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Home , American coot, Molalla River State Park

The quarterly journal of field ornithology

Volume 22, Number 1, Spring 1996

SITE GUIDE: The "New" Baskett Slough 3 Bill Tice SITE GUIDE: The Upper Basin 5 Stephen Dowlan SITE GUIDE: Birding Locales in Clackamas Co., Oregon 7 Tim Janzen Feeding symbiosis between American and 9 Keith L. Graves What is the Youth Conservation Corps? 10 Shelly Simpson Great Blue Heron swimming 10 Keith L. Graves Nesting of Glaucous-Winged X Western in Clackamas County, Oregon 11 Tim Janzen Request for Information on Extirpated and Declining Species of Western Oregon 13 David B. Marshall Curve-billed Thrasher in Oregon 14 Mary Graves Common Poorwill Behavior Near Fields, Harney County, Oregon 15 Mike Denny North American Migration Count 16 Pat French Oregon Breeding Atlas Project: 1995 Field Season Report 17 PaulAdamus NEWS AND NOTES OB 22(1) 20 Spring Weekend at Malheur 22 David R. Copeland FIELDNOTES, Summer 1995 24 Eastern Oregon, Summer 1995 25 Tom Crabtree Western Oregon, Summer 1995 28 Jim Johnson COVER PHOTO Costa's Hummingbird, an adult male coming to a feeder in Deschutes Co. Photo/Frank Cleland. CENTER 1996 OFO annual meeting • OFO membership form • OFO Bookcase • Complete checklist of Oregon m Rare Bird Phone Network • Oregon Birds is looking for material in these categories:

Oregon Birds News Briefs on things of temporal The quarterly journal of Oregon field ornithology importance, such as meetings, birding trips, announcements, news items, etc.

Articles are longer contributions dealing OREGON BIRDS is a quarterly publication of Oregon Field with identification, distribution, ecology, Ornithologists, an Oregon not-for-profit corporation. Membership in management, conservation, , Oregon Field Ornithologists includes a subscription to Oregon Birds. behavior, biology, and historical aspects of ISSN 0890-2313 ornithology and birding in Oregon. Articles 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 OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS most a few in parentheses in the text. Names President Mike Patterson, Astoria (1995-96) and addresses of authors appear at the end of Secretary David R. Copeland, Keizer (1995-96) the text. Treasurer Barbara Combs, Eugene (1995-96) Bird Finding Guides "where to find a Past President George A. Jobanek, Eugene in Oregon" (for some of the rarer Directors Ted Ernst, Corvallis (1995-97) birds) and "where to find birds in the Cindy Lawes, Beaverton (1994-96) area" (forsome of the betterspots). Paul T. Sullivan, Beaverton (1994-96) Sandy Thiele, Corvallis (1995-97) Reviews for published material on Oregon birds or of interest to Oregon birders.

Photographs of birds, especially photos OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE taken recently in Oregon. Color slide Secretary Harry Nehls, Portland (1994) duplicates are preferred. Please label all photos with photographer's name and Members Tom Crabtree, Bend (1995-97) address, bird identification, date and place the Colin Dillingham, Brookings (1995-97) photo was taken. Photos will be returned; Jeff Gilligan, Portland (1993-95) contact the Editor for more information. Jim Johnson, Portland (1993-95) Nick Lethaby, Santa Clara, CA (1994-96) Deadline for the next issue of Oregon Birds — Larry McQueen, Eugene (1994-96) OB 22(2),Summer 1996—is20April 1996. The Craig Roberts, Tillamook (1993-95) next issue should get to you by the first week of Skip Russell, Beaverton (1995-97 June 1996. .Material can be submitted any time, Owen Schmidt, Portland (1994-96) and the sooner the better. Please send materials directly to the Editor, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Alternates Richard Hoyer, Corvallis (1995) Portland, OR 97212, 503-282-9403. Kamal Islam, Corvallis (1995) Gerard Lillie, Portland (1995) Oregon Birds Board of Editors: Ron Maertz, Glide (1995) David A. Anderson. Range D. Bayer, Charlie Kevin Spencer, Tulelake CA (1995) Bruce, Tom Crabtree, Stephen Dowlan, Jeff Gilligan, Steven G. Herman, Mike Houck, George A. Jobanek, Jim Johnson, CD. Littlefield, Roy Lowe, David B. Marshall, Harry Oregon Birds B. Nehls, Mark Stern, Paul Sullivan, Clarice OREGON BIRO RECORDS COMMITTEE ©1996 OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS P.O. Box 10373 Eugene, OR 97440 Printed on Recycled Paper.

Oregon Birds 22(1): 2 SITE GUIDE: The ''IVew" Baskett Slough

Bill Tice, 750 Wood Street, Falls City, OR 97344

We hear a lot these days about re• recorded also. Also of interest were grating shorebirds.There is one man- claiming habitat, and for Greater White-fronted Geese. Usually made reservoir, Morgan Lake, but it good reason. Much of it has vanished seen in very small numbers, if at all, probably does not have enough wa• forever for agriculture or urbaniza• from October through May, there ter to prevent the newly made lakes tion. Some of what is left is caught in were from 200-500 birds seen here from drying out in late summer, and a desperate struggle between those at times during April and into May. may not be used for such. If it did, the who would save it and those who During summer 1995,2 more dikes fall migration here would be every bit would develop it. Most National Wild• were created making 2 more lakes as spectacular as the spring. life Refuges are in natural condition with good potential mudflat areas At present, about 350 acres have and the wetland areas therein are pre• awaiting the spring of 1996.The rais• been restored to their former wetland served as such. Baskett Slough Na• ing of the central road, Colville Road, state. With the addition of the fourth tional Wildlife Refuge joins the forces was the actual forming of another dike, that number will reach 400. It of those restoring .This area dike. When you drive down the will be of interest to note that, as was drained prior to government Colville Road, central to the Refuge, these areas are monitored, it will later ownership and now is on its way to you will actually drive between 2 of be determined if there is need for living up to its potential for attract• these newly-constructed areas. The another dike. If so, this will be cre• ing wildlife. third dike was made at the northern ated on the eastern most section of Located just 12 miles west of Sa• portion of the refuge. It should be in• the refuge, and another 50+ acres lem, Oregon, Baskett Slough National teresting to see what further devel• would added. Wildlife Refuge is situated on 2492 opments take place affecting birds. It What needs to next take place is acres of oak-covered knolls and grassy may actually become the best single some local support to be created, fields, typical of much of the stopover in the for which at present is painfully lacking. Willamette Valley. Originally set aside migrating shorebirds. The accompa• Most of the feedback Rick gets is gen• for the Dusky subspecies of Canada nying map shows the Refuge with the erally negative, such as comments Goose, the refuge also provides habi• newly-made lakes with water at the from the nearby farmers blaming tat for 200 other bird species that highest levels. crop loss on the geese. But help may have been recorded within its bound• At present the manager, Rick soon be on the way. Some people in aries. Until recently, much of the po• Guadagno, is very optimistic. Due to the local Salem Audubon Society are tential wetlands were drained by the biodiversity now created, he has brainstorming the idea of "adopting" ditches for agricultural purposes.This high hopes of seeing even larger num• this Refuge for volunteer projects. involved many acres of land. By the bers of waterfowl and shorebirds. This could very well be the start of time you read this, those areas will Since the first results are impressive, more public awareness, which is also be either under water or adjacent to he has reason to believe that things painfully lacking.When a group such it. will continue to get better.This should as local Audubon societies can get Starting in summer 1994, a dike was also attract the birding community. behind a purpose, the powers that be built at the southern-most portion of Also in summer 1995 work on a are more prone to listen and the gov• the wetland. The water backed up fourth dike began but it will not be ernment is less reluctant to withhold from this can cover up to 200 acres. complete until next summer.This dike funding. Avifauna has already been noticeably is located between Colville Road and Flanked by Rt. 22 on the south,most affected. During the first winter many the dike at the northern portion of motorists zoom past the Refuge at more Dunlin have taken advantage, the refuge .While this will provide yet 55+ mph, oblivious to all but the and at one point there was a flock of more wildlife habitat, it will be the geese adjacent to the immediate approximately 10,000, which is quite least accessible of all the newly made north. While the Canada Geese are large for an inland congregation. No wetland areas. obviously present, many birders don't doubt there was a shift in preference The majority of these restored wet• realize that many other species also of the Valley's winter waterfowl, as land areas will be managed as "moist can be seen. On many days in winter this area was brimming with ducks. soil units."Water will be drained from one could spot a or 2 just During the spring of 1995 extensive the areas during the summer grow• from the kiosk, as well as Rough- mudflats were created, which was ing season in order to rejuvenate de• legged Hawks and Northern Harriers. definitely an attraction for north• sirable vegetation. The areas will be Ducks of a number of species are just bound shorebirds. In April and May reflooded in late September to No• as plentiful on the water as the geese. one could easily see large congrega• vember to coincide with waterfowl With the present condition, the shore- tions of Dunlin, dowitchers, peeps, and other migrations. So while there birds, as already mentioned, will be and plovers, plus lesser numbers of is plenty of water available for win• hard to miss. yellowlegs and phalaropes. The ter waterfowl and spring shorebirds, Much of the Refuge is off limits Refuge's first Marbled Godwit was this may not be the case for fall mi• from 1 October through 31 April, but Oregon Birds 21(4): 3 from May through September one can can get.The potential for water-asso• So the next time you are heading walk almost anywhere therein except ciated bird stopping here is great, as to the coast from the Salem area, plan where posted signs forbid.There is a there are no large bodies of water on stopping by to check out the parking lot central to the refuge along anywhere near this part of the valley. "New" Baskett Slough. 0 Colville Road. From here one can take The next few years should be prove a trail to Morgan Lake, or may settle interesting to see what rarities show for the shorter loop trail or hike up up. Polk County's first Gyrfalcon to Baskett Butte overlooking the wet• ought to be sighted here, as well as a land areas .The present kiosk will soon few other firsts. be replaced by a new one farther west along Rt. 22 with better wildlife viewing possibilities. For serious birders a scope is a must, as the new lakes and mudflats are just out of range for identifying much with just binoculars. Those shorebirds seem to like those areas "out in the middle" where they are about as far away from you as they

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Oregon Birds 22(1): 4 SITE GUIDE: The Upper Molalla River Basin

Stephen Dowlan, Cascades Resource Area, BLM Salem District, 1710 Fairoaks Way N.W, Salem, OR 97304

