[birding] EE Wilson & Cold Creek shorebirds etc.

[Joel Geier]

Hi all,

This morning I bicycled a loop along Wiles Rd to do a listening stop for
grassland birds, check out shorebird activity at the Cold Creek Hunting
Club property off Robison Rd, then back by way of E.E. Wilson Wildlife
Area where I checked the NW corner marsh, and stopped to listen at
another patch that looks suitable for Grasshopper Sparrow.

The wetlands at the hunting club had about 30 DOWITCHERS flying around,
but were way too far off for me to attempt an ID, even with my scope. I
couldn't spot any smaller shorebirds on the mud. While peering through
the scope, I heard a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE yammering in the riparian woods on
the south side of Robison Rd., and a BAND-TAILED PIGEON calling from
some trees around the residence next door.

In E.E. Wilson the NW corner marsh had about 15 dowitchers, all of which
looked like LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS. They were very active and vocalized
as they made little flights around the wetland; I didn't hear any
Short-billed Dowitcher calls among them.

As for grassland birds, I didn't see or hear much besides SAVANNAH
SPARROWS. I also didn't see the Western Kingbird pair that were along
Wiles Rd. earlier, as reported by Michael Dossett. I'd be interested to
hear if they're still around. A LAZULI BUNTING was singing from a wire
along Coffin Butte Rd., alongside of the landfill.

Over the south end of E.E. Wilson, a male NORTHERN HARRIER (presumably
half of the pair that usually nests there) spent a lot of energy
harassing a TURKEY VULTURE that was just trying to make use of the
morning thermals.

Happy birding,
Joel

--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis