[obol] obol Digest, Vol 4, Issue 21
Charles Gates
cgates326 at gmail.com
Mon Jul 21 12:05:06 PDT 2008
We found them in the Warner Mnts. a couple of weeks ago.
-----Original Message-----
From: obol-bounces at oregonbirdwatch.org
[mailto:obol-bounces at oregonbirdwatch.org]On Behalf Of
obol-request at oregonbirdwatch.org
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 12:00 PM
To: obol at oregonbirdwatch.org
Subject: obol Digest, Vol 4, Issue 21
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Potential Ash-throated Flycatcher at Tualatin River NWR
(Tom Shreve)
2. Re: Potential Ash-throated Flycatcher at Tualatin River NWR
(Dennis P. Vroman)
3. Ridgefield NWR: Black Tern still there (Bill Clemons)
4. Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co. (Dave Haupt)
5. RFI: Is Larch Mountain open? (Andy Frank)
6. Re: Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co.
(Hendrik Herlyn)
7. Terns, Tattlers (Wayne Hoffman)
8. Re: RFI: Is Larch Mountain open? (Carol Ledford)
9. Two Elegant Terns at Brookings too (Don & Karen Munson)
10. Tualatin River NWR & Fernhill Wetlands (Shawneen Finnegan)
11. Re: Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co. (Kevin Spencer)
12. goldfinches on tarweeds (Bobbett Pierce)
13. RBA: Possible Eurasion Kestrel at Tualitan River NWR (Mike Marsh)
14. Brood Parasitism (Jack Holley)
15. BT Pigeon parasite (Molly Monroe)
16. Malheur in July, an alternate view, in defense of adversity
(bobolink06 at comcast.net)
17. Re: BT Pigeon parasite (Pat Waldron)
18. New Quiz #18 (Chris Warren)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:18:32 -0700
From: "Tom Shreve" <TASGENL at COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: [obol] Potential Ash-throated Flycatcher at Tualatin
River NWR
To: "'Posting OBOL'" <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <007e01c8eabe$edb4bcf0$c91e36d0$@NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
There is agreement that this is an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Thanks to all
who responded on the ID.
Some have asked for directions.
The refuge is off 99w just east of Sherwood next to a U-Pull auto parts
yard. From the refuge parking lot the trail and service road go down to the
right of the visitor center. The road is open to foot traffic and goes
around a couple of turns to a point where the trail crosses a footbridge and
comes up to the road. The footbridge is visible from the road. The
flycatcher was in the trees between the foot bridge the trail takes across
the little creek and the platform visible ahead that overlooks the Tualatin
River. The trail and the road are parallel at this point so taking either
one from the parking lot will get you there. It was about 2:45 pm when I
saw it on a mid level branch about 15 feet off the ground. It was not
catching insects or calling from that perch.
Tom Shreve
From: obol-bounces at oregonbirdwatch.org
[mailto:obol-bounces at oregonbirdwatch.org] On Behalf Of Tom Shreve
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2008 1:35 PM
To: Posting OBOL
Subject: [obol] Potential Ash-throated Flycatcher at Tualatin River NWR
I walked around the Tualatin River NWR on 99W outside Sherwood Friday and
saw what appears to me to be an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. This is a bird I
am not familiar with and I would appreciate any input on the ID. Photos at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tom_pix/
There was also an easily observable WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE nest crowded with
three young birds, photo at the above location. I will provide detailed
directions on request.
Most of the refuge is dry now. There were numerous LAZULI BUNTING males
singing, more than I have seen at the refuge previously.
Tom Shreve
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 16:50:00 -0700
From: "Dennis P. Vroman" <dpvroman at budget.net>
Subject: Re: [obol] Potential Ash-throated Flycatcher at Tualatin
River NWR
To: "Tom Shreve" <TASGENL at COMCAST.NET>, "'Posting OBOL'"
<obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <001501c8eac3$53d32d10$cc4dfb48 at Warbler>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Ash-throateds are an everyday bird at our place. It might be worth noting
that if your going to attempt to detect this bird by ear, then it would be
best to arrive around dawn. The local birds are still vocal at this time,
but become pretty quite as the morning progresses. So, if this bird is
typical of those at our place, it would be best to get there pretty early.
