Too much of a good thing

This story on the 10000 Birds blog site takes on a controversial topic: Feeding birds. I'm one of those people who freaks out if the hummingbird food is frozen or the feeders aren't topped off. My petsitters have strict instructions about tending to the wild birds. Am I destined to become the crazy neighborhood bird lady? Will I lose sight of the fact that feeding birds can be detrimental to their health or that it attracts pests? In this story he points out two cases where huge flocks of birds, from swans to eagles, rely totally on one person. What happens when that person stops feeding? In one case, death ensues. Take a look.

How to create more "birders"

On the heels of the poor performance of the movie "The Big Year," which cost $57 million to make and grossed only $6.5 million, there has been a lot of dialog about how to get people into birds and/or birding and/or birdwatching. This blog has a great dialog going about it. My personal opinion? We need to be more inclusive and take the hand of everyone we know and introduce them to the magic of birds. When people care about something, they protect it.

The Feather Atlas

The US Fish and Wildlife Service's Forensics Laboratory has created a Feather Atlas of North American Birds that dovetails (!) nicely with the Winter Term reading of Of a Feather by Scott Weidensaul. I foresee many of my hours spent simply admiring the singular beauty that is typically hidden in the whole of a bird.

Rice Farmers and Birdwatchers

The American Bird Conservancy posted this story on their Facebook page today and I thought it was a really intriguing idea. What if Oregon birders did "ride-alongs" at harvest time, working in collaboration with foresters and farmers to educate both sides about the impact on the land, and learn to understand each other better?

"The focus — weather permitting — is rice fields where farmers have agreed to let birdwatchers ride combines during the harvest and watch from harvested areas. Experienced birders help point out birds and answer questions."

Lapland Longspur photos (among others)

Andy Frank has some nice photos of Lapland Longspurs on his blog today. They were seen yesterday at the South Jetty of the Columbia River. His blog has lots of really beautiful photos.

Last ditch effort to save the Spoon-billed Sandpiper

I have a special fondness for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Its beautifully shaped bill and lovely plumage make it one of the prettiest of the sandpipers, and its uniqueness reminds me of the platypus. Without a great deal of effort, however, it will soon remind all of us of the Dodo.

"One thing is sure, if these efforts do not succeed, the bird will soon join the dodo, great auk and passenger pigeon in the roll of infamy; those once living, breathing creatures we have driven to oblivion. In the words of Deborah Pain, WWT's director of conservation: "This tiny wader is a flagship species for millions of waterbirds that travel the same migratory route, and are equally threatened. If we fail, our descendants will inherit a vastly impoverished world. We simply can't afford to lose any species – let alone one so special as the spoon-billed sandpiper."

2011 October 15 - Northern Oregon Coast

All I can say is Wow. The weather at the Northern Oregon Coast was absolutely stunning and the sunlight seemed to always be in the perfect direction to see the birds. We caught the tide right at several locations, giving us long and clear views of the peeps. But the highlight of the day was the Lapland Longspurs! We saw over 20 of them in a flock that circled in front of us, with a few alighting on a patch of ground that gave most of us a close-up look through the scopes. In all I believe our count was 63 species on this trip. What a great day!

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus histrionicus.

Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata.

White-winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca.

Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata.

Common Loon. Gavia immer.

Red-necked Grebe. Podiceps grisegena.

Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis.

Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.

Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

Black-bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola.

Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala.

Surfbird. Aphriza virgata.

Sanderling. Calidris alba.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Calidris pusilla.

Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri.

Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla.

Baird's Sandpiper. Calidris bairdii.

Dunlin. Calidris alpina.

Heermann’s Gull. Larus heermanni.

Mew Gull. Larus canus.

Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.

Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.

California Gull. Larus californicus.

Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens.

Common Murre. Uria aalge.

Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.

Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.

Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.

Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.

Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Pacific Wren. Troglodytes pacificus.

Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Wrentit. Chamaea fasciata.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.

Lapland Longspur. Calcarius lapponicus.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

2011 October 8 - Ankeny and Baskett Slough

In addition to having fabulous weather for this time of year, a highlight of the day at the Ankeny and Baskett Slough refuges was Dan spotting a noteworthy Clay-colored Sparrow standing on the road next to a Chipping Sparrow, making comparison of the two closely related species easier. I listed 68 species for the day, on our penultimate field trip for the Fall term.

Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

American Wigeon. Anas americana.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.

Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.

Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.

Ring-necked Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus.

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Great Egret. Ardea alba.

Green Heron. Butorides virescens.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

American Coot. Fulica americana.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus.

Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto

Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.

