[obol] Upper Nestucca Christmas Bird Count Results

[Don Albright]

Hi All,

The 25th Upper Nestucca Christmas Bird Count was carried out yesterday, December 27, under what can only be described as challenging conditions.  Nine people braved the snow in the northern Oregon Coast Range to tally 44 species of birds.  That's down from the 52 species we've recorded in each of the past three years, but considering the weather conditions, it's a perfectly respectable number.

A large percentage of the count circle was inaccessible due to heavy snow on the roads.  Roads were barely passable in the lowest elevations along the Nestucca River on the west edge of the count circle.  Several people battled the elements to gain access to the far southeastern portion of the count circle north of Willamina, where several inches of snow were on the ground.  Snow fell throughout the day, mixed with rain at the very lowest elevations along the Nestucca River.

Some of the notable species found yesterday include:
Common Goldeneye--one female found near the Nestucca River just west of Blaine, Tillamook County by Jack Hurt.  The first record for the species on this count.  
Bufflehead--Two found by Jack Hurt.  Only the second record of the species on this count, and a high number for the count.
Canada Goose--One found by Jack Hurt.  The second record for the count.
Marsh Wren--One found by me near the Nestucca River.  The second record for the count.
Western Scrub-Jay--Two found by Pamela Johnston and Steve Burock along Willamina Creek.  Hard to find on this Coast Range-centered count.
Wilson's Snipe--One along Willamina Creek by Jeff Brubaker and Quinton Nice.  Third record for the count.
Red Crossbills--Quinton Nice and Jeff Brubaker saw 100 along Willamina Creek.
Hermit Thrush--The 14 we recorded wasn't a record number, but it's above average, and that coming on a year when we had far fewer party-hours on the count than usual.  I found them to be present in good numbers along the lower stretches of the Nestucca River Road within the count circle.

Notable misses:
Belted Kingfisher--recorded on 22 of the previous 24 counts.
Bewick's Wren--recorded on 16 of the previous 24 counts.
Pileated Woodpecker--recorded on 9 of the previous 24 counts, but we've come to expect it in recent years.
All Owl species were missed.  A couple of us were able to spend a little time pre-dawn listening for owls, but had no luck.

Thanks to all the count participants:  Jack Hurt, Quinton Nice, Jeff Brubaker, Pamela Johnston, Steve Burock, Linda Fink, John Fink and Rand Rydell.  Thanks also to Joel Geier, who tried, but made the right decision in turning back before getting mired in snow in the depths of the Coast Range.

A complete list of birds found is below.

Don Albright
Newberg, Oregon
donalbri at teleport.com


25th Upper Nestucca Christmas Bird Count Results, December 27, 2007:

Great Blue Heron   2
Canada Goose   1
Bufflehead   2
Mallard   6
Common Goldeneye   1
Hooded Merganser   6
Common Merganser   3
Bald Eagle   2
Red-tailed Hawk   8
American Kestrel   2
Ruffed Grouse   1
Wilson's Snipe   1
Gull species   28
Rock Pigeon   6
Red-breasted Sapsucker   2
Downy Woodpecker   1
Hairy Woodpecker   3
Northern Flicker   10
Hutton's Vireo   1
Gray Jay   13
Steller's Jay   30
Western Scrub-Jay   2
American Crow   13
Common Raven   99
Black-capped Chickadee   20
Chestnut-backed Chickadee   59
Red-breasted Nuthatch   12
Brown Creeper   3
Marsh Wren   1
Winter Wren   50
American Dipper   2
Golden-crowned Kinglet   114
Ruby-crowned Kinglet   10
Hermit Thrush   14
American Robin   15
Varied Thrush   55
European Starling   22
Spotted Towhee   6
Fox Sparrow   12
Song Sparrow   49
Golden-crowned Sparrow   27
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco   179
Red Crossbill   100
Pine Siskin   71
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