The 21st Airlie-Albany CBC was conducted last Saturday (Jan. 5). 43 birders
covering 18 sectors together found 121 species, not a record but somewhat
better than average. Of note were a Say's Phoebe, Prairie Falcon, 2 Swamp
Sparrows, Sooty Grouse in 2 sectors, 7 gull species among 600+ gulls nearly
all at Coffin Butte landfill, and 6 owl species.
The 15-mile diameter count circle includes Ankeny refuge, E.E. Wilson
Wildlife Area, Luckiamute State Natural Area, and areas west of the
Willamette River from north Corvallis to almost Monmouth.
Notable species found some years but missed during this year's count were
Green Heron, Northern Shrike, Pine Siskin, Spotted Sandpiper, Canvasback,
and Ring-necked Pheasant. Golden-crowned Sparrow numbers dropped from 934
last year to 549 this. Raptor numbers were up slightly, and numbers of
American Robin and Yellow-rumped Warbler were much higher than last year.
Paul Adamus & Joel Geier (co-compilers)
