[obol] March Lincoln Co. Bird Notes Received Through 3/31

[Range Bayer]

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           BIRD FIELD NOTES from the March 2008 Sandpiper 29(3)
           for Observations Received Through 3/31 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.

      There are too many sightings to report them all.  Only those
considered particularly noteworthy are included here.

      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, 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, SEAL ROCK STABLES PASTURE:
pasture at about Milepost 1.6 along South Beaver Creek Road, YBSJ: Yaquina
Bay South Jetty.


                                 WATERFOWL

      The number of overwintering BRANT at Yaquina Bay remained at a
plateau of 165-182 during 1/18-3/10 to (RB; JL).  The first recorded sign
of their movement was on 3/4, when about 175 Brant were on the north shelf
west of the Yaquina Bay Bridge, where they had been absent earlier in the
winter (RB).  The high count was 200-250 west of the Bridge on 3/14 (RB).
On 3/19, RB only found 26 at Yaquina Bay, but the next 2 days JL saw about
110-120 and JH counted 89 on 3/22, so Brant appeared to be coming and going
from Yaquina Bay.  JL has been using photos with her 10X digital camera to
count Brant and other waterbirds when they are moving around a lot--a great
idea for censusing!  YB&N is a project partner of the International Brant
Monitoring Project (IBMP) (http://www.padillabay.gov/brant/), and RB relays
on sightings of significant numbers of Brant in Lincoln County to their
Observation Log (see link on the left side of their web page).

      LO had our latest report of the TRUMPETER SWAN at Seal Rock Stables
on 3/2--it may have been the most seen Trumpeter in Lincoln Co.

      At a distance on dim winter days, GADWALLS can look nondescript, but
the 3/21 YBNFT appreciated their plumage in good light with excellent views
at Eckman Lake.  The YBNFT was also surprised by a flock of 4 male COMMON
MERGANSERS roosting together on an island in Eckman Slough, just north of
Eckman Lake.

      On 3/19, there apparently had been a herring spawn at Coquille Point
at the east edge of Sally's Bend, since 500+ scoters and BUFFLEHEADS had
congregated there like they do at herring spawns (RB).

      5 HARLEQUIN DUCKS were at Seal Rocks on 3/1 (LO), and 2 were at
Yaquina Head on 3/8 (CA).  Our only LONG-TAILED DUCK was a male in lower
Yaquina Bay on 3/16 (SS).


                              GREBES-PELICAN

      On 3/11, SK spotted a pair of PIED-BILLED GREBES in South Beach
Marina, which is much saltier water than where they are normally found.

      Highlights of the 3/1 Bird Guide pelagic trip from Newport included 8
LAYSAN ALBATROSSES, 1 MANX SHEARWATER, and many NORTHERN FULMARS in all
color phases.  Their trip report includes 22 photos and is at
http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/archive/03012008.htm

      In Feb., 17 NORTHERN FULMARS were beached along 4.6 miles of beach
north of Ona Beach (B&SLo, L&VO).  This is the highest Feb. total since BLo
began that survey route in 1978.  The previous high was 7 in 1991 and 1996.
They also found 8 BRANDT'S CORMORANTS in Feb., which seems higher than
usual.

      Our only March BROWN PELICAN was an immature at Yaquina Head on 3/8
(CA).  Reports should pick up in April.  Since we also had reports in
January and February, it is looking like we could have reports each month
in 2008, since they are least likely in Jan.-March.


                             GREAT BLUE HERON

      "Squawker" the Great Blue that calls almost continuously while flying
flew by JL's office at the HMSC shortly after noon on 3/25.  It was last
reported last 8/23 (RB).  Last summer, JL noted that it doesn't squawk
every wing beat, just every fourth beat or so.  After landing in a tree in
2006 (TW) and 2007 (JL), it stopped calling, so its frequent calling may
only be while it is flying.

[Image Not Included: Howard Shippey's Jan. 25 photo of a Great Blue Heron
facing the surf on the sandy beach south of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse
(left).  Herons are normally in calm waters, and it must be challenging to
wade where a big wave could easily bowl one over.  In Howard's photo on the
right, water is running up this heron's leg.  Howard wrote that this heron
"had a hard time keeping from being swept off his feet a couple of times,
and I wondered why he would endure this repeatedly -- well, as the waves
rushed back out to sea, numerous [shrimp-like animals] were left behind or,
as the heron might say, 'dinner.' "]


                            GREAT EGRET-RAPTORS

      Our only GREAT EGRETS were 1-3 at Beaver Creek on 3/1-2 (LO) and 1 at
Eckman Lake on 3/3 (MR).

      JL spotted an adult BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON roosting in trees in
lower Yaquina Bay on 3/5.

      RL reported that the first OSPREY arrived at Eckman Lake on 3/18; one
was perched on the nest there the next day.  YBNFT participants on 3/21
watched 2 OSPREY flying and calling at Eckman Lake.  While one was at the
nest atop a power pole, the other brought in a fish.

