Rare Bird Alert

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Acorn Woodpeckers seem to be the flavor of the week. After one was found cruising through Whitaker Ponds on Tuesday, another was briefly seen at Mt. Tabor on Wednesday. As executed for such a habitat-specific bird, neither stuck around. 

The annual Smith & Bybee Snowy Egret has returned (or finally been found), for what is at least the 9th year out of the last 10. 

Sturgeon Lake on Sauvie Island is starting to see large accumulations of shorebirds as the water levels come down, and is still holding a couple rare birds. Franklin’s Gull and American Avocet are still being seen, with the latter taking a spin down to Multnomah County for a few lucky birders.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

An AMERICAN REDSTART was found at Sandy River Delta on Wednesday. While it is the season for songbirds migrating south, this sighting was notable as one of only a small handful of records for the county (despite the fact that these birds likely breed within 100 miles), and because the sighting was almost at the exact spot (the Confluence blind) where one was reported singing last summer. So far, efforts to refind the bird have been unsuccessful. The same birder (some folks have all the fun) found a Lewis’s Woodpecker at Kelly Point Park on Tuesday. The bird was similarly not refound. 

Washington County has seen some early birds this week, including a Sabine’s Gull (which are always rare in the county, but especially in August) at Henry Hagg, and an Eared Grebe at Tualatin River NWR, where a Yellow-headed Blackbird was also spotted.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Migration is ramping up, with songbirds and others joining shorebirds in the ranks of southbound birds. An Eastern Kingbird was found at Commonwealth Lake but was not refound on subsequent days. Similarly, a Lewis’s Woodpecker reported at Powell Butte was a one-day wonder. 

On the shorebird front, the Black-necked Stilt at Smith & Bybee continued into the week, and Whimbrel were heard flying over Tualatin River NWR, marking their second appearance this year, after an absence of five years from the county.

Western Kingbirds continue to be enjoyed near Company Lake.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

A mostly quiet week across the region, with a Black-necked Stilt turning up near the boat launch at Smith & Bybee, not far from where one showed up two years ago in late August, and an intriguing report of a juvenile Brown Pelican in the Columbia near the Sandy River Delta. 

The Grasshopper Sparrows continued this week at Penstemon Prairie, where birders also found a Nashville Warbler. A Nashville was also reported in Clark County, suggesting that some movement may be underway for the species, and other songbirds. 

Western Kingbirds continue to be enjoyed near Company Lake.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Shorebirds have begun moving into the region in earnest, with Tualatin River NWR once again hosting the top-line birds. A Marbled Godwit was found on the 16th, and chasers then found the bird was briefly joined by five Whimbrel. All six birds were gone the next day. In Portland, a Semipalmated Sandpiper was seen at Broughton, and in Clark County, Pectoral Sandpipers are being seen at Ridgefield, a Wilson’s Phalarope turned up at Shillapoo Lake, suspiciously soon after one disappeared from Ridgefield, where it had been for months. 

Timberline lodge in Clackamas County has had a good run of birds, including the somewhat expected Gray-crowned Rosyfinch, and the much less expected Sagebrush Sparrow.

 

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Most of the excitement this week was in Washington County, where a breeding-plumaged male RUFF was found at Tualatin River NWR on July 1, seen by many, and not seen again in subsequent days (although a pair of Pectoral Sandpipers were seen there the next day). A few days later, a birder discovered a Grasshopper Sparrow defending territory near Fernhill Wetlands. The bird has remained, and subsequent visitors found a second bird singing, indicating a very rare breeding population of the species for the northern Willamette Valley.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

A very quiet week across the region, with two intriguing exceptions: A YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO was reported flying across highway 30 near Rocky Point Road, and a male ORCHARD ORIOLE was reported in the SW hills of Portland. Unfortunately neither was photographed, or refound. 

On the documented side, however, a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron was photographed at Koll Center Wetlands near Beaverton, confirming successful breeding for another year from this well-known local pair. 

