Note: "What's the Flap all About?" is discontinued, now that we have a user-friendly discussion group for Klamath Basin birding. Please see Klamath Basin Bird News on Google Groups for recent birding news. Maybe I'll get around to writing and posting more essays now.
May 4, 2008
Two new species for my Chiloquin count area today: a EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE was hanging around the west side of town and making some noise, and a much more demure and silent SOLITARY SANDPIPER was in the willow wetlands near the RR tracks at the Chiloquin Millsite.
Other good birds: pair of CINNAMON TEAL at the Millsite wetlands, WILSON'S SNIPE (ditto), GRAY and DUSKY FLYCATCHERS (Spinks Park area), BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (Millsite wetlands), COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Millsite wetlands), and LARK SPARROW (Millsite). Most of the warbler species are back for the spring, as are VAUX'S SWIFT and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.
January 5, 2008
A NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL visited the yard today; my first since 2003. A small flock of PINYON JAYS was present along South Lalo Avenue last Sunday.
November 18, 2007
Today's walk was desultory with only 31 species. The Parula has not been seen since November 7. An AMERICAN DIPPER was on the Sprague River behind Chiloquin High School. An AMERICAN CROW was in downtown Chiloquin on November 17.
November 7, 2007
Big news is a first-year NORTHERN PARULA, seen briefly on Sunday and then conclusively today (Wednesday). Photo. The bird seems to be hanging around the west side of Chiloquin.
I did my first Sunday walkabout in months on November 4. 42 species and nothing else earthshaking, although there are a few CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS around.
May 23, 2007
A male Black-chinned Hummingbird came to our yard feeders and flowers around sunset this evening (5/23). This is the second diagnostic look I've gotten; the previous one was 5/25/2002 and was a one-day wonder.
Also saw the first fledged juvenile AMERICAN ROBIN of the spring.
May 7, 2007
First HOUSE WREN of the year, singing from neighbor's brushpile.
May 6, 2007
Lots of species have been arriving since the first of the month. On May 1, I heard my first BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK singing. About the same time, a female BULLOCK'S ORIOLE began frequenting our hummingbird feeder. On the morning of May 4 when we had a couple of inches of snow, a male oriole joined in the fun. Also on May 4, our first male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD showed up (the female has been around for a while). I got a brief look at a probable female COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD.
On my May 6 walk, the highlight was a flyover SWAINSON'S HAWK, the first for my walking route. Four SANDHILL CRANES were also an unexpected treat. New arrivals included GREEN HERON, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, GRAY FLYCATCHER, WILSON'S WARBLER, NASHVILLE WARBLER, and YELLOW WARBLER. EVENING GROSBEAKS and RED CROSSBILLS remain in decent numbers.
April 22, 2007
My walk for April 22 tallied 54 species, which would have been an unexpected drop except that I ran into a hailstorm which did me no favors. New arrivals included CLIFF and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS, CHIPPING SPARROW, and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW numbers are near their peak; I counted 103. EVENING GROSBEAK numbers were down substantially from last week, and only a few RED CROSSBILLS remained. A BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE was in the willows across from the rodeo grounds on South Chiloquin Road. Big misses (probably due to the weather) were Osprey and all hummingbirds.
April 20, 2007
My weekly walk of April 15 found 59 species, so diversity is increasing. All three regular HUMMINGBIRDS (ANNA'S, RUFOUS and CALLIOPE) are at our yard feeders now. EVENING GROSBEAKS continued to be the most numerous species with 176 individuals, but a dramatic increase in RED CROSSBILLS brought their numbers to 158. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was near the millsite, and a SAY'S PHOEBE remained there as well. Several TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS were in a mixed flock at the grain elevator. BALD EAGLES were numerous with 3 adults and 3 immatures noted. VESPER SPARROW was a new arrival.
April 8, 2007
A walk around town today featured 53 species. New arrivals include OSPREY, BARN SWALLOW, VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. A SAY'S PHOEBE (missed here on March walks) was at the millsite.
EVENING GROSBEAKS continue to be numerous, with 200 counted today.
March 20, 2007
A very happy spring sight: the first hummingbird (a male Anna's) has arrived in our yard. Large numbers of Evening Grosbeaks have been around for the past few weeks, and continue.
March 7, 2007
Saw my first TURKEY VULTURES of the year on my way back from Klamath Falls, one over the Chiloquin Airport.
March 4, 2007
March 3 was a sad day. An immature COOPER'S HAWK appeared on one of our bird feeders in the morning. We thought it was just using it as a perch to scope out potential prey, but it quickly became listless and then moribund. I called a wildlife rehab person, but the bird died before it could be transfered. There have been several immatures around; perhaps this one just wasn't skilled enough at hunting.
On March 4, I did a walk around town. The sunshine (imagine that!) was really glaring off the snow. 16 TREE SWALLOWS were the only spring arrivals. Bird diversity was pretty low with only 32 species. Large numbers of DARK-EYED JUNCOS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were present, and there were still VARIED THRUSHES around. Other species that I haven't seen for a while included a WESTERN MEADOWLARK and two LESSER GOLDFINCHES.
January 1, 2007
A December 31 walk about town featured 39 species with almost nothing out of the ordinary. The most unusual species was TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE (2 on Klamath Ave. near the grain elevator). Duck numbers were modest, with more HOODED MERGANSERS than usual. Two AMERICAN COOTS were near Chiloquin Bridge. On January 1, two WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKERS were on the west side of town.
December 5, 2006
UPDATE: I had a couple of very poor photos of an "accipiter" that I took against an oppressive gray sky at the Chiloquin Millsite on November 19. The bird was initially soaring, far away but within probable identification range. Stupidly, I decided to get out my camera instead of my binoculars. At that time, the bird made a quick exit to the south. I snapped a couple of photos in which the bird was small and underexposed. Off the cuff, I went with the initial visual jizz of "Cooper's Hawk" based on the accipiter shape and rounded tail. An immature Cooper's Hawk had visited our yard earlier in the morning anyway. I almost forgot about the photos, but recently looked at them and my conclusion is that they show a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. A new species in town for me.
In other news, a large flock of RED CROSSBILLS was in town on Tuesday morning. Occasional small flocks of PINE SISKINS and CASSIN'S FINCHES also visit. On Thursday, the number of AMERICAN CROWS was up to 11 on the west side of town.
December 3, 2006
Today's Chiloquin census featured 45 species, including my first December records for NORTHERN SHRIKE (south end of Lalo) and WOOD DUCK (a female at Chiloquin Bridge). Other good birds included BEWICK'S WREN and 4 HOODED MERGANSERS. Duck numbers were high on the Williamson River, although diversity was so-so.
Only one AMERICAN CROW remains. EVENING GROSBEAK numbers have plunged; I only found 5 today. I also found 5 RED CROSSBILLS. No siskins or goldfinches, and only one CASSIN'S FINCH. 5 WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS and 9 SPOTTED TOWHEES seemed to be fairly high counts.
November 25, 2006
A WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER had a brief drink from our watering dish.
November 19, 2006
See UPDATE of December 15 for a record of RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.
The highlight of today's hike was an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE near the grain elevator. The last time I saw this species in Chiloquin was in March 2003. This is my first fall record here. There was also a large flyover flock of 91 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, my first November record in town.
Other good birds: 2 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS near the railroad tracks, 2 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES at our yard feeder, an AMERICAN COOT under Chiloquin Bridge, and a flock of 7 AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES at our yard feeder.
Duck numbers were lower today, with 2 AMERICAN WIGEON the only dabblers present. Divers were more common, with lots of COMMON GOLDENEYE (and 2 BARROW'S), BUFFLEHEAD, and RING-NECKED DUCKS. Singles of HOODED MERGANSER and LESSER SCAUP rounded out the list.
The AMERICAN CROW flock is still around; I counted 11 today. EVENING GROSBEAK numbers are still high, and there were a couple of flocks of RED CROSSBILLS.
November 12, 2006
Yesterday, there was a late YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER in our yard. Also, an immature COOPER'S HAWK stopped in to check our feeders for quail.
Today's census occurred on a cold and moist day before the snow started falling. Aside from a couple of escaped Emus at Spinks Park, the most notable sighting was a flock of 19 AMERICAN CROWS in the middle of town. There was also an AMERICAN DIPPER on the Sprague River near the high school.
EVENING GROSBEAK numbers were high, and there were some impressive flyover AMERICAN ROBIN flocks. Numbers of STELLER'S and WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS were high. There was one flock of RED CROSSBILLS at Spinks Park.
Duck numbers on the Williamson and Sprague were OK, and included 5 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE and 2 HOODED MERGANSERS. More common species in the mix included AMERICAN WIGEON, GADWALL, MALLARD, RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYE.
November 1, 2006
On November 1, there were two AMERICAN CROWS in downtown Chiloquin. Two were hanging around last November and December as well.
