From Depoe Bay to Newport in the Misty Rain

Yesterday was a good day. My friend, Linda, came over from Grand Ronde to meet me and a visitor from Bend for a day of birding around Yaquina Bay. We got a late start (for birders), after chores (for Linda) - around 9:30am we picked up Courtney and headed down toward Newport.

First stop was Fishing Rock, where PIGEON GUILLEMOTS are gathering for nesting. We had hoped for some "Rockpipers" at this exceptionally low tide, but none were around. We were able to pick out a couple of BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS on the exposed rocks to the north. So on to Boiler Bay. Again, things were pretty quiet - we tried to pick through the CORMORANTS on the far rocks, but decided to head down toward Depoe Bay for closer looks.

The rock at Depoe Bay was alive with all three Cormorants, and COMMON MURRES!

Brandt's Cormorant with Nesting Grass

Pelgagic Cormorants - Preening, Resting and Nesting!

Common Murre

It was great fun watching the Murre's flying around the rock, landing, flying off, rafting - and complaining loudly! In addition to these on the rocks, there were hundreds of them in at least 3 large rafts on the water.

From Depoe Bay we headed south - I had forgotten my Yaquina Head pass so we opted to head on down to the spit. The HARLEQUIN DUCKS must be up in the creeks nesting, as we saw none. There was one large COMMON LOON in the water, along with some Guillemots and Cormorants. The OSPREY pair were on their nest by the bridge, but no sign of the PEREGRINES.

Savannah Sparrow

We checked for American Pipits, instead found lots of singing SAVANNAH SPARROWS.








From the Jetty we went to Hatfield Marine Science Center, parking on the west side (by the Oregon Coast Aquarium). On the nature trail, the tide was still pretty far out - lots of expanses of mud - so we decided to hit the Rogue Brewery for some lunch and come back later.

Anna's Hummingbird

After lunch we returned to the nature trail, where we were greeted by the resident ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD guarding his territory.







We could hear quite a few birds, but not see very many. An OSPREY flew over with grassy material in his grasp - headed for the bridge. As we moved up the trail, we ran into a host of school kids on a birding field trip - looked like they were having a great time! On the mud, we could see WHIMBRELS across the bay on Idaho Flats, so decided to head that way - toward the Whimbrels and away from the kids :o)

On Idaho Flats, there were at least 20 or so Whimbrels, along with half-dozen DUNLIN in breeding plumage, some SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS and several WESTERN SANDPIPERS. We pulled out our scopes to pick through the birds, hoping for a Baird's, but no luck. We were getting pretty soaked in the misty rain, and I didn't get any photos of this fun group of birds.

We turned around to scan the marsh on the opposite side of the road, checking out the noisy RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS.

Western Kingbird

As we looked around, Courtney spotted a WESTERN KINGBIRD on the wire - what fun!








Back in the car, we drove to the north side of the bay, stopping at the LNG Tank and Sally's Bend. We found a nice raft of GREATER SCAUP, a few RUDDY DUCKS and a single AMERICAN COOT on the water. Further east, a lovely swamp on the opposite side of the road yielded a HAIRY WOODPECKER and a small flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS.

Horned Grebe

We turned around just past Sawyer's Landing, where Courtney spotted a pair of SPOTTED SANDPIPERS. A HORNED GREBE was fishing nearby. 

Whimbrel

We had to stop and take a few photos of this WHIMBREL, looking out of place perched on a large piling.

It was a good day...

Whimbrel

"Smudge", Our Resident Western Gull

A few days after we got home from our Thanksgiving in Las Vegas, we began noticing that a single gull was returning every day to our deck. At times he would try the seed in the feeder (then gack it up), but mostly he just preened and sat and stared at us (and our cat) through the window.

Here he is on December 7th, 2013, a few days after his appearance.

I thought he was a Herring Gull, and posted the following photo of him on Oregon Birds - discovered that he is a slightly smudgy WESTERN GULL.

Taken 1/6/2014 - he had been hanging around about 4 weeks

Some days he "talks" to us, or to our cat "Don Diego".  Mostly, he just sits watching us through the window. In the above photo, you can see the protruding feather that lets us know it's the same gull.

Taken 1/16/2014, he had damaged his bill and was bleeding slightly

Today, February 10, 2014, he is still returning to his regular spot.  This photo, taken yesterday, shows how he has changed. 

"Smudge" is not so smudgy anymore!

Most of the smudginess is gone!  Getting ready for breeding season?

So now I am curious how long he will be coming around - and how long will we know it's the same bird?

Pre-Superbowl Stroll

Today we decided to stroll down on the beach rather than watching the pre-game hype. It was just past high tide, and there was only one other couple far down the beach.  No other people, no dogs, just us... nice.

We enjoyed watching the aptly-named SURF SCOTERS playing in the surf.

I love their bright, colorful "clown" faces and the way they ride the waves, diving just before the break.

Surf Scoter

On the walk back up the beach, a gull was crying overhead - we looked up to see a beautiful RED-TAILED HAWK being harassed by the gull.  It reeled up and out of sight.  

