I managed to get out of the house and bird Eugene a couple of times this
week. Skinner Butte on Wednesday was about what one would expect in late
March: evidence of movement, but nothing really exciting yet. I had a
single OC WARBLER and a single TOWNSEND's. Lots more RC KINGLETS than
usual, with at least one singing.
Delta Ponds later that morning was shockingly devoid of waterfowl. Aside
from the requisite Canada Geese and Mallards, I had a dozen or so COOT and
a single BUFFLEHEAD. And that was it. The swallow contingent appeared to be
a mix of VG and TREE. Also had a couple of PURPLE FINCHES feeding in the
bigleaf maples along Goodpasture Island Rd (seems like there's been a lot
of them around this winter).
I birded Fern Ridge in the rain yesterday morning. Cold and uncomfortable,
but the birding was decent. An RC KINGLET was singing in the rain next to
the Royal Ave. parking lot. I heard a dozen or so MARSH WRENS along the
path to the viewing platform. In terms of waterfowl, there were at least 70
RUDDYS, maybe 20-ish BUFFLEHEAD, a handful of RING-NECKS, along with small
numbers of SHOVELERS, PB GREBES, and DC CORMORANTS. Roughly 30 swallows
were present, and most appeared to be TREE.
Neilsen Rd. had no Shrike or interesting raptors, but was worth the visit.
I had a few PINTAIL inside one of the large flocks of Canada Geese that
seem omnipresent in the flooded fields. There were at least a few LINCOLN'S
SPARROWS (probably many more) in the tall grass along the side of the road.
When the sun finally poked its head out, a single MEADOWLARK was singing
from the top of a tree near the viewing platform.
At home, I've continued to hear RUFOUS HUMMERS buzzing around the yard,
though they don't seem interested in my nectar feeders for some reason. I
continue to host a few PURPLE FINCHES and had my first-of-the-season
EVENING GROSBEAK this morning. (They feed in the neighbor's silver maples
at this time of the year.)
Brandon
Eugene
