Columbia Estuary Report - 6/17/98

Among the many interesting things seen on my weekly seawatch (complete list
to following separate post) was a BLACK SWAN heading north about a 1/2 mile
out with a small group of COMMON MURRES. This is presumably the same bird
reported earlier in the week at Cannon Beach. Two RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were
also an early surprise during the watch.

At least eight BALD EAGLES are on the Columbia River at Ft Stevens, three on
the river beach near the jetty and five at Trestle Bay. Two are full adults,
one is nearly adult with some brown on an otherwise white head, four are
white all over 3rd year birds and one is mostly brown.

There a still six SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS hanging out on Trestle Bay.

HORNED LARKS are breeding on Rice Island near the Caspian Tern Colony. At
least three BALD EAGLES have this area staked out the colony and eat a couple
terns per day.

--

Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR _Birds and other Wildlife of the
mpatters at orednet.org Columbia River Estuary_
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/book_ad.html