These field notes are from the Sandpiper, a publication of Yaquina Birders & Naturalists, Lincoln County, Oregon. This group is independent of the Audubon Society of Lincoln City.
Comments about abundance or seasonality refer only to LINCOLN COUNTY.
If you have any field notes to share, please contact Range Bayer (rbayer at orednet.org, PO Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365) by the 20th of the month.
Many Lincoln Co. birding sites are in the Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide.
Semimonthly Lincoln Co. bird records through 1992 are in 1995 Journal of Oregon Ornithology 4:395-543 that is archived at ScholarsArchive@OSU (http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8070).
------------------------------- Month of Sandpiper, Volume 29 ------------------------------- January 2008 February 2008 March 2008
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Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations: BEAVER CREEK: creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, BOILER BAY: State Wayside about 0.5 mi north of Depoe Bay, 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, WANDEMERE: about 0.5 mi north of Ona Beach State Park near HWY 101, YBSJ: Yaquina Bay South Jetty.
Count Compiler RC reports:
"A record 35 field observers turned out 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 the previous night's storm was enormous surf on the beaches and jetties, with seas running 25-30 ft on top of an 8 ft; high tide in mid-morning. Coastal observers sensibly stayed off the beaches (what beaches?) until later in the day.
"We tallied 133 species, near the record for this Count! Best I can figure, our record was 136 in the 2004 count. That was the year of Greg's pelagic trip. [About 1/2 of the Yaquina Bay CBC Count Circle is offshore.]
"Good finds included a single BROWN PELICAN on the Yaquina River at Toledo (doubtless blown inshore the previous 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, BARN SWALLOWS, and LESSER GOLDFINCH.
"We had 4 additional Count Week species: NORTHERN HARRIER (worst miss on CBC), PIGEON GUILLEMOT, SAVANNAH SPARROW and WESTERN SCRUB-JAY.
"Many, many thanks to all our local stalwarts and especially to all the terrific visiting talent from Corvallis, Eugene and Bend!"
And a Big Thanks to RC for organizing and compiling the CBC and hosting the after-count social at her own expense. We appreciate your time and effort to put this together! Great job!
BLo completed the annual report for the 30th year of approximately weekly beached bird surveys along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach. Participants in 2007 surveys included B&SLo, L&VO, and BO.
They found beached birds each month, with a low in May-June (15-19) and the peak in November (176) and a second, lower peak in March (97).
In 2007, they found a total of 672 dead birds, about 150 above average. The most numerous species were NORTHERN FULMAR (228) and COMMON MURRE (132), RHINOCEROS AUKLET (71), and BRANDT'S CORMORANT (35).
Rare species included HORNED PUFFIN (16 in Jan.-March) and PARAKEET AUKLET (1 in March).
Thanks to BLo and his team of observers for doing this!
On 1/16, LO discovered 4 TUNDRA SWANS in a flooded field just past Milepost 3 along North Beaver Creek. The morning of 1/17 at JL's Newton Hill home about midway between Toledo and Siletz, she saw
"twelve big, beautiful white birds flying in a V-formation north over the hills west of my house as I was out feeding the goats. Swans? Snow geese? I didn't hear any calling, but the morning sun glinted off their brilliant white feathers against a dark cloud background - I should take binocs when I feed those goats!"
BB recognized a lost BRANT in the lawn of Yachts Inn south of Yachats on 1/21-22.
The peak of Brant at Yaquina Bay so far this winter is 182 on 1/18 (RB); none were then west of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, where they often appear during spring migration. Numbers seem to be at a plateau in January (see below). YB&N is a project partner of the International Brant Monitoring Project (IBMP) (http://www.padillabay.gov/brant/), and RB relays on sightings of significant numbers of Brant in Lincoln County to their Observation Log (see link on the left side of their web page).
Counts of Brant at Idaho Flats (I) or All (A) Yaquina Bay Embayments (Idaho Flats, Sally's Bend, and South Bay) by JL, RB, RL and KM. (Counts only at Idaho Flats may not record all overwintering Brant, though they may often only be there.)
175- II A
150- I A II A
125- III A II A
100- AIII A II A
75- AIII A II A
50- IAIII A II A
25- IAIAIII A II A
1-12- IAIAIII A II A
0- A IIAIAIII A II A
|''''|''''|''''|''''|''''|''''|'''
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
An out-of-place Aleutian CACKLING GOOSE was at an Idaho Flats marsh near the HMSC on 1/22 (RL) and grazing in a lawn at the HMSC on 1/24 (PL).
The HARLEQUIN DUCK high count was of 3 at Boiler Bay on 1/10 (MW) and 4 at Seal Rocks on 1/16 (LO). One near the HMSC pumphouse on 1/28 (TW) is unusual for that area.
An EARED GREBE at Devil's Lake on 1/1 (RN) and at Boiler Bay on 1/10 (MW) were our only records away from Yaquina Bay, where they usually are reported.
Presumably the same BROWN PELICAN spotted flying downstream from Toledo during the 1/5 CBC was at the Yaquina Bay Breakwater on 1/5 & 6 (HS). On 1/7, LH observed one at the YBSJ near where gulls were being fed bread; it approached to within about 10 feet, so it may have been hungry. We have had other years with January records (SemiL).
A sign of changing seasons! JL detected a PELAGIC CORMORANT with the white flank patch of breeding season on 1/10 at Yaquina Bay.
1 GREAT EGRET was at Alsea Bay in mid-January (MR), and 3 at were at Beaver Creek during the 1/19 YBNFT.
[Image Not Included: Kitty Brigham's July 19 photo of an adult Great Blue Heron at Ona Beach--a bump on a log between two bumps on a log.]
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was in the Oregon Coast Aquarium/HMSC area during at least 6 days in January, starting on 1/9 (BLl; JL; TW).
On 1/1, BO observed a pair of BALD EAGLES copulate and then linger side by side for about 20 minutes on the Yaquina Bay Breakwater near the Osprey nest site. About 4 miles east of Waldport, J&KC saw a Bald Eagle fly off with a cat in its talons on 1/28.
