The quarterly journal of Oregon field

Volume 20, Number 3, Fall 1994

Oregon's First Streak-backed Oriole 75 Hendrik G. Herlyn Sheran Jones James L. Simmons

Charles E. Bendire 78 George A. Jobanek

Oregon's First Verified Record of a Lark Bunting 84 Kamal Islam Avian Biodiversity and Abundance in Northeast Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon 85 Brian Sharp Incident Of House Wren Dump Nest 87 Colin Dillingham Cascades Hawk Mountain Revisited 88 John Lundsten

Coast Range at Mt. Hebo, Oregon 90 John Lundsten

Finding Oregon's Owls 93 John Lundsten

A New Birding Challenge: The Oregon Breeding Atlas 96 Atlas Steering Committee President's Message 97 George A. Jobanek

NEWS AND NOTES OB 20(2) 99

FIELDNOTES 101 Eastern Oregon, Winter 1993-94 101 Tom Crabtree Western Oregon, Winter 1993-94 104 Jim Johnson

COVER PHOTO Red-shouldered Hawk, Curry Co. Photo/Tim Janzen. Seepage 103-

CENTER OFO Fall birding weekend form OFO membership form OFO Bookcase Checklist of Oregon birds Oregon Shorebird Festival Oregon Birds is looking for material in these categories:

News Briefs on things of temporal Oregon Birds importance, such as meetings, birding trips, The quarterly journal of Oregonfield ornithology announcements, news items, etc. Articles are longer contributions dealing with identification, distribution, ecology, OREGON BIRDS is a quarterly publication of Oregon Field management, conservation, , Ornithologists, an Oregon not-for-profit corporation. Membership in behavior, biology, and historical aspects of Oregon Field Ornithologists includes a subscription to Oregon Birds. ornithology and birding in Oregon. Articles ISSN 0890-2313 cite references (if any) at the end of the text. Editor Owen Schmidt Names and addresses of authors typically Assistant Editor Sharon K. Blair appear at the beginning of the text. Associate Editor Jim Johnson Short Notes are shorter communications dealing with the same subjects as articles. Short Notes typically cite no references, or at most a few in parentheses in the text. Names OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS and addresses of authors appear at the end of President George A. Jobanek, Eugene (1994-95) the text. Secretary David R. Copeland, Keizer (1994-95) Treasurer Barbara Combs, Eugene (1994-95) Bird Finding Guides "where to find a Past President Tim Shelmerdine, Aurora in Oregon" (for some of the rarer Directors Cindy Lawes, Beaverton (1994-96) Gerard Lillie, Portland (1993-95) birds) and "where to find birds in the Don MacDonald, Corvallis (1993-95) area" (forsomeof the better spots). Reviews for published material on Oregon Paul T. Sullivan, Beaverton (1994-96) birds or of interest to Oregon birders. Photographs of birds, especially photos taken recently in Oregon. Color slide OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE duplicates are preferred. Please label all Secretary Harry Nehls, Portland (1994) photos with photographer's name and address, bird identification, date and place the Members Tom Crabtree, Bend (1992-94) photo was taken. Photos will be returned; Jeff Gilligan, Portland (1993-95) contact the Editor for more information. Hendrik Herlyn, Corvallis (1992-94) Jim Johnson, Portland (1993-95) Deadline for the next issue of Oregon Birds — Nick Lethaby, Santa Clara, CA (1994-96) OB 20(4), Winter 1994 — is 21 October 1994. Larry McQueen, Eugene (1994-96) The next issue should get to you by the first week Craig Roberts, Tillamook (1993-95) of December 1994. Material can be submitted Owen Schmidt, Portland (1994-96) any time, and the sooner the better. Please send Steve Summers, Klamath Falls (1992-94) materials directly to the Editor, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue. Portland. OR 97212, 503-282-9403. Alternates Colin Dillingham, Brookings (1994) Richard Hoyer, Corvallis (1994) Oregon Birds Board of Editors: Kamal Islam, Corvallis (1994) David A. Anderson, Range D. Bayer, Charlie Bruce. Alan Contreras. Tom Crabtree, Jeff Gilligan, Steven G. Herman, Mike Houck, George A. Jobanek. Jim Johnson, CD. Iitttefield. Roy Lowe, David B. Marshall, Harry B. Nehls. Mark Stem, Paul Sullivan, Clarice Oregon Birds Watson. OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE © 1994 OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS P.O. Box 10373 Eugene, OR 97440 Printed on Recycled Paper. Oregon Birds 20(3): 74 Oregon's First Streak-backed Oriole

Hendrik G. Herlyn, 134 N.E. Conifer Boulevard #9, Corvallis, OR 97330 SheranJones, 9785 S.W.Ventura Court, Tigard, OR97223 James L. Simmons, 1430 N.WTerracegreen, Corvallis, OR 97330

On 28 September 1993, Malheur Na• cated the oriole in a large elm tree, ing the species. And most confusing tional Wildlife Refuge became the where it was visiting sap wells drilled remained the back, which certainly stage for one of the most exciting by a Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrap- had appeared streaked rather than chapters in Oregon birding history icus nuchalis).The bird was observed scalloped. Peterson's Mexican Birds when a Streak-backed Oriole (Icterus for about 10 minutes in fading day• points out that the Streak-backed pustullatus) was found at the Refuge light before it disappeared again. Oriole is "the only adult oriole with a headquarters.The following account Hendrik and Jamie agreed that streaked back". chronicles the events from the first while many field marks seemed to Although Sheran and Jamie had discovery (and initial mis-identifica• indicate Hooded Oriole, the streaked seen Streak-backed Orioles before tion), to the final confirmation of back was puzzling. In addition, they while visiting Mexico and Central what may well be Oregon's most un• noticed large, off-white oval spots America, they did not remember any usual and unexpected vagrant to date. ("Dendroica"-spots) on the under• plumage details. Unable to dispel the side of the outer tail feathers — a field nagging doubts about our identifica• Tuesday, 28 September 1993 mark not mentioned for Hooded Ori• tion, we finally went to sleep and At approximately 7:45 a.m.,Sheran ole in the NGS Guide. We finally re• hoped the bird would hang around Jones and Dave Herr spotted a small tired to our trailers and met after din• to allow better looks in the morning. oriole flying among the trees near the ner to discuss our observations and entrance to Malheur NWR headquar• review additional literature. Wednesday, 29 September ters. Upon relocating the bird, they Stiles' Birds of Costa Rica and the The weather that morning was noticed an all-orange head and a solid Audubon Society Master Guide to again clear and calm, with tempera• black upper tail. Clearly this was not Birding both mentioned the white tail tures near freezing, but warming up the Northern Oriole (Icterus galbula) spots in Streak-backed Orioles but as the day progressed. The 4 of us they had expected to find!The above failed to indicate their absence or were joined at headquarters by Dan characteristics, along with the bird's presence in Hooded Orioles. None of Snider, a visiting birder from Fuller- small size and black throat patch, sug• us had been able to get good looks at ton, . gested a male Hooded Oriole (Icterus the bill and the extent of the black At about 8:00 a.m., we were fortu• cucullatus). bib — 2 field marks useful in separat- nate to relocate the oriole at the sap The only problem was the back well in the elm tree, which it visited pattern, which did not fit the descrip• continuously throughout the morn• tion of that species. Instead of a solid ing, allowing much more detailed black back the bird showed obvious study of its plumage and behavior. A blackish streaks on an olive-green view through a Kowa TSN-4 scope background, reminiscent of Streak- confirmed that the back was truly backed Oriole. However, the occur• streaked rather than scalloped.Addi• rence of this Mexican species in Or• tionally, the sturdy, only slightly de- egon seemed laughably inconceiv• curved bill, the shape of the bib, and able! A consultation of the National the extent of black around the eye Geographic Society (NGS) Field intensified our suspicion that this Guide showed that Hooded Orioles might, in fact, be a Streak-backed in winter show a scalloped back — Oriole — improbable as it seemed. perhaps this could account for the We decided to call Jeff Gilligan in streaky appearance? Having little ex• Portland, who consulted additional perience with either species, Sheran literature from his library but was un• and Dave tentatively identified their able to shed more light on our prob• bird as a male Hooded Oriole in win• lem bird. He advised us to get good ter plumage and reported it as such photos and take detailed notes. to the Portland Rare Bird Hotline. Subsequently — and by then on our Around 5:00 p.m. that dayHendrik way south to Frenchglen — we de• Herlyn and Jamie Simmons arrived at cided to callTom Crabtree in Bend to headquarters and were met by Sheran let him know about the oriole in case and Dave. Excited to hear about the he was interested in "chasing" and presence of a probable Hooded Ori• photographing it.Tom suggested we Streak-backed Oriole, 28 September 1993, Malheur ole (a new Oregon species for both), set up a 3-way conference call with NWR headquarters, ABOVE OBRC Record Number they set out in search of the bird. Af• 505.1-93-01G; BELOW OBRC Record Number505.1-John Arvin of Field Guides, Inc. in ter about 95 minutes, Sheran relo• 93-01E Photos/Sheran Jones. Austin, Texas, and, within minutes,

Oregon Birds 20(3): 75 Hendrik was on the line with John, on detailed notes taken 28-30 Septem• streaks (not scalloping or scaling), describing in detail the field marks of ber 93: which consisted of small blackish our bird. John, an expert on Central • Size and build — A relatively small, dots and chevrons (as seen with a American birds and very experienced slender Icterid with a long tail, high-power spotting scope). The with both oriole species in question, about the size of a Northern Ori• lower back and rump were dull or• agreed that our description fit a ole and slightly larger and heavier ange The wings were grayish-black Streak-backed perfectly and did not than a Hooded Oriole. Shape, color, and showed a prominent white up• sound like any Hooded he had ever and pattern easily identified the per wingbar and a less distinct seen. bird as an oriole. lower bar.AH feathers were broadly We were now convinced that we • Plumage — The head was bright edged with pale white (more obvi• had a true rarity on our hands and orange, the color most intense at ous and extensive than in Hooded called the Portland Rare Bird Phone the sides of the neck, but not ap• Oriole).There was a visible intru• Network again to report the bird as proaching the scarlet coloration sion of orange in form of a small Oregon's first Streak-backed Oriole. typical for the adult male Streak- triangle from the sides of the breast Sheran and Dave returned to Malheur backed Oriole. The back of the above the upper wingbar. The tail NWR headquarters to spend the rest crown and the nape were lightly was long and solid black above, of the afternoon trying to photograph diffused with olive-green (very fine except for very narrow, pale gray the bird. They were joined by Tom streaks, as revealed through a edges to the tips of the rectrices. Crabtree, who had rushed over from Questar scope);the crown showed The underside was black, with the Bend and managed to get very good no sign of black.The bird had a rela• 3 outer rectrices showing grayish- still photos of the bird's back. tively small, sharply pointed black white, dime-sized, oval "Dendroi- Hendrik and Jamie continued south bib, which extended from the chin c« "-spots on their tips which were to explore Fields and the Steens to the upper breast. The bib was very obvious when viewed from Mountains, finding little of note, and smaller and more pointed than that below, especially when the bird returned to the Field Station around of a Hooded Oriole. The bird had fanned its tail. The review of all 8:30 p.m. to discuss the day's events black lores and a small black area available literature and the exami• with Sheran and Dave. around the eye, which extended nation of some museum specimen With our euphoria slowly settling behind the eye in a short, thin line. (Dave Herr, pers. comm.) indicate and little else to do, the evening's en• The black around the eye was con• that Hooded Orioles can show a tertainment consisted of watching a nected with the bib by a narrow certain amount of white below the Desert Wood Rat scurrying in and out area of black near the base of the tail, but never spots as large and from under the couch. bill and across the malar region, well-pronounced as on the Streak- originating from below the middle backed Oriole. Overall color and Thursday, 30 September of the eye (not from behind the eye pattern indicate that the bird was By now the word had gotten out as in Hooded Oriole), thus show• a male; given the lack of dark col• and many birders appeared at head• ing more orange on the cheek.The oration, especially on the head, we quarters this morning, but no oriole black around the bill did not extend believe the bird to have been a showed up. After more than 1 tanta• above the lores onto the forehead, possible first-year male.This is sup• lizing hour of waiting, someone as it does in some Hooded Orioles. ported by Davis (1953), who states shouted the magic word: "oriole!", The entire underside was orange- that "several years are required for and the flock of birders scurried to• yellow, palest at the belly and in• males to develop intense colors." wards the elm tree where the orange tensifying towards the upper • Bare parts —The bill was relatively bird was greeted by a communal sigh breast, sides of the neck and the thick-based and conical, with a of relief.The bird was present all day, undertail coverts.The upper back rather straight culmen; it appeared and many more photographs, some was greenish-olive, darker than the thicker and less decurved than in a excellent video footage by Dan Van nape, with several rows of obvious Hooded Oriole. Its color was dark Den Broek, and additional descrip• tions were obtained. At about 11:00 a.m., Hendrik and Jamie departed for Corvallis, while Sheran and Dave remained at Malheur and continued to monitor the oriole's Editor s Note: The article "Oregon s First Streak- activities. Oregon's first Streak- backed Oriole," 39-41, Sum• backed Oriole was last seen at dusk Oregon Birds 20(2): mer 1994, was erroneously printed in lieu of the on Friday, 1 October 1993- For the 4 version by Herlyn, Jones, and Simmons that ap• observers involved in the initial dis• pears here. The responsiblity for this error is en• covery and the long identification tirely that of the Editor. readers should know process, this was one of the most OB that these 3 authors, who shared in the discovery exciting moments in their Oregon of this exceedingly rare bird, intended this to be birding experience. For Sheran, the the first printed account of the discovery. bird was especially notable as it marked her 400th Oregon species. The description of the Malheur Streak-backed Oriole follows, based Oregon Birds 20(3): 76 gray with a bluish tes luteiventris) at St. tinge to the lower A little bit of help from our friends... John's, Newfoundland mandible. The legs in early October. On were bluish-gray. The the West Coast, North• It sure pays to be in the right place at the right time, when the eye was dark, sur• ern California had its right people are there. rounded above and first record of a Black Mary and I visited Malheur NWR on 29 September 1993- below by very thin, Vulture (Coragyps a- Sheran Jones had called Tom Crabtree, and he arrived while pale white arcs tratus) and an unprec• we were there. Sheran had her camera set up since noon 28 (formed by the bare edented influx of September. skin around the eye). Tropical Kingbirds We stayed well back, so as not to disturb their work, but I • Voice — Sheran Jones (Tyrannus melanchol- could hear all the conversation and got a good look at the heard a dry "rattle" icus) in the fall of bird. It was fascinating. call several times, 1993. Whether these I thought it was funny to hear Sheran complain,"That pesky which reminded her records are coinciden• sapsucker is keeping the oriole out of range."The oriole was of the call of a North• tal or based on some there and hanging around because of the sapsucker's work! ern Oriole. According underlying climatic to the Audubon Soci• No final decision on identification had been reached by the pattern remains a mat• ety Master Guide, the time we had to leave, but I told Mary that if the high hopes ter of speculation. Streak back's rattle were fulfilled, we would next see the Streak-backed Oriole in However, they may call is similar to that Oregon Birds. serve as a context for of the Northern Ori• The company one chooses or finds can be a great help and considering the occur• ole, while the is appreciated! rence of a Streak- Hooded has a faster, — Bob Paul backed Oriole in Or• more staccato-like egon, and illustrate the rattle. given the species' non-migratory na• importance of additional research • Behavior — The bird stayed in the ture, with most movements due to into patterns and causes of vagrancy. top portion of the trees at all times post-breeding dispersal. and remained well-hidden in the fo• A record this far outside a species' REFERENCES liage while resting. It frequently vis• normal range naturally raises ques• American Ornithologists' Union. ited the sap wells drilled by a Red- tions about the bird's origin. For the 1983 • Check-list of North American naped Sapsucker near the crotch following reasons, the authors believe Birds, 6th Edition. Allen Press, of a large elm tree, and some an• that the Malheur record refers to a Lawrence, KA. tagonistic interaction between the wild bird rather than an escapeeThe Black, E.R. 1953- Birds of Mexico - A 2 species was observed. When not bird was unhanded and showed no Guide to Field Identification. Uni• feeding on the sap, the bird was signs of feather wear typical of caged versity of Chicago, Chicago, IL. seen in the open on the tree trunk, individuals. It remained high in the* Davis, L.I. 1972. A Field Guide to the probing for insects in the bark. On trees, showing no inclination to visit Birds of Mexico and Central several occasions, the bird was the orange halves and other fruit set America. University of Texas Press, flicking loose pieces of bark, which out by observers who hoped to lure Austin, TX. seems to be characteristic of this the bird down for better photo op• Edwards, E.P. 1989. A Field Guide to species. Stiles et al. (1989) mention portunities. Overall, the behavior was the Birds of Mexico, 2nd Edition. that the bird "pokes into rotting consistent with that of a wild bird. Sweet Briar, VA. wood for beetle grubs". Moreover, this species is not tradition• Farrand, J. (Ed.). 1983.The Audubon ally a caged bird in Mexico or in the Society Master Guide to Birding, This first Oregon sighting of a . It may be interesting Vol. 3. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Streak-backed Oriole constitutes a to consider this Oregon record in Peterson, R.T. 1990. Western Birds, highly unexpected record far north view of the first successful nesting of 3rd Edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., of the species'usual range, which ex• 2 Streak-backed Oriole females in Boston, MA. tends from the Pacific lowlands of south-eastern in the summer , and E.L. Chalif. 1973. A Sonora and Chihuahua in northwest• of 1993 Also remarkable in this con• Field Guide to Mexican Birds. ern Mexico to the Pacific slope of text is the occurrence of a number Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, MA. northwestern Costa Rica. In the U.S., of Mexican vagrants far north of their Stejskal, D., and G.H. Rosenberg. the species is known as a sparse fall range in the fall of 1993 (the follow• 1993 The Summer Season—South• and winter visitor to south-eastern ing are unreviewed records, taken west Region. American Birds Arizona (about 20 accepted records) from Winging It,the newsletter of the 47(5): 1135. American Birding Association): single and a casual wanderer to southern Scott, S. (Ed.). 1987. Field Guide to Fork-tailed Flycatchers (Tyrannus California (5 accepted records) (AOU the Birds of North America, 2nd Edi• savand) in Jefferson County, New 1983; Peterson 1990). In addition, 2 tion. National Geographic Society York on 8 September and in Cayuga, nests were discovered in the summer D.C. Ontario, in late September; a Varie• of 1993 along the San Pedro River in Stiles, F.G., A.F. Skutch, and D. gated Flycatcher (Empidonomus south-eastern Arizona for the species' Gardner. 1989. A Guide to the Birds varius) in Toronto, Ontario, from 7 first breeding record north of Mexico of Costa Rica. Cornell University October to 6 November; and a Sul• (Stejskal and Rosenberg 1993). The Press, Ithaca, NY. 0 Oregon record is even more unusual phur-bellied Flycatcher (Myiodynas-

Oregon Birds 20(3): 77 Charles E. Bendire

George A. Jobanek, 2730 Alder, Eugene, OR 97405

One of the most prominent and im• pin, Maryland Club style, with thin from the seminary and sent home; we portant characters in Oregon's orni• little tea biscuits; and roast saddle can only wonder now what deed thological history was Charles E. of venison with sweet potatoes, port might have warranted his expulsion. Bendire. While posted at Camp wine sauce with current [sic] jelly In 1853, upon the advice of a friend, Harney and Fort Klamath in the 1870s melted into it, and lettuce salad. Bender sailed for New York, accom• and 1880s, Bendire made the first in• Among the guests was Captain panied by his brother Wilhelm. vestigations of the bird life of south• Charles Bendire, who had been my America was not quite what the eastern Oregon. Ira Gabrielson and companion in arms in two cam• brothers expected, and after only a Stanley Jewett, in Birds of Oregon, paigns: the Nez Perces, 1877;and the short while in the New World, noted that Bendire's Oregon bird Bannock, 1878. He died on the re• Wilhelm sailed again for home. Some• studies "probably make the greatest tired list as the curator of the time during the voyage, he was lost individual contribution to the knowl• , in its Orni• overboard.Young Karl Bender, at 17, edge of the birds of the state," per• thological Department, and be• was left alone in a country he did not haps exceeded since only by Jewett's queathed to that Institution his know. own efforts.The following biographi• great collection of bird's eggs and So this ivas Bendire, the plain, cal sketch of Bendire interweaves his skins, the greatest private collection bluff soldier, and he was one of the life history with a story of a dinner in the world, and was one of the distinguished guests of Miss Nanny party at which Bendire was a guest. world's great authorities on birds Smith, now Mrs. Wood, at her game The dinner party account, written by and bird life, and discoverer here in dinner. Charles Erskine Scott Wood, who the West of numerous new species When the oysters were served, he hosted the party with his wife, illu• and varieties, several of which were left his untouched, and the young minates some of Bendire's nature, and named after him. The only one I hostess, from the end of the table, allows us, living over 100 years" after now remember is the Arizona Lark, asked him if there were anything Bendire's contributions to Oregon or Bendire's Lark [=Bendire's that he would like with his oysters. ornithology, to hear him speak Thrasher]. "Naw, naw,"said he with his strong through the pall of time, and thereby Bendire, though with a fine mind German accent, "I vouldn't eat oys• gain a sense of who he was. and scientific attainments, was il• ters ven dey gets civilized. De only When we were married, C.E.S. literate and uncultured, having dime dotlvill eat oysters is ven dey Wood wrote, November 26, 1878, come from Germany as a boy, en• is vild on de seacoast mit no human Miss Nanny Moale Smith thought listed in our army during the War seddlements on de rifer. You know, that as a member of General of the Rebellion, and at its close com• oysters has to haff some fresh vater, Howard's officialfamily, I being one missioned as an officer and sent at so dey liff around de mouts ofrifers. of General Howard's aides de camp, once to the Western wilderness, Veil, ven de rifers gets full of peoble she ought to do her part in enter• where he had always remained. on de banks und towns, den de vater taining, and in the very swellest style Charles Bendire began life as Karl gets full of all kinds of sewage, and of diplomatic circles in Washington. Emil Bender on April 27, 1836, in oysters isyust nodding but traps for We were stationed at the headquar• Konig im Odenwald in the Grand typhoid fever. Naw, I vould yust as ters of the Department of the Colum• Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt (a town lief eat young catfish, of course, mit bia, then recently transferred from now known as Bad Konig, 30 miles de prickers cut off' Portland, Oregon, to Vancouver Bar• southeast of Frankfurt). His father was Having left Germany in body, he racks, Washington Territory, and one a forester, and probably through ac• now broke with it in spirit. On 10 time when an important court mar• companying him young Karl became June 1854, at the age of 18, he tial had brought a lot of officers intimately familiar with the German changed his name to Charles Bendire from outside posts down to head• landscape. "It was amid the scenes and enlisted as a private in the United quarters, she gave a dinner in their and surroundings of his boyhood States Army, Company D of the First honor. And thinking of Washington days," a writer for Forest and Stream Dragoons. He served for 5 years, ris• with pheasant at $5 apiece and ter• magazine asserted, "that those tastes ing to the rank of corporal, at mili• rapin at $12 apiece, she thought the were imbibed for the study of natu• tary posts in New Mexico and Ari• swellest thing to do would be to give ral history which were destined later zona. a game dinner, which was accord• to dominate his life."The eldest child Bendire had been a civilian for only ingly scheduled, with our handsome in his family, he received his educa• one year when he reenlisted as a pri• young Chinaman, Dock, as chef. tion at home until the age of 12, when vate in the Fourth Cavalry in I860. The menu was finally arranged: he entered a theological seminary Whether the reason for his reenlist- Little native oysters on the half shell; near . At the age of 17, because ment was dissatisfaction with or fail• trout a la Meuniere, with Saratoga of what has been described as "some ure to assimilate into civilian life, or chips; roast grouse with bread youthful escapade" or "youthful instead was an expression of his de• crumb sauce and guava jelly; terra• pecadilloes," Bender was discharged sire to serve his adopted country in

