I talked to Terry Wahl about the lack of Tropical Ks on Saturday- well that
changed quickly! Terry reported the following birds today from the family
ranch near Cape Blanco:
3- TROPICAL KINGBIRDS
2- CLAY-COLORED SPARROWS
1- late CHIPPING SPARROW
the 2nd ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK of the fall at the ranch
and of course PALM WARBLER
He said he saw a SAY’S PHOEBE yesterday- hard to figure out how many of
these he had had, one or two usually overwinter.
Back in Coos, Robyn and Don Henise refound the Pony Slough TROPICAL
KINGBIRD in same spot as yesterday. They also found Coos 5th BLUE-GRAY
GNATCATCHER at the old Weyco settling pond site at N Spit Coos Bay. The
spit was covered with fog and wind blowing when I got back from woods so
didn’t try to chase my county nemesis bird.
I did see two TVs in Myrtle Point on my way home- looks like birds will
winter in that area again.
For old timers who remember when Tropical Kingbird was a review species
(removed in 2002) we had 6 accepted records in Coos from 2001 and earlier.
This fall’s Pony Slough bird is record #67 for the county- some of which
involved multiple birds- wow! This accounts for birds that stayed around
for a while too so anywho that is 61 records (more actual birds) in the
last 18 years-wowzer!!!!
Tim R
in sunny Coos Bay
