Bird Walks

Saturday July 18 Canoe/kayak birding trip to Fern Ridge Lake is canceled due to LOW water levels at Fern Ridge Reservoir.

In May, a small group of birders met for a Saturday Bird Walk, the first since February. We will continue to hold small walks, with some restrictions in place in order to adhere to local guidelines. (At this writing, the June walk had not yet taken place.) We will keep attendance very small—no more than 10 birders, and will not be announcing the location publicly.

Birding in the Time of Corona

Many of us look forward to our monthly walks for a multitude of reasons. Personally, I enjoy the social aspect of gathering with other birders. I do quite a bit of solo birding, but I always look forward to every 3rd Saturday of the month, knowing I will be with like-minded folks for a few hours, finding mutual enjoyment in the natural world around us. Unfortunately, the March and April walks have been canceled, with only uncertainty as to when we will be able to safely congregate around our scopes and field guides again. 

I have kept a yard list for years, but I had never done a Big Day from home. For those unfamiliar with the concept of a Big Day, the goal is simply to identify as many species as possible. Folks who are able and willing spend a whole day, beginning before dawn in hopes of finding owls, to well after dusk, traveling from hotspot to hotspot keeping a list along the way. In the past, LCAS birders have recorded over 150 species on Global Big Day! 

An Instagram friend of mine suggested folks participate in a Backyard Big Day on April 1st. Photos can be seen by searching #BACKYARDBIGDAY.  With little else to occupy my time, I happily joined in. With typical April Oregon weather­—chilly and rainy—my count did not reach above 20. But limiting my attention to just the birds in my yard gave me the opportunity to really focus on behavior, plumage, and different calls. My feeder (see page 7) was full of finches all day, with the House and American Goldfinches seeming to take turns. A pair of Scrub-Jays spent most of the day sorting through sticks and flying off with their preferred branches, presumably for a nest nearby. It was a lovely day spent with no TV or podcasts to distract me. I just may make this the start of a Big Quarantine list.

Gerry Meenaghn will lead the April walk, exploring the LCC campus and adjacent areas. Details will be posted on the LCAS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LaneAudubon/, and on the website: laneaudubon.org.

All ages and skill levels are welcome. Bring binoculars, if you have them. To carpool, meet at 8 a.m. at the South Eugene High School parking lot, corner of 19th and Patterson. We plan to return by noon. Remember that it’s not a good idea to leave valuables or your vehicle registration in your car if you leave it at the lot. A $3 donation is appreciated to help support Lane County Audubon’s activities.

FMI: Rebecca Waterman at fieldtrips@laneaudubon.org.com, or 541.653.3354

We can expect the Vaux’s Swifts to arrive with a warm wind from the south in early to mid-April. The timing of the migration varies, depending on wind and weather patterns. We hope the Vaux’s Swifts will be here April 24th, when we will be watching at Agate Hall chimney!

The Vaux’s Swifts use the chimney to roost for the night as they gather and recover after migration from the south.

Come join us at sunset Friday, April 24th, Agate Hall on the UO campus,17th Ave. and Agate Street.

FMI: Lane Audubon Facebook page or website, or call 541.485.2473. And/or check out the Vaux’s Happening website for more information about Vaux’s Swifts: https://www.vauxhappening.org/index.html 

Due to concerns about the Coronavirus COVID-19, the March 21st bird walk is cancelled. 

We encourage everyone to get outside and keep on birding, but individually or in small groups of less than 10 people. Ideas for Eugene area birding sites can be found:  http://www.thefarleys.us/BirdingEugene/Welcome.html 

Willamette Valley sites: http://www.oregonbirdingtrails.org/wvtrailguide.htm

Around Oregon--Oregon Birding Locations by County: https://www.ecaudubon.org/birding-locations  

John Sullivan will lead a walk through Alton Baker Park with possible sighting of the Vermillion Flycatcher that has been frequenting the east end. Details will be posted on the LCAS Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/Lane-County-Audubon-Society/330177413824, and on the website: laneaudubon.org.

Dick Lamster, 541.343.8664, maeveanddick@q.com

This year marks the 78th Eugene Christmas Bird Count (ECBC) and the 120th National Audubon Society (NAS) Christmas Bird Count. The ECBC this year will be on Sunday, December 29, 2019. Our 15-mile-diameter count circle is centered in the Danebo area of Eugene and is divided into 27 areas, each with a Team Leader. The Team Leaders organize the teams, lead the groups through the area during the count day, and then submit the results to the ECBC Steering Committee.

Site and leader will be determined by interesting bird sightings posted to OBOL and other pertinent information available before the day of the walk. Details will be posted on the LCAS Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/Lane-County-Audubon-Society/330177413824, and on the website: laneaudubon.org.