On Saturday morning I decided I wanted to get out of Coos County for the
day so headed south to Jackson County. I arrived at Lower Table Rock around
sunrise- just before getting to the trailhead I saw 10+ Tundra Swans in a
pond in Sam’s Valley (not sure which one). On the lower portion of the
trail in the oaks were around 10 Lewis’s Woodpeckers (they were flying
around a lot so hard to figure exact number). Perched up singing and/or
calling were several Oak Titmice. I heard the chinking of CA Towhees from a
few ceanthos clumps also. In the scab lands up top I saw a single Rock
Wren. Pretty spot with the first gorgeous red fritillaries blooming.
I then drove over to Brophy Road and drove the loop. Saw about 6 trikes
with the blackbird flock which was a few hundred strong and about half
cowbirds. The surprise bird along the loop was a Prairie Falcon which
probably aren’t to hard to find in Jackson.
From there I drove to Lost Lake Reservoir where I saw both goldeneyes, both
scaup, and my first Cliff Swallows of the year. Ruffed Grouse on a back
road along the reservoir also.
I camped in the national forest near Prospect with much snow close by and a
N Pygmy Owl that called much of the night- unusual as they are normally
crepuscular; can’t remember ever hearing one call all night?
Was back to Coos early on Sunday to enjoy the warm weather there and say
hello to the Violet-green Swallows back at our place in Coos Bay.
Merry springtime!
Tim R
Coos Bay
