Hard to believe we are into late November and it was over 60F and sunny
today. I saw a (Oregon?) swallowtail butterfly heading north on the beach
today at Floras Lake- in late November- wow!
In the AM we did a dog walk at Floras Lake. The highlight was three single
LAPLAND LONGSPURS in different areas. Two flyovers and the last with a
pipit flock on the beach north of the lake that I watched perched out in
the open for quite a while. One Swamp Sparrow. Many Red Crossbills in
parking lot area.
Up Bethel Man in the SW corner of Coos the surprise was practically no
raptors late AM? A couple kestrel and a harrier? No eagles at all? It was
61F up there with no wind. Did find a SAY'S PHOEBE at the quarry, about
the third winter I have found them up there (a barn type area below- this
species is almost always found wintering near Barns in very open, pasture
type habitat on the south coast). It use to be this species was a regular
spring migrant in the county- the only time we would see it. In the last
few years I never see them in the spring (although I look hard) and only
find wintering birds?
One bird that is late because of the dry, nice weather is Ancient
Murrelet. No luck finding one off the sea lion overlook near Cape Arago
where they are normally regular by now. If the forecast is correct, we
should have lots of wintering bird in by the end of the month. Most years
there are reports of Glaucous Gull by now- too nice this year though- soon
though!
A few more days of nice weather, been drying my laundry on the line here
still (!) but for not much longer, get the snow gear ready.
Happy Birding!
Tim R
Coos Bay
