[obol] April Lincoln Co. Bird Notes Received Through 4/30
- From: Range Bayer <range.bayer@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Oregon Birders OnLine <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Lincoln Co. Birding & Nature Observing" <LCBNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 12 May 2013 21:41:48 -0700
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BIRD FIELD NOTES from the April 2013 Sandpiper 34(4)
for Observations Received Through 4/30 by Range Bayer
The Sandpiper is a publication of Yaquina Birders and Naturalists, a
Lincoln County (Oregon) natural history group.
There is room here for only some of the many Lincoln County sightings
posted to Oregon Birders On-Line (OBOL), eBird.org, Lincoln Co.
Birding & Nature Observing (LCBNO), and BirdNotes.net; or emailed,
telephoned, or mailed to me.
If you have any Lincoln County field notes, please share them with
Range (range.bayer@xxxxxxxxx; P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365;
541-265-2965) by the 20th of the month. Bird field notes columns in
the Sandpiper since 1992 are at
http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/bird.htm#recent
Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations (numbers
refer to site numbers in the Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide
http://www.oregoncoastbirding.com/): BEAVER CREEK (#78, in part):
creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park that includes Beaver Creek
State Natural Area (http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_261.php),
BOILER BAY STATE WAYSIDE (#59): about 0.5 mi north of Depoe Bay, HMSC
(#75): OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, IDAHO FLATS: large
embayment just east of the HMSC, LNG TANK: large green Liquefied
Natural Gas tank on the north side of Yaquina Bay about 1.5 miles east
of Yaquina Bay Bridge, ONA BEACH (#77): State Park about 6.6 mi south
of Yaquina Bay bridge along HWY 101 at Beaver Creek, SALLY'S BEND
(#66): large Yaquina Bay embayment east of the LNG tank, SALMON RIVER
ESTUARY (#44 and 45): estuary at north end of Lincoln Co.; the mouth
is in Tillamook Co., WHALE COVE (#61) at Rocky Creek State Wayside
about 3 mi N of Otter Rock and 3 mi S of Depoe Bay along HWY 101, YBSJ
(#71): Yaquina Bay South Jetty (the "Gull Puddle" area on the YBSJ is
about 0.6 mile from Yaquina Bay Bridge), YAQUINA HEAD OUTSTANDING
NATURAL AREA (#65): headland north of Newport (vehicle entrance fee
without a recreation pass such as the Oregon Pacific Coast Passport or
America the Beautiful Passes honored by federal agencies).
THE MONTHLY CHALLENGE
The challenge in last month's Sandpiper was to try to continue
reporting records each month this year for Brown Pelican,
Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Phoebe, and Western Scrub-Jay. It would
have been the first-ever year for Brown Pelicans in an odd-numbered
year and the first-ever year for the other species. Alas, 2 of the 4
species were missed in April, but perhaps not from their absence. We
can become so habituated to seeing birds that we take them for granted
and stop reporting them.
EXTRAORDINARY END-OF-APRIL WATERBIRD MIGRATION
In late April, massive numbers of many waterbirds were moving through
(see species accounts below), and PP commented on 4/27 that this
spring migration has not been normal:
"The density and sustained urgency, with birds compressed into a
relatively early date compared to average peaks, and abnormally
bunched near shore has been unprecedented, at least in the prior 13
years that I have been watching. Normally by the time they reach this
latitude in spring, loons, Bonys [Bonaparte's Gulls], phalaropes among
other species are much more fanned out, both in timing and distance
from shore. Presumably the recent prevailing weather conditions
leading to sustained north winds down the entire West Coast have been
the cause."
GEESE
On 4/7, RL saw some leg-banded BRANT at Idaho Flats. He saw 2 with
red bands (banded at Wrangle Is./Chukotska Peninsula, Russia), two
with green bands (banded at North Slope, Teshekpuk, Alaska), and one
bird with only a metal band. He was just about to get the code of one
of the green bands when an adult Bald Eagle flushed them. Seeing
color leg bands on Brant is difficult, and accurately reading the
codes, especially since they can include symbols, often seems nearly
impossible. A digiscoped camera may help. But RL's observations do
point out that our Brant are not all from the same area.
The high count of Brant inside Yaquina Bay where they winter was a
total of 245 at Sally's Bend and Idaho Flats on 4/13 (RB), with 100 at
the YBSJ on 4/24 (WH). However, the biggest Brant numbers were during
Boiler Bay seawatches by PP or WH with 600-8,000 during 4/13-4/27.
GR. WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and CACKLING GEESE were the geese most seen
in April. Sometimes it was difficult separating the two, since both
were migrating on some of the same days, both could be in the same
flock, and/or they were too distant to see or hear.
16 White-fronts that had been feeding in the Salmon River/Otis area
lingered until at least 4/8 (ME). At 2 AM on 4/19, CP heard many
white-fronts flying over his Toledo home, and that afternoon at about
1:45 PM, he saw thousands flying north as far as he could see to both
the north and south over the Newport Fred Meyer's!
On 4/20, flocks woke up MLl at Logsden, and BLl saw 12-15 huge skeins
of probable white-fronts across the sky in the afternoon. The morning
of 4/20, WH estimated 600 flying north over the YBSJ and minutes later
RB saw presumably the same flock in southwest Newport flying north
about 1/4 mile west of the shoreline of southwest Newport (near
Hallmark Motel). At first, some were close enough that RB could
visually identify them as white-fronts with binoculars. As RB
continued to watch them, they noticeably turned to start flying to the
northwest, farther offshore, and higher. Glancing at a compass at his
location, they seemed to be heading a roughly estimated corrected for
declination 316 degrees (uncorrected 300 degrees) (northwest) after
changing direction. They disappeared out of sight from RB's vantage
point and seemed to be continuing farther offshore. These
white-fronts may have been taking a Great Circle Route to southwest
Alaska that would shorten their migration distance compared to
migrating north and then west along the coastline. Such flights have
also been noticed in the past (e.g., in April and May 1996, RL saw
flocks of white-fronts flying westward out over the ocean at Alsea Bay
and Seal Rocks [FN]). These flights may be more common than our
records indicate because observers have to be along the coastline,
need to watch these flights for long distances, and have a compass to
determine their heading. Additionally, if the geese change direction
after they are far from the observer, estimating the new direction of
the flight with a compass after they have changed direction is
problematic other than they appear to be flying offshore or farther
offshore. But probably the biggest obstacle to seeing and reporting
these possibly Great Circle flights is our mindset that geese migrate
north in spring, so we automatically assume they are flying north and
don't look closely for a deviation from what we take for granted. Too
often, we see only what we expect to see!
This year on 4/23, RL also saw flocks of 60 and 70 white-fronts
passing over his house 3 miles east of Waldport and flying from the SE
to the NW. They were likely passing over the Coast Range via the
Alsea River drainage as has been noted in past years (Spring and fall
migration of geese across the Coast Range of Lincoln Co., Oregon; by
R. Bayer, R. Lowe, and D. Faxon. 1995. Oregon Birds 21[1]:10-12 at
http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/oregon-birds-1995-goose-migration.pdf).
Migrating flocks of white-fronts were also recorded during 4/21-30
(JWe; LO; BLl; RL; PP; and others). At dusk on 4/23 & 25, 2,000-2,500
landed in south Siletz Bay and may have spent the night (MMe fide RL;
PP). On 4/27, WH saw a flock of 180 about 0.5 mile off Boiler Bay
land on the water and remain for about 15 minutes before flying away.
