February 2003Our "Field Notes" documents significant bird sightings in Lane County for historical and educational purposes. Reports are welcome, and significant sightings will appear, space permitted.
To report a sighting, contact Tom and Allison Mickel, 485-7112 or tamickel (at) rio.com.
Overall, we’ve had a very mild winter extending through February, except for the cooler temperatures at the end of the month. That mild weather is reflected in the bird sightings below, with few reports of northern species (e.g. Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Shrike) and several reports of early migrants. Spring and all the migrants are just around the corner, so keep us informed of the species you’re seeing.
Waterbirds & Seabirds
American Bittern Feb 8; Fisher Butte, FRR; PS
Vultures
Turkey Vulture Feb 27; Eugene; DH
Waterfowl
Ross’s Goose Feb 6; Royal Ave., FRR; NS
Emperor Goose Feb 5; Royal Ave., FRR; DA
Brant Feb 6; Royal Ave, FRR; JF
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian) Feb; Creswell; NS
Ring-necked Duck (225) Feb 15; Fisher Butte, FRR; NS
Long-tailed Duck Feb 15; Oldtown Florence; RK
Long-tailed Duck (3) Feb 15; Siuslaw River mouth; M&MD
Raptors
White-tailed Kite Feb 24; Walterville; DH
Rough-legged Hawk Feb 17; Cox Butte Road; PS
Grouse, Rails & Shorebirds
Sandhill Crane (250) Feb 12; East Springfield; SMc
Sandhill Crane Feb 20; Eugene & Springfield; m.ob.
Ruff (2) Feb; West Eugene; m.ob.
Gulls & Alcids
Glaucous Gull Feb 22; Siuslaw River mouth; WH et al.
Doves, Pigeons & Owls
Band-tailed Pigeon Feb 23; Southwest Eugene; MS
Great Gray Owl Feb 25; Fall Creek area; TH
Short-eared Owl (3) Feb 2; Royal Ave., FRR; A&TM
Passerines
Costa’s Hummingbird Feb 13; East Eugene; LM
Rufous Hummingbird Feb 8; Florence; DP
Rufous Hummingbird Feb 23; Southwest Eugene; MS
Black Phoebe Feb 8; Fisher Butte,FRR; PS
Say’s Phoebe (2) Feb 25; Pleasant Hill area; DD
Say’s Phoebe Feb 26; Creswell area; NS
Northern Shrike Feb 6; Royal Ave., FRR; NS
Blue Jay Feb 18; Springfield; DD
Tree Swallow Feb 4; Royal Ave., FRR; DD,DA
Barn Swallow Feb 4; Royal Ave., FRR; DD,DA
Palm Warbler Feb; Sandpiper Pond; m.ob.
Palm Warbler Feb 10; Florence; JH
Baltimore Oriole Feb; Florence; m.ob.
Brown-headed Cowbird Feb 28; Pleasant Hill area; DHo
Abbreviations:
FRR Fern Ridge Reservoir, m.ob. many observers, Sandpiper Pond West Eugene Wetlands at Bertelson & Stewart Rds.
Thank you, contributors!
DA Dennis Arendt, VA Vjera Arnold, M&MD Mike & MerryLynn Denny, DD Don DeWitt, DF Daniel Farrar, JF Joe Fontaine, JH Jim Harleman, TH Tanya Harvey, DH Dan Heyerly, WH Wayne Hoffman, DHo Diane Horgan, RK Ray Korpi, SMc Steve McDonald, LM Larry McQueen, A&TM Allison & Tom Mickel, DP Diane Pettey, PS Paul Sherrell, MS Maeve Sowles, B&ZS Bill & Zanah Stotz, NS Noah Strycker.