Tryon Creek Naturalist Notes

Yesterday evening, Amelia Jensen and I explored the park in search of any and all owl species we might find.  Before I had even arrived, Amelia had located a perched up Great Horned Owl just behind the Nature Center.  We were able to put a scope on the bird and veiw it at our leisure.  This was Amelia’s first owl sighting at Tryon Creek!  Congrats, Amelia!

We then moved on in hopes of locating Barred Owl and perhaps Western Screech-Owl.  While we found no other owls, Amelia did locate a nesting Black-headed Grosbeak female on Big Fir Trail just east of Beaver Bridge.  We quickly recognized that she had at least one large chick in her nest.  Unfortunately, neither of us had a camera   I did, however, go back first thing this morning to snap a picture, and this time I found the male instead.  The chick was not visible as I’m sure it was staying warm and hidden under dad.  Enjoy!

Nesting Black-headed Grosbeak (male)

Rhett Wilkins

Interpretive Intern

Hello Tryon Afficionados,

Yesterday afternoon, Ranger Rainy Rau and I visited the mouth of Tryon Creek where it meets the Willamette River. While primarily in search of Crayfish, we happened upon a group of at least three young Townsend’s Chipmunks. They were conspicuously watching us from a drain pipe along Hwy 43. Rainy was able to approach them from about four feet away, allowing her to capture these wonderful photos. They were absolutely lovely, and we’re glad to know they’re doing so well around here. This species can be found throughout Tryon Creek State Natural Area, and often around its Nature Center.

Townsend's Chipmunks

Townsend's Chipmunk

Rhett Wilkins
Interpretive Intern

Some of these may have been covered in other postings but for the sake of completeness, here are the wildlife sightings as recorded at the nature center at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Click on the links for details about wildlife.

• 5.2.10 – Mandarin Duck (Obie’s Bridge)
• 5.8 & 5.9 .10 – Rufous Hummingbird (Back Deck)
• 5.8.10 – MacGillivray’s Warbler (Main Parking Lot)
• 5.9.10 – Black-throated Gray’s Warbler
• 5.9.10 – Orange-crowned Warbler
• 5.13.10 – Thin fox (Old Main Trail)
• 5.10.10 – Hermit Thrush (Horse Parking)
• 5.10.10 – Evening Grosbeak (Horse Parking)
• 5.13.10 – Black-headed Grosbeak
• 5.16.10 – Coyote (Bike Path)
• 5.16.10 – Swainson’s Thrush (Trillium Trail)
• 5.22.10 – Deer Mouse (Front Deck)
• 5.22.10 – Swainson’s Thrush (Parking Lot)
• 5.23.10 – Rufous Hummingbird (Back Deck)
• 5.31.10 – Rufous Hummingbird (Back Deck)

Enjoy,
Jeffrey Gray
Communications Coordinator

I forgot to mention that both Pileated Woodpecker (two individuals) and Red-breasted Sapsucker were sighted in the main parking lot this morning.

Also noted this morning, were both Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds on our back deck feeders.

The Nature Center is hoppin’!

Rhett Wilkins

Hello Tryon afficionados,

While officing upstairs in our Nature Center yesterday afternoon, I heard a strange yet familiar song from outside the window.  At closer inspection, I knew it wasn’t quite a Song Sparrow, which could only mean one thing – Bewick’s Wren!  While this species resides in the park year-round, it is fairly uncommon and rarely heard singing.  Throughout the rest of the day, I saw at least three individuals in various locations around the Nature Center, but primarily out front.

This morning, I arrived at work to find the wrens at work once again near the front deck.  This time, however, I had the privilege to witness one individual snag a couple of leaves from a bush and take them into a cavity on a nearby Douglas-fir Tree.  Nesting?  We hope so!!!

- Rhett Wilkins (Interpretive Intern)