Towheeblog

No real birding time so far this week, so many things to get done…but the birds still intrude when given the chance.

Scrub-jay in Madrone, at Meyer Farm; this one and its mate followed me down the public street, complaining about me the whole time. Perched in one of the many madrones along Hillrose.

Spirea, and Captiol Lake loafers, ‘er, Mallards at rest:

Lake Capitol, Marion, Oregon, US
Jun 27, 2022
6 species

Mallard  9
Killdeer  1
Great Blue Heron  1
California Scrub-Jay  1
American Crow  3
Violet-green Swallow  5

Hidden Lake, behind retirement home, Marion, Oregon, US
Jun 28, 2022
5 species

Mallard  13
Green Heron  1
American Crow  X
Violet-green Swallow  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X

Fairview Wetlands, Marion, Oregon, US
Jun 29, 2022
10 species

Canada Goose  8
Mallard  1
Killdeer  1
Turkey Vulture  1
American Crow  X
Violet-green Swallow  X
European Starling  2
American Robin  2
Cedar Waxwing  4
Red-winged Blackbird  X

Meyer Farm, Marion, Oregon, US
Jun 29, 2022
16 species

Eurasian Collared-Dove  5
Mourning Dove  1
Anna’s Hummingbird  2
Osprey  1
Northern Flicker  3
Steller’s Jay  1
California Scrub-Jay  4
American Crow  X
Violet-green Swallow  X
Red-breasted Nuthatch  1
Bewick’s Wren  1
European Starling  2
American Robin  8
House Finch  4
Pine Siskin  1
Spotted Towhee  1

Photo from International Crane Foundation:

A New Generation of Whooping Cranes in Wisconsin   Look closely at the above photo – do you see the Whooping Crane chick? With the help of talented pilot Bev Paulan, who conducts regular aerial surveys, our staff closely monitors Whooping Crane pairs as they nest, hatch chicks, and introduce the next generation to Wisconsin’s wetlands. There are currently five wild-hatched Whooping Crane chicks in the state!

In addition to the wild-hatched chicks in Wisconsin, we are raising seven young Whooping Cranes at our headquarters.   Cicada, June Bug, Bumble Bee, Zulu Hud, Weevil and Firefly are being costume-reared by our staff. The remaining chick, Whirligig, is growing up under the care of adult Whooping Cranes Slash and Anzac.