After a couple of really busy months (too beautiful to always be hanging around town on Sundays), I think I'm back to my schedule. I eased in with an abbreviated walk on the west side of town on October 29. The best bird was a male REDHEAD on the Williamson River at the south end of Lalo. AMERICAN WIGEON are out in force, along with smaller numbers of RING-NECKED DUCK, LESSER SCAUP and BUFFLEHEAD. A WILSON'S SNIPE flushed from an island in the river and landed on the other shore. It caused a bit of a stir as it didn't call and I thought I saw a fairly short bill at first. Oh, well, it is the first one I've seen in town in the fall.
NORTHERN HARRIERS are rather infrequent in town, but three flew over during my walk. Large numbers of EVENING GROSBEAKS and quite a few PINE SISKINS are present, but I only counted a couple of RED CROSSBILLS. A BEWICK'S WREN was in with a BUSHTIT flock on South Chiloquin Road.
August 6, 2006
The two swallows fledged last weekend. I did my Chiloquin census today. It warmed up into the 80's quickly despite a few morning clouds, and bird numbers and species were more typical of July than August. Almost no highlights to speak of among 48 species. At least a couple of BREWER'S SPARROWS are present along South Chiloquin Road; one was singing a partial song. A striking light-morph RED-TAILED HAWK was one I hadn't seen here before.
CEDAR WAXWINGS and AMERICAN ROBINS (including plenty of juveniles) are enjoying the honeysuckle berries in our yard. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS (including several young male "Red Barons in training") are enjoying our yard feeders.
July 25, 2006
The high temperatures haven't made birding very appealing. Plus, a pair of BARN SWALLOWS picked this awful time to try to raise a brood in our carport. Three young hatched, but one died last week. The other two moved out of the nest and onto a narrow beam, falling off of it several times a day. I was very busy picking them up off the gravel and putting them back. We've also provided extra shade and some mist in the late afternoon to keep them going. Luckily, the parents haven't given up on them, and Monday was the first day that we didn't find one of the young ones on the ground. They seem to be maturing and growing stronger, probably less than a week away from fledging.
A GREEN HERON is seen flying to and from the aspen grove across the road fairly frequently; I don't know if this has anything to do with nesting or post-nesting behavior. We are about 2 blocks away from the river.
July 7, 2006
I've been really busy recently. Birdwise, many juveniles are out of their nests and learning to fend for themselves or still begging from their parents.
May 30, 2006
Sunday's census featured 68 species. Recent arrivals include WARBLING VIREO and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. The most surprising birds (first May records) were a female COMMON GOLDENEYE on the Sprague R. and a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE at the Chiloquin Millsite. The Millsite OSPREY pair seems to be having good luck fishing. Monday featured a flyover PRAIRIE FALCON, also my first for May here.
May 23, 2006
Spring migration has a way of making me do more birding and less posting. Most of the regular spring migrants have arrived (still waiting on Common Nighthawk). Irregular birds included a small flyover flock of FRANKLIN'S GULLS on May 14 and a probable male BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD on May 15.
April 23, 2006
On my regular weekly walk, I found 65 species. Spring arrivals were few and far between. The best birds were a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW in my yard and several TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS that joined a mixed flock (BREWER'S, RED-WINGED and YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD) at the grain elevator. A COMMON YELLOWTHROAT was in the brush along Chiloquin Blvd. An AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was on the Sprague River upstream from the dam.
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS were everywhere. HERMIT THRUSH numbers were still high: I found 9.
Male ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were displaying and chasing; I have yet to see a female this year. A single male RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD showed up at the yard feeder, but Calliope went missing on this day.
April 16, 2006
I did my regular walk around the town of Chiloquin and immediate vicinity today, and found 66 species plus one distant unidentified Accipiter. Really good numbers for April, especially with only one species each of hummingbird and warbler...
The really big event today: HERMIT THRUSHES were almost everywhere. I counted 39; my previous high count for this route was 3. Singles and small groups were tail-dipping and chupping from roadsides, in vacant lots, and in shrubs and trees throughout town.
The most unusual species was an AMERICAN CROW at the yard feeder this morning. A couple of BEWICK'S WRENS were also present. Five species of swallows were present. Four SAY'S PHOEBES are still around. BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS were the most abundant species today.
The Sprague River and the Williamson below the confluence are very high and muddy. The Osprey pair is back at their nest platform across the Sprague R. from the millsite.
April 1, 2006
Today featured a little bit of everything in the weather department, often in the form of snow or small hail. Birding was a bit rough, but diversity was way up with 49 species. Highlights included 4 BARROW'S GOLDENEYES on the rivers as well as a MARSH WREN, several RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS including a probable hybrid, and hangers-on of SAY'S PHOEBE, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, and WINTER WREN.
WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were widely scattered, and a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE was singing. A VARIED THRUSH was also present, along with a bunch of ROBINS. TREE SWALLOWS were abundant, but were the only swallow species present. Likewise, migrant sparrows were practically absent with only one WHITE-CROWNED. No Osprey yet, and no hummingbirds today. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS and BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS are back, though.
March 27, 2006
Weather continues to be unsettled, but today marked another milestone in the slow march toward spring: A male ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD paused briefly at our feeder. A number of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were also in evidence. I didn't do my weekly census on Sunday, instead counting an area near Beatty. 45 species included an early CLIFF SWALLOW, a GREATER YELLOWLEGS and 3 AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS.
March 19, 2006
Winter is hanging on to the last; WESTERN MEADOWLARK and SAVANNAH SPARROW were the only new spring birds to make an appearance on this week's walk. A lonely TREE SWALLOW was perched on a wire, and a MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD made a brief flyover. 8 TUNDRA SWANS flew over in a southward V, and a few TURKEY VULTURES patrolled the sky. Overall, though, a slow day.
March 6, 2006
On a dog walk this morning, there was a nice flyover of 73 TUNDRA SWANS. A bit later, 2 CASSIN'S FINCHES, the first of the year, showed up at the yard feeder. A bit later, an immature COOPER'S HAWK appeared in our yard and managed to snag a CALIFORNIA QUAIL. Got pictures of the last one.
March 5, 2006
A rather slow, windy day that featured an absence of BLUEBIRDS and SWALLOWS. A couple of SAY'S PHOEBES were still around, and several TURKEY VULTURES made an appearance. A BEWICK'S WREN was in the brush above the Chiloquin Dam where there was a nice mixed flock that included BUSHTIT, MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE, RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH and BROWN CREEPER. There might have been more, but there were some idiots standing at the dam and shooting upstream so I had to don my hunter orange and get out of there before they pulled a Cheney on me...
A WHITE-THROATED SPARROW made a brief appearance during Friday's snowstorm.
February 26, 2006
Today, the first truly gray day in a while, started out pretty fast. A COOPER'S HAWK got a meal--a RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, I think--in our yard. On my walk, I found several new spring arrivals: SAY'S PHOEBE, 12 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, 2 MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS, and 4 TREE SWALLOWS. Other interesting species included NORTHERN HARRIER and 4 RING-BILLED GULLS. The WOOD DUCK pair was still around as well.
Later on, though, bird activity dropped off, with an especial paucity of passerines. Yesterday, I saw a couple of PINE SISKINS and a LESSER GOLDFINCH; today, I missed them.
The most interesting moment of the hike came on North Lalakes. I heard some PYGMY NUTHATCH sounds emanating from the pines, and saw a pine cone fall out of a tree. As I approached, a PYGMY NUTHATCH fell from the same tree with a burden at least as large as itself. It turned out to be another PYGMY NUTHATCH, and the two went at it for a couple of minutes or so. It seemed like a territorial dispute, but I can't say for sure it wasn't mating?!!! It looked like mortal combat at the time. A car drove past, and the two birds disentangled and flew off.
Lighting conditions weren't the best, but I got out my digital camera and took some pics. What do you think?
February 19, 2006
I was housesitting for a couple of weeks and missed my censuses. Very cold weather this weekend; I didn't do my full walk but have been monitoring my neighborhood for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Variable numbers of EVENING GROSBEAKS have been present, along with an influx of RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS. The most noteworthy sightings were a pair of WOOD DUCKS on the Williamson River, my first RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER of the year, and the return (Saturday only) of a juvenile WHITE-THROATED SPARROW to my yard feeder.
January 31, 2006
Variable and mostly awful weather has been the rule recently; I didn't do my scheduled walk on January 29. I did see a juvenile WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at our yard feeder today.
January 16, 2006
January 12, I found a Mourning Dove and a White-crowned Sparrow at our yard feeder. On my regular town census on a gorgeously sunny January 15, I only found 32 species. The only real notables were a HAIRY WOODPECEKER near the high school (first in a while) and an immature WHITE-THROATED SPARROW that visited our yard feeder in the afternoon. Waterfowl numbers were very low. Today, after about 5 inches of snow, I saw a flyover flock of 6 EVENING GROSBEAKS and an adult SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. An immature COOPER'S HAWK is still hanging around as well.
