Jackson Bottom birds: July 23-29, 2010

Juvenile Bald Eagle, Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 28 July 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Even though it is still July, fall migration is picking up at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Shorebirds, gulls, and a few migrant songbirds that don't nest on the Preserve showed up this week. A BONAPARTE'S GULL and a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER were present on July 28, both annual but rather rare migrants inland in NW Oregon. In fact, this is the first known record for SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER at the Preserve, though admittedly difficult to identify. After an absence of about 8 weeks migrant WESTERN TANAGERS have returned. They nest in conifer woods, mostly in the hills, but not on the Preserve.

But the event of the week was that not one, but two, juvenile BALD EAGLES were together back by the Experimental Wetlands on July 28. One bird about 15 feet up in an ash tree calmly allowed visitors on the trail to view it at a distance of about 35 feet (photo above).

The nest at Jackson Bottom has been under constant scrutiny for months. The adults began incubating on March 17. The first food was brought to the nest on April 25, indicating the hatching date. First flight was observed July 19. At no time was it suspected that there were two young.

Two possibilities exist. 1) There were two chicks present all along and no one ever saw more than one at a time. 2) A lone juvenile from somewhere else joined the local fledgling and its parents. Either option presents problems. It is hard to believe a second bird was not observed during all those weeks. It is hard to believe that the parent eagles would not attack and kill any interloper.

Here is this week's list of birds...

Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Green-winged Teal
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Western Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Bonaparte's Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Warbling Vireo
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: July 16-22, 2010

Northern Flicker, Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 19 July 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Earlier this spring a few American Kestrel nest boxes were donated to Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon. This week we noted that one of the nest boxes was occupied. No, not by kestrels. Instead, this nestling NORTHERN FLICKER (above) was peeking out begging for food.

Another exciting news item to report is that the nestling BALD EAGLE made its first flight on July 19.

Signs of fall migration picked up this week with numerous shorebirds, including about 30 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and a lone RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. On July 18 an adult BONAPARTE'S GULL put in a one-day appearance.

Here is this week's list of birds.

Canada Goose
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ruddy Duck
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Red-necked Phalarope
Bonaparte's Gull
California Gull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: July 9-15, 2010

 

Eight weeks. It has been 8 weeks since anyone has heard the harsh chatter or slurred whistle of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. Then, this week a noisy family group is obvious in the cottonwood and ash trees around the Clean Water Services building and the employeee parking area at Hillsboro's Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve nature center.

We know the orioles nested here last year, as a nest was obvious all winter in the tall cottonwood trees. The nest survived the wind and rain storms of winter, as its woven form was built primarily of blue tarp strings!

This week a YELLOW WARBLER was singing. Earlier in June we had several singing males. But they are quiet now. No one has seen or heard WILLOW FLYCATCHERS for two weeks either, but we are sure they breed in the wetlands. These birds are just quiet now that they likely have fledgling young to take care of, or perhaps they are completely finished with breeding this year.

Another bird that is harder to figure out is the LAZULI BUNTING. At least 3 singing males were present for about 2 weeks at the end of May and early June, out in the grassy fields. But they have not been seen or heard from since. Other common migrants that could breed, but apparently didn't, were PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER and WARBLING VIREO.

Young birds are everywhere, including CLIFF SWALLOWS, AMERICAN ROBINS, CINNAMON TEAL, WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS, DOWNY WOODPECKERS, SONG SPARROWS, NORTHERN FLICKERS, LESSER GOLDFINCHES, and many more.

Some fall birds, primarily waterbirds are returning already. These include GREAT EGRET, GREATER and LESSER YELLOWLEGS, and LEAST SANDPIPERS.

Here is this week's list of birds at Jackson Bottom.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: July 2-8, 2010

Barn Swallow chicks at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 7 July 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

It's been a hot week at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon. Water levels are dropping.

Breeding season is in full swing with spotted juvenile AMERICAN ROBINS obvious throughout the riparian areas.

Some signs of fall migration this week included a GREAT EGRET and a couple of LEAST SANDPIPERS.

Otherwise, it has been rather quiet--at least in regard to any new or exciting bird sightings. The best birding is 6-8 am, before most people arrive. In this heat the birds quiet down quickly as the sun rises higher in the sky. As a result, this week's list of reported birds is much shorter than usual.

