HOPE IS BACK !

Our Coachmen Pixel van "Hope" is back and taking us on bird watching adventures again. Yesterday's location of choice was Huddleston Fish Pond in Hampton Park in Willamina. Jeanette and I first visited this former log pond for Hampton Plywood Mill to fish from our canoe over 20 years ago. Years ago, we switched from fishing to birding, and made our first birding trip here in January 2014.This trip was number 104. Yesterday's trip was possibly one of our best with 34 different species identified. See our observation list and photos here.

 

Bird Ramblings

On Tuesday the 27th of October while Jeanette and I were looking for birds along the paved path on the west-end of the Rickreall Creek Trail System here in Dallas we heard the distinctive cry of "keeah-keeah-keeah" of a Red-shouldered Hawk. We recognized it immediately despite not being able to see it. We were pleased to find it in this tree close by and get this photo. This colorful hawk is smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk, but larger than an American Kestrel. Over the years we have seen Red-shouldered Hawks along the entire length of the Rickreall Trail System here in Dallas. Click here for our check list for this trip.
 

Van Update

 We picked-up our 2026 Coachmen Pixel 1.8 van on Monday, November 2nd. We have been without it since June 23rd. For the last three days we have been busy reacquainting ourselves with its many features and packing it up with the necessities for van life. Our plan is to be able to head to California and Arizona for a visit with family and friends later this month. Today we experimented with using the van's Convection Microwave Oven Air Fryer to make pizza! Our first experience with an air fryer, and Jeanette was able to figure it out and we enjoyed a pizza for our lunch while parked in our parking-space here at Dallas Retirement Village.

Bird Ramblings - Golden-crowned

During a morning bird walk through Dallas Retirement Village last week we were surprised to find the busiest bird activity was at the west-end of the Assisted Living building. A kind soul had put up a bird feeder. Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, and Red-breasted Nuthatches were busy taking seeds and burying them in the bark of the nearby cherry trees. Three Wild Turkeys nonchalantly passed by on the lawn. A California Scrub-Jay was busy burying nuts under the shrubbery. In all we counted 16 different species. The best photo of the day was this Golden-crowned Sparrow that posed for this picture on the retaining wall. Here is our bird list.
 

Bird Ramblings - Scrub-Jay

I got lucky to catch this California Scrub-Jay carrying an oak tree acorn in its bill here in Dallas Retirement Village on the 12th of October. It was sitting atop a streetlight at the intersection of Tilgner and Brentwood Avenues. California Scrub-Jays are year-round residents of DRV. They can be seen here literally every month of the year and are easily noticed with their raucous calls. Fall is the time of year when they are busy carrying acorns io hidden locations in flower beds and under shrubbery to bury for eating throughout the Winter. 
 

Monmouth Recreational Park

Jeanette looking for birds

Yesterday we went bird watching at a newly constructed boardwalk in the Monmouth Recreational Park. This large multi-purpose park, located in the nearby town of Monmouth, is made up of baseball fields, tennis courts, dog parks, and skate park areas. Most important to us is this new boardwalk and shelter built over a marshy area which is perfect for bird watching! We enjoyed our time there and made the following eBird Observation List. This for sure is high on our list for return visits. 

 

Bird Ramblings - Turkeys

Last Saturday while looking for birds here at Dallas Retirement Village we happened to cross paths with DRV resident Greg Hatton. While showing him the tree on Tilgner Ave that the Red-breasted Sapsuckers like to use, three Wild Turkeys crossed the street and into the parking lot in front of the Assisted Living building. This photo of one of the Turkeys appears to be a young male. Notice the developing red throat wattles and the long breast beard. I know many of our DRV residents enjoy seeing the Wild Turkeys which will continue to hang out here until Spring when they leave to seek out a more secluded area for nesting.