[ORyoungbirder] Yaquina Head, etc. 4-28-07

[Karl Fairchild]

Hi all,

Went to the coast yesterday TAing for a Systematics of Birds field 
trip.  Spent the majority of the time at Yaquina Head, but also birded 
the South Jetty and HMSC. 

Highlights:

Yaquina Head:

2 subadult BALD EAGLES diving and locking talons (this was over the 
cove, so the murres didn't notice)
Close-up views of SURFBIRDS and BLACK TURNSTONES at the cove
30+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS flying north in a single flock over the ocean
Many COMMON LOONS flying north by the head, including one individual 
that flew inland of the lighthouse and no more than 30 feet over our 
heads (impressive!)
Displaying BRANDT'S and PELAGIC CORMORANTS
Nothing spectacular, but just a ton of nice birds!

S. Jetty

Despite the blowing sand, the shorebird movement that was happening was 
absolutely spectacular.

600+ WESTERN SANDPIPER
50+ DUNLIN
60+ BONAPARTE'S GULLS in one big flock
many SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS
1 male HARLEQUIN DUCK
A big feeding flock of loons and cormorants beyond the breakers


HMSC

5 PURPLE MARTINS
10 BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS
5 MARBLED GODWITS
30 SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS
2 WHIMBRELS
900+ WESTERN SANDPIPERS
many CASPIAN TERNS

The trip saw 89 species total, a very good day for a lot of first-timers!

Good birding!
Karl

Karl Fairchild
Philomath