BIRD N0TES – Late winter 2008

By Jim Rogers

After a rip-snorting early winter, the weather calmed way down and the spring birds are coming back fairly early. But first, the current status of Curry County’s newest trash bird … Don Munson counted 30 Eurasian Collared Doves along Oceanview Drive south of Brookings. They were introduced in the Caribbean in the 1970s and have naturally expanded all the way across the U.S. They resemble a Mourning Dove but are bigger and lighter than the MODO and they have a rounded tail rather than the long pointy tail of the MODO.

Jan. 19, Tim Rodenkirk came down from Coos Bay and found a Red Fox Sparrow at Sevey’s on Hunter Creek. This race breeds all across northern Canada and winters in the Southeast. Our Fox Sparrow is strictly a West Coast bird. Tim also spotted a Say’s Phoebe along Cape Blanco Road and a Rough Legged Hawk on Bethel Road on the Coos-Curry County line.

Jan. 26 – A visiting birder, Bob Hunter spotted a very rare bird for Curry County, a Black Skimmer on the beach at the mouth of Pistol River. I usually associate the skimmers with the sweltering heat and humidity along the Texas Gulf Coast and along both coasts of Mexico. Maybe, with global warming, we’ll see more of these semi-tropical birds. I understand they’re regularly seen in the San Francisco Bay area and have been seen in the Arcata area.

Feb. 12 – Jeff Gilligan and Owen Schmidt came down from Portland and found the first Turkey Vulture that I’m aware of for 2008. Terry Wahl’s been seeing them for a couple of weeks which would be around Feb. 23 or so. Terry also started seeing Tree Swallows about that time.

Feb. 13 – Don Munson reported the first Rufous Hummingbird of the year a his home up the South Bank of the Chetco.

Feb. 17 – Sheila Chambers reported the Allen’s Hummingbirds returned “with a zing” to her feeder on Oceanview Drive. On the same day Terry Wahl reported Rufous hummingbirds were thick at the ranch on Elk River. Rick McKenzie spotted a Say’s Phoebe up Bethel Creek. Two days later Terry Wahl spotted 3 Say’s Phoebes on their Elk River ranch and another on their Langlois Mtn. ranch. Tim Rodenkirk checked the breech area where Floras Creek becomes New River and was pleased to find two Mountain Plovers on the beach. There are a handful of Oregon records for this Rocky Mountain species and, I think, one for Curry County. Tim thinks these two birds were likely the same two that were spotted on Coos Bay on Jan. 17 but not seen again. Tim also counted a whopping 26 Canvasbacks on Floras Lake

Feb. 25 – Don Munson reported the first Allen’s Hummingbirds at his feeders, battling with the Rufous hummers that arrived on the 13^th. It seems the Rufous show up first but don’t stick around for long after the Allen’s arrive. Don wonders if the Rufous actually nest in Curry Co. The Allen’s definitely do, as do the Anna’s. Please keep an eye out for nesting RUHU’s.

Feb. 26 – Tim checked the Floras/New River breech area and reported the MOPLs were still there. A flock of 10 White-fronted Geese flew over and a Tree Swallow was seen flying over the pastures.

Mar. 1 – Don Munson found a Ross’ Goose in the Gold Beach area with 20 Cackling Geese and a Clark’s Grebe.

Mar. 2 – Tim came down for another visit and reported the MOPLs were gone (though they could be anywhere in the pastures of the Floras Creek area). He found four Palm Warblers at the Blue Silos in addition to a Turkey Vulture, a Tree Swallow, and a Glaucous/Glaucous-winged gull cross. He noted that in Coos Bay the Rufous Hummingbird migration was peaking with a possible Allen’s to boot.

Mar. 8 – Tim paid us another most welcome visit. Still no further sighting of the MOPLs (last seen 2/25). He headed on down to Gold Beach, noting many Tree and Violet green Swallows and Turkey Vultures along the way. The RUHUs were still streaming through. The Ross’ Goose was gone, but there were four White-fronted Geese, a Clark’s Grebe, and an amazing 4 Rock Sandpipers! I’ve only seen one ROSA in Curry Co. This West Coast cousin of the East Coast Purple Sandpiper is quite rare in Curry. It is only found along the rocky coast line, often with Surfbirds and Turnstones.

A rare bird that shows up sporadically in Coos and Curry County is the Caracara. On Nov. 18 2007 a visiting birder, Jason Randolf, spotted one flying along Highway 101 in the Rocky Point area. Be watching for this eagle-like carrion eater with the Turkey Vultures.