By November most of the summer visiting birds have migrated south to their wintering grounds. But the late fall sees an influx of waterfowl and raptors.
Additionally, some rare species can show up in November. I remember one November when a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Tricolored Heron--both Oregon rarities--were a few miles apart on the Oregon coast. There are often a few surprises to be found for those searching.
This is perhaps the time to clean your bird feeders and get them ready for winter feeding. That rain falling now may soon be snow!
Taking advantage of the influx of raptors there is at least one bird festival in the Pacific Northwest this November. Please let me know if there are others.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and
what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer?
We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the
Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding Festivals:
Frasier Valley Bald Eagle Festival
November 17-18, 2012
Frasier Valley, BC
Showing posts with label Bird festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bird festival. Show all posts
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Where should I go birding in October?
Birding in October is excellent in the Pacific Northwest. There may be a couple of storms, bringing the first heavy rains of the season, but the weather is generally moderate, now that the hot days of summer are over.
A few Neotropical migrants may remain into the first weeks of October. There may be a few juvenile Black-headed Grosbeaks still hanging out at your feeder. The last of the Violet-green and Barn Swallows are heading south. Flocks of chickadees may harbor some late warblers--even rarities.
This is the time of year to search among the Pectoral Sandpipers at the grassy edges of your local wetlands for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper or other rare shorebird.
The last of the fall pelagic trips occur in October. This is the best time to head out on the ocean for South Polar Skuas and Flesh-footed Shearwaters.
October brings the arrival of numerous sparrows--Golden-crowned, Lincoln's, and Sooty Fox Sparrows, among others.
I've always wanted to visit some hawk watches in the mountains. This is the perfect time, at least, early in the month before the weather turns bad in the mountains. Certain days may have hundreds of hawks streaming by: Sharp-shinned and Cooper's, Merlins, perhaps a Goshawk, Golden Eagle, or a rare Broad-winged Hawk.One such location is Bonney Butte near Mt Hood, east of Portland. Hawk Watch International counts raptors there. The public is welcome. You know, this just might be my year to visit!
Bird Festivals:
Bridger Raptor Festival
October 5-7, 2012
Bozemen, Montana
bridgerraptorfest.org/
Birdfest & Bluegrass
October 13-14, 2012
Ridgefield, Washington
www.ridgefieldfriends.org/birdfest.php
A few Neotropical migrants may remain into the first weeks of October. There may be a few juvenile Black-headed Grosbeaks still hanging out at your feeder. The last of the Violet-green and Barn Swallows are heading south. Flocks of chickadees may harbor some late warblers--even rarities.
This is the time of year to search among the Pectoral Sandpipers at the grassy edges of your local wetlands for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper or other rare shorebird.
The last of the fall pelagic trips occur in October. This is the best time to head out on the ocean for South Polar Skuas and Flesh-footed Shearwaters.
October brings the arrival of numerous sparrows--Golden-crowned, Lincoln's, and Sooty Fox Sparrows, among others.
I've always wanted to visit some hawk watches in the mountains. This is the perfect time, at least, early in the month before the weather turns bad in the mountains. Certain days may have hundreds of hawks streaming by: Sharp-shinned and Cooper's, Merlins, perhaps a Goshawk, Golden Eagle, or a rare Broad-winged Hawk.One such location is Bonney Butte near Mt Hood, east of Portland. Hawk Watch International counts raptors there. The public is welcome. You know, this just might be my year to visit!
Bird Festivals:
Bridger Raptor Festival
October 5-7, 2012
Bozemen, Montana
bridgerraptorfest.org/
Birdfest & Bluegrass
October 13-14, 2012
Ridgefield, Washington
www.ridgefieldfriends.org/birdfest.php
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in September?
Fall migration is in full swing. Unlike spring, fall migration is more relaxed... and the weather's better. Plus, the number of birds is doubled as the young-of-the-year--both local residents and distant migrants--join their parents at your favorite patch.
If you've never been to Malheur NWR, in SE Oregon in September, perhaps you should check it out. For one thing, there are far fewer biting mosquitoes and flies in fall than in spring and summer. It may be a good time to drive up the Steens Mountain to see if you can find Black Rosy Finches. One of my favorite memories from fall at Malheur was having a picnic lunch on the lawn at Headquarters while a vagrant Brown Thrasher hopped nearby on the lawn.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Puget Sound Bird Festival
September 7-9, 2012
Edmonds, Washington
http://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org/
Chelan Ridge Hawk Migration
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Pateros, Washington
http://www.ncwaudubon.org/
If you've never been to Malheur NWR, in SE Oregon in September, perhaps you should check it out. For one thing, there are far fewer biting mosquitoes and flies in fall than in spring and summer. It may be a good time to drive up the Steens Mountain to see if you can find Black Rosy Finches. One of my favorite memories from fall at Malheur was having a picnic lunch on the lawn at Headquarters while a vagrant Brown Thrasher hopped nearby on the lawn.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Puget Sound Bird Festival
September 7-9, 2012
Edmonds, Washington
http://www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org/
Chelan Ridge Hawk Migration
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Pateros, Washington
http://www.ncwaudubon.org/
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Where should I go birding in August?
Hot and dry. That is August in the Pacific Northwest. Thus, birding in late summer is often concentrated around finding water where birds concentrate.
Even more than July, birding in August revolves around shorebirds at quickly-drying inland marshes and high tide roosts along the coast.
Another cool location is the high mountains. Access to alpine areas in August may provide you with views of many birds moving upslope to cooler wetter areas. It has been several years now, but I love camping in the park-like pondersoa forests on the east slope of the Cascades and making day trips to various surrounding areas to find wonderful birds amid snow-capped mountains and blue skies. Use the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail brochure as your guide.
If you want to get away from the heat, a pelagic trip at this time of year is often cool and frequently misty--at least in the mornings. Trips offshore at this time of year feature Long-tailed Jaegers, Sabine's Gulls, Arctic Terns, and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, along with the regulars like Black-footed Albatross, Pink-footed Shearwater, and Rhinoceros Auklets.
I'll be attending the 26th annual Oregon Shorebird Festival, August 24-26. The Bird Guide, Inc. will be hosting the pelagic trip for the Shorebird Festival, something we've been doing for several years now (sorry; no more spaces available!). The Friday and Saturday night presentations are top notch. Friday's speaker is Noah Strycker, speaking about his Antarctic adventures: "Among Penguins." Noah has subsequently completed walking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. He's been busy! The field trips are led by knowledgeable and friendly local birders. Dawn Grafe, with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, has ably and cheerfully organized this Festival for several years. Attendance is only 60-100 persons. You shouldn't miss it!
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival
August 1-4, 2012
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Oregon Shorebird Festival
August 24-26, 2012
Charleston, Oregon
Even more than July, birding in August revolves around shorebirds at quickly-drying inland marshes and high tide roosts along the coast.
Another cool location is the high mountains. Access to alpine areas in August may provide you with views of many birds moving upslope to cooler wetter areas. It has been several years now, but I love camping in the park-like pondersoa forests on the east slope of the Cascades and making day trips to various surrounding areas to find wonderful birds amid snow-capped mountains and blue skies. Use the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail brochure as your guide.
If you want to get away from the heat, a pelagic trip at this time of year is often cool and frequently misty--at least in the mornings. Trips offshore at this time of year feature Long-tailed Jaegers, Sabine's Gulls, Arctic Terns, and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, along with the regulars like Black-footed Albatross, Pink-footed Shearwater, and Rhinoceros Auklets.
I'll be attending the 26th annual Oregon Shorebird Festival, August 24-26. The Bird Guide, Inc. will be hosting the pelagic trip for the Shorebird Festival, something we've been doing for several years now (sorry; no more spaces available!). The Friday and Saturday night presentations are top notch. Friday's speaker is Noah Strycker, speaking about his Antarctic adventures: "Among Penguins." Noah has subsequently completed walking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. He's been busy! The field trips are led by knowledgeable and friendly local birders. Dawn Grafe, with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, has ably and cheerfully organized this Festival for several years. Attendance is only 60-100 persons. You shouldn't miss it!
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival
August 1-4, 2012
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Oregon Shorebird Festival
August 24-26, 2012
Charleston, Oregon
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in July?
July usually has pleasant warm weather in the Pacific NW. It's one of my favorite times to visit the high Cascades. Those master singers, Hermit Thrushes, give their symphonic flute music in the pre-sunrise forest gloom. And I could search burns in the high alpine forests for Black-backed and American Three-toed Woodpeckers.
Amazingly, adult shorebirds are already coming back from the Arctic. Nesting duties done, the adults start back for their wintering grounds. The juvenile birds will spend a few more weeks feeding on the abundant insects in the Arctic. Then they, too, will head south, guided only by instinct, and join the adults on some Central American beach or marsh.
If it gets too hot inland, I will head to the cold foggy beach. The Brown Pelicans and Heermann's Gulls undertake a post-breeding reverse migration of sorts. After they breed in Baja, they come north along the coast to feed in the rich waters of the California current, north to British Columbia, before heading back south in November.
There seems to be no bird festivals held in July in the Pacific NW.
Those are my ideas. What about you? Where will you be going in July? Where do you recommend?
Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Amazingly, adult shorebirds are already coming back from the Arctic. Nesting duties done, the adults start back for their wintering grounds. The juvenile birds will spend a few more weeks feeding on the abundant insects in the Arctic. Then they, too, will head south, guided only by instinct, and join the adults on some Central American beach or marsh.
If it gets too hot inland, I will head to the cold foggy beach. The Brown Pelicans and Heermann's Gulls undertake a post-breeding reverse migration of sorts. After they breed in Baja, they come north along the coast to feed in the rich waters of the California current, north to British Columbia, before heading back south in November.
There seems to be no bird festivals held in July in the Pacific NW.
Those are my ideas. What about you? Where will you be going in July? Where do you recommend?
Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in June?
What! Spring's gone already?
My schedule works out so that I am unable to get to Malheur NWR on the Memorial Day weekend in May. So, I'll go a week later, during the first week of June, if I can. There will still be some late migrants, including rarities, I hope! I also have a private pelagic trip to work in during early June.
And I want to get up into the Coast Range in my home county, yet. The Hammond's Flycatchers and Hermit Warblers are up there. It is harder each year to find Common Nighthawk, so I'll give that a try. And the Sooty Grouse should be hooting. Oddly enough, I still haven't seen Hairy Woodpecker or Northern Pygmy-Owl this year yet. So they are also in the Coast Range.
