March 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.
Waiting for warblers; Hummingbirds and swallows on time
March always seems to be a slow month for birding, with many of the local wintering species moving north for the breeding season, but few of the southern wintering species moving north into our area. The few migrants that do arrive—primarily swallows and hummingbirds—seem to only increase our frustration because we grow even more impatient for all our favorite species to arrive. But spring migration is now in full swing, so be sure and let us know which birds you're seeing.
Waterbirds & Seabirds
Eared Grebe (2) March 20; Creswell; NS
Waterfowl
Ross’s Goose March 16; Fern Ridge Reservoir; DD
Ross’s Goose March 30; Meadowlark Prairie; A&TM
Eurasian Wigeon (4) March 23; Kirk & Stewart Ponds; RR
Eurasian Wigeon (1) March 30; Kirk Pond; JM
Cinnamon Teal (9) March 23; Fern Ridge Reservoir; RR
Green-winged Teal (Eurasian) March 20; Creswell; NS
Redhead (3) March 23; Fern Ridge Reservoir; RR
Canvasback March 1; Dexter Reservoir; A&DH
Common Goldeneye March 1; Dexter Reservoir; A&DH
Raptors
Osprey March 23; Leaburg Reservoir; KC
White-tailed Kite March 26; Fern Ridge Reservoir; DD,DA
Golden Eagle March 5; Fern Ridge Reservoir; DD
Peregrine Falcon March; Willa. Valley & Lane Co. Coast; m.ob.
Shorebirds
Ruff March 14; Stewart Pond; SMa
Ruff (2) March 15; Stewart Pond; JC
Ruff March 19; Stewart Pond; DW
Wilson’s Snipe (75) March 26; Fern Ridge Reservoir; DD,DA
Owls
Great Horned Owl nest March 26; Fern Ridge Reservoir; DD,DA
Northern Pygmy-owl (2) March 2; Mt. Pisgah; BN
Barred Owl March 22; Herman Cape Road; DP,SMa
Great Gray Owl March 7&13; Fall Creek area; TH
Passerines
Calliope Hummingbird March 30; Autzen Statium area; PS
Say’s Phoebe March 2; South Jetty, Siuslaw R.; DP
Say’s Phoebe March 8; E. Springfield; GG
Northern Shrike March 23; Fern Ridge Reservoir; RR
Tree Swallow March 10; McKenzie Bridge; KC
Violet-green Swallow March 10; McKenzie Bridge; KC
Violet-green Swallow March 15; Lowell; MA
Cliff Swallow March 29; Fern Ridge Reservoir; PS
Varied Thrush March 10; SE Eugene; VA
Orange-crowned Warbler March 28; Creswell area; DL
Orange-crowned Warbler March 28; SE Eugene; A&TM
Palm Warbler March 3; Sandpiper Pond; MRa
Chipping Sparrow March 31; Springfield; SMa
Yellow-headed Blackbird March 24; Fern Ridge Reservoir; PS
Pine Siskin March 16; Cottage Grove; KB
Brown-headed Cowbird March 26; Fern Ridge Reservoir; DD,DA
Abbreviations:
m.ob. many observers, Meadowlark Prairie West Eugene Wetlands at Greenhill Rd. & Royal Ave., Sandpiper Pond West Eugene Wetlands at Bertelson & Stewart Rds.
Thank you, contributors!
DA Dennis Arendt, VA Vjera Arnold, MA Martha Austin, KB Kimberly Borrowdale, JC Jim Carlson, KC Kurt Cox, DD Don DeWitt, GG George Grier, TH Tanya Harvey, A&DH Anne & Dan Heyerly, DL Don Lown, SMa Sylvia Maulding, A&TM Allison & Tom Mickel, JM John Mowat, BN Bruce Newhouse, DP Diane Pettey, MRa Mitch Ratzlaff, RR Roger Robb, PS Paul Sherrell, NS Noah Strycker, DW Davey Wendt.