[birding] Brown-headed Cowbirds here too

[Joel Geier]

Hi folks,

I see from OBOL that Jeff Harding reported a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD north
of Lebanon yesterday. I was pretty sure I heard one "gleep!!" at our
place yesterday too, but didn't hear it again.

This morning I was scoping the tips of the tall Douglas-firs along
Tampico Ridge behind our place, trying to get visual confirmation of
what seemed to be a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER singing from the very top of one.
I thought it sounded different from the BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLERS
that are also around, but I always have doubts about my ability to
distinguish their songs (not to mention Hermit Warblers' which will add
to the confusion within the week). As the light got better, I was
finally able to pick up a yellow wash to go with the facial pattern.
Then I saw a second Townsend's sneaking up through the crown of the same
tree to chase the first one off his perch, and both of them disappeared
into the upper canopy.

Left with a scope and nothing else to look at, I started scanning the
tree tops and soon found a male BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD, plus the PURPLE
FINCH who's been doing the Cassin's Vireo imitation (caught in the act
this morning). Two OREGON JUNCOS were also singing from way up in the
top of 80+ ft Doug-firs ... a lot higher than I expected to see them.

Happy birding,
Joel
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis