On way home from coast today, stopped at Fords Pond, W of Sutherlin. There
has been a large increase in numbers of some waterfowl species compared to
a couple weeks ago, specifically for:
CACKLING GEESE
AMERICAN WIGEON
GADWALL
RING-NECKED DUCK
As a flock of wigeon flushed I could see a male EURASIAN WIGEON flying away
(first of fall for me). To verify I walked W on the dam to get better light
on the birds that had landed on the water. It took me nearly 15 mins to
find the bird again, but all the while it was occasionally calling, which
brought a smile to my face (I don't get to hear them often).
A PEREGRINE FALCON was shuffling things around at the pond.
The AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was still there.
Fewer yellowlegs and more dowitchers these days. One Pectoral and a few
Least Sandpipers.
Matt Hunter
Melrose