January 8, 2006
Another slow day with 36 species. While the rivers were down a bit, waterfowl were still scattered. Highlights included 3 RED CROSSBILLS, my first here since June 4, 2005. Also, 3 TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES, 6 HOODED MERGANSERS, a WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH and a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (less common than usual this winter). Four Slate-colored individuals were present among 54 DARK-EYED JUNCOS.
December 24, 2005
Today's census featured dense fog (2-block visibility) and wet, sloppy snow. Main items of consequence: lots of ducks on the Williamson River in town, concentrated there because the Sprague (and Williamson downstream from the confluence) is very high and muddy and standing water is still frozen. GADWALL predominated, with the only mildly unusual species being a single NORTHERN SHOVELER.
Otherwise, bird highlights on this 35-species day were limited to a pair of WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKERS in the pines at the high school parking lot and an adult COOPER'S HAWK in our yard.
December 4, 2005
After over 2 feet of snow in the past week, foot travel was pretty difficult today. Despite this, bird diversity was even better than last week: 44 species. A BEWICK'S WREN and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW made the list again, along with an adult COOPER'S HAWK that feasted on a CALIFORNIA QUAIL in our yard. An immature GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW was also at our yard feeder.
Lighting and fog conditions on the Williamson River made duck ID difficult, but there were lots of BUFFLEHEADS along with fair numbers of GADWALL and scattered RING-NECKED DUCKS, COMMON GOLDENEYES, AMERICAN WIGEONS, and HOODED MERGANSERS. LESSER SCAUP and MALLARD were present as singletons, and 4 PIED-BILLED GREBES joined the ducky crowd on the river.
During the week, we had 30-40 CALIFORNIA QUAIL at our feeder, and occasionally 2 each WHITE-THROATED and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS were present. One AMERICAN CROW made a reappearance at the Post Office on Saturday, December 3.
November 27, 2005
Today was dry, cloudy, and mostly calm. Reasonable conditions for finding birds. I tallied 42 species. Notables: 2 AMERICAN CROWS near Chiloquin Bridge (not regular around here), a BEWICK'S WREN near the rodeo grounds (ditto, only the second one I've seen on my walks), and a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW near the south end of Wasco Avenue (rare but regular).
CALIFORNIA QUAIL, DARK-EYED JUNCO, BUFFLEHEAD and COMMON GOLDENEYE numbers were high. It was also nice to see a small flock of EVENING GROSBEAKS, a VARIED THRUSH, and a couple of soaring adult BALD EAGLES.
November 13, 2005
I braved blustery and showery conditions today. Overall diversity was low with only 37 species. I did get a new town bird: a flyover BONAPARTE'S GULL. Bonies have been thick around Klamath Falls the past few weeks, so this was hardly a surprise. Other good birds included MARSH WREN, TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, VARIED THRUSH and 4 holdout YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS. A male WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER was in a pine on N. Lalo. One out of the 35 DARK-EYED JUNCOS was a Slate-colored type.
There were lots of BUFFLEHEADS, a smaller number of RING-NECKED DUCKS, and 4 COMMON GOLDENEYES on the Williamson River.
October 16, 2005
I took my first town walk in nearly a month (various reasons for the delay). As fall wears on, bird diversity is tapering off. I had 80 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS (both Audubon and Myrtle), but my only other warbler was a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at the millsite.
Other notable birds were: WOOD DUCK (my first for October here), HERMIT THRUSH and TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. DARK-EYED JUNCO and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW numbers are on the rise; other sparrows were scarce.
September 19, 2005
My dad reported a PILEATED WOODPECKER calling loudly as it flew over the yard in town and landed in a neighbor's tree.
September 17, 2005
Today was the Fall North American Migration Count, so I wandered afield. I did start out in Chiloquin, though, and made my way through the first serious rain showers in a while. I came up with 59 species in a slightly clipped version of my normal route. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS and LEWIS' WOODPECKERS remain. Migrant FOX SPARROWS are newly arrived. HERMIT THRUSH, CASSIN'S VIREO and a pair of RUDDY DUCKS (rare in town) were also nice.
I saw 39 additional species on a trip along Modoc Point Road and into the Wood River Valley. Wood River Wetland was very active even in the afternoon. Good birds there included SNOWY EGRET, LESSER YELLOWLEGS (3), PEREGRINE FALCON and PRAIRIE FALCON. Other trip highlights included FRANKLIN'S GULL (2+ at Henzel Park) and SAY'S PHOEBE. There were well over 1000 DOWITCHERS in a private wetland near Henzel Park; unfortunately, I had to use a scope from a long distance and couldn't pick out anything interesting.
