[obol] Lane Coast birds and RN STINT

[Alan Contreras]

Thanks to Daniel Farrar for posting our Red-necked STINT. Observers were me,
Dave Irons, Bill and Zanah Stotz.  Also two ladies from Powell Butte who
were willing to admit that they were neighbors to Chuck Gates, which takes
courage.

The shorebirds were at the Crab Dock Cove, which is what the larger, more
southerly cove is called at the end of the South Jetty Road at Florence.  It
is just before you reach the fishing pier, and has two gravel pullouts,
recently having an asphalt edge added.  Most of the action was at the
extreme southwest corner of the cove where the drainage channel is.

I have five poor photos that support the identification but which are not
completely diagnostic.  In the field we could see the unpalmated feet, which
the photos don't show.  Bill Stotz has some slides that may be better and
will be available later.

We found the bird in a small mixed flock that also included three fairly
bright juvenile Westerns, half a dozen Sanderlings and half a dozen Dunlin.
Also in the area were several bellies, two Marbled Godwits, nine Long-billed
Dowitchers and a very dark, long-billed Red Knot.  This was a
strange-looking thing, reported yesterday under poor light as a Ruff.  I can
see why.  It is unusually colored (dark and slightly brownish) and has a
longer bill than usual, but the tail pattern and other characteristics are
Red Knot.  Thanks to Dave Irons for helping us work on these odd shorebirds.

The stint is slightly but noticeably smaller than the Westerns, similarly
colored, with a smaller, delicately pointed bill and unwebbed feet.  Not a
Little owing to plainer back pattern, head pattern and lack of rufous away
from scapulars.

The stint was not present after about 12:30.  However, birds were moving
around all day owing to a small Peregrine and and even smaller Merlin.

Also at Crab Dock Cove were an adult and imm Ring-billed Gull, uncommon but
regular in mid-fall.

At least 80 BB PLOVERS were using the beach near the s jetty.  A female
HARLEQUIN DUCK was between the jetties, along with a gorgeous
breeding-plumage Common LOON, two HORNED GREBES (first of season), a serious
load of scoters (no blacks), WESTERN GREBE.  The Powell Butte couple found 4
G YELLOWLEGS at the dog pond near the bend in the s. jetty road; we missed
those.

The Dike had only one PECTORAL, quite a few flyover pipits and no
yellowthroats for the first time this fall.  This is about when they
normally leave.

Speaking of leaving, on the way to SWOC tonight I saw over 100 SWIFTS
apparently heading south right at dusk over s. Eugene.  They were fairly
high and not forming any chimney funnels.


-- 
Alan Contreras
EUGENE, OREGON
acontrer at mindspring.com

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we
are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and
servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." - Theodore
Roosevelt, 1918