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.
 

Bird Ramblings - Eagle

 On Sunday, September 27th, while attending the Walk to End Alzheimer's event at the Salem Riverfront Park, Jeanette and I did a bit of birdwatching and got this photo of a Bald Eagle. Actually, we identified 30 different species of birds. You can see our observation list here. I know Bald Eagle are a favorite for most people, and coincidentally this was the best photo of the day. Their large size and distinctive white head and tail make for an easy identification. They are year around birds here in the Willamette Valley and love to hang out along the Willamette River where they can prey on fish and ducks. 

Bird Ramblings - Sapsucker

I finally got a photo of a returning, Red-breasted Sapsucker on September 20th, after getting only a couple of quick glimpses during the previous two weeks. This is a seasonal phenomenon. They vanish from Dallas Retirement Village in late April to find a suitable tree with a cavity for nesting. Then, as expected, they return in September to drill holes in their favorite tree on Tigner Ave. They will spend the winter licking up the sap that oozes out of the holes, and also eating hapless insects that get caught in the sticky sap. Anna's Hummingbirds will also make secret visits for a quick bit of sap.