A scattered few flocks of migrating CACKLING GEESE had been recorded
in February and March (FN), and on 4/10, RL saw 160 Aleutian Cackling
Geese passing north over the HMSC. During 4/14-25, many flocks of
migrating Cacklers were spotted near the coastline (PP; WH; RB). On
4/20, hundreds were flying to the north in large skeins across the sky
over the HMSC as illustrated in a short video by LT (fide RL); in a
quick scan of the video, RB estimated about 700-900!
[Image Not Included: Geese migrating over Siletz Bay on April 30.
They do not always migrate in perfect "V" or line. Photo by Dawn
Villaescusa at
http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af261/villaesc/Birds/IMG_5864_1_zps25050256.jpg]
DUCKS-PELICAN
April was a teal month with a hybrid EURASIAN X AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED
TEAL at Siletz Bay on 4/11 (ME); see information at GG's
http://thebirdguide.com/identification/Eurasian_Teal/teal_hybrid.htm),
a pair of BLUE-WINGED TEAL in the YBSJ channel on 4/23 (WH), and a
male CINNAMON TEAL at Boiler Bay on 4/25 (PP).
HARLEQUIN DUCKS were recorded 21 days in March at Yaquina Head (BLM),
and we had many reports in April (m.ob.). The latest was on 4/29 at
Boiler Bay (PP), and our latest LONG-TAILED DUCK was at the YBSJ on
3/29 (TB).
SURF SCOTER and WHITE-WINGED SCOTER northward migration continued
from March through 4/29 (m.ob.).
On 4/28, DG & RP saw a CALIFORNIA QUAIL on the entrance road to South
Beach State Park, and on 4/30, DG discovered a male California Quail
on the road by student housing at HMSC. DG wondered if these were
released or were escapees. It is hard telling because some are
regularly found and are probably locally resident, but the occurrence
of these 2 on roadways in populated areas suggests that they are used
to and perhaps reared by people.
Loon migration along the coast was heavy from 4/14 through at least
4/29. They were mostly PACIFIC LOONS, with many RED-THROATED LOONS,
and some COMMON LOONS (PP; WH; others). During a 10 hr Boiler Bay
seawatch on 4/25, PP estimated 180,000 Pacifics (45,000 in the first
hour), 12,000 Red-throateds, and 500 Commons. PP has an impressive
video clip of part of the 4/25 Pacific Loon flight at Boiler Bay at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BpMdI3w5cU
MMa saw a YELLOW-BILLED LOON at Yaquina Bay on 4/15 (fide HN), and WH
& PP had a CLARK'S GREBE at Boiler Bay on 4/24.
8 of 16 dead birds in March along 4.6 miles of beach north of Ona
Beach were NORTHERN FULMARS (B&SLo, L&VO).
A MANX-type SHEARWATER was at Boiler Bay 4/23 & 25 (PP).
With so many geese migrating north it would have been easy to miss
the DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT migration, especially since they
sometimes appeared mixed with migrating geese (PP). Peak counts were
900-1,000 during Boiler Bay seawatches on 4/23 & 25 (PP). The latest
flock was flying north over the YBSJ on 4/27 (BO & RB).
On the other hand, 90% of 500 BRANDT'S CORMORANTS were flying south
on 4/16 at Boiler Bay (PP), but only about 60% of 2,000 were flying
south on 4/25 there (PP). So their movements were mixed.
We had 14 records of BROWN PELICANS in April (m.ob.). JWi counted 99
on 4/26 during seawatches at Boiler Bay and Whale Cove/Rocky Creek
State Wayside, and this was the only count above 20.
HERON-RAPTORS
In the area near a GREAT BLUE HERON colony near Toledo, CP saw 10 fly
up, circle, and fly in different directions on 4/10, and DF counted 54
fly up in a tight "kettle" on 4/22 that he thought might be a response
to a Bald Eagle. In past years, the first heron eggs hatched around
April 15, so the 4/22 flight may have occurred when there were eggs or
some small young in the nest. In 2005-2007, JL was monitoring a heron
colony in lower Yaquina Bay and saw such flights with up to about 100
herons in mid-March (FN), the timing of which suggests that it may
have been related to courtship. The flights this year are a month
later, which suggests that either courtship is delayed at this colony
or these flights are unrelated to courtship and could be a response to
Bald Eagles which prey on young and adult herons and have caused the
abandonment of heron colonies elsewhere.