On 1/30, JL counted what may be the most Bald Eagles at once in Yaquina Bay--7 all at Idaho Flats (2 adults perched on a branch on the mudflat, 2 adults flying and scattering the ducks and brant, 2 juveniles perched on the mud, and 1 juvenile flying).
Pilings for perches for BALD EAGLES, or perhaps more appropriately for people to see eagles, have been installed at Sally's Bend--one near Coquille Point and another about halfway along the eastern side of Sally's Bend. Bald Eagles have been doing very well, but with the loss of a snag where they used to perch and easily be seen at Coquille Point, nonbirders may have seldom seen them.
There were a surprisingly large number of COOPER'S HAWK reports. Single Cooper's were near Embarcadero in Newport on 12/31 (BO), Logsden on 1/3 & 4 (BLl), Yaquina Heights in Newport (CP) and Yachats (BB) on 1/11, and Newport on 1/12 (TS). On 1/12, RL saw a juvenile male
"land in a tree outside my HMSC office. It was very wet and perched in the tree for 10-15 minutes trying to dry off. When it left the perch, it dove towards DG's bird feeder. When I went to her office it was on the ground about 2 feet from her window! It then proceeded to walk around her feeder and under the bush there looking around. What a great view of this bird! I went to get the camera, but of course it flew just as I got back to her office."
There were a few SHARP-SHINNED HAWK sightings, with RL noting that one on 1/31:
"went sailing past my office window at the HMSC, which is no big deal, but it was carrying a snake in it's talons! I doubt if there was much of a pursuit for the bird as it was raining and hailing. That's seems very early for a snake to be out."
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was at HWY 101 at Ona Beach on 1/8 (BB), and, on 1/27, TS saw one at South Beach State Park and another in Yachats.
A RED-TAILED HAWK landed on the perch at the Osprey nesting platform at the Yachats Community Park on 1/27 (BB). Maybe the Osprey will nest there this year?
BLl counted 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS on wires near Logsden's Moonshine Park on 12/23. They are often hard to find in winter and have not yet been recorded during this winter's Raptor Route (see following).
The January Lincoln Co. raptor route was conducted on 1/20 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.
In spite of searching, the total number (27) of raptors was the fewest of any previous survey and was markedly down from the December total of 50.
Oregon Winter Raptor Surveys are coordinated by the East Cascades Birds Observatory (ECBC) (http://www.ecbcbirds.org/Default.aspx?tabid=73).
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Dec-Feb.__________________
Lincoln Co. 2004- 2007 2008
Raptor Route 2007* 12/8 1/20
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Turkey Vulture 0-1 0 0
No. Harrier 0-5 3 1
White-t. Kite 0-3 1 2
Sharp-shin. Hawk 0-2 0 0
Cooper's Hawk 0-4 2 0
Accipiter sp. 0-1 0 0
Red-should. Hawk 0-2 0 0
Red-tail. Hawk 10-22 24 14
Bald Eagle ad. 2-22 14 7
" " subadults 1-5 2 1
" " unknown 0-2 0 0
" " total 4-27 16 8
Merlin 0-1 0 0
Am. Kestrel 0-5 0 0
Peregrine Falcon 0-3 4 2
RAPTOR SUM 29-62 50 27
Counts 3 1 1
Miles 117-121 119 118
Hours 6.5-8 8 7.5
* 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.
KM did a count of AMERICAN COOTS at Yaquina Bay and found 240 on 1/5. This is a marked increase from a few years ago, but still fewer than she found in 1993/1994.
MR discovered a lonely SEMIPALMATED PLOVER at Yaquina John Point near Waldport on 1/1; we have had occasional winter records before (SemiL).
During inland freezing weather, we have had flocks of Killdeer show up along the coast, but there were no reports of such flocks this month with ice and snow inland.
The most BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS reported were 2 at Seal Rocks on 1/15 (KB) and 1/19 (YBNFT). We haven't had any reports of large flocks this winter, but this may be from not looking at the right time and place. If you see concentrations of 10 or more anywhere along the Oregon Coast, please email researcher Elise Elliott-Smith (eelliott-smith@usgs.gov).
A GREATER YELLOWLEGS was at Seal Rock Stables on 1/23 (LO). A WHIMBREL lingered during the 1/5 Yaquina Bay CBC and at South Beach State Park on 1/7 (TS).
RN examined a GLAUCOUS x GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL at Road's End north of Lincoln City on 1/1, and a Glaucous Gull was at Newport's Nye Beach in early Jan. (CA) and at Mooloch Beach north of Yaquina Head on 1/17-18 (SF).
A GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL captured and apparently tried to drown a female BUFFLEHEAD at the YBSJ on 1/5, but she managed to escape (J&KF).
A rare PARAKEET AUKLET that collided with a boat mast at the 40 fathom line off Yachats on 1/3 or 4 was brought for rehab to the Oregon Coast Aquarium by a fisherman (fide RC). It appeared to be unreleasable because of its injuries (fide RC). RC volunteered to send a report about it to the Oregon Bird Records Committee.
1 ANCIENT MURRELET was dead along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach in Dec. (B&SLo, L&VO), and 1-2 lives ones were at Boiler Bay on 1/1 (RN) and 1/10 (MW).
WH spotted a rare HORNED PUFFIN flying north about 300 yards off Yachats on 1/21.
[Image Not Included: Janet Lamberson's Nov. 27 photo of an unbanded Burrowing Owl amongst boulders of the YBSJ. The short vertical lines are rain drops. Janet was properly distant--she took the photo with a 10X lens, and the photo has been greatly enlarged.]
ED's family found a small owl along the YBSJ on Nov. 25. ED happened to mention it to RB, and its description fit a BURROWING OWL. Her daughter, Brianna a Newport 7th Grader, was thrilled to talk about it to her class.
