Storm Petrel Kalmiopsis Audubon Society Curry County, Oregon Volume 43, Number 2 Spring 2020

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS Given the need for precaution with the COVID-19 epidemic, we have taken special steps to protect our volunteers and to minimize “touches” to this issue of the Storm Petrel. Usually a merry band of volunteers helps to fold, tape, and label the newsletter in preparation for mailing. This time we asked our print shop to do all the mail-prep steps. We’re glad to be able to send this Storm Petrel to help you stay connected and informed during the COVID-19 epidemic. Keep healthy, everyone, and enjoy the spring!

UPCOMING EVENTS Regrettably, we’ve had to cancel KAS programs and outings this spring given the need for COVID-19 epidemic precautions. At this point, we have one virtual training in collaboration with Portland Audubon planned. There may be other educational opportunities to share, and when circumstances change, we look forward to resuming our activities. Please sign up for the KAS email HOOT OUT for events and opportunities in between Storm Petrels by sending an email to [email protected]. Black Oystercatcher Survey Virtual Training May 9, from 10 a.m. to Noon; May 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Audubon Society of Portland is coordinating this year’s Black Oystercatcher Survey Training via Zoom conference, owing to COVID-19 restrictions. If you cannot make these times, there will be a recording available as well. This year, the survey will likely be attenuated, given closures at coastal state parks. (Read more inside about Black Oystercatchers.) For more information or to sign up for the training, please contact Frances at [email protected].

Birds of the South Coast Photographs by Rowly Willis

◄ Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk

► Female Hooded Merganser

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environment. In this issue, you’ll read about hybrid From the President’s Desk hummers, Black Oystercatchers, mountain beavers, and silvery phacelia that thrive in our area. hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy In this 40th anniversary year for Kalmiopsis Audu- and keeping positive during this unnerving time bon, our work to educate ourselves and our neighbors of isolating at home owing to the COVID-19 I about the extraordinary natural values of our place epidemic. I’ve heard from some of you who are find- and to fend off threats has never been more im- ing it deeply disheartening. But I’ve also been keep- portant. To do this more, better, and far into the fu- ing track of some silver linings — members who ture, the KAS Board has realized that we need a way have told me they are enjoying this spring in their to sustain KAS for the next 40 years. I am pleased to own backyards, in the woods, and on the beach, see- report that Vice President Foncy Prescott has led a ing birds and flowers perhaps less noticed in the past. board committee to kick off a new planned-giving In my own neighborhood, Douglas irises are finally program that we're calling “The Nest Egg Club.” Co- starting to bloom, big flocks of Aleutian Cackling incidentally, several members have called me in re- Geese have been passing overhead, and there is a cent weeks to ask me about just this topic. You can definite uptick in the number of birds in my back- read Foncy’s article about this new opportunity for yard. I even saw a Bewick’s Wren in my yard, a new members to help further our group’s mission. Please species for my backyard list! Though none of the call her if you have any questions. birds or animals seem weighed down by the troubles plaguing our human society, we remain deeply aware Finally, I want to remind everyone that we have a that they share our world and are ever affected by the primary election coming up soon, on May 19. Of ways we live. course, our elected officials make critical decisions about the future of our public lands, wildlife, and the Beyond keeping us at home and jangling our nerves, environment, so your vote is important. the COVID-19 crisis has revealed an alarming boom- erang effect that underscores the ways we are all We’ll get through this epidemic. Please stay healthy, deeply connected. Scientists who study the origin of and enjoy springtime as best you can! viruses have been talking about the “spillover ef- – Ann Vileisis fect”: the way that destruction of wild habitats, espe- cially forests around the world, compels animals — and the viruses that live with them — to come into The Storm Petrel is the quarterly newsletter of Kalmiopsis closer contact with humans and domestic animals, Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1265, Port Orford, OR 97465, in creating circumstances for viruses to jump. I’ve read Curry County, Oregon. Kalmiopsis Audubon Society is a chapter many examples of “spillover” from the other side of of the National Audubon Society. the planet, making the situation seem distant, but Permission to reprint articles in this publication is granted, Lyme disease, first recognized in the U.S. in 1975, provided credit is given to both the author and the newsletter, hits closer to home. The disease is caused by a bacte- unless the article is under copyright. rium that is transmitted by ticks and spread by mice The KAS board meets quarterly. Visitors are always welcome at and deer. According to a 2018 study, as forests in the meetings and other functions. Please call any of the listed officers Northeast became more fragmented owing to increas- for the date and location of the board meeting. ing development, the incidence of Lyme disease in Officers President Ann Vileisis (541) 332-0261 humans rose. Not only did fragmented forests favor Vice President Foncy Prescott (541) 332-1032 the tick host species, leading to higher abundance Secretary Max Beeken (541) 373-1599 and infection rates, they also create circumstances Treasurer Sara Lovendahl (541) 366-2063 Coordinators that put people in closer contact with ticks, all while Conservation Chair Ann Vileisis (541) 332-0261 eliminating predators that might keep deer and mice The Storm Petrel Penny Suess (541) 332-3017 Membership Linda Tarr (541) 332-1032 populations in check. Dark Skies Al Geiser (541) 332-6720 Let’s Go Birding Gary Maschmeyer (541) 412-0806 We are all connected — people, animals, micro- Directors organisms. It’s an idea that is awe-inspiring but also Max Beeken 2018 - 2022 [email protected] Deborah Buitron 2020 - 2024 [email protected] overwhelming. What can we do? I believe in the old Al Geiser 2018 - 2022 [email protected] adage, “think globally and act locally.” Working to- Joan Geiser 2018 - 2022 [email protected] Sara Lovendahl 2017 - 2021 [email protected] ward conservation of our own special corner of Tim Palmer 2019 - 2023 [email protected] Oregon, I am often reminded that many of our local Foncy Prescott 2019 - 2023 [email protected] Penny Suess 2017 - 2021 [email protected] ecosystems are nationally and even globally signifi- Linda Tarr 2019 - 2023 [email protected] cant for their biodiversity and high quality — from Ann Vileisis 2020 - 2024 [email protected] rare plants and trees to outstanding wild rivers to KAS Website http://www.kalmiopsisaudubon.org birds that thrive owing to our productive marine Spring 2020 The Storm Petrel Page 3

special origami birds made by Vicki Graham. Carrie served on the KAS board in the 1980s and ’90s. Finally, we gave special recognition to the many con- tributions of KAS founding member Jim Rogers. As many of you know, Jim, who has been called the “John Muir” of Elk River, has a one-of-a-kind story. He started out working as a forester in the timber in- dustry, but after the local mill closed, he turned to conservation and has led efforts to protect Elk River’s old-growth forests ever since. Jim spearhead- ed the efforts to designate the Grassy Knob and Cop- per Salmon Wilderness Areas as well as the river’s wild-and-scenic designations, and he fought off fur- Teresa Bird presenting Jim Rogers with a photo of a ther timber sales. Jim has been an avid birder and Marbled Murrelet to honor his many contributions to hunter, and has spent a lifetime in the woods, doing Kalmiopsis Audubon and to conservation in Curry County. surveys for Spotted Owls and Marbled Murrelets, and working as a forestry consultant. He served on the Siskiyou Resource Advisory Committee and on the Curry County Planning Commission for 12 years, Kalmiopsis Audubon and has long taken a practical and community-based Celebrates 40th Anniversary approach to conservation in our rural area. We appre- On March 6, at our annual meeting, we celebrated ciate that Jim has stuck with KAS for 40 years, com- Kalmiopsis Audubon’s 40th anniversary. Thirty piling bird notes, writing columns in our newsletter, members came together for the festive gathering, and inspiring so many of us. which in retrospect feels like the last hurrah before After a delicious potluck dinner, including a specially the coronavirus closures hit. I gave a short talk re- decorated birthday cake, we enjoyed some original flecting on some of our group’s many successes over songs, one by Teresa Bird about Elk River, and one the course of so many years: We helped to designate by Cliff Stansell about Veva Stansell and the eriger- both Elk River wilderness areas and all our local on flower named in her honor. The music was per- Wild and Scenic Rivers, pressed to establish botani- formed by Cliff, Teresa, Mike Disbrow, and Max cal areas and ACECs, blocked the logging of thou- Beeken. We also enjoyed some wonderful nature im- sands of acres of old-growth forests, helped to delin- ages shared by Rowly Willis, Tim Palmer, and Gary eate local wetlands, pressed to reduce runoff of herb- Nuechterlein. Rowly wowed us not only with bird icides from cranberry farms, pressed Port Orford to photos but also with images he takes via telescope of adopt Dark Sky lighting, fended off development at distant galaxies! Tim showed highlights from his col- Floras Lake, defended many of our local rivers from lection of wildlife photos, and Gary showed amazing threats of mining, and so much more. film footage of the courtship dances of Western Pulling together the talk filled me with pride at how Grebes. Thanks to everyone who helped to make it many things our little grassroots group has accom- such a delightful evening! plished through the decades! It made me feel honored Membership Report to be the person now carrying the baton of KAS leadership and renewed my personal dedication to Kalmiopsis Audubon continues to grow in member- keeping our group going strong, onward into the next ship numbers, and through your participation, in vi- 40 years. tality and strength. We currently have a total of 429 members. We are always grateful for our steadfast Beyond reflecting on the ways KAS had made a dif- members who renew, year after year. And we thank ference in our corner of Oregon over the past four and welcome our new members: Christy Weghorst, decades, we recognized our group’s many dedicated Elizabeth Roberts, and Phoebe Skinner. At least one volunteers at our meeting, in particular the KAS person has recently joined us through a gift member- Board, Let’s Go Birding leader Gary Maschmeyer, ship from a friend. That is such a wonderful way to highway clean-up lead Peg Reagan, and Teresa Bird. bring someone who might not be familiar with our We gave a call-out to some new younger activists work to the group. If there are any questions or prob- who participated in the past year’s Jordan Cove hear- lems with your membership, please contact us by ings: Leilani O’Neill and Kevin Miller. We also rec- mail at P.O. Box 1265, Port Orford, OR, 97465, or ognized two of our longstanding, three-decades-plus call me at (541) 332-1032. – Linda Tarr members, Carrie Rogers and Dave Manzella, with Page 4 The Storm Petrel Spring 2020

