-------- Forwarded Message --------
From: Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx>
Reply-to: joel.geier@peak.orget>
Subject: Airlie-Albany CBC scouting: Massive Soap Creek turkey flock,
LSNA north trailhead CLOSED
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 2016 16:58:38 -0800
Hi all,
Hope all of you have had a good start to 2016! Our first bird of the new
year was an ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD visiting our feeder at first light. I
forgot to bring the feeder in last night but it seemed to be unfrozen
enough that the hummingbird was able to drink from it.
This afternoon I went out and did a little scouting for Sunday's
Airlie-Albany CBC -- more knocking on doors to ask about access than
birding, but I did run across a few birds.
Along a semi-private side road off of Tampico Rd., after stopping to ask
the family of one of our kids' old classmates about access for that
sector's team, on the way back out I saw a BLACK PHOEBE fly up to a
bush. Probably there are a few others around to be found on count day,
but good to have that one in the bag for count week!
At OSU's Soap Creek Ranch the gate was open so I drove up there hoping
to find someone to ask about access for that team. The on-site ranch
manager wasn't around but I did see a flock of at least 180 WILD TURKEYS
standing around and feeding in the pasture.
At Luckiamute State Natural Area, the resident ranger confirmed that the
North Unit trailhead access (Luckiamute Landing) is CLOSED due to caving
of the Luckiamute River bank right up to the edge of the access road.
As someone with a bit of background in geotechnical engineering, I fully
agree that this is a sensible decision for public safety. If someone
drives their vehicle close enough to the edge, the roadway could give
way underneath them and they'd find themselves floating in what is still
a pretty good current -- or perhaps sinking in what is still deep water.
For several years a plan has been in the works to re-route this access
road. It sounds like that plan will be expedited now that the river is
pushing the agenda. But until that happens, access to this trailhead
will be restricted.
However the good news for Sunday's count is that the weather forecast
looks great, and most other areas should be fully accessible. We could
still use a few more birders for this count. So if you're not already
signed up and would like to join, please contact either Paul Adamus
<adamus7@xxxxxxxxxxx> or me.
Happy birding in the New Year!
Joel
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
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