There were 4 reports of GREAT EGRETS, with reports of either
singletons or uncounted egrets. We are still waiting for our first
egret nesting record. We had more reports of 1-2 GREEN HERONS (6)
than egrets.
MLl saw a possible NORTHERN GOSHAWK scooting through the Logsden area
on 3/29 (fide BLl). Our last previous report was in 2011 (FN).
There were no April records of RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, so this year
will not be the first with records throughout the year. Their status
during April-July remains unclear, so records are welcome.
On 4/23, WH had "a short but good look at a pale-phase SWAINSON'S
HAWK soaring over Communication Hill" at Yaquina Head. This is only
our 3rd report, with the previous one in January 1993 (FN).
An AMERICAN KESTREL was at YHONA on 3/23 (BLM), in Logsden on 4/3 &5
(BLl), in Toledo on 4/8 (AA & 34 others), and at the HMSC on 4/13 (DI
& SF). Single MERLINS were common with 6 sightings (m.ob.), and PP
tallied a total of 7 flying separately during his 4/25 Boiler Bay
seawatch. PEREGRINE FALCONS were often reported, especially at
Yaquina Head (BLM).
SHOREBIRDS
Departing shorebirds included WILSON'S SNIPE on 3/24 at Fall Creek in
the east County (DH), and ROCK SANDPIPER on 3/28 at Seal Rock (TB).
However, snipe have nested at Lost Prairie in the northeastern part of
the County and may nest at other high elevation marshes.
Some arrivals include WHIMBREL on 3/25 at the YBSJ (KC),
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER on 3/31 at the HMSC (GG), SEMIPALMATED PLOVER on
4/22 at Boiler Bay (PP), and RUDDY TURNSTONE on 4/23 at Boiler Bay
(PP).
On 4/23 at Boiler Bay, PP found 1 AMERICAN AVOCET flying north about
300 yards offshore and our only LONG-BILLED CURLEW. The avocet is
only our 8th record and the first since 2009 (SemiL; FN).
On 4/24, WH discerned an uncommonly reported SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
at the HMSC, which is the first since 2009 (FN).
1-7 MARBLED GODWITS were at Seal Rocks, Yaquina Bay, Boiler Bay, and
south Siletz Bay during 4 days between 4/17-30 (PS & SM; RS; DH, WH;
DV), and 1-16 RED KNOTS passed Boiler Bay during PP's seawatches on
4/22, 23, & 29.
Thousands of mostly WESTERN SANDPIPERS plus many LEAST SANDPIPERS and
DUNLIN were noted passing north during 4/20-28 seawatches (PP; WH).
PP's peak counts of Westerns at Boiler Bay were on 4/22 (50,000), 4/23
(110,000), and 4/24 (200,000).
Hundreds to thousands of DOWITCHERS and RED-NECKED PHALAROPES passed
Boiler Bay during 4/22-4/29 (PP; WH; JWi), with a peak count of 5,000
dowitchers on 4/23 and 150,000 Red-necks on 4/25 (PP). Some were also
recorded at the YBSJ on 4/25 (BLl) and at ponds near the coast or
Devils Lake during 4/25-27 (RM; JP; AW; BB; DS).
The only RED PHALAROPES were 4 at Boiler Bay on 4/26 (JWi).
[Image Not Included: Immature (left with black tail band) and adult
Bonaparte's Gulls at the YBSJ on April 26. Photo by Roy Lowe.]
GULLS-ALCIDS
At Boiler Bay on 4/25, PP detected a SABINE'S GULL and 2 uncommon
FRANKLIN'S GULLS.