Black Oystercatcher Numbers: Small but Stable A recent study published in Northwest Naturalist has provided new estimates of Oregon’s Black Oyster- catcher population: approximately 500 to 600 birds. Lead author Joe Liebezeit, a staff scientist with Port- land Audubon, considers it small but stable. The study relied on data collected by many volunteers up Join the Nest Egg Club! and down the coast, including KAS members, and Would you like your support of Kalmiopsis Audubon found Black Oystercatchers to be most prevalent on to have a lasting impact towards the protection of our our own South Coast! precious South Coast wildlife and natural resources for future generations? If so, you may wish to be- come a part of our new “Nest Egg Club” by includ- ing KAS in your estate or retirement planning. By making a planned gift to KAS, you help to build a lasting legacy of critical educational and advocacy efforts to sustain the beauty and environmental health of our region. The most common way to make a planned gift is by leaving a bequest through your will or living trust. Simply include language in your document stating that you “bequeath [$ amount] to the Kalmiopsis Audubon Society, a not-for-profit organization lo- cated at P.O. Box 1265, Port Orford, Oregon 97465 (Federal tax ID #93-1018752) for its ongoing conser- As most of you know, Black Oystercatchers are large vation and education programs.” If you’d like, you black shorebirds with orange beaks and pink legs, can let us know that you have bequeathed a gift to most frequently seen in rocky shore habitat where KAS so we may thank you. Of course, your gift will they eat shellfish like mussels and limpets. Their gar- remain anonymous unless you wish to be openly rulous cries are often heard as they fly around near- acknowledged. shore rocks and headlands. Black Oystercatchers are considered to be a Bird of Conservation Concern by You also may wish to consider including KAS as a the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service due to their tight beneficiary of your IRA Required Minimum Distri- dependence on rocky shoreline habitat, their general bution as a tax savings. rarity, and their vulnerability to threats, including If you would like more information about these or climate change and human disturbance. other planned-giving opportunities, contact KAS The population study is timely because the State of Vice President Foncy Prescott at foncyprescott@ Oregon is currently updating its Rocky Habitat Man- frontier.com. Thank you so much for your invaluable agement Plan, which will guide management of these ongoing support! – Foncy Prescott habitats into the future. Liebezeit helps to coordinate annual Black Oyster- Membership Application catcher monitoring. This year’s Black Oystercatcher Survey Training will take place via Zoom confer- Membership in Kalmiopsis Audubon Society is $15.00 ence, owing to COVID-19 restrictions. To learn more per year and includes The Storm Petrel. or to sign up, contact Frances at asopcoastalbirds Mail your check to: @gmail.com. Dates will be May 9 (10 a.m. to noon) Kalmiopsis Audubon Society and May 20 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and there will be a P.O. Box 1265 recording available as well. At this point, it looks like Port Orford, OR 97465 this year’s survey will be attenuated, given closures at coastal state parks, through which volunteers typi- Please include your name, mailing address, city, state with ZIP Code, and email address. cally access rocky shore monitoring spots. Be in touch with Frances if you want to help, and she and Thank you! Joe will keep you posted.