Acorn Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Black Phoebe. Sayornis nigricans.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.

Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

Varied Thrush. Ixoreus naevius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

American Pipit. Anthus rubescens.

Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.

Clay-colored Sparrow. Spizella pallida.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria.

American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.

Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes vespertinus.

Tule Geese seen on the recent field trip!

The class saw not just any Greater White-fronted Geese on last weekend's field trip: We saw Tule Geese! Mike Patterson has an October 4th post (with photos) about these rare and poorly studied geese.

Reflections on 'The Spotted Owl's New Nemesis' (Smithsonian 2009)

Hey School of Birders. I found this 2009 Smithsonian article about Northern Spotted and Barn Owls to be fascinating. I recommend you check out 'The Spotted Owl's New Nemesis' by Craig Welch. Check out the accompanying video and pictures by Gary Braasch. (Use the link to read the article and see the pix/video. I also appended the article text below).

I've been thinking about Northern Spotted Owls (SPOW) and Barred Owls. Yesterday, when Jonathan (my husband), was driving to Seaside, he saw and photographed a dead Barred Owl (BADO) which had been struck and was laying just off the road on HWY 26 in the Coast Range. He sent me a photo and I identified the poor bird as a BADO by the size, a bright yellow/orange beak and the striking vertical brown streaks on the breast.

In the Smithsonian article, Craig Welch revisits the status of the SPOW and travels with biologist Eric Forsman through old growth south of Corvallis. Eric Forsman was among the very first to document a SPOW nest and his research findings on the owl fueled the battle over logging of Ancient Forests on federal lands in the PNW. This is a good read, with great photos. We meet a few birds Eric has long studied. Eric's reflections on his past work and the NSOWs current condition are poignant.

The article is interesting on another level too, because it points to a bigger, hard truth: Climate change is changing landscapes and biological communities very quickly. Conserving imperiled species is increasingly complex and more challenging than ever.

"As climate chaos disrupts migration patterns, wind, weather, vegetation and river flows, unexpected conflicts will arise between species, confounding efforts to halt or slow extinctions. If the spotted owl is any guide, such conflicts could come on quickly, upend the way we save rare plants and animals, and create pressure to act before the science is clear."

One wonders, what if we hadn't reduced our Ancient Forests to a mere five percent of their former extent, would the BADO would be pushing the SPOW to the brink? Perhaps we'll never know. In any case, protecting ALL remaining Ancient Forests as SPOW habitat is fast becoming the SPOW's last, best hope. And, in the bigger picture, protecting the biggest and the best of remaining native habitats and processes is where the action will be for imperiled wildlife. Read more

Meg Ruby

2011 October 1 - Oregon Coast

Sixty-eight species of birds were seen on this trip to the Oregon Coast. The Wrentits were a highlight!

Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii.

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

American Wigeon. Anas americana.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.

Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.

Greater Scaup. Aythya marila.

Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata.

White-winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca.

Common Loon. Gavia immer.

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.

Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.

Sooty Shearwater. Puffinus griseus.

Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.

Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.

Brandt's Cormorant. Phalocrocorax penicillatus.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

Great Egret. Ardea alba.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Red-shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

Black-bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa.

Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri.

Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutella.

Pectoral Sandpiper. Calidris melanotos.

Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Short-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus griseus.

Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.

California Gull. Larus californicus.

Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.

Common Murre. Uria aalge.

Band-tailed Pigeon. Patagioenas fasciata.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto.

Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.

Belted Kingfisher. Ceryle alcyon.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Steller's Jay. \Cyanocitta stelleri.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Wrentit. Chamaea fasciata.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.

American Dipper. Cinclus mexicanus.

Bewick's Wren. Troglodytes bewickii.

Pacific Wren. Troglodytes troglodytes.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

American Pipit. Anthus rubescens.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

American Goldfinch. Carduelis tristis

House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

A Buddhist Monk Saves One of the World's Rarest Birds

High in the Himalayas, the Tibetan bunting is getting help from a very special friend
By Phil McKenna
Smithsonian magazine, October 2011

The Tibetan bunting (Emberiza koslowi) is one of the least-known birds on the planet. It has a black and white head and chestnut-colored back and is only slightly larger than a chickadee. In 1900, Russian explorers were the first to document the bird and collect specimens. One hundred years later, British ornithologists published only the third scientific study of the bunting, based on fewer than four hours of observations. Read more...

2011 September 24 - Bonney Butte

This was a first-time visit to Bonney Butte for many. For others it was the first visit without being fogged in! Excellent weather makes for great birding. Here's the list.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Black-backed Woodpecker. Picoides arcticus.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Empidonax difficilis.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Mountain Chickadee. Poecile gambeli.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.

Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.

Pine Siskin. Carduelis pinus.

The Toughest Little Bird You've Never Heard Of

They're nothing to look at. They're not colorful. They seem so ordinary, in mottled brown, black and gray, if you noticed them at all, you'd think, "ah, just another shore bird, pecking at something in the water." But you'd be so wrong. Bar-tailed Godwits are special. So special, they deserve special attention.

Avian Architecture

A coworker brought a book by my desk today called Avian Architecture by Peter Goodfellow, which he had checked out of the library. What a great book! The Golden-crowned Kinglet (called a "Goldcrest" in the book) has a lovely nest structure. This is a great book to share with your kids.

How hummingbirds make sound with their tails

This is an amazing video, showing in super slow-motion exactly how hummingbirds make diving sounds with their tails. Really cool!

"During the mating season, male hummingbirds climb high into the air and then nose-dive, belting out sharp squeaks or trills to impress watching females. A new study shows how the tiny birds emit their high-pitched calls."

Hunting (Eurasian Collared) Doves

I guess this is good news? The hunters are shooting both Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves in North Carolina.

Birding software and sites

The folks at Birding Washington have compiled a thorough list of birding applications and digital guides, a surprising number of which I had never heard of. Worth a look-see.

Parahawking

Well, that pretty much seals it for me: I'm going to find a way to parahawk! Check out the video. Here's more info about parahawking.

Local birding ideas from Bob Sallinger

This morning I was lucky enough to spot both the male and female Red-tailed Hawks that are resident in downtown Portland (thrilling as always). I always post an update on the Raptor Cam blog and today I found a recent post by Bob Sallinger listing several good local birding opportunities for your enjoyment.

We admire the shorebirds, but they're legal to hunt in the Carribean

A migrating Whimbrel named Machi has been shot on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, French West Indies. The bird (pictured at right) had likely landed to rest up after detouring around Tropical Storm Maria. Machi became one of thousands of shorebirds that are hunted for sport each fall—but she stood out from the flock because of a satellite tracking tag applied by scientists at the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William and Mary. The hunter contacted a local wildlife biologist to report what he’d found.

Read more

2011 September 9-11 - Gray's Harbor, WA

We had great weather and even better birding on our Ocean Shores fall term overnighter where we tallied 89 species. Notable events: Everyone clearly heard and saw American Pipits galore, and got a great view of Pectoral Sandpipers. We saw a Red Knot and had two opportunities to view a Bar-tailed Godwit. Sadly, some of us missed seeing the Pomarine Jeager and Rhinoceros Auklet, however besides Dan I think everyone got at least one lifer!

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

American Wigeon. Anas americana.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.

Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.

Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.

Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata.

White-winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca.

Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator.

Common Loon. Gavia immer.

Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.

Sooty Shearwater. Puffinus griseus.

Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.

Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Black-crowned Night Heron. Nycticorax nycticorax.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus.

Black-bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola.

Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus.

Willet. Tringa semipalmata.

Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularius.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Whimbrel. Numenius phaeopus.

Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lapponica.

Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa.

Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala.

Surfbird. Aphriza virgata.

Red Knot. Calidris canutus.

Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri.

Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutella.

Baird's Sandpiper. Calidris bairdii.

Pectoral Sandpiper. Calidris melanotos.

Dunlin. Calidris alpina.

Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Short-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus griseus.

Bonaparte's Gull. Chroicocephalus philadelphia.

Heermann’s Gull. Larus heermanni.

California Gull. Larus californicus.

Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.

Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens.

Caspian Tern. Hydroprogne caspia.

Pomarine Jaeger. Stercorarius pomarinus.

Rhinoceros Auklet. Cerorhinca monocerata.

Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto.

Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi.

Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Gray Jay. Perisoreus canadensis.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Purple Martin. Progne subis.

Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.

Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.

Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Pacific Wren. Troglodytes troglodytes.

Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Swainson's Thrush. Catharus ustulatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

American Pipit. Anthus rubescens.

Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.

American Goldfinch. Carduelis tristis

Pine Siskin. Carduelis pinus.

House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

BirdChick blog

While researching Scott Weidensaul, who wrote Living on the Wind, I found a connection to Sharon Stiteler's blog, BirdChick, and wanted to share. I like her site not just because she had excellent videos of a nighthawk, Wood Thrush (see below), and Hermit Thrush, but because she posts about many of the critters in her upper Mississippi (Minnesota) home. Take a look!