Statewide, it’s been a good year for NORTHERN PARULA, with a singing male found in Klamath County,  while the long-lingering male at Sitka Sedge continues this week as well.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Just like that, summer is here, with the solstice behind us, birds settling in to their nesting, and (finally) some warmth and sun. Rare bird reports continue to slow, but a very intriguing report came from Whitaker Ponds this week in the form of a singing Northern Waterthrush that was recorded, but never seen, and never heard again. 

The most debated bird of the week came from Force Lake where a, well, cormorant of some sort has been unwarily fishing and basking in the sun. The bird has raised eyebrows because of its interesting looking bill, and face, prompting speculation that it could be a juvenile Neotropic Cormorant (which would be a state first record), while others have suggested a Neotropic x Double-crested hybrid (which are known to occur, especially as Neotropics expand their range), or possibly just a weird looking young Double-crested. The jury is still out, and hopefully the bird will stick around long enough to answer some questions.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

With the majority of spring migration behind us, rare bird reports are slowing to a trickle. Ash-throated Flycatchers are one of the later migrants, and, true to form, one was found on Tuesday in Clackamas. Columbia County hosted both a Swainson’s Hawk at CZ trail and a very late Rough-legged Hawk in Clatskanie this week. On Sauvie Island, a birder found a late Brewer’s Sparrow at the Oak Island Boat Launch. 

Steigerwald NWR reopened last month in Clark County, and has been hosting a few fun birds this week, including a Great-tailed Grackle and an Eastern Kingbird (the latter also being reported from Sandy River Delta this week). Both Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalaropes were reported from Ridgefield.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

An interesting feature of rare birds – one that prompts much pondering – is that rarities often turn up at multiple locales in the same season. Two such species this year are White-faced Ibis and Forster’s Tern, both of which have shown up in unusually high numbers in the Willamette Valley this spring. Locally, Ibis have been spotted at Fernhill Wetlands, Sauvie Island (Columbia County), and Steigerwald this week, while Forster’s Terns have been reported at Broughton Beach and Vancouver Lake. Interestingly enough, the Forster’s at Vancouver Lake was seen in the same area as a Black Tern, mirroring a similar occurrence at nearly the same time last year at nearby Smith & Bybee.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

The Rare Bird Alert has been on a bit of a hiatus, with lots of spring birding trips, and modern day inconveniences, to distract us from the rare birds of late, but we are back with a doozy! A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER was found flycatching along Marine Drive towards the east end of PDX, keeping close company with one of its more closely related cousins, a Western Kingbird. Birders from across the region poured in to see the flashy pink and white bird that had thoughtfully chosen a sunny Sunday to visit. Reported until late in the evening, the bird was gone by the next morning, and did not return. This is the second time one has been seen in the county, with the last coming 30 years ago almost to the day, in nearby Troutdale. It is the 21st record for the state, with most records along the coast, in spring.

Even if the flycatcher got all of the attention, it was a good week for other migrating birds as well, with a Lark Sparrow found near Zenger Farms, and an even more unexpected Vesper Sparrow photographed at the Sandy River Delta. Two Sabine’s Gulls were a rare spring find at Oak Island, where an eye-popping 63 Whimbrel were also found, and Bonaparte’s Gulls have been reported on and off at Broughton Beach. A Common Nighthawk was uncommonly early, flying over North Portland on the 25th. 

Clackamas County hosted not one but two ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAKS this last week, including a male at a feeder along the Clackamas River, and a much-harder-to-identify female along Newell Creek Canyon. Another male was seen coming to a feeder in Cedar Mill three days earlier, marking an exceptional week for this normally very rare visitor.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

The last week has seen lots of bad weather, and not a lot of birds (or, at least, as many as expected for mid-April). At times, in between squalls, birders have reported huge numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers and other songbirds, but overall, spring migration seems to be slow and sporadic as northbound songbirds dodge rain clouds. 

