We started the day at 8 a.m., an hour earlier than originally planned due to Thrive Umpqua’s 10 a.m. 5K Walk/Run also held at Ford’s Pond. We moved along a little quicker than usual but still at a pace that allowed for plenty of stops for viewing. For the first time in 13 months, we were actually able to make it all the way down to the west end of Ford’s Pond. We had 12 participants, one of which was from Ohio and was an excellent birder who contributed to our finding 52 species of birds encompassing 757 individuals. https://ebird.org/checklist/S198584785
The first highlight of the morning was 3 California Gulls that we scoped from the parking lot overview; we get a few different species of gulls once in a while. On the east end of Woodruff pond we had close-up views of 2 Greater Yellowlegs. Throughout the walk we saw 9 Wilson Snipe that we observed on the ground individually in different spots. Most often we see snipes flying in a flock. There were a lot of dabbling ducks (Mallard, Northern Pintail, and Gadwall) with their butts in the air while feeding. We were joking that we needed a guide just to identify duck butts! At the western end of Ford’s pond near the boardwalk facing north was a patch of dried thistles attracting 6 different species of sparrow: White-Crowned, Golden-Crowned, White-Throated, Savannah, Song and Lincoln. Just to the west of the sparrows in the last section of water, we saw a Western Grebe very close and in beautiful light. Usually we are scoping a Western Grebe at a great distance.
Upon turning around to head back down the path, we saw the 400 people participating in the 5K all gathered together awaiting the start at the top of the hill. We got halfway back before the attendees reached us. It was fun to move to the side of the pavement and watch the group enjoying the event. We had the path to ourselves again before heading up the hill to the parking lot. Perfect timing! Perfect morning!
Top Bird Pictures: Northern Pintail, Greater Yellowlegs, Western Grebe, Eurasian and American Wigeon, Black Phoebe.
Bottom Bird Pictures: Great Egret, Lincoln Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Savannah Sparrow.
Bird pictures taken by Liz Gayner. People and Ford’s Pond pictures taken by Stacy Burleigh.
Thank you to Stacy Burleigh, Marge Cooney, Sam Denney, Lucas Lyle, Dan Simpson, Bill Fuller and Liz Gayner for making this field trip happen!