The spring migration of BONAPARTE'S GULLS is usually unremarkable,
but it was remarkable this spring! Their numbers first peaked on 4/24
at Yaquina Head with 1,000+ (WH). On 4/25, PP estimated 35,000+
during a 10 hr Boiler Bay seawatch, and his seawatch may have missed
hundreds that were flying north just inland at Newport and Lincoln
City (RB; DV). The last count with more than 35 was of 562 at Whale
Cove/Rocky Creek and Boiler Bay on 4/26 (JWi).
Our only jaeger was a POMARINE JAEGER flying north past Boiler Bay on
4/22 (PP).
A rare THICK-BILLED MURRE passed Boiler Bay on 4/23 (PP). The
previous one was detected in 2008 (FN).
The latest ANCIENT MURRELETS were 34 during a north Depoe Bay
seawatch on 3/21 (JG). 1-4 MARBLED MURRELETS were seen during coastal
seawatches on 5 days in April (PP; WH; JWi).
On 3/21, JG did a 7 hr seawatch at north Depoe Bay and saw a total of
11 PARAKEET AUKLETS with 6 in one flock. On 4/18, ME found and
photographed a dead one at the north end of Lincoln City near Road's
End.
1-2 CASSIN'S AUKLETS were at Boiler Bay on 4/26 & 29 (JWi; PP), and
1-2 TUFTED PUFFINS passed Boiler Bay on 4/20, 22, 23, & 25; with an
uncommon HORNED PUFFIN there on 4/23 (PP).
COCKATIEL-PIPIT
Someone's COCKATIEL appeared to have escaped and was flying around
the USFWS building at the HMSC on 4/23, where it was chased by
swallows when it neared their nesting boxes (RL).
A BURROWING OWL poked out on driftwood logs at a Lincoln City Beach
on 3/28-29 and was photographed (CV fide JD; fide RM).
Our only BARRED OWLS were 1-2 at JL's home between Toledo and Siletz
on 4/17 & 24.
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS lingered near Logsden to 4/21, where at least
one was "pounding on gutters and waking up people" (BLl), and Toledo
on 4/29, where one was noted by CT and 34 others.
SC reported the season's first PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER on 4/20 at
Lincoln City, and a few days later another arrived in Toledo (DG &
RP).
During 3/30-4/18, CP had our only reports of BLACK PHOEBES, with 1-3
in the Toledo area, where they appear to be nesting. So the challenge
continues to have Black Phoebe reports each month this year!
Our chance to get WESTERN SCRUB-JAY records each month of the year
for the first time fluttered away as we had 2 records in late March
(3/27 at Boiler Bay [TB] and 3/29 at SW 10th Street in Newport [CP] ),
but none in April. RB suspects that they are present at a few sites,
but are not being reported. Will we get reports for each month of the
rest of the year?
Spring arrival dates this month for swallows include NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW on 4/2 at the Siletz River (GG), BARN SWALLOW on
4/13 at Ona Beach (LM), CLIFF SWALLOW by 4/18 at Yaquina Head (GK of
BLM), and PURPLE MARTIN on 4/20 at Oregon Coast Aquarium (BLl).
Rough-wings were first noted at their nesting sites along the beach
near Lost Creek south of South Beach on 4/30 (BLo).
2-200 AMERICAN PIPITS flew by Boiler Bay during 4/22-27 (PP; WH), and
JL found 4 at a grassy field near the Toledo Post Office on 4/23.
LONGSPUR-GOLDFINCH
WH first reported an adult male LAPLAND LONGSPUR in breeding plumage
near the base of the first rocky finger west of the Yaquina Bay Bridge
on 4/26, and it was also seen by others that day (RL; KR; FK). It was
missed by many on 4/27, but perhaps the same one was also there on
4/28 & 29 (WH; EH; SR).
