For the second summer running, nearshore bait fish have been attracting large numbers of gull, cormorants, BROWN PELICANS and othe assorted piscivores. SOOTY SHEARWATER flocks have been working the nearshore ocean as well with concentrations of up to 150,000 viewable from land at Ecola State Park and the North Jetty of the Columbia River. HARBOR PORPOISES, GRAY WHALES and at least 1 HUMPBACK WHALE have also been reported.
Shorebird movements were on schedule and robust. Most notable were up to 3 WILLETS on the beach near Del Rey and a STILT SANDPIPER at Stanley Lake.
WHITE-TAILED KITES apparently nested successfully at 2 site on the Clatsop Plains, adults and juveniles were seen at Stanley Lake and at Reed Ranch.
COMMON NIGHTHAWKS were reported from several locations in late August. This species breeds in small numbers in the Coast Range, but usually manages to go unnoticed, becuase of its crepuscular nature.
Large numbers of CALIFORNIA TORTOISESHELL migrating through the Coast Range and ocean beaches make up the bulk of the butterfly news this season. There were greater than average numbers of COMMON WOOD NYMPHS seen in east county and a new colony of EASTERN TAILED BLUES was discovered at Simmons Field along Hwy 202
Posted by mbalame at September 6, 2006 12:43 AM