Oregon Birds 20(3): 78 the approaching conflict with the se• time datlcatch my breakfast trouts, others are agreed that Bendire's first ceding southern states is not clear. de alcohol vas all gone. De trouts, collecting probably took place at Fort What is known is that he served ad• snakes und horned toads vas yust Lapwai. Lapwai, named after the Nez mirably in the Army of the Potomac dry pickled. Veil, my cook put my Perce Indian word for "place of the during the Civil War. He progressed trouts out by de side of de creek und butterflies," was situated on the from a private, to corporal, sergeant, a vild cat or someding steal 'em Lapwai River, a tributary of the and hospital steward. On 18 May during de night, und he vas afraid Clearwater River, near the junction of 1864, he was promoted to 2nd Lieu• to tell me, so he goes to dese tins und the Clearwater with the Snake River, tenant in the 2nd Infantry, and less he takes some of dem pickled trouts close to the present-day site of than one month later, on 11 June und he rolls 'em up in flour und fries Lewiston, Idaho. Bendire served here 1864, he was promoted to brevet 1st 'em in de bacon grease Meuniere, from 1868 until June 1871. His close Lieutenant for gallant and meritorious yust de same as dese, und he brings friend, James C. Merrill, speculated service in the battle of Trevilian Sta• after his death that Bendire was led tion, . He transferred to the to the collection of natural history First Cavalry on 9 September 1864, objects "by his fondness for hunt• and was promoted again, to 1st ing and interest in the haunts and Lieutenant,on 12 November 1864. habits of game mammals and birds. After the war he served in Loui• During the early period of his siana until December 1865, then work Major Bendire, while a most on the west coast at Drum Bar• assiduous and successful oologist, racks, at the present site of San paid little attention to collecting Pedro, California. He served here, birds except for the purpose of except for three months in 1867 identifying sets of eggs ."But while when he returned home to Ger• from this time on he was watch• many, until April 1868. His next ing always for nests and eggs, his posting brought him to the Pacific military duties and obligations Northwest, to Fort Lapwai, Idaho. were paramount. EH. Knowlton "Sorry," said his hostess, but wrote in remembrance that presently the nice, brown crusty Bendire's "sense of duty was so trout were brought in, and I said: great that he let nothing over• "Bendire, you'll have trout, won't shadow it.When engaged on mili• you?" tary duty every moment of time "Veil, no, if you vill oxcuse me. was given up to it, to the complete You see, ven I vas stationed at exclusion of scientific or other in• Camp Harney, I had a lot of sci• terests. It is said, for example, that entific research vork, und vun when on a scouting expedition he summer I vas in de Blue Moun• gave not the slightest attention to tains and de Harney Desert, und ofnithology.The eggs of birds new had a mule mit two zinc cases, to him, or perhaps new to science, vun on each side of de pack were passed by without heed. He was a soldier then, not an oologist." saddle, mit a big, round hole und a Charles Bendire as lieutenant in 1st Cavalry, U.S. screw top, und dese cases vas about Army. Photo/courtesty Oregon Historical Society In June 1871 Bendire was reas• half full of alcohol, und Ivould drop (negative number 70200 File No. 101). signed to Camp Lowell, Arizona. He my specimens of lizards und horned 'em in to me, und My Gott, I vould began collecting natural history ob• toads und snakes und such tings yust so veil eat de foot of an Egyp• jects in Idaho; in Arizona he began into dese tins. I had wery good luck. tian mummy, und de smell vas corresponding with others with like I had about fifty shtyles of rattle• someding vorse, und finally I send interests. He wrote letters to nation• snakes in dese tins, und my horned for my cook, und I say dat I hang ally prominent ornithologists such as toads und other snakes. I had wery him up by de toes; vat is de matter Joel A. Allen, Spencer F. Baird, and good luck dot season. Veil, in de Blue here, is he trying to poison me, und Thomas Brewer. In particular, he be• Mountains I vas making a study of den he say dat he has give me dem gan an extended correspondence de difference in color und structure trouts, pickled for a mont wit snakes with . Coues, both a gi• und size of trouts, according to de und horned toads und lizards in ant figure and a giant ego in the his• different habitat, und, of course, dey alcohol, und if you vill oxcuse, I ain't tory of American ornithology was vas dropped in de same tinsyust de liked trouts ever since. I vill take then post surgeon at Fort McHenry same like de snakes, und de horned some of de potatoes, if you please." in Baltimore and later at Fort Randall toads und de udder tings, und vun in South Dakota. In 1872 he had pub• Fort Lapwai was where Bendire day I catched myself a nice mess of lished his epochal book Key to North began the scientific work and collect• trouts, und I tell de cook.'I have 'em American birds, so was a logical ing that would make him renowned for breakfast' yust like dese, a la choice as a recipient for Bendire's cor• as a naturalist and oologist. Although Meuniere. Hm! Yes. I notice my com• respondence and specimens. Coues one writer has suggested that Bendire mand many times is wery light- was also an amazingly productive and acquired his interest in birds while hearted; dey vas drinking de alco• prolific writer, and it was through stationed at Cantonment Burgwyn, hol off of dem snakes, und by de Coues, as Coues boasted after New Mexico, before the Civil War, Oregon Birds 20(3): 79 Bendire's death, that Charles when not at war liked him."While we Missouri. During this time he re• Bendire's name first appeared in may hope that Taylor's description of ceived another promotion, to Cap• print. This was in Coues's report of Bendire's racial attitudes is not accu• tain. And in November 1874, he ar• Bendire's collection of a specimen of rate, and Merriam's and Knowlton's rived at Camp Harney, in southeast• the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl, the first closer to the truth, Bendire was a ern Oregon. North American record of the spe• military officer in a region embroiled The next course was roast Oregon cies, at Camp Lowell, at the present- in bloody territorial battle; judged by blue grouse, larded and cooked to a day site of Tucson. Coues also named standards of our day, his views of ra• turn by the chef Dock. I said quite Bendire's Thrasher after Charles cial equity would probably be disturb• cheerfully "Well, Bendire, you'll have Bendire, the type having been col• ing to our modern mores. some grouse, won't you?" lected by Bendire on 28 July 1872, One anecdote from Bendire's time "Veil, no, ef you vill oxcuse me. I near Camp Lowell. at Camp Lowell illustrates the diffi• tell you how it is. It's like dis: Ven Bendire's purpose for being in Ari• culties of collecting natural history dey run de boundary line for Ari• zona was not, of course, to discover specimens under conditions of racial zona und New Mexico in de Wheeler new birds. During the time he was at conflict. Bendire had found a nest of expedition. I vas in command of de Camp Lowell, the LInited States was a Zone-tailed Hawk in a cottonwood, miliary escort, und dere vas a fella engaged in battling Chiricahua about 40 feet above the ground. He vas assigned to my command as a Apaches. Bendire's task was to escort collected the single egg. When he doctor, not a regular army surgeon, civilians and wagon trains between returned a month later, the hawks yust on contract, und dat fella vas military establishments and to pursue were again using the nest, so he again de most disagreeable fella I hafefer the Apaches to their camps. Con• began up the tree. "Climbing to the met. He had no tact, no savoirfaire. temporaries writing of this period in nest I found another egg, and at the He yust shpit out anyting vas in his his life refect a different racial attitude same instant saw from my elevated chest, und he vas full of quills like a than is held today. Harold R. Taylor, position something else which could porcupine. Nobody in de officer's writing in 1903, remarked that "the not have been observed from the mess liked him. Ve talked how ve get late Major Bendire hunted Indians ground, namely, several Apache Indi• rid of him, und dey say: 'Veil, Cap• and birds in the same country and ans crouched down on the side of a tain, you are in command, you are killed both with equal lack of com• little canon which opened into the de boss ofde mess, you yust give him punction, when the blood of-mur• creek bed about 80 yards further up. a hint dat maybe he had better join dered settlers cried aloud for ven• They were evidently watching me. Sergeant Todd's mess! 'Veil,' I said, T geance, or the authorities at the Na• their heads being raised just to a level speak to him; I use shudgment, und tional Museum wanted positive iden• with the top of the canon. I gifhim a hint dat maybe he better tification. A dead Indian was a very "In those days Apache Indians were change,'so I goes to him und I says: good Indian to Major Bendire, and a not the most desirable neighbors, Doctor, don't you tink you had bet• dead bird in the hand looked better especially when one was up a tree ter change your mess, und mess mit to him where the identity of a rare and unarmed; I therefore descended Sergeant Todd?"Vat for I change my set of eggs was in question than a as leisurely as possible, knowing that mess?'he says. 'Veil,'I says, 'You see, squint at a bird through a glass. He if I showed any especial haste in get• dey von't come out plain und say used the spyglass on the Indians."F.H. ting down they would suspect me of so, but nobody like you, und every• Knowlton noted that Bendire played having seen them; the egg I had body tink your room is better as an important role during the Apache placed in my mouth as the quickest your company' I put it to him yust campaign. "The Indians learned to and safest way that I could think of as nice as I can, but he get mad und fear, and at the same time, to respect to dispose of it—and rather an un• say, no, he von't change, so ve have him, for while he was relentless in comfortably large mouthful it was, to try someding else. Veil, dat coun• their pursuit when they were obvi• too—nevertheless I reached the try vas yust full of grouses, und de ously in the wrong [sic], he never ground safely, and, with my horse and men vere shooting dem all de time, deceived them, and once it is said, shotgun, lost no time in getting to so I says: T fix him.'You know any• during the Apache War, boldly visited high and open ground. I returned to body gets tired of game birds if dey the camp of one of the most savage the place again within an hour and a have 'em all de time. So ve have chiefs, Cochise, and prevailed upon half looking for the Indians, but what grouses, grouses, efery day for din• him to abandon the war path. If all followed has no bearing upon my ner; efery day ve have grouses, for a the dealings between the white and subject. I only mention the episode reek, for ten days, for two weeks; red races could have been in the to account for not having secured one efery day. My Gott, I tink I go crazy hands of such men as Bendire, civili• of the parents of these eggs. I found if I see anodder grouse, but dat doc• zation would not have so much to it no easy matter to remove the egg tor, he eat 'em, und he has a bad blush for." C. Hart Merriam softened from my mouth without injury, but I catarrh too. Ve hang dose grouses up Bendire's relations with the Indians finally succeeded, though my jaws by vun leg till dey drop. Ve keep 'em even more, writing that he treated the ached for some time afterward." till dey gets gr-r-reen dey is so Indians frankly and fairly, and that Harold Taylor's retelling of this anec• pheasanty, und dat fix him. My Gott, they "were not long in learning that dote had the Indians pursuing de coyotes shmell dose grouses a they could rely absolutely on his Bendire nearly to the camp. mile und howl. Dat fix him. He word, which gave him a positive ad• joined Sergeant Todd's mess. But I vantage in all his dealings with them, Bendire left Camp Lowell in Janu• ain't never cared for grouses since for they always respected him and ary 1873, and for the next 20 months dat time. Please oxcuse me." was on recruiting service at St. Louis, Oregon Birds 20(3): 80 Camp Harney, to which Captain George R. Bacon. Bendire had stored 1875, this was a significant contribu• Charles Bendire arrived in November his egg and skin collection in St. tion to western ornithology. 1874, had been established 7 years Louis, so now began amassing an• Bendire spent most of his time in before as a base of operations against other one. One bird that soon caught the vicinity of Camp Harney, but Paiute Indians in southeastern Or• his attention was a large whitish when he was able, traveled south to egon. Located about 12 miles east of woodpecker, or so it appeared to be. the large lakes of Harney and Malheur the present-day city of Burns, the He soon discovered, however, that it on duck hunting and egg collecting camp was situated, as Bendire de• was not a woodpecker at all but the expeditions. He wanted to visit the scribed it, "on the southern slope of Clark's Nutcracker, and he diligently lakes also for his collection of the spe• one of the western spurs of the Blue endeavored to discover its nest and cies of fish in Oregon that he was Mountains of Oregon, at an altitude collect the eggs. He recounted his gathering for the Smithsonian. "We of about 4800 feet... To the north of efforts in letters to Joel A. Allen and have just finished a fine sail boat," he the post the country is mountainous Thomas Brewer. Allen, editor of the reported to the sportsmen's weekly and generally well-timbered with for• Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithologi- Forest and Stream, "and I hope to ests of pine, spruce and fir, and have a chance to explore Lake groves of aspens and junipers; in Harney and Malheur Lake thor• all other directions it is almost oughly both for fish and birds." destitute of trees of any size." In the April after his arrival, South of the post, the sagebrush Bendire made 2 separate visits to flats stretched for miles, the land• American White Pelican, Double- scape being "fully as desolate, if crested Cormorant, and Great Blue not more so, than the worst part Heron nesting colonies at Malheur of Arizona." But there was water Lake. The visits were taxing. "A here, Lakes Malheur and Harney protracted stay on the islands," he and many smaller lakes and ponds, wrote in the journal Ornithologist hot and cold springs, and while and Oologist (published in 1882), most held brackish water, the "was anything but pleasant, the chain of water formed "a natural whole place being alive with fleas, highway and convenient resting and the stench from decaying fish places for the immense hordes of was almost unbearable The young water fowl passing through" dur• [pelicans], none of which seemed ing the migrations. to be a week or so old, were per• The camp was centered in a vast fectly naked, not a sign of a feather corner of the state completely un• being visible, and they certainly explored ornithologically.John K. could not be called attractive crea• Townsend, accompanying Nathan• tures." Bendire took some eggs for iel Wyeth to Sauvie Island and Fort his collection, and also brought Vancouver in 1834 passed through some fertile pelican eggs back to just to the north and east. John S. the Camp and placed them under Newberry and Elisha Sterling, a domestic chicken; they hatched naturalists with the Williamson- in 29 days. "The injured and dis• Abbot railroad expedition of 1853, gusted look of that poor bird at the traversed the eastern slope of the result of her lengthy and pro• Cascade Mountains; they traveled tracted setting haunts me still." through the Klamath basin but In 1877, in the Proceedings of their search for an economical rail• the Boston Society of Natural His• Charks Bendire as captain of 1st Cavalry, U. S. Army. road route to the Columbia River tory (where Brewer had published Photo/courtesty Oregon Historical Society (negative never led them into this southeastern his paper in 1875), Bendire published number 70201 File No. 101). "Notes on some of the birds found in corner. John C. Fremont, on his ex• cal Club, persuaded Bendire to let southeastern Oregon, particularly in pedition of 1843-1844, skirted the him compile his letters about the nut• the vicinity of Camp Harney, from corner on his march south through cracker into an article about the spe• November, 1874, to January, 1877." the Summer Lake basin, but the orni• cies'breeding habits.This became the Much of Bendire's contributions to thological observations resulting first article published under Bendire's Oregon ornithology reside in this from Fremont's expedition were neg• name, appearing in 1876. The year paper, and Brewer's. Bendire listed ligible. Bendire, having developed his before, Brewer published an article 186 species on his main list, observa• ornithological skills at nearby Fort entitled "Notes on seventy-nine spe• tions being principally from Camp Lapwai, and refined them at Camp cies of birds observed in the neigh• Harney and Malheur Lake (one spe• Lowell, now had an opportunity to borhood of Camp Harney, Oregon, cies, the White-faced Ibis, was in• be the first ornithologist to explore compiled from the correspondence cluded solely on Nevada records and the region. of Capt. Charles Bendire, 1st cavalry." that it was "presumed that it ranges He began his ornithological inves• As a first report of the birds from into" Oregon). It is primarily in refer• tigations in the vicinity of the camp, southeastern Oregon, despite the fact ence to this paper that Ira Gabrielson sometimes accompanied by another that it covered a period of only 7 and Stanley Jewett later wrote in officer interested in birds, Lieutenant months, November 1874, to May

Oregon Birds 20(3): 81 Birds of Oregon that Bendire prob• Walla until June 1882, when he trans• out, und noting could be brought in, ably made "the greatest individual ferred to Fort Klamath. Although his but dere vas elk, snowed in, in de contribution to the knowledge of the duties left him little time to devote mountains, und dey vas caught in birds of the State," to natural history, he stole what free regular corrals of snow und timber, As in Arizona, Bendire was not able time he had to work on his collec• und ve used to go out und butcher to collect birds and eggs without con• tion. In a letter to the journal Orni• 'em like sheep, und dey vas as lean sideration of his official duties. In thologist and Oologist dated 29 De• as a saddle und as hard as a fiddle 1877 he took part in the Nez Perce cember 1882, Bendire reported that string, und I live on dat elk meat War, and joined the pursuit of the Nez despite "all the drawbacks I am mak• und deer meat de best part of de Perces towards Canada. In September ing some headway in my collection, vinter, und since dat time I vouldn't of that year, he skirmished with the and am getting some good things. I gif vun moutful of good, old, roast fleeing Indians at Canyon Creek, have now catalogued 375 skins since beef for all de venison on legs. You Montana. For his efforts, he was later my arrival here, and 300 of these I vill please oxcuse me, but I vill take to receive another brevet promotion, have made since Sept 1st, besides a sveet potatoes." to Major, in 1890Ayear later another great many alcoholic specimens not Bendire kept very busy in his re• Indian uprising took place, the counted in the above." But there were tirement. After his return to the East Bannock War of 1878. Camp Harney also disappointments. "Birds are from Fort Klamath in September usually housed no more than 50 men; scarce—about twenty species com• 1883, he attended the organizational with the Bannocks and Paiutes of prise the more common Winter resi• meeting of the American Ornitholo• southeastern Oregon resisting white dents.The water birds are too far off gists' Union at the American Museum usurpation of their lands and the de• for me to trouble them much—the of Natural History in . struction and desecration of their tra• nearest point on the lake is ten miles. He thus became a founding member ditions and cultural practices, the I had hope to find some rare Winter of this prestigious organization, along population of the camp swelled to birds and plenty of them as at Camp with other notable ornithologists 300 soldiers. Bendire took an active Harney in '75 and '76, but there are such as Elliott Coues, role in the suppression of the Indian very few, and even Owls and Hawks Robert W. Shufeldt, C. Hart Merriam, uprising. are not near as plenty about the post William Brewster, and fifteen others. [When the chef] laid down the here as at Walla Walla. I presume the After attending the meeting in New great silver dish filled with stewed marshes near the lake are full of them, York, he continued on to Washington, terrapin a la Maryland, it did seem but they are almost impassible.When D.C., where Spencer Baird asked him that here was ambrosia. the lake and marsh freeze over I ex• if he would accept the position of When the hostess asked Bendire if pect a lot of birds will be driven up Honorary Curator of the Department he would have some terrapin, he re- toward the post, and by that time very of Oology of the U. S. National Mu• plied:"Vell, no, I tink not, ef you vill likely there will be so much snow that seum. Bendire accepted the offer. oxcuse me. I have et a great many I cannot get the birds." Nevertheless, "When he took charge of the collec• tings—rattle-snakes, und dead Bendire published articles, both dur• tion," J. Parker Norris wrote in Orni• horses off de field of battle, but dat ing his time at Fort Klamath and after thologist and Oologist in 1891, "he vas ven I had to, but I don't like yust he left, about the nesting habits and found a great many of the eggs in bad to eat anyting dat lives de vay I eggs of birds he observed near the condition, and indeed numbers of know dose terrapins lived, und ven fort. them were hopelessly damaged. The I know dat he is cooked mit all his Bendire's time at Fort Klamath was cabinets which contained them were guts in, yust chopped up, und his short compared to his previous as• made in a cheap manner, of badly sea• whole insides left in him, no, you signments. In September 1883 he left soned lumber, and the drawers had vould please oxcuse me. I vill take the fort for the East, where he stayed warped so badly that it was a matter some of de liddle biscuit" for about one year. He returned to the of some difficulty to pull them out or In May 1878 Bendire left Camp west to Fort Custer,Montana,remain• push them in, and during this process Harney. He served next at Fort Walla ing there only until December 1885. the eggs rattled against each other Walla, in southeastern Washington, Sometime during his last engage• (for many of the trays contained no from at least 1879. He continued ments, Bendire hurt his knee, and on cotton) and were either cracked or there to pursue his natural history 24 April, 1886, the broken." By inviting Bendire to take interests, studying fish, birds, and placed him on the retired list for dis• charge of the egg collection, Baird mammals of the region, this time sta• ability contracted in the line of duty. both assured that the eggs would be tioned near the northern end of the /felt that Captain Bendire would curated properly, but also secured for Blue Mountains. He began to publish not easily get another invitation the museum Bendire's own large col• more frequently, writing up observa• from the young Washington-bred lection, numbering more than 8000 tions made at Camp Harney, and re• hostess. When the roast saddle of eggs. porting to Forest and Stream his ex• venison came on, I said: "Now, Bendire was now in a position to periences at his new post. In one let• Bendire, you're going to have some accomplish something that he had ter he noted that at Walla Walla the venison?" probably often dreamed about or Sharp-tailed Grouse were getting "Veil, no, efyou vill oxcuse me.You wished for while collecting eggs in scarcer and scarcer every year, "and see, ven I vas stationed at Fort Kla• the West.Thomas Brewer had begun it is a hard matter to get at the true math vun vinter, it vas a wery hard a work he called a "North American cause of the scarcity." winter, und ve vere snowed in, and oology." When Brewer died in 1880, Bendire remained at Fort Walla all de supply of beef und mutton ran however, he had published only one Oregon Birds 20(3): 82 volume, in 1859, covering 9 families D.C. in Florida, to be able to sit out• companion, full of reminiscences and of North American birds. In 1883, an side and watch the activities around anecdotes of his long life on the fron• item appeared in Ornithologist and him as he convalesced and recovered. tier, of its hardships and dangers, and Oologist reporting that "it has been However, on February 4, 1897, five its scientific successes. But on the whispered among a few that Captain days after leaving Washington, approach of a stranger he became si• Bendire was to take up American Bendire died in Jacksonville, Florida, lent. Above all things Bendire was a Oology where the late Dr. Brewer left of kidney failure. He was 60 years old. lover of truth. He had no patience it, and it is to be earnestly hoped that One of the guests smiled and said: with anything that had not the stamp this will be brought about at no dis• "Bendire, I am afraid you haven't of unquestioned veracity upon it. tant day ... Captain Bendire is the one enjoyed this splendid dinner as well Truthfulness was so much a part of above all others to finish the work so as the rest of us have." his nature, that the shadow of its ab• well begun by his friend the late la• "How is dat? I don't go to dinner sence in another, received but scant mented Dr. Brewer." for vat is to eat, but for de society, courtesy at his hands." This was indeed Bendire's inten• and I can have de society of you Henry Taylor similarly remarked tion, and he began work, at Baird's fellas all de time, but ven a old fella that Bendire "was conscientious, and urging, on what would become his like me gets shut up in dese out-o- noted for his unusual directness of own great, but unfinished, contribu• de-vay vun-company posts till he speech and fearlessness in support• tion to North American ornithology. gets as cross as a old bull elk, it is ing his convictions.He was to the last He assumed an enormous correspon• vort more as victuals to see anyding an enemy of the dishonest, while a dence, gathering materials for his like dis young lady, so beautiful, at ready friend to all who proved them• book, which soon grew beyond ool• de head of de table, vere I can sit selves worthy." C. Hart Merriam ob• ogy to encompass life history. In und look at her, yust like a flower served also that in his personal life 1892, he published the first volume in a garden." Bendire "was a man of simple habits as a United States National Museum Bendire became one of the young and unusual frankness. He had an in• Special Bulletin, covering the raptors, lady's favorites among the officers born aversion for all kinds of of cir• gallinaceous birds, pigeons and of the Department. cumlocution and insincerity, and was doves, and owls. He incorporated his Eulogists wrote that there were 2 himself a model of directness and own observations of species in Or• ways of viewing Bendire, by the gruff truthfulness. He was generous, kind egon, elucidating as much as he could exterior he presented to the world, hearted and ever ready to help oth• in the accounts the geographical dis• and by the inside view, a man of ers, no matter at how much personal tribution, nesting habits, and behav• warmth, and friendship, and kind• inconvenience, if he believed them ior of the individual species.Twelve ness. He did not show that side of worthy." plates depicted typical eggs of many himself often, or to everyone, or even The obituary that ran in Forest and species treated in the text. at times willingly, but they knew it Stream, the weekly sportsmen's jour• In 1895 Bendire published his sec• was there. Elliott Coues touched nal to which Bendire frequently con• ond volume, this treating the parrots, upon one truth when he described tributed, noted that "it is told of him cuckoos, goatsuckers, swifts, trogons, Bendire as a "bumptious and captious that when he was in a company kingfishers, woodpeckers, and part German soldier, who was a man to where any one person either through of the Passeriformes, or perching take strong likes and dislikes on very bashfulness or for other reasons ap• birds. Again the work was authorita• small provocation." Coues later wrote peared to be neglected, it was to such tive in its coverage, and was well re• that "during all the years that I used a one that Major Bendire would de• ceived by the ornithological commu• to meet the 'Honorary Curator of vote himself; in such little things may nity. But James Merrill later alluded Oology' at the Smithsonian, I can we find the key to a man's life." to the possibility that Bendire did not hardly recall an occasion when he I think of Bendire's endearing com• fully receive the support he should was not growling like a bear with a ments to Mrs. Wood and what they have in his compilation of these vol• sore head about the way he said the reveal about him. Bendire might have umes. In the preparation of the first authorities were treating him in re• been captious, and gruff, and re• volume, Merrill wrote, "a great deal gard to the publication of his book," served, but he was also friendly, and of material for the succeeding vol• a truth hinted at in Merrill's complaint devoted, and helpful, and generous. umes was gathered, and it should be of lack of support for Bendire's Life His kind remarks illuminated the rea• here recorded that had more encour• histories. son for the dinner party, not for the agement been given to the work in But others remembered him as food but for the company, for friend• certain quarters, the subsequent vol• possessing a more balanced blend of ships and sharing with comrades in umes would have appeared promptly, both faults and endearing qualities. arms. Bendire showed to the com• and the proposed five, or possibly six, EH. Knowlton recalled him as "strik• pany present, and to us reading his volumes might have been almost, if ingly a soldier," with a fine physique remarks over a century later, that he not quite completed before the and erect bearing. He was not, how• was a gracious guest, and that a life• author's lamented death." ever, a man who made friends easily. time of military service on the west• For time was indeed running out He had a reserve manner which ern frontier had not blinded him to for Charles Bendire. Suffering from amounted at times almost to brusque- the beauty of birds and flowers and Bright's Disease (glomerulonephritis, ness, yet beneath the rough exterior friends. a kidney disease), he began failing in was a warm and sympathetic heart. health. He hoped to find respite away To those who were so fortunate as to from confinement in Washington, know him intimately, he was a genial Oregon Birds 20(3): 83 A Note on the Sources Most biographies of Bendire sound drearily similar, relying as they do on Oregon's first Verified Record of a the same sources. I know I am at fault here, too, although I have tried, par• Lark Bunting ticularly with the dinner party ac• count, to take a fresh look at Bendire's While fulfilling a request for birds collected in Montana and housed in the life. Standard biographical treatments Fish and Wildlife Museum in Nash Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, I I have used are J.C. Merrill, "In me- discovered a female Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) collected in moriam: Charles Emil Bendire," Auk Oregon.This specimen was collected by Ralph R. Moldenhauer on 3 January 15 (1898), 1-6; C. Hart Merriam, 1967, 5.5 miles east of Oakville Road, Corvallis, Linn County, Oregon. The "Charles Bendire," Science 5 (1897), original Oregon State College (OSC) catalog number was 10,044 and the 261-262; EH. Knowlton, "Major catalog contained the following statement:"state record". Charles E. Bendire," Osprey 1 (1897), Upon examination of Oregon Field Ornithologists Special Publication No. 87-90; and "Major Charles Bendire," 5, Rare birds of Oregon (Watson, C. 1989, The records of the Oregon Bird Forest and Stream 48 (February 13, Records Committee, page 119 in 0. Schmidt (ed.), Rare birds of Oregon, 1897). Most of these sources have Oregon Field Ornithologists Special Publ. No. 5, 190 pp.), no mention was been used also in the good biographi• made of this specimen. Furthermore, a male photographed in June 1980 cal sketches of Bendire in E. E. Hume, (OBRC Record Number 605-80-02) was stated as the first verified Oregon Ornithologists of the U. S. Army record. Medical Corps; thirty-six biogra• I recommend that the female Lark Bunting (OSC number 10,044) be added phies, pp. 22-37, Johns Hopkins Uni• to OBRC records and should be considered as Oregon's first verified record. versity Press: Baltimore, 1942; and B. The Fish and Wildlife Number (FWNO) assigned to this specimen is FWNO Mearns and R. Mearns, Audubon to 7597. Xdntus.tbe lives of those commemo• I am grateful to Rich Hoyer, Jr., for informing me that this specimen was rated in North American bird names, pp. 71-79, Academic Press: not reported in OFO's Special Publication No. 5. , 1992. Elliott Coues's com• ments regarding Bendire are from "Dr. Coues' column," Osprey 1 (1897), 113;"The documents in the Bendire business," Osprey 2 (1897),22-23;and "Bibliographical note" Auk 14 (1897), 327-329. Bendire's activities at Camp Lowell are the subject of John Farrand, Jr., "Lieutenant Bendire's thrasher," American Birds 44 (1990), 351-352.The dinner party story, writ• ten by C.E.S. Wood, is from Erskine Wood, Life of Charles Erskine Scott Wood, pp. 29-37, privately printed: [Portland?], 1978; I have abridged it slightly. Bendire's acquaintance with C.E.S. Wood is further explored in Edwin R. Bingham, "Experiment in launching a biography: three vi• gnettes of Charles Erskine Scott Wood," Huntington Library Quar• terly 35(1972): 221-239.1 have retold the story related by Bingham, with discussion of the vagaries of the memories of the principals, in George A. Jobanek, "Early records of the White-faced Ibis in Oregon," Oregon Birds 13 (1987): 210-215.1 have not listed here Bendire's own papers, published in a number of journals over several years, some of which reflect on biography and history.

0

Oregon Birds 20(3): 84 Avian Biodiversity and Abundance in Northeast Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon

Brian Sharp, Ecological Perspectives, 2234 NE 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97212

Introduction feet, gardens, and fairly extensive no stops without birds in Irvington Parks and green areas in Portland street trees, many of them mature. (P<0.05) (Table 1). east of the Willamette River are small, The neighborhood also contains a Of 14 regularly-occurring species few, and far between.The Metropoli• few small apartment buildings. Tree (occurring on at least 3 counts), 7 tan Greenspace Program, as envi• and shrub cover are estimated at ap• species (Common Bushtit,American sioned, will do nothing to alleviate proximately 30 percent. Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, the lack of greenspace in the so-called Bird abundance and diversity were House Sparrow, House Finch, Dark- "white triangle" of North and North• sampled on transects, each with 10 eyed Junco, and Song Sparrow) were east Portland. Residential neighbor• stops, located along Northeast 9thAv• significantly more common in hoods, with street trees and gardens, enue in both Lloyd Center and Irvington (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and provide the only habitat for birds and Irvington study areas, north and numbers of 2 additional species other wildlife in this part of the city. south of Broadway.The Lloyd Center (Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Eurasian Continued commercial development and Irvington transects started and Starling) were almost significantly in inner northeast Portland, especially ended at Lloyd Boulevard and higher in Irvington (P<.10). Mean in the Lloyd Center area — once a Schuyler Street, and Hancock Street counts of 5 species (Rock Dove, Vio• neighborhood of stately homes on and Siskiyou Avenue, respectively let-green Swallow, Scrub Jay, Ameri• large lots "with beautiful shade trees (Fig. 1). Transects were walked, and can Crow, and American Goldfinch) on every street" (H. M. Krueger, resi• numbers and species of birds seen or were not different between the 2 ar• dent of Irvington, pers comm) — has heard during a 2-rninute interval were eas. No species was more common destroyed many of the few trees and recorded at stops. Stops were ap• in the Lloyd Center area. Four spe• much of the open space, and little proximately 228 feet apart in Lloyd cies (Common Bushtit, Ruby- habitat to support avian diversity re• Center and 288 feet apart in crowned Kinglet, Song Sparrow, and mains. Irvington. Each pair of transects was Dark-eyed Junco) were not encoun• Casual observations from 1974- counted 8 times between 0700 and tered in the Lloyd Center area at all. 1992 indicated that bird life is lack• 0945 Pacific Standard Time between No species was regularly found in the ing in the Lloyd Center area. How• March and May, 1992. Both transects Lloyd Center area that was not found ever, no quantitative data on the abun• were counted on the same morning, in Irvington. dance and diversity of birds is avail• but in alternating sequence on differ• Of 9 species that were encountered able for this or any other city neigh• ent days (to avoid bias caused by the on 2 counts or less, 6 were found in borhood.The purposes of this inves• changing detectability of birds in Irvington (Downy Woodpecker,West• tigation were to quantify avian diver• early and late morning). Counts took ern Flycatcher, Black-capped Chicka• sity in the Lloyd Center area and in 45-60 minutes to complete. dee, Wilson's Warbler, Brown-headed adjacent Irvington, document the ap• Means of the number of birds (all Cowbird, and Evening Grosbeak), parent lack of bird diversity in the species combined), the number of and 3 were found in the Lloyd area Lloyd Center area, and to field test a species, the numbers of each species (Red-tailed Hawk, Band-tailed Pigeon, simple method that could be used to encountered on more than 2 counts, and Yellow Warbler). Red-tailed Hawk quantify abundance and diversity of and the number of stops with no was seen twice perched in trees over• birds in any neighborhood in the city. birds were calculated for the Lloyd looking Sullivan's Gulch (Interstate Center and Irvington areas.The null 84). The Band-tailed Pigeons were a Study areas and methods hypothesis was that means did not dif• migrant flock seen once flying over, The "Lloyd Center" study area be• fer between areas. Differences be• not perching or foraging. tween Interstate 84 and Northeast tween areas were tested with paired Broadway, and Martin Luther King t-tests using the statistical program Discussion Boulevard and 15th Avenue, has MINITAB. Irvington provides habitat for an changed greatly since 1-84 and Lloyd average of 12 species which are char• Center were built.The area now con• Results acteristic of this particular neighbor• sists of commercial buildings, offices, Total birds (all species) were ap• hood. Seven species (Rock Dove, and abundant parking lots. Habitat for proximately 2-1/2 times more abun• Scrub Jay, American Crow, Common birds consists of a few sidewalk trees dant in Irvington than in the Lloyd Bushtit, House Sparrow, House Finch, recently planted by the city as ameni• Center (88.0 versus 35.8 birds per and American Goldfinch) are perma• ties; these trees are mostly columnar, transect, P<0.01). Mean number of nent residents, 2 (Ruby-crowned and lack horizontal branching. Tree species was almost twice as high Kinglet and Dark-eyed Junco) are win• and shrub cover are minimal, esti• (11.75 versus 6.5 species per ter residents, and several (American mated at less than 5 percent. The transect, P<0.01).There was an aver• Robin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and "Irvington" study area is residential, age of 2.1 stops per count without other species of warblers) are characterized by lots of 50 by 100 any birds in the Lloyd Center area, but neotropical migrants. Oregon Birds 20(3): 85 In contrast, the Lloyd Center area Table 1. Mean birds per transect on counts in the Lloyd Center and Irvington study areas. P indicates probabilities that the means are not different, and df and the 1-1/2 square mile commer• degrees of freedom. cial district adjacent to it is an orni• Lloyd thological desert.The columnar street Center Irvington P df Mean no. birds, all species 35.8 88.0 0.000" 1 4 trees along Northeast 9thAvenue are Mean no. species 6.5 11.75 0.000" 1 4 used little, if at all, by birds, and the No. stops with no birds 2.125 0.0 <0.05* 7 area lacks undergrowth .There is habi• Rock Dove 7.6 6.9 0.79 14 tat for only 4 regularly occurring spe• Violet-green Swallow 7.0 6.0 0.70 6 Scrub Jay 1.125 2.12 0.24 1 4 cies (Rock Doves, Violet-green Swal• American Crow 4.1 4.6 0.73 1 4 lows, Scrub Jays, and American Common Bushtit 0.0 2.75 <0.01" 7 American Robin 1.13 3.75 0.0003" 14 Crows).The swallows foraged in the Ruby-crowned Kinglet 0.0 1.0 <0.10 3 sky above commercial buildings. Eurasian Starling 9.5 16.6 0.088 1 4 Yellow-rumped Warbler 1.5 13.5 0.017* 2 Crows have apparently found a niche House Sparrow 2.88 14.38 0.000" 14 scavenging from dumpsters. How House Finch 1.0 12.25 0.0005" 1 4 American Goldfinch 3.0 1 .75 0.70 7 Scrub Jays survive within the Lloyd Dark-eyed Junco 0.0 7.0 <0.05* 4 area was not determined. Except for Song Sparrow 0.0 4.38 <0.01" 7 an occasional American Robin or * statistically significant (P<.05) House Finch, songbirds were missing " highly significant (P<.01). from Lloyd Center counts, and the ing. Inner Northeast Portland lacks ei• needed to restore biodiversity to the area provides little or no habitat for ther designated open space or natu• urban setting for people to enjoy, in winter, nor for ral habitat as an integral result of the where they live, work, and spend neotropical migrants in spring. development process itself. Natural most of their time. In the Lloyd Center area, no eco• landscaping would increase bird While significantly richer in terms logically significant effort has been abundance and diversity, and could of both species and numbers of birds made to retain or provide natural easily be required of developers by than the Lloyd Center, Irvington it• amenities concurrent with develop• city planners (for example, in design self has little open space (Fig. 1) and ment, and the destruction of remain• guidelines). may not be as diverse as other neigh• ing fragments of habitat is continu- More than 135 million adults (16 borhoods. Quantitative data on bird years and older) engage in wildlife- populations in the various parts of the related activities, including bird- city could be provided by the modi• watching, and most (97 percent) of fied Breeding Bird Survey method this activity takes place within a (Robbins et al. 1986) used in this mile of where people live and study. The method is not too time- work (US Fish and Wildlife Service consuming for qualified birdwatchers 1988, 1992). Among Oregonians, to conduct periodic censuses in their 89 percent spend time on wildlife- own neighborhoods. A coordinator oriented recreation (Defenders of could ensure that data were collected Wildlife 1988). In commercial areas in standardized, comparable manner, like the Lloyd Center, a conscious and provide statistical analyses. effort by city, corporate develop•

ers, and neighborhoods is LITERATURE CITED Defenders of Wildlife. 1988. Nongame wildlife public assess• ment survey. Executive Summary. Oct. 1988. Intercept Research Cor• poration. Lake Oswego, OR. 2 pp. Robbins, C. S., D. Bystrak, and P. H. Geissler. 1986. The Breeding Bird Survey: Its First Fifteen Years, 1965- 1979. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Ser• vice. Resource Publication 157. Wash. D.C. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1988. 1985 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation. U.S. Dept Interior. Wash. D.C. 167 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. News Release:"Most Americans en• joy wildlife-related recreation, pro• Figure 1. Location of transects and census viding strong boost to nation's points (stops). economy, preliminary survey re• sults show." Washington, D.C. Sep• tember 14. 4 pp. 0 Oregon Birds 20(3): 86 Incident Of House Wren Dump Nest

Colin Dillingham, 437Azalea Park Road, Brookings, OR 97415

Nesting House Wrens (Troglodytes should have hatched before this date. could be explained by Belles-Isles and aedon) are well-known for nest de• The presence of the seventh egg in• Pieman's (1986) earlier observations stroying behaviors both intra- and dicates that a wren laid an incidental that the female wrens ceased peck• interspecifically (Belles-Isles and egg in this nest. On 16 July 12 eggs ing eggs when they started laying. Pieman 1986). Because they normally were noted in the box, which is, in• What conditions led to this occur• destroy nests, the occurrence of a cidentally, the maximum clutch size rence of dump-nesting? Wood Ducks nest that contains more than 1 brood recorded for House Wrens (Ehrlich, often dump nest when nesting sites of House Wren eggs is considered un• Dobkin and Wheye 1988). Because become limited (Bellrose 1976).Yom- usual. the eggs were cool and no adults Tov (1980) suggested that a high pro• A nest that contained 2 or more were noted during 4 separate nest portion of unmated females in a broods of House Wren eggs was checks on this date, I assumed that breeding population, a shortage of found on the Siskiyou National suitable nesting sites, and the Forest in southwestern Or• loss of a nest during the laying egon .After the initial clutch of period could all increase eggs did not hatch, additional chances for the occurrence of eggs were laid and no House intraspecific brood parasitism. Wrens incubated the eggs. Pieman and Belles-Isles There are documented nests (1988) believed that because involving House Wrens that nesting cavities were limiting contained intraspecific brood in their study site, that female parasitism (Pieman and Belles- House Wrens may find it advan• Isles 1988). Ehrlich, Dobkin tageous to lay parasitically in and Wheye (1988) define nests of other conspecifics. brood parasitism as laying This explanation does not eggs in the nest of another seem to fit in this situation as bird to pawn off the task of rearing House Wren "dump nest" with 12 eggs, 16July 1993,Hous e Wrens were not limited by young. Long Ridge, Curry County. Photo/Colin Dillingham.nestin g sites at this study site: only 4 There is also a documented inci• no adults were incubating. This ob• of 20 boxes were utilized.The condi• dent of brood parasitism by a House servation further indicates that 1 or tion that led to this occurrence of Wren in a Yellow Warbler (Dendroica more wrens were using this nest as dump-nesting remains a mystery. petechia) nest (Sealy 1989). Because an egg depository or "dump nest." this observation did not involve the The nest was removed on 16 July LITERATURE CITED incubation of eggs after the initial and the eggs were analyzed. None of Belles-Isles, Jean-Claude and Jaroslav clutch, it is considered to be a "dump the eggs were damaged, 7 of the eggs Pieman. 1986. House Wren Nest- nest" which can be defined by the were dead (rotten) and while the re• Destroying Behavior. Condor deposition of more than 1 brood in a maining 5 appeared in good condi• 88:190-193. nest with no adults assuming the in• tion, it is unknown if embryos were Bellrose, Frank C. 1976.Ducks, Geese cubation responsibility. This is the present or alive. Follow-up monitor• and Swans of North America. first occurrence of a dump nest by a ing revealed an empty nest box on Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, PA. House Wren in Oregon that I am 24 July and aTownsend's chipmunk 540 pp. aware of. (Eutamias townsendii) in the box Ehrlich, Paul R., David S. Dobkin, and While monitoring bird boxes on with a moss nest on 3 August. Darryl Wheye. 1988. The Birders the Siskiyou National Forest, a House It is not known why House Wrens Handbook. Simon and Schuster, Wren was found nesting in a bird box. continued to lay eggs into this already Fireside. New York. 785 pp. When first checked on 3 June 1993, failed nest without attempting to in• Kendeigh, S.C. 1952. Parental care I flushed a House Wren off of a nest cubate.This behavior appears to pre• and its evolution in birds. Illinois with 6 eggs, which the wren appar• clude any possibility of successful re• Biol.Monogr. 22:1-356. ently was incubating. On 11 June a production. Evidence from Belles- Pieman, Jaroslav and Jean-Claude House Wren was again flushed off of Isles and Picman(1986) would indi• Belles-Isles. 1988. Evidence for In• the same nest, still containing 6 eggs. cate that House Wrens have a ten• traspecific Brood Parasitism in the On 28 June another biologist, dency to destroy eggs of other con- House Wren. Condor 90:513-514. Howard Richburg, was checking this specifics and this observation appears Sealy, Spencer G. 1989. Incidental nest box and saw no adult wrens but to be inconsistent with my observa• "egg-dumping" by the House Wren counted 7 eggs. tion. in a Yellow Warbler nest. Wilson Because House Wrens have an in• Why would a female, after having Bull., 101 (3):491-493. cubation period of 12-15 days arrived at a conspecific nest, lay eggs Yom-Tov, Y. 1980. Intraspecific nest (Kendeigh 1952), the first clutch of in it rather than destroy the discov• parasitism in birds.Biol. Rev. 55:93- 6 eggs found in this nest on 3 June ered clutch? This apparent conflict 108. 0

Oregon Birds 20(3): 87 Cascades Hawk Mountain Revisited

John Lundsten, 2352 Bunkerhill Road S., Salem, Oregon 97306

My visit to Hawk mountain in Octo• In addition to my observations, when there is an east wind. ber 1992 stimulated my interest in HawkWatch volunteers spent a num• Green Ridge looks more promising hawk migration in the Cascades (A ber of days at Bonnie Butte, southeast because there is less area for the birds Visit to Hawk Mountain, Oregon, Or• of Mt. Hood, where good numbers to spread out. If a bird chooses to fly egon Birds 19(3): 68, Fall 1993). Dur• of hawks were seen (over 90 in a day). to the east of Mt. Jefferson and there ing the winter, I contacted Steve Another volunteer saw 94 hawks in is a west wind, the ridge is about their Hoffman of HawkWatch International just a few hours at Green Ridge. 1993 only option. Also, the weather tends to find out what information he had provided a lot of new information to be better on the east side, so when about hawk migration in this area. He about hawk migration in the north• the west side of the mountains is was very interested in my experience ern Oregon cascades. socked in with clouds and rain, the at Hawk Mountain, as he wanted to migration can continue on this side. locate hawk migration points in Or• Discussion A good observation point is at the egon. He convinced me to visit the One of the things I learned is that Forest Service lookout on the west HawkWatch site in the Goshutes wind velocity and direction has a lot edge of the ridge.The lookout looks Mountains in Nevada in late summer, to do with where the hawks will fly. down on the Wizard Falls fish hatch• and then put in as many observation There was an east wind on all of the ery on the Metolius RiverAnother ob• days as I could at Hawk Mountain. 4 days I saw good numbers of hawks servation area is at the crest of the So I spent 3 days at the Goshutes, at Hawk Mt. On the 4 days when ridge about 300 yards northeast of the taking part in the hawk observation there was a west wind, I saw few or lookout. Most of the trees have been site, and spending 1 day in a trapping no hawks .When there is an east wind cut here, so openings can be found blind where 6 hawks were trapped at Hawk Mt., it is calm at Green Ridge. that give a clear view to the north and banded. This experience got me When it was calm at Hawk Mt. or along the ridge. primed for getting back to Oregon Green Ridge, there was little or no To get to the lookout, take Forest and finding a similar site. hawk movement.While I did not see Service road 11 north from the Indian Between 8 September and 26 Oc• very many hawks at Mt. Lowe, it pro• Ford Campground.The road forks af• tober 1993,1 spent 11 days at Hawk vides an unobstructed view in all di• ter 10 miles.Take the left fork, 1150, Mountain, 2 days at Mt.Lowe (2 miles rections and so it was easier to watch for about 6 miles, turn left on 1154 north of Hawk Mt.), and 2 days at the flightpath as they left the moun• for about half-mile, turn left on 1140 Green Ridge on the east side of Mt. tain. With a brisk northwest wind, for 0.2 miles, turn right on 600. At Jefferson. I saw little sign of migra• hawks would use the mountain ridge about 0.8 mile is the open area along tion until 22 September when I saw to gain elevation but would then head the ridge, and at 1 mile is 650. The 20 hawks fly over Hawk Mt. Other in a south-southeast direction away lookout is about 100 yards down this "good days" at Hawk Mt. were 2 Oc• from the ridge and quartering into the road. A gate here is usually closed tober (39 hawks), 9 October (65 wind. In his book on hawk migration, unless the lookout is occupied. hawks), and 26 October (25 hawks). Heintzelman describes the use of "de• While speculating about migration But I had an equal number of "poor flective updrafts" as a typical feature routes is interesting, the best part of days" when few hawks were seen. of migration over mountains. I think hawk-watching is watching the The 2 days at Mt. Lowe were disap• with the rugged geography of the hawks. Most were solitary, and when pointing, with only 15 hawks seen. Cascades, if there is any persistent birds got close together, one usually The weather was marginal during the wind hawks would find these up• harassed the other. Often Ravens 2 days at Green Ridge, but the action drafts everywhere over these moun• would fly around Hawk Mt., and es• was good with 69 hawks going by. In tains. It appears these birds are soli• pecially Cooper's Hawks would go total, I spent about 100 observation tary migrators and so tend to spread out of their way (turn around and fly hours and saw 262 hawks, represent• out over this 50-mile wide band of north) to chase a Raven. For this rea• mountains. Only when there is a clear ing 11 species: son, I usually set up an owl decoy, advantage to travel (a prominent Sharp-shined Hawk 91 and birds would often deviate from ridge) or a barrier (buttes or peaks Cooper's Hawk 53 their flight to go over the owl, or take over 6-7000 feet) would they begin Unidentified accipiter.... 2 a pass at it, or, in one case, defecate to concentrate along a common Red-tailed Hawk 59 as it flew over the owl.The most spec• Rough-legged Hawk 1 route. It will be a challenge to find tacular was a Merlin at Mt. Lowe. My Unidentified buteo 3 the most consistent migration obser• daughter, Suzie, spotted the bird as it Northern Harrier 3 vation point. Hawk Mt. does not meet was quartering into a strong north• American Kestrel 6 this test, but I think it is a good spot west wind somewhat below us. Just Golden Eagle 22 for recreational hawkwatching. The as I found the bird in my binoculars, Bald Eagle 5 birds are usually quite close when it must have spotted the owl decoy, Turkey Vulture 13 first seen, and then soar to gain alti• as it made a quick turn and headed Osprey 1 tude, giving the observer a number directly at us with the wind.Within a Merlin 2 of different looks. Just be sure to visit Unidentified falcon 1 couple seconds it went by us at eye

Oregon Birds 20(3): 88 level, flared as it reached the owl, and The little I have seen of hawk mi• Acknowledgments then dove into trees down the ridge. gration has been exciting and chal• The encouragement, direction, and I was surprised to see birds like the lenging and I look forward to next support that Steve Hoffman and Northern Harrier and American year. Birders have often wished that HawkWatch International provided, Kestrel migrating. While most of the the month of May could be repeated gave me the impetus to spend time species seen are year round residents 12 times a year, because that is when in the Cascades, even when the skies here, there also are populations that all the action happens. Now, I would were empty. nest to the north in Canada and even not want to miss the fall hawk migra• Alaska. These northern populations tion (and maybe the spring migration REFERENCES migrate past Oregon as far south as too). Just when the shorebird num• Heintzelman, Donald S. 1986. The . I did not expect to bers begin to wane in mid-September, Migrations of Hawks. Indiana Uni• see as many Golden Eagles (10) at now I can head for the ridges. Find• versity Press. Hawk Mt. I wondered about the pos• ing a new migration observation Clark, William H. and Wheeler, Brian. sibility of seeing Broad-winged point is an exciting challenge, but the 1987. A Field Guide to Hawks of Hawks, as they have been reported real thrill is seeing that speck in the North America. Houghton Mifflin in the San Francisco area, and so may north and realizing that it is a raptor Co. need to pass through Oregon. How• heading toward you, and trying to 0 ever I never got to test my concern identify it, and then marveling as it about being able to identity the goes by. In other words, I am hooked Broad-wing. on hawk watching. The hawk movement I saw started about 9:30 to 10:30 am and pretty much stopped at 3:30 to 4:00 pm. I understand some hawks migrate full- time without taking time to forage for food. Because the Cascades should be an attractive feeding area for most of these hawks, I assumed they dropped out of migration in the late afternoon to hunt. I saw some dramatic ex• amples of this at Hawk Mt.The end of a ridge is a good place to stop as the bird can start again from a good elevation. A Cooper's Hawk came gliding down the ridge about 50 yards up. It was almost overhead when it folded its wings and "floated" for a few seconds, then partly opened its wings to make an adjustment in di• rection, and then folded its wings, turned its body to face straight down, and dropped like a rock. It went out of view below the ridge, and I lis• tened for a crash which, of course, never came.

/,„ Cf Jefferson

Mount Jefferson Tinn Co.- iM6i"

Oregon Birds 20(3): 89 Coast Range Birds at Aft Hebo, Oregon

John Lundsten, 2352 Bunkerhill Road S., Salem, OR 97306

During 1992 and 1993,1 made peri• in rows.The number of bird species of day a bird was sighted (7 time odic visits to Mt. Hebo to develop a is low in this area because of the lack groups), as well as the number of bird list for that area. I did this as a of tree diversity. birds seen. I quickly found this was volunteer for the Hebo Ranger Dis• In the 1950s the Air Force took over too complicated for my purpose, trict of the Siuslaw National Forest. the top of the mountain and set up a which was to establish a bird list. I Mt. Hebo (elevation 3174 feet) is radar base. All the Air Force buildings ended up just keeping a list of birds located about 15 miles south of are now gone, but the paved road to seen or heard for each day and per• Tillamook and 10 miles east of Pacific the top and along the ridge remains. haps some comments about unusual City and the Pacific Ocean. Mt. Hebo Except for a couple of communica• numbers. is a ridge that extends for 2-1/2 miles tion relay structures at the west end I live about 65 miles from Mt. Hebo. in a north-east to south-west orienta• and the "plantations" along the I initially thought it was important to tion. The northern part of the ridge mountainside, Mt. Hebo must look spend 2 consecutive days on the is in Tillamook County and the south• pretty much the same today as it did mountain, which would include an ern part is in Yamhill County.The top to those settlers in 1854. overnight stay. So I decided to stay 2 of the ridge is not forested, being cov• At present Mt. Hebo is mostly used days every other month. After 2 vis• ered with grasses, forbs, salal and by hunters in the fall and by anglers its I decided that I needed to visit at some bracken fern.The sides of the and campers at Hebo Lake.Especially least once a month and established a mountain are heavily forested with on days that are clear, people drive monthly 1-day visit. The overnight Douglas-fir that are 60 to 90 years old. to the top to see the fantastic views presence was not that useful except Mt. Hebo has some interesting his• of the ocean and mountains. In addi• perhaps during the longer days of tory. From the east end of the ridge tion to getting a better idea of the early summer. you can look directly into the South birds that can be seen at Mt. Hebo, I did not visit the mountain during Yamhill Valley and beyond into the the Forest Service is interested in pro• December and January, as there was Willamette Valley. Apparently Native tecting some of the unique plants and a heavy snow cover. I needed to use Americans used Mt. Hebo as part of insects (Oregon Silverspot Butterfly) cross-country skiis to get to the top a route between the valley and the that occur on the mountain. in February. In general I tried to visit coast. In 1854, white settlers in when the weather was good, but Tillamook were in desperate need of Methods could not avoid a few wet, windy provisions because continued stormy The methods I used in developing days .When the weather was marginal weather prevented any ships from the bird list changed as I went along. at the coast, it could be very severe coming into Tillamook Bay.Their near• I started with a very structured for• on the mountain. est food source was at Grand Ronde mat for recording bird sightings, The area I covered started at the along the South Yamhill River. Per• which included a code for habitat (5 Hebo Lake Campround (about 1500 haps with information from Natives, habitat types), and a code for the time feet elevation) and continued up to the settlers climbed Mt. the east end of the Hebo to see if a trail ridge, a distance of could be developed to about 5 miles. The In• the valley. A trail was dian/Pioneer Trail made and the part that starts at Hebo Lake and crossed Mt. Hebo is still pretty much parallels in use today, providing the road all the way to some of the best access the end of the ridge. In to birds along the edges addition to walking the of the ridge. trail or road, the open Mt. Hebo has had a area on top of the ridge history of fire. A few was easily covered. I very old looking snags found the greatest can be found but other• number and variety of wise there are no large birds in the open area trees. In 1911 the Forest on top and along the Service started planting edges where there 8000 acres including Mt. were low-growing Hebo.This was the first trees. I covered some "forest plantation" effort areas every visit; I cov• in the Northwest.A trail ered additional areas through some of this down in the forest area provides a good based on weather, view of the trees planted time of day, etc.

Oregon Birds 20(3): 90 FOR OB 20(3) Oregon Field Ornithologist s EACH ORDER FOR OB 20(3) Special Publication No. 6 — Birds of Northeast Oregon: An Membership in Oregon Field Ornithologists brings you .... Annotated Checklist for Union and Wallowa Counties. • Oregon Birds Second Edition (Revised), ISBN 1-877693-20-0, — OFO's quarterly journal with news briefs • status 1992 ,by Joe Evanich $5.0... $ 0 and identification of Oregon's birds • bird-finding guides to Oregon's better birding spots and rarer species. Oregon Birds back issues as available (write for availability ,prices) • Proceedings of the Oregon Bird Records Committee — Stay Volumes 5-19, price varies $ current on the rare birds of Oregon. • Annual meetings — Participate in birding meetings, held at OFO's Checklis t 1 ... $1.00 $ OFO's (field checking card fits into field guide ) 3 ... $2.00 $ some of Oregon's top birding spots. 10.. .$5.00 $ • Publications — OFO publishes an 100 . $30.00 $. authoritative and useful checklist accurate according to the records of the Oregon OFO Lapel Pin (1 -inch ,OFO logo ) $7.0 $0 Bird Records Committee. The Special OFO T-Shirt (specify M, L, or XL) ... $14.0 $0 OFO Window Decal (4-inch ,OFO logo ) $2.3 $0 Publication series brings titles of particular interest to Oregon's birders. Birds of Malheur Nationa lWildlife Refuge. CD. Littlefield .1990 ,294 pp $16.00 $; The Birders Guide to Oregon. Joe Evanich. 1990 ,288 pp $13.00 $. Cumulative Index to Oregon Birds: Vols. 1-17 (1975-1991) Alan Contreras . 1992,41 pp : . $5.00 $. A Birder's Guide to the Klamath Basin Steve Summers . 1993 ,85 pp $10.00 $. 1. • $19.00 Individua l 2. • Renewal Natura lSound Cassettes by Eleanor Pugh Write for additiona ltitles and furthe rinformation • $25.00 Family • New member Birds of Foothil lWoodland Edges $9.0 $.0 • $35.00 Sustaining An Almanac of Western Habitats :Vol. I (Northwest) , $9.0 0$. An Almanac of Western Habitats :Vol. II (Wetlands) $9.0 0$. • $ Tax-deductible contribution Learn to Identify Birds by Ear - Western U.S $9.0 $0. • $ Oregon Fund for Ornithology Learn to Identify Birds by Ear - Eastern U.S $9.0 $0. Wildlife Voices by Family (choose any 2 per cassette) $9.0 0$ 3. • Do NOT put my name and phone number in OFO Directory Owls, Woodpeckers ,Four Flycatchers (Pacific-slope ,Cordilleran ,Hammond's ,Dusky), Mammals ,Warblers I, Warblers II, Sparrows I (Humid) ,Sparrows II (Arid) ,Wrens, 4. Make check payable to Oregon Field Ornithologists or OFO Thrushes ,Finches & Buntings ,Swallows & Swifts , Pacific Tidelands TOTAL$ All items postage paid • checks to Oregon Field Ornithologists or OFO 5. 6.

Mail OFO Bookcase to: Mail OFO Membership form to: Your name OFO Publications Your name OFO Your address c/o Clarice Watson Your address c/o Treasurer 3787 Wilshire Lane P.O. Box 10373 City State Zip City State Zip Eugene, OR 97405 Eugene, OR 97440 Your telephone Your telephone Oregon Field Ornitho I • 23 - 25 September f 994 | Friday, 23 September f 994 Many Oregon birders include a late-September trip to Malheur in their Fall • 8 p.m., potpourri slide show, don't forget to bring your favorite Oregon bird birding plans. Besides the possibility of finding a rare post-migration wanderer, I slides; AV room in Malcolm Hall. look forward to the shorter daylight hours which enable me to bird all day, socialize Saturday, 24 September f 994 with other birders in the evening, and still have time to sleep. A chance to have fun • 6:30 p.m., dinner in MFS dining hall (or make your own alternative dining as well as rest [as opposed to Spring Malheur birding when one has to choose arrangements). between the two). In addition, the OFO Fall Weekend at Malheur last year (17 -19 • 7:30 p.m., David Herr, sound recordings and slides of Oregon birds; September 1993) had beautiful weather and 147 species of birds, including some MFS dining hall. rare ones: Palm Warbler, American Redstarts, Blackpoll Warblers, and Great- Sunday, 25 September 994 tailed Grackle. Other species of note were White-throated Sparrows, a Saw-whet f Owl and nearby Sabine's Gulls and Black Rosy Finches in the Steens Mountains. • Birding on your own .... Within 2 weeks after the OFO Weekend, a Cape May Warbler, a Magnolia Registration deadline I September 1994. For later registrations, call Sheran Warbler, a Northern Waterthrush, and an amazing Streak-backed Oriole were Jones (phone below). Make your lodging arrangements separately. found. Fill in for each participant The Fifth OFO Fall Weekend at Malheur will be held 23 - 25 September 1994. 1. Name Phone I will once again contact Refuge personnel to obtain a Special Use Permit to enter restricted shorebird habitat. After the Saturday night count-down dinner, noted Address Oregon bird-sound recordist David Herr, will give a presentation of slides and sound recordings. City State Zip Malheur Field Station has set aside 2 dorms for us (one is a cooking dorm). Some trailers are still available as are a few RV spaces (RVs must be completely 2. Name Phone contained). Meals may be taken at the MFS dining hall or you may bring your own Address food. Please call or write MFS to make your lodging and meal reservations and to obtain current rates/prices. When contacting MFS to make reservations, please City State Zip inquire about its current policy on deposits/payments. Don't forget to mention that this is for the September OFO event. Keep in mind that OFO will not get the Use additional sheets if needed $50 cleaning deposit back if the dorms are not left clean. nun iL/ci The OFO registration fee for the Fall Weekend supports OFO and covers the Registration OFO member $6.50 Saturday night after-dinner presentation by David Herr. Other than a get-together Friday night to show some of our own best slides (please bring your favorite non-OFO member $8.50 Oregon bird slides) and the presentation by David on Saturday night, the weekend 1-year OFO membership Individual $18.00 will be unstructured — you'll be free to explore Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas at your own pace. Descriptions of/ directions to points of Family $24.00 interest, bird checklists, and other information are available at Refuge TOTAL ENCLOSED headquarters. Make your check payable to OFO or Oregon Field Ornithologists So for great birding, NO MOSQUITOES, and an opportunity to support both OFO and MFS, fill out the attached registration form and join us at MFS in For lodging and meals, contact: Mail this form by I September 1994, to: September! Malheur Field Station Sheran Jones Sheran Jones 9785 SW Ventura Court HC72 Box 260 9785 S.W.Ventura Court Tigard, OR 97223 Princeton OR 97721 Tigard OR 97223 503-246-5594 (503)493-2629 (503)246-5594

i 9 -10 - II September 1994 9 -10 - II September 1994 Cape Arago Audubon Society in cooperation with To get to the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, follow the signs to Charleston. OIMB is on the right hand side coming over the bridge from Coos Bay. Follow the signs. Park at OIMB and walk to the Boat Oregon Field Ornithologists House. Charleston Charters is just before the bridge on the left hand side coming from Coos Bay. Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Friday, 9 September Charleston, Oregon Registration, 5-8 pm • Evening session, Boat House, OIMB • opening remarks, Ken Dazey • evening program, Steve Holt "Pelagic Birds and Shorebirds" • field trip announcements Saturday, 10 September 6:00 am, pelagic trip, meet at Betty Kay Charters in the Charleston Boat Basin at 5:45 am • 7:45 am, field trips, meet at OIMB to carpool • Bandon Marsh, meet 8:15 am at Ray's Sentry Market, Hwy. 101 and 42S in Bandon • New River Estuary, meet 8:30 am at West Coast Game Park 7 miles s. of Bandon • 8:00 am, field trips, meet at OIMB, to North Spit/Pony Slough and Cape Arago Cliff Walk • Lunch on your own • 6:00 pm, dinner at OIMB • 8:00 pm, OIMB Boat House, review of day's birds, keynote speaker Ronnie Estelle, Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, "Migration Patterns of Select Shorebirds of the Western and Central United States Including the Rock and Pectoral " Sunday, II September 6:00 am, pelagic trip, meet at Betty Kay Charters in the Charleston Boat Basin at 5:45 am • Registration Individual $12.00 Repeat of Saturday field trips • Sunday afternoon birding trips on your own Family $20.00 Pelagic Trip Saturday $40.00 We will have a pelagic trip both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Breakfast is on your own. Sunday $40.00 These trips are on a large boat piloted by an experienced captain who knows where to find birds, Dinner Saturday night (pre-registration needed] $8.00 There will be an expert in identification on board during each trip. Dress in layers and take rain gear. If motion sickness is a problem get a TransDerm Scop patch from your doctor. Birds usually Lodging in OIMB dorm, per night $17.00 seen include Black-footed Albatross, Sooty, Pink-footed and Buller's Shearwaters, Red and Red• Hanes T-Shirt (S, M, L, XL) $10.00 necked , Sabine's Gulls and many other species. Whales are often seen. Hat $6.00 We will lead a field trip into the New River area south of Bandon. This is an all-day trip so bring a sack lunch. You may need to wade across shallow water. Be prepared for wind and sun. We will also lead a field trip to Bandon Marsh, North Spit, and Pony Slough. This is an excellent time of year to see fall migration shorebirds. Surfbirds and Marbled are For more information, contact: commonly seen. Wandering Tattlers are usually seen and hopefully Red Knots and Lesser Golden Plovers. There will be a trip to see Snowy Plovers. LynTopits 503-267-7208 Lodging: The dormitory at OIMB is available Friday and Saturday night at $17.00 per night. Barb Griffin 503-756-5688 You must bring your own bedding and towels; space is limited. Many major motels and campgrounds are available; call for a list. Ken Dazey 503-756-7280 _ Great Gray Owl _ Solitary Vireo _ Long-eared Owl _ Hunan's Vireo _ Short-eared Owl _ Warbling Vireo _ Red-throated Loon _ Wild Turkey _ Northern Saw-whet Owl _ Red-eyed Vireo _ Pacific Loon _ Northern Bobwhite _ Common Nighthawk _ Tennessee Warbler _ Common Loon _ California Quail _ Common Poorwill _ Orange-crowned Warbler _ Pied-billed Grebe _ Mountain Quail _ Black Swift _ Nashville Warbler _ Horned Grebe _ Yellow Hail _ Vaux's Swift _ Yellow Warbler _ Red-necked Grebe _ Virginia Rail _ White-throated Swift _ Black-throated Blue Warbler _ Eared Grebe _ Sora _ Black-chinned Hummingbird _ Yellow-rumped Warbler _ Western Grebe _ American Coot _ Anna's Hunimingbird _ Black-throated Gray Warbler _ Sandhill Crane _ Clark's Grebe _ Calliope Hummingbird _ Townsend's Warhler _ Black-bellied Plover _ Black-footed Albatross _ Broad-tailed Hummingbird _ Hermit Warbler _ American Golden-Plover _ Laysan Albatross _ Rufous Hummingbird _ Palm Warbler _ Pacific Golden-Hover _ Northern Fulmar _ Allen's Hummingbird _ Black-and-white Warbler _ Snowy Plover _ Pink-footed Shearwater _ Belted Kingfisher _ American Redstart _ Semipalmated Hover _ Flesh-footed Shearwater _ Killdeer _ Lewis' Woodpecker _ Ovenbird _ Buller's Shearwater _ Acorn Woodpecker _ Northern Waterthrush _ Sooty Shearwater _ Black Oystercatcher _ Red-naped Sapsucker _ MacGillivrays Warbler _ Short-tailed Shearwater _ Black-necked Stilt _ Red-breasted Sapsucker _ Common Yellowthroat _ Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel _ American Avocet _ Williamson's Sapsucker _ Wilson's Warbler _ Greater Yellowlegs _ Leach's Storm-Petrel _ Downy Woodpecker _ Yellow-hreasted Chat _ Lesser Yellowlegs _ American White Pelican _ Hairy Woodpecker _ Western Tanager _ Solitary Sandpiper _ Brown Pelican _ White-headed Woodpecker _ Black-headed Grosbeak _ Willet _ Double-crested Cormorant _ Three-toed Woodpecker _ Lazuli Bunting _ Brandt's Cormorant _ Wandering Tattler _ Hlack-backed Woodpecker _ Green-tailed Towhee _ Pelagic Cormorant _ Spotted Sandpiper _ Northern Flicker _ Rufous-sided Towhee _ American Bittern _ Upland Sandpiper _ Pileated Woodpecker _ California Towhee _ Least Bittern _ Whimbrel _ Olive-sided Hycatcher _ American Tree Sparrow _ Great Blue Heron _ Long-billed _ Western Wood-Pewee _ Chipping Sparrow _ Marbled _ Great Egret _ Willow Flycatcher _ Brewer's Sparrow _ Ruddy _ Snowy Egret _ Hammond's Hycatcher . Vesper Sparrow _ Black Turnstone _ Cattle Egret _ Dusky Hycatcher _ Lark Sparrow _ Surfbird _ Green Heron _ Gray Hycatcher _ Black-throated Sparrow _ Red Knot _ Bl.-crowned Night-Heron _ Pacific-slope Hycatcher _ Sage Sparrow _ Sanderling _ White-faced Ibis _ Cordilleran Hycatcher _ Savannah Sparrow _ Tundra Swan _ Semipalmated Sandpiper _ Black Phoebe _ Grasshopper Sparrow _ Trumpeter Swan _ Western Sandpiper _ Say's Phoebe _ Fox Sparrow _ Gr. White-fronted Goose _ Least Sandpiper _ Ash-throated Hycatcher _ Song Sparrow _ Snow Goose _ Haird's Sandpiper _ Western Kingbird _ Lincoln's Sparrow _ Ross' Goose _ Pectoral Sandpiper _ Eastern Kingbird _ Swamp Sparrow _ Emperor Goose „ Sharp-tailed Sandpiper _ Horned Lark _ White-throated Sparrow _ Brant _ Rock Sandpiper _ Purple Martin _ Golden-crowned Sparrow _ Canada Goose _ Dunlin _ Tree Swallow _ White-crowned Sparrow; _ Wood Duck _ Stilt Sandpiper _ Violet-green Swallow _ Harris' Sparrow _ Green-winged Teal _ Buff-breasted Sandpiper _ N. Rough-winged Swallow _ Dark-eyed Junco _ Mallard .Huff _ Bank Swallow _ Lapland Longspur _ Northern Pintail _ Short-billed _ Cliff Swallow . Snow Bunting _ Hlue-winged Teal _ Long-billed Dowitcher _ Barn Swallow _ Bobolink _ Cinnamon Teal _ Common Snipe _ Gray Jay _ Red-winged Hlackbird _ Northern Shoveler _ Wilson's _ Steller's Jay _ Tricolored Blackbird _ Gadwall _ Red-necked Phalarope _.Blue Jay _ Western Meadowlark _ Eurasian Wigeon _ Red Phalarope _ Scrub Jay _ Yellow-headed Blackbird _ Pomarine Jaeger _ American Wigeon _ Rnyon Jay _ Brewer's Blackbird _ Parasitic Jaeger _ Canvasback _ Clark's Nutcracker _ Brown-headed Cowbird _ Long-tailed Jaeger ; Redhead _ Black-billed Magpie . Northern Oriole _ South Polar Skua _ Ring-necked Duck _ American Crow . Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch _ Franklin's Gull _ Greater Scaup _ Northwestern Crow . Hlack Rosy-Finch _ Bonaparte's Gull _ Lesser Scaup _ Heermann's Gull _ Common Raven . Hne Grosbeak _ Harlequin Duck _ Black-capped Chickadee . Purple Finch _ Dldsquaw Mew Gull _ Mountain Chickadee . Cassin's Finch _ Black Scoter . Ring-billed Gull _ Chestnut-backed Chickadee House Finch _ Surf Scoter _ California Gull Hain Titmouse . Red Crossbill _ White-winged Scoter _ Herring Gull . Bushtit . White-winged Crossbill . Thayer's Gull : Common Goldeneye _ Red-breasted Nuthatch . Common Redpoll _ Western Gull Barrow's Goldeneye _ White-breasted Nuthatch . Hne Siskin _ Glaucous-winged Gull _ Bufflehead . Pygmy Nuthatch . Lesser Goldfinch . Glaucous Gull _ Hooded Merganser . Brown Creeper . American Goldfinch _ Hlack-legged Kittiwake . Common Merganser . Rock Wren . Evening Grosbeak . Sabine's Gull Red-breasted Merganser . Caspian Tern . Canyon Wren . House Sparrow . Ruddy Duck . Elegant Tern . Hewick's Wren . Turkey Vulture . Common Tern . House Wren Osprey . Arctic Tern . Winter Wren . White-tailed Kite . Forster's Tern . Marsh Wren . Bald Eagle . Slack Tern . American Dipper . Northern Harrier . Common Murre . Golden-crowned Kinglet . Sharp-shinned Hawk . Rgeon Guillemot . Ruby-crowned Kinglet . Cooper's Hawk . Marbled Murrelet _ Hlue-gray Gnatcatcher _ Northern Goshawk This is a list of the 352 species most . Ancient Murrelet . Western Bluebird . Red-shouldered Hawk . Mountain Bluebird likely to be encountered in Oregon. This Swainson's Hawk Cassin's Auklet ; Townsend's Solitaire list is based on the records of the Or• . Red-tailed Hawk Rhinoceros Auklet . Veery . Ferruginous Hawk . Tufted Puffin Swainson's egon Bird Records Committee and uses : Horned Puffin . Rough-legged Hawk . Hermit Thrush the taxonomic sequence and nomen• . Golden Eagle . Hock Dove . American Robin . Band-tailed Hgeon American Kestrel Varied Thrush clature of the American Ornithologists' . Mourning Dove . Merlin . Wrentit . Barn Owl Union, as published in their 1983 Peregrine Falcon . Gray Catbird . Hammulated Owl i Prairie Falcon . Northern Mockingbird Check-list of North American birds, 6th . Western Screech-Owl . Gray Partridge . Sage Thrasher edition, as supplemented. Any bird . Chukar . Great Horned Owl . Snowy Owl . American Pipit . Ring-necked Pheasant seen in Oregon that is not listed here is . Northern Pygmv-Owl . Bohemian Waxwing ; Spruce Grouse . Cedar Waxwing considered to be a "rare bird" and a . Slue Grouse Burrowing Owl , Northern Shrike report of its occurrence is requested by . Ruffed Grouse . Spotted Owl . Loggerhead Shrike . Sage Grouse . Barred Owl . European Starling the Oregon Bird Records Committee. 0 IP» • * % •

RARE BIRD REPORT FORM — 1993 DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Astoria Oregon Bird Records Committee — OBRC \Jeff Gilligan, 231-0971 Mike Pattersd, Harry Nehls, 233-3976 OBRC 325-1365 Dwen Schmidt, 282-9403 P.O. Box 10373 Portland Jmatilla/Hermiston Eugene, OR 97440 Marion Corder, 922-3653 Craig Corder, 567-0305 Tillamook 1. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS DATE RECEIVE DBY OBRC SECRETARY Craig Robert, This form is intended as a convenience and a 842-5782 Salem guideline. It may be used flexibly and need not Falls Bill Tii arb Bellin, 393X&43 be used at all. Attach additional sheets if needed. )Canyon City 787-3#36 Bob Lucas, 363-9\10 Please type, or write legibly. You may find it Tom Winters, 575-2833 easiest to use separate sheets of paper keyed to TELEPHONE Corvallis/Phi)omath the general guidelines in this form. Jan & RickiTCrabbe, 929-5941 Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 745-7806 2. BIRD IDENTIFICATION .Write in 3. DATE(S). Month, day, and year. If there the name of the species you have identified are multiple observations, each date. Florence and information on numbers, sex, plumage, Bill Stotz, 197-8978 and age. )Bend bigene Tom Crdbtree, 388-2462 Jim Carlson, 485-4491 Clarice Watson, 485-6137 Kit Larsen, 344-9574 /Phone number in italics\ Tom Mickel, 485-7112 means you may reach an 4. LOCATION .Be specific; describe habitat. Barb Combs, 689-6660 | V^answering machine. J Coos Bay/North Bend Roseburg/Glide Srbara Griffin, 756-5688 N Alice Parker, 672-1549 Cyn Topits, 267-7208 Meredith Jones, 672-6367 5. DETAILS. Include only what was actually observed, not what should have been seen or heard. Larry Thornburgh, 756-4281 \Ron Maertz, 496-3847 Silver Lake Stress field marks: bill ,eye, wings, tail, legs, shape, proportions, "jizz" ,etc. Include behavior: wort Orford Steve Summers, 576-2190 feeding, resting, flying, interactions with other species, etc. Describe voice—song, calls, or notes Jim Rogers, Qarrie Osborne, 332-2555 — if heard. If you have made field notes and/or field sketches, include them (or copies of them). Area Code for ^\ Ashland/Medford area r Brookings Marjorie Moore, 535-5138 I Oregon is 503 J Colin Dillingham, 469-9624

Rules for a network are simple: rare birds only [no east/west or west/east Oregon birds); birders who get calls have to make calls (this means long distance tolls); and once on the network, keep it going by keeping your address and phone number(s) current. Minimum information on a rare bird call should include species, age and sex (if not known, say so), number of birds, who found it (them), and who to call for more information, if anyone. Birders who would like to represent their local birding areas should write to The Editor, Oregon Birds, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 972I2 Please feel free to send ideas and suggestions, too! • Ashland/Medford area Marjorie Moore, 4729 S. Pacific Hwy. #11, Phoenix, OR 97535, (H)535-5138 (W)776-7293 or Describe your reasons for your identification: your familiarity with the species, field guides used, 776-7294 similar species that were eliminated, references that were consulted, etc. • Astoria Mike Patterson, 1338 Kensington Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103, (H)325-1365 • Bend Tom Crabtree, 1667 N.W. Iowa, Bend, OR 97701, (H)388-2462 (W)389-7723,1-800-762-6616 • Brookings Colin Dillingham, 437 Azalea Park Road, Brookings, OR 97415, (H)469-9624 • Canyon City Tom Winters, P.O. Box 111, Canyon City, OR 97820, (H)575-2833 (W)575-1637 • Coos Bay/North Bend Ben Fawver, 793 Johnson, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-6485 Lyn Topits, 888 Telegraph, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-7208 (W)888-4762 Barbara Griffin, 1691 Grant Street, North Bend OR 97459, (H)756-5688 Larry Thornburgh, 2058 Cedar Court, North Bend, OR 97459, (H)756-4281 • Corvallis/Philomath Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 6980 N.W. Cardinal, Corvallis, OR 97330, (H)745-7806 Describe the circumstances of the observation: light conditions, position of the sun, distance to the Jan & Rick Krabbe, 24461 Columbine Drive, Philomath, OR 97370, (H) 929-5941 (W-Jan)928- bird, duration of observation, equipment used, time of day, time of tide, etc. 2361 x410(W-Rick)967-5821 • Eugene Jim Carlson, 1560 Chasa St., Eugene, OR 97401, (H) 485-4491 (W) 687-4436 (leave message) Barb Combs, 1466 Elkay Drive, Eugene, OR 97404, (H)689-6660, (W)378-6190 Kit Larsen, 2162 Kincaid Street, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)344-9574 (W) 686-4394 Tom Mickel, 5259 Overbrook Lane, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)485-7112, (W) 935-2283 Clarice Watson, 3787 Wilshire Lane, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)485-6137 • Falls City Bill Tice, 750 Wood Street, Falls City, OR 97344, (H)787-3436 • Florence Bill Stotz, 1305 Laurel, Florence, OR 97439, (H)997-8978 • Portland Jeff Gilligan, 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, (H)23?-0977(W)326-3057 Harry Nehls, 2736 S.E. 20th, Portland, OR 97202, (H)233-3976 Owen Schmidt, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212, {H)282-9403 (W)326-3115 Add the names (and addresses and phone numbers if known) of other observers who may have • Port Orford identified the bird. Jim Rogers & Carrie Osborne, 95187 Elk River Rd., Port Orford, OR 97465, (H)332-2555 • Roseburg/Glide Alice Parker, 313 W. Hickory St., Roseburg, OR 97470, (H)672-1549 Meredith Jones, 2224 N.W. Calkins, Roseburg, OR 97470, (H)672-6367 Ron Maertz, 257 Brown Street, Glide, OR 97443, (H)496-3847 • Salem 6. PHOTOS, RECORDINGS. State whether photos were taken or video or sound recordings Barb Bellin, 4730 Elizabeth Street N„ Salem, OR 97303, {H)393-0243 were made. OBRC will duplicate and return original slides and tapes promptly. Donations of slide Bob Lucas, 392 Holder Lane S.E., Salem, OR 97306, (H)363-9710 duplicates (OBRC prefers a double set) and copies of recordings may be considered a tax- • Silver Lake deductible expense! Steve Summers, P.O. Box 202, Silver Lake, OR 97638, (H)576-2190 • Tillamook Craig Roberts, 2880 Old Netarts Road W„ Tillamook, OR 97141, (H)842-5782 • Umatilla/Hermiston 7. SIGNATURE, DATE. Sign this form, and date it for when it was filled out. Marion Corder, Rt. 1 Bx. 210, Umatilla, OR 97882, (H)922-3653 Craig Corder, 880 E. Tamarack, Hermiston, OR 97838, {H)567-0305 (W)567-6414 Phone number in italics means you may reach an answering machine. Birds Seen at Mt. Hebo April 1992 Through October 1993 (72 species)

Apr Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Great Blue Heron X X X Hooded Merganser X X Turkey Vulture X X X X X Bald Eagle X Northern Harrier X X X X Sharp-shinned Hawk X X X Cooper's Hawk X X Red-tailed Hawk X X X X X X X X X Merlin X Peregrine Falcon X X X Blue Grouse X Ruffed Grouse X X X X Mountain Quail X Band-tailed Pigeon X X X X X X X X X X Northern Pygmy-Owl X X X X X X X X X X X Black Swift X X Rufous Hummingbird X X X X X X X Anna's Hummingbird X Belted Kingfisher X Downy Woodpecker X X Hairy Woodpecker X X Northern Flicker X X X X X X X X X X Pileated Woodpecker X X Western Wood-Pewee X Willow Flycatcher X Hammond's Flycatcher X X Pacific-Slope Flycatcher X X X X X Horned Lark X X X Tree Swallow X X X X X X Violet-green Swallow X X X X Barn Swallow X X X Gray Jay X X X X X Stelier's Jay X X X X X X X X X X X X Common Raven X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Black-capped Chickadee X X X Chestnut-backed Chickadee X X X X X X X X X White-breasted Nuthatch X Red-breasted Nuthatch X X X X X X X Brown Creeper X X X House Wren X Winter Wren X X X Golden-crowned Kinglet X X X X X X X X X Ruby-crowned Kinglet X X X X Western Bluebird X X X Townsend's Solitaire X X Swainson's Thrush X X X X X X Hermit Thrush X X American Robin X X X X X X X X X X X X X Varied Thrush X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X American Pipit X X X Cedar Waxwing X X X X Northern Shrike X Solitary Vireo X Warbling Vireo X X Orange-crowned Warbler X X X X X Yellow-rumped Warbler X X X X Townsend's Warbler X X Hermit Warbler X X X X X X X Wilson's Warbler X X X X X X X Western Tanager X Black-headed Grosbeak X X X X X Chipping Sparrow X Savanna Sparrow X X X Fox Sparrow X X X Song Sparrow X X X X X X X White-crowned Sparrow X X X X X X X X X X Golden-crowned Sparrow X X Dark-eyed Junco X X X X X X X X X X X X X Purple Finch X X X X X X Pine Siskin X X American Goldfinch X Evening Grosbeak X X X

MONTHLY TOTALS 23 28 35 17 14 13 6 15 12 24 31 24' 27 25 23

Oregon Birds 20(3): 81 Results or see any owl other than the North• tion area. This is the largest area of I visited the mountain 15 times, ern Pygmy-Owl. At night I played gravel and short grass, and a good spending about 135 hours looking for tapes of Northern Saw-Whet,Western place to see sparrows, Horned Larks, birds .The table on the following page Screech-Owl and Great Horned Owl Pipits, etc. It also provides the best shows the 72 species I recorded and calls, but never got a response. I be• views of the ocean andTillamook Bay. the months of the year in which they lieve the climate at the top is too se• Then continue to drive east on the were present. vere for these owls, and that the paved road to the end where there is dense, rather young, stand of conifers a barrier and the gravel road turns Discussion on the mountain slope is not attrac• south. From this point you can walk In general, I think the above list tive to them and that they would be past the barrier to the east end of the includes most of the nesting and resi• found at lower elevations The North• ridge, which is the highest point of dent birds that are on the mountain, ern Pygmy-Owl was seen and heard the mountain. and so provides a starting point to throughout the area. In late fall and The most rugged cliffs on the north which other sightings can be added. late winter it was frequently seen side can easily be reached by walk• Because of the limited time I spent along the top where they would be ing northwest from where you are in the area (1 day out of 30) I know perched on the tops of small conifers. parked up an old road through some many species were missed, especially I observed one that repeatedly flew thick spruce and fir up to the open among the migrants. "Birds of down to the ground to capture and ridge.The updrafts along these cliffs Thornton Creek" provides some in• eat beetle-like insects that were mov• attract swallows and raptors. teresting comparisons.The list of 191 ing around because of the warmth of To sample some of the dense species at Thornton Creek was com• the sun. growth along the top, walk south on piled based on 18 years of daily Limiting a bird list to a small area the gravel road to the Mt. Hebo Camp• sightings. Thornton Creek is about makes for more fluctuations in spe• ground. A trail goes south from the the same distance from the coast as cies sighted. An example is the Per• campground. In a quarter mile you Mt. Hebo.The greatest difference is egrine Falcon, which was seen regu• will come to the Indian/Pioneer trail. that the Thornton Creek area is in a larly in the spring and summer of Go west along this trail, which will low valley (50 - 80 foot elevation), 1992, but there were no sightings of cross the gravel road and take you by while the Mt. Hebo area is higher this species in 1993 The female bird some interesting seeps where the wa• (1500 - 3100 feet). I believe the higher seen in 1992 was probably a non- ter remains year around. You will elevation tends to reduce the num• breeder that used the area for hunt• come out on the paved road about ber of species that use the area. ing, and may have found a mate the half a mile west of were you are Each of the 15 visits I made resulted following year. parked.This loop hike provides a nice in a somewhat different list of birds. The ridgetop of the mountain pro• mix of some open areas and some Only 2 species were seen every time vides the most variety of bird dense cover. (Common Raven and Varied Thrush). sightings. Most of the forest birds Birding Mt. Hebo is an interesting Twelve species were only seen once. could be seen along the edges of the change from the beaches and estuar• Some of these were difficult to see open areas. In September there was ies. Just be sure to pick a day when species. An example is the Mountain a dramatic change as all the insect the visibility is good. If you find birds Quail. When there was snow on the eaters were gone or at least moved that are not on this list, please let me mountains, the tracks of this bird down into the forest, and a new know — or drop a note to Carol showed it was very widespread. For group of migrants take over the top. Bickford,Hebo Ranger District, Hebo, other species, the time of year the There are large numbers of American OR 97122. sighting was made helped classify it Pipits, many Savanna Sparrows, some as a migrant (Northern Shrike). Horned Larks, and a few Fox and Acknowledgments The most unusual sightings were 2 Golden-crowned Sparrows. This is This survey was authorized and Black Swifts.The 2 sightings occurred also the time when migrating raptors supported by the Hebo Ranger Dis• in late summer in '92 and '93- In both can be seen. In October and Novem• trict of the Siuslaw National Forest. cases the 2 birds were traveling along ber, Western Bluebirds congregate Carol Bickford provided encourage• the ridge near the steepest northern- along the top. ment and supervision during my vis• facing cliffs. I wondered if these birds While birding at Mt. Hebo will not its to Mt. Hebo. just happened to be passing or if they produce a large number of species are nesting somewhere along the (expect between 25 to 30 during the REFERENCES coast. I also wondered if they were summer), it is an area where some Whitmore, Leonard. Following the the same 2 birds seen the year before. less-common birds can be seen — es• Path of Time Across Hebo Moun• There were 4 species that were pecially during migration.The area is tain. Unpublished paper from only seen at Hebo Lake (Great Blue very accessible, with a paved road Hebo Ranger District, Hebo, Or• Heron, Hooded Merganser, Belted that starts next to the Hebo Ranger egon. Kingfisher, Song Sparrow). This is a District office in Hebo. As you head Faxon, Darryl, and Range D. Bayer. beautiful little lake that is heavily used up the mountain you should check 1991 .Birds of Thornton Creek ,Vol for camping and fishing from May out Hebo Lake and some of the small 1. Gahmken Press. through October. Waterfowl will not clearings on the way to the top. As Gerig, Roy. 1992. Breeding Birds of use the lake when people are present, you reach the top, turn left and park the Coast Range. Oregon Birds as the lake is too small. by the communication buildings. 180): 7. 0 I was surprised that I could not hear Walk out to the North Point observa•

Oregon Birds 20(3): 92 finding Oregon's Owls

John Lundsten, 2352 Bunker Hill Road S., Salem, OR 97306

1993 was my first full-time birding these owls in the Malheur National Barn Owl - Tyto alba year, and most of it was spent trying Forest as it stuck its head out of its I saw this beautiful owl in both east• to find as many Oregon species as roosting cavity. ern and western Oregon.All 3 of the possible. Along the way I saw most National Wildlife Refuges in the of the owls found in the state. Of the Barred Owl - Strix varia Willamette valley have barns occu• 13 species of owls that I saw, 5 were Some of the Salem Auduboners had pied by Barn Owls. The sighting I owls I had never seen before (Great told me of Barred Owl sightings north most remember was in May at the Gray Owl, Flammulated Owl, Long- of Scotts Mills in Clackamas County. Malheur Refuge headquarters. I eared Owl, Northern Spotted Owl, On the last week in March, I con• would usually check the trees first and Snowy Owl ).The one Oregon vinced Don Pedersen to show me thing in the morning, and one day owl I tried for but did not see was where these owls were.After getting spotted a Barn Owl in one of the cot- the Boreal Owl — that gives me a tar• somewhat lost on the unmarked tonwoods. It looked uncomfortable get for'94. roads in the area, we finally came to being so out in the open.Then more Seeing these owls was a thrill I the dense old-growth stand just as it birders showed up and congregated won't forget.As with most bird-find• was getting dark. We hiked in an old under the tree.At that point the owl ing, each owl seen involved some logging road that provided a narrow gave a hiss and flew into the sunlight unique circumstances, and a fair window to the sky. After some em• toward some larger and denser trees, amount of luck. The following ac• barrassing squawks from my speaker, and on the way dropped a long glis• count traces these sightings as they I finally managed to produce some tening stream of whitewash to show occurred during the year. owl hoots. Within a minute, we had it's displeasure at being harassed. an owl responding along the edge of Northern Saw-Whet Owl - Aegoli- the road. For the next few minutes Great Horned Owl - Bubo virgin- us acadicus the owl responded first on one side ianus In the first week of February, a man of the road and then on the other. This must be our most easily-seen called the SalemAudubon Center say• Twice I saw the bird as it crossed the owl. I hear and see them regularly ing there was a strange little owl opening above us,but we never were near my home. I especially noticed roosting over his sidewalk. Someone able to find the perched bird with our how abundant and dominant they are went out and identified it as a North- flashlight. I was familiar with Barred in the Blitzen Valley at Malheur Ref• em Saw-Whet Owl, so a couple of Owl from my earlier life in Minnesota, uge. I found successful nests in rim days later I went to see for myself. and so was satisfied of its identifica- rock, gravel pits, and any type of tree The bird was roosting in a Douglas- tion.This owl is not so tolerant of hu• including small willows. fir branch about 8 feet from the man presence, so we decided to leave ground. It would not have been de• its area. Great Gray Owl - Strix nebulosa tected except the site it chose was This bird had been on my "wanted" directly over list for the last t h e couple years. homeowners' In mid-May I sidewalk. Af• spent 10 days ter attempts in the to clean the Malheur Na• "whitewash" tional Forest from the north of John sidewalk, the Day, as a vol• homeowner unteer look• looked up ing for raptor and spotted nests. So the the little owl. first bird I As is true went after with some of was the Great the owls, this Gray Owl. bird showed There had no fear as we been a sight• talked within ing of 2 a few feet of fledged owls it. In May, I the previous approached summer, so I within a few headed into feet of one of that areaAfter

Oregon Birds 20(3): 93 covering a few me. As could miles without have been pre• seeing owl or dicted, after I nest, it was late turned to find in the afternoon the second and I decided to owl, the first go back to one moved to a where the birds different tree. were seen last Score another year, and play a point for the tape. I was about owls. a mile from that spot, and Short-eared thought I better Owl - Asio pull off the road flammeus and make sure I saw this owl my tape player at the coast was working near Newport, properly. I at the Salem hadn't finished lIBi fc I Christmas Bird playing the 10 Count, and in IP*. - *-^*«»: second series of eastern Or• low hoots when egon. They I was aware of seem to be an those same abundant hoots coming breeder at back to me from the woods directly Lake area, where Great Grays had Malheur Refuge. We counted 18 of above me. I dropped everything and been reported. It was about sunset these owls during a shorebird survey headed into the woods and soon saw and the only response to my tape was of Malheur Lake, and they were regu• a Great Gray Owl producing those 2 Great Homed Owl calls. Then a larly seen in the mornings and eve• hoots perched on a limb As I watched Northern Saw-whet Owl started call• nings in the Blitzen Valley. he stopped hooting and started to ing from a ridge to the west. So I preen. At that point I was aware of a drove in that direction and stopped Long-eared Owl - Asio otus softer hooting farther up the slope, by the lake and played the Saw-Whet I spent the most time and energy and soon came to a large 40-foot high call.To my surprise, the response was looking for this owl, with the least broken snag that the sound was com• the mellow toot of the Flammulated satisfactory results. I was convinced ing from. As I got around on the up• Owl. I headed up the slope in the di• that I could find these owls in the hill side there was what I assumed rection of the call, and stopped after Blitzen Valley, which has lots of wil• was the female sitting on the nest. about 30 yards to get my breath. Now low thickets and Black-billed Mag• Needless to say, I was elated! Later, the call came from behind me. I even• pies. I did find 3 owl nests in willow as I left the area I saw a third owl tually determined which ponderosa thickets, all occupied by owls with about a mile down the road. I came pine the owl was in, and after some long ears, but they all turned out to back the next day thinking I would searching spotted a teardrop-shaped be Great Horned Owls. I did get brief find a second nest, but later con• bird with big dark eyes looking down looks at a Long-eared Owl on 2 occa• cluded that the third owl was one of at me. I watched the owl for about 5 sions in a willow thicket north of last year's fledglings that was still minutes, while it continued tooting BuenaVista. I got the impression they hanging around. I understand they do while remaining perfectly still. As I were under heavy pressure from all not breed until 3 years of age. left the area at dark, the bird was still the Great Horned Owls in the area. After that first day's experience I tooting. felt confident that finding more Great I came close to seeing this owl on Burrowing Owl -Athene Gray Owls would be fairly simple. 2 occasions near Starr Campground cunicularia However, during the next 10 days I south of John Day. It was easy to get Based on my experience during the must have played that tape 50 times a response to a tape at dusk, but the last couple years in the Burns and in 10 different areas where owls had hard part is being able to spot that Malheur Refuge areas, I think this owl been reported in the past, and did not little bird high in a pine. It is difficult is in serious decline. I was able to lo• see or hear another owl. So I con• to judge both the distance and direc• cate 1 nesting pair east of the Refuge cluded that you better listen carefully tion of the "toot". In one instance, I Headquarters along the Princeton after your first tape playing effort, as determined which tree the owl was road. I never did see young, although you may not get a second chance. in, and as the tree was silhouetted the adults were still occupying the against the evening sky, I decided to burrow by late August. Flammulated Owl - Otus flamme- wait until the owl made a move, olus showing it's location.A few minutes Northern Pygmy Owl - Glaucid- A few days after seeing the Great later my resolve evaporated as a sec• ium glioma Gray Owls I was visiting the Balance ond owl started calling right behind This little owl seems especially Oregon Birds 20(3): 04 abundant in the Coast Range. They are bold and tame and so will often come to investigate a new whistle.An incident in the south Coast Range is a good example. In July I was explor• ing some rugged old-growth timber in the Gold Beach area while search• ing for Goshawk nests. This dense stand appeared to be void of bird life. While resting I gave a few half-hearted whistles, and was surprised to get a response. The owl came flying and lit at eye level about 10 yards away. While the owl continued to whistle and glance from side to side, 6 spe• cies of warblers gathered and busily scolded. This little owl brought the forest to life.

Northern Spotted Owl - Strix occidentalis This is another owl I would not have seen without help. In early July I went to the Roseburg BLM office where my daughter Suzie was work• ing. She had arranged for us to go out with Sylvia Pauly of the owl crew, who was scheduled to visit a couple of known breeding pairs of Spotted Owls.We headed into the mountains southwest of Roseburg. We found both pairs, and each had 2 downy fledglings that were sitting around in low branches. Each pair occupied a small (80 acres?) rugged old-growth Snowy Owl - Nyctea scandiaca territory. I could not believe how I was hoping that 1993 would be a tame these owls were.They did not it were expecting a companion to big irruption year, but as we got into make any sounds except a whistle show up. We all marveled as we December it didn't look very prom• when one of the adults brought a watched this unlikely visitor in "our" ising. I had gone up to the South Jetty mouse. At one point the female valley. We wondered where it came of the Columbia River a couple times barked when we must have gotten from, what route it took, and why it after hearing of Snowy Owl sightings, too close to her fledglings. I had the chose this destination. but with no luck. So when I got a call experience of holding a mouse by the It was a great way to finish off the from Barb Bellin on the 22nd saying tail and having an adult grab it with• year's owl sightings! a Snowy Owl had been seen near out my hearing or feeling a thing. I 0 Peoria, I was a little excited.The next still find their tameness hard to be• day Maggie Meikle and I headed south lieve. to find this bird.There was some fog Photos by the author. and a cold north wind — good con• Western Screech-Owl - Otus ditions if you are a Snowy Owl.As we kennicotttii got to Peoria I noticed a car on my I have placed some nest boxes tail, which turned out to be Don around our home hoping to attract Pederson and Reid Hanson from Sa• this owl but the boxes have remained lem. Don asked if we wanted to see a empty. So I was surprised when I Snowy Owl and said "follow me." So went outside one August evening and we raced through the flat grasslands played a tape of this owl's calls, and of the Fayetteville area and then Don got an immediate response from a pulled off the road. They were look• pair. A month later I tried again, and ing north at a distant white object had the owl fly into an oak tree where along a fence line. It wasn't until I set it could be easily seen.They have ap• up the spotting scope that I could parently been here all along but re• clearly see this beautiful bird.The owl mained silent. I also saw one of these would occasionally look at us, but owls along the small canyon that goes mostly looked to the northwest, as if east of the Page Springs Campground.

Oregon Birds 20(3): 95 A New Birding Challenge: The Oregon Breeding Bird Adas

Atlas Steering Committee, 6028 NW Burgundy Drive, Corvallis, OR 9~'330

Since the 1970's, thousands of volun• important to the project's success to note evidence of breeding. teers have participated in "bird atlas" will be the willingness of about 200 "Atlasing" will not take much extra projects to map avian distribution in birders to send in observations from effort, and can be habit-forming and over 30 countries, states, and coun• at least 2 summer weekends any time fun! You can send in lists for areas you ties. Yet Oregon has never had a state• during the next 5 years. Each partici• normally would visit for enjoyment wide atlas project. It appears this situ• pant will list all the birds he/she can or for expanding your county or lo• ation is about to change. Following find during that time in at least 2 "at• cality tally. You may seek birds in inquiries in Oregon Birds by Herb las units" (one about 10 sq. mi. and nearly any manner you choose and Wisner (1980) and Dennis Vroman the other — at 250 sq. mi. — about quit whenever you want; observa• (1993), a small group of birders met the size of a Christmas Bird Count tions from within a unit do not have in February 1994 and formed a Steer• circle and includes the smaller unit), to be made from a standard plot or ing Committee with the goal of con• and will use standard codes to note along a transect or route. ducting a statewide atlas project be• any evidence of breeding. Collec• Except for the most sensitive spe• ginning in 1995. Several of the project tively, the larger units form a grid that cies, computer files containing the founders had prior experience coor• covers the entire state, whereas the collected data will be available to dinating and participating in atlas 10 sq. mi. inclusions (whose size was anyone through a public archive, in• projects. chosen for consistency with atlases creasing the chances that bird infor• The result of the project, within of other states) are noncontinuous mation will play a role in resource de• about 2 years following its planned and evenly spaced geographically.The cisions by private companies and gov• completion in ernment agen• 2000, will be a cies. All volun• book or soft-cov• teers will be ered report show• credited by ing updated range name in the fi• maps of all Oregon nal published species. This will document un• provide a level of less they prefer certainty and detail otherwise. The not possible in pub• definitive data lished county lists collected for or in books on Or• the project will egon birds being provide a snap• published in 1994 shot of the cur• (at least one new rent ranges of state bird book con• species, against taining maps is pro• which future posed to be pub• ornithologists lished this year). can compare Significant portions their informa• of the maps in the tion. This is es• 1994 books have to be based on ex• lists will then be centrally compiled pecially important because Oregon pert opinion and/or computer mod• and used to prepare new range maps. now seems to be experiencing a dra• els because confirming data are lack• Regardless of whether all units ul• matic increase in development and ing. By conducting the atlas project, timately receive adequate coverage, habitat alteration, with possible alter• volunteers will incidentally "ground- whatever data are collected will be ation in local ranges of several spe• truth" the accuracy of 1994 range used. For many birders, the knowl• cies. maps, while using them to focus ef• edge that their observations are ap• If you would like to help Oregon forts where scientific knowledge is preciated and are being used pur• join the many other states that have poorest. posefully will add to the usual enjoy• conducted atlas projects, contact Paul The project currently has no bud• ment of birding, and help compen• Adamus or anyone else on the Steer• get and so far has drawn solely on the sate for the use of resources (gaso• ing Committee. You will be sent in• enthusiasm and resources of the line) while birding.The atlas project structions and unit maps in early Committee members. In coming will complement the national Breed• 1995.You can help most by covering months the Committee will seek ing Bird Survey by covering new ar• units in the remotest parts of the funding from a variety of sources to eas, allowing volunteers to intention• state, because coverage will be easier cover expenses for photocopying, ally seek out rarer habitats and their to achieve for the most populated and postage, phone, and data entry. Most species, and encouraging participants popular birding areas. 0

Oregon Birds 20(3): 96 President's Message

George A. Jobanek, 2730Alder, Eugene,

At OFO's annual meeting, held 17-19 June in Ashland, I accepted the posi• tion of President of Oregon Field Or• nithologists for the current year. I began birdwatching in the early 1970s, and was early on associated with the Southern Willamette Orni• thological Club of Eugene .To now be the president of OFO, an organization arising from the efforts of SWOC members and other birders from around the state, is the culmination of a 20-year odyssey, and an honor and a privilege. I look forward this next year to working with a dedicated and competent Board. When we meet this fall, the Board will discuss what we feel should be OFO's activities, actions, and direc• tion for the coming year.We can make more informed and responsible deci• sions if we know the wishes and ideas of the general membership. I wel• come anyone—everyone—to write to me with their ideas of OFO's pur• poses, operations, and services.What should OFO be doing that we are not doing now? How can OFO make bird• ing in Oregon more fun and enjoy• able? Should OFO play a part in or promote ornithological research projects? What support should OFO offer to publications by its members? George A "Chip" Jobanek, ca. 1972. "I caught the albatross because we thought it was a hybrid Laysan x What should be OFO's relationship Black-footed. This was on Eastern Island, Midway Atoll. This bird looked more like a Laysan, it was in with with ornithological organizations in a bunch ofLaysans (rather than a mixed nesting area), and as I recall it acted more like a Laysan in trying neighboring states? There are many to escape. However, it was very dusky, sort of between a Laysan and Black-footed in coloration. I was the questions we should ask about OFO's champion albatross catcher in our group of young researchers. In one day I caught about 1200 albatrosses role; please let me know what you r think.

Also, OFO is a volunteer organiza- : r. Vz. v-tality of our organization aepends upon the energy of involved members. If you wish to do more for OFO than just pay your dues and read Oregon Birds, there are many oppor• Group Meets At tunities for involvement, at several Portland Audubon House, First Tuesday (except Jun, Portland 5151 N.W. Cornell Road, different levels. Just let me know of Jul, Aug), 7:30 pm Portland pour interest. Write to me at the ad• dress above, call me at 503-343-8547, Third Wednesday of the The Dye House, Mission Mill, Salem Audubon Society month (except Jun, Jul, Aug), or stop by the house. Perhaps we can 1313 Mill Street S.E., Salem 7:00 pm social, 7:30 pm meet during OFO's Fall Birding Week•

end or some other club meeting or Southern Willamette Lane Memorial Blood Bank, Second Wednesday of the activity. Whether over the phone or Ornithological Club 2211 Willamette Street, month, 7:00 pm Eugene — contact Clarice while watching a trogon at Malheur (SWOC) Watson, 485-6137 NWR headquarters, I want to hear Hatfiefd Marine Science Yaquina Birders and Every third Tuesday (except your ideas for OFO. 0 Center, Meeting Room 9, Naturalists (Lincoln Co.) Jul, Aug) South Beach

