ROUGH DRAFT

OK all, remember this is a “rough” draft. I’ve tried to incorporate the ideas we’ve been mauling around and refine this info to make it practical. It is likely a few thoughts here can be reworded to make the ideas clearer. It may be that something needs to be deleted or added. Typos always seem to be overlooked, can you find them? Somehow I got heavy on what “appears” to be a comparison to OBOL. (After all, this announcement is going onto OBOL). It may be that was unavoidable simply because OBOL has been the standard, so to say, for many years, and it looks like with the WhatsApp platforms we are taking things to another level, which is a good thing. So. I’ve tried to make it clear that the WhatsApp groups are not in competition with OBOL, but should enhance one another. I’m thinking at this point, now that we have hashed around what to put forth as THE way for interested birders to sign on, it may not be such a great idea to put out our phone #s to the general public. Email is probably better. But I have to admit that using the various created web links are easy and convenient and it is not too hard to deal with the possible fall out of a few who may cause problems by deleting or blocking them. So for consistency, how about if we just use the web link? I think I’m the only one who does not like it as much, but I can handle the change......hehe. So if you are OK with a web address for admission to a group, can you send me yours (if it is not already here) so I can incorporate it here? So I went ahead and put in your email addresses in case someone wants to contact you personally. If you’d prefer your phone # let me know. Take a few days to digest this and put forth your comments on the admin group site like we’ve been doing. Brodie, if you want to pass this on to some of the other administrators in Portland for review feel free to do so. I also will send this on to Liz Holencik in Newport since she is the other administrator for Lincoln. Also, if I’m overlooking someone who this should go to, forward such to them. Also (Brodie), you might consider writing a paragraph on communication platforms as you mentioned, fostering the idea of how these various communication outlets serve different purposes, Now that we are taking this huge step for mankind, I’m kind of stoked because of the possibilities. Some of our ideas seem to be like the acorn ready to sprout into the oak tree. Later. Hi All, As many already know, birders in parts of Oregon are using the “Whatapp” platform for the sharing of local birding information/news. Those of us who oversee them sense the need to explain the system, and make known what is available to Oregon birders. There are 6 such platforms that have now been created, and many members of such have benefitted. The locations are: 1) The 4 counties surrounding the Portland metro area, 2) Tillamook and Clatsop Cos in NW Oregon, and Pacific and Wahkiakum Counties in S.W.Washington 3) Lincoln County 4) Mid (Willamette) - Valley 5) The Malhuer area 6) and most recently, NE Oregon. For those unfamiliar with the WhatsApp ap, it is basically like a glorified texting service, so that when someone texts birding info, it simply goes to everyone signed onto the group. A main take away is “real time” birding news. If you are an active local birder or county lister, it is the fastest way to receive local birding news. A side benefit is that it has certainly fostered a healthy sense of community among the various groups, something quite beneficial, some of which may not have been accomplished otherwise. It may be of interest to know that in other parts of the country birders are using this or a similar platform. The country of Canada has 18 such groups spread out across the their borders. The logical question arises when something new like this takes place is, “Why do we need this when we could just continue using OBOL for such?” A fair question, which is mostly answered by observing the evolution of OBOL over the last number of years. OBOL had already drifted away from being a source of local birding info as more and more local info was being disseminated on local list serves around the state. As there are some 1700 OBOL members, one has to wonder how pertinent local birding info is on a statewide network, and just how many members actually want to read about birding news from other parts of the state? Some certainly do, but much of the local birding info will never make it there, and that simply does not appear to be changing. There are probably other good reasons why local birding info no longer makes it to OBOL as much as it used to. However, OBOL will continue on and still be a useful resource for birding info, but more in a general way. And it is certainly the best place to post state RBAs. But for certain local birding info/news, especially local rarities, the WhatsApp platform is hard to beat. And in all likelihood it was inevitable that it would materialize as it fits the needs of those interested in local birding and listing. And since there are now 6 such groups, the administrators of these groups feel the need for a little more organization, communication, and refining of the system to make things more practical for Oregon’s birders. The WhatsApp system is here to stay, and is becoming an integral part of communication for some of Oregon’s birders. Most of us see it as the next obvious step for sharing birding info. Technology moves forward whether we like it or not. Resistance to such is usually equivalent to not wanting to deal with change. For some of us it can be overwhelming to learn new things to keep up with the ever changing world around us. The infamous lyrics of Bob Dylan might apply here, “You better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a changing.” In writing this, we are also wanting to avoid the idea of competition with OBOL. It simply has a different purpose - local vs state wide. It really is just a spin off of OBOL or the local list serves. Will anything really change in the way birders post to these because of the creation of the WhatsApp groups? Not significantly. Regarding the sharing of local birding info on list serves, any birder has the option to do so. If a birder really wants to have local birding info broadcast on them, he might consider signing onto the various WhatsApp groups and transfer the local birding info there. The reverse actually happens on a regular basis - posts from OBOL are made known to whatever WhatsApp group could use the info. With all that being said, it is intended that a site will be created where all the birding info from Oregon’s WhatsApp groups will be compiled in one location/website. I suppose that would make some of Bob Dylan’s stones float for those who don’t like change and who can go to such a site, bypassing the “hassle” of having to deal with learning a new ap. But the downside is it won’t be real time news. One of us is also planning on the creation of a directory to be available on the OBA website so that interested birders can have quick access to the available groups, with instructions on how to sign on. Another good source of info that gets onto the local forums are eBird reports for rare birds. Since many are signed up for local rare eBird alerts, these naturally gravitate to their associated WhatsApp group location for obvious reasons. The Portland group started in July of 2019 and has now grown to over 100 members. With so many eyes in the Portland area, almost nothing gets missed, and real time info kicks into high gear. It may be of interest to know that when the Lark Sparrows showed up at the Broughton Beach fire station on May 18, 2020, some 80 posts went out that day from searching birders as well as birders intending to look for it. Talk about communication! By comparison, and to more or less elaborate the point being made, only 2 went to OBOL. The next WhatsApp group to come on the scene was the Mid Valley group in March of this year. Now there are 6 of them, and their usefulness in the field has paid off. For instance, on 10/3/20 Hendrick Herlyn was over at Newport when Susan Kocis posted that a Barred Owl was at Mike Miller County Park. After more inquiry, Hendrick was able to relocate it for a nice county tic, something which was simply not going to happen otherwise. Another fine example is as follows: On 9/23/20 Craig Turner posted that a Brown Booby was on the water just west of the bridge in Newport. Liz Holencik got the post, put the pedal to the metal and sped over there, arriving in a few minutes just as the bird was taking off to the west, never to be seen again. Needless to say, she was quite ecstatic in seeing a lifer, and specifically relayed how delighted she was at seeing how this system for “real time” communication worked precisely on her behalf. If interested, there are 3 things one needs to know. First, you need a smart phone. Second, you need to download the WhatsApp ap. Then use the appropriate web address below to become part thereof. You can also contact the stated list administrator with any questions. Portland - (Brodie Cass Talbot. Brodiecasstalbott@gmail.com) Clatsop/Tillamook - (David Bailey. davidcbaileyoregon@gmail.com) Lincoln County - (Liz Holencik. eholencik@gmail.com) https://chat.whatsapp.com/EbC1Oq6HNPXL4aHNcT3cQd Mid Valley - (Bill Tice. ticebill7@gmail.com) https://chat.whatsapp.com/FmH36bnozVAK8Kf3PhCd17 Malhuer area - (Aaron Beerman. aaron.beerman@gmail.com) NE Oregon - (Nolan Clements. There is general agreement among the administrators that the benefits have been quite good, as opposed to any disadvantages which range from none to negligible. Sure, some tweaking is always necessary when this type of thing gets started, but it has been well worth it. No policing has needed to be done yet, like what is necessary on OBOL from time to time. But there are police (administrators) overseeing the forums just in case. The guidelines are pretty loose, and I’m not sure everyone is aware that there are guidelines for the Portland group, and none (?) for the others. It is assumed that birders will be reasonable and courteous in using the forums so as to not need the police. In general, these are for the purpose of relaying birding info, the location birds posted, when last seen and other related info, and, very limited chit-chat. It should also be noted that in general no one is excluded from joining. In certain areas a list serve works just fine, so they are to be encouraged. Areas of potential for such a platform are 1) Eugene/Lane County 2) Jackson/Josephine Counties 3) Central Oregon/Bend area 4) Coos/Curry Counties 5) Klamath County 6). Roseburg/Douglas County 7). Hood River to Willow Creek along the Columbia River If there is enough interest a certain area, and some want to pursue a WhatsApp platform, feel free to contact Aaron Beerman (see above) to assist you in such. The groups are more apt to work best if a few local birders in a given area become the nucleus for such, and for promoting it as well. Someone who lives in one of the afore mentioned areas might consider signing on to one of these groups to see how they work so as to get an idea if it would work in their area. Sometimes the discussion on any of the groups can be all but dead, but when a rare bird gets reported, they can really spring to life. It is amazing what a rare bird can do for a group of birders.

