Until fairly recently, Great Egrets were virtually unknown in western Oregon, being restricted to the east side of the state (where plume hunters were busy putting those populations in danger). But in the last several decades, they have moved into the west side, and are frequently present in large numbers in many interior valley wetlands, especially during the colder months. Still, a Great Egret along Crystal Springs Creek—especially at the little Brannen property at SE 21st and Tenino—is a special sight.
By Bob Wilson, CSP volunteer Until fairly recently, Great Egrets were virtually unknown in western Oregon, being restricted to the east side of the state (where plume hunters were busy putting those populations in danger). But in the last several decades, they have moved into the west side, and are frequently present in large numbers in many interior valley wetlands, especially during the colder months. Still, a Great Egret along Crystal Springs Creek—especially at the little Brannen property at SE 21st and Tenino—is a special sight. The Great Egret is one of four North American egrets, and a smaller, slimmer cousin of The Great Blue Heron, with which it shares similar habits and habitat. So keep your eyes open: with increasing populations in the metro area, who knows…Great Egrets may become a regular wintertime sight along the creek! Editors note: Please do submit your wildlife sightings from along the creek or otherwise in the watershed. Photos are great, even if the photos themselves are not of high quality. Thanks!
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So here it is, our first ever annual fundraising appeal! We knew you were excited. Anyhow, being an all-volunteer organization our needs are not enormous, and thanks to our new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Johnson Creek Watershed Council donations are tax-deductible if the checks pass through the council first (see below). The JCWC has agreed to be our fiscal partner since our goals are so well aligned, and as the council is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organisation donors can get a donation acknowledgement letter as required. See full letter below or open the PDF in a new window here. Please send checks made out to the Johnson Creek Watershed Council Please put Crystal Springs Partnership on the Memo Line Funds received will be directed to a designated account for the Crystal Springs Partnership. Send checks to: Crystal Springs Partnership c/o JCWC 1900 SE Milport Rd. Suite B Milwaukie, OR 97222 With thanks and best wishes for a happy Holiday Season, and a wonderful 2016, Mary Ann Schmidt and Karl Lee Co-Presidents, Crystal Springs Partnership By Bob Wilson, CSP volunteer Portland is blessed with several species of thrush, from the (very) common American Robin to the (very) occasional Townsend’s Solitaire. There are thrushes around all year, but—robins aside—the two most likely to be seen in winter are the Hermit Thrush and the Varied Thrush. Both are mountain breeders who spend time in the Valley during the winter, and they are present—if a little hard to spot—along Crystal Springs Creek all season. Hermit thrushes are “typical” thrushes, featuring the characteristic spotted breast and gray brown back. Although their overall plumage is undistinguished, they do sport a distinctive rusty tail, making them perhaps the easiest to identify of their look-alike relatives. Their true glory, however, is their sweet, clear, fluty song which, sadly is rarely heard on their wintering grounds. If the Hermit Thrush is on the plain side, the Varied Thrush is a stunner. All charcoal and orange with a natty black breast band, this guy evokes Hallowe’en—which is about the time he returns to Portland. While the Varied Thrush is probably more common along the creek, he isn’t much easier to catch sight of than his cousin, as both birds are shy skulkers requiring a sharp eye and a bit of luck to spot. Varied Thrushes provide some help in late winter when they begin to produce their eerie song—a long, one-note whistle, repeated on random pitches—which helps to call attention to their hidden presence.
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WritersCrystal Springs Partnership members, PSU Capstone students, and Special Guest writers all contribute to this blog. Archives
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