Towheeblog

This Western Kingbird was part of a family group feeding around Ashland Pond this morning. The sputtering calls from the kingbirds apparently kept young and older together.
It’s the time of year when young birds are to to be found all around. Young Spotted Towhees and Bullock’s Orioles pursued adults, seeking free feedings. Mother Wood Ducks stayed near their fluffy ducklings for protection though the little ones already feed themselves. The mom above seemed to have a single hatchling while the mom across the pond had seven ducklings all in a row.
This Green Heron hunting in the open under full sun also was a youngster with the telltale streaky neck.

These two Northern Rough-winged Swallows were two of several juveniles of that species that were sunning on the dead weeds in Ashland Pond. Adults birds circled overhead.
This young Dipper had no leg bands and was sitting motionless on rock just upstream from footbridge that in turn is just upstream from the large cement water tank that is in turn about thirty yards downstream from the swimming reservoir dam across Ashland Land in upper Lithia Park. Note the pale gape on this fledgling Dipper. We were there half an hour, no other Dipper was seen in that time.

Note the sturdy shape of this young Dipper. Where’s the tail? Who needs it?
YOUNG BUT NO FEATHERS
This was first fawn sighting in Ashland this year. Doe giving street lessons: watch for dogs, don’t run as you might fall, let the cars wait, stay in the shade. Another Ashland deer learns about town life.
Ashland Pond, Jackson, US-OR
Jul 7, 2012 8:15 AM
Protocol: Incidental
28 species

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 10
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 12
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 2
Green Heron (Butorides virescens) 2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 4
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 2
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) 6
Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) 1
Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) 4
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 6
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 3
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 2
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) 15
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 5
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 8
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) 2 singing
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) 10
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 1
Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) 1
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 1
Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) 2
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) 2
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 25
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) 12