[birding] field trip

[rich armstrong]

1. only 3 of us braved the cold, nasty, windy, somewhat rainy corvallis audubon 1/2 day field trip this morning.
2. at the finley prairie we had a NORTHERN SHRIKE, but no loggerhead. also singing western meadowlarks.
3. the pond beyond the bathrooms had 1 male HOODED MERGANSER, 4 WOOD DUCKS, and the usual ring-necks, green-winged teal, mallards, and american wigeon. from the hq overlook we had 2 bald eagles (also saw 2 others on the day).
4. mcfaddin marsh (bruce road) had many MARSH WRENS, TREE SWALLOWS, & VIRGINIA RAILS. a flock of about 20 dunlin flew by. there were no swans at all and very few ducks.
5. at the cheadle marsh trailhead parking area mary garrard and cheryl whelchel got a fleeting look at what mary described as a large falcon with a light gray mantle as it zipped over and scared 20 ducks. after looking in books mary thinks it was too light for a prairie falcon or peregrine. both were sure it was not a male harrier. so their best guess is gyrfalcon, but they are not claiming that, just calling it a possibility. so if you are checking bruce road soon keep a look out for it.
6. we then went all the way north to the dump where the GLAUCOUS GULL was sitting in a puddle across from the dump resting with about 20 other gulls - very cooperative. we also identified mostly glaucous-winged gulls, a few probably hybrids, a few herring gulls, and 1 california gull.
7. and when i got home we had our 1st rufous hummingbird. right now i have both anna's & rufous side by side on the feeder sharing nicely.
Rich Armstrong
541-753-1978
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