BOGS Summer Birding 2016,
Trip summaries & photo links

The Dorris Ranch bird walk on Thurs. Aug 11, was my first one since my cholecystectomy (gallbladder) surgery, which had been about three weeks before, on Fri. July 22. I had been walking an average of about two miles a day for a week already, so I felt I would be able to do the two or three hour casual bird walk stroll. For the most part I was right, but I was definitely tired after we walked close to three miles. Going back up the slope to the cars took an extra effort, but I'm not sure that I was the only one who felt that way about it that day.

Originally our thinking had been that we would walk through the long sunny patch before it got hot, so we would be in the shade during the hotter hours. However, the birds had a different idea. Right out in the middle of the large open area on the slope towards the river, we were stopped by a steady stream of bird activity. Some Cedar Waxwings kept us occupied for a while. These were followed by Steller's Jays. Then a California Scrub Jay. Then a Western Wood Pewee. Next came a Red-breasted Sapsucker, though this bird came and went quickly. Before we walked far, a group of Lesser Goldfinches were seen feeding right alongside the trail, so we watched them for a while.

We worked our way down to the river, where there was a Flycatcher which we did not manage to identify. The bird was around for a while, but always had the Sun behind it, so neither Don nor I could bring out enough colors and markings to tell what species it was. There was also a nest overhanging the river. It was not sac-like as would be the nest of a Bullock's Oriole or Common Bushtits. Other than that much, none of us were familiar enough with nests to identify what species bird might have made it.
We walked back through the woods and then up the slope through the old Filbert Orchards.

Full trip report - click here!

(Don's Merlin photo)
Full Trip Report

Elijah Bristow Park FULL TRIP REPORT

Don's Western Tanager photo

Bewick's Wren photo by Mel Elfring
Eastgate (East Alton Baker) SLIDESHOW

Osprey photo by Priscilla
Golden Garden SLIDESHOW

When we gathered at Campbell Center, there was an interest in Red-eyed Vireos, which have been reported both at Alton Baker and at Clearwater Landing. Based on additional species of interest, such as Olive-sided Flycatchers, we decided on Clearwater Landing. I (Priscilla), was going to play the song of the Red-eyed Vireo when we arrived at the park, but that turned out not to be necessary because as we got out of our cars, there was a Red-eyed Vireo singing in the nearby Cottonwood trees.

At the end of our bird walk I asked the group (Don, Jody, Doris, Marlene, Jo, Greg, Janet, me) what other places they might want to go birding this Summer. I asked about Elijah Bristow. There were some "yes" nods. Doris and Marlene expressed curiosity because neither had been there. So we planned to include Bristow Park in a few weeks. I mentioned Hileman County Park and again there were some "yes" nods. Jody mentioned Riverbend and I seconded that, adding it was a great place - lots of shade - great for hot days.
In subsequent weeks we did end up going to Elijah Bristow Park and Riverbend.

Juvenile Robin photo by Priscilla
Clearwater Landing SLIDESHOW

We had a very successful first "official Summer bird walk" for this Summer. Everyone seemed to enjoy the Woodpecker Loop trail at Finley Refuge, and our "target species," the Yellow-breasted Chat was heard by everyone. In fact, I have never heard so many Chats calling in one area before. We could not really count them, though at one given moment there were three or four, as we moved further along the trail, we were most likely hearing different Chats, and again usually two at the same time. Even if there were a total of only five, that's more than I've ever heard in one place.
The other thing that was new to me was to find that these birds do not restrict themselves to boggy, shallow wet areas covered with dense low brush; they will also occupy upland meadows where there is sufficiently dense low brush without ground surface water. I found that Sibley Guide mentions this, but I also noticed a very experienced birder posting on OBOL this Summer that he had not realized Chats use upland meadows either.

I want to give a special thanks to Jennifer Haynes. She read a post by Joel Geier; who I have lined up to speak to BOGS this coming year. He had posted on OBOL about the numerous Chats singing at this particular location, and Jennifer went out there by herself on Memorial Day weekend; heard and saw the Chats and told me about it.

Don's Lazuli Bunting photo
Finley Woodpecker Loop SLIDESHOW

No Trip summary written

Don's Black-headed Grosbeak (male) photo
North Delta Ponds SLIDESHOW

Generally if you want to know what is happening next at BOGS, or want to see the latest photos/reports,
you can find these on the newly designed HOME page:
http://priscillanhk.com/index.html
Enjoy!
Priscilla