Canada Goose
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Ring-necked Pheasant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Western Scrub-Jay
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: June 25 - July 1, 2010

Nest and eggs of Spotted Towhee, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on 24 June 2010 by Sarah Pinnock.

 

Breeding season activities continue at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

A drake RUDDY DUCK and a female BUFFLEHEAD were likely non-breeding wanderers. They mey either not have nested anywhere or their nesting attempts elsewhere may have failed.

The grass is now mowed and the rain (mostly) stopped, so the entire Preserve trail system is open. A nest of BARN SWALLOWS fledged during the week. Other new nests found this week include AMERICAN ROBIN and SPOTTED TOWHEE (above). Recently fledged TREE SWALLOWS, BUSHTITS, WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS, HOUSE FINCHES, EUROPEAN STARLINGS, and other birds are now seen regularly.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Western Scrub-Jay
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Jackson Bottom birds: June 18-24, 2010

Cedar Waxwing at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 23 June 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

It's finally stopped raining! ...At least for a couple of days... Birds are busy with their family duties here at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

One interesting species here at the Wetlands is the BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. It lays its eggs in the nests of other birds and lets the foster parents raise their young. This week we've observed both LESSER GOLDFINCHES and HOUSE FINCHES with juvenile cowbirds following them begging for food--indicating two of the local host species so far.

A surprise bird was a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD that put in a brief appearance in the wetlands on June 23. There are no definite previous records for the Preserve. This species is a rare almost-annual late spring migrant in wetlands in Washington County.

Here is this week's list of observed birds.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Jackson Bottom birds: June 11-17, 2010

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center, Hillsboro, Oregon on 17 June, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Spring weather may continue at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon. However, spring bird migration is over.

All birds detected this week were summer residents. Some are singing to declare their territory or attract a mate. Most, however, have already begun nesting--some for the second time. For instance, the AMERICAN ROBINS nesting in the Kingfisher Marsh view shelter completed building their second nest.

Many birds are feeding young. The parents are going one way with a bill full of worms, and back the other way a few minutes later with a fecal sac for disposal.

Some of the confirmed breeding activity observed this week includes COMMON YELLOWTHROAT carrying food to the nest. Recently fledged birds just out of the nest include SONG SPARROW, LESSER GOLDFINCH, MARSH WREN, and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW.

The nestling BALD EAGLE "chick" is now 8 weeks old and nearly as large as its parents. It has been noted hopping up and down on the nest flapping its wings. It will not be ready for its first flight for several weeks yet.

This week's list of detected birds is quite a bit shorter than what's actually here. Chest-high grass, soaking wet from continuing showers, clogs some of the trails (but as I write this I hear the Hillsboro Parks crew mowing some of it down).

Canada Goose
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Virginia Rail
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Jackson Bottom birds: June 4-10, 2010

A male House Finch with its offspring at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 9 June, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Wet, wet, wet! Rain this week backed up water from the Tualatin River and refilled the wetland ponds at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Joe Blowers found a pair of WESTERN KINGBIRDS on June 5, a first-Preserve record of these migrant flycatchers that are rather uncommon in NW Oregon.

Another surprise, a migrant DUSKY FLYCATCHER was present June 4. This is the second-Preserve record following the first observation the first week of May. They are typically found in mountain scrub and clear cuts from the upper Cascades eastward.

Continuing the flycatcher thread, several OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS are still being seen and heard on the Preserve for the third straight week. These should breed up in the older forests of the Coast Range and are presumably just passing through as late migrants.

A drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL was spotted on June 8.

Many fledglings are out and about, being cared for by their parents out of their nests including CANADA GOOSE, MALLARD, KILLDEER, MOURNING DOVE, HOUSE FINCH, BUSHTIT, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and EURASIAN STARLING. On the other hand, many AMERICAN ROBINS seem to be nest building again, perhaps their nests were destroyed by the recent unseasonal deluges.

Forty-four chicks were counted in the Great Blue Heron rookery in Owl Woods on about a dozen nests. Rick Balazs counts these regularly by looking down on the nests from the Hillsboro Landfill (no public access).

The full list of species seen this week...

Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Virginia Rail
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: May 28 - June 3, 2010

Unseasonally wet and rainy weather continues. Combined with the Memorial Day holiday there were fewer birds reported this week from Hillsboro's Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Wednesday morning's free bird walk (in the rain) recorded over 50 species of birds.

