[obol] Re: local RBA: WILLET Sauvie Island Sunday

[David Bailey]

Chris,

Glad to be reading reports from Sauvie Island again. It seems like when 
all the Ruff-tailed Sandpipers action at Ridgefield became apparent, no 
one ventured out to Sauvie's Island to comparison shop--perhaps the good 
places all closed on 15 Sept., I don't know since moving to the coast.

Your WILLET sighting is remarkable. There are probably fewer than a 
three previous records for the Multnomah and Columbia Counties combined. 
I know of none myself. Many including me would appreciate your providing 
details and location.  Also, the WILLOW FLYCATCHER is on the late side 
for sure--great birds. Were all the NORTHERN HARRIERS in a close group? 
There used to be an active Fall roost out at the south end of Oak Island.

Keep on birding


*Subject: Sauvie Island 10-1-06*
From: Chris Warren <warrech AT earlham.edu>
Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:04:22 -0700

A few friends and I went to Sauvie Island this morning and had a great time
and picked up some great birds, especially for a quick morning trip.  Here's
a highlight list.  I'm a little shaky on exact locations but I can specify
if people are interested.  There were multitudes of shorebirds that were out
of my grasp due to weak optics and heat distortion.  I would highly suggest
people with better scopes to check out Sturgeon Lake.  My numbers here for
shorebirds don't do the numbers justice.

Sauvie Island
10-1-06
Great Blue Heron ~ 55
Greater White-fronted Goose - 9
Cackling Goose ~ 650
Canada Goose ~ 550
Bald Eagle - 2
Northern Harrier - 12 (tons!)
Peregrine Falcon - 1 (maybe 2)
Sandhill Crane ~ 340
Willet - 1
Calidris sp. ~ 35
Dowitcher sp. ~ 20
Wilson's Snipe - 2 
Willow Flycatcher - 1
Brown Creeper - 7
Winter Wren - 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 5
Cedar Waxwing ~ 45
Fox Sparrow - 1
Golden-crowned Sparrow - 1
White-crowned Sparrow - 1
Purple Finch - 2

Chris Warren