Not so fast Mr. Withgott. Way back when I was just a sprout (1970s), a Yellow
Warbler spent a big chunk of the winter at Crystal Springs Rhododendron
Gardens. I can't remember who found it (maybe one of my parents scouting for
the Portland CBC), but I was among the group that saw the bird on count day. I
think it was the same year we found a Black-throated Gray Warbler in Sellwood
Park.
Dave Irons
Beaverton, OR
________________________________
From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Jay
Withgott <withgott@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 9, 2019 3:07 AM
To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; portland-area-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [obol] Re: NE Portland Yellow and Palm Warblers
Hi all —
Philip’s Yellow Warbler is a very rare find. As far as I can tell, it is the
latest-staying / latest-surviving winter Yellow Warbler ever recorded in Oregon.
One or more of the Esteemed Birding Elders of this listserv will probably chime
in with X number of historical examples now to prove me wrong (please do if
they exist), but from what I can find from a search of eBird and Birds of
Oregon: A General Reference, there are a handful of Nov. and Dec. records of
Yellow Warbler, but no records after January 1st.
In terms of eBird records alone, Philip's is the latest winter Yellow Warbler
record anywhere on the West Coast north of Humboldt Co., California. The very
mild winter thus far in Portland has no doubt contributed to its survival.
However, “our" bird is currently in competition with a Yellow Warbler in
Tacoma, WA, that has been seen this month from 4 Jan. to 7 Jan. — so we’ll have
to see which one survives and is seen the longest! The Sounders-Timbers
rivalry ain’t got nothin’ on this one.
Jay Withgott
Portland
* From: Philip Kline <pgeorgekline@xxxxxxxxx>
* To: OBOL <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
* Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2019 18:21:12 -0800
I refound Colby Neuman's Palm Warbler today just to the north of the Fazio
Landfill along NE Fazio Way and 13th Avenue across the road from the Oak
Harbor Freight Lines building. It was with a flock of 25-30 Yellow-rumpeds
and a surprise glowing adult male YELLOW WARBLER! Just in the nick of time
for Portland CBC count week.
I think Colby mentioned before that weekends may be a better time to visit
this area. The landfill is active with heavy machinery moving piles of
dirt around. There aren't any No Trespassing signs, but I'm not sure how
welcoming the landowners may be to birders, so all the usual warnings
apply. The older weeded-over piles of the landfill were a goldmine of
birding activity this afternoon when the rain ceased. The bramble thickets
on the east side of 13th Avenue to the north (and south of Gertz Road) were
also very active and I later refound the Palm Warbler here. I would not be
surprised if there are more hidden gems lurking in this area.
Good birding,
Philip Kline