An unseasonal and out-of-habitat CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE was the most unusual species reported this week, though regular in conifer forests nearby.

Some wetland specialists are now being seen with regularity. These include WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, YELLOW WARBLERS, and LAZULI BUNTINGS.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, AMERICAN and LESSER GOLDFINCHES are common at the feeders, providing great views for all.

AMERICAN ROBINS and TREE SWALLOWS are peeking from their nests and fledglings of WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, BUSHTITS, LESSER GOLDFINCHES, and BEWICK'S WRENS are following their parents and begging loudly.

This week's bird list...

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: May 21-27, 2010

Lazuli Bunting, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on May 24, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

The final new expected migrant bird species of spring arrived this week at Jackson bottom Wetlands Preserve with sightings of LAZULI BUNTINGS on May 24 and WILLOW FLYCATCHER on May 25. Both will spend the summer and breed locally.

A rather unusual migrant species showed up May 24 and May 26; a single OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER on these days. These larger flycatchers are uncommon but regular in higher forests, and are infrequently spotted in the lowlands during migration.

SWAINSON'S THRUSHES and WESTERN-WOOD-PEWEES arrvied in larger numbers this week. The bird feeders are supporting good numbers of LESSER and AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS.

Fledgling EUROPEAN STARLINGS, WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS, and SONGS SPARROWS were noted this week, confirming breeding on the Preserve. These are not a surprise, but breeding birds have not been tracked specifically before this spring season.

Here is the list of birds detected this week...

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Red-necked Phalarope
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: May 14-20, 2010

Female Black-headed Grosbeak, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on May 19, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Spring migration seem to be waning at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon. Fewer migrant birds than summer residents were detected this week. Of note was a rare FORSTER'S TERN that passed through on May 14. New migrant arrivals this week included SWAINSON'S THRUSHES and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEES. High numbers of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS continue to pass through (including the female photographed during a shower on May 19).

During calm mornings the soft lisping songs of YELLOW WARBLERS are heard in the willows. These birds are generally quite uncommon in western Oregon. On the free Wednesday morning bird walk this week we heard 5 singing male YELLOW WARBLERS on the Blue Heron Trail and 2 additional birds on the Kingfisher Marsh Trail. The Wednesday morning bird walks are from 8:30 to 11:00 am. No pre-registration is necessary, just meet on the back deck of the education center for a leisurely 3 miles stroll.

The week ended with cold, windy, rainy weather, thus the total number of birds detected this week is perhaps lower with fewer birders reporting sightings.

An AMERICAN ROBIN is setting on a nest in the viewing shelter. BARN SWALLOWS are nesting under the footbridge. A fledgling RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD was noted, as well as a used nest of that species. A brood of MALLARD chicks was noted, along with CANADA GOOSE families. Several fledgling LESSER GOLDFINCHES have been noted.

Here is this week's list of birds sighted.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Great Blue Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Forster's Tern
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Jackson Bottom birds: May 7-13, 2010

 

After last week's frenetic pace, migrations slowed and high-pressure built, bringing warm and sunny weather to Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

A CASSIN'S VIREO was reported on May 12, the first local report from spring. A pair of PURPLE MARTINS was spotted again during the week.

By week's end migrant LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS remain, but most other migrant shorebirds are gone now for their Arctic or boreal summer homes. Summer breeding shorebirds include KILLDEER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, and WILSON'S SNIPE.

We are left with summering waterfowl now. CANADA GOOSE, MALLARD, and CINNAMON TEAL are common. A few NORTHERN SHOVELER, GADWALL, and perhaps GREEN-WINGED TEAL remain and will breed. WOOD DUCK and HOODED MERGANSERS have already fledged young; they nest earlier in nest boxes along the river.

AMERICAN ROBINS are sitting on eggs. BUSHTITS and BEWICK'S WRENS were noted carrying food to their nests. BARN SWALLOWS are building their mud nests under the footbridge.

COMMON YELLOWTHROATS and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS are two conspicuous singers this week.

This week's birds...

Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Cassin's Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

Jackson Bottom birds: April 30 - May 6, 2010: One-hundred species!

