Henry took this picture of an American Bittern at Ridgefield NWR on June 1. After, he managed to get some nice video of the bittern gulping and calling. Video can be seen here on youtube
Band-tailed pigeon at Koll Center Wetlands
Here’s our picture of a band-tailed pigeon at Koll Center Wetlands, on 2/15/16. Maybe they are quite common here (we have not birded much in Portland), but sources list their winter range as much further south.
Peregrine?
This shot was taken in Gabriel Park. The bird was larger-than-crow sized, and was fluffing its tail feathers in a pose that vaguely resembled mantling. The bird was far away, and in this zoomed in shot has turned its head 180 degrees towards the camera. As far as we know, the spotting and facial coloring is most consistent with a peregrine.
Update: We have had many votes for Merlin as well as some for Peregrine.
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