Western Kingbird, monarch of the aptly named tyrrant flycatcher family. Our largest Oregon flycatcher, they perch openly and appear fearless. They regularly drive off bigger birds. Today there was a family group of four in a spindly dead tree. The only time you see them peacefully gathered is during the fledging season.
A smaller but hardier flycatcher: Black Phoebe which not only breeds here but stays through our sub-freezing winter nights.
The left-hand picture shows a fuzzy feathered fledgling, Acorn Woodpecker.
Bullock’s Oriole, female. Perhaps a fledgling as she seemed unaware of her exposure on this
bare branch in full sun.
Here is a Wrentit giving us the piercing look of a homeowner disturbed in his own garden.
Below he finds shade under a lone blackberry leaf.
Here we see two expert hunters at work. The Black Phoebe in the foreground, Great Blue Heron behind. Two hunters, very different prey.
Streaks on cheats mark young Blue Heron.
Double images from a single bird.
All-seeing eye.
Lesser Goldfinch.
Location: Bear Creek Greenway–Ashland
Observation date: 7/19/09
Wood Duck 1
Mallard 1
Turkey Vulture 1
Red-tailed Hawk 2
Rock Pigeon 5
Mourning Dove 12
Vaux’s Swift 4
Anna’s Hummingbird 2
Acorn Woodpecker 4
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 4
Western Wood-Pewee 8
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 1
Western Kingbird 4
Western Scrub-Jay 4
American Crow 2
Cliff Swallow 3
Barn Swallow 45
Black-capped Chickadee 8
White-breasted Nuthatch 1
American Robin 1
Wrentit 2
European Starling 16
Yellow Warbler 2
Yellow-breasted Chat 4
Spotted Towhee 6
Song Sparrow 2
Black-headed Grosbeak 1
Red-winged Blackbird 4
Brewer’s Blackbird 12
Brown-headed Cowbird 9
Bullock’s Oriole 2
Purple Finch 3
House Finch 8
Lesser Goldfinch 4
House Sparrow 40
Additional species seen at nearby Ashland Pond: Green and Great Blue Heron, Black Phoebe, Tree Swallow.