What birds I do see will be nesting. Oregon finished its Breeding Bird Atlas project over 12 years ago, but I still miss looking for breeding evidence--parents carrying food to a nest, newly fledged young, or birds sitting on a nest.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Wings Across Big Sky
June 8-10, 2012
Kalispell, MT
MT Audubon.org
My schedule works out so that I am unable to get to Malheur NWR on the Memorial Day weekend in May. So, I'll go a week later, during the first week of June, if I can. There will still be some late migrants, including rarities, I hope! I also have a private pelagic trip to work in during early June.
And I want to get up into the Coast Range in my home county, yet. The Hammond's Flycatchers and Hermit Warblers are up there. It is harder each year to find Common Nighthawk, so I'll give that a try. And the Sooty Grouse should be hooting. Oddly enough, I still haven't seen Hairy Woodpecker or Northern Pygmy-Owl this year yet. So they are also in the Coast Range.
What birds I do see will be nesting. Oregon finished its Breeding Bird Atlas project over 12 years ago, but I still miss looking for breeding evidence--parents carrying food to a nest, newly fledged young, or birds sitting on a nest.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Wings Across Big Sky
June 8-10, 2012
Kalispell, MT
MT Audubon.org
Monday, April 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in May?
Glorious migration! How can one possibly plan to be EVERYWHERE at DAWN in May?
In the Pacific Northwest, Memorial Day Weekend is synonymous with "MALHEUR Day Weekend." Indeed, this 3rd or 4th weekend of the month hits the peak migration window of many vagrant eastern warblers and other neo-tropical migrants. Plus, most of the breeders have arrived. The last regular migrants include Willow Flycatchers, Bobolinks, Common Nighthawks, Flammulated Owls, Red-eyed Vireos, American Redstarts, Eastern Kingbirds. Last year it was cold and snowy all through May--migrants fresh from the tropics were desperately trying to find insects to eat as they covered the sage flats. Maybe this year will be warm!
I've got other plans that weekend, so I'll likely go to Malheur in June, instead. But May 5th I'll be on a pelagic trip off Newport, Oregon. Besides the regulars such as Black-footed Albatrosses, Sooty Shearwaters, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Sabine's Gulls, and Rhinoceros Auklets, target birds include Long-tailed Jaegers and Red Phalaropes in breeding plumage.
The first week in May is the end of shorebird migration. So, I'll be hitting the local inland puddles and perhaps my schedule will work out to hit the tides right at the coast (rising tides force shorebirds closer to shore--and thus to observers. A high tide at 9 AM would be perfect for an early morning visit!).
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
May 4-6, 2012
Hoquiam, WA
Featured speaker Richard Crossley
shorebirdfestival.com
Wings Over the Rockies
May 7-14, 2012
Invermere, BC
wingsovertherockies.org
Fern Ridge Wings & Wine Festival
May 12-13, 2012
Veneta, OR
wingsandwinefestival.com
Leavenworth Bird Festival
May 17-20, 2012
Leavanworth, WA
Keynote speaker David Craig
leavenworthspringbirdfest.com
Meadowlark Nature Festival
May 17-21, 2012
Penticton, BC
meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca
Ladd Marsh Birdathon
May 18-20, 2012
La Grande, OR
Noah Strycker talks about his penguin adventures
www.dfw.state.or.us/education/outdoor_skills/workshops/ladd_marsh_birdathon.asp
Tualatin River Bird Festival
Sherwood, OR
May 18-20, 2012
tualatinriverbirdfestival.org
Snake River Birds of Prey Festival
Kuna, ID
Cancelled for 2012
snakeriverbirdsofpreyfestival.com
In the Pacific Northwest, Memorial Day Weekend is synonymous with "MALHEUR Day Weekend." Indeed, this 3rd or 4th weekend of the month hits the peak migration window of many vagrant eastern warblers and other neo-tropical migrants. Plus, most of the breeders have arrived. The last regular migrants include Willow Flycatchers, Bobolinks, Common Nighthawks, Flammulated Owls, Red-eyed Vireos, American Redstarts, Eastern Kingbirds. Last year it was cold and snowy all through May--migrants fresh from the tropics were desperately trying to find insects to eat as they covered the sage flats. Maybe this year will be warm!
I've got other plans that weekend, so I'll likely go to Malheur in June, instead. But May 5th I'll be on a pelagic trip off Newport, Oregon. Besides the regulars such as Black-footed Albatrosses, Sooty Shearwaters, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels, Sabine's Gulls, and Rhinoceros Auklets, target birds include Long-tailed Jaegers and Red Phalaropes in breeding plumage.
The first week in May is the end of shorebird migration. So, I'll be hitting the local inland puddles and perhaps my schedule will work out to hit the tides right at the coast (rising tides force shorebirds closer to shore--and thus to observers. A high tide at 9 AM would be perfect for an early morning visit!).
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
May 4-6, 2012
Hoquiam, WA
Featured speaker Richard Crossley
shorebirdfestival.com
Wings Over the Rockies
May 7-14, 2012
Invermere, BC
wingsovertherockies.org
Fern Ridge Wings & Wine Festival
May 12-13, 2012
Veneta, OR
wingsandwinefestival.com
Leavenworth Bird Festival
May 17-20, 2012
Leavanworth, WA
Keynote speaker David Craig
leavenworthspringbirdfest.com
Meadowlark Nature Festival
May 17-21, 2012
Penticton, BC
meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca
Ladd Marsh Birdathon
May 18-20, 2012
La Grande, OR
Noah Strycker talks about his penguin adventures
www.dfw.state.or.us/education/outdoor_skills/workshops/ladd_marsh_birdathon.asp
Tualatin River Bird Festival
Sherwood, OR
May 18-20, 2012
tualatinriverbirdfestival.org
Snake River Birds of Prey Festival
Kuna, ID
Cancelled for 2012
snakeriverbirdsofpreyfestival.com
Friday, March 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in April?
