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 reliable near Ankeny NWR. This one was hanging out in a nest hole.
Also at Ankeny, this Yellow-breasted Chat posed and sang for us.
This Pygmy Nuthatch was nesting at Black Butte Ranch, just east of Sisters.
Calliope Crossing, north of Sisters, came through with several examples of its namesake hummingbird. The feeder, placed by one of my teammates on a scouting trip, made watching these little guys easier.
Mountain Chickadees were nesting in a hollow stump just inches from the ground.
Calliope Crossing is also famous for hosting a great variety of woodpeckers. This is a hybrid Red-naped X Red-breasted Sapsucker.
At Smith Rock, we watched this Golden Eagle nest with one downy chick.
Bald Eagles were also nesting at Smith Rock.
Ogden Wayside hosted a colony of ground Squirrels. I believe these are Merriam’s Ground Squirrels, although I have trouble distinguishing Merriam’s from Belding’s Ground Squirrel. I need to do some rodent research.
It was a fun, albeit exhausting, day. There is still time to contribute to Portland Audubon’s fundraiser. Click here for more information.
John Rakestraw 