[birding] Linn County wanderings

[Jeff Fleischer]

Hi Everyone,

Spent about 5 hours this morning/early afternoon birding parts of Linn County showing Austin Booth some of the more "profitable" birding areas on the Valley floor.  We started at Arthur Dr slough where we picked up about 5 or so SORA RAILS.  Could not call up a Virginia Rail even though I heard one last week at the same location.  Next stop was Doerfler's Pond on Oakville Rd south of Hwy 34 where we saw several BLACK TERNS and at least one male YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD flying around over the pond.  Having to view this great water area from the road and through the tiny spaces between the buildings of the home site is a bit of a challenge but patience while viewing through the scopes paid off.

We next headed south, hitting Davis Rd for HORNED LARKS.  We zipped down Hwy 99E to Hwy 228, then down I-5 to the Diamond Hill exit to visit the wetlands.  We were rewarded with nice views of a pair of RUDDY DUCKS and the best birds of the day, a pair of AMERICAN AVOCETS!  We arrived just at the right time, hearing them first calling then flying up from where they were hidden to fly right over the top of us.  A minute later they settled back on the water out of view.  Timing was perfect for this find :)

We next drove up to Belts Rd off of Gap Rd and managed to find several LAZULI BUNTINGs, VESPER SPARROW, and a very cooperative singing from a fence post GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.  The views through the scope were the best I have had of this species in this location.  WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were singing as were SAVANNAH SPARROWS.  With the camas flowers in full bloom, the sights and sounds of this great little grassland area were a nice experience.

We next headed north on Gap Rd and picked up YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT along Holmes Rd off of Gap Rd at the rice ponds.  Most of the area has dried up since I last checked it a couple weeks ago and except for the usual local waterfowl, swallows, and other passerines, nothing else special was found.  

Our next stop was the Brownsville STP west of town where we picked up one LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER before heading to Brownsville's Pioneer Park where we found a CHIPPING SPARROW and a flock of about 15 CEDAR WAXWINGS.  Leaving the park, we checked some feeders nearby and found several EVENING AND BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS and a PURPLE FINCH to go along with the regulars.  North of town at the STPs on Sevenmile Lane, one lone LESSER SCAUP had us going for a minute, thinking it might have been a Tufted Duck but no such luck.  During the period of anxiety, the bird was resting with his head tucked over its back and lots of white showing on its flanks.  When it finally raised its head, no problem with the ID :)  

We continued north on Harrison Dr and then onto Manning Rd where we picked up a nice male BULLOCKS ORIOLE and a first of year SWAINSON'S THRUSH near the warehouse.  Nothing special was seen by the corrals or the road around Ward Butte.  We continued north, stopping in at the Sand Ridge Cemetery but again only regulars were found.  The final good bird of the day, a pair of WESTERN KINGBIRDS, were found at the corner of Blatchford and Wheatland Rd.  It was a very successful effort today, especially seeing the Avocets at the Diamond Hill wetlands.  This area will continue to develop into a very significant water birding area for Linn County, something very much needed :)

Jeff Fleischer
Albany