Oregon Birds 20(3): 97 35584 Federal Register / Vo. 59, No. 132 / Tuesday, July 12, 1994 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Canada and central and southern Mexico. Bald eagles provides for the development and implementation nest on both coasts from Florida to Baja California, of recovery plans for listed species. According to the 50 CFR Part 17 in the south, and from Labrador to the western Aleu• Act, a recovery plan is a plan for the conservation Endangered and Threatened Wildlife: and Plants; Re• tian Islands, Alaska, in the north (formerly to the and survival of the species. It identifies describes, classifying the Bald Eagle From Endangered to Commander Islands, western Bering Sea). In many and schedules the actions necessary to restore en• Threatened In Most of the Lower 48 States of these areas they were abundant. dangered and threatened species to a more secure AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. Gerrard and Bortolotti describe early population biological condition. ACTION: Proposed rule. trends. When Europeans first arrived on the North In establishing a recovery program for the spe• SUMMARY: The bald eagle (Haliaeetus American continent, there were an estimated quar• cies in the mid-1970s, the Service divided the bald leucocephalus) is listed as endangered under the En• ter- to a half-million bald eagles. The first major de• eagles of the lower 48 States into five recovery popu• dangered Species Act of 1973 (Act) in the lower 48 cline in the bald eagle population probably began in lations, based on geographic location, termed Re• States, except Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Wis• the mid to late 1800's. It coincided with declines in covery Regions. A recovery plan was prepared for consin, and Michigan, where it is listed as threat• numbers of waterfowl and shorebirds and other ma• each population by separate recovery teams com• ened. The bald eagle also occurs in Alaska and jor prey species. Direct eagle killing was also preva• posed of species experts in each geographic area. Canada, where it is not at risk and is not protected lent, and, coupled with loss of nesting habitat, these The teams set forth: goals for recovery and identi• under the Act, and exists in small numbers in north• factors reduced bald eagle numbers until the 1940's. fied tasks to achieve those goals. Coordination meet• ern Mexico. The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) In 1940, the Bald Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. ings were held regularly among the five teams to proposes to reclassify the bald eagle from endangered 668) was passed. This law prohibits the take, pos• exchange data and other information. The five re• to threatened in the lower 48 States except in certain session, sale, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase covery regions and the dates of their approved re• portions of the American Southwest and to classify or barter, transport, export or import, of any bald covery plans areas follows: Chesapeake Bay 1982, those eagles in adjacent Mexico as endangered. The eagle, alive or dead, including any part, nest, or eggs revised (1990); Pacific (1986); Southeastern (1984, bald eagle would remain threatened in the five States unless allowed by permit; "take" includes pursue, revised 1989); Northern States (1983); and South• where it is currently listed as threatened. The special shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, western (1982). The last two plans are under active rule for threatened bald eagles would be revised. This collect, or molest or disturb. revision and expected to be available for public re• action would not alter those conservation measures The Bald Eagle Protection Act and increased pub• view within the next 12 months. Many of the tasks already in force to protect the species and its habi• lic awareness of the bald eagle resulted in a partial described within these recovery plans have been tats. The Service seeks comments from the public recovery or a slower decline of the species in most funded and carried out by the Service and other Fed• on this proposed reclassification. areas of the country. However, persecution contin• eral, State, and private organizations. Annual expen• DATES: Comments from all interested parties must ued, notably in Alaska, which was exempted from ditures for the recovery and protection of the bald be received by October 11,1994. Public hearing re• the Bald Eagle Protection Act and maintained a eagle by public and private agencies have exceeded quests must be received by August 26,1994. bounty on bald eagles. In 1952, after lengthy studies $1 million each year for the past decade. ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concern• demonstrated that bald eagles were not affecting In the 16 years since it was listed throughout the ing this proposal should be sent to Chief, Division salmon numbers, Alaska was no longer exempted. conterminous 48 States, the bald eagle population of Endangered Species, Fish and Wildlife Service, Shortly after World War II, the use of dichloro- has clearly improved. The improvement is a direct Federal Drive, Whipple Federal Building, Fort diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and other orga- result of the banning of DDT and other persistent Snelling, Minnesota 55111 -4056. Comments and ma• nochlorine compounds became widespread. Initially, organochlorines and from recovery efforts. In 1963, terials received will be available for public inspec• DDT was sprayed extensively along coastal and other a National Audubon Society survey reported only tion, by appointment, during normal business hours wetland areas to control mosquitos. Later it was used 417 active nests in the lower 48 States, with an aver• at the above address. as a general insecticide. As DDT accumulated in in• age of 0.59 young produced per active nest. In 1993, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: dividual bald eagles from ingesting contaminated about 4,000 occupied breeding areas were reported Jody Gustitus Millar, Bald Eagle Recovery Coordi• food, the species' reproduction plummeted. In the by the States with an estimated average young per nator, Fish and Wildlife Service. 4469 - 48th Avenue late 1960s and early 1970s, it was determined that occupied territory of 0.93. Compared to 1974, for Court, Rock Island, Illinois 61201 (309/793-5800). dichlorophenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE), the princi• example, the number of occupied breeding areas in pal metabolite of DDT, accumulated in the fatty tis• the lower 48 States has increased by 408 percent, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sues of the adult females and impaired calcium re• and since 1990, there has been a 32 percent increase. Background lease for egg shell formation, thus inducing thin shells The species is doubling its breeding population ev• ery 6-7 years since the late 1970s. Literally translated, Haliaeetus leucocephalus and reproductive failure. means white-headed sea eagle. This large, powerful In response to the decline following World War brown bird; with a white head and tail is well known II, on March 11,1967 (32 FR 4001), the Secretary of Pacific Recovery Region as our Nation's symbol. Young bald eagles are mostly the Interior listed bald eagles south of the 40th par• Threatened Goals: Nesting populations continue dark brown until they reach 4 to 6 years in age and allel as endangered under the Endangered Species to increase annually for the 5 years beginning with may be confused with the golden eagle (Aquila Preservation Act of 1966, The northern bald eagle 1986 nesting season. chlysaetos). The bald eagle is the only sea eagle regu• was not included in that action primarily because the Delisting Goals: A minimum of 800 nesting pairs larly occurring on the North American continent. Its Alaskan and Canadian populations were not consid• with an average reproductive rate of 1.0 fledged range extends from central Alaska and Canada to ered endangered in 1967. On December 31, 1972, young per pair with an average success rate per oc• northern Mexico. DDT was banned from use in the United States. cupied site of not less than 65% over a 5-year pe• The bald eagle is a bird of aquatic ecosystems. It In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. riod. Attainment of breeding population goals should frequents estuaries, large lakes, reservoirs, major riv• 1531 et seq.) was passed. Among other provisions, be met in at least 80% of management zones. Win• ers, and some seacoast habitats. However, such ar• it allowed the listing of distinct populations of ani• tering populations should be stable or increasing. eas must have an adequate food base, perching ar• mal species and the addition of a new category, Progress to Date: In 1993, 1066 occupied breed• eas, and nesting sites meeting certain requirements "threatened." The Act defines an endangered spe• ing areas were reported with 0.86 young per occu• to support bald eagles. In winter, bald eagles often cies as a species that is in danger of extinction pied breeding area. The number of occupied breed• congregate at specific wintering sites that are gener• throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A ing areas has consistently increased since 1986 and ally close to open water and that offer good perch threatened species is defined as any species that is exceeded 800 for 4 of the 5 years beginning in 1990 trees and night roosts. Bald eagle habitats encom• likely to become an endangered species (but is not when 861 were reported. Productivity has averaged pass both public and private lands. in danger of extinction) throughout all or a signifi• about 1.0 since 1990. Threatened goals have been cant portion of its range. met. Should this trend continue, the delisting goals The bald eagle was first described in 1766 as for number of nesting pairs and productivity may be Falco leucocephalus by Linnaeus. This South Caro• A nationwide bald eagle survey by the Service met in the near future. At present, less than 80 per• lina bird was later renamed as the southern bald eagle, and a number of other agencies and conservation cent of the 37 specified management zones have met subspecies Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus groups in 1974 revealed that, in parts of the northern their delisting goals. In 1993, 20 of those zones had (Linnaeus), when, in 1897, Townsend identified the half of the lower 48 States, bald eagle populations met or exceeded their recovery goals, and four other northern bald eagle as Haliaeetus leucocephalus and reproductive success were lower than in certain zones in addition to the original 37 had nesting eagles alascanus (American Ornithologists' Union 1957). southern areas. Thus, in 1978, the Service listed the that are not part of the recovery goals for this region. These two subspecific names were in use when the bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (no subspecies southern bald eagle (arbitrarily declared to occur referenced) throughout the lower 48 States as en• Threatened goals have been met. Delisting goals south of the 40th parallel) was listed (March 11, dangered except in Michigan, Minnesota, Wiscon• are close to being met for all criteria except attain• 1967,32 FR 4001) as endangered under the Endan• sin, Washington, and Oregon, where it was desig• ment of breeding population goals for 80 percent of gered Species Protection Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. nated as threatened (February 14, 1978; 43 FR 6233). the management zones. About 10 more zones need 668aa-668cc). By the time the bald eagle was listed Restoring endangered and threatened and to meet their goals to fulfill this criterion. (February 14,1978; 43 FR 6233) for the entire lower plants to the point where they are again viable, self- Service Proposal: Reclassify to threatened in Cali• 48 States, the subspecies were no longer recognized sustaining members of their ecosystems is the main fornia (except the 10 mile strip along the Colorado by ornithologists. focus of the Endangered Species Act. Thus, the Act River), Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming; the The bald eagle historically ranged throughout contains recovery as well as listing and protection species would remain threatened where it now has North America except extreme northern Alaska and provisions. To effect recovery, section 4(f) of the Act that status. Oregon Birds 20(3): 38 News and Notes OB 20(3)

lease check your mailing label. egon birders' state and county listing assist in local and statewide conservation issues." P The volume and issue number of records. The listing report form is Steve DeStefano, 503-737-1965. your last issue of Oregon Birds is printed in the last issue of OB for the These items come from the Spring printed in the upper right hand cor• year, and the report appears in the and Summer 1994 newsletters of the ner. OB is sent on a 1-year basis, not second issue of the following year. Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Soci• on a volume-year basis. In other We need to know by the third Friday ety, P.O. Box 2214, Corvallis, OR words, your membership runs for 4 of October of each year (the deadline 97339-2214. quarters — 4 issues of OB — from for the last issue of the year) to whom the quarter in which you joined or to send the listing report. Steve has ews from the May 1994 north renewed. If the number 20(3) ap• moved to Utah, and would like to pass Nwest region report, Oregon De• pears — this is your last issue. So the baton to a new listing report edi• partment of Fish and Wildlife: it's time to send in your membership tor. If you would like this task, please - Five Snowy Plover nests were located on 4 dues! If the number 20(4) or higher contact Steve at his new address. beaches, which is up from the past 2 years when appears, feel free to send in your dues Steve Summers, P.O. Box 1656, Ce• only 2 nesting attempts were located on 1 beach. Predator cages and human exclosures were set early. You'll be guaranteed an exten• dar CityUT 84721-1656. up at 4 sites. Two of the nests failed, young hatched sion of 4 issues at today's rates, you from one, and 2 were still being incubated when won't have to worry about your sub• opular press reports in June about the report was written. scription for more than a year, and P de-listing the Bald Eagle were - Around 6000 Sichuan Pheasant eggs are in the you'll make the accounting at OFO a somewhat exaggerated. In fact, the incubators at the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area. little easier. The entire OB team Bald Eagle remains listed under the - The Oregon Species Information System, a com• thanks you! Send in your dues now, Endangered Species Act in the lower prehensive database of information on wildlife and help us out at OB! 48 states. In Oregon it remains listed species in Oregon, was installed on computers at as "threatened," even though it has the Bureau of Land Management. ll requests for publications from made a substantial comeback in re• Oregon Department of Fish and Wild• A OFO's Bookcase should be sent cent decades. What actually hap• life, P.O. Box 59, Portland, OR 97207, directly to Clarice Watson in Eugene. pened was that the U.S. Fish and Wild• 503-229-5410 fax 503-229-5969. "This will improve turnaround time life Service announced in June that and reduce the paper shuffling," ac• the Bald Eagle would be down-listed elagic trip, Yaquina Bay (New cording to OFO's Treasurer Dennis from "endangered" status in most P port), 18 September 1994. Ex• Arendt. Requests for publications that parts of the country to "threatened" pected species include Sooty, Buller's, are sent to OFO's P.O. Box might en• status everywhere in the lower 48 and Pink-footed Shearwaters, counter long delays. Clarice has gen• states. A proposed rule to this effect Pomarine and Parasitic Jaegers, erously agreed to take on the task of was published in the Federal Regis• Sabine's Gull, Black-footed Albatross, cataloguing and mailing OFO's book• ter on 12 July 1994. An excerpt of Northern Fulmar, and alcids. Other case items. This takes a load off the this rule appears on the facing page. possible but not as expected species Treasurer and gets OFO's members Comments on the proposed rule are include Fork-tailed and Leach's Storm- better service. Clarice Watson, OFO due by 11 October 1994. Chief, Di• Petrels, Long-tailed Jaeger, Skua, Arc• Publications, 3787 Wilshire Lane, Eu• vision of Endangered Species, Fish tic Tern, Flesh-footed Shearwater, and gene, OR 97405. and Wildlife Service, Federal Drive, others. $36. Bill Tice, 750 Wood Whipple Federal Building, Fort Street, Falls City, OR 97344, 503-787- 3436. are bird reports can be sent di Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056. Rrectly to the Secretary of the Or• ther pelagic trips: 10 & 11 Sep egon Bird Records Committee — ald Eagles continue to make their tember 1994, Oregon Shorebird Harry Nehls. The "rare bird report B comeback in Oregon, with 2 new O Festival, 8 hours, Charleston, Lyn form" appearing in the center pages nests in spring 1994 — 1 in Wallowa Topits 503-267-7208; 17 September of each issue of Oregon Birds lists the County and 1 in Grant County. There & 22 October 1994, Portland OFO post office box in Eugene as the are now 4 active nests in northeast• Audubon Society, 8 hours, Garibaldi, address to which rare bird reports ern Oregon. Jennifer Devlin 503-292-6855; 24 Sep• should be sent.That is the permanent - Parts of Sauvies Island was closed to human ac• OFO address. But birders who send tivity in favor of wildlife. About 4000 acres were tember 1994,Wesport Offshore Sea- reports directly to Harry will shave a closed in 1994 to reduce stress on birds winter• bird Trips, T.R.Wahl 206-733-8255. little time off the OBRC review. Harry ing on the island. Research shows that wildlife Nehls, Secretary, Oregon Bird highly stressed in winter have lower reproductive hat can be done to make the rates. Records Committee, 2736 S.E. 20th WOregon Rare Bird Phone Net• - The Oregon State University Chapter of the Soci• Avenue, Portland, OR 97202, 503- work more effective? We here at OB ety for Conservation Biology was formed at a Feb• 233-3976. go through some effort to make sure ruary 1994 meeting in Corvallis. Goals "are to the Network is accurate and pub• foster communication among various disciplines lished in every issue of OB.The idea very year for many years Steve and interaction with members of the community is that if the Network is up-to-date and E Summers has compiled the "list• who are interested in conservation, promote edu• handy — that birders will use it! Not ing report" in Oregon Birds for Or• cation and awareness in conservation bilogy, and always so, apparently. Some birders Oregon Birds 20(3): 99 in some parts of the state say they - 22-26 October 1994, National Symposium on don't always get calls on rare birds.A Urban Wildlife, at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Se- recent case in point was the Rustic attle-Bellevue, Washington. Lowell Adams, Sym• posium Chairman, National Institute for Urban Bunting, which several birders say Wildlife, 10921 Trotting Ridge Way, Columbia, MD they heard about quite by accident. 21044, 301-596-3311. Every birder who wants to get calls - 19 December 1994 - 4 January 1995, inclusive, has a certain responsibility to have a 95th Christmas Bird Count. National Audubon telephone answering machine, etc. Society, 950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022. But once a birder has done their part -10-15 January 1995, The 8th North American Arc• it's up to the rest of us. Any ideas? tic Goose Meeting and Workshop, Albuquerque, Please write to the Editor, and if you New Mexico. "The meeting will bring together like, indicate that your comments or individuals interested in the biology and manage• suggestions are to be published in ment of this important group of birds. The last OB. Owen Schmidt, Editor, 3007 N.E. meeting was attended by over 300 participants representing several different countries." John 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212. Taylor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bosque del Apache NWR, Socorro, NM 87801. are birds — running tally of the - 7-8 February 1995, Annual Meeting of the Oregon Rbirds of the Oregon rare bird Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Eugene Hilton, phone network: "Adapting to Change in the Wildlife Profession." - Hooded Warbler, 20 May 1994, a male in breed• Western Field Ornithologists, Morro Bay, CaliforniaChery l Friesen, McKenzie Ranger District, ing plumage, in Beaverton, Washington Co., by McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413, 503-822-3381. Skip Russell; by Morro Coast Audubon Society; registration $20 - 5-11 August 1995, V Neotropical Ornithological - Eastern Wood-Pewee, 28 May 1994, at Malheur WFO member, $38 non-WFO member. WFO Meet• Congress, Asuncion, Paraguay. Nancy Lopez de NWR headquarters, Harney Co., by Jim Johnson; ing, c/o Morro Coast Audubon, P.O. Box 160, Kochalka, c/o Comite Organizador Local del V - Indigo Bunting, 5 June 1994, near Eugene, Lane Morro Bay, CA 93443. CON, Museo National de Historia Natural del Para• Co., by Pat French, and 23 -25 September 1994, Meeting of the Associa• guay, Sucursal 19, Campus, Central XI, Paraguay, - Bar-tailed Godwit, 31 July 1994, a bird in partial tion of Field Ornithologists and the Federation of (595-21)505075. breeding plumage at Seal Rock Beach, Lincoln New York State Bird Clubs, Williams Lake Resort, - 18 December 1995 - 3 January 1996, inclusive, Co., byDarryl Faxon. Rosendale, NY. Kelly Erlwein, Sullivan County Com• 96th Christmas Bird Count. National Audubon munity College, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759. Society 950 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022.0 roject FeederWatch is an ongoing P survey of feeder birds in winter. Thousands of people across the United States and Canada who like to feed birds have turned their hobby into valuable research for ornithology. Project FeederWatch is unique among bird surveys for the wealth of detailed information provided by kitchen-win- dow researchers across North America. "By comparing Feeder• Watch species counts from year to year, we identify and monitor bird population trends. Our newsletter, Birdscope, keeps you up-to-date on what we learn from your data." The fee is $14.00. Project FeederWatch, Dept. MB, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850-1999.

Meetings, events & deadlines - 9 -11 September 1994, Oregon Shorebird Festi• val, in cooperation with Cape Arago Audubon So• ciety. Lyn Topits, 503-267-7208. -16 -18 September 1994, Western Bird Banding Association, Ashland, Oregon. Dennis P. Woman, 269 Shedand Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97526,503- 476-3830. - 23 - 25 September 1994, Oregon Field Ornitholo• gists' Fall Weekend At Malheur. See center of this issue for details. - 23-25 September 1994, Western Field Ornitholo• gists, annual meeting at Morro Bay, California. "Field trips are scheduled for pelagic boat trips Association of Field Ornithologists and the Federa• and many excellent land birding spots." Hosted tion of New York State Bird Clubs

Oregon Birds 20(3): 100 FTELDNOTES: Eastern Oregon, winter 1993-94

Tom Crabtree, 1667N.WIowa, Bend, OR97701

The winter season was fairly unevent• Horned Grebe Two were at White City on 19 Feb ful east of the Cascades.Warmer than A few were seen along the Colum• (SR) and another was at the Double normal temperatures during the early bia River during the end of the pe• O Ranch, Malheur NWR. on 22 Dec part of the period caused a number riod; 1 was at the mouth of the (ES). of unusual records of lingering spe• Deschutes 4 Feb (DB); 20 Hood River Greater White-fronted Goose cies throughout the region.This year Feb 20 (DL, DP). 7 were at Fort Harney on 2 Feb typical "winter" species were con• Clark's Grebe

Oregon Birds Regional Editors Western Oregon Jeff Gilligan 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue • Spring/Fall 231-0971 Portland, OR 97232

Western Oregon Jim Johnson 3244 N.E. Brazee Street • Winter/Summer 282-5492 Portland, OR 97212 Oregon Birds and American Birds have synchronized reporting areas, periods, and deadlines. Field reports for eastern and western Oregon are Eastern Oregon Steve Summers P.O. Box 202 due to the 0B Regional Editor and AB Regional Editor at the same time. • Spring '94 576-2190 Silver Lake, OR 97638 Season Months Due date Paul T. Sullivan 4470 S.W. Murray Blvd. #26 Spring March—May 10 June 646-7889 Beaverton, OR 97005 Summer June—July 10 August Fall August—November 10 December Eastern Oregon Tom Crabtree 1667 N.W. Iowa Winter December—February 10 March • Winter/Summer 389-7723 Bend, OR 97701

American Birds Regional Editor All of Oregon Bill Tweit P.O. Box 1271 206-754-7098 Olympia, WA 98507

American Birds Sub-Regional Editors Eastern Oregon Tom Crabtree 1667 N.W. Iowa 388-2462 Bend, OR 97701

Western Oregon Harry Nehls 2736 S.E. 20th 233-3976 Portland, OR 97202

Salem area Barb Bellin 4730 Elizabeth St. N. 393-0243 Salem, OR 97303

Corvallis area Hendrik Herlyn 1054 S.W. Adams Avenue 754-5154 Corvallis, OR 97330

Rogue Valley Marjorie Moore 4729 S. Pacific Hwy. #11 535-5138 Phoenix, OR 97535

Oregon Birds 20(3): 101 an exceptionally high count for Cen• Bonaparte's Gull Rock Wren tral Oregon (TC). Two were at the Prineville Sewage 1 was singing along Rock Creek, Greater Scaup Ponds on 4 Dec (CM); 80 were at the south of Arlington, Gilliam on 29 Jan A female was at Abert Lake on 1 Jan John Day Dam two days later (DB). A few winter in this area (CCJS). (CM). Western Gull Hermit Thrush White-winged Scoter One was on the Columbia River, One wintered in Bend, a highly A male was at Cascade Locks on 5 Umatilla on 1 Jan. It stayed for sev• unusual occurrence (TC). One was Dec (DL, WY). eral weeks.This is the fourth January in Canyon City, Grant on 20 Dec (fide Barrow's Goldeneye in a row that one has been in this lo• TW); another was at Cascade Locks Usual numbers were reported from cation (CC, JS). on 6 Feb (DL). along the Columbia R. Gorge and Herring Gull American Robin other Central and Eastern Oregon lo• A juvenile was at Haystack Res. on Thousands were in Central Oregon cales during the period (m.ob.). 16 Dec for a rare Jefferson record juniper groves off and on throughout Red-breasted Merganser (CM). the period (TC, DL m.ob.); 20,000 An immature male was at the Glaucous-winged Gull were around Prineville on 4 Jan, but mouth of Deschutes R. on 12 Feb 2 were at Haystack Res.,Jefferson, disappeared a short time later; 30,000 (DL). 16-19 Dec for a first county record were in the Powell Butte area on 20 Turkey Vulture (CM, LR,TC).Three were at McNary Feb (PTSJM); 50,000 were in Bend The first reported for the year was Dam Jan 28 (MD); 2 were at Lake 20-24 Feb, but numbers returned to one near Diamond, Harney on 10 Ewauna, Klamath Falls on 5 Jan (SS). normal by the end of the month (TC). Feb, an early date (DS). Barn Owl Sage Thrasher Bald Eagle A pair was discovered west of Mt. The first of the season was one at Above normal numbers were seen Vernon, Grant and seen daily to the Summer Lake WMA on 14 Feb (SS). along the Columbia River throughout end of the period (fideTW). Bohemian Waxwing the winter, especially from mid-Janu• Snowy Owl Observers commented that this ary to end of period (HN, DB et al.). This was a mini-invasion year in was a poor year for this species as it At the mouth of the Deschutes River Eastern Oregon. One east of Umatilla was generally too warm. Sixty were on 20 Feb were an adult Bald Eagle was there until 3 Mar (CC, JS); an• near Pendleton 8 Feb (CC); 20 were and a juvenile Golden Eagle on a sand• other was 10 miles SE of Hermiston, along McKay Creek Rd. near Pilot bar in the Columbia (DL); 31 were at Umatilla, on 27 Jan. One was at Rock Jan 9 (SR);a flock was in Joseph roost sites in the Harney Basin 6-7 Jan Umatilla NWR, Morrow, from the throughout the period (HH, RH et (GK), 56 were found there last year beginning of the period until at least al.); McNary Dam had 60 on 28 Jan (fide RTV). 2 Jan Another was reported by a (DM), but only 4 were there 11 Feb Northern Goshawk farmer 20 miles south of Umatilla (RE)- Only 2 were reported, an adult at NWR in the middle of Dec, but was Cedar Waxwing Umatilla NWR 4 Feb (DB) and an• not relocated (all CC). Numbers were low throughout the other along Canyon Creek, Grant 18 Long-eared Owl region during the winter. Jan-9 Feb (/We TW). Two were seen on the Adel CBC Loggerhead Shrike Rough-legged Hawk (PTS.JM); 1 was at Sodhouse Ranch, Three were in the Painted Hills, Numbers were down in eastern Malheur NWR on 20 Dec (fide RTV); Wheeler 19 Feb (PTSJM). An adult Oregon this winter. another was at Benson Pond on 31 was along Rock Creek south of Arling• Ferruginous Hawk Dec (GI). ton on 26 Feb. It was thought to have As usual a few were in Eastern Or• Anna's Hummingbird wintered in the area (CC, JS); One egon this winter. One at Arlington on An Anna's had returned to Bend by was mentioned without comment 12 Feb probably wintered (CCJS); a 20 Feb this year (fidelC). from the Harney Basin on 15-16 Jan few wintered in the Silver Lake/Fort Say's Phoebe (TW). Rock/Christmas Lake area, at the One was at the John Day Dam 6 Yellow -rumped Warbler northern edge of their wintering Dec (DB); that and another on the One was at Sodhouse Ranch, range (SS) Another was near Haystack Pendleton CBC on 2 Jan were likely Malheur NWR on 20 Dec (GI); an• Res. on 20 Dec for an uncommon wintering birds. One at Camp other was in Bend on 10 Jan. Due to Jefferson record (TC). Hancock, near Fossil 26 Feb (SP et al) the mild weather 19 were on the Merlin and another at Malheur NWR HQ on Prineville CBC on 2 Jan (TC, m.ob). The only three reported were 1 in 22 Feb (ES) were most likely early American Tree Sparrow Bend on 9 Jan; 1 east of Prineville on migrants. Sixty were found around Enterprise 19 Feb (PTS, JM); and another east of Scrub Jay 17-18 Dec, but were all but absent in Boardman, Morrow on 26 Feb (CC, 4 or more of the californicus race January (fide CC, JS); 6 were there JS). were in Bend all winter (TC, CM). on 20 Feb (TB). Greater Yellowlegs Black-capped Chickadee Lark Sparrow Four were found in eastern Oregon 1 was at Lower Bridge, Deschutes An unusual wintering record was this winter, a most unusual occur• on 4 Dec (CM).This species is quite an individual in White City 19 Feb rence. Three were at White City 19 rare in the county. (SR). Feb (SR); another at the Double-O Plain Titmouse Sage Sparrow Ranch, Malheur NWR on 20 Dec Seven were seen in the Juniper Three were seen on the Summer (RTV) was probably a late migrant. along Hwy. 140 near Ad el (CM). Lake CBC on 21 Dec (CM). One at Oregon Birds 20(3): 102 Summer Lake WMA on 14 Feb was Purple Finch TB - Ted Buerger, CC - Craig Corder, thought to be an early returnee (SS). Very unusual was a one day show• TC -Tom Crabtree, MD - Mike Denny, Over 100 were at S. Harney Lake on ing of 2 male Purple Finches at a Sliver TD -Tom Downs, RF - Reed Freeman, 18 Feb (ES, RW) Lake Ranger Station. Although this HH - Hendrik Herlyn, RH - Richard Savannah Sparrow species regularly breeds in the area, Hoyer, GI - Gary IveyJJ - Jim Johnson, Two were seen at Umatilla NWR on this was a first winter record (SS). DK - Diane Kook, GK - George Keister, 11 Feb (DB). Another was in Canyon City on 18 Jan DL - Donna Lusthoff, CM - Craig Fox Sparrow (fideTW). Miller, JM - Judy Meredith, PM - Pat One was in Bend on 27 Feb (TC). Evening Grosbeak Muller, HN - Harry Nehls, DP - Don They are rare in winter there. The only one reported during the Pederson, SP - Sarah Pinnock, LR - Lincoln's Sparrow period was a female near Arlington Lewis Rems, SR - Skip Russell, ES - Eric The 2 found along Rock Creek on 12 Feb (CCJS). Scheuering, DS - Dan SheillJS - Judy south of Arlington on 26 Feb were Stevens, PTS - Paul Sullivan, SS - Steve thought to have wintered (CC,JS); 3 Cited observers Summers, RTV - Rick Vetter, LW - were in Prineville on 2 Jan (TC et al.). Those who submitted reports di• Linda Weiland, RW - Rachel White , Swamp Sparrow rectly to me are in boldface type. DA TW -Tom Winters,WY - Walt Yungen. Two were at the Enterprise Fish - David Anderson, DB - David Bailey, 0 Hatchery at least into January (CC et al.}. White-throated Sparrow The only ones reported were from a Klamath Falls feeder throughout the period (fide SS) and a bird in Canyon City from 20 Dec into Jan (fide TW). Harris' Sparrow At least 16 were present in Eastern Oregon this winter.They were distrib• uted as follows: 1 was at Imnaha, Wallowa (CC, JS); 2 were at Joseph (CC,JS); 2 were in Hood River CBC; 3 were in Pendleton (CC et al); 1 was in Powell Butte (fide TC); 1 was in Bend (fide TC); 1 was in Fossil (PM, LW, DA); 2 on the Wallowa Co. CBC; 1 at Umatilla NWR (CC, JS); two in Silver Lake (SS). Finally, one was present at a feeder in Klamath Falls on 24 Jan to the end of the period. In mid-February when a few White- crowneds returned a Zonotrichia "grand slam" was possible! Snow Bunting Fifty-three were found in the nor• mal locale of Zumwalt Rd. NE of En• terprise, Wallowa on 5 Dec (CCJS). Yellow-headed Blackbird One male south of Klamath Falls on 27 Jan could have been a wintering bird or an early spring returnee (SS). Tricolored Blackbird Six were in Prineville on 2 Jan (TC, DK). Pine Grosbeak The only report was of 3 birds on the Joseph CBC Dec 19. Red Crossbill Generally uncommon this winter except for a report of many at Hood River on 1 Jan (DA, DL). Common Redpoll Nine were found on the Pendleton CBC Jan 2. The only other one re• ported was an individual along Can• yon Creek Grant on 10 Jan (fideTW). Oregon Birds 20(3): 103 FTELDIVOTES: Western Oregon, Winter 1993-94