The upper Molalla River drainage of A pair has nested in lock from Joyce Lake north to Baty Clackamas County offers northern the drainage most years since 1983, Butte.Take the road that enters Joyce Willamette Valley birders an oppor• and can often be seen soaring alone Lake Road from the west (uphill) tunity for a very satisfying western or with the canyon's abundant Tur• where the power lines cross the road Cascades day list without wandering key Vultures from late spring to early and check the edge of the large far from home. During the past 5 fall.This is the only known nest site clearcut. Cassin's Finch has been years, I have served in the position of in Clackamas County, and one of the found here in summer, and Lewis' Biological Technician for the Bureau few in northwest Oregon. Additional Woodpeckers have been seen in of Land Management, Salem District, single subadult birds have been ob• spring and fall. Red-breasted Sapsuck- conducting wildlife surveys (mostly served throughout the upper reaches ers and Western Bluebirds are com• for Northern Spotted Owls) in the of the canyon. Look for the birds any• mon, and nesting birds can be found Clackamas Resource Area. This has where in the basin, but especially without great effort. Mountain Blue• afforded me the opportunity to bird along the Molalla Forest Road below birds are occasionally seen on the the Molalla drainage from the Glen Horse Creek Road. Band-tailed Pi• other dead-end roads that approach Avon bridge to the headwaters of geons are most often seen in this area the divide. Deadhorse Creek, Luken's Creek, also. Soosap Meadow is at the headwa• Table Rock Fork, the main stem of the A small beaver dam-created wet• ters of Deadhorse Creek, and must be Molalla, Copper Creek, and Gawley land at the north end of the Horse approached from Hillockburn Road Creek.The little-used Table Rock Wil• Creek Bridge hosted a Virginia in via Highway 211 to avoid locked derness Area is contained within the 1993 and 1994, and Marsh Wrens and gates. A primitive trail begins at the basin. Common Snipe were seen there in intersection of Timothy Patch Road Much of this drainage is under the August of 1994. Wood ducks and and Forest Service Road 4540 and management of BLM and open to the Hooded Mergansers sometimes use descends into the meadow, though it public with few restrictions.A larger the open water in the marsh, and if can be difficult to find.The adventur• portion is owned by Hansen Natural you are lucky, you may see the bea• ous can hike straight down the slope Resources (previously Cavenham For• vers. This kind of habitat is not com• from the beginning of the Soosap est Management), and access to these mon in the basin, and migrating war• Jeep Road. A pair of Northern Gos• lands is by permission only. Other for• blers seem to linger here somewhat hawks with a fledged juvenile was est management companies own the later at the end of dry summers. found in the meadow area in 1992, remainder of the watershed, and ac• Harlequin Ducks can be found from and Goshawks have often been seen cess to some of these areas may also mid-March to mid-September onTable from the Jeep Trail in the vicinity of be restricted. Rock Fork and the main stem of the Soosap Peak. This is a great place to A fairly recent clearcut along Molalla.Twenty-one individuals were look for migrating raptors, and de• Molalla Forest Road just south of seen in April 1995 on a single day's serves further investigation. Lincoln's Looney's Gatehouse (Township 6S, survey, which may well be one of the Sparrows nest in the meadow, and at Range 3E, Section 18) is worth inves• highest concentrations in the state. Lost Creek Meadow. tigating any time of the year. Look for Stop along the road adjacent to the Northern Spotted Owls, Northern a rough logging road entering from Table Rock Fork (called Middle Fork Pygmy-Owls, Northern Saw-whet the west in a narrow patch of old- Road on some maps) between Table Owls, Great Horned Owls, and West• growth conifers. Park beside the Rock Access Road and Camp Creek ern Screech-Owls are all uncommon, trench pile that blocks the road and Road for the best opportunities to see but all can be heard on a clear spring walk up the steep road, now ripped pairs between late March to mid-May. night. Barred Owls have been heard and planted in treesA Northern Gos• The Horse Creek Bridge is the best occasionally as well. Pileated Wood• hawk with 1 fledged begging juvenile place from which to look for hens peckers may be seen or heard around was observed here in August 1994. with broods in late July and early Au- almost any stand of old-growth tim• Confirmed breeding records for this gust.The birds are sensitive to human ber, and often feed in adjacent species are scant for northwest Or• approach, and it is best to remain in clearcuts. Dippers and Spotted Sand• egon. Townsend's Solitaire's may be your vehicle during observations. pipers are common in the river and found here occasionally, as well as Black-backed Woodpeckers have tributaries in summer, as are Common nesting Western Bluebirds (both are been found on the high divide be• Mergansers. fairly common throughout the basin). tween the Molalla and Clackamas All of the common western Cas• Mountain Quail can be flushed from watersheds in the area of Joyce Lake cades breeding songbirds can be the tall weeds and shrubby regener• during the past few years, and are found in good numbers with minimal ating clumps of Big Leaf Maple. strongly suspected to nest there.The effort, with Warbling Vireo, Swainson's Lincoln's Sparrows can be found here birds have been seen and heard with Thrush, and Pacific-slope Flycatcher in fall and winter among the flocks regularity in the decadent old growth leading the list in relative abundance. of Zonotrichia sparrows. silver fir, noble fir, and mountain hem• BLM welcomes birders' interest in the Oregon Birds 21(4): 5 area, and welcomes birder's field 97306-1208). Both delineate BLM signs, especially those belonging to notes for compilation into the mas• ownership, and the State Forestry private timber managers. It is no fun ter list. map includes other public lands own• finding yourself on the wrong side of Although I have included few spe• ership as well. The BLM map has all a locked gate when you are finished cific sites for finding specific birds, BLM road numbers, although signs are birding.This does happen .... the Molalla drainage is a great place often vandalized or destroyed. The Also, please remember that Spotted in which to wander, preferably with State Forestry map is more compre• Owls, Northern Goshawks, Harlequin a BLM transportation map or State hensive, and shows roads that are Ducks, and all birds of prey are pro• Forestry fire protection map (both both permanently closed and gated. tected by law, and must not in any way available at BLM's Salem District Of• It is most important that you re• be harassed. fice, 1717 Fabry Road S.E., Salem, OR spect private property and obey all

Species list for the Molalla River Basin — Great Blue Heron Canada Goose Mallard Wood Duck Harlequin Duck Common Merganser MOLALLA Hooded Merganser Virginia Rail Spotted Sandpiper Common Snipe Turkey Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Northern Goshawk Red-tailed Hawk Golden Eagle American Kestrel Peregrine Falcon Ruffed Grouse Blue Grouse Mountain Quail Band-tailed Pigeon Mourning Dove 1NW*ST CKBEK Barred Owl Northern Spotted Owl o§j U .• , FS7010.' * Western Screech-owl Northern Saw-whet owl Northern Pygmy-owl vSJoyce Common Nighthawk Vaux's Swift [ Lake Rufous Hummingbird Belted Kingfisher Northern Flicker Lewis'Woodpecker Red-breasted Sapsucker Hairy Woodpecker Chestnut-backed Chickadee Cedar Waxwing Chipping Sparrow Downy woodpecker Brown Creeper Solitary Vireo Fox Sparrow Black-backed Woodpecker Bushtit Hutton's Vireo Song Sparrow Pileated Woodpecker Red-breasted Nuthatch Warbling Vireo Lincoln's Sparrow Hammond's Flycatcher House Wren Nashville Warbler Dark-eyed Junco Western Wood Pewee Winter Wren Orange-crowned Warbler Golden-crowned Sparrow Willow Flycatcher Bewick's Wren Nashville Warbler White-crowned Sparrow Pacific-slope Flycatcher Marsh Wren Yellow-rumped Warbler Red-winged Blackbird Tree Swallow American Dipper Black-throated Gray Warbler Brewer's Blackbird Violet-green Swallow Golden-crowned Kinglet Townsend's Warbler Brown-headed Cowbird Barn Swallow Ruby-crowned Kinglet Hermit Warbler Northern Oriole Rough-winged Swallow Western Bluebird Yellow Warbler Purple Finch Cliff Swallow Mountain Bluebird MacGillivray's Warbler Cassin's Finch Steller's Jay Townsend's Solitaire Wilson's warbler House Finch Scrub Jay Swainson's Thrush Common Yellowthroat Pine Siskin Hermit Thrush Western Tanager American Goldfinch Black-capped Chickadee Varied Thrush Black-headed Grosbeak Red Crossbill American Robin Rufous-sided Towhee Evening Grosbeak

Oregon Birds 22(1): 6 SITE GUIDE: Birding Locales in Clackamas Co., Oregon

Tim Janzen, 12367 S.E. Ridgecrest Road, Portland, OR 97236-6124

Some Oregon birders may be unfamil• bers and varieties of waterfowl. It is rounding forests can be good for see• iar with some of the best birding lo• best visited in the fall when water• ing nesting and migrating passerines. cations in Clackamas County. Even fowl are migrating through. It is the See Evanich's The Birder's Guide to though Clackamas County is in the best site in the county for loons and Oregon for directions and further in• Portland area, it has historically not on one occasion a Yellow-billed Loon formation about this area. been as extensively birded as other was found here. White-winged Sco• (2) Abbott Burn is a good location metropolitan area counties. This is ters, Surf Scoters, and Oldsquaws have to try to find some of the rarer wood• likely because it has been perceived been seen here. Western, Eared, and peckers. Lewis'Woodpeckers, North• as not having as many promising Horned Grebes are regular in the fall, ern Three-toed Woodpeckers, and birding locations as Multnomah or while Clark's and Red-necked Grebes Williamson's Sapsuckers have been Washington Counties. It is true that are seen rarely. The lake seems to be found here and Black-backed Wood• Clackamas County does not have ar• a good place to find Greater White- peckers nested here in 1993-This is eas with as rich a variety of birds as fronted Geese, Tundra Swans, and also a good site for Mountain Blue• Sauvie Island, but there are locations Common Goldeneyes, which are gen• birds .To reach this site take Highway in Clackamas County at which many erally difficult to see elsewhere in the 224 south from Estacada and go 26 interesting birds have been found. county. Shorebirds can be seen here miles to Forest Service Rd. 57. Turn This article will discuss some of the but are generally found in small num• left on this road and go 7.4 miles east best birding locations known by bers. Ring-billed and California Gulls toward Timothy Lake. At that point people who bird it frequently. Hope• are common here in the summer turn left onto Abbott Road (Forest fully, more birders will take an inter• and 3 Sabine's Gulls were found est in this underbirded county. in September 1993- Bald Eagles Clackamas County and Northern Goshawk have (1) Timothy Lake is the site that been seen on occasion.The sin seems to produce the greatest num• \

Detroit Lakes Oregon Birds 21(4): 7 Service Rd. 58) and go 8.8 miles north. (6) Elk Rock, a small island in the the preserve. Camas lily, rosy plectritis, The site can also be reached from the in Milwaukie, is an and other native flowers provide a Skyline Road by going 11 miles west interesting place to visit, especially splendid show in the spring and of on Abbott Road. At the site is a large during spring and fall migration.The course the birding is usually good, too. clearcut which slopes down to the area is reached by taking a short trail Lesser Goldfinches are found here southeast toward Dinger Lake on one that goes west from the intersection with some consistency as well as side of the road and another clearcut of 19th Avenue and Sparrow Street in large numbers of migrant passerines. on the top of the hill on the other Milwaukie. Just east of the island are (10) The Molalla River State Park side of the road. To look for wood• mudflats, which can have shorebirds and the small farm pond just to the peckers, bird the periphery of both in migration. Purple Martins have east of the park can be productive any clearcuts and the strip of trees along been seen here in August, likely mi• time of the year. The park is located the road separating the two clearcuts. grating south from Sauvie Island. 2.4 miles north of Canby on Holly (3) Timber Lake Jobs Corps is a Caspian Terns have been observed Street. Shorebirds can be found at the training center for troubled youth lo• here in fall migration as well. pond in migration and Solitary Sand• cated just off Highway 224,24 miles (7) Clackamette Park at the pipers are generally seen each spring. south of Estacada. To reach the site confluence of the Clackamas and Great Egret, Black-crowned Night- turn east off Highway 224 at the sign Willamette Rivers in Oregon City is Heron, American Bittern, and Black- to Timber Lake and go 100 yards to probably the best site in the county bellied Plover have been seen here where you can see the pond. Park to find a variety of the larger gulls .To once each. Sora and Green Heron are along the southwest side of the pond reach this site, take the Oregon City regularly found at the farm pond. in the small parking lot. Birders can exit off 1-205 and go north 100 yards Western Meadowlarks are commonly walk around the 2 small intercon• to the stoplight at Dunes Drive.Turn found in the field just west of the park nected ponds, of which the southern• left onto Dunes Drive and then turn in the winter. most has a marsh around it. These right onto Clackamette Drive going (11) The most exciting spot found ponds seem to be magnets to migrat• north. The park is entered from the by Clackamas County birders in the ing birds and sometimes attract va• south side after turning left off past several years has been the grant species. County rarities such as Clackamette Drive .Western Gulls are Molalla Sewage Ponds located 1 mile Surf Scoter, Cassin's Auklet, Say's seen occasionally and Glaucous Gulls northwest of Molalla.To reach this site Phoebe, Western Kingbird, and Yel• have been found at least twice.A Surf turn west off Highway 213 onto low-headed Blackbird have turned up Scoter was found here once and a Toliver Road. Go 0.3 miles west on here. Red-breasted Merganser was seen just Toliver and then turn south into the (4) , especially the area across the Willamette River from here. entrance to the sewage ponds. Per• around Timberline Lodge, is another Caspian and Forster'sTerns have been mission has been obtained from the nice birding locale in the late spring, seen here and at the nearby Willam• personnel there to bird around the summer, and fall. Gray-crowned Rosy ette Falls in August and September. two large ponds on weekdays be• Finches and Horned Larks can be (8) Lake Oswego is interesting as a tween 7:30 am and 3:00 pm. Birders found here in May and June. Vesper site for wintering waterfowl, but is visiting this site should always check Sparrows and Mountain Chickadees somewhat frustrating to bird because in with the personnel there and ob• can be found here in the summer and access to the lake shore is limited.The tain permission prior to birding the fall. Clark's Nutcrackers frequent the easternmost arm is fairly easily ponds to preserve the currently good parking lot. Prairie and Peregrine Fal• viewed from the parking lot of the relationship area birders have with cons have been seen cruising U.S. National Bank in downtown Lake the personnel. Birders are requested through. Cassin's Finches are regular. Oswego on the west side of State to park on the west side of the main (5) Roslyn Lake, located 4 miles Street.The west end can also be seen building at the facility.The 2 ponds at north of Sandy on Ten Eyck Road, can from several vantage points along the site have been especially notewor• be interesting any time of the year, but South Shore Boulevard and Lake View thy for their shorebirds as they have spring and fall seem to be the best Boulevard, but otherwise birding ac• been found to have the largest num• times to visit.The small Portland Gen• cess is limited. bers and variety of shorebirds of any site in the county. There have been eral Electric park on the southeast (9) Camassia Nature Preserve is a recent sightings of Semipalmated, side of the lake is great for passerines unique natural area owned by the Pectoral, and Baird's Sandpipers, Semi• in the spring. Waterfowl are numer• Nature Conservancy in West Linn.To palmated and Black-bellied Plover, ous in the spring and fall and some reach this site take the Lake Oswego and Short-billed Dowitcher. The winter there as well.The dikes at the exit off 1-205 and go south 0.2 miles ponds host a wide variety of water• northeast and south ends of the lake on Highway 43- Turn right onto fowl most of the year except during give the best vantage points to scope Willamette Falls Road and follow it up the summer when numbers are low. out the waterfowl. A Black-crowned the hill 0.3 miles at which point turn Eurasian Wigeon and Greater Scaup Night-Heron'was seen near here and right onto Sunset Avenue. Go 0.2 have been seen here occasionally and Bohemian Waxwings were found more miles and then turn right and Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, Redhead, nearby one winter. Bald Eagles are go north on Walnut Avenue just after White-winged Scoter, and Surf Scoter seen here frequently during the win- crossing over 1-205. Park at the end have occurred here at least once Two ter.This site could certainly be birded of Walnut Avenue 0.2 miles to the pairs of Northern Shovelers nested more frequently than it currently is. north and follow the trails through

Oregon Birds 22(1): 8 here in 1995 and raised broods.All 3 (15) Wilhoit Springs, located about age more birders to visit the county. phalarope species, Bonaparte's , 6 miles south of Molalla on Wilhoit Feel free to contact the author if more and Peregrine Falcon have also been Road, is also a nice site.This area was specific information is needed. It seen here.This site will likely furnish famous in the early 1900s for its min• would be appreciated if any espe• more surprising finds in the future. eral springs, but is now infrequently cially unusual bird sightings would be (12) Another site that is especially visited and has been made a county reported to the author. 0 good for shorebirds in spring migra• park. The park has a stand of old- tion has been recently discovered growth Douglas fir which has at• Eastern Kingbird, 19 June 1995, ScottsMill, Clack• near Canby. To reach this location, tracted a resident pair of Barred Owls. amas Co. Photo/Tim Janzen. turn south off Highway 99E in Canby Spotted Owls were present before and go 0.3 miles to Township Rd.Take the resident pair of Barred owls Township Rd. east from Canby 1.7 moved in, but are no longer found miles and then turn north on Blount here.The park has a variety of forest Rd. Large ponds are formed in the birds including Ruffed Grouse, Red- winter and spring on the low lying breasted Sapsuckers, and Pileated farm fields just east of Blount Rd. Woodpeckers.A Swamp Sparrow was These attract waterfowl and gulls in found near here in November 1993- the fall, winter, and spring. Clackamas These sites may be some of the best County's first Trumpeter Swans were sites, but are by no means the only found here in November 1994 and its good birding locations to be found in first Franklin's Gull in March 1995.As Clackamas County. Others are note• the ponds begin drying up in the worthy for specific birds as well. spring they expose mudflats which Hopefully this information will be attract large numbers of shorebirds helpful to people interested in build• including yellowlegs, dowitchers, and ing a county bird list and will encour- atleastonce.aBaird's Sandpiper.The shorebirds have also attracted Per• egrine Falcons on at least 2 occasions. (13) A seasonal pond worth check• ing for shorebirds in spring migration is located about 100 yards southwest Feeding symbiosis between American of the intersection of Gribble Road and the Canby-Marquam Highway 4 Coot and American Wigeon miles south of Canby. This pond seems to be better in wetter springs, Keith L. Graves, KG 60 Box 106, Idleyld Park, OR 97447 such as 1995. Good birds found here in spring 1995 included Greater White-fronted Goose, Semipalmated Over the years I have observed mixed weed beds, excess forage is released and Black-bellied Plovers, Lesser Yel• flocks of American Coot and Ameri• and drifts to the surface.This released lowlegs, Solitary Sandpiper, Wilson's can Wigeon gathering at various high forage, as well as plants brought up and Red-necked Phalaropes, and Yel• Cascade lakes in Oregon.These flocks by the "divers," becomes the source low-headed Blackbirds. will attract Barrow's Goldeneyes, of food for the dabblers.At times, the (14) Another shorebird site worth Buffleheads, and Canada Geese on oc- Wigeons aggressively "steal" food di• mentioning is a small U-shaped pond casion.Their raucous behavior is remi• rectly from the , but thqy prima• just west of Canby along the north niscent of feeding frenzies of gulls, rily feed on the released floating veg• side of Anderson Road. To reach this with a lot of posturing, chasing, and etation. site from Canby turn north off High• vocalizations. The relationship might appear to way 99E onto Barlow Road on the The American Coot and Wigeon be one of opportunism rather than southwest edge of Canby. Go 100 both feed on aquatic plant life, al• commensalism, in which Wigeon just yards north on Barlow Road and then though they are separated by their happen to be present to take advan• go west on Anderson Road 1.7 miles. diving capabilities. In the fall and win• tage of a feeding opportunity. I do not Coming from Aurora turn north on ter, surface forage dies off and the only believe this to be the case.There ap• Anderson Rd. off Highway 99E just forage available is far too deep for pears to be a determined comingling after crossing the bridge over the "dabblers,"whereas the Coot, with its of species, in that Wigeon seek out and go one half mile superior diving capabilities, can eas• flotillas of American Coots.Their pres• to reach the pond. During spring mi• ily access the submerged vegetation. ence within these flotillas is consis• gration small groups of shorebirds are This has developed a "commensal" tent, whether or not the Coots are regularly seen here. Three Solitary foraging relationship between the feeding or just rafting on open water. Sandpipers were seen here 18 April Coot and Wigeon. I have not identified a mutualistic re• 1994. Large numbers of waterfowl As the Coots, and occasionally lationship, unless it is the added alert also congregate here in late winter Barrow's Goldeneyes and Buffle• capability provided to the flock by and early spring. heads, dive and rummage through the the surface-confined Wigeons.

Oregon Birds 21(4): 9 What is die Youth Conservation Corps?

Shelly Simpson, YCC Program, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, HC 72 Box 245, Princeton, OR 97721

The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) are doing. Many of them don't make won't keep eating them and they can is a program that gives youth an op• it; they get eaten by predators. I got grow up to be big and strong. portunity to help the environment At to hold a colt that was nicknamed To add to the learning experience the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Maggie. Baby cranes look sort of like the crew took field trips to other ref• in southeastern Oregon, the YCC an ostrich and feel woolly like a uges to learn different methods of crew consists of 6 people ranging sheep. running a refuge. Also they are al• from ages 15-17.TheYCC program is I also got to help band ducks.This lowed to go anywhere that is not too the first job that many of us have ever was fun. We learned more about dif• far away to learn about wildlife or the had. I reaUy didn't know what to ex• ferent species of ducks and how to outdoors .This year the crew went to pect when I first learned I was se• tell what sex they are. I won't explain the World Center of the Birds of Prey lected. I had tons of questions. Before it, but its really kind of gross. It will in Boise, Idaho. Also, we went to the we started some people from the ref• be interesting to learn where the High Desert Museum and the Lava uge came and answered questions ducks we banded will end up. In the Caves located just outside of Bend, from thevcrew and parents. past tags have been turned in from Oregon. During our 8-week job we were as far away as Mexico. I learned a lot about wildlife as a able to work with many different A large part of our job was to keep "YCC-er". It was hard work, but still people and get an idea of what they the refuge headquarters looking nice interesting and fun. It gave me a do at the Refuge. Our first day out for the public to enjoy.The lawns are chance to see what it's like to work with the biologist was very cold. We very large but with 6 people work• at a refuge. I may never do that, but went duck nest searching. Some ing it gets done in no time at all. We now I know something about wild• people thought this experience was also help the gardener keep the life, refuges, and the people who work enjoyable but I thought it was pure weeds out of the flowerbeds At head• there. 0 torture. We learned how to identify quarters there are many large trees different duck species by looking at that provide shade and add to the Editor's note: 15-year old Shelly their wings. You can also tell what outdoor experience to many of the Simpson worked in the YCC type of duck made the nest even visitors. But these trees are old and program at Malheur NWR in when you actually don't see the duck they won't live forever. So we are try• summer 1995- by the down in the nest and the size, ing to start new trees so when the shape, and color of the eggs.We were old ones die there will be more. We also able to estimate when the eggs have to make tree cribs so the deer would hatch by floating them in wa• ter. When the tip of the egg floats above the water it's close to hatch• ing. We also did a lot of different work projects. One was pulling fence.This was really hard work, but we made jokes and laughed to make the time pass.The old fence gets in the way of different and they get caught in it .We even used canoes to help pull fence that was flooded. Great Blue Heron swimming We got to help the biologists when Keith L. Graves, H.C. 60 Box 106, Idleyld Park, OR 97447-9801 they went out on the airboat. You have to use an airboat at Malheur be• While observing waterfowl at Modoc of the exposed body in a"V" (the body cause the water is so shallow. I went Ponds Jackson County, Oregon, on 27 raked upward and the neck extended out with Meg Laws. She used to be a March 1995, I observed what ap• outward). The Great Blue Heron fi• Captain in the Marines, but she is re• peared to be a dark swan with a long nally dove its head under water and ally nice. We went out to check on pointed head (very un-swan-like). On retrieved a 10-12 inch brown catfish. White-faced Ibis to see if the young closer inspection I was able to iden• The Great Blue Heron swam toward were ready to be banded .There were tify the bird as a Great Blue Heron a small island where it stood and flew tons of birds. Ibis nest together in swimming, with neck stretched out (hopped) on to dry land. Once on the large groups called colonies. in a "hunting" posture. I observed the island it placed the catfish on the Another interesting job was telem• Great Blue Heron for 5 to 7 minutes ground and started tearing at the soft etry. Radios are put on young Sandhill as it moved slowly in a rectangular underbelly.This is the only time I have Cranes (called colts) and they are path.The chest and base of the neck observed a Great Blue Heron "swim• checked daily to see how the colts were submerged with the remainder ming." Oregon Birds 22(1): 10 Nesting of Glaucous-Winged X Western Gulls in Clackamas County, Oregon

Tim Janzen, 12367 S.F.. Ridgecrest Road, Portland, OR 97236-6123

Glaucous-winged Gulls Larus noticed 2 juvenile gulls being cared juvenile being cared for by the adults. glaucescens and Western Gulls L. for by 2 adult gulls on a concrete pil• The juvenile at the this time was occidentalis have long been known ing about 50 feet from the east bank nearly adult size.When we visited the to hybridize, as do other members of of the Willamette River just above the site later on 10 August we did not the Larus genus. Hybridization was Willamette Falls.The 2 juveniles were observe any gulls on the piling al• first documented around Carroll Is• considerably smaller than the adults though a few Glaucous-winged X land in western Washington (Dawson and were begging for food.They were Western Gulls were seen flying 1909). covered with dark brown downy around the falls. Studies in recent decades have feathers.The adults were large gulls We monitored the area at least shown that hybridization between similar in size to Glaucous-winged weekly during summer 1994.The pil• these 2 species occurs primarily and Western Gulls.They had charac• ing mentioned above was vacant, but along a 110-mile portion of the Wash• teristics of the hybrid phenotype with at a different piling located 100 yards ington coast between Alexander Is• medium gray mantles and light char• to the north on the east side of the land and the Columbia River coal primary tips with a large white river we observed a Glaucous-winged (Hoffman et al. 1978). Glaucous- mirror on the tip of the 10th primary. X Western Gull to be sitting consis• winged Gulls predominate north of The bills were yellow with an orange tently as if nesting from 6 July to 5 this zone and Western Gulls predomi• spot near the tip of the lower man• August. The gull had left the site by nate south of it. The most extensive dible. We observed the adults sitting 17 August. We did not observe any hybridization appears to occur at De• on the piling with the juveniles and eggs or juveniles, although we did see struction Island near Ruby Beach, flying around above them, but did not up to 10 Glaucous-winged XWestern Washington, where over 50 percent observe the adults feeding the juve• Gulls in the area around the falls all of the breeding gulls present are niles. We also saw other gulls of the summer. morphologic hybrids. Small numbers Glaucous-winged XWestern gull phe• On 27 June 1995 we observed 2 of hybrids have also nested along the notype in the same area feeding Glaucous-winged XWestern Gulls sit• at and around the falls. The nest consisted ting on on the same 2 pilings other sites (Scott 1971). of small branches and twigs toward mentioned above.The nests appeared the eastern side of the flat 4x4-foot Glaucous-winged Gulls nest in to be mostly made of grass with some concrete platform at the top of the small numbers along the north Or• sticks and twigs at the base.The bird piling, being about 10 feet above the egon coast and a few pairs have on the more southern piling was a river level. The juveniles and adults nested regularly in the past 15 years typical hybrid gull with a medium were photographed and the photos on Miller Island in the Columbia River gray mantle and black wing tips.The accompany this article. in Klickitat Co.,Washington.In 1974, bird nesting on the northernmost pil• 3 pairs were also noted to nest at the We visited the site again on 29 July, ing had lighter wing tips than the Little Memaloose Island gull colony at which point we observed only 1 other gull, which made it appear to in the Columbia River between Hood River and The Dalles (Gilligan et al. Hybrid Glaucous-winged X Western Gull nesting site at Willamette Falls, 25 July 1995, Ctackamas Co. 1994). Nesting has also been noted Photo/Tim Janzen. in recent years at Eighteen Mile Island east of Hood River. At least some if not most of the gulls recently nest• ing at these sites in the Columbia River have been apparent Glaucous- winged X Western Gull hybrids (fide Harry Nehls). This article reports the nesting of pairs of gulls phenotypically Glau• cous-winged X Western Gulls on a piling in the Willamette River near Oregon City in Clackamas County during the summer of 1993-This is the first documented nesting of any gull species in the Willamette Valley. On 20 July 1993, Elmer Specht and I

Oregon Birds 21(4): 11 be more like a Glaucous-winged Gull. The gull seemed to have enough char• coal coloration in the wing tips to indicate it was a hybrid and not a pure Glaucous-winged Gull, however.This gull remained on the nest until early August when it abandoned the nest without raising any young. The hybrid gull on the southern• most piling remained on the nest until 25 July when we observed it with 3 recently-hatched juveniles.The juve• niles were gray-brown overall in color with white spotting on the head and neck. As the juveniles grew they lost the spotted appearance and became more uniformly gray. The juveniles were frequently observed begging for Hybrid Glaucous-wingedX Western Gull nesting site at Willamette Falls, 15 August 1995, Clackamas Co. food frorn the adult. No more than 1 Photo/Tim Janzen. adult was observed on the piling with the juveniles at a time. By 28 August the juveniles were capable of flight as one of the juveniles was seen fly• ing above the piling and then land• ing on it.The juveniles appeared to be adult sized at this point. On 6 Sep• tember only 2 juveniles were seen on the piling. By 11 September the nest site had been abandoned, but up to 15 adult and immature Glaucous- winged XWestern Gulls remained in the area.

Given the pattern of 2 successful Hybrid Glaucous-wingedX Western Gull nesting site at Willamette Falls, 6 September 1995, Clackamas Co. nests out of 4 attempts in the past 3 Photos/W.E. Hoffman. years it seems likely that future nest• ing attempts will be made at the same location.The number of quality nest• ing sites seems limited, however, in that there are only 4 pilings in the area that are likely to be used for nesting.

Acknowledgments I wish to thank Jim Johnson, Harry Nehls, Jeff Gilligan, and Owen Schmidt for their helpful comments on earlier drafts,of this article.

LITERATURE CITED Dawson.WL. 1909. The Birds ofWash- ington,Vo\. 2. Gilligan, J., et al. 1994.Birds of Oregon: Status and Distribution. Hoffman,W. J.A.Wiens, and J.M. Scott. 1978. Hybridization between Gulls {Larus glaucescens and L. occidentalism in the Pacific North- •west.Auk '95:441-458. ScottJ.M. 1971. California Birds 2(4): 129-133. 0

Oregon Birds 22(1): 12 Request for Information on Extirpated and Declining Species of Western Oregon

David B.Marshall, 4265 S.W Chesapeake Ave., Portland, OR 97201-1344 dmarsh @teleport. com

I am seeking unpublished or obscure toring sites for a Willamette Valley thologists' Union. The Lord Balti• published information for the follow• grassland bird project. This project more Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD. 691 ing species that documents the past will be initiated by the Oregon De• pp. and present breeding status within partment of and Wildlife and the Gabrielson, I.N. and S.G. Jewett. 1940. the valleys of western Oregon: Moun• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during Birds of Oregon. Oregon State Col• tain Quail (Oreortyx pictus), Yellow- the 1996 field season. I will coordi• lege, Corvallis. 650 pp. billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus nate with Bob Altman, project co-in• Marshall, D.B., M. Chilcote, and H. americanus), Burrowing Owl vestigator, to share all information on Weeks. 1992. Sensitive Vertebrates {Athene cunicularis), Common species addressed in the grassland of Oregon. Oregon Department of Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), project. Fish and Wildlife, Portland. Lewis' Woodpecker (Melanerpes I propose to publish results on the Unpaged. lewis), Horned Lark (Eremophila historical aspects of the above in Or• 0 alpestris), Purple Martin (Progne egon Birds, and make comparisons to subis), Western Bluebird (Sialia present status. Sources used will be mexicana), Yellow Warbler acknowledged. Comments on any (Dendroica petechia), Yellow- changes that should be made to the breasted Chat (Icteria virens), Lazuli above list of species would be wel• Bunting (Passerina amoena),Vesper come. The subject paper would Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), supplement information gathered Grasshopper Sparrow earlier by Bob Altman (Altman 1994) (Ammodramus savannarum) and and for his 1996 project by address• Western Meadowlark (Sturnella ing historical information and some neglecta). non-grassland species. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo, while at The Vesper Sparrow and Horned one time common to abundant, was Lark are of special interest. Western apparently extirpated as a breeder Oregon breeding populations of from this area in the 1920s and 1930s these species constitute subspecies (Marshall et al. 1992). According to that are endemic to an area extend• information available to me (numer• ing from Puget Sound to southwest ous sources, mostly anecdotal, and my Oregon west of the Cascade Range own field notes), the others, except (American Ornithologists' Union the Burrowing Owl and Grasshopper 1957). When English names were Sparrow, were once common but used for subspecies, they were re• declined precipitously between the ferred to as the Oregon Vesper Spar• end of World War II and the early row (Pg. a/finis) and Streaked Horned 1960s, at least in the Willamette Val- Lark (E.a. strigata) (Gabrielson and ley.The Burrowing Owl was confined Jewett 1940). While birders show mainly to the Rogue River Valley little interest in subspecies, their ex• (Gabrielson andjewett 1940), and the istence has evolutionary and conser• Grasshopper Sparrow is a relative vation implications. newcomer to the area.

Within my lifetime, I have wit• LITERATURE CITED nessed the decline of most of these Altman, B. 1994. Occurrence and species. Although the status of the Population Trends of 13 Sensitive Purple Martin and Western Bluebird Bird Species Within the Western In• has been reported upon to some de• terior Valleys of Oregon. Unpub• gree (Marshall et al. 1992), it is im• lished report prepared for Oregon portant to document what has oc• Department of Fish and Wildlife, curred with all of the above-named Northwest Region,Corvallis. 15 pp. species as completely as possible. + appendices. Information on the grassland spe• American Ornithologists' Union. cies named above will also be used 1957. Check-list of North American for establishing inventory and moni• Birds. Fifth Edition.American Orni•

Oregon Birds 21(4): 13 Curve-billed Thrasher in Oregon

Mary Graves, HC 60 Box 106, Idleyld Park OR 97447-9801, [email protected]

So far, my most exciting experience my binoculars and my husband flanks. A long tail that, in flight, with our backyard birding happened grabbed his.The bird turned its head showed white on the outer tips.As it on 12 July 1995, at approximately and showed us a very curved bill and sat in the tree facing me, I saw that 7:00 pm.That was the day I was stand• orange-yellow eye. I am fairly new to the underside of the folded tail had ing, as I often do, at my "bird-feeder birding but have been under my white patches at the tip. watching" window. (I do this fre• husband's fine tutelage for a couple At this point my husband suggested quently without my eyeglasses on. of years now and realized I had to be it might be a Brown Thrasher, but its I've seen many really "interesting" looking at a thrasher. eye was too yellow, breast too plain, birds in this fashion). This time the Earlier in the spring there had been bill too curved, and the white on the bird really was an interesting one! a Sage Thrasher at theThorne Prairie tip of the tail did not match the de• I saw the bird just below the win• area of eastern Douglas County, and I scription. I noticed that it was lack• dow on the ground about 18 feet be• thought maybe it had come to visit ing the reddish coloration that the low and about 30 feet from a second us. My mind raced to think of what I book described. Searching the hand• story window of my house.The bird should look for and thought, "Spots books, we determined it had to be the was standing in a clover/weed patch on light breast."This bird didn't have palmeri form of the Curve-billed we have set aside in our yard as a for• that, and, besides, its bill had a much Thrasher. aging area for birds. I grabbed my more decided curve to it. We both I was able to watch it for 3 to 4 glasses and took another look as I said reached for the Peterson's Guide to minutes after this identification and to my husband, Keith, "There is a Western Birds and National could find no fault with our decision. strange bird in the yard." Geographic's Birds of North America. We compared our notes with the My first look was a straight-on view The bird flew from the ground to a Audubon Society's Encyclopedia of and my fleeting thoughts were, "It's woodshed about 10 feet farther away, North American Birds and the Thayer just the Morning Dove we had seen but more at our height, and then into Birding Software© Birds of North here earlier in the year." My next a dead vine maple approximately 5 America, which provided us with the thought was, "No! ... it's a pigeon feet from the woodshed. It had a light best picture of what we had seen. 0 because it was larger than a dove; but brown back and gray breast with the color was wrong ."Then I grabbed brownish wash on its breast and

Oregon Birds 22(1): 14 Common Poorwill Nest Behavior Near fields, Harney County, Oregon

Mike Denny, 323 Scenic View Drive, College Place, WA 99324

On 10 June 1995 while birding in and out over the ground, the tail was roll to the right and proceeded to around Fields, Harney County, my fanned out, and the body feathers crawl, doing little quarter circles and wife MerryLynn flushed an adult were fluffed up; all the while it was dragging the "broken wing ."This ac• Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus emitting a low intermittent growl. It tion gave the impression that the "bro• nuttallii) from beside a low grease- then rolled to one side and lifted one ken wing" was extremely heavy and wood shrub (Sarcobatus vermic- wing vertical to the ground and might in fact have an anchor tied to ulatus). Upon closer inspection she slightly twisted the leading edge of it.We all kept saying "can you believe discovered 2 oval, ivory eggs laying the wing inwards towards it's neck this bird"! in a slight depression or scrape on the and head. Whereupon it proceeded As if on cue, this amazing bird then ground. to flash the white underwing coverts slowly withdrew the "broken wing" MerryLynn retreated from this nest in a pulsating, spastic twitch while the and began to flap that same wing and site and returned to the Fields oasis wing remained fully extended sky• to do half spins with its body. Again to share her discovery with Skip ward. the tail was fanned and low moans Russell and myself. Grabbing our cam• This display worked as intended. I could be heard.We by now had been eras we retraced MerryLynn's steps lost all interest in the eggs that just lured 45+ feet away from the eggs. out into the desert northwest of the lay there motionless. My focus was As abruptly as the display had Fields store. now completely drawn to this bird's started, it ended. The performance After a short hike up the low hill a spectacular distraction display. We was over. The bird flew another 50 movement drew our attention to the never came closer than 20 feet to the feet away and settled quietly at the right. It was the Poorwill. Again it eggs. base of a low sagebush.We left the lifted off the eggs and flew low and As we all began to pay more atten• area and considered ourselves very slow through the brush to an area tion to this adult female, she hopped fortunate to have had the opportunity about 35 feet north of the scrape and up into the air setting the stage for to photograph and witness a small eggs. her next act. Even before touching the fraction of the Common Poorwill's Gliding to the dusty ground it pro• ground, the tail fanned, one wing behavior. 0 ceeded to perform amazing distrac• went limp, and she landed on her side tion displays.Both wings were spread in a puff of dust. She then did a slight

Oregon Birds 21(4): 15 Fall Count News North American Migration Count

The first continent-wide fall migration were counted in count took place on 16 September Jackson County. 1995. Oregon participated with 117 Most flycatchers observers in the field. We received appear to have left counts from 21 of Oregon's 36 coun• by the time of the ties. Observers tallied counts for 238 count. No Olive- species. Volunteer efforts included sided or Willow Fly• 100 miles on foot in 160 hours and catchers were reported. Purple Mar• North American Migration Count, Fall Count, 16 2706 miles by car in 168 hours. To tins were only observed in Columbia September 1995, Oregon counties participating. those of you who participated, thanks County. No Veerys were seen. Hermit for your generous contributions of Thrushes were reported only from by a state coordinator.Thanks to those time and energy. Curry and Polk Counties. Only one of you who contributed here in Or• Some highlights of the count in• Varied Thrush was reported from egon to this substantial body of clude reports of Horned Grebes in Clackamas CountyA Northern Mock• knowledge about the distribution of Baker, Clackamas,and Lake Counties. ingbird was observed in Harney birds during the migration season. A Red-necked Grebe was observed in County. Vireos seemed to be in fairly Please take a moment to pencil in Washington County. Over 2000 Eared short supply. No Black-headed Gros• the 1996 count dates on your calen• Grebes were reported from Lake were observed. One Lazuli dar. Join us for the fifth annual spring County. Small quantities of Snowy Bunting was present in Josephine migration count on Saturday, 11 May Egrets were seen in Harney and Lake County. Some sparrows were notice• 1996. The second annual fall count Counties. One White-faced Ibis was ably migrating. Quite large flocks of will take place on Saturday, 21 Sep• observed in each of Harney and Lake White-crowned Sparrows were re• tember 1996. Every county can use Counties. Fourteen of the introduced ported from Harney County. more volunteers to observe and Trumpeter Swans were reported It is interesting to note that no spe• count. The count in each county is from Lake County. Fifteen counties cies was observed in all 21 reporting coordinated and compiled by a reported seeing Osprey.Three coun• counties. Twenty counties each re• county coordinator. Please let me ties, Columbia, Curry, and Lane, re• ported Mallards, Red-tailed Hawks, know if you would like more infor• ported White-tailed Kites. Bald Eagles American Kestrels, Killdeer, Steller's mation about participating as a were counted in Baker, Columbia, and Jays, and Red-winged Blackbirds. county coordinator. Wheeler Counties. No Swainson's Nineteen of the 21 counties reported Thanks again for your part in the Hawks were observed. Ferruginous Great Blue Herons, American Coots, growing body of data about the dis• Hawks were sighted in Harney and Mourning Doves, Belted Kingfishers, tribution of birds in Oregon.Your help Lake Counties. One Peregrine Falcon American Crows, American Robins, is always appreciated. was seen in Clackamas County. European Starlings, House Finches, Pat French, Oregon NAMC A Black-bellied Plover was reported and American Goldfinches. Coordinator, 400 E. 31st Avenue, in Lake County.A Pacific Golden-Plo• See your county coordinator to Eugene, OR 97405, 541-683-4292 ver was reported from Curry County. look at a complete copy of the state• before 9 p.m. Reports of Semipalmated Plover were wide tally. It shows total number of received from Curry and Linn Coun• birds counted in each county by spe• North American Migration Count, Fall Count, 16 ties. The highest count of any single cies. On a continent-wide level, the September 1995, Yellow-rumped Warbler observed. species goes to the 11,500 American 1995 migration Avocets in Lake County.A Marbled counts marked the Godwit was reported from Lake fourth annual spring County, also. Sanderlings were not count and the first surprisingly observed in Curry fall count. Nearly ev• County. The surprise was that two ery state in the were also observed in Baker County. United States and Red-necked Phalaropes were running nearly every prov• a close second to the Avocets by num• ince in Canada now bering 11,000 in Lake County. A participate. There Sabine's Gull was reported from Lake are 40 states in the County. (Are you starting to feel like United States which you should take a September vacation have statewide in Lake County?) Five Forster's Terns counts coordinated

Oregon Birds 22(1): 16 liwiis Is available 11 ntemational Bird Tours m bookstores ...

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Deb Kapral 8101 N.E. Parkway — C-5 The Bird Guide Vancouve rWA 98662 "Where to go. What to do. Where to sleep. What to eat." The Bird Guide is a bi-monthly newsletter whose purpose is to introduce birding as a means for families David Hutchinson 107 E Main Street and individuals to enjoy the Northwest's scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. The Bird Guide 121 First Avenue South Enterprise OR 97828 Travel Guide, Beginning Birder, Identification, Hard to Find, Birds of Note, features the following columns: Seattle WA 98104 Birds to Watch For, plus lots of other information for the active birder. Subscriptions: 1 year (6 issues) $14. Id Bird Center The Bird Guide ji-l«l:sf:::.;iR lie oik Marcia J. Martyn Greg Gillson Peggy Westfall 40 East 5th Avenue 245 E. Main Eugene OR 97401 311 Park Street HermistonOR 97838 Banks, OR 97106 (503)324-0508 ilheatr Field $fe Janet & Brian Bookstore Manager Ecola Square Mall HC72 Box 260 123 S. Hemlock Cannon Beach OR 97110 ... will reach Oregon's most active birders. For more information, contact Princeton OR 97721 the Editor 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue Northwest Nature Sh&p Wild Birds: Unlimited Portland OR 97212-3619 Mike Uhtoff Hugh French 154 Oak Street 6559 S.W. Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway 503-262-9403 Ashland OR 97520 Portland OR 97225 Authentic bird design [Designs fry, cftlex. earrings and gift items SOLD &y handcrafted of fine Gloria Hall leather and hand 4740 5SE 1 60TH NORTH BEND, W A98045 (206 ) 888-0683 painted. The earrings

are lightweight and

... is a unique plac —e 147 acres of mixed marshland habitat situated at the comfortable to wear. mouth of the Wilson River on Tillamook Bay . It is a secluded refuge for wild animalsand overwrought humans. The hous is 3 bedroomse , 2-1/2 baths full, y furnished, an dsolid cedar. (The the decora bit "leftover," but we're working Fifty-nine species are on that.) .Sleeps 6 plus. Activities include birding, berry picking, swimming, hiking, wildlife photogra• phy , storm-watching, an sittind g by the fireplace. We highly recommen a d represented. Call or canoe ride on the "lake —" an old arm of the river which culminate isn a magnificen tspruce swamp .The Three Capes Scenic Drive it,s lighthouse, and 3 beaches are 10 minutes away. a list write for of items Wildlife seen (so far) include beaver, nutria, otter variou, s frogs and snakes, ,Bald Eagle, hawks (including nesting Red-taile Hawkd s and stooping Peregrine Falcons) owls, , herons, ducks (at leas 13t species), and innumer• available and prices. able songbirds, including overwintering Swam Sparrowp s (one of the best spots in Oregon!). Bring binoculars, cameras, field guides fishin, g gear, waterproof boots, rain gear , and garde nsnippers for the occasiona stral y blackberr ycane. Rates: $235 per weeken dplus $90 per additional night (2-night minimum) 50 . ... will reach Oregon's most active birders. For more information, contact percen tdeposit require tdo hold reservation, balance du 7 edays prior to the Editor rental . Combinations tgato e and keybo xsent when pai din full. 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue David Farris, 3795 S.W. Chehalem Avenue, Portland OR, 97201, Portland OR 97212-3619 503-262-9403 503-227-5762. m jrjfffj _ Red-throated Loon American Wigeon _ Pacific Loan * Mongolian Plover Thayer's Gull Canvasback Snowy Plover _ Common Loon Hedhead * Slaty-backed Gull _* Yellow-billed Loon Semipalmated Plover Western Gull Ring-necked Duck ** Rping Plover _ Red-billed Grebe — Glaucous-winged Gull * Tufted Duck Killdeer _ Horned Grebe Greater Scaup Glaucous Gull _ Red-necked Grebe * Mountain Hover Lesser Scaup — BL-legged Kittiwake _ Eared Grebe Bl. Oystercatcher * King Eider —* Red-legged Kittiwake _ Western Grebe Bl.-necked Salt _* Ross'Gull * Steller's Eider _ Dark's Grebe American Avocet Sabine's Gull Harlequin Duck _** Short-tailed Albatross Greater Yellowlegs Oldsquaw Caspian Tern _ BL-footed Albatross Lesser Yellowlegs Bl. Scoter Hegant Tern _ Laysan Albatross * Spotted Redshank Surf Scoter Common Tern N. Fulmar Solitary Sandpiper Arctic Tern White-winged Scoter Willet _ Forster's Tern * Mottled Petrel Common Goldeneye Wandering Tattler _* Least Tern * Murphy's Petrel Barrow's Goldeneye Spotted Sandpiper _ Bl. Tern Pink-footed Shearwater Bufflehead Upland Sandpiper Common Murre Flesh-footed Shearwater * Smew Buller's Shearwater Whimbrel _* Thick-billed Murre Hooded Merganser ** Bristle-thighed Curlew Sooty Shearwater Common Merganser _ Hgeon Guillemot Short-tailed Shearwater Long-billed Curlew _ Marbled Murrelet — Red-breasted Merganser * Hudsonian Godwit _* Xantus' Murrelet ** Wilson's Storm-Petrel Ruddy Duck * Bar-tailed Godwit _ Ancient Murrelet Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel Turkey Vulture Marbled Godwit _ Cassin's Auklet Leach's Storm-Petrel *E California Condor Ruddy Turnstone _* Parakeet Auklet * Bl. Storm-Petrel Dsprey Bl. Turnstone _ Rhinoceros Auklet American White Pelican White-tailed Kite Brown Pelican Surfbird _ Tufted Puffin Bald Eagle * Great Knot Double-crested Cormorant N. Harrier _ Horned Puffin Red Knot _I Rock Dove Brandt's Cormorant Sharp-shinned Hawk Sanderling _ Band-tailed Hgeon Pelagic Cormorant Cooper's Hawk Semipalmated Sandpiper _* White-winged Dove Magnificent Frigatebird N. Goshawk American Bittern Western Sandpiper _ Mourning Dove Red-shouldered Hawk * Rufous-necked Stint _* Yellow-billed Cuckoo Least Bittern * Hroad-winged Hawk * Little Stint _ Barn Owl Great Blue Heron Swainson's Hawk - * Long-toed Stint _ Hamrnulated Dwl Great Egret Red-tailed Hawk Least Sandpiper . Western Screech-Dwl Snowy Egret Ferruginous Hawk Baird's Sandpiper . Great Horned Dwl Little Blue Heron _ Rough-legged Hawk Pectoral Sandpiper . Tricolored Heron Golden Eagle Sharp-tailed Sandpiper .* N. Hawk Owl Cattle Egret _ American Kestrel Rock Sandpiper . N. Pygmy-Owl Green Heron _ Merlin Dunlin . Burrowing Owl Bl.-crowned Night-Heron _ Prairie Falcon * Curlew Sandpiper Spotted Owl White-faced Ibis _ Peregrine Falcon Stilt Sandpiper Barred Owl Fulvous Whistling-Duck _* Gyrfalcon Buff-breasted Sandpiper Great Gray Owl Tundra Swan _I Gray Partridge Ruff Long-eared Owl Whooper Swan _I Chukar Short-billed Dowitcher Short-eared Owl Trumpeter Swan _I Ring-necked Pheasant Long-billed Dowitcher Boreal Owl Greater White-fronted Goose _ Spruce Grouse Common Snipe N. Saw-whet Owl Snow Goose _ Hlue Grouse Wilson's Phalarope Common Nighthawk Boss' Goose _ Ruffed Grouse Red-necked Phalarope Common Poorwill Emperor Goose _ Sage Grouse Red Phalarope Bl. Swift Brant _*E Sharp-tailed Grouse Pomarine Jaeger Vaux's Swift Canada Goose J Wild Turkey Parasitic Jaeger White-throated Swift Wood Duck J N. Bobwhite Long-tailed Jaeger Bl.-chinned Hummingbird Green-winged Teal _ California Quail South Polar Skua Anna's Hummingbird Baikal Teal _ Mountain Quail * Laughing Gull Costa's Hummingbird American Bl. Duck _ Yellow Rail Franklin's Gull Calliope Hummingbird Mallard _ Virginia Rail * Little Gull Broad-tailed Hummingbird N. Pintail Sora Rufous Hummingbird Garganey * Common Bl.-headed Gull _* Common Moorhen Allen's Hummingbird Blue-winged Teal Bonaparte's Gull . American Coot Belted Kingfisher Dnnamon Teal Heermann's Gull _ Sandhill Crane Lewis' Woodpecker N. Shoveler Mew Gull _ BL-bellied Plover Acorn Woodpecker Gadwall _ Bing-billed Gull . American Golden-Hover Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Eurasian Wigeon . Pacific Golden-Hover Herring Gull Red-naped Sapsucker Red-breasted Sapsucker Ruby-crowned Kinglet Common Yellowthroat * - Rustic Hunting Williamson's Sapsucker Blue-gray Gnatcatcher * Hooded Warbler Snow Bunting Nuttall's Woodpecker * N. Wheatear Wilson's Warbler * McKay's Bunting Downy Woodpecker Western Bluebird * Canada Warbler Bobolink Hairy Woodpecker Mountain Bluebird Yellow-breasted Chat Bed-winged Blackbird White-headed Woodpecker Townsend s Solitaire * Summer Tanager Tricolored Blackbird Three-toed Woodpecker Veery * Scarlet Tanager Western Meadowlark Hl.-backed Woodpecker * Gray-cheeked Thrush Western Tanager Yellow-headed Blackbird N. Flicker Swainson's Thrush * Rose-breasted Grosbeak * Rusty Blackbird Pileated Woodpecker Hermit Thrush Bl.-headed Grosbeak Brewer's Blackbird Olive-sided Flycatcher * Wood Thrush * Blue Grosbeak * Great-tailed Grackle Western Wood-Pewee American Hobin Lazuli Bunting * Common Grackle Eastern Wood-Pewee Varied Thrush * Indigo Bunting Brown-headed Cowhird Alder Flycatcher Wrentit * Painted Bunting * Orchard Oriole Willow Flycatcher Gray Catbird * Dickcissel * Hooded Oriole Least Flycatcher N. Mockingbird Green-tailed Towhee N. Oriole Hammond's Flycatcher Sage Thrasher Rufous-sided Towhee * Streak-backed Oriole Dusky Flycatcher * Brown Thrasher California Towhee ** Scott's Oriole Gray Flycatcher ** California Thrasher American Tree Sparrow * Bramhling Pacific-slope Flycatcher * Bl.-backed Wagtail Chipping Sparrow Gray-crowned Bosy Finch Cordilleran Flycatcher American Pipit * day-colored Sparrow Bl. Rosy Finch Bl. Phoebe Bohemian Waxwing Brewer's Sparrow Pine Grosbeak Eastern Phoebe Cedar Waxwing * Bl.-chinned Sparrow Purple Finch Say's Phoebe * Phainopepla Vesper Sparrow Cassin's Finch Vermilion Flycatcher N. Shrike Lark Sparrow House Finch Ash-throated Flycatcher Loggerhead Shrike Bl.-throated Sparrow Red Crossbill Tropical Kingbird I European Starling Sage Sparrow White-winged Crossbill Western Kingbird ** Bell's Vireo * Lark Bunting Common Redpoll Eastern Kingbird Solitary Vireo Savannah Sparrow ** Hoary Redpoll Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Hutton's Vireo Grasshopper Sparrow Pine Siskin Horned Lark Warbling Vireo * Le Conte's Sparrow Lesser Goldfinch Purple Martin Red-eyed Vireo Fox Sparrow * Lawrence's Goldfinch Tree Swallow * Golden-winged Warbler Song Sparrow American Goldfinch Violet-green Swallow Tennessee Warbler Lincoln's Sparrow Evening Grosbeak N. Rough-winged Swallow Orange-crowned Warbler Swamp Sparrow I House Sparrow Bank Swallow Nashville Warbler White-throated Sparrow •iff Swallow * Virginia's Warbler Golden-crowned Sparrow Barn Swallow * Lucy's Warbler White-crowned Sparrow Gray Jay * N. Parula Harris' Sparrow Steller's Jay Yellow Warbler Dark-eyed Junco Blue Jay * Chestnut-sided Warbler '* McCown's Longspur Scrub Jay * Magnolia Warbler Lapland Longspur Pinyon Jay * Cape May Warbler * Chestnut-collared •ark's Nutcracker RL-throated Blue Warbler Longspur Hl.-billed Magpie Yellow-ramped Warbler American Crow Bl.-throated Gray Warbler This list is based on the records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee (OBHC) Northwestern Crow Townsend's Warbler and uses the taxonomic sequence and nomenclature of the American Ornitholo• Common Raven Hermit Warbler gists' Union (AOU), as published in AOU, 1983, Check-list of North American Bl.-capped Chickadee * Bl.-throated Green Warbler birds, 6th edition (Allen Press, Inc., LawTence, KS), as supplemented. The OBHC Mountain Chickadee * Blackburnian Warbler asks for reports of any bird species recorded in Oregon not on this list, and all Chestnut-backed Chickadee » Yellow-throated Warbler species represented on this list with one asterisk (*) or two (**). Write: Plain Titmouse ** Pine Warbler OBRC P.O. Box 10373, Eugenn, OR 97440 Bushtit * Prairie Warbler Red-breasted Nuthatch Palm Warbler * A review species. At least I Introduced species - 8 White-breasted Nuthatch Bay-breasted Warbler one record verified by species. Pygmy Nuthatch Blackpoll Warbler photograph, specimen, or Total species: 464. Rrown Creeper Bl.-and-white Warbler video or sound recording - Rock Wren American Redstart 9S species. Bl Black Canyon Wren Prothonotary Warbler ** A review species. Sight N. Northern Bewick's Wren Worm-eating Warbler records only, no verification House Wren Ovenbird Prepared by - 13 species. Winter Wren Kentucky Warbler Harry Nehls, Secretary, Oregon Bird E Extirpated. No modern Marsh Wren N. Waterthrush Records Committee records - California Condor American Dipper Mourning Warbler Owen Schmidt, Editor, Oregon Birds ** and Sharp-tailed Grouse. December 1995 Golden-crowned Kinglet MacGillivrays Warbler RARE BIRD REPORT FORM — 1994 DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Oregon Bird Records Committee — OBRC Astoria Jeff Gilligan, 231-0971 Mike Patter) Harry Nehls, 233-3976 OBRC 325-1365 i Owen Schmidt, 282-9403 P.O. 10373 Box [ Portland I Umatilla/Hermiston Eugene, OR 97440 Craig Corder, 567-0305

/Phone numbe rin italicsN 1. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS DATE RECEIVE DBY OBRC SECRETARY means you may reach an This form is intended as a convenience and a \answering machine . J guideline. It may be used flexibly and need not -.Salem be used at aW.Attachadditionalsheets if needed. ''Barb Bellin\393-0243 )Canyon City Please type, or write legibly. You may find it Bob Lucas, 363-9710 Tom Winters, 575-2570 easiest to use separate sheets of paper keyed to TELEPHONE the general guidelines in this form. .Albany Rick Krabbe, 967-^31 Corvallis/Philomattv 3. DATE(S). Month, day, and year. If there 2. BIRD IDENTIFICATION .Write in Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 74§-7806 the name of the species you have identified are multiple observations, each date. Florene ' lan Krabbe, 929-5941 and information on numbers, sex, plumage, Bill Stork 997-8978 and age. J Bend bigene Tom Crabtree, 388-2462 m Carlson, 485-4491 Clarice Watson, 485-6137 Kit Larsen, 344-9574 Tom Mickel, 485-7112 4. LOCATION .Be specific; describe habitat. Always list the county; give compass orientation Barb Combs, 689-6660 to the nearest notable geographic feature. Use the DeLorme Oregon Atlas and Gazetteer with version number, page number, and coordinates. Zoos Bay/North Bend Roseburg/Glide Barbara Griffin, 756-5688' Alice Parker, 672-1549 Lyn Topits, 267-7208 Meredith Jones, 672-6367 Larry Thornburgh, 756-4281 5. DETAILS. Include only what was actually observed, not what should have been seen or heard. Ron Maelz, 496-3847 Dport Orford Stress field marks: bill, wings, tail, legs, shape, proportions, "jizz", Include behavior: eye, etc. i Ashland/Medford area I Jim Rogers, feeding, resting, flying, interactions with other species, etc. Describe voice — song, calls, or notes I Carrie Osborne, 332-2555 Marjorie Moore, 535-5138 — if heard. If you have made field notes and/or field sketches, include them (or copies of them). DouglasKirkpatrick, 772-2232\ ' Grants Pass J Brookings Barbara Hoffman, 471-6019 : Colin Dillingham, 469-9624

Rules for a network are simple-, rare birds only (no east/wes tor west/eas tOregon 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 informatio non a rare bird cal lshould

include species ,age and sex (if not known ,say so), numbe rof birds, who found it (them) ,and who to call for more information i,f anyone.

Birders who would like to represen ttheir loca l birding areas should write to The Editor, Oregon Birds, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue ,Portland ,OR 97212

Please fee l free to send ideas and suggestions ,too! Rare Bird Phone Nerirwerl t OB Mil J Describe your reasons for your identification: your familiarity with the species, field guides used, similar species that were eliminated, references that were consulted, etc. • Albany Rick Krabbe ,1427 Tracy Court ,Albany ,OR 97321 ,(H)967-7731 {\N)967-5877 • Ashland/Medford area Marjorie Moore ,4729 S. Pacific Hwy. #11 ,Phoenix, OR 97535, (H)535-5138 (W)776-7293 or 776-7294 Douglas Kirkpatrick ,330 Harvard Place ,Medford O, R 97504, (H) 772-2232 (W)779-1672 • Astoria Mike Patterson ,1338 Kensington Avenue ,Astoria, OR 97103, (H)325-1365 • Bend Tom Crabtree ,1667 N.W. Iowa ,Bend ,OR 97701, (HJ388-2462 (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, {W)575-2570 • Coos Bay/North Bend Ben Fawver, 793 Johnson ,Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-6485 Describe the circumstances of the observation: light conditions, position of the sun, distance to the Lyn Topits, 888 Telegraph ,Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-7208 {^1)888-4762 bird, duration of observation, equipment used, time of day, time of tide, etc. Barbara Griffin, 1691 Grant Street, North Bend OR 97459, (H)756-5688 Larry Thornburgh ,2058 Ceda rCourt ,North Bend ,OR 97459, (H)756-4281 • Corvallis/Philomath Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 6980 N.W. Cardinal Corvallis, , OR 97330, (H)745-7806 Jan Krabbe ,24461 Columbine Drive, Philomath ,OR 97370, (H) 929-5941 (W) 928-2361 x410 • 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 Overbroo kLane, Eugene ,OR 97405, (H)485-7112, (W) 935-2283 Clarice Watson ,3787 Wilshire Lane, Eugene ,OR 97405, (H)485-6137 • Florence Bill Stotz, 1305 Laurel, Florence ,OR 97439, (H)997-8978 • Grants Pass Barbara Hoffman ,251 Brooke Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527,541-471-6019 Add the names (and addresses and phone numbers if known) of other observers who may have • Portland identified the bird. Jeff Gilligan ,26 N.E. 32nd Avenue ,Portland ,OR 97232, (H)23?-097?(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 • Port Ortord Jim Rogers & Carrie Osborne ,95187 Elk River Rd„ Port Orford ,OR 97465, (H)332-2555 • Roseburg/Glide 6. PHOTOS, RECORDINGS. State whether photos were taken or video or sound recordings Alice Parker, 313 W. Hickory St., Roseburg ,OR 97470, (H)672-1549 were made. OBRC will duplicate and return original slides and tapes promptly. Donations of slide Meredith Jones, 2224 N.W. Calkins, Roseburg ,OR 97470, {H)672-6367 duplicates (OBRC prefers a double set) and copies of recordings may be considered a tax- Ron Maertz ,257 Brown Street, Glide ,OR 97443, (H)496-3847 deductible expense! • Salem Barb Bellin, 4730 Elizabeth Street N„ Salem, OR 97303, {H)393-0243 Bob Lucas, 392 Holder Lane S.E., Salem, OR 97306, (H)363-9710 7. Sign this form, and date it for when it was • Tillamook SIGNATURE, DATE. filled out . Craig Roberts, 2880 Old Netarts Road W„ Tillamook, OR 97141, (H)842-5782 • Umatilla/Hermiston 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. Oregon Breeding Bird Adas Project 1995 Field Season Report

PaulAdamus, OBBAPSteering Committee, P.O.Box 2189, Corvallis, OR97339

Never before have so many Oregon bird enthusiasts joined together in the pursuit of a common goal. The goal was to begin the five-year collection of comprehensive data on the distri• bution of Oregon's breeding birds for publication in a statewide atlas, and Oregon birders showed they were more than equal to the task. Over 400 of us offered to send in reports of what we saw during summer 1995 to OFO's Oregon Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Other helpers, volunteering at the Oregon Natural Heritage Pro• gram, spent the entire autumn enter• ing the data from everyone's atlas checklists into the Heritage Program's computer databases, for eventual use by resource managers and scientists throughout the Northwest. This article presents the prelimi• nary results of the first field season of OFO's flagship project.We present these results with big thanks to indi• Figure 1. Hexagons in Oregon Breeding Bird Atlas Project, percent target number of species found. viduals who contributed observations in 1995 and to all who will join us in 430 hexagons used to divide the state canoeists paddling down rivers, to coming years to make this landmark (Figure l).As expected, coverage was vacationists making bird lists while effort a success. We also thank those greatest in western Oregon and weak• driving or backpacking in new parts institutions whose support has est in southeastern Oregon. In most of the state. Stellar performances helped in getting things started: cases 2 or more people shared the were put on by the following people: • National Fish & Wildlife Founda• task of covering a hexagon. Ray Korpi 1245 records * tion Before the project began, the Steer• Donna Lusthoff... 1137 records • Oregon Natural Heritage Program ing Committee had established a stan• Frank Conley 831 records • Oregon Department of Fish & dard for adequacy of coverage, cus• John Gatchet 822 records Wildlife (Wildlife Diversity Pro• tomized for each hexagon. The stan• Kevin Spencer .... 759 records gram) dard takes into account both the per• * 1 record represents 1 species seen • Oregon Field Ornithologists cent of expected species that are in one hexagon during the breeding • Oregon State University - Geo- found, and the percent that also are season sciences Department document as breeding. Figure 1 • U.S.Bureau of Land Management shows the percent completion of Ray is a recent Oregon import from • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hexagons with regard to just the first Nebraska, where he was heavily in• • Portland Audubon Society criterion. When both criteria are ap• volved the atlas project there. Donna • Audubon Society of Corvallis plied, a single hexagon — the Salem is a long-time OFO member who spe• • Salem Audubon Society area one — is counted as "done." cializes in covering Wasco County and other north-central parts of the state. THE COVERAGE THE PEOPLE Frank has lived for many years in With 4 years remaining to complete Anyone can help the atlas project, Wallowa County with its large vari• this project we're off to a great start, and we attracted a wide variety of ety of habitats. John is a school prin-. but there's plenty left to do! During participants, from people just watch• cipal who strays over the border from the 1995 breeding season, extending ing birds in their yard, to non-stop Idaho to cover Malheur County, and from January through August (de• birders traveling long distances every is one of only a very few helpers in pending on species), birders reported weekend, to students and consultants that corner of the state. Kevin covers observations from 350 (81%) of the collecting data for various studies, to the Klamath Basin, perhaps Oregon's