A Hermit Warbler at Mt. Tabor was one of the early standouts, among the more expected Nashville Warblers and many reports of Hammond’s Flycatcher. At least one Dusky Flycatcher was reported, in Marys Woods, and another may have been seen at Dharma Rain Zen Center. An early Warbling Vireo was reported at the Children’s Arboretum.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Migrants continue to stream into the area, with early reports of Nashville Warbler at Mt. Tabor (perhaps its earliest date there) and Hammond’s Flycatcher at Canemah Bluff, Cooper Mountain, and Oaks Bottom, Townsend’s Solitaire at a number of locations, and scads of Chipping Sparrows in parks and backyards across the city. 

For shorebirds, a Solitary Sandpiper at TRNWR was exceptionally early, and was joined by the continuing Black-necked Stilts. A Red-necked Phalarope was photographed at Ridgefield earlier in the week.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Early birds are the name of the game this week, with Vaux’s Swift making its earliest-ever spring debut per eBird, seen at multiple locations around Portland for the last week. Purple Martins are the latest swallow recorded in the area, leaving Bank as the only swallow not reported thus far in the region. 

There are also some hangers-on this week, with TUFTED DUCK being reported from both the Washington and Oregon side of the river. Red-breasted Merganser and Bonaparte’s Gull were also reported along the river this week.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Spring migration continues to slowly take shape. A Pacific Golden-Plover was a surprising find along Honeyman Road in Warren, found by a birder searching for the continuing Loggerhead Shrike. And Lesser Yellowlegs were reported from TRNWR. 

Otherwise its been mostly leftovers this week. Glaucous Gulls were reported from both Columbia and Multnomah Counties (where one was joined by a Bonaparte’s Gull at Columbia Point), and Barn Swallows continue to pop up around the region. Clackamas County hosted two of the worlds most attractive duck species this week, with a Harlequin Duck reported outside of Rhododendron and the continuing Mandarin Duck at  Mary S. Young park. 

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Continuing the theme of timeliness from last week, a Mountain Bluebird was found on Powell Butte on March 15th, nearly the exact date it is typically found in that spot each year. 

Much less expected this time of year was the Loggerhead Shrike found just north of Scappoose in Columbia County, where these typically mid-Spring migrants are quite rare. Another early bird was a Western Tanager visiting a yard in Southeast Portland.

A Brant showed up at Commonwealth Lake in Cedar Hills, hanging around for a few days to the delight of many birders.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Right on schedule, a number of the expected early migrants are moving through the region. Say’s Phoebes and Osprey have been reported in multiple locations, as well as Western Bluebird, Barn Swallow, and a Townsend’s Solitaire at Oaks Bottom. 

A “Common” Green-winged Teal (the Eurasian subspecies) was seen at Vanport wetlands this week, and a Red-breasted Merganser was reported from Clackamette Cove.

Most of our other notables were reruns, including the Tricolored and Yellow-headed Blackbirds from the Purina Plant in the Rivergate Industrial Area of North Portland. The GLAUCOUS GULL from the Hawthorne Bridge also continued into the week, but most gulls have now moved on from the area, with the arrival of the smelt run in the Columbia River.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Our false springs may have falsely convinced some birders that spring birding had arrived, and it also seems to have convinced a few early migrants, including several reports of “earliest-ever” Rufous Hummingbirds at feeders, and Violet-green Swallows joining the more expected Tree Swallows over wetlands and waterways.

A Western Tanager female was photographed coming to a feeder in the Pearl, where it has been for several days. This comes after a bird spent several weeks in the St. Johns area last winter.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

TUFTED DUCKS are a rare but expected wintering duck in the region, as generally at least one or more is found somewhere along the Columbia River each year. Unfortunately they are generally mixed in with a raft of hundreds to thousands of Greater and Lesser Scaup, often far from shore, making detection difficult. That all changed this week when a presumed young male was found at Columbia Point near a small inlet, where it remained for five days, being seen by many. On Thursday, an Eared Grebe was seen in the same area. 

Early spring migrants are on their way, among them several reports of Rufous Hummingbird (a well-known early migrant) and Violet-green Swallows, along with the more expected early Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows. 