(Back to front) Long-billed Dowitcher, Dunlin, Least Sandpiper, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on May 4, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Wow! This first week of May has certainly been filled with birds! Each showery day with southerly winds brought in more neotropical migrants and shorebirds. This is the peak of spring migration. The 7 days from Friday, April 30 to Thursday, May 6 recorded over 100 species at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon!

The first local BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and WESTERN TANAGERS of spring arrived. The first local GREEN HERONS of spring were spotted on May 2.

This week has seen an increase of migrant shorebirds. Especially noteworthy were the lone SOLITARY SANDPIPERS seen a couple of days. These have a very narrow migration window, approximately April 20 - May 8. They are also not common and hide themselves in the grassy fringes of the marsh in shallow water. Total numbers of shorebirds are low at Jackson Bottom, as mudflats are not extensive. However, the variety has been good. Single LESSER YELLOWLEGS, SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS (5/5) joined some of the more numerous species.

Warblers were conspicuous migrants this week, with NASHVILLE WARBLER (4/30), MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER (up to 4 birds on 5/6; photo above, left), and YELLOW WARBLERS among the normally less-frequently reported warblers of Jackson Bottom that were seen this week. Many migrant WILSON'S WARBLERS (photo above, right) were along the Tualatin River this week. Hundreds of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS continue to be found.

Nearly 1,000 VAUX'S SWIFTS were over the wetlands amid the showers of May 3. CLIFF SWALLOW numbers were in the several hundreds on a couple of days. A rather locally rare pair of PURPLE MARTINS (photo, right) were present most of the week. They could remain to nest, or move on--we'll have to wait and see. A HERMIT THRUSH showed itself on 5/6 (photo, left).

A first record for the Preserve, and only the 7th record for Washington County, a DUSKY FLYCATCHER was present on May 5.

Here is the list of the bird species seen this week.

Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
American Coot
Semipalmated Plover
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Dusky Flycatcher
Hammond's Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
American Pipit
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Nashville Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Western Tanager
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
Purple Finch
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow

Jackson Bottom birds: April 23-29, 2010

New interpretive plant signs in the upland area, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on April 21, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

April showers bring... migrants!

Lots of new birds arrived each day this week at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

A locally rare migrant MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER was present on April 26. That day a YELLOW WARBLER was reported. ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, WARBLING VIREOS, VAUX'S SWIFTS, and CLIFF SWALLOWS increased in numbers this week.

Both VIRGINIA RAILS and SORAS were heard calling in the marsh this week. An AMERICAN BITTERN was obvious at Kingfisher Marsh on APRIL 23.

GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE migrated overhead starting on April 27. The first BLUE-WINGED TEAL of spring was spotted on April 23.

The pale gray PEREGRINE FALCON that has been seen every few days for the past month or so showed up several times during the week. A dark immature stooped on shorebirds over the mudflats of the Gene Pool on April 29. Eight immature BALD EAGLES were seen chasing an OSPREY that carried a fish on April 25. The nesting BALD EAGLES began bringing small prey items to the nest, so the egg(s) must have hatched about April 25.

Shorebird migrants included the first SPOTTED SANDPIPERS of spring on April 26. Two SOLITARY SANDPIPERS were present on April 28. Several other shorebird species arrived this week, the peak of their spring migration.

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is located at 2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Hillsboro, Oregon.

Greater White-fronted Goose
Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Solitary Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
MacGillivray's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak

Jackson Bottom birds: April 17-22, 2010

Greater Yellowlegs, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on April 21, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

There were heavy migrations this week of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and CLIFF SWALLOWS, with about 1000 each on April 20.

A PEREGRINE FALCON has been hanging around. A very rare GOLDEN EAGLE flew through on April 17. A MERLIN was reported April 22.

New migrants for the wetlands this week include AMERICAN BITTERN (4/18), BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD (4/19), VAUX'S SWIFT (4/20), WILSON'S WARBLER (4/20), WARBLING VIREO (4/21), an early BULLOCK'S ORIOLE (4/21), and LESSER YELLOWLEGS (4/22).

Dozens of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS migrated through this week. Several LINCOLN'S SPARROWS were also noted. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, perhaps the same one noted for a couple of weeks in the front of the building, also put in an appearance at the back feeders this week.

