All photos copyright John Rakestraw unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.
Tag Archives: Mallard
Winter Waterfowl
Waterfowl seem to dominate the birding scene in the Willamette Valley in winter. Year-round residents, like this Pied-billed Grebe, are joined by a host of winter migrants. My camera hates white birds, but managed to capture this Common Merganser pretty … Continue reading
Posted in seasonal movements
Tagged American Wigeon, Eurasian Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Pied-billed Grebe, Ring-necked Duck
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Smith Rock State Park
I hadn’t been to the dry side of Oregon for far too long, so I took a trip to Smith Rock State Park. The avian stars of this site are the White-throated Swifts that nest here. They did not disappoint, … Continue reading
Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites
Tagged Black-billed Magpie, Desert Cottontail, Mallard, Mule Deer, Say's Phoebe, Smith Rock, Violet-green Swallow
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Sandy River Delta
Nala and I spent the morning at the Sandy River Delta east of Portland. Bird activity is definitely picking up, although many of the summer residents haven’t arrived yet. White-crowned Sparrows were singing as were Savannah Sparrows. Rufous Hummingbirds were … Continue reading
New Year Birding
I went out for a few hours on New Year’s Day to scout locations for my upcoming gull class. The weather was freakishly sunny for a January day in the Portland area. The only gull flock I found was at … Continue reading
Posted in OR Birding Sites
Tagged Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Mallard, Mew Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Ring-necked Duck
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Tualatin River NWR
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
Cannon Beach
While I recognize the serious nature of the current drought, it is hard to be unhappy about sunshine in January. So after many weeks of not birding, I finally got out and spent a day on the coast. On the … Continue reading
Jackson Bottom, 11 July 2013
I walked around Jackson Bottom in Hillsboro this morning. As you would expect at this time of year, there were lots of young birds around. This young Savannah Sparrow posed nicely. His parents have not taught him to skulk in … Continue reading
Posted in mammals, nesting, OR Birding Sites
Tagged Blue-winged Teal, Canada Goose, Jackson Bottom, Mallard, Nutria, Savannah Sparrow, Spotted Sandpiper
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Fernhill Wetlands 11/1/12
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
Washington County Wetlands
I visited several sites in Washington County to check for migrant shorebirds, inspired by the recent appearance of a Spotted Redshank at Fern Ridge Reservoir (Birding Oregon p 89) . I didn’t find anything so rare, but a few birds … Continue reading