Spring migration starts slowly, but by the middle of April every day seems to bring in new species. Not only are there the first flycatchers, vireos, warblers, Western Tanagers, and Black-headed Grosbeaks, there are thousands of shorebirds coursing their way north on the outer beaches and mudflats and inland pond edges!
Where to go birding? It's so hard to decide!
One of the rather uncommon species to migrate through the Pacific NW in spring is the Solitary Sandpiper. Its spring migration window is very narrow, primarily the last week of April and first week of May. Its preferred habitat during this time is flooded farm fields, ditches, and shallow marshes.
A favorite place I like to go in April to view Solitary Sandpipers is Killin Wetlands, west of Portland 20 miles at Banks (C-3 on the Columbia Loop Guide of the Willamette Valley Birding Trail). Other target species here then include usually visible American Bittern, making their odd pumping noises, and clattering rails, both Sora and the Virginia's Rail.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Olympic BirdFest
March 30-April 1, 2012
Sequim, Washington
www.olympicbirdfest.org
John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival
April 12-15, 2012
Burns, Oregon
www.migratorybirdfestival.com
Birding and Blues Festival
April 13-15, 2012
Pacific City, Oregon
birdingandblues.com
Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival
April 19-25, 2012
Arcata, California
www.godwitdays.org
Dubois Grouse Days
April 27-28, 2012
Dubois, Idaho
www.grousedays.org
Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival
April 27-29, 2012
Point Reyes Station, West Marin, California
www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org
Where to go birding? It's so hard to decide!
One of the rather uncommon species to migrate through the Pacific NW in spring is the Solitary Sandpiper. Its spring migration window is very narrow, primarily the last week of April and first week of May. Its preferred habitat during this time is flooded farm fields, ditches, and shallow marshes.
A favorite place I like to go in April to view Solitary Sandpipers is Killin Wetlands, west of Portland 20 miles at Banks (C-3 on the Columbia Loop Guide of the Willamette Valley Birding Trail). Other target species here then include usually visible American Bittern, making their odd pumping noises, and clattering rails, both Sora and the Virginia's Rail.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
Olympic BirdFest
March 30-April 1, 2012
Sequim, Washington
www.olympicbirdfest.org
John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival
April 12-15, 2012
Burns, Oregon
www.migratorybirdfestival.com
Birding and Blues Festival
April 13-15, 2012
Pacific City, Oregon
birdingandblues.com
Godwit Days Spring Migration Bird Festival
April 19-25, 2012
Arcata, California
www.godwitdays.org
Dubois Grouse Days
April 27-28, 2012
Dubois, Idaho
www.grousedays.org
Point Reyes Birding & Nature Festival
April 27-29, 2012
Point Reyes Station, West Marin, California
www.pointreyesbirdingfestival.org
Monday, February 20, 2012
More from Winter Wings
Common Redpoll, Tulelake, California, 18 February 2012 by Greg Gillson. The Winter Wings Festival in Klamath Falls, Oregon completed yesterday.
One rarity was nearby at Tulelake, California. Two Common Redpolls were at Winema Lodge. Birders were welcome to view the bird, after checking in with the office. Since the birds were in a bare birch tree right by the front door of the office, they weren't hard to find!
This has been a good year for redpolls. They have irrupted (see What is an "irruption"?) in good numbers this winter. Common Redpoll is a very "good" bird for California (one that is quite rare and hard to find). Amazingly, there is also one right now down in San Diego!
Birders looking at Common Redpoll, Tulelake, California, 18 February 2012 by Greg Gillson. 
Common Redpoll, Tulelake, California, 18 February 2012 by Greg Gillson. 
More birders lined up to look at the Common Redpolls, Tulelake, California, 18 February 2012 by Greg Gillson.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Winter Wings Festival: Day 2
Bald Eagle, Worden, Oregon, 18 February 2012 by Greg Gillson.The Winter Wings Festival climaxed tonight with a banquet, where I shared a pleasant meal with Debra Shearwater, and the keynote address by Kenn Kaufman. The keynote speech was attended by about 350-400 people, if my estimating numbers of people is any good. It was an excellent (and funny) presentation with an overall theme of being proud to be a birder.
Since it's too late tonight to do that topic any justice, I present two photos of raptors from Township Road, near the California border south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. I spent most of the day photographing Rough-legged Hawks with Brian Sullivan, one of the founders of eBird. In one field alone we had 17 Rough-legged Hawks. In another field a mile away were 46 Bald Eagles. Tens-of-thousands of Greater White-fronted Geese flew over, several thousand Tundra Swans, at least a thousand Snow and Ross's Geese,...
Rough-legged Hawk, Worden, Oregon, 18 February 2012 by Greg Gillson.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Winter Wings Festival: Day 1
Collier State Park, Klamath County, Oregon, 17 February 2011 by Greg Gillson.I don't attend very many bird festivals. The Oregon Shorebird Festival in fall is the one I usually attend, as The Bird Guide coordinates pelagic trips for that.
But I was asked to come to the Winter Wings Festival and present a slide show on pelagic birds off the Oregon coast, which I will do Sunday morning.