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Ground Zero for Allen’s x Rufous Hybrids A recent study published in The Auk (journal of the American Ornithological Society) sheds new light on the unique attributes of our local rust-colored hum- mingbirds: the Selasphorus genus, which includes Allen’s and Rufous. (Selasphorus derives from the Greek and means “light-bearing.”) Look in your bird book, and you’ll see that male Allen’s hummers have a green back, while male Rufous have a red back. But around here, you’ll often see birds in between, Mick Thompson/Flikr leading to confusion. Many local birders have generally assumed that a bird with any green on the back is an Allen’s, but as Western Snowy Plovers it turns out, Curry County (especially the zone north of Port Orford) lies at the center of a hummingbird It’s the time of year when Western Snowy Plovers hybrid zone that extends from Florence to Arcata. start to nest in small depressions in the dry sand of According to Tim Rodenkirk, one of our region’s beaches. The fluffy chicks are well camouflaged, but most knowledgeable birders, the new research means the exposed nests are vulnerable to predation by larg- that, in fact, almost all of the Selasphorus hummers er birds or foxes and disruption by walkers, dogs, and we see are likely Allen’s/Rufous hybrids and should off-road vehicles. Because plovers are a threatened be ID’d as such if you are reporting sightings to species, there are special restrictions for beaches that E-Bird or otherwise, or making personal lists. are explicitly managed for their conservation. The only such beach in our area is at New River (north of Given this new information, Tim says birders should Floras Lake). From March 15 to September 15, Ore- pay closer attention when they aim to identify the gon State Parks asks us to please follow these special Allen’s/Rufous hummers, which show up in spring precautions to help Snowy Plovers: (not to be confused with Anna’s, which stay here year-round and have all-green bodies). Hybrid Selas- ■ No dogs (even on a leash), vehicles, bikes, kites, or phorus males often have 30 to 80 percent green on drones on these beaches — including the entire dune their backs, while pure Allen’s have 90 to 100 per- area and the wet sand, which can be far from signs. cent. To identify a pure Allen’s hummer, an observer ■ No camping or beach fires. must see a male with a 90 to 100 percent green back that performs a distinctive Allen’s courtship display, ■ Stay on the wet sand if you are walking or riding in which the male flies back and forth in a shallow U your horse. shape, above surrounding vegetation, and ending As the Western Snowy Plover population has re- with a J-display. Unless you are able to definitively bounded, birds have begun to be seen on other beach- see both physical traits and behavior, you should call es in our area, as well. If you see a pair or a nest, it an Allen’s x Rufous hybrid. Tim says that females please report your sighting to help biologists keep and immatures should all be called Allen’s x Rufous track of populations and to protect nests. Call as they are impossible to ID without catching the Vanessa Blackstone of Oregon State Parks (OPRD) birds and measuring tail feathers and maybe even at: (503) 383-5012. Let me know, too!

taking blood samples. To make things a bit more confusing, there are pure Rufous around too — espe- cially early during migration (February and March), and some male Rufous can have 10 to 20 percent green on their backs. Understanding the ranges of different species helps scientists understand how birds and animals respond to environmental change. If you are interested in reading the new research paper, which goes into more technical nuance about the different plumage, sounds, and behaviors of these hummers, send an email to [email protected], and I’ll send you a pdf. Oregon Department Wildlife & of Fish Page 6 The Storm Petrel Spring 2020

Oregon, did the same, and Earth Day 1970 changed the culture of our nation. We hoped that we’d be able to right the sinking ship, and that in 50 years our home on Planet Earth would be safe. But now, once again, it seems that we’re headed down. Today we face a weakening of laws aimed at keeping arsenic out of our drinking water, pesticides out of our food, and plastics out of every fish, bird, and whale in the ocean. We are governed by an administration seeking to weaken the Clean Water Act that protects our drinking water, the Mi- gratory Bird Treaty Act that protects our seabirds, and virtually every measure intended to ensure we have healthy water, air, food, fisheries, forests, and communities. Back then, we didn’t even know about global warm- ing. Today we do, though a majority of congressional Commentary: members of one party still deny its existence or its Earth Day Plus 50 causes. As a result, we’ve done little to curb the forc- by Tim Palmer es of fossil fuel burning and worldwide deforestation that bring intensified droughts and wildfires, in- In 1970 it seemed like we were up against the impos- creased hurricanes and floods, a rising sea level that sible. A culture of exploitation had gone virtually could top six feet in a century along our shorelines, unchecked since the dawn of the industrial age, ren- and the invasion of diseases that thrive on the new dering an Earth where rivers burned, oil blackened and warmer climate. beaches, clearcuts left everything dead as far as the eye could see, and ozone from our own cars was kill- The most recent indicator of the wrong path taken is ing off forests even before anyone had a chance to COVID-19, brought to us through wildlife that cut them down. should have been left in the wild, and through en- croachments on their habitat when the lines between Earth Day changed all that, sparking a greater move- us should have been drawn. We’re reminded, once ment to chart a new course for America. again, that we must change our ways if we are to pass In the wake of the celebrations, demonstrations, a livable Earth on to the next generation and — for speeches, front page headlines, and political promis- that matter — if we’re to live to our own life expec- es, laws were passed that corrected our collective tancy during this generation. path into the future. An uprising of support led Con- Correcting our course may again seem to be impossi- gress to pass the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, ble. But it’s not. National Environmental Policy Act, and new rules aiming to level the playing field between wildlife The lesson of Earth Day is this: Our society can habitat and commodity extraction on the public lands change when people say that it must. Earth Day was that every American taxpayer owns. born in outrage at what was happening and also in a deep love of place, which turned out to be a powerful I remember Earth Day quite vividly, as I was the stu- combination. Both emotions endure, lingering among dent organizer at Penn State University in 1970. The many of us who have lived through 50 tumultuous day before, I got to share the stage and speaking time years, and also sparking a new generation bracing for with the event’s founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson, in challenges like never imagined before. front of the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Then on April 22, a massive team effort unfolded with 1,200 That single day, April 22, 1970, broadcast a message professors dedicating their class time to the environ- that has lasted for half a century. Now it’s time to ment. Three gubernatorial candidates of both politi- resolve again that the Earth must remain a place of cal parties came at our invitation to the Old Main sustenance, health, and beauty for all. Lawn to compete for a reputation as the strongest advocate for conservation. We staged films, bands, Tim Palmer, author of 29 books about the environ- and community events celebrating all of life on Earth ment, is on the KAS Board. This Guest Opinion ran and making the case for caring about the future. in the Eugene Register-Guard on April 21, 2020, and Campuses all across the country, including in in several local newspapers. ■

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Native Plant Notes by Teresa Bird Silvery Phacelia: Phacelia argentea It’s always a treat to be walking along the sand dunes and spot a flowering plant amidst the sea of European beachgrass, especially if it’s the rare silvery phacelia. This fuzzy little plant draws the eye at any time of year due to the shiny silver tint of its elongate and prominently veined leaves, which grow in rosette-like clusters. The silver sheen is caused by relatively long, silky hairs that cover the fleshy leaves. These silvery hairs allow the plant to survive in its harsh and exposed seaside environment by reflecting excess light, and by protecting leaves from both water loss and salt intake. The area around the flowers (the sepals, or collectively “calyx”) is also hairy, and the way the stamens shoot out of the center of the little cream-colored corolla makes the cluster of flowers appear almost fuzzy as well! This species is in the forget-me-not plant family (Boraginaceae), and its name appropriately describes the appearance: Phacelia comes from the Greek word for “cluster,” describing the striking cluster of flowers, and argentea from the Latin for “silvery.” Spotting this plant on a beach walk is even more exciting when you know its rarity – Phacelia argentea grows only on the 130-mile stretch of coast from Coos County to Del Norte County, and there are fewer than 30 documented populations. The rapid spread of nonnative beach grass, gorse, coastal development, and motorized recreation has all but driven the silvery phacelia to extinction. In 2014, several nonprofit or- ganizations petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the species on the endangered species list to initiate greater protections, and the agency is currently conducting a status review to inform its decision on whether to list the species. Greater protections for this species would coincide with protections for another listed species, the Snowy Plover, as they share the same open dune habitat. According to the Center for Bio- logical Diversity, this species is also a favorite of pollinators, as both the number of bees and the variety of bee species have been found to be higher in areas where silvery phacelia is present than in other vegetated dunes. We will keep you updated on the uplisting process. In the meantime, silvery phacelia blooms from March to September, so keep your eyes open next time you’re out at a beach with open dunes or coastal bluffs! Happy botanizing! ■ Photo: Oregon Wild

Conservation News Local Action for Inaction on the Climate Crisis by Ann Vileisis Langlois Asphalt Plant Proposal Withdrawn Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature again con- sidered a cap-trade-and-invest bill (SB 1530) as a In February, KAS submitted comments regarding a way to start tackling the global climate crisis. The proposed asphalt processing plant in Langlois, south cap, trade, and invest approach would cap emissions, and across Highway 101 from the KOA campground. set up a system to charge for and trade emission cred- While we recognize the need for locations where its, and use proceeds to start investing in infrastruc- rock can be stockpiled and made into asphalt from ture, technology, and restoration needed to adapt to time to time, this proposal was clearly out of compli- climate change, especially in Oregon’s rural areas. ance with county ordinances. The project proponent To be clear, there have been debates for decades claimed “temporary” use but, in fact, was trying to about the pros and cons of cap-and-invest versus a get blanket permission to make asphalt at the site, on carbon tax versus regulation. Each approach has pros and off, indefinitely. KAS also pointed out the need and cons, but at this point, with the ever-growing ur- for state air quality permits and called for special gency of the climate crisis, it was time to make a de- conditions to protect riparian areas from runoff, since cision and move ahead. threatened coastal coho spawn right in the reach of Swanson Creek (a tributary to Floras Lake) that runs It didn’t happen. The group “Timber Unity” orga- through the property. The Oregon Coast Alliance nized a rally in opposition, with hundreds of big also submitted comments in opposition, and several trucks driving around the capitol building. The group citizens from Langlois attended the Curry County claims to be grassroots, representing loggers, truck Planning Commission meeting to voice their con- drivers, and others whose livelihoods depend on cerns about noise and noxious fumes. The application extraction, but its major donors, no surprise, was withdrawn. include corporate logging interests. As a result, ► Page 8 The Storm Petrel Spring 2020

