We had a Audubon Field trip this morning. The weather forecast scared off
all but 4 people. The weather; however, was pretty nice. We only had one
brief heavy downpour with high winds and thunder and lightning. We took
refuge in our cars and it was over in about 15 minutes. It was windy all
morning though. We birded Charleston and the Empire area of Coos Bay-
highlights:
2- BROWN PELICANS in Charleston, we later saw two fishing in Empire, maybe
the same birds?
1- female BLACK SCOTER in Charleston
9- COMMON GOLDENEYES (all females or immature males; I have not seen an
adult male in the bay in a couple years)
8- EARED GREBES
only one BRANT
Afterwards I came home and it was sunny and balmy out. My wife was working
in the garden and I was even able to cut the grass, trim some hedges, etc.
Felt like spring. One of the neighbors told me that yesterday our
neighborhood RED-SHOULDERED HAWK killed a CALIFORNIA GULL that has been
hanging out across the road from our house. He said that the hawk had a
tough time trying to carry off the gull. I have never heard of a
Red-shouldered taking gulls before. My wife saw it also.
Later in the PM I went out to the end of the North Spit and was able to
find one of the two SNOW BUNTINGS.
Only a few weeks until the plum trees start flowering here and the male
Rufous Hummers come back : )
Merry New Bird!
Tim Rodenkirk
Coos Bay