September 11, 2005
There was quite a bit of frost this morning. A couple of ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS remain. Overall, sparrows are starting to replace warblers as the dominant migrants. Diversity is on its way down overall, but I still found 61 species. The real highlight of the day was a flock of LEWIS' WOODPECKERS that decided to hang around near the high school and adjacent Sprague River. As many as 10 of these beautiful birds were in a single snag at once. My overall count was 16.
Other nice birds included: rather late WILLOW FLYCATCHER and GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE, MARSH WREN, 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, and a VAUX'S SWIFT with a small flock of VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS. CALIFORNIA QUAIL are becoming more conspicuous; I counted 123 today.
August 21, 2005
While the weather remains hot, post-breeding dispersal is getting into its swing. On today's walk, warbler diversity was very nice with 8 species including BLACK-THROATED GRAY (rare in town). WESTERN TANAGERS were also widespread. Decent birds included SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWKS, WILLOW FLYCATCHER, CASSIN'S and WARBLING VIREOS, BANK SWALLOW, WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH, HERMIT THRUSH, GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, and EVENING GROSBEAK along with good numbers of both bluebirds: 11 WESTERN and 6 MOUNTAIN.
On my August 14 walk, highlights included GRAY FLYCATCHER and 2 LAZULI BUNTINGS.
July 31, 2005
July has been a real scorcher, and today was no different. I did my normal walk. Nothing special, and only a hint of post-breeding dispersal (12 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, 1 WILSON'S WARBLER and, yesterday, 2 flyover CASPIAN TERNS).
Other decent sightings: 1 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, a male LAZULI BUNTING, WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER, 1 WARBLING VIREO, 9 MOUNTAIN and 4 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS, 2 CASSIN'S VIREOS, and an AMERICAN KESTREL.
A female WOOD DUCK had 5 young in tow, and there were either 2 or 3 OSPREY young in the platform nest across from the millsite.
July 3, 2005
Today was quite warm, but still featured good bird activity. The highlight was a new town bird for me, a female BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER near the high school. Other nice birds included several CASSIN'S VIREOS (one adult feeding a fledgling), LAZULI BUNTING, GREAT EGRET, GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE and a female WOOD DUCK with brood. An ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER was singing a non-standard song (the normal trill with a buzzy, raised note at the end) that had me going until I was able to acquire the bird visiually. Hummingbird activity has picked up overall, with several RUFOUS and ANNA'S around our yard feeders.
June 26, 2005
It's finally looking like summertime. I'm doing the census every other week now, but there's still lots of activity around. This morning, for instance, three raucous GREEN HERONS were chasing each other around the neighborhood, and a noisy flock of CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS continues to be present. A lot of juvenile birds are out and about.
RED CROSSBILLS were absent from my June 19 census, a first for this year.
June 19 highlights: A PRAIRIE FALCON on the ridge above the Sprague R., a feeding flock of 20 COMMON NIGHTHAWKS, a WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER near the high school, a pair of BANK SWALLOWS along the Williamson R., a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, and 2 male LAZULI BUNTINGS.
May 22, 2005
More spring species have arrived during the past week or so, including BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, CEDAR WAXWING, WESTERN TANAGER, LAZULI BUNTING, WARBLING VIREO, OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER and WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE.
Today's census featured a WESTERN KINGBIRD and 2 BANK SWALLOWS at the Chiloquin Millsite. Other nice birds included a flock of 11 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS and a group of 5 WOOD DUCKS near Chiloquin Dam. Rivers (especially the Sprague) are very high and muddy.
Last week, there were 5 GREEN HERONS along the Williamson R., and one immature BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON.
May 1, 2005
Today's census featured 70 species. New arrivals included BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, WILSON'S WARBLER, YELLOW WARBLER and VAUX'S SWIFT.
A PILEATED WOODPECKER flew across So. Chiloquin Road near the Tribal Admin building.
April 24, 2005
Another new town bird, this one a LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE at the school sports fields. One male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD was with a mixed flock near the grain elevator. Yet another LARK SPARROW was in Spinks Park.
The only new migrant arrivals on Sunday's walk were CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD and NASHVILLE WARBLER, both in their characteristic spots above Chiloquin Dam.
Eight BALD EAGLES (all sub-adult) were along the Sprague River near the dam, most likely attracted by the /c'waam spawning run.
RED CROSSBILL and CASSIN'S FINCHES were both abundant, with accessible flocks of each in the trees near the Big Gym.
April 16-18, 2005
It was an interesting weekend in Chiloquin, capped off by my walking out the door this morning (Monday) and seeing and hearing a flock of 50 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS in the neighbor's elm tree. Chalk up another new town bird.
On Saturday, I led four participants on a bird walk, but in general bird activity was poor during the walk. Weather was dry, but cloudy and windy. Sunday morning was beautiful, and I came up with an April record of 68 species on my normal walkabout.
New arrivals included: RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, HERMIT THRUSH, CASPIAN TERN, CHIPPING SPARROW, COMMON YELLOWTHROAT and an early HOUSE WREN. In addition, I saw a LARK SPARROW (rare in town) and a BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE (an April first for me in town). A MARSH WREN was along the Williamson R. RED CROSSBILL numbers were down this week. A large CLARK'S NUTCRACKER flock was near Spinks Park at the NW end of town, but I couldn't find any PINYON JAYS.
Woodpeckers (except NORTHERN FLICKER) were missing in action on Sunday, but Saturday's haul included two each RED-BREASTED and RED-NAPED SAPSUCKERS and a WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER.
April 10, 2005
My Sunday census occurred on a sunny day following a frigid morning, and bird activity was not high. GREEN HERON and LINCOLN'S SPARROW were about the only new arrivals, although I did see a single BARN SWALLOW on Saturday.
I saw a total of 7 BALD EAGLES. 2 SAY'S PHOEBES are still around, as are CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS and PINYON JAYS. RED CROSSBILL and EVENING GROSBEAK numbers were down this week. Other notables included GREAT BLUE HERON, MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (3) and WESTERN MEADOWLARK (3).
April 4, 2005
First one, then two beautiful LARK SPARROWS showed up around the yard feeder today; only the second time I have seen this species in Chiloquin. Two YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS were also reported.
April 3, 2005
Today was similar to last Sunday in both weather and bird activity. Notables included a MERLIN, single RED-NAPED and RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS, three VARIED THRUSHES and a pair of MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRDS.
New arrivals included SAVANNAH SPARROW, VESPER SPARROW and OSPREY. Continuing to stick around are CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS, PINYON JAYS, a SAY'S PHOEBE, and a WINTER WREN.
March 27, 2005
Despite being a drizzly and somewhat windy day, this Easter Sunday was also very birdy. My first bird was a female ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD perched below the feeder that I put up on Friday. Other new arrivals included DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW, CLIFF SWALLOW, YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW.
Other highlights: The PINYON JAY flock was near the high school, and the CLARK'S NUTCRACKER flock was near N. Lalo. RED CROSSBILLS and EVENING GROSBEAKS are still noisy and numerous. Two SAY'S PHOEBES were at the Chiloquin Millsite. Diving duck numbers on the Williamson R. were up after falling off to nearly nothing. Six WESTERN MEADOWLARKS were present, including a group of five near the Post Office. Total species count for today was 56, up 10 from last week.
March 20, 2005
I haven't had time to update this page recently, so here goes. Today's census featured a WILSON'S SNIPE at the county park on the Williamson River and a SAY'S PHOEBE near the High School baseball field. PINYON JAYS and a couple of CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS are still around, and the town rings with the cries of hundreds of EVENING GROSBEAKS and RED CROSSBILLS. One of the latter fell victim to a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK near Spinks Park (which is now open to foot traffic). I saw a total of 9 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS. Duck numbers are dwindling, but there were still 31 COMMON GOLDENEYES on the rivers.
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS were absent this week, probably due to the wind and showers that also depressed TREE SWALLOW numbers. The Tree Swallows arrived on Feb. 25 and VG Swallows showed up on the March 13 census. Other recent arrivals include TURKEY VULTURE and BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD.
February 13, 2005
Today was a warm, overcast day: almost springlike. It wasn't very birdy, though. Egregious misses on my census included WESTERN SCRUB-JAY and RED-TAILED HAWK.
On the bright side, a flock of 35 PINYON JAYS was on the SE side of town. I found them in some cottonwoods along Second Avenue, where they were resting like oversize STARLINGS. Later, they were feeding in pines and even landing on wires at the corner of Park and Maple, a couple of blocks away. CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS and RED CROSSBILLS continue, although somewhat more localized than before.
Duck numbers on the Williamson were about 50% of what they were two weeks ago. The immature TUNDRA SWAN remains. Also, perhaps the best bird of the day was a male WOOD DUCK under the railroad bridge near the mouth of the Sprague R. (viewed from the Chiloquin millsite). This is the first time I've seen this species here in February.
January 29, 2005
This week's census was a lot like last week's. A flock of about 20 PINYON JAYS was working over the trees near the High School, along with a number of CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS.
Interesting birds at my yard feeder included a male LESSER GOLDFINCH, a male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, a WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW and 3 "Slate-colored" DARK-EYED JUNCOS.
The TUNDRA SWAN remains on the Williamson R. Lots of AMERICAN WIGEON, BUFFLEHEAD and GADWALL there as well. The Sprague has HOODED MERGANSERS and COMMON GOLDENEYES mixed with the Bufflehead.
I saw 3 WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKERS. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES and PYGMY NUTHATCHES were numerous and noisy, and 42 RED CROSSBILLS were in the pines.
Unusual misses included COMMON RAVEN and both flavors of KINGLET. Raptor numbers were low, with just one each BALD EAGLE, RED-TAILED HAWK and COOPER'S HAWK.
Last night a couple of BARN OWLS were shrieking and swooping together over town.
January 22, 2005
Today's town census featured a flock of 37 PINYON JAYS on Second Avenue near the High School. I saw a similarly-sized flock a little over a month ago, the only other time I've recorded this species in town. CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS are still around, although I only counted 15 today. RED CROSSBILL numbers plummeted from 293 on 1/9 to 16 today.
The TUNDRA SWAN remains on the Williamson R.; it was at the south end of Wasco Avenue today. Duck numbers were good, with over 100 each GADWALL and AMERICAN WIGEON, but there were no unusual duck species.
I missed NORTHERN FLICKER today, and almost missed SONG SPARROW until I spotted one hopping around inside a neighbor's woodshed. A FOX SPARROW did turn up in my yard on January 21, and a couple of "Slate-colored" DARK-EYED JUNCOS joined the yard flock today. I haven't seen the WHITE-THROATED or WHITE-CROWNED sparrows recently.
A female WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER was in the pines along Applegate Street. Two each of HAIRY and DOWNY were also recorded.
I did my census on Saturday rather than Sunday so that I could watch the Falcons play the Eagles tomorrow. I don't know if it's a prediction, but (BALD) EAGLES outnumbered (PRAIRIE) FALCONS 3 to 1 today.
January 10, 2005
January 2 featured my first sighting of a GOLDEN EAGLE in Chiloquin. My January 9 census featured another, this one a beautiful juvenile flying over downtown. I added another species to my town list; this week it was a male RUDDY DUCK on the Williamson R. just upstream from Chiloquin Bridge. The same individual was present on January 10.
On January 9, the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was present in the same willow clump where I first located it on January 2. Other semi-unusual birds on the census included an AMERICAN KESTREL and a TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. A single AMERICAN ROBIN, the first I've seen in town for a while, also showed up near the high school.
No flyover swan flocks were noted this week, but there was a juvenile TUNDRA SWAN on the Williamson R. near the south end of Lalo Street. GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON and LESSER SCAUP numbers have all increased on the Williamson, while lots of HOODED MERGANSERS are on the Sprague R.
Hordes of CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS and RED CROSSBILLS are still around.
On January 8, I watched a PRAIRIE FALCON flush a flock of 19 ROCK PIGEONS from the grain elevator, but couldn't tell if the falcon was successful in picking off any of the pigeons.
January 5, 2005
Something is going on with the cone crop. My January 2 census of the city found 59 CLARK'S NUTCRACKERS and 293 RED CROSSBILLS. Most of the Nutcrackers were in a loose flock at the west end of Chocktoot Street, while the Crossbills were all over. These species have been unusually common in Chiloquin since September.
An immature WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was in the willows along the Williamson River on January 2. Presumably the same individual was in my yard on Jan. 5. An adult WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW has been hanging around as well; this species is fairly common in some areas of the basin in January, but rare in Chiloquin during the winter.
Interesting raptors? I saw a flyover GOLDEN EAGLE on January 2, my first sighting of this species in Chiloquin. That same day featured two PRAIRIE FALCONS along with the more expected RED-TAILED HAWK, COOPER'S HAWK and BALD EAGLE.
Ducks and geese and swans, oh my! The expected mix of ducks is present along the Williamson River, best viewed from the south ends of Wasco Avenue and Lalo Street in town. I didn't find any unusual species on January 2. 17 HOODED MERGANSERS along the Sprague River seemed like a pretty high number. The county park and river access along the Williamson yielded mostly COMMON GOLDENEYES and CANADA GEESE. First prize for the Anatidae this week goes to the southward flyover flock of 114 TUNDRA SWANS I observed from Applegate Street on January 2.