But as we walked our hill, there was the hawk, perched on a tree on our street. It posed for a few minutes then lifted off into the wind -









I snapped several photos as it rode the wind, every now and then pausing mid-air to "kite" before it finally moved slowly away.

We got home in plenty of time to fix snacks and watch the big game!

A walk around my town...

Yesterday my car went to the repair shop - the "Check Engine" light was on and the mechanics were calling.  Before I left home, I had mapped out my day - starting at D River Open Space - one of my favorite spots, and it was only a mile south of the repair shop.  So, I hauled my gear to the shop, declined a ride home, and set out for a four-hour adventure - a walk around my town.

Walking past one of the local espresso kiosks, I was joined by a young man with a coffee cup in hand.  He accompanied me with a barrage of incessant conversation, pausing only for the occasional sip of Caramel Latte.  On his way to high school on the south end of town, he had missed his bus, his mother's car wasn't driveable (oil-leak or something), they had just moved, he couldn't sneak onto the bus, he didn't like his own bus because the driver takes roll at every stop, he was going to be late - probably miss first period but that's ok because they were having a test and he wasn't prepared...  All the way to D River, where I said goodbye and crossed the highway.

Sun through the fog at D River Open Space

Walking back to the campground, I found the trailhead and was almost immediately immersed in early morning quiet - some bird sounds, some faint stirrings in the campground - but mostly, blissful quiet.  All around me there was dew clinging to leaves and grass, and evidence of skillful spiders building artistic snares.

Spiders at work, D River Open Space

Yellow-rumped Warbler

As I neared the gravel parking area, the sounds of birds increased and finally I could see some movement - a flock of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. 

Fox Sparrow

Steller's Jay

Spotted Towhee

Black-capped Chickadee

Walking around the parking lot, I added FOX and SONG SPARROWS, SPOTTED TOWHEES, CHESNUT-BACKED and BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and more to my morning list. 








I moved across the bridge toward the river, where four AMERICAN COOTS were paddling around near a pair of MALLARDS.  A GREAT BLUE HERON cronked loudly and took off over the water.

Great Blue Heron

I could see the ocean under the highway - hundreds of gulls were using the fresh water from D River, so I decided to walk under the road to see if I could sort them out. 

Gulls in D River

There were CALIFORNIA, WESTERN and HEERMANN'S, possibly some MEW GULLS.  Not my area of expertise, but fun to try!







Heading back, I added a Douglas Squirrel, several Northern Flickers as well as some GOLD- and RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS to my growing list.

Douglas Squirrel

Chesnut-backed Chickadee

Northern Flicker

This NORTHERN FLICKER was guarding the boardwalk as I returned through the park.










Back at the park entrance, I turned up NE 6th Street, where more flocks of small birds were busy in autumn foliage.

Townsend's Warbler

I was lucky to find a TOWNSEND'S WARBLER in some bushes along the road. 

NE 6th Street

Checking my map, I zig-zagged through the neighborhoods, climbing the hills as I worked my way toward Spring Lake Open Space, another personal favorite spot. Along the way, I spotted someone's mail in the weeds by the road - I retrieved it and walked back down the hill to find the address.  He wasn't home, but I told his neighbors what I'd found so he would know why he had damp mail in his mailbox!

Finally, I reached Port Avenue and the Port-Lake trailhead - where I was immediately greeted by a calling HERMIT THRUSH.

Hermit Thrush

Port-Lake Trail

Again, I was enveloped in utter stillness - what a rich blessing!  I could barely hear the call of chickadees and kinglets in the tops of the tall firs, and there was no wind to add to their soft whisper.

Autumn at Spring Lake

At the bottom of the hill, I wandered along the lake edges, enjoying the beauty. Autumn colors were vivid, and the reflections stunning.

Reflection

My favorite bench

Across the lake, I located the trail that would take me to the water tower at the top of the hill.

Trail to water tower

Harmless looking, isn't it?  About half-way up, my calves were sobbing - I'm just not in good enough shape to wander effortlessly up hills -- I have to confess that I was too tired and sore to enjoy the quiet!  I was elated to finally reach the top!

Dark-eyed Junco

From there, it was all downhill (she sighs with relief, remembering...)!  I walked down Surf Street to NE 22nd - stopping to enjoy the sparrows and juncos in the yards.






I had thought about checking out Kiltsis Park, but the time was 11:50am and I was due back at the shop at noon, so I left that for another day. 

Abe Lincoln

At the bottom of the hill, Abe Lincoln greeted me, along with large flocks of AMERICAN CROWS and ROCK PIGEONS.








I reached the repair shop at 12:05 - my car was ready to go home, and so was I!

Car Care Specialists

Out and About - Edwin B Forsythe NWR

Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Reserve was amazing - could have spent several days there!  Here are some pix I shot of a fledgling TERN (Forster's, I believe) being fed...

Begging youngster

Parent Arrives

Successful exchange

I was fortunate to have run into some birders who were happy to tell me about the shorebirds, terns, gulls and other birds I was seeing!