At the Yamhill Sewer Ponds mid-day a pair of Harriers were chasing away a Red-tail. Mostly there were dives and feints. The Red-tail did not seem to be in a hurry to move away, circling toward the south, then reversing and heading slowly northward. The attacking Harrier is far more agile and faster than the bigger buteo. Most of these dives and sorties by the female Harrier seemed more formal protocol than actual attempts to do damage. It also indicates the Harrier pair are likely nesting somewhere just west of the sewer ponds. 
There were more species of ducks in the ponds than I have seen previously, eight. One of species not usually present: American Wigeons. 
Other surprises: a Ruddy Duck, Green-winged teal and a larger than usual number of Wood Ducks.
Close up of camas:
Every day these beautiful swallows are fun to watch and full of life. Soaring, circling, chattering, resting next to the nest boxes, swirling up into the air. Elsewhere I saw Tree Swallows checking out holes holding the cannister lights on the under-side of the McMinnville Toyota dealer’s porch. Insects must be good for your pluamge judging by these Tree Swallows. 
Yamhill Sewage Ponds (restricted access), Yamhill, Oregon, US
26 species
Cackling Goose (Branta hutchinsii) 30 fly over
Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) 12
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) 17
American Wigeon (Anas americana) 6
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 20
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 80
Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) 6
Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) 100
Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) 25
Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) 1
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) 2 pair attacikng Red-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) X
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) 1
Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) X
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) 2
Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) X
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 1
Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) 100; Bushtit
American Robin (Turdus migratorius) 8
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) X
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) 5
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) 30
Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) 2
Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) 1
Leave a Reply