The GLAUCOUS GULL near the Hawthorne Bridge continued into the week, as did the Hagg Lake Red-throated Loon.Īfter a flurry of very rare birds over the first three weeks of the year, things seem to have cooled down significantly as we enter mid-winter. On Thursday, an Eared Grebe was seen in the same area.Įarly spring migrants are on their way, among them several reports of Rufous Hummingbird (a well-known early migrant) and Violet-green Swallows, along with the more expected early Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows. That all changed this week when a presumed young male was found at Columbia Point near a small inlet, where it remained for five days, being seen by many. Unfortunately they are generally mixed in with a raft of hundreds to thousands of Greater and Lesser Scaup, often far from shore, making detection difficult. TUFTED DUCKS are a rare but expected wintering duck in the region, as generally at least one or more is found somewhere along the Columbia River each year. For reports, corrections, and tips, email Brodie Cass Talbott at and for more information on any of these rarities, including locations and observers, visit. Both Red-necked and Wilson’s Phalaropes were reported from Ridgefield. Steigerwald NWR reopened last month in Clark County, and has been hosting a few fun birds this week, including a Great-tailed Grackle and an Eastern Kingbird (the latter also being reported from Sandy River Delta this week). On Sauvie Island, a birder found a late Brewer’s Sparrow at the Oak Island Boat Launch. Columbia County hosted both a Swainson’s Hawk at CZ trail and a very late Rough-legged Hawk in Clatskanie this week. Ash-throated Flycatchers are one of the later migrants, and, true to form, one was found on Tuesday in Clackamas. With the majority of spring migration behind us, rare bird reports are slowing to a trickle. The jury is still out, and hopefully the bird will stick around long enough to answer some questions. The bird has raised eyebrows because of its interesting looking bill, and face, prompting speculation that it could be a juvenile Neotropic Cormorant (which would be a state first record), while others have suggested a Neotropic x Double-crested hybrid (which are known to occur, especially as Neotropics expand their range), or possibly just a weird looking young Double-crested. The most debated bird of the week came from Force Lake where a, well, cormorant of some sort has been unwarily fishing and basking in the sun. Rare bird reports continue to slow, but a very intriguing report came from Whitaker Ponds this week in the form of a singing Northern Waterthrush that was recorded, but never seen, and never heard again. Just like that, summer is here, with the solstice behind us, birds settling in to their nesting, and (finally) some warmth and sun. Take Action Take Action Post news and reviewsīold: Local rarity | CAPS: Statewide rarity.

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