Tag Archives: California Ground Squirrel

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

Late Winter Ramblings

Posted on March 22, 2021 by John Rakestraw

Birding has been rather slow lately, as many of the winter residents have moved on and the spring migrants haven’t arrived yet. The local nesters, like this Spotted Towhee are becoming more active and vocal. A remnant of last autumn’s … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, reptiles & amphibians, seasonal movements | Tagged California Ground Squirrel, Long-toed Salamander, Pacific Treefrog, Spotted Towhee, Western Skink | Leave a comment

Fernhill Wetlands

Posted on May 31, 2020 by John Rakestraw

Summer is settling in at Fernhill Wetlands. The birds that are here now are probably nesting. Always a treat this far west is this handsome Blue-winged Teal. I hope he has a mate sitting on eggs somewhere. Just as lovely, … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, reptiles & amphibians, seasonal movements | Tagged Blue-winged Teal, California Ground Squirrel, Cedar Waxwing, Cinnamon Teal, Great Egret, Killdeer, Long-toed Salamander, Purple Martin | Leave a comment

Birds vs. Birding

Posted on July 12, 2019 by John Rakestraw

We spent close to a week in northern Wasco County, OR, to get our dogs away from the barrage of illegal fireworks that plague the Portland area every July. While the property where we stayed provided some nice hiking opportunities, … Continue reading →

Posted in birding philosophy | Tagged Black-tailed Deer, California Ground Squirrel, Horned Lark | 1 Comment

North Coast

Posted on July 25, 2015 by John Rakestraw

I made two trips to the coast this week, once to scout for my Portland Audubon shorebird class, and again for the class itself. It is amazing how much difference a couple of days can make in the make-up of … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements | Tagged Black Turnstone, California Ground Squirrel, California Gull, Caspian Tern, Elk, Glaucous-winged Gull, Raccoon, Ruddy Turnstone, Semipalmated Plover, whimbrel, White-crowned Sparrow | 1 Comment

Weekend at the Coast

Posted on April 16, 2013 by John Rakestraw

I led trips for the Birding and Blues Festival in Pacific City, OR, last weekend. The weather was cool with scattered showers, so photo ops were not abundant. The Three Capes Tour on Friday was actually very good for mammals, … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites | Tagged Aleutian Cackling Goose, California Ground Squirrel, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Pacific City, Peregrine Falcon, Semidi Islands | 1 Comment

California Ground Squirrel

Posted on June 8, 2010 by John Rakestraw

Ranging throughout the western third of Oregon, California Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) are much larger and bushier-tailed than other ground squirrels. They are found in open grasslands (including large lawns) and on rocky outcrops. Unlike other ground squirrels, they will … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals | Tagged California Ground Squirrel | 4 Comments