TRIP SUMMARY by Sue Anderson
Despite a forecast which threatened rain, a group of about 20 BOGS members met last Thursday morning at the Jasper trailhead In Springfield for a bird walk. The rain never materialized and the sun periodically shone through the clouds which made for delightful conditions. Yellow-rumped Warblers were plentiful along the slough and Song Sparrows, Downy Woodpeckers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Robins, a couple of Turkey Vultures warming up for the day's scavenging, a Great Egret, and a number of other species were noted. Steve ? was able to set his scope on a male Anna's Hummingbird who flashed his colors. That same bird then performed a mating dive complete with the tail feather buzz at the bottom. Three species of turtles were sunning themselves on a log with a pair of Buffleheads and Ring-necks swimming nearby. A bullfrog bellowed from a nearby wet area. Some of us witnessed a pair of Brown Creepers carrying nesting material but couldn't define the nest location. No Green Herons were seen and we wondered if nearby housing construction might be the reason. Further down the path an Osprey was spotted at the top of a snag near a small collection of sticks and we concluded that a new nest might be under construction. A Mourning Dove was observed perched sweetly in a cup of lichen and a Winter Wren entertained Janet, Steve, and a few others just a short distance from them. Upon reaching the river there were Common Mergansers, Coots, and a Spotted Sandpiper to view on the gravel bar. A number of Cacklers flew overhead several times. Many other species were seen and a full list will be forthcoming. A satisfying stroll for all who came looking for feathered friends.

Bird list; Non-birds & Discussion by JANET NAYLOR

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FAR ENOUGH BELOW THESE TEXT REGIONS TO FIND THE FIRST SLIDESHOW. ALSO SCROLL DOWN BELOW THE FIRST SHOW FAR ENOUGH TO FIND THE SECOND SLIDESHOW.

Comments, birds:
1 Great egret on grass in field to W, at a fence and tiny slough, between parking area and millrace.
2 Brown creepers along the millrace trees. One was carrying nesting material.
1 turkey vulture high in a tree along the millrace creek, stretching, with 1 wing up high, 1 wing down - yoga pose, per Greg Hyde.
3 Golden-crowned sparrows, with 1 White-crowned sparrow. In small trees along the millrace creek. Plus 1 Anna's hummingbird flashing lots of pink and interacting with the sparrows.
Near the 2 bridges along the millrace creek: 1 starling going into a tree cavity.
We walked L = W then S then W along the millrace past the 2 bridges. On R = W is a mowed field; Springfield Utility Board owns it for for water wells. Fenced off. (High mesh fence with barbed wire on top.)
Seen to WSW from near the 2nd millrace bridge, in a scope: 1 osprey with approx. 5 long horizontal sticks in a branch below him. Even though no broken-off tree top, one of their nest-site preferences.
Seeing 1 House finch singing. A little buzz in end of its song. Stripey sides. One BOGS member quoted: "An expert birder is someone who's mis-identified the most number of birds." Source was maybe Rick Ahrens or Dan Gleason.
In trees and shrubs near the river: 1 Downy woodpecker plus 1 Red-breasted sapsucker in same group of trees.
We saw a Pacific wren on a horizontal blackberry cane. Instead of singing, it was doing double chips: Chip, Chip, fairly fast, then a pause. The 2nd chip was at a slightly higher pitch. It did this over and over. It bobs its tail when it chips.
The 5 Common mergansers (2 pairs plus a third female) were all on a grass and rock sand spit in the river to our far WSW. On a small island in the river next to the spit were 2 Killdeer plus 1 Spotted sandpiper that was invisible (camouflage) except through a scope.
Birding independently from BOGS today, 2 BOGS members saw at the Jasper Millrace area: 1 pair of red-tailed hawks doing after-mating bonding, and 1 pair of Cooper's hawks mating.

Other:
Comments, not birds; not mammals: Western chorus frog (1 - heard only)

TURTLES!!! 3 species together on log in Jasper Slough; (8 total - Just 1 at first, and more kept appearing)
When we started, on a log in Jasper Slough a little W of where the parking path joins it:
At first there was 1 large-ish turtle, and one at a time; more joined it till there were 6 turtles on one log plus 2 on a 2nd log nearby.
On the one log, two were Western pond turtles, two were Red-eared sliders, and two were very yellow on most of their under-bellies. The other log had a very yellow one plus a Red-eared slider.
There was discussion as to whether the very yellow ones might be Western (Painted?) turtles.
So Janet sent Greg Hyde's pics to local turtle expert Laurie Holts.
Laurie Holts said:

"Hi, glad you asked. The turtles the group identified as Western painted turtles are not. Western painted turtles have more and finer yellow striping on the head and legs and have a lot of red on the plastron and edges of the carapace. The turtles you saw are yellow-bellied sliders and are introduced (someone’s dumped pets). ODFW and Willamalane staff are aware that they are there since they have received inquiries too (as have I) over the past few years.
Western painted turtles are generally not found south of the Albany area, however there is a population at Finn Rock on the McKenzie River. There are also a few in our area (including at least one each at Golden Gardens and Delta Ponds), but those are presumed to be turtles that were captive and released. We also occasionally have reports of Eastern painted turtles showing up in this region. Again, they are released pets."