The GLAUCOUS GULL near the Hawthorne Bridge continued into the week, as did the Hagg Lake Red-throated Loon.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

After a flurry of very rare birds over the first three weeks of the year, things seem to have cooled down significantly as we enter mid-winter. Clackamas County gets top honors this week with a first-year female Wilson’s Warbler at Canby Community Park. Brant was also a flavor of the week, with a bird found in a large Cackling Goose flock on the NE side of Sauvie Island, and another reported flying over a house north of Hillsboro (#greatyardbird). 

Pacific Loon and Red-throated Loon continue to be seen in good numbers along the Columbia River (and the latter continues at Hagg Lake). Other continuing birds include the Fernhill Sandhill Cranes, Rentenaar Road Harris’s Sparrow, the Smith & Bybee boat launch Swamp Sparrow, the Pleasant Valley Road Northern Mockingbird, and American White Pelicans on Sauvie Island.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

A Vancouver birder, and Audubon trip leader and longtime volunteer, was stunned to find a TENNESSEE WARBLER visiting a suet feeder on Friday. The species is rare any time of year in Oregon and Washington, but particularly in winter. It appears to be possibly be overwintering, as the bird has kept a pretty tight rotation of visiting the feeders in the backyard every hour or two, much to the delight of many visitors. 

The other unexpected wintering visitor, the Williamson’s Sapsucker at Mt. Tabor, continued into the week, but has not been seen for several days as of press time. Same goes for the TUFTED DUCK near Broughton Beach. 

Sandhill Cranes, common locally in neighboring counties, were spotted flying over several locations in Washington county this week, where they are generally rare.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

On Saturday, a female Williamson’s Sapsucker was reported from Mt. Tabor, very near where the only other known Multnomah County record was found six years ago, by the upper reservoir. The bird was refound the next day nearby, but it wasn’t until the following day that another birder relocated it in what seems to be its favorite spot: a spruce in a private yard on the SW edge of the park. Williamson’s Sapsuckers are a dryside breeder (breeds east of the Cascades) and long-distance migrant, and this report represents one of only a handful in the Willamette Valley. 

Coincidentally, this bird was found only a day after an apparent Red-naped x Red-breasted Sapsucker hybrid (appearing to be much closer to a Red-naped) was found at the Rose City Cemetery in NE Portland on Friday. On the same day, a Long-eared Owl was found near the Columbia Slough, but details were kept private to prevent unwanted disturbance to this rare Portland visitor.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

When three Common Redpolls were found on the Portland Christmas Bird Count, birders were dismayed that they couldn’t be relocated in the same stretch of the Columbia Slough near NE 92nd Avenue, despite heavy searching. And so birders have been especially delighted that the same three birds (presumed, as it is also one male and two females) have decided to set up shop at the well-traveled Whitaker Ponds, where they have been seen for the last six days and counting. Another individual was photographed at a feeder in SE Portland. And, in the vein of rare red songbirds at Whitaker Ponds, a redpoll chaser found a Red Fox Sparrow there as well. This subspecies (but possible full future species) is quite rare in the area. 

Another CBC surprise – a flock of eight Western Bluebirds – also continues to be seen near the Columbia Wastewater Plant in North Portland.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

This past week saw both the Portland Christmas Bird Count and the Sauvie Island Christmas Bird Count, producing the expected level of rare birds that this type of concentrated effort generally does. 

Most notable was the MacGillivray’s Warbler found along the Columbia Slough in NE Portland, the first winter record of this neotropical migrant in Portland, and one of only a handful statewide. A shocking second-place finish, three Common Redpolls were reported along the slough just west of 92nd Avenue. For good measure, a few more were reported in North Portland on Wednesday. Another CBC surprise was the Common Yellowthroat reported in a NE industrial area, but this species is expected to become more prevalent in winter in coming years. Another was reported on Sauvie Island on the same day.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

A first year male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK has been visiting a feeder in Clackamas County for several weeks. While the last two years have seen decent numbers of reports of this state rarity, including in the Portland area, a wintering bird seems to be a first. Much less rare overall, a Rufous Hummingbird visiting a feeder in SE Portland is still quite surprising for December. 

A YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER seems to be over-wintering outside of Canby, for a very notable Clackamas County record. Its also been an interesting year for Western Bluebird in Multnomah County, which trails its valley neighbors in bluebirds sightings. The Species has recently been reported across Sauvie Island, and in inner SE and NE Portland. 

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

The Christmas Bird Count season has started, but challenging weather has put a damper on the counts so far. The Forest Grove count uncovered a few nice finds, including a Glaucous Gull and a Say’s Phoebe on Reiling Road, and the continuing Red-throated Loon at Hagg Lake. The Northern Mockingbird also continues on Pleasant Valley Road. 

The two Clackamas County rarities – the Red-breasted Merganser at Clackamette Cove, and the Black-throated Gray Warbler at Milwaukie Riverfront Park – both seem to be in it for the long haul. 

In Columbia County, the Harris’ Sparrow continues, while in Multnomah County, the most notable bird of the week was a Eurasian Green-winged Teal at Chinook Landing near Troutdale.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit ebird.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Right on schedule, the rare bird reports coming across the wire have trickled, as birds have mostly finished migration, meaning less off-course birds being found, and the weather leaves plenty of reasons for birders to enjoy time inside. In Multnomah County, White-winged Crossbills were certainly the find of the week, but with few birders willing or able to hike 12 miles in the snow in the wilderness, as the intrepid finder of these birds did last week at Larch Mountain, one wonders how rare these birds really are in these inaccessible locales. For what its worth, this year does seem to be a good one in Oregon for White-winged Crossbill and Common Redpoll, two of our most irruptive finch species. 

Perhaps the most intriguing report of the week was of a SNOWY OWL on Sandy Boulevard near Troutdale. The bird was well-described, but no photos were obtained, and the bird was not relocated. To add to the drama, a snowy was then found in a neighborhood in Eugene two days later.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

After an extended holiday break, the Rare Bird report is back with… not too much, to be honest. An American Tree Sparrow was found at TRNWR, one of only a handful of records for Washington County. The other most intriguing bird of the week was a Burrowing Owl reported from an undisclosed industrial location in Portland. 

A Red-throated Loon continues at Hagg Lake, while Red-breasted Mergansers were reported at Columbia Point, and along the Clackamas River at Clackamette Cove, where it is a much rarer find. A very out-of-season Black-throated Gray Warbler was seen nearby at Milwaukie Riverfront Park.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

As expected in November, water birds were most of the notables this week. A Brant was found at Fairview Lake, but, not surprisingly for this species, attempts to refind the bird were unsuccessful. Other aquatic rarities included Red-breasted Merganser at Columbia Point, White-winged Scoter at Timothy Lake in Clackamas County and Pixie Park in Columbia County, where a Pacific Loon was also found, and Red Phalarope at Hagg Lake, which has had a great year for exciting birds (starting, if you recall, with a Yellow-billed Loon in January).

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL is one of the most recent birds to be taken off the review list of the Oregon Birds Record Committee, meaning that it is no longer considered so rare that the committee tries to collect information and verify every possible sighting in the state. This is a result of this bird being found increasingly often, particularly along the coast and Columbia River, as one was last week at the John Day Dam. It seemed like only a matter of time until one was found in the Portland area, and that time may have happened on Wednesday, as a birder found a suspiciously dark-mantled bird mixed in a large flock at Harborview Park on the WIllamette River. As of press time, full parentage of the bird is still being pondered.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Is it the year of the EMPEROR GOOSE? An adult bird was reported from Racoon Point at Sauvie Island this week, fresh on the heels of the juvenile bird that continues at Southridge High School in Beaverton. The Raccoon Point bird has not been refound, which is not surprising given the large amount of inaccessible habitat. Clay-colored Sparrow also seem prevalent this year, with one reported at Wapato Access on Sauvie Island. 

