At the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge today, I was fortunate to come across the much needed antidote to cabin fever - interesting birds.

When I arrived at the refuge at the top of the lunch hour, I found the majority of open water still frozen over which lead me to think that I was on a fools errand.  However I was in need of exercise, so I decided to walk the main trail regardless the conditions. 

I soon came upon a couple of friendly refuge volunteers who alerted me to the WHITE-THROATED SPARROW hanging around with a mixed flock of Junco, Golden-crowned and Song Sparrow near the river overlook. It was a tip that immediately changed my attitude, and lead to 45 minutes of  me (being in the zone) birding watching without another care in the world.  Life is good for me when that happens.

As I approached the river overlook, the mixed-flock of birds that the White-throated Sparrow was supposed to be a part of flushed, of course. So I had to decide whether to continue on with my exercise, or hang back, out of the way, and hope for the sparrows return. I am grateful that I chose to stay put.

That decision lead to unusually good views of several species including Bushtit, Downy Woodpecker, Double Crested Cormorant, White-breasted Nuthatch, the White-throated Sparrow and two PIED-BILLED GREBE, one of which consumed a crawfish and then fish or two within a very short time frame - approximately 10 minutes.

The photos below are presented in order they were taken during this lunch-time visit to the refuge. 

WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (because we rarely locate this species at this refuge):

Round One;  PIED-BILL GREBE eating Crawfish:

The WHITE-THROATED SPARROW:

Round Two;  PIED-BILL GREBE eating fish:

And the gift of an AMERICAN KESTREL foraging at the edge of the parking lot as I was leaving the refuge:

We hope you enjoyed our images.