I keep seeing this area mentioned when people write about birds in the area, so I thought I'd check it out yesterday while the weather was still beautiful. I am so glad I did!
This Song Sparrow was one of many birds chattering away at Zuwalt Park.. I randomly stopped at this park first and lucky for me it was an off-leash area. Jake had a blast charging through the overgrown grass.
Here is a terrible terrible picture of what I believe is a Bewick's Wren?
This next one was hanging out in the parking lot of a mini-mart down the road from Zuwalt & Jean Parks..
Is this a Western Bluebird?
At Perkins Peninsula:
There were tons of robins and this Western Scrub-Jay.
At the road leading into the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area Headquarters was this Ring-necked Pheasant.
As I drove up he refused to budge for at least a minute, but finally gave in and hopped into the bushes.
From the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area:
I wouldn't have even bothered trying to identify this bird but he showed me his backside before flying off..
Could this be a Yellow-rumped Warbler, or is that just too obvious?
This looks like a female Western Bluebird..
Across the gravel road from the wildlife area was a field of cows. They always make me smile.
This hawk was circling over a pond full of Canada Geese and Northern Pintails..
Huge flocks of geese were constantly coming or going... I loved that I could see the moon behind these guys.
This was the most patient kestrel I have ever encountered. Usually they take off a second after I aim the camera at them...
At Kirk Pond it sure looked like Spring!
I think this is a Western Grebe flying over the pond.. Bad picture, I know.
Our last stop was Royal Avenue. It was a beautiful place with great views of the reservoir. Northern Harriers flew overhead and more coots than I have ever seen swam in the water.
I will definitely be heading back to Fern Ridge in the future!
