[obol] Harlequin duck and Barred Owls

[John Deshler]

A female HARLEQUIN DUCK was seen at Eagle Creek in the Columbia gorge today at Four and a Half mile bridge. 

http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Four_and_a_Half_Mile_Bridge

This duck spent more than 15 minutes swimming in the pool and calling as it faced up stream.  Two dogs and as many humans were at the waters edge, the dogs with great interest in the duck, but she was not put off and continued calling while paddling in deeper water.  I hoped and expected to see some ducklings come cascading down the torrent but they did not appear.   The female stayed and we moved upstream to Tunnel Falls, watching along the way, but could not locate any young.   

Last year I saw a Harlequin drake in this same area, between the bridge and Tunnel Falls.  Perhaps next year I'll finally see the pair or some young.

Also, three young BARRED OWLS have been reliably seen along a stretch of the Wildwood trail in Forest Park for more than a week.   These noisy youngsters and their parents can be seen and heard between the trailhead at Newberry Rd (milepost 30) and milepost 29.  Often the owls are nearly at eye level, perched in trailside trees.  Just listen for the eerie begging calls and alarming robins.   I've seen barred owls on 8 of my last 10 visits to the area of Forest Park between Newberry and Germantown roads, including along Firelanes 10 and 12.

John Deshler
Portland