Ospreys and Cliff Swallows back at E.E. Wilson, herons nesting at Coffin Butte, and goldfinch question

[Joel Geier]

This afternoon two OSPREYS were calling over the Angling Pond at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, as more than 20 TURKEY VULTURES "kettled" overhead (perhaps looking for a place to drop down to roost in case of rain -- I saw 6 more that were already down in the trees).

Back at our house just west of the wildlife area, Becky alerted me to a flock of about 40 swallows that were feeding along the edge of the tall Douglas-firs up on Tampico Ridge. I was expecting Violet-green Swallows and/or Tree Swallows, and indeed, the flock included some of each when I got the binoculars out. However at least a dozen were CLIFF SWALLOWS -- the first ones I've seen this year, and a species that we rarely see over our yard, though they nest on the wildlife area.

Now is still a good time to watch GREAT BLUE HERONS nesting in the poplar plantation just south of Coffin Butte Regional Landfill. At least 12 nests were active as of yesterday, and they're easy to see from the road as the poplars have just started to leaf out. The best place to view them is from the north side of Coffin Butte Rd., just west of the landfill entrance. There's a bit of a turnout there where you can pull off the road and stay out of the way of traffic. The herons are used to lots of vehicles along that road, so if you stay in your vehicle they'll continue to go about their business (not sure how they'd react to pedestrians but they probably see quite a few bicyclists too).

Finally, just wondering if anyone is seeing AMERICAN GOLDFINCHES. We've had Lesser Goldfinch pairs around our place but no American Goldfinches yet. Yesterday when an errand took me over to Albany, and I returned by way of Hwy 34, I thought I heard one call as I passed by the intersection with Peoria Rd.

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Joel Geier

Camp Adair area north of Corvallis