Notes, birds, nature, meanderings.

Musings about birds, nature, and our meanderings on the Central Oregon Coast

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Dabblers and Divers at HMSC

We had a fun trip to Yaquina Bay, walking the Hatfield Marine Science Center trail along the bay.  Intrigued by the many varieties seen by the Lincoln County Auduboners yesterday, we had to swing by on our monthly trip to Fred Meyer and Walmart.

Waterfowl and sparrows are two areas where I struggle, and we saw plenty of both today.  Want to help me with some of the identification? 

First off we spotted a funny-looking duck, I believe it was a RED BREASTED MERGANSER?
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER

Next a good sized flock of BRANT, along with some WESTERN and MEW (and possibly other) GULLS.
BRANT and Company
We enjoyed some favorites, SURF SCOTERS and BUFFLEHEADS.
BUFFLEHEAD
SURF SCOTER

HOODED MERGANSER

A pair of HOODED MERGANSERS posed within fairly easy range of my small lens.  I believe this is a male and two females.








A large flock of NORTHERN PINTAIL were down toward the wooden bridge, along with a flock of AMERICAN WIGEON (no photos of the WIGEON).
NORTHERN PINTAIL

This one we saw near the HMSC parking lot.  Trying to go by the field guides, I was guessing a type of GOLDENEYE, but I won't be surprised if I'm wrong.
COMMON GOLDENEYE

 And here's one that I really have no idea.  We saw it floating in the bay when we were driving along the South Jetty road on our way home -- help anyone?
HARLEQUIN DUCK

HARLEQUIN DUCK

HARLEQUIN DUCK
















If I get enough help with these, maybe next I'll try posting all of the SPARROWS that we saw today.

Thanks in advance!

6 comments:

  1. The last duck is a Harlequin Duck!

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  2. I am glad to find your blog - I am on the yahoo birding list, I see the signature of Blogging About the Coast, but not the blog link. :) Great photos today. We were at the Aquarium this afternoon when the hail let loose around 2ish. I got to see the variety of ducks, but not take any photos. :)

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  3. I didn't realize the link in my signature line wasn't showing up as a link on the yahoo list. I'll have to add the URL so folks can find it! Thanks.

    We were in the car on the South Jetty when the hail let loose so we probably just missed you :o)

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  4. It's the Lincoln County Birding and Nature Observing list (google LCBNO).

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