Towheeblog

Around 130PM today the wind and turbulent air disturbed a large flock of birds that came through our garden. Most stayed in the tops of bare trees, then move on. A few dropped down to snack. There were at least a hundred, seeming to about half starling, half robin. Likely they had been out foraging in some open field or marshy area, then the storm made them search for better cover. Wind disturbing feathers can mean cold, and even wet pin feathers. That could be dangerous if the birds face a very cold night ahead–which they might. Forecast low is 36 F.

DAWN BEFORE THE STORM

TURKEYS X 3
A trio of male turkeys. Appeared three times. Their first arrival was over the fence from a neighbor’s garden. In the early morning it wads partly sunny–the toms’ breeding plumage was shining, glistening, glossy, glandularly over-the-top, iridescent, efflorescent, beyond any statement made on the Oscars’ red carpet:

Some Willamette Valley birds of interest–photos by Philippe Pessereau;

The Rough-legged Hawk was at Ankeny NWR, one image shows a harassing harrier. The Redhead and Eagles dining on coyote flesh at Baskett Slough. The Canvasback in private pond along Baker Creek Road west of McMinnville.

From Karl Schneck in rural Ashland I got this update on his local screech-owl: Day #52… 50 days roosting in this box, 2 days before today in another Screecher box, and 1 day in a Barn Owl box before it moved closer to our house. I only knew it was in the Barn Owl box because I opened the box to check if there was a Barn Owl in it. Still have my fingers and toes crossed it will bring a mate and use the box for nesting. I’ve never seen the owl during the day, only at dusk for about 20 minutes before it gets dark and the hunt begins.
Click here for photos.

Click here for look at the sealions who’ve moved in Pier 39, San Francisco–when and why.

World’s oldest known hedgehog–click here.

Beetles and the scent of a friendly fungus–how they’re killing trees–click here.

Did Bolsinaro go after our Purple Martins? Click here.

954 Ratcliff Drive SE, Marion, Oregon, US
Feb 21, 2023
18 species

Wild Turkey  3
Mourning Dove  21
Downy Woodpecker  1
California Scrub-Jay  4
American Crow  X
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Bushtit  20
Bewick’s Wren  1
European Starling  50
Varied Thrush  2
American Robin  50
House Finch  1
Lesser Goldfinch  X
American Goldfinch  X
Dark-eyed Junco  30
Golden-crowned Sparrow  1
White-throated Sparrow  1
Yellow-rumped Warbler  1     myrtle