[obol] Long-tailed Jaeger, Tierra del Mar, Tillamook Co.

[Wink Gross]

Today about noon, while scanning from my deck at Tierra del Mar, I saw my
first jaeger of the year.  It was a good one: an adult LONG-TAILED JAEGER,
as judged by its pale underparts and nape, lack of breastband, and dark
flight feathers contrasting with lighter coverts.  A new yard-jaeger for
my beach house.

Otherwise, the birding at Tierra del Mar was pretty slow.  On Saturday,
an ANCIENT MURRELET swam by just beyond the surf.  Previously, I had failed
to appreciate the contrast between the gray back and black head of this
species, but in the excellent viewing conditions Saturday, it was striking.

Yesterday (Sunday) a single CLARK'S GREBE was with about a dozen WESTERN
GREBES.  Three RED-NECKED GREBES were present Saturday.  About 20 COMMON
TERNS flew by this afternoon, briefly stopping to feed among a large flock
of BRANDT'S CORMORANTS and COMMON MURRES that must have found something good.

Saturday afternoon we walked out to the woods at Bayocean.  There were no
shorebirds except for 3 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS on the beach side.  However,
there was a WESTERN KINGBIRD about half way out to the woods.


Wink Gross
Portland