◄ for the second year in a row, despite many com- dredging. Meanwhile, natural gas prices have been promises made in the bill, the minority party dropping precipitously, so the economics of this proj- Republican senators walked out, leaving a lack of ect are in limbo. In mid-April, a coalition of groups quorum for action. and tribes, as well as Oregon state agencies, asked While this was happening in Salem, county commis- FERC to withdraw or rehear its decision, on grounds sioners organized in rural counties to back up Timber that the decision process was procedurally flawed Unity and Republican legislators by passing resolu- and violated multiple federal environmental laws. tions opposing the climate bill. When Curry County Jordan Cove and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline considered such a resolution at a meeting in early would cross 400 streams in southern Oregon February, KAS board member Tim Palmer attended, (including the Rogue), condemn thousands of acres urging the Curry County Board of Commissioners of private property, degrade the Coos Bay Estuary, (BOC) not to pass the resolution that assured more and become Oregon’s largest carbon emitter — all so gridlock but instead to offer support for some con- a Canadian corporation can export natural gas to Asia structive way forward. He explained how rural areas at a time when we need to reduce emissions. Despite will be hardest hit by the climate crisis — that acidi- the FERC decision, this house of cards may be start- fying and warming oceans will affect our local fish- ing to collapse. Stay tuned. eries, that rising sea levels will affect our roads and Floras Lake Land Swap towns, and that higher temperatures and lower hu- I am glad to report that on April 1, the Curry County midity will amplify wildfire threats. He pointed to BOC voted unanimously to take next steps to ad- changes in the bill specifically intended to provide vance the Floras Lake land swap. The agreement for investment in rural areas to start addressing these made last fall between Curry County and Oregon issues. Local leaders from Curry Democrats also State Parks had stipulated that platted road right-of- asked the BOC to hold off on the resolution and in- ways be vacated before the swap could proceed. The stead hold a workshop to consider pros and cons Curry BOC directed the roadmaster to proceed with more carefully. In the end, two commissioners, Chris this necessary “vacation.” We’re grateful to Commis- Paasch and Court Boice, voted to support the resolu- sioners Sue Gold, Court Boice, and Chris Paasch for tion, while Commissioner Sue Gold voted to hold a keeping the ball rolling on this matter. workshop to learn more. We appreciate Commission- er Gold’s thoughtful response to this critical issue. Protecting Forest Waters It’s deeply unfortunate that the climate crisis has be- In mid-February, KAS sponsored an educational pro- come such a partisan and paralyzing issue to our so- gram in Port Orford about grassroots efforts to press ciety. Ultimately, in response to the legislature’s fail- for increased protections for streams that flow ure, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order through industrial forestland. Logging on private in- 20-04, pressing state agencies to take actions within dustrial forests is governed by Oregon’s State Forest her administrative purview to reduce emissions. This Practices Act, which has come under increasing criti- happened right before the COVID-19 outbreak came cism for lagging behind other states. In particular, to dominate everyone’s attention, but the EO will buffers to protect streams and communities from aer- hopefully initiate some meaningful changes. Please ial spraying and logging are woefully inadequate. call Governor Brown to thank her for moving for- Grassroots groups up and down the coast were plan- ward to address the climate crisis: (503) 378-4582. ning a ballot initiative effort to finally put these is- sues before voters. KAS had intended to help with Jordan Cove Update this important effort. But then, upping the stakes con- Many of you heard news in mid-March that the Fed- siderably, the timber industry put forth its own set of eral Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ap- ballot initiatives, including one that would require the proved the Jordan Cove facility for the north shore of state to compensate private landowners for any future Coos Bay. This was hugely disappointing but not changes in regulations. Ultimately, the governor’s surprising. Though the FERC is supposed to be an office negotiated an agreement between statewide independent, bipartisan body, the current administra- environmental groups and big timber companies to tion stacked it with its own pro-development Repub- withdraw all ballot initiatives so that some compro- lican appointees and neglected to follow longstand- mise could be made through the legislature. Howev- ing tradition to appoint another Democrat for bal- er, the walkout of Republican senators nixed the pos- ance. In the wake of this “rigged” FERC deci- sibility of this agreement leading to legislation. sion, Senator Wyden joined Senator Merkley and In early April, parties to the agreement reiterated in- Representative DeFazio in condemning the project. terest to Governor Brown in working toward a com- Despite FERC approval, the State of Oregon has de- promise rather than proceeding with the ballot initia- nied Jordan Cove several key permits, including for tives. Of course, the COVID-19 epidemic has made Spring 2020 The Storm Petrel Page 9

