Umpqua Estuary Boat Trip, December 6, 2015

Huge dunes on the north spit, from a 6 Sep 2013 canoe trip.

I have paddled my canoe or motored and rowed my little aluminum boat on the Umpqua Estuary a dozen times or more. It is a wonderful experience (see www.flickr.com/photos/matthewghunter/albums). I have wanted to give others the opportunity to experience the estuary, but not many people are up for the adventure and occasional danger of paddling in these waters; a larger boat would make the estuary more accessible. I've also been looking for a charter to potentially get us out on the ocean from Winchester Bay when conditions are suitable. Well, I found both in Tim Abraham, Winchester Bay Charters (www.winchesterbaycharters.com). Tim has fished the Umpqua River and nearshore ocean since he was a boy, knows the area and the environment, and is willing to take us out looking for birds and exploring the estuary.

Salmon Harbor, ready to go: Joe, Bentley, Jimmy, Mark, and Matt.

 On Sunday, December 6, five of we explorers plus Captain Tim were treated to a phenomenal break in the weather at the coast. High winds and drenching rain preceded our trip Saturday night and the same was forecast for Sunday night, but we had no rain and tolerable wind for the 5 hours we were on the water. 

 Captain Tim has a 26-ft Alumaweld Columbia guide sled. The seats were fantastic and Capt Tim did a great job getting us around safely and providing opportunities for us enjoy the birds and scenery. 

Captain Tim: in his element (though he probably wanted to throw a line in the water).

Female White-winged Scoter.

We departed Salmon Harbor about 0830. There was a huge high tide in the morning, so following Capt'n Tim's suggestion, we decided to jet upstream so we didn't have to fight the very strong tide all the way up. By zipping upstream we could float down with the strong outgoing tide. It also had the advantage that if we did run into unpleasant weather, we would be on the way toward the harbor rather than away from it. On the way up we stopped briefly at a couple places. At our first stop we were intrigued by a bird that, given the distance and tossing of the boat, resembled a Harlequin Duck. However, upon better looks, and zoomed-in photos, turns out it was a White-winged Scoter.

 A little farther up we stopped next to a 23-acre parcel of land called Sparrow Memorial Park and identified as "surplus" by the Douglas County Parks Department (http://www.co.douglas.or.us/parks/masterplan/SurplusParkProfiles.pdf). It is a gorgeous piece of property next to the estuary and can be accessed from Sparrow Park Road off Hwy 101.

Twenty-three acre parcel of land owned by Douglas County Parks Department; considered "surplus."

Pair of adult Bald Eagles.

Overhead a pair of adult Bald Eagles watched our progress, then flew around in the wind above us.

Reedsport public docks.

 We continued our rapid pace upstream, spotting a White-tailed Kite on the island near Gardiner, but didn't stop, thinking we would have a better look on the way down. We did not see it again. We stopped for a restroom break at the public docks at Reedsport, near the Umpqua Discovery Center.

Area where once thousands of scaup congregated in winter.

  





 Many years ago thousands of Lesser and Greater Scaup wintered on the lower river. Many could be seen from near the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. Being so close, I decided to take a quick look. We quickly zipped up the river to near the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. The scaup were not there; I haven't seen them there for years. I don't know why they are no longer there.

  

  

We zipped back down to the railroad bridge and began our more leisurely trip downstream. Just as we approached the Hwy 101 bridge, we spotted an adult Peregrine Falcon perched on some structures below the bridge. It afforded us excellent views before taking off and circling up near Bolon Island.

Adult Peregrine Falcon near Hwy 101 bridge.

On our way down we saw 5 species of grebes: Western Grebes were most numerous, Red-necked, Eared, and Horned were most apparent in the lower bay, and one Pied-billed Grebe was a surprise (I rarely have them on the lower estuary). One Clark's Grebe (not seen on this trip) would have netted us all 6 of Oregon's grebes.

Western Grebe

Winter-plumaged Red-necked Grebe

Winter-plumaged Eared Grebe (note dark ear patch)

We saw all three regular loons: Common, Red-throated, and Pacific. At our very first stop we were treated to a Common Loon doing its tremolo call near us! A very cool sound!

Winter-plumaged adult Common Loon.

Juvenile Pacific Loon

Juvenile Red-throated Loon

Waterfowl was scarce on the estuary on this day, except for numerous Surf Scoters from about Gardiner and downstream, and Bufflehead scattered here and there, especially in some of the coves. The very high tide pushed some ducks to the edges over shallow waters where we could not go (due to ougoing tide, which leaves one stranded if you get stuck).

Adult male Surf Scoters with their crazy colors!

Along the way down were some gorgeous mosaics of deep green conifers and colorful broadleaf trees and shrubs.

Several small coves invited us in to look around. Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, and Belted Kingfisher were the typical avian inhabitants.

One of several coves we investigated.

Great Blue Herons were here and there along the shore, and occasionally flew over us.

I was impressed with all the colors in this photo. Look at the feet of this heron!

 We made a loop through Half Moon Bay, downstream from Salmon Harbor. There was one Brown Pelican on the crabbing pier, and one on a rock near shore (below).

 This Great Blue Heron guarded the entrance to the harbor and let us pass without incident in early afternoon. What a day!

My complete eBird list for the day is at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26162732.