Cascadia Hummingbird Report 02/03/2003

It looks to be shaping up as an early spring this year. Both
ALLEN'S and RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRDS were reported from New River,OR
Feb 02. Based on the number and reported behaviors they have
probably been there at least a week. A single male was reported
at Waldport, OR about 150km further north also on Feb 02.

New River, OR 02-02-2002 33 42.9136 124.4964
Waldport, OR 02-02-2002 33 44.4138 123.9775

The manzanita (_Arctostaphylos columbiana_) is flowering at New
River ahead of previous years. Hooker's Willow (_Salix hookeriana_)
is flowering at least as far north as the Columbia River with
well developed stamenate catkins showing at least two weeks ahead
of usual. The first Indian-plums (_Oemleria cerasiformis_) are
in bloom along the Columbia River and Evergreen Huckleberry
(_Vacinium ovatum_) is beginning to bloom in open areas around Fort
Stevens State Park. The big surprise (for me at least) was finding
a single Salmonberry (_Rubus spectabilis_) with two cold damaged
blossoms. These are at least three weeks ahead the main open
area blooms for this species.

To follow along with the hummingbird migration for 2003 and report
hummingbird arrivals in your area, visit:
http://home.pacifier.com/~neawanna/humm/count.html

--
Mike Patterson
Astoria, OR
celata at pacifier.com

A child who becomes acquainted with the birds about him
hears every sound and puzzles out its meaning with a cleverness
that amazes those with ears who hear not.

-Neltje Blanchan

http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html