Visitors

Mallard and Coot on Lions Park Pond                                 © Diane B. Reed

It's that time of the year again. Family and visitors have gone home, and everyone seems to be settling in for a long winter's nap after the holidays. But it's also the time of year when we have a number of avian visitors to our birdfeeders and to the Lions Park pond. Some stay for the winter, like our Wigeons, Pine Siskins and Oregon Juncoes, others stop in for a few days, then move on. Right now we're enjoying the visit of a lone Coot. It's not that Coots are rare birds--you can see them by the hundreds in larger ponds and along the Columbia River. But we haven't had any at the pond for the last few years.  He's an energetic diver, which seems to baffle the Wigeons and Mallards, who are "Dabbling Ducks" who tip up on the surface. They can't figure out how he gets all kinds of food off the bottom of the pond. 

Snow Goose in Lions Park                             © Diane B. Reed

A few weeks ago we were surprised to see an unusual sight in the midst of a flock of Canada Geese which were grazing in Lions Park. When we looked through the binoculars we realized that it was a Snow Goose.  He seemed perfectly content to hang out with his Canadian cousins, but we haven't seen him since.  

Varied Thrush                © Diane B. Reed

There are interesting and unusual birds that visit the feeders or the pond from time to time, and we hope to be watching when they stop by. We've occasionally seen a Varied Thrush in the neighborhood, they're beautiful birds. So instead of taking that long winter's nap, you might want to keep an eye out for feathered visitors. I know I will.