Hi Folks,
On Thursday, I was working outside in Sutherlin. I've been working at
this location for three weeks now. Black-capped and Chestnut-backed
Chickadees are normal daily or almost daily occurrences as they forage,
calling nearby, not moving much. On Thursday, an obvious, calling MOUNTAIN
CHICKADEE came through, moving rapidly south. The hoarse, drawn-out call
was clearly heard as it quickly moved south at treetop level.
Interestingly, three years ago I had two different individuals come through
my property in Melrose in late September and early October (9/29 and
10/10), and their behavior was the same, moving rapidly south at treetop
level as they called. So fast, in fact, that in all cases, I could not walk
or run fast enough to catch up with them, ... their calls fading in the
distance. These birds were just touching treetops for mere seconds before
taking flight again. I could see the birds very briefly and in flight (gray
chickadee), but that's it.
In 2012, here in Douglas County, we continued to have occasional
sightings through fall and winter, when a few birds "settled down" a bit,
and were no longer traveling. But this rapid travel mode in late Sept/early
Oct is really interesting.
Keep your ears peeled, and put on your running shoes! :-)
Matt Hunter
Melrose