It was in about the same location as the one that caused so much turmoil last winter after it was released (see Feb. and April 2007 Sandpipers). It also allowed the approach of people to within about 20 ft (ED) and thus appeared somewhat too tame, like the one last winter.
But it is not certain if this is the same owl. This owl was not banded, but the one released last winter by Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Corvallis was not banded because they had been federally directed to not band rehabbed birds.
Nevertheless, last year's Burrowing Owl was seen by many, and we have had them previously, so RB did not widely publicize its location to avoid repeating last winter's experience with people too closely approaching and feeding it.
Viewing wildlife without disturbance is recommended (see http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/ethics-b.htm). The American Birding Association's (ABA) "Principles of Birding Ethics" (http://www.americanbirding.org/abaethics.htm) states:
"Everyone who enjoys birds and birding must always respect wildlife, its environment, and the rights of others. In any conflict of interest between birds and birders, the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first."
If there was no need for this, the ABA would not have included it.
Let's leave wildlife wild!
The one last winter remained abnormally long to at least April 1. It does not appear to have lingered into Nov. because JL had been periodically looking for it earlier this fall, and ED noted that their family had walked in the YBSJ area earlier in the summer and fall and had not seen it, but it could have been missed.
This one was last reported on Nov. 30 (JL). It was not seen after the big Dec. 2-3 storms, though it was searched for daily during 12/5-8 (JL; RB; JL, RC, WN).
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS overwinter near the coast, and the freezing temps were of concern for those using feeders. To keep the liquid flowing, a feeder could be brought in at night or be close to a warm area such as an enclosed porch with an incandescent light bulb or spotlight. The mornings of 1/21-22, it got down to 26 F at Wandemere, and RC noted that in spite of keeping their feeders thawed and available that several Anna's were missing on 1/23. On 1/22 & 23 at their home about 4 miles east of Waldport, J&KC noted that Anna's had been collecting cotton for their nests, and
"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."
A NORTHERN FLICKER with yellow- or orangey (not red) shafts was at Wandemere from about Christmas to at least 1/10 (WN & RC), CP's Toledo home on 1/3, at Idaho Point in South Beach on 1/7 (TS), and at the HMSC on 1/12 (JL). The Wandemere male is a hybrid that RC describes as having
"all markings like a typical red-shafted, except it has a few red feathers on the nape. Not a chevron, more of a smudge. The wing and tail linings are also more orangey than red."
2 GRAY JAYS were in BB's neighborhood in Yachats during early and mid-Jan. On 1/7, CP saw a WESTERN SCRUB-JAY at NE 7th in Newport.
On 1/11, DF beheld a loose flock of 25 COMMON RAVENS fly over his Thornton Creek home between Toledo and Eddyville. That is a remarkably high number. Along the coast, usually only 1-2 are noted; they are more common inland.
Swallows are unseasonal in winter, especially as the weather this winter has been inclement. TREE SWALLOWS have been recorded in January once before with a Tree or a Violet-green also seen one January (SemiL). But for records through 1992, we had no January records for BARN SWALLOWS, and only 2 records of them during Nov.-Feb. (SemiL).
This winter, LO had 2 Trees at Seal Rock Stables on 1/3, where he had spotted an unidentified swallow on 12/18. During the 1/5 Yaquina Bay CBC, 3 Trees (all young birds) and 2 unaged Barns were at Seal Rock Stables (fide RC). About a quarter mile north of D River in Lincoln City, FS saw 3 Barn Swallows on 1/20 and at least 7 the morning of 1/21. On 1/20, the Raptor Route observers (JL, WN, and RC) saw 3 Barn Swallows (including 1 adult and 1 with a pale-breast and short tail streamers) and 1 adult male and one brownish Tree Swallow at a marsh and wet pasture less than a half mile north of Alsea Bay and 5 unaged Tree Swallows at Seal Rock Stables. On 1/23, LO saw "numerous Tree Swallows and some Barn Swallows" flying over the flooded pasture at Seal Rock Stables.
So Tree and Barn Swallows lingered. But as Aristotle observed "one swallow doth not a Spring make" (http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Theophrast.htm).
WESTERN BLUEBIRDS are usually only reported here in winter after freezing weather. This winter is no exception. On 1/24, DD saw one on the ocean front cliffs of Little Whale Cove south of Depoe Bay. On 1/28 with snow, DF saw one with Hermit and Varied Thrushes and American Robin at his Thornton Creek home between Toledo and Eddyville.
The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW discovered along the HMSC Nature Trail during the 1/5 CBC was found there the next day by the "Bend Birders" (fide RC) and on 1/18 (SF).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was with 10 White-crowned Sparrows in EH's yard at South Beach on 1/10.
A Slate-colored DARK-EYED JUNCO was in LO's north Beaver Creek driveway during the 1/5 CBC, and a female was at RC & WN's Wandemere feeder on 1/21.
On 1/14, TS found 2 SNOW BUNTINGS in dunes between YBSJ and South Beach State Park. Our only other report of them this winter was of one flying about 200 yards offshore of Boiler Bay on 11/11 (PP).
The high counts of WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were 5-8 at the HMSC on 1/7 & 12 (DG; JL). One at a log landing with 4 inches of snow at Thornton Creek on 1/19 & 28 (DF) seems particularly out-of-place.
PINE SISKINS have been numerous again at feeders at Beaver Creek (LO) and Yachats (BB).
OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Cindy Ashy, Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Kitty Brigham, Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie & Ken Ciotti (http://www.birdsamore.com), Elizabeth Daly, Dick Demarest, Jim & Karan Fairchild, Darrel Faxon (some of DF's bird records are at http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#thornton_creek), Shawneen Finnegan, Dawn Grafe, Louise Hemphill, Wayne Hoffman, Eric Horvath, Janet Lamberson, Pete Lawson, Bob Llewellyn (BLl), Bob Loeffel (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel (SLo), Roy Lowe, Kathy Merrifield, Russ Namitz, Walt Nelson, Bob Olson, OBOL (Oregon Birders On Line; see http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html), Laimons & Vicki Osis, Chuck Philo, Phil Pickering, Maggie Rivers, Floyd Schrock, Trent Seager, SemiL (semimonthly Lincoln Co. bird records through 1992 for each species at http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#semimonthly [all lower case letters]), Howard Shippey, Tom Wainwright, Monika Wieland, Yaquina Birders & Naturalists Field Trip (YBNFT led by LO).
