Tag Archives: Bald Eagle

A Slow Start

Posted on April 5, 2021 by John Rakestraw

I have been complaining a lot lately about how slow the birding has been. We are in that lull when many of the winter birds have moved on and the spring migrants haven’t returned. But, say it with me, there … Continue reading →

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Random Ramblings

Posted on November 21, 2018 by John Rakestraw

Most of my recent outings have been while leading trips or in dreary conditions, both of which limit any photo opportunities. So here are some dribs and drabs from recent weeks. This Black-tailed Deer and her fawn were at Cooper … Continue reading →

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Birdathon

Posted on May 27, 2018 by John Rakestraw

Our team for the Audubon Society of Portland’s Birdathon made a 360-mile loop through the Willamette Valley, across the Cascades, and east to the high desert. We tallied 110 species for the day. Here are a few. Acorn Woodpeckers are … Continue reading →

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Spring in the Wetlands

Posted on March 30, 2018 by John Rakestraw

Spring is coming on strong, despite the cold latter half of March. The season is most obvious in the open habitats around wetlands. Local nesters are starting to pair up and collect nesting material.The winter sparrow flocks are starting to … Continue reading →

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Sauvie Island

Posted on March 18, 2016 by John Rakestraw

I went to Sauvie Island to scout areas for my Little Brown Birds class next week. The huge flocks of waterfowl that spend the winter there have dwindled, but there are still a lot of birds around. This White-crowned Sparrow … Continue reading →

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Tualatin River NWR

Posted on June 13, 2015 by John Rakestraw

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is still a fairly new addition to the Willamette Valley refuge complex, but it offers a nice variety of habitats very close to Portland. I don’t know if the resident Bald Eagles had a successful … 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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Shorebird Class

Posted on July 22, 2013 by John Rakestraw

My Shorebirds of the Willamette Valley class had their first field trip on Saturday. We found nine species of shorebirds, a nice collection of the expected species. We missed the Semipalmated Sandpiper that had been reported earlier in the week. … Continue reading →

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Tualatin River NWR

Posted on June 16, 2013 by John Rakestraw

While the bird diversity has thinned out considerably in the past couple of weeks, I had some nice views of the summer residents at Tualatin River NWR. The resident Bald Eagles still have one youngster in the nest. He is … Continue reading →

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Fernhill Wetlands 11/1/12

Posted on November 4, 2012 by John Rakestraw

Things are hopping at Fernhill Wetlands, with rising water levels, an influx of several thousand geese and other waterfowl, and a few other goodies. Cackling Geese have been arriving for weeks now, and the skies and fields around Fernhill are … Continue reading →

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