Class of 2011 Total Species Count

The total number of species identified (seen/heard by someone in the class) from Fall 2010 to Summer 2011 is 232 species! According to my Oregon Field Ornithologists checklist the total species recorded in Oregon is 520, but that includes pelagics and some rarities. If anyone hears about a Wood Thrush in Oregon please let me know because I'll drop everything to chase that bird!

Here's the list. :)

Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons.

Snow Goose. Chen caerulescens.

Brant. Branta bernicla.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator.

Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus.

[Domestic Mute Swan]

Wood Duck. Aix sponsa.

Gadwall. Anas strepera.

Eurasian Wigeon. Anas penelope.

American Wigeon. Anas americana.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera.

Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.

Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.

Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.

Canvasback. Aythya valisineria.

Redhead. Aythya americana.

Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.

Greater Scaup. Aythya marila.

Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis.

Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus histrionicus.

Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata.

White-winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca.

Long-tailed Duck. Clangula hyemalis.

Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.

Common Goldeneye. Bucephala clangula.

Barrow's Goldeneye. Bucephala islandica.

Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.

Common Merganser. Mergus merganser.

Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator.

Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis.

California Quail. Callipepla californica

Ring-necked Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus.

Greater Sage-Grouse. Centrocercus urophasianus.

Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata.

Pacific Loon. Gavia pacifica.

Common Loon. Gavia immer.

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.

Red-necked Grebe. Podiceps grisegena.

Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis.

Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.

Sooty Shearwater. Puffinus griseus.

Brandt's Cormorant. Phalacrocorax penicillatus.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.

American White Pelican. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.

Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.

American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Great Egret. Ardea alba.

Black-crowned Night-Heron. Nycticorax nycticorax.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.

White-tailed Kite. Elanus leucurus.

Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Red-shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus.

Swainson's Hawk. Buteo swainsoni.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

Ferruginous Hawk. Buteo regalis.

Rough-legged Hawk. Buteo lagopus.

Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysaetos.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

Merlin. Falco columbarius.

Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus.

Prairie Falcon. Falco mexicanus.

Sora. Porzana carolina.

American Coot. Fulica americana.

Sandhill Crane. Grus canadensis.

Black-bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola.

Snowy Plover. Charadrius alexandrinus.

Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Black Oystercatcher. Haematopus bachmani.

Black-necked Stilt. Himantopus mexicanus.

American Avocet. Recurvirostra americana.

Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularius.

Wandering Tattler. Tringa incana.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Willet. Tringa semipalmata.

Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes.

Whimbrel. Numenius phaeopus.

Long-billed Curlew. Numenius americanus.

Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa.

Ruddy Turnstone. Arenaria interpres.

Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala.

Surfbird. Aphriza virgata.

Sanderling. Calidris alba.

Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri.

Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla.

Dunlin. Calidris alpina.

Short-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus griseus.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus.

Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Wilson's Phalarope. Phalaropus tricolor.

Red-necked Phalarope. Phalaropus lobatus.

Bonaparte’s Gull. Chroicocephalus Philadelphia.

Heermann’s Gull. Larus heermanni.

Mew Gull. Larus canus.

Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.

Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.

California Gull. Larus californicus.

Herring Gull. Larus argentatus.

Thayer’s Gull. Larus thayeri

Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens.

Caspian Tern. Hydroprogne caspia.

Forster's Tern. Sterna forsteri.

Common Murre. Uria aalge.

Pigeon Guillemot. Cepphus columba.

Marbled Murrelet. Brachyramphus marmoratus.

Cassin's Auklet. Ptychoramphus aleuticus.

Rhinoceros Auklet. Cerorhinca monocerata.

Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.

Band-tailed Pigeon. Patagioenas fasciata.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto

Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.

Barn Owl. Tyto alba.

Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus.

Northern Pygmy-Owl. Glaucidium gnoma.

Barred Owl. Strix varia.

Short-eared Owl. Asio flammeus.

Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi.

Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.

Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.

Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.

Acorn Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus.

Red-naped Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus nuchalis.

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus.

American Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides dorsalis.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.

Olive-sided Flycatcher. Contopus cooperi.

Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus.

Willow Flycatcher. Empidonax traillii.

Hammond's Flycatcher. Empidonax hammondii.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Empidonax difficilis.

Black Phoebe. Sayornis nigricans.

Western Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis.

Eastern Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus.

Loggerhead Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus.

Hutton's Vireo. Vireo huttoni.

Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus.

Gray Jay. Perisoreus canadensis.

Pinyon Jay. Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

Clark's Nutcracker. Nucifraga columbiana.

Black-billed Magpie. Pica hudsonia.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Horned Lark. Eremophila alpestris.

Purple Martin. Progne subis.

Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia.

Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.

Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Mountain Chickadee. Poecile gambeli.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.

Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmaea.

Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

House Wren. Troglodytes aedon.

Pacific Wren. Troglodytes pacificus.

Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.

American Dipper. Cinclus mexicanus.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.

Wrentit. Chamaea fasciata.

Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana.

Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.

Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi.

Swainson's Thrush. Catharus ustulatus.

Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

Varied Thrush. Ixoreus naevius.

Sage Thrasher. Oreoscoptes montanus.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

American Pipit. Anthus rubescens.

Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.

Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.

Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Black-throated Gray Warbler. Dendroica nigrescens.

Townsend's Warbler. Dendroica townsendi.

Hermit Warbler. Dendroica occidentalis.

MacGillivray's Warbler. Oporornis tolmiei.

Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.

Wilson's Warbler. Wilsonia pusilla.

Yellow-breasted Chat. Icteria virens.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.

Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.

White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia albicollis.

Harris's Sparrow. Zonotrichia querula.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana.

Black-headed Grosbeak. Pheucticus melanocephalus.

Lazuli Bunting. Passerina amoena.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.

Yellow-headed Blackbird. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater.

Bullock’s Oriole. Icterus bullockii

Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.

Cassin's Finch. Carpodacus cassinii.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.

Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.

Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria.

American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.

Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes vespertinus.

House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

Class Schedule: Fall 2011 to Summer 2012

Fall 2011

September 7, 14, 21, 24, 27
October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15
Overnight field trip September 9, 10, 11

Winter 2012

January 4, 7, 11, 18, 21
February 8, 11, 22, 29
March 11
Overnight field trip January 13, 14, 15 Coastal Olympic Peninsula

Spring 2012

March 14, 17, 21, 28, 31
April 4, 7, 18, 21
May 16, 23
Overnight field trip May 18, 19, 20 John Day

Summer 2012

July 18, 21, 25, 28
August 1, 4, 8, 15, 18, 22
Overnight field trip August 24, 25, 26 Coastal Washington and Oceanshores

Fee per quarter is $495 and 20 hours of volunteering at Portland Audubon
On-line registration now available

For more information or to register contact Dan van den Broek at 971-222-6105 or dvandenbroek@audubonportland.org

2011 August 19-21 - Gray's Harbor, WA

I counted 81 birds on our trip to Gray's Harbor. Please edit the list if we missed any species.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

Wood Duck. Aix sponsa.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata.

Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.

Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata.

Common Loon. Gavia immer.

Sooty Shearwater. Puffinus griseus.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.

Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.

Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

Black-bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola.

Snowy Plover. Charadrius alexandrinus.

Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Wandering Tattler. Tringa incana.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Willet. Tringa semipalmata.

Whimbrel. Numenius phaeopus.

Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa.

Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri.

Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla.

Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Red-necked Phalarope. Phalaropus lobatus.

Heermann’s Gull. Larus heermanni.

Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.

Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.

California Gull. Larus californicus.

Caspian Tern. Hydroprogne caspia.

Common Murre. Uria aalge.

Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto

Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.

Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus.

Willow Flycatcher. Empidonax traillii.

Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Empidonax difficilis.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Purple Martin. Progne subis.

Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.

Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.

Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.

Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia.

Black-throated Gray Warbler. Dendroica nigrescens.

Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.

Wilson's Warbler. Wilsonia pusilla.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater.

Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.

American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.

House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

Stunning bird photographs

This website has 50 stunning bird photographs for your viewing pleasure.

2011-08-06 Northern Oregon Coast (Seaside)

On this field trip I listed 62 birds. Does that match your record?

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Wood Duck. Aix sponsa.
Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera.
Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.
Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.
Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.
Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis.
Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.
Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.
Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.
Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.
Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus.
Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus.
Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.
Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularius.
Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes.
Ruddy Turnstone. Arenaria interpres.
Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala.
Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri.
Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla.
Heermann’s Gull. Larus heermanni.
Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.
Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.
California Gull. Larus californicus.
Caspian Tern. Hydroprogne caspia.
Common Murre. Uria aalge.
Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.
Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto
Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi.
Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Common Raven. Corvus corax.
Purple Martin. Progne subis.
Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.
Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.
Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.
Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.
Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.
Pacific Wren. Troglodytes pacificus.
Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.
Swainson's Thrush. Catharus ustulatus.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.
Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia.
Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.
Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater.
House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.
Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.
American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.
House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

Interview with Greg Miller of "The Big Year"

The Z Bird Birding Blog Interview 4: Greg Miller, Hollywood superstar big year birder

A Tweeters' post today linked to this "interview with Greg Miller, one of the bigger-than-life characters in "The Big Year." Can't wait for the movie!

