I spent yesterday morning at Mary’s Peak looking for the birds that have been
reported there lately.
I successfully found SNOW BUNTINGS, GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHES, MOUNTAIN
BLUEBIRDS and possibly AMERICAN PIPITS. There were two female Mountain
Bluebirds frequenting the parking lot the whole morning. The Snow Buntings
were at the summit. I found a single single Rosy Finch on the gravel road just
before the large turn at the summit and a flock of from 6 - 8 along the same
road about half way through the meadow.
There was a flock of about 10 birds flying over the meadow. I could not get a
good look at them are they flew overhead as they were silhouetted against the
sky. Based on their size and calls, I’m pretty sure they were American Pipets.
While I was thrilled to see these birds, there was very little bird activity.
It took three trips to the summit to find the finches and buntings. I saw no
birds the first walk up there. The second time I saw a Rosy Finch on the way
down. The third time I saw the Snow Buntings at the summit. The flock of
finches was on my way back to my car after the third climb to the summit. I
guess the point is that it seemed at first that I wasn’t going to see any of
the birds (except the bluebirds). It seemed dead. But patience and
perseverance paid off.
Here's some pictures of the sightings:
Mountain Bluebirds -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41389079@N03/49036472822/in/dateposted-public/
Rosy Finch -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41389079@N03/49036480727/in/dateposted-public/ ;
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/41389079@N03/49036480727/in/dateposted-public/>
Snow Bunting -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41389079@N03/49036476882/in/dateposted-public/ ;
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/41389079@N03/49036476882/in/dateposted-public/>
While walking through some conifers, I recorded the following calls;
https://www.dropbox.com/s/trobfd9ajg21zji/Siuslaw%20National%20Forest%202.m4a?dl=0
<https://www.dropbox.com/s/trobfd9ajg21zji/Siuslaw%20National%20Forest%202.m4a?dl=0>.
Its pretty faint, I had to turn my computer volume all the way up to hear it.
I have no idea what it is, though I have been fooled by squirrels in the past.
:-) If anyone recognizes it, let me know.
Thanks,
Rick
Wilsonville
