Yesterday was very stormy, but I managed to do some birding at Finley in the wind and spitting rain. Most of my birding was by car, but I did get out and walk the boardwalk to Cabell Marsh and found a Black-throated Gray Warbler and some Wilson's Warblers. I hadn't seen those for a long time.
My species total was 51! That's not bad for a stormy day.
04 May 2012
02 May 2012
April 2012 Birds
April was a very interesting month for birding. We still had most of our winter residents here at the beginning of the month. By the end of April, many summer residents had arrived. There are also migrant species passing through.
In April, I saw a total of 90 species (all in Oregon). Of these, 37 were FOY (first of the year). At Finley, I saw 73 species (29 FOY). At home, there were 36 (9 FOY). With Cali, I saw 36 species (4 FOY).
I'm hearing more and more songs that I don't recognize, so I should have some interesting things to learn in May.
In April, I saw a total of 90 species (all in Oregon). Of these, 37 were FOY (first of the year). At Finley, I saw 73 species (29 FOY). At home, there were 36 (9 FOY). With Cali, I saw 36 species (4 FOY).
I'm hearing more and more songs that I don't recognize, so I should have some interesting things to learn in May.
Some Gigs
In addition to playing piano at church, I've had a few other gigs recently. I played for auditions and rehearsals for Cinderella at Crescent Valley HS. I played for Martha's Mom's funeral and another one for my friend's father. I'm playing this week for auditions for Rent at the Majestic Theater. But the most work is going into rehearsals for Let's Misbehave - a cabaret performance that features Brad Townsend singing some favorite tunes along with some other musicians. We have our first gig at OSU on May 19.
30 April 2012
Grosbeaks
For about the past 10 days, Evening Grosbeaks have descended on our feeders, eaten just about everything, and then have flown away. It reminded me of Allie's high school varsity soccer team. At the peak, we had about 20 of these birds at one time. The routine happened two or three times each day.
Now, there are just about 5-6 Evening Grosbeaks. However, two male Black-headed Grosbeaks have arrived today to join the female that has been feeding here occasionally for a few days.
Now, there are just about 5-6 Evening Grosbeaks. However, two male Black-headed Grosbeaks have arrived today to join the female that has been feeding here occasionally for a few days.
22 April 2012
The Warbler and the Hawk
The large amount of activity at our backyard feeders has attracted a Cooper's Hawk (and, less frequently, a Sharp-shinned Hawk). The hawk likes to swoop in, sit in a tree, and look for a meal. Once I saw it perch on top of the shepherd's hook hanger that holds one of our feeders.
Earlier this week, the hawk swooped in as usual. The feeding birds scattered. Martha went out and chased the hawk away. (She's not fond of the whole bird eating birds thing.) When she came back into the house, we noticed that a Yellow-rumped Warbler hadn't flown away but was still sitting in a feeder tray hiding under the overhanging protection. It stayed there, hunched down, for about 10 minutes until other birds came back.
Survival!
Earlier this week, the hawk swooped in as usual. The feeding birds scattered. Martha went out and chased the hawk away. (She's not fond of the whole bird eating birds thing.) When she came back into the house, we noticed that a Yellow-rumped Warbler hadn't flown away but was still sitting in a feeder tray hiding under the overhanging protection. It stayed there, hunched down, for about 10 minutes until other birds came back.
Survival!
17 April 2012
Swallows and Geese
What a difference a few days can make! At Finley Wildlife Refuge today, I did not see any geese. Most of the other waterfowl are also gone. There were Coots, quite a fewMmallards, a couple of Pintails, Shovelers, and Teal, but it looks like a much different place now that the geese have migrated north.
On the other hand, the air was swarming with swallows. I saw Barn, Olive-green, Cliff, and Tree Swallows. They have definitely come back now.
On the other hand, the air was swarming with swallows. I saw Barn, Olive-green, Cliff, and Tree Swallows. They have definitely come back now.
10 April 2012
Sounds of Spring
We've had a very wet year so far with a lot of flooding in low-lying areas. That includes Finley Wildlife Refuge where the main road has been closed several times. During the Christmas Bird Count, we were concerned about how dry the Refuge was. There were doubts by the Refuge staff about whether some areas would be able to support returning species. Then the rains came and came and came.
With thing drying out a bit, and with the refuge now open everywhere, I went to Finley yesterday with the goal of seeing as many species as possible.
Bottom line: 50 species!
Many winter residents are still around, and quite a few summer residents are back. It was great! Among the returners are Orange-crowned Warblers, Turkey Vultures, Greater Yellowlegs, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Swallows, Common Yellowthroat and others.
The best part of it is that the air is filled with songs and calls as everyone stakes out territory and looks for a mate.
With thing drying out a bit, and with the refuge now open everywhere, I went to Finley yesterday with the goal of seeing as many species as possible.
Bottom line: 50 species!
Many winter residents are still around, and quite a few summer residents are back. It was great! Among the returners are Orange-crowned Warblers, Turkey Vultures, Greater Yellowlegs, Band-tailed Pigeon, Rufous Hummingbird, Swallows, Common Yellowthroat and others.
The best part of it is that the air is filled with songs and calls as everyone stakes out territory and looks for a mate.
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