[obol] Brewer's Sparrows (at least seven) and Semipalmated Sandpiper at Fern Ridge

[DAVID IRONS]

This morning before work, I birded the Fisher Unit at Fern Ridge Res.  I 
found a total of seven BREWER'S SPARROWS at four different sites.  The 
middle pond is nearly dried up now with just three small pools remaining.  
Shorebird numbers were generally low.  I saw Semipalmated Plover (1), 
Long-billed Dowitcher (about 25), Greater Yellowlegs (20+), Lesser 
Yellowlegs (2), Western Sandpipers (several juvs), Least Sandpipers, 
Wilson's Snipe (3-4), Wilson's Phalarope (four juvs.) and one juv. 
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.  There is a little mudflat exposed now at Redhead 
Pond.  In the coming weeks this pond should offer the best shorebirding.

I found Brewer's Sparrows at these four sites.  Two immatures were at the 
four-way junction of the dikes at the south end of the middle pond (where 
they have been present for at least two weeks).  I then continued south on 
the main north/south dike to end (where it runs into the southern most 
impoundment, mostly dry just n. of Hwy 126).  I walked east to the gravel 
road that runs north from the Hwy 126 parking area to the south end of 
Fisher Butte.  Walking north on the gravel road I had single Brewer's 
Sparrows at two different sites between the dike intersection and the gate 
at the south end of Fisher Butte.  I walked the trail around the west edge 
of butte all the way to the "scrape".  Just south of the scrape another 
cross-dike comes in from the west.  I had three Brewer's Sparrows together 
at this intersection.

Dave Irons
Eugene, OR

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