Sandy River Delta

I took Nala to the Sandy River Delta this week. One of the target birds for this area is Yellow-breasted Chat, a species hard to find elsewhere in the Portland area.
This was the only individual I found that day, but new migrants are arriving daily. Willow Flycatchers and Eastern Kingbirds, two other specialties of this site, were largely absent during my visit, but were reported a few days later.

Lazuli Buntings are back in force and singing on territory.

Common Yellowthroat

Savannah Sparrow, in harsh sunlight. One of these days I will learn how to photograph in such conditions.

We often associate Pileated Woodpeckers with dense forest, but this species is often found on isolated cottonwood trees along the Columbia River.