Northern waterfowl are pouring into the region, with reports across the area, most notably of a flock of 48 Surf Scoter at Columbia Point. North of the river, Tundra Swans have returned to Ridgefield.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

A juvenile EMPEROR GOOSE is the bird du jour in the Portland area, showing up near Southridge High School on Tuesday mixed into a flock of Cackling Geese. The bird continues to be seen, occasionally moving to nearby Koll Center wetlands. In Portland proper, all eyes are on the continuing Mandarin Duck at Oaks Bottom. The bird is thought to be the same bird from Crystal Springs last year, which was presumed to be a domestic escapee. 

Also in it for the long haul are the Snowy Egret at Smith & Bybee, and the Common Tern at Hagg Lake. Inthe new arrival department, a first-of-season Rough-legged Hawk was seen at Sauvie Island.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

With shorebird migration winding down, attention turns to our larger bodies of water for returning waterfowl, loons, grebes, and, everyone’s favorite: gulls. Sauvie Island was the site of much of the excitement for the last two weeks, with Parasitic Jaeger being reported from both the Columbia and Multnomah County sides of Sturgeon Lake. Visitors also encountered at least one Franklin’s Gull, and a somewhat late pair of Baird’s Sandpipers were seen at the boat launch. A single Thayer’s Gull (technically referred to as an Iceland Gull) was found at Harborview along the Willamette. 

Along the Columbia, the trickle of water birds has started, with an Eared Grebe at Columbia Point, and a Greater Scaup and Surf Scoter reported from Broughton Beach. Further upriver, four Forster’s Terns were reported from the mouth of the Sandy River.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

The Bird of the Week award goes to Sabine’s Gull this week, as these diminutive Arctic Tundra breeders seem to be popping up everywhere. Multiple birds seemed to stream by Broughton Beach and Columbia Point mid-week (and, as expected, seen from the Washington side of the river as well) while the individual at Hagg Lake continued, and reports continue to come in in from around the state. 

Other local notables include a Common Nighthawk also found at Columbia Point, and a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Fernhill.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Exciting shorebirds continue to drop in to local wetlands, with a Whimbrel visiting Sturgeon Lake on Sauvie Island, where other notables this week included Stilt Sandpiper (also found and seen by many at Fernhill this week) and Common Tern, another of which was spotted flying near the mouth of the Sandy River. The mouth of the Sandy also hosted a Pacific Golden Plover, perhaps marking the first time that two of this species have been reported in Multnomah County in the same year. Nearby, from the Corbett viewpoint on the Columbia, an American Avocet was a first for Multnomah County for the year, although the bird itself was on the Washington side of the river (cue contentious listing rules debate here). Meanwhile, a Sabine’s Gull, not normally known as a long-staying migrant, has been very obliging out at Hagg lake this week. 

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Many birders this week noticed the earnest start to fall migration, with neotropical migrants like Western Tanagers and a variety of warblers being reported from backyards and neighborhood parks. 

A Black Swift was spotted with Vaux’s Swifts at the Willamette Overlook Bluff, while Western Kingbird was observed at Company Lake, and Nashville Warbler and Ruby-crowned Kinglet were seen at Mt. Tabor. A rare fall Swainson’s Hawk was reported from near the airport.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

The Patagonia Picnic Table Effect was in full swing this week at Smith & Bybee, starting with a WIlson’s Phalarope (while common in Washington County, they are much harder to find in Multnomah County). The next day, searchers failed to relocate the Phalarope, finding a Stilt Sandpiper instead. The following day, neither the Sandpiper nor the Phalarope were refound, but instead a Pacific Golden Plover was discovered, a year to the day since the last Multnomah County record. The bird continues to be seen by many. For good measure, the Snowy Egret is back at Smith & Bybee for another year. 

