[obol] The Indigo Bunting is Still Singing at Baskett Slough

[Jordan Epstein]

Hi All,
	Yesterday I had to make a trip to Eugene from Portland and birded my
way back along Highway 99.  Incidentally, this is a beautiful way to see the
Willamette Valley and avoid the freeway.  I birded Fern Ridge in
mid-afternoon and saw nothing unusual, but did get a wonderful view of a
young Green Heron and a young American Bittern.  Both were out in the open,
displayed in one of those "frozen" poses.  From there I went to Finley NWR
and explored Cabell Marsh, which I had never seen before.  It was relatively
empty, but I did find a lovely singing Cassin's Finch.  Finally I went to
Baskett Slough, to make my 4th (that's right) attempt to see the Indigo
Bunting.  It was quite late, almost 9:00, and the light was fading fast.  I
heard several buntings singing from different places, but didn't see
anything.  All at once, I saw a bird fly from a cluster of large oaks into
the small scrubby tree about 100 yards east of the trail.  And there it was!
At literally "last call", the Indigo Bunting sang for about four minutes,
then abruptly flew back into the oak grove to the northwest.  If you haven't
seen the bird, it's still worth trying as it's a beautiful young male,
getting bluer all the time.

Jordan Epstein
Southwest Portland
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