May 18 to July 28 1996
by Colin Dillingham

There are several Curry County records to report.

On May 18, 35 White-faced Ibis were seen flying north over Ocean View Drive in Harbor and on May 19, 6 were at the Pistol River pastures, (DM). On May 20, 16 were at the mouth of the Winchuck River, (AB) These were the 3rd, 4th and 5th Curry County records.

On June 18, 18 Brandt were at the mouth of Pistol River, (CD).

On June 10, Sharon Bazor saw 2 American Avocets at the mouth of Hubbard Creek. This is the first Curry County record for this species.

On June 6, a Long-eared Owl was at the Bear Camp Botanical Area, (DV).

A Black Phoebe nest with 4 chicks was seen at the old mill site on Jerry’s Flat in Gold Beach on July 9, (CD,JB).

On June 16 an Ash-throated Flycatcher was at Jerry’s Flat and one was at the Agness Guard Station on June 26, (CD,JB).

Colin observed Purple Martins breeding on the Hiway 101 bridge over the Chetco River on July 9, and 50 Bank Swallows were nesting at Jerry’s Flat, (CD,JB).

A Rock Wren was in Agness on June 15, (CD,AD).

There were 3 different sitings of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in July. From July 1-8 a male was at Dorothy Sevey’s on Hunter Creek, July 7-8, a male with a possible female was at Ann Mitchell’s in Gold Beach and on July 17 a male with a possible female was at the Keusink’s house in Brookings.

There is a good sparrow showing this year. Curry County’s first Grasshopper Sparrow was seen at the Pistol River pastures on May 19, (DM). A first record Brewer’s Sparrow was in Phil Hicks yard in Brookings on May 30, (AD). The 2nd record Lark Sparrow was in Agness on June 26, (CD,JB). Vesper Sparrows were breeding at the Old Mill site in Gold Beach on July 9, (JB).

A White-breasted Nuthatch was at Long Ranch on July 22,(CD). This was a 3rd county record.

Red-shouldered hawks nested at the Keusink’s house in Brookings and 2 fledged on June 26.

Five Great Blue Heron nests were counted at the Rogue River rookery by Ellen Warring and Dan Van Dyke.

Brown-headed Cowbirds were busy this year at the Pfand’s yard in Port Orford. A White-crowned Sparrow was feeding 2 cowbird chicks on the ground July 23 and a Rufous-sided Towhee was feeding a young cowbird on July 28.

A Scrub Jay was in Port Orford on June 29. It was seen by Dona Bennet on Knapp Road in the afternoon and at the Pfand’s feeder in the evening

Observers: Alan Barron,(AB),.John Blithe (JB), Angie Dillingham (AD), Colin Dillingham (CD).