[obol] Coos Birds of Late

[Tim Rodenkirk]

A few tidbits from various locales:

7/14, N. Spit of Coos Bay:
1- RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (first southbound bird I've seen)
10- WILSON'S PHALAROPES (8 juvies)
8- GREATER YELLOWLEGS
50+ WESTERN SANDPIPERS
12- LEAST SANDPIPERS
8+ broods of Gadwall
1 brood of Cinnamon Teal also has been around

7/11, same spot:
1- MERLIN, this is a rare July species with two other Coos records I know of although this is the earliest July record.  The bird flew right overhead and was checking out the mudflat where some shorebirds were. This species normally does not return until early to mid-August.

I also saw a couple SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS about a week or so ago out on the spit.

6/30, along the causeway out to the north spit of Coos Bay- Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein saw a SNOWY EGRET. They have not been documented breeding in Coos Co. but with all the Great Egrets breeding around the bay, one wonders when a Snowy shows up in June?

Also not documented breeding in the county yet is BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.  Joe Metzler saw an immature bird fly out of a group of large trees above the casino along Hwy 101 in Coos Bay on 7 July.  This spot has been a winter rooost in the past, perhaps they hare breeding there?

It's STINT time- merry July!!
Tim R
Coos Bay