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Checklist of 543 species with seasonal abundance chart
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Category Archives: rarities
Twitching in the rain
One of the more popular avian celebrities in Portland this fall is a Virginia’s Warbler that has been visiting the suet feeders at a home for the past several weeks. This is a great bird for Oregon, and the bird … Continue reading
Posted in birding philosophy, rarities
Tagged Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Virginia's Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler
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Prothonotary Warbler
The Portland birding scene was abuzz recently with news of a Prothonotary Warbler that was visiting a bird bath at a home northwest of town. For about a week, this little eastern warbler would arrive just before sundown, take a … Continue reading
Lawrence’s Goldfinch
For the second week in a row, I chased a vagrant to add to my life and Oregon lists. A Lawrence’s Goldfinch turned up in a back yard in Sherwood. Since this species is hard enough to find in its … Continue reading
Posted in rarities
Tagged Anna's Hummingbird, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Lawrence's Goldfinch
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February Doldrums
I think February is the most challenging month to live in the Portland area, as it is typically wet and dreary. This past month had three times the normal rainfall, so the brief sun breaks were especially appreciated. A quick … Continue reading
Posted in rarities, seasonal movements
Tagged American Crow, Great Blue Heron, Greater Scaup, Say's Phoebe
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Siletz Bay
This Common Scoter was recently found in Siletz Bay, just south of Lincoln City. This is only the second record of this species in North America, so he was definitely worth chasing. The Common Scoter seems pretty comfortable in Siletz … Continue reading
Timberline
I hiked from Timberline Lodge to the snow fields above Silcox Hut. My main target was Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. I missed the finches, but there is always something fun to see on the mountain. There were a lot of skiers and … Continue reading
Powell Butte
I hadn’t been to Powell Butte Nature Park in east Portland since they finished renovations. They had been working on one of the water system reservoirs and have added more parking, a visitor center, and new trail markers and maps. … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites, rarities
Tagged American Kestrel, Mountain Bluebird, Powell Butte, Say's Phoebe, Yellow-rumped Warbler
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Plover-palooza
I went to South Beach State Park, just south of Newport, to see the Mountain Plover that has been spending the winter there. I have seen this species in Kansas, but it is a special treat to see one in … Continue reading
Blue Grosbeak
A Blue Grosbeak was found hanging out at Koll Center in Beaverton this week. This species has only been reported in Oregon about a dozen times before, so I was thrilled to add this beauty to my state list, especially … Continue reading
John Rakestraw 