Towheeblog

Clark Creek Park this morning: Busy, with two pairs of sapsuckers fussing over territory.  A pair of Downys copulating high in a walnut. Three Bushtits, pair of CB Chickadees, Steller’s Jay, Song Sparrow singing.
The currants there are now putting on fruit, yet the walnuts and oaks are not even leafed out.

In our garden–both a Lincoln’s Sparrow and a Chipping Sparrow this morning–not two we get often. I never thought I’d get this close to a shy Linc. Maybe he ignored me because I was inside the window? These will be the best pics I ever get of this elusive little bird:

Driveway at dawn:

We also have House Finches with the eye infections which have plagued that species for years. Click here for information on the two infections. The infections can be fatal and are contagious–my feeders down. Will still feed on variable ground locations that can be sprayed with bleach and hosed down.

We need to watch reports on coming of avian flu, also. Click here for recent report on that bird killer.

At Mill Creek the Cacklers remain in the thousands. No sign of pipits today, but saw a Cinnamon Teal there for the first time this spring. Also saw a coyote there for the first time. He certainly didn’t like seeing me.
Momma Killdeer was screaming at me. The youngster was plowing through the grass to catch up with her:

954 Ratcliff Drive SE, Marion, Oregon, US
Apr 22, 2022
19 species

Wild Turkey  1
Mourning Dove  X
Red-breasted Sapsucker  1
California Scrub-Jay  X
American Crow  X
Black-capped Chickadee  X
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
European Starling  X
American Robin  X
House Finch  X
Pine Siskin  X
American Goldfinch  X
Chipping Sparrow  X
Fox Sparrow  X
Dark-eyed Junco  2
White-crowned Sparrow  X
Golden-crowned Sparrow  X
Song Sparrow  X
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1

Clark Creek Park, Marion, Oregon, US
Apr 23, 2022
8 species

Red-breasted Sapsucker  4     2 competing paits
Downy Woodpecker  2     copulating pair
Steller’s Jay  1
American Crow  X
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  2
Bushtit  3
European Starling  X
Song Sparrow  2

Mill Creek Wetlands, Marion, Oregon, US
Apr 23, 2022
26 species

Cackling Goose  3000
Canada Goose  1
Cinnamon Teal  X
Northern Shoveler  X
Gadwall  X
Mallard  X
Green-winged Teal  X
Mourning Dove  X
American Coot  X
Killdeer  2     one a youngster
Long-billed Dowitcher  5
Wilson’s Snipe  3
Greater Yellowlegs  2
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  5
Tree Swallow  X
Barn Swallow  X
Cliff Swallow  X
European Starling  X
American Robin  X
House Finch  1
Golden-crowned Sparrow  12
Savannah Sparrow  4
Song Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  40
Yellow-rumped Warbler  3