[obol] Coastal Lincoln Co. sightings - 7/16

[WALTER NELSON]

Yesterday afternoon (7/16) a flock of 5 RAVENS flew north over our yard,
presumably a family group since a yelling juvenile was bringing up the rear
of the procession.  I've heard the juveniles in nearby treetops for the past
2 weeks but this was the first sighting.  It's a good day if I see even one
Raven locally, so this was a notable high count as well as the first visual
confirmation of nearby breeding.  The local Crows were clearly unhappy about
the Ravens' presence, but did not attack.  Possibly they felt outnumbered.

 

Also yesterday afternoon the local Starlings alerted me to the presence of a
juvenile SHARP-SHINNED HAWK soaring southward just east of the ocean bluff.

 

Yesterday morning a juvenile MOURNING DOVE visited our feeder.  Over the
past 8 years visits by this species have increased from annual to occasional
to semi-regular, but this was the first juvenile we have noted.

 

Finally, if coastal visitors are interested in seeing MARBLED MURRELETS on
their dawn flights to nesting areas, now is the time and Cape Perpetua
Scenic area is the place.  All that is required is to haul oneself out of
bed in time to be at the Cape Creek Campground by 5 AM.  Drive to the end of
the campground road, park, get out of the car and look up at the sky.  (Even
easier would be to camp there and go outside at first light.)  Murrelets can
be seen flying above treetop level as they circle or commute between nest
trees and ocean.  Yesterday the show began about 5:15 AM and was over by 6
AM.  We saw about 20 birds flying in ones and twos, though some may be have
been seen multiple times as there was a lot of circling flight.  Despite
quiet conditions we did not hear any vocalizations, which possibly indicates
the nest trees are nearby.

______________________

Rebecca Cheek
Hwy 101 six miles south of Newport



 

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