[birding] E.E. Wilson Soras, Eurasian Wigeons

[Joel Geier]

Hi folks,

Becky & Martha and I took a long afternoon stroll & picnic at E.E.
Wilson Wildlife Area with a friend who was visiting from Boise. 

Becky and Martha spotted a GREAT HORNED OWL roosting in the ash trees
along the canal, and while we were admiring it, a couple of WRENTITS
popped up in front of us, the male singing.

The marsh in the northwest corner of the wildlife area still has a flock
of about 30 AMERICAN WIGEONS, and today had two EURASIAN WIGEON drakes.
One of the drakes was swimming with a female that I suspect was also a
Eurasian Wigeon, but it was too far off to be certain with just
binoculars. There were also a few lingering NORTHERN SHOVELERS and
NORTHERN PINTAILS.

A SORA and a VIRGINIA RAIL called once apiece, and MARSH WRENS sang
incessantly. Another Sora called as we were walking past one of the
marshes on the west edge of the wildlife area (the marsh straight east
of Coffin Butte).

Afterwards, thinking about Don Boucher's report of a Solitary Sandpiper
from Sunset Park, I checked the scrape in the south end which is usually
good for this species. I saw one GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a couple of
WILSON'S SNIPE.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, COMMON YELLOWTHROATS, and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS
were abundant throughout the wildlife area.

Happy birding,
Joel

--
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis