Killdeer – Page 3 – Ethical Birder

Goose Lake State Park

June 18, 2012 by John Rakestraw, posted in OR Birding Sites

About 14 miles south of Lakeview, Goose Lake State Park is always worth a quick stop for riparian birds and waterfowl. Goose Lake is large (8 miles wide, 20 miles long) and shallow (average 4 ft.), making it ideal for Western and Clark’s Grebes, dabbling ducks such as Gadwalls and Cinnamon Teal, and marsh species along the shores. Most of the lake lies in California, but a few miles of it extend into Oregon. During migration, large numbers of migrant waterfowl can be seen here, although I think it would be more pleasant to avoid waterfowl hunting season.

I think this Killdeer must have had a nest in this patch of gravel, because she stood her ground as I walked by. While their abundance, along with their persistently loud obnoxious calling, makes it easy to not appreciate Killdeer, they really are stunning shorebirds.

The brushy riparian habitat in the state park attracts a nice variety of birds. The site gained notoriety a few years ago when it hosted a White-eyed Vireo. I didn’t find any great rarities during my recent visit, but I always enjoy seeing Black-billed Magpies.

It is hard to believe that ten years ago, Eurasian Collared Doves were very rare in Oregon. They are now well established throughout much of the state.

In the large lawn near the picnic area, the resident ground squirrels have created a web of rodent runways through the grass.

Fernhill Dog Days

August 27, 2011 by John Rakestraw, posted in identification challenges, OR Birding Sites, rarities, seasonal movements

In preparation for my shorebirds class for Portland Audubon, I have made several trips to Fernhill Wetlands (Birding Oregon p. 61) in recent weeks. As expected in the Willamette Valley in late summer, species diversity is fairly low, but there is always something to see.

Green Herons are common at this site, flushing from the shores of the main lake or hunting in Dabblers Marsh.

High water levels this year have left little mud for the shorebirds. This Killdeer has found some higher ground.

Greater Yellowlegs

The shorebird class found at least six Stilt Sandpipers on their field trip. This species is a rare migrant in Oregon. I had only seen one individual in Oregon prior to this trip, also at Fernhill.

Two Stilt Sandpipers

Late summer is the ugly duck season, with most birds in their summer alternate, or “eclipse” plumage. I think I know what this little duck is, but I would be interested in your opinions. Leave a comment.

This is a school of young bullheads, I assume Black Bullheads. The young school together while the adult male stays close by to protect them. There were many broods of these little fish in Cattail Marsh.

I haven’t learned to ID the local dragonflies, so if you know who this is, leave a comment.

Urban Otters (and birds)

September 11, 2008September 11, 2008 by John Rakestraw, posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites

Two Northern River Otters have been hanging out at Koll Center Wetlands in Beaverton, so I went out this morning to see them. Otters are always a treat, but it is especially nice to see them thriving in such an urban setting.

Here is one of the two otters munching on a fish. Check out those teeth.

After breakfast, it is time to wrestle,

and then wrestle some more.

Then they were off to find something else to do.

Good numbers of birds use this little wetland, as well. Here is a Northern Shoveler. How do they hold those massive bills up?

Two Killdeer feed within a flock of Long-billed Dowitchers. This flock flew off when a Cooper’s Hawk flew by.

Fernhill Wetlands

June 19, 2008 by John Rakestraw, posted in nesting, OR Birding Sites

I visited three of the Washington County wetlands today, but spent most of my time at Fernhill (Birding Oregon p.61). Nesting species were present in abundance, but overall species diversity was pretty low.

The duck at the top of this picture is a Gadwall, a rare breeder in western Oregon, with her newly hatched brood. The duck at the bottom is a Mallard with her larger duckling. We are quickly entering the “ugly brown duck” season, when all the waterfowl are molting and looking increasingly similar.