Rare Bird Alert

Notes on Sightings

Bold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity

The return of shorebirds has so far failed to produce any notable rarities as of yet this season, but a pair of Snowy Egrets at Smith & Bybee Lakes has been entertaining birders for the last week or so. A Short-billed Dowitcher was at Vanport Wetlands, mixed in with the large Long-billed Dowitcher flock. At Broughton Beach a single Bonaprte’s Gull was seen on the sand bar.

In Columbia County, a Red-eyed Vireo continues to sing from near the Warrior Point trail. 

A BAR-TAILED GODWIT was found at Ona Beach in Lincoln County, and has remained for a couple days so far. This is one of maybe a dozen or so Oregon records for this Siberian breeder. 

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

A mostly quiet week across the region, with much interest being paid to the expected return of shorebirds, including Semipalmated Sandpipers, Semipalmated Plovers, Lesser Yellowlegs, and Long-billed Dowitchers. The region has also seemingly seen an influx of Red Crossbills, with birds being heard at Portland Audubon, Mt. Tabor, Powell Butte, and at least three NE Portland neighborhoods. 

A Snowy Egret has been reported at Smith & Bybee. This bird is annual there, but is often very difficult to see, tucked away in tall vegetation and outnumbered by Great Egrets. Calliope Hummingbird and Fox Sparrow were both reported in the Portland area, at a private feeder and at Oaks Bottom respectively, but are unconfirmed. 

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

The most intriguing sighting of the week was a pair of Brewer’s Sparrows found at the Fern Hill Road seasonal ponds. These open country sparrows are generally only found in small numbers in migration in May and August on the westside of Oregon, so the presence of two in the breeding season has raised some eyebrows.

Shorebirds have started their southbound movement already, but with nothing unexpected having been reported in the area. A Semipalmated Sandpiper was among a group of Leasts at Broughton Beach. A Herring Gull at Willamette Falls is out of season there, generally not being seen in the area until August.

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

The summer slowdown continues, with little being reported across the region or state, as we wait for post-breeding dispersal and southbound shorebird migration to stir things up. In Clark County, a few notable birds persist, including a Clark’s Grebe at Vancouver Lake, Eastern Kingbirds at Ridgefield and River Road, and a Rock Wren in Brush Prairie. 

In Oregon proper, a Glaucous-winged Gull at River Island was likely the most notable bird of the week in the Portland area. While numerous along the Columbia in breeding season, they are much less common further south. 

Portlanders did seem to be finding escaped domestics or exotics en masse this week, including reports of Diamond Dove, show pigeon, Common Quail, and Gambell’s quail, all of which should be presumed escapees. 

Further afield, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was reported from Coos County, continuing the string of recent reports. 

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