OTTER QUEST

8/31/20

In the last few years I've added bird photography to my birding hobby.  But anyone with these dual interests will always take advantage of other wildlife as he has opportunity. Today was one of those days.  I went over to Morgan Lake and the marsh which receives it outflow.  At the dammed end of the marsh I chanced upon a pair of otters.  They have never let me be so close before, and I don’t know why one allowed me to sit on the bank and watch him.  He was very wary, and in 15 minutes only let me snap a few pics twice, usually hiding among the willows, so I had to make the best of it.  He was also doing some alarm grunt, which I thought was some kind of heron hidden in the willows until I actually saw him doing it.  Here are the 3 best ones from the experience. 

This is not a smile nor a pose, but a growl

The next day, Sept 1, I found myself back at the refuge looking for a rare Lark Sparrow, which I did not find.  I was about 1.5 miles from yesterday’s photoshoot with the otters.  I was near the east end of the main marsh, which has been drained for weed control, walking along the dike road.  There is a culvert which goes under that road, and I noticed there was a small pool on the outflow side about 15 feet wide and 40 feet long. I was walking quite slow in my strategy of looking for the sparrow, and noted an otter on the north bank of the pool.  He did not notice me, so I tried sneaking around to the south bank to get pics, but he saw me before I was ready, dove into the water and into the culvert.  A minute later another one came out of the weeds, also dove into the water and into the culvert.  

I reasoned that they would not exit the other end of the culvert because that area was an open, dry mudflat, which would expose them to danger.  So I waited, and in about 10 minutes they came out to the pool, and it was then I counted 3 of them.  There were 2 adults and one youngster.  They swam and dove, allowing me a few mediocre shots, before getting overly concerned and headed back into the culvert.

This time I reasoned they would probably get tired of treading water and would eventually come back out.  Ten minutes later and they did just that.  I had repositioned myself a few feet over, in between some large clumps of grass so as to not be too conspicuous.  This time they decided to take the chance and rested on the far bank, the youngster even galloping up the bank to groom himself and dry off, even roll around a bit on the dry mud.  The adults were a little more wary.  So I took advantage again of the situation and let the camera roll away also.  This only lasted for about 5 minutes, and then they were back in the culvert.  

All this time they were making grunts and mews, similar to what I was hearing yesterday.  I then remembered the movie I saw as a kid, “Ring of Bright Water,” in which that otter would often make a certain noise which was mimicked by his owner.   So I did by best impression which was something like “wad-wad-wad-wad” in a low pitch, and wha-lah!  They came out immediately and swam around.  Maybe I can claim the title “Otter Whisperer?”  They next went over to a Nutria which was sharing the pool at the far end, only to be growled at, so they went back over to the far bank.  They must have accepted the option of taking a chance with me rather than continue to tread water for so long, and scampered up on the bank.  The adults began grooming one another, while the youngster seemed to feel neglected, nudged his parents for some likely grooming, but they would have none of it.  He even squealed at the nutria in his distain, or so it appeared.  So this allowed me to get a few more shots.  I have to admit it was great fun to be so close again to otters for the second day in a row, watching them have their fun.  And then, in 5 minutes there were back in the culvert.  I decided to let them have their privacy, so took off. 

I suppose this could be the same group as I saw yesterday when I only saw 2 of them but I’ll never know for sure.    

Is he really sticking out his tongue at me?

This is junior

This is junior also

Grooming one another must be part of what they often do?

The grouchy old nutria

 asdfasdf

LATE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER

Hi All,

As I write it is mid summer and hot.  Birders call this time the “summer doldrums,’ and for good reason.  The birds are often quiet and inconspicuous.  The first group are mostly at my feeder via the blind.  The 2nd group is at the local refuge.  They are drying it out again this year with hopes of dealing with an invasive plant species, which they think will be the last time.  There is a pool next to the road which attracts water associated birds as it gets smaller.  A good place to see secretive birds like rails.  

I have not been out much due to taking on a backyard project - I put in a patio consisting of paving stones which amounts to >1500 square feet.  Am currently doing a couple adjoining pathways, the first should be done later today.  There will be others taking up my time, but with the hot weather birding is taking a back seat.  But, in a couple of months I am scheduled to be on a boat heading out off shore for seabirds.  I intend to obtain some of them in flight such as albatrosses and shearwaters and a few others, so hopefully I’ll have a blog just for them.  

