[obol] Re: Some Coos Birds 12/24/2013
- From: "Wayne Weber" <contopus@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "OBOL2" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 24 Dec 2013 18:10:02 -0800
Tim and Oregon Birders,
Sheesh! I never thought I would hear anyone from Coos County complain about
lack of rain...
I wish I could zip down to Coos County for the PAINTED BUNTING, but it isn't
likely, especially now that the LITTLE BUNTING in McKinleyville, CA has
disappeared. Yes, I was actually considering a quick trip down to Northern
California if the bird had stuck around.
Merry Christmas and best of luck in 2014 to everyone on OBOL!
Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus@xxxxxxxxx
From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Tim Rodenkirk
Sent: December-24-13 2:48 PM
To: OBOL
Subject: [obol] Some Coos Birds 12/24/2013
I was in SW Coos this morning at sunrise. I drove up Bethel Mtn. On the
way up I saw a RUFFED GROUSE in the road. The first raptor I saw up top was
a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Other raptors included about 4 kestrels, a couple
harriers, and a GOLDEN EAGLE, the first one I have seen this year in Coos
(and it is about over). There were also about 75 pipits and a small flock of
W. Bluebirds with some rumps.
I then drove over to the Coquille Valley which is as dry as a bone. Should
be interesting if we don't get much rain before the Coquille Valley CBC on 4
January. Saw 5 Turkey Vultures today. I went to check out the sparrow spot
near Norway and put down more seed. The sparrow I had called a Clay-colored
was briefly seen again. I wish I could get better looks. I m now thinking
it is more likely a CHIPPING SPARROW. We only have a single winter record
of this species in Coos County. Clay-coloreds are more common for sure.
Chipping would be a new bird on the CV CBC though, so I hope I get more and
better looks at it. Too much auto traffic today, the birds were flushed
almost as soon as they returned to the seed. The only other bird of (CBC)
interest was a Lesser Goldfinch near the Coquille boat ramp which I am sure
will be well covered on the CBC.
Gorgeous and sunny on the coast!
Oh, we are on the verge of setting a record in North Bend for the driest
calendar year on record. Rainfall is normally measured by the water year,
which is 1 October through 30 September. We had 50 inches at North Bend
which is low but not super low (average is 63 inches). The CALENDAR year,
since 1 January, is a different story. We have had only 31 inches or so,
and the record low is 39 with no rain in the forecast through about New
Years. Looks like we will smash the old calendar year record (records go
back 102 years).
Merry new bird!
Tim R
Coos Bay
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