Dear Lane Birders,
The past three dawns have been phenomenal for SWAINSON'S THRUSH migrating over
my yard in north Eugene, and probably all over western Oregon. I've been
sitting on the porch starting at about 4:30 to hear a nearly constant stream of
their flight calls, and they continue until after 5:00 or so. I would estimate
maybe anywhere from 5-30 per minute during most of that time, but there were
obvious pulses and lulls. I don't know exactly how frequently an individual
would call, which would help get a more accurate number. There were a few other
call notes that I don't recognize, and I did record at least one Yellow Warbler
in the mix. I have yet to see or hear a Swainson's Thrush in the yard proper
during the day.
Interestingly, the 16th and the 17th had the most Swainson's Thrushes, but
other migrants later during the morning seemed not so numerous. Then this
morning, with a few sprinkles falling pre-dawn there seemed to be fewer
Swainson's Thrushes, but since dawn, there has been a very good movement in the
neighborhood. I've been hearing multiple singing Warbling Vireo, Western
Tanager, or Black-headed Grosbeak almost continuously, and for the first time
I've had multiple individuals of at least four kinds of warblers
(Orange-crowned, Yellow, Wilson's, and MacGillivray's).
A NORTHERN PINTAIL flying south at 7:00 a.m. became yard bird #109, and two
hours later my first BAND-TAILED PIGEON was following the same track to become
#110. The MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER was also a first, just about 10 minutes after
the pigeon. That's 11 new birds in just over two weeks. I suspect the next 10
will come much more slowly, but I'm afraid to go in the house these for fear of
missing a Swainson's Hawk or Black Swift!
Good Birding,
Rich
birdernaturalist@xxxxxx
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Rich Hoyer
Eugene, Oregon
birdernaturalist@xxxxxx
Senior Leader for WINGS
http://wingsbirds.com
my blog: http://birdernaturalist.blogspot.com
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