Laughing at the Coast
Last weekend I had a roller coaster of a birding trip. But that’s to be expected when chasing rarities. There were at least seven rare birds reported near Newport (Say’s Phoebe, Solitary Sandpiper, Northern Mockingbird, Marbled Godwit, Nashville Warbler (early), Palm Warbler, and Laughing Gull). Laughing Gull?! Who brought back the Texas souvenir? It wasn’t…
Springtime Birds
Back home from Texas and it’s spring in Portland? I’m okay with that. My 5 mi radius has blown up lately. The evening before I left for Texas, a Rufous Hummingbird paid our feeder a visit. First time for the yard! And on a more recent morning, I found an unlucky Anna’s Hummingbird knocked out…
Texas: Salineño to The End
The last couple of days in Texas began with finding as many birds as possible at the Harlingen Thicket. This meant hanging with Harris’s Hawks. Watching Great Kiskadees collect nesting material. And finally getting a good look at a Tropical Kingbird (best distinguished by Couch’s by voice). One bird I was thrilled to get even…