Hi Tweeters --

Yesterday (7 Nov) a flock of 13 RED-NECKED GREBES was in the Columbia
River between Cascade Locks (OR) and Skamania Lodge (Skamania Co.). I
think this must be the largest group size I've ever seen anywhere for
this species. The 13 birds were in a tight flock on the water well
out into the river near the state line, with Western Grebes and
Horned Grebes in the vicinity for comparison. They were in a range of
plumages, with several showing the facial lines of the juvenile
plumage of this species. At one point 11 of the 13 birds took off and
flew in a large circle all around the region, crossing well into the
airspace of both Washington and Oregon, before landing again with the
other 2 in Oregon waters.

16 Common Goldeneyes were also on the water on the WA side. I
counted 1550 scaup from Cascade Locks, mostly Lessers and mostly on
the OR side. These scaup and goldeneye are new arrivals since my last
visit 2 weeks ago.

At the mouth of Eagle Creek (OR side, just above Bonneville Dam) were
14 BARROW'S GOLDENEYES, including 9 stunningly plumaged males. I'm
not sure whether these birds would be visible from the WA side or
not, but they were immediately off the mouth of the creek.

Video (amateur!) of the Barrow's Goldeneyes (plus Dippers and Coho
Salmon run) at Eagle Creek can be viewed here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114481402865976904547/EagleCreekMultnomahCoOR67Nov?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeRs-3Yg_ikDA


Jay Withgott
Portland, OR