2011 July 30 - Sauvie Island

The weather managed to work its way from a chilly morning to a sunny and truly "July" kind of day. This is the list of 56 species I recorded. Please comment on any corrections.

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

Wood Duck. Aix sponsa.

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

American White Pelican. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Great Egret. Ardea alba.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.

Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

American Coot. Fulica americana.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularius.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Calidris pusilla.

Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Mew Gull. Larus canus.

Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.

Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto

Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.

Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus.

Willow Flycatcher. Empidonax traillii.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Purple Martin. Progne subis.

Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

House Wren. Troglodytes aedon.

Swainson's Thrush. Catharus ustulatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.

Townsend's Warbler. Dendroica townsendi.

Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

Black-headed Grosbeak. Pheucticus melanocephalus.

Lazuli Bunting. Passerina amoena.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Bullock’s Oriole. Icterus bullockii

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria.

American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.

Streaked Horned Lark egg swap

"Wildlife biologists are employing a little trickery to stop the downward spiral of a rare grassland bird in Western Washington. Friday, biologists are taking eggs from healthier [Streaked Horned] larks in Oregon and swapping them into western Washington nests, hoping the lark mothers don't notice."

Hummingbird video

A lovely, behind the scenes view of the filming of the PBS "Nature" documentary on hummingbirds.

2011 July 16 - Mt. Hood

I recorded 32 species on this trip. Highlights included finding an American Three-Toed Woodpecker nest at the Cooper Spur burn, seeing a diversity of birds at the Cooper Spur Resort, and finding a juvenile Clark's Nutcracker begging from its parent in the Timberline Lodge parking lot.

Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi.

Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.

Sapsucker species

Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus.

American Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides dorsalis.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Olive-sided Flycatcher. Contopus cooperi.

Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus.

Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus.

Gray Jay. Perisoreus canadensis.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Clark's Nutcracker. Nucifraga columbiana.

Common Raven. Corvus corax.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Mountain Chickadee. Poecile gambeli.

Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.

Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.

Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.

Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi.

Swainson's Thrush. Catharus ustulatus.

Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.

Cassin's Finch. Carpodacus cassinii.

Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.

Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.

2011 Summer Term Reading List

From Dan's email....

Please choose one book from this suggested list. Some of this stuff can get pretty heady and out there. I really want to focus on the benefits and importance of nature, being in nature, understanding nature and how it applies to our experiences in birds and birding, if and where it is applicable. Being therapeutic, a basic human need etc. and what happens if we are deprived of it. Be very pragmatic in your descriptions of whatever title you choose, when presenting to class, backed up with facts and examples.

You may choose to work in small groups if you would like. By next class please choose a book and so we may find out who else is reading it. You can still change your mind on Wednesday :) I will check in periodically to see how progress is going.

The Voice of the Earth: An Exploration of Ecopsychology - Theodore Roszak

Nature and the Human Soul: Cultivating Wholeness and Community in a Fragmented World - Bill Plotkin

Soulcraft: Crossing into the Mysteries of Nature and Psyche - Bill Plotkin

Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind - Linda Buzzel

Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth Healing the Mind - Theodore Roszak

Reconnecting with Nature - Michael J. Cohen

Partnering with Nature - Catriona MacGregor


I recommend the following to be read as complimentary to one of the above. Most of the books about animals have a strong focus on domesticated pets.

Beyond Words: Talking with Animals and Nature - Marta Williams

Learning their Language: Intuitive Communication with Animals and Nature - Marta Williams

2011 July 9 - Clackamas County

What a lovely day for our first School of Birding Summer Term field trip! We missed the Black-backed Woodpecker but ended with a Spotted Sandpiper, and we found some wonderful birds and locations. I listed 54 species.
Elizabeth

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.
Barrow's Goldeneye. Bucephala islandica.
Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.
Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.
Osprey. Pandion haliaetus.
Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.
Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularius.
Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi.
Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.
Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.
Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.
Red-naped Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus nuchalis.
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.
Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.
Hammond's Flycatcher. Empidonax hammondii.
Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus.
Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Common Raven. Corvus corax.
Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.
Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.
Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.
Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.
Swainson's Thrush. Catharus ustulatus.
Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
Varied Thrush. Ixoreus naevius.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.
Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.
Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Hermit Warbler. Dendroica occidentalis.
MacGillivray's Warbler. Oporornis tolmiei.
Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.
White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana.
Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.
Cassin's Finch. Carpodacus cassinii.
Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.
Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.

Red Kites in Slow Motion

A beautiful slow motion video of Red Kites.

Spy Crows

The United States military funded research into using networks of 'spy crows' to locate soldiers who are missing in action, and extended the work to see if the birds might be useful in helping them to find Osama bin Laden. The idea may seem far-fetched, but unlike some military research programs (such as the Stargate remote-viewing program) it is actually based on sound science.

