I decided to try for the Harris's Sparrow at Sauvie Island today even though it had not been seen for a week or so... I even thought to bring some seed to throw on the ground in hopes of increasing my chances. I got to work right away tossing seed around the trail to the blind, where the bird had been seen before.
This towhee seemed unimpressed with my seed:
Unfortunately the only birds that seemed impressed with the seed were juncos and Song Sparrows. I could have stayed home and watched those birds from my window, darn it! Further up the road were a bunch of Golden-crowned Sparrows feeding in this tree...
I watched them for a while but didn't see anything special. I went back down towards the blind trail and parked for a bit... I managed to glimpse a White-throated Sparrow in the trees across the road but no photo. He was too fast.
I had the dogs with me and they were bored so I drove over to Collins Beach to walk them. Thankfully there were no naked people (or any people) at this clothing-optional beach. I was ready to devote some time to the dogs and ignore the birds when a Pileated Woodpecker caught my eye... There were two of them, working the moss on the trees next to the beach...
Awesome! Finally I let Jake run around a bit though Ralph was on lockdown- we passed way too many herd-able animals on the way to the beach and god only knows where he would have run off to...
Aren't they handsome?! Anyway, after the beach I drove back to Rentenaar Road for another try... There was already a fellow standing by the blind trail keeping an eye on things so I opted to return to the area with all the Golden-crowneds... They were still stuffing their faces.
It seemed they were knocking a lot of the edible stuff off the tree onto the ground where more sparrows were waiting to gobble it up. Oh yes, the Harris's Sparrow included!!!!!!
I could not believe my luck! What an awesome day... I made sure to stop and tell the guy at the blind trail about him on my way out... I hope he saw him too! [Side note: upon flipping through my Birds of the Willamette Valley Region this morning I realized that the guy I mentioned was Mr. Harry Nehls himself!]
This towhee seemed unimpressed with my seed:
Unfortunately the only birds that seemed impressed with the seed were juncos and Song Sparrows. I could have stayed home and watched those birds from my window, darn it! Further up the road were a bunch of Golden-crowned Sparrows feeding in this tree...
I watched them for a while but didn't see anything special. I went back down towards the blind trail and parked for a bit... I managed to glimpse a White-throated Sparrow in the trees across the road but no photo. He was too fast.
I had the dogs with me and they were bored so I drove over to Collins Beach to walk them. Thankfully there were no naked people (or any people) at this clothing-optional beach. I was ready to devote some time to the dogs and ignore the birds when a Pileated Woodpecker caught my eye... There were two of them, working the moss on the trees next to the beach...
Awesome! Finally I let Jake run around a bit though Ralph was on lockdown- we passed way too many herd-able animals on the way to the beach and god only knows where he would have run off to...
Aren't they handsome?! Anyway, after the beach I drove back to Rentenaar Road for another try... There was already a fellow standing by the blind trail keeping an eye on things so I opted to return to the area with all the Golden-crowneds... They were still stuffing their faces.
It seemed they were knocking a lot of the edible stuff off the tree onto the ground where more sparrows were waiting to gobble it up. Oh yes, the Harris's Sparrow included!!!!!!
I could not believe my luck! What an awesome day... I made sure to stop and tell the guy at the blind trail about him on my way out... I hope he saw him too! [Side note: upon flipping through my Birds of the Willamette Valley Region this morning I realized that the guy I mentioned was Mr. Harry Nehls himself!]
Great looking dogs and birds :)
ReplyDeleteYou are finding some interesting birds. I have only seen one Harris's and only one Pileated.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and post.
Great shots what luck to see the bird you went for!!YOUR BOYS are looking terrific---I have the same issues Annie likes to take off and hunt whilst Flossie will hang right around me, and this week I have a Thrid DOG--my sister is out of town until NEXT WED. so a full house here!
ReplyDeleteYour doggies are so sweet. What a nice photo!
ReplyDeleteWhoa! I've only seen a pileated for one flashing second. Which is tragic. Now I know: Collins beach. And it's only a hop skip and a jump away. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Jen! I love the shot of the Golden-crowned Sparrow eating the catkin seeds! We don't have any of those sparrows here and it would be lifetime experience for me to see one. In fact I like ALL your shots. You also got a couple of magnificent dogs! (I am a great dog lover)
ReplyDeleteYou found the Harris Sparrow. Nice job!
ReplyDelete