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Peak shorebird season is upon us, with lots of reports of expected birds this week (like Red-necked Phalarope, Semipalmated Plover, Baird’s Sandpiper, and Pectoral Sandpiper), as well as a few less-expected visitors. A Dunlin was found on Sauvie Island at the Narrows, a full three weeks ahead of schedule, along with a Franklin’s Gull. Meanwhile, a Black-necked Stilt was found at Shillapoo Lake in Clark County, the site of many good birds this year. 

A surprising find this week was a Common Poorwill vocalizing at dawn near Larch Mountain, where intrepid birders continue to report Black-backed Woodpecker. 

Eastern Kingbirds also seem to be on the move, with reports coming from Columbia County and Clark County. 

Last week, a RED-NECKED STINT was found at Sunset Beach, nabbing top Oregon shorebird honors so far this year.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Last week we mentioned that a pair of Black Terns was being seen at Smith & Bybee, prompting speculation of potential nesting, but noting the lack of juveniles that would seemingly clinch such theories, and, as if we summoned one with our collective willpower, this week a juvenile was photographed foraging in the same area where the parents have been seen. This species has been known to breed across the Columbia in Clark County, but this would be the first time in the breeding area in decades, at least. 

Other notable Larids this week include a non-breeding plumaged Franklin’s Gull photographed flying by Broughton Beach, where birders have been enjoying the return of Semipalmated Plovers. Further up the Columbia, a Canyon Wren was heard singing near Wahclella Falls. These birds have also caused some speculation of breeding, particularly after the Eagle Creek Fire, but virtually all of the previous reports seemed to come in winter. Nearby, another rare county breeder, Mountain Quail, was found near Larch Mountain.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

A female COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD was photographed coming to a feeder for what would be an apparent first Columbia County record. Interestingly, the bird was found in the same yard that produced the first county record of Rose-breasted Grosbeak just 6 weeks ago. 

Two Black Terns were reported from Smith & Bybee, marking the third time the species has been seen there this summer, and the first time that two were reported together, leading to speculation that these birds are at least attempting breeding. No reports of juveniles yet…Other continuing birds this week include the Hagg Lake Common Loon, the Ivor Davies Red-shouldered Hawk, and the Shillapoo Lake Redheads

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

While shorebirds continue to trickle into the region, rare birds were hard to come by this week. A Tundra Swan continues at Fernhill, and the Common Loon persists at Hagg Lake, and the Redheads continue at Shillapoo Lake in Clark County.

Most of the rest of our “rarities” reported in the area this week are birds that may be rare at the county level, but are uncommon at best in other counties. Among these are Yellow-headed Blackbirds at Tualatin River NWR, Red-shouldered Hawk in Clark and Clackamas Counties, Glaucous-winged Gull in Clackamas County, and Chipping Sparrows at two different locations in Multnomah County.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Washington County had the most notable birds of the week, with an early Solitary Sandpiper and a Tundra Swan at Fernhill Wetlands, along with the continuing Common Loon at Hagg Lake. 

It was rather quiet in the rest of the Portland area, with a notable Ruby-crowned Kinglet atop Mt. Tabor. 

Many of Clark County’s rarities, including Redhead, Eastern Kingbird, Sandhill Crane, and, most notably, Wilson’s Phalarope, continue at their respective haunts.

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org.

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

Just in time to rescue us from the doldrums of summer birding, southbound shorebird migration is under way! A Semipalmated Sandpiper was among the vanguard of peeps hanging out at Vanport Wetlands this week, along with Yellowlegs and others. 

A Black Tern was yet again reported from Smith & Bybee, but was not refound by searchers. Intriguingly, there have been two unconfirmed reports of Black Tern along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, leading to speculation that a single adult-plumaged bird may be moving around the area. 

Another intriguing bird reported this week was a heard-only AMERICAN REDSTART at the Sandy River Delta. While the bird was reported by an experienced observer, it was not refound. 

Continuing birds this week include the Hagg Lake Common Loon  and the Sandhill Cranes and Eastern Kingbirds that have been reported recently in Clark County. 

That’s most of it for this week. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at bcasstalbott@audubonportland.org.