Mourning Doves

Male American Goldfinch

Female Black-headed Grosbeak

Male Evening Grosbeak

Male Black-headed Grosbeak

Band-tailed Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon

Male American Goldfinch.  This is as close as my lens will focus

Red-necked Phalarope

These are the ones at the refuge

Immature American Coot.  Check out those feet!

Immature Pied-billed Grebe with many weeds

Immature Sora

Immature Virginia Rail

Immature Virginia Rail

I got a little carried away with this Green Heron, so added a few shots

7/31/20
The last day of July!  This year is going by.  A few days ago a Bar-tailed Godwit showed up just over at the coast, and stayed on til today.  We were planning on going over there anyway as Rosie finally had a day off.  The bird is usually in the company of Whimbrels, and frequents a stretch of beach of about 4 miles, so finding him can really be hit and miss.  As there has been a few birders trying to locate him, it greatly helps.  I looked at one place first, walking a mile one way, and not having success walked back.  Then it was reported a few miles south, so we went there and I could not see it from where we were parked, so we ate lunch, then went to the beach and he was there.  So here are the best of my shots.

Oh yes, the cormorant...........I am practicing birds in flight as I am getting ready for a boat trip off the coast on Sept 12.  This birds was flying maybe 30 MPH, so I'm happy about this particular result.

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Brant's Cormorant

PINE GROSBEAK

To the idea that there is  some question as to if Darrell Faxon’s bird is indeed a Pine Grosbeak.  So as my eBird submissions seem to be hidden, or hiding of late, here are a few pics which I took yesterday.  A big question here, if this is a house finch with pox issues:  Sibley puts the size of a siskin at 4.8 inches, house finch at 5.7 inches, which would make it about an inch bigger that a siskin.  Pine Grosbeak is 8.7 inches, making it almost twice the size of a siskin.  Based on this, the bulk of this bird seems to approach the grosbeak.   

DOWN THE LUCKIAMUTE RIVER

       May 17, 2020

      Today I canoed down the Luckiamute River.  I’ve done this probably a dozen times over the years, but never in June.  It is recommended to only do such in the winter  months up until April or possibly early May.  The later you do this trip depends entirely on the water level of the river.  As the rains lessen in springtime, the water level lowers, making travel more and more difficult.

This year has been quite wet, even until quite recently.  I drove by the river yesterday and could see it appeared high enough to take the chance, so I called my brother-in-law requesting to borrow his canoe, to which he was glad to lend.  

 

The place where I put the canoe in the river - this bridge is part of Rt 99.

I did not get it in the water until noon, which is later than I normally do.  Looking at the river close up I could sense that the water level should be high enough to make the trip worthwhile - not too many obstacles to surmount, and the current seemed acceptable.

The first log jam.  I was able to go through the opening on the left.

A typical scene while floating down river

         It was a beautiful day, not too hot and not too windy.  But around the first bend - there it was, a large log jam.  My heart sank some as it made me wonder, “If this is any sign of what is down river, I’d be wishing I never embarked on this journey.”  Each year the log jams may be in different places and you never knew where they’ll be.  I was planning on at least some, especially about half way along where a R&R trestle was built so  that the main support pillar is square in the middle of the river, and there was always a jam there, sometimes 10 feet high!  But you never knew how much would break loose from the winter rains and higher water levels, and you never knew what new trees would fall into the river adding to or making new jams.  But as I approached this first one, there was a small opening on the left side on it, just big enough for me to go through. A nice relief.  And this happened more than once on this trip.

Just a hundred yards further along someone saw the only record for the county of a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and so I was hoping for a repeat there or farther along downstream in the endless willows lining the banks. And speaking of birds, they were all over the place, and I could hear and see many, but they were mostly camera shy, so I was only able to take a few poorer quality ones.  Oh well, the pleasantness of the trip made up for it.  But before I reached that area I flushed a Great-horned Owl.  This has happens every trip down the river, but never so close to the start. I never did find a Gnatcatcher. 

You have probably surmised by now that this was a solo trip.  Often my wife Rosie accompanies me, but not today.  This meant that I was in the back of the canoe, making the front rise just slightly out of the water.  This makes it harder to control, so I had to be more on the alert, always keeping it headed downstream.  The average width of the river for the first few miles is about 25 feet, eventually widening the farther along you go.  It may go without saying then, that the current is faster where the river is more narrow.  So on an average trip, you don’t have to paddle much for the first half, but the second half you do.  I usually see other wildlife beside birds, such as deer, otter, beaver, raccoons and once a mink, but not this time.  I believe I disturbed a beaver though, as not 10 feet from me I heard a low pitched growl coming from inside a clump of willows, but I could never see what made it, but judging from all appearances, my best guess is a beaver.  Otherwise, the wild blackberry flowers were out in force, and wherever they were thick enough I could hear the drone of honey bees.

