[birding] Dusky Flycatcher at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area

[Joel Geier]

Hi all,

Just back from a quick late-morning walk across the highway to E.E.
Wilson Wildlife Area. The most notable bird was a migrant DUSKY
FLYCATCHER in almost the same place where I encountered one last spring:
6 to 7 utility poles straight south of the skeet range, in the willows
and low brush next to the "stream" on the west side of the road. Last
year's bird was by the 5th pole but the willows in that area have been
whacked back quite a bit.

I watched the bird for about 15 minutes to confirm: complete white
eye-ring, short primary projection (compared with visible secondaries
for scale), longish tail, lower mandible of bill mostly dark, too long
and bit too wide at the base for a Hammond's Flycatcher, eventually
started giving distinctive "whit" and "twip!" calls (the easiest way to
locate the bird). Foraging within 2 to 5 ft of the ground most of the
time, occasionally up to 8 or 10 ft. Pretty clear white wing bars &
visibly contrasting edges on primaries, but not so bright as a Least
Flycatcher. Somewhat crested toward back of head.

Other interesting birds on the wildlife area included a GREAT EGRET on
the same scrape pond that continues to host a GREATER YELLOWLEGS and a
SOLITARY SANDPIPER (throw in a nearby WILSON'S SNIPE and KILLDEER and
that's still my whole "motorless" shorebird list for the year), and a
lingering HERMIT THRUSH where I was hoping for a Swainson's Thrush,
hanging out with WILSON'S WARBLERS on the south end of the big oak grove
in the south end.

Happy birding,
Joel

--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis