tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21176874742791332792024-03-16T11:52:07.692-07:00 The Must-see Bird Blog Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-24144136012317138912019-02-07T20:23:00.000-08:002019-02-07T20:24:17.034-08:00Birding Like Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I appear to be the winner of the J<a href="http://www.iusedtohatebirds.com/2018/12/january-bar-chart-challenge.html" target="_blank">anuary 2019 5-mile-radius birding challenge</a> and of all the prizes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> that come with that honor. Just kidding, there are no prizes except for the puzzled/admiring faces of</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> your friends when you tell them about what you did for the last month. The challenge was to fill gaps </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in eBird where no one had birded a given hotspot (within your 5MR) during that week in January. </span></div>
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<i>More people should bird here. It's a tunnel bridge!</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In late December, bored and bedridden, I decided to start making a list of places I might go birding </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for the challenge. I looked at every one of the many, many hotspots in my 5MR to see which ones </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">had the requisite gaps. I started making my list longhand, but quickly realized that this was a job for </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a spreadsheet. Soon I had completed my list with colored boxes to show where gaps were in each of</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> the four sections of the month. I figured it would be fun to try a few new spots and get my year list </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">started. I loved that my data would be providing a better picture of winter bird abundance across my </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6drQ0HTXJ140Y1AEvm4hEqueScc71x_UN8isvlm_zKhjSZBJD9pCj0OA-XwQ1-v-_MfTMHBFwysTAj4MTQ9Eist_jqIMljZI_OQ_Lwr-NsHDDTvJKRED8inqw-GaMzFCFRq6vKuPDFyi/s1600/IMG_4360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6drQ0HTXJ140Y1AEvm4hEqueScc71x_UN8isvlm_zKhjSZBJD9pCj0OA-XwQ1-v-_MfTMHBFwysTAj4MTQ9Eist_jqIMljZI_OQ_Lwr-NsHDDTvJKRED8inqw-GaMzFCFRq6vKuPDFyi/s320/IMG_4360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>I'm definitely coming back here in the spring.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">At the beginning of January I was in rough shape, an interminable cold on top of an unexpectedly </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">long recovery from a heart procedure was making me feel like I’d never be well again. I had recently </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">finished my master’s degree but hadn’t yet found a job. A lack of structure doesn’t suit my mental </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">makeup, and it was all starting to take a toll. I was thinking way too much about every ache and pain, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and the best escape from that was birding. I grabbed ahold of my spreadsheet as if it were a life </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">preserver and starting birding my 5MR like my sanity depended on it (it might have).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSNnD5s3162xqR-kjjWsvN5WU_feNmFxeZxM3g8Gc-9t_zgzoiqSgHuVN35ELiHKP6ADfK7sEhSuTCRDuLlrFa0zAbQRdWK5utHNyuhwZa17gaLW5H6VRiI9ZAmyRYpn9LO-XyPZadd_m/s1600/IMG_4326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSNnD5s3162xqR-kjjWsvN5WU_feNmFxeZxM3g8Gc-9t_zgzoiqSgHuVN35ELiHKP6ADfK7sEhSuTCRDuLlrFa0zAbQRdWK5utHNyuhwZa17gaLW5H6VRiI9ZAmyRYpn9LO-XyPZadd_m/s320/IMG_4326.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Not birding enough can turn you to stone. Poor kid.</i></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: line-through; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Luckily</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, my husband and birding buddy works for the federal government and had a little free time </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">during the month. This was nice because sometimes I worry about being murdered when I go birding</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> in isolated spots by myself. I blame Law & Order SVU. This challenge required a departure from our </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">normal birding plan; all of our favorite hotspots were completely without gaps in January. Most of the </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hotspots in our circle are small suburban parks with grass and a few trees. I was happy to see that </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">there were several eligible hotspots along the Willamette River to increase our bird diversity.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-avPvSKFu7sOGPsQd8epi_xE7BwMkNQSNDLvfyJ0KBTq4rszB9Bxl8doWtj2EzGbNOLY_bCZmG-5ziD9IcMJIr7KXTdZulPOZ9i3B4cC_W9S4zv3tYi41gdVp4P6Y-5Syzn8jOYM5aQfY/s1600/IMG_4335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-avPvSKFu7sOGPsQd8epi_xE7BwMkNQSNDLvfyJ0KBTq4rszB9Bxl8doWtj2EzGbNOLY_bCZmG-5ziD9IcMJIr7KXTdZulPOZ9i3B4cC_W9S4zv3tYi41gdVp4P6Y-5Syzn8jOYM5aQfY/s320/IMG_4335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Don't feed these sexy ducks.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The first week went well. Despite losing days to a New Years trip and a CBC outside of my circle, I </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">got 11 points. I saw so many Song Sparrows and enjoyed hearing my first Pileated Woodpecker and </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Common Raven of the year. Week two was less fun. Pouring rain kept everything but robins </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hunkered down and I struggled with motivation. My unhelpful brain suggested that perhaps staying </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">home all the time was a better plan and that I was in no shape to go anywhere. I’ve heard this crap </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">before so I made a mental health appointment. (By the way, let’s all destigmatize taking care of your </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mental health.) My mental health guy helped me get some perspective and he also thought birding </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was a great way to reduce anxiety: 1) it often leads to exercise, 2) it makes you focus on external </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stimuli and get out of your head for awhile.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pn-iSPgeQnn5dlGe0g1pmt5zH4_SkeWCCnhNQaBDFh7vZ5DGNm5C-UFzi0qdg2M8zHgJsSgR0QGcdh6OoWqyHieCS-FqDTk_9uq-58JdsgQwtnFk0g1B_nch6Dvr2uvLFYQieAowBRZE/s1600/IMG_4312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pn-iSPgeQnn5dlGe0g1pmt5zH4_SkeWCCnhNQaBDFh7vZ5DGNm5C-UFzi0qdg2M8zHgJsSgR0QGcdh6OoWqyHieCS-FqDTk_9uq-58JdsgQwtnFk0g1B_nch6Dvr2uvLFYQieAowBRZE/s320/IMG_4312.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Who likes wind? Crows and statues do.</i></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With this extra nudge, I dove back into the challenge. I got 16 points week 3, including a day where </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Max and I hit five hotspots in a row. I started using my heart more and thinking about it less. I started </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">feeling stronger and sturdier, and more like myself. I reaped the birding rewards of getting out so </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">much. A rare flock of winter American White Pelicans circled over me. I watched a pair of Peregrine </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Falcons guard the cliff where they nest. I heard my first Pacific Wren song of the year. At some point</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> during week three, I saw someone mention on the 5MR Facebook group that they had over thirty </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">points. I was only in the twenties and this made me unhappy. I am a slightly competitive person in </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the sense that I deeply hate losing at anything. I couldn’t improve my lousy week two, but I could </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">push hard until the finish. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WEmXvTRycsKJoKjOx0IqMuhDwwiJwSF3wc3Wt3Q779eKCm2safAR_2FUpFXv-UsJuEfCGpAq85yGSvH4_1iIRpP5XG919JjPHcV4aZKEwrGEhu-dGLCzkqP7_ZazahzQpgmy0P8iMSUA/s1600/IMG_4343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WEmXvTRycsKJoKjOx0IqMuhDwwiJwSF3wc3Wt3Q779eKCm2safAR_2FUpFXv-UsJuEfCGpAq85yGSvH4_1iIRpP5XG919JjPHcV4aZKEwrGEhu-dGLCzkqP7_ZazahzQpgmy0P8iMSUA/s320/IMG_4343.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>I either heard a real Pileated Woodpecker here or this guy talks.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As week four began, I wondered how many of the remaining spots I could hit. I drew a map of the </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">spots I could visit that week and grouped them for maximum efficiency. “Week” four had the benefit </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of including the three extra days in January, so time was on my side. I birded nine days in a row and </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">ended up with 29 points that week. I found a Barred Owl roosting at eye level and a park full of </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">beaver dams where Wood Ducks fittingly abounded. On the last day of the month, I watched </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Townsend’s Warblers forage in a cedar tree lit up by the afternoon sun and thought about how much </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">better I felt than I had a month before or even a couple weeks earlier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW9Zd2HtadBWz8Q1RUPLfPI2xol0_jvWeOEPOVrZCkTGn4vunLKKzjONYsfMd3jwAt9vvlZMttwfScjI9C_gQA_7-zOwkdXIxqzPorwBBHFF3AvvbZr2lgD-ciDTNbEuAnRlVXyFfSfal/s1600/IMG_4352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW9Zd2HtadBWz8Q1RUPLfPI2xol0_jvWeOEPOVrZCkTGn4vunLKKzjONYsfMd3jwAt9vvlZMttwfScjI9C_gQA_7-zOwkdXIxqzPorwBBHFF3AvvbZr2lgD-ciDTNbEuAnRlVXyFfSfal/s320/IMG_4352.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Barred Owl. Sorry, this isn't a photography blog. </i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I don’t believe in destiny, but I do know that this birding challenge was exactly what I needed this </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">month. I learned a few things along the way that I want to share:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Birding is good therapy, but so is therapy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. There are more awesome birds within five miles of your home than you might imagine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. I’m rarely ever sorry I went out birding instead of staying home. Except that one time</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt7Syo_Bj-Mo4RtiKp7YHJNWyYz1rm8Mz-jYWoNzfxyRrLWFivLufbHHNWc3tFwEjlWgJDq605BR8xmkdXlIkHhvOA8p_WkCPPTGCJk9sauZYWTb22Lw0ffn03TPZBnYroaj5FcLtR95m/s1600/IMG_4357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1579" data-original-width="1185" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt7Syo_Bj-Mo4RtiKp7YHJNWyYz1rm8Mz-jYWoNzfxyRrLWFivLufbHHNWc3tFwEjlWgJDq605BR8xmkdXlIkHhvOA8p_WkCPPTGCJk9sauZYWTb22Lw0ffn03TPZBnYroaj5FcLtR95m/s320/IMG_4357.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Chillest Peregrine ever.</i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">January Stats: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Points: 53 at 34 different hotspots</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Total 5MR checklists completed: 62</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Total 5MR bird species found: 83</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="http://www.iusedtohatebirds.com/p/the-5mr-2019-challenge.html" target="_blank">Want to learn more about 5MR birding?</a></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-18431618792146328352018-01-20T18:23:00.000-08:002018-01-20T21:27:43.992-08:00Ontogeny Recapitulates Ornithology Since I got the news that I'm going to be an aunt, I've found myself becoming interested in fetal development. This is not a subject I had previously given <strike>much</strike> any thought to. As I count down the weeks until I meet my future nephew, I've been keeping track of his size using the customary fruits and vegetables that websites suggest. This is problematic because vegetables are variable in size and also boring. My mind went instead to birds. I started looking up a bird that matched the mass* of the fetus each week, much to the possibly feigned delight of my pregnant sister. I now present a full list for the enjoyment of pregnant folks and the birders who love them.<br />
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* Note that most birds are less dense that a fetus, and therefore greater in size at the same mass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxFJUzUGZ2Y1yoDc6fTBbB_L2P_Ll_oqngiYKcsXgq3lu1GNlGO5OFVzEwmNvLNqFzqZirk2WMjqfKj-6b7C4eFwHg0F0WeU3q-NRdoAPrtDb1RWMwITCgqfdeen_qoqkJ4qjZ691wHD8/s1600/32217457064_9b4f15226f_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="240" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxFJUzUGZ2Y1yoDc6fTBbB_L2P_Ll_oqngiYKcsXgq3lu1GNlGO5OFVzEwmNvLNqFzqZirk2WMjqfKj-6b7C4eFwHg0F0WeU3q-NRdoAPrtDb1RWMwITCgqfdeen_qoqkJ4qjZ691wHD8/s200/32217457064_9b4f15226f_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Gregory Smith</td></tr>
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Week: 9<br />
Mass: 2 g<br />
Bird: Bumblebee Hummingbird<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-A1DETq3gbREneQ5h99EFwgzaKXLAZylqcc_KMC7AB-x8rt-zKNGrEMbN_ZTiGI_mrsdezZ2JCx4KhFDfifeXIEiDrkdXskRUHt4yYgy4tytrfZ5nt6W7cXngVWh5Ed9rcNbV9SQDg5Q/s1600/26972379_874129091732_948574442_o.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-A1DETq3gbREneQ5h99EFwgzaKXLAZylqcc_KMC7AB-x8rt-zKNGrEMbN_ZTiGI_mrsdezZ2JCx4KhFDfifeXIEiDrkdXskRUHt4yYgy4tytrfZ5nt6W7cXngVWh5Ed9rcNbV9SQDg5Q/s200/26972379_874129091732_948574442_o.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
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Week: 10<br />
Mass: 4 g<br />
Bird: Anna's Hummingbird<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Sz1EhQCDHGdp05mYKWv9yVD0Bir6gJ-lKs954kTf46KUbw6J0Oewsk1NgE3X2Zyk0eDPlHxCe-GDxR5oWdpFOwUI3u2e0fP3ZnHYNuHkypZFRP0fhyx_U4nlZYuvwMPABNFA0AvGljk/s1600/19041390909_96a9ed9576_m.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Sz1EhQCDHGdp05mYKWv9yVD0Bir6gJ-lKs954kTf46KUbw6J0Oewsk1NgE3X2Zyk0eDPlHxCe-GDxR5oWdpFOwUI3u2e0fP3ZnHYNuHkypZFRP0fhyx_U4nlZYuvwMPABNFA0AvGljk/s200/19041390909_96a9ed9576_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Francesco Veronesi</td></tr>
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Week: 11<br />
Mass: 7 g<br />
Bird: Wilson's Warbler<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N7ch_xlqiQTX5JFiyNszoFKXnjeXmgvd5QKShSy4GyAeGQRfJ8c5FrQNQsjxSS1OU8ElGtGPdLgCXyAjMOBQdq99wa7SxJpQ2kLUXUC4ZXMM3GA1MSebWDLL4gRVGRSMOG5lH7xwNXv8/s1600/8605248240_74953ef25b_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N7ch_xlqiQTX5JFiyNszoFKXnjeXmgvd5QKShSy4GyAeGQRfJ8c5FrQNQsjxSS1OU8ElGtGPdLgCXyAjMOBQdq99wa7SxJpQ2kLUXUC4ZXMM3GA1MSebWDLL4gRVGRSMOG5lH7xwNXv8/s1600/8605248240_74953ef25b_m.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: James Diedrick</td></tr>
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Week: 12<br />
Mass: 14 g<br />
Bird: Vermillion Flycatcher<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzCM-SF5quXeu2SFDWho6tWhM_29rjM_tyP0QL3pS14ya9Tp3Y7FdVmu70R0wHa1pn869lvQcxM8mW6IeF1fMwj_H-bz4X4Z_3hV1Vxb0ce5NC5srhzw_p3-3VoKhzsVk7Jie2_SV6Cx-/s1600/26857064_874130898112_831754118_n.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="869" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzCM-SF5quXeu2SFDWho6tWhM_29rjM_tyP0QL3pS14ya9Tp3Y7FdVmu70R0wHa1pn869lvQcxM8mW6IeF1fMwj_H-bz4X4Z_3hV1Vxb0ce5NC5srhzw_p3-3VoKhzsVk7Jie2_SV6Cx-/s200/26857064_874130898112_831754118_n.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Week: 13<br />
Mass: 23 g<br />
Bird: Tree Swallow <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJxZ5ZCGYwmCCxpxFai_CWECtrtsqH_U5PED6hl0fl2J3Dd2IeEIWyqBszQoGPcU-ZjSpfn_amKe6VFl0G848Zrm0NXc05ett8KqNM_gFLImdCFeblEi3xE7e3x_5SXSIOPmq5AKNKYKR/s1600/26909418_874128512892_1540066285_o%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJxZ5ZCGYwmCCxpxFai_CWECtrtsqH_U5PED6hl0fl2J3Dd2IeEIWyqBszQoGPcU-ZjSpfn_amKe6VFl0G848Zrm0NXc05ett8KqNM_gFLImdCFeblEi3xE7e3x_5SXSIOPmq5AKNKYKR/s200/26909418_874128512892_1540066285_o%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
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Week: 14<br />
Mass: 43 g<br />
Bird: Snowy Plover<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwbdg2XjlL-C29VpmMB2CQeGlmL6T9W1mQ9Y3OOZyupfRqJcLxqvsvKWCsAcUeUHCjm8XhNa-8aMLVPCBaLBiuiMSPrrYbLI8Oxor9qLAimHbAY5oY5zTDLoV0-x6MUqWxs4SnEqC6_aU/s1600/26942266_874127539842_12472200_o%25281%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1474" data-original-width="1505" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwbdg2XjlL-C29VpmMB2CQeGlmL6T9W1mQ9Y3OOZyupfRqJcLxqvsvKWCsAcUeUHCjm8XhNa-8aMLVPCBaLBiuiMSPrrYbLI8Oxor9qLAimHbAY5oY5zTDLoV0-x6MUqWxs4SnEqC6_aU/s200/26942266_874127539842_12472200_o%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 15<br />
Mass: 70 g<br />
Bird: Northern Pygmy-Owl<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtD-5K8OtdsCDNCdwuNP0j_ThLYlmJBmAjLXxYEQQP-gMlfMVVPGnIOaeFzIF-8ldF_8gc0n2W1EBZbgesrb3-Q-VJ_B91GCZq8t6oSCwY8E1VsqK9RwBcAD8NXU_h2DdhE5OFLegR8uuX/s1600/12376267914_e0e117168e_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="240" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtD-5K8OtdsCDNCdwuNP0j_ThLYlmJBmAjLXxYEQQP-gMlfMVVPGnIOaeFzIF-8ldF_8gc0n2W1EBZbgesrb3-Q-VJ_B91GCZq8t6oSCwY8E1VsqK9RwBcAD8NXU_h2DdhE5OFLegR8uuX/s200/12376267914_e0e117168e_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Andy Morffew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 16<br />
Mass: 100 g<br />
Bird: Green Jay<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6Qvd9D9-7hSgSkcOwWBDdkZze6V3xqcNSi21yb0nvTrkXsyPejRITGJFqZdvB00y6j9AAJW3nriPItWXNoMU-iGF8lPlb1dyC3TZ95AKMrxUPaJ6Xd2kk3IVE1XC500ALTq6TdW4Qwsb/s1600/26941511_874126965992_1713299329_o.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6Qvd9D9-7hSgSkcOwWBDdkZze6V3xqcNSi21yb0nvTrkXsyPejRITGJFqZdvB00y6j9AAJW3nriPItWXNoMU-iGF8lPlb1dyC3TZ95AKMrxUPaJ6Xd2kk3IVE1XC500ALTq6TdW4Qwsb/s200/26941511_874126965992_1713299329_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 17<br />
Mass: 140 g<br />
Bird: Burrowing Owl<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kkh6lqiEJbUOOKH1puff9ALTIzwWnuZdP9S9ydTbVbt77uvzzCPQHJH356VbHTFEYBPGA42TY3JoutLgqQzg4wJ1Eo7X2Xj9U-IStconPkTL_ImY_pdhsYE8uRu26ZwoH-aU7lliXBnx/s1600/8575464956_eb2fc482f1_m.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="240" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kkh6lqiEJbUOOKH1puff9ALTIzwWnuZdP9S9ydTbVbt77uvzzCPQHJH356VbHTFEYBPGA42TY3JoutLgqQzg4wJ1Eo7X2Xj9U-IStconPkTL_ImY_pdhsYE8uRu26ZwoH-aU7lliXBnx/s200/8575464956_eb2fc482f1_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: USFWS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 18<br />
Mass: 190 g<br />
Bird: Merlin<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CYykjTPRhCy8CwROlqSJr8K7tJ0HEh44e-AuuahKI0e0RZNQwuh8s1vYuySCoMdG9vtxC5CmJy46um2RXiJKBaolf1n56qNJJ4_Fl-oMcPr-OvIWqsm-LbAczkjDiwrbfFYp-bp4GL8W/s1600/15993623376_433335655b_m.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CYykjTPRhCy8CwROlqSJr8K7tJ0HEh44e-AuuahKI0e0RZNQwuh8s1vYuySCoMdG9vtxC5CmJy46um2RXiJKBaolf1n56qNJJ4_Fl-oMcPr-OvIWqsm-LbAczkjDiwrbfFYp-bp4GL8W/s200/15993623376_433335655b_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Judy Gallagher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 19<br />
Mass: 240 g<br />
Bird: Purple Gallinule<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWLDsLooZ18J3UZCk8bW-nxTgVTFQawG7fi8ZS5wo7ScaIuW4Q8MbZlOUTAvA8g3OzcyO5nKzYql5foFGHkPpfUm4IAjgYX6FLkLiAOv6xpJR0bBXR1Se3HSOuUDLfq3aQTwi7zKWjhaA/s1600/28047477265_f65c348a92_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="207" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWLDsLooZ18J3UZCk8bW-nxTgVTFQawG7fi8ZS5wo7ScaIuW4Q8MbZlOUTAvA8g3OzcyO5nKzYql5foFGHkPpfUm4IAjgYX6FLkLiAOv6xpJR0bBXR1Se3HSOuUDLfq3aQTwi7zKWjhaA/s200/28047477265_f65c348a92_m.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Jerry Kirkhart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 20<br />
Mass: 300 g<br />
Bird: Long-tailed Jaeger<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ek9iCvrqajMaWl8EHcthvlBEYGylijhWH5UhVq8aspH5aIt0DDaX1wMHiv6Q0dNMJ_NMwxZ8iIPHjDXCxwQwaWqYd7EIILa6asjftnDfTU3V4Z0JdIdY7mYVtgYc3iJla8nEameb5Kjr/s1600/19728015794_bc1531861b_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ek9iCvrqajMaWl8EHcthvlBEYGylijhWH5UhVq8aspH5aIt0DDaX1wMHiv6Q0dNMJ_NMwxZ8iIPHjDXCxwQwaWqYd7EIILa6asjftnDfTU3V4Z0JdIdY7mYVtgYc3iJla8nEameb5Kjr/s200/19728015794_bc1531861b_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Ron Knight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 21<br />
Mass: 360 g<br />
Bird: White-tailed Ptarmigan<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha3BnZR8uW6kYXXd_bua_9ZmkUC0kV_J_NRTTku0YaOoa8HZWIS4gv42rHvH9HuYx_7ziP7bmU8rm8PmhZUTszVpWrH6qaUQTO8BieuJoaQrdz3LKlX75wBvGOBR9dCvulB0Y5P8Ey0f7/s1600/34163637474_b50ac06cf4_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha3BnZR8uW6kYXXd_bua_9ZmkUC0kV_J_NRTTku0YaOoa8HZWIS4gv42rHvH9HuYx_7ziP7bmU8rm8PmhZUTszVpWrH6qaUQTO8BieuJoaQrdz3LKlX75wBvGOBR9dCvulB0Y5P8Ey0f7/s200/34163637474_b50ac06cf4_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Andy Morffew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 22<br />
Mass: 430 g<br />
Bird: Swallow-tailed Kite<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAWchjjJXgMTNcsA8EMVvf60rE2oH67lV7w6aNdJQTE34a0mXt8wLLvM_GQDX52Iz2FE3ZvxZ2L0BHnjgAry79bHh6idxnbxHKlDiFnUEPoflUpjFwV3B08N9BJ7wwp564S3EX4a-Heqf/s1600/12253571803_589a753890_m.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAWchjjJXgMTNcsA8EMVvf60rE2oH67lV7w6aNdJQTE34a0mXt8wLLvM_GQDX52Iz2FE3ZvxZ2L0BHnjgAry79bHh6idxnbxHKlDiFnUEPoflUpjFwV3B08N9BJ7wwp564S3EX4a-Heqf/s200/12253571803_589a753890_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Bettina Arrigoni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 23<br />
Mass: 501 g<br />
Bird: Bristle-thighed Curlew<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipcr84pVGFZXi1RKLSMCg75VPhGLdC9psOd29MDYHXJKDXdYpNveU6om-iRHt4n-7f5oGMQBDZWIDuoz_O69WTBliaEI7MOWlbQ110wAvHej6wCqVruD-f-MchzyBeeVFUuyiVH0_Mxrn/s1600/23428933586_843c27454a_m.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="240" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipcr84pVGFZXi1RKLSMCg75VPhGLdC9psOd29MDYHXJKDXdYpNveU6om-iRHt4n-7f5oGMQBDZWIDuoz_O69WTBliaEI7MOWlbQ110wAvHej6wCqVruD-f-MchzyBeeVFUuyiVH0_Mxrn/s200/23428933586_843c27454a_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: USFS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 24<br />
Mass: 600 g<br />
Bird: Spotted Owl<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHs4J1vk9A4mb7bTPvcJ1rjzfw8g5bvN7kuW9qagZkvK7SJk-RKpuAbuWfgHL29s5iOctN-eKeFwF1AdqozeOnv1c-QZ7xQuxOz4u2jgS6fjMMpw0PLH3RZAKslyaQM1QBHKVsSr5v0Ob/s1600/25284477334_5e1d932849_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHs4J1vk9A4mb7bTPvcJ1rjzfw8g5bvN7kuW9qagZkvK7SJk-RKpuAbuWfgHL29s5iOctN-eKeFwF1AdqozeOnv1c-QZ7xQuxOz4u2jgS6fjMMpw0PLH3RZAKslyaQM1QBHKVsSr5v0Ob/s200/25284477334_5e1d932849_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: David Alvarez Lopez</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 25<br />
Mass: 660 g<br />
Bird: Fulvous Whistling-Duck<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30_6MlnbKiGXfIQFW_4X8wpxi6sNTunaKa3XQ6yHrAXXqoEe00kq_Z4WyiUHJZcCW6SCJYwE1XEl6QTvPTUl-Rmb9zsxsAZi2QmUWCSNNCLax2GfsLpKZ1XGtT7_xefes92in4ABvPopT/s1600/14823546802_96549c3a9d_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="240" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30_6MlnbKiGXfIQFW_4X8wpxi6sNTunaKa3XQ6yHrAXXqoEe00kq_Z4WyiUHJZcCW6SCJYwE1XEl6QTvPTUl-Rmb9zsxsAZi2QmUWCSNNCLax2GfsLpKZ1XGtT7_xefes92in4ABvPopT/s200/14823546802_96549c3a9d_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Ingrid Taylar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 26<br />
Mass: 760 g<br />
Bird: Tufted Puffin<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPHBiwI1QPI41BZrRb9q_7nP6mJIz6aUMJVVKWiM_Lyq0zaNIsOyFWI7rEgbG1oi9jxI0XH5nbDi1XKjxmT_cHn_JTWUY4vxQBY3cPVV5OGogojpyNIrtdRPQur22t9ZmGqzR2XDeM4o6/s1600/26508098980_c4fc29604e_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="240" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPHBiwI1QPI41BZrRb9q_7nP6mJIz6aUMJVVKWiM_Lyq0zaNIsOyFWI7rEgbG1oi9jxI0XH5nbDi1XKjxmT_cHn_JTWUY4vxQBY3cPVV5OGogojpyNIrtdRPQur22t9ZmGqzR2XDeM4o6/s200/26508098980_c4fc29604e_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Great Sand Dunes NP</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 27<br />
Mass: 875 g<br />
Bird: Swainson's Hawk<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaecci_SF4YVbgksEjCPXeyrODCEkCEx3DiP0UJyWo6jjoZ9Mk3u-PjY962wa1198LdXCsm8ROGyijAYE0wFHOwD-C4ViGbqqD7DxxBbGv91HEpOVLxnnoZA9y5TxlizNU-JgQKD7TvUP/s1600/32695124892_8f0e11eda5_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="240" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaecci_SF4YVbgksEjCPXeyrODCEkCEx3DiP0UJyWo6jjoZ9Mk3u-PjY962wa1198LdXCsm8ROGyijAYE0wFHOwD-C4ViGbqqD7DxxBbGv91HEpOVLxnnoZA9y5TxlizNU-JgQKD7TvUP/s200/32695124892_8f0e11eda5_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Stephen Lester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 28<br />
Mass: 1005 g<br />
Bird: Western Gull<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3CEQ4e4cqGMURWlnIB7iEe_dUrOvvpA_WiKAihulcc-iVoRcHCAfGc9_I8sxpdsqOKYJu8iQZidGC14FP9B2Sw1ex7XOfn-gakNkDRRhpXpp3zgFjOeIMAjwU3QKTVC5PMoPcMEph7O1/s1600/26982255_874128318282_1611964608_o.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3CEQ4e4cqGMURWlnIB7iEe_dUrOvvpA_WiKAihulcc-iVoRcHCAfGc9_I8sxpdsqOKYJu8iQZidGC14FP9B2Sw1ex7XOfn-gakNkDRRhpXpp3zgFjOeIMAjwU3QKTVC5PMoPcMEph7O1/s200/26982255_874128318282_1611964608_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 29<br />
Mass: 1153 g<br />
Bird: Common Raven <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1m0hAgwzQQbJMozJXQbZFkJESPBYD_y5SaE7DHzvL7HSyNPRJ40GRudRrt235DMV8KUHtMTDktkmcfOufHHyBZJwSJzPGsJjupAQmJa-TU6DvIXFFV9aMA7LZr88b2OhD69oARs_q6xm/s1600/6830999636_5000836604_m.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="240" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1m0hAgwzQQbJMozJXQbZFkJESPBYD_y5SaE7DHzvL7HSyNPRJ40GRudRrt235DMV8KUHtMTDktkmcfOufHHyBZJwSJzPGsJjupAQmJa-TU6DvIXFFV9aMA7LZr88b2OhD69oARs_q6xm/s200/6830999636_5000836604_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Cuatrok77</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 30<br />
Mass: 1319 g<br />
Bird: Anhinga<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUXekuAEH_81TZ7_AcJT6mBPGwsGO3UZw0Lyz8FihS4Uww9djB0cVgrjHFNxJPpZfPHVfTu2VzFvxms553dpf68NisT5tkQCTs_1c89t5BN5Au93uGWNOEebscv5NC3xr9sY5FtCpi0L_/s1600/26937759_874125334262_1381392082_o.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUXekuAEH_81TZ7_AcJT6mBPGwsGO3UZw0Lyz8FihS4Uww9djB0cVgrjHFNxJPpZfPHVfTu2VzFvxms553dpf68NisT5tkQCTs_1c89t5BN5Au93uGWNOEebscv5NC3xr9sY5FtCpi0L_/s200/26937759_874125334262_1381392082_o.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Eric Carlson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 31<br />
Mass: 1502 g<br />
Bird: Roseate Spoonbill<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfoa2CweRLTtqurtwuEgDDE4zf8CGOZ-OowCSMy4UPJkP3ELiCdKndmkTSRQltXa7C5LUVEHL6QTCxwVbd7NxxB4CW5_AE6BELO1o1mERmsRtotJ0BhHzY-NG5agrCiO_IhXW8Ns7HMFW/s1600/8238203654_8fa7f0f5fb_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="210" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfoa2CweRLTtqurtwuEgDDE4zf8CGOZ-OowCSMy4UPJkP3ELiCdKndmkTSRQltXa7C5LUVEHL6QTCxwVbd7NxxB4CW5_AE6BELO1o1mERmsRtotJ0BhHzY-NG5agrCiO_IhXW8Ns7HMFW/s200/8238203654_8fa7f0f5fb_m.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Ozzy Delaney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Week: 32</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mass: 1702 g</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bird: Barnacle Goose</div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfR76GjDu5GVWc0mMj8ILwYxg4xY9kFmfWDP2eaOx4Dnxe_wpMZLznERKRuDgOaY6VR1MrQ0KHWrEqrJx2fA3T9yrCQfc0DwxBKmWLb3Y3pLa7uWH1WP_hv_5J_viZkIev-cLFfe9Qg1i/s1600/12715999235_42d1048901_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfR76GjDu5GVWc0mMj8ILwYxg4xY9kFmfWDP2eaOx4Dnxe_wpMZLznERKRuDgOaY6VR1MrQ0KHWrEqrJx2fA3T9yrCQfc0DwxBKmWLb3Y3pLa7uWH1WP_hv_5J_viZkIev-cLFfe9Qg1i/s200/12715999235_42d1048901_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Bob Peterson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 33<br />
Mass: 1918 g<br />
Bird: Turkey Vulture <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41pK1JhDaySHyxCCsbOtI1H8B_u7FRfd1GI8Vs1-CibvbcW_-I1e75AurnwibpHHnDlxu4EZOQ5iQjG2zmVmEVG8CYZI7aI_MT2y-91ZkdESqr4QufZxgbcSf0lUUr-seqtJOjVf_vDU9/s1600/34019657086_2ee64ec31b_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41pK1JhDaySHyxCCsbOtI1H8B_u7FRfd1GI8Vs1-CibvbcW_-I1e75AurnwibpHHnDlxu4EZOQ5iQjG2zmVmEVG8CYZI7aI_MT2y-91ZkdESqr4QufZxgbcSf0lUUr-seqtJOjVf_vDU9/s200/34019657086_2ee64ec31b_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Silver Leapers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 34<br />
Mass: 2146 g<br />
Bird: Common Eider<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIpb8ShenGmTqG7DkEdWozUpV0YqbtSSn3MG5iiajNAsKaey_8QU7m-ALA_jYokefoUZdSNHb9S7iZPQVXk64Ilr63C9yhar1JotYYrJ5qLk2OBsGopz94tnaRdrtfg1TpSYz-E-NHPTu/s1600/13131546744_eb2fa2dc78_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIpb8ShenGmTqG7DkEdWozUpV0YqbtSSn3MG5iiajNAsKaey_8QU7m-ALA_jYokefoUZdSNHb9S7iZPQVXk64Ilr63C9yhar1JotYYrJ5qLk2OBsGopz94tnaRdrtfg1TpSYz-E-NHPTu/s200/13131546744_eb2fa2dc78_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Cuatrok77</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 35<br />
Mass: 2383 g<br />
Bird: Wood Stork<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii20As8siZDXeRXrt_r-OReTLkAS1qHYEDd9NeNvvN_wCM0dlaeUynURmXbSScMfr_DaYFrRhGpLueE5HODFtdnqIdAcXrMyGUho-cUliMOiW0k663eXiiLORp-jvmvemZSQfbMLESxTgp/s1600/15195370798_d67120ca26_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="240" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii20As8siZDXeRXrt_r-OReTLkAS1qHYEDd9NeNvvN_wCM0dlaeUynURmXbSScMfr_DaYFrRhGpLueE5HODFtdnqIdAcXrMyGUho-cUliMOiW0k663eXiiLORp-jvmvemZSQfbMLESxTgp/s200/15195370798_d67120ca26_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Francesco Veronesi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 36<br />
Mass: 2622 g<br />
Bird: Arctic Loon<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctGLzR0H8kdEhzJXF_BlbUgtRBfwhdHfSb1cEPHy5Jj1rM71gaYvHVBKYk61CUyDqg9mIhyU2fwNqfM2B_36TAvD67qi-9bb9CWcCiSmBx-aNkndmmVnIOgItRY0lA7RT5t8aoSx5BWp0/s1600/7448281486_8482198e5f_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctGLzR0H8kdEhzJXF_BlbUgtRBfwhdHfSb1cEPHy5Jj1rM71gaYvHVBKYk61CUyDqg9mIhyU2fwNqfM2B_36TAvD67qi-9bb9CWcCiSmBx-aNkndmmVnIOgItRY0lA7RT5t8aoSx5BWp0/s200/7448281486_8482198e5f_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: USFWS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 37<br />
Mass: 2859 g<br />
Bird: Greater Sage-Grouse (male)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7qcxUPfyWYb4zh1Y1bxfsSEIeDQwywk9B4GS70Id_uflD25Pc5RuK3EszRH2bnyTZmeDhPXqbwLNcgw1VDOtOeyrQHgZaWkbG3ooHVFyVn5yn8wnUIYi0ppevWsNXyb1s2HpFWDpW_t5/s1600/8468593745_20a646fd5f_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="240" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7qcxUPfyWYb4zh1Y1bxfsSEIeDQwywk9B4GS70Id_uflD25Pc5RuK3EszRH2bnyTZmeDhPXqbwLNcgw1VDOtOeyrQHgZaWkbG3ooHVFyVn5yn8wnUIYi0ppevWsNXyb1s2HpFWDpW_t5/s200/8468593745_20a646fd5f_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: Bettina Arrigoni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 38<br />
Mass: 3083 g<br />
Bird: Laysan Albatross<br />
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<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg717oFjECbR8VIr04oSeoSEI5tGMuH9-Oxk1JKDmb6FcroLAa76aPcA38203zknm2awKnJIkSNp_KFc_VuNMv972ZtmYvsN4vOqlNre-qT8yjyDbKW-fr6_qNyc3eQ6xOqPc69rA8YAmnc/s1600/28924387926_2479dedda4_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="240" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg717oFjECbR8VIr04oSeoSEI5tGMuH9-Oxk1JKDmb6FcroLAa76aPcA38203zknm2awKnJIkSNp_KFc_VuNMv972ZtmYvsN4vOqlNre-qT8yjyDbKW-fr6_qNyc3eQ6xOqPc69rA8YAmnc/s200/28924387926_2479dedda4_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: BLM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 39<br />
Mass: 3288 g<br />
Bird: Lesser Sandhill Crane<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEOdT189SqsNFArAMvsO0Mfhs_3swauy-3kXLmGHEoDk_0Lqz3-mykEXtuaQ6EfJrdtKJajyhLs5SDduJn34LEmub9RUTku6nYEDMmCAYIL-Bj9ocn8GCocIO8YefhKBIq0NxTbLoiRKj/s1600/8544566599_f0e8bedc6c_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="240" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEOdT189SqsNFArAMvsO0Mfhs_3swauy-3kXLmGHEoDk_0Lqz3-mykEXtuaQ6EfJrdtKJajyhLs5SDduJn34LEmub9RUTku6nYEDMmCAYIL-Bj9ocn8GCocIO8YefhKBIq0NxTbLoiRKj/s200/8544566599_f0e8bedc6c_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC: M. J. Taylor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Week: 40<br />
Mass: 3462 g<br />
Bird: Brown Pelican<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
www.babycenter.com<br />
The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Ed., by David Sibley, 2014Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-12454446827926390582018-01-05T17:26:00.000-08:002018-01-05T17:26:40.573-08:00Five-mile Radius Birding Results<div style="text-align: left;">
As described in an earlier blog post, we decided for a variety of reasons to stick mostly close to home with our birding this year. Following the example of our friend <a href="http://www.iusedtohatebirds.com/" target="_blank">Jen</a>, we chose a 5-mile radius (5MR) around our house as the arbitrary boundary and kept track on eBird of all the bird species that we found there. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We are lucky enough to be <a href="https://www.celestron.com/blogs/team-celestron/sarah-swanson-and-max-smith" target="_blank">pro staff for Celestron </a>and so we were equipped with their best binoculars and scope, plus a phone camera adapter, an <a href="https://www.celestron.com/products/hummingbird-9-27x56-mm-ed-micro-spotting-scope" target="_blank">awesome new Hummingbird scope</a> and an invaluable <a href="https://www.celestron.com/products/celestron-elements-firecel-mega-6" target="_blank">handwarmer/USB charge</a><a href="https://www.celestron.com/products/celestron-elements-firecel-mega-6" target="_blank">r</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We started out on a pleasant January 1st with our friend <a href="https://pdxbirder.com/" target="_blank">Eric</a> at Koll Wetlands in Beaverton. Koll, also known as Creekside Wetlands, is nestled between a park and an office park and provides some great waterbird habitat. It ended up being our most productive spot this year, home to over 60% of all the species we saw. One of our favorite birds of the Day One was this tolerant Green Heron. A Swamp Sparrow was even more rare and exciting but was not scope-friendly.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu_ZZ3D11vYDkRGV-2qLVH3pTiEpzITMcl7YHdGAv2c45cHTS60_4Fm62RcrHYf5fWuO9qYOfzdKxzRUtup_3NhFt4sKOI0edEecKBdwCQo9dxHyS7jKHrns1hyphenhyphenVGb8jJX_x61ERkBuSi/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu_ZZ3D11vYDkRGV-2qLVH3pTiEpzITMcl7YHdGAv2c45cHTS60_4Fm62RcrHYf5fWuO9qYOfzdKxzRUtup_3NhFt4sKOI0edEecKBdwCQo9dxHyS7jKHrns1hyphenhyphenVGb8jJX_x61ERkBuSi/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Office park resident</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0jqHUnME649JPfc5jTq3Wdq50UsOOGvQHORwchmpqcVihmAkbZwtxoshMcE_5PdXRv3HWpn8Tzq7sK9JsLw0DL-zpo2x4T3PqXBGi6RGhv_m6YBLiz4sNUBFRZy4O96OYRRQKUQO305_/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0jqHUnME649JPfc5jTq3Wdq50UsOOGvQHORwchmpqcVihmAkbZwtxoshMcE_5PdXRv3HWpn8Tzq7sK9JsLw0DL-zpo2x4T3PqXBGi6RGhv_m6YBLiz4sNUBFRZy4O96OYRRQKUQO305_/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max charms a goose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgiSKxODq1nDdbGKOKLBApiO4Fiof2fMr_JcUW2ZZ2kxm8LZBsAJgfp2b6jJOKr3B2k0Tazz3Xruj0PPvF-k1RsDoiORmgBiHyw8-FzH5oAUfKrNvXSB9dzHY3RnxZwyWdjbouFtrZNxJ/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgiSKxODq1nDdbGKOKLBApiO4Fiof2fMr_JcUW2ZZ2kxm8LZBsAJgfp2b6jJOKr3B2k0Tazz3Xruj0PPvF-k1RsDoiORmgBiHyw8-FzH5oAUfKrNvXSB9dzHY3RnxZwyWdjbouFtrZNxJ/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park-office park interface</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
After that exciting start, Portland got a bunch of ice and snow that kept us birding close to home for much of the next month or two. The upside to that was that we spent more time enjoying our backyard birds. We kept the hummingbird feeder thawed and the suet and seed coming and the birds responded.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtM7JOCXx1p27bK9poE6VARz_6VP_dpt84PxeDe3eQyIrjpvoYu8IYZnaAYMf7fSRz3Z73k6S_Rz1zfUBP36oONtQLWoj2vbszd3qcfNq1iYemrT0wLJefStyaPRL7HmWzHaN-3NgHzzt/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtM7JOCXx1p27bK9poE6VARz_6VP_dpt84PxeDe3eQyIrjpvoYu8IYZnaAYMf7fSRz3Z73k6S_Rz1zfUBP36oONtQLWoj2vbszd3qcfNq1iYemrT0wLJefStyaPRL7HmWzHaN-3NgHzzt/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna's Hummingbird in the snow</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUfSlXOr5DmhGMmR6cRVoA_4KPuBcrAw4USUqOSy0hzMIqwqTZ6kSPUNWlduT8MwtqnrETjhg9_rxprhbIp-ar7sETrLg0tcf0yEMy5Tk4C3L3PDUf5LH7sqLPg-jrPPZlOknaVh1k35F/s1600/IMG_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1395" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUfSlXOr5DmhGMmR6cRVoA_4KPuBcrAw4USUqOSy0hzMIqwqTZ6kSPUNWlduT8MwtqnrETjhg9_rxprhbIp-ar7sETrLg0tcf0yEMy5Tk4C3L3PDUf5LH7sqLPg-jrPPZlOknaVh1k35F/s320/IMG_0011.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brightest thing in the yard</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We were grossed out to see a rat under the suet feeder, enjoying the bits that crumbled off and fell down, but it happens now and then. It turned out that this rat would become another part of our bird-feeding scheme. Shortly after we got a foot of snow, Max looked out the window and started shouting. I ran over to see a Western Screech-Owl had pounced on the rat and was working on killing it with its talons. In our excitement setting up the scope in our tiny kitchen wasn't easy, but we managed to get a few shots of the owl before it flew off with its prey.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPduwkmqFDi5YPA8yNQeIhQgBu4J0S0LoyKJQ4YOSdGLpzu4EL14zOMlpFs_V-hPDZrQRlXmCmh46sO_t6m7fqNclqHUyl-BNAKF5TBkxyoIYxAg_JyBPJoShoDl6lZ-TF86KCBoaKmyO/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1547" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPduwkmqFDi5YPA8yNQeIhQgBu4J0S0LoyKJQ4YOSdGLpzu4EL14zOMlpFs_V-hPDZrQRlXmCmh46sO_t6m7fqNclqHUyl-BNAKF5TBkxyoIYxAg_JyBPJoShoDl6lZ-TF86KCBoaKmyO/s400/IMG_0006.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"My rat! Mine!"</td></tr>
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Once the snow melted and we could escape the neighborhood, we started exploring more birding spots within our 5MR. We're lucky that Portland has some wonderful natural areas where raptors and waterfowl are abundant all winter long. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G7oWEn2BIP-5SQUnL9S7Lt6dXlbW2gt-s3Ph_FGoxAq3aap-G1vbQMU_nwW5dakM-wbcYIxJky-zpgCyFaTC-isbr3B2Dt3LLe5q1H21mOpHf1o50p-p3p7rkHoZ634isq5ferGBAZFJ/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G7oWEn2BIP-5SQUnL9S7Lt6dXlbW2gt-s3Ph_FGoxAq3aap-G1vbQMU_nwW5dakM-wbcYIxJky-zpgCyFaTC-isbr3B2Dt3LLe5q1H21mOpHf1o50p-p3p7rkHoZ634isq5ferGBAZFJ/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peregrine Falcon at Sellwood Riverfront Park</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcTcbliyVkwoijzweAwRPkBwnxjB4LVDLgrBbTYx0zekEZ5IgFsXx1Gcecl30AVcXGpVR4a3_yStBrE3-4_jCmHa94fb7DJmB80LDED1ZHBEnejivvmQTMmbTtEhR6X4kgKZqtD2dGArE/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcTcbliyVkwoijzweAwRPkBwnxjB4LVDLgrBbTYx0zekEZ5IgFsXx1Gcecl30AVcXGpVR4a3_yStBrE3-4_jCmHa94fb7DJmB80LDED1ZHBEnejivvmQTMmbTtEhR6X4kgKZqtD2dGArE/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle at Milwaukie Waterfront Park</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYKxfWEehA_qMy0xDhDGd3kUpgrFDP1MCAqeexvQ-1Y7WVlnGIjBcfJsLFT5QFtK27_0tyu-TDRXF7vlGYgA2l473eQ0aykZ8wwFZg8eoype-mSOuNojb7U-oZUpK3d5GLsePXgmYgkXF/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1439" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYKxfWEehA_qMy0xDhDGd3kUpgrFDP1MCAqeexvQ-1Y7WVlnGIjBcfJsLFT5QFtK27_0tyu-TDRXF7vlGYgA2l473eQ0aykZ8wwFZg8eoype-mSOuNojb7U-oZUpK3d5GLsePXgmYgkXF/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-winged Teal at Westmoreland Park</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwSpdfwSlxauXqwdekIt2rIj3ls8-eCGxfa-d3PgXpkfoav00nsz4hzjOvlMPl3LlOEF38Fao0SG5PbTUiIz4Hw5XPYLSpSiurWIT-sOMNL0W2Wdq1qrWmquoNC0kKTJfgdO4gAcLKFao/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1435" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwSpdfwSlxauXqwdekIt2rIj3ls8-eCGxfa-d3PgXpkfoav00nsz4hzjOvlMPl3LlOEF38Fao0SG5PbTUiIz4Hw5XPYLSpSiurWIT-sOMNL0W2Wdq1qrWmquoNC0kKTJfgdO4gAcLKFao/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Blue Heron at Westmoreland Park</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Spring brought migratory birds (small, fast, high in trees, hard to photograph through a scope) and nesting birds (so much easier). We returned to Koll Wetlands to find grebes and coots hard at work on their first clutches of the season.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPU9CF3qVPidi8DKpe7klzVP-29WrEHRgCdV32EZUn6axy1wX3yGjAn51itWN_ApYG9Te2KzGpGaQKDi2OV1-BHYXPgCCj3yIXls5zpxxsQa2xHjHY4DHWlbD1RNEK4BwkzR4ZBYP9Tpv/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPU9CF3qVPidi8DKpe7klzVP-29WrEHRgCdV32EZUn6axy1wX3yGjAn51itWN_ApYG9Te2KzGpGaQKDi2OV1-BHYXPgCCj3yIXls5zpxxsQa2xHjHY4DHWlbD1RNEK4BwkzR4ZBYP9Tpv/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied-billed Grebe incubates on its floating nest</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_A8Tj8YuVjIpAvF1EsAn390jtL5NoFaRcToxwuTzjavJWYG5uxWhJ5zsjw_LrRL24hYF6pdEUjb-bupggEPVovGERjaoyDTa7a6amWs6CG_kEvef32eqhkJry-OJ4wvQ6THrHgBZhfz/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1579" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_A8Tj8YuVjIpAvF1EsAn390jtL5NoFaRcToxwuTzjavJWYG5uxWhJ5zsjw_LrRL24hYF6pdEUjb-bupggEPVovGERjaoyDTa7a6amWs6CG_kEvef32eqhkJry-OJ4wvQ6THrHgBZhfz/s320/IMG_0015.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Coot feeds its ugly/cute baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We were excited to find a pair of Black-capped Chickadees excavating a nest in a small, broken-off trunk. It hardly seemed like there was enough room in there for one bird, let alone a nest, but we returned to find them feeding nestlings later in the year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0oLEqjyYKANT04FT6kPHWr-tZsKG7zLxpp-F8_D8zGbZPRQW6UKt3Jk6zlagMsqZMEJxWCpMY3jU3gJhYDL47RH5kUSwNDSZZ9VgVsrPiY5qSPjqGxCocUEuAoLYqwvzhNIZjkV8uWyn/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0oLEqjyYKANT04FT6kPHWr-tZsKG7zLxpp-F8_D8zGbZPRQW6UKt3Jk6zlagMsqZMEJxWCpMY3jU3gJhYDL47RH5kUSwNDSZZ9VgVsrPiY5qSPjqGxCocUEuAoLYqwvzhNIZjkV8uWyn/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max spies on Chickadees with the Hummingbird scope</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVNSOR-2TRx2R_6L6PS49ARoef9YdZNjSXxpBUzZzozw4lcueQJJxZYHzGGYF5JcJ1LYI_2_ebw0yhHnYsFlUAWPRK3XVD2q_htTOH0wD4NNu7a1ObpxU7I68q7DDGlqrblADQSHgxE_k/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVNSOR-2TRx2R_6L6PS49ARoef9YdZNjSXxpBUzZzozw4lcueQJJxZYHzGGYF5JcJ1LYI_2_ebw0yhHnYsFlUAWPRK3XVD2q_htTOH0wD4NNu7a1ObpxU7I68q7DDGlqrblADQSHgxE_k/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a house with your face is hard</td></tr>
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Summer came to Koll Wetlands and the Pied-billed Grebes just kept nesting. Some of them must have raised at least three clutches this year. Sounds like a lot of work. The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVPAXlH7vHw" target="_blank">jungle sounds</a> of Pied-billed Grebes and the incessant begging of their chicks were the summer soundtrack at the wetland.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5gPJ_L3kq-BSqz_LyW0eYWIyLTYE0sJVAUMCR8JyBzFwd_TpPzkYk5ycJsI7XdpMA_7KGY69YqcrtUL6gDcLhbtEJ0QACi4Di5EPbAZ3OFmKc3XtGOZOMgHH2NzavrPVT67XTXSqz0iL/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5gPJ_L3kq-BSqz_LyW0eYWIyLTYE0sJVAUMCR8JyBzFwd_TpPzkYk5ycJsI7XdpMA_7KGY69YqcrtUL6gDcLhbtEJ0QACi4Di5EPbAZ3OFmKc3XtGOZOMgHH2NzavrPVT67XTXSqz0iL/s320/IMG_0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Pied-billed Grebe displays and calls while hanging out with his babies</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBpDmoNMiRAQp6lJ-7aT_Ll5RhJ9QD-UG29yjYtrrE2GLbUbKzwAK1JTlCO3g7OoS7sFBoQz2xMgzfWd8JrP382JIlerS52kei_VNy1TkV-UUThp_Vy1tgmPnzhnf9AJreEQsrp_haYX1/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBpDmoNMiRAQp6lJ-7aT_Ll5RhJ9QD-UG29yjYtrrE2GLbUbKzwAK1JTlCO3g7OoS7sFBoQz2xMgzfWd8JrP382JIlerS52kei_VNy1TkV-UUThp_Vy1tgmPnzhnf9AJreEQsrp_haYX1/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beloved Regal M2 scope from Celestron</td></tr>
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This fall I coordinated volunteers for Audubon Society of Portland's <a href="http://audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch" target="_blank">Swiftwatch </a>program, so I spent some time at Chapman School (also in our 5MR) with Vaux's Swifts and the people and birds who love them. Swifts spend the night in the chimney on their southerly migration and swirl around at dusk by the thousands before retiring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq1vuXdWo4X9Zlkq67PX7bOSHe1mj7rfvgLBNnTx2y5u8NniLKKPEHyepA2gTXIsoGf-LKji1Cs4PCkLTdWK5OMHzQ8PpBXxoWcO5y-unAiSYrk7KM0X4u6DVkEZMdsIZoZ_CPMk9BxoY/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq1vuXdWo4X9Zlkq67PX7bOSHe1mj7rfvgLBNnTx2y5u8NniLKKPEHyepA2gTXIsoGf-LKji1Cs4PCkLTdWK5OMHzQ8PpBXxoWcO5y-unAiSYrk7KM0X4u6DVkEZMdsIZoZ_CPMk9BxoY/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um, can we turn that light off?</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuyx823d9Cjv5Qbr9hfFNJURW7kYjJ-1HHkIBJbJ0C3f6Zns-M5gDEo3lMDMyJbeSNvgnXlHDWK7UX7fMLBMbYQignv_35yF0fSmDeE2iWVTA0NDk9VkYN5jFWvDYLuZ-CcHniuz-BTMM/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1028" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuyx823d9Cjv5Qbr9hfFNJURW7kYjJ-1HHkIBJbJ0C3f6Zns-M5gDEo3lMDMyJbeSNvgnXlHDWK7UX7fMLBMbYQignv_35yF0fSmDeE2iWVTA0NDk9VkYN5jFWvDYLuZ-CcHniuz-BTMM/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Cooper's Hawk perfected the swift grab from the chimney</td></tr>
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We kept adding species to our list right up until December 31st, when we found an Iceland (aka Thayer's) Gull perched on a building overlooking our favorite wetland. We ended the year with 126 species in our 5MR radius, which we feel great about, considering that we lacked any part of the Columbia River in our circle and were working/going to school full time (excuses, excuses). A few last 5MR highlights:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rarest bird: An Eastern Kingbird that stopped by for two minutes at Koll Wetlands.</li>
<li>Best "Wingman": <a href="http://www.variedhush.com/p/soundscapes-from-malheur.html" target="_blank">Dwight Porter</a> sent us lots of tips about great birds he found in our circle. Thanks for the Canvasbacks!</li>
<li>Best Birthday Bird: A Barred Owl seen at close range at Tryon Creek State Park</li>
<li>Coolest nest: A Hutton's Vireo next to a trail in Gabriel Park</li>
<li>Heard but not seen: So many, but notably: Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Virginia Rail, Evening Grosbeak and Great Horned Owl.</li>
<li>Most common bird not found: How is there not an American Kestrel around here?!</li>
<li>Worst timing: A Northern Mockingbird showed up in our circle on January 1, 2018.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuyUT6vJ_MvliAKNlBPdohq59xCwylHD8pRG7O1PAe2_la9Gltxs1CmlighIHligQIMqBkrYDjOJXBLHug1CfaDLL1JqvzXQO6vrygRkUF4AS-CioFy4iQqLeGf7BFVVYiHCOgk7R3sak/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuyUT6vJ_MvliAKNlBPdohq59xCwylHD8pRG7O1PAe2_la9Gltxs1CmlighIHligQIMqBkrYDjOJXBLHug1CfaDLL1JqvzXQO6vrygRkUF4AS-CioFy4iQqLeGf7BFVVYiHCOgk7R3sak/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaky Black-crowned Night-Heron eluded us last winter but returned this fall</td></tr>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-46769289447416995762017-01-19T17:33:00.002-08:002017-01-19T17:33:44.407-08:00Homecoming"When did you start birding?", I'm often asked. So long ago that you'd think I'd be better at it by now. The year was 1989. I was a glasses-wearing nerdlet who was good at taking tests and so I got sent away on a bus once a week to take some extra classes. Loving animals, I chose a class about birds as my elective that spring. Large photos of local birds lined the walls and we often walked over to the little wetland behind the school to practice field identification. I saw Vaux's Swifts and fell head over heels for these creatures that filled my Golden Guide with more color and variety than my favorite Jelly Belly jellybeans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRCLwz_7-4uq17_wcn_DBQvrGitwvcExb4zfByVUYJjTO6nx5J4X0mKkb7QFWvNSjSfmQurFKWPVoynr5bkzAeMrawn7QXvpRS4Ru_J-b4lvyL1Kp5YSzF-noxOaV8iSVAvJpFGh49t4_/s1600/1989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRCLwz_7-4uq17_wcn_DBQvrGitwvcExb4zfByVUYJjTO6nx5J4X0mKkb7QFWvNSjSfmQurFKWPVoynr5bkzAeMrawn7QXvpRS4Ru_J-b4lvyL1Kp5YSzF-noxOaV8iSVAvJpFGh49t4_/s320/1989.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<i>Those glasses...</i></div>
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It's easy to give events too much significance in retrospect, but I see that class as the seed that grew into my studying birds in grad school, meeting Max, working at Audubon, <a href="http://www.timberpress.com/books/must_see_birds_pacific_northwest/swanson/9781604693379" target="_blank">writing a book</a>, and being <a href="http://www.celestron.com/team-celestron/sarah-swanson-and-max-smith" target="_blank">pro staff for Celestron</a>. Good thing I didn't take a computer programming class instead. Money is overrated.<br />
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After being snowbound for a week, I was ready to go out and do some birding today. I checked hotspots in my 5-mile radius and saw one called Mason Wetlands (Not to be confused with the wetlands of the same name in NE PDX). When I zoomed in, I saw that it was the little wetland behind C.E. Mason school, the former nerdery. I realized that I hadn't visited it since my formative time there in elementary school and thought I'd check it out, for old times sake.<br />
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The wetlands are now a park with an address, but going there I found
only houses and no access. I finally parked at a church and found a
trail leading down to Messenger Creek. Thanks church!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRwbZHESs6tH0GaFIJ8rJWpTWi81qgJopCv6gME9NUkJTcpplBAaim-Ki0Dkn3H5hHdVkrkw6LNukkrX8L0VVkjQlE5R4FArJYF_oWRUWGh6qgLVR1g8fpWfyByDNMIPePNPR6IkFBYc-/s640/blogger-image-589368760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRwbZHESs6tH0GaFIJ8rJWpTWi81qgJopCv6gME9NUkJTcpplBAaim-Ki0Dkn3H5hHdVkrkw6LNukkrX8L0VVkjQlE5R4FArJYF_oWRUWGh6qgLVR1g8fpWfyByDNMIPePNPR6IkFBYc-/s640/blogger-image-589368760.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Forgive those who trespass against us</i></div>
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Though overgrown with canary grass, the park has clearly gotten some love and newly planted native plants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RyGfXz3f5NLeP_91WYoABXLvR_UhvapM43j3IX8UfuNpuVpOOaHiuQmb2LTDW5ha41W-S_jLG5WqK2dfFbZdiYqf-gzlHPfbyV1gOV2UUKP1mEbr6YeXQLHBtMAGvqDC3R9_js37wJsy/s640/blogger-image-933986320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RyGfXz3f5NLeP_91WYoABXLvR_UhvapM43j3IX8UfuNpuVpOOaHiuQmb2LTDW5ha41W-S_jLG5WqK2dfFbZdiYqf-gzlHPfbyV1gOV2UUKP1mEbr6YeXQLHBtMAGvqDC3R9_js37wJsy/s640/blogger-image-933986320.jpg" /></a></div>
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I found evidence of beaver activity and a low dam had created a pool that was unfortunately duck-free today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOMlHA-QfMYFOJn3-7WOtBmYZBAWE4reppBxgFjPhveA9-RvGTmY5dk73k5F71YUs2HH5oSS9mG1PKFkRGuiwz3KqYxsPCNEGibulsHd2YZA7oMlAAhpHJoSvKgRFrCyP-Ot2VCu2FfvD/s640/blogger-image--2001326988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOMlHA-QfMYFOJn3-7WOtBmYZBAWE4reppBxgFjPhveA9-RvGTmY5dk73k5F71YUs2HH5oSS9mG1PKFkRGuiwz3KqYxsPCNEGibulsHd2YZA7oMlAAhpHJoSvKgRFrCyP-Ot2VCu2FfvD/s640/blogger-image--2001326988.jpg" /></a></div>
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I brought my little <a href="http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/sport-optics/spotting-scopes/series/hummingbird-spotting-scopes" target="_blank">Celestron Hummingbird Scope</a> because it's light enough to carry with my bad shoulder and small enough to stash in the car when I go grocery shopping.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9ooEEAH9CBSUhl16-WBgI1m5lXdk1sMbkFX9OjYY-vAeBVzUryY33OitH29euuvZkWts5IbfUl3anE0w9c-0j_NhEg-8JmH_UVY43kpx5M7_zK6tWIZiOWvYLYDK5cpu4BUzk17Ovlp8/s640/blogger-image-113243070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9ooEEAH9CBSUhl16-WBgI1m5lXdk1sMbkFX9OjYY-vAeBVzUryY33OitH29euuvZkWts5IbfUl3anE0w9c-0j_NhEg-8JmH_UVY43kpx5M7_zK6tWIZiOWvYLYDK5cpu4BUzk17Ovlp8/s640/blogger-image-113243070.jpg" /></a></div>
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My first experiment phonescoping with it at around 20x got me this photo of Steller's Jays. Lots of other birds were pairing up today too, including Song Sparrows and White-breasted Nuthatches. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDQlY__eOm-OjLTe1luyAFda29bx6XqzzTFk91i-xCnPGZGKpB-AVzH7B6wCRpioPBZ3NxBqTd0Ah6eRKVn_7eDJMx_oGcWbIxh5q5oYb0OZbwKK21IXcWmUxtqUaP0ALtCVfLrignFAD/s640/blogger-image-1714158861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDQlY__eOm-OjLTe1luyAFda29bx6XqzzTFk91i-xCnPGZGKpB-AVzH7B6wCRpioPBZ3NxBqTd0Ah6eRKVn_7eDJMx_oGcWbIxh5q5oYb0OZbwKK21IXcWmUxtqUaP0ALtCVfLrignFAD/s640/blogger-image-1714158861.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i> Is it nesting season yet?</i></div>
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I enjoyed seeing Red-tailed Hawks soaring and calling to each other, and watching all the little birds foraging in the snow-free landscape. A bit like stepping into my past, but with better optics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8EVnlvohK4xrSy2GTk9s7NIjEkIi_iQUYLqpy8MK5P963qKgkRgYTgTAookipeg9dJFJAAMQPPh1foQeI9kv8e3U2Mi1EyQcPqoBHQ0YZXy0Pghyphenhyphen-C69vosylv5oRhWrcUyMU8WZicxr/s640/blogger-image--1327594320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8EVnlvohK4xrSy2GTk9s7NIjEkIi_iQUYLqpy8MK5P963qKgkRgYTgTAookipeg9dJFJAAMQPPh1foQeI9kv8e3U2Mi1EyQcPqoBHQ0YZXy0Pghyphenhyphen-C69vosylv5oRhWrcUyMU8WZicxr/s640/blogger-image--1327594320.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Still a nerd</i></div>
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Afterward, I stopped at New Seasons and saw my book there. The Urban Birds chapter features Vaux's Swifts, which have been one of of my favorites since childhood, though I'd forgotten why.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzGV17w5LDM3esVqi5QDhgAdqzGlaY44AXpf95XYdG36gYM2dat7BtvxIzzW5H4l2_3K31HrauniLIzQ2qrVgJVBr8O7VQIAXBmy6Xyp5uz1PJ5WYgBfOe_Kn3AUgaUo5NlfcG0Oxozxt/s640/blogger-image--53819404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzGV17w5LDM3esVqi5QDhgAdqzGlaY44AXpf95XYdG36gYM2dat7BtvxIzzW5H4l2_3K31HrauniLIzQ2qrVgJVBr8O7VQIAXBmy6Xyp5uz1PJ5WYgBfOe_Kn3AUgaUo5NlfcG0Oxozxt/s640/blogger-image--53819404.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-2111076375613602662016-12-17T13:11:00.000-08:002016-12-17T13:14:35.368-08:00A Little Big Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For me, birding is mostly about enjoying birds and their behavior, but I can't deny that it's the game of listing that keeps me excited about birding year after year. Max and I keep life lists, state lists, county lists, neighborhood lists, state year lists and so on. Yes, we are nerds, in the best sense of the word.</div>
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Taking trips all over the state was great back when work was less intense and our dog was young and adventurous. Now we need a challenge that gets us home at night, but still gives us an opportunity to strategize and track down "new" birds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlthP6t2ZnQANjfq2kp8KfWNKNEWFkwCWUB3cO4PDboJg2ZwF8e8vzc3QnhTdgYfoOKB5-6eas26Xxfpx64Cy-AHuUMaouy97ptZqdDNDKEOs5OLq8lSVjq0MBzCMkX6SOr4E4w_m4kzZF/s640/blogger-image--321507133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlthP6t2ZnQANjfq2kp8KfWNKNEWFkwCWUB3cO4PDboJg2ZwF8e8vzc3QnhTdgYfoOKB5-6eas26Xxfpx64Cy-AHuUMaouy97ptZqdDNDKEOs5OLq8lSVjq0MBzCMkX6SOr4E4w_m4kzZF/s320/blogger-image--321507133.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<i>This dog is worthless for birding.</i></div>
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I was inspired by our friend Jen's upcoming <a href="http://www.iusedtohatebirds.com/p/5-mile-radius-list.html" target="_blank">5-mile radius</a> list and upcoming big day to see what my own home's 5-mile radius looked like. I assumed it would just be neighborhoods and forested parks. Though it sounds silly, I sort of forgot how far five miles is. In our circle, Max and I get such hotspots as Koll Center Wetlands, Lake Oswego, a big swath of the Willamette River, Tryon Creek State Park, Oaks Bottom, Crystal Springs, and even a little bit of Forest Park. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoZdxtwPlRFJaBeY67j7wMtzlDVv8oo4uWOUYtl3-ulXCkpK_BBqXeAMj61d-wgmRQAMSJ3VfcAfdaGz2LiEgOcU9Kx6z81rvLy5GEbGzDvq839kTIGqKfR-e1ms3wq_F64ptY_Ig0wGV/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-12-16+at+8.44.14+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoZdxtwPlRFJaBeY67j7wMtzlDVv8oo4uWOUYtl3-ulXCkpK_BBqXeAMj61d-wgmRQAMSJ3VfcAfdaGz2LiEgOcU9Kx6z81rvLy5GEbGzDvq839kTIGqKfR-e1ms3wq_F64ptY_Ig0wGV/s640/Screen+shot+2016-12-16+at+8.44.14+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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So what is our Little Big Year Goal? I turned once again to Jen for guidance. She's at 184 all time in her circle, which includes a bunch of the Columbia River. She also got 136 once for a yearly motorless list. Somewhere in between there lies 150, a very nice round number. The number might get adjusted as we explore our circle,
but we are excited to visit and revisit some local hotspots and find all
kinds of "new" birds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHtPgVNPsMVa6ZA9fc08GwVo5HLQ3mYTxnWqkG6mz_TIlAqRJDKCtGYfg98gAYDtO0amuQgawel6TpJWn0lFS3oqXWmI7Oi5Ohco1hxtr69_JYasUDNluNhR64mJr24CRXo7pgFCTm936/s640/blogger-image-883543456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHtPgVNPsMVa6ZA9fc08GwVo5HLQ3mYTxnWqkG6mz_TIlAqRJDKCtGYfg98gAYDtO0amuQgawel6TpJWn0lFS3oqXWmI7Oi5Ohco1hxtr69_JYasUDNluNhR64mJr24CRXo7pgFCTm936/s400/blogger-image-883543456.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<i>This Cedar Waxwing in our backyard is at the exact center of the circle.</i></div>
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Aiding us on our little big year quest will be a new (little) spotting scope from Celestron, the adorable <a href="http://www.celestron.com/browse-shop/sport-optics/spotting-scopes/hummingbird-spotting-scopes/hummingbird-9-27x56mm-ed-micro-spotting-scope" target="_blank">Hummingbird Micro Spotting Scope</a>. Weighing in at 590 grams, the same as an imperial pint of beer, this tiny 9-27x scope will be easy to carry on walks. Can't wait until it gets here!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkkGI-8oU0BCjm4rDwpV2tLhm9wdxI092JFWjk466mkJzJbdKPO92jjCM8Kz2jggPtYA8pel_bdaEGt5o74JThRtWxzVFfuvdYbeIcrEue6AtIf3a867rkrq5do-Ph0P7oaYFhdqk0NE6/s640/blogger-image--1375739196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkkGI-8oU0BCjm4rDwpV2tLhm9wdxI092JFWjk466mkJzJbdKPO92jjCM8Kz2jggPtYA8pel_bdaEGt5o74JThRtWxzVFfuvdYbeIcrEue6AtIf3a867rkrq5do-Ph0P7oaYFhdqk0NE6/s320/blogger-image--1375739196.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Hummingbirds love sugar!</i></div>
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Maybe this new challenge will even get us back into blogging again. If not, you can always find us on Twitter and Instagram @mustseebirds. Happy New Year!<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-49310094699338114362016-09-16T17:58:00.000-07:002016-09-16T18:11:42.281-07:00Where are we?As you've probably noticed, we've fallen of the blogging bandwagon. The good news is we're still active on social media. You can keep up with our adventures with birds and beers by following these accounts: <br>
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Our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MustSeeBirds/" target="_blank">Must-see Birds</a> Facebook page <br>
@mustseebirds and @empidomax on Twitter<br>
@mustseebirds on Instagram <div><br>
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See you soon! <br>
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<br></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-16290341925058139142016-05-18T09:31:00.001-07:002016-05-18T09:31:47.020-07:00Like Water Off a Puffin's Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBph8iAtC5sbqDwmz0Mn99l-rtFdA1FYwJqXLxpEny3aqxiAJYqoEvSMYBe2_lRPJ3ZItcL1qQzYgpQql3JZhnlMHi66VYqIdqNs-qovIgKt5oEWt0PXGAyeidO-hJuxg3KiIC6SW3UJP/s1600/P1030811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDhR4Vj9XL-Wp38bEtkHqvYTfB7SmV-cUFJXG-du_kvf_gWp0_3dv5U6kysmpnHvmQHQKls78ETMWVmuSSRF5zgHQoVu9K3SHo01nhPx24vi5gxnEJT1_eqYfVReZzZ0o5pfYSlQkjOZs/s400/P1030802.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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This year marks our 10th Birdathon to raise money for Portland Audubon. Hot weather had kept our last two trips under the 100 species mark, so we were excited to head to the coast and reach that magical number. Our group of ten started under cloudy skies at Gabriel Park,
quickly adding must-have suburban birds like Lesser Goldfinch, Red-breasted
Nuthatch, Bushtit, and Anna’s Hummingbird to our list.</div>
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Temporarily renaming our team “Grouse, Guns and Glory” we
ventured, unarmed, up Storey Burn Road in the mist-shrouded coast range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Success greeted us at our first stop,
where our “target” bird, Sooty Grouse, boomed from the forest despite the nearby
recreational shooting. Hermit Warblers sang, unseen, from the canopy, and a
lone Varied Thrush made itself heard during a brief reloading period.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0OJ6mX_jeNs0dxB3OWg0eQG6PrAq_XbUwPhIK3UjDi5sMt2XTKLzFKB88EwsOwQo_tDPY-pZM01zso_lnxjXMAhhgLdX3Rde1X5Qe8IWwI34lWVoNFNXfdjGEFm00FdA2LHFIpaSXHXT/s1600/P1030803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0OJ6mX_jeNs0dxB3OWg0eQG6PrAq_XbUwPhIK3UjDi5sMt2XTKLzFKB88EwsOwQo_tDPY-pZM01zso_lnxjXMAhhgLdX3Rde1X5Qe8IWwI34lWVoNFNXfdjGEFm00FdA2LHFIpaSXHXT/s400/P1030803.JPG" width="400" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Tillamook Forest Center is well known for two things and it
delivered on both: nesting dippers and the nicest bathrooms on Highway 6. The
rain had turned soaking and our search for dippers was thankfully brief. As we
continued west, we started wondering how long the deluge would last.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Our itinerary was set aside in favor of a drive out to
Bayocean Spit, given the unceasing rain. The route turned up some Ring-billed
Gulls in a dairy pasture and a single Belted Kingfisher on ancient pilings. A
short, soggy hike produced a Bufflehead and a couple Common Mergansers. A tantalizing
flock of dowitchers sped silently by, confounding our ID attempts. Swallows
surrounded the van on the dike road, their migration slowed by the storm.</div>
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Despite almost comically bad weather, the intrepid team
piled out of the van again at the Pacific Oyster Company along Tillamook Bay,
finding Purple Martin, American Goldfinch, and California Gulls. We tried
unsuccessfully to turn a Killdeer into a Semipalmated Plover.</div>
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Sodden and hungry, we drove north to Twin Rocks, where
Sarah’s (fairy?) godmother offered up her house for our lunch break. We took
our sweet time enjoying the hospitality and spotting Brown Pelicans and Pacific
Loons flying over the sliver of ocean that was visible from inside the cozy
living room.<br />
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As we drove up Highway 101 through Wheeler and turned onto
Highway 53, the rain began to lessen and we found Black-headed Grosbeak and a
flock of Whimbrels. Nehalem Meadows held Canada Geese with a Cackling
companion, Turkey Vultures and more swallows. The Nehalem Bay Sewage Ponds were
magical with Blue-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, Cliff
Swallows, Spotted Sandpipers, and Lesser Scaup.<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdbYysbJKnkPPYc6cQzlZG71VXtalSLfVRErLzjBUBUYrqi8l_p_OyZC_5QOry1w4YaG0KqXHahjSglexC6zFU9wc7OJ2R2lAiwF4GFTZvxrNRgp2GPqjWdLkxZ-O8zasxG5BAsdnlXrs/s640/blogger-image-738508794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdbYysbJKnkPPYc6cQzlZG71VXtalSLfVRErLzjBUBUYrqi8l_p_OyZC_5QOry1w4YaG0KqXHahjSglexC6zFU9wc7OJ2R2lAiwF4GFTZvxrNRgp2GPqjWdLkxZ-O8zasxG5BAsdnlXrs/s400/blogger-image-738508794.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With over 75 species on our list, we felt optimistic about
making it to 100. We made a beeline for Cannon Beach and found our lucky
parking spot, right in front of Haystack Rock. Under slightly brighter skies,
we tallied up the bounty of birds: Tufted Puffin, Common Murre, all three
Cormorants, flyby Harlequin Ducks, Bald eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Surf Scoter,
and a distant Black Oystercatcher.</div>
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Trees full of spring migrants lined the parking lot of the
Cannon Beach Sewage Ponds. Recently-arrived Western Tanagers, Western Wood
Pewees, and warblers of all kinds foraged in the spruces. Duck diversity was
low, but Northern Rough-winged Swallows posed cooperatively on the fence and
Vaux’s Swifts twittered overhead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC11-ddsPi_FOZ2k92rvZQB4_syKgPJ2w4hNfeZA76vCibpSjambcyfyxaG4p4CNld79UW0I5N7JS1A6G_Bv2BAGEuBPdh3HiGcWEOGOS7-pY6UtgvWrcv_WhJmIQS6C-sAU3anO3JQkOk/s640/blogger-image-2000839646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC11-ddsPi_FOZ2k92rvZQB4_syKgPJ2w4hNfeZA76vCibpSjambcyfyxaG4p4CNld79UW0I5N7JS1A6G_Bv2BAGEuBPdh3HiGcWEOGOS7-pY6UtgvWrcv_WhJmIQS6C-sAU3anO3JQkOk/s400/blogger-image-2000839646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was getting late, but we were over 90 species, so we
decided to race up to Seaside to squeeze a few more birds out of the coast. In
a bizarre turn of events, Max turned onto a gravel road to see if the tall,
long-necked bird he’d seen from the highway was really an emu, which would have
netted the team an extra $5 pledge. Alas, the mysterious bird was a Canada
Goose perched on a small hill. On the plus side, we found our only
Orange-crowned Warbler and Purple Finch of the trip without even leaving the
van. </div>
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Seaside Cove held plenty of surfers but no shorebirds at
all. Diligent scoping of the ocean was rewarded with two more new birds:
Red-throated Loon and White-winged Scoter. Sitting at 96 species and hoping for
shorebirds, we made quick stops at the Necanicum Estuary and Stanley Lake. Greater
Scaup, Least Sandpiper and Greater Yellowlegs brought us up to a tantalizing 99
species, with a long ride back toward Portland to plan our final strategy.</div>
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Dawson Creek Park is best known for one particular species
that is as close to a sure thing as birds can ever be. We made this our last
stop and headed for the cluster of snags along the creek. Acorn Woodpeckers
didn’t keep us in suspense for long. As we celebrated bird #100, two of them
peeked around trees, showed their white wing patches, and made their
distinctive laughing calls. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNr3Yx0jj6p-hb8i9Xr_s8MTCsX9eonVGRrVQSZEhvIQBxv8g9-ysMxp_hQI4oyOQPLFcPO7xYKG3zQK99iuURZK-eCJSDblGBmTqieIczeCUW3TBEpApw6sitGmWU_AeMX81EXUkfaQe/s1600/P1030812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNr3Yx0jj6p-hb8i9Xr_s8MTCsX9eonVGRrVQSZEhvIQBxv8g9-ysMxp_hQI4oyOQPLFcPO7xYKG3zQK99iuURZK-eCJSDblGBmTqieIczeCUW3TBEpApw6sitGmWU_AeMX81EXUkfaQe/s400/P1030812.JPG" width="400" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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After an awards ceremony in the parking lot for the best
fundraisers and bird spotters, we returned to our starting location, adding a
Mourning Dove on a power line for species #101. Birding for 13 hours on a day with
an inch of rain is not for wimps. We are extremely proud of our intrepid team
for keeping their spirits and binoculars up all day long. We raised thousands
of dollars for Portland Audubon and enjoyed some wonderful birds. See you next
year!</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-63862300106163983282016-03-25T13:03:00.000-07:002016-05-09T17:05:44.980-07:00Hello shorebirds, goodbye winterWe've had some periods of rain this winter that made us consider a move from the Pacific Northwest to a desert locale. If there's one benefit of our soggy climate, however, it's that it's mild enough to keep shorebirds around all year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygLZkPa1tOZW7_q1TEtUipPIH68rO5kGlLStS__sF3WDm78KUYOl0BiV-2JMHAF827kFu2XAsZCJ7Xo2S0HGk6av1PSD8osgChqf7dZM1tJtA4qEleYIH_2UNXJuw5G9kIH4zGGThrqf4/s640/blogger-image--226427996.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygLZkPa1tOZW7_q1TEtUipPIH68rO5kGlLStS__sF3WDm78KUYOl0BiV-2JMHAF827kFu2XAsZCJ7Xo2S0HGk6av1PSD8osgChqf7dZM1tJtA4qEleYIH_2UNXJuw5G9kIH4zGGThrqf4/s400/blogger-image--226427996.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We were reminded of this when we birded the Oregon Coast last weekend and found a surprising number and variety of shorebirds.<br />
<br />
We found our first shorebird at Bayocean Spit on Tillamook Bay. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCnaw1g_LflyiwX6Z1r-b3yoccK3Fqt5PXOy68DTIl7Iv7gwUP9amnqTyDVpvBDm26CZRcUeAOiNfx8QqPkGBfoWrLjffV4cpMPg_dwzfnUHZHCcE4Iad9QzVNAfUWFpTh92k2KTx-6Td/s640/blogger-image--1056499270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCnaw1g_LflyiwX6Z1r-b3yoccK3Fqt5PXOy68DTIl7Iv7gwUP9amnqTyDVpvBDm26CZRcUeAOiNfx8QqPkGBfoWrLjffV4cpMPg_dwzfnUHZHCcE4Iad9QzVNAfUWFpTh92k2KTx-6Td/s640/blogger-image--1056499270.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a lone Long-Billed Dowitcher, in appropriately gray plumage. It will be nice and orange when it migrates north in a few months.<br />
<br />
Just a few yards north, the ground was crawling with small sandpipers, aka "peeps".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JScZ42aXAOO4ce5BVS6cFwCSsxfGVUxr0Ghff6SuKsiSbBr9G8Lt_P8Sy9bL1f2_2YG2WJXtgjhdzuIePT44y47thBt4LKn9jt1Y-ncgBcxUfUF8owOje-18iW9ARaUTndl5tnAKc-ds/s640/blogger-image--1768246704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JScZ42aXAOO4ce5BVS6cFwCSsxfGVUxr0Ghff6SuKsiSbBr9G8Lt_P8Sy9bL1f2_2YG2WJXtgjhdzuIePT44y47thBt4LKn9jt1Y-ncgBcxUfUF8owOje-18iW9ARaUTndl5tnAKc-ds/s640/blogger-image--1768246704.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The vast majority were Least Sandpipers, a few were Western Sandpipers, and three were Dunlins. Can you tell which is which in the above photo?<br />
<br />
The Least Sandpipers are small, but feisty and charged the Westerns and Dunlins when they got in the way. <br />
<br />
On Saturday we scouted Cape Kiwanda near Pacific City for a seabird field trip for the upcoming Birding and Blues Festival. Once again, the shorebirds stole the show, distracting us from the parade of morons and their dogs who were enthusiastically ignoring the fences intended to keep them from the deadlier areas of the cape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmq-1QkLle1YVjbFn4KL4HdRzdaRVe0zKtPhLKOxNuvcI9VTgVLclEK5hL2EMq5tHkS43-V7SdD6VpU0cYLyyKcOZp1IcCQN-8y-byKrY-vZGJs7MzGIEThDuDovh6zZcaUndHgfrkGb0/s640/blogger-image--2111909765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtJVk8VXYjQWJwpUCfPwXy3rt_-pNsmZizhHfgvzg2JP9pToo1isiiQY2wWTp-n-HU3B3-zPHkFOARZXArQ5lQKsj4FpegUylEMrmP2POa9DtNmv4mQT2qUlgW1BGYFRCSWkkPaOkM2Vn/s640/blogger-image-868996951.jpg" /></a> </div>
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Black Oystercatchers called loudly, chased each other through the air, and did their thing on the sandstone bluffs. They are one of the few shorebirds that will be sticking around to breed on the Oregon Coast, earning them a spot in our book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmq-1QkLle1YVjbFn4KL4HdRzdaRVe0zKtPhLKOxNuvcI9VTgVLclEK5hL2EMq5tHkS43-V7SdD6VpU0cYLyyKcOZp1IcCQN-8y-byKrY-vZGJs7MzGIEThDuDovh6zZcaUndHgfrkGb0/s640/blogger-image--2111909765.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmq-1QkLle1YVjbFn4KL4HdRzdaRVe0zKtPhLKOxNuvcI9VTgVLclEK5hL2EMq5tHkS43-V7SdD6VpU0cYLyyKcOZp1IcCQN-8y-byKrY-vZGJs7MzGIEThDuDovh6zZcaUndHgfrkGb0/s640/blogger-image--2111909765.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Black Turnstones clung to the slippery rocks at the edge of a churning pool, frantically fleeing the occasional tidal surge. Do not attempt.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj828m2iFMj3Bt9Wvg0tAfh96ABq3ED_3NSOO1SyddVUaZM69xg7ji6K2IKaSe0acNGJVaVCchR-rkJUDHu2KZ13ke1P8EeC3PLUqPe8xeslf9T8_MJNKUZzJdm6t3p5jAKYrEEkIzXynoQ/s640/blogger-image--1141753550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj828m2iFMj3Bt9Wvg0tAfh96ABq3ED_3NSOO1SyddVUaZM69xg7ji6K2IKaSe0acNGJVaVCchR-rkJUDHu2KZ13ke1P8EeC3PLUqPe8xeslf9T8_MJNKUZzJdm6t3p5jAKYrEEkIzXynoQ/s640/blogger-image--1141753550.jpg" /></a></div>
Un-photographed shorebirds include big flocks of Sanderlings, some black-armpitted Black-bellied Plovers, and a random Killdeer. Nine shorebirds total! Not bad for winter.<br />
<br />
We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring migrants, but last weekend was a great reminder of what's been here all winter. Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-68032831260809284962016-01-24T19:57:00.004-08:002016-01-25T20:30:23.939-08:00Birding our public lands<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned this month, it’s that we
can’t take our public lands for granted. Several national wildlife refuges are
a quick drive from our home in Portland and we find something unexpected and unforgettable
every time we visit one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJctRwlbB6u_Q6G8umyFrCmQX_E1B8_VbfTGxvGeJxFu7wA3hFqsv2_mYaScMWdBeF73Lm0Beg4iJvMbMDExqBUt4frg4zi6g7sjUl2ynuMFB1tFAovkEpErwhTUnzmG9aunOfKPqzlcvF/s1600/BS+BNST.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJctRwlbB6u_Q6G8umyFrCmQX_E1B8_VbfTGxvGeJxFu7wA3hFqsv2_mYaScMWdBeF73Lm0Beg4iJvMbMDExqBUt4frg4zi6g7sjUl2ynuMFB1tFAovkEpErwhTUnzmG9aunOfKPqzlcvF/s320/BS+BNST.jpg" width="295" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
During each visit, we can bird by car, scope birds from one spot for hours, or hike several miles. Our refuges help us stay sane when life does its
best
to make us crazy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu_F_rkotKaDczPKfdTciRw96cxMFd-B9wSl_Avyr_10aNLmFyW7zKrIM9R043mB55VXidrs1jFi5o3cQvvgZPV9RwdUEZGVJa6McRrsUUHwEE3i7h_0Rf-FzP2GGh_1wEmHL2MsfYhil/s1600/BS+YHBL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheu_F_rkotKaDczPKfdTciRw96cxMFd-B9wSl_Avyr_10aNLmFyW7zKrIM9R043mB55VXidrs1jFi5o3cQvvgZPV9RwdUEZGVJa6McRrsUUHwEE3i7h_0Rf-FzP2GGh_1wEmHL2MsfYhil/s320/BS+YHBL.jpg" width="242" /></a> </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJctRwlbB6u_Q6G8umyFrCmQX_E1B8_VbfTGxvGeJxFu7wA3hFqsv2_mYaScMWdBeF73Lm0Beg4iJvMbMDExqBUt4frg4zi6g7sjUl2ynuMFB1tFAovkEpErwhTUnzmG9aunOfKPqzlcvF/s1600/BS+BNST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJctRwlbB6u_Q6G8umyFrCmQX_E1B8_VbfTGxvGeJxFu7wA3hFqsv2_mYaScMWdBeF73Lm0Beg4iJvMbMDExqBUt4frg4zi6g7sjUl2ynuMFB1tFAovkEpErwhTUnzmG9aunOfKPqzlcvF/s1600/BS+BNST.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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We gave ourselves some much-needed Refuge Therapy this weekend, starting with a trip to Tualatin River.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXIwGHlSVfO5cLtL5pVwgtaAqvRGs_snbX9xl6Ig9cf2XYkjq_RXtLZizF592i0607RGycQNy5aZ0mjl4HRi-2IRME_z9WKp70NWaxZFlxztLeEF_rRe4bjh6hmNoFtXij3gvEmdeTxws/s640/blogger-image--1813890806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXIwGHlSVfO5cLtL5pVwgtaAqvRGs_snbX9xl6Ig9cf2XYkjq_RXtLZizF592i0607RGycQNy5aZ0mjl4HRi-2IRME_z9WKp70NWaxZFlxztLeEF_rRe4bjh6hmNoFtXij3gvEmdeTxws/s640/blogger-image--1813890806.jpg" /></a> </div>
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We came to see a lone Ross’s
Goose and, as usual, found much more. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyKFaH_Zl_QwkbkfP2cJFUrj7UNi1j9i_XkAMxGH1RX_5yl99hXrb08QZ0N4G1gSJHMELAXJAZEDQ35ma1x1fd7XFgM2876gWfprK9dDhwbKrkEmzWC9wdZdqfxf35J9AKCD0QRaYIPh6/s640/blogger-image--94986125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyKFaH_Zl_QwkbkfP2cJFUrj7UNi1j9i_XkAMxGH1RX_5yl99hXrb08QZ0N4G1gSJHMELAXJAZEDQ35ma1x1fd7XFgM2876gWfprK9dDhwbKrkEmzWC9wdZdqfxf35J9AKCD0QRaYIPh6/s640/blogger-image--94986125.jpg" /></a> <br />
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Many of the refuge units were flooded,
to the delight of thousands of ducks and geese.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBnG8WzC-lCXuJEl15I3vVPanQ-ALrIxW6LST1oyBRR0Rn4dm7eIPkTs7mmp5eZrG-YDuIlvy8mgWl0mumr_CpEA57ghyhU6mXE3KF2Yp96fuJwpvI8-wHzJiNSB4UWkxihvQirG9zUYn/s640/blogger-image--1233448564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBnG8WzC-lCXuJEl15I3vVPanQ-ALrIxW6LST1oyBRR0Rn4dm7eIPkTs7mmp5eZrG-YDuIlvy8mgWl0mumr_CpEA57ghyhU6mXE3KF2Yp96fuJwpvI8-wHzJiNSB4UWkxihvQirG9zUYn/s400/blogger-image--1233448564.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
<br />
Up on a dike, a coyote snacked on a
vole and chased some geese. While watching all the birds and mammals, we chatted with birding friends and absorbed a rare dose of sunshine. </div>
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The next morning we met with <a href="http://hipsterbirders.blogspot.com/">Nick and Maureen</a> in Salem and drove to nearby
Baskett Slough. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W4Tk-vY7CVCh11FTvW-v6jLHnxiQcT9AGWZqzpBOFFFEIiAyzw08PH4lNAyDn1rNOwawNq2HjU_WbkQ24O_s9ZzXkmYtHYBxGZB8h7D7eGe0JgKNTHXZK8LG73utE5jmNY0CIhCiEbrl/s640/blogger-image--454540717.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W4Tk-vY7CVCh11FTvW-v6jLHnxiQcT9AGWZqzpBOFFFEIiAyzw08PH4lNAyDn1rNOwawNq2HjU_WbkQ24O_s9ZzXkmYtHYBxGZB8h7D7eGe0JgKNTHXZK8LG73utE5jmNY0CIhCiEbrl/s640/blogger-image--454540717.jpg" /></a></div>
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Again, the water was high and waterfowl were everywhere.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1zIsqcx0erRkNdTJNKgvcD4ujiqu43iHdPG-6A8XlUXMme87ucM8buEejZbM4_CunLy24Xy1lYomxkSeQfbkZjVNjyWoY3kkiBQ7ZE8B4JCXT4yvrDBFF1l7kIAjqREWFewqkVwoz_fc/s640/blogger-image--1167848821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1zIsqcx0erRkNdTJNKgvcD4ujiqu43iHdPG-6A8XlUXMme87ucM8buEejZbM4_CunLy24Xy1lYomxkSeQfbkZjVNjyWoY3kkiBQ7ZE8B4JCXT4yvrDBFF1l7kIAjqREWFewqkVwoz_fc/s640/blogger-image--1167848821.jpg" /></a><br />
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We cruised the roads along the north edge of the refuge and found some Killer Birds: Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, a Rough-legged Hawk, a Sharp-shinned Hawk, American Kestrels, a Prairie Falcon, and a
Northern Shrike. They were too far for decent photos but perched nicely for us to watch as long as we liked. </div>
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If you're a fan of public lands (and we know you are),
tell your friends, tell your senators and representatives, and thank those who work for the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and other agencies.<br />
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Stay tuned for more public land adventures! </div>
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Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-91093433657868650222016-01-15T21:18:00.001-08:002016-01-16T10:59:30.176-08:00In Hot Pursuit"Chasing" birds doesn't involve running across a field, binoculars bouncing, in search of some feathered prize. At least most of the time. Chasing is what birders call the birding trips we take that are focused on seeing a rare bird that someone else has already spotted and publicized the location of. Detractors say that it's a waste of gas and no fun. You should go out and find your own birds every time. Enthusiasts say that we can find more birds together than we ever could on our own, so why not share the wealth and see something special? I fall into the latter camp. Being the 53rd person to see an individual Snowy Egret doesn't take away anything from its awesomeness in my eyes. The few times that I've found my own rare bird, the stress of documenting it took some of the fun out of it, anyway. There's also the communal aspect of helping others (and being helped) to re-find a bird. Discoveries of the rarest birds end up being impromptu reunions of all the local birders that you haven't seen since the last rarity.<br />
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These are the ups and downs of chasing, illustrated by the birds that Max and I chased in 2015. <br />
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<b>Black-headed Gull</b>, Umatilla Co. <br />
Downside: Took hours to find. Only got a brief look before it flew to an inaccessible field. No pics.<br />
Upside: We were already "in the area" on our way to Wallowa Co. Life bird for both of us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaVR8YcxjH5T4MpNn4u_mB1Z2Z_97S4xBcgWSVftAj3KppoZJR7NBaeeFluQNutQQL1woxU6abxaJi2y5UXrxPpuS367EzJzhvW8U9YBgOnygfLitnFC3zPwvE1T8eVu8TAfilgTeF5Mk/s640/blogger-image-2064238309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaVR8YcxjH5T4MpNn4u_mB1Z2Z_97S4xBcgWSVftAj3KppoZJR7NBaeeFluQNutQQL1woxU6abxaJi2y5UXrxPpuS367EzJzhvW8U9YBgOnygfLitnFC3zPwvE1T8eVu8TAfilgTeF5Mk/s200/blogger-image-2064238309.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Burrowing Owl</b>, Lincoln Co.<br />
Downside: Dog freaked out about being left in car. Made a break for it across the parking lot.<br />
Upside: Found the bird quickly after getting pointers from friendly Yaquina Head Visitor Center staff. Bird was super chill and looked quite at home. Owls always make my day.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Pine Grosbeaks</b></span>, Linn Co.<br />
Downside: Spent hours hiking and listening VERY carefully, found zero grosbeaks. Other people found them right by the parking lot. Nemesis bird for me.<br />
Upside: Gorgeous day in the Cascades. Found a Mountain Bluebird. Went to Bend afterward, where breweries abound. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHCk_1HYY5AAZmpBBNtSk4JvabUdOBcicMCt7tMSfy5fPIc2YoSUFyEEIdo2fi8SRJJaAKaU3WbF8o0JFcmX4fzcUnxPAZnSMMJ10CppUxRT4loKsvMBX-93Ve0K68G46btJjv5LHuHV7/s1600/blogger-image-2000695742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHCk_1HYY5AAZmpBBNtSk4JvabUdOBcicMCt7tMSfy5fPIc2YoSUFyEEIdo2fi8SRJJaAKaU3WbF8o0JFcmX4fzcUnxPAZnSMMJ10CppUxRT4loKsvMBX-93Ve0K68G46btJjv5LHuHV7/s200/blogger-image-2000695742.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Blue-winged Teal</b>, Clackamas Co.<br />
Downside: Took us two trips to Clackamas Co. to find him.<br />
Upside: Blue-winged Teals are gorgeous! Saw three teal species at once. Brown's Ferry Park is so cool we later led a bird walk there. County listing.<br />
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<b>Blue Grosbeak</b>, Washington Co.<br />
Downside: Almost too easy. So dumb it repeatedly had near misses with cars. Didn't stick around (survive?) for our Birdathon a week later.<br />
Upside: Saw it from the car before we even parked. So blue!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7P3TvogkEk7tYCzkWXQowY4PUdxB7atvKs6Ck7_Cs6h52v-kGi0ykJznWLG90jZqBGLJDv3wDMnAviG6pOxzk79rxJbGhX6gdAysPrAGa7MA2ygBKVmkAgRbOUHH19pNyg0d9GozeART/s640/blogger-image-895473272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7P3TvogkEk7tYCzkWXQowY4PUdxB7atvKs6Ck7_Cs6h52v-kGi0ykJznWLG90jZqBGLJDv3wDMnAviG6pOxzk79rxJbGhX6gdAysPrAGa7MA2ygBKVmkAgRbOUHH19pNyg0d9GozeART/s200/blogger-image-895473272.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Hudsonian Godwit</b>, Marion Co.<br />
Downside: A little far away out in the wetland. No chance to gaze into its eyes.<br />
Upside: Got to rendezvous with our buddies, the <a href="http://hipsterbirders.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hipster Birders</a>. Saw cool godwit foraging behavior.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Solitary Sandpiper</b></span>, Tillamook Co.<br />
Downside: Got shut out for the year after missing this one in Rockaway. The festival going on at the time probably kept it away from the small pond just off the main drag where everyone else had seen it.<br />
Upside: No such thing as a bad trip to the coast.<br />
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<b>Elegant Terns</b>, Clatsop Co.<br />
Downside: People that let their dogs chase wildlife on the beach.<br />
Upside: Their beaks are so weird and wonderful! Also saw thousands of Sooty Shearwaters streaming by Seaside Cove.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf2PN6eF91DVORTHIVQlSqa0nQMUcG0BUo3s_Cxtsc4A2sOmXl_0d11g1BXLZYFol7SjrUb06FEDNCEU_14xoGK1C-qeMCVJMvATUNMrpFcyq3UwzYd7Bz2kkuxXwP0xfNskEt3LtUnzX/s1600/blogger-image--1350836344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf2PN6eF91DVORTHIVQlSqa0nQMUcG0BUo3s_Cxtsc4A2sOmXl_0d11g1BXLZYFol7SjrUb06FEDNCEU_14xoGK1C-qeMCVJMvATUNMrpFcyq3UwzYd7Bz2kkuxXwP0xfNskEt3LtUnzX/s200/blogger-image--1350836344.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Snowy Egret</b>, Tillamook, Co. <br />
Downside: Not really. Left Seaside in a hurry after hearing about it while watching the terns. <br />
Upside: Found at Whalen Island with a bunch of Great Egrets. The yellow feet!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL1E-OoaSbJYJ9GKoW7rW8IJQtwwp-CePc78gFhr4jb9_9WTSmV1fubbNMWCs4ThOwynZtpTVcMukmpkYedvGrOCZ_NyGH2FzEFwqVPkgr16bKf3mWstvUR7iHC2DtjxfPuo4GN8Eqzmi/s1600/blogger-image-1835392625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL1E-OoaSbJYJ9GKoW7rW8IJQtwwp-CePc78gFhr4jb9_9WTSmV1fubbNMWCs4ThOwynZtpTVcMukmpkYedvGrOCZ_NyGH2FzEFwqVPkgr16bKf3mWstvUR7iHC2DtjxfPuo4GN8Eqzmi/s200/blogger-image-1835392625.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Stilt/Curlew Sandpiper</b>, Tillamook Co.<br />
Downside: Heard that a Stilt Sandpiper had been seen near the Snowy Egret. Didn't find it. Phone died as I was trying to phonescope what we did find...<br />
Upside: Found a Curlew Sandpiper instead!! Rare as hell but hanging out with a bunch of Least Sandpipers right in front of us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel6rkyZG0OuXwfFAP_T_ZqMP2Dl0zT2axY_jpHg_x2M2-9BUDOf7qM4hGFilcm72JadM5zRV4b3E2Fgj6o3amyGKFYdileGutE3tNZk0wSDIVu5QMQFKTKvBxJLQA3CYD_Fa9hZmg43S1/s1600/blogger-image--1740737876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel6rkyZG0OuXwfFAP_T_ZqMP2Dl0zT2axY_jpHg_x2M2-9BUDOf7qM4hGFilcm72JadM5zRV4b3E2Fgj6o3amyGKFYdileGutE3tNZk0wSDIVu5QMQFKTKvBxJLQA3CYD_Fa9hZmg43S1/s200/blogger-image--1740737876.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<b>Sharp-tailed Sandpipers</b>, Clatsop Co. <br />
Downside: No. Joyous from start to finish.<br />
Upside: Life bird for both of us. The pair hung out close to the trail so we got to watch them forage for quite awhile. So easy to see, even our dog put these on her list. It was hard to leave. Finally got to visit the mitigation wetlands that we had heard so much about. Reason to go to Astoria.<br />
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<b>Tropical Kingbird</b>, Lincoln Co. <br />
Downside: Dog whimpered the whole time. Hates flycatchers.<br />
Upside: A rare bird alert nearby when we are already out birding? Yes, please. A flycatcher that looks like an adorable cartoon character? Even better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZtxIbD_T9D9IoTUoqAgWtdOKu7pr7oDR4f4tQ3EYewdC7JLnlVzQIB_ihYr2j-qqBzyIh1YlSuMCJHor5QOuWap1TJI1NKUEDHL_5q_YHQ4TkhxEi-vVQvyUhDmVf_uFbIFilK7Ilzgq/s640/blogger-image--1305287968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZtxIbD_T9D9IoTUoqAgWtdOKu7pr7oDR4f4tQ3EYewdC7JLnlVzQIB_ihYr2j-qqBzyIh1YlSuMCJHor5QOuWap1TJI1NKUEDHL_5q_YHQ4TkhxEi-vVQvyUhDmVf_uFbIFilK7Ilzgq/s200/blogger-image--1305287968.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Common Ground-Dove</b>, Lincoln Co.<br />
Downside: Kind of a long drive, I guess.<br />
Upside: This is a dove that is tiny and pink. Need I say more? Had a very fun day, including seeing a Clay-colored Sparrow that other birders had found while checking out the dove. We love any excuse to stay in Yachats and visit our <a href="http://www.thegreensalmon.com/" target="_blank">favorite breakfast spot</a> and <a href="http://yachatsfarmstore.com/" target="_blank">favorite farmstore/brewery</a>.<br />
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<b>Brown Booby</b>, Lincoln Co.<br />
Downside: Saw better views of one last year in this exact spot in Yaquina Bay.<br />
Upside: On our way home from the Ground-Dove. Boobies are so goofy/graceful.<br />
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<b>Mountain Chickadee and Pygmy Nuthatch</b>, Multnomah Co.<br />
Downside: Found in our neighborhood park, but not by us.<br />
Upside: Got to see them on the way to work one day. New for western Oregon. Stuck around for awhile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTb_vu3TagzcRuQPXUrvLlcMCP6gR8CWa3CvwkkI2zdz1Q9UY1vPMcr5N9ks5PauCyvKHhHA6hr2AAjz3cNOr5Z53U-0Sexcx327u43noDmxG_lIRdF4ixiIt_5elEN5_t9Oif8mwiBPi/s1600/DICK+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTb_vu3TagzcRuQPXUrvLlcMCP6gR8CWa3CvwkkI2zdz1Q9UY1vPMcr5N9ks5PauCyvKHhHA6hr2AAjz3cNOr5Z53U-0Sexcx327u43noDmxG_lIRdF4ixiIt_5elEN5_t9Oif8mwiBPi/s200/DICK+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>Dickcissel</b>, Tillamook Co.<br />
Downside: Torrential rain while searching. Duck hunting day on Meares Lake. Brief looks at this cool bird.<br />
Upside: Exciting life bird for us. Kind stranger pointed it out to us when we were getting discouraged. Bonus Northern Mockingbird to enjoy while we searched.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Cattle Egret</b></span>, Tillamook Co.<br />
Downside: Couldn't find the damn thing after driving every farm road in the area. It was found later that day by others. Ended the year of chasing on a low note.<br />
Upside: Got to watch White-tailed Kites eat a snack.<br />
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And now to end this post the way we ended many of our bird chases: with a beer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Wy3TNHlAn_GxEmczJb4h5R1-1pyO9UHY-2T44DtExw0p3ibgANg-Yzyi4m02hPrTVm7V6pU3-awbehgMx5XB-VOV1kJX0tU9OoSIqoNHWyEXZFTgkam-lHmjiLqBkzE52E-Cpm7d2Py/s640/blogger-image--1654881398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Wy3TNHlAn_GxEmczJb4h5R1-1pyO9UHY-2T44DtExw0p3ibgANg-Yzyi4m02hPrTVm7V6pU3-awbehgMx5XB-VOV1kJX0tU9OoSIqoNHWyEXZFTgkam-lHmjiLqBkzE52E-Cpm7d2Py/s200/blogger-image--1654881398.jpg" width="150" /></a><b>Places we drank beer after chasing birds</b>: Embers in Joseph, Worthy Brewing in Bend, Seven Brides Brewing in Silverton, Fort George Brewery in Astoria, Yachats Farmstore/Brewery in Yachats, Pelican Brewery in Tillamook.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-6111607925012409382016-01-07T21:29:00.002-08:002016-01-08T10:05:11.613-08:00Beach birding bonusesDecember was an extremely slow month of birding for us, so we couldn't wait to get out for a three-day New Year's Weekend at the coast. The weather was nearly perfect on the first two days of the year, so we got to spend some quality time with the birds.<br>
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We scoped some Surfbirds at the north jetty of Tillamook Bay,<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutHhOJf6oyG4UptXMZ0xfIyOIqzu68Xb5UrqiP4EGky9LZTTm1ycL1Hro2YEhuZcGGUvbvBPaHo_R8wBWx7w3yM8je_MtqBUvO0tOeJfL2LYvoMkMK_CXAgw63mgWwss0FQr1huxnssdk/s640/blogger-image-1928930444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutHhOJf6oyG4UptXMZ0xfIyOIqzu68Xb5UrqiP4EGky9LZTTm1ycL1Hro2YEhuZcGGUvbvBPaHo_R8wBWx7w3yM8je_MtqBUvO0tOeJfL2LYvoMkMK_CXAgw63mgWwss0FQr1huxnssdk/s640/blogger-image-1928930444.jpg"></a></div>
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found a harlequin duck upstream near the Three Graces, <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOvhHFl4olcvM9d31mFrhUloptpDrsWnU94CqSfJwcIRMJbyLCYDw8qqMIlE_FPJCBQw6L-898iDuB45lc09qdqGSCy4dlsqSaEsWOs7UNAUI9eJJFh_tKMEWOoHXR9F9cbt3RH5wTVak/s640/blogger-image-662154610.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOvhHFl4olcvM9d31mFrhUloptpDrsWnU94CqSfJwcIRMJbyLCYDw8qqMIlE_FPJCBQw6L-898iDuB45lc09qdqGSCy4dlsqSaEsWOs7UNAUI9eJJFh_tKMEWOoHXR9F9cbt3RH5wTVak/s640/blogger-image-662154610.jpg"></a> </div>
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and sneaked up on a female Kestrel at Nehalem Sewage Ponds.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOicZGqELHdqulc5-Vv6ql6S-8u4VRQwhZvq1Oi91gxf3kfqfr7HrkVAUVxvmVunmpvNm4vBdkZDlsJD-ARot1YdXBmQfTQ5xSw_z1C8CRMXtmXc9ky5lxZm1r98trO7sMLxHnD8uJDMMb/s640/blogger-image-1623157639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOicZGqELHdqulc5-Vv6ql6S-8u4VRQwhZvq1Oi91gxf3kfqfr7HrkVAUVxvmVunmpvNm4vBdkZDlsJD-ARot1YdXBmQfTQ5xSw_z1C8CRMXtmXc9ky5lxZm1r98trO7sMLxHnD8uJDMMb/s640/blogger-image-1623157639.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLX14ppYT4NszqMMvJcn9fTn3iXA7mbrIFoOLqSX6IjqiChPJZt0QZqZeQ-f3DjVr0b_5bHhbNzeaErPt1VfuNQLlASLnUewrOki3pSs4QSQEDrF-DsbKEcpYw4hsfpVmsrRu-ZbIoL6R/s640/blogger-image--1689720042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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While walking the beach at Manzanita, we found an interesting character in the driftwood. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCkJvHcdRQdK6EPe1Ddgq9Anq3G39ASZLfDljMWikB01NnUpBMNB3LS1FidI3fTajrIY_9Bq42fGhsv9Kn6PWSP0IQtYOdoj04o4T5aKblvVB911iNfh0oCAEFE7-JBUrbxWrnxBVWXgH/s640/blogger-image--1284415498.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCkJvHcdRQdK6EPe1Ddgq9Anq3G39ASZLfDljMWikB01NnUpBMNB3LS1FidI3fTajrIY_9Bq42fGhsv9Kn6PWSP0IQtYOdoj04o4T5aKblvVB911iNfh0oCAEFE7-JBUrbxWrnxBVWXgH/s400/blogger-image--1284415498.jpg" width="400"></a> </div>
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It was a big, pale first-winter Glaucous Gull, feasting on a dead seal. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM7DvvYlAi2uEg49hTS3H0nGEphLUaiCVbYBg1CT2B9wu0i9DSJKqvjV4owlaFsVFcO-tQTlSvXUIQBn7fZ7E0cYT-bphe7f0Uen_4TLyOH_Hda290n6BBSBatYbHswCen2-f83qXuezK/s640/blogger-image--37172702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM7DvvYlAi2uEg49hTS3H0nGEphLUaiCVbYBg1CT2B9wu0i9DSJKqvjV4owlaFsVFcO-tQTlSvXUIQBn7fZ7E0cYT-bphe7f0Uen_4TLyOH_Hda290n6BBSBatYbHswCen2-f83qXuezK/s320/blogger-image--37172702.jpg" width="320"></a> </div>
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After filling its belly with seal meat, the gull flew down to the surf to wash up, and then stood on the beach, ready to chase away any other birds that showed interest in the carcass. Apparently this species doesn't share. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbKJ5f5IU5zQycagZf3QLEdBONpWI0pnP7viAIXs39v0eaZyt-DrntqKBNEsNv_2ArTwHn8lz5BiFgyDO2e-1QHugd0sCWLMlAL9myf2nMtWSL8uaML6xEdjWpkqKMIxE_vH4wsk6sQ6e/s640/blogger-image-1595611649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbKJ5f5IU5zQycagZf3QLEdBONpWI0pnP7viAIXs39v0eaZyt-DrntqKBNEsNv_2ArTwHn8lz5BiFgyDO2e-1QHugd0sCWLMlAL9myf2nMtWSL8uaML6xEdjWpkqKMIxE_vH4wsk6sQ6e/s640/blogger-image-1595611649.jpg"></a> </div>
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We'd planned to go Newport on the 3rd to look for the Mountain Plover that's hanging out with Snowy Plovers, but found ourselves iced-in at Pacific City. We learned that Portland was still encased in ice, so we had to spend an extra day at the coast. The roads thawed overnight, so on the 4th we had no problem getting to Newport and finding the plovers.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPtIfKCuNTZx9n2d8P5FWcSDh_5fG5Ftb1g-PPUkWhTuFpRWPJ_04ak2LrAFDicY1Oqpr7DMGy-bhYoAXVuezwdGbXIWlksd1n1dqwxRLQ2mbbe7yDwOZVPfHk8G0F4GKuBB69GG9URKl/s640/blogger-image-119759130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPtIfKCuNTZx9n2d8P5FWcSDh_5fG5Ftb1g-PPUkWhTuFpRWPJ_04ak2LrAFDicY1Oqpr7DMGy-bhYoAXVuezwdGbXIWlksd1n1dqwxRLQ2mbbe7yDwOZVPfHk8G0F4GKuBB69GG9URKl/s640/blogger-image-119759130.jpg"></a> </div>
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The Mountain Plover pecked at things in the sand while showing off its lovely toasted marshmallow color and plush tummy. Watching it explore the wrack line was definitely more fun than going to work.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLXZMajV8s2QUIsleK3mEsvYR4X-ys6DmBY1GtJGn2v0norNDfic1NQaIIm8olnmDv6_zsrSmxEP4rwH_0vOI51rZxV-hNJ2i7TyfD4QhscmBMaqHMxTzGLXnmFjcnZik34Nk2Q-wcUkx/s640/blogger-image--1236267932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLXZMajV8s2QUIsleK3mEsvYR4X-ys6DmBY1GtJGn2v0norNDfic1NQaIIm8olnmDv6_zsrSmxEP4rwH_0vOI51rZxV-hNJ2i7TyfD4QhscmBMaqHMxTzGLXnmFjcnZik34Nk2Q-wcUkx/s640/blogger-image--1236267932.jpg"></a> </div>
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Next, we looked for an apparent Orchard Oriole at the Hatfield Science Center. Again we had no problem finding our bird. At least its tail-end.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjTTMqu5RluZADi_OFFDwa1ZdrhP9EtCjOPugRwJH4IeR5D3q_mLy1-6f90HcqMOkrJeWQilmzUMkSoikLMrW0FkHMVgn7KGXYWJvxoRoQpku-Ygf5hYKOrCewTE5uKiR7tVPWseW3cWk/s640/blogger-image-1800518851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjTTMqu5RluZADi_OFFDwa1ZdrhP9EtCjOPugRwJH4IeR5D3q_mLy1-6f90HcqMOkrJeWQilmzUMkSoikLMrW0FkHMVgn7KGXYWJvxoRoQpku-Ygf5hYKOrCewTE5uKiR7tVPWseW3cWk/s640/blogger-image-1800518851.jpg"></a> </div>
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And its head-end too.<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs2MNAppFDA4T2VlfpyYw2bTmqInvdCLWxKo7APwbECuX6BLN9shc2Ry7ix3VzUyIqEmEVRbUqt0ky6xJphTnKjvdSnhXx8KqJ1eOD8dMu0abNll7s6OQFfD1dDKRSio7M4QVVKxEgtOq/s640/blogger-image--823534375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs2MNAppFDA4T2VlfpyYw2bTmqInvdCLWxKo7APwbECuX6BLN9shc2Ry7ix3VzUyIqEmEVRbUqt0ky6xJphTnKjvdSnhXx8KqJ1eOD8dMu0abNll7s6OQFfD1dDKRSio7M4QVVKxEgtOq/s640/blogger-image--823534375.jpg"></a> </div>
There's some debate, however, about whether this is an Orchard Oriole, a Bullock's Oriole, or a hybrid. For now we're remembering it as a sharp-looking youngster that we enjoyed watching.<br>
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The last bird that we'd hoped to see was a Long-tailed Duck at the south jetty of Yaquina Bay. Again, we found it easily. But getting it in the scope was tricky because it kept diving on us.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVhiS__cvbYxyStOZfs9-gQDtv9luZ0T5AHo07pHC3PtmwR-o7mcilgUBBDVTZ4lEn1ZjL2XWn5iZ8A3jqYZgnVFaQAsAdJUqFgvqFyxDygGS4oBDKAAl6MIHdbJXVzPu_mx7YGOAzHxx/s640/blogger-image-277416521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVhiS__cvbYxyStOZfs9-gQDtv9luZ0T5AHo07pHC3PtmwR-o7mcilgUBBDVTZ4lEn1ZjL2XWn5iZ8A3jqYZgnVFaQAsAdJUqFgvqFyxDygGS4oBDKAAl6MIHdbJXVzPu_mx7YGOAzHxx/s640/blogger-image-277416521.jpg"></a></div>
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It eventually surfaced long enough for a photo. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmFvqoEkCuyh-W4VTZ07z-tVbRDi0HmLV5VyDdYDD4MToZATbcIPdESF7sAOYM5MT0yQQJbgH9wNqJHwgk_lPYrN-sLTcFq5EnYie9FksM8Tq3_zrMFM44LpkdW0X8D2tJ8VTI5b37HGL/s640/blogger-image-860323674.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmFvqoEkCuyh-W4VTZ07z-tVbRDi0HmLV5VyDdYDD4MToZATbcIPdESF7sAOYM5MT0yQQJbgH9wNqJHwgk_lPYrN-sLTcFq5EnYie9FksM8Tq3_zrMFM44LpkdW0X8D2tJ8VTI5b37HGL/s640/blogger-image-860323674.jpg"></a></div>
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Behind us, a Western Meadowlark kept a wary eye on a marauding harrier.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLX14ppYT4NszqMMvJcn9fTn3iXA7mbrIFoOLqSX6IjqiChPJZt0QZqZeQ-f3DjVr0b_5bHhbNzeaErPt1VfuNQLlASLnUewrOki3pSs4QSQEDrF-DsbKEcpYw4hsfpVmsrRu-ZbIoL6R/s640/blogger-image--1689720042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLX14ppYT4NszqMMvJcn9fTn3iXA7mbrIFoOLqSX6IjqiChPJZt0QZqZeQ-f3DjVr0b_5bHhbNzeaErPt1VfuNQLlASLnUewrOki3pSs4QSQEDrF-DsbKEcpYw4hsfpVmsrRu-ZbIoL6R/s640/blogger-image--1689720042.jpg"></a> </div>
We saw some great bird behavior and have already found several species that we missed in 2015, so the weekend was the perfect antidote to the long dark December we endured. Wishing all of you you a very happy and birdy New Year! <br>
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Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-41667568212502588852015-11-12T22:03:00.001-08:002015-11-12T22:03:41.632-08:00The last countiesUp until last weekend, Sarah and I had birded all but three Oregon counties together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrsPdhb6Qag-r6uLycglJhW8eXVaFmcJzAsDD-wsqjEkIIPSacfTZSsXij1h_Nv3b1MQTtqRUf9A68FUnPHZrOhS35oj1vIQqecsYxZb0CZ1V0_fqtERORK3kE3f4WOI-7BjcwDdJXjYy/s640/blogger-image-79738259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrsPdhb6Qag-r6uLycglJhW8eXVaFmcJzAsDD-wsqjEkIIPSacfTZSsXij1h_Nv3b1MQTtqRUf9A68FUnPHZrOhS35oj1vIQqecsYxZb0CZ1V0_fqtERORK3kE3f4WOI-7BjcwDdJXjYy/s640/blogger-image-79738259.jpg" /></a></div>
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We'd planned a trip in June to visit the last three counties in the southeastern corner of the state, but weather and other logistics kept us home. We finally had an opportunity to take some time off and make the big
drive last Friday. Here are some highlights of our tri-county quest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaIMshROSepNhCWuMyDxVXRuHvAuPh_uXz9w2vN_E-iCjBz5kXUJZUdKSX7cpiTKBBHHbiHEHR3440xXmHLSdeRl3rGXzX_nYHog_4_H2T7ZIZkgwrV7eNO2wY8cKwwSelh8ixO-VTTWS/s1600/Malheur+28.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaIMshROSepNhCWuMyDxVXRuHvAuPh_uXz9w2vN_E-iCjBz5kXUJZUdKSX7cpiTKBBHHbiHEHR3440xXmHLSdeRl3rGXzX_nYHog_4_H2T7ZIZkgwrV7eNO2wY8cKwwSelh8ixO-VTTWS/s400/Malheur+28.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Grant County </b><br />
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Our plan was to leave Portland Friday morning and make our way to Grant County, bird a while, and then head south to Burns where we would spend the night. We made several stops along the way, which of course took longer than expected, and did not arrive in Grant until sunset. This was our only chance to get at least one bird in the county, so we were afraid we might miss out. We drove through the Silvies Valley, which was very quiet. As our anxiety grew, we spotted something on a utility pole. <br />
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We've never been so exited to see a Red-Tailed Hawk! <br />
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We also stopped at an old school house and spotted a Northern Harrier hunting among a herd of cattle. <br />
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Just down the road, we found a small flock of Mallards feeding in a flooded field. <br />
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Three species in Grant county and a jaw-dropping sunset. We'll take it! <br />
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<b>Harney County</b><br />
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We woke Saturday Morning and drove south from Burns to bird a very dry Harney County. <br />
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Harney Lake and other water bodies are on hiatus this year, but we managed to find some waterfowl here and there. <br />
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Raptors were plentiful, however, including a Prairie Falcon terrorizing the local songbirds,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfPetUlI5UbrgdlUGzK2ryiVAfA54VO0_eVitYlAt1Av5IghMNWLkNO7F98CgNnDL4cV08GDdNmjxPvJX2UlCRhafZreO-TxGBbt0Zc8pBolUwAo1-X72FtVC83IM7K_mUv_rO1j0vWQ7/s640/blogger-image-1116450879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfPetUlI5UbrgdlUGzK2ryiVAfA54VO0_eVitYlAt1Av5IghMNWLkNO7F98CgNnDL4cV08GDdNmjxPvJX2UlCRhafZreO-TxGBbt0Zc8pBolUwAo1-X72FtVC83IM7K_mUv_rO1j0vWQ7/s640/blogger-image-1116450879.jpg" /></a></div>
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and several Ferruginous Hawks looking sharp on power poles and sprinkler structures.<br />
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We had some memorable mammal encounters too. This mule deer buck was steeped in rutting hormones and staring us down. We gave him plenty of personal space.<br />
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<b>Malheur County</b><br />
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On Sunday we visited the last county on our list, Malheur (not to be confused with the wildlife refuge). It's the big one in the corner of the state.<br />
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As soon as we crossed into the county, we were greeted by hundreds of American Robins, who, along with Townsend's Solitaires, were feasting on a bumper crop of western juniper berries.<br />
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At an old ranch house, a Merlin and a Sharp-shinned Hawk fought for the right to perch in the poplars.<br />
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We eventually made it to our main destination, Beulah Reservoir.<br />
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We scoped the water and found it covered with waterfowl.<br />
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In addition to ducks and geese, we saw several rafts of Tundra Swans.<br />
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We returned to our home base of Burns with a respectable number of species from Malheur County. <br />
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It was hard to return to Portland after such a great long weekend adventure. We look forward to returning to the area in the spring or summer when the days will be
longer, the temperatures warmer, and the birds a little more abundant. We didn't miss the mosquitoes, though.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-60185991901596004822015-10-01T22:13:00.001-07:002015-10-01T22:13:57.040-07:00Astoria escape<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Last week we really needed to get out of the house and go birding, but we couldn't decide on a direction to take. We received some inspiration on Tuesday, when two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were spotted in Astoria. When Thursday produced more sightings and striking photos, we starting packing to go look for these occasional Eurasian vagrants. In the morning we realized we were driving into a gamble because a rain storm was approaching. We've driven to the coast and missed our target species while being unhappily drenched on several occasions. </div>
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The gamble paid off! Not only did we easily find the birds we were looking for, but it stayed dry in Astoria while it rained in Portland much of the day. </div>
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The sharp-taileds were feeding among several dowitchers and snipes in the Astoria Mitigation Bank Wetlands. They took flight when the occasional harrier cruised by, but we could always find at least one to admire.</div>
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If more shorebirds were as colorful and cooperative as this pair of youngsters, the family would have a much better reputation among novice birders. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Awxk-N2fDkvCSM7ogJFwgG2o04TVNkWGMfpupo_9wQdSXrQDtufP3a4Cu8e5fJT-nRiMNKmINoUmuZCqK2dbr56EwIJj2FEiEqlYGfC7YHBUl83o6TEraNS0Xhfxl5DvLflxiyNy5mdO/s640/blogger-image--385475645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Awxk-N2fDkvCSM7ogJFwgG2o04TVNkWGMfpupo_9wQdSXrQDtufP3a4Cu8e5fJT-nRiMNKmINoUmuZCqK2dbr56EwIJj2FEiEqlYGfC7YHBUl83o6TEraNS0Xhfxl5DvLflxiyNy5mdO/s640/blogger-image--385475645.jpg" /></a></div>
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After viewing the shorebirds, we birded Wireless Road, which had a Stunning Red-Shouldered Hawk that was unfortunately un-photographed. We also saw smaller birds flitting around the farm equipment.</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"> Can you spot the bird? </span></div>
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We visited the Hammond Boat Basin too. One of the pelicans there did not look like the others. Though it seems weird to see a White Pelican at the coast, they are regulars just up the Columbia. Heermann's Gulls were also present in big numbers with their pelican "buddies."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW6EghDCpeIUIdChMesvlGMlBTQtQ1UhXzxlaDYKEP2lQRxL37Ti0Ad6guUMwk0q2gC71oGv3AO-V1Ao2Sd4XZL36ViY4jBqVa5pKHzQ1dTAmO_oio7OgjDoQ-CE_ym7F5OdrEAsKqfga/s640/blogger-image--1233148071.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW6EghDCpeIUIdChMesvlGMlBTQtQ1UhXzxlaDYKEP2lQRxL37Ti0Ad6guUMwk0q2gC71oGv3AO-V1Ao2Sd4XZL36ViY4jBqVa5pKHzQ1dTAmO_oio7OgjDoQ-CE_ym7F5OdrEAsKqfga/s640/blogger-image--1233148071.jpg" /></a> </div>
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We celebrated our finds, as usual, at Fort George Brewing, and then ended the day with a walk on the beach at Seaside. It may look like the forest was burning on Tillamook Head, but it was just a roiling fog bank. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx4CnpAMbAC9dwlKK2Fxnq3rgmZw7FZRXz0QhTUDDDtnlKXZXfa98EIz32CWWxWx857nQrxLdlR8ZmFvx4o0X5O4V4bF-YEoXo3Rzm8EoheE-nE3O07NJRD_EEx5HBAosG4jJDcuQgGO5/s640/blogger-image-1043387476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILiv5DRqfcjEa1i4kcAYnJT3Z3kpWL_MQDfdmEzKhaWyQ3Te6m4E_CwyZ-Pz2BVyHBgMj2-GhD8YGuv1vhqOlQQfgd5XyDbCuc9mXoAYrLoK1H1eFxhlxNJNg-yMeG1TgCxUE1R_kYSwu/s640/blogger-image--1298969381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILiv5DRqfcjEa1i4kcAYnJT3Z3kpWL_MQDfdmEzKhaWyQ3Te6m4E_CwyZ-Pz2BVyHBgMj2-GhD8YGuv1vhqOlQQfgd5XyDbCuc9mXoAYrLoK1H1eFxhlxNJNg-yMeG1TgCxUE1R_kYSwu/s400/blogger-image--1298969381.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's no such thing as a bad trip to Astoria, but this was an especially rewarding one: life bird, fresh hop beer, and a sleepy dog too.Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-6487388808183033752015-09-08T20:14:00.002-07:002015-09-08T20:29:09.735-07:00Shorebird Surprise<div>
