2012 July 28 - Cooper Spur

The highlight of the day had to be the difficult to locate Black-backed Woodpecker that, when finally found, gave us a long look, as well as the Sooty Grouse that unfortunately was seen by only the first car. I counted 39 species on this lovely July day.

Sooty Grouse. Dendragapus fuliginosus.

Photo Copyright Tom Munson

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
Common Nighthawk. Chordeiles minor.
Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.
Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.
Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus.
Black-backed Woodpecker. Picoides arcticus.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.
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.
Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.
Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.
Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.
Mountain Chickadee. Poecile gambeli.
Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.
House Wren. Troglodytes aedon.
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.
Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.
Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.
White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana.
Black-headed Grosbeak. Pheucticus melanocephalus.
Cassin's Finch. Carpodacus cassinii.
Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra.
Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.
Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes vespertinus.

2012 May 19-20 - Bend/Sisters

For our Spring Term overnighter we went to Bend and environs and tallied 117 birds for the Birdathon team "Lager Head Shrikes." Locations included Detroit Lake, Lost Lake, Hatfield Lake, Camp Polk, Metolius River/Camp Sherman, Trout Creek, Millikan Valley, Calliope Crossing, and Cold Springs Campground.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii
Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator.
Gadwall. Anas strepera.
Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera.
Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.
Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.
Canvasback. Aythya valisineria.
Redhead. Aythya americana.
Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis.
Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus histrionicus.
Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.
Barrow's Goldeneye. Bucephala islandica.
Common Merganser. Mergus merganser.
Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis.
California Quail. Callipepla californica
Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.
Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis.
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.
Virginia Rail. Rallus limicola.
Sora. Porzana carolina.
American Coot. Fulica americana.
Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.
Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularius.
Wilson's Phalarope. Phalaropus tricolor.
Red-necked Phalarope. Phalaropus lobatus.
Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.
Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto
Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.
Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi.
Calliope Hummingbird. Stellula calliope.
Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.
Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.
Lewis’s Woodpecker. Melanerpes lewis.
Williamson's Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus thyroideus.
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.
Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.
Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus.
White-headed Woodpecker. Picoides albolarvatus.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.
Olive-sided Flycatcher. Contopus cooperi.
Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus.
Hammond's Flycatcher. Empidonax hammondii.
Gray Flycatcher. Empidonax wrightii.
Ash-throated Flycatcher. Myiarchus cinerascens.
Western Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis.
Cassin’s Vireo. Vireo cassinii
Pinyon Jay. Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus.
Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.
Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.
Black-billed Magpie. Pica hudsonia.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Common Raven. Corvus corax.
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.
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.
White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.
Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmaea.
Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.
House Wren. Troglodytes aedon.
Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.
American Dipper. Cinclus mexicanus.
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.
Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana.
Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.
Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi.
Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
Sage Thrasher. Oreoscoptes montanus.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.
Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Townsend's Warbler. Dendroica townsendi.
Hermit Warbler. Dendroica occidentalis.
MacGillivray's Warbler. Oporornis tolmiei.
Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.
Wilson's Warbler. Wilsonia pusilla.
Green-tailed Towhee. Pipilo chlorurus.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina.
Brewer's Sparrow. Spizella breweri.
Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus.
Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana.
Black-headed Grosbeak. Pheucticus melanocephalus.
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.
American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.
Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes vespertinus.
House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

2012 April 21 - Mt. Tabor

Happy Earth Day folks.

On our field trip to Mt. Tabor yesterday, birding got a lot better when the day finally warmed up from the cold fog in the early morning. Unfortunately we and the expert birders we ran into, including Tom McNamara, were unable to find the Townsend's Solitaire and Hammond's Flycatcher.

I counted 32 species seen and heard. Did we see none of the usuals, like House Sparrow or European Starling?

Highlights were seeing three different nests (the Bushtit and Lesser Goldfinch nests were active), as well as great view of the Black-throated Gray Warbler and Hermit Thrush. Yesterday there was a post on 10,000 Birds about the lovely Hermit Thrush.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.
Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
Band-tailed Pigeon. Patagioenas fasciata.
Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.
Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.
Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.
Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis.
Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.
Pacific Wren. Troglodytes pacificus.
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.
Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.
Black-throated Gray Warbler. Dendroica nigrescens.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.
White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.
House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.
Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.
Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria.
American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.

2012 April 7 - Finley NWR

Killdeer nest at Finley NWR

Today it actually felt like Spring as we birded Finley NWR under a bright, sunny sky. Of note was us nearly parking on top of a Killdeer nest in the gravel at the boardwalk (we put a semi-circle of rocks around the nest in hopes others see the nest before causing harm), and at headquarters seeing a Lewis's Woodpecker on the west side of the Cascades. In all I counted 70 species, including excellent looks at Cinnamon Teal, Horned Lark, a large flock of Greater Yellowlegs and Long-billed Dowitchers, and pairs of Black Phoebes and Rufous Hummingbirds.

Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons.
Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii
Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
American Wigeon. Anas americana.
Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera.
Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.
Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.
Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.
Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.
Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.
Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.
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.
American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.
American Coot. Fulica americana.
Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.
Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.
Long-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus.
Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.
Band-tailed Pigeon. Patagioenas fasciata.
Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.
Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus.
Lewis’s Woodpecker. Melanerpes lewis.
Acorn Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus.
Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.
Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Black Phoebe. Sayornis nigricans.
Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.
Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Common Raven. Corvus corax.
Horned Lark. Eremophila alpestris.
Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor.
Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina.
Cliff Swallow. Petrochelidon pyrrhonota.
Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica.
Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.
Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus.
White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.
Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.
Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.
Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.
Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
American Pipit. Anthus rubescens.
Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas.
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.
Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.
Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.
Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.
House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.
American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis.
House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

2012 March 11 - Finley and Ankeny NWR

While we didn't see the Wrentit, Black Phoebe or Streaked Horned Larks, we did see a Northern Shrike and Merlin on our first stop, flocks of Dunlin flying, and first of the year Tree and Violet-green Swallows and Western Bluebirds for a respectable 56 species on this chilly, rainy day, our last field trip of the Winter term. Spring is just around the corner.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus.

Gadwall. Anas strepera.

American Wigeon. Anas americana.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera.

Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.

Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.

Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.

Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.

Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.

Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis.

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Great Egret. Ardea alba.

Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura.

Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.

Merlin. Falco columbarius.

Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus.

American Coot. Fulica americana.

Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.

Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca.

Dunlin. Calidris alpina.

Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura.

Acorn Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Northern Shrike. Lanius excubitor.

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.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.

Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana.

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.

Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.

Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.

Declining Rainfall is a Major Influence for Migrating Birds

[FYI It'll be interesting to see if Spring Migration is more pronounced this year. ~ Meg Ruby]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/

ScienceDaily (Mar. 30, 2011) — Instinct and the annual increase of daylight hours have long been thought to be the triggers for birds to begin their spring migration. Scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, however, have found that that may not be the case. Researchers have focused on how warming trends in temperate breeding areas disrupt the sensitive ecology of migratory birds. This new research shows that changes in rainfall on the tropical wintering grounds could be equally disruptive.

The team's findings are published in scientific journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B on March 30.

Many of the bird species that breed in the temperate forests, marshes and backyards of North America spend the winter months in the tropics of the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Insects are the primary food for many birds during the winter, and rainfall largely determines the amount of insects available. Climactic warming, however, is causing declining and more variable rainfall cycles in many areas, affecting the availability of insects and delaying when birds leave for their northern breeding grounds. To examine this, the Smithsonian scientists focused on American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla), a member of the warbler family, at a non-breeding site in Jamaica where they conduct long-term studies.

"American redstarts were a perfect species for this study since they defend exclusive territories throughout the non-breeding period until they depart for spring migration and most return back to the same territory the following year," said Pete Marra, research ecologist at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Migratory Bird Center. "These behaviors made it relatively easy to keep track of individual birds over multiple years and document changing spring departures. Each individual was fitted with a unique combination of colored leg bands."

