To describe my lifelong fascination with flight and with creatures that fly I like to echo the words of John James Audubon who in 1839 wrote of himself as "...one who never can cease to admire and to study with zeal and the most heartfelt reverence, the wonderful productions of an Almighty Creator."
Monday, June 28, 2010
Eurasian Collared Dove coming to a town near you
The book says: "During the 1600s this Indian species began to expand its range until today it occurs in all of Europe and most of Asia. After introductions in the Bahamas in 1974 and Guadeloupe in 1976 it soon expanded throughout the Caribbean and reached Florida by 1980. It is now expanding into other parts of N. America, reaching New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana by 1997; Oregon in 1998; and Washington in 2000." -- Birds of Oregon, A General Reference This evening there were two "cooing" outside my house here in Yamhill Co. I have now seen them in about six different towns in Oregon. I hope they don't begin competing in some way with our native Mourning Doves, but if they compete with the (also non-native) Rock Pigeon, maybe that will be a good thing.
Yesterday I was assisting a group of out-of-state visitors whose schedule included a stop at a vineyard and winery here in Yamhill Co. During the tour, when attention was drawn to the numerous Bluebird nestboxes scattered around the vineyard property, the host explained that the vineyard owners have for several years been participating in the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project. As I was leaving, this male Bluebird stopped on a wire near its nestbox just long enough for a quick shot.
The Chestnut-backed Chickadees are feeding young now in the Coast Range of Oregon, but I had about given up trying to photograph the activity because they go in and out of the nestbox so quickly. But just when this one arrived, a Cooper's Hawk flew across the clearing being chased and scolded by Swallows. So the Chickadee paused to watch the drama, and gave me a chance to get the shot.
In my recently acquired piece of forestland (on the eastern slope of Oregon's Coast Range) within the past month I have been hearing Hermit Warblers singing, and finally was able to get some good looks at this handsome individual. A very welcome summer resident, and I hope to discover a nest there someday.
The book says: "During the 1600s this Indian species began to expand its range until today it occurs in all of Europe and most of Asia. After introductions in the Bahamas in 1974 and Guadeloupe in 1976 it soon expanded throughout the Caribbean and reached Florida by 1980. It is now expanding into other parts of N. America, reaching New Mexico, Colorado, and Montana by 1997; Oregon in 1998; and Washington in 2000."