Curry Mammals I Have Known by Jim Rogers Mountain Beaver, Aplodontia rufa After graduating from forestry school and working a stint for the Forest Service in Montana, my first job in the Northwest was planting trees for Weyerhaeuser up on the Olympic Peninsula. I was working with a crew of hoodlums. They’d all been arrested for stealing cars and other such offenses. Because I was the new guy from back East, they were always joking around with me, trying to get me to believe things that weren’t true or to doubt things that were. They told me about the geoduck, a giant clam with a long protruding neck that looks like a long penis. I thought it had to be made up, but I eventually found out it was a real animal. Then they told me about the rarely seen “mountain beaver” that ate fir seedlings. I was familiar with beavers that cut trees, built dams, and slapped the water with big tails, so I suspected they were pulling my leg again. Then while we were planting trees, one of crew yelled “Mountain Beaver!” Everyone turned to look, and I final- ly saw the critter, about the size of a muskrat, for just a few moments before it disappeared. It was a real animal. Mountain beavers are small rodents with thick necks and stubby tails. They are about 13 inches long and weigh from two to three pounds. They live only in the coastal mountains of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, preferring the moist damp climate, soft ground, and abundant water. Even though I’ve spent most of my life working in the woods, I’ve only had a few chances to see these animals alive. Though they are relatively common and not strictly nocturnal, they are very secretive and asocial. Each animal lives in its own burrow. Also called “boomers,” mountain beaver are considered to be “living fossils” because they’ve not changed for millions of years. Their primitive kidneys have trouble concentrating urine, so they need to drink nearly one-third of their body weight each day, which is why they must live close to water. Mountain beaver breed between January and March, with two or three young born February to April. The young are born hairless, pink, and blind. They are thought to live five to 10 years, which is fairly long for rodents. Like rabbits, Aplodontia practice cacophagy, which means they eat their own scat to recycle nutrients. But mostly they eat vegetation, including sword and bracken ferns, and rhododendrons. Boomers also like to gnaw bark off small trees, and one of their favorite foods is fir seedlings, so they are considered to be a pest by the timber in- dustry, which traps and sometimes poisons them to reduce damage to new plantations. Once while planting trees at a ranch along the lower Rogue River, I found many of my seedlings eaten off near the base. I knew right away it was mountain beavers, and I had to trap them out, which finally gave me a good chance to look at them up close. Mountain beaver seem to be less common in Curry County than they are in Coos County, where the Elliott State Forest is known to have quite a lot of them. And so, with this story of the elusive mountain beaver, this series of essays, Curry Mammals I Have Known, must come to a close. Over the past eight years or so, I’ve written about most all of the mammals that breed and make their lives in Curry County. If we were going to continue it, there would be a few more critters to cover that I’ve not yet had a chance to write about or see: opossum, fisher, jumping mouse, and some larger animals that once lived here and may live here again someday — wolf and grizzly bear. May the nonhuman mammals of Curry County live on in our wild backcountry forests and mountains forever! ■ collecting signatures impossible. At this point, every- Forestry’s FERNS program to sign up for notifica- one recognizes the need for reform, but we don't yet tions, and then make calls to spray applicators to get know what form it will take or if it will go far enough more information. without broader citizen input. We’d hoped to be able to sponsor workshops in Gold Regardless of the uncertainties, we felt it was im- Beach and Brookings, too, but, of course, COVID-19 portant to keep sharing information about these has prompted us to cancel all programs. Still, we’d issues that affect so many of our members who live like to reach out to our members in watersheds most in watersheds predominantly managed for industrial likely to be affected by aerial spraying this spring — timber production. At our program, assistant conser- including Floras Creek, Sixes, Hubbard Creek, Eu- vation director Teresa Bird gave an excellent talk chre Creek, Hunter Creek, and Pistol River — to help describing the impacts of aerial spraying of herbi- everyone become better informed about how to keep cides on forests and the shortcomings of Oregon’s safe and to better track what is happening. We’ll be rules. She shared maps showing the extent of spray- in touch about this via email HOOT OUTs. For more ing planned for local areas this spring and explained information about how you can help, contact Teresa how people could use the Oregon Department of Bird at [email protected]. ■ Page 10 The Storm Petrel Spring 2020

