Towheeblog

I check on our nesting eagles at Riverfront Park this morning, before the rain. One on eggs, one perched at far north end of Minto-Brown Island on the tree nearest the river.

Below: junco; Golden-crowned Sparrow; Killdeer at Riverfront Park; upper right–a mantis egg case at Mill Creek Wetlands; also at Mill Creek, soaring red-tail; American Goldfinch in molt; chickadee X 2; flicker X 2; myrtle warbler; junco with tail in molt; Varied Thrush high in bare tree and in full view (not usual); male Townsend’s Warbler having a bite of suet.

Bushtits at suet block, they came several times before the rain intensified.

For great insights into Bushtit-world, click here for Dr. Sarah Sloane’s blog about them. Dr. Sloane will be giving the May birders’ night program for Salem Audubon Society. It can be attended in person, Zoomed, or seen later on Youtube. By this time last year her team had alreAdy found some of the first nests of the season. Click here for that specific blog. LiKely the Bushtits are once again pairing and building…takes lots of grass and lichens.

Here is link to my blog last time I lived next to a Bushtit nest–2020.

954 Ratcliff Drive SE, Marion, Oregon, US
Mar 8, 2023
19 species

Wild Turkey  17
Mourning Dove  20
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker  1
California Scrub-Jay  X
American Crow  X
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Chestnut-backed Chickadee  1
Bushtit  20
Bewick’s Wren  1
European Starling  1
Varied Thrush  2
House Finch  X
Lesser Goldfinch  X
American Goldfinch  X
Fox Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco  30
White-throated Sparrow  1
Spotted Towhee  1