[obol] May Lincoln Co. Bird Notes Received Through 5/31
Range Bayer
rbayer at orednet.org
Sat Jun 16 21:49:42 PDT 2007
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BIRD FIELD NOTES from the May 2007 Sandpiper 28(5)
for Observations Received Through May 31 by Range Bayer
The Sandpiper is a publication of Yaquina Birders and Naturalists, a
Lincoln County (Oregon) natural history group.
Comments in this column about abundance or seasonality refer to
LINCOLN COUNTY only. If you have any Lincoln County field notes, please
share them with Range (rbayer at orednet.org; P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR
97365; 541-265-2965) by the 20th of the month. Bird field notes columns in
the Sandpiper since 1992 are at
http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#recent (all lower case
letters).
Many Lincoln Co. sites are in the Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide
(http://www.oregoncoastbirding.com/).
Abbreviations, terms, and some Lincoln Co. site locations: BEAVER
CREEK: creek flowing through Ona Beach State Park, BOILER BAY: State
Wayside about 0.5 mi north of Depoe Bay, ECKMAN LAKE: lake 2 mi east of
Waldport along HWY 34, HMSC: OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center, IDAHO
FLATS: large embayment just east of HMSC, LNG TANK: large green Liquefied
Natural Gas tank on the north side of Yaquina Bay about 1.5 miles east of
Yaquina Bay Bridge, ONA BEACH: State Park about 6.6 mi south of Yaquina Bay
bridge along HWY 101 at Beaver Creek, SALLY'S BEND: large Yaquina Bay
embayment east of the LNG tank, THIEL CREEK: creek about 3.5 mi south of
Yaquina Bay bridge, THORNTON CREEK: about midway between Toledo and
Eddyville along HWY 20, YBSJ: Yaquina Bay South Jetty.
NORTH AMERICAN MIGRATION COUNT (NAMC)
New Lincoln County NAMC Compiler JWs did not receive information
about the NAMC until May 7. So the announcement was late for the May 12
and 13 NAMC, the dates given on the East Cascades Bird Conservancy's web
site (www.ecbcbirds.org/Projects/NAMC/tabid/69/Default.aspx). Fortunately,
on May 12, there were previously scheduled field trips at Yaquina Head
(Bonding with Birds organized by CA and a Yaquina Birders & Naturalists
field trip for International Migratory Bird Day [IMBD]) and Lincoln City
Audubon had three IMBD field trips in the Lincoln City area. In addition,
16 individuals contributed observations for one or both days.
Compiler JWs's email on 5/20 indicates a total of 116 species were
reported for Lincoln County for both days. 105 species on May 12 and 84
species on May 13. Unfortunately, many species were missed. The Coos
County NAMC recorded 140 species.
Highlights: Merlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Tufted Puffin, and
Eurasian Collared-Dove.
UPDATED LINCOLN CO. BIRD WEB PAGE
The Lincoln Co. bird web page has been updated! It is at
http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm (must use all lower case
letters). See it for links to Lincoln Co. bird information, including
information about wildlife rehabilitation and dealing with conflicts with
wildlife. Check it out!
WESTERN CANADA GEESE
On 5/15, the USFWS' RL wrote: "Migration of Canada/Cackling geese
that nest in Alaska and Canada is now complete. Small numbers of White-
fronts and Brant are still moving north. Beginning about now and
continuing into early June we have been documenting northbound movement of
"local" western Canada Geese. We believe this is a movement of nonbreeding
or failed breeding birds heading north to a molting area, which is likely
the lower Columbia River. Local breeders now have young or are still
incubating and they end up molting with their broods. We began documenting
this in 1994. Last year we obtained the earliest observation date (May 11)
and the latest (June 5). I would appreciate it if you would all record any
observations of these birds and report them to me (Roy_Lowe at fws.gov).
Please report the date, location direction (we have 1 or 2 observation of
birds going south), number of birds, observer and any notes including time.
You don't really need to know subspecies because all of the others are gone
now and these are the big honkers."