I didn't look close at the photos, but an adult bird would seem more likely.
After fledging, the juveniles stay pretty close to the parents for some time
(still trying for that free lunch). Adults that may have had a failed nest
could be on the move now.
Dennis (north of Grants Pass)
There is agreement that this is an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Thanks to all
who responded on the ID.
Some have asked for directions.
The refuge is off 99w just east of Sherwood next to a U-Pull auto parts
yard. >From the refuge parking lot the trail and service road go down to
the right of the visitor center. The road is open to foot traffic and goes
around a couple of turns to a point where the trail crosses a footbridge and
comes up to the road. The footbridge is visible from the road. The
flycatcher was in the trees between the foot bridge the trail takes across
the little creek and the platform visible ahead that overlooks the Tualatin
River. The trail and the road are parallel at this point so taking either
one from the parking lot will get you there. It was about 2:45 pm when I
saw it on a mid level branch about 15 feet off the ground. It was not
catching insects or calling from that perch.
Tom Shreve
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:41:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bill Clemons <willclemons at yahoo.com>
Subject: [obol] Ridgefield NWR: Black Tern still there
To: OBOL <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <427407.82197.qm at web55107.mail.re4.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
My mom (olive) and I went to Ridgefield NWR River "S" Unit this morning.
(~4mi W of I-5 at Exit 14 in SW Washington;
http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ ).
The juvenile Black Tern reported by Scott Carpenter yesterday, was seen
again from The Blind overlooking Rest Lake.
I did not find the Eared Grebe today that Scott saw Saturday.
A nice breeze kept the mosquitos down a bunch (only 6 bites each).
Bill Clemons
SW of Portland in Mtn Park
willclemons AT Yahoo dot com
Birding:
The best excuse for getting outdoors
And avoiding chores
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:43:53 -0700
From: "Dave Haupt" <dhaupt at tulelake.k12.ca.us>
Subject: [obol] Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co.
To: <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <488387690200006700008083 at mail.tulelake.k12.ca.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
OBOL,
Saturday at Williamette Pass ski area on a casual outing I heard the
"pink" call which I've heard a million times in the fall and winter, but
obviously not in the summer in Klamath County, because I had to track
down the source. I had an agitated White-crowned Sparrow calling
repeatedly in an open brushy area in the parking lot of the ski area. I
watched the bird's behavior for ~3 minutes until a member of my party
honked the horn of the van because I was taking too long and they were
all hot. The honk happened to flush a second white-crown from the
brush. Behavior-wise and date-wise (July 19) I'd suggest these birds
were a nesting pair. Checking Steve Summer's book "Klamath Birds," and
"Oregon Birds" I couldn't really find (m)any breeding accounts for
White-crowned Sparrow in the County. Is the species a common breeder
just west of this location? Anyone have WCSP records in the summer in
Klamath County?
Dave Haupt
Klamath Falls
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:32:50 -0700
From: "Andy Frank" <andy.frank at kp.org>
Subject: [obol] RFI: Is Larch Mountain open?
To: <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <000301c8eada$12c2de30$6600a8c0 at familyroom>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
When I last went to Larch Mountain in Multnomah County about 3 weeks ago,
the gate at the 10 mile mark was still closed. A walk to the top showed
that the road was clear all the way to the parking lot, but the lot itself
was still under 2-3 feet of snow. Can one now drive to the top?
Thanks, Andy Frank
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:39:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [obol] Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co.
To: obol at oregonbirdwatch.org, Dave Haupt <dhaupt at tulelake.k12.ca.us>
Message-ID: <992984.74624.qm at web37002.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Dave,
this is an interesting observation. I wrote the White-crowned Sparrow
account for "Birds of Oregon" and was surprised to find out how little is
known about that species' distribution in the Cascades.
The subspecies "pugetensis" is a common breeder in Western Oregon,
especially in the Coast Range and the interior valleys, and it breeds up the
west slope of the Cascades, where brushy clearcuts offer suitable habitat.
There are very few (if any) definitive breeding records along the Cascade
Crest (I believe there are a couple from the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness), and
it is largely unknown which subspecies were involved in the few observations
from this area.
In the mountains of Eastern Oregon, the much more brightly colored,
dark-lored and pink-billed subspecies "oriantha" occurs as a somewhat
spottily distributed breeder, usually near water courses with willow or
aspen.
I am curious if you were able to determine the subspecies of the bird you
observed. I am not aware of any breeding records from the Willamette Pass
area and would love to hear about any observations from anywhere in the high
Cascades, including the subspecies, if possible.
Good birding
Hendrik
_________________________________
Hendrik G. Herlyn
2445 SW Leonard Street, Apt. 5
Corvallis, OR 97333
USA
Phone: (541)-738-2688
E-Mail: hhactitis at yahoo.com
--- On Sun, 7/20/08, Dave Haupt <dhaupt at tulelake.k12.ca.us> wrote:
From: Dave Haupt <dhaupt at tulelake.k12.ca.us>
Subject: [obol] Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co.
To: obol at oregonbirdwatch.org
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 6:43 PM
OBOL,
Saturday at Williamette Pass ski area on a casual outing I heard the
"pink" call which I've heard a million times in the fall and
winter, but
obviously not in the summer in Klamath County, because I had to track
down the source. I had an agitated White-crowned Sparrow calling
repeatedly in an open brushy area in the parking lot of the ski area. I
watched the bird's behavior for ~3 minutes until a member of my party
honked the horn of the van because I was taking too long and they were
all hot. The honk happened to flush a second white-crown from the
brush. Behavior-wise and date-wise (July 19) I'd suggest these birds
were a nesting pair. Checking Steve Summer's book "Klamath
Birds," and
"Oregon Birds" I couldn't really find (m)any breeding accounts
for
White-crowned Sparrow in the County. Is the species a common breeder
just west of this location? Anyone have WCSP records in the summer in
Klamath County?
Dave Haupt
Klamath Falls
_______________________________________________
obol mailing list
obol at oregonbirdwatch.org
http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol
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Message: 7
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 20:16:38 -0700
From: "Wayne Hoffman" <whoffman at peak.org>
Subject: [obol] Terns, Tattlers
To: "OBOL" <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <004401c8eae0$30c2dd30$0208a8c0 at D48XBZ51>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
This afternoon (July 20) two Elegant Terns flew north past Yaquina Head into
a stiff breeze. Two Tattlers were on the rocks at the east end of the
cobble beach. One was a pretty typical breeding-plumage Wantering Tattler.
The other one, which I saw only in flight, had a pale to whitish belly and
undertail, and seemed overall paler. I suppose a non-breeding subadult???
Wayne
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Message: 8
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:19:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: Carol Ledford <uskestrel at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [obol] RFI: Is Larch Mountain open?
To: OBOL <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Cc: andy.frank at kp.org
Message-ID: <374156.80279.qm at web54206.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I drove up to the top of Larch Mountain two weeks ago, on July 5, and it's
open and clear to the top.? There were still two to three feet of snow?on
the ground, but it had been cleared from the main parking lot.? The fog?was
so thick that day, I didn't attempt the hike up to Sherrard's point.? I
suspect that would have required more serious tread on my shoes, considering
the snow pack.? I heard very few birds, but I think they were hunkering down
in the 52 degree temp up there.
Carol Ledford
?
Subject: RFI: Is Larch Mountain open?
From: "Andy Frank" <andy.frank AT kp.org>
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:32:50 -0700
When I last went to Larch Mountain in Multnomah County about 3 weeks ago,
the gate at the 10 mile mark was still closed. A walk to the top showed
that the road was clear all the way to the parking lot, but the lot itself
was still under 2-3 feet of snow. Can one now drive to the top?
Thanks, Andy Frank
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Message: 9
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:36:14 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)
From: "Don & Karen Munson" <dkmunson at wildblue.net>
Subject: [obol] Two Elegant Terns at Brookings too
To: "OBOL" <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <4884123E.000003.03196 at OFFICE>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Two ELEGANT TERNS put in a token appearance at the Port of Brookings Harbor
this morning.
Don Munson
Brookings, Curry County
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Message: 10
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:46:39 -0700
From: Shawneen Finnegan <shawneenfinnegan at gmail.com>
Subject: [obol] Tualatin River NWR & Fernhill Wetlands
To: OBOL <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <224C427E-7CE9-4B4C-8462-36FAB387D211 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Charles Fu and I visited both Tualatin River NWR, followed by Fernhill
Wetlands, this morning. All in all both places were fairly quiet,
but we did find a few shorebirds at both places. All the shorebirds at
Fernhill Wetlands fled the when a PERGRINE came in and buzzed the pond.
Location: Tualatin River NWR
Notes: We birded around the one impoundment with water and little
edge and a second area nearby with more mud edge. Lots of young
swallows (my estimate is probably low) and quite a few juvenile
Spotted Sandpipers, with one group of four still mostly down-
covered. We spent a good deal of our time photographing/
digiscoping. All the ducks were in eclipse plumage (tis that time of
the year). Four very fluffy junior Spotted Sands were very
entertaining, already bobbing like the adults, though they had little
to no tails yet.
Number of species: 39
Canada Goose 12
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 8
Mallard 20
Cinnamon Teal 5
Northern Shoveler 1
Northern Pintail 1
Green-winged Teal 1
Hooded Merganser 2
Ring-necked Pheasant 1
Great Blue Heron 8
Turkey Vulture 1
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Killdeer 6
Spotted Sandpiper 15
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Least Sandpiper 1
Vaux's Swift 2
Belted Kingfisher 1
American Crow 2
Cliff Swallow 40
Barn Swallow 30
Black-capped Chickadee 2
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 4
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 5
Yellow Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 10
Spotted Towhee 1
Savannah Sparrow 5
Song Sparrow 4
White-crowned Sparrow 3
Lazuli Bunting 2
Red-winged Blackbird 75
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
House Finch 4
American Goldfinch 10
Location: Fernhill Wetlands
Observation date: 7/20/08
Number of species: 31
Canada Goose 10
Gadwall 4
Mallard 35
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Peregrine Falcon 1
Killdeer 10
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Greater Yellowlegs 3
Western Sandpiper 1
Least Sandpiper 12
Long-billed Dowitcher 3
Mourning Dove 2
Vaux's Swift 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Western Wood-Pewee 1
Tree Swallow 50
Northern Rough-winged Swallow 2
Barn Swallow 25
Black-capped Chickadee 2
Marsh Wren 10
European Starling 2
Cedar Waxwing 8
Common Yellowthroat 12
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 8
Black-headed Grosbeak 2
Red-winged Blackbird 25
Brown-headed Cowbird 6
House Finch 4
------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:59:24 -0700
From: Kevin Spencer <rriparia at charter.net>
Subject: Re: [obol] Breeding(?) White-crowned Sparrow, Klamath Co.
To: obol at oregonbirdwatch.org, Dave Haupt <dhaupt at tulelake.k12.ca.us>
Message-ID: <20080721005924.RKF6G.51316.root at fepweb14>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
OK Dave,
Before I give you my info on White-crowned Sparrows you'll have to let me
know who honked the horn and made another white-crowned pop up. They'll be
added to the Klamath County Birding Hall of Fame, which I think, isn't what
they truely hoped for when they leaned into it.
Anyway, the closest I've encountered nesting White-crowned Sparrows to
Klamath County has been the Upper Sycan R., not far from the Lake/Klamath
Cos. line. I've searched similar habitats nearby, to the west, in Klamath
Co. but to no avail. They are also found in the Warners, east of Lakeview. I
did have a report during a summer from the Upper Klamath Lake, and I believe
that person reported that they believed they were a possible breeder, if not
that had observations of breeding. That seemed like an unusual location for
White-crowned Sparrow, but the habitat had willows and it was open. I don't
know the specific breeding habitat requirements, but the location at Upper
Klamath seemed more like the coastal habitat that I've seem them in during
breeding season in Humboldt Co., CA. I believe the person's initials
reporting that would be (PJ), not sure, so if PJ is out there and recalls
that report let me know. Other than that, Klamath Co. is void of
White-crowned Sparrows during
the summer months. One hypothesis might be that due to extremely dry
conditions, nesting may have had a lackluster season, and there is either
early post-breeding dispersal at higher elevations, or family units could
already be on the move, at higher elevations still. I would second the
motion made by Hendrick, that the Cascades may still hold many question
marks and need further coverage. I have backpacked in many higher elevations
in the Cascades during nesting season, but don't have any encounters with
White-crowned Sparrows. Good observation Dave.
Unplug your horn.
Kevin Spencer
rriparia at charter.net
---- Dave Haupt <dhaupt at tulelake.k12.ca.us> wrote:
=============
OBOL,
Saturday at Williamette Pass ski area on a casual outing I heard the
"pink" call which I've heard a million times in the fall and winter, but
obviously not in the summer in Klamath County, because I had to track
down the source. I had an agitated White-crowned Sparrow calling
repeatedly in an open brushy area in the parking lot of the ski area. I
watched the bird's behavior for ~3 minutes until a member of my party
honked the horn of the van because I was taking too long and they were
all hot. The honk happened to flush a second white-crown from the
brush. Behavior-wise and date-wise (July 19) I'd suggest these birds
were a nesting pair. Checking Steve Summer's book "Klamath Birds," and
"Oregon Birds" I couldn't really find (m)any breeding accounts for
White-crowned Sparrow in the County. Is the species a common breeder
just west of this location? Anyone have WCSP records in the summer in
Klamath County?
Dave Haupt
Klamath Falls
_______________________________________________
obol mailing list
obol at oregonbirdwatch.org
http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:37:42 -0400
From: Bobbett Pierce <ensatina3 at hotmail.com>
Subject: [obol] goldfinches on tarweeds
To: <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <BAY125-W5852F2F02228C05E1FEF2F78A0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
With all the nonnative invasive and cultivated plants everywhere, sometimes
I wonder what certain birds consumed before the landscape was so altered.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES apparently like the tarweeds, which are native
yellow-flowered members of the aster (sunflower) group. The high-oil tarweed
seeds were popular with native Indians. They were once very widespread and
common plants of open sunny meadows. I observed goldfinches on a patch of
tarweed seedheads a few days ago in a native meadow in Columbia County,
picking out the seeds. Lona Pierce, Warren
_________________________________________________________________
Keep your kids safer online with Windows Live Family Safety.
http://www.windowslive.com/family_safety/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_fam
ily_safety_072008
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:39:30 -0700
From: "Mike Marsh" <pygowl at gmail.com>
Subject: [obol] RBA: Possible Eurasion Kestrel at Tualitan River NWR
To: OBOL-Posts <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Cc: Dan Tankersley <dtankers at winfirst.com>, Dan Brown
<Naturestoc at aol.com>, David Johnson <davedlj1246 at sbcglobal.net>, Chris
Conard <conardc at gmail.com>
Message-ID:
<90d831b70807210039k6d03d02cpf4d2c082a40adfc1 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
At around noon today (Sunday, July 20), I observed either a large kestrel or
a small falcon lazily circling/soaring above the refuge between the visitor
center and the first viewing platform. It was quite low, perhaps 150-200
feet off the ground and directly over my head for about ~10 seconds of the
~40 seconds I observed it. I immediately recognized that this was a bird
I'd never seen before primarily because, although it superficially looked
like a female American Kestrel, it was perhaps 20% larger and its tail had a
wide black terminal band. Kind of like an Amer. Kestrel on steroids. Other
things I observed:
o Although the wings were tapered, the wing tips appeared rounded and
not tapered down to a point;
o The primaries were very dark;
o The bird appeared larger than a Merlin but smaller than a Prairie
Falcon;
o The bird soared with the tail fanned (somewhere between fanned and
wedge shaped).
o The wings were fairly flat, almost plank-like;
o A central tail feather or two were either missing or in some stage of
molt--can't remember which;
o Again, very similar to a female Am. Kestrel on both ventral and dorsal
sides, except for the things I have noted.
I heard some voices and noticed three birders not far away and they appeared
to be studying the bird. When I returned my attention to the bird, it was
gone! After searching for several minutes, I think I saw the bird land in
one of the tall bare trees that are perhaps 1/4 mi. due west of the visitor
center. I went back to my car for fresh batteries for my camera, then
walked all around the refuge trying to relocate the bird until about
6:30pm. I never got another glimpse, but tomorrow.............
Back home, after jotting down some notes, I dug into my raptor ID books and
quickly came to the conclusion that the bird closely resembled a female
EURASIAN KESTREL. I know this is rather outrageous and I am NOT saying
that's what the bird is. But it would really be great if someone could get
a look and help me out with the ID. Look very carefully at any kestrel you
see that has missing central tail feathers (and a very wide black terminal
tail band).
Also, I'd love to hear from any of those other three birders who were
observing the bird when I was. I'm the guy with the scope and wearing a
brimmed hat.
Any Q's, hit me back.
Good birding, Mike
--
Michael Marsh
Portland, OR
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Message: 14
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:17:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jack Holley <jcholleyjr at yahoo.com>
Subject: [obol] Brood Parasitism
To: obol at oregonbirdwatch.org
Message-ID: <371824.99778.qm at web31307.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
?Yesterday as My wife and I were walking our dog in a park in SE Portland, I
spotted two young birds not able to fly jet hopping around on the ground.
The first was a young crow, and the second was a young Green Heron. There
were no marshy areas close to the park. Crows were? flying from one to the
other birds. I was wondering if anyone has heard if Green Herons lay their
eggs in other birds nest?
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:24:35 -0700
From: Molly Monroe <monroemolly at hotmail.com>
Subject: [obol] BT Pigeon parasite
To: "list at midvalleybirding.org" <list at midvalleybirding.org>,
"obol at oregonbirdwatch.org" <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <BAY141-W1061BD185BB4542B3E3A35A08A0 at phx.gbl>
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Thought it might be worth sharing that we recently found one sick and one
dead Band-Tailed Pigeon at Finley NWR and had it examined by ODFW. It died
from a parasite called Canker or Trichomonas, causing a disease known as
trichomoniasis. The basics of the disease is a build up of lesions and
mucous in the throat resulting in starvation. It can be passed to other
adults by preening/courting and through their feces (especially at feeders)
and can then be transmitted to young when they are feeding/milking. It is
fairly common in pigeons and doves and can also be found in raptors after
feeding on an infected bird.
I was told that the best way to prevent the spread of this is to pull
feeders for the season (there is plenty out there for them to eat) and
disenfect them well before putting them out again. I would appreciate any
suggestions as to the best time of year to put out feeders to benefit these
lovely birds!
Molly Monroe
Wildlife Biologist
WVNWRC
Corvallis, OR
_( '</ ) )//' To cherish what remains of the earth and to foster its
renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival. -Wendell Berry
_________________________________________________________________
Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger.
http://www.windowslive.com/messenger/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_messeng
er2_072008
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Message: 16
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:37:58 +0000
From: bobolink06 at comcast.net
Subject: [obol] Malheur in July, an alternate view, in defense of
adversity
To: obol at oregonbirdwatch.org (OBOL)
Message-ID:
<072120081837.23229.4884D7860006309100005ABD2200745672C0CF05020704010D010D@
comcast.net>
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Obolarians: We made a family expedition to Malheur Refuge last week to
collect some missing year birds and had a great birding experience. While
there is not the migration experience and the lure of Eastern Vagrants we
were able to compile a list of 80 species. Highlights included FERRUGINOUS
HAWK, IBIS[virtually everywhere] , WHITE PELICAN, BANK SWALLOW [in large
mixed swallow flocks pre migration] EASTERN KINGBIRD [ a total of 7, six on
the central patrol road] EARED GREBE in breeding plumage, BOBOLINK [near
Diamond] SAGE GROUSE [a flock of 4 on the Steens and 2 on the CPR] TRUMPETER
SWAN [ a pair on Benson Pond with 4 cygnets] CHAT [killer looks at multiple
singing birds] MTN. BLUEBIRD [ on the Steens] HORNED LARKS [Steens] WILLOW
FLYCATCHER]
We missed on Black Rosy Finches on the Steens, but were surprised by the
great wildflower show and thrilled with the great scenery. Although there
are fewer total species in July, there is the compensation of seeing many of
the breeding birds with young.
Are dust, heat, cold and mosquitoes a problem? I have to answer in the
affirmative, but I have experienced all of these challenges in May as well.
We discussed the Mosquito situation with a couple from Sweden [they live in
Lappland] who thought the situation was not so bad. We estimated the
mosquito population in the mere billions rather than the Zillions estimated
by our Portland correspondent.
Reasons to visit Malheur in July:
1. Accomodations are easier to find
2. Breeding birds have young
3.The Steens Road is open
4. You get to meet many visitors who aren't birders and learn why they
love this part of Oregon
Bird on, Bob Bender in Eugene
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Message: 17
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:40:45 -0700
From: Pat Waldron <puma at smt-net.com>
Subject: Re: [obol] BT Pigeon parasite
To: Molly Monroe <monroemolly at hotmail.com>
Cc: OBOL <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <3DC6FA0F-422E-4A47-9367-F4C8578FFBBA at smt-net.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Molly and OBOL,
BAND-TAILED PIGEONS are good ground feeders. If you spread the
cracked corn on the ground, and rotate to new areas at each feeding,
this problem may be eliminated. I have stopped using platform feeders
because of an AMERICAN CROW INVASION this spring. I use tube feeders
for black sunflower seed and BAND-TAILED PIGEONS find it difficult to
perch on them.
Thank you for getting a necropsy on this bird, and sharing it with
OBOL. It takes the guess work out of the equation. They truly are
lovely birds.
Pat Waldron
East of Scio
On Jul 21, 2008, at 10:24 AM, Molly Monroe wrote:
> Thought it might be worth sharing that we recently found one sick
> and one dead Band-Tailed Pigeon at Finley NWR and had it examined
> by ODFW. It died from a parasite called Canker or Trichomonas,
> causing a disease known as trichomoniasis. The basics of the
> disease is a build up of lesions and mucous in the throat resulting
> in starvation. It can be passed to other adults by preening/
> courting and through their feces (especially at feeders) and can
> then be transmitted to young when they are feeding/milking. It is
> fairly common in pigeons and doves and can also be found in raptors
> after feeding on an infected bird.
> I was told that the best way to prevent the spread of this is to
> pull feeders for the season (there is plenty out there for them to
> eat) and disenfect them well before putting them out again. I would
> appreciate any suggestions as to the best time of year to put out
> feeders to benefit these lovely birds!
>
> Molly Monroe
> Wildlife Biologist
> WVNWRC
> Corvallis, OR
>
> _
> ( '<
> / ) )
> //' To cherish what remains of the earth and to foster its renewal
> is our only legitimate hope of survival.
> -Wendell Berry
>
>
> Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM
> anytime you're online.
> _______________________________________________
> obol mailing list
> obol at oregonbirdwatch.org
> http://oregonbirdwatch.org/mailman/listinfo/obol
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Message: 18
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:40:26 -0700
From: Chris Warren <warrech at earlham.edu>
Subject: [obol] New Quiz #18
To: "obol at oregonbirdwatch.org" <obol at oregonbirdwatch.org>
Message-ID: <C4AA262A.16EE%warrech at earlham.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
The new quiz and answer to the last quiz are now posted. Good Luck!
New Quiz: http://tinyurl.com/5hg3v2
Answered Quiz #17: http://tinyurl.com/6mba7z
Chris Warren
Portland, OR
------------------------------
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End of obol Digest, Vol 4, Issue 21
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