[birding] Tanagers, Buntings, Kingbirds, etc.

[Lisa Millbank]

Yesterday (5/8) Don & I visited several parks before riding down to Finley for an event.  In Avery Park, at least 6 WESTERN TANAGERS decorated a couple of trees, singing and quarrelling a little.  We listened to a CASSIN'S VIREO singing, and a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE giving a dry rattle call.  We were enjoying the Tall Larkspur that is at the peak of its display in the shady forest along Marys River.  

At Pioneer Park we paid a visit to the ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD babies, who are looking happy and healthy in their tiny and now crowded nest.  Luckily their spiderweb nest can stretch to accommodate them!

In Willamette Park, YELLOW WARBLERS were everywhere along the river, with loads of WARBLING VIREOS.  Broadleaf Bluebells, which seem pretty uncommon around here, were really putting on a show as well.

After the event we rode back to the prairie overlook to have some lunch.  I heard a LAZULI BUNTING singing.  As we were about to leave, two pairs of WESTERN KINGBIRDS flew over the platform, fighting fiercely in a hovering ball of yellow and gray, and making sharp squeaky calls.  We don't remember seeing two pairs there before.

Lisa
www.neighborhood-naturalist.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.midvalleybirding.org/pipermail/birding/attachments/20100509/4900a9cf/attachment.html