Precipitation in Jamaica is highly seasonal, with consistent rainfall from September to November and a pronounced dry season from January to March. The scientists observed the redstarts in their non-breeding territories for five years during the dry season. They paid special attention to the annual variation in dry season rainfall. The correlation between the amount of insects in a bird's territory and the timing of its departure suggested to the team that annual variation in food availability was an important determining factor in the timing of spring migration. Had the redstarts relied on internal cues alone to schedule their spring departure, they would have all left their winter territories at the same time each year.

"Our results support the idea that environmental conditions on tropical non-breeding areas can influence the departure time for spring migration," said Colin Studds, a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Migratory Bird Center and lead author of the study. "We found that the same birds changed their spring departure from one year to the next in relation to the amount of rainfall and food in March."

During the past 16 years, the dry season in Jamaica has become both increasingly severe and unpredictable, leading to an 11 percent drop in total rainfall during the three-month annual drought. Making the future even more dire, climate models predict not only increased warming on temperate breeding areas but also continued drying in the Caribbean.

A critical question for the scientists is whether this variation in the onset of spring migration carries consequences for the birds. Delaying departure could be beneficial if food resources are low and the individual has not yet stored enough energy to migrate. However, delaying departure could affect arrival time to its breeding territory and result in less time to successfully reproduce. "Because American redstarts return to the same site to breed each year, arriving later may make it harder for them remain to remain in synch with their breeding cycle," Studds said.

2012 February 10 - Steigerwald NWR

We had another weather-obliging day on our field trip, with beautifully sunlit views of Western Meadowlarks, long views of Northern Harriers, Hooded Mergansers, a Pied-billed and Horned Grebe, good looks at Pileated Woodpeckers and a Red-tailed Hawk nest, with a special appearance by a female Mountain Bluebird at the fence along the dike. At Steigerwald we saw 46 species, with an additional three at Capt. William Clark Park.
*Added from Meg's list

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii
Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus.
American Wigeon. Anas americana.
Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.
Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.
Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.
Canvasback. Aythya valisineria.
Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.
Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis.
Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.
Common Goldeneye. Bucephala clangula.
Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.
Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.
*Pied-billed Grebe Podilymbus podiceps.
Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.
Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.
Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.
Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.
American Coot. Fulica americana.
Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.
Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.
Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus.
Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.
Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.
White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.
Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.
Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.
Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.
Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
Orange-crowned Warbler. Oreothlypis celata.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.
Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.
Pine Siskin. Spinus pinus.

Capt. William Clark Park:

Red-necked Grebe. Podiceps grisegena. (seen by Clarice, Mark and Elizabeth)

Red-naped Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus nuchalis. (seen by Clarice)

Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus. (seen by all)

2011 January 21 - Sauvie Island

We started this mostly sunny January day at Mark Greenfield's house with coffee and treats, and a walk around his pond, giving us several birds on the list. Some of the highlights were two perched Peregrine Falcons, a flyover of both Tundra and Trumpeter Swans which gave us an excellent size comparison, several opportunities to see the lovely Sandhill Cranes, a very active group of Lincoln's Sparrows in a blackberry patch, and a flock of Western Meadowlarks perched in trees.

Snow Goose. Chen caerulescens.
Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii
Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator.
Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus.
Eurasian Wigeon. Anas penelope.
American Wigeon. Anas americana.
Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.
Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.
Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.
Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis.
Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.
Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.
Common Merganser. Mergus merganser.
California Quail. Callipepla californica
Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.
Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.
Great Egret. Ardea alba.
Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.
Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.
Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.
Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus.
American Coot. Fulica americana.
Sandhill Crane. Grus canadensis.
Mew Gull. Larus canus.
Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.
Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto
Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus.
Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.
Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.
White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.
Brown Creeper. Certhia americana.
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.
White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia albicollis.
Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.
Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.
Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus.
House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.
Lesser Goldfinch. Spinus psaltria.

National Geographic channel launches birding show

I'm very excited to learn the National Geographic WILD TV network is debuting Aerial Assassins, hosted by James Currie on Friday, January 20, 2012. The new hour-long show delves into the Sonoran Desert to track Harris’s Hawks.

2012 January 14-15 - Ocean Shores, WA

Well, this is going to be a pretty difficult weekend for Dan to top. Most of us got lifers, and some of us got multiples. The weather was interesting with pelting hail, gently falling snow, and dry and sunny conditions.