Shorebird numbers increased this week. A flock of about 25 GREATER YELLOWLEGS was noisily flying about the wetlands on April 22. DUNLIN were molting into their breeding plumage with black belly patches and a few rusty feathers on the back. Within a few weeks they will live up to their former name, Red-backed Sandpiper.

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is located at 2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Hillsboro, Oregon.

Here is the list of 82 species reported for the week of April 17-22, 2010.

Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Least Sandpiper
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock's Oriole
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow

Lunch with the Birds revisited

American Goldfinch, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Hillsboro, Oregon on April 21, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Back in October I began my turn hosting Lunch with the Birds, a free weekly public invitation to watch birds for an hour at noon at Jackson Bottom Wetlands in Hillsboro, Oregon. Started 12 years ago, many local people have been introduced to the wetlands and its birds.

Recently we moved from the north viewstand down to the back deck of the Education Center, one mile to the south. The original ponds had grown up with willows and shorebirds no longer occur and the ducks are distant. The Bald Eagles have moved their nest to a more distant grove of trees. There just weren't as many birds visible at the north viewstand as there used to be.

The Education Center is about 7 years old now, has restrooms, gift shop, a real Bald Eagle nest in the exhibit hall with other educational displays, and a big covered deck. Landscaping has been established with native plants and interpretive signs. Bird feeding stations have been set up with easy viewing. The Center is the trailhead for over 3 miles of wetland trails. It just made sense to move to the south end.

And that's just what we did earlier this month. Yesterday was the second week having Lunch with the Birds at the Education Center. The first week we had a retirement group visit. This week, just 3 "regulars" showed.

As we talked about birds on the back deck we watched birds come and go at the feeders: Red-winged Blackbirds, Pine Siskins, Spotted Towhees, American Goldfinches, Song Sparrows, Golden-crowned Sparrows, Black-capped Chickadees, White-crowned Sparrows, Lesser Goldfinches, Mourning Doves, and Rufous Hummingbirds. A rather rare White-throated Sparrow showed up, too!

And out in the distance, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Northern Shovelers, and Gadwalls made up the ducks. And a Bald Eagle circled overhead....

Join me every Wednesday at noon at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve Education Center, 2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy, Hillsboro, Oregon, just one mile south of Baseline and First Street in downtown Hillsboro.

Jackson Bottom birds: April 10-16, 2010

Wow! a lot of trees leafed out over the weekend! Alders and willows are fully leafed out and the maples have bloomed. Ash, cottonwoods, and hawthorn have lots of leaves. The shrubs are full, too, with osoberry, wild rose, and snowberry making up the bulk of the riparian understory.

By mid-week the waters from last week's rains subsided substantially, though some riverside trails remained flooded.

New migrants this week included ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS (finally!) on April 12 and BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER and an early PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER on April 13. A VIRGINIA RAIL called on April 15, quite late for our first sighting of the season.

I located another BUSHTIT nest under construction during the week.

The GREAT HORNED OWL chick fledged last week and is no longer on its nest.

A stunning WHITE-THROATED SPARROW is hanging out at the front feeders. The white head stripes and throat really contrast with the dark sooty gray breast.

In mammal news, a MINK was spotted this week, verifying an anonymous report on the sightings board from last week.

Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Virginia Rail
American Coot
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Dunlin
Wilson's Snipe
Mourning Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Jackson Bottom birds: April 3-9, 2010

Heavy rains during the week flooded most of the wetlands and trails.

At least one brood of Canada Geese goslings were hatched before the flooding, but perhaps most eggs were destroyed by the waters. The geese that lost clutches of eggs to flooding will probably attempt nesting again when the waters subside.

American Robins and Bushtits are building nests. The Great Blue Heron colony has birds sitting on nests and a Red-tailed Hawk is nesting in the Douglas-fir grove with them. The Bald Eagles are still sitting on eggs, but they have been under quite a bit of harassment from other eagles passing through. It may be two weeks before we know if the eggs are going to hatch. The Great Horned Owl chick has been seen on branches up to 15 feet away from the nest, getting ready to fledge.

Due to limited access, barely over 60 species of birds were detected this week, instead of the 80 something of last week.

Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Green-winged Teal
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Peregrine Falcon
American Coot
Killdeer
Dunlin
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Quest for the Mountain Quail

My boss, Sarah, expressed a desire to see Mountain Quail. A few days later we had a field trip set up through Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. A week later we had enough participants signed up for the van trip.

