All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved
Tag Archives: American White Pelican
Random Bits of August
I taught two shorebird classes and led three shorebird field trips in August. The southbound shorebird migration has been pretty great so far, with unprecedented numbers of Baird’s Sandpipers and a nice smattering of rarities throughout Oregon. My trips missed … Continue reading
Posted in seasonal movements
Tagged American White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone, Surfbird, Wilson's Snipe
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Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottom
I made a quick trek around Washington County’s two prominent wetlands. There was nothing unusual to report, but there is plenty of bird activity at these sites this time of year. Green Heron, lurking Great Blue Heron, not lurking Juvenile … Continue reading
McNary Wildlife Nature Area
Looking past the rather awkward name, the McNary Wildlife Nature Area is a great little spot for birding. The park, which came to my attention by hosting the recent Black-headed Gull, is located in the town of Umatilla, just downstream … Continue reading
Boulder Birds
Here are a few birds I saw on a recent trip to Boulder, CO. There was nothing unusual, but there is always something to see. This young Cooper’s Hawk was amazingly tame. Bullock’s Oriole American White Pelicans White-breasted Nuthatch. Despite … Continue reading
Birds and Brew Fest, 12 October 2013
I led a tour of Fernhill Wetlands for the Birds and Brew Festival. Since there were about 50 people in the group, including many who didn’t have optics, we concentrated on the “charismatic mega-fauna,” like these American White Pelicans. A … Continue reading
Fernhill Wetlands
Fernhill Wetlands, south of Forest Grove, is a great place to see the onset of autumn. Water levels on the main lake are still very low, but the recent rains will soon change that. Migrant shorebirds, like these Western Sandpipers, … Continue reading
Sauvie Island 4/5/12
I took advantage of the dry weather to scout Sauvie Island (Birding Oregon p. 55) for my Little Brown Birds field trip. Sandhill Cranes are still present in good numbers. The Osprey nest along Rentenaar Road is occupied again. We … Continue reading
Smith and Bybee Wetlands
Smith and Bybee Wetlands in NW Portland, (Birding Oregon p. 65) is a great spot for waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds in the late summer and autumn. Paved trails lead to observation platforms overlooking both lakes, and primitive paths are available … Continue reading
Frozen Fernhill
An arctic air mass brought cold temperatures and ice to Fernhill Wetlands (Birding Oregon p. 61), but there was no shortage of birds. Here are some grainy gray photos from a lap around the ponds. Horned Grebe Tundra Swans and … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements
Tagged American Kestrel, American White Pelican, Bald Eagle, Cackling Cackling Goose, California Gull, Fernhill Wetlands, Great Blue Heron, Horned Grebe, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Snow Goose, Taverner's Cackling Goose, Tundra Swan
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American White Pelican
In late summer, American White Pelicans become increasingly common in the Willamette Valley. These are post-breeding or non-breeding birds that have left their nesting areas in eastern Oregon and other sites throughout the interior West. Sturgeon Lake, on Sauvie Island … Continue reading