*SAS Minto-Brown Island City Park Scouting Report*
*Jan 30, 2017*
* Comments: *
Fred and myself followed the walk from parking lot to the bridge; beyond to
the west side of the oxbow with easy-to-go-dryness on the soft trail; then
dropping to the asphalt walk to Homestead; then view of oxbow on the south
side. Unfortunately, we were unable to top the bird species that Fred had
on his Cascade SHORT. We tried hard. Beginning temperature was 41° with a
final temperature of 48°. Cloudy with no wind. Winter day of Scouting with
notable lack of activity - no mixed flocks - no groups of sparrows.
There's not much food around that is apparent under fruit trees with apples
pretty smashed into the soil and not many berries or hips. Mileage walked
was 3.0 minus any backtrack. Extra time to the river only yielded the
Kingfisher and a Great Blue Heron at the nest colony site. Still no
sparrows in parking lot area of berries which we found as a general
condition on our walk. We made much effort in attempting to bring up a
Townsend Warbler, we looked hard for an owl shape in the woods. We were
disappointed by no crowned sparrow and no thrush specie. *We were delighted
by the Hutton's Vireo* that came into our call at about 5 feet for
excellent looks. This walk is preparation for this coming *Thursday,
February 2* which has forecast of fickle weather with either rain or snow
or none of the above. Join us if you can. Barbara Dolan
*Today: *
* 33 species (+1 other taxa)*
Cackling Goose (minima) (Branta hutchinsii minima) 195
Canada Goose (moffitti/maxima) (Branta canadensis moffitti/maxima) 34
Canada Goose (occidentalis/fulva) (Branta canadensis occidentalis/fulva) 4
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 2 - view from Homestead Rd walk
American Wigeon (Anas americana) 23
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 55
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 2 A nice find in back waters off
Homestead Rd with the single Green-winged Teal, and WODU. Still in eclipse
or coming into male plumage. Large wide bills.
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 1
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 8
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3 1 adult perched high in the heron
colony nest site of the last couple of years. Close by and below a large
nest, and noted there are 5 nests - some could be from last year.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 1
Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) 1 Vocal and active on the river.
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 2
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni) 1 As can be the experience less wing
action than a ruby crowned Kinglet. No rectangular mark at the wing bar.
Had a very soft appearance. Inquisitive. Could see the bill nicely it's
structure of having a thick neck to body feature.
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) 19
California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 3
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 7
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) 27
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) 5
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) 3
Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus) 6
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) 2
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 8
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 47
Fox Sparrow (Sooty) (Passerella iliaca [unalaschcensis Group]) 2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group]) 3
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 9
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 9
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 4
View this checklist online at
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34053607
Barbara Dolan and Fred Stephens
*Upcoming Salem Audubon Events Include: *
* * This coming Thursday is the Minto-Brown Field Trip, 8:00 AM*
* * On Sun Feb 12, Tim Johnson leads a trip to Ridgefield WLR Plan to
meet and carpool at 25th and Mission at Jack-in-the-Box*
* * There is a Feb 16-20th trip to Winter Wings, in Klamath Falls Call
Barbara Dolan for information*
* * There is a SHORT Minto-Brown walk on Feb, 23 9:00-10:30 AM. Barbara
Dolan leads*
* * Chapter Night led by Stephanie Hazen is on Feb 23, doors open 6:30
PM at Loucks Auditorium. Steve Shunk presents on Woodpeckers and there is a
chance to see his new book*
* * A Raptor I.D. class is presented by Mike Unger at ODFW in
Salem, on Sat, Feb 25th, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM - cost $10.00*
* * Ankeny WLR Field Trip is on Feb 26 at 8:00 AM at Ankeny Hill
Overlook.*
* * A day trip to Neskowin led by Ken Chamberlain, OBA Field Trip
Coordinator on Feb 28th. Meet at 25th and Mission at Jack-in the Box
Parking at 7:00 AM, to then carpool and leave for this Coastal community
walk, including some beach. Contact Barbara Dolan for details and sign up
at 971-338-8817 <(971)%20338-8817> or email at barbarabird.dolan@xxxxxxxxx
<barbarabird.dolan@xxxxxxxxx>.*
*Note: our field trips and walks have no fee. *
