Bird Ramblings - Osprey

 Osprey Are Back! The middle of March is when we expect to see migrating Osprey returning to their nesting sites here in the mid-Willamette Valley. Starting on Sunday March 15, Jeanette and I spent 5 days checking 10 different Osprey nest sites in the surrounding area. This photo was taken here in Dallas on Tuesday the 17th at the former Willamette Mill site on South Main Street. It is an easy location to look over the chain link fence and watch the female and male cooperating in rebuilding their nest, mating, and raising their young.

Bird Ramblings - Bluebirds

 Dallas Retirement Village Apartments resident Greg Hattan tipped me off that Western Bluebirds were showing a great interest in the nesting box in the Garden Area. Jeanette and I went to check the next morning, Sunday March 8th, and I got this photo of the pair. The male is shown inspecting the inside of the box while the female waits anxiously for his report. Greg knows from his many years of experience on his farm that this is early for Western Bluebirds to actually be building a nest. We will all be watching to see if this pair of bluebirds follow through.

First of The Year Osprey

 Yesterday we checked out nine near-by established Osprey nest sites, looking for our first Osprey of this season. We found it at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem. The nest is located in the baseball area. It has become sort of a tradition for us after our friend John West clued us into paying attention to Osprey arrival times. This was in March of 2015 when he reported an Osprey on a nest on Murlark Ave. in West Salem. Thanks John, we always look forward to this time of year when the Osprey return to nest.

Bird Ramblings

Violet-green Swallows are back! Our first of the season Violet-green Swallows were spotted here at Dallas Retirement Village on Sunday March 1st. We were out putting up nesting boxes that are specifically designed for swallows, when Jeanette suddenly noticed three Violet-green Swallows circling about. Later, I was lucky enough to get this photo of one of the swallows checking out the dryer vents on The Lodge. Previously the Violet-green Swallows were last seen here at DRV on September 4th before leaving for winter locations to the South. 

 

Bird Ramblings - Scrub Jay

Charles C. Barnard Park, located on the east-end of Academy Street continues to be one of our favorite Dallas City Parks to watch birds. One of the most consistent birds we see there is the California Scrub Jay, shown here with a peanut in its beak. This photo, taken February 15th, suggest to me that homes adjacent to the park have bird feeders with peanuts.

The "Lane Express" will be taking DRV residents on a bus trip to this park on March 11th. Be sure and call Lore Balzer at 5033623-1853 to reserve a seat,
 

Bird Ramblings - Merlin

Last Merlin?? Everyday Jeanette and I check the tall cedar trees here in the Dallas Retirement Village for a Merlin, expecting to see the last one of this season because it is the time when Merlins will migrate north as far as Alaska for their breeding season. This photo was taken on February 22nd in front of The Lodge main entrance, and could quite possibly be the last one for this year. If it is we won't see a Merlin back here until next winter, normally in November.

Bird Ramblings - Sapsucker

One of the birds that we consistently keep an eye out for here in Dallas Retirement Village is the Red-breasted Sapsucker. This one was photographed on the 12th of February at its usual location on Tilgner Avenue. It is actually the most common member of the Woodpecker Family to be seen here in Dallas Retirement Village. However, it is only a seasonal visitor from September through April. Presumably, from May through August they are off somewhere busy with nesting in a location that has older trees appropriate for making a cavity nest. The bottom line is that if you want to see them here this season, it needs to be in the next two months.