[birding] Cassin's Finch on Bald Peak, Chehalem Mtn, Yamhill Co.

[Joel Geier]

Hello folks,

Sorry for the late report. Yesterday while pinning down some locations
for the Willamette Valley Birding Trail, I ran across a male CASSIN'S
FINCH that was singing at the Bald Peak State Scenic Viewpoint on
Chehalem Mountain in northern Yamhill Co. It was with a mixed flock of
about half a dozen Purple Finches and a few more Pine Siskins, perched
way up in the top of one of the big Douglas-fir trees by the restrooms. 

It stood out from the Purple Finches due to less extensive red on the
head and breast, and a more bright hue, with a slightly crested look.
The flanks were also more finely streaked without the smudgy look of
Purple Finches. It was pretty high up but I thought I could also see a
difference in bill shape (straighter & pointier). I am pretty far out of
practice on Cassin's Finch song but it did have a different quality from
Purple Finch. One of the females in the flock also looked a little
suspicious in terms of streaking and bill shape, so there might be a
pair up there.

Thanks to Don Albright for steering me toward this place. It looks like
it could be an interesting spot as migration heats up. The habitat
within the park is a little bit lacking in structure (tall firs with
either mown grass or low brush, and not much in between), and the slope
to the west has recently been clear-cut. However if one walks the road
along the ridgeline south of the park there are big-leaf maples starting
to bud. I found a couple of ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS there, and had a
flyby by an intriguingly small HUMMINGBIRD sp. A TOWNSEND'S WARBLER was
singing from way up high in the Douglas-firs in the wayside.

Directions: From Hwy 47 in Gaston (Washington Co.), at the flashing
yellow light go E on Main St. (which becomes Gaston Rd.) for 0.8 mi.
Turn right (S) on Spring Hill Rd. and go 1.8 mi. Turn left (E) on
Laurelwood and go 3.2 mi (this becomes a steep, winding road) to a stop
sign at a 3-way intersection. Turn right (S) on Bald Peak Rd. and
continue uphill 1.9 mi; the entrance to scenic viewpoint is on the west
side of the road. GPS N 44 deg 23.742', W 123 deg 03.351, elevation 1618
ft.

I will post a few birds from points farther north on OBOL. In the
meantime, can someone please explain where the Rotary Park is in
downtown McMinnville, in terms of cross streets? I wonder if I was in
it, but I never found a sign that referred to the Rotary Club. There are
a lot of ravines with very interesting-looking habitat around the
downtown area. Lucky thing I didn't find a Northern Waterthrush or I'd
be in a real bind as to how to report it. ;)

Happy birding,
Joel