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Descriptions of over 250 birding sites
Checklist of 543 species with seasonal abundance chart
References and Contact Information
Author Archives: John Rakestraw
Gull Season
Late autumn and early winter is the time to find the biggest diversity of gulls in Oregon. I led a field trip to the coast at the end of October. Strong storms from the west had moved a lot of … Continue reading
Wet (land) Birds
Here are some non-waterfowl that I’ve seen in various wetlands recently. I often struggle with photographing white birds, but this Great Egret came out OK. Most of the shorebirds have moved on, but a few Least Sandpipers are still around. … Continue reading
Waterfowl
Waterfowl numbers have been increasing in the Willamette Valley as the rains have begun. This male Northern Shoveler is still in his drab summer plumage. This Emperor Goose is currently a local celebrity in the Beaverton area, hanging out with … Continue reading
Posted in seasonal movements
Tagged American Coot, Common Merganser, Emperor Goose, Gadwall, Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler
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How to Watch an Owl
A lot of people, both birders and non-birders, are fascinated by owls. I personally don’t get more excited by owls than any other group of birds, but some folks just lose all ethics and common sense when they come within … Continue reading
Random Birds
Here are some random bird images from the last couple of weeks. Belted Kingfisher on a very fancy perch Bonaparte’s Gull in first winter plumage Gull Season is just around the corner. juvenile White-crowned Sparrow Green Heron with an American … Continue reading
Random Non-birds
Here are a few images of various animals I have seen lately. When the birds refuse to pose for photos, it is nice to find other creatures that are more cooperative. As I have said, there is always something to … Continue reading
September Shorebirds
Shorebirds have been trickling through the Portland area all month. Finding proper habitat can be challenging. As wetlands dry up during the summer, we have to hope that deeper bodies of water recede enough to create mudflats for shorebirds to … Continue reading
Low Tide
Trestle Bay, just off Parking Lot D at Fort Stevens State Park, can be one of the more productive shorebird spots on the north coast. Timing is critical, as the bay fills completely with the high tide. When the tide … Continue reading
Posted in behavior, mammals, seasonal movements
Tagged California Gull, California Sea Lion, Common Merganser
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Summer in the Wetlands
Our brutal summer continues. When the weather is this hot and dry, the best bird diversity is usually found around wetlands, so I spent a little time at Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottom. The first record of Black Phoebe in … Continue reading
Wasco County
Here are a few more images from my trip to central Oregon. The main purpose of the trip was to get the dogs away from the fireworks in Portland, but I always enjoy a trip to the dry side of … Continue reading
Posted in mammals, nesting, reptiles & amphibians
Tagged Mule Deer, Spotted Sandpiper, Turkey Vulture, Western Fence Lizard
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John Rakestraw 