Read more

The Epic Lakeview Region Spring Trip!!

Hey all! What a fantastic trip that was! Thanks to Dan, Patti, and Scott for driving us all around. Here's my list for the weekend; 124 in total! Several of them were sighted on I-84 on the way down there Friday morning, such as the Bald Eagle, Hooded Merganser, Osprey, and Glaucous-Winged Gull, as well as on I-5 headed back to town, such as the Great Blue Heron, Western Scrub Jay, and American Crow.

Waterfowl
GWFG Greater White-Fronted Goose Anser albifrons
SNGO Snow Goose Chen caerulescens
TRUS Trumpeter Swan Cygnus buccinator
GADW Gadwall Anas strepera
AMWI American Wigeon Anas americana
MALL Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
CITE Cinnamon Teal Anas cyanoptera
GWTE Green-Wing Teal Anas crecca
NOSH Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
NOPI Northern Pintail Anas acuta
CANV Canvasback Aythya valisineria
REDH Redhead Aythya americana
RNDU Ring-Necked Duck Aythya collaris
LESC Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
BUFF Bufflehead Bucephala albeola
COGO Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
RUDU Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis
Grebes
PBGR Pied-Billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps
HOGR Horned Grebe Podiceps auritus
EAGR Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Cormorants
DCCO Doubled-Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus
Pelicans
AWPE American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhychos
Herons
GBHE Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias
GREG Great Egret Ardea alba
BCNH Black-Crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Vultures
TUVU Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura
Eagles, Hawks, Falcons
OSPR Osprey Pandion haliaetus
BAEA Bald Eagle Haliaetus leucocephalus
NOHA Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus
SWHA Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni
RTHA Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis
FEHA Ferruginous Hawk Bueto regalis
GOEA Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
AMKE American Kestrel Falco sparverius
PRFA Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus
Grouse & Allies
RNPH Ring-Necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus
GSGR Greater Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus
CAQU California Quail Callipepla californica
SORA Sora (heard) Porzana carolina
Cranes
SHCR Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis
Plovers
SEPL Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus
KILL Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Stilts & Avocets
BNST Black-Necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
AMAV American Avocet Recurvirostra americana
Sandpipers & Allies
GRYL Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca
WILL Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
LBCU Long-Billed Curlew Numenius americanus
WISN Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata
SPSA Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia
WESA Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri
DUNL Dunlin Calidris alpina
LBDO Long-Billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus
WIPH Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor
Gulls & Terns
BOGU Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia
GWGU Glaucous-Winged Gull Larus glaucescens
CAGU California Gull Larus californicus
RBGU Ring-Billed Gull Larus delawarensis
CATE Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
FOTE Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
Doves
RODO Rock Dove Columba livia
BTPI Band-Tailed Pigeon Columba fasciata
MODO Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura
ECDO Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
Owls
GHOW Great-Horned Owl Bubo virginianus
SEOW Short-Eared Owl Asio flammeus
Kingfishers
BEKI Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon
Woodpeckers
RBSA Red-Breasted Sapsucker Sphyrapicus ruber
DOWA Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens
HAWO Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus
NOFL Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus
Flycatchers
HAFL Hammond's Flycatcher Empidonax hammondii
WEKI Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis
Shrikes
LOSH Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus
Jays & Crows
STJA Steller's Jay Cyanocitta stelleri
WESJ Western Scrub Jay Aphelocoma californica
PIJA Pinyon Jay Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
BBMA Black-Billed Magpie Pica hudsonia
AMCR American Crow Corvus brachyrynchos
CORA Common Raven Corvus corax
Larks
HOLA Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris
Swallows
TRSW Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
VGSW Violet-Green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
BANS Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
BARS Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
CLSW Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
Chickadees & Titmice
BCCH Black-Capped Chickadee Poecile atricapilla
MOCH Mountain Chickadee Poecile gambelli
Nuthatches
RBNH Red-Breasted Nuthatch Sitta canadensis
PYNH Pygmy Nuthatch Sitta pygmaea
Creepers
BRCR Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Wrens
HOWR House Wren Troglodytes aedon
PAWR Pacific Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
MAWR Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris
Dippers
AMDI American Dipper Cinclus mexicanus
Kinglets
GCKI Golden-Crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa
RCKI Ruby-Crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula
Bluebirds & Thrushes
WEBL Western Bluebird Sialia mexicana
MOBL Mountain Bluebird Sialia currucoides
TOSO Townsend's Solitaire Myadestes townsendi
HETH Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus
AMRO American Robin Turdus migratorius
Mimic Thrushes
SATH Sage Thrasher Oreoscoptes montanus
Starlings
EUST European Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Wood Warblers
OCWA Orange-Crowned Warbler Vermivora celata
YEWA Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia
YRWA Yellow-Rumped Warbler (A&M) Dendroica coronata
WIWA Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla
Sparrows & Allies
VESP Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus
SAVS Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis
FOSP Fox Sparrow Passerella iliaca
SOSP Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia
WCSP White-Crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys
DEJU Dark-Eyed Junco Junco hyemalis
Blackbirds & Allies
RWBB Red-Wing Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus
WEME Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta
YHBB Yellow-Headed Blackbird Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus
BRBB Brewer's Blackbird Euphagus cyanocephalus
BHCO Brown-Headed Cowbird Molothrus ater
Finches & Allies
CAFI Cassin's Finch Carpodacus cassinii
HOFI House Finch Carpodacus mexicanus
AMGO American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis
EVGR Evening Grosbeak Coccothraustes vespertinus
HOSP House Sparrow Passer domesticus