Mountain Quail are sneaky and very difficult to observe generally, and rather uncommon in NW Oregon. Some people who live in forested areas told me "they come to my feeder fairly regularly." However these persons live quite far from Hillsboro, Oregon, our base of operations.

I contacted Lars Norgren who has Mountain Quail near his home at Hayward. He went out one morning to look for quail but did not hear any.

On April 1st I spent a couple of hours hiking a logging road west of Forest Grove where I saw Mountain Quail "dust baths" in the road... last fall. It was very scenic, but the road was as steep as I remembered. I got drenched in a sudden rain from a black cloud that appeared over the Coast Range while the towns below enjoyed sunny weather. Most importantly, I found no sign of quail.

Thus, we remained true to our original intent of visiting Johnson Road near Vernonia. This area is not somewhere I would send people on their own. Target shooters, illegal trash dumpers, and noisy ATV'ers are possible. On our visit today, however, all seemed pristine and quiet. The road was recently graveled and in good condition.

The forecast was horrible, though, with rain and wind predicted. As typcial for Oregon weather forecasts, such conditions did not appear. There was no wind and the showers in the valley below turned to a light dusting of snow, interspersed with brief periods of sun in the hills, much to our delight... and relief.

We walked a side road up a hill where I had seen Mountain Quail in previous years (see photo below). However, the re-growing trees are now 12-15 years old. They are perhaps too large now for Mountain Quail.

We did find Chestnut-backed and Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches, American Robins, and both Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Even though it was fairly cold with a bit of off-and-on sleet or hail here, there were several Orange-crowned Warblers and Rufous Hummingbirds on our hike. Spotted Towhees, Bewick's Wrens, Song Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos filled out the rest of the bird species detected.

We drove up a mile to where a new logging road skirted the ridgetop between two valleys. We got out and walked again. We had not gotten far when a a startling flurry of wings errupted along side us. A Mountain Quail burst into flight from under a small fir tree about 4 feet tall! I got a decent view as it flew away, with all blue-gray back, wings, and tail. Jeremy saw the chestnut undertail as he had a view a bit more from the side. Sarah and Diana heard, but did not see, the bird as it rocketed low down the hill and out of sight.

A long time ago and from a camera far, far away.... Mountain Quail in May 2005 near Vernonia, Oregon. Digiscoped by Greg Gillson.

We continued walking another mile of muddy logging roads but did not see or hear any more Mountain Quail. But now each member of the group knows how and where to search for this elusive species.

We saw or heard additional birds, including Steller's Jay, Common Raven, American Crow, Northern Flicker, and Red-breasted Sapsucker. Oddly, a pair of Northern Harriers were acting very territorial in the Douglas-fir and western hemlock woods, screaming and circling and landing, miles from any marshes or meadows.

A bonus bird was a huge Northern Goshawk that winged slowly up the valley providing good views for all.

So, success, but still room for better future sightings....

Jackson Bottom birds: March 27 to April 2, 2010

New migrants this week included NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS and numerous CLIFF SWALLOWS on March 29, but not thereafter. An OSPREY was observed March 31. High water forced a SORA into view for photographs on April 1.

Some other migrants that arrived earlier this spring, increased in numbers during the week, especially VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS, CINNAMON TEAL, and GREATER YELLOWLEGS.

A PILEATED WOODPECKER was reported during the week, a rare visitor. A drake EURASIAN WIGEON was present March 29 and April 1. It may be the same one reported off and on in the area for several weeks now. A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW put in an appearance at the front feeders on April 2.

Flocks of RIDGWAY’S CACKLING GEESE arrived in large numbers during the week, adding to the TAVERNER’S CACKLING GEESE that wintered, along with the resident WESTERN CANADA GEESE and wintering DUSKY and LESSER CANADA GEESE. If one wants to practice their white-cheeked goose identification, now is the time!

Several different BALD EAGLES were seen, some attacking the resident pair on their nest!

A pair of RED-TAILED HAWKS are nesting in Owl Woods, the grove of Douglas-firs on the southeast side of the Preserve, that also contains several GREAT BLUE HERON nests.

82 species this week.

Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Ring-necked Duck
Lesser Scaup
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Sora
American Coot
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Dunlin
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Great Horned Owl
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow