With eyes to the skies, an ear to the ground and feet in boots here's a
rambling recount of recent sightings from Jackson Bottom, for those interested
-
Ruby-crowned kinglets singing last week.
Mourning doves mating.
Rufous hummingbirds seen as early as 3/5, visiting the prolific blooming red
and white currants in the pollinator garden.
Mason bee nesting stations are up and running with bees emerging from their
cocoons and heading out into a brand new world.
Bald Eagle pair at north end have been observed mating while perched atop their
sentinel tree (2/28); carrying nesting material (grass) from the south end of
the preserve to the north (3/5); on various days over last couple of weeks I've
seen: both birds in the nest, one bird in the nest, one or both birds perched
in sentinel tree but most commonly on my once or twice a day observations - no
birds at all seen near the nest. Which has been perplexing to me but I must
assume they know what they are doing.
Red-shouldered hawk seen from the gazebo at Arbor Roses development on the east
side of the preserve - 1 adult and 1 immature reported to me by Bing Wong on
3/4.
A third hand report of an osprey from late last week but I have not seen one
yet. March 13 was the first osprey sighting in 2015.
Northern harrier adult female seen frequently over Kingfisher Marsh. An adult
male also has been seen.
Trillium blooms adding color to the landscape from the bottom up and a fine
green and yellow haze spreading amongst the willows as they bloom and leaf out.
After river levels of well over 140' for most of December, the Tualatin river
level reached a seasonal low of ~ 124' above mean sea level in early January,
then rose as high as 138' and flooded the entire bottom again for most of
January and February, reached another low of 126' last week of February (making
all trails accessible once again) and has since come up to 133+ feet and is
still rising. Many of the trails at the south end are still accessible but may
not be for long.
Between flooding events Rick Balazs was able to conduct one citizen science
bird survey on 2/16, covering the 9 designated areas on the preserve. 27
common mergansers were seen at the north end (area 6). Great blue herons were
congregating in the herony on the east side. Numbers of ring-necked ducks
waaaay down from December's 1000's to just a handful really. Northern pintails
numbered in the 20 - 50 range at several of the areas. Contact me if you are
interested in being involved in these surveys this coming year.
Steve Engel, Nature Program Supervisor
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve | Parks and Recreation Department
phone 503-681-6283 |fax 503-681-6277
web www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/ParksRec |Twitter @hillsboroparks |Facebook
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