Oregon Birds 21(4): 17 richest area for breeding birds. Frank Conley (52%, Wallowa Lake Species that actually were confirmed Participants deserving mention for hexagon,Wallowa Co.) to be breeding in the most hexagons submitting reports from the most John Lundsten (48%, southeast Sa• were: Robin, Starling, Mallard, and hexagons are: lem & Ankeny, Marion Co.) Barn Swallow. Ray Korpi 69 hexagons Katherine Wilson (43%, Elkhead When species that were expected PaulAdamus 31 hexagons hexagon, Douglas Co.) didn't show up, it usually was because Alan Contreras .... 23 hexagons Walter Devaurs (43%, Plush hexa• no one had time to check the appro• Mike Denny 23 hexagons gon, Lake Co.) priate habitats, or because someone Donna Lusthoff... 23 hexagons Trent Seager (42%, Lake Abert hexa• who saw the species during the sum• gon, Lake Co.) mer neglected to report it to the at• Equally important to the atlas las project. Species that apparently project is that hexagons that are vis• However, it's crucial to remember were not found anywhere in Oregon ited be covered as thoroughly as pos• that to participate in the atlas project, during summer 1995 were: Leach's sible. Participants who found the it isn't necessary for you to spend lots Storm-Petrel, Least Bittern, Upland most species in any hexagon they of time! We're grateful for any reports Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, covered (expressed as a percentage we receive. It's especially worth em• Black Rosy-Finch, and Pine Grosbeak. of the number of species expected phasizing that the project's first year Please let us know if you found any to breed there) were: accomplishments were not merely of these, and describe the location Steve Shope (92% of expected the work of an inspired few.Analysis and approximate date. breeders, Cougar Reservoir hexagon, of the data shows that the majority Of the 270 species reported, nest• Lane Co.) of observations in our database were ing was confirmed somewhere in the Ron Maertz (83%, Glide hexagon, contributed by persons who found state for all but 34 species (4%). Most Douglas Co.) fewer than 51 species per hexagon. surprising was lack of any nesting Keith Graves (82%, Toketee Lake The typical participant reported confirmation forTownsend's Warbler hexagon, Douglas Co.) sightings from just three hexagons. (seen in 43 hexagons), American Bit• John Lundsten (82%, southeast Sa• There were many instances where tern (18), Black-throated Sparrow lem & Ankeny, Marion Co.) species not found or confirmed by (13), Grasshopper Sparrow (12), Katherine Wilson (81%, Elkhead very active atlasers were found by Veery (11), and White Pelican (11). hexagon, Douglas Co.) persons who spent only a little time History suggests these species almost Greg Gillson (80%, Forest Grove atlasing. Perhaps some were almost surely nested. If you found a nest or hexagon,Washington Co.) too modest to send in their reports, recently fledged young of any of these Dennis Vroman (79%, west Grants but fortunately they did.This project species last year, please let us know. Pass hexagon, Josephine Co.) should be — and apparently is — Inevitably atlasers turn up unusual mainly a "grassroots" effort. Jim Hewkin (78%, St. Helens hexa• occurrences.Twelve species not pre• gon, Columbia Co.) viously proven to breed in the state Don Munson (77%, Brookings hexa• THE BIRDS WE SAW were found during the 1995 breed• gon, Curry Co.) To some, atlasing is a sport that hap• ing season. Nesting was not con• Colin Dillingham (77%, Siskiyou pens to have a purpose.To others, the firmed for any of these and it is likely N.E, Curry Co.) scientific purpose of atlasing is more (but not proven) that at least some Barb Bellin (76%, Detroit hexagon, important than any sporting compo• of these species were late migrants Marion Co.) nent. Ultimately the effect is the same: or unmated vagrants.They are: Com• The data that are gathered vastly im• mon Loon, Common Goldeneye, Confirming the breeding of species prove and document our knowledge Greater Scaup, Merlin, Bonaparte's that are found, e.g., by detecting nests of Oregon bird distribution, and im• Gull, Boreal Owl, Broad-tailed Hum• or noticing fledglings, is also impor• proved data support better environ• mingbird, Northern Mockingbird, tant. Participants who confirmed mental decisionmaking. Chestnut-sided Warbler, Indigo breeding of the most species in any During this first breeding season, Bunting, Golden-crowned Sparrow, hexagon they covered (expressed as volunteers found 270 species — vir• and White-winged Crossbill. Anyone a percentage of the number of spe• tually every species expected to seeing these during future breeding cies expected to breed there) were: breed in Oregon. Statewide, the most seasons should make a special effort Keith Graves (55%, Toketee Lake widely-reported species were: Robin, to confirm nesting.The Merlins were hexagon, Douglas Co.) Flicker, Raven, and Red-tailed Hawk. particularly noteworthy because they

Oregon Birds 22(1): 18 Statewide, the most widely-reported species were: Robin, Flicker, Raven, and Red-tailed Hawk. Species that actually were confirmed to be breeding in the most hexagons were: Robin, Starling, Mallard, and Barn Swallow.

were reported from 5 hexagons dur• for attempting a 20-point (more or Oregon Breeding Bird Atlas Project ing their usual breeding period: less) turn. Exactly halfway through P.O. Box 2189 25385: Middle Fork, John Day R., the maneuver the engine stalled, Corvallis, OR 97339 northwest of Long Creek, Grant Co., much to my chagrin and that of my by Paul Adamus and Greg Gillson, accomplices (Dick and Dotie Miller, If you don't have a list to send us, June 18 Greg Gillson). While we prepared just call our toll-free number and 26431:Winema N.E, Klamath Co., ourselves for the possibility of hoof• leave a message on the answering by Aaron Drew ing 6 miles in rain to the nearest habi• machine: 1-800-440-5454. 26542: northeast of Chiloquin, Kla• tation (and having to explain this 2. If you received a packet last year math Co., by Aaron Drew embarrassing situation), the engine but, from the handbook description, 26756: Oakridge area, Lane Co., by restarted and I extricated the van and it seemed the effort was more than Dale Greenlee ourselves from the precipice Atlasing you could muster, please reconsider. 26870Ashland areajackson Co., by doesn't always have to be so interest• You don't have to help every year. Carol Cwilinski ing, but an occasional unexpected Follow the spirit of the guidance we event helps get the adrenaline going provided rather than getting lost in Other summer 1995 reports of in• ... just ask Donna Lusthoff about the details. Unless you want to, you terest because of the species' breed• some creatures she encountered in won't be burdened with assuming ing scarcity in Oregon are: Cattle Wasco County. alone the responsibility for covering Egret, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Semipal• Equally memorable and surely more a particular area. And call us anytime mated Plover, Greater Yellowlegs typical are the sounds of cranes trum• with questions. In some situations, we (confirmed), Blue Jay, Great-tailed peting across eastern Oregon prairies also can offer a half-day field course Grackle, and Red-shouldered Hawk and Varied Thrushes singing eerily in atlasing and bird identification (present in 5 hexagons and con• within ancient forests of the Coast skills to any group of five or more firmed in 2). In addition, local range Range. And sights like White-headed committed volunteers. extensions were documented in ap• Woodpeckers tending their young in 3. If you received a packet, made proximately 876 instances, covering an old ponderosa and Prairie Falcons several observations, but haven't yet 183 species. By "local range exten• stooping to catch their prey from sent in your data, don't despair. Bet• sions," I mean a species was docu• cliffs by a windblown grassland. As ter late than never. Please get to it mented to be present despite predic• one new atlaser wrote us, "A project soon. tions of habitat models and existing like this makes birding so much more 4. If you atlased last year and are bird maps that it is absent. Species for enjoyable! It makes one feel like a eager to do it again, you'll automati• which the atlas project increased our detective looking for evidence. It also cally be sent updated field cards and distributional knowledge the most makes me more observant." much-improved color maps and state• during 1995 are Common Merganser Little wonder that hundreds of Or- wide maps.You can start hunting now and Hermit Thrush. egonians, as well as thousands of for nesting crossbills, ravens, owls, people in 20 other states, have caught pigeons, and some waterfowl. If fea• STORIES FROM THE ROAD the atlasing bug! If you haven't al• sible,volunteer to visit hexagons that Beyond all the dry statistics are the ready volunteered, please join us now. received the weakest coverage in countless adventures and moments of 1995 (the white and lighter-shaded beauty enjoyed by the people who HOW YOU CAN HELP hexagons in Figure 1).Also, work on participated. How well I'll remember 1. If you haven't already contacted "upgrading" your data, i.e., finding the forest road in Grant County, barely us, please send us a list of the birds even stronger proof of breeding of wider than my VW van is long, which you saw in one or more specific ar• each species. Let us know if you don't petered out into nothing along the eas last summer (even a list from your receive your packet by mid-March. nearly sheer face of a cliff as I, a pe• yard or vacation campsite is useful). 0 rennial optimist, insisted to myself the Put a mark next to any species you road would improve if I kept going. found nesting.We'll send you an atlas Eventually the futility of the situation packet this spring with free check• became apparent The question, faced lists, color maps, and a handbook. by many a backroads traveler: Would There's no obligation.Our address is: backing up several hundred feet be easier than turning around? I opted

Oregon Birds 21(4): 19 News and Notes OB 22(1)