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There are too many sightings to report them all. The number of field notes and photos varies as I received 36 pages of notes and 1 bird photo last month. This month I received 49 pages of notes. Only sightings that seemed particularly noteworthy are included here. This month I also received 21 photos. Unfortunately, there is not room for them all. It is wonderful to receive sightings and photos, and they are useful for Lincoln County records! Thanks to all the contributors for sharing and for your patience if your sightings or photos were not included!
Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations: BEAVER CREEK: creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, ECKMAN LAKE: lake 2 mi east of Waldport along HWY 34, 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, YBSJ: Yaquina Bay South Jetty.
On Jan. 19, JS saw two BRANT with leg bands at Idaho Flats, near the HMSC Nature Trail shelter. JS notes that there may have been more banded Brant. He adds "These are relatively easy to read leg bands (compared to other bands I've seen): large bands with white characters on a dark background." Their numbers were 6V9 and 6ZV.
RL of the USFWS referred JS' report to David Ward (dward@usgs.gov), who works with Brant. David replied that Brant with these codes had black bands with white characters, yellow with white characters, or white with black characters. JS' description fits black bands with white characters. David writes, "Black-6V9 was banded as an adult female in July 2006 on Kikigak Island on the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Black-6VZ was banded as an adult male in the same year and location. It is likely that these birds are paired, but we could not determine this at the time of banding."
Evidently, these 2 Brant are still hanging out near each other. Try looking to see if you find them or other banded Brant! If you see any banded ones, please report them! We are curious to know where birds here are from!
Brant abundance at Yaquina Bay embayments has been at a plateau of 165-182 Brant on 1/18, 2/4 & 15 (RB). No reports yet of any Brant west of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, where they often appear during spring migration. YB&N is a project partner of the International Brant Monitoring Project (IBMP) (http://www.padillabay.gov/brant/), and RB relays on sightings of significant numbers of Brant in Lincoln County to their Observation Log (see link on left side of their web page).
TUNDRA SWANS generally do not linger and are generally uncommon here- -but not this winter. Starting with VA's Nov. 25 observation of 1 near Seal Rock Stables, as many as 4 have been spotted, mostly in the Beaver Creek area. In Feb., singletons were reported just north of Ona Beach State Park on 2/4 (G&JS) and near the Stables on 2/6-7 (BH; DD & DSt).
On 2/9, LO and WH each identified a TRUMPETER SWAN near Seal Rocks Stables. They identified it based on head characteristics (see photo). It can be hard to find when it is behind vegetation, and it is on private property, so please don't block their driveway. It has often been on the north side. This appears to be the most seen Trumpeter in Lincoln Co., as they usually are one-day wonders. It was also reported on 2/14-15 (LO; SF), 2/17 (MN), the 2/21 Portland Audubon field trip (DD), 2/25 (LO), and 2/29 (DSm & ME).
A swan appearing larger than others may not be a Trumpeter Swan. Male Tundras are larger than females and some Tundras found in Oregon can be much larger than typical for Tundras (1988 Oregon Birds 14:40-41). For example, the molting weight of one male Tundra was 22 pounds, though the male average is about 16 pounds (1988 Oregon Birds 14:41, http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/id.htm).
[Image Not Included: Shawneen Finnegan's Feb. 15 photo of the head of a Trumpeter Swan emerging from the wet pasture/marsh on the north side of Seal Rock Stables. The Trumpeter Swan Society (http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/id.htm) gives more info about separating Trumpeter and Tundra Swans than most field guides. The straight profile from the top of its head to its bill tip and its eye not appearing distinct from the bill help identify it as a Trumpeter. The Society indicates a Tundra has a top of head to bill tip profile that is down curved and an eye "usually distinct" from the bill.]
The most WOOD DUCKS reported this winter were 3 pairs at north Beaver Creek on 2/4 (LO). 1-3 EURASIAN WIGEON were at Beaver Creek during 2/2-15 (LO; DI; SF) and at Sally's Bend on 2/15 (RB) and 2/26 (CA). Our only REDHEADS were 1-2 at Beaver Creek on 2/9-13 (DI; LO) and Eckman Lake on 2/15 (RL).
As many as 5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were at Seal Rocks on 1/19 (JS & MA), 2/2 (LO), and 2/9 (DD), with as many as 8 reported at the YBSJ during 2/7- 20 (BLl; RB; BBe and others).
SF found a female LONG-TAILED DUCK at the YBSJ (2/8) and Yaquina Head (2/10).
VO had our only RUFFED GROUSE at north Beaver Creek on 2/3.
16 WESTERN GREBES were the most numerous dead birds in Jan. along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach (B&SLo, L&VO). BLo started these surveys in January 1978, and the previous high for Western Grebes was 10 in 1981.
JL found a CLARK'S GREBE with Western Grebes at Yaquina Bay in mid- Feb.
KB saw 2 immature BROWN PELICANS flying in the Seal Rocks area on 2/21. Pelicans have been reported every month of the year, with the fewest sightings during Feb.-March (SemiL).
On 1/19, KB was tidepooling amongst the basalt outcroppings of the intertidal at Seal Rocks and saw a juvenile GREAT BLUE HERON foraging only about 12 ft away. Evidently, it was intent on its foraging and/or it has habituated to people at the Park. Herons are far warier where shooting occurs.
1-3 GREAT EGRETS were only reported at north and/or south Beaver Creek on 2/2, 4 & 25 (LO).
A BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON was heard calling in the darkness at the HMSC on 1/13 (RB). 2 graced the 2/23 YBNFT.
JP spotted the first TURKEY VULTURE at Toledo on 2/19 (fide BLo), and BH also saw one near Waldport on 2/21.
A single WHITE-TAILED KITE frequented the HMSC/Oregon Coast Aquarium area on 2/6-9 (DG; SF; RC & WN) and for the 2/23 YBNFT. During the 2/9 Raptor Route (see Table below), RC &WN also discovered one at Strome County Park (about 10 miles north of Siletz [http://www.co.lincoln.or.us/lcparks/strome.html]), Olalla Slough as seen from Toledo park at SE 10th, and near the LNG tank at Yaquina Bay.
BALD EAGLES were of almost daily occurrence at Yaquina Head in Jan. (BLM) and were often noted in February.
The large number of COOPER'S HAWK reports this winter continued in February in the South Beach area (DG; BLl; DSm & ME; BBe and others) and near Yachats (BB; KB).
A SHARP-SHINNED HAWK visited HS' neighborhood near the Newport Bayfront on 6 of the first 8 afternoons in Feb.
On 2/2, PW saw an immature NORTHERN GOSHAWK take an American Crow in east Seal Rocks. But it was unable to fly off with the crow and abandoned it after disturbance from a passing car. Goshawks are rarely reported, and PW was careful to note that in addition to its larger size that it had a white supercilium and uneven tail bands that distinguished it from a Cooper's. PW notes that it had been in the area for a couple of weeks.
A RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was in north Beaver Creek on 1/19 (JS & MA) and near JCo's home 2 miles north of Siletz on 2/3 & 18.
[Image Not Included: Woody Ouderkirk's Feb. 9 photo of a pair of Bald Eagles perched in top of a large Sitka spruce near the Yaquina Bay South Jetty Road. Woody notes that Great Blue Herons and other birds also often perch on top of this tree.]
RL found our only MERLIN on 2/6 at the HMSC. 1-2 PEREGRINE FALCONS were often reported at several sites near the coast in late January and February (BLM; PW; V&ET; CP; LO).
[Image Not Included: Howard Shippey's Feb. 9 sunrise photo of a Peregrine Falcon carrying off a Rock Pigeon. The two birds had been flying over the Newport Bayfront, when the falcon caught the pigeon and, in flight, bent down to kill it by biting its neck.]
The February Lincoln Co. raptor route was conducted on 2/9 by 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.
The total number (39) of raptors was up from last month and within the range of 9 counts during Dec.-Feb. in the 3 past winters. The biggest change from last month is that the number of Bald Eagles almost doubled. The number of kites also set a record high.
Oregon Winter Raptor Surveys are coordinated by the East Cascades Birds Observatory (ECBC) (http://www.ecbcbirds.org/Default.aspx?tabid=73).
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Dec-Feb.________________
Lincoln Co. 2004- 2007 2008_____
Raptor Route 2007* 12/8 1/20 2/9
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Turkey Vulture 0-1 0 0 0
No. Harrier 0-5 3 1 2
White-t. Kite 0-3 1 2 4
Sharp-shin. Hawk 0-2 0 0 0
Cooper's Hawk 0-4 2 0 1
Accipiter sp. 0-1 0 0 0
Red-should. Hawk 0-2 0 0 0
Red-tail. Hawk 10-22 24 14 14
Bald Eagle ad. 2-22 14 7 13
" " subadults 1-5 2 1 2
" " unknown 0-2 0 0 0
" " total 4-27 16 8 15
Merlin 0-1 0 0 0
Am. Kestrel 0-5 0 0 1
Peregrine Falcon 0-3 4 2 2
RAPTOR SUM 29-62 50 27 39
Counts 9 1 1 1
Miles 117-121 119 118 119
Hours 6.5-8 8 7.5 7.5
* 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.
Snowy Owl 0-1 0 0 0 Burrowing Owl 0-1 0 0 0------------------------------------------------------
DD & DSt had our only BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, with 6 in a field in the Bayview Pasture area at the junction of South Beaver Creek Road and North Alsea Bay Road. In the past, some shorebirds used the field and swale to the east of that junction as a high-tide roost.
4 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS were at Yachats on 2/14 (SaL). The Portland Audubon field trip found 16 at Depoe Bay in one group (DD), and this was reported to oystercatcher researcher Elise Elliott-Smith (eelliott-smith@usgs.gov), who is interested in concentrations of 10 or more anywhere along the Oregon Coast.
A WHIMBREL was at the Yachats Community Wetlands Park on 1/31 (fide BBa) and the YBSJ on 2/29 (CA). SF discovered 2 ROCK SANDPIPERS under the Bridge at Depoe Bay on 2/11. The 2/23 YBNFT found about a dozen DUNLIN with 75 SANDERLINGS at Sally's Bend.
BONAPARTE'S GULLS are uncommon in Feb. (SemiL), but LO found one at the Newport Bayfront on 2/5.
A first-year GLAUCOUS GULL was detected at Mooloch Beach north of Yaquina Head on 2/10 (SF) and the YBSJ on 2/15 (SF). Another of unspecified age-class was in Lincoln City in mid-Feb. (BFl).
3 BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKES and 1 ANCIENT MURRELET were beached in Jan. along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach (B&SLo, L&VO). This is the highest January total for kittiwakes since these surveys began in 1978.
1-2 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS arrived on 2/12 at J&KC's feeders about 4 miles east of Waldport, on 2/17 at DG's Toledo feeder, and on 2/23 at RC and WN's feeder near Ona Beach. This is a good showing this early. Stragglers often appear in February, but most usually come in April and May.
A BARRED OWL was heard east of Idaho Point at Yaquina Bay on 2/14 (TS & CL) and at north Beaver Creek on 2/17 (LO).
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were collecting fuzz from cattail flowers at L&JM's home east of Sally's Bend on 2/20. The first male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD arrived on 2/18 at J&KC's home about 4 miles east of Waldport and 3 days later at both RF & CG's Newport home and RC & WN's home just north of Ona Beach. The first female Rufous was reported on 2/23 by RC at their home, and RC notes that Anna's "largely move out around the time the Rufous begin to arrive, except for a couple of unobtrusive Anna's females that nest somewhere nearby."
A male yellow-shafted NORTHERN FLICKER that showed no indication of being a hybrid with a red-shafted flicker was regularly at CP's Toledo home during 2/3-9.
On 1/20, KB hiked the Gwynn Creek loop trail at Cape Perpetua and enjoyed "Draughts of fresh air and dappled sunlight up on Cook's Ridge. Then I heard a rustle of wings and a gorgeous PILEATED WOODPECKER landed on a tree trunk nearby!" A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers has been at SK's home just north of Criteser's Moorage downstream of Toledo in early Feb.
As noted in last month's Sandpiper, TREE SWALLOWS and BARN SWALLOWS showed up unusually early in January, mostly near Seal Rock Stables. On 1/27, LO noted that it was 35 F and he had snow on the ground at his north Beaver Creek home, but yet there were swallows near the Stables! They were still there on 2/2 (LO). On 2/14, LO found a Barn Swallow near the Stables and writes "It's curious to me to see a number of swallows during the cold snap but now, during our February false spring, most of them have disappeared." On 2/15, SF saw a Tree Swallow near the Stables, but LO found no swallows there on 2/25.
[Image Not Included: January 31 photo provided by Jesica Haxel, science teacher at Siletz Valley School. It is of an American Crow with white feathers walking on a street in Siletz. The presence of such white feathers is often termed leucism. Crows with white feathers are occasionally reported here, with the white sometimes so extensive that a crow can appear like a magpie! The Cornell Ornithology Lab (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/OtherStrangeBirds.htm) indicates that a leucistic bird" has feathers that appear lighter than normal, as if the bird had been dipped in semi-opaque white paint," while albino birds have "absolutely no pigment in their feathers, bills, or legs, and their eyes appear red." But Cornell notes elsewhere that the distinction is less clear (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/pastsearches/2005_2006/stories_reports_0506/leucism).]
AMERICAN DIPPERS are not often reported, especially in winter. However, they were singing in north Beaver Creek on 2/3 (EH), and along the Siletz River near BLl's Logsden home on 2/6-7.
WESTERN BLUEBIRDS are generally only reported here in winter after freezing temperatures and snow. This winter is no exception, and reports continued from late January, as noted in last month's Sandpiper, into February. 13 were counted at South Beach Fire Station near the Airport on 2/6 (CP), and 2-3 were at Yaquina Head on 2/9 & 13 (V&ET; RL).
A few AMERICAN ROBINS linger in winter, but CP was surprised by the sudden arrival of 43 at this Toledo yard on 2/21. This may represent movements within Lincoln County rather than immigration into the County, since LO observed large flocks of robins at Beaver Creek on 2/2.
JR first noted a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in south Lincoln City on 1/3, and S&BF saw and photographed it on 2/11. It was also observed on 2/17 (ME).
The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW first found along the HMSC Nature Trail during the Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count was also found on 1/19 (JS & MA) and 2/18 (WH).
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was at DG's Toledo feeder on 2/20 and a feeder near Criteser's Moorage downstream of Toledo in mid-Feb. (JL). A slate-colored DARK-EYED JUNCO lingered in Newport on 2/9 (SF).
PINE SISKINS have been common at KS's feeder in South Beach and elsewhere. But hundreds or more have not yet been reported like in a few winters.
4 LESSER GOLDFINCHES continued to dwell near L&JM's feeder near the east side of Sally's Bend through at least 2/20.
OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Vikki Anderson, Mark Aron, Cindy Ashy, Betty Bahn (BBa), Range Bayer, Bob Bender (BBe), Kitty Brigham, Bureau of Land Management staff at Yaquina Head (BLM), Rebecca Cheek, Jorrie & Ken Ciotti (http://www.birdsamore.com), Joel Colvin (JCo), Dick Demarest, Mark Elliott, Roy Filby, Shawneen & Betty Finnegan, Bob Flores (BFl), Dawn Grafe, Cathy Grimm, Wayne Hoffman, Eric Horvath, Bettye Hunt, Dave Irons, Steve Kupillas, Janet Lamberson, Chris Langdon, Bob Llewellyn (BLl), Sally Lockyear (SaL), Bob Loeffel (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel (SLo), Roy Lowe, Linda & John MacKown, Walt Nelson, Mark Nikas, OBOL (Oregon Birders On Line; recent postings at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html), Chuck Philo, Laimons & Vicki Osis, John Paith, Paul Reed, Jeanette Reischman, Trent Seager, SemiL (semimonthly Lincoln Co. bird records through 1992 for each species at http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#semimonthly [all lower case letters]), Howard Shippey, Jamie Simmons, David Smith (DSm), George & Jackie Stankey, Don Stein (DSt), Keith Stratton, Vjera & Eddie Thompson, Pat Wood, Yaquina Birders & Naturalists (YBNFT Field Trip led by PR).
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Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations: BEAVER CREEK: creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, ECKMAN LAKE: lake 2 mi east of Waldport along HWY 34, 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, YBSJ: Yaquina Bay South Jetty.
The number of overwintering BRANT at Yaquina Bay remained at a plateau of 165-182 during 1/18-3/10 to (RB; JL). The first recorded sign of their movement was on 3/4, when about 175 Brant were on the north shelf west of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, where they had been absent earlier in the winter (RB). The high count was 200-250 west of the Bridge on 3/14 (RB). On 3/19, RB only found 26 at Yaquina Bay, but the next 2 days JL saw about 110-120 and JH counted 89 on 3/22, so Brant appeared to be coming and going from Yaquina Bay. JL has been using photos with her 10X digital camera to count Brant and other waterbirds when they are moving around a lot--a great idea for censusing! YB&N is a project partner of the International Brant Monitoring Project (IBMP) (http://www.padillabay.gov/brant/), and RB relays on sightings of significant numbers of Brant in Lincoln County to their Observation Log (see link on the left side of their web page).
LO had our latest report of the TRUMPETER SWAN at Seal Rock Stables on 3/2--it may have been the most seen Trumpeter in Lincoln Co.
At a distance on dim winter days, GADWALLS can look nondescript, but the 3/21 YBNFT appreciated their plumage in good light with excellent views at Eckman Lake. The YBNFT was also surprised by a flock of 4 male COMMON MERGANSERS roosting together on an island in Eckman Slough, just north of Eckman Lake.
On 3/19, there apparently had been a herring spawn at Coquille Point at the east edge of Sally's Bend, since 500+ scoters and BUFFLEHEADS had congregated there like they do at herring spawns (RB).
5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were at Seal Rocks on 3/1 (LO), and 2 were at Yaquina Head on 3/8 (CA). Our only LONG-TAILED DUCK was a male in lower Yaquina Bay on 3/16 (SS).
On 3/11, SK spotted a pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES in South Beach Marina, which is much saltier water than where they are normally found.
Highlights of the 3/1 Bird Guide pelagic trip from Newport included 8 LAYSAN ALBATROSSES, 1 MANX SHEARWATER, and many NORTHERN FULMARS in all color phases. Their trip report includes 22 photos and is at http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/archive/03012008.htm
In Feb., 17 NORTHERN FULMARS were beached along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona Beach (B&SLo, L&VO). This is the highest Feb. total since BLo began that survey route in 1978. The previous high was 7 in 1991 and 1996. They also found 8 BRANDT'S CORMORANTS in Feb., which seems higher than usual.
Our only March BROWN PELICAN was an immature at Yaquina Head on 3/8 (CA). Reports should pick up in April. Since we also had reports in January and February, it is looking like we could have reports each month in 2008, since they are least likely in Jan.-March.
"Squawker" the Great Blue that calls almost continuously while flying flew by JL's office at the HMSC shortly after noon on 3/25. It was last reported last 8/23 (RB). Last summer, JL noted that it doesn't squawk every wing beat, just every fourth beat or so. After landing in a tree in 2006 (TW) and 2007 (JL), it stopped calling, so its frequent calling may only be while it is flying.
[Image Not Included: Howard Shippey's Jan. 25 photo of a Great Blue Heron facing the surf on the sandy beach south of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse (left). Herons are normally in calm waters, and it must be challenging to wade where a big wave could easily bowl one over. In Howard's photo on the right, water is running up this heron's leg. Howard wrote that this heron "had a hard time keeping from being swept off his feet a couple of times, and I wondered why he would endure this repeatedly -- well, as the waves rushed back out to sea, numerous [shrimp-like animals] were left behind or, as the heron might say, 'dinner.' "]
Our only GREAT EGRETS were 1-3 at Beaver Creek on 3/1-2 (LO) and 1 at Eckman Lake on 3/3 (MR).
JL spotted an adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON roosting in trees in lower Yaquina Bay on 3/5.
RL reported that the first OSPREY arrived at Eckman Lake on 3/18; one was perched on the nest there the next day. YBNFT participants on 3/21 watched 2 OSPREY flying and calling at Eckman Lake. While one was at the nest atop a power pole, the other brought in a fish.
A COOPER'S HAWK remaining at Yachats during 3/1-15 (BB) was our only report. They were common this winter.
In early March, JCr saw a MERLIN at Yachats, and a PEREGRINE FALCON was at Yaquina Head on 3/8 (CA).
A male and female AMERICAN KESTREL were hanging around near JCo's home 2 miles north of Siletz in mid-March, possibly to nest.
[Image Not Included: Janet Lamberson's March 16 photo of an adult Bald Eagle dining on a Brandt's Cormorant on a rock along her and Phil Lamberson's CoastWatch Mile beach near the Newport Airport in South Beach. The eagle caught the cormorant after it had washed ashore, alive, but probably weak. 2 Common Ravens "supervised" nearby, hoping for scraps.]
LO heard the "ti-dick" of VIRGINIA RAILS calling at lower Beaver Creek on 3/2.
Our high count of BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS was 6 at Yachats on 3/29 (BB).
TS viewed the WHIMBREL with the short-bill along the ocean beach at South Beach State Park on 3/24. It had been reported intermittently at the YBSJ this winter.
The flooded pastures of Seal Rock Stables along South Beaver Creek can be good for shorebirds as well as waterfowl, and LO found 40 DOWITCHERS there on 3/2. 30 SANDERLINGS near Seal Rocks on 3/3 (KB) were the most reported.
SS had our only ROCK SANDPIPERS (3) at the YBSJ on 3/16.
RL writes that a friend is color-marking and radio tagging WESTERN SANDPIPERS in Panama to document their migration routes. The birds will be marked with blue or green breasts. These birds could pass through here in coming weeks, so please report one with a blue or green breast to Roy_Lowe at fws.gov or directly to Dr. Pat Baird at pabaird at sfu.ca.
Our only BONAPARTE'S GULL was at Idaho Flats on 3/16 (SS). They should become common in April.
DI & NS found our first CASPIAN TERN (3) at the mouth of Alsea Bay on 3/20. TS had the next report at Yaquina Bay on 3/29. Prior to 1992, our earliest records were on 3/12 (1990) and 3/21 (1981), but most first reports were in April (SemiL).
The first report of COMMON MURRES landing on the nesting rocks at Yaquina Head was 3/5 (CS fide AB).
A BURROWING OWL was first reported here in 1969 (SemiL). We had 6 records in the 1970's, two records in the 1980's, and only one record in the 1990's (SemiL; FN). Until 2006, wings found in 2002 that were identified as being from a Burrowing Owl were our only record since 1992 (FN).
A Burrowing Owl was found in Newport at the Health and Wellness Center near the Les Schwab store in Nov. 2006. After erroneous information that they were very rare here and that this owl may have been a victim of being transported here by people was published in the Newport newspaper and not retracted, it attracted sympathy and a lot of attention from birders, photographers, and others.
