Thursday's Bird Watch

Long-billed Curlew

Two weeks ago, Jeanette and I went to the Oregon Coast in search of a rare bird sighting at Waldport, this Long-billed Curlew.  It is the largest of birds in the Sandpiper Family at 24" in length, and with its extremely long 8-inch curved bill it was an easy bird to spot along the beach of Alsea Bay.  In Oregon, Lon billed Curlews spend their summer breeding season on the east side of the state, where their long bill is used successfully to pluck out insects deep in the tall grass.  In winter they head for warmer locations in California and Mexico.  The three Curlews we found in Waldport evidently think the Oregon Coast is warm enough, and probably more convenient than flying to California or Mexico.   

 

Thursday's Bird Watch

Pine Siskin

Here are two Pine Siskins photographed at Dallas Retirement Village on November 7th.  Because of their dull coloring and striped breasts, they are often mistaken for female House Finches, which are also the same size, however Pine Siskins have tiny, pointed beaks. They can currently be seen in large groups in the leafless trees here at DRV.  Just last week we counted a total of 68 birds in two adjoining trees.  They will also mob seed feeders occupied with House Finches and Goldfinches.  During the summer they are scattered, busy with nesting, but in winter they seem to enjoy hanging out in large busy groups. 

 

Thursday's Bird Watch

 Four years ago this month, Jeanette and I signed the paperwork with Sales and Marketing Director Tawnya Turner to move to Dallas Retirement Village. A few days later we made a return visit to get a little more acquainted with DRV.  We roamed the hallways, checked out all the entrances, and elevators, and imagined placement of furniture in our unit. Afterwards we had a picnic at the Pavilion. It was a warm sunny day, and of course I couldn't help noticing the birds.  This Golden-crowned Kinglet caught my eye, and I got a quick photo.  We immediately considered this a good omen for out anticipated new home. These beautifully colored small birds are primarily winter migrants in the Dallas area, normally seen from October through April.  Ironically, we have yet to see another Golden-crowned Kinglet here at DRV since this one in November of 2019.

Thursday's Bird Watch

Last Sunday, my wife and I went in search of a reported rare bird sighting, a Ross's Goose on the Oregon Coast at Otis.  They are a species that nest in the far Artic North, and their migration route South to winter in the Sacramento Valley of California normally travels the South-East corner of Oregon.  Somewhere in route this poor soul veered off course, probably with a flock of Canada Geese, and ended up in a field in Otis.  We drove over to Otis in the early morning fog, hoping to beat the forecasted incoming rain.  Arriving at Otis, we turned right onto Old Highway 101, and there in a field on the left was our bird, a single all white goose, mixed in with hundreds of other gray and black Canada Geese.  One quick photo while sitting in the car provided this photographic evidence.
 

Thursday's Bird Watch

 Dallas Retirement Village residents, Vern and Ann Beeson, reported to me to me this last week that they were seeing lots of Dark-eyed Juncos in their Garden Home yard.  I tend to think of Dark-eyed Juncos as winter birds as only a few are usually seen here during the summer.  The majority of them leave to seek the coolness of higher elevations to nest and raise their young. But, at this time of year their numbers swell here in the Willamette Valley as they return to our milder climate for winter.  Look for them on the ground and in the shrubbery as they scurry around looking for bugs and seeds to eat.  This Dark-eyed Junco was photographed here at DRV on October 22nd.