[birding] Luckiamute State Natural Area (south unit) & EEW on the way

[Joel Geier]

Hi folks,

I bicycled over to the south unit of Luckiamute State Natural Area today
(Willamette Botanicals tract and Vanderpool Tract), hoping to see the
Black Phoebe that was there in December. Alas it wasn't, but it was a
beautiful morning to be out there.

Highlights included WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES (always there, but always
nice to see), and a territorial pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS using a tall
cottonwood near the river, which looked like it might have a suitable
cavity.

On the way there and back, I made a ritual check for the Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker and Spizella sparrows along the road south of E.E. Wilson
headquarters, but found neither. Has anyone seen the Yellow-bellied
Sapsucker since February 6th? As usual, a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER was
working the maples in the WW II memorial park by the gamebird display
pens.

Also *outside* the gamebird display pens was a male RING-NECKED PHEASANT
which has been hanging around the vicinity for about a week. I assume
that he's a survivor from last year's release, and is now trying to find
a hen.

Happy birding,
Joel

P.S. Forgot to mention, but a pair of KILLDEER were acting like they
might be nesting in the gravel lot just north of the HQ building, last
Sunday.

--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis