Tag Archives: Western Sandpiper

Tillamook

Posted on October 6, 2020 by John Rakestraw

I had to go to Tillamook Bay to get some photos for an upcoming webinar. This particular day had freakishly nice weather, very un-Tillamook-like. Ideally, during fall migration, a birder hopes for onshore winds to bring seabirds and shorebirds close … Continue reading →

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Inland Shorebirds

Posted on May 10, 2019 by John Rakestraw

From the end of April through the middle of May, migrant shorebird numbers peak along the Oregon coast. I haven’t made it out to the coast yet this spring, but my local inland sites have produced a few species. There … Continue reading →

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Hudsonian Godwit

Posted on September 25, 2018 by John Rakestraw

A Hudsonian Godwit has been hanging out at Fort Stevens for over a week now. This species, seen here with a Black-bellied Plover, normally migrates through the central part of the continent so an appearance on the west coast is … Continue reading →

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Jackson Bottom

Posted on July 13, 2017 by John Rakestraw

I made a quick visit to Jackson Bottom in Hillsboro. This is a very busy spot in the summer. The Savannah Sparrows are still in full song. Pintail Pond has been drained to accommodate some restoration work on the site, … Continue reading →

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Birdathon 2016

Posted on May 16, 2016 by John Rakestraw

The Weekday Warblers birdathon team made its inaugural trip on May 12. We birded the north coast from Cannon Beach to Fort Stevens, with a stop at the Sunset Rest Stop on the way. We did well with seabirds and … Continue reading →

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Broughton Beach, Portland

Posted on August 21, 2015 by John Rakestraw

Broughton Beach is along the Columbia River, right next to the Portland airport. It can be a challenging place to bird, with dogs and children chasing the birds, police carrying body bags down the beach, etc. But if you catch … Continue reading →

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Pacific City

Posted on May 6, 2015 by John Rakestraw

I led a couple of tours for the Birding and Blues Festival last weekend. The weather was dry and reasonably warm, despite rather vicious afternoon winds on the beach. North winds brought good numbers of migrating shorebirds close to land. … Continue reading →

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Fort Stevens State Park

Posted on May 15, 2014 by John Rakestraw

When the tides are right, the area around Parking Lot D at Fort Stevens State Park can be very productive. On my recent visit, I found about 400 Caspian Terns in the bay. Many of the birds were presenting fish … Continue reading →

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Spring Shorebirds

Posted on May 10, 2014 by John Rakestraw

I had hoped to get to the coast this week, but a big weather system was blowing in so I  visited Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottom. Both sites had a few shorebirds sporting their breeding plumage. Semipalmated Plover Dunlin Least … Continue reading →

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Fernhill Wetlands

Posted on September 24, 2013 by John Rakestraw

Fernhill Wetlands, south of Forest Grove, is a great place to see the onset of autumn. Water levels on the main lake are still very low, but the recent rains will soon change that. Migrant shorebirds, like these Western Sandpipers, … Continue reading →

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