BIRD NOTES

Late Winter / Early Spring 2020 February 4 – Mike Bressler reported a Northern April 5 – Terry Wahl reported a Say’s Phoebe on his Mockingbird in Gold Beach. family ranch in the Cape Blanco area. February 29 to March 1 – Tim Palmer reported hear- April 5 – Ann Vileisis reported the first Violet- ing a Great Horned Owl in Port Orford Heads State Green Swallows returning to scope out birdhouses in Park at dusk, five days in a row. her yard. March 5 – Jeff Riepe and Kim Hunter reported ex- April 9 – Paul Shallert saw 25 to 30 Black Turn- tremely large flocks of unidentified gulls off Gold stones on rocks at Frankport, also known as Sisters Beach. In early March, gulls that have wintered all Rocks. He also reported seeing an immature Bald along the west coast head generally north and inland Eagle, Peregrine Falcons, and an Osprey between to nest. there and Arizona Beach. March 14 – Several people reported a Rough-legged April 9 – Tim Palmer reported a Great Horned Owl Hawk in the Floras Lake area, from February hooting in the middle of the night in downtown Port through mid-March. Orford. March 15 – Linda Bozack reported seeing Turkey April 9 – Teresa Bird reported seeing hundreds of Vultures over her home in Brookings. These birds Bonaparte’s Gulls, a Common Loon, two Pacific typically show up in mid-February, but greater num- Loons, a Red-throated Loon, a White-winged Sco- bers are seen starting in mid-March. ter, three Horned Grebes, and a Red-breasted Merganser from Port Orford’s Dock Beach. March 21 – Dave Manzella reported seeing his first Osprey in Gold Beach. Reviewing his personal April 10 – Ann Vileisis reported the first big flocks notes, he realized that this was the same date he’d of Aleutian Cackling Geese flying over Port Orford. seen his first osprey in 2018. Big flocks continued through April 12 March 21 – Gary Maschmeyer reported that the Let’s April 12 – Terry Wahl reported a Lapland Long- Go Birding field trip heard two Western Screech spur in breeding plumage on his family ranch in the Owls, two Barred Owls, and one Great Horned Cape Blanco area. Owl on the Rogue River Walk. Near Jim Hunt Creek, they got an excellent view of a Western Screech Owl that landed on a nearby branch and sat chattering at them for nearly 10 minutes. March 29 – Vicki Graham reported a couple of pairs of Common Mergansers in the pool upstream of Elk River hatchery. This is the time of year when they start pairing up. March 30 – Charley Kahler reported a Bald Eagle flying low over the water between Tanbark Point and the north Chetco jetty. It was being harassed by gulls. April 1 – Paul Shallert reported two Red-tailed Hawks, swooping and circling around in courtship; he says they never flapped their wings in several minutes. He says that the black-phase Red-tailed Hawk is still hanging out at the golf course in Cedar Valley. April 12 – Al and Joan Geiser reported seeing a Bald April 2 – Tim Rodenkirk reported hearing a Lapland Eagle and a Bald Eagle juvenile at Garrison Lake, Longspur in the Floras Lake area; he thinks it could and sent a photo (above) of both the eagles and big have been an overwintering bird or an early migrant. flocks of Aleutian Cackling Geese passing over- head. They watched as the geese veered sharply west April 2 – Dave Manzella reported seeing Varied to avoid a Peregrine Falcon and Red-tailed Hawk Thrushes in his yard in Gold Beach. flying south.

Spring 2020 The Storm Petrel Page 11

POETRY CORNER

April, 2020 by Vicki Graham Each morning, just before dawn, when the light behind the ridge feathers and spills into the valley, Osprey with Fish a northern flicker drums Photo by Rowly Willis on a roof beam under the eaves. And when the sun brushes the thimbleberry tangle by the creek, April 12 – Paul Shallert reported seeing a juvenile a Pacific wren sings a song Bald Eagle at the mouth of Euchre Creek, looking so quick, so complex, for steelhead, he thinks. the notes spiral and blur, while hummingbirds whir April 13 – Teresa Bird reported six Brown Pelicans among manzanita blossoms. fishing off the beach south of Port Orford’s Battle Rock. A few Brown Pelicans sometimes start show- April, 2020: ing up in April, more often in May. Larger numbers an ordinary spring. Chocolate lilies start to show up in midsummer after nesting. Teresa bloom on a cliff above the river, also saw a juvenile Bald Eagle hanging out near the warblers return, apple blossoms open, mouth of Hubbard Creek, terrorizing seabirds on the bees begin to pollinate — big rocks offshore. but our world is in lockdown. April 13 – Tim Rodenkirk reported 48,500 Aleutian Cackling Geese in the Floras Lake – New River Bot- An ordinary spring — toms area. The geese stop over to rest and stage in and now is the time to trust the New River bottomlands before flying straight to ordinary things: their Aleutian Islands nesting grounds around the end swallows skimming the river, of the month. Tim says the current estimated world the white scissor flash population of this formerly threatened species is now of the dark-eyed junco’s tail, greater than 150,000 birds. or here, caught on a twig, April 17 – Ann Vileisis reported hearing birds flying a slate blue flight feather overhead at night; they are migratory shorebirds, of a nuthatch, molted last summer, likely Greater Yellowlegs. but still whole, barbs tightly zipped, a flat plane aerodynamically perfect April 21 – Laura Nix reported seeing two Western as the wing from which it dropped. Snowy Plovers on the beach west of Garrison Lake. A good reason to keep dogs on leash on that beach.

Compiled by Tim Rodenkirk and Ann Vileisis, with additional input from Jim Rogers and Don Munson. At this time, please report your unusual sightings to [email protected]. ■

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What’s Inside Upcoming Events ...... 1 From the President’s Desk by Ann Vileisis ...... 2 40th KAS 40th Anniversary ...... 3 Anniversary Membership Report ...... 3 Celebration Join the Nest Egg Club! ...... 4 Local Birding News ...... 4, 5 Earth Day Earth Day Plus 50 by Tim Palmer ...... 6 Commentary Native Plant Notes by Teresa Bird ...... 7 Protecting Conservation News Forest by Ann Vileisis ...... 7 Waters Langlois Asphalt Plant Proposal Withdrawn, Local Action for Inaction on Climate, Jordan Cove Update, Floras Lake Land Swap, Protecting Forest Waters Curry Mammals I Have Known by Jim Rogers ...... 9 Bird Notes by Tim Rodenkirk and Ann Vileisis, with Jim Rogers and Don Munson ...... 10 Poetry Corner by Vicki Graham ...... 11