ML609478442

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Amazing! 4th Linn County record I believe and 3rd record for the Willamette Valley. It is worth noting that last night was the largest migration night of the fall by nearly double the amount of birds in flight according to BirdCast. The first week of October also shows a notable spike in NOWA reports in Oregon. Found skulking along water’s edge at 44°38'54.4"N 123°04'10.0"W. After finding a mixed warbler flock with YRWAs, OCWA, and YEWA in the mix, I did a bit of pishing. Soon after, I noted a mid-sized passerine rhythmically bobbing its tail up and down. I was thinking possible Palm Warbler as I brought my binoculars up, but then found that the bird had a heavily streaked breast with a bold curved supercilium and hefty dark bill. A familiar sight from the alder swamps of northern VT! With a flash of adrenaline, I readied my camera to take a photo of the bird, but the twigs in the way delayed my autofocus enough for the bird to drop down. Fearful that that would be my only observations of this bird, I quickly thought of the field marks that were noted to ensure that Louisiana Waterthrush could be ruled out. When I first got on the bird, I noted a light yellowy hue to the breast, but the supercilium did not appear especially yellowed, but it also wasn’t notably flared at the rear. I got a look at the undertail coverts, which were white, but there was no sign of buffy colors to the posterior flanks, as seen on LOWA. I didn’t get a great look at the legs, but they did not appear especially bright pink. I repositioned myself and played some chip notes. The bird instantly popped up into one of the taller shrubs, bobbing its tail. Over the next few minutes with multiple brief encounters and poor photos taken in the group of shrubs at the coordinates given above, the bird finally settled on a branch with great lighting and perfect view of the birds notably heavily streaked throat and short supercilium, which ruled out LOWA for sure. Photos to be added!

Technical information

Model

NIKON D3500

ISO

320

Flash

Flash did not fire

Dimensions

1151 pixels x 2070 pixels

Original file size

361.71 KB