[birding] Benton County Purple Martins, Bank Swallow, Dusky Flycatcher

[Rich Hoyer]

Tuesday, May 12

Dear Birders,

Steve Nord and I had a fun time dodging showers around Benton County  
today, after being snowed off of Mary's Peak. On our way up the peak  
we did have 2 MOUNTAIN QUAIL and 2 SOOTY GROUSE on the road, and near  
the top a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL calling.

At the Philomath Sewage Ponds we saw a BANK SWALLOW among many other  
swallows. On the first pond were two RUDDY DUCKS and a RED-NECKED  
PHALAROPE.

At Finley NWR, we saw and heard a group of eight PURPLE MARTINS flying  
north along Muddy Creek on Bruce Road. Later, a pair were flying  
around the pond and fields at the Mill Hill Loop parking area.

Finally, at Irish Bend we had a lot of migrants in general including a  
DUSKY FLYCATCHER. I noted the grayish head, white throat, even  
eyering, short primary projection, narrow bill with orange base, and  
whit call note. Nearby was a group (flock?) of eight immature Bald  
Eagles near a sheep field.

Good Birding,

Rich
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Rich Hoyer
Tucson, Arizona

Senior Leader for WINGS
http://wingsbirds.com
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