Hi all,
Nolan Clements and I had a very successful day in Tillamook County today,
finding basically all of the continuing rarities near the town of Tillamook.
We started the day with the continuing GLAUCOUS GULL at the Fed Ex Depot
near the Tillamook Air Museum. Many Glaucous-winged Gulls and hybrids and a
few Herring Gulls were also present.
On Tone Rd, windy conditions and little activity initially made us
pessimistic. However, passing the house on the north side of the road just
west of the "This Way, That Way..." sign mentioned by Colby Newman (pin in
our eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/pnw/view/checklist/S51652271 ;), we
found a great clump of 40 or 50 White-crowns, eventually yielding the
continuing CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in the grass next to two trucks parked in
the yard. The LARK SPARROW was found by three other birders in the brambles
across from the aforementioned sign shortly later, and gave us brief but
good views.
On Boquist Rd, we initially missed Cattle Egrets, but were quickly
presented with the DICKCISSEL and the HARRIS'S SPARROW at the established
seed patch on an old cement path surrounded by blackberries. Several other
birders were present for good views of both birds.
The RUDDY TURNSTONE was present with a single Black Turnstone on the rocky
shore just south of the parking area at the Bay City Oyster facility,
though it did not appear until we returned from our walk to the end of the
spit. A drake Eurasian Wigeon, many American Wgs, a few Common Goldeneyes,
Pintails, and Buffleheads were off the spit, along with some Common Loons,
Western Grebes, and Surf Scoters.
We then headed south to try our luck with the surprisingly elusive Cattle
Egrets. We had no luck at the base of Boquist, or at Old Latimer or the Air
Museum (we spent some time sifting through blackbirds across 101 from the
Air Museum Rd, including at least 20 Cowbirds). As a last-ditch effort, we
decided to explore Boquist Rd past the seed patch. We ended up at the very
north end of the road, just before a sign that said "private road, no
connection to 101", on a hillside. Down the hill to the west and northwest
was a large flock of Great Egrets and large gulls, which we scanned. Just
as we were about to leave, we noticed the two white spots in the field,
much closer than the main flock. The two CATTLE EGRETS gave us good views.
I then noticed a very small passerine flitting around in a deciduous shrub
ahead on the north slope of the hill. It turned out to be our year PALM
WARBLER. An exciting end to an amazing day.
Thanks to Jimmy Billstine for some advice about finding the birds today.
Best wishes, and good birding,
Caleb Centanni