This year BB saw the first flights of Westerns over Yachats on 5/13,
and she also had the latest report I am aware of on 5/29. RL has received
over 100 reports and welcomes more.
Western Canada Geese goslings were seen with parents in Yaquina Bay
across from the Toledo boat ramp, downstream of Toledo, on 5/15 (SK)
OTHER GEESE-CORMORANT
Flocks of GR. WHITE-FRONTED GEESE flying north continued to be often
seen in early May (many observers), and much less often in late May with
the last report on 5/28 at Boiler Bay (WH).
A rare ROSS'S GOOSE flew north with Aleutian CACKLING GEESE past
Boiler Bay on 4/29 (PP). This is only our second record. PP also had the
first when he detected one flying with Aleutians past Boiler Bay on
4/20/2000 (SemiL, FN).
A pair of GREEN-WINGED TEAL dabbled in the shallows of north Seal
Rocks on 5/8 (KB). They are normally at freshwater, but sometimes alight
along the coast during migration.
HARLEQUIN DUCKS continued at Yaquina Head in early and late April
(BLM), and EM & SN counted 8 along the YBSJ on 5/27.
MOUNTAIN QUAIL appeared at Yaquina Head on 4/25 and continued until
at least 4/29 (BLM).
2 CALIFORNIA QUAIL intermittently visited L & JM's home east of
Sally's Bend from late August through 4/10. That is the longest period
that they have been reported here. California Quail were also found at
Yaquina Head on 4/4 and 4/10 (BLM). The last week of May, DF "saw a covey
of California Quail near the 10 mile marker on the Nashville-Eddyville
highway in eastern Lincoln County, and was informed by local residents that
they are common there."
PP's Boiler Bay seawatches showed high numbers of mostly PACIFIC
LOONS migrating north during May as well as many RED-THROATED LOONS with
fewer COMMON LOONS.
PP detected a rare MANX SHEARWATER during his Boiler Bay seawatch on
5/9.
5 dead NORTHERN FULMARS were counted along 4.6 miles of beach north
of Ona Beach in April (B and SLo, L and VO). This is a bit more than
usual.
[Image Not Included: Kitty Brigham's May 12 photo of two flocks of Brown
Pelicans flying north over the shore edge past Seal Rocks.]
BROWN PELICANS were frequently reported along the open coast in May,
but our only report inside a bay was by JWk for Alsea Bay on 5/19. The
most pelicans tallied were 85 at Boiler Bay on 5/11 & 26 (PP).
Looking similar to geese, DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS also migrate
north along the coast in spring, and our latest reports were of flocks
during 5/16-28 (RC; BB, SaL, CT; WH).
GREAT BLUE HERONS AT YAQUINA BAY
"Squawker," the continuously squawking GREAT BLUE HERON had not been
heard since last Dec. 27. But JL heard and saw it at the HMSC at 8:15 PM
on 5/12 and it landed in a spruce tree along the HMSC Nature Trail on 5/16.
JL notes that it is in adult plumage but has one flight feather missing
from the right wing.
RB's counts of Great Blue Herons at embayments of Yaquina Bay
revealed a sudden abrupt increase (see graph below). From late Dec.
through May 9, 27-34 herons were counted, then the number about doubled to
62 on May 22!
What caused this change?
Some young birds hatched this year such as European Starlings are
already out and about. But herons are not starlings. With good light and
a 45X magnification, RB determined that all 62 had white "caps," but
juveniles have dark caps. So the increase was not from an influx of
juveniles.
The influx could also be caused by nearby herons going to the estuary
embayments to feed. But RB has not found enough nearby herons to account
for this increase.
This influx is not something new. RB expected it, and that is one
reason why a column about GBH numbers started in the March Sandpiper. With
frequent enough censuses it shows each year.
The explanation that RB favors is that although herons can be found
here throughout the year, a sizable portion of the population, perhaps
about 50%, migrates. Such partial migration is known in other birds, but
is difficult to discern if we are only sensitive to the possibility of
migration when 100% of the population comes or goes.
If the influx represents emigrating herons, did they arrive at
Yaquina embayments between May 9 and May 22 as indicated by counts?
