by Lynne Heidsiek Tattered, exhausted and hungry. It’s hard to imagine what this tiny warbler endures on its long migration. You can see the feather damage in this female, as she makes use of a water feature. Wilson’s Warblers breed in areas specific to their winter locations. Most breed in the far North. Those that breedContinue reading “Backyard Wilson’s Warblers”
Category Archives: Bird Watching
May 10th VAS Bird Walk
by Ken Pitts Burnt Bridge Creek Trail at Devine Road was a great place to be on May 10th at 7:00 am. When Cheri Gavin and I arrived to lead the walk, American Robins were singing. Black-headed Grosbeaks also seemed to be competing for the most dominant song of the morning! I think the grosbeaksContinue reading “May 10th VAS Bird Walk”
South TX Bird Photography
By Ken Pitts I had the privilege of traveling with Steve Bredthauer to the coast of South Texas for eight days in early April of photographing some unique birds inhabiting the areas from Austin, to Port Lavaca, Port Aransas, North and South Padre Islands, Rio Grande Valley, and finally San Antonio. Our focus was reallyContinue reading “South TX Bird Photography”
Gorge Bird Watching Trip
By Susan Saul Cindy McCormack led a VAS birding trip on April 26 with stops at Sams Walker Day Use Area at Skamania, the Beacon Rock State Park boat launch, and the River to Rock Trail between the boat launch and Ridell Lake, which is more marsh than lake these days. Highlights included American Dippers feeding youngContinue reading “Gorge Bird Watching Trip”
A PAIR OF WESTERN BLUEBIRDS CHASE AWAY THE BLUES
Photo Essay by Beth Marlin Lichter According to Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Champoeg State Heritage Area near Newberg, Oregon is home to the northernmost spot in the continental United States, where resident pairs of Western Bluebirds have been spotted. I can happily say that yes, there is a male and female using one of theContinue reading “A PAIR OF WESTERN BLUEBIRDS CHASE AWAY THE BLUES “
Recap of 3/22/25 Ken Pitts VAS guided bird walk at Champoeg SP co-led by Cheri Gavin and Beth Marlin Lichter:
20 participants on a beautiful early spring morning. Don Rose ID’d a Red-necked Grebe and a splendid male Rufous Hummingbird came to the flowering red currant bushes near the visitor center. Plus, the Western Bluebirds are defending their nesting boxes against the Tree Swallows. We identified 49 species eBird Checklist for Champoeg A short driveContinue reading “Recap of 3/22/25 Ken Pitts VAS guided bird walk at Champoeg SP co-led by Cheri Gavin and Beth Marlin Lichter: “
Rainy Days
Five Ways to Enjoy Rainy Birding (Especially in the Pacific Northwest) Every year, as winter fast approaches and the weather makes birding…less appealing, to say the least. However, there are still many great birdingexperiences to be had, atmospheric rivers or no. In fact, many of ourfeathered friends can become easier to observe as the rainContinue reading “Rainy Days”