Anna's Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbirds live along the West coast of North America. They originally bred in the Southern California and Northern Baja region. There range spread as cultivation of exotic plants became more popular in home gardens. They are a medium sized hummingbird and the only one to overwinter in northern regions. When nectar is not available, these birds are able to survive on insects and arachnids. Of course, the most impressive part of any hummingbird is its abilbity to hover. To do so, it will flap its wings 20 -25 times per second. The Anna’s hummingbird has been sighted at CECC this past Spring, Summer, and Fall. Have you seen one lately? Here is what they look like.

If you are not interested in wildlife you may be wondering why it matters what animals make their home at Columbia Edgewater. As natural resources have become limited and environmental protection a higher priority golf courses have come under close scrutiny. Often, golf courses are seen as overconsumers of water resources and polluters who dump chemicals into the ecosystem and cause harm to waterways and wildlife. In general, this is not a valid argument, and certainly not at CECC. With a comprehensive Environmental Stewardship Program and Audubuon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, Columbia Edgewater is protecting local waterways and increasing urban wildlife habitat. This is done through integrated pest management, bi-annual water quality tests, and habitat enhancement. A diversity of wildlife is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. The many bird species living at CECC are a sign that we are being good environmental stewards.

bird identification

Bird identification can be a difficult undertaking. Scores of different birds can live in a small area and it may be hard to get a good look at the bird. Scientific vocabulary can be a real mouthful. Amidst the challenges, identifying birds can be an achievable and enjoyable activity. I have a few tips to help the amateur bird watcher be successful.

Start by narrowing down the features into some objective descriptions. Take note of the most distinguishing characteristic. Does it have a red crown, sing a unique song, or fly low to the ground? This alone can sometimes give away the type of bird. Next, notice the size of the bird. Is it the size of a baseball, a watermelon, or a golf bag? Pay attention to the other features. Is the bill short or long, curved or straight? Where is the color located? What shape are the feathers? Behavior can also inform of the type of bird. Is it perched on a branch, running along the ground, or soaring?

Of course, just noticing all these features isn’t going to tell the bird’s identity. You’ll need to take the information to a reference book like an Audubon Field Guide. Compare your notes with the pictures and description. Still can’t figure it out? Try looking online. There are websites devoted to helping ID birds. Don’t want to carry a notepad and field guide around 18 holes? Just grab one of the Columbia Edgewater wildlife guides. It’s one sheet of paper with names and photos of wildlife at CECC. You can find one at the Pro Shop or outside the library.

Still want more? Join us for the annual Columbia Edgewater bird-watching event this Fall. Watch for details at the Pro Shop or on the wildlife blog. Happy Birding!

Scientific Support

Below are two links to articles about golf courses and wildlife habitat. Research is showing that golf courses can provide valuable wildlife habitat in urban areas.

National Geographic

Ohio State University

Pacific Chorus Frog

Below: Pacific Chorus Frog hiding in the #4 Tee wall at CECC

The Pacific Chorus Frog, Pseudacris regilla, is the most abundant type of frog in Oregon. It ranges from British Columbia to Baja and lives in forests, mountains, and grasslands. This frog is sometimes called the Pacific Tree Frog, though it usually lives close to the ground in grasses and shrubs. It grows to 2" in size with a dark mask from its nostrils to its shoulders. Most frogs have webbing between their toes, but the Pacific Chorus Frog has sticky pads to climb plants to hunt for food. These frogs eat insects and spiders, and are eaten by hawks, owls, raccoons and other predators. You may have a hard time spotting a Pacific Chorus Frog at CECC, since they can change color from tan to green, matching their background.

Success!

A successful "batch" of sparrow nestlings has left the nest. Five of the seven eggs hatched on May 28, in the #7 nestbox. The white-crowned sparrows grew quickly from then until yesterday when they left the nest box. You can see the progression in the pictures below.

June 13

June 3


May 28


May 13

hatched

Five out of seven eggs in the #7 nestbox have hatched. The first one broke out of its shell early Tuesday morning. Three more followed that day, and the last three hatched yesterday. Click the link to the right to go to the live bird camera and watch the new nestlings. I will be checking the other nest boxes soon, and will post an update here. Below is a picture of the newly hatched birds.

Osprey

Four osprey were flying between #8 lake and the driving range today. They were most likely looking for a snack in the lake. Fish make up 99 percent of an ospreys diet, though they may occasionally feed on rodents, rabbits, or smaller birds. The osprey, sometimes called a seahawk, is found on all continents except Antarctica. They nest in tree forks, at the topsof poles, and rocky outcrops near water. Nests are built of heaping sticks and driftwood. Osprey pairs usually mate for life and will produce 2-4 young per year. To spot one at CECC, listen for a distinct cry, and watch for a white underside.