            Here are some random shots along the way:

Occasionally the willows lining the banks make for a narrow passage

A great idea for your next planter..........

This was 2 P&J Sandwiches at one time.......

This is where I ate lunch

Yours Truly

Just another partial blockage

         There is only one place along the river, about 5-6 miles from the start, where the river narrows creating some rapids.  I could hear them coming, so quickly put phone and camera in their proper places and braced for the “ride.”  Not having Rosie with me was to my benefit here because the front of the canoe rode higher than the tops of the rapids, so no water came over the gunwales.  However, there was a time when she was with me and we rode right into a wave or two, and she was thoroughly  soaked, such that there were a few inches of water in the canoe and we promptly have to pull over to the river bank, get out so she could change her clothes and I emptied out the canoe.  It is not always quite so bad, but you just have to be prepared. 

Eventually I reached the R&R tresstle and was thrilled that it was quite  clear of debris, but that was not to say I could paddle right through.  I decided it best to go to the left side where I pulled onto dry ground, hauled the boat over a few small logs, and was back in the water in less than a minute.  I doubt next time will be so easy.  

There it is!  The dreaded R&R Tresstle.  

Usually the jam is as high as the top of the debris.  I went left again.

        In another couple of miles I reached the first bridge.  While it is no big deal, it simply helps me know exactly where I am and how much father I have to go.  So this is probably the best place to explain just how long of a trip this is.  The portion of the Luckiamute where these jaunts are done is a little over 13 miles, and starts just below Sarah Helmick Park.  Then the Luckamute empties into the Willamette River, which drains the Willamette Valley and is basically a slow moving river at this point in the valley at this time of year.  It is then almost 2 miles downstream to Buena Vista where I disembark.  So when I reach the first bridge I am a little over half way done. 

The second bridge is another 2 miles along.  At each bridge the Cliff Swallows build their nests, and so I stopped to take a few pics of them.  In the past there has been a Barn Owl here, but I have not seen him in a few years.  

Cliff Swallows use mud to build their nests, and
there were probably a couple dozen under this bridge. 

This looks to be an adult in the nest

       Just before the Luckiamute empties into the Willamette, there is a slough on the north side of the river.  I made one final stop here before going into the big river.  I texted Rosie as planned so she could start heading to Buena Vista to pick me up.  I paddled to the far end of the slough, about 100 yards.  There were 2 turtles sunning themselves who let me get fairly close, and you can see them posing in the pic.  I ate a little and got rehydrated while enjoying the scenery.

Two Red-legged Turtles (I think)

        Being mid June, it was time for the many cottonwood trees to be dropping their seeds.  As you can see from this pic, it appears to be snowing at the slough, and the surface of the water is quite covered with them.  

Cottonwood Seeds all over the place!

      Then it was off down the big river.  The current where the Luckiamute joins the Willamette is always strong.  While you don’t have to worry about capsizing, you do need to keep the boat headed downriver or you might get sucked into a back eddy, heading back upriver.  I forgot to take pics of my entry here, which may have been a good thing.  It takes about 15 minutes to get to Buena Vista, and Rosie pulled in just after I got there - perfect timing. 

I mentioned there were lots of birds.  I did not add up the total species, but I think it was around 65.  I did a loose tally with the eBird app, which prefers I don’t count birds on more than a 5 mile stretch, so it was broken up into 4 segments.   Here are the top six species totals:

1. Cedar Waxwing 105
2. Black-headed Grosbeak 83
3. Swainson’s Thrush   67
4. Western Wood Pewee 52
5. Bushtit   52
6. Bewick’s Wren  26

Here are a few shots of some of the birds I saw.

Western Tanager

Western Wood Pewee

Black-headed Grosbeak

Robin

       Otherwise, finding a female Hooded Merganser with a brood was meaningful.  Other fun sightings were flushing another Owl, seeing an adult Bald Eagle fly over. Hearing a Pileated Woodpecker at Luckiamute Landing. Hearing Stellar’s Jays imitate Red-tailed Hawks. 

A nice plus for this trip was that I did not see another boater.  I think this is a first.  Sometimes they even motor up the Luckiamute, which makes it somewhat crowded.  Most of them are fishermen, and there are plenty of small mouth bass to be caught.  

        As I write this, Saturday morning, it is raining.  So I suspect the water level will stay up, tempting me to do a repeat trip........