Mountain Chickadee and a Harris's Sparrow
It actually started in late October when a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE came to a feeder near Manzanita. Beverly Hallberg reported the bird, and continues to host it, and possibly a second one as of November 29, 2015, the date of this post.
It actually started in late October when a MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE came to a feeder near Manzanita. Beverly Hallberg reported the bird, and continues to host it, and possibly a second one as of November 29, 2015, the date of this post.
 Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk, 2 Nov 2015 Photo: Michael Krall | On Nov 2nd, Michael and Kathy Krall, who conduct one of the three Tillamook county Winter Raptor Surveys, the east Tillamook Raptor Survey, were fortunate to photograph an unusual RED-TAILED HAWK in November. The hawk was determined to be a juvenile light-phased HARLAN's. The bird was originally spotted by William Risser in a field off of Highway 6 with about 20 other raptors. |
Harris's Sparrow, Rockaway, 4 Nov 2015 Photo: Sue Norris Then, on November 4, 2015, Sue Norris reported seeing a HARRIS SPARROW on November 4, 2015. The bird only hung around for a couple of days but was willing to pose for photos while there.
Dickcissel, Northern Mockingbird, and a Tropical Kingbird
Northern Mockingbird, Bayocean Spit, 15 Nov 2015 Photo: Nagi Aboulenein On November 10, 2015, while conducting the West Tillamook county route, a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD flew across the Bayocean Dike Road in front of Dawn Villaescusa's car. When she stopped to get a picture of the bird, she noticed a sparrow-sized bird nearby.
The birds were flushed by a pickup, but fortunately the smaller bird landed in plain sight across the road. Puzzled over the yellow and black markings on the breast, she snapped several photos then returned to her car and Sibley's Field Guide.
The birds were flushed by a pickup, but fortunately the smaller bird landed in plain sight across the road. Puzzled over the yellow and black markings on the breast, she snapped several photos then returned to her car and Sibley's Field Guide.
Dickcissel, Bayocean Spit, 21 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth A DICKCISSEL?, she wondered. Sure enough, Sibley's confirmed the ID so she posted her find to Oregon Birder's Online (OBOL).
Initially, both birds hung around and many birders visited Tillamook to view them. The mockingbird was first to leave, but the DICKCISSEL remained and was seen as recently as November 26, 2015.
Tropical Kingbird, Little Nestucca River, 10 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Hurt
While looking at the Dickcissel, dawn got on her phone and called Jack Hurt, who just happened to be up on the Little Nestucca River looking at a gorgeous TROPICAL KINGBIRD.
While looking at the Dickcissel, dawn got on her phone and called Jack Hurt, who just happened to be up on the Little Nestucca River looking at a gorgeous TROPICAL KINGBIRD.
Snowy Owl, Trumpeter Swans, and a Cattle Egret
On November 19, 2015, a report of a SNOWY OWL appeared on OBOL. The bird was reported second hand as being in an odd location in Tillamook city. Carol Mahoney rushed over to the field, just east of Hwy 101 on Wilson River Loop Road. The Snowy Owl, found by Joe Metzler on 19 Nov 2015, was enjoyed for a single day by several birders. The bird has not been relocated.
On November 19, 2015, a report of a SNOWY OWL appeared on OBOL. The bird was reported second hand as being in an odd location in Tillamook city. Carol Mahoney rushed over to the field, just east of Hwy 101 on Wilson River Loop Road. The Snowy Owl, found by Joe Metzler on 19 Nov 2015, was enjoyed for a single day by several birders. The bird has not been relocated.
Trumpeter Swan, Wilson River Loop Rd, 20 Nov 2015 Photo: dawn villaescusa Those of us who came the following day were unable to find the Snowy Owl, but were still treated to many of the November miracles, including a pair of TRUMPETER SWANS in a flooded field along Wilson River Loop Rd. Other treats along that road were fields full of dozens of RED-TAILED HAWKS, up to three ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, numerous NORTHERN HARRIERS, a couple of WHITE-TAILED KITES, and a juvenile BALD EAGLE. Wish we knew what was keeping all of those raptors there - as of today the field is still hosting them.
Cattle Egret, Hwy 101, 26 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth That same day, Beverly Hallberg and her husband spotted a tiny CATTLE EGRET along McDonald Dike Rd in Nehalem. An attempt was made to relocate the bird later that day but it had moved on. Two days later, Tim Shelmerdine relocated the bird in a field off of 3rd Street west of Tillamook city. Again attempts were made to see it but it had moved. Later that day, however, it was found in a field off Hwy 101 near Gienger Rd where it has generally remained, moving from field to field. Most recent sighting was the day of this post.
More eyes = more bird species?
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Tillamook Bay Wetlands, 28 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth Perhaps more eyes = more species, as Shawneen Finnegan noted while observing the Cattle Egret and chatting about a BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER that had just been seen at Tillamook Bay Wetlands. In any case, birders from around Oregon have flooded Tillamook county in the past three weeks, netting many of the above species as well as some gems such as the Gnatcatcher, first seen on the 22nd, then relocated (or another bird) in the wetlands on Nov 28th.
Northern Shrike juv, Goodspeed Rd, 21 Nov 2015 Photo: dawn villaescusa There were at least two PALM WARBLERS, one on Bayocean Spit (Nov 20, dawn villaescusa) and one near the Cattle Egret (Nov 28, Jay Withgott). NORTHERN SHRIKES made an appearance, including a juvenile at Tillamook Bay Wetlands (Nov 20, Russ Namitz) and one at Fenk Rd (Nov 28, Hinkles). David Mandell spotted a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW near the Cattle Egret's location along Nielsen Rd on Nov 27. We've also had sightings of SNOW GEESE (Nov 20, dawn villaescusa) and GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (Nov 28, John and Barbara Woodhouse).
The joy of Tillamook
Not to be forgotten are the many birds we see almost routinely in Tillamook, but are uncommon for birders visiting us from other parts of the state. Our lovely WHITE-TAILED KITES are now present in good numbers. BLACK PHOEBES are always a treat to see and hear throughout the area. RED-SHOULDERED HAWKS, adults and juveniles, have been present in several locations already this fall as well.
White-tailed Kite, Goodspeed Rd, 10 Nov 2015 Photo: dawn villaescusa
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