Towheeblog

We celebrateed IMBD at the Ankeny Nature Center today. At least eleven of the species I counted there today were probably migrants. The Green Heron is problematic because some are seen around here on Christmas Bird Counts–not clear if those individuals are local or visiting. Some of today’s migrants are here to breed, some still heading north. Swallows will stick around, some of the shorebirds will not. Species seen that are probably migrants are in bold face. The others are probably or absolutely resaident in the Willamette Valley.

Above: Cinnamion Teal pair; male Brewer’s Blackbird doing his high-wire act; lupine happily abloom; Violet-green Swallows atop nest box–two different boxes but likely the same swallow…the second box had also been visited by a pair of bluebirds; the two hopeful bluebirds near the contested nest box; trio of Western Sandpipers; single one of the trio at Peregrine Marsh west of the Nature Center.

I also saw a Green Heron come and go at Peregrine, perhaps nesting in one of the nearby trees.

My role was to explain Motus to thiose visitors who were curious. Most listened politely. Here is link to fine website buiult by Rich Schramm to let birders explore what we find out from the Motus Tower at Ankeny. It also links to other towers in Washington State, including Nisqually NWR. To see detections listed click on “Receiver Detections.”

Here is the Ankney Motus Tower, next to Nature Center–quietly awaiting its next sensory sensation from a passing bird:

Ankeny NWR, Marion, Oregon, US
May 13, 2023
28 species

Cinnamon Teal  4
Gadwall  4
Mallard  X
California Quail  4
Pied-billed Grebe  3
Anna’s Hummingbird  1
American Coot  1
Killdeer  12
Western Sandpiper  3
Long-billed Dowitcher  6
Spotted Sandpiper  1
Greater Yellowlegs  1
Green Heron 1
Turkey Vulture  1
Osprey  1
Black Phoebe  1
California Scrub-Jay  X
American Crow  X
Tree Swallow  X
Violet-green Swallow  2
Barn Swallow  30
Cliff Swallow  X
European Starling  X
Song Sparrow  X
Western Meadowlark  X
Red-winged Blackbird  X
Brewer’s Blackbird  X
Common Yellowthroat  1