Towheeblog

Our Klamath Bird Observatory field trip to Agate Lake east of Medford was nothng short of Os-piring. At least six different Osprey, probably three nesting pairs were in the area.

Another migrant bird that seemed happy to be back “home” was the Lark Sparrow. At least three different birds were singing from low perches. And the swallows were abundant: Tree, V-G and Cliff. Most were feeding over the lake where midge concentrations must have been greatest. I spotted a single Vaux’s Swift in the melange but couldn’t relocate it.
A number of Lewis’s Woodpeckers remain around the lake in the oaks.
The Oak Titmouse were singing as well as the many meadowlarks. Did not see or hear a Chipping Sparrow.

On our way to Agate Lake we found no Kites near Lincoln School but there were a few Tricolored Blackbirds among the icterids at the Jackson Sports Park along Hwy 140. Here’s one near the backstop.

LINCOLN [ELEMENTARY] SCHOOL-MEDFORD, Jackson, US-OR. Apr 13, 2013 8:20 AM. 5 species

Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 4
California Quail (Callipepla californica) 4
Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 1.
Agate Lake, Jackson, US-OR. Apr 13, 2013 9:00 AM. 38 species

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 15
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 2
American Wigeon (Anas americana) 15
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 50
Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) 2
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 10
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 12
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) 6
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 15
Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) 2
Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) 4
Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) 8
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 1
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 1
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 12
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 6
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 2
American Coot (Fulica americana) 40
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 4
Vaux’s Swift (Chaetura vauxi) 1
Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) 10
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) 3
Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) 1
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) 4
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 6
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 2000
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) 300
Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) 200
Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) 8
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) 1
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) 4
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) 3
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) 15
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 6
Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) 15
Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 25
Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) 1