Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

“The buoyant, flutelike melody of the Western Meadowlark ringing out across a field can brighten anyone’s day. Meadowlarks are often more easily heard than seen, unless you spot a male singing from a fence post. This colorful member of the blackbird family flashes a vibrant yellow breast crossed by a distinctive, black, V-shaped band. Look and listen for these stout ground feeders in grasslands, meadows, pastures, and along marsh edges throughout the West and Midwest, where flocks strut and feed on seeds and insects….. The nest of the Western Meadowlark usually is partially covered by a grass roof. It may be completely open, however, or it may have a complete roof and an entrance tunnel several feet long….. The oldest recorded Western Meadowlark was at least 6 years, 6 months old when it was found in Colorado.”
Status : Least Concern
Source : Cornell University Lab of Ornithology

Jackson County – Oregon - USA

Tags:   Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta Jackson County Oregon Mark Heatherington

© All Rights Reserved

Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) Male

Insects are their food of choice, and are abundant this time of year. Yet, they are starting to collect Acorns for their overwinter stash.

Emigrant Lake - Jackson County - Oregon - USA

Habitat : Open Woodlands
Food : Insects
Nesting : Cavity
Behavior : Bark Forager
Conservation : Low Concern

Tags:   Acorn Woodpecker Melanerpes formicivorus Male Woodpecker Emigrant Lake Jackson County Oregon USA Mark Heatherington Acorn Rogue Valley

© All Rights Reserved

I’m somewhat confident on the ID. That said, Cooper’s vs. Sharp-shinned gives me fits. Suggestions on ID are welcome.

Emigrant Lake – Jackson County – Oregon - USA


“Among the bird world’s most skillful fliers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide….. Cooper’s Hawks are forest and woodland birds, but our leafy suburbs seem nearly as good. These lanky hawks are a regular sight in parks, quiet neighborhoods, over fields, at backyard feeders, and even along busy streets if there are trees around….. Cooper’s Hawks mainly eat birds. Small birds are safer around Cooper’s Hawks than medium-sized birds: studies list European Starlings, Mourning Doves, and Rock Pigeons as common targets along with American Robins, several kinds of jays, Northern Flicker, and quail, pheasants, grouse, and chickens. Cooper’s Hawks sometimes rob nests and also eat chipmunks, hares, mice, squirrels, and bats. Mammals are more common in diets of Cooper’s Hawks in the West.”
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology

Tags:   Cooper’s Hawk Accipiter cooperii Immature Emigrant Lake Jackson County Oregon Rogue Valley USA Mark Heatherington Hawk Raptor

© All Rights Reserved

Nonbreeding adult

Habitat : Scrub
Food : Insects
Nesting : Ground
Behavior : Ground Forager
Conservation : Low Concern

"The large, handsome Golden-crowned Sparrow is a common bird of weedy or shrubby lowlands and city edges in winter along the Pacific coast. Though it’s familiar to many during winter, Golden-crowned Sparrows vanish for the summer into tundra and shrublands from British Columbia to Alaska, where little is known of its breeding habits. Gold-rush miners took cold comfort from this bird’s melancholy song, which seems to reflect the bleak beauty of its surroundings... This sparrow is one of the least known of our songbirds, particularly on its northern breeding grounds. It has been the subject of only a few laboratory and field studies, so most of what we know about it comes from scattered notes in scientific journals."
- Cornell University Lab of Ornithology

Tags:   Golden-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia atricapilla Emigrant Lake Jackson County Oregon USA Mark Heatherington

© All Rights Reserved

Brown Acres – Jackson County – Oregon - USA

“Monarch butterflies are astonishing creatures undertaking one of the most epic migrations in the animal kingdom. Beginning around October, they fly from central and northern U.S. states and parts of Canada to Mexico and the coast of California, where they form dense clusters high up in the trees and hunker down for the winter months….. The monarch butterfly is one of the most recognizable species in North America and it’s in trouble. Habitat loss and fragmentation has occurred throughout the monarch’s range. Pesticide use can destroy the milkweed monarchs need to survive. A changing climate has intensified weather events which may impact monarch populations. Numbers of monarchs have decreased significantly over the last 20 years.”
Source : United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Tags:   Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus Bull Thistle Cirsium vulgare Brown Acres Monarch Jackson County Southern Oregon Oregon Rogue Valley Mark Heatherington

© All Rights Reserved