[birding] field trip

[Joel Geier]

Hi All,

Just to sympathize with Rich's frustration as a trip leader here:

Swamp Sparrow is one of the tougher birds in Oregon to "show" to a
group. It's hard enough to see one of these notorious skulkers as a lone
birder or in a group of 2 or 3. With a group of 12, I'm impressed that
anyone got looks at all!

A more doable undertaking for a field trip leader might be to introduce
a group to what these birds sound like in the field. Over the years I've
probably heard these birds 5 times as often as I've seen one. If you can
learn their chip note, you have the possibility to go back later,
relocate a bird, and then patiently wait it out or pish it into view.

About TRUMPETER SWANS, about 8 have been in the field a few miles west
of Hwy 99W where Airlie Rd. bends north (at Berry Creek Rd.), along with
about 9 TUNDRA SWANS. Most of the flock seems to be somewhere else
though. I wonder if they might be back in the Maple Grove area (which is
where they hung out for many years before they started showing up around
Suver), or else along Simpson Rd. near Helmick State Park.

And no, I haven't seen the sapsucker in the last few days, though I
didn't get out today or yesterday.

Happy birding,
Joel

P.S. The Chipping Sparrow seen by Paula is very interesting. I remember
that Paula (along with Marcia) found a Clay-colored Sparrow some years
back so would have that possibility in mind. The HQ location is outside
the pattern of "old weedy hazelnut orchards" as the place to look for
wintering Chipping Sparrows, but I guess there are some similarities in
terms of the habitat. It's a little more like the spot at Berry Creek x
Airlie Rd where Trent Bray found a couple of wintering chippers in 2000
or so. I was just thinking about that when I detoured past there the
other day to check on the Trumpeters, but didn't have time to wait out
the junco flock.

--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis