport. A PRAIRIE FALCON was seen January 16 along Oak Island Road on Sauvie Island. The WHITE PELICAN continues at Baskett Slough NWR. On January 12 a YELLOW-BILLED LOON was found on Dexter Reservoir southeast of Eugene. The next day a RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER at the west end of the reservoir. Both species are still being seen. On January 12 a PRAIRIE FALCON was at Fern Ridge Reservoir. Also on January 12 a flock of 44 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were in the Pilot Rock area south of Ashland. A BLACK BRANT is now being seen among a flock of geese north of Prineville. Flocks of TREE SPARROWS are now being reported from south of Burns and at Malheur NWR. On January 12 a flock of 26 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS were at Page Springs Campground. That?s it for this week. - end transcript -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080116/475ef592/attachment.htm From kosciuch at gmail.com Thu Jan 17 08:09:23 2008 From: kosciuch at gmail.com (Karl Kosciuch) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:09:23 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed Loon, Dexter Lake, yes, 1/16/08 Message-ID: Greetings, I made a quick stop at Dexter Lake around 2:00 and found the Yellow-billed Loon along Highway 58. Several other birders had observed it from the boat ramp, but the bird had moved and I found it west of the covered bridge. I also located the reported red-naped sapsucker in the trees by the boat ramp, but did not have very satisfying looks. Cheers, Karl -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/f2e7a487/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 10:38:06 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:38:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Fog at Dexter Lake a problem today? Message-ID: <789220.6977.qm@web39502.mail.mud.yahoo.com> What's the situation at Dexter Lake in terms of fog and visibility on days that are socked in like today? (It is in Corvallis, anyway.) Is it above the fog or not in the typical fog zone? Jamie Simmons Corvallis --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/afc728a1/attachment.htm From judie310hansen at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 11:12:25 2008 From: judie310hansen at comcast.net (Hansen Judie) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:12:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Local RBA Eugene - HARRIS'S SPARROW Message-ID: Dave Irons just called - At 11 AM he found a Harris's sparrow and has obtained permission from the landowner for people to come look for it. Here is what Dave said: A HARRIS'S SPARROW is on private property off of North Gilham Road in Eugene. To reach the site, take Delta Highway North from Beltline Road about one mile, turn right on Ayers Road, turn right into the second driveway just before the white picket fence. Drive in the driveway and park in the wide pullout (room for about six cars) opposite of an old metal shed covered with ivy and blackberries. The bird is hanging out on the North side of the building in the ivy and blackberries. His mother -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/873d629f/attachment.htm From judie310hansen at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 11:19:05 2008 From: judie310hansen at comcast.net (Hansen Judie) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:19:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] CORRECTION - Local RBA Eugene - HARRIS'S SPARROW References: Message-ID: <09991272-76A4-49F7-9201-4D40FCB34D43@comcast.net> The earlier post left out one segment - when I was trying to figure out how to get there myself, I realized there was no reference to Gilham Road - here is how it should read: > > > Dave Irons just called - At 11 AM he found a Harris's sparrow and > has obtained permission from the landowner for people to come look > for it. Here is what Dave said: > > A HARRIS'S SPARROW is on private property off of North Gilham Road > in Eugene. To reach the site, take Delta Highway North from > Beltline Road about one mile, turn right on Ayers Road, GO TO > GILHAM ROAD AND TURN LEFT ON GILHAM, then right into the second > driveway just before the white picket fence. Drive in the driveway > and park in the wide pullout (room for about six cars) opposite of > an old metal shed covered with ivy and blackberries. The bird is > hanging out on the North side of the building in the ivy and > blackberries. > > His mother > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/9f671a2d/attachment.htm From banjsmith at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 11:44:09 2008 From: banjsmith at yahoo.com (William Smith) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:44:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Bird id- HELP! Message-ID: <513127.77690.qm@web57315.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Hi all, Can anyone tell me what species this is? A friend sent me an image and I have no clue? http://www.morguefile.com/archive/?display=105041 Thanks in advance, Bill --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/4e0c8dc9/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Thu Jan 17 12:08:15 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:08:15 +0000 Subject: [obol] Bird ID-Chestnut-breasted malkoha Message-ID: Hi, The mystery bird is a CHESTNUT-BREASTED MALKOHA. I think it belongs to the cuckoo family and lives in Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of SE Asia. You can do a google image search to confirm my id. It is a very distinctive bird. They are quite cool!! Good birding, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/fbe6c589/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Thu Jan 17 12:08:38 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:08:38 +0000 Subject: [obol] Bird ID-Chestnut-breasted malkoha Message-ID: Hi, The mystery bird is a CHESTNUT-BREASTED MALKOHA. I think it belongs to the cuckoo family and lives in Indonesia, Malaysia, and parts of SE Asia. You can do a google image search to confirm my id. It is a very distinctive bird. They are quite cool!! Good birding, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/a8c7727d/attachment.htm From john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Thu Jan 17 12:05:34 2008 From: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com (Born Again Bird Watcher) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:05:34 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bird id- HELP! In-Reply-To: <513127.77690.qm@web57315.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <513127.77690.qm@web57315.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <00ce01c85944$58d150a0$0a73f1e0$@com> I'd say that's a Chestnut-breasted Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus curvirostris). Peace and good bird watching, John E. Riutta Owner, Born Again Bird Watcher By Post: P.O. Box A Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. e-mail: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Internet: www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com mobile: (503) 577-5383 From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of William Smith Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 11:44 AM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Bird id- HELP! Hi all, Can anyone tell me what species this is? A friend sent me an image and I have no clue? http://www.morguefile.com/archive/?display=105041 Thanks in advance, Bill _____ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/0c5ba1fa/attachment.htm From SJJag at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 12:30:23 2008 From: SJJag at comcast.net (SJJag at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:30:23 +0000 Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds Message-ID: <011720082030.2714.478FBADF000D835500000A9A2216525856090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> Hello Obol, We have had a trio of Townsend's Warblers coming around this last several weeks. What a treat when they are here brightening the gray days. They are often seen as our suet feeders but they also are regular eaters of sunflower hearts/broken shelled sunflower. They seem to like the open covered tray type feeders but not and then visit the tube style feeder and eat from it as well. I would not have expected this and would have questioned the behavior if not witnessing it on a daily basis. Are others seeing this? Good Birds, Steve Jaggers -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/79484d33/attachment.htm From judie310hansen at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 12:34:39 2008 From: judie310hansen at comcast.net (Hansen Judie) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:34:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow - YES Message-ID: Ed and I went to the Harris's sparrow site and found the bird. When we first arrived it was in a tree next to the road on the south side of the driveway with five white-crowned sparrows. They flushed to the blackberries on the shed and then flew to the pale yellow house northeast of the driveway. There is a chain-link fenced area with stacked wood and old dog houses behind the yellow house. In this area are two or three bird feeders. The feeder with the green plastic roof was the only one with food and the Harris's sparrow and white-crowned sparrows were feeding there. This was at 11:45 AM. The whole flock seemed skittish even though there isn't traffic or activity close by. Judie Hansen From nepobirds at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 13:05:26 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:05:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds Message-ID: <302651.90746.qm@web46007.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they seem to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them on the fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black oil sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can see them even better in the fly-thru. Seth and Michelle, NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/d24822c3/attachment.htm From john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Thu Jan 17 13:05:49 2008 From: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com (Born Again Bird Watcher) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:05:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds In-Reply-To: <011720082030.2714.478FBADF000D835500000A9A2216525856090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> References: <011720082030.2714.478FBADF000D835500000A9A2216525856090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> Message-ID: <010d01c8594c$be01e180$3a05a480$@com> Yes, I have been noticing this. The Townsend's Warblers I've been watching in Scappoose show a preference for the types of feeders you note in the order of preference you note - suet first, tray with black-oil sunflower seed second, tube with black-oil sunflower seed following that. It has also been interesting to note the number of Pine Siskins gorging themselves on the sunflower seeds this winter. They are all but ignoring the flax seed feeder and crowding onto anything dispensing sunflower seeds. Peace and good bird watching, John E. Riutta Owner, Born Again Bird Watcher By Post: P.O. Box A Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. e-mail: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Internet: www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com mobile: (503) 577-5383 From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of SJJag at comcast.net Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:30 PM To: obol at lists.orst.edu Cc: Unknown Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds Hello Obol, We have had a trio of Townsend's Warblers coming around this last several weeks. What a treat when they are here brightening the gray days. They are often seen as our suet feeders but they also are regular eaters of sunflower hearts/broken shelled sunflower. They seem to like the open covered tray type feeders but not and then visit the tube style feeder and eat from it as well. I would not have expected this and would have questioned the behavior if not witnessing it on a daily basis. Are others seeing this? Good Birds, Steve Jaggers -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/69754f11/attachment.htm From Andy.Frank at kp.org Thu Jan 17 13:15:05 2008 From: Andy.Frank at kp.org (Andy.Frank at kp.org) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:15:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions Message-ID: I'm reading Private Lives of Garden Birds by Calvin Simonds which has chapters on each of 11 birds commonly found in northeastern American gardens. In talking about hummingbirds, he notes that hummers burn about 1 calorie for each 90 minutes of flight. If you adjusted this by weight for a 150 person, that person would burn up 24,000 calories every 90 minutes, or 16,000 calories/hr. He goes on to talk about the challenges a hummingbird faces in finding enough food to fuel their rapid metabolism, and I was thinking about the impact feeders have on their population. I would think that the relative frequency of hummingbird feeders (at least around Portland where I live) would lead to a much greater number of them being here (especially in winter when flowers and bugs are harder to come by). I am not sure if this table below will come through ok, but I got this chart (from http://audubon2.org/cbchist/table.html) that shows Oregon results for Anna's, with the "count number" being the year so that "90" is 1990 and so on. There has been a large increase in the number of birds seen, but the "number/party hr" (which I am assuming adjust for the number of observor hours) has shown a similar increase which makes me think that the profusion of feeders isn't making any difference. On the other hand, it seems obvious that more feeders would support more birds. So, now the question: is it known whether the number of feeders influences the size of the local population? Thanks, Andy Count Number Number Number / Party Hr. Number of Counts Reporting Species Number of Observers on Reporting Counts 90 49 0.0141 8 336 91 76 0.0229 11 393 92 60 0.0165 14 450 93 69 0.0162 13 477 94 53 0.0123 12 473 95 115 0.0287 14 488 96 147 0.0331 14 525 97 88 0.0182 16 520 98 124 0.0347 16 559 99 186 0.0469 17 558 100 149 0.0374 17 603 101 193 0.0412 17 558 102 239 0.0524 17 571 103 222 0.0454 16 523 104 287 0.2764 19 504 105 375 0.078 18 643 106 444 0.1046 20 624 107 531 0.1128 19 711 NOTICE TO RECIPIENT: If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are prohibited from sharing, copying, or otherwise using or disclosing its contents. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and permanently delete this e-mail and any attachments without reading, forwarding or saving them. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/6d584f33/attachment.htm From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 13:37:35 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:37:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Subject: Re: Townsend's W. eats seeds Message-ID: <402441.93068.qm@web60824.mail.yahoo.com> I've also been noticing this behavior from Townsend's, since about December. They've been eating sunflower chips from two of my feeders (one a tube with a tray, the other a hopper), and of course suet from all three of my suet feeders as well. My RC KINGLETS are doing the same thing, which I hadn't seen prior to this winter either. I find it odd that a number of people are suddenly seeing this behavior. Is there currently some natural shortage of sources of fiber/protein/vitamins? Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: Re: Townsend's W. eats seeds From: Seth Reams Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:05:26 -0800 (PST) We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they seem to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them on the fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black oil sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can see them even better in the fly-thru. Seth and Michelle, NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage._______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave AT lists.oregonstate.edu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/a746b4fd/attachment.htm From calliope at theriver.com Thu Jan 17 13:39:46 2008 From: calliope at theriver.com (Rich Hoyer) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:39:46 -0700 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Andy and Birders, Well, given that the local population came into being because of the very existence of feeders, I would say that they do indeed have an influence. The first record of Anna's Hummingbird for Oregon was 1944 (Birds of Oregon: A General Reference, Marshall, Hunter and Contreras, eds.) and wasn't common anywhere in the state until the 1980's. If you removed all feeders from the Pacific Northwest away from the coast, you would quite suddenly have zero Anna's Hummingbirds. On the coast, where some exotic plants can flower in the winter, you might have a small population subsist for a time, but the winter-blooming Ribes that it relied upon in its natural, historical winter range doesn't occur in Oregon. Good Birding, Rich --- Richard C. Hoyer Tucson, AZ Senior Field Leader, WINGS, Inc. http://www.wingsbirds.com --- On Jan 17, 2008, at 2:15 PM, Andy.Frank at kp.org wrote: So, now the question: is it known whether the number of feeders influences the size of the local population? ?Thanks, Andy From dan-gleason at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 13:46:09 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:46:09 -0800 Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds In-Reply-To: <302651.90746.qm@web46007.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> References: <302651.90746.qm@web46007.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0AE8F3B5-8B93-46A2-8671-8BE2487E989A@comcast.net> More than 95% of the diet of a Townsend's Warbler is animal material, primarily insects and spiders and their eggs and larvae. Seeds and fruits are foods only very rarely eaten and then they are usually small seeds. They do visit seed feeders, however, and I see them doing so at mine as well. But watch closely, and I think you will find that they are not opening up and taking away any seeds or spending any significant amount of time at the feeder. Rather, they are looking through the seeds in search of the small insects that may be found there. Some of these insects may be quite small and hard for you to observe but are likely present. These insects (or spiders and mites) may have been present when you put out the seed or they may come to the seed after you have put it out but they are usually there. I have also noticed that Red-breasted Nuthatches sometimes transfer bits of suet to the seed feeder. It is not intentional but they feed nearly equally at the suet feeders and the sunflower feeders and some suet may stick to their bill and fall away as they seek a seed. These few bits of suet would also be attractive to the warbler. As I write this, I am having the opportunity to watch the 4 Townsend's Warblers that frequent our deck feeders each day. They spend a lot of time at the 2 suet feeders. (And occasionally, have to wait their turn while the Bushtits completely cover all access to the suet.) Just a foot away from one of the suet feeders is a tall tube- style sunflower seed feeder. As I watched, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee was seeking a seed from this feeder while the warbler hung upside down pecking suet at its feeder. When the chickadee left, the warbler flew over and poked its head into every hole of the tube feeder. I don't know if it found anything, but it never ate, or even picked up a single seed. Kinglets and other insectivores will also do this same thing but watch them carefully and I suspect that you will find that they do not actually eat any of the seed. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 17, 2008, at 1:05 PM, Seth Reams wrote: > We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have > been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last > couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they seem > to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them on the > fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black oil > sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can see > them even better in the fly-thru. > > Seth and Michelle, > NE Portland - Gateway area > > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/4803dbf9/attachment.htm From john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Thu Jan 17 13:49:08 2008 From: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com (Born Again Bird Watcher) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:49:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] Subject: Re: Townsend's W. eats seeds In-Reply-To: <402441.93068.qm@web60824.mail.yahoo.com> References: <402441.93068.qm@web60824.mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <013801c85952$ca8e1a80$5faa4f80$@com> Perhaps the unusually cold weather - or some other cause - is resulting in a decrease in the number of insects? (Just a guess.) Peace and good bird watching, John E. Riutta Owner, Born Again Bird Watcher By Post: P.O. Box A Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. e-mail: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Internet: www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com mobile: (503) 577-5383 From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Brandon Green Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:38 PM To: OBOL Cc: nepobirds at yahoo.com Subject: [obol] Subject: Re: Townsend's W. eats seeds I've also been noticing this behavior from Townsend's, since about December. They've been eating sunflower chips from two of my feeders (one a tube with a tray, the other a hopper), and of course suet from all three of my suet feeders as well. My RC KINGLETS are doing the same thing, which I hadn't seen prior to this winter either. I find it odd that a number of people are suddenly seeing this behavior. Is there currently some natural shortage of sources of fiber/protein/vitamins? Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: Re: Townsend's W. eats seeds From: Seth Reams Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:05:26 -0800 (PST) We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they seem to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them on the fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black oil sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can see them even better in the fly-thru. Seth and Michelle, NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage._______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave AT lists.oregonstate.edu. _____ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/1d17f80c/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 14:58:36 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:58:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <530222.80342.qm@web45107.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Interesting observation Rich. I know that along the coast there is a definite wintering population of Anna's Hummingbirds in a few areas far from any feeders. For instance, there are several Anna's out on the north spit of Coos Bay that seem to survive all winter on the native flora (sure there are quite a few of established exotics like beach grass, Armenian blackberry, etc.) but nothing that flowers in the winter. They may have eventually made it up the Oregon coast, but who knows how common they would actually be. Imagine if the only place they showed up on CBCs was in single digits on the south coast! ENJOY! Tim Rodenkirk in sunny Coos Bay PS: yes the natives are already flowering here- the manzanita is just getting going on the south coast, one of the hummers favorites! --- Rich Hoyer wrote: > Hi Andy and Birders, > > Well, given that the local population came into > being because of the > very existence of feeders, I would say that they do > indeed have an > influence. The first record of Anna's Hummingbird > for Oregon was 1944 > (Birds of Oregon: A General Reference, Marshall, > Hunter and Contreras, > eds.) and wasn't common anywhere in the state until > the 1980's. If you > removed all feeders from the Pacific Northwest away > from the coast, you > would quite suddenly have zero Anna's Hummingbirds. > On the coast, where > some exotic plants can flower in the winter, you > might have a small > population subsist for a time, but the > winter-blooming Ribes that it > relied upon in its natural, historical winter range > doesn't occur in > Oregon. > > Good Birding, > > Rich > --- > Richard C. Hoyer > Tucson, AZ > > Senior Field Leader, WINGS, Inc. > http://www.wingsbirds.com > --- > > > On Jan 17, 2008, at 2:15 PM, Andy.Frank at kp.org > wrote: > > So, now the question: is it known whether the number > of feeders > influences the size of the local population? > ?Thanks, Andy > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From dpvroman at budget.net Thu Jan 17 15:23:14 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:23:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] 2nd S. Grants Pass raptor survey Message-ID: <003101c8595f$f23628e0$2b4cfb48@Warbler> Today (01-17-08) the 2nd South Grants Pass raptor survey was accomplished. Total of 2.75 hrs; 26.8 miles; weather: mostly clear. Observed were: Red-tailed Hawk - 7 American Kestrel - 5 Red-shouldered Hawk - 2 White-tailed Kite - 2 Cooper's Hawk - 1 Less individuals found this time out. Perhaps the snow cover caused some birds to shift to some other location to find prey. Visibility was pretty good and birds should have been noticeable if they were around. Will see what happens next month. Dennis (north of Grants Pass) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/a878056e/attachment.htm From dpvroman at budget.net Thu Jan 17 15:34:37 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 15:34:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions References: <530222.80342.qm@web45107.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <000401c85961$87623840$2b4cfb48@Warbler> In the Rogue Valley (western part at least), Anna's like their feeders that's for sure. However, in the past, including this winter, you can find wintering males in somewhat open riparian river locations (Rogue, Applegate, Bear Creek) that appear to be fairly remote from feeders. Also, you can find them in those low elevation brushfields; there's 2-3 birds near the Manzanita I-5 rest stop (north bound side), some are a fair hike to the east from the frontage road. There's a small oak tree near the Lower Table Rock trail head (close to the restrooms), where you and almost count on one through the winter months (its favorite perch). If this bird visits a feeder, it's not gone from this perch for long. ...have about 4-5 at my place, where they do find feeders, one of which was displaying yesterday. Dennis (north of Grants Pass) Interesting observation Rich. I know that along the coast there is a definite wintering population of Anna's Hummingbirds in a few areas far from any feeders. For instance, there are several Anna's out on the north spit of Coos Bay that seem to survive all winter on the native flora (sure there are quite a few of established exotics like beach grass, Armenian blackberry, etc.) but nothing that flowers in the winter. They may have eventually made it up the Oregon coast, but who knows how common they would actually be. Imagine if the only place they showed up on CBCs was in single digits on the south coast! ENJOY! Tim Rodenkirk in sunny Coos Bay PS: yes the natives are already flowering here- the manzanita is just getting going on the south coast, one of the hummers favorites! --- Rich Hoyer wrote: > Hi Andy and Birders, > > Well, given that the local population came into > being because of the > very existence of feeders, I would say that they do > indeed have an > influence. The first record of Anna's Hummingbird > for Oregon was 1944 > (Birds of Oregon: A General Reference, Marshall, > Hunter and Contreras, > eds.) and wasn't common anywhere in the state until > the 1980's. If you > removed all feeders from the Pacific Northwest away > from the coast, you > would quite suddenly have zero Anna's Hummingbirds. > On the coast, where > some exotic plants can flower in the winter, you > might have a small > population subsist for a time, but the > winter-blooming Ribes that it > relied upon in its natural, historical winter range > doesn't occur in > Oregon. > > Good Birding, > > Rich > --- > Richard C. Hoyer > Tucson, AZ > > Senior Field Leader, WINGS, Inc. > http://www.wingsbirds.com > --- > > > On Jan 17, 2008, at 2:15 PM, Andy.Frank at kp.org > wrote: > > So, now the question: is it known whether the number > of feeders > influences the size of the local population? > Thanks, Andy > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From gorgebirds at juno.com Thu Jan 17 16:13:58 2008 From: gorgebirds at juno.com (Wilson Cady) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:13:58 -0800 Subject: [obol] Subject: Re: Townsend's W. eats seeds Message-ID: <20080117.163120.3820.3.gorgebirds@juno.com> To continue the discussion of unusual feeder usage, I just recently received a set of photos of both a TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS and a RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET coming to a hummingbird feeder in Battle Ground. Wilson Cady Washougal, WA On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:37:35 -0800 (PST) Brandon Green writes: I've also been noticing this behavior from Townsend's, since about December. They've been eating sunflower chips from two of my feeders (one a tube with a tray, the other a hopper), and of course suet from all three of my suet feeders as well. My RC KINGLETS are doing the same thing, which I hadn't seen prior to this winter either. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/6368df67/attachment.htm From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 17:03:52 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:03:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] RC Kinglet eating sunflower chips Message-ID: <52674.31504.qm@web60811.mail.yahoo.com> Per this afternoon's discussion of Warblers and Kinglets eating sunflower, I forgot that I have a photo of an RC Kinglet eating sunflower chips. I should mention that this is the only time that I've actually seen a Kinglet pick up a chip and eat it (rather than forage for insects). The photo is very noisy, but you can clearly see the chip in its bill... http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2132084448_cb25f8e243_b.jpg Brandon Eugene ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/8f4f29d6/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Thu Jan 17 17:39:18 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:39:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Message-ID: <4790032D.54EDE33D@pacifier.com> Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken this morning at Svensen Island? http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From andy.frank at kp.org Thu Jan 17 18:34:49 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (Andy Frank) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:34:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions Message-ID: <000601c8597a$b31a3320$6400a8c0@homefih7ejbwju> It just occurred to me that I have been reading the table at http://audubon2.org/cbchist/table.html incorrectly. If "number/party hr." adjusts the count for the number of observor hours, then since 1990 the count for Anna's Hummingbird has increased almost 10 fold since 1990. By comparison, the number/party hr for Song Sparrow is virtually unchanged since 1990. This would suggest that the proliferation of feeders is making a very large difference in the winter population of Anna's Hummingbirds. Is there data for whether the summer population has also changed? However, the number of Great Egrets is also up almost 10 fold since 1990 but without being helped by feeders so perhaps there are other reasons for the increase in numbers of Anna's during the CBC. Andy Frank -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/78374120/attachment.htm From tc at empnet.com Thu Jan 17 18:09:41 2008 From: tc at empnet.com (Tom Crabtree) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:09:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal In-Reply-To: <4790032D.54EDE33D@pacifier.com> Message-ID: <005101c85977$2fdf6910$4e01a8c0@013171> Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, Mike. -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of Mike Patterson Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 5:39 PM To: Obol Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken this morning at Svensen Island? http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From rockawaybirder at earthlink.net Thu Jan 17 18:52:41 2008 From: rockawaybirder at earthlink.net (Ilene Samowitz) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:52:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Artic Loon Message-ID: <00b801c8597d$32065900$c801000a@samowitz> I will be heading to the coast tomorrow and wanted to find out in the artic loon is still being seen, if there are any times of day that is most favorable to find the bird, and good directions. Thanks, Ilene Samowitz Seattle, WA *********************************** Ilene Samowitz N. Matthews Beach, Seattle, WA Rockaway Beach, Oregon http://www.pbase.com/rockawaybirder -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/74ada45e/attachment.htm From SJJag at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 19:22:56 2008 From: SJJag at comcast.net (SJJag at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:22:56 +0000 Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds Message-ID: <011820080322.17791.47901B900003521B0000457F2215555884090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> Well I don't know....Dan, your points follow what I have always thought, seems like insects in the seed are what the Kinglets and Bewick's Wrens go after. This time I believe these warblers are taking the seed bits. In my case the sunflower is shelled and broken so some of the pieces are quite small. I have seen so many forays into the feeders with quick grabs of what appears to be seed bits...perhaps all of us who are seeing this can be especially observant and see what results we obtain. Good info. love the resource that obol represents. Steve Jaggers -------------- Original message -------------- From: Dan Gleason More than 95% of the diet of a Townsend's Warbler is animal material, primarily insects and spiders and their eggs and larvae. Seeds and fruits are foods only very rarely eaten and then they are usually small seeds. They do visit seed feeders, however, and I see them doing so at mine as well. But watch closely, and I think you will find that they are not opening up and taking away any seeds or spending any significant amount of time at the feeder. Rather, they are looking through the seeds in search of the small insects that may be found there. Some of these insects may be quite small and hard for you to observe but are likely present. These insects (or spiders and mites) may have been present when you put out the seed or they may come to the seed after you have put it out but they are usually there. I have also noticed that Red-breasted Nuthatches sometimes transfer bits of suet to the seed feeder. It is not intentional but they feed nearly equally at the suet feeders and the sunf lower feeders and some suet may stick to their bill and fall away as they seek a seed. These few bits of suet would also be attractive to the warbler. As I write this, I am having the opportunity to watch the 4 Townsend's Warblers that frequent our deck feeders each day. They spend a lot of time at the 2 suet feeders. (And occasionally, have to wait their turn while the Bushtits completely cover all access to the suet.) Just a foot away from one of the suet feeders is a tall tube-style sunflower seed feeder. As I watched, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee was seeking a seed from this feeder while the warbler hung upside down pecking suet at its feeder. When the chickadee left, the warbler flew over and poked its head into every hole of the tube feeder. I don't know if it found anything, but it never ate, or even picked up a single seed. Kinglets and other insectivores will also do this same thing but watch them carefully and I suspect that you will find that they do not actually eat any of the seed. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 17, 2008, at 1:05 PM, Seth Reams wrote: We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they seem to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them on the fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black oil sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can see them even better in the fly-thru. Seth and Michelle, NE Portland - Gateway area Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/7a221765/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: Dan Gleason Subject: Re: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:46:39 +0000 Size: 758 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/7a221765/attachment.eml From gnorgren at earthlink.net Thu Jan 17 19:31:32 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:31:32 -0800 Subject: [obol] Winter Hummers Message-ID: <7f7e7d58c3b549ed4883a013942cc707@earthlink.net> As Tim and Dennis have both pointed out, it doesn't take much effort to locate winter hummers suspiciously far from human assistance in western Oregon. On the 1976 Tillamook CBC Fred Ramsey and I walked to the end of Bayocean Spit. Where the road passes through the forested section there was a lagoon and a hummingbird flew over us. This is miles from any human habitation. Upon returning home that night I discussed it with my father who pointed out that coyote brush(aka broom chapparal) is in bloom in mid-December. I did the Yaquina Bay CBC with Arnie Martin that year, or a year close to it when the whole town of Newport was covered with snow(this can't have occurred on very many Yaquina CBCs). We saw a hummer on the east side of town, flying through the woods. I read repeatedly that the bulk(85%?) of hummingbird food is invertebrates rather than nectar. Just now I was driving home. The air was 33 degrees F, but a large moth was flying about. Maybe two weeks ago I had the same experience. It was at or barely above freezing, but numerous large moths were flying. Seconds later a Screech Owl crossed the road, the only time I have seen one in this neighborhood since moving here 14 years ago. I wondered if it was pursuing moths. On this year's Coos CBC Vjera and Eddie Thompson and I found a territorial Anna's Hummingbird at the RR track Y at the ne corner of Pony Slough. While not super far from human residences, it's hard for me to imagine this bird was a commuter. The vacant lot at the south end of Pony Slough was covered with coyote brush that day, so loaded with blossoms it was hard to see the leaves. Feeders certainly enhance the populations of Anna's Hummers in our part of the world, but I am confident the species would have staged a similar range expansion without them. How often do Black Phoebes use feeders? They began showing up in winter simultaneous to the Anna's Hummingbird, and their numbers have shown a similar increase on CBCs. Wandering further afield, did Humming- birds evolve in the tropical lowlands and expand upslope? Did they start out smaller than most birds and develop larger species as they colonized the highlands? I am inclined to think the family may have started out in tropical highlands, and at sizes near the upper range found in modern hummers. Being warm-blooded they would have a competitive advantage over pollinating insects. I believe there are numerous flowering plants in the cloud forests of the Andes that need hummingbirds, and species of hummingbirds with specialized bills to match. The Rufus Hummingbirds in se Alaska are not at all anamolous in this light. They occur at a higher latitude than other species, but the summer weather there can't be radically different from cloud forests two miles high in the Andes. Salmonberry(Rubus spectablis) has coevolved with the Rufus Hummer. So has Showy, or Red-flowering, Currant (Ribes sanguineum). Both of these species of shrub bloom absurdly early compared to other native plants, frequently at temperatures too low for pollinating insects to be active. Lars Norgren From dan-gleason at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 20:10:18 2008 From: dan-gleason at comcast.net (Dan Gleason) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:10:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds In-Reply-To: <011820080322.17791.47901B900003521B0000457F2215555884090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> References: <011820080322.17791.47901B900003521B0000457F2215555884090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> Message-ID: <0F6F48C9-B45E-4E3F-855D-5277550D156E@comcast.net> I have two thoughts about this. Really tiny seed bits might be possible to take whereas whole seeds would be difficult for a warbler to open, or digest if once swallowed. Also, small insects, spiders or mites could be present in the mix and when trying to take these, small pieces of broken seed adhere to the tongue. Seed, whether whole or out of the shell, can quickly grow a coating of yeasts or small molds. The large, fuzzy molds that we see on damp seed is not attractive to many species. (And some, such as Aspergillus, can infect the respiratory system and kill the bird.) The yeasts and small molds will attract small insects and mites. For example, most fruit flies are eating the yeast growing on the surface of the fruit and not the fruit itself. The longer the seed sits, the more it has its own coating of tiny flora and fauna. Warblers, kinglets, etc. may very well find these small creatures that we simply overlook. In the process of gathering these, they may also inadvertently pick up some seed. A Townsend's Warbler would have a very difficult time opening a sunflower seed but it is possible that they might take a few small bits of broken seed. If so, the amount taken must be quite small as these birds simply do not have the digestive system that is capable of macerating and digesting any quantity of seed. Most of it would pass through their system with very little change, giving the birds minimal nourishment from it at best. Often, the race to survive is great enough that an individual cannot afford to take the time to seek out foods that offer little or no value. Seed-eating birds have a well-developed gizzard (the rear portion of a bird's two-chambered stomach). Often, there are keratinized ridges lining the gizzard to help break up the seed into very fine bits. Most warblers are predominately insect-eating birds, and thus, they have a very poorly developed gizzard, but the proventriculus (forward chamber of the stomach) is very well-developed. This is the glandular portion of the stomach and is prominent in insectivores, fish-eating birds, raptors and other birds that feed mostly on animals. A few warbler species eat some fruits in limited quantities. One species that is well known for doing so is the Yellow-rumped Warbler. It has the ability to digest wax which most birds cannot do. (Pelagic birds and honeyguides share this ability to digest wax.) Digesting wax allows the yellow-rump to eat fruits that are inaccessible to other birds because of the heavy, waxy cuticle. Such berries are important during migration and when sudden cold makes insects difficult to obtain. Yellow-rumps only rarely eat dry seeds, but sunflower seeds is one of the few seeds that they are documented as eating. Townsend's Warbler is even more of an obligate insectivore than many other warblers are. Most of its competition is gone during the winter, leaving it the opportunity to search for and eat a limited prey base at this time. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 17, 2008, at 7:22 PM, SJJag at comcast.net wrote: > Well I don't know....Dan, your points follow what I have always > thought, seems like insects in the seed are what the Kinglets and > Bewick's Wrens go after. This time I believe these warblers are > taking the seed bits. In my case the sunflower is shelled and > broken so some of the pieces are quite small. > > I have seen so many forays into the feeders with quick grabs of > what appears to be seed bits...perhaps all of us who are seeing > this can be especially observant and see what results we obtain. > > Good info. love the resource that obol represents. > > Steve Jaggers > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: Dan Gleason > More than 95% of the diet of a Townsend's Warbler is animal > material, primarily insects and spiders and their eggs and larvae. > Seeds and fruits are foods only very rarely eaten and then they are > usually small seeds. They do visit seed feeders, however, and I see > them doing so at mine as well. But watch closely, and I think you > will find that they are not opening up and taking away any seeds or > spending any significant amount of time at the feeder. Rather, they > are looking through the seeds in search of the small insects that > may be found there. Some of these insects may be quite small and > hard for you to observe but are likely present. These insects (or > spiders and mites) may have been present when you put out the seed > or they may come to the seed after you have put it out but they are > usuall y there. I have also noticed that Red-breasted Nuthatches > sometimes transfer bits of suet to the seed feeder. It is not > intentional but they feed nearly equally at the suet feeders and > the sunflower feeders and some suet may stick to their bill and > fall away as they seek a seed. These few bits of suet would also be > attractive to the warbler. > > As I write this, I am having the opportunity to watch the 4 > Townsend's Warblers that frequent our deck feeders each day. They > spend a lot of time at the 2 suet feeders. (And occasionally, have > to wait their turn while the Bushtits completely cover all access > to the suet.) Just a foot away from one of the suet feeders is a > tall tube-style sunflower seed feeder. As I watched, a Chestnut- > backed Chickadee was seeking a seed from this feeder while the > warbler hung upside down pecking suet at its feeder. When the > chickadee left, the warbler flew over and poked its head into every > hole of the tube feeder. I don't know if it found anything, but it > never ate, or even picked up a single seed. > > Kinglets and other insectivores will also do this same thing but > watch them carefully and I suspect that you will find that they do > not actually eat any of the seed. > > Dan Gleason > ------------- > Dan Gleason > dan-gleason at comcast.net > 541 345-0450 > > > On Jan 17, 2008, at 1:05 PM, Seth Reams wrote: > >> We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have >> been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last >> couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they >> seem to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them >> on the fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black >> oil sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can >> see them even better in the fly-thru. >> >> Seth and Michelle, >> NE Portland - Gateway area >> >> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. >> _______________________________________________ >> obol mailing list >> obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >> http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol >> >> To unsubscribe, send a message to: >> obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > From: Dan Gleason > Date: January 17, 2008 1:46:39 PM PST > To: Seth Reams > Cc: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Subject: Re: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/b0cf108e/attachment.htm From plbirder at bendbroadband.com Thu Jan 17 20:35:13 2008 From: plbirder at bendbroadband.com (plbirder at bendbroadband.com) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:35:13 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed Loon, Dexter Message-ID: Hi all, The Yellow-billed Loon was still present today, 1/17/08. distant at first, but seen very well close to boat ramp. It was still there at 2.20pm. Howard Horvath and myself. Peter Low. From pamelaj at spiritone.com Thu Jan 17 21:39:54 2008 From: pamelaj at spiritone.com (pamela johnston) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:39:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions References: <000601c8597a$b31a3320$6400a8c0@homefih7ejbwju> Message-ID: <001801c85994$8fcf2b90$386cf204@yourw5st28y9a3> Egret numbers have grown in the Portland CBC circle since 1990, because Smith & Bybee Lakes was not open to the public in earlier years. Egrets haven't been present at many other sites in the circle in a very long time. Pamela Johnston ----- Original Message ----- From: Andy Frank To: obol at lists.orst.edu Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2008 6:34 PM Subject: Re: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions It just occurred to me that I have been reading the table at http://audubon2.org/cbchist/table.html incorrectly. If "number/party hr." adjusts the count for the number of observor hours, then since 1990 the count for Anna's Hummingbird has increased almost 10 fold since 1990. By comparison, the number/party hr for Song Sparrow is virtually unchanged since 1990. This would suggest that the proliferation of feeders is making a very large difference in the winter population of Anna's Hummingbirds. Is there data for whether the summer population has also changed? However, the number of Great Egrets is also up almost 10 fold since 1990 but without being helped by feeders so perhaps there are other reasons for the increase in numbers of Anna's during the CBC. Andy Frank ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From SJJag at comcast.net Thu Jan 17 21:55:49 2008 From: SJJag at comcast.net (SJJag at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:55:49 +0000 Subject: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds Message-ID: <011820080555.2130.47903F64000D63EC000008522215575114090EB6B6AC@comcast.net> Digestive capability, so interesting to read about the other end :) of things. Those are persuasive points and some I had not considered. Well done Dan. I have got to observe these guys more closly. Steve Jaggers -------------- Original message -------------- From: Dan Gleason I have two thoughts about this. Really tiny seed bits might be possible to take whereas whole seeds would be difficult for a warbler to open, or digest if once swallowed. Also, small insects, spiders or mites could be present in the mix and when trying to take these, small pieces of broken seed adhere to the tongue. Seed, whether whole or out of the shell, can quickly grow a coating of yeasts or small molds. The large, fuzzy molds that we see on damp seed is not attractive to many species. (And some, such as Aspergillus, can infect the respiratory system and kill the bird.) The yeasts and small molds will attract small insects and mites. For example, most fruit flies are eating the yeast growing on the surface of the fruit and not the fruit itself. The longer the seed sits, the more it has its own coating of tiny flora and fauna. Warblers, kinglets, etc. may very well find these small creatures that we simply overlook. In the process of gathering these, they may also inadvertently pick up some seed. A Townsend's Warbler would have a very difficult time opening a sunflower seed but it is possible that they might take a few small bits of broken seed. If so, the amount taken must be quite small as these birds simply do not have the digestive system that is capable of macerating and digesting any quantity of seed. Most of it would pass through their system with very little change, giving the birds minimal nourishment from it at best. Often, the race to survive is great enough that an individual cannot afford to take the time to seek out foods that offer little or no value. Seed-eating birds have a well-developed gizzard (the rear portion of a bird's two-chambered stomach). Often, there are keratinized ridges lining the gizzard to help break up the seed into very fine bits. Most warblers are predominately insect-eating birds, and thus, they have a very poorly developed gizzard, but the proventriculus (forward chamber of the stomach) is very well-developed. This is the glandular portion of the stomach and is prominent in insectivores, fish-eating birds, raptors and other birds that feed mostly on animals. A few warbler species eat some fruits in limited quantities. One species that is well known for doing so is the Yellow-rumped Warbler. It has the ability to digest wax which most birds cannot do. (Pelagic birds and honeyguides share this ability to digest wax.) Digesting wax allows the yellow-rump to eat fruits that are inaccessible to other birds because of the heavy, waxy cuticle. Such berries are important during migration and when sudden cold make s insects difficult to obtain. Yellow-rumps only rarely eat dry seeds, but sunflower seeds is one of the few seeds that they are documented as eating. Townsend's Warbler is even more of an obligate insectivore than many other warblers are. Most of its competition is gone during the winter, leaving it the opportunity to search for and eat a limited prey base at this time. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 17, 2008, at 7:22 PM, SJJag at comcast.net wrote: Well I don't know....Dan, your points follow what I have always thought, seems like insects in the seed are what the Kinglets and Bewick's Wrens go after. This time I believe these warblers are taking the seed bits. In my case the sunflower is shelled and broken so some of the pieces are quite small. I have seen so many forays into the feeders with quick grabs of what appears to be seed bits...perhaps all of us who are seeing this can be especially observant and see what results we obtain. Good info. love the resource that obol represents. Steve Jaggers -------------- Original message -------------- From: Dan Gleason More than 95% of the diet of a Townsend's Warbler is animal material, primarily insects and spiders and their eggs and larvae. Seeds and fruits are foods only very rarely eaten and then they are usually small seeds. They do visit seed feeders, however, and I see them doing so at mine as well. But watch closely, and I think you will find that they are not opening up and taking away any seeds or spending any significant amount of time at the feeder. Rather, they are looking through the seeds in search of the small insects that may be found there. Some of these insects may be quite small and hard for you to observe but are likely present. These insects (or spiders and mites) may have been present when you put out the seed or they may come to the seed after you have put it out but they are usuall y there. I have also noticed that Red-breasted Nuthatches sometimes transfer bits of suet to the seed feeder. It is not intentional but they feed nearly equally at the suet feeders and the sun flower feeders and some suet may stick to their bill and fall away as they seek a seed. These few bits of suet would also be attractive to the warbler. As I write this, I am having the opportunity to watch the 4 Townsend's Warblers that frequent our deck feeders each day. They spend a lot of time at the 2 suet feeders. (And occasionally, have to wait their turn while the Bushtits completely cover all access to the suet.) Just a foot away from one of the suet feeders is a tall tube-style sunflower seed feeder. As I watched, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee was seeking a seed from this feeder while the warbler hung upside down pecking suet at its feeder. When the chickadee left, the warbler flew over and poked its head into every hole of the tube feeder. I don't know if it found anything, but it never ate, or even picked up a single seed. Kinglets and other insectivores will also do this same thing but watch them carefully and I suspect that you will find that they do not actually eat any of the seed. Dan Gleason ------------- Dan Gleason dan-gleason at comcast.net 541 345-0450 On Jan 17, 2008, at 1:05 PM, Seth Reams wrote: We, too, have noticed this behavior only very recently. We have been getting several Townsend's warblers in the yard in the last couple of weeks. There is one particular suet feeder that they seem to favor and it hangs about 6ft from a fly-thru. We see them on the fly-thru just as much as on the suet anymore. It has black oil sunflowers, chips and nyjer in it. It's nice because we can see them even better in the fly-thru. Seth and Michelle, NE Portland - Gateway area Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From: Dan Gleason Date: January 17, 2008 1:46:39 PM PST To: Seth Reams Cc: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: Re: [obol] Townsend's W. eats seeds _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/d15f4203/attachment.htm From banjsmith at yahoo.com Thu Jan 17 22:12:08 2008 From: banjsmith at yahoo.com (William Smith) Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:12:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Bird id- HELP! Message-ID: <346092.72653.qm@web57303.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Thank you, Khan for the quick response and ID. Hope you applied for that Master birder position with the Audubon. You would be a perfect match! Bill William Smith wrote: Hi all, Can anyone tell me what species this is? A friend sent me an image and I have no clue? http://www.morguefile.com/archive/?display=105041 Thanks in advance, Bill --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080117/8d99fb29/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Thu Jan 17 22:39:52 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:39:52 +0000 Subject: [obol] Fog at Dexter Lake a problem today? In-Reply-To: <789220.6977.qm@web39502.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <789220.6977.qm@web39502.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: Jamie et al., Fog is rarely an issue at Dexter Res. Typically, when the valley floor is engulfed in pea soup fog you can drive east towards the Cascade foothills and as soon as you make much elevation gain you drive right out of the fog into the clearest sunny weather you can imagine. Going east on Hwy 58 out of southeast Eugene you can expect it to remain quite foggy until you get a couple miles east of Pleasant Hill and then it will almost always be clear. I have been to Dexter three times this winter when Eugene was socked in, and each time it was absolutely clear at the reservoir. Similarly, going east on Hwy 126, you can almost always expect to drive out of the fog somewhere between Walterville and Leaburg. Dave Irons Eugene, OR Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:38:06 -0800 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Fog at Dexter Lake a problem today? What's the situation at Dexter Lake in terms of fog and visibility on days that are socked in like today? (It is in Corvallis, anyway.) Is it above the fog or not in the typical fog zone? Jamie Simmons Corvallis Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. _________________________________________________________________ Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging.? You IM, we give. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/96520349/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Thu Jan 17 23:46:07 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 07:46:07 +0000 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow - YES In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: The skittishness my mom refers to might be due to the presence of birds of prey. I ran into Dan Heyerly at this site late this afternoon (sparrows were going to roost so we did not see the Harris's) and while we stood there chatting a huge female Cooper's Hawk blasted through the yard with green-roofed feeder and made an ill-fated effort to grab a late snack. Then about five minutes later we noticed a Merlin sitting in the top of a tree about two blocks away. Just so it is clear, most of the property along the long driveway belongs to the Deiss's who live in the yellow modular home to the northeast of the old metal shed with all the ivy and blackberries. They have a couple feeders in their yard (where my mom saw the sparrow), and they often have several Mourning Doves, occasional blackbird flocks and Zonos and House Sparrows visiting their feeders. Mrs. Deiss (Delaine) called me just before I ran into Dan H. to ask me what the Harris's Sparrow looked like, and when I described it to her, she told me it was at her feeder at that moment. Someone put down a pile of bird seed next to the blackberry mound at the shed so that might be worth checking tomorrow. It goes without saying, but please be respectful of the Deiss's property and that of their neighbors. Delaine is a customer of mine and I would like to keep it that way. Dave Irons Eugene, OR > From: judie310hansen at comcast.net > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:34:39 -0800 > Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow - YES > > Ed and I went to the Harris's sparrow site and found the bird. When > we first arrived it was in a tree next to the road on the south side > of the driveway with five white-crowned sparrows. They flushed to the > blackberries on the shed and then flew to the pale yellow house > northeast of the driveway. There is a chain-link fenced area with > stacked wood and old dog houses behind the yellow house. In this area > are two or three bird feeders. The feeder with the green plastic roof > was the only one with food and the Harris's sparrow and white-crowned > sparrows were feeding there. This was at 11:45 AM. The whole flock > seemed skittish even though there isn't traffic or activity close by. > > Judie Hansen > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail?-get your "fix". http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/542298af/attachment.htm From dpvroman at budget.net Fri Jan 18 06:10:04 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:10:04 -0800 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal References: <005101c85977$2fdf6910$4e01a8c0@013171> Message-ID: <005d01c859db$d39227a0$f34cfb48@Warbler> Perhap Mike wished us to fine the "female" Cinnamon Teal. Dennis > Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, Mike. > > Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken > this morning at Svensen Island? > > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > -- > Mike Patterson > Astoria, OR > celata at pacifier.com From sandyleapt at comcast.net Fri Jan 18 07:27:41 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:27:41 +0000 Subject: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions Message-ID: <011820081527.16566.4790C56D0004656D000040B622007340769B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> About two, maybe three years ago Anna's Hummingbirds showed up in the Zimmerman Heritage Farm Garden. While near human habitation, the house is not in a residential neighborhood. We have no hummingbird feeders up. We do not have any "exotic" winter blooming plants. We do have some very old fruit trees and a huge oak which are visited by Downy or Hairy, Northern Flicker and Pileated Woodpeckers. I read somewhere (Birds of Oregon perhaps) that Rufus Hummingbirds will take sap from woodpecker holes. I wonder if the Anna's have adapted. I heard the little male Anna's 01/12/08 the same day I saw the Bald Eagles. Around Portland I've watched Anna's Hummingbirds feed on the flowers of vine maples. I've watched them feed at catkins of European Birch trees. I wonder when Oregon White Oak flower? I know wild Hazel Brush flowers in the winter. I've seen Anna's work Tall Oregon Grape, evergreen huckleberry and Salal . Also, if you want winter hummingbirds without putting up a feeder, my favorite plant is Viburnum bodnantense, Dawn Viburnum. It blooms from November through March in Portland. Under plant it with a few winter blooming hellebores to attract aphids and winter blooming heathers and you have a hummingbird smorgasbord. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Andy Frank" > It just occurred to me that I have been reading the table at > http://audubon2.org/cbchist/table.html incorrectly. If "number/party hr." > adjusts the count for the number of observor hours, then since 1990 the count > for Anna's Hummingbird has increased almost 10 fold since 1990. > > By comparison, the number/party hr for Song Sparrow is virtually unchanged since > 1990. > > This would suggest that the proliferation of feeders is making a very large > difference in the winter population of Anna's Hummingbirds. Is there data for > whether the summer population has also changed? > > However, the number of Great Egrets is also up almost 10 fold since 1990 but > without being helped by feeders so perhaps there are other reasons for the > increase in numbers of Anna's during the CBC. > > Andy Frank -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: "Andy Frank" Subject: Re: [obol] Hummingbird facts and questions Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:35:00 +0000 Size: 3603 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/d5376075/attachment.eml From sandyleapt at comcast.net Fri Jan 18 07:33:17 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:33:17 +0000 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Message-ID: <011820081533.29843.4790C6BD0009D7EC0000749322069984999B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> This is fun. Are there two Cinnamon Teal in the picture? Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Dennis P. Vroman" > Perhap Mike wished us to fine the "female" Cinnamon Teal. > > Dennis > > > > Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, Mike. > > > > > Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken > > this morning at Svensen Island? > > > > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > > > -- > > Mike Patterson > > Astoria, OR > > celata at pacifier.com > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From hhactitis at yahoo.com Fri Jan 18 08:04:30 2008 From: hhactitis at yahoo.com (Hendrik Herlyn) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:04:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Attention all goose experts - input wanted Message-ID: <383537.77048.qm@web37001.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hello all, here is a link to a couple of pictures of a Cackling-type goose taken in Germany. There is some discussion here about the particular subspecies involved. I thought I'd see what some of the local goose experts think - the votes here are split between minima, hutchinsii, or even a "hybrid" or intermediate form. Somebody was wondering about Taverner's .... well, you get the drift. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22154335 at N07/2201393384/in/set-72157603743333059/ I'd appreciate any input from the Anseriphiles in this group Thanks, and greetings from the very goosy Baltic Coast (where in one day in the winter you can see 7 species of regular geese, plus 3 rarer ones if you're lucky, plus a couple of established "foreigners" - topped with 3 species of swans as the icing). Hendrik _________________________________ Hendrik G. Herlyn Hans-Beimler-Strasse 67 D-17491 Greifswald Germany Phone: 03834-871846 E-Mail: hhactitis at yahoo.com http://www.myspace.com/actitis --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/9a3573b9/attachment.htm From greg at thebirdguide.com Fri Jan 18 08:54:28 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:54:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Message-ID: <20080118085428.kebk58kvvsoggk84@webmail.thebirdguide.com> I count 5 drakes and 4 hen Cinnamon Teal in Mike's photo, though more may be farther back and out of focus. But then again, I have a really good imagination... Greg Subject: Re: Find the Cinnamon Teal From: sandyleapt AT comcast.net Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:33:17 +0000 This is fun. Are there two Cinnamon Teal in the picture? Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Dennis P. Vroman" > Perhap Mike wished us to fine the "female" Cinnamon Teal. > > Dennis > > > > Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, Mike. > > > > > Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken > > this morning at Svensen Island? > > > > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > > > -- > Mike Patterson > > Astoria, OR > > celata AT pacifier.com From greenfant at hotmail.com Fri Jan 18 09:26:17 2008 From: greenfant at hotmail.com (Stefan Schlick) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:26:17 -0500 Subject: [obol] Hagg Lake owling (Washington Co) Message-ID: It is that time of the year; they are calling again! Mike Marsh and I headed over to Hagg Lake last night for a few hours of owling. We had a total of 8 owls (4 Sawwhet, 2 Great Horned and 2 Western Screech), all but one giving their primary call notes. At the gate to Rec Area A West were a Western Screech and a Great Horned Owl. About 1mi north at a wide pullout, our first Northern Sawwhet Owl was making some hissing noises and later did the whine. Another Great Horned and Western Creech each were at pullouts between Nelson Rd and the Scoggins Valley Rd Turnoff. At the gate to Rec Area C was another very responsive Sawwhet. We ended the night at Sain Creek picnic area, where 2 Northern Sawwhets were whistling away. We had a blast. A note on the logistics: The park is officially closed, so the gates for the parking areas are locked and you have to walk in. It seemed a few degrees warmer around the lake compared to the lowlands of the Tualatin Valley. This morning in my yard near Orenco I heard my FOS singing Hutton's Vireo. Spring is here ... Ok, almost. Stefan Schlick Hillsboro, OR _________________________________________________________________ Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/9a04d2f8/attachment.htm From jimjuliano at comcast.net Fri Jan 18 10:40:00 2008 From: jimjuliano at comcast.net (jim juliano) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:40:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bird ID? Message-ID: <2A0BF95D-E98E-416B-B2D3-873FE3CD1FB5@comcast.net> Can anyone help me ID this bird. It doesn't seem quite right for any of the usual species I would associate the field marks with. Thanks, Jim Juliano -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: DSC_0342_2.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 188527 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/ce6c9acd/attachment-0005.jpg -------------- next part -------------- DSC_0342.JPG From ensatina3 at hotmail.com Fri Jan 18 10:48:04 2008 From: ensatina3 at hotmail.com (Bobbett Pierce) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:48:04 -0500 Subject: [obol] yellow-shafted flicker Message-ID: Yard: A YELLOW-SHAFTED version of the northern flicker showed up briefily in a feeder today, (two red-shafted visit daily) but not long enough for me to tell if it was a hybrid. I noticed the yellow feathers first, then the red on nape of neck just before it took off. Hopefully it returns. Two ANNA's coming to feeder (finally saw two at once), a FOX SPARROW joined all the G-C SPARROWS, still a half dozen EVENING GROSBEAKS, and I've spotted a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER this past week several times. Lots of regulars, too, with COOPER'S making daily visits. She and a fox squirrel has a face-off 2 days ago week, and the hawk gave up her perch and flew to another tree. Scappoose Bay and lowlands: group of 42 GREAT EGRETS on field off of Dike Road. Also, around 40 TUNDRA SWANS looked beautiful as they flew up from the bay in Warren. Water fairly high and not a lot of activity. Lona Pierce, Columbia County _________________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts!? Play the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/29be6199/attachment.htm From ahlerstom at hotmail.com Fri Jan 18 11:11:23 2008 From: ahlerstom at hotmail.com (Tom Ahlers) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:11:23 -0800 Subject: [obol] Robin-palooza Message-ID: Robin round-up in Bend February, 2005. Can you find Waldo? http://www.flickr.com/photos/96981319 at N00/2202353106/ TFA, Corvallis -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/93b6230a/attachment.htm From larmcqueen at msn.com Fri Jan 18 11:13:37 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:13:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bird ID? In-Reply-To: <2A0BF95D-E98E-416B-B2D3-873FE3CD1FB5@comcast.net> Message-ID: Jim, This is a Yellow-rumped Warbler, of the "Audubon's" type. The bird is in "winter" or "basic" plumage. It's plumage seems a bit pale to me, but that could be a result of the exposure of the photo. Larry McQueen -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu [mailto:obol-bounces at lists.oregonstate.edu] On Behalf Of jim juliano Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 10:40 AM To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu Subject: [obol] Bird ID? Can anyone help me ID this bird. It doesn't seem quite right for any of the usual species I would associate the field marks with. Thanks, Jim Juliano From hkrueger at cableone.net Fri Jan 18 11:31:33 2008 From: hkrueger at cableone.net (Harry Krueger) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:31:33 -0700 Subject: [obol] Attention all Goose Experts... Message-ID: <62692df00801181131x33753547j7f82a49b6ca00baa@mail.gmail.com> Hello, Hendrick (and OBLers). First, it makes things easier to eliminate the subspecies that this is not before looking at what it may be. I do not think this is a *B.h.hutchinsii*...it seems too dark on the breast and underparts. Although there is some variation in this ssp., I have not seen one to this extent (unless the color in the photos is very incorrect...but judging from the White-fronted Geese, you are not off). Also, using the two available photos, the hind head is too rounded for * hutchinsii.* Also, this is definitely not *B.h.lucopareia*...no white collar ring (although a small percentage do not show this), and it does not appear (at least judging by one photo) to have a dark chin stripe (a mark consistant with this ssp). And again, the head is too rounded. When considering *B.h.minima*, what is troubling is the size of this bird. In comparison to those surrounding it, it seems too large for a normal *minima *(perhaps even for the larger end of their size varience), although the underpart coloration could fit this race quite nicely. Also, it does seem a bit more long-legged in apearance (legs are partially hidden in grass), a trait consistant with *minima*. Bottom line is if this is a *minima*, it appears abnormally large from the two available photos. Finally, we come to *B.h.taverneri*. The head and bill shape are consistent with this race. Also, the size seems to fit the known parameters. Additionally, color is within possibility (though on the darker edge of the spectrum). If I were to see this bird in a larger flock of *tavernii* in the Pacific Northwest, it would not stand out as being different enough to warrant additional scrutiny...whereas if it were in a flock of any of the other three ssp., it could stand out for one reason or another. As an addendum, we should not forget the possibility of *B.c.pervipes*, which is often mistaken for a *Branta hutchinsii*. While some *pervipes* can be a dark as this bird, and the size could fit well within the bounds of variation in this race, the head and bill, shape and size combination does not fit. My conclusion (based on only the two available photos) is that this could very well be a *B.h.tavermeri*. Known breeding range doesn't make this an easy fit, as it would be even in the eastern US or Canada, but... The final consideration that should not be overlooked is the possibility that this is not a "pure" specimen of any of the four possibilities of *Branta hutchinsii*, or the one possibility of *Branta canadensis*. Is this the reason for the plumage, bill and head similarity to *minima*, but the seeming size disparity? Are we looking at an example of subspecies or even species hybridization? While some authorities are conflicted as to even the possibility of this or the extent to which it may be taking place, it remains a consideration. In conclusion, barring information not now available, I would feel safe in saying that 1. this appears to be a *B.hutchinsii*, and 2. it appears most like *B.h. tavernerii*...although with only these two pictures, certainty as to identity must most reasonably remain elusive. [I am presently in the process of revising, updating, and enlarging my identification piece on "White-cheeked Geese" at http://www.idahobirds.net/identification/cackling.html ] Harry Krueger Boise, Idaho -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/eba91388/attachment.htm From birder at iinet.com Fri Jan 18 13:29:03 2008 From: birder at iinet.com (Sherry Hagen) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:29:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] Black Swan Message-ID: <004001c85a19$2680b2f0$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> Friends just sent this email about a BLACK SWAN they saw along the Columbia River on the Vancouver side. Most likely an escapee. Directions to Tidewater Cove. Near Exit 3 (Evergreen Blvd. Exit) on Highway 14 take Beach Drive down across the RR tracks and park on the left before one gets to Wintler Park. Walk on the temporary trail west between the new condo construction and the railroad tracks, then head south between the new construction and the big office building. One comes out on the waterfront trail where a jetty, with a paved walking path, goes out into the Columbia River. The swan was seen on both sides of the jetty on the sandy shore. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder at iinet.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/9cfd747f/attachment.htm From puma at smt-net.com Fri Jan 18 12:45:09 2008 From: puma at smt-net.com (Pat Waldron) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:45:09 -0700 Subject: [obol] Winter Hummers References: <7f7e7d58c3b549ed4883a013942cc707@earthlink.net> Message-ID: <47910FD5.80508@smt-net.com> Dear Lars and OBOL, Very interesting post. It would be exciting if a Bird Club in the NW would create a garden that would support bushes and trees to support the ANNAS with fresh flower nectar year round. Large plantings of COYOTE BRUSH, DAWN VIBURNUM, WITCH HAZEL, SALMON BERRY, RIBES SANGUINEUM and others to support their natural flower nectar requirements. If successful, what a great teaching opportunity for birders and others to know what to plant in their gardens for the hummers in the winter. Bird Clubs could also propagate these plants and sell them to raise money for their clubs. Pat Waldron East of Scio Norgren Family wrote: > As Tim and Dennis have both pointed >out, it doesn't take much effort to locate >winter hummers suspiciously far from human >assistance in western Oregon. On the 1976 >Tillamook CBC Fred Ramsey and I walked to >the end of Bayocean Spit. Where the road >passes through the forested section there >was a lagoon and a hummingbird flew over us. >This is miles from any human habitation. >Upon returning home that night I discussed >it with my father who pointed out that >coyote brush(aka broom chapparal) is in >bloom in mid-December. > I did the Yaquina Bay CBC with Arnie >Martin that year, or a year close to it >when the whole town of Newport was covered >with snow(this can't have occurred on >very many Yaquina CBCs). We saw a hummer >on the east side of town, flying through >the woods. > I read repeatedly that the bulk(85%?) >of hummingbird food is invertebrates >rather than nectar. Just now I was driving >home. The air was 33 degrees F, but a >large moth was flying about. Maybe two >weeks ago I had the same experience. It >was at or barely above freezing, but >numerous large moths were flying. Seconds >later a Screech Owl crossed the road, >the only time I have seen one in this >neighborhood since moving here 14 years >ago. I wondered if it was pursuing >moths. > On this year's Coos CBC Vjera and >Eddie Thompson and I found a territorial >Anna's Hummingbird at the RR track Y at >the ne corner of Pony Slough. While not >super far from human residences, it's >hard for me to imagine this bird was >a commuter. The vacant lot at the south >end of Pony Slough was covered with >coyote brush that day, so loaded with >blossoms it was hard to see the leaves. >Feeders certainly enhance the populations >of Anna's Hummers in our part of the >world, but I am confident the species >would have staged a similar range >expansion without them. How often do >Black Phoebes use feeders? They began >showing up in winter simultaneous to >the Anna's Hummingbird, and their >numbers have shown a similar increase >on CBCs. > Wandering further afield, did Humming- >birds evolve in the tropical lowlands >and expand upslope? Did they start out >smaller than most birds and develop >larger species as they colonized the >highlands? I am inclined to think the >family may have started out in tropical >highlands, and at sizes near the upper >range found in modern hummers. Being >warm-blooded they would have a competitive >advantage over pollinating insects. >I believe there are numerous flowering >plants in the cloud forests of the Andes >that need hummingbirds, and species of >hummingbirds with specialized bills to >match. The Rufus Hummingbirds in se >Alaska are not at all anamolous in this >light. They occur at a higher latitude >than other species, but the summer >weather there can't be radically different >from cloud forests two miles high in >the Andes. Salmonberry(Rubus spectablis) >has coevolved with the Rufus Hummer. >So has Showy, or Red-flowering, Currant >(Ribes sanguineum). Both of these species >of shrub bloom absurdly early compared >to other native plants, frequently at >temperatures too low for pollinating >insects to be active. Lars Norgren > > >_______________________________________________ >obol mailing list >obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > >To unsubscribe, send a message to: >obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > From dpvroman at budget.net Fri Jan 18 14:02:53 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:02:53 -0800 Subject: [obol] Black Swan References: <004001c85a19$2680b2f0$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> Message-ID: <001b01c85a1d$e2f6b6b0$ab4bfb48@Warbler> In Josephine Co, Black Swans have been around for some time. All are, or were, the results of someone bring them here. Presently, there is a pair near Murphy, at a residence along the Applegate River (they mostly stay in a large pond). One was seen on our CBC in that area, but not included in the tally. I tend to keep track of these strange sightings none the less. Have Egyptian and Bar-headed Geese, along with the Mute and Black Swans for the county. Dennis Subject: [obol] Black Swan Friends just sent this email about a BLACK SWAN they saw along the Columbia River on the Vancouver side. Most likely an escapee. Directions to Tidewater Cove. Near Exit 3 (Evergreen Blvd. Exit) on Highway 14 take Beach Drive down across the RR tracks and park on the left before one gets to Wintler Park. Walk on the temporary trail west between the new condo construction and the railroad tracks, then head south between the new construction and the big office building. One comes out on the waterfront trail where a jetty, with a paved walking path, goes out into the Columbia River. The swan was seen on both sides of the jetty on the sandy shore. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder at iinet.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/93562eed/attachment.htm From jimjuliano at comcast.net Fri Jan 18 14:17:41 2008 From: jimjuliano at comcast.net (jim juliano) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:17:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yellow Rump Warbler Message-ID: <3D630510-FA78-408B-90A3-351D3D57AA80@comcast.net> Thanks to all who wrote to me with the ID for the warbler. I am glad to have this transitional look at this bird. Jim Juliano From birder at iinet.com Fri Jan 18 15:36:44 2008 From: birder at iinet.com (Sherry Hagen) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:36:44 -0800 Subject: [obol] A Hummingbird Story (pdf file) Message-ID: <017101c85a2a$fc8dd920$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> This story tells about a hummingbird rescue we were called on last Wednesday night. You will have to open the attached .pdf file to see it. Sherry Hagen Vancouver, WA birder at iinet.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/13911eab/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: A Hummingbird Story.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 454741 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/13911eab/attachment.pdf From chukarbird at yahoo.com Fri Jan 18 16:33:56 2008 From: chukarbird at yahoo.com (Kathy Andrich) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:33:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] A Hummingbird Story (pdf file) In-Reply-To: <017101c85a2a$fc8dd920$6501a8c0@sherry9s6no3t0> Message-ID: <417611.97399.qm@web52902.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Hi Sherry and Tweeters, Thank you for that, great job, and great creativity! I too tried to rescue a hummer (unsuccessfully) from a convenience store near Green River Community College several years ago. I have often wondered what happened to it, the employees didn't seem to care much one way or the other. Since then I read a wonderful item to rescue hummers with is a see through plastic domed umbrella, they are less likely to avoid the umbrella and could get fooled by it since it is transparent. The hummer I tried to help was like yours, very wary of fast movements, so trying to throw something over it didn't work at all. Kathy --- Sherry Hagen wrote: > This story tells about a hummingbird rescue we were > called on last Wednesday night. > > You will have to open the attached .pdf file > to see it. > > > > > Sherry Hagen > Vancouver, WA > birder at iinet.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. Kathy Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian (chukarbird at yahoo dot com) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From sylviam at clearwire.net Fri Jan 18 17:17:35 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:17:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] EE Wilson Message-ID: <47914FAF.9080904@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL Today Ellen Cantor and I went to E.E. Wilson to look for the goodies there. We easily found the AM. TREE SPARROW but it took quite a while to fine the HARRIS'S SPARROW. We had no luck with the Sedge Wren. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From sandyleapt at comcast.net Fri Jan 18 19:16:38 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:16:38 +0000 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Message-ID: <011920080316.738.47916B96000266D1000002E222007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Okay, I'm going to look harder. Sandy -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Greg Gillson > > I count 5 drakes and 4 hen Cinnamon Teal in Mike's photo, though more > may be farther back and out of focus. > > But then again, I have a really good imagination... > > Greg > > > Subject: Re: Find the Cinnamon Teal > From: sandyleapt AT comcast.net > Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:33:17 +0000 > > This is fun. Are there two Cinnamon Teal in the picture? > > Sandy Leaptrott > NE Portland > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: "Dennis P. Vroman" > > Perhap Mike wished us to fine the "female" Cinnamon Teal. > > > > Dennis > > > > > > > Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, Mike. > > > > > > > > Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken > > > this morning at Svensen Island? > > > > > > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > > > > > -- > Mike Patterson > > > Astoria, OR > > > celata AT pacifier.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From roger.in.eugene at gmail.com Fri Jan 18 19:51:43 2008 From: roger.in.eugene at gmail.com (Roger) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:51:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Cormorants in trees Message-ID: <69b790a80801181951t17dcbc87i31542725801cb7fe@mail.gmail.com> I've seen 2 cormorants stuck in trees lately. A couple of weeks ago, a cormorant appeared to be hanging from a tree along the river here in Eugene. Not hanging out in a tree, but hanging *from* the tree. It was way at the top, way too far up for a person to have done it. Today, after work, I headed out near delta ponds along the willamette. After I got there, I noticed one hanging on this side of the river. I was going to head along the path and get a little closer to try to figure out *how* it was stuck up there. I noticed a bald eagle flying up towards it. After a few passes, the eagle managed to snag it and dislodge it. The cormorant appeared to be alive. When the eagle would get close, the cormorant would start flapping. After it was dislodged, the cormorant went down in the brush. I wasn't able to tell if it was a somewhat controlled flight or if it just dropped. The main eagle and a second one that were nearby circled the area trying to find it. After a few circles of the area, both eagles retreated to a tree. The cormorant was still somewhere on the ground, I'm not sure if it was alive or dead. I managed a few pics, but since the main action happened as I was moving closer, they were kind of hurried shots. Pics are here if you're so inclined: http://www.pcfubar.net/jan18 Roger From joel.geier at peak.org Fri Jan 18 20:44:58 2008 From: joel.geier at peak.org (Joel Geier) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:44:58 -0800 Subject: [obol] Trumpeter Swans in SE Polk County Message-ID: <1200717898.3663.33.camel@localhost.localdomain> Hi folks, This afternoon I made a sort of a figure-eight drive past the spots in SE Polk County that have hosted Trumpeter Swan flocks in the last decade or two. Here are the results: Berry Creek Rd. to Airlie & vicinity -- no swans. Maple Grove & vicinity - no swans (this is where I reported a flock of Trumpeters in December). Helmick State Park area -- 18 to 20 swans on flood pond off of Simpson Rd., where Sean Burgett had seen 100+ in December. One group of about eight flew in just as I got there (this was about 3:45 PM), and from vocalizations as well as scope views, some were clearly TRUMPETER SWANS. However, some were also clearly Tundra Swans. All of them were bunched together, preening and/or resting with their heads tucked about 1/3 mile off the road, so I couldn't get a definitive count. However about 2/3 (so about a dozen) appeared to be Trumpeters. Suver Junction area (Airlie-Suver Rd. x Hwy 99W) -- No swans. Suver Rd. east of Suver -- No swans. Ritter Pioneer Cemetery area south of Suver (our old place) -- No swans. So in total, I found about roughly a dozen TRUMPETER SWANS despite checking all of the traditional swan spots in this neighborhood. That's significantly fewer than have wintered in this area in past years, and is even down from the 18 or so that I saw at Maple Grove in December. Perhaps dispersal of the SE Polk County flock accounts for the increase in sightings elsewhere around the Willamette Valley. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis From rockawaybirder at earthlink.net Fri Jan 18 20:52:11 2008 From: rockawaybirder at earthlink.net (Ilene Samowitz) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:52:11 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon Directions Question Message-ID: <9652176.1200718331397.JavaMail.root@elwamui-little.atl.sa.earthlink.net> I didn't manage to see the arctic loon today. Got there a little late but didn't see or find where the fish pens are. Can someone let me know specifics as to where they might be? I'm planning on trying again either tomorrow or Sunday. I got wonder photos of the red-throated loon. Thanks, Ilene From greg at thebirdguide.com Fri Jan 18 22:22:33 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:22:33 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bohemian Waxwing photos Message-ID: <009a01c85a63$ad709d80$0201a8c0@gregs69keu8lid> Frank Lospalluto took a nice photo of the Bohemian Waxwings in the Pilot Rock area of Jackson County today, 18 January 2008. Find them in the Recent Photo Gallery on The Bird Guide's main page: http://thebirdguide.com Greg Gillson The Bird Guide, Inc. greg at thebirdguide.com From bcombs232 at gmail.com Fri Jan 18 22:26:44 2008 From: bcombs232 at gmail.com (Barbara Combs) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:26:44 -0800 Subject: [obol] Harrisburg Coburg Raptor Run Thursday 17 Jan. Message-ID: <8ce3a6520801182226o52b4d235y908ecd759ff61c23@mail.gmail.com> This was the raptor run that almost wasn't. Concerned about frosty roads and fog, Robin Gage and I met later than usual, at 11:30 a.m., in Harrrisburg on Jan. 17 for the Harrisburg-Coburg raptor run. It was too foggy to run our route. We decided to fiddle around for a while, hoping for it to clear up, so we went to the Diamond Hill Road site where a Mountain Plover has been seen. We could see a KILLDEER, but it was too foggy to see much of the area. The hoarfrost on the roadside vegetation was beautiful, though. Back in Harrisburg, we discussed what to do. We waited some more. We thought just maybe there had been a slight change. The possibility of clearing seemed more likely. We decided to start the route, since the first area would probably be viewable even in relatively foggy conditions. We started at 12:57 p.m. At the third area, we went to our turn-around point and could not see the trees on the other side of the field. This meant that we could not see birds in those trees, either. We discussed whether to abort the route. We decided to eat lunch. We went back near the intersection of Dale Road and Powerline Road and ate lunch by a wet field, where we found 5 WILSON'S SNIPE. It seemed like there had been a little bit of clearing, so we drove back to our turn-around point back east on Dale Road. We could see the trees, and we could see shapes in the trees. With a scope we could manage to identify the shapes through the fog. After some discussion as to whether we could see well enough, we decided to press on in hopes that the fog would lift rather than try to settle in again. After all, the astute local weather forecasters had said there would be afternoon clearing. For the next few areas, we had to scope some birds through the fog because that was the only way we could identify them. To our relief and delight, conditions continued to improve. By the end of the route, we had better viewing conditions than we have had so far this season. Because it was so late in the day when we started, we had to go more quickly than usual in order to complete the route before dark, meaning that there was less time to savor the views and less time to look for "irrelevant" passerines and shorebirds - like longspurs and Mountain Plover. We bit the bullet. We managed to complete the route in 3 hours and 15 minutes, instead of taking a little over four hours. We drove 70.7 miles We saw a record number of BALD EAGLES - 21. Our previous high count had been 20 - in February 2006 and March 2007. We'll be interested in seeing whether our route has only one peak month this year, as in the past, or whether there will be high numbers of eagles still present later this season. The RED-TAILED HAWK count was up and the AMERICAN KESTREL count was down, when compared to the Nov. and Dec. 2007 totals. We did spend a bit of time admiring a beautiful view of a richly dark adult dark-phase RED-TAILED HAWK on Bowers Drive. With just a couple of minutes left to go on the route, a PEREGRINE FALCON flapped across the road near the car, acting as a reward to cap off our day of braving initially iffy conditions to come up with a successful effort. Count results: 26 Red-tailed Hawk 30 American Kestrel 1 Northern Harrier 21 Bald Eagle (10 adults, 11 immatures) 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk -- Barbara Combs obie '70 Eugene OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080118/24534c70/attachment.htm From shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com Fri Jan 18 23:36:14 2008 From: shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com (Shawneen Finnegan) Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:36:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] Newport Clay-colored Sparrow, etc. Message-ID: <451225A2-DB78-4761-A307-2B81996A68A7@gmail.com> I was down in the Newport area the last few days visiting friends, Cindy Lippincott and Bob Berman. Cindy and I spent some time birding here and there, between Newport and Boiler Bay. While many birds were seen, the following birds were of note: Pigeon Guillemot - 1 at Yaquina Bay South Jetty on 16 January Glaucous Gull - 1 first-cycle on beach just north of the Moolack Shores Motel on 17 and 18 January. This hotel is north of Newport about 5 miles. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW -1 seen today (January 18) at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. This stake-out was still in the same area as previously reported. When first found it was in the shrubs just south of the "shelter" and worked its way north on both sides of the walkway, before flying back towards the shelter. It associated with the White-crowned/Golden-crowned flock, though not always. When first found it was not with the flock. Shawneen Finnegan Portland, OR From Randy.Moore at oregonstate.edu Sat Jan 19 00:02:37 2008 From: Randy.Moore at oregonstate.edu (Moore, Randy) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:02:37 -0800 Subject: [obol] National Wildlife Federation field guide (informal review.) References: Message-ID: Ned is one my best childhood friends and he's always been one of the smartest people I've ever known, and one of the best birders. He comes from a past life as a professor of comparative literature (at UVA) so you can be sure his writing is top notch. He currently edits North American Birds, so you can also be sure that he knows his stuff! Oh yeah, and I've looked over the book also, and it's very good. Coming from me, that's outrageous praise because I generally thumb my nose at all photographic field guides that include songbirds. Randy Moore Corvallis E-mail randy.moore at oregonstate.edu ________________________________ From: Jeff Gilligan [mailto:jeffgill at teleport.com] Sent: Tue 1/15/2008 7:45 PM To: OBOL Subject: [obol] National Wildlife Federation field guide (informal review.) FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA (Edward S. Brinkley, National Wildlife Federation). I hadn't been aware of this field guide - it has a 2007 copyright date. I purchased a copy yesterday. Please excuse me if this has previously been reviewed on OBOL. While I haven't spent a lot of time with it, I am at least preliminarily very impressed. It uses photographs. Unlike some past photographic books, this one really delivers. It has 527 page, dealing with 750 species, and has 2,100 very fine photographs. The text was good for the species I looked at, and the range maps were accurate for those species. The real strength of the book is the photographs. Did you ever expect a North American field guide with 6 photos of Red-footed Booby, with 5 photos of Blackpoll, with photos of all of the forms (or perhaps species) of Fox Sparrow? It even has photographs of Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Passenger Pigeon, Carolina Parakeet, and Eskimo Curlew. If for no other reason it is good to have them always remain in the forefront so birders are reminded of what has and can happen. They used quality paper and binding. The list price is only $19.95. This is a must get. If you plan to buy a new field guide I would suggest you get this rather than the next bi-monthly (or so it seems) revision of the National Geographic Guide. Portland Audubon has them in stock. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/b2774a05/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Sat Jan 19 00:10:48 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:10:48 +0000 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal In-Reply-To: <011920080316.738.47916B96000266D1000002E222007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> References: <011920080316.738.47916B96000266D1000002E222007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Message-ID: Greg et al., There are seven male Cinnamon Teal in this photo and at least four females, plus two females that based on proximity to males are likely to be Cinnamons. Ducks often travel in pairs, and one of the best ways to find the females is to look at the birds in close proximity to males. I have found many female Eurasian Wigeon using this method. Female Eurasian Wigeon are likely the most underreported duck in N. America. Dave Irons Eugene, OR > From: sandyleapt at comcast.net > To: greg at thebirdguide.com; obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:16:38 +0000 > Subject: Re: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal > > Okay, I'm going to look harder. > > Sandy > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: Greg Gillson > > > > I count 5 drakes and 4 hen Cinnamon Teal in Mike's photo, though more > > may be farther back and out of focus. > > > > But then again, I have a really good imagination... > > > > Greg > > > > > > Subject: Re: Find the Cinnamon Teal > > From: sandyleapt AT comcast.net > > Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:33:17 +0000 > > > > This is fun. Are there two Cinnamon Teal in the picture? > > > > Sandy Leaptrott > > NE Portland > > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > > From: "Dennis P. Vroman" > > > Perhap Mike wished us to fine the "female" Cinnamon Teal. > > > > > > Dennis > > > > > > > > > > Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, Mike. > > > > > > > > > > > Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken > > > > this morning at Svensen Island? > > > > > > > > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > > > > > > > -- > Mike Patterson > > > > Astoria, OR > > > > celata AT pacifier.com > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > obol mailing list > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. _________________________________________________________________ Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail?-get your "fix". http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/6a348180/attachment.htm From sandyleapt at comcast.net Sat Jan 19 07:33:33 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:33:33 +0000 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Message-ID: <011920081533.23181.4792184D000B857000005A8D22135753339B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Thanks Dave, Greg (and Mike for the picture & other info on his website) This is most timely. I'm taking the daughter of a friend birdwatching today--she has an ornithology class for her science elective this term and is unsure where to find birds. I can find birds. Both of us should learn today. So I visited Mike's website to get information on taking filed notes and doing sketches. Thought we'd start with ducks since they sit still, relatively speaking. If the numbers are not overwhelming we will put together a count for birdnotes. It the numbers are overwhelming we will put together a list of species for Birdnotes. Thanks again Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: DAVID IRONS > > Greg et al., > > There are seven male Cinnamon Teal in this photo and at least four females, plus > two females that based on proximity to males are likely to be Cinnamons. > > Ducks often travel in pairs, and one of the best ways to find the females is to > look at the birds in close proximity to males. I have found many female > Eurasian Wigeon using this method. Female Eurasian Wigeon are likely the most > underreported duck in N. America. > > Dave Irons > Eugene, OR > > > From: sandyleapt at comcast.net > > To: greg at thebirdguide.com; obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 03:16:38 +0000 > > Subject: Re: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal > > > > Okay, I'm going to look harder. > > > > Sandy > > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > > From: Greg Gillson > > > > > > I count 5 drakes and 4 hen Cinnamon Teal in Mike's photo, though more > > > may be farther back and out of focus. > > > > > > But then again, I have a really good imagination... > > > > > > Greg > > > > > > > > > Subject: Re: Find the Cinnamon Teal > > > From: sandyleapt AT comcast.net > > > Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:33:17 +0000 > > > > > > This is fun. Are there two Cinnamon Teal in the picture? > > > > > > Sandy Leaptrott > > > NE Portland > > > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > > > From: "Dennis P. Vroman" > > > > Perhap Mike wished us to fine the "female" Cinnamon Teal. > > > > > > > > Dennis > > > > > > > > > > > > > Either my monitor is amazingly sharp or that is too easy a question, > Mike. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Can you find the Cinnamon Teal in this flock of ducks taken > > > > > this morning at Svensen Island? > > > > > > > > > > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > > > > > > > > > -- > Mike Patterson > > > > > Astoria, OR > > > > > celata AT pacifier.com > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > obol mailing list > > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > obol mailing list > > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Need to know the score, the latest news, or you need your Hotmail?-get your > "fix". > http://www.msnmobilefix.com/Default.aspx -------------- next part -------------- An embedded message was scrubbed... From: DAVID IRONS Subject: RE: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:10:48 +0000 Size: 3860 Url: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/e6433767/attachment.eml From billandnicki at bctonline.com Sat Jan 19 08:50:11 2008 From: billandnicki at bctonline.com (Bill and Nicki) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:50:11 -0800 Subject: [obol] Cormorants in trees Message-ID: <000301c85abb$5e42a7f0$0207a8c0@DDFF8191> Greetings Roger (and OBOL), I found your observation interesting. I've not seen a cormorant, I'm presuming it was a Double-crested, stuck or hanging in a tree; but I have seen them landing, after several attempts, in a tall cottonwood along the Clackamas River. I was quite surprised and did just a little research. According to "The Birder's Handbook", DC cormorants nest on ground or in tree, 6-150 feet high. They make stick and twig and other material nests that may include green leaves. Given how awkward the landing-in-tree attempts were that I observed, I can imagine how one might become stuck. I would guess the ones you saw were stuck and hanging by their feet? I guess not; I just viewed a few of your photos, and it appears that the cormorant is hanging with its head up. Now I'm really perplexed. Hopefully other OBOL will have some input. Bill Evans Beavercreek, Clackamas County I've seen 2 cormorants stuck in trees lately. A couple of weeks ago, a cormorant appeared to be hanging from a tree along the river here in Eugene. Not hanging out in a tree, but hanging *from* the tree. It was way at the top, way too far up for a person to have done it. Today, after work, I headed out near delta ponds along the willamette. After I got there, I noticed one hanging on this side of the river. I was going to head along the path and get a little closer to try to figure out *how* it was stuck up there. I noticed a bald eagle flying up towards it. After a few passes, the eagle managed to snag it and dislodge it. The cormorant appeared to be alive. When the eagle would get close, the cormorant would start flapping. After it was dislodged, the cormorant went down in the brush. I wasn't able to tell if it was a somewhat controlled flight or if it just dropped. The main eagle and a second one that were nearby circled the area trying to find it. After a few circles of the area, both eagles retreated to a tree. The cormorant was still somewhere on the ground, I'm not sure if it was alive or dead. I managed a few pics, but since the main action happened as I was moving closer, they were kind of hurried shots. Pics are here if you're so inclined: http://www.pcfubar.net/jan18 Roger -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/d633b49b/attachment.htm From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Sat Jan 19 09:56:21 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 09:56:21 -0800 (GMT-08:00) Subject: [obol] outer Dallas birds Saturday morning Message-ID: <7056291.1200765381949.JavaMail.root@elwamui-wigeon.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hey all, Seen by me a short while ago from the kitchen window while making coffee. Now, caught in the conflict between observing and reporting... what will I miss while at the computer? The tree-cleaners are at work outside accompanied with a varied ground and brush crew. Notable are the white phase WHITE THROATED SPARROW (1, ground crew) and the BROWN CREEPER (1), SLATE COLOURED JUNCO (1 ground crew) still here from before the holidays. Other birds in the crew: OREGON JUNCO (many), GOLDEN CROWNED SPARROW (several), SONG SPARROW (at least 3, one really dark one), GOLDEN CROWNED KINGLET (5 or more), SPOTTED TOWHEE (6), BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE (6), CHESTNUT BACKED CHICKADEE(4), RED BREASTED NUTCASE(2), HOUSE SPARROW(2) will have to do something about them trying to nest here. Not seen but expected: tan striped morph WHITE THROATED SPARROW, we have a trio that hangs out usually pretty much together, one tan, one white and one juv. of this species. ANNAS HUMMINGBIRD, neither the male or the female has been back since the weather 'improved' a week or so ago. FOX SPARROW, we have them too but right now I am calling them all Song Sparrows. Since we have at least two or three different races of either or both of these, and they interact with each other frequently, and I am feeling lazy... today they are Song Sparrows, at least until I get more coffee down my neck. WHITE CROWNED SPARROW, haven't seen them in a few days. Been busy working though so am not surprised. GREAT HORNED OWLS heard yesterday evening, all night and well into this morning chasing each other round the woods 'courting' I guess. A typical hoot sequence, followed by a higher up fluttery hoot sequence on the move. I know where the nest is/was last year at least. All the best Andrew please stop by my photo albums at http://atlanticsalmonflyguy.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php or find me at webshots under the pseudonym Atlanticsalmonflyguy. Comments are always appreciated. Thank-you! From barryterry at comcast.net Sat Jan 19 10:06:39 2008 From: barryterry at comcast.net (Barry McKenzie) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:06:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow 1/19 -- yes Message-ID: <000601c85ac6$0a636650$9a00a8c0@BarryLaptop> OBOL- The Harris's Sparrow in Eugene was seen this morning at approx 9am. Observed by Dave Westerfield and myself for about 10 minutes. The bird is at the previously-described location off Gilham Road. The bird came in to feed at the seed left on the ground at the base of the black-berry bushes that cover the North wall of the shed (rusting metal roof). After feeding, it flew up into the blackberries. Barry McKenzie Eugene -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/eaebbe99/attachment.htm From tc at empnet.com Sat Jan 19 10:26:54 2008 From: tc at empnet.com (Tom Crabtree) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:26:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal References: <011920080316.738.47916B96000266D1000002E222007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Message-ID: <004701c85ac8$ddec7780$6500a8c0@1120639> As a hint to others, you might need to either maximize Mike's page or save the picture to your hard drive and look at it there. On my computer the picture was cut off on the right and I missed 2 male and 2 female Cinnamon Teal. Mike, do you have a similar picture where we can count the Baikal Teal? Tom Crabtree Bend ----- Original Message ----- From: DAVID IRONS To: sandyleapt at comcast.net ; Greg Gillson ; OBOL Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 12:10 AM Subject: Re: [obol] Find the Cinnamon Teal Greg et al., There are seven male Cinnamon Teal in this photo and at least four females, plus two females that based on proximity to males are likely to be Cinnamons. Ducks often travel in pairs, and one of the best ways to find the females is to look at the birds in close proximity to males. I have found many female Eurasian Wigeon using this method. Female Eurasian Wigeon are likely the most underreported duck in N. America. Dave Irons Eugene, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/2cbd7fde/attachment.htm From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Sat Jan 19 10:35:02 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:35:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Aggressive Warbler/Pine Siskins Message-ID: <497452.82483.qm@web60817.mail.yahoo.com> My regular YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER spent a good portion of time this morning chasing another (that looked like a juvenile) around the yard. I had seen this behavior in the Spring and had assumed that they were fighting over breeding territory. But it seems a bit early for that right now. Are they really that aggressive towards each other? I've seen them share my suet feeders with Townsend's and RB Nuthatches, so it appears to be an intra-species thing. Also, there were three PINE SISKINS at my thistle/sunflower chip feeders this morning, apparently traveling with a flock of American and Lesser Goldfinches. Hopefully the cold temperatures early next week will bring out more. Brandon Eugene ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/6207eb3d/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Sat Jan 19 12:11:31 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:11:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] Cinnamon Teal answers and a new photo quiz References: <011920080316.738.47916B96000266D1000002E222007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> <004701c85ac8$ddec7780$6500a8c0@1120639> Message-ID: <47925962.ADA41328@pacifier.com> The correct answer: behind the grass just above the pintail. The other 11+ hardly need finding, do they? The total Cinnanon Teal count for Thursday at Svensen Island was 50+. For reasons we haven't figured out yet, Cinnamon Teal are over wintering at this site in numbers that don't match our expectations, elsewhere. Clearly this quiz was too easy so I've cranked up the challenge for this new one at: http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ What's ARLO eating? > Tom Crabtree wrote: > > As a hint to others, you might need to either maximize Mike's page or save the picture to > your hard drive and look at it there. On my computer the picture was cut off on the right > and I missed 2 male and 2 female Cinnamon Teal. Mike, do you have a similar picture where > we can count the Baikal Teal? > > Tom Crabtree > Bend > -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sat Jan 19 13:37:57 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:37:57 -0800 Subject: [obol] Croeni/Jacobsen Ponds CINNAMON TEAL Message-ID: <489f00d67c9f5a09da6b3edf15f5cc4c@earthlink.net> A single male CINNAMON TEAL was at the upper Croeni Pond around noon Saturday(1/19). This is the first I've seen this year . They are at this spot almost constantly once they show up, and very close to the road, affording much better studies than at bigger venues such as Sauvie Islands. The spot is reached by exiting from Hwy 26 onto Cornelius Pass Rd (Hillsboro Stadium Exit) and going north(away from Hillsboro). Jacobsen RD is the second traffic light. Croeni is a right turn at the bottom of a modest dip in the landscape. The semi- abandoned stretch of old Jacobsen Rd goes by a yellow gate. I walked short distance past the gate and flushed thirteen female pheasants. Considering that neither Corvallis nor Brownsville CBCs recorded pheasant, and Eugene's CBC had a record low pheasant count, this is a noteworthy concentration. Lars Norgren MANNING Oregon From kcboddie at bendbroadband.com Sat Jan 19 13:48:54 2008 From: kcboddie at bendbroadband.com (Kim Boddie) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:48:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Christmas Valley Raptor Survey - January Message-ID: <000801c85ae5$166cf870$8e78dc42@kcboddie> Donald Sutherland I ran the Christmas Valley Raptor Survey on Wed. Jan. 16th. The conditions were cool temps., 5 - 27 degrees F., calm winds, partly cloudy skies, and 0 - 2" snow cover. So far this year the raptor counts have been 50% or less than last year. The climatic conditions have been similar to other count days and our best guess for the number drop is the food source. We talked to a man who works for one of the large hay companies and he told us his outfit is doing extensive rodent control in their fields. They use traps, pump CO2 into burrows and some poison. They are aware of the tremendous benefit that raptors provide in rodent control and say they are very careful to keep poison underground. Raptors counted: 26 Red-tailed Hawks 4 American Kestrels 2 No. Harriers 5 Bald Eagles 1S, 4A 6 Golden Eagles 14 Rough-legged Hawks 4 Ferruginous Hawks 4 Unidentified Buteos 1 Prairie Falcon 66 TOTAL ----kim boddie Bend -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/239d8716/attachment.htm From shelmert at loswego.k12.or.us Sat Jan 19 13:50:55 2008 From: shelmert at loswego.k12.or.us (Shelmerdine, Timothy (Tim)) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:50:55 -0800 Subject: [obol] E.E. Wilson birds Message-ID: Hello, everyone. It sounds like a lot of you are enjoying 2008 and are out birding. Tomorrow it looks as if I might finally be able to get out and look for some birds myself. Can anyone give me directions to the two sparrows and wren at E.E. Wilson? I have only seen responses on the digest that mention the birds, but not where they are found. Thank you much, Tim -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/469e806b/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sat Jan 19 14:23:11 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:23:11 -0800 Subject: [obol] EEWilson Message-ID: I know various directions for these goodies have been posted, but am too lazy to scroll back looking for them and too incompetent to search electronically. Is it essential to park at headquarters? A mile and a half seems perishingly long to walk for a dinky Sedge Wren. Isn't there someplace we Nortenos can park at the north end and get there faster? I'm just guessing the directions were Corvallis-centric. It is supposed to be the center of the universe isn't it? I was born there and we didn't even think of it as a town. It was a planet, "Planet Borevallis". Lars Norgren From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Sat Jan 19 14:34:36 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:34:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos/Curry Birds 1/19/2008 Message-ID: <824155.99884.qm@web45108.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I decided to head south this morning and enjoyed sunny and fairly warm temps until I arrived back in Coos County, looks like some rain is imminent. Here are today's highlights: Gold Beach, Sevey feeders, 9AM: 1- RED FOX SPARROW (a first for me in Oregon) Cape Blanco, 1000-1100AM: 1- SAY'S PHOEBE (around the 4-mile marker in the field south of the road- this is the north end of the Wahl ranch) 24- WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (three different flocks) Bethel Mtn. Road, noon, 1.5 miles south of the New River entrance of Hwy 101, this road gains elevation quickly and is open pastureland with outstanding views of the ocean and some cool rock formations and straddles the Coos/Curry line the first 3 or 4 miles before you can't proceed much further due to private lands (north of the road is Coos Co., south of the road is mainly Curry Co.): 2- GOLDEN EAGLES (Coos Co.) 1- BALD EAGLE (Coos Co.) 1- ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK (seen in both counties) 4- WESTERN BLUEBIRDS (Coos Co.) 40+ COMMON RAVENS (one flock of 30+ birds) That's it for now, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From tlove at linfield.edu Sat Jan 19 14:49:56 2008 From: tlove at linfield.edu (Thomas Love) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:49:56 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bend Blue Jay? Message-ID: <48AAF0D003D67944931DDDC72D022F120C6E2DFC@exchangedb.wfo.linfield.edu> There was a recent post about a Blue Jay visiting a feeder in Bend area, but w/o directions. Any details on this? Tom Love tlove at linfield.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/3650fd24/attachment.htm From rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com Sat Jan 19 14:55:30 2008 From: rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com (John Rakestraw) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:55:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Westmoreland gulls, Eurasian Wigeons Message-ID: <935437.72180.qm@web37004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> The gull class from Portland Audubon studied the gull-ocopia at Westmoreland Park in SE Portland today. We found five species of various ages. Thayer's Gull - first, third, and adult cycles Herring Gull - first, second, and adult Ring-billed Gull - first, second, and adult California Gull - first Glaucous-winged Gull - first, second, and adult Lots of Glaucous-winged X Western hybrids Also present were two drake Eurasian Wigeons and one drake Eurasian X American Wigeon. In keeping with the theme of the day, I have posted another gull quiz at johnrakestraw.net. This one features second cycle birds. Cheers, John Rakestraw Portland --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/4515c5d7/attachment.htm From craig at greatskua.com Sat Jan 19 14:59:11 2008 From: craig at greatskua.com (Craig Tumer) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:59:11 -0700 Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed loon sightings??? Message-ID: <20080119155911.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.b56f9a9ac9.wbe@email.secureserver.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/ab50180b/attachment.htm From andy.frank at kp.org Sat Jan 19 15:14:28 2008 From: andy.frank at kp.org (Andy Frank) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:14:28 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wapato (Sauvie Island) hunting Message-ID: <000d01c85af1$0aedbd70$6400a8c0@homefih7ejbwju> I went this morning to Wapata Access Greenway State Park, also known as Virginia Lake, on Sauvie Island this morning and was very surprised to initially find no ducks on the main part of the lake. Last week when I went there were several hundred. I soon learned the reason: there were two hunters towards the NW end of the lake. For those not familiar with the area, there is an approximately 1/4 mile walk from the parking area to the lake and then an approximately 2 mile path that circles the lake. This is the only path there. This is a popular spot not only for birders but for families and those gong for a walk with their dogs (leash is required). There is a sign at the entrance that clearly states there is no hunting allowed in state parks, yet these two were hunting completely legally. I wound up speaking with someone who lives on property adjacent to the north end of the park and then later a sheriff I happened to pass by on the island and learned that the NW area of the lake is not part of the state park and thus hunting is legal there. Hunting there, however, had been very infrequent until this past week. The neighbor of the area that I spoke with noted that in the 10 years he has lived there he had seen a hunter there only once before this year, but now three times this week. I will add that he is strongly against hunting being allowed there. Apparently the boundary of the park was decided by the legislature and only they can correct this. However, the park is cared for by those at Tryon Creek State Park. The person I spoke with who lives by the park has spoken with those at Tryon Creek and was told that they are not able to correct this. Hunting is allowed in multiple areas of Sauvie Island but these are generally on areas open ony to hunters or on private land. This is not meant to be a polemic against hunting, but it seems to me both ridiculous and unsafe to allow hunting in an area where those visiting a state park must pass through. I'll add that when I was there the hunters were 50 feet off the path by the edge of the lake. Does anyone know how this came to be? My suspicion is that the legislature has more important things to consider than redrawing the boundary of the park, but I would be interested in learning if anyone has any ideas on whether they think this can be changed. I am not against speaking with my congressman if others think it might be helpful. Thanks, Andy Frank -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/afe68cb7/attachment.htm From rflores_2 at msn.com Sat Jan 19 15:39:22 2008 From: rflores_2 at msn.com (Bob Flores) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:39:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ross' Goose and common yellowthroat, Ridgefield NWR, Clark Co., WA Message-ID: This morning I found a Ross Goose in with about 250 cackling geese on the West side of the bridge as one enters the River S Unit, Ridgefield NWR. Also within the Oregon Ash forest (tour route) I had a forging flock that included 10 ruby-crowned kinglets and one common yellowthroat. Also seen in this group was two brown creeper, a white-breasted nuthatch, a few bc chickadees and several song sparrows and spotted towhees. I did not see the Ross' at the location mentioned above on the way out but it should be in the area with the cacklers. Bob Flores Ridgefield, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/8ec2491e/attachment.htm From CindyAndBob at earthlink.net Sat Jan 19 15:51:49 2008 From: CindyAndBob at earthlink.net (Cindy Lippincott and Bob Berman) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:51:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Malheur campgrounds Message-ID: <47928D15.6090803@earthlink.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/5663e11b/attachment.htm From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Sat Jan 19 16:16:40 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:16:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed loon sightings??? In-Reply-To: <20080119155911.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.b56f9a9ac9.wbe@email.secureserver.net> References: <20080119155911.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.b56f9a9ac9.wbe@email.secureserver.net> Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801191616i3c58f378s749a751b8d225421@mail.gmail.com> Today I spent about 15 minutes and did not see the YB Loon. I searched the west side pretty well, but not the east side (which it has been seen on). I did NOT see the sapsucker and left by 1:30. Spoke with Vjera and Eddie this afternoon and they had just found the RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER near the picnic table as previosly described. Arghh! They said it flew towards the dam to the north after feeding. There is another small stand of trees with a maple that has sap wells. I guess I was just minutes too early. Daniel Farrar On Jan 19, 2008 2:59 PM, Craig Tumer wrote: > Did anyone look for the yellow-billed loon near Eugene on Friday or > Saturday? Any response, positive or negative, would be helpful. I'm > thinking about making the trip down from Portland on Sunday morning. > > Thanks. > Craig Tumer > Portland > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/1361931f/attachment.htm From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Sat Jan 19 16:24:03 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:24:03 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane Trumpeters Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801191624g59219d88qba1007edd44d886b@mail.gmail.com> Obol, Just got back from Milliron Rd. I was pleased to find 200 TUNDRA SWANS. On the far east side of the flock were 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, all adults. I did see one probable juvenile Trumpeter. It was most excellent to have side by side comparisons of the two species at no more than a hundred yards away! The best part was that the Trumpeters were closest to the road, offering stunning views. I hardly see them this close at Benson Pond. Quite a dramatic difference in size and face pattern at that range. The variation of yellow lores on the Tundras was pretty amazing. Some birds had huge yellow patches, while others lacked it all together. Vjera and Eddie made it in time to see the Trumpeters after ticking the sapsucker. Nice work you two! -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/aec70eb6/attachment.htm From Oropendolas at aol.com Sat Jan 19 16:46:14 2008 From: Oropendolas at aol.com (Oropendolas at aol.com) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:46:14 EST Subject: [obol] Yellow-billed loon sightings??? Message-ID: Hello All, I searched Dexter Reservoir from about 10:00AM - 1:30PM today along with several other birders. As far as I know, the Yellow-billed Loon was not seen today. There were several speed boats tearing around the lake on the West side of the causeway, so there were not many birds on that side. Several of us had good looks at one PACIFIC and one COMMON LOON on the East side of the causeway, where most of the birds were concentrated. One EARED GREBE was on the East side and a CLARK'S on the West, but no sign of any Red-necked today. The SNOW GOOSE is still hanging out near the boat ramp on the North side and the RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER was seen about 12:30 near the boat ramp on South side of the dam. John Sullivan Springfield, OR **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/b37d6033/attachment.htm From devon_batley at hotmail.com Sat Jan 19 16:51:12 2008 From: devon_batley at hotmail.com (Devon Batley) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:51:12 +0000 Subject: [obol] millican to hampton raptor survey Message-ID: Mostly clear skies to day, lots of good radiant thermals 4 Red tails 1 Bald eagle 2 golden eagles 2 UNKN eagles 12 Rough legged hawks other notables horned larks northern shrikes _________________________________________________________________ Telly addicts unite! http://www.searchgamesbox.com/tvtown.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/c9d5d0e2/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Sat Jan 19 17:14:13 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:14:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Another S. Coast Say's Phoebe 1/19/2008 Message-ID: <867501.13503.qm@web45110.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> After finding the SAY'S PHOEBE along the Cape Blanco road today in Curry Co., I thought maybe I had just refound the bird Terry Wahl had on the Port Orford CBC on 29 December. However, about 4PM, out on the north spit of Coos Bay, I saw another bird calling and feeding from a fenceline in front of the lumber mill out on the north spit of Coos Bay (near the end of Transpacific Lane). This is a first January record for Coos and I am quite sure this bird has not overwintered as I have been by this site numerous times this winter. This species is a rare but regular spring migrant from mid-February through the first week of March. The spat of nice sunny weather we have had must have brought some early migrants- a month earlier than normal. As for Curry Co., they have had a handful of overwintering records, but Coos has none. With temps predicted to dip to the mid-20's here starting Monday, these birds may have made a bad move moving north so early... Also present in the rain were the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW and an OSPREY. Merry springtime! Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From sandyleapt at comcast.net Sat Jan 19 17:14:26 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:14:26 +0000 Subject: [obol] Cinnamon Teal answers and a new photo quiz Message-ID: <012020080114.26536.4792A072000A7D8E000067A822007340769B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Is an Adult Male Ruddy Duck a good find? Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Mike Patterson > The correct answer: behind the grass just above the pintail. > > The other 11+ hardly need finding, do they? > > The total Cinnanon Teal count for Thursday at Svensen Island was 50+. > For reasons we haven't figured out yet, Cinnamon Teal are over wintering > at this site in numbers that don't match our expectations, elsewhere. > > Clearly this quiz was too easy so I've cranked up the challenge for this > new one at: http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/ > > What's ARLO eating? > > > Tom Crabtree wrote: > > > > As a hint to others, you might need to either maximize Mike's page or save the > picture to > > your hard drive and look at it there. On my computer the picture was cut off > on the right > > and I missed 2 male and 2 female Cinnamon Teal. Mike, do you have a similar > picture where > > we can count the Baikal Teal? > > > > Tom Crabtree > > Bend > > > > > -- > Mike Patterson > Astoria, OR > celata at pacifier.com > > Gull, you really got me going > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sat Jan 19 17:35:57 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:35:57 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wallowa County birds Message-ID: Today (Sat) in Wallowa Co, Trask Colby and I, loosely associating with birding groups from Salem and Pendleton, have the following to report: 2 Snow Bunting 4 miles north of Enterprise on Golf Course Rd 36 Rosy-Finches (found yesterday by the other groups) roosting at night in a barn about 3/4 mile northwest of the junction of Golf Course Rd and School House Rd (on the latter). 3 Am Tree Sparrows at the ranch just northeast of the same rd junction 2 pygmy-owls in Joseph 1 female Yellow-shafted Flicker in Joseph 5 Slate-colored Juncos in Joseph 1 Killdeer in a wet field just south of the Enterprise hatchery road pond, on hatchery rd. That is a good bird here in midwinter. Dozens of Red-tails and Rough-legs. Gray Partridges at the Joseph Cemetery. NO waxwings of either flavor anywhere. NO redpolls and only a couple of siskins. We'll report again Sunday night from Pendleton. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From m_scatt at yahoo.com Sat Jan 19 17:56:16 2008 From: m_scatt at yahoo.com (m_scatt at yahoo.com) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:56:16 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] RFI Portland migrant arrival dates Message-ID: <798821.76209.qm@web55708.mail.re3.yahoo.com> We???re compiling data to find average migrant arrival dates for Portland area (Multnomah, Columbia, Washington and Clackamas counties only) birds. We need first arrival dates (for moderately early sightings) for the past 10 to 20 years. We are compiling spring and fall arrivals. We are also interested in ???outliers??? and in departure dates, if you have it. Please note that our table will include species that do not spend the entire year in Portland so it will include raptors and waterfowl species as well as songbirds. The info will be used for the Handbook of Oregon Birds, which is in preparation for OSU Press by Alan Contreras and Hendrik Herlyn. Our data table will also be made available for use by Portland Audubon Society. Please reply off-list. We have a dial-up internet connection and cannot handle large files, so please do not forward any large files. Thanks in advance for any help that you can offer. Adrian and Christopher Hinkle --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/c43ad12a/attachment.htm From alderspr at peak.org Sat Jan 19 18:09:07 2008 From: alderspr at peak.org (Karan & Jim Fairchild) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:09:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] E.E. Wilson birds References: Message-ID: <003101c85b09$72a66580$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> Hi Tim and OBOL readers, First, thanks to all who've validated the Patagonia picnic table effect once again. Last, directions to E.E. Wilson Wildlife Management Area from anywhere in Oregon: U.S. Hwy 99W runs north-south between Corvallis and U.S. 22 west of Salem. The easiest access to E.E. Wilson is 1 1/2 south of the Polk County/Benton County line and east of 99W, opposite the Coffin Butte landfill and Coffin Butte Road. This access road nearly bisects the game management area, which is an extensive abandoned WWII barracks/training/staging area about 1mile wide and 3 miles long. From this access road, quite at least half-dozen gates allow non-motorized access onto the old roads. The north end of Wilson is bordered by private industrial ag lands and the Polk County line, no roads seem to go through and across the stream, and at this time of year the ash woodland border is a swamp. Recent birding hotspots are at the northern end of the road past the headquarters (SEWR,HASP,ATSP), another by following the fishing pond trail downstream past the pond and then north on old pavement through 'sparrow corner' (WTSP) and beyond to the wet NE corner (SWSP in previous years). Wilson can be a lot of walking, so a bicycle makes access quicker. In fact, a bicycle could get you thorugh a number of habitat types and give you a quick overview before you decide where to focus your birding efforts--any time of year. Two spots closer to reach are north and south of the easternmost gates and their roadways. 1/4 mile north will get you to past winters swamp sparrow habitat, equal distance to the south is more hardwood tree cover with willow/tall shrub understory (hermit thrush, years ago wintering long-eared owl). Beyond that are two newly-created ponds in field edges, but haven't seemed too productive yet. Across 99W, the drainage end of Coffin Butte Landfill has a small but pretty productive 'Toketie' marsh, and also near that a trail leads up Coffin Butte, which sometimes has mountain quail present. Jim Fairchild ----- Original Message ----- From: Shelmerdine, Timothy (Tim) To: obol Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 1:50 PM Subject: [obol] E.E. Wilson birds Hello, everyone. It sounds like a lot of you are enjoying 2008 and are out birding. Tomorrow it looks as if I might finally be able to get out and look for some birds myself. Can anyone give me directions to the two sparrows and wren at E.E. Wilson? I have only seen responses on the digest that mention the birds, but not where they are found. Thank you much, Tim ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/04713273/attachment.htm From greenfant at hotmail.com Sat Jan 19 18:43:32 2008 From: greenfant at hotmail.com (Stefan Schlick) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:43:32 -0500 Subject: [obol] Sauvie Island this morning Message-ID: Spent about birdy 2 hours late morning at Sauvie Island before heading over to Brownsmead for my year Arctic Loon. The highlights were: 2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds (in a huge blackbird flock along Reeder Rd about 1mi south of Multnomah/Columbia county line) 3 Snow Geese (from viewing platform 0.3mi north of county line) 1 White-throated Sparrow (white-stripe; in large sparrow flock 1.7mi north of county line) 1 Red-throated Loon (at Island Cove Park, 31421 Reeder Rd, Columbia Co) 23 Sandhill Cranes overhead (seen from Island Cove Park, Columbia Co) 3 Eurasian Collared-Doves (at 22345 Reeder Rd, Multnomah Co) Stefan Schlick Hillsboro, OR _________________________________________________________________ Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging.?You IM, we give. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/e060c028/attachment.htm From greenfant at hotmail.com Sat Jan 19 18:52:25 2008 From: greenfant at hotmail.com (Stefan Schlick) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:52:25 -0500 Subject: [obol] Brownsmead Arctic Loon continues - 01/19 Message-ID: The Brownsmead Arctic Loon continues to be seen off Pentilla Rd near Barendse Bridge. I saw it at around 3pm today. No Black Phoebe or Palm Warbler though. There was a calling Eurasian Wigeon off Jackson Rd about 200yds short of the intersection with Brownsmead Dike Rd. A (or the) White-tailed Kite was along Ziak Gnat Creek Rd west of the intersection with Barendse Rd. Stefan Schlick Hillsboro, OR _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/7f44f976/attachment.htm From barryterry at comcast.net Sat Jan 19 19:01:35 2008 From: barryterry at comcast.net (Barry McKenzie) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:01:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow Directions Message-ID: <000301c85b10$c4b48b70$9a00a8c0@BarryLaptop> Obol- I have had several requests today for directions to the Eugene Harris's Sparrow (the previously posted directions have scrolled off the bottom of obol in digest form). From dhughes55 at clearwire.net Sat Jan 19 18:43:52 2008 From: dhughes55 at clearwire.net (Denise Hughes) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:43:52 -0700 Subject: [obol] Malheur County raptor surveys In-Reply-To: <003101c85b09$72a66580$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> References: <003101c85b09$72a66580$6401a8c0@HOMESTEAD> Message-ID: <006f01c85b0e$4e995300$ebcbf900$@net> Luckily I haven't run into the exciting weather conditions that some of the surveyors are having. Except for it being very cold, the sun has been shining for the most part. The Vale route was run on 1/5/08 Red tails - 41 American Kestrels - 51 Northern Harriers - 11 Rough legged Hawks - 9 Coopers Hawk - 2 Barn Owl - 1 The Nyssa Route was run on 1/12/08 Red Tails - 49 American Kestrels - 52 Northern Harriers - 7 Rough legged Hawks - 8 Merlin - 1 Prairie Falcons - 2 Sharp Shinned Hawk - 1 The Ontario Route, my favorite, was run today, 1/19/08 Red Tails - 46 American Kestrel - 65 Bald Eagle - 5 Golden Eagle - 1 Coopers Hawk - 3 Sharp shinned Hawk - 1 Great Horned Owl - 1 Denise Hughes Caldwell, Idaho -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/810e44f2/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Sat Jan 19 21:20:06 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:20:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wilkesboro seed patch Washington County Message-ID: I have begun putting out seed along the Railroad tracks just south of Banks. This morning at 10:15 there were 50 Golden-crowned Sparrows. Despite a large chorus of House Sparrows at a nearby house, none have showed up at the seed. Likewise, the dairy south of Wilkesboro Rd attracts large numbers of blackbirds, and although they have appeared at the seed they have yet to linger. A bird with white head stripes appeared to be a White-throated Sparrow, although it lacked the white throat or yellow lores. It had very dark grey chest and sides, darker than I associate with White-crowned Sparrows, and the hunched posture. Most of all, its back was brightly striped yellow-ochre and black. This is a good way to pick out White-throats in a flock of Zonos. With a little experience this can be diagnostic when all you can see is part of the bird through the brush. This spot is a convenient side-trip when en route to Tillamook or Killin Wetland , and only about 6 miles north of Fernhill Wetlands. Headed west on Hwy 6, turn south on Aerts Rd across from Quail Run Golf Course. Wilkesboro Rd is right after railroad tracks(not the ones with seed). Turn west(right) and park just beyond the next train tracks. There is a large gravel pullout here which can accommodate multiple cars. I believe this is for railroad maintenance vehicles . The railroad belongs to Port of Tillamook Bay and has one train per week at best. The seed is on the north side of the road, between the tracks and a modest ash swale. Coming north on Hwy 47, Wilkesboro Rd is the right turn immediately before the entrance ramp(eastbound) to Hwy 6. You will come to the track crossing in less than half a mile. It's always worth checking the fence lines near the dairy. I saw a Say's Phoebe there last January. Greg Gillson saw one where these same tracks cross the road in Roy a mile further east about two months ago. One of the Say's Phoebes on this year's Eugene CBC was associated with a large dairy. A very few Fox Sparrows were in attendance this morning, and three Lesser Goldfinches passed by. The seed has only been there a few days and will hopefully attract more species before winter is through. Lars Norgren From ellencantor at gmail.com Sat Jan 19 22:17:40 2008 From: ellencantor at gmail.com (Ellen Cantor) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:17:40 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lane Audubon sightings at Finley Message-ID: <7058c4c60801192217o33e38b86lfbe42f8c7d679657@mail.gmail.com> Lane Audubon hosted a trip to Finley today with Jim and Charlotte Maloney as trip leaders. The rain and the fog held off and we had some interesting sightings. We came in from the north (Finley Rd) and wound our way through the refuge, completing the loop through the south at Bruce Rd. Highlights (from north to south) include: A pair of HOODED MERGANSERS in a pond on the south side of the road, just past the restrooms. WESTERN BLUEBIRDS in the mistletoe of some oaks by the wooden bridge over a little creek, past the restrooms. WOOD DUCKS in the creek by this bridge. EURASIAN WIDGEON at a pond on the north side of the road, past the bridge, but before the turn to the refuge headquarters. A handsome and very cooperative adult PEREGRINE FALCON which was perched on a snag near Cabell Marsh, clearly visible from the overlook by refuge headquarters. 2 ADULT BALD EAGLES also perched next to each other on a snag by the shore of Cabell Marsh. 4 TUNDRA SWANS at Cabell Marsh. Then, our group split up, some continuing with Jim and Charlotte by car, and others deciding to hike with Rick Ahrens and I along the Woodpecker Trail. We saw a DARK MORPH ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, which we saw again on Bruce Rd. Other highlights of this walk included approximately 10 VARIED THRUSHES, a HERMIT THRUSH, WRENTIT, WINTER WREN, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLETS, and a flock of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. We were surprised by the absence of sparrows. We continued on to Bruce Rd and watched a COOPER'S HAWK, the DARK-MORPH ROUGH-LEGGED, and a RED-TAILED HAWK put on a bit of an aerial show. We spent some time looking at an unusually marked raptor, and once it flew, we saw its red tail. Later, I found its match in my 4th edition National Geographic field guide, where it closely matched the illustration of a RED MORPH RED-TAILED HAWK. Both the dark morph Rough-legged and the red morph Red-tail were in fields before McFadden Marsh. We also saw ACORN WOODPECKERS. All in all, a good day to bundle up and see the birds! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/eea1429d/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Sat Jan 19 22:28:16 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:28:16 +0000 Subject: [obol] FW: Baikal Teal in Alaska In-Reply-To: <20080120015522.6C46E41746@smtp.kpunet.net> References: <20080120015522.6C46E41746@smtp.kpunet.net> Message-ID: For those with questions about recent increases in Baikal Teal in the Aleutians, I sent a note to Steve Heinl (Eugene native) who now lives in Ketchikan, AK and has been a leader or various Attu trips. Below is the note I received back from Steve today. Dave Irons Eugene, OR From: scheinl at kpunet.net To: llsdirons at msn.com Subject: Baikal Teal in Alaska Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:55:23 -0900 Hi Dave ? I was gone last week, so sorry I am just now able to respond to your Baikal Teal question. I saw the post on OBOL, along with the photos. This species has been found irregularly in fall in the western Aleutians since 2001. From bcombs232 at gmail.com Sat Jan 19 23:19:27 2008 From: bcombs232 at gmail.com (Barbara Combs) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:19:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow Directions In-Reply-To: <000301c85b10$c4b48b70$9a00a8c0@BarryLaptop> References: <000301c85b10$c4b48b70$9a00a8c0@BarryLaptop> Message-ID: <8ce3a6520801192319j7b63d936sfde0585f9bab6316@mail.gmail.com> I went there this afternoon and a group of around 6 adult-sized people, some in camo outfits, were playing around the sparrow's barn with some kind of long guns acting like they were trying to roust out an intruder. It may have been some kind of game or maybe there was an animal inside the barn and shed complex. I heard some muffed shots - not as loud as a gun with serious ammunition. I hope the sparrow really was elsewhere at the time. On Jan 19, 2008 7:01 PM, Barry McKenzie wrote: > [snip] > > I think it's quite likely the bird is just hanging around the neighborhood, but seen intermittently. I was there Fri afternoon and missed. Heard through the grapevine that nobody else saw it Friday either (but such info is +/- of course). Bring a hot drink ? it was 35 degrees this morning! > Barry McKenzie > > Eugene > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Barbara Combs obie '70 Eugene OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/e2f216b7/attachment.htm From dbbwolf at hevanet.com Sat Jan 19 23:48:02 2008 From: dbbwolf at hevanet.com (Jason Wolf) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:48:02 -0800 Subject: [obol] Smith/Bybee Lakes today (Multnomah County) Message-ID: <001001c85b38$c928ce50$6400a8c0@jasonik2ibako4> Had a nice walk today before the rain set in at Smith and Bybee Lakes Hightlights: -Red-shouldered Hawk (moving through the trees by the boat launch) -Bald Eagles (4, squabbling over a tree perch; on was this pre-nuptial behavior?) -Tundra Swan (6, fly-over) -White-breasted Nuthatch (1, calling by Smith Lake viewing platform) -Wood Ducks (16 male, 5 female all in slough by interlakes trail, lots of whistling going on; never seen so many Wood Ducks in one place!) -Swallows (2, feeding over Bybee Lake, too far out to identify; where's the scope when I need it!?) Jason Wolf -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/2a29bdfa/attachment.htm From ellencantor at gmail.com Sun Jan 20 00:45:08 2008 From: ellencantor at gmail.com (Ellen Cantor) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 00:45:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] correction: Rufous not red morph Red-tail Message-ID: <7058c4c60801200045g30d4a77dj3fb2ed058cf95524@mail.gmail.com> That's what I get for not having the book right in front of me. The unusually marked/colored Red-tail Hawk we saw at Finley was a RUFOUS MORPH not a Red morph, according the the Geographic field guide. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/b2e0fc62/attachment.htm From jeffharding at centurytel.net Sat Jan 19 13:50:16 2008 From: jeffharding at centurytel.net (Jeff Harding) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:50:16 -0800 Subject: [obol] Scio Northern Shrike and Harlans Message-ID: <200801192150.m0JLo9vM010319@mail45c35.nsolutionszone.com> There was a Northern Shrike East of Scio, Linn County this morning, where Richardson's Gap Road goes under the big powerlines. In addition, there is a very dark Red-tailed Hawk with a whitish tail, that appears to me to be a Harlan's form. The Hawk has been hanging around the area of highway 226 and Richardson's Gap Road for some time I have photos, if anyone wants to see. In this part of Linn County, there are fewer Bald Eagles than usual. In the part of Linn Raptor Route 5 I ran today, there were only 3, where we should see at least twice that. At the Thackaberry Sheep Farm, there are only two hanging around, and Dan had to put up a bald eagle decoy to keep the geese moving on. There are usually five or ten hanging around the farm during lambing, and the geese are no problem. Good Birding, Jeff harding -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080119/0257cb43/attachment.htm From sandyleapt at comcast.net Sun Jan 20 07:35:31 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:35:31 +0000 Subject: [obol] Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge 1/19/08 Message-ID: <012020081535.9988.47936A430001FD9F0000270422068246939B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> My friend and I visited TRWR yesterday. We observed from 10:00 a.m. until around 2:00 p.m. Being inexperienced, we were able to identify some things and not others. Identified: Great Blue Heron Great Egret Cackling Canada Goose Western Canada Goose Eurasian Wigeon (male) American Wigeon (male and female) Mallard (male and female) Northern Shoveler (male and female) Northern Pintail (male and female) Ring-necked Duck (male and female) Bufflehead (male and female) Ruddy Duck (male and female) Raid-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Western Scrub Jay American Crow Pine Siskins --feeding on an Alder Tree in the woods 30 or 40 birds. Surprised at how quiet they were. Black-capped Chickadee--mixed flock about 1:00 p.m. at the footbridge farthest from the parking lot, just before the wildlife viewing area.* Chestnut-backed Chickadee--mixed flock* Brown Creeper--mixed flock* Golden-crowned Kinglet (male and female)--mixed flock* Ruby-crowned Kinglet--mixed flock* American Robin American Coot Downy Woodpecker (male)--mixed flock Norther Flicker (male) Dark-eyed Junco Unable to identify but possibly a: A Grebe. On the water behind the learning center. The light was bad and I muffed the picture exposure. Hope someone else saw it. Seemed to be a rusty brown, wings and neck darker than sides. Bill light colored. Did not look like the Pied-billed Grebes I saw at Brownsmead, it was too big and the bill was unmarked. Horned Grebe? Spotted Towhee, to fast to get a good look. Purple Finch, House Finch or Red Crossbill. I lean towards a Purple Finch because of the amount of red. There were two birds. They were finch-shaped but appeared to be completely red except for the wings. They were perched at the top of a deciduous tree along the fence between the refuge and the junk yard. The first bird that landed in the top of the tree chased off a scrub jay. If the bird we were hearing was one of the same birds we looked at, it sounded very much like a House Finch. A Sparrow that was either a Lincoln's or a Savannah. It was in the blackberries near the trail where the trail takes a dip and a sharp bend by the little concrete wall. A Fox Sparrow, maybe just going by profile/shape in the same place I saw the Lincoln's or Savannah Sparrow. All in all a wonderful day. The Kinglets and Chickadees are very noisy. My friend and I had been following them by ear all the way up the trail, but unable to see them from the trail as we watched and waited within ear shot, hoping for a glance. Then they suddenly burst out all around us at the forest edge just before you step out into the viewing area under the big oaks. The Ruby-crowned Kinglets foraged in the underbrush, the Golden-crowned Kinglets came down to eye level a couple times but mostly stayed high in the trees with the chickadees. The Brown Creeper was on the large, native yew on the right side of trail. The Downy Woodpecker liked the blackberries on the left side of the trail. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland From APBrockway at aol.com Sun Jan 20 07:36:52 2008 From: APBrockway at aol.com (APBrockway at aol.com) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:36:52 EST Subject: [obol] Another S. Coast Say's Phoebe 1/19/2008 Message-ID: I had not realized that Black Phoebes were so rare. We have seen a black phoebe several times this winter here on Tenmile Lake in Lakeside (Coos county). We saw it yesterday but also on the 5th and the 11th of January. We also saw it Nov 30, Dec 25 and 30 in 2007. We used to live in AZ where they are quite common. Al and Dottie Brockway Rapid City, SD 57702 Currently at Osprey Point RV Resort, Lakeside, OR apbrockway at aol.com (520) 678-0768 **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/ca2fcdda/attachment.htm From sandyleapt at comcast.net Sun Jan 20 08:03:35 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:03:35 +0000 Subject: [obol] Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge 1/19/08 Message-ID: <012020081603.8720.479370D7000BE1A00000221022068246939B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Addendum: The Raid-tailed Hawk and the Norther Flicker are pretty rare;) Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: sandyleapt at comcast.net > My friend and I visited TRWR yesterday. We observed from 10:00 a.m. until > around 2:00 p.m. Being inexperienced, we were able to identify some things and > not others. > > Identified: > > Great Blue Heron > Great Egret > Cackling Canada Goose > Western Canada Goose > Eurasian Wigeon (male) > American Wigeon (male and female) > Mallard (male and female) > Northern Shoveler (male and female) > Northern Pintail (male and female) > Ring-necked Duck (male and female) > Bufflehead (male and female) > Ruddy Duck (male and female) > Raid-tailed Hawk > American Kestrel > Western Scrub Jay > American Crow > Pine Siskins --feeding on an Alder Tree in the woods 30 or 40 birds. Surprised > at how quiet they were. > Black-capped Chickadee--mixed flock about 1:00 p.m. at the footbridge farthest > from the parking lot, just before the > wildlife viewing area.* > Chestnut-backed Chickadee--mixed flock* > Brown Creeper--mixed flock* > Golden-crowned Kinglet (male and female)--mixed flock* > Ruby-crowned Kinglet--mixed flock* > American Robin > American Coot > Downy Woodpecker (male)--mixed flock > Norther Flicker (male) > Dark-eyed Junco > > Unable to identify but possibly a: > > A Grebe. On the water behind the learning center. The light was bad and I > muffed the picture exposure. Hope someone else saw it. Seemed to be a rusty > brown, wings and neck darker than sides. Bill light colored. Did not look like > the Pied-billed Grebes I saw at Brownsmead, it was too big and the bill was > unmarked. Horned Grebe? > > Spotted Towhee, to fast to get a good look. > > Purple Finch, House Finch or Red Crossbill. I lean towards a Purple Finch > because of the amount of red. There were two birds. They were finch-shaped but > appeared to be completely red except for the wings. They were perched at the > top of a deciduous tree along the fence between the refuge and the junk yard. > The first bird that landed in the top of the tree chased off a scrub jay. If > the bird we were hearing was one of the same birds we looked at, it sounded very > much like a House Finch. > > A Sparrow that was either a Lincoln's or a Savannah. It was in the blackberries > near the trail where the trail takes a dip and a sharp bend by the little > concrete wall. > > A Fox Sparrow, maybe just going by profile/shape in the same place I saw the > Lincoln's or Savannah Sparrow. > > All in all a wonderful day. The Kinglets and Chickadees are very noisy. My > friend and I had been following them by ear all the way up the trail, but > unable to see them from the trail as we watched and waited within ear shot, > hoping for a glance. Then they suddenly burst out all around us at the forest > edge just before you step out into the viewing area under the big oaks. The > Ruby-crowned Kinglets foraged in the underbrush, the Golden-crowned Kinglets > came down to eye level a couple times but mostly stayed high in the trees with > the chickadees. The Brown Creeper was on the large, native yew on the right > side of trail. The Downy Woodpecker liked the blackberries on the left side of > the trail. > > Sandy Leaptrott > NE Portland > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From linda at fink.com Sun Jan 20 08:04:06 2008 From: linda at fink.com (Linda Fink) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:04:06 -0800 Subject: [obol] hawk id help needed Message-ID: <479370F6.8070004@fink.com> A friend sent me a photo of a hawk I'm not sure what is. (Photo taken in Nevada.) But I don't know where to put it on the web for folks to see. So if anyone is curious, I'll send you the attachment. Or if you have a place to post it, that would be great. Linda Fink From 4cains at charter.net Sun Jan 20 10:59:18 2008 From: 4cains at charter.net (Lee and Lori Cain) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:59:18 -0800 Subject: [obol] new photo quiz Message-ID: <001001c85b96$8f815920$29d58b4b@hbhsb01> If "Food for Thought" is the quiz: the ARLO is about to swallow a threespine stickleback...probably the most abundant fish in the estuary. Lee Cain Aquatic Biology/Integrated Science Astoria High School >//////> >//////> >//////> From frankdanl at yahoo.com Sun Jan 20 11:34:23 2008 From: frankdanl at yahoo.com (frank lospalluto) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:34:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Agency Lake /Ft. Klamath Raptor Survey 01/19/08, Klamath Co. Message-ID: <8491.72291.qm@web36705.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Obol: Ran the Agency Lake/Ft. Klamath RR yesterday under partly cloudy skies, light winds, cold temp. and lots of snow on the ground. Red-tailed Hawk 35 Rough-legged Hawk 21 Ferruginous Hawk 1 Red-shouldered Hawk 1 (Hagelstein Park) Unidentified Buteo 1 Bald Eagle 14 Great Horned Owl 1 Also heard then saw an American Dipper at Hagelstein Park frank. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Sun Jan 20 11:36:35 2008 From: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com (Born Again Bird Watcher) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:36:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] Sleeping Pine Siskins? Message-ID: <004e01c85b9b$c5588370$50098a50$@com> While the number of Pine Siskins visiting our feeders this winter in Scappoose has been higher than normal, I have been able to observe behaviors exhibited by them I had not previously seen. This morning, I noted a new one - sleeping on feeder platforms and perches. As late as ten o'clock this morning, I noted Pine Siskins perched on three different feeders (one platform, two tube style) with feathers fluffed and beaks deeply nuzzled under wings. At first glance I thought they might be simply preening but longer observation and their complete lack of movement led me to think otherwise. All eventually roused, slowly, as the day wore on and more birds appeared to feed. My initial hypothesis is that the cold weather might be causing this behavior - to minimize energy expended while not immediately feeding. I have previously noted House Finches perched and fluffed with eyes closed during mid-day during cold weather but the "beak under wing" posture would seem to indicate a deeper state of rest. I would be interested in other observations of this type of late morning "sleeping-in." Peace and good bird watching, John E. Riutta Owner, Born Again Bird Watcher By Post: P.O. Box A Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. By Parcel Carrier: 32908 S.W. Keys Crest Drive Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. e-mail: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Internet: www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com mobile: (503) 577-5383 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/a4023ecc/attachment.htm From andrewm25 at earthlink.net Sun Jan 20 12:05:32 2008 From: andrewm25 at earthlink.net (Andrew Marshall) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:05:32 -0500 (EST) Subject: [obol] WHITE BREASTED NUTCASE Message-ID: <18808695.1200859532551.JavaMail.root@elwamui-wigeon.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Hey folks, Noon Sunday, Just a quick note to report at least two WHITE BREASTED NUTHATCHES in our fir trees along with the RED BREASTED NUTHATCHES seen feeding today. They have a distinctly different call, which is what alerted me in the first place, and being clearly WHITE, not orange on the belly, and very much bigger, were pretty distinctive once I got the binos on them. We also have a SCRUB JAY that does a very good imitation of one of the guinea fowls rapid staccato calls. Just thought I would inject that for a note of humour along with the bird notice. Had me looking for the lost guinea which lives around here some-where and is seen from time to time. Guineas don't bounce across a large valley at high speed and altitude though while being watched at least. Best wishes Andrew please stop by my photo albums at http://atlanticsalmonflyguy.myphotoalbum.com/albums.php or find me at webshots under the pseudonym Atlanticsalmonflyguy. Comments are always appreciated. Thank-you! From contopus at telus.net Sun Jan 20 11:43:56 2008 From: contopus at telus.net (Wayne Weber) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:43:56 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wintering Cinnamon Teal In-Reply-To: <47925962.ADA41328@pacifier.com> References: <011920080316.738.47916B96000266D1000002E222007358349B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> <004701c85ac8$ddec7780$6500a8c0@1120639> <47925962.ADA41328@pacifier.com> Message-ID: <080701c85b9c$cbe22380$63a66a80$@net> Mike and Oregon Birders, From contopus at telus.net Sun Jan 20 13:08:27 2008 From: contopus at telus.net (Wayne Weber) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:08:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Vancouver, BC RBA for January 18, 2008 Message-ID: <082001c85ba8$9a617250$cf2456f0$@net> This is the Vancouver Natural History Society's Rare Bird Alert for Friday, January 18th, sponsored in part by Wild Birds Unlimited, with stores in Vancouver and North Vancouver. This message was updated at 9:00 pm on January 18th. The RBA phone number is 604-737-3074. Sightings for Friday, January 18th: At John Hendry Park in Vancouver, 60-80 CALIFORNIA GULLS were present. Sightings for Thursday, January 17th: At Westham Island Bridge in Delta, 5 MUTE SWANS were seen. Nearby, 30 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were sighted. No sighting of the CLARK'S GREBE today. Sightings for Wednesday, January 16th: In Delta, a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was present along Hwy 10 between 96th and 104th Streets. At Blackie Spit in Surrey were 3 MARBLED GODWITS. Sightings for Tuesday, January 15th: At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, 3 COMMON REDPOLLS were sighted. In Surrey, the HARRIS'S SPARROW continues along 188th St near 8th Ave. Also in Surrey, the intermediate GYRFALCON was present at 40th Ave. In Delta, the gray-phase GYRFALCON was seen from the Ladner Trunk Road (Highway 10) just west of 112th St. No reports for Monday, January 14th. Sightings for Sunday, January 13th: At Point Roberts, WA, the YELLOW-BILLED LOON was located again. At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary were 11 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS. Nearby at Westham Island Bridge, the CLARK'S GREBE continues. Sightings for Saturday, January 12th: At Lighthouse Marine Park in Point Roberts, WA, a YELLOW-BILLED LOON was present this morning. Also 2 ANCIENT MURRELETS were seen. In South Surrey, the HARRIS'S SPARROW continues at 188th St & 8th Ave. In Delta, the CLARK'S GREBE continues to be seen in Canoe Pass near the Westham Island Bridge. Also in Delta, an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen along 72nd St near the pumpkin field. Nearby, an immature GLAUCOUS GULL was seen from Hornby Drive near 88th St. At the White Rock pier in White Rock, 3 EARED GREBES were still present. At the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, the SNOW BUNTING was again present on the south side of the jetty. At the compensation lagoon, a EURASIAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL was sighted. The WILLET was at the base of the jetty. In Delta along 68th Street, 2 immature GLAUCOUS GULLS were present. Sightings for Friday, January 11th: On Westham Island, a grey phase GYRFALCON was seen half a kilometre north of the bridge. Nearby, the CLARK'S GREBE was again present near Canoe Pass. In South Surrey, the HARRIS'S SPARROW continues at 188th St & 8th Ave. In White Rock, 4 EARED GREBES were seen from the pier. Nearby at Blackie Spit, a LONG-BILLED CURLEW and 6 MARBLED GODWITS were sighted. No reports for Thursday, January 10th. Sightings for Wednesday, January 9th: In Delta, a GYRFALCON was seen along 28th Ave near 64th St. Nearby, an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was present along 72nd St near the pumpkin field. At the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, the SNOW BUNTING was again present on the south side of the jetty. The WILLET was located at the base of the jetty. Sightings for Tuesday, January 8th: In South Surrey, the HARRIS'S SPARROW was again present at 188th Street & 8th Ave. In Delta, the PRAIRIE FALCON was seen at the 72nd St golf course. Nearby the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW was seen on the opposite side of the road to the pumpkin field. Also in Delta, the GYRFALCON was present at 112th St and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK was seen along Hornby Drive near 104th St. No reports for Monday, January 7th. If you have any questions about birds or birding in the Vancouver area, please call Wayne at 604-597-7201, Viveka at 604-531-3401, or Larry at 604-465-1402. Thank you for calling the Vancouver Rare Bird Alert, and good birding. For further information about birding in the Vancouver area, log onto the Vancouver Natural History Society's website at http://naturevancouver.ca This message was recorded and transcribed by Kevin Louth, and forwarded by Wayne Weber Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus at telus.net From areid at peak.org Sun Jan 20 13:31:42 2008 From: areid at peak.org (Alan Reid) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:31:42 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bushtits Message-ID: <006601c85bab$d99dc5b0$0300a8c0@ReidDesktop> On Jan. 19 I had 4 or 5 BUSHTITS at my suet block. They came 3 or 4 times during the day. This is the first time I have identified them here. Alan Reid areid at peak.org 2 miles below Leaburg on the McKenzie Hwy. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/7c4b0a56/attachment.htm From prigge1 at mindspring.com Sun Jan 20 13:42:31 2008 From: prigge1 at mindspring.com (Allen Prigge) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:42:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] Harriss's Sparrow, Ayres Road, Eugene Message-ID: <000601c85bad$624c8170$5903f304@alrup5ujaxzzmc> The Harriss's Sparrow was present 12:30--1:00pm in the Armenian Blackberry tangle adjacent to the shed as previously described by David Irons and others. Al Prigge -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/059c7d6c/attachment.htm From woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com Sun Jan 20 14:13:44 2008 From: woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com (Jamie S.) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:13:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Time to submit OR listing results; Feb 7 deadline Message-ID: <224559.16521.qm@web39503.mail.mud.yahoo.com> A reminder... "Jamie S." wrote: Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 13:26:51 -0800 (PST) From: "Jamie S." Subject: OR Listing website is up; Feb 7 deadline To: obol The website is up and running; thanks to Ray Korpi! It's that time of year again! See the form in the latest issue of Oregon Birds for the categories and thresholds. Refer to "ABA Recording Rules" for what is or is not countable. (See: http://www.americanbirding.org/resources/reslistru2.htm for the rules and interpretation of them) There are 3 ways to submit your 2007 Oregon listing results: -Use the form in the latest issue of Oregon Birds and snail mail it to me. -Enter them at the listing website: http://thor.clark.edu/korprt/ListHome.htm (Do not be concerned that the years shown on the year list results say 2002--I'll know that you're sending 2007 results.) -Email them directly to me. If county listing results are included, please list them ALPHABETICALLY by county. I acknowledge receipt of results sent by email or via the website. (Note: If you enter both life and year results on the web you should receive acknowledgement of both.) The deadline is now FEBRUARY 7th due to my delay with the website. Jamie Simmons Corvallis woodpecker97330 at yahoo.com --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/f7c7c275/attachment.htm From m.denny at charter.net Sun Jan 20 14:34:10 2008 From: m.denny at charter.net (mike denny) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 14:34:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] Fw: [LCBirds] Ivory Gull Message-ID: <000801c85bb4$94795680$7ebc8b4b@BLACKBIRD> ******************************************************************** Mike & MerryLynn Denny 1354 S. E. Central Ave. College Place, WA 99324 509.529.0080 (h) IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED! ******************************************************************* ----- Original Message ----- From: Dennis Rockwell To: LC Birds Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 2:01 PM Subject: [LCBirds] Ivory Gull Nancy L just called to say a 1st yr Ivory Gull has just been seen on ice near Bateman Island marina. Details at 11. I'm on my way there now. Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennisrockwell at verizon.net __._,_.___ Messages in this topic (1) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Database | Polls | Calendar MARKETPLACE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earn your degree in as few as 2 years - Advance your career with an AS, BS, MS degree - College-Finder.net. Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required) Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch format to Traditional Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe Recent Activity a.. 1New Members b.. 32New Photos Visit Your Group Y! Sports for TV Game Day Companion Live fantasy league & game stats on TV. Yahoo! Finance It's Now Personal Guides, news, advice & more. Dog Fanatics on Yahoo! Groups Find people who are crazy about dogs. . __,_._,___ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/f5f1b5f7/attachment.htm From namitzr at hotmail.com Sun Jan 20 17:35:07 2008 From: namitzr at hotmail.com (Russ Namitz) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:35:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] E.E. Wilson Sedge Wren - NO Message-ID: Searched for the SEDGE WREN with about a dozen other people today. As of 2:30pm there had been no sighting. I saw both the HARRIS'S SPARROW & AMERICAN TREE SPARROW around the shed. Most people saw at least one of those species and a few saw both. On the way home, 3 miles east of Florence on Hwy 126, there were 2 TUNDRA SWANS and 6 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE. Good birding, Russ Namitz Coos Bay From craig at greatskua.com Sun Jan 20 18:10:48 2008 From: craig at greatskua.com (Craig Tumer) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:10:48 -0700 Subject: [obol] Dexter yellow-billed loon - NO, red-naped sapsucker - NOT REALLY Message-ID: <20080120191048.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.18245ede76.wbe@email.secureserver.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/dc8700d5/attachment.htm From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Sun Jan 20 19:51:32 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:51:32 -0800 Subject: [obol] NE Oregon birds Message-ID: Just back from birding NE Oregon with Trask Colby. We could not find Bo Wax or redpolls. No Cedar Wax either except about 8 at McNary wildlife area, Umatilla C. Best birds today, as we crept out of Wallowa County snows and ground our way over the Blue Mtns, were 8 Eurasian Collared Doves in Imbler, Union Co. We also saw the Harris's Sparrow that has been hanging out at McNary Wildlife Area. I saw 8 Pygmy-owls in a day and a half, probably a personal record. Strange to think that we were within an hour's drive of Richland, Washington, where an imm. Ivory Gull was found today. Oh well. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos From dirtgirl16cr125 at msn.com Sun Jan 20 20:04:50 2008 From: dirtgirl16cr125 at msn.com (Cheryl Whelchel) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:04:50 -0800 Subject: [obol] Artic Loon Pictures Message-ID: Becky Schwiebert, Marcia Cutler and I made the trek to Brownsmead today for the Artic Loon. I have posted several pictures. Including 2 that have a Pacific Loon in the same frame with the ARLO, which makes for an excellent comparison. We saw many other good birds, including in no particular order Red-throated Loon Red-necked Grebe 2 Peregrine Falcons White-tailed Kite Gadwall Trumpeter Swans Bald Eagle Sharp-shinned Hawk Green-winged Teal Western Grebe Lesser Scaup Cheryl Whelchel Tangent, Oregon http://flickr.com/photos/vgswallow16/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/01613f0a/attachment.htm From john.gatchet at oc.npuc.org Sun Jan 20 20:35:36 2008 From: john.gatchet at oc.npuc.org (John Gatchet) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:35:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ridgefield NWR Today Message-ID: <41450F4C98633F449B0D441BFA16956F0115251B@npuceb.NPU.NA.SDA> I traveled to Ridgefield NWR today and looked for the Ross' Goose seen yesterday and failed to find the bird. I did find a NORTHERN SHRIKE in bright adult plumage on the road from Rest Lake to the restroom area on the River S Unit. The bird was hunting in blackberries that were running up to the road. There was a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK perched on a sign at the south end of Rest Lake. There was a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK flying near the blind. RED-TAILED HAWKS and NORTHERN HARRIERS were everywhere on the refuge. John F. Gatchet Gresham, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/41e05190/attachment.htm From john.gatchet at oc.npuc.org Sun Jan 20 20:26:47 2008 From: john.gatchet at oc.npuc.org (John Gatchet) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:26:47 -0800 Subject: [obol] Columbia County E. Collared Doves Message-ID: <41450F4C98633F449B0D441BFA16956F0115251A@npuceb.NPU.NA.SDA> Yesterday I birded Columbia County and found 9 EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE 2 miles east of Scappoose. The birds were along Jonson's Landing Road .7 miles from Highway 30. They were on the power line and in fir trees as well. In Columbia County on Sauvie Island I found 1 ROSS' GOOSE, 2 RED-THROATED LOON, 5 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 4 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 2 SAVANNAH SPARROW. I observed at least 500 SNOW GEESE in the air. That was the most memorable sight of the day. John F. Gatchet Gresham, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/bef81470/attachment.htm From m.denny at charter.net Sun Jan 20 20:39:01 2008 From: m.denny at charter.net (mike denny) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:39:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ivory Gull/Kennewick, WA Message-ID: <001601c85be7$8c1a83a0$7ebc8b4b@BLACKBIRD> Forwarded from LCBirds - Here?s the story: Yes, there was an Ivory Gull at the Bateman Marina for a whole 3 minutes. Brad Waggoner came over from Bainbridge Island to attempt to see the Lesser Black-backed Gull. Today the gulls did not mass at the delta so he was unsuccessful. So, instead he found an IVORY GULL!!!!! He was driving into Columbia Park when he saw the gull in flight. He followed it back upriver to the marina. It sat on the ice for 3 minutes giving Brad an unmistakable view. It flew upriver just as Nancy arrived. She saw a white bird in the scope but that?s all. By those laws of birding ? he did videotape the bird but his camera malfunctioned and there are lines through the images. It shows enough to confirm the bird and make us all wish we were there and that it stayed. We will update if it is relocated. Bill and Nancy LaFramboise Richland WA ******************************************************************** Mike & MerryLynn Denny 1354 S. E. Central Ave. College Place, WA 99324 509.529.0080 (h) IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED! ******************************************************************* From celata at pacifier.com Sun Jan 20 20:52:34 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:52:34 -0800 Subject: [obol] Brownsmead Trumpeters Message-ID: <479424CB.21C8750A@pacifier.com> Just so everyone is on the same page, the Trumpeter Swans that hang out in the big wetland at the west end of Ziak-Gnat Creek Rd are domesticated pets. They make for excellent close study of Trumpeter field marks, but they are NOT wild. They were bought to keep an injured Tundra Swan company when the Ziaks became concerned that the Tundra Swan was getting too amorous with the Canada Geese. The Trumpeters wouldn't give it the time of day and it has since gone to that big aviary in the sky... -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From pointers at pacifier.com Sun Jan 20 21:15:13 2008 From: pointers at pacifier.com (Lyn Topinka) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:15:13 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ridgefield NWR Today In-Reply-To: <41450F4C98633F449B0D441BFA16956F0115251B@npuceb.NPU.NA.SDA > References: <41450F4C98633F449B0D441BFA16956F0115251B@npuceb.NPU.NA.SDA> Message-ID: <20080121051513.1B2576D60D@smtp3.pacifier.net> >I did find a NORTHERN SHRIKE in bright adult plumage on the road >from Rest Lake to the restroom area on the River S Unit. The bird >was hunting in blackberries that were running up to the road. FYI ... that's the same location I spotted him on December 31st !!!!!!!!!!! ... very handsome fellow ... I've only been out once since the 31st and didn't spot him ... wondered if he was still hanging around ... Lyn Lyn Topinka EnglishRiverWebsite.com From craig at greatskua.com Sun Jan 20 21:18:10 2008 From: craig at greatskua.com (Craig Tumer) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:18:10 -0700 Subject: [obol] NE Oregon birds Message-ID: <20080120221809.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.8f2561414a.wbe@email.secureserver.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/05ac29cc/attachment.htm From shelmert at loswego.k12.or.us Sun Jan 20 22:01:48 2008 From: shelmert at loswego.k12.or.us (Shelmerdine, Timothy (Tim)) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:01:48 -0800 Subject: [obol] Benton and Lane birds Message-ID: Hello, all. As Russ already reported, a number of us searched fruitlessly for the Sedge Wren at E.E. Wilson Sunday morning, but the Harris's Sparrow and Tree Sparrow put in appearances. Lincoln's Sparrows were all over. This is a great area for sparrow study by the way, if you are one of those who need to want to learn more about those LBJ's and LGJ's (little brown jobs and little gray jobs). I went on down to Lane County, missed the Yellow-billed Loon along with a number of other hopeful searchers, and while engaged in some conversation with other loon searchers learned I had probably walked under the trees where the Red-naped Sapsucker had been seen at Dexter State Park earlier in the day. I saw no woodpeckers or sapsuckers of any type there, either in my first visit or when I went back. The Harris's Sparrow off Gilham Road in Eugene started singing near the seed pile about 4:40 and continued until 5:00 when I left. I have seen this bird in a number of locations, but I think this was my first chance to hear one sing in real life. I also did have some excellent views between 4:45 and 5:00. Any way, I had a nice day, seeing some good birds others found and meeting up with some birder friends and making a couple of new friends. Thanks to the number of birders on OBOL who sent helpful info -- you guys rock. Best, Tim From llsdirons at msn.com Sun Jan 20 22:06:14 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 06:06:14 +0000 Subject: [obol] Dexter yellow-billed loon - NO, red-naped sapsucker - NOT REALLY In-Reply-To: <20080120191048.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.18245ede76.wbe@email.secureserver.net> References: <20080120191048.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.18245ede76.wbe@email.secureserver.net> Message-ID: Craig, The back pattern of the bird in your photo looks pretty typical for a Red-naped Sapsucker. However, your description of the head pattern (features not visible in the photo) suggest the bird was likely a hybrid/intergrade Red-naped X Red-breasted. I have not seen the Dexter Res. bird, despite having looked for it. I have to wonder if this is the same bird that is being reported by many as a Red-naped. Dave Irons Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:10:48 -0700 From: craig at greatskua.com To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu CC: srottenborn at harveyecology.com; Phoebetria at aol.com; cheep at starpower.net Subject: [obol] Dexter yellow-billed loon - NO, red-naped sapsucker - NOT REALLY I went to Dexter State Recreation Area southeast of Eugene today to look for the yellow-billed loon without success. I searched the reservoir from every possible vantage point, but was unable to find the loon. I ran into a number of other birders, none of which had seen the loon by the time I left around 1:15. I did see a nice assortment of waterfowl, including a common loon and an immature snow goose, among other species, but not the bird I was hoping for. I did find a sapsucker in the trees near the boat ramp where a red-naped sapsucker had been reported throughout the previous week. The sapsucker I observed, however, appeared to be a hybrid red-naped x red-breasted sapsucker. When I first observed the bird, I got only a brief view of it as it peeked around the maple trunk (just below eye level) before flying off to a row of evergreens closer to the lake. I was expecting a red-naped sapsucker, but I was struck by the amount of red I saw in its face. Because of the amount of red, I immediately thought "red-breasted sapsucker - not the bird I'm looking for, but still a nice bird to see." The friend I was birding with is a new birder and had never seen red-breasted sapsucker so we set off to refind it and get better looks. We refound the sapsucker high in a western redcedar and were able to study it at leisure as it fed. From our vantage point, the back and wing pattern of the bird appeared good for red-naped sapsucker. Because the bird was actively feeding high above me, I was only able to see the face and head when it briefly turned sideways to nervously look around, but again, I was struck by the amount of red in the head. This bird had extensive red coloration on the nape, and that red extended upward across the back of the crown to the top of the head and forward to the bill. The bird did not have a black hind crown as a red-naped sapsucker should. It did have a distinct, broad, black line that extended backward from the eye and down the side of the neck as in a red-naped sapsucker; however, the red of the throat extended upward across the cheek and into the black line on the face. Because of the face pattern that appeared to combine those of red-naped and red-breasted sapsuckers, I believe that the bird I saw was a hybrid rather than pure red-naped sapsucker. I was able to get a few bad photos before my camera battery died, and I've put the "best" of the photos (though still, admittedly terrible) on the web for anyone who might be interested (http://picasaweb.google.com/craigPDX/Sapsucker). I wasn't able to get a good photo of the bird's face, but the extent of the red on the back of the head, lack of a black hindcrown, and red in the face are somewhat visible in the photo I've posted. Any comments on this bird would be greatly appreciated. Craig Tumer NE Portland _________________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts!?Play the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/660ba267/attachment.htm From tamara_lynn at bigfoot.com Sun Jan 20 22:55:54 2008 From: tamara_lynn at bigfoot.com (Tamara) Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:55:54 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Message-ID: <007701c85bfa$ab14ae30$013e0a90$@com> Quite a show happening on the LKNWR right now! Enjoyed the view across Stateline from the auto tour exit. In one binocular view, without turning a degree, I could see eight Bald Eagles, a Rough Legged Hawk, a Northern Harrier, a Red Tail Hawk, 22 Tundra Swans, a Great Blue Heron, three Meadowlarks, one Song Sparrow, and countless waterfowl (mostly widgeons, mallards, pintails, and coots). No kidding. We stopped counting the eagles, but it safe to say we saw well more than a hundred, and many of them seemed to be dining well. We came upon one very large flock of mixed black birds. Yellow-headed and Red-wing. Also several small flocks of Horned Larks, but didn't find the Lapland Longspurs. Beautiful day! --Tamara Klamath Falls -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080120/ec5b58bc/attachment.htm From LammergeierEyes at aol.com Mon Jan 21 00:08:51 2008 From: LammergeierEyes at aol.com (LammergeierEyes at aol.com) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 03:08:51 EST Subject: [obol] Ridgefield NWR and Washington County Message-ID: I spent yesterday afternoon meandering around Jackson Bottom and Fernhill in hopes of turning up a Trumpeter Swan to no avail, nevertheless it was a pleasant afternoon. There was an adult Bald Eagle feeding on a Cackling Goose at Fernhill, along with huge sparrow flocks along Cattail Marsh which included both Fox and Lincoln's Sparrow. At Jackson Bottom there were more than 60 Canvasback, and upwards of 50 Ring-necked duck scattered around the flood-plain and Tualatin river with strong numbers of all the obligatory characters including Bufflehead, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Common Merganser, Northern Pintail and Gadwal. Today at Ridgefield I missed the Northern Shrike but enjoyed the veritable symposium of Canada Geese subspecies with great looks at rare occidentalis along with all the Cackling and sundry Aleutian Geese. There was also at least one Greater White-fronted Goose with the massive flock near the park's entry. An impressive 5 individual Bald Eagles based on sex and age delighted as well as at least one Rough-legged Hawk. Fun experiences were also had with White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Sapsucker and Winter Wren. A pleasant surprise amidst the din of hundreds of Tundra Swan was a symphony of Sandhill Cranes which flew overhead near dusk; about 15 individuals. My first time at the Refuge and I must say a truly wonderful site in spite of the crowds. Good luck Blake Matheson Carmel California and Portland Oregon **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/3da0b046/attachment.htm From nepobirds at yahoo.com Mon Jan 21 08:19:36 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:19:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Robins and Cedar Waxwings Message-ID: <350475.694.qm@web46002.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> We just had a flock of around 50 robins come through the yard and tagging along with them was about 15 cedar waxwings. Very exciting. The robins were going nuts for our cotoneasters, pyracanthas and clematis berries. The waxwings were in the surrounding trees (including a 40 ft. cedar) but didn't come down for anything to eat, as far as I saw. I think there might have been more waxwings that I couldn't see because there calls seemed to be coming from everywhere. Seth and Michelle NE Portland - 114th and NE Glisan --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/b6e8820e/attachment.htm From ron.katie.pdx at juno.com Mon Jan 21 09:25:27 2008 From: ron.katie.pdx at juno.com (Ronald G. Goodwin) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:25:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Anna's feeding this time of the year Message-ID: <20080121.092709.1936.4.ron.katie.pdx@juno.com> The Anna's hummingbirds eat a lot of insects this time of the year. At Leach Botanical Garden (SE 122nd & Foster Road east of I-205) we have the Anna's all year long as most people in Portland do now. This change took place about 30 years ago and so the old story about not having a feeder out is not true today. The Anna's spend much of their time going through the bamboo and rubble wall getting small insects and spiders. This is also what they feed the babies to get the much needed protein. They start mating in the next few weeks and there will be more activity at this time. The Anna's also feed on the Mahonias that are blooming by the Manor House and the Greenhouse. We have over 10 different flowers blooming at this time with some of the native wildflowers starting. Leach Botanical Garden is part of Portland Parks and Recreation with Johnson Creek, 1.8 miles of trails, 16 acres and excellent habitat for the 66 birds on our bird list. One of these days the list will be on our web site. We have the Pileated Woodpecker, both nuthatches and chickadees plus others all year round. Last summer a Pacific Slope Flycatcher fledged 4 young under the eaves of the Manor House where many people walked by. Come visit us and bring your camera. Ron Goodwin -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/59176b59/attachment.htm From ron.katie.pdx at juno.com Mon Jan 21 09:27:08 2008 From: ron.katie.pdx at juno.com (Ronald G. Goodwin) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:27:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] Tundra Swans Message-ID: <20080121.092709.1936.5.ron.katie.pdx@juno.com> Yesterday there were 70 Tundra Swans on Mirror Pond below Vista House easily visible from I-84. They make the geese look small. Ron Goodwin From northernpygmyowl at gmail.com Mon Jan 21 12:14:45 2008 From: northernpygmyowl at gmail.com (Michael Marsh) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:14:45 -0800 Subject: [obol] Tree Swallow at Fernhill Wetlands Message-ID: <8595c2470801211214h29fa5501lae8f2ea9f34a878d@mail.gmail.com> OBOL'ers: There was one TREE SWALLOW flying over Cattail Marsh yesterday (Sunday). Never seen one here in NW Oregon this time of year. Alan Contreras' book, Northwest Birds in Winter, states that "there are records north to western Washington and BC, but the species is not annual in these areas." I must say I was a bit taken aback to see it hawking insects and doing its acrobatic flight in January. Also of interest at the wetlands: o 2 Bald Eagles o 5 Redtails o 1 Wtn Grebe o 30 Mew Gulls (5 on Fernhill Lake and the rest at the nearest large round thickner tank. The, uh, food must be better there.) Good birding, Mike -- Michael Marsh Portland, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/1575382d/attachment.htm From themartins at tndmartin.com Mon Jan 21 12:38:00 2008 From: themartins at tndmartin.com (TheMartins) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:38:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] Question: Snowy Owls at Ft Stevens Message-ID: <00af01c85c6d$83b9ed50$03030a0a@Dancer> In February of 2006 I saw snowy owls at Fort Stevens on the Oregon Coast. I tried again last year, but I couldn?t get out to the beach area where I found the beauties in ?06 because of construction. What is the state of construction between parking lot D and the beach? Have people seen snowy owls this year at Fort Stevens? Thanks, Dick Martin Wenatchee mailto: themartins at tndmartin dot com No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.8/1235 - Release Date: 1/21/2008 9:39 AM -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/9812722d/attachment.htm From lcottrell at fmtcblue.com Mon Jan 21 13:01:19 2008 From: lcottrell at fmtcblue.com (Larry Cottrell) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:01:19 -0700 Subject: [obol] Jordan Valley Raptor Run Message-ID: <00d301c85c70$cb3d1690$2edf2946@usermj5tjr71vq> Sorry this is late, been busy here. We did the Jan. run on 14 Jan. with P/C sky, SW winds 8-10 mph, temp 32-39. Drove 155 mi. in4 hrs. There was snow on the ground around Jordan Valley, the town. West of Arock there wasn't any. RTHA- 9 AMKE- 5 NOHA- 2 BAEA-9 3 adults 6 sub GOEA-9 RLHA- 3 FALC- 2 Prairies ACCIP- 1 adult Coopershawk Others seen on the drive were: Mule deer Coyote Ravens- less than last month Black birds- moderate size flock near cattle feeding operations Assorted Passerines- Horned Larks, Chipping Sparrows, Junco's. Pheasant Magpie Northern Shrike The amount of birds has stayed close so far on the three counts we have made. Karen Cottrell in true S.E. Or. south of Burns Jct. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/cc1e1524/attachment.htm From sandyleapt at comcast.net Mon Jan 21 13:33:15 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:33:15 +0000 Subject: [obol] Anna's Hummingbirds in the wind Message-ID: <012120082133.19930.47950F9A000F1F9000004DDA22007601809B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi. I'm having fun watching the Anna's Hummingbirds at the feeder. Its windy, the feeder is bobbing like a buoy on the Columbia River Bar. The hummingbirds are grabbing the perch and then flying while gripping the perch. Think I'll move the feeder to the side of the green house so it won't bob so much. I don't like to see them working so hard in the cold. Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland From howard048 at centurytel.net Mon Jan 21 13:57:12 2008 From: howard048 at centurytel.net (Wes Stone) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:57:12 -0800 Subject: [obol] Klamath County Tree Swallow 1/19 Message-ID: <000d01c85c78$95a5c880$0501a8c0@MyPC> I'm currently housesitting in Oregon Shores, overlooking Agency Lake. On Saturday afternoon, I looked out the window to see a lone TREE SWALLOW circling around. Sure, there's some insect life about during the day, but with single-digit temperatures at night I hope it wasn't as lost as it looked. It disappeared to the north after a minute or so. -- Wes Stone Chiloquin, OR http://wesweb.homestead.com/birding.html From paul at furzwo.com Mon Jan 21 14:01:29 2008 From: paul at furzwo.com (Paul Buescher) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:01:29 -0800 Subject: [obol] Audubon's Warbler in the Pearl Message-ID: <001e01c85c79$2d8e2e30$6501a8c0@paul> Today (21 Jan 08) at 1100 I saw an Audubon's Warbler in very bright plumage at 15th and N.W. Davis in what is now known as the Pearl (Portland, Or). Over the years I have seen Cedar Waxwings and Bushtits in this same location. Maybe I should spend more time outside the shop. WARM Regards, Paul Buescher 2630 N. Hayden Island Dr. Slip 20 Portland, Or 503 977 1957 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/7c7a7246/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Mon Jan 21 14:04:06 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:04:06 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Bird 1/21/2008 Message-ID: <598767.65992.qm@web45111.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> At New River in SW Coos Co. along the coast I heard a singing MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE with a large chickadee/kinglet/nuthatch/Townsend's Warbler flock. I never could find the bird before it disappeared though. Also saw an OSPREY. Happy birding, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From lou2bal at yahoo.com Mon Jan 21 14:12:49 2008 From: lou2bal at yahoo.com (Lou Balaban) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:12:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] pictures Ruby-crowned eating sunflower hearts In-Reply-To: <0F6F48C9-B45E-4E3F-855D-5277550D156E@comcast.net> Message-ID: <275644.15736.qm@web54109.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I'm late chiming in on this but I just came across these pictures that I took last January when we had a Ruby-crowned eating sunflower heart pieces out of the tray under our tube feeder for most of January and the first week of February. It chose small pieces but was a regular visitor at both the suet feeder and the tube feeder. http://usera.imagecave.com/Pomoxee/Ruby-crowned/ At the same time, and staying longer, we had a Hermit Thrush eating the pieces that fell on the patio under the feeder. http://usera.imagecave.com/Pomoxee/Hermit_Thrush/ Lou Balaban Roseburg Dan Gleason wrote: I have two thoughts about this. Really tiny seed bits might be possible to take whereas whole seeds would be difficult for a warbler to open, or digest if once swallowed. Also, small insects, spiders or mites could be present in the mix and when trying to take these, small pieces of broken seed adhere to the tongue. Seed, whether whole or out of the shell, can quickly grow a coating of yeasts or small molds. The large, fuzzy molds that we see on damp seed is not attractive to many species. (And some, such as Aspergillus, can infect the respiratory system and kill the bird.) The yeasts and small molds will attract small insects and mites. For example, most fruit flies are eating the yeast growing on the surface of the fruit and not the fruit itself. The longer the seed sits, the more it has its own coating of tiny flora and fauna. Warblers, kinglets, etc. may very well find these small creatures that we simply overlook. In the process of gathering these, they may also inadvertently pick up some seed. A Townsend's Warbler would have a very difficult time opening a sunflower seed but it is possible that they might take a few small bits of broken seed. If so, the amount taken must be quite small as these birds simply do not have the digestive system that is capable of macerating and digesting any quantity of seed. Most of it would pass through their system with very little change, giving the birds minimal nourishment from it at best. Often, the race to survive is great enough that an individual cannot afford to take the time to seek out foods that offer little or no value. --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/9faa9522/attachment.htm From lou2bal at yahoo.com Mon Jan 21 14:30:10 2008 From: lou2bal at yahoo.com (Lou Balaban) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:30:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] American Robin with white legs pictures Message-ID: <317326.99233.qm@web54111.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I took these pictures last April when I saw this Robin standing on the bark mulch near our patio in Roseburg. By the time I got the camera ready it was standing in the grass so the white feet were no longer visible. http://usera.imagecave.com/Pomoxee/Robin_white_legs/ Lou Balaban Roseburg --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/4270804a/attachment.htm From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Mon Jan 21 14:54:31 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:54:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Subject: pictures Ruby-crowned eating sunflower hearts Message-ID: <762685.61330.qm@web60820.mail.yahoo.com> I dumped the seed out of my tube feeder and washed/bleached/rinsed it on Saturday evening. After it dried overnight, I filled it with a mixture of black-oil sunflower and sunflower chips from freshly-opened bags. That morning, I saw two different Townsend's Warblers and at least one RC Kinglet eating out of the tray multiple times. Both species were at this feeder this morning as well. Now, I realize that even fresh seed may contain a number of mites and other small insects, but I'd be shocked if they weren't actually eating he smaller pieces of sunflower chips. They come to this feeder as much as my suet feeders and I've never seen a Warbler or Kinglet foraging for insects at my nyjer of black-oil sunflower-only feeders. Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: pictures Ruby-crowned eating sunflower hearts From: Lou Balaban Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:12:49 -0800 (PST) I'm late chiming in on this but I just came across these pictures that I took last January when we had a Ruby-crowned eating sunflower heart pieces out of the tray under our tube feeder for most of January and the first week of February. It chose small pieces but was a regular visitor at both the suet feeder and the tube feeder. http://usera.imagecave.com/Pomoxee/Ruby-crowned/ At the same time, and staying longer, we had a Hermit Thrush eating the pieces that fell on the patio under the feeder. http://usera.imagecave.com/Pomoxee/Hermit_Thrush/ Lou Balaban Roseburg ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/6e3d1398/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 21 15:58:45 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:58:45 +0000 Subject: [obol] Updated photos: Hoary Redpoll, Saw-whet owl feasting on a mouse Message-ID: Hi all, This weekend, Steve Nord and I had a fun and productive birding trip to the Okanogan and Douglas Counties in Northcentral WA. Overall, the birding was rather slow, but we were successful at finding almost all of our target, wintering finch and raptor species. Numbers for these wintering species are much lower than last winter; pine grosbeaks are noticeably absent, while it is a good year for White-winged crossbills. I cannot emphasize enough, the success for finding these elusive, mobile wintering birds require persistence, patience, and ALOT of luck!! Also, I have extensively scouted and birded this area since November, visiting these areas at least twice a month. It is a BIG area with plenty of good habitat and feeding locations for the birds. Before I get into the detailed trip report, highlights included at least one definitive HOARY REDPOLL and one questionable bird (photo included), a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL feasting on a mouse, and an acrobatic flock of GRAY CROWN ROSYFINCHES. A few WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen and as well as a small, fly-by flock. It was nice to meet Gary Fredericks whose earlier reports have been instrumental in my successful trips to the Okanogan. Golden eagles, Bald eagles, Cooper Hawk's and Northern Shrikes were seen in many locations. Noticeably absent were larger numbers of Rough legged Hawks. It was great to get diagnostic views of at least one definitive HOARY REDPOLL and another probable bird mixed in with a flock of 15 COMMON REDPOLLS. The birds were skittish at first while feeding on the road, but soon calmed down as they actively fed on the catkins. We then methodically and carefully focused all of our attention to the palest bird, frosty bird with a light rear scapulars, faintly streaked sides, clear undertail coverts and a stubby little bill. It was quite active and fed in the denser areas of the tree so getting photos of it was difficult. We were confident that it was a HOARY after studying the bird for at least 5 minutes as it fed. And just when the flock flew away from the catkins, they decided to land about 15 feet from my jeep on the graveled road to fed on the grit. Luckily, the paler bird of the two, decided to reveal his true identity by 'flashing' his clean, white rump, several times. It squatted down with it's back facing us as it spreads it wings. It was white, as white can be with no streaking. It's back was also noticeably paler in appearance. We cheered with joy after getting excellent looks at these diagnostic field marks! Our first clean look of a hoary with all the field marks and a lifer for Steve!! Nothing wrong with being flashed by a hoary, cottontail :) As a result of my excitment, I focused my viewfinder and camera on the other frosty, pale HOARY that was not as obvious or distinctive. It was a challenge to take a shot of the target bird and keeping track of it with my binoculars at the same time. Both birds were very pale and quite active. I pished and tried playbacks to get the birds closer to us for better photos but no success. However, I was able to get some decent shots of the probable HOARY, that wasn't as pale and had a small streak in the undertail coverts. The definitive bird, had absolutely none. In a sense, we were lucky to have a small flock to comb through. About a month ago, I had to sort through at least 250 plus birds, to see two Hoaries. This was rather challenging accomplishment but the efforts paid off. Redpolls in large flocks can be quite jittery especially upon close approach for photos or studies. I have included photos of the second (questionable bird) on my website. This bird is also frosty in appearance, has a light back, lightly streaked, only a single streak on the undertail coverts, and a stubby bill. Credentials for correct identification of definitive bird: Steve Nord (excellent, sharp birder) has 35 years plus of birding experience, I have 25 years andI have seen over 1000 Common Redpolls and 3 Hoaries in the past two winters. I have made a few comments below each redpoll photo. See Sibley guide for comprehensive field marks and ID. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/redpoll_gallery Here is the report: OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS: (Chesaw, Havillah, and Oroville) 4 Chukars (Fanchers Rd) 8 Turkeys 1 flyby GYRFALCON (Mary Ann Creek Rd) 1 flyby NORTHERN GOSHAWK (Havillah Rd) 1 Peregrine falcon (Hwy 97, 5 miles before Tonasket) 60 GRAY CROWNED ROSY FINCHES (Nealy Rd) 15 plus COMMON REDPOLLS (Hungry Hollow Rd) 1 HOARY REDPOLL(maybe two birds) 2 immature/female WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS (Chesaw Rd) small flock of WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS (Nealy Rd) 50 plus Red Crossbills 40 plus SNOW BUNTINGS (Lost Lake Rd) 2 PINE GROSBEAKS (Havillah Rd) 2 Slate colored Juncos (Nealy Rd) CONCONULLY/OKANOGAN: 4 SHARP TAILED GROUSE (Conconully/Happy Hill Rd) at noon 120 BOHEMIAN WAXINGS BRIDGEPORT STATE PARK/Town of Bridgeport 1 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL (feasting on a mouse) 2 Cooper's Hawk (one who was successful at getting a varied thrush) 1 Merlin (pursuing a small song bird) 1 Townsend's Solitaire 40 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS 40 SNOW BUNTINGS (Cameron Lake Rd) WATERVILLE PLATEAU: 250 plus Horned Larks (numbers are increasing) 70 plus SNOW BUNTINGS (K NE) Several possible SAGE GROUSE tracks in the snow (near Hertiage Rd) 8 GRAY PATRIDGE (F NW) 1 Golden Eagle Good birding to you! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 21 15:58:50 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:58:50 +0000 Subject: [obol] Updated photos: Hoary Redpoll, Saw-whet owl feasting on a mouse Message-ID: Hi all, This weekend, Steve Nord and I had a fun and productive birding trip to the Okanogan and Douglas Counties in Northcentral WA. Overall, the birding was rather slow, but we were successful at finding almost all of our target, wintering finch and raptor species. Numbers for these wintering species are much lower than last winter; pine grosbeaks are noticeably absent, while it is a good year for White-winged crossbills. I cannot emphasize enough, the success for finding these elusive, mobile wintering birds require persistence, patience, and ALOT of luck!! Also, I have extensively scouted and birded this area since November, visiting these areas at least twice a month. It is a BIG area with plenty of good habitat and feeding locations for the birds. Before I get into the detailed trip report, highlights included at least one definitive HOARY REDPOLL and one questionable bird (photo included), a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL feasting on a mouse, and an acrobatic flock of GRAY CROWN ROSYFINCHES. A few WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS were seen and as well as a small, fly-by flock. It was nice to meet Gary Fredericks whose earlier reports have been instrumental in my successful trips to the Okanogan. Golden eagles, Bald eagles, Cooper Hawk's and Northern Shrikes were seen in many locations. Noticeably absent were larger numbers of Rough legged Hawks. It was great to get diagnostic views of at least one definitive HOARY REDPOLL and another probable bird mixed in with a flock of 15 COMMON REDPOLLS. The birds were skittish at first while feeding on the road, but soon calmed down as they actively fed on the catkins. We then methodically and carefully focused all of our attention to the palest bird, frosty bird with a light rear scapulars, faintly streaked sides, clear undertail coverts and a stubby little bill. It was quite active and fed in the denser areas of the tree so getting photos of it was difficult. We were confident that it was a HOARY after studying the bird for at least 5 minutes as it fed. And just when the flock flew away from the catkins, they decided to land about 15 feet from my jeep on the graveled road to fed on the grit. Luckily, the paler bird of the two, decided to reveal his true identity by 'flashing' his clean, white rump, several times. It squatted down with it's back facing us as it spreads it wings. It was white, as white can be with no streaking. It's back was also noticeably paler in appearance. We cheered with joy after getting excellent looks at these diagnostic field marks! Our first clean look of a hoary with all the field marks and a lifer for Steve!! Nothing wrong with being flashed by a hoary, cottontail :) As a result of my excitment, I focused my viewfinder and camera on the other frosty, pale HOARY that was not as obvious or distinctive. It was a challenge to take a shot of the target bird and keeping track of it with my binoculars at the same time. Both birds were very pale and quite active. I pished and tried playbacks to get the birds closer to us for better photos but no success. However, I was able to get some decent shots of the probable HOARY, that wasn't as pale and had a small streak in the undertail coverts. The definitive bird, had absolutely none. In a sense, we were lucky to have a small flock to comb through. About a month ago, I had to sort through at least 250 plus birds, to see two Hoaries. This was rather challenging accomplishment but the efforts paid off. Redpolls in large flocks can be quite jittery especially upon close approach for photos or studies. I have included photos of the second (questionable bird) on my website. This bird is also frosty in appearance, has a light back, lightly streaked, only a single streak on the undertail coverts, and a stubby bill. Credentials for correct identification of definitive bird: Steve Nord (excellent, sharp birder) has 35 years plus of birding experience, I have 25 years andI have seen over 1000 Common Redpolls and 3 Hoaries in the past two winters. I have made a few comments below each redpoll photo. See Sibley guide for comprehensive field marks and ID. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/redpoll_gallery Here is the report: OKANOGAN HIGHLANDS: (Chesaw, Havillah, and Oroville) 4 Chukars (Fanchers Rd) 8 Turkeys 1 flyby GYRFALCON (Mary Ann Creek Rd) 1 flyby NORTHERN GOSHAWK (Havillah Rd) 1 Peregrine falcon (Hwy 97, 5 miles before Tonasket) 60 GRAY CROWNED ROSY FINCHES (Nealy Rd) 15 plus COMMON REDPOLLS (Hungry Hollow Rd) 1 HOARY REDPOLL(maybe two birds) 2 immature/female WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS (Chesaw Rd) small flock of WHITE WINGED CROSSBILLS (Nealy Rd) 50 plus Red Crossbills 40 plus SNOW BUNTINGS (Lost Lake Rd) 2 PINE GROSBEAKS (Havillah Rd) 2 Slate colored Juncos (Nealy Rd) CONCONULLY/OKANOGAN: 4 SHARP TAILED GROUSE (Conconully/Happy Hill Rd) at noon 120 BOHEMIAN WAXINGS BRIDGEPORT STATE PARK/Town of Bridgeport 1 NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL (feasting on a mouse) 2 Cooper's Hawk (one who was successful at getting a varied thrush) 1 Merlin (pursuing a small song bird) 1 Townsend's Solitaire 40 BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS 40 SNOW BUNTINGS (Cameron Lake Rd) WATERVILLE PLATEAU: 250 plus Horned Larks (numbers are increasing) 70 plus SNOW BUNTINGS (K NE) Several possible SAGE GROUSE tracks in the snow (near Hertiage Rd) 8 GRAY PATRIDGE (F NW) 1 Golden Eagle Good birding to you! Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/d8e72349/attachment.htm From Jadybrwn at aol.com Mon Jan 21 16:33:00 2008 From: Jadybrwn at aol.com (Jadybrwn at aol.com) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:33:00 EST Subject: [obol] White Pelican - Alvadore Lane county Message-ID: Their was about 43 Tundra Swan and one American White Pelican swimming or standing in a new shallow lake in the second pasture north of the north end of Starlite Lane off 8th.Street in Alvadore Monday afternoon. The Pelican later flew over to the grassy area on the other side of the lake or pond. Swans have been flying out while others fly in so the numbers change from time to time. A couple of very large longer necked one made me wonder if maybe there was some Trumpeters might be in the group. My eyes are getting bad and my scope is not the best. There is ducks geese and shore bird in the area too. Dave Brown of Alvadore **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/b4d00a51/attachment.htm From riutta at comcast.net Mon Jan 21 16:59:38 2008 From: riutta at comcast.net (Polly & John Riutta) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:59:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] Report of Northen Flicker, Yellow-Shafted Form in Warren, Oregon Message-ID: <00b401c85c92$11e43c10$35acb430$@net> My very good friend John called me this morning to report that he had seen a Northern Flicker, yellow-shafted form, on his property in Warren, Oregon. He indicated that he has photos. Peace and good bird watching, John E. Riutta Owner, Born Again Bird Watcher By Post: P.O. Box A Scappoose, OR 97056 U.S.A. e-mail: john at bornagainbirdwatcher.com Internet: www.bornagainbirdwatcher.com mobile: (503) 577-5383 Coordinates: 45?45'17.60"N, 122?53'23.08"W -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/2431c616/attachment.htm From drheath at worldnet.att.net Mon Jan 21 17:04:19 2008 From: drheath at worldnet.att.net (David Heath) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:04:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Out-of-state gull Message-ID: <001201c85c92$b8c72a60$740c490c@lucky> Some friends of mine in Reno have photographed a gull they can't identify. If a few of our resident larophiles could express their no doubt various opinions, I'll pass them on. http://stingphotography.com/phlogs/2008/18-jan.html Thanks. David Heath Portland From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 21 18:17:05 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:17:05 +0000 Subject: [obol] Resend of Hoary image Message-ID: Hi all, For some reason, this critical image didn't open at any other size but ORIGINAL If you want larger view of the photos you can choose this option at the bottom of each image. It helps to see some details at this size. There is a choice for small, med, large and original. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/image/91933492 Thanks, Khanh -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/91feacdf/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Mon Jan 21 18:17:11 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:17:11 +0000 Subject: [obol] Resend of Hoary image Message-ID: Hi all, For some reason, this critical image didn't open at any other size but ORIGINAL If you want larger view of the photos you can choose this option at the bottom of each image. It helps to see some details at this size. There is a choice for small, med, large and original. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/image/91933492 Thanks, Khanh -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/cc3b4a87/attachment.htm From 5hats at peak.org Mon Jan 21 18:22:51 2008 From: 5hats at peak.org (Darrel Faxon) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:22:51 -0800 Subject: [obol] sedge wren photos? Message-ID: <003901c85c9d$b497d790$0000a398@your5rlp3a9516> OBOlites, Has anyone posted photos of the Sedge Wrens, either the one found last winter in Polk County, or the one this winter at E.E. Wilson? I don't recall seeing any report of such. Darrel -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/5b2a22f8/attachment.htm From whoffman at peak.org Mon Jan 21 18:38:10 2008 From: whoffman at peak.org (Wayne Hoffman) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:38:10 -0800 Subject: [obol] Horned Puffin Message-ID: <002001c85c9f$d3fdf310$0308a8c0@D48XBZ51> This morning (Jan 21) at about 9:30 AM I watched a Horned puffin fly north off Yachats. The bird was about 300 years offshore, and well up off the water. It appreared to be an adult in winter plumage. Wayne -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080121/1f66dc68/attachment.htm From jeffgill at teleport.com Mon Jan 21 18:47:00 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:47:00 -0600 Subject: [obol] Out-of-state gull In-Reply-To: <001201c85c92$b8c72a60$740c490c@lucky> Message-ID: It looks like a Lesser Black-backed Gull in its third basic plumage. At that age the flesh-colored legs would be correct for that species. The bill looks OK both in shape and in regard to the amount of dark near the tip. I think it looks long-winged and round-headed, which is good for a LBBG. The face doesn't look right for a Slaty-backed Gull. In particular there isn't the elongated dark masked appearance one would expect for that species. (I wish I knew where I put my copy of the Dunn and Garret gull book...) On 1/21/08 7:04 PM, "David Heath" wrote: > Some friends of mine in Reno have photographed a gull they can't identify. > If a few of our resident larophiles could express their no doubt various > opinions, I'll pass them on. > > http://stingphotography.com/phlogs/2008/18-jan.html > > Thanks. > > David Heath > Portland > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From namitzr at hotmail.com Mon Jan 21 19:48:41 2008 From: namitzr at hotmail.com (Russ Namitz) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:48:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Out-of-state gull In-Reply-To: Message-ID: >From: Jeff Gilligan >It looks like a Lesser Black-backed Gull in its third basic plumage. I would second the ID. I am tempted to call this a second basic plumaged bird that is advancing toward its third summer plumage. Or it could be a retarded third basic plumaged bird, retaining second basic feathers as seen in the outer tail feathers and underwing coverts. I need more practice on "moltology." A few points that favor LBBG over Slaty-backed Gull.... 1) No hint of "string of pearls" or lighter, inner primary window 2) Black on primaries covers entire feather, not just the leading edge 3) Pattern of "older" tail feathers has barring 3/4 the length of the feather Subtle features that I would like to see in a Slaty-backed Gull of this age before I called it... 1) More prominent eye smudge with lighter eyes 2) Broader white edging on tertials 3) Possibly more contrast between mantle & median/greater coverts (especially if retaining older feathers) 4) Evenly colored pink legs in all images Definately worth a look at some great photos. Got me out of my comfort zone. Good birding, Russ Namitz Coos Bay, OR From jwrinn at juno.com Mon Jan 21 21:56:22 2008 From: jwrinn at juno.com (Justin Wrinn) Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:56:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] EE Wilson - NORTHERN SHRIKE In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <01df01c85cbb$84802710$030ba8c0@jwrinn> This afternoon I struck out on the sparrows at EE Wilson, although one birder I talked to had seen the AMERICAN TREE SPARROW earlier in the afternoon, but I did find a NORTHERN SHRIKE - I saw it at the edge of the pond directly north of the shed a couple hundred yards, just on the north side of the east-west road. Justin Wrinn Milwaukie, OR From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 06:35:29 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:35:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Barn Swallows 1/21/2008 Message-ID: <854466.93945.qm@web45104.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Well it's six years straight now for winter BARN SWALLOW detections in Coos County. Holly and I saw three feeding while working there way north on the north spit of Coos Bay about 3PM. Although this may have become an 'expected' sighting by many, it's still amazes me that one of the former latest arriving spring swallows (prior to the early 2000s) now shows up regularly during mid-winter in the PNW?! Only a couple more weeks or so until the first vultures and the Selasphorus hummers arrive on the south coast- yeah! ENJOY, Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From celata at pacifier.com Tue Jan 22 07:07:15 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:07:15 -0800 Subject: [obol] Coos Barn Swallows 1/21/2008 References: <854466.93945.qm@web45104.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <479606A1.3E21A2E4@pacifier.com> I think this Barn Swallow stuff may deserve some fine tuning. My experience with "wintering" Barn Swallows is that they are usually 1st winter individuals (short, roundly blunt tail streamers, pale looking breasts) and that they aren't wintering in the sense that they stay put in a single location for the duration. I've also noted that there is a spike in occurence of these young looking birds in January/February followed by a good long period of no Barn Swallows at all until the majority from the south re-appear in April/May. These are purely qualitative observations, based on what I see up here in Clatsop County. Perhaps it's time to start collecting observations more rigorously to sort out the finer details of what is undoubtedly a real phenomenon. Tim Rodenkirk wrote: > > Well it's six years straight now for winter BARN > SWALLOW detections in Coos County. Holly and I saw > three feeding while working there way north on the > north spit of Coos Bay about 3PM. Although this may > have become an 'expected' sighting by many, it's still > amazes me that one of the former latest arriving > spring swallows (prior to the early 2000s) now shows > up regularly during mid-winter in the PNW?! > > Only a couple more weeks or so until the first > vultures and the Selasphorus hummers arrive on the > south coast- yeah! > > ENJOY, > Tim R > Coos Bay > -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM Tue Jan 22 07:11:09 2008 From: acontrer at MINDSPRING.COM (Alan Contreras) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:11:09 -0800 Subject: [obol] Coos Barn Swallows 1/21/2008 In-Reply-To: <479606A1.3E21A2E4@pacifier.com> Message-ID: The Barn Swallows I have seen in late December and January have almost all, maybe all, been pale-bellied young birds. -- Alan Contreras EUGENE, OREGON McCain/Obama in 08 ! acontrer at mindspring.com www.OREGONREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Commentary www.CONTRERASBIRDS.BLOGSPOT.COM ? Current Bird Photos > From: Mike Patterson > Reply-To: > Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:07:15 -0800 > To: Tim Rodenkirk > Cc: > Subject: Re: [obol] Coos Barn Swallows 1/21/2008 > > I think this Barn Swallow stuff may deserve some fine tuning. > My experience with "wintering" Barn Swallows is that they are > usually 1st winter individuals (short, roundly blunt tail > streamers, pale looking breasts) and that they aren't wintering > in the sense that they stay put in a single location for the > duration. > > I've also noted that there is a spike in occurence of these > young looking birds in January/February followed by a good long > period of no Barn Swallows at all until the majority from the south > re-appear in April/May. > > These are purely qualitative observations, based on what I see > up here in Clatsop County. Perhaps it's time to start collecting > observations more rigorously to sort out the finer details of > what is undoubtedly a real phenomenon. > > Tim Rodenkirk wrote: >> >> Well it's six years straight now for winter BARN >> SWALLOW detections in Coos County. Holly and I saw >> three feeding while working there way north on the >> north spit of Coos Bay about 3PM. Although this may >> have become an 'expected' sighting by many, it's still >> amazes me that one of the former latest arriving >> spring swallows (prior to the early 2000s) now shows >> up regularly during mid-winter in the PNW?! >> >> Only a couple more weeks or so until the first >> vultures and the Selasphorus hummers arrive on the >> south coast- yeah! >> >> ENJOY, >> Tim R >> Coos Bay >> > > > -- > Mike Patterson > Astoria, OR > celata at pacifier.com > > Gull, you really got me going > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 09:49:41 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:49:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos Barn Swallows 1/21/2008 In-Reply-To: <479606A1.3E21A2E4@pacifier.com> Message-ID: <281292.79302.qm@web45112.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> Good observation Mike. At least a couple of the birds I saw yesterday were adults with bright orange bellies, but I must admit I haven't focused so much on aging birds in the past few winters although I know I have seen 1st winter individuals on several occasions. The winter of 2003/2004 was the only winter we had birds stay put for a while with 2-8 birds present on the north spit for over 5 weeks with up to 30 birds there the end of January. Otherwise I agree they are always birds "on the move" to who knows where. I have also noted that birds will mainly be seen in December and January with few or no reports in February then a definite lull until the first spring migrants arrive in late March/early April which is the historic norm for Coos Co. Sounds like a good research project to me. Tim R Coos Bay --- Mike Patterson wrote: > I think this Barn Swallow stuff may deserve some > fine tuning. > My experience with "wintering" Barn Swallows is that > they are > usually 1st winter individuals (short, roundly blunt > tail > streamers, pale looking breasts) and that they > aren't wintering > in the sense that they stay put in a single location > for the > duration. > > I've also noted that there is a spike in occurence > of these > young looking birds in January/February followed by > a good long > period of no Barn Swallows at all until the majority > from the south > re-appear in April/May. > > These are purely qualitative observations, based on > what I see > up here in Clatsop County. Perhaps it's time to > start collecting > observations more rigorously to sort out the finer > details of > what is undoubtedly a real phenomenon. > > Tim Rodenkirk wrote: > > > > Well it's six years straight now for winter BARN > > SWALLOW detections in Coos County. Holly and I saw > > three feeding while working there way north on the > > north spit of Coos Bay about 3PM. Although this > may > > have become an 'expected' sighting by many, it's > still > > amazes me that one of the former latest arriving > > spring swallows (prior to the early 2000s) now > shows > > up regularly during mid-winter in the PNW?! > > > > Only a couple more weeks or so until the first > > vultures and the Selasphorus hummers arrive on the > > south coast- yeah! > > > > ENJOY, > > Tim R > > Coos Bay > > > > > -- > Mike Patterson > Astoria, OR > celata at pacifier.com > > Gull, you really got me going > http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html > ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From linda at fink.com Tue Jan 22 09:40:35 2008 From: linda at fink.com (Linda Fink) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 09:40:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] hawk id help found -- thanks Message-ID: <47962A93.9060407@fink.com> Thanks to all who responded to my help plea for identifying what turned out to be a Rough-legged Hawk. I could not find a way to put it on a website so had to send to individuals. Because I'm on dial-up, I cannot keep sending to those who are still requesting the photos. Sorry. Stay warm, y'all Linda Fink, 20F in Grand Ronde From nepobirds at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 10:22:59 2008 From: nepobirds at yahoo.com (Seth Reams) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:22:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Great Backyard Bird Count Message-ID: <531823.25949.qm@web46014.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> We were just wondering how many OBOLers are taking part in the GBBC this year from Feb. 15th-18th? Seth and Michelle NE Portland - Gateway area --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/f1164b4a/attachment.htm From nettielh at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 11:22:56 2008 From: nettielh at yahoo.com (Annette (Lange) Hildebrand) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:22:56 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Fanno Creek Beaverton Creekside Wetlands ... Frozen over Message-ID: <958892.69679.qm@web50201.mail.re2.yahoo.com> While the reported Canvasbacks could not be re-found at Fern Hills Monday, and since the ponds were covered with gulls ... I thought perhaps the Canvasbacks might have moved closer in to less windy and choppy waters. ..... Wrong! The wetlands west of Washington Square - Off Hall and Nimbus- were completely frozen over except for a very small section under the red building on cement piers (corner of Stratius and Nimbus). While most of the gulls and geese sat on top of the main iced pond, It was interesting to see all the following species squeezed into the smallest section of water. Almost under the pilings were: 1 female Common Merganser 2 Buffleheads 8 Ring-necked Ducks A few American Wigeons, Green-winged Teal, Gadwalls, Mallards, American Coots and 2 Pied-billed Grebes. Geese and Gulls of course One Great Blue Heron was all the way back under the building and standing on the dirt bank ... almost as if watching all of the commotion in the water in front of him. (Red-tail, Kinglet, Junco, chickadee, red-wings, ... and a lone cold looking Killdeer on one of the barren little islands ... "islet" might be a better word.) All quite pretty. .... Has anyone seen Canvasbacks near Beaverton again? Annette --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/b0aaaa4b/attachment.htm From uuspirit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 11:55:58 2008 From: uuspirit at yahoo.com (Mary Reese) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:55:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Columbia River Slough Canoe Launch to Marine Drive Message-ID: <227252.31626.qm@web54109.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Columbia River Slough Canoe Launch to Marine Drive Trailhead on Airport Way, east of NE 158th Monday, January 21, 2007, 9:30am to 1:30pm In/near the pond by pumping station: Gadwall American wigeon Mallard Ring-necked duck Bufflehead Hooded merganser Common merganser Pied-billed grebe (1) Double-crested cormorant Great blue heron Along the slough trail: Cackling geese Canada goose (2) American kestrel (1 male) Red-tailed hawk (4) Hairy woodpecker (1 male) Northern flicker Western scrub jay American crow Black-capped chickadee Brown creeper (1) Bewick?s wren (1) Hermit thrush (4) American robin Varied thrush (1 female) Spotted towhee Song sparrow Golden-crowned sparrow (9) Dark-eyed junco In/near Columbia River: Lesser scaup (6 males) Bald eagle (1 imm) Gull sp. Mary Reese & Jim Allen NE Portland / Fairview ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From greg at thebirdguide.com Tue Jan 22 11:53:41 2008 From: greg at thebirdguide.com (Greg Gillson) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:53:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] barn swallows Message-ID: <20080122115341.lhv6miki68g4go84@webmail.thebirdguide.com> Interestingly, I have searched California lists in winter and NOT found Barn Swallows listed until April. Why aren't Barn Swallows "wintering" in Monterey, Los Angles, or San Diego? Why only from Oregon to British Columbia? Am I missing reports? Greg Gillson Hillsboro, Oregon greg at thebirdguide.com http://thebirdguide.com From jeffgill at teleport.com Tue Jan 22 12:32:41 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:32:41 -0600 Subject: [obol] barn swallows In-Reply-To: <20080122115341.lhv6miki68g4go84@webmail.thebirdguide.com> Message-ID: On January 5 I saw a flock of about ten as I drove past the Salton Sea. I don't know if they were migrants or not. The 1981 Birds of Southern California (Garrett and Dunn0 lists the species as casual in winter. Perhaps the status has changed. On 1/22/08 1:53 PM, "Greg Gillson" wrote: > > Interestingly, I have searched California lists in winter and NOT > found Barn Swallows listed until April. Why aren't Barn Swallows > "wintering" in Monterey, Los Angles, or San Diego? Why only from > Oregon to British Columbia? > > Am I missing reports? > > Greg Gillson > Hillsboro, Oregon > greg at thebirdguide.com > http://thebirdguide.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From bobolink06 at comcast.net Tue Jan 22 13:08:33 2008 From: bobolink06 at comcast.net (bobolink06 at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:08:33 +0000 Subject: [obol] Harris Sparrow Message-ID: <012220082108.20175.47965B51000047C500004ECF2200750744C0CF05020704010D010D@comcast.net> Oboblites, The Harris Sparrow is still present in the patch off Gilham previously described. The bird is coming to the seed generously spread by one of our colleagues [I supplemented the supply with some sunflower seeds] The bird is more shy than the White Crowns, and Fox Sparrows, but made two appearances between 11:00 and 11:30. The best strategy is to stay in the car and turn sideways to the patch to avoid the windshield glare from the bright southern sun. Kit Larson shared this sighting. On another bird front, I observed swallows at the South Jetty of the Siuslaw on Sunday. It was a short look, but I think they were Barns. Bird on, Bob Bender Eugene -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/cec39b08/attachment.htm From di4tbirds at comcast.net Tue Jan 22 13:08:34 2008 From: di4tbirds at comcast.net (di4tbirds at comcast.net) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:08:34 +0000 Subject: [obol] ee wilson sparrows Message-ID: <012220082108.11502.47965B5200039B7700002CEE22165279669C0B9D070D9BCB070B@comcast.net> OBOL, Jill Hubbard and I birded the shed location at eewilson yesterday. We spent about 3.5 hours sifting through the sparrow/junco flocks. It was cold with a sharp wind. Standing still to glass the birds as they moved from the blackberries to the sunflowers and back again was unpleasant due to the cold. To warm up we walked around the redstemmed bushes looking for the Sedge Wren. We did not find it. We had decided to leave when we got brief glimpses of both the American Tree and Harris Sparrow. The Harris sparrow seemed large with a tanish colored face. He turned just enough for me to see black striped bib. The Tree seemed small and just gave us his profile briefly. Looking up sizes later, I found that the Harris is 7.5 inches, Golden-crowns are 7 inches. The Tree sparrow is 6.25 inches and the Juncos are 6.25. We did see White-throated, Lincoln's, Savannah and Slate-colored Juncos as well as the usual White-crowned, Golden-crowned, Song and Fox sparrows. There was also a large flock of Red-winged black birds working the same area. A Kestrel and Northern Harrier were hunting which probably kept the birds moving. There were several other groups of birders searching the area. Diane Horgan From uuspirit at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 13:16:43 2008 From: uuspirit at yahoo.com (Mary Reese) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:16:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Sleeping Pine Siskins Message-ID: <585209.89746.qm@web54107.mail.re2.yahoo.com> I have also had sleeping Pine Siskins at my feeder in NE Portland (this is a covered second floor deck safe from predators). One of them slept on the hanging wood feeder and another napped on the door mat right by the sliding glass door. Only six inches from my indoor cats - drove them nuts. Neither bird put its head under the wing, however. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From LammergeierEyes at aol.com Tue Jan 22 14:21:06 2008 From: LammergeierEyes at aol.com (LammergeierEyes at aol.com) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:21:06 EST Subject: [obol] barn swallows Message-ID: Re the inquiry of Barn Swallows in California; They are now regular in small numbers along the coast throughout winter, at least in Monterey County. The increase in both numbers and frequency seems to correlate pretty neatly to Global Warming. Best, Blake Matheson Carmel California & Portland Oregon **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/33d7e485/attachment.htm From pukeko at mcsi.net Tue Jan 22 14:31:35 2008 From: pukeko at mcsi.net (ron) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:31:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] barnies Message-ID: <00ab01c85d46$8c4eaf80$994528d1@S0028855837> Hi Does anyone if the barn swallows across the ocean are a different color morph or race than ours? They certainly look different Maertz Glide -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/7206966b/attachment.htm From archmcc at qwest.net Tue Jan 22 14:40:58 2008 From: archmcc at qwest.net (Arch McCallum) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:40:58 -0800 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris' Sparrow 1/22 Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.0.20080122143138.01e6d058@qwest.net> OBOL: I saw the Harris' Sparrow at Gilham around midday today. Beautiful bird, with a lot of black on the face. As mentioned by Bob Bender in a previous post, the Harris' doesn't show itself that much, but it is worth the wait. I enjoyed studying the variation in the whitecrowns plus 3 goldencrowns and 2 fox sparrows. (also song and house sparrow). I was hoping to record Harris' Sparrow song, and did do two playbacks of about 15 sec each when no other birders were around. No response by the Harris' although the whitecrowns did hop up into the blackberries and chip when I played their song. I noticed that Tim Shelmerdine had it singing at the end of the day on Sunday. Has anyone else heard it sing? Thanks, and thanks to Dave Irons for finding it and lining up permission for all of us. Arch McCallum Eugene From LammergeierEyes at aol.com Tue Jan 22 14:46:20 2008 From: LammergeierEyes at aol.com (LammergeierEyes at aol.com) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:46:20 EST Subject: [obol] barnies Message-ID: There are at least seven subspecies of Barn Swallow around the world [depending on the taxonomy you follow], and you are right that they show considerable variability at least in plumage. Our subspecies is erythrogaster which shows more warm orange and rust underneath than most with the exception of the East Asian race. Most of the others in the old world show more contrast between the rosey gorget and a paler, or creamy breast and belly. Best, Blake Matheson Carmel California & Portland Oregon **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/924cbcd8/attachment.htm From archmcc at qwest.net Tue Jan 22 15:04:43 2008 From: archmcc at qwest.net (Arch McCallum) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:04:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Fleck Rd, Veneta; White-breasted Nuthatch Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.0.20080122144113.01e541a0@qwest.net> This is a summary of recent observations that weren't urgent, so I will just put them on record here. I have recently taken my first drive on Fleck Rd, which runs e-w between Central and Territorial Rds., just south of Veneta. The major attraction is a really nice marsh and swamp 1/4 mile east of Territorial. There are ditches right by the road, and the place reminds me of great winter Swamp Sparrow habitat in SC. I haven't found any in two visits there last week, but I will keep trying. This place should be really interesting in the breeding season. In addition to the marsh (thick grassess) there is a alder swamp to the south. As an example of the power of habitat to influence my perception about what I'm hearing [and I don't think this bias is limited to me], I heard a vocalization that seemed to come from this wetland as I got into the car. Closing the door obscured the sound, but it was 5 or 6 noisy notes. The first thing that came to mind was clapper rail. Oddly, I had the same experience the previous time I was there: Clapper rail sounds off as I get into the car. Both times, I got out and slammed the door, but didn't get an answer. Have you figured out what I heard? (I did think that possibly I was hallucinating.) It was immediately obvious when I heard the sound again, this time from upland woods. Scrub jay. On Sat., 1/19, I saw a White-tailed kite hunting over a grassy field on the south side of Fleck Rd. It dived into the grass, then flew away to the southeast, so I guess it made a kill and was going to eat. Later, at the Coyote Creek crossing of Cantrel Rd I heard and saw a rather vocal White-breasted Nuthatch. That was my first wbnu for that location. It is mostly or all ash, and I have come to expect them not to be found except where large oaks are present. Speaking of west-side wbnu, I really think they are a separate species from the Rocky Mtn subspecies, including those on the eastside of ORegon. I find them rather scarce. They used to be at the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum (nesting in a box) and Morse Ranch Park, but I have not found them either place in the last couple of years. Thanks to Bruce Newhouse's tip, I have been visiting the Kirk Pond p.g., where I found two pair in the fall. I see or hear one about 50% of the time when I drop by there. Back to 1/19, I saw a light phase Rough-legged Hawk at the Willow Creek prairie north of 18th. First RLHA there for me, and I drive by there maybe half a dozen times a month. On 1/13 I saw two white-tailed kites perched at the grasshopper sparrow area north of the end of Royal. No vocs. I had a Black Phoebe along the Long Tom just below the Fern Ridge dam back in 2007, probably in Dec. Good birding, Arch McCallum Eugene From archmcc at qwest.net Tue Jan 22 15:18:14 2008 From: archmcc at qwest.net (Arch McCallum) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:18:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] barnies In-Reply-To: <00ab01c85d46$8c4eaf80$994528d1@S0028855837> References: <00ab01c85d46$8c4eaf80$994528d1@S0028855837> Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.0.20080122151130.044580b0@qwest.net> Yes, according to HBW (Handbook of Birds of the World), e. Asian forms are orangish underneath, while European birds are white. So, are they separate species? The following article probably answers this question. You can google this and see the abstract, which doesn't answer the question, but you have to pay to see the text. HBW says the American form (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) may be a separate species from the Old World forms. Don't be surprised if the AOU does this split soon. Phylogeny of swallows (Aves: Hirundinidae) estimated from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, , Volume 35, Issue 1, April 2005, Pages 254-270 Frederick H. Sheldon, Linda A. Whittingham, Robert G. Moyle, Beth Slikas and David W. Winkler At 02:31 PM 1/22/2008, ron wrote: >Hi >Does anyone if the barn swallows across the ocean are a different >color morph or race than ours? They certainly look different >Maertz >Glide >_______________________________________________ >obol mailing list >obol at lists.oregonstate.edu >http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > >To unsubscribe, send a message to: >obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/20d041f2/attachment.htm From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Tue Jan 22 16:44:48 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:44:48 +0000 Subject: [obol] Common and Hoary images Message-ID: Hi all, I have added and condensed all my redpoll images into this gallery for a comparsion. It may be nausea for some of you but I hope there is some educational value. I have been lucky to get somewhat decent photos and studies of one of my favorite wintering finches. It was fun to watch a large flock of they fly, swirl, and feed. Image 200 of the common redpoll really shows the streaked undertail coverts. See if you can spot a hoary in the flock feeding on the road? Also, notice how far their legs are part when they are on the ground. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/redpoll_gallery&page=all Good birding to you, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) From khanhbatran at hotmail.com Tue Jan 22 16:44:52 2008 From: khanhbatran at hotmail.com (khanh tran) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:44:52 +0000 Subject: [obol] Common and Hoary images Message-ID: Hi all, I have added and condensed all my redpoll images into this gallery for a comparsion. It may be nausea for some of you but I hope there is some educational value. I have been lucky to get somewhat decent photos and studies of one of my favorite wintering finches. It was fun to watch a large flock of they fly, swirl, and feed. Image 200 of the common redpoll really shows the streaked undertail coverts. See if you can spot a hoary in the flock feeding on the road? Also, notice how far their legs are part when they are on the ground. http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/redpoll_gallery&page=all Good birding to you, Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/cf0fe772/attachment.htm From northernpygmyowl at gmail.com Tue Jan 22 17:50:01 2008 From: northernpygmyowl at gmail.com (Michael Marsh) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:50:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA--Clay-colored Sparrow on Sauvie Island Message-ID: <8595c2470801221750t17839928u941c0b62c90081bb@mail.gmail.com> OBOL'ers: Henry Gilmore and I birded Sauvie Island this morning. First stop was the feeding station near the end of Oak Island Rd., which is in Multnomah County. There were no birds there, also no seed. So we emptied a one gal. milk container of seed there. Took the container back to the car, and by the time we returned to a spot where we could view the seed, there were three birds working it: BC Chickadee, GC Sparrow, and possibly the most beautiful WHITE-THROATED SPARROW I have ever seen. The white stripes were a brilliant, vibrant white, the black stripes were very, very black and shone as if polished. And the yellow lores seemed to shine as if they were neon. Truly an exceptional bird. But the bird of the day was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW perhaps 3/8 to 1/2 mi. down Rentenaar Rd. (Columbia County). Sorry, but I neglected to set my odometer. However, there is a very large pullout on the left directly across from a road which goes off to the right, and the locale should not be hard to find. The road is for hunters only, but the bird was easily seen from Rentenaar Rd. It was associating with a flock of perhaps 30 zonos with a few Fox Sparrows and Song Sparrows mixed in. After the birds spooked, it was later seen beneath an apple tree pecking at a pile of rotten apples. It disappeared again, and was later seen in the middle of the next road, which goes off to the left from Rentenaar Rd. about 10 meters past the road that goes off to the right where the bird was first seen. Hope this isn't too confusing. I sure wished I'd saved some of the seed I dumped at the Oak Island Rd. feeding station! Also, sure wished I hadn't forgotten to bring my camera!!! Other birds of note on the island: o 1 Red-Shouldered Hawk about 1/2 way between the big bend on Oak Island Rd. and the feeding station; o 3 Bald Eagles at Coon Pt., 2 on the traditional nest site just past Rentenaar Rd. and 1 perched near a nest about 1/4 mi. prior to the sharp 90 degree right turn along Reeder Rd. o 1 (One!?!?!?) Snow Goose along Rentenaar Rd. o ~200 Sandhill Cranes in various places Good birding, Mike -- Michael Marsh Portland, OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/21ca4d5d/attachment.htm From rriparia at charter.net Tue Jan 22 18:07:34 2008 From: rriparia at charter.net (Kevin Spencer) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:07:34 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lapland Longspurs Klamath Co. Message-ID: <20080122210734.LC8VG.186619.root@fepweb05> OBOL and others, Charlotte Kisling's message describing a location to observe Lapland Longspurs is still good. I was there on Monday, 21 Jan. The group is a mix of both HORNED LARKS and about 20, a little more, LAPLAND LONGSPURs. The group is quite close to the road. Parking and observing them through binoculars and window-mounted scope was great! You can creep up on them with the car and see them either on the road or off standing on the snow, close to the road. The are mostly nervous about harriers, which seem to be focused on the flock, as one or more seem to continously come by. There was a very interesting very pale Horned Lark, without horns. I would categorize it as on e of the pale female Western Arctic group of the Horned Lark. There are above ave. numbers of GOLDEN EAGLES in this part of the Basin, probably due to above average snow depth in the lower brush covered hills. The BALD EAGLE show is great. Other numbers of birds are building, especially AMERICAN WIGEON. The ground and fields are frozen. Today's low down there was -6 deg F. So, open water is at a premium. The ducks right now are packed into any open water they can find. Some pure RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD flocks numbered 3-4K. I didn't see/hear any Yellow-headed or Tricolored Blackbirds. The directions again for this location is: the second road to the north from east of Straits Drain Rds., as you drive east along Stateline Rd. This location is west of the Lower Klamath NWR entrance and tour route start. Roughly 1 quarter of a mile north from Stateline Rd., on the gravel road. Straits Drain Rds. is just opposite the west exit of the Lower Klamath tour route at Stateline Rd, where Straits Drain Rd. heads north toward Township Rd. If one should take Straits Drain Rd. to the north, following the eastside of the canal, there are roads that one could take to the east that will intersect two other north-south gravel roads. Be aware that Oregon waterfowl season is still ongoing, and some field may have decoys and hunters. Hopefully, you can avoid their fields and they can continue to have their solitude. Kevin Spencer rriparia at charter.net From FoxSparrows at aol.com Tue Jan 22 18:13:22 2008 From: FoxSparrows at aol.com (FoxSparrows at aol.com) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:13:22 EST Subject: [obol] Some Harney County Notes Message-ID: Today, a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, first seen by Larry Hammond at his feeders over the weekend, was in a fruit tree at Hines City Hall, just a couple of city blocks away. Yesterday, I made a run to Page Spring Campground, and drove the Central Patrol Road from Krumbo Lane on the way. Most pleasant to see, in this very cold, very snowy Harney Co. winter, were two WILSON'S SNIPE. These birds were skulking along open water at the outflow of the spring. Also saw at Page Springs: Ruby-crowned Kinglet 2 Marsh Wren 2 Canyon Wren 1 American Robin 1 Northern Flicker 1 Cooper's Hawk 1 Song Sparrow 2 Hooded Merganser 2 Common Merganser 5 Bufflehead 2 Gadwall 3+ American Wigeon 6 Mallard 10 Lesser Scaup 2 Common Glodeneye 4 Ring-necked Duck 2 American Coot 2 Black-billed Magpie 6 Townsend's Solitaire 2 On the way there and back, I saw four NORTHERN SHRIKES, but no Loggerhead Shrikes, Last year, Loggerheads were not too hard to find. This year, they seem to be absent. As I have mentioned in previous reports, buteos are still very scarce in the county. I'll do a raptor run next weekend, but I already know that buteo numbers will be low on my route. Bald Eagles are easy to find, as are Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons... I saw one flock of 20 or so HORNED LARKS. CEDAR WAXWINGS are still fairly common around Hines, and they seem to be finding any tree or shrub with berries. This afternoon, I watched a flock of 50 or so going in and out of the juniper hedge along the highway in front of the High School. Waxwings are also in the fruit tree found by the Sapsucker at Hines City Hall. I've been chasing waxwings when I see them, and have not found any Bohemian Waxwings in town since the CBC... but I think there are still some here. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES have moved in town to make us of berry trees too. A neighbor a couple of blocks away has a couple of what appear to be Rocky Mountain Junipers in his yard... and a couple of Solitaires have staked-out these trees. I've seen at least three other "townie" solitaires regularly this winter. Snow is 8-12 inches deep around Burns... it thins quickly south of Wright's Point. There is no open water around Burns and Hines, but the Blitzen River is at least partly open, for the most part, through the refuge. Common Goldeneyes are really common there. I saw a few Hoodies on the river too. Nighttime temps have been below 0 F lately. Steve Dowlan Hines, Oregon At the edge of Great Basin... Where life is good! **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/9c4df511/attachment.htm From gnorgren at earthlink.net Tue Jan 22 18:38:43 2008 From: gnorgren at earthlink.net (Norgren Family) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:38:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Re Fleck Road Message-ID: <05a7e5036e7a059c8b0ead2ba550f68b@earthlink.net> I counted 3 White-breasted Nuthatches south of Cantrel Rd where it crosses Coyote Creek on this year's CBC. Alan Contreras and Tim Lee checked the same spot roughly an hour earlier and heard none. These ash trees are wonderfully tall and I wish they could be added to the state property north of Cantrel Rd.. I also recorded WBNU in rather young oaks along Coyote Cr n of the road(inside Coyote GMU, which is closed to the public in winter). I sort of thought of these as my prize birds for the afternoon, the fruit of methodical plodding. The warm fuzzy feeling was somewhat modified by the news of the Baikal Teal, shot a scant few 100m west of the nuthatches the following day. Again, the whole Coyote GMU is closed to public access during hunting season, but ODF&W has been quite kind to the Eugene CBC and lets us in. The lure of waterfowl and waders is obvious at this spot, but I was impressed with the assortment of passerines. I found WBNU in mature Oregon Ash near Banks last summer. There is a dog-hair stand of young ash just west of the central Coyote parking lot that could eventually grow into an august grove, though perhaps not in my lifetime. Lars Norgren From banjsmith at yahoo.com Tue Jan 22 18:48:51 2008 From: banjsmith at yahoo.com (William Smith) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:48:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Common and Hoary Redpoll images Message-ID: <421895.71079.qm@web57315.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Khan, You are phenomenal! Your photos of tough-to-find birds, personal observations, and detailed trip reports are more valuable than most guides we own. Those images were quite educational. We can't believe you saw all those uncommon birds in one weekend. It would take most birders sometime to see a couple species out of the dozen that you saw in the Okanogan. Also, isn't about a 450 mile trip from Portland, each way? What dedication! Great work and thanks for sharing! Congrats on the Hoaries! Nora --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/c9d46ca2/attachment.htm From jeffgill at teleport.com Tue Jan 22 19:00:57 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:00:57 -0600 Subject: [obol] FW: [Tweeters] Fwd: Japanese Duck Visits U.S. (Pintail) In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Just more evidence that waterfowl can really get around. At least one Pintail banded in Japan has been taken in Oregon. This one made it to Mississippi. I don?t find it to border on the ?inconceivable?. > From: "Bill Hilton Jr." > Date: January 22, 2008 12:01:00 PM PST > To: carolinabirds at duke.edu (CarolinaBirds) > Subject: Japanese Duck Visits U.S. > > > > This story borders on the inconceivable: > > http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/general/news/story?id=3200913 > > Happy Birding! > > BILL > --? > > BILL HILTON JR., Executive Director > Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History > 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA > hilton at hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845 > > The mission of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is "to conserve > plants, animals, habitats, and other natural components of the Piedmont Region > of the eastern United States through observation, scientific study, and > education for students of all ages. " Please visit our web sites (courtesy of > Comporium.net) at www.hiltonpond.org and? > www.rubythroat.org ("Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project"). > > "Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to > watch the sunset." BHjr. > _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list Tweeters at u.washington.edu http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters ------ End of Forwarded Message -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/390568cf/attachment.htm From rlowe at casco.net Tue Jan 22 19:21:17 2008 From: rlowe at casco.net (Roy Lowe) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:21:17 -0800 Subject: [obol] FW: [Tweeters] Fwd: Japanese Duck Visits U.S. (Pintail) In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1F866599-EEFD-4F6A-84AF-1F50F3D10A8E@casco.net> Jeff et al: A pintail banded in Japan was live captured at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in the mid 1980's during a duck banding program. The Japanese band was removed and replaced with a US band. Roy On Jan 22, 2008, at 7:00 PM, Jeff Gilligan wrote: > > Just more evidence that waterfowl can really get around. At least > one Pintail banded in Japan has been taken in Oregon. This one made > it to Mississippi. I don?t find it to border on the ?inconceivable?. > > > >> From: "Bill Hilton Jr." >> Date: January 22, 2008 12:01:00 PM PST >> To: carolinabirds at duke.edu (CarolinaBirds) >> Subject: Japanese Duck Visits U.S. >> >> >> >> This story borders on the inconceivable: >> >> http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/general/news/story?id=3200913 >> >> Happy Birding! >> >> BILL >> -- >> >> BILL HILTON JR., Executive Director >> Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History >> 1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA >> hilton at hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845 >> >> The mission of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History is >> "to conserve plants, animals, habitats, and other natural >> components of the Piedmont Region of the eastern United States >> through observation, scientific study, and education for students >> of all ages. " Please visit our web sites (courtesy of >> Comporium.net) at www.hiltonpond.org >> and www.rubythroat.org ("Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird >> Project"). >> >> "Never trust a person too lazy to get up for sunrise or too busy to >> watch the sunset." BHjr. >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Tweeters mailing list > Tweeters at u.washington.edu > http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters > > ------ End of Forwarded Message > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/ea21beff/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Tue Jan 22 20:18:33 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 20:18:33 -0800 Subject: [obol] Barn Swallow taxonomy References: <00ab01c85d46$8c4eaf80$994528d1@S0028855837> Message-ID: <4796BFCC.37DA5AEA@pacifier.com> The BNA suggests that there may be justification for splitting European/African Barn Swallows from Asian/North American Barn Swallows, though more sampling from a larger geographic range was recommended. I had the opportunity to band about 100 European/African Barn Swallows in the mid80's while in Africa. They are very different looking in hand from North American Barn Swallows. > ron wrote: > > Hi > Does anyone if the barn swallows across the ocean are a different color morph or race than > ours? They certainly look different > Maertz > Glide > -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From gorgebirds at juno.com Tue Jan 22 21:07:38 2008 From: gorgebirds at juno.com (Wilson Cady) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:07:38 -0800 Subject: [obol] Clark County birds Message-ID: <20080122.210739.128.0.gorgebirds@juno.com> I went down to Vancouver Lake, Clark County, on Jan. 22, mainly to escape the 40-60 mph winds here in the Gorge. On a windless Vancouver Lake there were PIED-BILLED GREBE, HORNED GREBE and about a dozen WESTERN GREBES and a couple of CLARK'S GREBES. One of the Clark's (?) has a white streak that runs up the back of the neck and across the top of the head giving the bird the appearance of a giant phalarope. Along the first slough north of Vancouver Lake Park there was a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK perched on a fence post on the creek bank. I have seen one of these birds here earlier in the fall so it might be hanging around in this patch of riparian habitat. On the way home a check of the ponds at the Steigerwald Lake NWR produced the MUTE SWAN in the eastern pond, about the only open water I could see in the 24 degree/30 mph wind. Wilson Cady Washougal, WA From roger at windemuths.com Tue Jan 22 21:51:05 2008 From: roger at windemuths.com (Roger Windemuth) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:51:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Weekly Wildlife Report at Ridgefield NWR and some new sightings Message-ID: <20080123054619.708B7104021@smtp3.oregonstate.edu> For those who want to preview sightings at the River "S" Unit of the Ridgefield NWR need to go to the Friends of the Refuge Weekly Wildlife Report at www.ridgefieldfriends.org/WildlifeReport.html. A new list is put out each week with sightings added daily. Some of the unusual sightings noted over the last couple of days were a Tree Swallow, Cassin's Finch (rare), Ross's Goose, Western Meadowlark, and a beautiful Harlan's Hawk and Rough-legged Hawk, both that have been seen daily over the last couple of months. These sightings are always done by two birders who collaboratively pool their sightings for the report. Roger Windemuth roger at windemuths.com -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: winmail.dat Type: application/ms-tnef Size: 5414 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/9b1b4b5a/attachment.bin From rneyer at gmail.com Tue Jan 22 22:00:49 2008 From: rneyer at gmail.com (Rob Neyer) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:00:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Our Nipponese visitor Message-ID: Reading about the Japanese Pintail, two thoughts came immediately to mind: 1. Anyone who's truly shocked that a bird from Japan might travel to Mississippi hasn't been paying much attention to the ABA's quarterly reports. 2. If this story were a children's book it wouldn't have a particularly happy ending. At least there weren't any photos. -rob p.s. I never thought I'd see a link to an ESPN.com story in an OBOL post. Now *that* is shocking. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/7a1d7496/attachment.htm From dhroll at gorge.net Tue Jan 22 22:17:35 2008 From: dhroll at gorge.net (Dave Roll) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:17:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] barn swallows In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4796DBFF.6030307@gorge.net> In years past I used to visit the Salton Sea regularly. It's a great place to go birding if you can tolerate the summer heat and the smell of the place. You can see everything from Wood Storks to Laughing Gulls but it is not a good place to form opinions about the distribution of birds in California. On a good day you can find a half dozen Abert's Towhees. I'm sure Jeff agrees that what goes on at the Salton Sea is often not typical of the rest of California. Dave Jeff Gilligan wrote: > On January 5 I saw a flock of about ten as I drove past the Salton Sea. I > don't know if they were migrants or not. The 1981 Birds of Southern > California (Garrett and Dunn0 lists the species as casual in winter. > Perhaps the status has changed. > > > On 1/22/08 1:53 PM, "Greg Gillson" wrote: > > From ptsulliv at spiritone.com Tue Jan 22 23:00:15 2008 From: ptsulliv at spiritone.com (Paul T. Sullivan) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:00:15 -0800 Subject: [obol] Audubon Birding Weekend report Message-ID: <004801c85d8d$b70a0c00$e8c963d8@dell307ac3e2b6> OBOL: This past weekend our Audubon Birding Weekend trip (sponsored by Audubon Society of Portland) went to Union county. We were aided by two local birders, Kathy Nowak and Scott Findholt of ODF&W, and were in contact with other parties from Salem, Pendleton, and Eugene. Saturday, Jan. 19 -- very WINDY We found all 3 accipiters, 30 red-tails, 15 rough-legs, a PRAIRIE FALCON circling over Union, lots of magpies. ODF&W biologist Kathy Nowak got us in to the Ladd Marsh hqtrs to view the HARRIS SPARROW at her feeder. Thanks, Kathy! Sunday, Jan 20 -- snowing early, then clearing We enjoyed the quiet winter scene of LaGrande in the morning, finding a flock of Robins and Cedar Waxwings exploiting a mountain ash near the hospital. Further north we saw a group of EVENING GROSBEAKS. On the north end of town we found an immature PEREGRINE FALCON. A call on the FRS radio from Alan Contreras sent us to Imbler. There we found 19 EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES, a MERLIN, and a NORTHERN SHRIKE. The last car saw GRAY PARTRIDGE south of Imbler. East of Union we found a DIPPER. Monday, Jan 21 -- clearing, cold We crossed the Blue Mts. safely and traveled to Milton-Freewater to look for the GREAT GRAY OWL reported earlier on OBOL. We found the bird sitting back in a grove of conifers behind a fence, at eye level. We shared the find with 6 other birders. Directions to the owl location: From fschrock at gmail.com Tue Jan 22 23:02:31 2008 From: fschrock at gmail.com (Floyd Schrock) Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:02:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] barn swallows In-Reply-To: <20080122115341.lhv6miki68g4go84@webmail.thebirdguide.com> References: <20080122115341.lhv6miki68g4go84@webmail.thebirdguide.com> Message-ID: <390ebd880801222302t2bba2fe6l27c70188761a5968@mail.gmail.com> I just returned from a few family days at Lincoln City on the coast. We stayed in a house on the bluff overlooking the beach about 1/4 mile north of the "D" River. On two successive mornings (January 20 and 21) small groups of BARN SWALLOWS flew northward in front of and over the house we were staying in. Both mornings this ocurred at about 8:30 a.m. In the first group I saw three individuals, and on the second day there were at least seven passing by within about 50 ft. of the front deck. The Swallows and the freezing temperature did not seem to fit together, not to mention the Anna's Hummingbird perched on the salal bush between me and an ocean blue to the horizon. My only previous winter sighting of Barn Swallows in winter in Oregon was on a Yaquina Bay CBC about 10 years ago. Floyd Schrock McMinnville, Oregon On Jan 22, 2008 11:53 AM, Greg Gillson wrote: > > Interestingly, I have searched California lists in winter and NOT > found Barn Swallows listed until April. Why aren't Barn Swallows > "wintering" in Monterey, Los Angles, or San Diego? Why only from > Oregon to British Columbia? > > Am I missing reports? > > Greg Gillson > Hillsboro, Oregon > greg at thebirdguide.com > http://thebirdguide.com > > > > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Floyd Schrock McMinnville, Oregon USA http:\\empids.blogspot.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080122/80216aa5/attachment.htm From douglas.robinson at oregonstate.edu Wed Jan 23 05:03:27 2008 From: douglas.robinson at oregonstate.edu (Douglas Robinson) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:03:27 -0800 Subject: [obol] Barn Swallow species issues Message-ID: Hi folks, I scanned through a couple papers on Barn Swallow relationships to see what data are available on the Eurasian versus North American groups. Take-home messages are two: First, the average differences between Eurasian and North American Barn Swallows are 1.7 percent divergence in the DNA sequences. By some accounts, that is plenty to call two groups different species. For example, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal differ by less than 1 percent. Yet, Eurasian Green-winged Teal and American Green-winged Teal differ by about 1.5% and we do not call them different species. The factors that influence how committees on taxonomy and systematics decide what groups are going to be called different species are varied and sometimes rather perplexing. Bottom line is that there is indeed some reason to split them into different species, but it has not quite happened yet. The second issue is really quite interesting. It is not a good idea to lump European and Asian Barn Swallows and contrast them with North American Barn Swallows. Apparently, the Barn Swallows in the Baikal region of Asia are most closely related to North American Barn Swallows, not Asian Barn Swallows! Genetic evidence shows that the Baikal birds derive from a dispersal event of North American birds into Asia about 27,000 years ago. Those Baikal birds are also more similar to North American birds in plumage, tending to be rusty orange on the underparts instead of whitish like most of the other Eurasian Barn Swallows. Last point regards that plumage color variation. In North America, when we see Barn Swallows with whitish or pale underparts, that coloration is much more likely to be related to age instead of geographic origin. To identify a Eurasion form, getting a good description of the breast band would be essential. The band tends to be more complete in Eurasian forms (except Baikal birds) than in North American forms. And now for wild and totally unsubstantiated crazy speculation on where those January Barn Swallows are coming from. How about this for a hypothesis? Barn Swallows have recently begun breeding in Argentina on what has traditionally been considered their wintering grounds for the North American population. Perhaps the breeding population in Argentina has reached a high enough number that we are now seeing migrants from South America heading here. Totally speculative until someone catches some birds, collects feathers and analyzes them to see if the isotopic signatures match Argentina. Have fun out there, Doug -- W. Douglas Robinson Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife 104 Nash Hall And Oak Creek Lab of Biology Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 541-737-9501 From sandyleapt at comcast.net Wed Jan 23 07:20:10 2008 From: sandyleapt at comcast.net (sandyleapt at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:20:10 +0000 Subject: [obol] Re Fleck Road Message-ID: <012320081520.27702.47975B2A000910F200006C3622058864429B9F0E0A04970B020E9C@comcast.net> Hi Lars. Your e-mail has me wondering about native Ash stands. I hadn't given it much thought. What sort of birds are attracted to Ash stands? In Fairview Oregon there is a lovely old Ash stand that has been preserved. I'm not sure who owns it. It may be public land. The wood is easy to watch as it is bordered by the Target Store parking lot at approximately FairView Way or 207th Ave (not sure of the street name through there, lots of name changes) and NE Halsey. The Salish Ponds/FairView Lake area. Thanks Sandy Leaptrott NE Portland -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Norgren Family > I counted 3 White-breasted Nuthatches > south of Cantrel Rd where it crosses Coyote > Creek on this year's CBC. Alan Contreras and > Tim Lee checked the same spot roughly an hour > earlier and heard none. These ash trees are > wonderfully tall and I wish they could be added > to the state property north of Cantrel Rd.. > I also recorded WBNU in rather young oaks > along Coyote Cr n of the road(inside Coyote > GMU, which is closed to the public in winter). > I sort of thought of these as my prize birds > for the afternoon, the fruit of methodical > plodding. The warm fuzzy feeling was somewhat > modified by the news of the Baikal Teal, shot > a scant few 100m west of the nuthatches the > following day. > Again, the whole Coyote GMU is closed to public access > during hunting season, but ODF&W has been quite > kind to the Eugene CBC and lets us in. The lure > of waterfowl and waders is obvious at this spot, > but I was impressed with the assortment of > passerines. I found WBNU in mature Oregon Ash > near Banks last summer. There is a dog-hair > stand of young ash just west of the central > Coyote parking lot that could eventually grow > into an august grove, though perhaps not in > my lifetime. Lars Norgren > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. From gyrfalcon at redwoodwireless.com Wed Jan 23 07:21:29 2008 From: gyrfalcon at redwoodwireless.com (gyrfalcon at redwoodwireless.com) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:21:29 -0600 (CST) Subject: [obol] arctic loon Message-ID: <17527.216.16.30.250.1201101689.squirrel@mail.redwoodwireless.com> I am planning to come out this weekend to see the arctic loon . Does anybody no if,it is still around? If, it's not then I won't travel to see it. Thanks. Todd Jensen From deweysage at verizon.net Wed Jan 23 06:44:59 2008 From: deweysage at verizon.net (DJ Lauten and KACastelein) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 06:44:59 -0800 Subject: [obol] Swallows Coos Cty 1/23 Message-ID: <479752EB.3050602@verizon.net> 1/23 New River Coos Cty Kathy reports two SWALLOWS flying north along New River Coos Cty yesterday afternoon. I am not sure if it was clear exactly what species they were. There was a PEREGRINE FALCON out there too, and about 5 CANVASBACKS in the river. Cheers Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein Bandon OR deweysage at verizon.net From jeffgill at teleport.com Wed Jan 23 09:36:31 2008 From: jeffgill at teleport.com (Jeff Gilligan) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:36:31 -0600 Subject: [obol] May 2009 coastal cruise Message-ID: I know of a number of birders who are on a May 2008 cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver. A number of others were too late as the ship (though it holds about 2,000 passengers) filled up in November 2007. I am now booking a May 7, 2009 cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC. Unlike the 2008 cruise, this one is on a well-configured ship - like the one that about 20 Oregon birders took last September. The ship is the Star Princess. Cost: $159 interior room (plus $10 fuel supplement, plus 26.92 tax, plus tips). Recommended travel agent: Fairview Travel (Dan Johnson) 503-666-3893. From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Wed Jan 23 10:55:31 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:55:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Douglas Co. Crane- 1/22/2008 Message-ID: <164643.42440.qm@web45105.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> A co-worked saw a large bird at Dean's Creek (a few miles east of Reedsport) on 1/22, which he thinks was a SANDHILL CRANE. He said it was close to 4 feet tall, can't think of what else would be so tall. The habitat is right at Dean's Creek for this species also- if anyone on OBOL is in that area it would be worth checking for. ENJOY! Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From nelsoncheek at charter.net Wed Jan 23 11:19:05 2008 From: nelsoncheek at charter.net (WALTER NELSON) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:19:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lincoln Co Raptor Route and Swallows Message-ID: <20080123191121.KBED14098.aarprv06.charter.net@D9FD2761> We did our raptor survey along the Lincoln Co Coast on Sunday 1/20, 118 miles and 7.5 hrs. Weather was mixed, drizzle and mist early, clear mid-day, light showers in the afternoon. Red-tailed Hawk 14 Northern Harrier 1 Bald Eagle 8 (7 adult, 1 subadult) White-tailed Kite 2 Peregrine Falcon 2 Per the discussion on winter swallow sightings, we saw swallows in 2 locations along S Beaver Creek Rd: The first group were ? mi. N of Alsea Bay, flying around the marsh & wet pasture just before the first big hill. We counted 3 BARN SWALLOWS and 2 TREE SWALLOWS. One Barn Swallow appeared to be an adult (rich rusty breast and long tail streamers) and one was a youngster (pale breast and short tail streamers); didn?t get a good look at the other. One Tree Swallow appeared to be an adult male (metallic blue-green back and clean white underparts) while the other was brownish. The second swallow sighting was near Seal Rock Stables (S Beaver Cr Rd) where the CBC found several. On Sunday we saw 5 TREE SWALLOWS, but didn?t see well enough to sex/age the birds. On 1/05 the CBC team found 3 Tree Swallows (all young birds) and 2 Barn Swallows (not aged) at that same location. Rebecca Cheek South Beach, OR 97366 nelsoncheek AT charter.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/a7916128/attachment.htm From sylviam at clearwire.net Wed Jan 23 11:51:52 2008 From: sylviam at clearwire.net (Sylvia Maulding) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:51:52 -0800 Subject: [obol] addition to Wed. morning Eugene group Message-ID: <47979AD8.1090901@clearwire.net> Hello OBOL This morning while birding with the Wednesday group I received a call from Dave Jones. He had a couple of HORNED LARKS at the east end of the airport at the curve on Greenhill by Fiddler's Green golf course. When Don, Paul and I stopped there after leaving the Wed. group we saw 6 HORNED LARKS at the end of the spur road on the west side by the creek/ditch. We also had 2 BARN SWALLOWS and some YELLOW-RUMP WARBLERS along Greenhill Rd. by the creek/ditch on the east side of the airport field. -- Sylvia Maulding Springfield, OR sylviam at clearwire.net From dan at heyerly.com Wed Jan 23 12:33:30 2008 From: dan at heyerly.com (Dan Heyerly) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:33:30 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon in Brownsmead Message-ID: <005301c85dff$374b3b20$6500a8c0@Dan> Tom and Allison Mickel along with Anne and I saw the Clatsop County Arctic Loon in the often-described location on Saturday January 19, 2008. Dan Heyerly, Eugene -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/e68b8f00/attachment.htm From stewarte at metro.dst.or.us Wed Jan 23 13:16:20 2008 From: stewarte at metro.dst.or.us (Elaine Stewart) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:16:20 -0800 Subject: [obol] birds and ash stands In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <47973E24.789B.0092.0@metro.dst.or.us> One of the sites where I work has a couple of nice stands of very old ash (oldest trees probably more than 200 years old, based on Lewis & Clark documentation of a similar stand nearby). These are bottomland ash and they are flooded part of the year. The birds can be pretty interesting, and they include resident WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES and nesting WOOD DUCKS. Other interesting nesters include YELLOW WARBLER, HOUSE WREN and WILLOW FLYCATCHER (along the edges). I regularly flush out GREAT HORNED OWL, and this year on the Portland CBC we even saw a BARN OWL in there. PILEATED WOODPECKERS often forage in the stands also. In the fall, GREAT EGRET roost in the ash trees along a slough edge. It's a fun habitat to be in, and the old ash never fail to make me think of the Ents (as in Lord of the Rings). -Elaine ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Elaine Stewart Natural Resources Scientist Metro 600 NE Grand Avenue Portland, OR 97232-2736 Tel 503.797.1515 Fax 503.797.1849 stewarte at metro.dst.or.us ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From jerryg at gaiser.org Wed Jan 23 13:37:39 2008 From: jerryg at gaiser.org (Jerry Gaiser) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:37:39 -0800 Subject: [obol] Pumpkin Ridge Gray Jays Message-ID: <200801231337.39910.jerryg@gaiser.org> A fresh block of suet out this morning and it took less than an hour for our little flock of Gray Jays to discover it. We had 5 standing in line for their turn at the block. http://www.gaiser.org/GrayJay012308.jpg -- Jerry Gaiser in North Plains, Oregon USA - 45.6933N 123.0418W "Seize the moment. Think of all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert cart." - Erma Bombeck From joel.geier at peak.org Wed Jan 23 14:24:50 2008 From: joel.geier at peak.org (Joel Geier) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:24:50 -0800 Subject: [obol] Another Harris's Sparrow at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area Message-ID: <1201127090.3611.23.camel@localhost.localdomain> Hi folks, In a quick after-lunch walk around the SW part of E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area just now, I had a brief look at a first-winter HARRIS'S SPARROW that was in a Zono/junco (Zonoid?) flock of about 30 Oregon Juncos, 10 to 15 Golden-crowned Sparrows, and one White-throated Sparrow. There were also many Song, Lincoln's, and Fox Sparrows in the same area, for a total of about 100 sparrows. The Zonos and juncos spooked into the woods when a Northern Harrier came along, and seemed to move off toward the SW when they came out again. This was at the edge of the wetland at the bottom of the hill west of the big oak grove in the south end of the wildlife area. The location is about two miles south of where another Harris's Sparrow and an American Tree Sparrow continue to be seen. An even larger sparrow flock just up the hill (closer to the oak grove) is almost entirely Oregon Juncos (at least 300), but has at least two White-throated Sparrows and one Golden-crowned Sparrow. This flock had a male Slate-colored Junco earlier this winter, but I didn't see him today. This whole SW part of the wildlife area is full of Lincoln's Sparrows, but once again I couldn't find a Swamp Sparrow. Doug Robinson mentioned that he found one along the canal on the north side of E.E. Wilson headquarters last week. That's the only local Swamp Sparrow report that I'm aware of this winter (not counting a late-fall bird at the Philomath sewage ponds). Seems like there haven't been many elsewhere in the valley, or have I overlooked some? Elsewhere along the walk, three HERMIT THRUSHES were feeding on the ground out in the open, brought out by the cold weather. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS were also feeding on the ground. I've only seen one Varied Thrush on the wildlife area all winter, and none today -- quite a change from last year when it was hard not to step on them. Happy birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis From Margaret.G.SHOLAAS at ris.lane.or.us Wed Jan 23 15:46:19 2008 From: Margaret.G.SHOLAAS at ris.lane.or.us (SHOLAAS Margaret G) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:46:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Cool bird photography site, FYI In-Reply-To: <004801c85d8d$b70a0c00$e8c963d8@dell307ac3e2b6> References: <004801c85d8d$b70a0c00$e8c963d8@dell307ac3e2b6> Message-ID: <2D959E055897D44682B1A17783EC6ED5032748C9@risrv112.ris1.net> http://www.birdphotography.com/ Margaret Sholaas Eugene, OR From larmcqueen at msn.com Wed Jan 23 15:48:25 2008 From: larmcqueen at msn.com (Larry McQueen) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:48:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Wed morning, Eugene Message-ID: Sunlight ! on Meadowlark Prairie (Royal Ave. x Greenhill Rd.) and Fern Ridge this morning. At Fern Ridge, we walked the trail northward from Royal just before the last house on the right, in the grassland and oak savannah. It was a duckless morning on account of the frozen ponds. Canada/Cackling Goose - hoards of them (not counted) Tundra Swan - a dense flock to our north was leaving the main lake area. White-tailed Kite - 4 (one eating a blackish rodent, probably a vole, and another still in immature plumage) Bald Eagle - 1 flying adult putting up hundreds of geese. It circled around and perched atop a fir) N. Harrier - 6 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 beautiful adult at Willow Cr. sanctuary Red-tailed Hawk - 4+ Rough-legged Hawk - 1 at Meadowlark Pr. A. Kestrel - 2 R-n Pheasant - 1 Killdeer - nc Dunlin - 20 Ring-billed Gull - 150 Rock Dove - 1 Mourning Dove - 5+ Acorn Woodpecker - 3 N. Flicker - 12+ N. Shrike - 2 (one at Mdowlk Pr.) Scrub Jay - 20+ Crow - 10 Raven - 20 Black-cp. Chickadee - 1 Robin - 30 Starling - 50 A. Pipit - 30 Y-r Warbler - 12 Spotted Towhee - 10+ Song Sparrow - 2 Lincoln's Sparrow - 2 White-throated Sparrow - 1 White-crowned Sparrow - 50 Golden-crowned Sparrow - 60 (the crowned sparrows and junco were at the Fisher Rd feeders) D-e Junco - 18 Red-winged Blackbird - 15+ W. Meadowlark - 15+ House Finch - 4 House Sparrow - 8 Paul Sherrell, Sylvia Maulding, Fred Chancy, Dick Weeks, Kit Larsen, Don DeWitt, Don Schrouder, Dennis Arendt, and Larry McQueen -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/5e4666c9/attachment.htm From jorrie at peak.org Wed Jan 23 15:57:25 2008 From: jorrie at peak.org (Jorrie & Ken) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:57:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] Anna's Hummingbirds Collecting Cotton Message-ID: <5E9A46DB-89AF-4035-92E0-7239CF056FE6@peak.org> Yesterday and today the ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS have been collecting cotton for their nests. We have nearly a dozen hummers this winter and the males are much more territorial this year. They are drinking 5 cups of sugar water every 4-5 days. With the freezing weather (27 for overnight lows), we have been bringing the feeders inside after dark and putting them back outside before they get up in the morning. Even with the freezing temperatures at night, by mid-day there are an amazing amount of small insects flying around which I'm sure are providing the hummers with some well- needed protein. Jorrie & Ken Ciotti Waldport, OR From dpvroman at budget.net Wed Jan 23 16:05:49 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:05:49 -0800 Subject: [obol] Applegate-Williams raptor Survey (JoCo) Message-ID: <002701c85e1c$e235efe0$504efb48@Warbler> The 2nd Applegate-Williams area raptor survey was completed today (01-23-08). Route is along the roads surrounding the towns of Murphy and Williams, Josephine Co. Total of 37.1 miles; 3.5 hours; weather: Clear. Found were: Red-tailed Hawk - 21 (7 more than 1st survey) American Kestrel - 5 Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 White-tailed Kite - 2 Prairie Falcon- 1 (nice treat - landed on a pole pretty close to me) Other finds of interest include: flock of 25 American Pipits, 3 Great Egrets (often missing in winter along the Applegate, they gravitate to the Rogue River lowlands). The strangest observation was a fairly high flying Double-crested Cormorant coming from the Williams area and headed in the direction of the Applegate River (mostly fields and forests under it when spotted). Dennis (north of Grants Pass) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/8768f53f/attachment.htm From dondewitt at hotmail.com Wed Jan 23 16:12:56 2008 From: dondewitt at hotmail.com (Don DeWitt) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:12:56 +0000 Subject: [obol] Killdeer Field along I-5 north of Eugene Message-ID: OBOL, Fred Chancey called me about 3:45 this afternoon and asked me to pass along this sighting. Driving north on Interstate 5, he noticed a wet, muddy field along the east side of the highway which was populated by hundreds of KILLDEER. This was the field directly south of Bond Butte Road. Fred mentioned that the previously posted Mountain Plover was seen in a field not far from this one. Fred suggested that anyone in that area might want to take a look. Don DeWitt, Eugene _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/69bee069/attachment.htm From bjgreen34 at yahoo.com Wed Jan 23 16:16:13 2008 From: bjgreen34 at yahoo.com (Brandon Green) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:16:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Thawing hummer feeders/bird baths Message-ID: <228083.25741.qm@web60814.mail.yahoo.com> I've been storing my hummer feeder in the bathtub overnight as well. The Anna's are up and about by 7, so no sleeping in here. I've also been firing up the tea kettle and dumping boiling water on my rock-solid frozen bird bath. A male VARIED THRUSH - who have been far from common in my yard this winter - stopped by to enjoy the "hot tub" this morning. Brandon Eugene ----- Subject: Anna's Hummingbirds Collecting Cotton From: Jorrie & Ken Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:57:25 -0800 Yesterday and today the ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS have been collecting cotton for their nests. We have nearly a dozen hummers this winter and the males are much more territorial this year. They are drinking 5 cups of sugar water every 4-5 days. With the freezing weather (27 for overnight lows), we have been bringing the feeders inside after dark and putting them back outside before they get up in the morning. Even with the freezing temperatures at night, by mid-day there are an amazing amount of small insects flying around which I'm sure are providing the hummers with some well- needed protein. Jorrie & Ken Ciotti Waldport, OR _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol AT lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave AT lists.oregonstate.edu. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/fa6a64b3/attachment.htm From badkitty at studkitty.com Wed Jan 23 17:04:25 2008 From: badkitty at studkitty.com (Jacqui) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:04:25 -0800 Subject: [obol] [OBOL] Ducks from Japan Message-ID: <4797E419.5080608@studkitty.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/1f7420fe/attachment.htm From badkitty at studkitty.com Wed Jan 23 18:07:00 2008 From: badkitty at studkitty.com (Jacqui) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:07:00 -0800 Subject: [obol] caribbean bird ends up in healdsburg Message-ID: <4797F2C4.5030004@studkitty.com> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/c07c3baf/attachment.htm From tlove at linfield.edu Wed Jan 23 20:12:41 2008 From: tlove at linfield.edu (Thomas Love) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:12:41 -0800 Subject: [obol] Big Anseriformes day record? Message-ID: <48AAF0D003D67944931DDDC72D022F120950C31B@exchangedb.wfo.linfield.edu> This from Tweeters, fyi. Didn't a team of Oregon birders, including Jeff G., set the world anseriform big day record? Tom Love tlove at linfield.edu Subject: big Anseriform day From: Gary Bletsch Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:24:22 +0100 (CET) Dear Tweeters, Thanks to Kathy for posting about Carlo et al and their massive Anseriform day! Jim McCoy and I had not been trying to accomplish anything of the sort when we observed 31 species of Anseriformes in one day, last March 4th. We started trying when we realized at mid-day that we had seen a lot of waterfowl species. As it was, we barely ticked Gadwall after racing back to Skagit from Whatcom County at day's end. I went home that evening and checked some European field guides. It seems to me that a team of European birders could amass a big Anseriform day in winter along the shores of the North Sea, what with all the geese they have over there. I tried googling it, but could not find anything on the web to indicate that anyone had done so. Still, doesn't it seem likely that some of those crazy Brits or Finns would have attempted something like this? Hats off to Carlo and company--they have the world record all to themselves! If anyone wants to beat it, they'll need a fast car, inattentive highway patrols, good weather, and help from the birding gods! Yours truly, Gary Bletsch Yours truly, Gary Bletsch near Lyman (Skagit County), Washington garybletsch AT yahoo.com Subject: Duck (Anseriformes) Challenge From: Kathy Andrich Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:38:09 -0800 (PST) Hi Tweeters, Could a Tweeters or two top 33 species of ducks, geese and swans in one day? I thought this was a cool post and a great idea to include the photography as documentation. I got permission from Carlo to forward this onto Tweeters. He forwarded to me a post he kept from Gary Bletsch where Gary and Jim McCoy saw 31 species in one day. If only we had some oddball species visiting it would be toppable but I haven't heard much about Tufted Ducks, or Falcated Ducks, or Baikal Teal, or an Eider lately. Or Whooper Swan or the American Black Duck (lately) but we do have Emperor Geese. Any challengers out there? <><><><><><><><><><><><> [bcvanbirds] Big Duck Shoot . . . . . a saga of 'tick 'n click' Readers of Vanbirds may recall that on Mar 6th 2005, the Birding World was stunned by news (Vanbirds post #8711) that a team of local twitchers had observed and photographed a total of 31 species of waterfowl in a single day. At the time we thought that record would never be touched, but we were wrong. Last year a group from Washington equaled our count. Although they did not take photos, we felt the record was not secure, so consequently set out to rectify the situation. After submitting a request for decent weather and finding a replacement for an original team member who was not available, we began our quest just after dawn on Sunday morning (Jan 20). With a bit of previous scouting, some careful planning, and just a tad of good fortune, things went well for most of the day . . . . but there were some moments. The Long-tailed Duck and Ruddy Ducks that had been hanging very close in at the White Rock Pier were not there, and we had to locate them offshore and settle for more distant photos. At our second major stop, we pulled up beside a field full of swans and geese, but with fog so thick we couldn't see across the ditch. It appeared for a moment that our goose was cooked and no record would be possible. However, as we exited from the car the fog began to lift as if being sucked up by the Birding Gods, and within a few minutes Peter was able to fire off the required shots. Next target was the drake Redhead at Surrey Lake, which, as it turned out, was not there. But even before we got to the lake Ilya spotted him in the pond on the adjacent golf course. Gradually we managed to locate and shoot all but one of our targets; the Cinnamon Teal which had been sporadically sighted from the Westham Island bridge could not be located on this day despite three tries. Our last 'tick 'n click' was Snow Goose at Reifel at about 2 pm, a mere 6 hours after the start of our odyssey. All the fowl shot were found in White Rock, Surrey, and Delta, requiring a minimum of driving, hence keeping things as 'green' as could be expected for an achievement of such magnitude. With a total of 33 species observed and photographed we now claim a new World Record (until proven wrong), and further confirmation that the BC Lower Mainland is the Waterfowl Capital of America. A list of species sighted can be seen in the Vanbirds files section under "Big Duck Shoot '08". All photos were taken by Peter, who put on an impressive display of fast and accurate shooting with his hand-held digital SLR 'canon'. Ilya and George were quick to spot our targets, and I (Carlo) kept the tally. We challenge all comers to try and best this record. Images of the birds can be seen at http://www.flickr. com/photos/ 15165348 AT N06/sets/ 7215760376948372 9/ Carlo Giovanella, Surrey, for 'Team Odd Ducks' <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Kathy Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian (chukarbird at yahoo dot com) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/50ac01aa/attachment.htm From oschmidt at att.net Wed Jan 23 20:48:08 2008 From: oschmidt at att.net (Owen Schmidt) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:48:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] Anseriformes Big Day record? In-Reply-To: <48AAF0D003D67944931DDDC72D022F120950C31B@exchangedb.wfo.linfield.edu> References: <48AAF0D003D67944931DDDC72D022F120950C31B@exchangedb.wfo.linfield.edu> Message-ID: <9F0AACFB-DEA6-414D-89AD-93D1AA565C57@att.net> ......... 35 species on 25 January 1997, by Jeff Gilligan, Jim Johnson, Gerard Lillie, and Owen Schmidt, in 4 counties of northwest Oregon. This beat the previous record of 33 species on 28 March 1987, by Jeff Gilligan, Owen Schmidt, Steve Heinl, and Eric Pozzo, from the coast to Malheur. An earlier record of 28 species of waterfowl was set coincidental to an Oregon Big Day record on 10 May 1986, by Jeff Gilligan, Steve Heinl, David Irons, and David Fix. Both waterfowl big day escapades were published in Oregon Birds. Today those numbers would have to be adjusted to 36 and 34, with the Canada Goose split. oschmidt at att.net Wednesday, January 23, 2008 On Jan 23, 2008, at 8:12 PM, Thomas Love wrote: > This from Tweeters, fyi. Didn't a team of Oregon birders, including > Jeff G., set the world anseriform big day record? > > Tom Love > tlove at linfield.edu > > Subject: big Anseriform day > From: Gary Bletsch > Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:24:22 +0100 (CET) > Dear Tweeters, > > Thanks to Kathy for posting about Carlo et al and > their massive Anseriform day! > > Jim McCoy and I had not been trying to accomplish > anything of the sort when we observed 31 species of > Anseriformes in one day, last March 4th. We started > trying when we realized at mid-day that we had seen a > lot of waterfowl species. As it was, we barely ticked > Gadwall after racing back to Skagit from Whatcom > County at day's end. > > I went home that evening and checked some European > field guides. It seems to me that a team of European > birders could amass a big Anseriform day in winter > along the shores of the North Sea, what with all the > geese they have over there. I tried googling it, but > could not find anything on the web to indicate that > anyone had done so. Still, doesn't it seem likely > that some of those crazy Brits or Finns would have > attempted something like this? > > Hats off to Carlo and company--they have the world > record all to themselves! If anyone wants to beat it, > they'll need a fast car, inattentive highway patrols, > good weather, and help from the birding gods! > > Yours truly, > > Gary Bletsch > > > Yours truly, > > Gary Bletsch > > near Lyman (Skagit County), Washington > > garybletsch AT yahoo.com > > Subject: Duck (Anseriformes) Challenge > From: Kathy Andrich > Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:38:09 -0800 (PST) > Hi Tweeters, > > Could a Tweeters or two top 33 species of ducks, geese > and swans in one day? I thought this was a cool post > and a great idea to include the photography as > documentation. I got permission from Carlo to forward > this onto Tweeters. He forwarded to me a post he kept > from Gary Bletsch where Gary and Jim McCoy saw 31 > species in one day. If only we had some oddball > species visiting it would be toppable but I haven't > heard much about Tufted Ducks, or Falcated Ducks, or > Baikal Teal, or an Eider lately. Or Whooper Swan or > the American Black Duck (lately) but we do have > Emperor Geese. Any challengers out there? > > <><><><><><><><><><><><> > [bcvanbirds] Big Duck Shoot . . . . . a saga of 'tick > 'n click' > > Readers of Vanbirds may recall that on Mar 6th 2005, > the Birding World > was stunned by news (Vanbirds post #8711) that a team > of local > twitchers had observed and photographed a total of 31 > species of > waterfowl in a single day. At the time we thought that > record would > never be touched, but we were wrong. Last year a group > from > Washington equaled our count. Although they did not > take photos, we > felt the record was not secure, so consequently set > out to rectify > the situation. After submitting a request for decent > weather and > finding a replacement for an original team member who > was not > available, we began our quest just after dawn on > Sunday morning (Jan 20). > > With a bit of previous scouting, some careful > planning, and just a tad > of good fortune, things went well for most of the day > . . . . but > there were some moments. The Long-tailed Duck and > Ruddy Ducks that > had been hanging very close in at the White Rock Pier > were not there, > and we had to locate them offshore and settle for more > distant photos. > At our second major stop, we pulled up beside a field > full of swans > and geese, but with fog so thick we couldn't see > across the ditch. It > appeared for a moment that our goose was cooked and no > record would be > possible. However, as we exited from the car the fog > began to lift as > if being sucked up by the Birding Gods, and within a > few minutes Peter > was able to fire off the required shots. Next target > was the drake > Redhead at Surrey Lake, which, as it turned out, was > not there. But > even before we got to the lake Ilya spotted him in the > pond on the > adjacent golf course. Gradually we managed to locate > and shoot all > but one of our targets; the Cinnamon Teal which had > been sporadically > sighted from the Westham Island bridge could not be > located on this > day despite three tries. Our last 'tick 'n click' was > Snow Goose at > Reifel at about 2 pm, a mere 6 hours after the start > of our odyssey. > All the fowl shot were found in White Rock, Surrey, > and Delta, > requiring a minimum of driving, hence keeping things > as 'green' as > could be expected for an achievement of such > magnitude. > > With a total of 33 species observed and photographed > we now claim a > new World Record (until proven wrong), and further > confirmation that > the BC Lower Mainland is the Waterfowl Capital of > America. A list of > species sighted can be seen in the Vanbirds files > section under "Big > Duck Shoot '08". All photos were taken by Peter, who > put on an > impressive display of fast and accurate shooting with > his hand-held > digital SLR 'canon'. Ilya and George were quick to > spot our targets, > and I (Carlo) kept the tally. We challenge all comers > to try and best > this record. > > Images of the birds can be seen at > http://www.flickr. com/photos/ 15165348 AT N06/sets/ > 7215760376948372 9/ > > Carlo Giovanella, Surrey, > for 'Team Odd Ducks' > <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> > > > > > > Kathy > Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian > (chukarbird at yahoo dot com) > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/bd9472f0/attachment.htm From frankdanl at yahoo.com Wed Jan 23 21:45:05 2008 From: frankdanl at yahoo.com (frank lospalluto) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:45:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] American Tree Sparrow ,Klamath Co. Message-ID: <187328.71375.qm@web36707.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Obol: while en route to Malin for Raptor Run I stopped in the Straits Drain area to look for Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks. I found both. I also found an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW foraging with a few Song Sparrows and a Savannah Sparrow. All these birds were on a north -south rd. about 1 mile east of Straits Drain and Lower Klamath Autotour exit. It was approx. 2 miles north of Stateline Rd.the sparrows were feeding on the west side not far from a bent over metal T-post with some pink flagging.This road is 2 field sections east of the eastside Straits Drain road. I saw the Horned Larks(50+) and Lapland Longspurs(5) along this same road. Out in the field to the west 2 beautiful Mountain Bluebirds. And as has been stated previously, Stateline Rd. area/Lower Klamath N.W.R. is a regular raptor circus. I have a couple marginal pics of the American Tree Sparrow if anyone is interested. frank ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ From celata at pacifier.com Wed Jan 23 22:04:19 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:04:19 -0800 Subject: [obol] Big Anseriformes day record? References: <48AAF0D003D67944931DDDC72D022F120950C31B@exchangedb.wfo.linfield.edu> Message-ID: <47982A0B.EF2F3F9B@pacifier.com> In February 2001, Todd Thornton did a Anseriformes big day staying just in Clatsop County and got 32 species pre-Cackling Goose. This was a year when there was a Tufted Duck on Astoria Sewage Ponds and a Ross's Goose was hanging out at Sunset Lake. No Barrow's Goldeneye, either. > Thomas Love wrote: > > This from Tweeters, fyi. Didn't a team of Oregon birders, including Jeff G., set the > world anseriform big day record? > > Tom Love > tlove at linfield.edu > -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From jwwdvm at comcast.net Wed Jan 23 22:42:52 2008 From: jwwdvm at comcast.net (John W. Williams) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:42:52 -0800 Subject: [obol] Arctic Loon In-Reply-To: <200703241900.l2OJ04K2030139@mxout3.cac.washington.edu> Message-ID: The Arctic Loon was present this afternoon in the location that has been posted before near Brownsmead. I initially saw the bird along Pentilla Road. A boat then flushed the loon, and it flew eastward. I found it again where Ziak Gnat Creek Road runs against the slough (where there is a small, dirt, boat pull-out). Thanks to all who have continued to post about this bird, it was a lifer for me as well. From hnehls at teleport.com Wed Jan 23 23:27:14 2008 From: hnehls at teleport.com (Harry Nehls) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 23:27:14 -0800 Subject: [obol] RBA: Portland, OR 1-24-08 Message-ID: - RBA * Oregon * Portland * January 24, 2008 * ORPO0801.24 - birds mentioned ARCTIC LOON Yellow-billed Loon (not) American White Pelican Horned Puffin Red-breasted Sapsucker Say?s Phoebe Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Mountain Chickadee SEDGE WREN (not) American Tree Sparrow Clay-colored Sparrow Red Fox Sparrow Harris?s Sparrow Yellow-headed Blackbird - transcript hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly) number: 503-292-6855 To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 compiler: Harry Nehls Coverage: entire state Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report was made Thursday January 24. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. The Brownsmead ARCTIC LOON continues to be seen. The SEDGE WREN and YELLOW-BILLED LOON were not seen during the week. A small BARN SWALLOW movement was reported during the week along the coast north to Lincoln City and Neskowin. Two were seen in Eugene January 23. TREE SWALLOWS were reported south of Newport, at the Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove, and at Agency Lake in the Klamath Basin. On January 19 a RED FOX SPARROW was at Gold Beach and a SAY?S PHOEBE was at Cape Blanco. Another SAY?S PHOEBE has been on the North Spit of Coos Bay. On January 21 a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE was at New River. Also on January 21 a HORNED PUFFIN flew northward past Yachats. The Hatfield Science Center CLAY-COLORED SPARROW continues to be seen. On January 19 two YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS were on the east side of Sauvie Island. Also on the east side of the Island on January 23 a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW was along Rentenaar Road. The EE Wilson WMA AMERICAN TREE SPARROW continues to be seen, along with two HARRIS?S SPARROWS. Another HARRIS?S SPARROW is in Eugene. On January 21 a WHITE PELICAN was in Alvadore, north of Fern Ridge Reservoir. On January 19 a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was in Hines. That?s it for this week. - end transcript -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080123/023ed615/attachment.htm From WeberHome at att.net Wed Jan 23 20:14:33 2008 From: WeberHome at att.net (Cliff & Joanne Weber) Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:14:33 -0800 Subject: [obol] Lunch With The Birds Message-ID: <20080124041533.66D1F410280@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> OBOL, hello! Sorry for my laxity in reporting LWTB. I really haven't been able to attend as much as usual while convalescing from a fractured L1 vertebra incurred while servicing my feeders back during all that rain the early part of this past December. One leg of my ladder suddenly sank into the ground; whipping the ladder to one side; leaving yours truly hanging by one hand, which could not even begin to support my full senior citizen weight and down I went, right on my keester. Remember that old song from the 50's that went "Put on your red dress baby, cause we're going' out tonight." Well, today at noon, it would have been better to put on your red flannels instead. It was prit-tee cool at the north end of Jackson Bottom Wetlands. Not too cool for Bald Eagles though. The usual pair were perched in their favorite grove. When a third Eagle arrived, they both intercepted it and last we saw of the stranger was when one of the pair shooed it off the preserve to the east quicker than you can run three dollars of gasoline into your tank. (I don't know; three dollars is kind of fast; maybe I should revise that to six dollars.) I felt sorry for a Song Sparrow that was on the ground right below the handrail searching for something to eat. It scratched and scratched but found nothing. Then it took to looking up as if expecting us to do something (apparently the result of a recessive gene inherited from its ancestors aboard Noah's ark). So I went back to my truck and retrieved a container of feed that I keep at hand for parking lot birds and tossed several handfuls down. The Songer took off of course, mistakenly interpreting my arm waving as a hostile gesture; but soon came back and easily located what I threw down there. Pretty soon, some of its hungry little buddies noticed what was going on, and we had a little flock of Songers happily pecking their lunch. (It is, after all, lunch with the birds; right?). There's still quite a bit of ice on the lakes and ponds; not much waterfowl to speak of; one American Robin, one Great Blue Heron, several Red Tail Hawks-- some near, some far --and I think they were just as cold as us because when they perched, the big buteos fluffed up larger than a Rhode Island Red rooster. Oh, here's a news flash! A Pileated Woodpecker seems to have taken up residence in the trees right out the north door of the Education Center; between it and Clean Water Services. A Jackson person was kind enough to point out the hole where the PW was recently observed drilling and apparently tidying up its quarters. It's a bit difficult to give directions to the precise location and elevation of that hole; but maybe somebody inside the Center can point it out if you're interested. Where? . .City of Hillsboro, at the intersection of SW Wood Street and Hwy 219. Thomas Bros Portland street guide page 593, square B6. Wild In The City, pages 159-160. Exploring The Tualatin River Basin, pages 19-20. For those with good legs (I'd prefer a cab) Jackson Bottom's north observation deck is about a 7/8ths mile stroll from the transit center in Hillsboro. Google satellite image: http://tinyurl.com/ypd665 ADA accessible? . .Yes. Excellent off-street parking, and really easy wheeler and walker access to a roofed and hand-railed deck. Some bench-style seating inside the shelter, and more outside along a sidewalk. Restrooms? . .Good ones available a mile south at Jackson's spiffy education center. McDonald's is closer, at the corner of Baseline and 1st Ave. Gourmet Coffee? . .Nearest Starbucks is at the corner of Main and 1st Ave. Convenient parking is competitive. McDonald's is closer, and the parking is plentiful. Information about Lunch With The Birds-- and additional Jackson Bottom Wetlands resources --is available online at www.jacksonbottom.org Cliff & Joanne Weber Beaverton (Bethany area) From winkg at hevanet.com Thu Jan 24 07:50:35 2008 From: winkg at hevanet.com (Wink Gross) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:50:35 -0800 Subject: [obol] Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 01/23/08 Message-ID: <20080124154941.8C45541025B@smtp5.oregonstate.edu> Here is the summary of my morning dogwalks from NW Seblar Terrace to the Pittock Mansion for the week 01/17/07 to 01/23/08. Species in ALL CAPS were neither seen nor heard the previous week. Additional information about my dogwalk, including an archive of weekly summaries and a checklist, may be found at http://www.hevanet.com/winkg/dogwalkpage.html We did the walk 4 days this week. Species # days found (peak #, date) Canada Goose 1 (1, 1/17) Cackling/Canada Goose 1 (?[heard only], 1/18) Band-tailed Pigeon 2 (2, 1/17 & 23) Mourning Dove 4 (6, 1/17) Anna's Hummingbird 4 (4) RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER 1 (1, 1/22) DOWNY WOODPECKER 1 (1, 1/23) Hairy Woodpecker 1 (1, 1/17) Northern Flicker 1 (3, 1/23) PILEATED WOODPECKER 2 (1, 1/17 & 22) Golden-crowned Kinglet 2 (10, 1/17) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1 (1, 1/17) Bewick's Wren 2 (1, 1/18 & 22) Winter Wren 4 (3) HERMIT THRUSH 1 (1, 1/22) American Robin 4 (20, 1/23) Varied Thrush 4 (13, 1/17) Black-capped Chickadee 4 (20, 1/17) Chestnut-backed Chickadee 2 (2, 1/18 & 22) Red-breasted Nuthatch 4 (3) Brown Creeper 4 (1) Steller's Jay 4 (5) Western Scrub-Jay 1 (1, 1/22) American Crow 2 (6, 1/17) European Starling 1 (4, 1/17) HUTTON'S VIREO 1 (1, 1/17) House Finch 2 (10, 1/18) Spotted Towhee 4 (10, 1/18) Fox Sparrow 2 (1, 1/17 & 18) Song Sparrow 4 (20, 1/18) Golden-crowned Sparrow 2 (1, 1/17 & 23) Dark-eyed Junco 4 (30, 1/17) Misses (birds found at least 3 days in previous 2 weeks but not found this week): Bushtit, Pine Siskin Wink Gross Portland From devon_batley at hotmail.com Thu Jan 24 09:00:34 2008 From: devon_batley at hotmail.com (Devon Batley) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:00:34 +0000 Subject: [obol] Dead duck ID help In-Reply-To: <007f01c85e25$a0519080$3cb4e4d8@GlenLyon> References: <007f01c85e25$a0519080$3cb4e4d8@GlenLyon> Message-ID: Hi My friend found these 2 wings in the Badlands WSA east of Bend. Can anyone help ID them? cheers d From: caledonian at bendcable.com To: devon_batley at hotmail.com Subject: 2 pictures for you Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:08:24 -0800 Does this helpYou have been sent 2 pictures. IMG_2302.jpg IMG_2303.jpg These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google. Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/ _________________________________________________________________ Who's friends with who and co-starred in what? http://www.searchgamesbox.com/celebrityseparation.shtml -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/205964e1/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: IMG_2302.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 52214 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/205964e1/attachment.jpg -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: IMG_2303.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 56081 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/205964e1/attachment-0001.jpg From dpvroman at budget.net Thu Jan 24 10:13:08 2008 From: dpvroman at budget.net (Dennis P. Vroman) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:13:08 -0800 Subject: [obol] Dead duck ID help References: <007f01c85e25$a0519080$3cb4e4d8@GlenLyon> Message-ID: <002501c85eb4$c7465a60$c24ffb48@Warbler> Looks like Mallard (drake, scapulars grayish with purplish edges) wings to me. Speculum (colored part of the secondary feathers) and wing bars are right for Mallard. If the wings are on a standard sheet of paper, they would have about an 11-12 inch chord length, which should be about right for Mallard. Dennis (north of Grants Pass) Hi My friend found these 2 wings in the Badlands WSA east of Bend. Can anyone help ID them? cheers d ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: caledonian at bendcable.com To: devon_batley at hotmail.com Subject: 2 pictures for you Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:08:24 -0800 Does this help You have been sent 2 pictures. IMG_2302.jpg IMG_2303.jpg These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google. Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sounds like? How many syllables? Guess and win prizes with Search Charades! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ obol mailing list obol at lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol To unsubscribe, send a message to: obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/5ddb6c51/attachment.htm From frankdanl at yahoo.com Thu Jan 24 10:25:43 2008 From: frankdanl at yahoo.com (frank lospalluto) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:25:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Malin Raptor Survey,01/23/08,Klamath Co. Message-ID: <78305.39142.qm@web36714.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Malin RR results 01/23/08: Snow on the ground, cold temps. Ptly cloudy skies with light wind. Red-tailed Hawk 28 American Kestrel 13 Northern Harrier 5 Bald Eagle 3 Rough-legged Hawk 9 Ferruginous Hawk 1 f. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Thu Jan 24 10:52:07 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:52:07 -0800 Subject: [obol] Dexter yellow-billed loon - NO, red-naped sapsucker - NOT REALLY In-Reply-To: References: <20080120191048.3bd901d66b2d769bd36646c62e7e74c3.18245ede76.wbe@email.secureserver.net> Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801241052k6f3366fep19045f8ea717e88a@mail.gmail.com> Obol, I am leaning towards hybrid on this sapsucker, but am far from positive. I saw the bird Sunday AM with Lydia Cruz. We got some photos, not very good. I did not notice the lack of black on the hind crown in the field, but the bird was high up in the tree at the time, and the view may have been obscured. Lydia's photos seem to confirm the lack of black, but not clearly. Troubling for RN Sapsucker if indeed there is not black. I wonder if the patch is restricted and harder to see than normal. I did notice the excessive amounts of red in the malar region. I believe this is OK for RN Sapsucker. The red chin essentially bleeds through the white and black malar strips up towards the crown. This is illustrated in Sibley I believe, and fits an older adult male Red-naped. The problem however, seems to be the amount of bleeding into the white area of the malar. The references I've seen show red only bleeding into the black region. Anyone know if this eliminated true Red-naped? I found a photo at http://borderland-tours.com/v2/images/stories/borderland/gallery_photos/borderland_photos/p1010676.jpg that shows a RN Sapsucker which looks a lot like the bird I saw Sunday, though the red may not be as extensive. Daniel Farrar On Jan 20, 2008 10:06 PM, DAVID IRONS wrote: > Craig, > > The back pattern of the bird in your photo looks pretty typical for a > Red-naped Sapsucker. However, your description of the head pattern > (features not visible in the photo) suggest the bird was likely a > hybrid/intergrade Red-naped X Red-breasted. I have not seen the Dexter Res. > bird, despite having looked for it. I have to wonder if this is the same > bird that is being reported by many as a Red-naped. > > Dave Irons > > ------------------------------ > Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:10:48 -0700 > From: craig at greatskua.com > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > CC: srottenborn at harveyecology.com; Phoebetria at aol.com; cheep at starpower.net > Subject: [obol] Dexter yellow-billed loon - NO, red-naped sapsucker - NOT > REALLY > > > I went to Dexter State Recreation Area southeast of Eugene today to look > for the yellow-billed loon without success. I searched the reservoir from > every possible vantage point, but was unable to find the loon. I ran into a > number of other birders, none of which had seen the loon by the time I left > around 1:15. I did see a nice assortment of waterfowl, including a common > loon and an immature snow goose, among other species, but not the bird I was > hoping for. > > I did find a sapsucker in the trees near the boat ramp where a red-naped > sapsucker had been reported throughout the previous week. The sapsucker I > observed, however, appeared to be a hybrid red-naped x red-breasted > sapsucker. When I first observed the bird, I got only a brief view of it as > it peeked around the maple trunk (just below eye level) before flying off to > a row of evergreens closer to the lake. I was expecting a red-naped > sapsucker, but I was struck by the amount of red I saw in its face. Because > of the amount of red, I immediately thought "red-breasted sapsucker - not > the bird I'm looking for, but still a nice bird to see." > > The friend I was birding with is a new birder and had never seen > red-breasted sapsucker so we set off to refind it and get better looks. We > refound the sapsucker high in a western redcedar and were able to study it > at leisure as it fed. From our vantage point, the back and wing pattern of > the bird appeared good for red-naped sapsucker. Because the bird was > actively feeding high above me, I was only able to see the face and head > when it briefly turned sideways to nervously look around, but again, I was > struck by the amount of red in the head. This bird had extensive red > coloration on the nape, and that red extended upward across the back of the > crown to the top of the head and forward to the bill. The bird did not have > a black hind crown as a red-naped sapsucker should. It did have a distinct, > broad, black line that extended backward from the eye and down the side of > the neck as in a red-naped sapsucker; however, the red of the throat > extended upward across the cheek and into the black line on the face. > Because of the face pattern that appeared to combine those of red-naped and > red-breasted sapsuckers, I believe that the bird I saw was a hybrid rather > than pure red-naped sapsucker. > > I was able to get a few bad photos before my camera battery died, and > I've put the "best" of the photos (though still, admittedly terrible) on the > web for anyone who might be interested (http://picasaweb.google.com/craigPDX/Sapsucker). > I wasn't able to get a good photo of the bird's face, but the extent of the > red on the back of the head, lack of a black hindcrown, and red in the face > are somewhat visible in the photo I've posted. Any comments on this bird > would be greatly appreciated. > > Craig Tumer > NE Portland > > > ------------------------------ > Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star > power. Play now! > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/0edfdc2c/attachment.htm From lcain at astoria.k12.or.us Thu Jan 24 11:29:43 2008 From: lcain at astoria.k12.or.us (Lee Cain) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:29:43 -0800 Subject: [obol] Columbia Estuary update Message-ID: <4798E727.8010609@astoria.k12.or.us> Local highlights: This AM on the way to school I found one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK at the Astoria Airport and another at the NE King Ave sand/wetland complex. A WESTERN MEADOWLARK also popped up. Sunday my son and I found a RED-NECKED GREBE hanging out with all three scoter species at the South Jetty Columbia River. -- Lee Cain >//////> >//////> >//////> >//////> Aquatic Biology/Integrated Science http://www.astoriaschools.org/ASD/ahs/AHS%20Science/all.htm Astoria High School 1001 West Marine Drive Astoria OR 97103 503-325-3911 vm 301 From badkitty at studkitty.com Thu Jan 24 11:45:12 2008 From: badkitty at studkitty.com (Jacqui) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:45:12 -0800 Subject: [obol] Very Birdy Tualatin Hills Nature Park Message-ID: <4798EAC8.7030204@studkitty.com> Obolers! Day before yesterday (1/22/08) I took a walk w/ a friend through THNP (was a spontaneous decision...no binos), and at every turn there were birds everywhere! Nothing rare or unusual but LOTS of birds coming through: BCChickadees, RBNuthatches, Townsends Warblers, RC & GC Kinglets and Bushtits galore. Thought I heard some waxwings, and pine siskins. Saw several Bewicks wrens, white crowned sparrows, song sparrows, Brn Creepers, juncos, 2 downy woodpeckers working the vine maples together. The highlight was a gregarious Pilated Woody banging away at a fir tree completely at ease w/ observers very close by. What a beautiful sight. And that was a 1st for me in terms of my Oregon and Washington Co lists. It was really fun watching him & pointing him out to passers by! Also spotted a Beaver, Nutria, a few (native ?) squirrels and even a Chickaree (Douglas squirrel) made an appearance. We were only there for a little over an hr & everywhere we went there were birds. It was really wonderful. I have been to that park in all weather, year 'round, maybe a hundred times & have never seen it be so birdy! Also if anyone is interested, The park is starting an Avian survey program now. If you would like to register for the orientation on 1/26, or the program in general contact Melissa Marcum at 503.629.6305 x 2953, or mmarcum at thprd.com As for my urban-Beaverton deck feeders - struggling to keep the hummer feeder un-frozen - I am getting hummers throughout the day. The other morning I had one before it was even light (about 6:30am). Fortunately I was up really early and had just thaw'd the feeder out. The little hummer drank voraciously and came back several times over the next few minutes! I'm thinking that feeder could have been the difference between life and death for the little Anna's. The gold finches are fewer this week - I'm a little worried - hope they are just moving around more or something and not dying off from the cold. The bushtits are also flocking the suet at lest a couple of times a day. This morning down the street, just off the sidewalk I found a dead bushtit. She is in my freezer now for future science project (I'm starting the Cornell Lab home ornithology course and thought it may come in handy sometime). Precipitation expected to return to the area in a couple of days - but the temps are expected to remain pretty low. Bundle up folks! Best! Jacqui (BirdKat) -- Jacqui Parker Portland, OREGON ........... I realized that If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes Charles Lindbergh (1902 - 1974), Interview 1974 ( '< / ) ) // " " From sheilach at nwtec.com Thu Jan 24 10:58:52 2008 From: sheilach at nwtec.com (sheila chambers) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:58:52 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bad day for a House finch Message-ID: <007901c85ec2$6bee39e0$aa3f2d0c@Sheilas> LeavesI changed my feeder set up to include a close brush pile. The birds seem to like it because when frightened, some dive into it and hide. Once a Sharp-shinned hawk dove toward the feeder scattering the birds and some were hiding inside the brush pile, safe. But today, it was different. The Sharpie swept up to the brush pile then sqeezed itself inside. When it emerged, it held in it's bloody foot a Male House finch - success! I suspect the House finch was one of several that had some kind of eye infection and had poor vision otherwise it should have been able to escape the Sharpie in the brush pile as it took it some time to sqeeze its way inside. Most of the usual suspects are here but two White-throated sparrows are missing this morning and one of those was ill. It was puffed up and it's vent was dirty and wet but it was eating heartliy. Other 'starving' birds were WHITE-CROWN, GOLD -CROWN, LINCOLN'S, FOX and SONG SPARROWS, ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS, SPOTTED TOWHEE, HOUSE FINCHES, EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE, ROBINS, BLACK PHEOBE, CHESTNUT-BACKED and BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEES, DARK EYED 'OREGON' and a 'SLATE' JUNCO. The #$%&@!! RAIN has returned ! But yesterday was great! Sheila from now WET AGAIN, Harbor Oregon From kcboddie at bendbroadband.com Thu Jan 24 12:34:32 2008 From: kcboddie at bendbroadband.com (Kim Boddie) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 12:34:32 -0800 Subject: [obol] Bend - Alfalfa Raptor Survey Message-ID: <000801c85ec8$8701a040$e172dc42@kcboddie> Carolyn and I drove the Bend-Alfalfa route yesterday (1/23) We drove 78 miles between 0930 and 1300 hours under clear skies, calm winds and temps. between 7 & 24 degrees F. Snow cover ranged between 0 & 6 inches. Raptor numbers are consistent with this years sightings but below last years. 21 Red-tailed Hawks 2 American Kestrels 2 Adult Bald Eagles 6 Rough-legged Hawks 2 Ferruginous Hawks 2 Prairie Falcons 46 Total Also saw 33 Common Ravens ---kim Bend -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/ea3fa6f7/attachment.htm From jdanielfarrar at gmail.com Thu Jan 24 13:21:47 2008 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com (Daniel Farrar) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:21:47 -0800 Subject: [obol] UofO Mountain Chickadee Message-ID: <2b1bbd260801241321h66d9056ao55f4eaf22ea91871@mail.gmail.com> Obol, The MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE was along 13th near Deady Hall today at 1PM. Fun to have around. -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/8ce4ed17/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Thu Jan 24 14:45:45 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:45:45 +0000 Subject: [obol] Red-naped Sapsucker at Dexter Res. is a hybrid In-Reply-To: <2b1bbd260801241343s1fc44606vf3a68039a65fff1e@mail.gmail.com> References: <2b1bbd260801241343s1fc44606vf3a68039a65fff1e@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Greetings All, This post was initially written as a response to Daniel Farrar's question about this bird. Realizing that I was going to post OBOL anyway, and that there have been some questions raised about this bird by Craig Tumer, I thought I would go ahead and loop the list into the conversation. I made a trip to Dexter this morning for the sole purpose of tracking down the saspsucker that was originally reported as a Red-naped, which I did. I watched bird through my scope in great sunlight for up to 10 minutes at a time. I saw it from various angles, mostly at about eye level. I can say without hesitation that this bird is a hybrid RNSA X RBSA. I base this conclusion on the following: 1. In general, the amount of red on the head, throat and bleeding into the upper breast was well in excess of even the reddest (presumed) RNSA I've seen. 2. The red on the crown extended through the hindcrown, nuchal area and onto the nape with no clear break of black feathering. At some angles there appeared to be some of the expected black in the area between the nape and the hindcrown, but 3. The red on the throat was most telling. The red throat was far more extensive than expected for a RNSA. Laterally, the red extended through the normal dark border feathering, especially at the corner of the throat where there is a break in the dark border. Also, the red mostly obscured the black crescent on the breast that forms the bottom of the frame/border around the red throat. There was even a small amount of red extending onto the breast below the bottom of the black crescent. There was also more red in the auriculars (covering the black and white post ocular stripes) than I have seen on presumed pure RNSA's. 4. The back pattern has two fairly broad troughs of creamy barring, less than the amount on a YBSA, more extensive than RBSA. The back looked like that of a typical RNSA. Craig Tumer should be commended for being the one person out of dozens who saw this bird to look at it critically enough to determine that it might be a hybrid. His written description of the bird (a rarity these days) described the head pattern exactly as it appeared to me. It never hurts to take along a little healthy skepticism with your bins, scope and camera when you head into the field. Often times birds are reported online that were seen in less than ideal conditions. Superficially, this bird looks like a Red-naped Sapsucker, with little obvious evidence of its Red-breasted heritage. Nice work Craig. Dave Irons, Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:43:24 -0800 From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com To: llsdirons at msn.com; calliope at theriver.com; acontrer at mindspring.com Subject: Fwd: RNSA Well gentlemen. Opinions? Daniel ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: STEVE & SYBIL KOHL Date: Jan 24, 2008 1:04 PM Subject: To: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com dan thanks for the help last saturday when sybil and i were looking for the loon and you and lydia showed us the sapsucker here is the best shot of the bird i had from that day...dont know if it will help at all in the current controversy regarding his lineage..what ever it is, a cool bird hope you two saw the amazing rainbow that occured at the east end of the lake at about 1pm when the rains ended thanks again and regards steve kohl , brush prairie,wa -- Daniel Farrar Eugene, Oregon jdanielfarrar at gmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts!?Play the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/2873a80c/attachment.htm From rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com Thu Jan 24 15:01:13 2008 From: rakestrawbirder at yahoo.com (John Rakestraw) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:01:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Sauvie Island Message-ID: <574753.79665.qm@web37003.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I sifted through a lot of sparrows on Sauvie Island today. The diversity was good, but no rarities were found. Walking along Rentenaar Rd was most productive, while there were very few songbirds at the end of Oak Island Rd (feeder was empty). Sparrows included: Golden-crowned White-crowned Song Fox Lincoln's Savannah Dark-eyed Junco Other goodies along Rentenaar Rd included a male Purple Finch, a small flock of Dunlin, and a Peregrine Falcon. Cheers, John Rakestraw Portland --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/09a358c5/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Thu Jan 24 15:19:26 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:19:26 +0000 Subject: [obol] Eugene Harris's Sparrow continues, sings in response my imitation Message-ID: The HARRIS'S SPARROW on private along N. Gilham Rd. in Eugene continues to regularly visit the seed pile next to the old metal shed. I saw it today between 11:15 and 11:45. It was nice to see it with binoculars this time. As someone suggested yesterday, the best strategy is to park in the wide area opposite the shed and remain in your vehicle in a position where you can view the seed. I was there about about 30 minutes and during that time the bird made two visits to the seed remaining about five minutes each time. During the second visit I rolled down my windows and did my best whistled imitation of a Harris's Sparrow song. The bird quickly started singing back, mostly doing just the first of the normally two-phrase song. A couple times it uttered the lower-pitched second phrase as a delayed afterthought. I had only heard this species sing one other time (also in Oregon nearly 30 years ago), so this was genuine pleasure. Dave Irons _________________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts!?Play the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/d7941ac2/attachment.htm From garbledmodwit at yahoo.com Thu Jan 24 15:21:19 2008 From: garbledmodwit at yahoo.com (Tim Rodenkirk) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:21:19 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Coos chickadee 1/24/2008 Message-ID: <329349.20351.qm@web45103.mail.sp1.yahoo.com> I was back down at New River in SW Coos for a total of about 20 minutes this morning. No Selasphorus Hummers to be found. I did hear two MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES though and saw one of them. I suspect that they are probably scattered throughout the county this winter and would be reported more often if we had more birders looking... The wetness is indeed back- oh joy! Tim R Coos Bay ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From calidrissp at fastmail.fm Thu Jan 24 16:09:01 2008 From: calidrissp at fastmail.fm (Frank Mayer) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:09:01 -0800 Subject: [obol] Douglas County Say's Pheobe Message-ID: <1201219741.8132.1233153069@webmail.messagingengine.com> Obol, Its been a while since I've posted but here goes. I was birding around Sutherlin today and while at Cooper Creek Res. east of Sutherlin I saw a SAY'S PHOEBE. It was hanging out at the boat ramp. Frank Mayer Winchester -- Frank Mayer calidrissp at fastmail.fm -- http://www.fastmail.fm - I mean, what is it about a decent email service? From LammergeierEyes at aol.com Thu Jan 24 16:57:49 2008 From: LammergeierEyes at aol.com (LammergeierEyes at aol.com) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:57:49 EST Subject: [obol] Eurasian Wigeon and Northern Goshawk at Ridgefield Message-ID: Had another lovely afternoon at Ridgefield. Most interesting birds were one Male Eurasian Wigeon and another hybrid Male American x Eurasian Wigeon hybrid, both on Rest Lake. An adult Northern Goshawk also flew over the refuge mid-afternoon. As usual I delighted in four Canada Goose "forms" Cackling, Dusky, Aleutian and Common. There were also 25-30 Greater White-fronted Geese flying back and fourth in the area. Ducks included Common and Hooded Merganser, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveler, many American Wigeon Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck. Six [6]+ Bald Eagles, Male Harrier, Rough-legged Hawk, 20+ Sandhill Crane, and many individual raptors on kills enriched the day. Both Glaucous-winged and Ring-bill gulls were present in single digits. Passerines included Marsh and Winter Wren, Downy Woodpecker, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-breasted Nuthatch and Red-breasted Sapsucker. The most quizzical and strange experience was an albino Muskrat walking on the ice! Who knew! Best, Blake Matheson Carmel California & Portland Oregon **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?NCID=aolcmp003000000025 48) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/45155929/attachment.htm From rflores_2 at msn.com Thu Jan 24 18:05:04 2008 From: rflores_2 at msn.com (Bob Flores) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:05:04 -0800 Subject: [obol] Ridgefield NWR this evening. Message-ID: Interesting afternoon on the Tour Route. Not anything worth excitement over but some nice numbers. I had a total of 138 song sparrows along the road with one Savannah and three Lincoln's mixed in. There were few gcsp. I had 236 sandhill cranes fly overhead coming from Bachelor Island to the Roth Unit. I did have an interesting Tundra Swan that had a extensive yellow patch on bill, sort of like a Bewick's but not quite enough. Another interesting note is the Ross' goose is still around and was spotted early this week in the Roth Unit, an area cl;osed to the public, and it could show up anywhere at any time so keep your eyes peeled for it! Bob Flores Ridgefield, WA -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/0c329db6/attachment.htm From willclemons at yahoo.com Thu Jan 24 19:38:49 2008 From: willclemons at yahoo.com (Bill Clemons) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:38:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Ridgefield NWR: RED-THROATED LOON Message-ID: <268092.15931.qm@web55114.mail.re4.yahoo.com> My nonagenarian mother (Olive) and I birded the River "S" Unit at Ridgefield NWR (~4mi W of I-5 at Exit 14 in SW Washington; http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ ). Highlights: ICE ICE EVERYWHERE: There was very little open water today, and in most cases, if you found open water, you found birds. Nearly all of Rest Lake is frozen, with a narrow open water patch running N/S in the south center of the lake. Some added open water was against the bank N of the "three trees" on the E side of Rest Lake just prior to where the road leaves the lake edge. Most of the water control canals were also frozen over. RED-THROATED LOON: Great views, no scope needed, as seen from the bridge over Lake River. The RED-THROATED LOON was pretty actively feeding. I saw it from about 100 yds N of the bridge to 200 yds S. At one point it was right below me as it went under the bridge. Very Nice treat! GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE: As we were on the E side of Rest Lake, this flock of 26 or 27 GREATER WHITE-FRONTEDS flew in from the N, circled and landed on what little open water there was on the lake. TREE SWALLOW: It was a pretty cold day for this lone insect hunter, as it continually crisscrossed the road just west of Long Lake. It seems to me this fellow is a tad too far north, considering the weather. BALD EAGLES: I saw about a half dozen today, with no takes, and only one half hearted pass over Rest Lake to scare up a thousand ducks and geese. EAGLE/GOOSE/COYOTE/ICE SHOW: I missed the show, as I arrived about 9:30am. Clay Davis was there early, and counted 17 BALD EAGLES on the ice on Rest Lake today. He also watched as a 7 juvenile harassed the birds and got the ducks and geese in the air. One the BALD EAGLES took a CANADA GOOSE. Not really a Highlight, n Bill Clemons SW of Portland in Mtn Park Willclemons AT Yahoo dot com Complete list of 52 species seen / heard: RED-THROATED LOON (on Lake River, seen from bridge) Pied-billed Grebe Double-crested Cormorant (on Lake River, seen from bridge) Great Blue Heron Great Egret GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (26 flew in and landed on Rest Lake) Cackling Goose Canada Goose Tundra Swan Gadwall American Wigeon Mallard CINNAMON TEAL Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Ring-necked Duck Lesser Scaup Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Common Merganser (on Lake River, 5 seen from bridge) Ruddy Duck Bald Eagle Northern Harrier Red-tailed Hawk HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK American Kestrel American Coot Sandhill Crane KILLDEER (E of R/R tracks on S side of road) Gull (Species) Red-breasted Sapsucker (entrance canyon) Northern Flicker Steller's Jay Western Scrub-Jay American Crow TREE SWALLOW (1 seen just W of Long Lake) Black-capped Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch (heard - entrance canyon) White-breasted Nuthatch Bewick's Wren Winter Wren (heard - entrance canyon) Marsh Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin European Starling Audubon's Yellow-rumped Warbler Spotted Towhee Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Brewer's Blackbird (1 seen near entrance booth) ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From willclemons at yahoo.com Thu Jan 24 19:48:04 2008 From: willclemons at yahoo.com (Bill Clemons) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:48:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Ridgefield - ICE CAPERS: Swans crash, Eagle takes Goose, Coyotes steal the prize Message-ID: <492106.84678.qm@web55107.mail.re4.yahoo.com> My mom and I got there too late, but the following ICE CAPERS were seen by Clay Davis between 8 and 9am today on Rest Lake on the River "S" Unit at Ridgefield NWR (~4mi W of I-5 at Exit 14 in SW Washington; http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ ). Most of the water on the River "S" Unit was frozen today. Rest Lake had a narrow but long open water patch running N/S in the south center of the lake. This morning, Clay Davis saw 17 BALD EAGLES on the ICE and surrounding trees. This count excludes Eagles he saw before or after. ICE CAPERS: While watching and counting BALD EAGLES, Clay noticed two COYOTES come out on the ice on the W side of the open water. The COYOTES were harassing lots of birds and for some reason ignoring small Nutria nearby. The COYOTES got a lot of birds up and when some of the TUNDRA SWAN landed and slid on the ice, they Crashed into other SWAN, knocking them over. Subsequent to this, Clay observed 7 BALD EAGLES harassing GEESE and Ducks alike. One BALD EAGLE banked and dove on a CANADA GOOSE, hitting it about 20 - 30 feet above the ice. The injured GOOSE bounced on the ice on the E side of the open water. All this commotion caught the attention of the COYOTES, who immediately ran from the W side ice to the E side ice and chased off the EAGLES, and claimed the GOOSE for themselves. Clay said the COYOTES had a brief scuffle among themselves, before it was decided which COYOTE got to carry the GOOSE off the ice and into the brush for brunch. Bill Clemons for Clay Davis of Vancouver, WA ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From eddiem374 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 24 22:43:31 2008 From: eddiem374 at yahoo.com (Eddie Mundall) Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:43:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] [OBOL] Huge flock LAPLAND LONGSPURS, northern California (Siskiyou County) Message-ID: <256440.49502.qm@web60423.mail.yahoo.com> Birders, This post is for a sighting in California, but close enough to Oregon I thought it might interest some of you. Hope I'm not breaking the rules... ;) Today (1-24-08) Ray Ekstrom found a very large flock of about 2,000 Lapland Longspurs and 500 Horned Larks near Montague, in Siskiyou County. This is east of Yreka (on I-5 just over 20 miles from Oregon). Going east on Highway 3, past Montague, you pass the Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge on the right, and go about 2 more miles. Just after a large silver silo on the left, about another 10 telephone poles or so, and the birds were in the snowy field on the right. The field is actually part of the Shasta Valley Wildlife Refuge. This is about 3 miles from Montague. I managed to get out to see them briefly as it was getting dark, and the flock had shrunk in size by then. Still, I enjoyed the best views I have ever had of Longspurs, and lots of them! I did not realize such large flocks of Longspurs existed! I of course searched for any other species of Longspurs amongst them, but their habit of frequently taking flight and relocating was no help, and I saw only Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks. Eddie Mundall Yreka CA eddiem374 at yahoo.com --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080124/e5b4bdb6/attachment.htm From bcombs232 at gmail.com Fri Jan 25 00:50:22 2008 From: bcombs232 at gmail.com (Barbara Combs) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:50:22 -0800 Subject: [obol] Red-naped Sapsucker at Dexter Res. is a hybrid In-Reply-To: References: <2b1bbd260801241343s1fc44606vf3a68039a65fff1e@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <8ce3a6520801250050h432718g1fe5c0cbd20e58a5@mail.gmail.com> I got a good look at the face of this bird and thought, too, that the red was excessive. I did not get a good look at the breast. I looked up information on sapsuckers to see what excessive red on the face might mean. Kevin Zimmer, in his book Birding in the American West, addressed the issue of hybrid sapsuckers (p.209). He says, with respect to Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsucker hybrids: "Most hybrids will appear intermediate between the parental types and, thus, should show stronger black auriculars and more distinct white facial striping (especially behind the eye) than would be typical for *daggetti* and at least a partial black breast shield. The breast shield is probably the key mark, because no daggetti will show more than (at most) a small amount of black flecking at the bottom of the red breast. Remember that female *daggetti* will show more black mottling to the cheeks and stronger white facial markings than will males. Occasional Red-naped Sapsuckers with excessive amounts of red on the face and breast may also be problematic. Some hybrids will be indistinguishable in the field from variant Red-napeds and *daggetti *Red-breasteds." Based on what I saw, I could not conclude whether this bird was a hybrid or a Red-naped Sapsucker with excessive red markings. Dave's observation about the black crescent on the breast of the bird may hold the key. Was the breast shield complete or was it completely obliterated by red in some places? I am certain that hybrids exist in Oregon, and they exist not far from Dexter Reservoir. During the course of my breeding bird atlas field work, I found a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a Red-naped Sapsucker attending young at the same nest hole in a snag next to the parking lot of a small resort not far from the Willamette Pass. They appeared to be a mated pair. On Jan 24, 2008 2:45 PM, DAVID IRONS wrote: > Greetings All, > > This post was initially written as a response to Daniel Farrar's question > about this bird. Realizing that I was going to post OBOL anyway, and that > there have been some questions raised about this bird by Craig Tumer, I > thought I would go ahead and loop the list into the conversation. > > I made a trip to Dexter this morning for the sole purpose of tracking down > the saspsucker that was originally reported as a Red-naped, which I did. I > watched bird through my scope in great sunlight for up to 10 minutes at a > time. I saw it from various angles, mostly at about eye level. I can say > without hesitation that this bird is a hybrid RNSA X RBSA. I base this > conclusion on the following: > > 1. In general, the amount of red on the head, throat and bleeding into > the upper breast was well in excess of even the reddest (presumed) RNSA I've > seen. > > 2. The red on the crown extended through the hindcrown, nuchal area and > onto the nape with no clear break of black feathering. At some angles there > appeared to be some of the expected black in the area between the nape and > the hindcrown, but > > 3. The red on the throat was most telling. The red throat was far more > extensive than expected for a RNSA. Laterally, the red extended through the > normal dark border feathering, especially at the corner of the throat where > there is a break in the dark border. Also, the red mostly obscured the > black crescent on the breast that forms the bottom of the frame/border > around the red throat. There was even a small amount of red extending onto > the breast below the bottom of the black crescent. There was also more red > in the auriculars (covering the black and white post ocular stripes) than I > have seen on presumed pure RNSA's. > > 4. The back pattern has two fairly broad troughs of creamy barring, less > than the amount on a YBSA, more extensive than RBSA. The back looked like > that of a typical RNSA. > > Craig Tumer should be commended for being the one person out of dozens who > saw this bird to look at it critically enough to determine that it might be > a hybrid. His written description of the bird (a rarity these days) > described the head pattern exactly as it appeared to me. It never hurts to > take along a little healthy skepticism with your bins, scope and camera when > you head into the field. Often times birds are reported online that were > seen in less than ideal conditions. Superficially, this bird looks like a > Red-naped Sapsucker, with little obvious evidence of its Red-breasted > heritage. Nice work Craig. > > Dave Irons, > > ------------------------------ > Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:43:24 -0800 > From: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com > To: llsdirons at msn.com; calliope at theriver.com; acontrer at mindspring.com > Subject: Fwd: RNSA > > Well gentlemen. Opinions? > > Daniel > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: *STEVE & SYBIL KOHL* > Date: Jan 24, 2008 1:04 PM > Subject: > To: jdanielfarrar at gmail.com > > > dan > > thanks for the help last saturday when sybil and i were looking for the > loon and you and lydia showed us the sapsucker > > here is the best shot of the bird i had from that day...dont know if it > will help at all in the current controversy regarding his lineage..what ever > it is, a cool bird > > hope you two saw the amazing rainbow that occured at the east end of the > lake at about 1pm when the rains ended > thanks again and regards > > steve kohl , brush prairie,wa > > > > -- > Daniel Farrar > Eugene, Oregon > jdanielfarrar at gmail.com > > > ------------------------------ > Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star > power. Play now! > > _______________________________________________ > obol mailing list > obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/obol > > To unsubscribe, send a message to: > obol-leave at lists.oregonstate.edu. > -- Barbara Combs obie '70 Eugene OR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/aaddce2e/attachment.htm From llsdirons at msn.com Fri Jan 25 09:58:22 2008 From: llsdirons at msn.com (DAVID IRONS) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:58:22 +0000 Subject: [obol] Red-naped Sapsucker at Dexter Res. is a hybrid In-Reply-To: <8ce3a6520801250050h432718g1fe5c0cbd20e58a5@mail.gmail.com> References: <2b1bbd260801241343s1fc44606vf3a68039a65fff1e@mail.gmail.com> <8ce3a6520801250050h432718g1fe5c0cbd20e58a5@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Greetings All, Barbara Combs asks, "Was the breast shield complete or was it completely obliterated by red in some places?" This is a little difficult to describe, but the "breast shield" (the rather large crescent-shaped black bib below the throat) of this bird was rather diffuse although you could see the outline through the dominant red feathering. In places the breast shield was completely "obliterated" by red. In fact the red actually extended down below the breast shield, which should not be the case with any "pure" Red-naped Sapsucker. On a typical Red-naped, the breast shield forms the bottom border of the nearly complete "frame" around the throat. A pure Red-naped should show a mostly red throat completely bordered by black except for the small break in the border below the white malar stripe. The red throat on this bird also bled out beyond the gap in the border onto and across the white malar stripe. Again, this should never be the case with a pure Red-naped Sapsucker. There is no one arguing that this bird could be an odd Red-breasted Sapsucker, and based on the throat and breast markings it cannot be a pure Red-naped, thus it has to be a hybrid or intergrade between the two species. There is a broad well-known overlap zone in the ranges of these two birds and hybrids, as Barbara suggests, are not particularly rare. The main lesson in this sequence of events is that birds west of the Cascades looking superficially like Red-naped Sapsuckers should be carefully scrutinized. The expected range of Red-naped Sapsucker is essentially limited to the east side of the Cascades. They occasionally wander west after the breeding season (less than five reported annually) and have been known to winter, as was the case last year with a bird in Creswell. There are two sub-species of Red-breasted Sapsuckers, ruberi, which is mostly restricted to the westside of the Cascades, Coast Range and valleys, and the southern daggetti which is expected in the Siskiyous, and the southern Cascades both east and westside. Daggetti are quite common west and northwest of Klamath Falls on the east slope of the Cascades. Hybrids are often seen in this area and in recent years there have been a number of hybrids found in the Sisters area and on the east side of Santiam Pass. Dave Irons Eugene, OR ________________________________ > Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:50:22 -0800 > From: bcombs232 at gmail.com > To: obol at lists.oregonstate.edu > Subject: Re: [obol] Red-naped Sapsucker at Dexter Res. is a hybrid > > I got a good look at the face of this bird and thought, too, that the red was excessive. I did not get a good look at the breast. I looked up information on sapsuckers to see what excessive red on the face might mean. Kevin Zimmer, in his book Birding in the American West, addressed the issue of hybrid sapsuckers (p.209). He says, with respect to Red-breasted and Red-naped Sapsucker hybrids: "Most hybrids will appear intermediate between the parental types and, thus, should show stronger black auriculars and more distinct white facial striping (especially behind the eye) than would be typical for daggetti and at least a partial black breast shield. The breast shield is probably the key mark, because no daggetti will show more than (at most) a small amount of black flecking at the bottom of the red breast. Remember that female daggetti will show more black mottling to the cheeks and stronger white facial markings than will males. Occasional Red-naped Sapsuckers with excessive amounts of red on the face and breast may also be problematic. Some hybrids will be indistinguishable in the field from variant Red-napeds and daggetti Red-breasteds." > > Based on what I saw, I could not conclude whether this bird was a hybrid or a Red-naped Sapsucker with excessive red markings. Dave's observation about the black crescent on the breast of the bird may hold the key. Was the breast shield complete or was it completely obliterated by red in some places? > > I am certain that hybrids exist in Oregon, and they exist not far from Dexter Reservoir. During the course of my breeding bird atlas field work, I found a Red-breasted Sapsucker and a Red-naped Sapsucker attending young at the same nest hole in a snag next to the parking lot of a small resort not far from the Willamette Pass. They appeared to be a mated pair. > On Jan 24, 2008 2:45 PM, DAVID IRONS _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ From monroemolly at hotmail.com Fri Jan 25 10:49:36 2008 From: monroemolly at hotmail.com (Molly Monroe) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:49:36 -0800 Subject: [obol] Mark your calendars Message-ID: Here's a copy of the news release that was sent out today regarding the CCP Public Meetings in February. See attached file: news release ccp public mtg.wpd Nancy Zanotti, Office Assistant USFWS W.L. Finley NWR 26208 Finley Refuge Road Corvallis, OR 97333-9533 541-757-7236 nancy_zanotti at fws.gov _ ( '< / ) ) //' Those who appreciate the power and beauty of nature will find reserves of strength for as long as life lasts- Rachel Carson _________________________________________________________________ Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live. http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/416dbff9/attachment.htm -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: ccp public mtg.wpd Type: application/octet-stream Size: 73556 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/416dbff9/attachment.obj From donalbri at teleport.com Fri Jan 25 11:00:12 2008 From: donalbri at teleport.com (Don Albright) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:00:12 -0800 Subject: [obol] Turkey Vulture--Yamhill County Message-ID: <974035B3C05A44369AA946B8B0124EE7@ownerPC> Yesterday afternoon (January 24) I saw a TURKEY VULTURE soaring low over the eastern edge of Newberg, Yamhill County. I don't know if it would be considered a very early migrant, or a wintering individual, but either way it was a surprise. Don Albright Newberg, Oregon donalbri at teleport.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/14e3a8d9/attachment.htm From d_maxs at hotmail.com Fri Jan 25 14:19:04 2008 From: d_maxs at hotmail.com (D.Max Smith) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:19:04 -0700 Subject: [obol] Gulls on Ice Message-ID: I found a huge flock of gulls at Amberglen Park today. Most were standing on the frozen pond and a few were being fed, against the wishes of the park owners. I fear that they will fence the place off if this behavior continues. If you would like to see the park and practice long-distance gull identification, check out www.surfbirds.com/blog/smit8967 Max Smith, Hillsboro _________________________________________________________________ Shed those extra pounds with MSN and The Biggest Loser! http://biggestloser.msn.com/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/245a3e89/attachment.htm From monroemolly at hotmail.com Fri Jan 25 14:22:05 2008 From: monroemolly at hotmail.com (Molly Monroe) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:22:05 -0800 Subject: [obol] Mark your calendars (2nd try, sorry) Message-ID: News Release Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex 26208 Finley Refuge Rd Corvallis, OR 97333 January 24, 2008 Contact: Doug Spencer, Project Leader (541) 757-7236. You are warmly invited to meet the staff of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuges at two Open Houses to be held in February. The Open Houses are part of the scoping process for the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for three refuges (Ankeny, Baskett Slough and William L. Finley). Information will be available on refuge programs, preliminary goals and preliminary issues. Meetings will be held in Corvallis and Salem and will provide the public an opportunity to discuss the issues to be explored in the CCP process, and to learn about how the CCP process will unfold. More importantly, it will provide Refuge staff an opportunity to hear the public?s interest and concerns for the Refuges. Details follow: Thursday, February 7 2008 Salem First United Methodist Church Carrier Rooms 600 State Street Salem, OR 3-5 pm (presentation at 3:30 p.m.) 7-9 pm (presentation at 7:30 p.m.) Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Corvallis Fire Station #5 Walnut Community Room 4950 NW Fair Oaks Drive Corvallis, OR 3-5 pm (presentation at 3:30 p.m.) 7-9 pm (presentation at 7:30 p.m.) Background information on refuge resources and challenges is available at www.fws.gov/willamettevalley/ccp. An internet comment form is also available at this site. The public is also invited to contact Doug Spencer, Project Leader, at (541)757-7236, with thoughts and concerns. The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. _________________________________________________________________ Climb to the top of the charts!?Play the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/8682f7d5/attachment.htm From celata at pacifier.com Fri Jan 25 14:27:31 2008 From: celata at pacifier.com (Mike Patterson) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:27:31 -0800 Subject: [obol] Come on... everybody else is doing it Message-ID: <479A6230.F7AD21A@pacifier.com> If, for some reason you still haven't gone to see the Brownsmead Ardtic Loon, it's still there as of this morning. The very dry, very cold conditions have run all the ducks out into the river and the Palm Warbler is quite wisely hanging out in the inaccesible regions of the silage barn where it can't be easily seen (that's probably where the phoebe is too). 'spose to rain this weekend. Maybe stuff will finally thaw out. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR celata at pacifier.com Gull, you really got me going http://www.surfbirds.com/blogs/mbalame/archives/2008/01/gull20080105.html From shelsimper at yahoo.com Fri Jan 25 14:52:54 2008 From: shelsimper at yahoo.com (Michelle Simper) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:52:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: [obol] Fenk Road (Tillamook County) Message-ID: <236614.83085.qm@web36113.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Hello, I was joined by Dave and Ellen Morrison today and they helped me do the Tillamook West Raptor Run. One of the roads on this route is Fenk Road and we had some really neat birds that we seen today including a couple of uncommon and rare ones for Tillamook County. They included: 1 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, 1 BLACK PHOEBE, 6 TUDRA SWANS, 3 SNOW GEESE, and the best bird 1 ROSS'S GOOSE. Complete raptor run results will be posted later today. Michelle Simper Bay City --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/private/obol/attachments/20080125/f02a9ff8/attachment.htm From APBrockway at aol.com Fri Jan 25 17:09:45 2008 From: APBrockway at aol.com (APBrockway at aol.com) Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:09:45 EST Subject: [obol] Varied Thrushes Lane County Message-ID: Today at 3:00 PM we observed 5 Varied Thrushes at mm 1 on Mercer Lake Road (N of Florence). We saw another single Varied Thrush at 3:45 PM 100 yards east of the Darlingtona parking area. Al & Dottie Brockway Rapid City, SD currently at Lakeside, OR **************Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music. (http://music.aol.com/grammys/pictures/never-won-a-grammy?N