Category Archives: conservation issues

Birdathon

Posted on April 14, 2016 by

After taking a break for a few years, I am once again helping with the Audubon Society of Portland’s annual fundraiser, Birdathon. I am leading a team, The Weekday Warblers, on a trip to the coast on Thursday, May 12. … Continue reading →

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Rusty Blackbird

Posted on December 4, 2013 by

I made another trip to see the Rusty Blackbird that has been hanging out behind the Hillsboro Public Library for the past month. This species nests in boreal wetlands across Alaska, Canada, and the northeastern states. They typically winter in … Continue reading →

Posted in conservation issues, rarities, species profile | Tagged | 3 Comments

Mexican Spotted Owl

Posted on April 28, 2013 by

On my recent trip to Arizona, I had the pleasure of watching this Mexican Spotted Owl preening and snoozing near his nest cavity. Spotted Owl has been a nemesis species for me since moving to Oregon twelve years ago. The … Continue reading →

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Feeding Frenzy

Posted on March 23, 2012 by

For the past few weeks I have been enjoying a large flock of Pine Siskins at my feeder. But as often occurs during years of high siskin numbers, I started noticing a few sick birds. So I stopped feeding for … Continue reading →

Posted in birding philosophy, conservation issues | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not Endangered Enough

Posted on March 13, 2010 by

The Department of the Interior recently announced that it would not be listing Greater Sage-Grouse as threatened or endangered, even though the bird, whose population has declined by at least 90 percent in the past century, “warranted” listing. This species … Continue reading →

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Helping evolution along

Posted on December 19, 2009 by

Anna’s Hummingbird was first reported in Oregon in 1944. The first specimen wasn’t collected until 1966. But today, this species is a common year-round resident in western Oregon. They winter as far north as coastal British Columbia, and have even … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, conservation issues, seasonal movements | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Powell Butte

Posted on December 19, 2008 by

Located on the east side of Portland, Powell Butte Nature Park (Birding Oregon p. 66) offers a variety of birds and some nice views of the nearby mountains. The butte is tall enough to produce its own rain shadow, so … Continue reading →

Posted in conservation issues, OR Birding Sites | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Sad Anniversary, September 4, 1963

Posted on September 3, 2008 by

The date was September 4, 1963. I was two months shy of my second birthday. So in my little world, the most profound events involved soiling myself and chugging baby root beers at the A&W Drive-In. But on the island … Continue reading →

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Sabal Palm Audubon Center to be fenced off?

Posted on April 8, 2008 by

The New York Times ran an article on the Sabal Palm Audubon Center in Brownsville, TX. There is a frightening chance that a border fence may be built north of the sanctuary, thus shutting off access to one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in beyond OR, conservation issues | 1 Comment

Of Easter eggs and Piping Plovers

Posted on March 22, 2008 by

I saw a disturbing news item today. It said that Americans spend well over one BILLION dollars each year on Easter candy. Now I enjoy a good jelly bean as much as the next person, but imagine what could happen … Continue reading →

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