With this summer’s drought the migrating shorebirds are finding more shore than usual around area reservoirs. In fact Agate Lake’s surface area now is less than one-third of what it would be if the reservoir were at capacity.
Killdeer, like American Robin, so common we ignore its subtle beauty.
Spotted Sandpiper on right, Western on left.
The lone Semipalmated Plover I could find at the water’s edge.
The Western Bluebirds and House Finches were dining on fresh blackberries. Meanwhile goldfinches of both varieties were feeding on thistle and weed seeds.
Agate Lake, Jackson, US-OR
Aug 19, 2014 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM. 27 species
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 120
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) X
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) 1
American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) 7
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) 3
Great Egret (Ardea alba) 2
Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) 3
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Semipalmated Plover (Charadrius semipalmatus) 1
Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) 14
Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) 2
Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) 130
Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) 80
Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) 8
Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) 1
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) 2
American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) 1
Common Raven (Corvus corax) 1
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) X
Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) X
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) X
Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) 10
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) 4
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) 10
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 2
American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) 4
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