NEXRAD Migration Tracking

Greg Haworth posted this to PortlandAreaBirds and it's just too cool not to share. Check out his Picassa images of bird migration! The image to the left is from Greg's album.

[quote]
New Jersey birder David La Puma, author of the website woodcreeper.com, has been using his local NEXRAD radar access to track migration for a few years. He has a video tutorial on how he does this at the following website: http://vimeo.com/2020985?pg=embed&sec=2020985. So i gave it a go using our local radar.

Here is the image at 7PM last night:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594768261085150866
Nothing much going on except a few scattered clouds over the Cascades.

By 8PM things look a whole lot differently. (Green/blue images are coming towards the radar, yellow/orange going away).
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594768261128486018
Activity is picking up and moving north.

At midnight the birds are in full swing:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594768263198914658

At 5AM the birds are still moving but not as densely:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594768267042305778

And by 6AM they've all taken up shelter ready to forage for the day:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594768268983272130

The following two images are not of velocity but of reflectance -- the darker the blue the higher the density. Here is an image of the regional scene at midnight last night:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594772948293364850
Scattered movement throughout the region, heaviest in the I5 Corridor and Oregon coast and coast range

Here is the activity to the south of us using the Medford radar:
https://picasaweb.google.com/117379188188746532188/2011Migration#5594774893769556722

Anyway, i thought i'd share this pretty cool tool. If you're interested in generating these maps yourself take a look a the tutorial video linked to above.

greg haworth
[end quote]

2011 April 9 - Powell Butte Nature Park (Reunion)

Some 1st and 2nd year students of the School of Birding met at Powell Butte this morning for the monthly 1st year Reunion Field Trip. It was so wonderful to see the graduates again! Our timing coincided with a Ron Escano trip and there was a big crowd so we split off on our own. Highlights included Orange-crowned Warblers, Mountain Bluebirds (!) and seeing an American Kestrel chase a Sharp-Shinned Hawk out of his territory. Other highlights were the Western Meadowlarks, a bedraggled Lincoln's Sparrow, Savannah Sparrows and Hermit Thrushes.

Our total count: 33. I felt pretty smug about that until later in the afternoon when Michael and I ran into two men at Sandy River Delta who were part of Ron's trip and they saw/heard 46 species, including Osprey, Lesser Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe, and the elusive Say's Phoebe. However, I think we did great on our own! :)

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii. (seen after most people left)

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.

Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.

Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.

2011 April 2 - Cooper Mountain

While we didn't see a lot of species, we did count 39 and had an abundance of Hutton's Vireos and Brown Creepers to enjoy, and got to see a displaying Cooper's Hawk and a Townsend's Chipmunk.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.

Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.

Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.

Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.

Hutton's Vireo. Vireo huttoni.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.

Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.

Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Pacific Wren. Troglodytes pacificus.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.

Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana.

Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

Varied Thrush. Ixoreus naevius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.

Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.

Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.

Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.

Marbled Murrelet video

A quick but informative video on the endangered Marbled Murrelet.

CafeGive

Do you do any online shopping? If you shop via the CafeGive website, the Audubon Society of Portland earns a portion! The list of stores is impressive! These are just a few of them. I'm changing my portal for all of my online shopping. Sweet!

REI
Best Buy
Newegg
Dell Small Business & Home
Sephora
iTunes
Eddie Bauer
Borders
Fossil
Gap
Keen
Columbia
Macy's
Overstock
Powell's
Office Depot
Home Depot
Travelocity
Priceline
Nordstrom
The Walking Company