Hello everyone! This past weekend I camped along the Oregon coast, and had a wonderful time. I recently sent out an email with a summary of the birds that I found. One of the biggest personal highlights was locating and identifying a Rhinocerous Auklet (observed from shore). They are stunning little guys. I have so much more to share, but also had a request about several photos I took of a loon. You'll find the details in the copy of what I sent out to OBOL, the Oregon birding listserve (it's in the middle of this email). Comments and thoughts are welcome as always. Oh and in case you want to see my most recent addition of photos along the coast, go to this link, and click next (it'll take you through my trips/adventures as they occur) Enjoy :) http://www.pbase.com/birdfedr/image/125452927
Thanks for any help you can provide with the loon identification! So far I've got one vote for Pacific, one for Arctic, and one vote for potential juv Yellow-billed Loon. Good birding, Erik Bruhnke Cottage Grove, OR NATURALLY AVIAN - Bird photography and guided bird hikes www.pbase.com/birdfedr [email protected] "This weekend was one of my most memorable weekends along the coast... I left Cottage Grove about 4:45am saturday morning, and had some great looks at a pair of Cinnamon Teal at the Elk-viewing area near Reedsport. I then headed south towards Bandon, where I got perching shots and flight shots of the Tufted Puffins, saw a Peregrine Falcon drift by, and observed the beauty that is 'regular' around there, such as the Western Gulls, Glaucous-winged Gulls, California Gulls, Pigeons Guillemots, Black Oystercatchers, Osprey, etc. I then headed south after spending most of the day at *Coquille Point* in Bandon, and continued birdwatching at Cape Blanco yesterday afternoon. I witnessed another Peregrine Falcon just drifting on by, at times pumping the wings with great force as it cut through the wind. They are truly incredible. On a side note, it's interesting noting how well certain raptors cope with flying into a strong headwind. While working at Hawk Ridge back in northern MN, most raptors have a relatively difficult time flying into a strong northern wind during the fall migration, due to wing-structure, aerodynamics, etc. Peregrine Falcons and Merlin in particular can just slice through the wind, with what appears to be little efforts, whereas the buteos and even accipiters tend to struggle a bit. Pretty cool! Oh and last night I camped out at Sixes campground, and had Swainson's Thrushes singing all over, a lone singing Western Wood-peweeand a Barred Owl sung me to sleep last night. This morning I headed straight to *Battle Beach* (I think it's called), which is the beach adjacent to the Port Orford information center. Here I had at least 3 species, potentially 4 species of loon!! Four Red-throated Loons were seen as well as 3-4 Pacific Loons and a few distant Common Loons as well. There was one loon in particular that stood out... -When I first saw the bird, my impression was Pacific Loon due to the elongated neck and gradually-curved head (not blocky like the Common Loon's head). -The bill size wasn't huge like a Common Loon's bill , however it was thick and easily visible through the scope from the distance which the bird was observed (I've noticed Red-throated Loons bills seem to almost dissapear when viewed at great distances, as a result of their bill being so slender and petite). -When the wave motion was just right, I could see the loon's flanks/sides, and the pale flanks contrasted with the folded wings. -My overall impression of this bird is that it was too robust to be a delicately-sized/proportioned Red-throated Loon, and as a result of the slightly heavier bill and white flanks, my gut feeling was Arctic Loon. The pictures don't represent the flanks as clearly as what I saw through the scope. Also the sun was behind the bird, so the head looks extra pale-silvery compared to what I saw at times. Loon photos http://www.pbase.com/image/125565916 http://www.pbase.com/image/125565924 http://www.pbase.com/image/125565982 Comments and feedback are appreciated with this one! Throughout the rest of the day today, I birdwatched at the main overlook at *Cape Blanco*, as well as throughout their several miles of trails. The Evergreen Huckleberry and Oregon Irises are just gorgeous! Wrentits, Stellar's Jays, Chestnut-backed Chickadees and some Pacific-Slope Flycatchers were observed. Oh and two of my favorite (yet common birds) American Robin and White-crowned Sparrow were observed as well. Both birds have a spectacular song and are so radiant and just wow, such a beautiful part of nature :) Along the trails were several 'bunches' of Red Crossbills, which I heard but didn't see. Their song is a burst of sweet chatters, and their call consists of 'krip - krip - krip' with varying amounts of 'krips' per call phrase. I birdwatched at Coquille Point today around noon, and on the drive home I stopped at *Fern Ridge* near Veneta. American White Pelicans were over there in good number. I got some photos of a Green Heron (in flight), and also saw the beautiful Cinnamon Teal pair and Black Terns. One Red-tailed Hawk and several Osprey flew overhead. An American Bittern flew by too, as did two Yellow-headed Blackbirds. That's my weekend! I'll post pictures maybe in a week, and I'll at least post ebird sightings this week to let you know the specifics of what I saw this weekend. Again, any help/contributing knowledge with loon ID is appreciated. Thanks!" ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
