[obol] Ferruginous Hawk back at Melrose Junction

From: Matthew G Hunter <matthewghunter@xxxxxxxxx>
To: umpqabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 20:28:31 -0800

Hi Folks,

I have been watching and hoping, and today the FERRUGINOUS HAWK has
returned to its former hunting area from last winter near Melrose Junction,
just northwest of Roseburg on Garden Valley Rd.  AND IT IS IN BEAUTIFUL
ADULT PLUMAGE!  WOW! Last winter it was an immature. Of course I have no
way of knowing for sure it is the same bird as last year, but I would say
the odds are extremely high.

Unfortunately, its former hunting grounds north of Melrose Rd., across from
Kruse Farms stand, are being turned into a gigantic vineyard. I hope
if/when the vineyard folks begin putting up their support wires, etc., that
this hawk will not injure itself on them.

I actually thought I saw the bird early yesterday morning, but did not have
time to stop. This afternoon, on my way to a client appointment, the bird
was sitting in the small ash or maple on the north side of Melrose Road
just west of Kruse Farms stand, near the guard rails. I stopped well away
from it to take a photo, but it still flew. It went east, across Garden
Valley Blvd. and landed atop a cedar tree about 200 m NE of Melrose
Junction. On this perch it was easily viewed from Darley Drive that goes
east from the junction. Others saw it in this area last year as well.

I hope many of you (locally) can get out to see this beautiful bird.

I have put a couple mediocre distant photos IN WITH several peoples' photos
from last winter so you can look at this bird for both years. Today's
photos are the first two in the set.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewghunter/sets/72157633559268219/

All the Best Birding,

Matt Hunter
Melrose, OR

[obol] Ferruginous Hawk back at Melrose Junction

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