A small group of socially distanced birders made a quick visit to Baskett Slough this morning. We also met a photographer there from the McMinnville News-Register paper. They’re planning an article on birding during covid.
A small flock of swans flew right over our heads as birded the pond next to Covill Road. Everybody else we saw were lesser beings. Nicest surprise were two pairs–Hooded Merganser and Cinnamon Teal, both sharing what I think of as the scaup pond. It’s right next to Smithfield Road, easily viewed from car–at the road’s elbow where the Van Duzer entrance road starts uphill from Smithfield.
Black Phoebe seem more widespread this winter than last–saw one at the main parking lot along Covill Road.
Outnumbering even the starlings were the huge flocks of wintering Cackling Geese–most were grazing the pastures.
There is a great deal of open water at Baskett Slough now after this month’s heavy, frequent rains.
Baskett Slough NWR, Polk, Oregon, US
Jan 18, 2021
5.0 mile(s)
24 species
Cackling Goose 6000
Canada Goose X
Tundra Swan 6
Northern Shoveler X
Gadwall X
Mallard X
Northern Pintail X
Green-winged Teal X
Bufflehead 4
Mourning Dove 1
Coot X
Killdeer X
Great Blue Heron 1
Great Egret 8
Northern Harrier 1
Red-tailed Hawk X
American Kestrel 2
Black Phoebe 1 at main parking lot on Covill Road
European Starling X
American Robin X
American Pipit 30
Song Sparrow X
Spotted Towhee 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Baskett Slough NWR–Smithfield Rd., Polk, Oregon, US
Jan 18, 2021
20 species
Cinnamon Teal 2 in pond at elbow where the Van Duzer Winery entrance road heads uphill
Northern Shoveler X
American Wigeon X
Mallard X
Ring-necked Duck 1 in pond at elbow where the Van Duzer Winery entrance road heads uphill
Lesser Scaup 6 in pond at elbow where the Van Duzer Winery entrance road heads uphill
Hooded Merganser 2 in pond at elbow where the Van Duzer Winery entrance road heads uphill
Killdeer 20
Great Egret 1
Great Blue Heron 1
Bald Eagle 2 second year bird and a first year bird, far apart
Red-tailed Hawk 4
American Kestrel 1
California Scrub-Jay 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
European Starling X
American Robin X
Golden-crowned Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Spotted Towhee 1
Livermore Rd., Polk, Oregon, US
Jan 18, 2021
19 species
Canada Goose X
Northern Shoveler X
Mallard X
Green-winged Teal X
Killdeer X
Great Egret 1
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 4
Northern Flicker 1
American Kestrel 1
California Scrub-Jay 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
Bewick’s Wren 1
European Starling X
Golden-crowned Sparrow X
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 2
Spotted Towhee 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
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