Spring arriving warblers include COMMON YELLOWTHROAT on 3/31 at
Beaver Creek (GG; DH), WILSON'S WARBLER on 4/20 at Cape Perpetua (DG)
(and a few days later at Beaver Creek [LO] and Toledo [RJ & 24
others]), MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER at the HMSC on 4/25 (RL), and HERMIT
WARBLER at Toledo on 4/27 (DG & RP).
1-2 CHIPPING SPARROWS were at Gorton Road near the south end of
Lincoln City on 4/7 (D&LF) and in Toledo on 4/18 & 20 (CP, JL).
Our latest WESTERN MEADOWLARK was at the HMSC on 4/3 (DH). The
season's first BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS at Beaver Creek on 3/31 (DH) may
have quickly passed through because the next were near Ona Beach on
4/14 (RC & WN).
2 LESSER GOLDFINCHES were in Waldport on 3/29 (DR) and Nelscott
(Lincoln City) on 4/6 (DV).
[Image Not Included: Right side of an adult male Lapland Longspur by
the YBSJ road on April 26. Photo by Roy Lowe. Note the sprinkled
white (leucistic) feathers on its black throat and breast. These
feathers may form a pattern that we can use to individually identify
this bird. Eric Horvath photographed the left side of an adult male
Lapland in the same area on April 28 that also had some leucistic
feathers amongst the black feathers that may have been the same bird.
But without comparing the pattern of leucistic feathers in photographs
for the same side of the Lapland on April 26 & 28, this is uncertain.
Internet photos show that it does not appear rare for
breeding-plumaged male Laplands to have such leucistic feathers.]
OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Aj Aubert, Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Birding Oregon
(http://birdingoregon.info/), Trent Bray, Bureau of Land Management
staff and volunteers at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (BLM),
Sammi Cadwallader, Ken Chamberlain, Rebecca Cheek, Jack Doyle,
eBird.org (location and observer not accessible in "View and Explore
Data" for "All Observations" but available through "Bar Charts"), Mark
Elliott, Darrel & Laura Faxon, fide ("as reported by" someone other
than the observer), Shawneen Finnegan, Jeff Gilligan, Greg Gillson,
Dawn Grafe, Wayne Hoffman, Deb Holland, Eric Horvath, David Irons,
Rodger Johnson, Gretchen Kazebier, Frank Kolwicz, Janet Lamberson,
Lincoln Co. Birding & Nature Observing (LCBNO)
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LCBNO/), Martha Llewellyn (MLl) & Bob
Llewellyn (BLl), Bob Loeffel (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel (SLo), Roy Lowe,
Rick Mark, Mike Marshall (MMa), Sylvia Maulding, Michael Mefford
(MMe), m.ob. (multiple observers), Lissy Moore, Harry Nehls, Walt
Nelson, Field Notes (FN; Lincoln County records from the Sandpiper
since 1992 are searchable at
http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/bird.htm#recent), Bob Olson, Oregon
Birders On-Line (OBOL; recent postings at
http://birdnews.aba.org/maillist/OR01), Laimons & Vicki Osis, Ram
Papish, Chuck Philo, Jody Picconi, Phil Pickering, Kathy Roberts, Doug
Robinson, Skip Russell, David Schlesinger, SemiL (semimonthly Lincoln
Co. bird records through 1992 for each species at ScholarsArchive@OSU
[http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8070]), Paul Sherrell, Roger Sleeper,
Laura Todd, Conner Tobert, Carol Vanderville, Dawn Villaescusa, Jean
Weakland (JWe), Jay Withgott (JWi), Angie Wright.
--
Range Bayer, Newport, Oregon
Lincoln Co. Bird Information at http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/bird.htm
OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol
Manage your account or unsubscribe: //www.freelists.org/list/obol
Contact moderators: obol-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Other related posts:
- » [obol] April Lincoln Co. Bird Notes Received Through 4/30 - Range Bayer
