Hi Leith,
This is a year like no other due to Malheur HQ not being available. The
dynamics at work here are the lack of eyeballs due to no access.
There are good numbers of birds arriving daily with waves of tanagers and
grosbeaks in the last couple of days on the refuge. There have been lots of
flycatchers in the last week and some resident breeders that are making
their usual late showing.
Duncan Everend of the Malheur Field Station and I were talking today and we
both agree it has been a good spring.
On a side note, I have decided not to bird headquarters this year as a show
of solidarity and will continue to do so until all can join me after we
open.
Cheers,
Tim
Given the ratio of detection of rarities to birder talent hours currently
being expressed in Eastern Oregon, are we witnessing a fundamental shift in
the patterns of bird behavior. FYI, it seemed that this was the case on
Skinner's Butte in Eugene this spring - it seemed as if the majority of
migration had passed us by far earlier than usual.
“Each of us is in truth an idea of the Great Gull and an unlimited idea of
freedom.”
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
