[obol] Sedge Wren continues at North Luckiamute Coop Mgmt Area

[Joel Geier]

Hello folks,

I have to be real quick here since our 11-yr-old has a birthday party in
a few minutes, but I was just over at the North Luckiamute Cooperatice
Management Area along Buena Vista Rd., SE Polk Co., in the part behind
the ODFW parcel which will be part of the Luckiamute State Natural Area,
and ...

At about 11:30 AM I saw the SEDGE WREN previously reported by Doug
Robinson. A smaller and more golden-colored bird than Marsh Wren
(including juv. Marsh Wren), very indistinct supercilium, shorter bill,
short-tailed, very furtive, "chep" call different from Marsh Wren (less
burry). I have seen the species in NW Minnesota etc.

Location is near where Doug described. Walk in from the ODFW signboard
along the mowed path that runs straight east (this is the north boundary
of the public land, it is pretty clearly posted all the way), detouring
around puddles as necessary or wading through them if you choose. After
you come to a N-S line of trees extending off to your right (this is the
place to look for the Harris's Sparrow and Red Fox Sparrow), continue
on. 

As you pass a snapped-off ponderosa pine on your left, the mowed trail
forks. Both branches end at the edge of a flooded swale. The Sedge Wren
was in vegetation along the waters edge between the forks. It made a few
short flights toward the south when I tried to sneak in closer for a
photo, and ended up in the blackberry clump by the more southern fork of
the trails.

Also heard one SWAMP SPARROW by the lake farther south, and saw & heard
four TRUMPETER SWANS fly over medium-low. I looked for but did not find
the Red Fox Sparrow or the Harris's Sparrow. It was cold and breezy and
birds were again very flighty, staying down in cover for the most part.

Now off to chaperone 10 kids at the bowling alley....

Good birding,
Joel

--
Joel Geier
joel.geier at peak.org