Censuses of feeding areas tell us nothing about what is going on at nesting
areas. In past years, the first hatched Great Blue Heron eggs hatched here
on about April 15--since incubation takes about 27 days, the first eggs
were laid about March 19. During incubation and for 3-4 weeks after
hatched, at least one adult would be present at the nest throughout the day
to incubate or brood the young. If young first hatched about April 15,
both parents could be out at feeding areas at about May 15. So the May 22
increase could represent when both parents from at least some nests are out
together feeding at embayments.
The breeding phenology of at least one parent incubating or brooding
at the nest, also points out another problem with the theory of no
migration here that one may assume by the apparently stable numbers from
Late Dec.-May 9. If there was no emigration, why didn't the numbers of
herons decline by about half during late March-May 9?
Censuses of feeding areas are useful but can be misinterpreted
without knowledge of where birds are when they are not feeding.
If 62 adults have already been counted, what will the peak number be?
Stay tuned!
Great Blue Herons Within 1 Hour of Predicted Low Tides Less Than +0.5 ft at
Yaquina Bay Embayments (Idaho Flats, Sally's Bend, and mudflats south of
Sally's Bend)
70-
60- X
50- X
40- X
30-X X XXX XXX X
20-X X XXX XXX X
10-X X XXX XXX X
0 '|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|
Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov
GREAT EGRET-SORA
1-3 GREAT EGRETS foraged at Idaho Flats until at least 5/27 (JL; RB),
and at least 1 was at Alsea Bay on 5/12 (WH). But there is no indication
that they may have tried nesting.
Ever wonder what OSPREY are hunting for near the surf? TM saw an
Osprey pulling up a redtail surfperch (Amphisticus rhodoterus) near Nye
Beach on 5/18 (http://home.teleport.com/~tmorse/Images/Osprey_4348.jpg).
An Osprey surprised drivers on the Yaquina Bay Bridge, when it flew over
cars on 5/17 (KS).
As reported last month, one adult BALD EAGLE hit a power line in
South Beach and was electrocuted. This prompted concerns about its mate.
But perhaps it has already found another partner as JL noted 2 adults
within 20 feet of each other at Idaho Flats on 4/30. The morning of 5/9,
JL reports: "One pair of eagles was wading together in thigh-deep water in
Wecoma Cove (the embayment just off the HMSC public parking area). The
other pair copulated at Idaho Flats off the east side of the HMSC nature
trail adjacent to the EPA building. When I saw the second pair, I went
back to check on the first pair, and they were still there, so there
definitely were two pairs."
A WHITE-TAILED KITE was at Three Rocks Road in north Lincoln County
on 5/7 (PP) and at Idaho Flats on 5/20 (RB).
After having no MERLIN reports in February-March, singletons were
found starting on 4/20 as reported in last month's field notes and
continued with singletons on 4/29 at Beachside State Park south of Waldport
(DT) and on 5/12 at Yaquina Head (RL) and at Siletz Bay during an Audubon
Society field trip led by DD.
Single PEREGRINE FALCONS were noted along at several coastal
locations on 5/17 (BB, SaL, & CT), 5/18 (DS & DD), 5/28 (WH), and 5/31
(LO). On the other hand, HS notes that he has been living near the Newport
Bayfront for four years, and this is the first spring that a Peregrine has
not regularly been here--they disappeared about the same time that a pair
of Bald Eagles arrived and started hanging out along the breakwater.
Departures include AMERICAN COOT at Eckman Lake on 5/5 (JWk).
Probably nesting was a SORA at Three Rocks Road in north Lincoln County on
5/7 (PP).
SHOREBIRD PASSAGE AT BOILER BAY
PP's Estimated Average Shorebirds/Minute Passing Boiler Bay during 45-225
Minute Morning Seawatches
225- WESTERN SANDPIPER X
B 200- X
i 175- X
r 150- X
d 125- X
s 100- XX X
/ 75- XX X
m 50- X XX X X
i 25- XXXX X XX
n 0- X X XXXX X XXX X
|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''
10 13 16 19 22 25 28 1 3 6 9 12
April-----------------|---May--------
B 5- WHIMBREL X
i 4- X
r 3- X
d 2- X XX
s 1- X XX XX
/ 0- X X XXXX X XXX X
m |''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''|''
i 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 1 3 6 9 12
n April-----------------|---May--------
PP's 11 days with seawatches during 4/14-5/13 at Boiler Bay help show
when peak shorebird migration may have occurred. His seawatches that
varied in length from 45 to 225 minutes occurred during 5:45-9:45 AM.
Ideally, there would be seawatches every day during the peak period, but
this is not feasible.
PP found that WESTERN SANDPIPERS were usually the most numerous
shorebird by far. For example, on 4/30, Western Sandpipers constituted 95%
of the total shorebirds estimated. The peak of Westerns seems to between
4/29 and 5/9 (see above), like PP's peak "peep" counts for his seawatches
in 2006. In contrast, PP's seawatches in 2005 revealed that the peak
"peep" migration was on 4/21.
DUNLIN were usually the second-most abundant shorebird, and they
seemed to have two peaks: 4/30 (about 9/min) and 5/10 (about 2/min).
DOWITCHERS appeared to have a single peak on 4/28 (10/min), with a
sharp decline after 4/30.
As in the past 2 years, WHIMBRELS appeared to have more than one peak
(see above graph) with PP recording the greatest number on 5/10 (about
5/min).
OTHER SHOREBIRD SIGHTINGS
Questions have been raised if shorebirds feed in patches of the
introduced eelgrass, Zostera japonica. At Sally's Bed on 5/3 or 5/10, JL
saw SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, GREATER YELLOWLEGS, WHIMBRELS, MARBLED GODWITS,
WESTERN SANDPIPERS, DUNLIN, and LONG-BILLED and SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS
doing so.
On 4/29 at Beachside State Park south of Waldport, DT estimated
10,000 passing WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 2,000 DUNLIN, 500 SHORT-BILLED
DOWITCHERS, 200 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 100 LEAST SANDPIPERS, and 20 or less
of other shorebirds.
In May, migrating SPOTTED SANDPIPERS appear at saltwater locations
where these normally freshwater birds are not found at other times. This
year was no exception with singletons in lower Yaquina Bay during 5/12-5/25
(CA; JL; RB)
At 8:32 PM on 5/7, a flock of 12 loudly calling
WHIMBRELS circled about 100-200 ft above Idaho Flats as if they were trying
to gather all Whimbrels in the area before flying west between the HMSC and
Oregon Coast Aquarium (RB). Such evening, apparently roosting flights
between Yaquina Bay and the ocean are common while they are present.
A single LONG-BILLED CURLEW stopped at Idaho Flats on 5/4-5/7 (DD &
KN; JL) and passed Boiler Bay on 5/11 (PP).
1-8 MARBLED GODWITS were often reported from 4/29 into May in Yaquina
Bay or along the coast. The latest were 2 at Idaho Flats on 5/24 (JL).
While helping with the Shorebird Sister Schools Program field trip on
5/1, DD saw a first of the season RUDDY TURNSTONE in breeding plumage at
Idaho Flats. Others included 6 at Nye Beach in Newport on 5/8 (CA) and 3-5
at Boiler Bay on 5/9 & 11 (PP).
2 RED KNOTS passed Boiler Bay on 5/9 (PP), and 1 dropped out at Idaho
Flats on 5/17 (JL & WN).
On 5/5, BB and SaL did their CoastWatch Mile at Beachside State Park
and found about 60 SANDERLINGS feeding on mole crabs (Emerita sp.), many of
which had egg masses.
BD spotted a rarely reported SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER at Idaho Flats on
5/12.
D & LF found a WILSON'S SNIPE in their upland marsh and at a pond in
a pasture at their Thornton Creek home during 5/8-9. One may wonder if
they will nest there. In the Oregon Breeding Bird Atlas, snipe were only
noted as possibly nesting in the northeast part of Lincoln County--they
were seen winnowing at the high elevation Lost Prairie marsh.
RED-NECKED PHALAROPES can be exceedingly numerous or hard to find
during spring migration. This May, they were abundant along shore. PP
first reported them on 5/11 at Boiler Bay, when he estimated 36,000+
passing during 3.75 hours. Many others also reported them near shore, and
DS had our latest report of 200 about 2 miles south of Boiler Bay on 5/29.
Some have lingered into early June (SemiL). But our only reports in a bay
was of 4-9 near the HMSC on 5/25-27 (JL; RB).
JAEGER-TUFTED PUFFIN
At Boiler Bay on 5/1, PP detected a JAEGER, rare in spring, and an
uncommon adult FRANKLIN'S GULL. A HEERMANN'S GULL at Boiler Bay on 5/9
(PP) is early, though one arrived on 5/12 in 1992 (SemiL).
Departing gulls: MEW GULL at Sally's Bend on 5/13 (CA) and a GLAUCOUS
GULL lingering at the "gull puddle" of the YBSJ to at least 5/21-27 (WH;
RH; EM & SN).
Throughout May, singleton and pairs of MARBLED MURRELETS were often
seen nearshore just north of Seal Rocks (KB), and, at Boiler Bay, PP
regularly noted them with a peak count of 36 on 5/26.
On 5/26 at Boiler-Bay, PP also observed 3 ANCIENT MURRELETS--a rare
find for April-May (SemiL).
While fishing for halibut off Newport on 5/25, RL saw small numbers
of CASSIN'S AUKLETS.
Four beached RHINOCEROS AUKLETS were recorded in April along 4.6
miles of beach north of Ona Beach (B and SLo, L and VO). This is higher
than usual because it is the third highest year since BLo started surveys
in 1978. Live ones were often reported at Yaquina Head and Boiler Bay,
with a peak count of 600+ at Boiler Bay on 5/26 (PP & WH).
WH discovered a rare, live HORNED PUFFIN about 1/4 mile off Boiler
Bay on 5/28.
After the concern about beached, dead TUFTED PUFFINS during January-
March, live Tufted Puffins put on the best show in recent years. At Boiler
Bay, there were 1-5 on 4/30, 5/10, and 5/26 (PP). At Yaquina Head, CA's
Bonding with Birds group also recorded 5 Tufted Puffins on 5/26. On 5/27,
EM & SN saw one at Boiler Bay and also one swimming and diving about 10 ft
off the YBSJ in the ocean.
COLLARED-DOVE-MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
Our first EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES this year were 3 or more at PF's
feeder in Yachats almost daily during at least 5/5-13 (PF, SaL). Another
was at the HMSC on 5/15 (JL & RL), and 6 were at SF's home in Newport on
5/19 or 20. They were first recorded here last year.
A MOURNING DOVE appeared at L & JM's home east of Sally's Bend on
4/7, and 2-4 were present daily there in mid-May. Another was at RC & WN's
home north of Ona Beach on 5/16.
BO spotted the first VAUX'S SWIFTS (14) flying over his home in north
Newport on 5/3.
A WESTERN KINGBIRD visited Toledo on 5/22 (CP). Westerns have white
outer tail feathers. A kingbird that apparently had no white feathers was
noted on 5/15 at the HMSC, but the white feathers may have been missed (RL;
JL). If it didn't have white feathers, it may have been a Tropical
Kingbird, though we have no records of them in spring (SemiL), and the
Birds of Oregon also does not include any records of them during March-
June.
JL spotted a HORNED LARK feeding south of the YBSJ road and southeast
of the "gull puddle" on 5/18. This is only our 3rd record since 1998
(SemiL, FN)--our previous record was in the same area on 1/24/2004 (DF).
Perhaps the most common time to see WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS here is in
May, and this year is not an exception. Our first ones this year included
singletons at north Beaver Creek on 5/15 (LO) and SW Newport on 5/19 (RB)
and 2 north of Ona Beach on 5/21 (RC).
CLIFF SWALLOWS have been absent for the past 2 years at D & LF's
Thornton Creek home, but JL found 40 or more building nests under the eaves
of the Ship Support Building at the HMSC on 5/10.
SWAINSON'S THRUSH arrived first at Thornton Creek on 5/9 (D&LF).
A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS visited a feeder north of Yachats during
5/20-21 (BB). They are rarely reported near the coastline during their
nesting season.
A brilliant blue adult male MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD was found at Yaquina
Head during March 5-11 (BLM). This is only the 5th record for Lincoln
County (SemiL; FN), with the 4th record at Thornton Creek on 8/27/2003
(DF).
BROWN CREEPER-AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
D & LF heard a BROWN CREEPER in timber of their Thornton Creek home
on 5/9. Creepers are often missed here.
A NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD was at Three Rocks Road in north Lincoln
County on 5/7 (PP) and in South Beach on 5/15 (EH).
PP found our first AMERICAN PIPIT of 2007--one was at Boiler Bay on
5/9. Our first CEDAR WAXWINGS were a flock of 12 at north of Ona Beach on
5/16 (RC).
PP discovered a YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT singing near his Lincoln City
home on 5/17. This is our 5th semimonthly period that they have been
reported--the fourth period was during May 20-27, 2002 at D River (PP) and
at Three Rocks Road in north Lincoln County (PP; JS) (SemiL, FN). Because
of the distance between those two areas, the sightings in 2002 could be
considered two different records.
SONG SPARROWS with fledged young were at north Beaver Creek on 5/15
(LO).
Our first BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK arrived at J & KC's home about 4
miles east of Waldport and BB's Yachats home the same day: 4/29. They
waited a few days for DG's Toledo home.
A rare ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK appeared at DF's brother's home at
Thornton Creek on 5/27.
RL spotted a first year male BULLOCK'S ORIOLE along the HMSC Nature
Trail on 5/15.
A total of 60 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES in several flocks flew north over
Boiler Bay on 5/11 (PP). This year, they graced PK's Siletz feeders for
the first time in nearly 20 years.
[Image Not Included: Wendy Schouviller's photo of an adult male American
Goldfinch perched on a shore pine with an ocean background just north of
Seal Rocks. Too bad this can't be shown in color!]
OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Cindy Ashy, Betty Bahn, Range Bayer, Kitty
Brigham, Bureau of Land Management staff at Yaquina Head (BLM), Rebecca
Cheek, Jorrie and Ken Ciotti (http://www.birdsamore.com), CoastWatch (a
volunteer project monitoring one-mile segments of the Oregon coast;
http://oregoncoastwatch.org/ and
http://www.oregonshores.org/ourprograms/coastalwatch),
Dick Demarest, Bruce Dugger, Darrel and Laura Faxon (some of DF's bird
records are at
http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#thornton_creek), Stan
Ferguson, Peggy Fulkerson, Dawn Grafe, Wayne Hoffman, Eric Horvath, Rich
Hoyer, Penelope Kaczmarek, Steve Kupillas, Janet Lamberson, Sally Lockyear
(SaL), Bob Loeffel (BLo) and Shirley Loeffel (SLo), Roy Lowe, Linda and
John MacKown, Terry Morse (http://home.teleport.com/~tmorse/), Eddie
Mundall, Steve Nelson, Walt Nelson, Kathleen Nickerson, Field Notes (FN,
see "Search" or "Recent Lincoln County Bird Field Notes" links at top of
http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm [all lower case letters]
for Lincoln County records from the Sandpiper since 1992), OBOL (Oregon
Birders On Line; recent postings with info about joining is at
http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html), Bob Olson, Laimons and
Vicki Osis, Chuck Philo, Phil Pickering, SemiL (semimonthly Lincoln Co.
bird records through 1992 at
http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#semimonthly [all lower case
letters]), Howard Shippey, Jamie Simmons, Don Stein, Keith Stratton, David
Tracy, Claire Tucker, Jean Weakland (JWk), Janelle Wesley (JWs).
Cheers,
Range Bayer, Newport
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