*SALEM AUDUBON FIELD TRIP TO ANKENY NATIONAL WILDLIFE*
*WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2019*
*SUMMARY:*
The *Best Birding* on this day of stagnate Willamette Valley weather with
deck of fog above, was at the *END*. So, let me start there:
After starting census at the Pintail Marsh so 11 birders could enjoy
comparison of TRUMPETER and TUNDRA Swan and ducks in beautiful plumage, we
segued to the* Rail Trail (there is no longer signage on Wintel Rd for this
Boardwalk).*
With exception of good looks at the action of PACIFIC WREN and HAIRY
WOODPECKER from the boardwalk on the way in, 8 of us *stationed* at the
very end enjoyed following flurry of activity:
3 VARIED THRUSH - one coming to the muddy wetland pool below the
boardwalk to drink,
1 BLACK PHOEBE - flycatching from the low logs at the same spot of
water and mud,
1 GREAT EGRET - at a more distant wet area feeding with MALLARD at its
feet swirling and stirring up the mud as it was feeding,
1 WILSON'S SNIPE - stationed at the edge of a mud and reed mound
looking towards us,
1 GREATER YELLOWLEGS,
1 BELTED KINGFISHER - about and vocal,
1 PIED-BILLED GREBE,
1 GREAT BLUE HERON,
4 MARSH WREN - in grasses below the boardwalk near the logs and mud,
1 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET - near wet Reed grass and tangle of higher
shrubby trees,
2 PURPLE FINCH - came flying in to perch briefly taking off together
as they had arrived,
1 CALIFORNIA SCRUB JAY - announced the entire 30" or more,
Other serenade vocals included: SPOTTED TOWHEE, PACIFIC WREN, BEWICK'S
WREN, NORTHERN FLICKER, DARK-EYED JUNCO, AMERICAN ROBIN. There was one view
of a male NORTHERN HARRIER.
The area was significant for recent and prolific beaver work with downed
trees and raw wood, that popped. 3 Pacific Tree Frogs were sitting together
on top of floating material just below the rail.
Thanks to photographers Tim Johnson, and C. Quinn took photos. Tim added
his to eBird list including the frogs, Varied Thrush, and Hairy Woodpecker.
See: <https://ebird.org/checklist/S61425845>
*https://ebird.org/checklist/S61425845*
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S61425845>* and *
*https://ebird.org/checklist/S61425739*
<https://ebird.org/checklist/S61425739>*.*
Barbara Dolan
*Total Taxa for both sites were 46:*
9 Greater White-fronted Goose -- (1)
2000 Cackling Goose (minima) -- (1)
8 Canada Goose -- (2)
12 Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) -- (1)
1 Trumpeter Swan -- (1)
10 Tundra Swan -- (1)
2 American Wigeon -- (1)
136 Mallard -- (1)
10 Northern Pintail -- (1)
100 Green-winged Teal -- (1)
2 Hooded Merganser -- (1)
1 Pied-billed Grebe -- (2)
2 Mourning Dove -- (1)
14 Killdeer -- (1)
12 Long-billed Dowitcher -- (1)
2 Wilson's Snipe -- (2)
2 Greater Yellowlegs -- (1),(2)
2 Great Blue Heron -- (1),(2)
4 Great Egret -- (1),(2)
1 Red-tailed Hawk -- (1)
1 Belted Kingfisher -- (2)
4 Downy Woodpecker -- (2)
1 Hairy Woodpecker -- (2)
4 Northern Flicker -- (2)
1 Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) -- (2)
1 Black Phoebe -- (2)
1 California Scrub-Jay -- (2)
2 American Crow -- (2)
1 Common Raven -- (2)
3 Black-capped Chickadee -- (2)
1 Ruby-crowned Kinglet -- (2)
1 White-breasted Nuthatch -- (2)
4 Pacific Wren -- (2)
4 Marsh Wren -- (2)
4 Bewick's Wren -- (2)
3 European Starling -- (2)
3 Varied Thrush -- (2)
7 American Robin -- (2)
2 Purple Finch -- (2)
12 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) -- (2)
3 White-crowned Sparrow -- (1)
1 Golden-crowned Sparrow -- (1)
7 Song Sparrow -- (1),(2)
4 Spotted Towhee -- (2)
1 Red-winged Blackbird -- (1)
125 Brewer's Blackbird -- (1)
*FUTURE SAS EVENTS:*
* The 57th Salem Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and 120th National
Audubon Christmas Bird Count is Saturday, December 14, 2019,
* Count Week begins on Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - Join us on this
date at the next Minto-Brown Island Park Field Trip, gathering at the 3rd
Parking lot, 8:00 AM,
* Sign up for the Salem CBC Workshop for Bird Count Tips and
Techniques Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, Call Tim
Johnson (503) 507-8552.
* Tuesday, November 26, 9:00 - 10:30 AM is Fairview Wetlands SAS
SHORT,
* Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 9:00 -10:30 AM is Cascades Gateway Park
SAS SHORT,
