Forwarding this from Joel.
I heard a Grasshopper Sparrow singing at Meadowlark Prairie last weekend as
well.
Vjera Thompson
Eugene, OR
nemesisquail@xxxxxxxxx
or vireogirl@xxxxxxxxx
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <clearwater@xxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, May 1, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Subject: Fern Ridge WMA Grasshopper Sparrows
To: Vjera Thompson <nemesisquail@xxxxxxxxx>
Hi Vjera,
I thought this might be good to share with the Eugene-area birding list.
Please forward this on if you think it's suitable.
I've been doing some surveys in the Coyote Creek South unit of Fern Ridge
WMA. Most of this is in restricted access areas but this spot can be birded
from roadside:
On the south side of Cantrell Rd., 200 yards west of the intersection with
K.R. Nielsen Rd., there's a gated field approach for an area that ODFW has
been restoring as native wet prairie. Access to the prairie restoration is
restricted due to the sensitive status of the restoration, in its current
stage. However from just outside this gate you can get a good
scope/binoculars view of a shallow vernal pool with muddy edges, perfect
for migrant shorebirds.
This week, flocks of Least Sandpipers and a few Greater Yellowlegs have
regularly been in view from this gate, along with various waterfowl.
Also, several Grasshopper Sparrows have been singing from the dry gumweed
(Grindelia integrifolia) stalks just beyond that pool, 100 to 200 yards out
from the road. There are also many Savannah Sparrows singing in the area,
so you need to listen closely. The Grasshopper Sparrows tend to sing more
frequently in the early morning hours (before 8:30 am, depending on the
weather).
All the best,
Joel
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