So I ventured out of my comfort zone, and headed up over the Cascades in winter to Klamath Falls. At 5000 feet elevation on the Willamette Pass, I was worried. But instead of 8 feet of snow there was only 8 inches! Roads were bare and the temperature was 45F--the same as in Portland! This is important as I don't winterize my cars with show tires and such. Nor do I "summerize" my car either (we only had 2 days over 90F this past summer, so no need to fix the leak in the car's air conditioner). But I digress.
I stopped at Collier State Park north of Klamath Falls about 30 miles. Not too many birds. But I did come across an obliging and out-in-the-sun American Dipper!
Tonight's BBQ Banquet was wonderful at the festival. And I listened to a presentation on citizen science by a member of the Klamath Bird Observatory.
Tomorrow I hope to do some more birding and photography. In the evening I will go to another banquet and Kenn Kaufman's keynote: "Kingbird Highway and Extreme Birding in Another Era."
American Dipper, Collier State Park, Klamath County, Oregon, 17 February 2011 by Greg Gillson.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in March?
It seems like it should be spring to me. But except for the first migrants--Turkey Vultures, Tree and Violet-green Swallows, Rufous Hummingbirds, and Orange-crowned Warblers--most of the birds think it is still winter.
This is a good time to find some hard-to-see woodland species, though. In March you will find Brown Creepers singing throughout the Pacific NW, and Hutton's Vireos singing away west of the Cascades. You may also practice learning the songs of Song Sparrows and comparing them with the songs of Bewick's Wrens (again, primarily west of the Cascades and along the Columbia River eastward). Especially on sunny days will these birds be belting out their songs in March.
But for me, March brings the first ocean birding boat trips of the year. Again, although the first month of spring, the target birds are "winter" birds: Laysan Albatross, Short-tailed Shearwater, and Ancient Murrelet. You may appreciate the post on the Oregon Seabirds blog: Winter pelagic trip: March 12, 2012. Or find out more about Oregon birding boat trips on The Bird Guide's Pelagic Birding Trips page.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
San Diego Bird Festival
March 1-4, 2012
San Diego, California
www.sandiegoaudubon.org/
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival
March 17, 2012
Blaine, Washington
www.blainechamber.com/wow/
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival
March 23-25, 2012
Othello, Washington
www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/
Olympic Birdfest
March 30-April 1, 2012
Sequim, Washington
www.olympicbirdfest.org/
This is a good time to find some hard-to-see woodland species, though. In March you will find Brown Creepers singing throughout the Pacific NW, and Hutton's Vireos singing away west of the Cascades. You may also practice learning the songs of Song Sparrows and comparing them with the songs of Bewick's Wrens (again, primarily west of the Cascades and along the Columbia River eastward). Especially on sunny days will these birds be belting out their songs in March.
But for me, March brings the first ocean birding boat trips of the year. Again, although the first month of spring, the target birds are "winter" birds: Laysan Albatross, Short-tailed Shearwater, and Ancient Murrelet. You may appreciate the post on the Oregon Seabirds blog: Winter pelagic trip: March 12, 2012. Or find out more about Oregon birding boat trips on The Bird Guide's Pelagic Birding Trips page.
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
Birding festivals:
San Diego Bird Festival
March 1-4, 2012
San Diego, California
www.sandiegoaudubon.org/
Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival
March 17, 2012
Blaine, Washington
www.blainechamber.com/wow/
Othello Sandhill Crane Festival
March 23-25, 2012
Othello, Washington
www.othellosandhillcranefestival.org/
Olympic Birdfest
March 30-April 1, 2012
Sequim, Washington
www.olympicbirdfest.org/
Monday, January 16, 2012
Where should I go birding in February?
I don't know about you, but I find February a hard month to decide where to go birding. This last month of winter has no new bird movements. This can actually be a good thing, as any rare bird reported in the last several weeks is likely sitting tight wherever it is, waiting for spring.
There is one group of birds for which February is often the best time... gulls. Because they are difficult to identify in their immature plumages, many birders "don't do gulls." But there are known concentration points, such as landfills, sewage lagoons, and city parks, where these birds gather in late winter. They allow close study (and photos).
One such place is Westmoreland Park in Portland, Oregon. (See Birding Oregon info.)
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
I am scheduled to give a presentation at the Winter Wings Festival in Klamath Falls, February 19 (see below). I hope the passes over the Cascades are free of ice and snow! My second wish is for sunny weather for photos that weekend--as I haven't birded in this area in many years!
Bird Festivals:
San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
February 10-12, 2012
Mare Island, California
http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/
Winter Wings Festival
February 17-19, 2012
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Begun as the Klamath Falls Eagle Conference over 30 years ago, this is the longest-running festival in the United States! Naturalist, birder, and author Kenn Kaufmann and international photographer Darrell Gulin will be the keynote speakers.
http://www.winterwingsfest.org/
Whooping Crane Festival
February 23-26, 2012
Port Aransas, Texas
http://www.whoopingcranefestival.org/
California Duck Days
February 24-25, 2012
Davis, California
abrice@yolobasin.org
Cove Palisades Eagle Watch
February 25-26, 2012
Madras, Oregon
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_32.php?eventid=4026&md=event
Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival
February 25-26, 2012
Stanwood, Washington
http://www.snowgoosefest.org/Home.html
There is one group of birds for which February is often the best time... gulls. Because they are difficult to identify in their immature plumages, many birders "don't do gulls." But there are known concentration points, such as landfills, sewage lagoons, and city parks, where these birds gather in late winter. They allow close study (and photos).
One such place is Westmoreland Park in Portland, Oregon. (See Birding Oregon info.)
Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Are you a field trip organizer? We want to hear what you offer (fee or free). Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others.
I am scheduled to give a presentation at the Winter Wings Festival in Klamath Falls, February 19 (see below). I hope the passes over the Cascades are free of ice and snow! My second wish is for sunny weather for photos that weekend--as I haven't birded in this area in many years!
Bird Festivals:
San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival
February 10-12, 2012
Mare Island, California
http://www.sfbayflywayfestival.com/
Winter Wings Festival
February 17-19, 2012
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Begun as the Klamath Falls Eagle Conference over 30 years ago, this is the longest-running festival in the United States! Naturalist, birder, and author Kenn Kaufmann and international photographer Darrell Gulin will be the keynote speakers.
http://www.winterwingsfest.org/
Whooping Crane Festival
February 23-26, 2012
Port Aransas, Texas
http://www.whoopingcranefestival.org/
California Duck Days
February 24-25, 2012
Davis, California
abrice@yolobasin.org
Cove Palisades Eagle Watch
February 25-26, 2012
Madras, Oregon
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_32.php?eventid=4026&md=event
Port Susan Snow Goose and Birding Festival
February 25-26, 2012
Stanwood, Washington
http://www.snowgoosefest.org/Home.html
Friday, December 16, 2011
Where should I go birding in January?
The Coast? Mountains? Desert? Gorge? Sound? Valley? The Pacific Northwest has it all. But sometimes I just can't decide where I should go birding. If I don't plan in advance, I'll end up at the local sewage pond wetlands... again. Not that this is a bad thing, but sometimes I'd like to go to a new place and see different birds.
In this monthly post I ask: Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others. While I am looking primarily for birding locations and target species in the Pacific NW, please feel free to mention other places in western North America, or anywhere in the world.
Field trip organizers are also welcome to use the Comments section to announce field trips in the Pacific NW. Be sure to indicate if free or fee and contact information for those interested in attending.
Additionally, I'll list next month's bird festivals, as well. If you organize or regularly attend one of these festivals, what do you especially like about the Festival and what are the target birds? If you know of birding events or festivals next month, leave a comment as well.
As for myself, I like to bird the Oregon coast in January, searching for Rock Sandpipers at Seal Rock or Depoe Bay, and Long-tailed Ducks and Ancient Murrelets from Boiler Bay.
Bird Festivals:
Wings Over Wilcox
11-15 January 2012
Wilcox, Arizona
http://wingsoverwillcox.com/
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival
13-16 January 2012
Morro Bay, California
http://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/
St. George Winter Bird Festival
26-28 January 2012
St. George, Utah
http://www.redcliffsaudubon.org/
Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway
26-29 January 2012
Chico, California
http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/
Winter Bird Festival
28 January 2012
Galt, California
http://www.ci.galt.ca.us/index.aspx?page=495
In this monthly post I ask: Where are you planning on watching birds in the coming month and what species do you hope to see there? Leave your response in the Comments section as ideas for others. While I am looking primarily for birding locations and target species in the Pacific NW, please feel free to mention other places in western North America, or anywhere in the world.
Field trip organizers are also welcome to use the Comments section to announce field trips in the Pacific NW. Be sure to indicate if free or fee and contact information for those interested in attending.
Additionally, I'll list next month's bird festivals, as well. If you organize or regularly attend one of these festivals, what do you especially like about the Festival and what are the target birds? If you know of birding events or festivals next month, leave a comment as well.
As for myself, I like to bird the Oregon coast in January, searching for Rock Sandpipers at Seal Rock or Depoe Bay, and Long-tailed Ducks and Ancient Murrelets from Boiler Bay.
Bird Festivals:
Wings Over Wilcox
11-15 January 2012
Wilcox, Arizona
http://wingsoverwillcox.com/
Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival
13-16 January 2012
Morro Bay, California
http://www.morrobaybirdfestival.org/
St. George Winter Bird Festival
26-28 January 2012
St. George, Utah
http://www.redcliffsaudubon.org/
Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway
26-29 January 2012
Chico, California
http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/
Winter Bird Festival
28 January 2012
Galt, California
http://www.ci.galt.ca.us/index.aspx?page=495
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Birdfest & Bluegrass Festival: October 8-9, 2011
Vancouver, Washington is the site of the 12th Annual Birdfest & Bluegrass Festival, October 8-9, 2011.
The press announcement states:
Events include:
For more information and a schedule of activities, visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org
The press announcement states:
Birders from around the country will be gathering at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for the annual BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival. Now in its 12th year, the Festival celebrates the natural beauty and rich culture of the Refuge as well as the beginning of the fall migration and the return of the Sandhill cranes. The Refuge provides habitat to more than 200 species of birds and is an amazing showcase of birds in the Pacific Flyway. The mild winter climate and wetlands along the Columbia River create ideal resting and feeding areas for Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, swans, shore and song birds, and a variety of waterfowl.
Events include:
- Sandhill crane tours
- Raptor shows
- Audubon-guided family bird walks and bus tours
- Kayak and canoe tours
- Guided photography walks
- Bluegrass bands
- A Birders’ Marketplace with great local food and bird related crafts and art
- Guided tours of the historic Cathlapotle village archaeological site
For more information and a schedule of activities, visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Oregon Shorebird Festival: August 26-28, 2011
The Oregon Shorebird Festival Celebrates 25 years - August 26-28, 2011
Experience the wonder of shorebird migration along the scenic Oregon coast at the 25th Oregon Shorebird Festival to be held August 26-28, 2011. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Cape Arago Audubon Society, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and many other sponsors will have a full weekend of activities planned for birders of all skill levels. The festival is headquartered at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston, OR. Activities include expertly guided land based field trips to Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, Millicoma Marsh and the greater Coos Bay area. And for those who want to experience birding on the water, The Bird Guide, Inc. will offer a five hour pelagic trip on Saturday. Expected seabirds include Black-footed Albatross, Parasitic Jaeger, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Sooty & Pink-footed Shearwater, Pomarine Jaeger, Red-necked Phalarope, Cassin's Auklets, and more. The Friday evening program will feature a live bird of prey from exhibit by staff and volunteers from the Free Flight Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The keynote speaker on Saturday will be Samantha Franks from the Centre for Wildlife Ecology at Simon Fraser University. Her presentation is titled "Have Feathers, Will Travel: The Migration Strategies of Shorebirds."
Bring your best pair of binoculars as Bandon Marsh and Coos Bay are renowned for shorebird watching and each year a few rarities have delighted festival attendees. Regular migrants include Black-bellied plover, Semipalmated plover, Western sandpiper, Least sandpiper, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Long-billed dowitcher, and Red-necked phalarope. Please join us on the southern coast of Oregon for a weekend of birding fun and challenges. To register for the festival or for more information please visit our website at www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/shorebirdfestival.htm or contact Dawn Grafe at 541-867-4550.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bird trip: Fossil, Oregon: June 19, 2011
Here's another birding opportunity.
This is in the very interesting John Day Fossil Beds of north central Oregon.
Greg
Paula Fontenot
Volunteer
Oregon Paleo Lands Institute
333 4th Street, Fossil, Oregon 97830
541.763.4480
www.paleolands.org
OPLI Adventure Trip ~ Bluebirds and Other Avian Wonders of the Fossil Area
Sunday, June 19, 2011 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Meet at the OPLI Field Center at 6:00 a.m.
Join naturalist Char Corkran as we peek into nest boxes to see how Western Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Mountain Chickadees, and House Wrens are faring. Then it’s off to look for American Kestrels and other raptors. Songbirds will be singing, and other avian species of the grasslands, junipers, ponds, and riparian areas will add to our enjoyment of the bird nesting season in this rich and beautiful region. We will end the examining bird skulls and skeletons, and discussing adoptions to varied habitats and lifestyles. Char Corkran, has studied bluebirds in the Fossil, OR area since 1988. Round Trip Transportation available from Portland to Fossil via I-84 (Hood River, The Dalles).
Trip Fee: $85 Adults/ $50 kids under 12
Pre-registration is required. For more information and registration call OPLI at (541)763-4480 or email explore@paleolands.org
This is in the very interesting John Day Fossil Beds of north central Oregon.
Greg
Paula Fontenot
Volunteer
Oregon Paleo Lands Institute
333 4th Street, Fossil, Oregon 97830
541.763.4480
www.paleolands.org
OPLI Adventure Trip ~ Bluebirds and Other Avian Wonders of the Fossil Area
Sunday, June 19, 2011 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Meet at the OPLI Field Center at 6:00 a.m.
Join naturalist Char Corkran as we peek into nest boxes to see how Western Bluebirds, Mountain Bluebirds, Mountain Chickadees, and House Wrens are faring. Then it’s off to look for American Kestrels and other raptors. Songbirds will be singing, and other avian species of the grasslands, junipers, ponds, and riparian areas will add to our enjoyment of the bird nesting season in this rich and beautiful region. We will end the examining bird skulls and skeletons, and discussing adoptions to varied habitats and lifestyles. Char Corkran, has studied bluebirds in the Fossil, OR area since 1988. Round Trip Transportation available from Portland to Fossil via I-84 (Hood River, The Dalles).
Trip Fee: $85 Adults/ $50 kids under 12
Pre-registration is required. For more information and registration call OPLI at (541)763-4480 or email explore@paleolands.org
Woodpecker weekend: Sisters, Oregon: June 24-26, 2011
Here's an announcement for a fun birding excursion.
My wife and I went 2 years ago and head a wonderful time... and saw lots of woodpeckers and other birds!
Here are posts from my visit to the Woodpecker Wonderland Festival 2 years ago.
I recommend this fun weekend.
Greg
Birders,
Drumming up some attention for the upcoming 2011 Woodpecker Weekend! !
East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) is bringing a low cost, casual and fun birding weekend to you on June 24, 25, and 26. It will be based in Sisters.
The weekend will be of interest to birders with any level of experience and interest in birds. We will specialize in woodpeckers and 11 are possible here. But we will have a variety of trips to focus on much more than woodpeckers … a Friday trip to Summer lake, Saturday and Sunday trips to a variety of burns, forests and lakes … and early morning trips for dawn chorus and other specialties. All trips will be led by 2 to 3 local birders who are eager to share their enthusiasm for the Central Oregon birds and who have a real knowledge of the local areas and wildlife. Any profits will go to ECAS to fund cool projects to help birds. We are keeping the costs down so anyone can afford to participate. We will car pool on field trips and will have a pizza pot luck instead of a banquet on Saturday p.m. Note that we are limiting registration and use of playback to avoid excessive disturbance to the birds and to fulfill the requirements of our special use permit from the USFS.
So register soon! See the link for more details and for the registration form, found on the ECAS website: http://ecaudubon.org/Projects/WoodpeckerWeekend/tabid/246/Default.aspx
Judy Meredith
jmeredit@bendnet.com
My wife and I went 2 years ago and head a wonderful time... and saw lots of woodpeckers and other birds!
Here are posts from my visit to the Woodpecker Wonderland Festival 2 years ago.
I recommend this fun weekend.
Greg
Birders,
Drumming up some attention for the upcoming 2011 Woodpecker Weekend! !
East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) is bringing a low cost, casual and fun birding weekend to you on June 24, 25, and 26. It will be based in Sisters.
The weekend will be of interest to birders with any level of experience and interest in birds. We will specialize in woodpeckers and 11 are possible here. But we will have a variety of trips to focus on much more than woodpeckers … a Friday trip to Summer lake, Saturday and Sunday trips to a variety of burns, forests and lakes … and early morning trips for dawn chorus and other specialties. All trips will be led by 2 to 3 local birders who are eager to share their enthusiasm for the Central Oregon birds and who have a real knowledge of the local areas and wildlife. Any profits will go to ECAS to fund cool projects to help birds. We are keeping the costs down so anyone can afford to participate. We will car pool on field trips and will have a pizza pot luck instead of a banquet on Saturday p.m. Note that we are limiting registration and use of playback to avoid excessive disturbance to the birds and to fulfill the requirements of our special use permit from the USFS.
So register soon! See the link for more details and for the registration form, found on the ECAS website: http://ecaudubon.org/Projects/WoodpeckerWeekend/tabid/246/Default.aspx
Judy Meredith
jmeredit@bendnet.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wings & Wine Festival: May 14, 2011
Bird watchers, wine lovers, and nature enthusiasts are invited to the Sixth Annual Fern Ridge Wings and Wine Festival scheduled for Saturday, May 14, 2011 near Veneta, Oregon, west of Eugene. A wide array of activities will be held throughout the day at Domaine Meriwether’s new winery and nearby Fern Ridge Reservoir, one of Oregon’s best birding areas. The day’s schedule includes bird and nature walks, hands-on workshops, educational talks, children’s activities, wine tasting with local wineries and sailing, kayak and canoe tours. Many activities are free, but some require pre-registration and a fee.
More info
More info
Friday, August 20, 2010
Birdfest & Bluegrass Festival: October 9-10
RIDGEFIELD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
HOLDS 11th ANNUAL BIRDFEST & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Thousands of birders gather to celebrate the fall migration
WHAT:
Birders from around the country will be gathering at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for the annual BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival. Now in its eleventh year, the Festival celebrates the natural beauty and rich culture of the Refuge as well as the beginning of the fall migration and the return of the Sandhill cranes. The Refuge provides habitat to more than 200 species of birds and is an amazing showcase of birds in the Pacific Flyway. The mild winter climate and wetlands along the Columbia River create ideal resting and feeding areas for Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, swans, shore and song birds, and a variety of waterfowl.
The two-day event offers activities for both avid and novice bird watchers. Scheduled organized activities include:
· Sandhill crane tours
· Raptor shows
· Audubon-guided family bird walks and bus tours
· Kayak and canoe tours
· Guided photography walks
In addition to the birding activities, there will be:
· Bluegrass bands providing entertainment
· A Birders’ Marketplace with great local food and bird related crafts and art
· Guided tours of the historic Cathlapotle village archaeological site
The annual festival is hosted by the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Refuge through the sponsorship of programs that connect people with nature and restore important wildlife habitat.
WHERE:
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 20 miles north of Vancouver, Wash. Visitors should take the Ridgefield exit off Interstate 5 and drive three miles west to Ridgefield, where there are signs directing you to the Refuge.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, 2010.
For more information and a schedule of activities, visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org
HOLDS 11th ANNUAL BIRDFEST & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Thousands of birders gather to celebrate the fall migration
WHAT:
Birders from around the country will be gathering at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for the annual BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival. Now in its eleventh year, the Festival celebrates the natural beauty and rich culture of the Refuge as well as the beginning of the fall migration and the return of the Sandhill cranes. The Refuge provides habitat to more than 200 species of birds and is an amazing showcase of birds in the Pacific Flyway. The mild winter climate and wetlands along the Columbia River create ideal resting and feeding areas for Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, swans, shore and song birds, and a variety of waterfowl.
The two-day event offers activities for both avid and novice bird watchers. Scheduled organized activities include:
· Sandhill crane tours
· Raptor shows
· Audubon-guided family bird walks and bus tours
· Kayak and canoe tours
· Guided photography walks
In addition to the birding activities, there will be:
· Bluegrass bands providing entertainment
· A Birders’ Marketplace with great local food and bird related crafts and art
· Guided tours of the historic Cathlapotle village archaeological site
The annual festival is hosted by the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Refuge through the sponsorship of programs that connect people with nature and restore important wildlife habitat.
WHERE:
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 20 miles north of Vancouver, Wash. Visitors should take the Ridgefield exit off Interstate 5 and drive three miles west to Ridgefield, where there are signs directing you to the Refuge.
WHEN:
Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10, 2010.
For more information and a schedule of activities, visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org
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