An Oregon2020 Publication 05/01/2016
JACKSON COUNTY SPOTLIGHT
What is a Blitz? Birders from around the state gather in a single
Fri., May 20 to Sun., county to survey as many birds in as many places as possible in just May 22 in Ashland, OR one weekend. Multiple stationary counts within Oregon2020 Hotspot In partnership with the
Blitz Squares are encouraged (click here for our protocol). Participation in Dates Mountain Bird Festival Blitzes is free! To register, visit: http://oregon2020.com/jackson/
Overview of Jackson County Jackson County is located in the Southwest corner of Oregon. Its largest city is Medford, followed by Ashland -
home of the famous Oregon Shakespeare
Festival. Jackson county lies mostly in the Fast Facts rain shadow of the Oregon Coast Range. This valley climate is particularly good for All-Time Bird Species producing fruit, hay, grain, poultry, and Total: 302 beef. Jackson County is also near to Breeding Season Bird natural attractions such as Crater Lake, Species Total: 257 Above: Jackson County is located in the the Rogue River, and the Klamath and Total number of eBird southwestern part of Oregon, about 3 hours south of Eugene. Umpqua National Forests. checklists: 19,508
The Great Gray Owl: Master of Stealth
A master of stealth and sound detection, the Great Gray Owl is the
largest owl in North America and considered the world’s largest owl species by length. A very sharp listener, as the Great Grey Owl is able to detect prey over 100 meters away through snow as deep as 17 inches. Other birds beware, as this Photo: Doug Greenberg owl is able to prey on the smallest of finches to medium- Jackson County Species size hawks. They are known to Highlights: nest in abandoned nests of California Towhee larger raptors, artificial Oak Titmouse platforms, and the top of large
Great Gray Owl snags. You can normally
Northern Mockingbird observe this majestic owl Yellow-breasted Chat perching and listening for its next meal. Top Birding Locations in Bull, E.L. and J.R. Duncan. 1993. Great Gray Jackson County: Owl (Strix nebulosa), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Emigrant Lake Photo: Jim Richmond Lab of Ornithology. Agate Lake
Howard Prairie Circuit The Great Gray Owl is one of several exciting potential species during our Jackson County Blitz.
Written by Azita Roshani and Gabriel Sandoval for Oregon2020 - Jenna Curtis and Tyler Hallman, Editors. All content © Oregon2020 unless otherwise noted.
THE HISTORY OF JACKSON LODGING FOR THE JACKSON
COUNTY emigrated en-masse COUNTY BIRDING BLITZ following the discovery of gold in the Illinois River Our headquarters and daily and the Rogue River meeting location for the valleys. A 3-year war Jackson County Blitz will be between Native Americans in Ashland, Oregon. and miners ended in 1853 with the surrender and Many camping, hotel, and relocation of tribes to the bed & breakfast options exist Carroll family Grand Ronde Indian and in the Ashland area. For Oregon Historical Records
This county is the historic Siletz reservations. Some camping, consider Emigrant Holiday Inn, Econolodge, home of many native beautiful natural areas in Lake (6.5mi from Ashland) or and Super 8. American peoples, the surrounding area the more remote Hyatt Lake including the Modoc, include the North Umpqua (24mi from Ashland). For a more cozy experience, Shasta, Takelma, Latgawa, Hot Springs (a gorgeously consider one of the many and Umpqua Indian tribes. cascading series of natural Ashland is also home to a bed and breakfasts Ashland The Territorial Legislature pools), the scenic Natural number of hotel options has to offer. A full listing of created Jackson County on Bridge Loop trail, and the from the luxury Ashland B&Bs can be found at January 12, 1852, and majestic Rogue River. Springs Hotel to the more http://stayashland.com settlers from California economical Stratford Inn,
INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL BIRDER BEN WIELAND
How long have you been birding Oregon? I first birded Oregon in 1998 when I moved to Ashland for grad school at SOU. I left in 2003 for the Upper Midwest, then moved back to the area about a year ago. I visited several times while I was gone, so I guess I've been birding Oregon off and on for about 18 years.
What is your favorite Oregon bird, and favorite Jackson County bird? If I had to choose a favorite bird, I'd say White-headed Woodpecker, for both Oregon and Jackson.
What are some “must bird” locations for visitors? The Siskiyou Crest, which includes Mount Ashland, Lily Glen County Park near Howard Photo: Helmy Oved
Prairie Lake, the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, and the patchwork of wetlands, oaks and open chaparral at Denman wildlife area FUN FACT: and the nearby table rocks. DID YOU KNOW…
What bird species, if any, are you still hoping to find in Jackson County? Jackson County is home I am still doggedly pursuing my first Jackson County Pygmy Nuthatch. to the well-known Why should birders visit Jackson County? For a landlocked county Oregon Vortex, a Jackson has a good diversity of habitats, and nowhere in Oregon is Great roadside attraction Gray Owl easier to find. Birding the oak woodlands and chapparal of the located in Gold Hill. A table rocks with the snowy cone of Mount McLoughlin and the Siskiyou museum of mind- Crest as a backdrop is a must for any Oregon birder. bending illusions, which claims mysterious Don’t forget to register for the Jackson County Birding phenomena and strange Blitz, May 20-22! Free registration and more information magnetic fields occur available here: http://oregon2020.com/jackson/ within!
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