Tag Archives: Wilson’s Snipe

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 Summer Wetlands

Posted on September 9, 2019 by John Rakestraw

I made a quick trip to Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottom to look for shorebirds. My first bird of the morning was this Killdeer standing on the sidewalk. I guess that counts. There is a frustrating lack of mudflats in … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements | Tagged American White Pelican, Black-tailed Deer, Brush Rabbit, Killdeer, Nutria, Short-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Sandpiper, Virginia Rail, Wilson's Snipe | Leave a comment

Early Spring in the 5MR

Posted on April 6, 2019 by John Rakestraw

The weather has gone from winter rain to spring rain, still rather gloomy but definitely more pleasant overall. Spring migration is slowly picking up with new species gradually accumulating in my 5-Mile Radius. Most of the new sites that I … Continue reading →

Posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements | Tagged Band-tailed Pigeon, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Bufflehead, Coyote, Great Egret, Greater Yellowlegs, House Sparrow, Rufous Hummingbird, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Wilson's Snipe, Yellow-rumped Warbler | Leave a comment

Dreary February

Posted on February 19, 2019 by John Rakestraw

February weather can be the most challenging, with cold temperatures and frequent rain. We desperately need the moisture so I am not complaining, but it is harder to get motivated to get out into the cold and damp. I continue … Continue reading →

Posted in seasonal movements | Tagged American Wigeon, Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbird, Wilson's Snipe | Leave a comment

5MR: The First Month

Posted on February 1, 2019 by John Rakestraw

For the month of January, virtually all of my birding has been conducted within my 5 Mile Radius. This included dedicated birding trips and keeping track of birds while at the dog park and on family hikes. (This Red-breasted Sapsucker … Continue reading →

Posted in birding philosophy, mammals, OR Birding Sites | Tagged American Dipper, Brown Creeper, Nutria, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Wilson's Snipe | Leave a comment

Random Bits of August

Posted on August 31, 2016 by John Rakestraw

I taught two shorebird classes and led three shorebird field trips in August. The southbound shorebird migration has been pretty great so far, with unprecedented numbers of Baird’s Sandpipers and a nice smattering of rarities throughout Oregon. My trips missed … Continue reading →

Posted in seasonal movements | Tagged American White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone, Surfbird, Wilson's Snipe | Leave a comment

Changes Continue at Fernhill Wetlands

Posted on September 5, 2012 by John Rakestraw

Exciting changes continue at Fernhill Wetlands (Birding Oregon p. 61). This photo is from the drying lake bed of Fernhill Lake. Low water levels this summer have created some great shorebird habitat. Notice the clump of cottonwood trees that have … Continue reading →

Posted in OR Birding Sites, seasonal movements | Tagged Fernhill Wetlands, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Goldfinch, Wilson's Snipe | 3 Comments

Shorebirds

Posted on October 1, 2008 by John Rakestraw

The big news in Oregon birding this week is the Wood Sandpiper found at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene (Birding Oregon p. 90). This is the first record for Oregon, and one of only a few records for North … Continue reading →

Posted in identification challenges, OR Birding Sites | Tagged Fernhill Wetlands, Greater Yellowlegs, Wilson's Snipe | 2 Comments