We traveled to the coast on Friday to look for a few more southbound shorebirds. At Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach, we found our first Wandering Tattler of the year working the offshore mussel beds. We did not get a photo of the tattler, but I did zoom in on Tillamook Head Lighthouse, which was looking creepy as ever.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA5iEmEvsiGj4F-PJ0-fij8Yotm1xRk2GvDMrRYG5oumiQd5LouKwAhpuTLkwsBdCZWOeEueSwc5jU-0E8HL8AP-3F6wgX_Z4KXI68DLh9M0m2XcBy8QY1OSFC0ZJx6QvkpKmsS74DSy7/s640/blogger-image--802741248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA5iEmEvsiGj4F-PJ0-fij8Yotm1xRk2GvDMrRYG5oumiQd5LouKwAhpuTLkwsBdCZWOeEueSwc5jU-0E8HL8AP-3F6wgX_Z4KXI68DLh9M0m2XcBy8QY1OSFC0ZJx6QvkpKmsS74DSy7/s400/blogger-image--802741248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also in the park, an big, peaceful elk munched on roadside elderberry leaves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HRAMJONQvEQgIgzTRCpYPNmdfsB02_BeDU3JVLSXqCf-_qvqBr-wpWnXQDJ32GBonaQwNAG6_iFL3XlRnkw3SIjGTxBA-HyubYFJ8FWyZ_jrp6Ad-ZGBzLTenqnkHvUBIso6k0Ww86dM/s640/blogger-image--1179657148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HRAMJONQvEQgIgzTRCpYPNmdfsB02_BeDU3JVLSXqCf-_qvqBr-wpWnXQDJ32GBonaQwNAG6_iFL3XlRnkw3SIjGTxBA-HyubYFJ8FWyZ_jrp6Ad-ZGBzLTenqnkHvUBIso6k0Ww86dM/s400/blogger-image--1179657148.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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On our way south to Pacific City, we learned that two birds we'd yet to see this year, a Snowy Egret and a Stilt Sandpiper, were hanging out near Whalen Island. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUjqmOx-Ybt7fFjF9sTENVbXepuoa2mPQK57VbkJZKhnUijbLn9Kwor0Oi1v-uP787Im2IWhQThF8jxLuNyHO25bGPYKRaMkwB3xnePnHlb_vH_jN9o9CYlsMQJmj-XKle9SXKrURMD_P/s640/blogger-image-2058421171.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUjqmOx-Ybt7fFjF9sTENVbXepuoa2mPQK57VbkJZKhnUijbLn9Kwor0Oi1v-uP787Im2IWhQThF8jxLuNyHO25bGPYKRaMkwB3xnePnHlb_vH_jN9o9CYlsMQJmj-XKle9SXKrURMD_P/s400/blogger-image-2058421171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We drove straight to the Island and quickly found the Snowy Egret, fishing among twenty or so Great Egrets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RdL-dCClbkDl3Wt9eIeBiJe3SXiW14exDV4j6aJresn0Kp1jocmMfRNVpWjwDK9sNfvbkRtwUaHGoBq1MVT6iegFbOuDUaEFILJOKcKMVNOp1sgKTDczAmdZnZXZLpQgCy9aEGNTOVY-/s640/blogger-image--1350836344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RdL-dCClbkDl3Wt9eIeBiJe3SXiW14exDV4j6aJresn0Kp1jocmMfRNVpWjwDK9sNfvbkRtwUaHGoBq1MVT6iegFbOuDUaEFILJOKcKMVNOp1sgKTDczAmdZnZXZLpQgCy9aEGNTOVY-/s400/blogger-image--1350836344.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We also found a small group of shorebirds, which appeared to be the ubiquitous Least Sandpipers. When we walked closer, however, we noticed that one was not like the others.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxxpw9M-5XHU825CWwljKtD48x-k8CcLlPW9-Bf9KE8CgEvoajYVUAA7nGzJmdd9a27QRT4hKItDg0jU7Q2sEE-o0BcfOj2o_gHlY5Tf4pg7k8Nm_abQTVmfZrk5oj-ZNp85d2k7UNR4c/s640/blogger-image-1172298578.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxxpw9M-5XHU825CWwljKtD48x-k8CcLlPW9-Bf9KE8CgEvoajYVUAA7nGzJmdd9a27QRT4hKItDg0jU7Q2sEE-o0BcfOj2o_gHlY5Tf4pg7k8Nm_abQTVmfZrk5oj-ZNp85d2k7UNR4c/s400/blogger-image-1172298578.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
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It had a drooping bill, like a Stilt Sandpiper, but, unlike a Stilt Sandpiper, it had dark legs, white wingstripes in flight, and a peachy wash on the neck and breast. After checking our field guides, we decided that it had to be a Curlew Sandpiper, a rare visitor from Eurasia!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcXA0MY-fiQHPMqavNrmHWBoTaBA6pjexTgUhn6SqHuT4T7TZhMbQ4ZywdVYoAn6LwOBNc5oMiIgLjxofn5DD-nvMGBGaTIV_y6PC9WL3gNwy1vO9DcL9v7pPDAHsRYroLEVBZEOND67Y/s640/blogger-image-1835392625.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcXA0MY-fiQHPMqavNrmHWBoTaBA6pjexTgUhn6SqHuT4T7TZhMbQ4ZywdVYoAn6LwOBNc5oMiIgLjxofn5DD-nvMGBGaTIV_y6PC9WL3gNwy1vO9DcL9v7pPDAHsRYroLEVBZEOND67Y/s400/blogger-image-1835392625.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We only managed a few photos before the phone batteries died, but we were able to spend plenty of time observing the bird before the rising tide chased us back to the car.<br />
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We returned the next day with our phones fully charged, but could not relocate the Curlew Sandpiper. Instead, we took nice pictures of some very cooperative juvenile Least Sandpipers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEvNJXYOOZ8DCrCQ_llDfDXpk6JmG-xFwI8TXTJuaHv2RNumyAWhakoe4SPkKCcOLp_32FpL32k6QT7TkwGki7dLF8FSuRDfs7Kx6aBjbHe07OHj_aboIwsAbUijHdZ9CpRw0YmdsnqC9/s640/blogger-image--645495152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEvNJXYOOZ8DCrCQ_llDfDXpk6JmG-xFwI8TXTJuaHv2RNumyAWhakoe4SPkKCcOLp_32FpL32k6QT7TkwGki7dLF8FSuRDfs7Kx6aBjbHe07OHj_aboIwsAbUijHdZ9CpRw0YmdsnqC9/s400/blogger-image--645495152.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
So rufous!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BMcWpn7QZ10ANkw2GUovEOTBFyiOt_CDKlobqNoPFAMjelhQiOhP71IfqprggMX3HcASZg8byelYzFjuyAe_2zEItxriyJoBYOhtyqdFDGvJ88N77KbpjWUHvay73Do3_IIlTSR8bxgY/s640/blogger-image-655377252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BMcWpn7QZ10ANkw2GUovEOTBFyiOt_CDKlobqNoPFAMjelhQiOhP71IfqprggMX3HcASZg8byelYzFjuyAe_2zEItxriyJoBYOhtyqdFDGvJ88N77KbpjWUHvay73Do3_IIlTSR8bxgY/s400/blogger-image-655377252.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<br />Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-59538704203181223212015-08-29T20:44:00.000-07:002015-08-29T20:44:05.968-07:00Nice Pecs<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Last weekend we headed to the coast and the birding and air quality were so bad that we took only a single photo.</div>
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<i>The "view" from Cascade Head</i></div>
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This weekend we stuck closer to home and went looking for shorebirds at Tualatin River NWR. The nice thing about birding somewhere that isn't tidally influenced is that you can eat coffeecake for breakfast first and take your time getting there.</div>
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The ponds had much more water in them than we'd seen in recent years, but with a nice ring of mud at the edges.</div>
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We scanned the ponds, finding lots of waterfowl, phalaropes, and a few peeps, before finally setting eyes on our target bird: Pectoral Sandpiper. These shorebirds look like a bigger, chunkier Least Sandpiper, but move more like a yellowlegs, covering a lot of ground while actively feeding. They favor the drier mud up into the vegetation, which is exactly where we found this one and its buddy.<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSB196pxk4Q5obayFaNzUu7TvddZUugg1J7d2fejSaFpHLY-45PBXgeUVmNhwo1_Z1tXFmRNcwbJisiRvATiHeVSJKs_G0hjbaNxjh-iKaHfmy0do33l09yOZ4rRO6MPnSYeNXztCnImi/s640/blogger-image--498686921.jpg" /><br />
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<i>Photo taken with Celestron scope and iPhone adapter. </i></div>
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The refuge was surprisingly birdy for late August, and before we left we had great fly-bys from both an American Bittern and a Peregrine Falcon. As we walked the dike back to the Visitor Center, I gazed wistfully into a duckweedy canal and said to Max: "Looks a great place for a Green Heron." Then I turned to look at the other side of the canal and saw this little guy scrambling down the culvert. <br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFFNlS55As6KfU-hN0_tQDWv2BmEiTOfvt_3TKkbkTR0o4VmFQD_4NTKhqZVQPSilCLdPGUBG7cuWIE5rkyyk8MQL4D_6tEeAd4aZVaVoTqP_qfLtGPrd4iFxmDDx-JSv0Yxn6fTfI9lh/s640/blogger-image--1231265011.jpg" /></div>
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<i> Green Heron photo taken with iPhone</i></div>
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Once we got a better look, we realized this was a juvenile Green Heron, which might be why it tucked up a foot and chilled out instead of flying away. The spotting on the wings is a good fieldmark for telling the ages apart.<br />
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<i>Green Heron photo taken with Celestron scope and iPhone adapter</i></div>
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You can see why I'm happier with our new photography setup every time we go out. You can even make out the duckweed on its stubby little leg! Hoping for more photos of this quality in the future.<br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-91857407361360650012015-08-01T21:29:00.000-07:002015-08-01T21:29:33.719-07:00Young birds everywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Last Saturday was forecast to be the coolest day in a long time, and it
delivered with fresh breezes and our first chance to use the windshield
wipers in months. We took advantage and headed down to check out late
summer birds at a few refuges. We found a lot of young birds of all kinds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7He0FBFBNn9KH0MzDR_p0uzR2oMukcyddxPwx6tmQCdCp7wdIbK0YKLv6wVBXv1Z8Art9lKRqoSFGZsVomgc4zAmrXW3TXbWu1lheGfmMSEUIKQNaLXeypGQFZA2NjQ_hX_5YJ-jtWTu2/s640/blogger-image-767712515.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7He0FBFBNn9KH0MzDR_p0uzR2oMukcyddxPwx6tmQCdCp7wdIbK0YKLv6wVBXv1Z8Art9lKRqoSFGZsVomgc4zAmrXW3TXbWu1lheGfmMSEUIKQNaLXeypGQFZA2NjQ_hX_5YJ-jtWTu2/s640/blogger-image-767712515.jpg" /></a></div>
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We brought along both our old scope and our shiny new Celestron one. (Thanks again, Celestron!) After some initial sibling rivalry, they're getting along quite well. <br />
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At Ankeny NWR, Eagle Marsh was full of Canada Geese and brown ducks. A few distant shorebirds were puttering around, but the backlighting was awful.<br />
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Some stripy, young Pied-billed Grebes were diving in the marsh. I still get excited to have breeding grebes in northwestern Oregon, since most of them are on the east side of the state.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpQOqmHyWX1omcyymTsxK8RdWOthX8yKiy8V__suPXhBLM80fNud1NWAkxB0c_NOWV_ob0FvOivL06KdIL8X3IsfJRWAnX5Gs94RDY7aGxZmV0TBgeJbBlG_BrSycngzw7MqROKP6I8RH/s400/blogger-image-1237991691.jpg" width="354" /></div>
This splotchy, immature Bald Eagle sat in this tree the whole time we were there, but the other birds just ignored it.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3zvtyuyf_-WpX3MpTvOw5GlBf7cD3RzBH23kbJK076Fn6HJ0cEJO-wZv0d9YPdy9uXRKjhjLBTB4mQcoWHrwu2ScK5Fo2d7tPK78PhbasrVZZxi-vEkkOWpQS-0YTTjQSL7TFwW9D36n/s640/blogger-image--168988258.jpg" /></div>
Wood Ducks, living up to their name.<br />
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Swallows were everywhere! These young tree swallows seemed to enjoy constantly displacing each other from their perches.<br />
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We headed north to Baskett Slough in search of closer birds. Along the way we drove through rain showers and stopped in Independence, OR for snacks at the Ovenbird Bakery<br />
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Black-necked Stilts are regular breeders at Baskett Slough, and they were all over the place. This one must have a very strong core. It seemed to defy gravity on one impossibly skinny leg. <br />
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This stilt hunkered down on its ankles for awhile before lowering down to the mud for a short rest. More stilts kept flying in and riling everyone up, so no one stayed in one place for long.<br />
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The young bird party continued with a busy pair of Wilson's Phalaropes. This shot can't really capture their nonstop motion. <br />
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The last bird to show up was a little Semipalmated Plover. It posed cooperatively for a plover comparison shot with a Killdeer.<br />
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The cloudy coolness was a nice break from the broiler-like weather we've been having, but the dark skies didn't make for great phone-scope photography, at least that's my excuse. Can't wait to bring our Celestron gear out for more "fall" shorebirding.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7He0FBFBNn9KH0MzDR_p0uzR2oMukcyddxPwx6tmQCdCp7wdIbK0YKLv6wVBXv1Z8Art9lKRqoSFGZsVomgc4zAmrXW3TXbWu1lheGfmMSEUIKQNaLXeypGQFZA2NjQ_hX_5YJ-jtWTu2/s640/blogger-image-767712515.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-60245807903790276062015-07-18T19:38:00.003-07:002015-07-18T22:51:29.640-07:00Christmas in July<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Just as Timber Press promised us, writing a book has led to some wonderful opportunities over the last couple years. We've given talks everywhere from Bellingham to Othello, and Charleston to Sisters. We went out on a day cruise as naturalists. We've used our minor celebrity to raise money for Portland Audubon and its important work. Then, a few months ago, things took an even more exciting turn. </div>
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I sent the following (mostly joking) tweet to Celestron, not really expecting a result.Yes, that's electrical tape.</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/CelestronBinos">@CelestronBinos</a> Thanks for following! You guys do pro deals? </div>
— Must-see Birds (@MustSeeBirds) <a href="https://twitter.com/MustSeeBirds/status/572982238834393088">March 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
By delightful coincidence, the person in charge of the Celestron Twitter account was none other than <a href="http://www.wellreadnaturalist.com/">John Riutta</a>, fellow Oregonian and (positive) reviewer of our book for Birdwatcher's Digest. He had an idea for a partnership with Celestron, which is known for its telescopes, but makes a large range of optics. Fast forward to this week, when Max's sad binos were joined by this good-looking Granite 10x50 and a 10x42 for me. To state the obvious, these new binoculars are a <i>huge</i> improvement and we love them.<br>
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We also got a Regal M2 scope with an iPhone adapter that we took out into the field at our very first opportunity. So far, we like the dual focus knobs and the case that can stay on while you use it. We hope to increase the quality of our bird phone-scoping and frequency of our blogging, while showing how much wonderful birding there is to be found in this corner of the world.<br>
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And now for some birds found at Jackson Bottoms:<br>
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Long-billed Dowitchers were our first targets. So pumpkiny. All photo fuzziness is my fault, not Celestron's.<br>
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Shorebird migration season quickly approaches. We found some Least Sandpipers contemplating their handsome reflections in shallow water. You can even see the pale legs on this one.<br>
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A Greater Yellowlegs represented the large end of the shorebird spectrum.<br>
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Ah, brown duck time is here. A Cinnamon Teal family flashes tell-tale blue wing patches.<br>
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These Ospreys (baby on the right) excitedly greeted the other parent.<br>
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The only thing cooler than a Lazuli Bunting...<br>
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is a Lazuli Bunting singing with a grasshopper in its mouth.<br>
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Definitely an improvement over our previous birding and photography set up. Can't wait to get out again, especially when it isn't blazing hot.<br>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-69217149509130634932015-07-09T21:27:00.000-07:002015-07-09T21:27:20.073-07:00A hot time in Central Oregon<div>
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Last weekend, for the sake of our somewhat sensitive dog, we escaped the high temperatures and fireworks of Portland for the high temperatures and no fireworks of Central Oregon. </div>
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During previous Fourth of July weekends, we birded as much of the area around Sisters as possible, maximizing our species list. This year, our top priority was to prevent heat exhaustion.<br />
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Upon our Friday arrival, we realized it was too hot to hike through wildfire sites in search of woodpeckers, so instead we birded from the porch of the house we borrowed from our friends.<br />
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We waited until after sunset to bird the wildfire sites. The Common Poorwills we'd hoped to hear were keeping quiet, but Common Nighthawks flew inches from our faces, we found a rubber boa, and we managed to avoid hitting a deer. A very successful nighttime cruise! <br />
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Saturday was not as hot as Friday, but we still played it safe by birding in places with cold water in sight. We cooled our heels in the chilly waters of Cold Springs while trying to spot the Dusky Flycatchers and MacGillivray's Warblers that were hiding in the shrubs. <br />
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The water in the Metolius River is always cold and the air felt about ten degrees cooler when we stood on the shore. Among the many birds also enjoying the river were a pair of adolescent Common Mergansers, Western Wood Pewees with a nest, and an especially brilliant Western Tanager.<br />
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It was hot again on Sunday, so by lunchtime we weren't birding with a lot of motivation. With a little luck, however, we found the best bird of the trip. While driving through Sisters, we saw a single Pinyon Jay flying overhead.<br />
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We followed it as best we could from our car and eventually heard some quail-like calls coming from a large ponderosa pine.<br />
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It was a Pinyon Jay fledgling perched low in the tree! Its parents occasionally came down to feed it while we watched. It had been several years since we'd seen one of these birds and we'd never seen one so young, so we were happy to call it a day and retreat indoors.<br />
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Before returning home on Monday morning, we were treated to one more local specialty. A White-headed Woodpecker, never a guarantee around here, was picking arthropods from the bark of pines just steps away from the house. We could hear it claw its way around the trunk and gently tap into the bark to access ants or other invertebrates. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahqjlO9i-59MsbU_SKDctwwuZFKnay6jp5vHA8CB8GXBm5jdMMfUo2HhpN-3TksYtxK8jjX_VIYsYOJjhKbTyBaaCeXJojJ1rDF-YLPo9-OZtFXUHlC8zZjh5lb6gpkZQR4qcauUraM5H/s640/blogger-image--1445027882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahqjlO9i-59MsbU_SKDctwwuZFKnay6jp5vHA8CB8GXBm5jdMMfUo2HhpN-3TksYtxK8jjX_VIYsYOJjhKbTyBaaCeXJojJ1rDF-YLPo9-OZtFXUHlC8zZjh5lb6gpkZQR4qcauUraM5H/s640/blogger-image--1445027882.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahqjlO9i-59MsbU_SKDctwwuZFKnay6jp5vHA8CB8GXBm5jdMMfUo2HhpN-3TksYtxK8jjX_VIYsYOJjhKbTyBaaCeXJojJ1rDF-YLPo9-OZtFXUHlC8zZjh5lb6gpkZQR4qcauUraM5H/s640/blogger-image--1445027882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
We captured it in a typically bad photo. That's the bird on the lower left side of the tree. We're looking forward to an upcoming optics and digiscoping upgrade. More details to come. <br />
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Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-49031307696266358912015-04-20T16:47:00.002-07:002015-04-20T21:37:49.447-07:00Big finds in Linn County<br />
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Linn County, Oregon prides itself on being the Grass Seed Capital of the World. While birding the county on Saturday, we found that the area has much more to offer than nasty allergy attacks. <br />
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Linn County stretches from the floor of the Willamette River east to the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Our plan for the day was to bird our way from the valley floor wetlands up into the forest and back.<br />
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Our first stop was Talking Waters Gardens in Albany. The gardens are a series of water treatment ponds surrounded by a nice trail system and a lot of wetland vegetation. Here we got the day off to a momentous start when Sarah spotted a small rail just off the trail.<br />
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It was a Sora. This is a species we've heard calling plenty of times but had never actually seen and there it was right in front of us!<br />
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After leaving Albany, we drove past Sweet Home and visited the South Santiam River at Cascadia State Park and River Bend County Park. We enjoyed the scenery and spent a lot of time chasing birdsong so we could add a Black-throated Gray Warbler to our list.<br />
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With that accomplished, we returned to the valley floor near Brownsville for another avian milestone.<br />
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In a restored grassland, we found at least four Western Meadowlarks singing away. This was the first time we've heard our state bird's rich bubbly song in the Willamette Valley, where breeding populations have become quite rare. Vesper Sparrows and Grasshopper Sparrows nest here as well, but we'll have to find them on another trip.<br />
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Linn County: Come for the Grass Seed, Stay for the Grassland Birds!Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-44563257780899200962015-03-15T21:34:00.001-07:002015-03-15T21:34:56.594-07:00Friday the 13th Birding<div>
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This week we are participating in a nature blog scavenger hunt. Win prizes! Find new cool blogs about nature in the PNW! Head to <a href="http://www.metrofieldguide.com/2015-pnw-nature-blog-scavenger-hunt" target="_blank">Metro Field Guide</a> to find instructions and links to participating blogs. <br />
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We left home on Friday morning with two goals: 1. Find a Blue-winged Teal at Brown's Ferry Park and 2. Get our Clackamas County bird species total as close to 100 as possible. At the start of the year, we realized that our Clackamas County list was shamefully short, given how close the county is to our home in southwest Portland.<br />
A few minutes after arriving at Brown's Ferry Park, we realized that, despite the day's date, our luck was running high. The weather was dry, the temperature mild, and we just kept finding great things at this little park in the middle of the city of Tualatin. Here's a sampling: <br />
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The teal we were looking for<br />
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Some Cinnamon Teals too!</div>
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A sleepy grebe</div>
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A western painted turtle</div>
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A Wood Duck in perfect light</div>
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And a pair of Bushtits building a nest (in the branches in front of Sarah) </div>
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We made a few more stops, including the industrial chic site of Willamette Falls</div>
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And the tranquil Willamette River at Molalla State Park. That night, we tallied our species from the day and found that our Clackamas county list now stands at 101, thanks to the 18 county birds we'd acquired. Apparently, we should bird on every Friday the 13th!<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18210099927164456893noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-73199292595360768982015-02-14T19:35:00.001-08:002015-02-20T17:14:30.041-08:00Columbia County Quest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Friday Sarah and I wanted to see some Columbia County birds, so we headed west on highway 30 out of Portland. About 60% of this county is covered by freshwater (I think), so we expected to see some waterfowl and shorebirds. We were not disappointed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SJY2qJeMFP8GnZKMBkPkfI31X3dIrZ-SMzjceCHR_EHBnDqTba2PGIUeMx5HKC_T9HWv41wFhyphenhyphenr-x0Y0x54qpBvCMavgUlt0kMx4X8DJ9yfZ-NRRxmcFggMmNpPbLnb2HZ6kO23a-PxL/s640/blogger-image-977936263.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SJY2qJeMFP8GnZKMBkPkfI31X3dIrZ-SMzjceCHR_EHBnDqTba2PGIUeMx5HKC_T9HWv41wFhyphenhyphenr-x0Y0x54qpBvCMavgUlt0kMx4X8DJ9yfZ-NRRxmcFggMmNpPbLnb2HZ6kO23a-PxL/s400/blogger-image-977936263.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
The ponds of Scappoose Bottoms had plenty of ducks, along with a few
shorebird species.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUtLrqQtVKSXsPoavZjWDELKL-E9lPtoFJgEodfownX5s5ORBM1EumJ4qVmK9-ZSLiuZmeQSBqkhae3wpwxz-fNot0r2QorLl9HXxmls3_c1V6T99IdfAgTKje3L_wUkG-NMiLOVmSURV/s640/blogger-image--1800009576.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUtLrqQtVKSXsPoavZjWDELKL-E9lPtoFJgEodfownX5s5ORBM1EumJ4qVmK9-ZSLiuZmeQSBqkhae3wpwxz-fNot0r2QorLl9HXxmls3_c1V6T99IdfAgTKje3L_wUkG-NMiLOVmSURV/s400/blogger-image--1800009576.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
At least nine Wilson's Snipes were resting at the edge of a pond.We've never seen so
many just standing around.<br />
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At Carr Slough Wetlands, we found the mother lode of big white birds.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW3L4z-40qTIL-KyrY4ANba6IVKOcaL32RwSwfm0RPr957UPdTTShCY965hE4I_50ngjA2ceNmHJASZVy3IxLc7agLaL39mqYlaKEC5TPvFzTIA_kbCxBgcYEZsEj6bAyXDbARHnUMV2R/s640/blogger-image--1097177189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieW3L4z-40qTIL-KyrY4ANba6IVKOcaL32RwSwfm0RPr957UPdTTShCY965hE4I_50ngjA2ceNmHJASZVy3IxLc7agLaL39mqYlaKEC5TPvFzTIA_kbCxBgcYEZsEj6bAyXDbARHnUMV2R/s400/blogger-image--1097177189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were over 350 Tundra Swans, a dozen Great Egrets, and a handful of
Trumpeter Swans doing their thing while we watched from the road.<br />
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We
could have practiced our identification of swan skills all day, but
another challenge awaited at Prescott County Park.<br />
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Here a big skein of scaup was resting on the Columbia River.<br />
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For the most part, it was easy to distinguish the greater from the lesser by looking for the curvy peak on the lessers' head, which were noticeable even when they were sleeping.<br />
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While we sorted through scaups, Andie dug herself a comfy beach bed. She relaxed for a few minutes but was freaked out by the wake of a small boat and had to leave the beach. She's a sensitive dog.<br />
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Our Columbia County excursion was otherwise a big success. We can't wait to return in the spring or summer to get some breeders!Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-134284168010511592015-01-13T15:51:00.002-08:002015-01-14T08:52:04.700-08:00Get the gull and retrieve the rosy-finch<div>
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We made a big weekend trip to northeast Oregon to see the area's birds, but there were two species we really hoped to find. The first was a Black-headed Gull (typically an East Coast Bird) that had been hanging out near McNary Dam.</div>
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We spent at least an hour below the dam watching dozens of gulls fly from the Columbia to a frozen pond and back. Unfortunately, none of them were Black-headed. Some other birders eventually showed up and told us that our target gull was roosting on a driving range.<br />
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We hurried up to the range and after a few minutes of scanning we found the Black-headed roosting among the Ring-billed Gulls.<br />
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People were actually teeing off at the range, but the gulls didn't mind. We were only able to see the Black-headed Gull for a minute or two before it flew off to someone's backyard. It was high ratio of search time to watch time but we'll take it.<br />
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The second species we pursued was a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, which we'd never seen seen in Oregon. We drove to Wallowa County to search for flocks along the dirt roads outside of Enterprise.</div>
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On Saturday the thick fog kept us from seeing many birds.<br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5yedjc6mdzM9rZLdiUoB4GkwZqlL5Vv5Z8-cNIKUwQJGvUHtvGSUdYRjRGJONVFV5lvelGcv_64FtSmFUjIJloqvHJ9WGlMxM_qI1K7ayPCrg3JOBKG7q70zxe6KjL7ltAx3PTb4iJrS/s400/blogger-image-1189541009.jpg" width="400" /></div>
We did see lots of frosty livestock, however, including this friendly horse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA8trFP0sjdQkecJodiHQYaq4rZnpaIeLtLTi6Bizyy5vQFKv6nUmvKWgVYppEfM5w_6Wbwh_P9iNyVkFIM9NnDEpnI1Uj22KDLCxoj-cj5L_YsA05PdbhJgMpdXjZ_yzk2DV9uRCYj9c/s640/blogger-image--334969443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA8trFP0sjdQkecJodiHQYaq4rZnpaIeLtLTi6Bizyy5vQFKv6nUmvKWgVYppEfM5w_6Wbwh_P9iNyVkFIM9NnDEpnI1Uj22KDLCxoj-cj5L_YsA05PdbhJgMpdXjZ_yzk2DV9uRCYj9c/s400/blogger-image--334969443.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
A day later the fog cleared and we received word that rosy-finches were feeding near an abandoned ranch house.<br />
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We gunned it to School Flat Road and sure enough there they were. Twenty Rosy-Finches! Unlike with the Black-headed gull, we were able to spend some quality time with the rosy-finch flock. The members foraged on the ground, defended their personal space, and preened in a tree. Eventually, the flock flew behind a hillside and it was time for us to return to Portland, another successful trip to northeast Oregon in the books!<br />
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<b>Misc. trip info</b></h3>
Number of bird species: 75<br />
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Dog-friendly lodging: <a href="http://www.mtviewmotel-rvpark.com/">Mountain View Motel</a><br />
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Best beer: <a href="http://www.elysianbrewing.com/elysian-beers/dragonstooth-stout/">Dargonstooth Stout</a> at <a href="http://www.embersbrewhouse.com/home/">Embers Brew House</a> </div>
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Best meal: brunch at the <a href="http://red-rooster-cafe.com/">Red Rooster Cafe</a></div>
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Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-22937216970424793782015-01-05T22:36:00.002-08:002015-01-05T22:36:37.147-08:00The year in birdingOn a soggy morning in the farmlands of Washington County, we searched for a Clay-colored Sparrow in a foggy blackberry patch.<br />
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As soon as we arrived, we started seeing dozens of sparrows among the blackberry canes. Amidst the dozens of Golden-crowns and White-crowns was the Clay-colored were after. It was a rare bird easily found in a beautiful location! The perfect note on which to end the birding year.<br />
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We had many great experiences during our travels through Oregon in 2014. Here's a look back at a few: <br />
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In January, we traveled to Newport to see a female King Eider that was wintering with a flock of Surf Scoters and Black Scoters.<br />
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We pulled into a sketchy little parking spot and found her in the waves before we left the car.<br />
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In March we stopped at a field near Tangent in the Willamette Valley hoping to see some Short-eared Owls. We were far from disappointed.<br />
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As the sun set over Mary's Peak, one owl after another flew in to hunt the field. A few minutes later, several began calling to one another and performing their courtship display: a rapid in-flight wing clap that we had never seen or heard before and we will never forget.<br />
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In April we traveled to Bend and viewed a Greater Sage-Grouse lek for the first time in Oregon. So worth getting up before sunrise!<br />
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We also found a cooperative pair of Sagebrush Sparrows.<br />
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In June we made a trip to Union County to look for Great Gray Owls and other birds.<br />
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We missed the owls, but we did see a young black bear in the Blue Mountains and our state-first Veery and Gray Catbird in Rhinehardt Canyon.<br />
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In October and November, two completely unexpected species showed up at the coast.<br />
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First, a Brown Booby perched and foraged for all to see from the Bayfront in Newport.<br />
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A week later, a Tundra Bean-Goose was spotted at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The goose became an instant celebrity and has attracted birders from as far away as Massachusetts and Georgia.<br />
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It's hard to top a Bean-Goose, but here's to great birding in 2015!Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-45285062836147074272014-12-18T08:53:00.000-08:002014-12-18T10:50:04.802-08:003 for 3 in Astoria!<br />
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Sarah and I visited the fine town of Astoria last Friday to seek treatment for symptoms of birding withdrawal. There were three bird species we'd hoped to find, but we kept our expectations low after a recent trip in which we failed to find two rarities we pursued in the Willamette Valley. </div>
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Our first stop in Astoria was a pizzeria on the southern edge of town. After a few minutes of looking, we found a Tropical Kingbird perched in the cedars behind the building. The slippery fellow flew off before we could attempt a photo, but it was captured by <a href="http://www.iusedtohatebirds.com/2014/12/north-coast.html">Jen</a> a few days later.<br />
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We then visited the Riverwalk, a gorgeous paved path along the Columbia River Estuary. We hoped to find a Snow Bunting, but instead the Snow Bunting found us, hopping out from the train tracks and spooking our dog, who alerted us to its presence.<br />
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While the adorable bird harvested tiny seeds at the edge of the path, it seemed unconcerned about the nearby humans and dogs.<br />
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The Riverwalk also featured a Great Blue Heron preening itself atop a spectacular steampunk installation.<br />
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Before leaving town, we celebrated our finds at the Buoy Beer Company, which I'd say has the best view from a brewpub in Oregon.<br />
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We had just enough daylight to look for one more species, so we drove to the south jetty of the Columbia at Fort Stevens State Park. We figured that Red Phalaropes, normally out to sea this time of year, would have been pushed inland by the recent storm. Sure enough, we found a small flock of them in the ponds north of the jetty rocks. We managed to find all three of our target species. That never happens!<br />
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It was the perfect start to a great beach weekend. With our recommended weekly allowance of birding exceeded, we managed to return to work on Monday. Is it time for another beach trip yet?<br />
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Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117687474279133279.post-68068009192497200782014-11-10T11:38:00.003-08:002014-11-10T11:47:46.199-08:00Bean-goose on the loose!We were nearing the end of a lovely beach weekend when Sarah received a potentially year-changing message on Facebook. "A possible bean-goose is in a field at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. If you're still at the coast, could you bring your scope and check it out?" Of course we could.<br />
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We brushed our teeth, packed our birding gear, and drove 5 miles south to the refuge, half-expecting to find a misidentified Greater White-fronted Goose. We were met there by Lee, the sharp-eyed refuge caretaker, and she showed us the goose in question.<br />
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With bright orange legs and an orange spot on a dark brown bill, It was indeed a bean goose!<br />
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But which kind? We took some photos and shared them with others and, based on the size and shape of the bill and neck, we determined that is most likely a Tundra Bean-Goose (<i>Anser serrirostris</i>), which is smaller-billed and shorter-necked than the Taiga Bean-Goose (<i>Anser fabalis</i>). As far as we know, this is the first Tundra Bean-Goose recorded in Oregon, if not the Lower 48. Way to go Lee!<br />
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We put our observation on the Oregon listserve and several other birders soon joined us and took better pictures than ours. Some non-birders stopped by and, after we showed them the goose, suggested that we name it Chester.<br />
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During the three hours that we watched the bean-goose (Chester?), it dined on tall grass, occasionally chased Dusky Canada Geese and Cackling Geese out of its personal space, and sat down for a few short naps, revealing its pale eyelids.<br />
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The bean-goose has been seen at the refuge today (Monday), so if you want to meet the region's rarest goose, call in sick and get yourself to the coast!<br />
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Maxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18037151652023799197noreply@blogger.com2