Bird Ramblings - Scrub-Jay

 California Scrub-Jays are one of the most dependable birds to be seen on a daily basis here at Dallas Retirement Village. They are year-round residents. I sometimes hear people incorrectly refer to them as "Blue Jays". Technically, Blue Jays, with few exceptions, are only found east of the Rockies. We do have a smattering of Steller's Jays, but the most common, and the one that thrives in urban areas is the California Scrub-Jay. This one was photographed here at DRV on June 11th, perched on the back of a sitting bench.

Bird Ramblings - Swallows

It's been a busy Spring for Violet-green Swallows at Dallas Retirement Village. They seem to be constantly in the air with their swooping flights catching insects. A big thank you to Lodge Resident Karen Sewell who [provided this photo of a Violet-green Swallow bringing a feather to a nesting site built in a dryer vent. She took this photo from their balcony in The Lodge on June 4th.
 

Bird Ramblings - Mergansers

Last Thursday, May 28th, Jeanette and I went for a birdwalk at Riverview Park in Independence and were rewarded with this little family of Common Mergansers. If you look closely you can count six babies being led by their mother up the Willamette River. There is a nice concrete walkway that funs from the Independence City Hall to the Independence Hotel. We also enjoyed hearing and seeing Oprey and Bald Eagles. Here is the link to our Checklist.
 

Alder Island Revisited

We love the circling trail on Alder Island at the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge near Lincoln City. Jeanette is shown here on the trail alongside of this towering Cow Parsnip plant, which is the largest member of the Carrot Family in North America at 10 feet in height. This birding Hot Spot was the highlight of our daytrip to the Oregon Coast yesterday which involved stops at five different Hot Spots. Here is the link to our Checklist at Alder Island.
 

Brid Ramblings - Sparrows

White-crowned Sparrows are having a successful nesting season in the Central Courtyard of The Lodge here at Dallas Retirement Village. This photo shows a mama feeding her new juvenile. This photo was taken on Saturday the 23rd in front of resident Liz McClues's patio, who has thoughtfully put out a ground level seed feeder. Th juvenile makes demands to have the seed placed right in its mouth. Meanwhile the father in a nearby tree proudly sings out his familiar song. Liz is thrilled to have what she calls a "whole family".
 

Bird Ramblings - Bluebirds

 Western Bluebirds are busy feeding babies! This location is at the Community Garden here at Dallas Retirement Village where a nesting box is located in a corner of the chain link fence. This is the mother bird, ready with an insect in her beak to fly up to the nesting box. You have to watch closely to catch the parents doing this feeding because they are in and out of the box so quickly. This photo was taken on Tuesday, May 12th.

UPDATE: During lunch at the Red House Bistro on May 19th, I noticed House Sparrows around the Bluebird's nesting box. I was immediately concerned because I know from experience that House Sparrows, given the opportunity, will kill baby Bluebirds. I went to check the nest and was pleased to find the nest empty, indicating that the juvenile Bluebirds have fledged, meaning that they have left the nest. I took the nest box down to prevent the House Sparrows from nesting.

Bird Ramblings - Starlings

Last Thursday morning when Jeanette and I were looking for birds in Dallas Retirement Village we were surprised to hear a California Quail call out.  This is an unusual species to hear in this urban setting.  We did not see it, so we walked on. Next, we heard a Robin. Again, we could not find it. Next, we spotted this European Starling, and we knew right away we had been fooled. European Starlings are non-native birds, and thrive in urban settings, in fact we have them nesting in The Lodge eaves here at DRV. They are known to mimic the call or song of up to a dozen different species. Be cautious when you hear a bird you cannot see and be on the look-out for a nearby Starling.