[obol] Black Oystercatcher success!

[Clare Scifi]

Just wanted to update you all on my recent trip to the Oregon Coast.  As you recall, I was worried I might not be able to see the black oystercatcher, but my fears were in vain.
   
  I arrived at Seal Rock around 8:30 p.m. my first evening, Monday, July 31.  Promptly at sunset, a pair flew in and sat on a black basalt rock near me! They stayed about 5 minutes. I later learned, from the Ranger at Yaquina Head Natural area, that there is a pair that nests there.  He said he hasn't seen any at Yaquina Head lately.
   
  I wasn't able to get a good photo, because it was getting dark, so I hoped to see another oystercatcher in the bright sun.  The next two days, I looked and looked.  No luck.  A worker at Simpson Reef, on Cape Arago, said he'd seen some there the day before, but they weren't showing the day I visited.  A park person said they hang out on Face Rock in Bandon Beach, but I did not see any there.  Has anyone ever seen them there?  It appeared the wrong type of rock for them to frequent?  A really helpful ranger told me to look for black basalt rocks with lots of mussels on them, and that trick worked.  He recommended Bob Creek at low tide for oystercatchers.  Though I saw none there, the tidal pools were fabulous!
   
  But then, on Thursday, August 3, at about 11 a.m., one flew on to a black basalt rock just under Heceta Head lighthouse and posed in the full sun!  What a thrill, and I got pics!!!  The rock this bird perched on is visible if you walk down the dirt trail leading from the sidewalk under the lighthouse that is facing the rock that is directly south of the lighthouse.  The rock is east of that rock.
   
  By the way, I found a camera/binocular lens cap in that area.  If anyone lost one, let me know.
   
  And then at Crater Lake I enjoyed seeing several hermit warblers and possibly a Townsend's, too.  One ranger is planning to do a slide show on birds, under the amphitheater there, in a couple of weeks.  I suggested he start leading bird walks, too.  The Clark's Nutcrackers there are so interesting to watch.  He thought he spotted a Nashville warbler there recently, too.  
   
  Clare

 		
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