Category Archives: nesting

Commonwealth Lake

Posted on July 11, 2016 by John Rakestraw

I brief walk around Commonwealth Lake in Beaverton revealed lots of recently fledged Barn Swallows. They were perching on branches above the water, waiting for their parents to fly in with food. still waiting note the bulging crop on the … Continue reading →

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Random Images

Posted on June 20, 2016 by John Rakestraw

A spate of cloudy damp days has not allowed many photo opportunities the past couple of weeks, but here are a few random images. Lazuli Bunting, Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Beaverton. This is a great natural area that I really … Continue reading →

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Sandy River Delta

Posted on April 23, 2016 by John Rakestraw

Our freakishly nice spring weather continued this week, so I took Nala to the Sandy River Delta to check for spring migrants. Actually, Nala could not care less about spring migrants, but found the cool waters of the Sandy River … Continue reading →

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Ridgefield NWR

Posted on July 17, 2015 by John Rakestraw

I don’t get up to Ridgefield NWR in Washington very often, even though it is a short drive from Portland. But lots of folks had recently seen adorable fuzzy little Virginia Rail babies, so I wanted to try my luck. … Continue reading →

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Tilley Jane Trail

Posted on June 21, 2015 by John Rakestraw

I walked the Tilley Jane trail on the east side of Mt. Hood. This trail starts near the Cooper Spur Ski Area and goes about two and a half miles up to the Tilley Jane Campground. Much of the trail … Continue reading →

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Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Posted on June 7, 2015 by John Rakestraw

Nesting season is in full swing at Smith and Bybee Wetlands in northwest Portland. There is a small colony of Cliff Swallows nesting under the highway overpass. Here is the tail end of a Cedar Waxwing sitting on a nest. … Continue reading →

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Sandy River Delta

Posted on May 28, 2015 by John Rakestraw

Nala and I spent several hours hiking (and swimming) at the Sandy River Delta. Local nesters, like this Common Yellowthroat, were busy gather food for nestlings. Male Lazuli Buntings were very vocal, and seemed to be vying for the attention … Continue reading →

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Wetland Birds

Posted on March 17, 2015 by John Rakestraw

While spring migration has not really ramped up yet, locally nesting birds at Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottoms are starting to pair up, and the winter flocks are breaking up. A few Least Sandpipers have arrived at Fernhill. These Killdeer … Continue reading →

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Tualatin River NWR

Posted on June 9, 2014 by John Rakestraw

I made a quick visit to Tualatin River NWR in the afternoon heat. One of the main trails is closed off until this young Bald Eagle decides to leave the nest. Despite the flock of European Starlings cheering him on, … Continue reading →

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Silver Lining

Posted on May 4, 2014 by John Rakestraw

I led the field trip for my Warblers and Flycatchers class Saturday morning. We walked around Mt. Tabor Park in SE Portland for several hours. Spring migration tends to occur in waves, with some days producing large numbers of migrants, … Continue reading →

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