[birding] E.E. Wilson Swamp Sparrow, Merlin

[Joel Geier]

Hi folks,

After light snowfall this morning and again in early afternoon, the snow
was mostly gone when I went out for a short walk in the south part of
E.E. Wilson in late afternoon. 

Just 200 yards or so straight out from our yard, I came across a rather
light brownish MERLIN perched in one of the scrub oaks. It seemed to be
wondering where all the goldfinches have gone. After I turned and walked
south (away from the bird) for about 30 seconds, I turned and looked
back -- it had vanished. Amazing how they do that.

Walking farther, after crossing over the wetland that runs from south to
north along the axis of the wildlife area, I noticed a patch of habitat
on the east side of this wetland that looked good for Swamp Sparrows,
which I've never checked before: sort of an embayment in the brush along
this wetland, with tussocky, partly flooded grass bordered by roses &
blackberries, opening to more open habitat on the east side.

Sure enough, I soon heard a little "tink!" note that sounded like a
Swamp Sparrow. After some pishing the bird popped up into view, long
enough for me to see the bright rufous wings. Its breast was so clean
gray that, with the rufous crown, I almost got going on American Tree
Sparrow. However, the facial pattern and overall shape of the bird were
pure Melospiza. It's been awhile since I saw a Swamp Sparrow that was
this cleanly marked -- must be an adult coming into breeding plumage.

If anyone wants to look for the bird, here are directions:

>From the Frontage Rd. entrance of E.E. Wilson (just north of Adair
Village, on Frontage Rd. which follows the old route of Hwy 99W),
walk/bike straight down the hill (east) until the roadway crosses over
the wetland and starts back uphill. There will be a yellow sign on the
right side of the road, indicating that you've reached the edge of the
wildlife area (the boundary angles across this road; there have been up
to three White-throated Sparrows around here). Go left (north), leaving
the roadway, and walk about 175 yards along the east side of the
wetland. When you see an embayment in the brush, leading in to a channel
with open water and a few dead trees, that's the spot. Footing is uneven
and you will have to weave around a few blackberry clumps along the way.

You could also try from the west side of the wetland which is easier to
get to (The wetland isn't very wide, so the bird could well be found on
either side). As you head east from the Frontage Rd. entrance, instead
of crossing over the wetland, go north on the paved street which is just
to the west of the wetland. After you pass the concrete foundation of an
old WW II movie theater on the right (back in the blackberries, with a
floor that slopes toward the old stage), go another 20-30 yards north
along the road and then walk out toward the wetland on your right. I
pulled up a small Scotch broom plant and stuck it upside down in a rose
bush next to the road, in the approximate spot. There's more scotch
broom if anyone wants to add to the marker.

Happy birding,
Joel

--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis