[obol] Yaquina Head Fallout in Strong East Winds

[Range Bayer]

Hi,

   At 9:30 AM this morning (May 16), Roy Lowe noted that he had:

"just returned from Yaquina Head where the wind is gusting to 35mph and
higher, and it is very warm.  It was amusing watching the seabirds trying to
deal with the east winds close to the cliffs, but what was really
spectacular is the fallout of warblers there.  From the west parking  lot
out to the deck I saw no less than 50 Wilson's warblers while I was there
for about an hour.  Also saw a yellow-rumped warbler (several feet away) a
few white-crowned sparrows, a chipping sparrow, house finch and a
black-headed grosbeak.  The warblers were really struggling in the wind.  I
saw some of the birds come in from the west and then just drop down into
the salal and berry bushes exhausted.  I suspect there were many more birds
present than I saw as they were hunkered down under the short brush.  Wish
I could have spent more time out there.  No telling what might show up!"

   Under these conditions where some weak migrants are flying in from off
the ocean, I (Range)  may wonder if others that have been blown offshore
are not making it back to shore.

    Cheers,

Range Bayer, Newport