Jim Johnson, 3244 N.E. Brazee Street, Oregon 97212

Loons Red-throated and Common Loons were conspicuously absent from the Columbia R. throughout the period. None of either species were seen on the Sauvie I., Portland, and Hood River CBCs. Yellow-billed Loon One was at the Siuslaw R. estuary, Lane Co., to 20 Dec. (BS, ZS, TM). Typically, 1 or 2 spend the entire win• ter on the Oregon coast. Horned Grebe Reported to be less numerous than usual away from the coast (m.ob. fide HN). Eared Grebe Two were at Salem 11 Dec. (PS). This species occurs sparingly in inte• rior Western Oregon. Clark's Grebe Three were in Curry Co.: 1 at Chetco R. mouth 5 Dec.-9 Jan.; 1 near Rogue R.mouth 12 Jan.; 1 in the Port Orford harbor (CD, DM) .And one was at Yaquina Bay 19 Jan. cmjide RB). This is a typical showing for the coast. Black-footed Albatross Five were seen from shore at Cape Arago 18 Dec.following a fishing ves• sel as it approached the mouth of Coos Bay (AC).The birds left the boat and headed back out to sea at about a mile from shore This species is very rarely seen from shore. Pelagic out of Newport 29 Jan. (GG) to* - Black-footed Albatross: 5 - Laysan Albatross: 2 at 33 miles - Northern Fulmar: 70 - Bonaparte's Gull: 2 at 33 miles - Herring Gull: 120 at 33 miles - Thayer's Gull: 2 at 33 miles - Western Gull: 120 at 33 miles - Glaucous-winged Gull: 200 at 33 miles gag - Black-legged Kittiwake: 2 at 33 miles •I - Common Murre: 50,1-5 miles; 5,5-12 miles; 100, mm 13-20 miles - Ancient Murrelet: 5, 1-5 miles; 150, 5-12 miles; 300, 13-20 miles - Cassin's Auklet: 10, 13-20 miles - Rhinoceros Auklet: 1,1-5 miles; 3 at 33 miles American Bittern Laysan Albatross, 2 different birds photographed 29 January 1994, off Newport, Lincoln Co. LEFT about 30 miles offshore; aarr about 20-25 miles offshore. Photos/Tim Janzen. Two on the Medford CBC 2 Jan. (MM) were the first for the count since 1970. throughout Western Oregon: at the Medford CBC 2 Jan. (MM) where the Great Egret end of Feb. 4 were still on Sauvie I. 22-yr average through 1992 was 3.6. Great Egrets were in larger num• where sightings after Dec. or mid-Jan. Snowy Egret bers and stuck around later than usual are unusual; and fifteen were on the One was up the Winchuck R.,

Oregon Birds 20(3): 104 Curry Co., 8 Jan. (DM). None were Bar view, Tillamook Co., 24 Dec. (fide HN, RH); 1 at SJCR 24 Dec. (fide RH); reported from the Coos Bay area RH) was most likely a very late fall and 1 at Bandon throughout period where 1 to a few during the winter migrant, and one near Corvallis 9 Jan. (fide HN). has been typical. (fide RH) may have wintered or was Rough-legged Hawk Cattle Egret another very untimely migrant. First One near Langlois, Curry Co., 14 Only 2 were reported this season: spring arrival dates for various loca• Jan. was CD's first sighting in the 1 at Melrose, Douglas Co., 27 Dec. tions are as follows: 2 at Pistol R. 21 county (CD, AD). (AP); and 1 near Harbor, Curry Co., Jan. (DB, fide HN); Myrtle Creek, Prairie Falcon 28 Dec. (DM). Douglas Co., 5 Feb. (fide RM); the Singles were near Baskett Slough Black-crowned Night-Heron Rogue Valley 13 Feb. (fide MM); near NWR 28 Dec. and near Lebanon 29 Three individuals in the Rogue Val• Falls City, Polk Co., 13 Feb. (BT, fide Jan. (PS, RHs) while a total of 7 was ley in Dec. and Jan. (fide MM) were BB);Eugene 18 Feb.(DJ,/*VfeTM);and in the Rogue Valley throughout the the only ones reported. near Corvallis 20 Feb. (BT, fide HN). period (fide MM) where this species Mute Swan Osprey is always more numerous. One was among the Trumpeter There were several unseasonal re• Golden Eagle Swan flock s.w. of Monmouth, Polk ports: 1 along the Rogue R. at Shady Two were in the central Willamette Co., 30 Jan.+ (m.ob., fide BB). Cove 13 Dec. (GR, fide MM); 1 at Valley where this species has become Ross' Goose Grants Pass 19 Dec.-9 Jan. (fide MM, somewhat regular: an immature at One was at Finley NWR through• DM); 1 along the McKenzie R. 4 Jan. Ankeny NWR 11 Dec. (PS) and an out period (fide HN, RH). (TM); and up to 2 along the adult at Finley NWR 12 Dec.-l Jan. Emperor Goose Willamette R. 3-5 Feb. (m.ob.,/Me (DL, DC, DH). Golden Eagles are still One was at Cushman near Florence TM). One or 2 winter records is typi• very rare further north (i.e. Sauvie I.). 12 Dec. to the end of the period (PSh, cal. Virginia Rail fide TM). White-tailed Kite Thirty-two on the Medford CBC "Common" Green-winged Teal A total of 46 were reported from beat the previous high of 28 (fide One was on Sauvie 1.14 Jan. to end length of the coast and in the inte• MM). of period CTJJide HN); 1 or 2 are typi• rior north to Polk Co. of which 17 Sandhill Crane cally found on the island around this were in the Rogue Valley (m.ob.,fide Only about 50-75 wintered on time. HN, MM,TM). One at Triangle L. was Sauvie I. where 150-200 has been Cinnamon Teal a Coast Range first for Lane Co. (ES, typical for the last several years QJ). One near Corvallis 22 & 23 Jan. fide TM). The spring migration through west• (fide RH) was an early spring migrant Bald Eagle ern Oregon was well underway by 26 while the first at Stayton,Marion Co., A pair was observed constructing Feb. when 75 were seen flying north 12 Feb. (DP,fide BB) was a more typi• a nest on Sauvie I. 16 Jan. and were over Scio, Linn Co. (DL, DA) and 700 cal first arrival date. apparently incubating by the first were on Sauvie I. (GL, m.ob.). Oldsquaw week of Feb. (GL, m.ob.). Unfortu• Snowy Plover The usual Is and 2s were reported nately, the pair abandoned the nest Three were on Bayocean Sandspit from various estuaries except for 6 some time later, apparently due to during the Tillamook CBC 18 Dec. at the Port Orford harbor 19 Dec. poor weather (fide HN).This was the (fide HN) where they have been ab• (DM) which was an unusual concen• first known nesting attempt on Sauvie sent for a few years and 1 was at the tration. Two were on the Columbia I. in recent history and hopefully it mouth of Nehalem R. 30 Jan. (RO, R. near Portland 2 Jan. (JJ).This spe• was not the last. fide HN) where they haven't been cies is unusual away from coast. Red-shouldered Hawk seen for many years. White-winged Scoter Reports from away from Curry Co. Semipalmated Plover An impressive concentration of are as follows: 8 on the Coquille Val• Rather rare in the interior during 8000 scoters, mostly White-wingeds, ley CBC (m.ob.); 2 on two Medford winter, one at Fern Ridge Res. 2 & 3 were at Ecola SP,Clatsop Co., 12 Feb. CBC; 1 at Eagle Point, Jackson Co., Jan. (DG,TM), was a good find. (MPJide HN). 19 Feb. (OSJide MM); 1 at Tillamook Long-billed Curlew Barrow's Goldeneye 18 Dec. (JG); 1 at Camp Adair near One was near Albany 21 Jan. OH, As usual, small numbers were re• Corvallis most of period (RH, GG, fide HN).This species is very rare in ported from scattered locations: 2 at m.ob.); 1 near Finley NWR 19 Dec. interior western Oregon any time of Alsea Bay in Jan. and Feb. (fide RB); 1 (fide RH); and 2 at Fern Ridge Res. year. atYaquina Bay 10 Dec.(DB,fide HN); (TM, DL, m.ob.). Dunlin and 5 on Leaburg L., Lane Co. early "Harlan's" Red-tailed Hawk A huge concentration of 15,000 at Jan. (TM). Three reports of this form were the Eugene Airport 22 Jan. (TM, fide Turkey Vulture received this season: 1 near Airlie, HN) is reminiscent of last winter's One between Rockaway and Polk Co., through 7 Jan. (m.ob.,fide large flock at Halsey, Linn Co.

Oregon Birds 20(3): 105 location (CD). As if pressure from ton Co., 25 Jan. (GG); a number at habitat loss wasn't enough, this sib• Fern Ridge Res. 29 Jan. (DJ, fide TM); ling species, a recent addition to 100 in Portland 20 Feb. (fide HN). Oregon's avifauna, may hybridize the Violet-green Swallow Spotted Owl out of existence (see - The first of the spring migrants Auk 111(2): 487). were noted in the Winchuck R. val• Long-eared Owl ley 26 Feb. (DM). Up to 3 were at Camp Adair, a tra• GrayJay ditional wintering sight, near Two were seen in high elevation Corvallis in Feb. (fide RH). Curry Co. in Jan. where this species Rufous Hummingbird is apparently rare (CD). The first of the spring movement Mountain Chickadee were noted atYachats 3 Feb. (fide RB) One coming to a feeder in Eugene and at Hunter Creek, Curry Co. 26 5 Jan. (fide TM) was the only out-of- Feb. (fide HN). range report. Lewis' Woodpecker Pygmy Nuthatch An invasion in Curry Co. continued One showed up in South Salem 30 into the winter. Sightings of 1 to 20 Jan. for the third consecutive winter birds were noted throughout lower (fide BB). elevation (1000-2500 ft.) forested ar• House Wren eas in clearcuts with reserve trees and One was reported from the a tanoak component. Acorn Wood• Coquille Valley CBC 27 Dec. without peckers were often sighted in the details. same areas. Only 6 were seen during Blue-gray Gnatcatcher the Medford CBC (fide MM). Two on the Grants Pass CBC 19 Red-naped Sapsucker Snowy Owl, 5 December 1993, Cape Meares, Dec. (fide JS) and another at Salt Tillamook Co. Photo/Ken Lane. One at a Portland feeder 20 Feb. Creek Rd. near Eagle Point 20 Feb. (GlXJide HN) was an unusual record CDC,fide MM) were highly unusual. Red Phalarope for its location and time of year. Wrentit Small numbers (10 or less) were "Yellow-shafted" Flicker One on the Brownsville CBC 2 Jan. onshore at scattered locations along Two apparently pure birds were at (fide RH) provided the first Linn Co. the north coast through 2 Jan. (GG, Finley NWR 12 Feb. (HH) and at E.E. record. m.ob.,fide HN). Wilson WMA (AM). Observers of yel• Northern Mockingbird Parasitic Jaeger low-shafted flickers must carefully Reports were as follows: 1 at A rare winter onshore record came eliminate intergrade flickers by not• Hammond (now part of Warrenton) from Ban don during the Coquille Val• ing the head coloration and pattern. 12 Dec. to end of period (MRPS,/zVfe ley CBC 27 Dec. (fide HN). Black Phoebe HN); 1 at Seaside 23 Dec. (CS, fide Heermann's Gull Thirty-four on the Coquille CBC 27 HN); and 3 on the Medford CBC 2 Jan. The last of the southward fall move• Dec. beat the previous high of 15. (fide MM). ment was at SJCR 4 Dec. (DL, CL).A One near Tillamook 5 Feb. (fide CR) Cedar Waxwing few are typically seen into early to was reported without details. This This species made an excellent mid-December. species is extremely rare away from showing in the Rogue Valley where Snowy Owl Curry Co. and the Rogue and Coquille 1873 were observed on the Medford One at Ohling Rd., Linn Co., 22 Valleys. CBC (fide MM). Dec.-30 Jan. (fide RH, PSJS) was the Say's Phoebe Loggerhead Shrike only report received from western Three wintering in the Rogue Val• One was at the Kirkland Rd. sew• Oregon. ley (fide MM) was typical. Another age ponds near Medford for the third Burrowing Owl near Roseburg 18 Dec. (BK) was consecutive winter; it was present Two were at Fayetteville, near more interesting. through 6 Jan. (fide MM). Another Corvallis, throughout the period (PS, Tree Swallow was at Fayetteville, near Corvallis, 19- RH, m.ob.). Reports were as follows, the 27 Feb. (RH, RHs, GB, PS). Barred Owl' Hillsboro report being the first of the Tennessee Warbler Two at Finley NWR 5 Dec. (fide spring migration: singles at Tangent One in Brookings 6 Dec. CPU,fide RH) was the first report that I have & Crabtree, Linn Co. 5 Dec. (ME, SJ); CD) was well-described. One each heard of from the valley floor. An• 3 on the Medford CBC 2 Jan. (fide winter is becoming typical. other 13 miles up the Rogue R. 16 MM); 1 at Forest Grove sewage ponds Nashville Warbler Feb. was in a historical Spotted Owl 8 Jan. (DL); 10 at Hillsboro,Washing• One at Cape Lookout 9 Jan. (HC,

Oregon Birds 20(3): 106 fide RH) was reported without de• tails. Black-throated Gray Warbler One at Corvallis to 16 Feb. (fide RH) was reported without details. Hermit Warbler M. One was among Townsend's War• blers in Eugene in mid-Ded. (LM) and another or the same was seen on the Eugene CBC 2 Jan. (TM); no details. Palm Warbler Six were on the Coquille Valley CBC 27 Dec. while 11 were at other coastal locations (PS, m.ob.,fide HN, Clay-colored Sparrow, 20 January -1 May 1994, Roseburg, Douglas Co., OBRC Record Number 561-94-33B. Photo/Ron Maertz. fide TM); the latest reported was at Black-headed Grosbeak Port Orford 14 Jan. (TM, JC). Two were at Fern Ridge Res. 10 Common Yellowthroat A male visited a feeder near Port• Feb.+ (CW, m.ob., fide TM) for the land 5 Dec. (AN, fide HN).This spe• only western Oregon report. One was on Sauvie I. 24 Dec-10 cies is less regular than the Rose- Jan. (PO, DB). Chipping Sparrow breasted Grosbeak during winter. One came to a feeder in Eugene 24 American Tree Sparrow Dec. and another 26 Feb. (BC).

LEFT Clay-colored Sparrow, 20 January - 1 May 1994, Roseburg, Douglas Co., OBRC Record Number561-94-33E. Photo/Ron Maertz.

LEFT BELOW Clay-colored Sparrow, 20 January - 1 May 1994, Roseburg, Douglas Co., OBRCRecordNumber561-94-33D- Photo/ Ron Maertz.

'1 ' 7 it

Hooded Oriole, immature male, 24November 1993, at Dorothy Sevey's, Hunter Creek, Curry Co. Photo/ •1 Wm Colin Dillingham. Oregon Birds 20(3): 107 Clay-colored Sparrow HOODED ORIOLE One resided at the Independence Up to 3 imm. males visited hum• sewage ponds, Polk Co., 15 Dec. to mingbird feeders at Hunter Cr., Curry end of period (RG, m.ob.) and an• Co. to at least 25 Feb. (DS, m.ob.). other was at Fern Ridge Res. 2-22 Jan. Observers (LM, DL, BC). David Anderson, David Bailey, Swamp Sparrow Range Bayer, Barb Bellin.Greg Boyce, A total of 60 was reported: 19 on Homer Campbell, Jim Carlson, Bar• the Coquille Valley CBC; 23 on bara Combs, Alan Contreras, Robert Tillamook CBC; up to 6 at Fern Ridge Curtin, Angela Dillingham, Colin Res.; singles or doubles elsewhere Dillingham, Merlin Eltzroth, Andrew throughout Western Oregon. Emlyn, Skye Etassami, Darrel Faxon, Harris' Sparrow Roy Gerig, Jeff Gilligan, Greg Gillson, Three were reported: 1 at Corvallis Dan Gleason, Don Halljanet Hardin, 22 Dec. to the end of the period (PS, Hendrik Herlyn, Phil Hicks, Rich et al.); 1 near Independence, 16 Jan.- Hoyer, Jr., Rich Hoyer, Sr. (RHs), Jim 19 Feb. (BXfide HNJide BB); and 1 Johnson, Scott Johnson, Dave Jones, at Myrtle Creek, Douglas Co., 18-28 Brian Kruse, Cindy Lawes, Gerard Feb. (fide RM). Lillie, Gwen Llewellyn (GL1), Donna Lapland Longspur Lusthoff, Ron Maertz,Al McGie, Larry Rarely reported during the winter, McQueen, Tom Mickel, Marjorie 4 were atWarrenton 19 Dec. (MPJide Moore, Pat Muller, Don Munson, HN) and 1 was at Bandon on the CBC Harry Nehls, Alice Nemitz, Paul 27 Dec. (fide HN). Osburn, Reba Owens, Alice Parker, Snow Bunting Mike Patterson, Don Pederson, Sarah Snow Bunting, ? November 1993, Cape Meares,Pinnock , Craig Roberts, Gwyneth Small flocks and singles were along Tillamook Co, Photo/Ken Lane. the coast as far south as the mouth of Ragosine, Skip Russel, Howard Sands, the Rogue R. throughout the period ter. Owen Schmidt, Eva Schultz, Dorothy (PM, LW, m.ob.). RUSTY BLACKBIRD Sevey, Joe Shelton, Paul Sherrell (PSh), Jamie Simmons, Chuck Smith, Yellow-headed Blackbird A well-described individual was on Bill Stotz,Zannah Stotz,Paul Sullivan, One was on the Medford CBC 2 Jan. Sauvie 1.31 Dec.-7 Jan. GG, OS, m.ob.) Otis Swisher,BillTice, Clarice Watson, (fide MM).There is usually 1 around for the fourth record for that location Linda Weiland,Vince Zauskey. 0 in western Oregon during the win- since 1987.

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• Check your mailing label; if your label reads "20(3)" — this is your last issue! Dennis P« Vroaan 21(2) Please renew now! 269 Shetland Dr. • 9-11 September, Oregon Grant s 97526 Shorebird Festival at Charleston • 23-25 September 1994, OFO's Fall Birding Weekend at Malheur NWR • 21 October 1994, deadline for the Winter 1994 issue of Oregon Birds • 10 December 1994, Fall (Aug-Nov) field notes due to field notes editors • 19 December 1994 - 4 January 1995, 95th Christmas Bird Count

Oregon Birds 20(3): 108