[obol] May Lincoln Co. Bird Notes During 4/28-5/26
- From: Range Bayer <range.bayer@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Oregon Birders OnLine <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "Lincoln Co. Birding & Nature Observing" <LCBNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 17:29:39 -0700
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BIRD FIELD NOTES from the May 2014 Sandpiper 35(5), published on June 3
for Observations Received During 4/28-5/26 by Range Bayer
The Sandpiper is a publication of Yaquina Birders and Naturalists, a
Lincoln County (Oregon) natural history group.
Lincoln Co. Bird Notes Received during 4/28-5/26- by Range Bayer.
Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to
LINCOLN COUNTY only.
There is room here for only some of the many Lincoln County sightings
posted to Oregon Birders On-Line (OBOL), eBird.org, Lincoln Co.
Birding & Nature Observing (LCBNO), and BirdNotes.net; or emailed,
telephoned, or mailed to me.
If you have any Lincoln County field notes, please share them with
Range (range.bayer@xxxxxxxxx; P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365;
541-265-2965) by the 20th of the month. Bird field notes columns in
the Sandpiper since 1992 are at
http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/bird.htm#recent
Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations (numbers
refer to site numbers in the Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide
http://www.oregoncoastbirding.com/): BEAVER CREEK (#78, in part):
creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park that includes Beaver Creek
State Natural Area (SNA)
(http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_261.php), BOILER BAY STATE
WAYSIDE (#59): about 0.5 mi north of Depoe Bay, ECKMAN LAKE (#84):
lake 2 mi east of Waldport along HWY 34, GRASS MOUNTAIN (E of
Tidewater and NW of Alsea; most [including the top] in Benton Co., but
part of north in Lincoln Co.; http://goo.gl/maps/2RQjB and
http://www.summitpost.org/grass-mountain/225586), HMSC (#75): OSU
Hatfield Marine Science Center, HIDDEN VALLEY: oxbow of Yaquina Bay
with outlets with deteriorating trestles at Boone (west) and Nute
(east) Sloughs near Milepost 9 along north Yaquina Bay Road, IDAHO
FLATS: large embayment just east of the HMSC, McNARY LANE POND/PASTURE
(near red barn) at about Milepost 5 on the north side of HWY 20
between Newport and Toledo, NUTE SLOUGH: freshwater slough at about
mile 9.3 along north Yaquina Bay Road, ONA BEACH STATE PARK (renamed
as Brian Booth State Park in 2013) (#77): State Park about 6.6 mi
south of Yaquina Bay bridge along HWY 101 at Beaver Creek, ROAD'S END
STATE RECREATION SITE (#46): north of Lincoln City, USFWS: US Fish &
Wildlife Service, YBSJ (#71): Yaquina Bay South Jetty, YAQUINA HEAD
OUTSTANDING NATURAL AREA (#65): headland north of Newport (requires
recreation pass or vehicle entrance fee).
WATERFOWL-GREBES
Spring migration continues, and departures include our latest GR.
WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE at Lincoln City on 5/14 (DV) and BRANT at Yachats
on 5/25 (MG).
Flocks of northbound WESTERN CANADA GEESE (Branta canadensis moffitti)
were first reported on 5/13 (RL) and continued through the end of the
reporting period near the coast (DV; PP; RB). These flights occur in
late May and early June and are thought to be molt migrations to the
Columbia River by failed breeders and nonbreeders. Molt migrations of
this subspecies have also been reported inland (e.g.,
http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v097n03/p0296-p0305.pdf).
Molt migration in other waterfowl is also known (scroll down
http://www.ducks.org/conservation/waterfowl-biology/why-waterfowl-migrate/page2
and see p. 94-98 in
http://www.humboldt.edu/wildlife/faculty/black/pdf/O&B90CH5.pdf).
1 COMMON (EURASIAN) TEAL at McNary Lane Pond/Pasture on 3/30 (CP) may
have been the same bird that was there on 5/4 (WHo).
1 CINNAMON TEAL was at Eckman Lake in mid-April, and 4 were there on
5/10 (AH, CH, JS).
The male REDHEAD at McNary Lane Pond/Pasture in late April continued
until 5/13 (m.ob.).
2 CALIFORNIA QUAIL were about 7 miles east of Boiler Bay in a
nonresidential area on 5/8 (JR) and are the first reported since last
October (FN).
1-3 CLARK'S GREBES were at Spanish Head in Lincoln City and Yachats on
5/1 (PP; SMa), at Boiler Bay and the YBSJ on 5/10 (AH, CH, JS; MK),
and off Lincoln City on 5/16 & 21 (DV).
TUBENOSES-IBISES
An ALBATROSS, probably a Black-footed, was seen from shore at Boiler
Bay on 5/9 (PP). Black-footeds were also recorded during a 5/1
pelagic trip (eBird), the 5/18 BGPT (GG & others), and 5/21 Wings
Seabird Cruise (eBird).
During a 5/21 cruise, a rare COOK'S PETREL was about 63 miles off
Newport and during a 5/25 cruise, a rare HAWAIIAN PETREL was about 142
miles off Lincoln City (PL & others [fide SF]). These seem pretty far
offshore to include in Lincoln Co., but they are still assigned to
Oregon and Lincoln Co. by eBird (scroll down
http://help.ebird.org/customer/portal/articles/1375503) states:
"Within eBird, we use a strict closest point of land (CPOL) rule to
assign a country, state, and county to offshore observations that are
within 200 nautical miles of land ..." A history of including county
bird records out to 200 nautical miles can also be viewed by scrolling
down http://www.californiabirds.org/counties.html
A rare ASHY STORM-PETREL was discerned during a 5/1 cruise (JG &
others) and the 5/18 BGPT (GG & others [see photos at
http://www.pbase.com/gregbirder/20140518_newport]). FORK-TAILED
STORM-PETRELS were recorded during a 5/1 pelagic trip (eBird) and 5/18
BGPT (GG & others), and LEACH'S STORM-PETRELS were found during the
5/1 pelagic trip (eBird) and 5/21 Wings Seabird Cruise (eBird).
BROWN PELICANS were reported during 10 days in April at Yaquina Head
(BLM), and there were also many reports in May (m.ob.) with a high
total of 150 during PP's 1.5 hour Boiler Bay seawatch on 5/9.
The 2 BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS reported at Ona Beach State Park on
5/7 (SM) were our first since Nov. 2012 (FN).
On 5/14, RL espied a flock of 21-25 WHITE-FACED IBIS flying north over
HWY 101 towards Yaquina Bay. They circled over the Newport Bayfront
and then headed north. On 5/19, PP saw a flock of 7 unidentified ibis
(presumably White-faced) flying north over Lincoln City. Since 1999,
we also had 1-3 reports of White-faced Ibis each year in May of 2000,
2001, 2006, and 2008 (FN).
RAPTORS-SHOREBIRDS
RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS may be nesting in Hidden Valley between Toledo
and Newport as 1 was watched there on 5/10 (AH, CH, JS) and 5/19 (CP).
A MERLIN was in Depoe Bay on 4/28 (JR), and our latest was at Road's
End in north Lincoln City on 5/2&7 (ME).
PEREGRINE FALCONS are nesting at Yaquina Head for the 3rd consecutive
year. The first chick was noted on 5/17 that appeared to be 1-2 days
old (MM). With this and past information for Yaquina Head (FN),
Peregrine incubation approximately started there during 4/16-19
(2012), 5/13 (2013), and 4/17 (2014) as back-calculated 30 days from
when hatching was first noted (incubation can be 29-32 days); first
hatching was reported on 5/16-19 (2012), 6/12 (2013), and 5/17 (2014);
time of fledging was during 6/26-30 (2012), and 7/18-20 (2013); and
the number of fledglings was 4 (2012) and 2 (2013).
A SORA was at Nute Slough on 5/10 (CH, AH, JS) and north Beaver Creek
on 5/13 (DHo).
A PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER visited South Beach State Park on 4/28 (JB).
TS found a SNOWY PLOVER, now rare in Lincoln Co., at South Beach State
Park on 4/29; it was not relocated.
SOLITARY SANDPIPERS are scarcely reported here in spring or fall,
though this may be a result of low observation effort in their
preferred habitat, so that they are missed. Since 2000, there have
been 1-2 reports only in the Mays of 2004, 2008, and 2013 (FN). This
year, CP discovered 1 at McNary Lane Pond/Pasture on 5/3 and promptly
reported it so that others could also see it, and 1-2 were relocated
there on 5/3, 4, & 10 (RP & DHa; WHo; OH, AH, CH, JS). ME adds that
the highlight of the 5/10 ASLC's field trip was a Solitary in the
wetland across Logan Road from Road's End State Park.