      A COOPER'S HAWK remaining at Yachats during 3/1-15 (BB) was our only
report.  They were common this winter.

      In early March, JCr saw a MERLIN at Yachats, and a PEREGRINE FALCON
was at Yaquina Head on 3/8 (CA).

      A male and female AMERICAN KESTREL were hanging around near JCo's
home 2 miles north of Siletz in mid-March, possibly to nest.

[Image Not Included: Janet Lamberson's March 16 photo of an adult Bald
Eagle dining on a Brandt's Cormorant on a rock along her and Phil
Lamberson's CoastWatch Mile beach near the Newport Airport in South Beach.
The eagle caught the cormorant after it had washed ashore, alive, but
probably weak.  2 Common Ravens "supervised" nearby, hoping for scraps.]



                                RAIL-MURRE

      LO heard the "ti-dick" of VIRGINIA RAILS calling at lower Beaver
Creek on 3/2.

      Our high count of BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS was 6 at Yachats on 3/29 (BB).

      TS viewed the WHIMBREL with the short-bill along the ocean beach at
South Beach State Park on 3/24.  It had been reported intermittently at the
YBSJ this winter.

      The flooded pastures of Seal Rock Stables along South Beaver Creek
can be good for shorebirds as well as waterfowl, and LO found 40 DOWITCHERS
there on 3/2.  30 SANDERLINGS near Seal Rocks on 3/3 (KB) were the most
reported.

      SS had our only ROCK SANDPIPERS (3) at the YBSJ on 3/16.

      RL writes that a friend is color-marking and radio tagging WESTERN
SANDPIPERS in Panama to document their migration routes.  The birds will be
marked with blue or green breasts.  These birds could pass through here in
coming weeks, so please report one with a blue or green breast to
Roy_Lowe at fws.gov or directly to Dr. Pat Baird at pabaird at sfu.ca.

      Our only BONAPARTE'S GULL was at Idaho Flats on 3/16 (SS).  They
should become common in April.

      DI & NS found our first CASPIAN TERN (3) at the mouth of Alsea Bay on
3/20.  TS had the next report at Yaquina Bay on 3/29.  Prior to 1992, our
earliest records were on 3/12 (1990) and 3/21 (1981), but most first
reports were in April (SemiL).

      The first report of COMMON MURRES landing on the nesting rocks at
Yaquina Head was 3/5 (CS fide AB).


                       CONTINUING BURROWING OWL SAGA

      A BURROWING OWL was first reported here in 1969 (SemiL).  We had 6
records in the 1970's, two records in the 1980's, and only one record in
the 1990's (SemiL; FN).  Until 2006, wings found in 2002 that were
identified as being from a Burrowing Owl were our only record since 1992
(FN).

      A Burrowing Owl was found in Newport at the Health and Wellness
Center near the Les Schwab store in Nov. 2006.  After erroneous information
that they were very rare here and that this owl may have been a victim of
being transported here by people was published in the Newport newspaper and
not retracted, it attracted sympathy and a lot of attention from birders,
photographers, and others.

      However, it was too cute and it became too tame for its own good
after it was fed and too closely approached.  Because it had become so
tame, it was thought to be ill, so it was captured.  When brought to
Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center near Corvallis, it was found to
be very healthy.  Because of all the human involvement at the site where it
had been captured, it was released in an area away from people where
Burrowing Owls had been found in past winters in Lincoln County.  It was
not banded because Chintimini had been federally directed not to do so.
Accordingly, the released owl is not identifiable.

      Shortly after release in Jan. 2007, a tame Burrowing Owl was sighted
along the YBSJ, about 0.4 mile from the release site.  In March, JL saw
"somebody creeping up to it for a flash photo."  It was last reported on
April 1, but it may have remained later.  Previously, the latest departure
date was Feb. 10 in Lincoln County (SemiL) and Coos County (Alan Contreras'
1998 "Birds of Coos County, Oregon").

      So this owl remained abnormally late, and it is not certain if this
owl left or not.  It may have lingered in the YBSJ boulder area and not
been seen or reported.

      A Burrowing Owl that also seemed tame was relocated in the same YBSJ
area in late Nov. 2007, but was not widely publicized until early Feb. in
the Jan. 2008 Sandpiper.

      On 2/20, BBe, JM, and JA found a Burrowing Owl in the same general
area along the YBSJ and reported it on OBOL.  It was also seen on 2/21 (AD
& RP).

      If this is this is the same Burrowing Owl, it has survived 2 blustery
winters, so it is hardy even though it seems relatively tame.  But it has
also lingered beyond what is normal in 2007 and 2008 and may never have
left.  Accordingly, it is uncertain if it may have returned to a Burrowing
Owl population and nested.

      If it is a different Burrowing Owl from the one that was released,
then at least two Burrowing Owls have been here during the past two
winters.  So they may not be as rare here in recent years as our records
indicate.

      Let's leave wildlife wild!  We can watch and enjoy from a distance,
without seeing how close we can get.


                          OTHER OWLS-HUMMINGBIRDS

      While hiking the Discovery Trail at Cape Perpetua on 3/31, DS looked
up and saw a rarely reported SPOTTED OWL (fide BB).

      At Idaho Point between the eastern end of Idaho Flats and King
Slough, TS heard a BARN OWL in Dec.  On about 3/2, CT saw a BARN OWL being
attacked by American Crows near the LNG tank, north across the Bay from
Idaho Point.  Barn Owls are rarely reported here, and the proximity of
these two reports suggests that they may be the same owl or members of one
pair.

      On 3/18, LO heard a WESTERN SCREECH-OWL at his north Beaver Creek
home and wondered if it would discover LO's screech owl nest box.

      On 3/7, J&KC had about 4 dozen mostly RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS and some
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS coming to their 20 feeders about 4 miles east of
Waldport.  JC thinks that there were more hummers than in the past and
writes that three of their feeders looked "like JFK International Airport
just before dusk - hummers waiting for a spot to open, hummers sitting
side-by-side sharing. It's so impressive.  ...  It sounds like a beehive
outside all the windows."  See JC's Quicktime video at
http://www.birdsamore.com/videos/hummer-migration.htm

      On OBOL, BLaB noted that hummingbird expert Abby Crouch wrote
"Absolutely never use honey, brown sugar, saccharine or sugar substitutes.
They spoil quickly and host a fungus that fatally infects Hummingbird's
tongues and causes death by starvation."  BLaB attended a talk by Crouch
and learned that when hummingbirds are affected by fungus, their tongues
swell, and they can no longer drink.  BLaB writes "Over the last 6 years,
there have been 3 different hummers that visited my feeders that were not
able to retract their tongues.  They eventually died, not able to feed
themselves."  BLaB adds that it is very important to be sure feeders are
clean and free of mold and that the sugar water is mixed 1 to 4 and changed
at least twice a week, as it begins to ferment and mold at 56-57 F.


                            SWALLOW-MEADOWLARK

      Our first VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW report was on 3/1 at Seal Rock Stables
(LO) and shortly thereafter in South Beach (EH).

      A HERMIT THRUSH hovered while feeding at CL's Newport suet feeder for
several weeks in March--a behavior they don't usually do.  Migration is in
the air as VARIED THRUSHES left BB's Yachats neighborhood by 3/24.

      The CLAY-COLORED SPARROW first reported along the HMSC Nature Trail
during 1/5 CBC continued to linger with reports on 3/2 (BT), 3/9 (SM), and
3/16 (SS).  "Cassius" the Clay-colored Sparrow at L&JM's home near the east
side of Sally's Bend, similarly lingered for several months, from late Dec.
2000 to March 27, 2001.

      A SLATE-COLORED DARK-EYED JUNCO lingered to mid-March at CL's Newport
home.

      Another sign of spring in a March ending with some snow and ice was a
WESTERN MEADOWLARK singing at the HMSC on 3/27 (RB).

      OBSERVERS/SOURCES: Jack Anderson, Cindy Ashy, Betty Bahn, Alan
Barton, Range Bayer, Bob Bender (BBe), Kitty Brigham, Jorrie & Ken Ciotti
(http://www.birdsamore.com), CoastWatch (a volunteer project monitoring
one-mile segments of the Oregon coast; http://oregoncoastwatch.org/), Joel
Colvin (JCo), Jane Crowder (JCr), Ashley Dayer, Bird Guide Pelagic Trip
(BGPT; info about pelagic trips, http://thebirdguide.com), Jeremy
Henderson, Eric Horvath, David Irons, Steve Kupillas, Bev LaBelle (BLaB),
Janet Lamberson, Cindy Lippincott, Bob Loeffel (BLo) & Shirley Loeffel
(SLo), Roy Lowe, Linda & John MacKown, Sylvia Maulding, John Mundall, Field
Notes (FN; Lincoln County records from the Sandpiper since 1992 are
searchable at http://www.orednet.org/~rbayer/lincoln/bird.htm#recent [all
lower case letters]), OBOL (Oregon Birders On Line; recent postings at
http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/OBOL.html), Laimons & Vicki Osis, Ram
Papish, Maggie Rivers, David Schlessinger, Stefan Schlick, Trent Seager,
SemiL (semimonthly Lincoln Co. bird records through 1992 for each species
at ScholarsArchive at OSU [http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8070]), Christine Smith,
Noah Strycker, Bill Tice, Cynthia Trowbridge, Tom Wainwright, Yaquina
Birders & Naturalists (YBNFT Field Trip led by RB).