I listed 70 birds and, as always, if I've left anything out please email me or go ahead and comment on the blog and I'll update the list. Please post photos you took this weekend, or add anything else you want to share about our field trip.

*Additions to the list from Nancy Doty and Meg Ruby bring the total to 75.

Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons.
Emperor Goose. Chen canagica.
Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii
Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus.
American Wigeon. Anas americana.
Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.
Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.
Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.
Greater Scaup. Aythya marila.
King Eider. Somateria spectabilis.
Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata.
White-winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca.
Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.
Common Goldeneye. Bucephala clangula.
Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator.
*Hooded Merganser
Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata.
Common Loon. Gavia immer.
Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus.
Red-necked Grebe. Podiceps grisegena.
Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis.
Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.
Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus.
Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.
Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.
Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.
Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus.
Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii.
Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.
American Kestrel. Falco sparverius.
*Peregrine Falcon (seen by Meg and Jenny on the road)
American Coot. Fulica americana.
Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus.
Long-billed Curlew. Numenius americanus.
Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala.
Surfbird. Aphriza virgata.
Sanderling. Calidris alba.
Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla.
Rock Sandpiper. Calidris ptilocnemis.
Dunlin. Calidris alpina.
Mew Gull. Larus canus.
Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.
*Herring Gull
Western Gull. Larus occidentalis.
Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens.
*Glaucous-winged x Western (Olympic) Gull
Rhinoceros Auklet. Cerorhinca monocerata.
Rock Pigeon. Columba livia.
Eurasian Collared-Dove. Streptopelia decaocto
Snowy Owl. Bubo scandiacus.
Anna's Hummingbird. Calypte anna.
Belted Kingfisher. Megaceryle alcyon.
Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.
Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.
American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos.
Common Raven. Corvus corax.
Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.
Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Poecile rufescens.
Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.
Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.
American Robin. Turdus migratorius.
Varied Thrush. Ixoreus naevius.
European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.
Spotted Towhee. Pipilo maculatus.
Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.
Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.
White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys.
Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.
Dark-eyed Junco. Junco hyemalis.
Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.
*Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.
House Sparrow. Passer domesticus.

Testing to the Limit

From The Animal's Guide to Britain Chris Packham puts a northern goshawk through its paces in the lab.

 

2012 January 7 - Ridgefield, WA

We had a comfortably warm, dry and calm day for our first Winter 2012 term outing. A couple of the memorable moments were getting especially good looks at a Red-breasted Sapsucker, Trumpeter Swans, and a very obliging Red-shouldered Hawk (as well as a coyote). I have a count of 52 species, but it feels like some of the expected birds are missing from the list. Please feel free to add to this post or email me and I'll adjust it.

---------------------------------------

Additions since the first post. Thank you to Nancy Doty and Meg Ruby!

Bushtit

Brown Creeper

Common Merganser

White-crowned Sparrow

Spotted Towhee

Wood Duck

Marsh Wren

---------------------------------------

Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons.

Cackling Goose. Branta hutchinsii

Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.

Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator.

Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus.

Wood Duck. Aix sponsa.

Gadwall. Anas strepera.

American Wigeon. Anas americana.

Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos.

Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera.

Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata.

Northern Pintail. Anas acuta.

Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca.

Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris.

Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.

Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus.

Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis.

Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps.

Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus.

Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias.

Great Egret. Ardea alba.

Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus.

Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus.

Red-shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus.

Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis.

Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus.

American Coot. Fulica americana.

Sandhill Crane. Grus canadensis.

Long-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus.

Wilson’s Snipe. Gallinago delicata.

Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis.

Herring Gull. Larus argentatus.

Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber.

Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus.

Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri.

Western Scrub-Jay. Aphelocoma californica.

Black-capped Chickadee. Poecile atricapillus.

White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis.

Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii.

Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula.

American Robin. Turdus migratorius.

European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris.

Yellow-rumped Warbler. Dendroica coronata.

Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca.

Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia.

Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii.

Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla.

Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus.

Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta.

Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus.

House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus.