Archived Bird Notes

Late Winter/Early Spring 2009

Jan. 13 – The Yellow-throated Warbler on Rick McKenzie’s ranch at the blue silos on Floras Lake road remained until Friday evening Jan. 16.

Jan. 16 – I heard my first Screech Owl of the “spring” at home up Elk River

Jan. 17 – Karan & Jim Fairchild came over to the sunny coast to escape the dreaded Valley Fog and see the Yellow-throated Warbler. The warbler was gone but they did see a couple of the flock of Palm Warblers that hang out around the blue silos as well as an early Turkey Vulture.

Jan. 19 – Ann Vileisis reported a flock of Brown Pelicans flying north past Port O. Very odd.

Jan. 24 – Our wintering Fox Sparrows started singing.

Jan. 29 – Knute Anderson found a Northern Mockingbird by the gas station in south Langlois.

Feb. 16 – Brice Wagner reported an early Turkey Vulture enjoying a raccoon pancake on Elk River road with several ravens. Also Darrel Cobb and several other commercial fishermen observed a pair of Bald Eagles land at the Port O. dock whereupon one immediately grabbed a western gull for lunch.

Feb. 18 – Down in Arcata, David Fix reported tens of thousands of Aleutian Cackling Geese in the Humboldt Bay lowlands. Forty years ago there were only a few hundred remaining. Were it not for the Endangered Species Act, they would be extinct. David also reported at least 14 White-throated Sparrows in his yard!

Mar. 2 – our first female Selasphorus hummingbirds began showing up. There were, no doubt, earlier arrivals than these. Presumably they were Allen’s.

Mar. 5 – Sheila Chambers reported a bright male Rufous Hummingbird at her feeder in harbor. Rufous hummers are quite uncommon anymore in southern Curry and even up here in the north county, most Selasphorus hummers are Allen’s.

Mar. 22 – Carrie Rogers found a Glaucous Gull at the P.O. dock.

Mar. 27 – Nearly all our wintering Varied Thrushes had departed for the mountains. The Port-Orford-cedar was putting out huge clouds of pollen resembling smoke.

Late March – Lidia Donnelly observed a Red-tailed Hawk catch a bullfrog from a pond on her ranch near Lobster Creek. I hope it enjoyed frog legs and will come back for more and more!

Apr. 4 – Tim Rodenkirk came down to Curry Co. and reported the Orange-crowned Warbler migration in full steam. He observed many Caspian Terns and Greater Yellowlegs. He found the Northern Mockingbird that’s been hanging out around Jot’s since November. Tim also found 5 Lapland Longspurs at Pistol River. He reported many Pacific Loons migrating past Bird Island; no Tufted Puffins yet. On Oceanview Drive Tim spotted an early Western Kingbird, and at the Port of Brookings a lone Black-crowned Night heron. That night, while camped east of Gold Beach he heard a Northern Spotted Owl, as well as a Screech Owl and a Pygmy Owl. Back at Pistol River he observed lots of Band-tailed Pigeons and Brown-headed Cowbirds. Tim also remarked that the Emperor Goose is still at Bandon where it has been since December. Incidentally, although there were apparently no Tufted Puffins here yet when Tim looked for them, they were observed in Tillamook on Apr.6. Also on Apr. 4 Lois reported that 5 Caspian Terns stayed at the Port of P.O. for two days catching anchovies. Usually they just fly on by. Apr. 5 – Lois and Knute found 35-40 Lapland Longspurs on Rick McKenzie’s ranch near Langlois. They usually disappear by late Feb. Terry Wahl reported the first Whimbrel of the migration and the first big flock of Aleutian Cackling Geese. Carrie Rogers found a Chipping Sparrow at the Elk River hatchery, and the following day …

Apr. 6, Tim R. found a flock of them on the Pistol River beach while Lois observed 20 Brown Pelicans fishing in the Port of P.O. Will they breed in Oregon? Stay tuned.

The North American Migration Count will be held on the 9th and 10th of May. In Curry County the area south of the Rogue will be done on Saturday and north of the Rogue will be done on Sunday. That’s to accommodate individual schedules rather than doubling up. I’m not sure how much this is a game, with rules, and how much it’s a serious attempt to census the birds. So, is it cool to participate in both the north county count and the south county count? The count compiler is Diane Cavaness. Her address is: birder_1@ charter.net She can e-mail you the form to use to send her your records.

Please e-mail me with interesting bird sightings to put in the Bird Notes: chlaparl@ wildblue.net