Tag Archives: Brewer’s Blackbird

Crooked River Wetlands Complex

Posted on July 13, 2021 by John Rakestraw

I had a chance to visit Crooked River Wetlands near Prineville. Like Fernhill Wetlands, this site was constructed as part of a wastewater treatment system. But Crooked River Wetlands was designed from the beginning to accommodate both birds and birders. … Continue reading →

Posted in OR Birding Sites | Tagged Bank Swallow, Brewer's Blackbird, Eared Grebe, Northern Harrier, Ruddy Duck, Say's Phoebe, Spotted Sandpiper, Tree Swallow, Tricolored Blackbird, Western Sandpiper, Yellow-headed Blackbird | 2 Comments

Tualatin River NWR

Posted on May 21, 2021 by John Rakestraw

The long hiking trail at Tualatin River NWR is open, and this refuge always offers some good birding in the spring and early summer. A pair of Blue-winged Teal was in the southwest pond. As is typical for this species, … Continue reading →

Posted in OR Birding Sites, rarities, seasonal movements | Tagged Blue-winged Teal, Brewer's Blackbird, Hutton's Vireo, Long-billed Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper | Leave a comment

Spring at Fernhill

Posted on April 26, 2021 by John Rakestraw

A quick tour of Fernhill Wetlands showed bird activity picking up, with the appearance of newly arrived migrants and nest building by the local breeders. This Tree Swallow was staking out a cavity. There are still some Cackling Geese around, … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, nesting, OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements | Tagged Brewer's Blackbird, Brush Rabbit, California Ground Squirrel, California Quail, Common Carp, Muskrat, Ridgeway's Cackling Goose, Taverner's Cackling Goose, Tree Swallow, Wilson's Snipe | 1 Comment

Siletz Bay

Posted on November 24, 2016 by John Rakestraw

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 →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, rarities | Tagged Black Oystercatcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Brant, Brewer's Blackbird, Common Scoter, Harbor Seal, Red Phalarope, Red-throated Loon, Surf Scoter, Thayer's Gull | 1 Comment

Broughton Beach Horned Larks

Posted on August 3, 2016 by John Rakestraw

Broughton Beach, along the Columbia River, has been a favorite spot in Portland to check for shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl, depending on the season. On my recent visit I enjoyed watching a family of Horned Larks working the beach. There … Continue reading →

Posted in nesting, OR Birding Sites, Uncategorized | Tagged Brewer's Blackbird, Broughton Beach, Horned Lark, Killdeer | Leave a comment

Fernhill Wetlands

Posted on April 4, 2016 by John Rakestraw

If you haven’t been to Fernhill Wetlands since the major renovations were completed, you should definitely check it out. There is still a fairly large lake to attract divers, but now there is also a large emergent wetland to explore. … Continue reading →

Posted in OR Birding Sites, reptiles & amphibians, seasonal movements | Tagged American Bullfrog, Brewer's Blackbird, Fernhill Wetlands, Northwestern Garter Snake, Red-winged Blackbird, Ridgeway's Cackling Goose, Tree Swallow | Leave a comment

Fort Rock State Park

Posted on June 20, 2012 by John Rakestraw

Fort Rock (Birding Oregon p. 27) is a wonderful open ring of rock rising out of the flat sage steppe of Lake County. The remnant of a lava eruption, worn down by the waves of an immense lake, the high … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites | Tagged Brewer's Blackbird, Fort Rock, Green-tailed Towhee, Mountain Cottontail, Prairie Falcon, Rock Wren, Western Tanager, Western Wood-Pewee | 2 Comments

Fernhill Wetlands, 2-15-12

Posted on February 19, 2012 by John Rakestraw

I walked around Fernhill Wetlands (Birding Oregon, p. 61) in the mid afternoon. Most of the waterfowl that roost here on winter evenings were still off feeding in the area fields, but there is always something to see. A flock … Continue reading →

Posted in OR Birding Sites | Tagged American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, Brewer's Blackbird, Fernhill Wetlands, Great Blue Heron, Horned Grebe, Tundra Swan | Leave a comment

Brewer’s Blackbird

Posted on February 21, 2011 by John Rakestraw

Brewer’s Blackbird is one of my favorite local species, with their subtle coloring and tame nature, but I have yet to get a decent photo of one. I am usually foiled by the challenge of photographing a black bird in … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior | Tagged Brewer's Blackbird | Leave a comment

Timberline Lodge

Posted on July 28, 2010 by John Rakestraw

Timberline Lodge (Birding Oregon p. 74) is a great place to for some high-elevation birding in the Cascades. A good paved road leads right up to the treeline, and you can access the Pacific Crest Trail just uphill from the … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites | Tagged Acmon Blue, Brewer's Blackbird, Cassin's Finch, Mountain Bluebird, Timberline Lodge, Yellow-bellied Marmot | Leave a comment