[obol] Sally's Bend Today

[Cindy Ashy]

I spent some time at Sallys Bend late afternoon. It was sunny, windless and
warm (for Coastal Oregon standards), and the tide was about 3/4 out but coming
in fast.

I was pleased to find 41 Whimbrels dining on the mudflats. There were also
about 60 gulls in the distance but before I could scope them out, a
multi-species hoo-ha broke out. There was serious panic in their voices but I
could never locate what spooked them. About 5 minutes later all 41 of the
Whimbrels returned but only a few gulls came back. Later, 3 Turkey Vultures
circled around and the Whimbrels took off again but came right back and even
though they left it was obvious they weren't as scared as the first time. Some
fishers looking for bait flushed the Killdeer from her nesting area. This bird
was inflamed with wrath and proceeded to read them the riot act. From her
behavior, I'm guessing she has laid a second brood. I was hoping to see junior
but never did.

I was searching the car for something when I heard again panicked bird cries
and as I looked up I saw an accipiter...not sure about the species but I think
it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk. All the birds on the mudflat left in a hurry and I
didn't see it capture anything.

My gulls were looking quite tattered today which made idenitification much more
difficult (and I forgot my guides). I think they were 2nd year going into 3rd
year...definitely pink legged....two-toned beak but a little smudgy,
pinkish/yellowish with a dark tip...."large gull" - larger than
California-sized....definitely not a Western Gull or a Glaucous-winged Gull
(also seemed a little smaller than these)...the neck and chest seemed to have
subtle "spots" but I think this may have been due to molting. Any ideas? One
was following a Whimbrel around, feeding in the area it disturbed but never
attempting to steal from the Whimbrel although it was eyeing the Whimbrel like
it might have attempted to steal had the Whimbrel gotten anything big enough to
make it worth the effort. Another gull (same species I think) was skimming the
surface of the water with an open beak like I've seen terns do.

The most beautiful bird of the day was a male American Goldfinch...his
brilliant yellow breeding plumage was captured in the sunlight and his
pink-grapefruit colored beak was almost glowing. The lighting was so perfect,
he looked like he had been colored with highlight makers....or one of those
techno-colored birds from the Mary Poppins movie. To my delight, he was singing
his little heart out.

Barn Swallows were constantly zipping by and there was a pair of Cowbirds
nearby. A potential male Allen's Hummingbird (see other post) and if not, a
Rufous Hummingbird with a greener than usual crown and back was close by the
entire time.

Cindy Ashy


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