Brewer's Sparrow in western Oregon

This Brewer's Sparrow was discovered by Chris Adlam, another Oregon birder, singing in a clearcut in the Coast Range forest in Yamhill County, Oregon. This species is very rarely found west of the Cascade Mts., being one of the expected species in sagebrush habitat in eastern Oregon. A recording of this bird's song can be heard at:

https://youtu.be/gMhhet5icpg

Violet-green Swallow on eggs 2015

A pair of Violet-greens has again chosen to use my nest box equipped with a camera, and today for the first time I am able to see that they have at least two eggs in the nest. Probably there are more than that, since the female has been on the nest most of the time today, which would indicate that she has started incubation in earnest. They have taken their time about this, having first entered to inspect the box on April 9 (see below).

Two eggs visible today