The first post-breeding migrants for me this year–small flock of breeding plumage Willets in Eagle Marsh. Just east of them on what is usually the island nearest the parking lot–a lone Cackling Goose. Did this one stay all spring and summer? Can we all agree that “fall migration” is a bone-headed misnomer? How about post-breeding migration? Or after-egg escape? Or avian vacation travel? Most North American migrants leave for new places long before September 21…though many will not have arrived at their ultimate destination by then.
The Barn Swallow fledglings were on fence railing at Eagle Marsh. Parent swallows were ferrying food to the young’uns.
Only saw a single duck, the female hoodie. Among the singers: chat, grosbeak, Song Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren at Rail Trail parking lot.
Ankeny NWR, Marion, Oregon, US
Jun 30, 2022. 24 species
Cackling Goose 1 Eagle Marsh
Hooded Merganser female, Pintail Marsh
California Quail 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Eurasian Collared-Dove X
Killdeer 2
Willet 8
Turkey Vulture 8
Bald Eagle 1
Western Wood-Pewee 1
California Scrub-Jay 4
American Crow X
Violet-green Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 6
Cliff Swallow 2
European Starling X
Swainson’s Thrush X
American Robin 4
House Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 6
Yellow-breasted Chat 1
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brewer’s Blackbird X
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
Towheeblog 
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