Washington County.

Oregon's Washington County is home to all sorts of great birding spots, though in recent years most of my time there has been spent cursing the lack of Mountain Quail and/or stuck in Highway 26 traffic.  Now that I work there I figured I should start getting more familiar with the local hot spots and beef my up my county list.  Yesterday I left for work early to fit in a couple stops, starting with the Milne/Harrington Road area of Cornelius.


There's an abandoned house hosting a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker for the second winter in a row here.  I looked for the bird once last winter, but I realize now I was looking on the wrong side of the house.  Also, I didn't realize it was abandoned so I was being careful not to creep for too long.

Incorrect side of the house

Correct side of the house

A Rough-legged Hawk was reported in the area as well, so I cruised around checking the foggy fields.


Eventually I found the bird posing way out on a fence with a couple of Red-taileds.


On the other side of the road a harrier kept making a move like she wanted to poop, but nothing was coming out.


Worst feeling.  I headed back towards Beaverton after this to visit a place I had only heard about, the small but birdy Commonwealth Lake Park. 


It's basically a neighborhood duck pond, and that's not a bad thing.  Sometimes it's nice to just look at ducks close up.  I had been meaning to get to Crystal Springs for my fix, but Commonwealth Lake served me well.

So pretty, so mucky. 

This Gadwall was determined to rob this wigeon of his vegetation.  Not determined enough.

Classic wigeon eyeroll.  I could anthropomorphize more here, but some people are sensitive about that sort of thing. 

 More Gadwalls because I can. 

But wait.  This lake was not just all ducks all the time.

Boom.  Kingfisher.  

Stoked to see a tame-ish Green Heron.  

 Panting roof heron, showing some tongue. 

My early morning venture into the county was successful.  Three new county birds including everyone's favorite, the elusive and magical House Sparrow.  Woohoo.  Good times!

Comments

  1. I'm upset there aren't photos of the House Sparrow. Way to go on the Roughy. Never seen one myself

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    1. I am also upset about the lack of HOSP photos. Next time I'll do better.

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  2. Anthropomorphistic sensitivity is a serious condition. This is not a laughing matter, Jen.

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  3. Nice kingfisher shot! That isn't easy to get there. I will be sure to send Robin a link to that. She went there a bunch of times looking for that bird and loves them. The scenic sunny morning shots of my county (MY county) are pretty :)

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    1. Haha, yes YOUR county is quite beautiful! I think being number 3 entitles you to at least part-ownership.

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  4. Oh love the ducks...I wanna see DUCKS!! Love your kingfisher shot.

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  5. I find the breast patterns of drake GADWs mesmerizing. Also, nice Nate joke.

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  6. I laughed out loud at the poor harrier's caption. Welcome to the westside!

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    1. Haha, I'm glad my potty jokes do not go unappreciated.

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  7. God save the duck ponds for some good crushing. Un-shaven-legged Hawk is also great This is some damn find birding and blogging Jen. The Harrier, especially, touched me.

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