December was a rather schizophrenic month, starting out very dry with temperatures below normal, and finishing up with a storm series that has brought severe flooding to most of the region.
High water and storms blew in an impressive number of RED PHALAROPES which are still pretty easy to find in flooded cow pastures around the Columbia River Estuary.
There are still at least 4, more often 5 SNOWY OWLS still being seen at the South Jetty of the Columbia. They have been feeding quite happily on the bountious BLACK RAT population as well as taking advantage of the recent phalarope boon.
An EMPEROR GOOSE is winter at Hammond Boat Basin. It can be tricky to find, as it cruises the river front often disappearing behind the jetties. A LONG-TAILED DUCK is wintering on the Necanicum River in Seaside. A HERMIT WARBLER and a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE are still frequenting a feeder in Astoria. A WILSON'S WARBLER was found on the Wahkiakum CBC, in Brownsmead and an OVENBIRD has been hanging out at a feeder on PUGET ISLAND.
Posted by mbalame at January 1, 2006 8:33 AM