For the 4/28 Shorebird Sister Schools Program field trip to Yaquina
Bay, DHa reports: "We had a wonderful field trip for seventy 4th
graders today. The students were looking for shorebirds and were not
disappointed. We had hundreds of Western Sandpipers swirling over the
heads of the students. Also mixed in were dowitcher sp., Whimbrel,
Dunlin, Least Sandpiper, Black-bellied Plover (in stunning breeding
plumage), and Semipalmated Plover."
RED KNOTS can be scarce, and our only reports were of 1 at D River
Wayside in Lincoln City on 5/5 (CJ) and during the 5/18 BGPT (see
photo at http://www.pbase.com/gregbirder/20140518_newport).
DI found a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER at Idaho Flats on 5/18 (see photos
at
http://www.birdfellow.com/photos/gallery/904-presumed-first-spring-sy-semipalmated-sandpiper-newport-oregon-18-may-2014).
Since 1999, this is only our 10th record--5 during spring and 5 during
fall migration (FN).
TERN-SAPSUCKER
1 COMMON TERN at the HMSC on 5/8 was our only report (SM), and 1-2
SOUTH POLAR SKUAS were appraised during the 5/18 BGPT (GG & others)
and 5/21 Wings Seabird Cruise (eBird).
At least 1 PARASITIC JAEGER was observed during the 5/1 pelagic trip
(eBird), 5/18 BGPT (GG & others), and 5/21 Wings Seabird Cruise
(eBird). A LONG-TAILED JAEGER graced the 5/18 BGPT (GG & others).
1-6 TUFTED PUFFINS were recorded during the 5/1 pelagic trip (eBird),
and at Boiler Bay on 5/3 (AH, CH, MS) and 5/22 (PP).
We had many BARRED OWL reports through the end of the 5/26 reporting
period, with 1 near Siletz (PK), 5 reports 7 miles east of Boiler Bay
(JR), 1 at Hudson Loop between Toledo and Siletz (JL) and another at
north Beaver Creek (DHo).
The first VAUX'S SWIFTS were at Eckman Lake on 5/3 (A &CH, MS).
During the 5/17 YBNFT in Toledo led by DHa, CP said they watched
Vaux's Swifts going up into trees to break off twigs for nesting.
According to http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Vauxs_Swift/lifehistory
their nest is a "Half-cup made of small twigs glued to vertical
surface with the bird's sticky saliva."
2-7 BLACK SWIFTS migrated over Lincoln City on 5/19 (PP) and east of
Devil's Lake on 5/20 (DV).
On 5/6, a male RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER courted a female with drumming
on metal and a dance at Burnt Woods (KG [fide KM]). Another
Red-breasted Sapsucker was at the northwest flank of Grass Mt. on 5/10
(AH, CH, JS).
FLYCATCHERS-KINGLET
Our first OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER was east of Boiler Bay on 5/5 (CA).
BLACK PHOEBE nest building was reported in west Hidden Valley on 4/13
(CP), and singles were reported in Hidden Valley on 5/10 & 11 (AH, CH,
JS; DHo). Another was reported at South Beach State Park on 5/10
(LH).
WESTERN KINGBIRDS are a common spring migrant here near the coast.
One seen and photographed on 5/2 at the HMSC (CJ, DV) is about a week
later than many reports in the past (SemiL).
DF detected a rare RED-EYED VIREO at Thornton Creek between Eddyville
and Toledo on 5/14. He also found our only other record since 1992
there on 5/16/2008 (FN).
The WESTERN SCRUB-JAY at the USFWS building at the HMSC lingered until
at least 4/30 (RCh, RL). Others were also often reported in May in
Newport (PR; eBird), where they appear to be resident in a few
neighborhoods. 1 was also at Cape Perpetua on 5/17 (PO).
During 5/5-6, apparently the same AMERICAN CROW brought food to soak
in a birdbath by the USFWS building at the south HMSC to soak (RL,
DHa). Recognizable food items included a White-crowned Sparrow, small
mammal (vole?), worm, and snake. Remnants were often abandoned in the
bird bath, which made it rather gruesome, so that it needed
refreshing.
After several years' absence at BLl's home near Logsden, CLIFF
SWALLOWS were nesting there on 5/17.
2 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were about 15 mi east of Boiler Bay on 5/5 (CA)
and at north Beaver Cr. on 5/24 (DHo).
A TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was about 12 miles east of Boiler Bay on 5/2
(CA), and SWAINSON'S THRUSHES arrived on 5/10 & 13 at Beaver Creek
(DB; LO). During migration, there are also departures and the latest
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET was at the HMSC on 4/28 (WHe).