However, it was too cute and it became too tame for its own good after it was fed and too closely approached. Because it had become so tame, it was thought to be ill, so it was captured. When brought to Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Corvallis, it was found to be very healthy. Because of all the human involvement at the site where it had been captured, it was released in an area away from people where Burrowing Owls had been found in past winters in Lincoln County. It was not banded because Chintimini had been federally directed not to do so. Accordingly, the released owl is not identifiable.
Shortly after release in Jan. 2007, a tame Burrowing Owl was sighted along the YBSJ, about 0.4 mile from the release site. In March, JL saw "somebody creeping up to it for a flash photo." It was last reported on April 1, but it may have remained later. Previously, the latest departure date was Feb. 10 in Lincoln County (SemiL) and Coos County (Alan Contreras' 1998 "Birds of Coos County, Oregon").
So this owl remained abnormally late, and it is not certain if this owl left or not. It may have lingered in the YBSJ boulder area and not been seen or reported.
A Burrowing Owl that also seemed tame was relocated in the same YBSJ area in late Nov. 2007, but was not widely publicized until early Feb. in the Jan. 2008 Sandpiper.
On 2/20, BBe, JM, and JA found a Burrowing Owl in the same general area along the YBSJ and reported it on OBOL. It was also seen on 2/21 (AD & RP).
If this is this is the same Burrowing Owl, it has survived 2 blustery winters, so it is hardy even though it seems relatively tame. But it has also lingered beyond what is normal in 2007 and 2008 and may never have left. Accordingly, it is uncertain if it may have returned to a Burrowing Owl population and nested.
If it is a different Burrowing Owl from the one that was released, then at least two Burrowing Owls have been here during the past two winters. So they may not be as rare here in recent years as our records indicate.
Let's leave wildlife wild! We can watch and enjoy from a distance, without seeing how close we can get.
While hiking the Discovery Trail at Cape Perpetua on 3/31, DS looked up and saw a rarely reported SPOTTED OWL (fide BB).
At Idaho Point between the eastern end of Idaho Flats and King Slough, TS heard a BARN OWL in Dec. On about 3/2, CT saw a BARN OWL being attacked by American Crows near the LNG tank, north across the Bay from Idaho Point. Barn Owls are rarely reported here, and the proximity of these two reports suggests that they may be the same owl or members of one pair.
On 3/18, LO heard a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL at his north Beaver Creek home and wondered if it would discover LO's screech owl nest box.
On 3/7, J&KC had about 4 dozen mostly RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS and some ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS coming to their 20 feeders about 4 miles east of Waldport. JC thinks that there were more hummers than in the past and writes that three of their feeders looked "like JFK International Airport just before dusk - hummers waiting for a spot to open, hummers sitting side-by-side sharing. It's so impressive. ... It sounds like a beehive outside all the windows." See JC's Quicktime video at http://www.birdsamore.com/videos/hummer-migration.htm
On OBOL, BLaB noted that hummingbird expert Abby Crouch wrote "Absolutely never use honey, brown sugar, saccharine or sugar substitutes. They spoil quickly and host a fungus that fatally infects Hummingbird's tongues and causes death by starvation." BLaB attended a talk by Crouch and learned that when hummingbirds are affected by fungus, their tongues swell, and they can no longer drink. BLaB writes "Over the last 6 years, there have been 3 different hummers that visited my feeders that were not able to retract their tongues. They eventually died, not able to feed themselves." BLaB adds that it is very important to be sure feeders are clean and free of mold and that the sugar water is mixed 1 to 4 and changed at least twice a week, as it begins to ferment and mold at 56-57 F.
Our first VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW report was on 3/1 at Seal Rock Stables (LO) and shortly thereafter in South Beach (EH).
A HERMIT THRUSH hovered while feeding at CL's Newport suet feeder for several weeks in March--a behavior they don't usually do. Migration is in the air as VARIED THRUSHES left BB's Yachats neighborhood by 3/24.
The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW first reported along the HMSC Nature Trail during 1/5 CBC continued to linger with reports on 3/2 (BT), 3/9 (SM), and 3/16 (SS). "Cassius" the Clay-colored Sparrow at L&JM's home near the east side of Sally's Bend, similarly lingered for several months, from late Dec. 2000 to March 27, 2001.
A SLATE-COLORED DARK-EYED JUNCO lingered to mid-March at CL's Newport home.
Another sign of spring in a March ending with some snow and ice was a WESTERN MEADOWLARK singing at the HMSC on 3/27 (RB).
OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Jack Anderson, Cindy Ashy, Betty Bahn, Alan Barton, Range Bayer, Bob Bender (BBe), Kitty Brigham, Jorrie & Ken Ciotti (http://www.birdsamore.com), CoastWatch (a volunteer project monitoring one-mile segments of the Oregon coast; http://oregoncoastwatch.org/), Joel Colvin (JCo), Jane Crowder (JCr), Ashley Dayer, Bird Guide Pelagic Trip (BGPT; info about pelagic trips, http://thebirdguide.com), Jeremy Henderson, Eric Horvath, David Irons, Steve Kupillas, Bev LaBelle (BLaB), Janet Lamberson, Cindy Lippincott, Bob Loeffel (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel (SLo), Roy Lowe, Linda & John MacKown, Sylvia Maulding, John Mundall, Field Notes (FN; Lincoln County records from the Sandpiper since 1992 are searchable at http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#recent [all lower case letters]), OBOL (Oregon Birders On Line; recent postings at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html), Laimons & Vicki Osis, Ram Papish, Maggie Rivers, David Schlessinger, Stefan Schlick, Trent Seager, SemiL (semimonthly Lincoln Co. bird records through 1992 for each species at ScholarsArchive@OSU [http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8070]), Christine Smith, Noah Strycker, Bill Tice, Cynthia Trowbridge, Tom Wainwright, Yaquina Birders & Naturalists (YBNFT Field Trip led by RB).
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