All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Category Archives: resources
Birding Oregon, Second Edition
The second edition of Birding Oregon is now available. This new version includes: updated site descriptions 50 new sites updated checklist of 532 species and their seasonal distribution updated Resources and Contact Information full-color photos The stunning cover image is … Continue reading
Review: Petrels, Albatrosses & Storm-Petrels of North America
Short Version: If you bird on or near the ocean, buy this book and read it. Slightly Longer Version: Steve Howell’s guide to petrels (including shearwaters), albatrosses, and storm-petrels is a must-have resource for anyone who aspires to identify birds … Continue reading
Gull Season
Winter is the time to study gulls in the Willamette Valley. If you feel a little overwhelmed by some of the fine plumage details described in birding references, consider looking at the shape of the bird. The silhouette above can … Continue reading
Posted in identification challenges, resources
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New Books
I recently added two new books to my library. Kenn Kaufman’s updated version of his classic Advanced Birding belongs on every birder’s bookshelf. Along with detailed descriptions of some of the species groups that provide the biggest challenges, Kaufman takes … Continue reading
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
A pair of Chestnut-backed Chickadees has been lingering in the yard this week. They will soon leave for the summer, as this species prefers large conifers and higher elevation, unlike the more suburban Black-capped Chickadees. While the Chestnut-backs readily take … Continue reading
Posted in resources, seasonal movements, species profile
Tagged Chestnut-backed Chickadee, vegan suet
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The Stokes, Redeemed
While their beginner guides (shorebirds, hummingbirds, etc.) are very good, I have never been impressed with the larger field guides to birds by Donald and Lillian Stokes. Their eastern and western guides include one or two photos for most birds, … Continue reading
Review: Birds of Western North America
I came across a beautiful new field guide recently, Birds of Western North America: A Photographic Guide by Paul Sterry and Brian Small. I usually prefer field guides that feature paintings, rather than photos, since an artist can bring out … Continue reading
Goose article on line
I am contributing the occasional story to Fisher Communications, the company that owns several television stations in the Pacific NW. (If you have reached this blog for the first time through that site, welcome.) The piece is on the large … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, RTP
August 28, 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Roger Tory Peterson. Peterson is largely credited with bringing birdwatching to the common folk, where before it was limited to those collectors with shotguns and academic types with their … Continue reading
Cackling and Canada Geese
My current birding project is studying the various races of Cackling and Canada Geese (Branta hutchinsii and Branta canadensis). Canada Goose was split into these two species in 2004. There are multiple races of each, so it is a good … Continue reading