[Image Not Included: Pacific Wren fledgling with yellow bill and
lingering few wisps of white feathers on its head (which are barely
visible in this photo at this size) on May 12 at Depoe Bay. Photo ©
by Dawn Villaescusa at
http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/villaesc/media/Birds/2014/IMG_3725_1_zps038b3dae.jpg.html]
PIPIT-EVENING GROSBEAK
AMERICAN PIPITS continued their good spring showing with 1-6 at
Yachats on 4/30 (WHo) and the HMSC on 5/3 (AH, CH, MS).
A LAPLAND LONGSPUR was first found at the YBSJ on 4/25 (WHo), and 1-2
lingered there until 4/28 (WHo; CP; WHe; DHo).
A NASHVILLE WARBLER showed at Road's End on 5/8 (ME), Hidden Valley on
5/10 (AH, CH, JS), and just east of the path into Yachats Commons Park
on 5/18 (DI & DP). In recent years, Nashville Warblers have been rare
in spring in Lincoln County, since we only have 3 spring records (all
in May) of singletons since 1993 in 2003 (2 records) and 2012; there
are also 7 non-spring Lincoln Co. records, including during the
12/29/2012 Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count (FN).
CHIPPING SPARROWS were at Nute Slough on 5/2 (AH, CH) and Eddyville on
5/10 (AH, CH, JS).
Our latest GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW persisted at South Beach State Park
on 5/14 (DB).
Arrivals include BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK on 5/1 at the HMSC and Newport
(DHa; MH) and WESTERN TANAGER in Toledo on 5/1 (RP).
RL spotted an adult HOUSE FINCH feeding a fledgling at the USFWS
feeder at the HMSC on 4/28. This seems early as p. 602 of the Birds
of Oregon: General Reference indicates House Finch fledging starts in
mid-May.
On 5/14 in Newport, BO watched EVENING GROSBEAKS flying out from a
Douglas fir to "hawk" flying carpenter ants. The flying ants were
probably a consequence of it being a very hot day of 88 F in Newport,
which set a record high in May for Newport.
OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Christopher Adlam, Audubon Society of Lincoln City
(ASLC) (http://www.lincolncityaudubon.org/) field trip, David Barber,
Range Bayer, Bird Guide Pelagic Trip out of Newport (BGPT; info about
pelagic trips at http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/), Birding Oregon
(http://birdingoregon.info/), Jeff Boatright, Derek Buchner, Rebecca
Chuck (RCh), BirdNotes.net, Bureau of Land Management staff and
volunteers at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (BLM), eBird.org
(location and observer not accessible in "View and Explore Data" for
"All Observations" but available through "Bar Charts"), Mark Elliott,
Darrel Faxon, fide ("as reported by" someone other than the observer),
Shawneen Finnegan, Kim Garry, Jeff Gilligan, Greg Gillson, Merle
Greenway, Luke Hanes, Oscar Harper, Dawn Harris (DHa), William
Hemstrom (WHe), Adrian Hinkle, Christopher Hinkle, Wayne Hoffman
(WHo), Mary Holbert, Deb Holland (DHo), Dave Irons, Courtney Kelly
Jett (CJ), Penelope Kaczmarek, Marlowe Kissinger, Janet Lamberson,
Paul Lehman, Lincoln Co. Birding & Nature Observing (LCBNO)
(https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/LCBNO/info), Bob Llewellyn (BLl),
Roy Lowe, m.ob. (multiple observers), Shari M. (as given in eBird)
(SM), Sylvia Maulding (SMa), Michael Mefford, Kathy Merrifield, Field
Notes (FN; Lincoln County records from the Sandpiper since 1992 are
searchable in search box at
http://yaquina.info/ybn/bird/bird.htm#recent), Bob Olson, Oregon
Birders On-Line (OBOL; recent postings at
http://birdnews.aba.org/maillist/OR01), Laimons Osis, Pam Otley, Ram
Papish, Diane Pettey, Chuck Philo, Phil Pickering, Paul Reed, Jennifer
Rothe, Mary Lynn Scattaregia (MS), Trent Seager, SemiL (semimonthly
Lincoln Co. bird records through 1992 for each species at
ScholarsArchive@OSU [http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8070]), Jamie Simmons,
Dawn Villaescusa, Yaquina Birders & Naturalists
(http://yaquina.info/ybn/) Field Trip (YBNFT) led by DHa.
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