lease check your mailing label. Oregon Birds, support for ornitho• Ornithological Council for support of the Wildbird PThe volume and issue number of logical research projects, etc. The Conservation Act. your last issue of Oregon Birds is Fund was established by the OFO David R. Copeland, Secretary, Oregon printed in the upper right hand cor• Board in 1988, and was begun with a Field Ornithologists, 703 Maine Av• ner. OB is sent on a 1-year basis, not generous donation from Medford enue N.E., Keizer, OR 97303,503-393- on a volume-year basis. In other birder Otis Swisher, a past OFO Presi• 4420. words, your membership runs for 4 dent All donations are tax-deductible. quarters — 4 issues of OB — from A handy check box on the OFO mem• SDA Forest Service personnel at the quarter in which you joined or bership form makes it easy to earmark Uthe Detroit, Oregon, Ranger Sta• renewed. If the number 22(1) appears contributions to the Fund. Birders tion are interested in bird sightings — this is your last issue. So it's time wishing to contribute to the Fund from the Detroit area, especially from to send in your membership dues! If should send contributions to OFO Detroit Flats, where recent changes the number 22(2) or higher appears, Treasurer, P.O. Box 10373, Eugene, OR have been made to preserve and en• feel free to send in your dues early. 97440. hance wildlife habitat. Detroit is about You'll be guaranteed an extension of 50 miles east of Salem in the N. 4 issues at today's rates, you won't ndorsement is the fancy term the Santiam Canyon.The Detroit Flats are have to worry about your subscrip• EU.S. Postal Service uses for that located at the southwest edge of De• tion for more than a year, and you'll "boilerplate" language on the back of troit (page 55 of the DeLorme Oregon make the accounting at OFO a little every issue of Oregon Birds. For OFO Atlas & Gazetteer, 7 1/2, between C easier.The entire OB team thanks you! members, OB is mailed "bulk third- and D). Coming from Salem, take the Send in your renewal now, and help class." OFO is a not-for-profit organi• third Detroit turnoff to the southwest us out at OB! zation. Thus, we get the lowest pos• off Hwy 22 onto Santiam Ave. Go 1 sible mail rate, which is based on the block and turn southeast onto Detroit Road, which leads through a wooded ll requests for publications from weight of the "mailpiece.'The phrase area.The road ends in about 1/2 mile OFO's Bookcase should be sent "Forwarding and Return Postage A at the edge of the N. Santiam River directly to Clarice Watson in Eugene. Guaranteed" means that the USPS will arm of the reservoir. Because of sea• Clarice has generously agreed to take forward your issue of OB at no charge sonal changes in reservoir levels, the on the task of cataloguing and mail• for up to 12 months.The phrase "Ad• area's best birding is from early spring ing OFO's bookcase items.This takes dress Correction Requested" means to fall.This site seems to be a migrant a load off theTreasurer and gets OFO's that the USPS will give us notice if stopover. Sightings of east-of-the-crest- members better service. Requests for you've moved and left them a for• breeders include: Gray and Ash- publications that are sent to OFO's warding address.This costs OFO 501 throated Flycatchers, Eastern King• P.O.Box might encounter long delays. each time. Please be sure to notify bird, Sage Thrasher, Loggerhead Clarice Watson, OFO Publications, OFO at the Post Office address if you Shrike, American Redstart, and 3787 Wilshire Lane, Eugene, OR move.You'll get your issue faster, and Brewer's and Black-throated Spar• 97405. we'll save half a buck. If you've moved and didn't tell them or us, they will rows. Sightings of common and un• return the issue of OB with the rea• common birds should be reported to: are bird reports can be sent di• son for nondelivery, and we will re• Laurie Turner, Detroit Ranger Station, rectly to Harry Nehls, Secretary R move your name from our mailing list. State Highway 22, Detroit, OR 97360, of the Oregon Bird Records Commit• Oregon Field Ornithologists, P.O. Box 503-854-3366, or to Barb Bellin, 4730 tee. The "rare bird report form" ap• 10373, Eugene, OR 97440. Elizabeth N., Keizer, OR 97303-5411, pearing in the center pages of each 503-393-0243. issue of Oregon Birds lists the OFO post office box in Eugene as the ad• ighlights of the OFO Board meet• dress to which rare bird reports Hing, 12 November 1995, at Port• he Neotropical Migratory Bird should be sent.That is the permanent land Audubon House: TProgram of Washington and Or• OFO address. But birders who send - The Board appointed Owen Schmidt to a 1-year egon conducts training in field tech• reports directly to Harry will shave a term (volume year 22,1996) as editor of Oregon niques for making a bird census."Field little time off the OBRC review. Harry Birds. Techniques in Bird Point Counts and Nehls, Secretary, Oregon Bird Records - OFO membership now stands at around 420. Bird Identification" is scheduled for Committee, 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue, - Individual dues were raised from $ 19 to $20 per 6-15 May 1996. Kathy Weil, 503-294- Portland, OR 97202,503-233-3976. year, reflecting higher paper, postage, and print• 4946 or 503-297-2639. ing costs for Oregon Birds. The Board directed the editor to seek ways to lower the costs, but he Oregon Fund for Ornithology many cost-related cuts have already been made. regon projects promoted by the Oregon Wetlands Joint Venture Tsets aside money for worthwhile - Information on OFO research grants has been O projects related to the purposes of mailed to 120 high schools in Oregon. include projects at Sauvie Island to OFO, to be dedicated at the OFO - OFO's by-laws are under review for possible revi• fence livestock from lake and pond Board's discretion. Examples include sion and re-publication. shorelines, put in pumps to flood sea• special publications, improvements in - The OFO Board considered a request from the sonally more than 1300 acres of wet- Oregon Birds 22(1): 20 lands now left dry, and restore ISO regon lost a fine birder and one acres of wetlands. An additional O of our top American Birding As• $40,000 in private contribution is sociation listers with the passing of needed to help the Oregon Depart• Marion Corder this past August. ment of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its Marion lived in Umatilla, but had been funding commitments for the spending many of the winter months projects. Private donor contributions in Texas. Her son Craig remains one to date total $40,000 from Ducks of the top birders in northeastern Unlimited Inc. and the Oregon Duck Oregon and resides in Hermiston. Hunters Association. Other projects Craig tells me that at the time of her around the state are featured in their death she had seen 710 species'in the newsletter. Oregon Wetlands Joint ABA area, which is North America Venture, 1637 Laurel Street, Lake Os• north of Mexico.The last time I saw wego, OR 97034, 503-697-3889 fax her was in Bentsen State Park in Texas, 503-697-3268. For more information and she gave me several tips on on the Oregon Wetlands Joint Venture, where the local birds were being contact Steve Kennett, Oregon De• seen. She will be greatly missed.This partment of Fish and Wildlife, Wild• ec Directory 96 is the name of a item contributed by Craig Roberts, life Division, 2501 S.W First Avenue, Rnew joint publication by the Or• 2880 Old Netarts Road W,Tillamook, P.O. Box 59, Portland, OR 97207,503- egon Recreation and ParkAssociation OR 97141. 229-5454x480, fax 503-229-5969. and Oregon Parks and Recreation De• partment .The directory lists "federal, he Wetlands Conservancy, an Or• hese items are from the Oregon state, and local agencies, and organi• Tegon land trust dedicated to pro• T Chapter of The Wildlife Society: zations who provide, or have an in• tecting wetlands, signed an option to - A pair of Trumpeter Swans nested in Lake County terest in, parks and recreation areas, purchase Beaver Creek marsh, adja• near Silver Lake and raised 3 cygnets in summer facilities, and programs." Oregon Field cent to Ona Beach State Park. "We 1995. Another pair defended a territory at Kla• Ornithologists is one of the organiza• have received a great deal of encour• math Marsh Refuge. Efforts by 0DF&W and tions listed.Write or call for a copy of agement and support from the com- Malheur NWR to estabbsh this species in Lake and the directory. Oregon Recreation and munity.The marsh speaks for itself by Klamath Counties are apparently beginning to pay ParkAssociation, P.O. Box 89,Astoria, off. captivating the imagination of those OR 97103, 503-325-6935. who visit. Its beauty and abundance - The Nature Conservancy will receive $350,000 from the North American Wetlands Conservation of wildlife are testimony to its value Act grant program for the initial phase of a resto• as a home for all creatures, great and ration project at Sycan Marsh Preserve. The U.S. small. Every donation is important!" Fish and Wildlife Service will receive $60,000 from The Wetlands Conservancy, EO. Box the same source for a restoration program at 1195 .Tualatin, OR 97062. Malheur NWR headquarters. - A 3x4-foot color map Oregon Wildlife Habitat hat will be Oregon's 5 next Types is available. $7.50 plus $3.00 s/h. Maps, "first" state record birds? Prizes Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society, P.O. Box W for winning this competition are not 2214, Corvallis, OR 97339-2214. are birds — running tally of the finally decided, but the birder who - Since 1987, 65 captive-raised Peregrine Falcons Rbirds of the Oregon rare bird have been released in northeast Oregon through phone network: wins will be showered with affection the efforts of The Peregrine Fund, USDA Forest - Gyrfalcon, 9 November 1995, a bird at Baskett by other birders, to be sure, and Service, and ODF&W Wildlife Diversity Program. Slough NWR, Polk Co., by Bill Tice; achieve prominence on the pages of A new Peregrine eyrie was discovered in Union - Brown Thrasher, 9 November 1995, a bird com• OB."I promise to do backups and save County in 1995, the second confirmed active nest ing to a feeder in Tigard, Multnomah Co., by Rob• the new contest information on a site in northeast Oregon. As many as 2 additional ert Rolfe; floppy disk." Read the article sites may be active. The Pacific Coast Peregrine - Tropical Kingbird, 18 November 1995, near the "Oregon's Next First State Record Recovery Plan calls for 4 active eyries. south jetty of the Siuslaw River at Florence, Lane Bird,"OB 20(4): 115,Winter 1994,for - A cassette tape Northern Spotted Owl Vocaliza• Co.; a refresher. The recently-reported tions is available. "The narrative includes a de• - Clay-colored Sparrow, 26 November 1995, a bird Dusky-capped Flycatcher from Lin• tailed explanation of 11 different Spotted Owl and coming to a feeder in Brookings, Curry Co., by coln County, if accepted by the Or• 4 different Barred Owl vocalizations. Samples of Colin Dillingham; the different calls are given and the behavioral - Prairie Warbler, 6 December 1995, South Beach, egon Bird Records Committee, will be context of these calls is described." $12.50 each Newport, Lincoln Co., by Eric Horvath; the first "next." No one guessed this includes s/h. Lauri Turner, P.O. Box 686, Detroit, - Mountain Plover, 19 December 1995, a bird on species, so anyone entering the con• OR 97342,541-854-3366. the Corvallis Christmas Bird Count, Benton Co.; test at this late date will still be on an - Home Page for the Oregon Chapter on the World and even footing. Bill Tice, 750 Wood Wide Web is http://www.orst.edu/Dept/fish_wilaV - Dusky-capped Flycatcher, 2 January 1996, a bird Street, Falls City, OR 97344. twsindex.html. in Newport, Lincoln Co., by Pat Dickey,

Oregon Birds 21(4): 21 alheur National Wildlife Refuge other animals .The Cornell Laboratory Congress. Persons on the mailing list will be sent Mis looking for volunteers to as• of Ornithology released version 1.2 information on all aspects of the congress in sist in the Refuge's biological pro• of this program. "The new version is proper time. Suggestions for the scientific pro• gram. Field work includes studies of even more powerful and easy to use gram should be sent to the chairman of the Sci• breeding Sandhill Cranes, waterfowl, than its predecessor." Information is entific Program Committee, Dr. Lukas Jenni (Schweizerische Voegelwarte, CH-6204 Sempach, colonial waterbirds, raptors, shore- available at: http://www.ornith. Switzerland; fax 011-41-41-462-9710). An• birds and other wildlife. Volunteers Cornell.edu/BRP/Canaryl.l. nouncements for the scientific program will be will assist in a radio telemetry study info.HTML. Canary 1.2 is available for published separately. Letters of inquiry about the to determine mortality factors of $250 at Bioacoustics Research Pro• scientific program can be sent to Dr. Jenni, Prof. young Sandhill Cranes. Assistance gram, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Berthold, or Prof. Walter Bock (Secretary of the needed primarily April-September, Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY IOC, Box 37 Schermerhom Hall, Dept. of Biologi• though volunteers are needed all year. 14850,607-254-BIRD. cal Sciences, Columbia Univ., New York, NY 10027, Gary Ivey Wildlife Biologist, Malheur USA). National Wildlife Refuge, HC-72, Box eetings, events & deadlines -19 December 1997 - 4 January 1998,98th Christ• 245, Princeton, OR 97721, 503-493- made known to Oregon Birds: mas Bird Count, National Audubon Society. M 0 2612. - 2-4 April 1996, Aspen and Cottonwood in the Blue Mountains, a workshop to guide participants in nviroLink Network, a non-profit the development and implementation of their as• organization which maintains the pen and/or cottonwood regeneration plans. Blue E Mountains Natural Resources Institute, 1401 world's largest environmental infor• Gekeler Lane, La Grande, OR 97850, 503-962- mation archive on the Internet, an• 6573 fax 503-962-6504. nounces the ESA On-line Resource - 11 May 1996, North American Migration Count, Guide — a clearinghouse of informa• Spring Count. Pat French, Oregon NAMC Coordi• tion relating to the reauthorization of nator, 400 E. 31st Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405, the Endangered Species Act. http:// 541-683-4292 before 9 p.m. Spring Weekend at www.envkolink.org/issues/esa. - 8-14 June 1996, Natural Sound Recording Work• shop, San Francisco State U., Sierra Nevada Field Malheur arthwatch is a non-profit organi• Research Station, in the Tahoe National Forest. "Accommodations are rustic but comfortable. zation offering the public unique DavidR. Copeland, 703 Maine Avenue N.E., E Instructors include OFO member David S. Herr. opportunities to participate in a wide $625 includes tuition, class materials, ground Keizer, OR 97303 variety of field research projects.Work transportation, food, and lodging. Library of Natu• side-by-side with renowned scientists ral Sounds, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 0 give me a home where the roam, tracking songbirds in Ontario, creat• Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607- Where they howl at the end of the day. ing safe passage for migratory birds 254-2404 fax 607-254-2439; libnatsounds® The Sandhill Cranes dance, and the Sage in Italy and Hungary, banding tropi• cornell.edu. Grouse prance cal birds in Alaska, observing Golden - 21-23 June 1996, OFO annual meeting, Klamath In their own peculiar way. Eagle behavior in Scotland, or study• Falls. Cindy Lawes, 13380 S.W. Butner Road, ing migration patterns on Block Is• Beaverton, OR 97005, 503-626-7532. The headquarters' trees may sway in the breeze - 13-17 August 1996, the 114th stated meeting of land. No special skills are required; As you acquire "warblers neck." the American Ornithologists' Union, jointly with members are trained in the field.You The birds way up there don't really play fair. support the research and cover food the annual meeting of the Raptor Research Foun• dation, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho. Peter Come down where I can see you, by heck! and lodging expenses with tax-de• Lowther, Field Museum of Natural History, ductible contributions averaging Roosevelt Road at Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL Raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds and owls, $ 1500 plus travel. Earthwatch, 680 Mt. 60605, [email protected]. Sora and Virginia Rail. Auburn Street, P.O. Box 403RT, - 21 September 1996, North American Migration The Bitterns all hide, but there alongside Watertown, MA 02172,800-776-0188. Count, Fall Count. Pat French, Oregon NAMC Co• Is a covey of California Quail. ordinator, 400 E. 31 st Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405, ird Brain 3 0,bird listing software 541-683-4292 before 9 p.m. To the top of the Steens where the Rosy-Finch - 20 December 1996-5 January 1997,97th Christ• Bfor the Macintosh, has more fea• preens, tures at a lower price and is "native" mas Bird Count, National Audubon Society. -16-22 August 1998, The XXII International Orni• Then Fields for a thick milkshake. on the Power Macintosh. Birders can thological Congress, Durban, South Africa. Prof Frenchglen and Page Springs where the Lesser keep lists by county, state, nation — Peter Berthold (Germany) will serve as President, Goldfinch sings, "any place ."The included database has Dr. Janet Kear (United Kingdom) as Vice Presi• Benson Pond, and back to Malheur Lake. all 1972AOU birds and is expandable dent and Dr. Aldo Berruti as Secretary-General. to all world birds. Ideaform Inc., 908 This Congress will include a foil scientific pro• It's been a long day, and we've gone a long E.Briggs, Fairfield, IA 52556,515-472- gram and a large series of ornithological tours to way. 7256. numerous areas within southern Africa. All inter• We've seen a "good bird" or two. ested ornithologists are invited to take part. Po• We're an eager group, but we're all out of tential members of the Durban congress are re• undreds of scientists and ama• quested to contact Dr. Aldo Berruti (Durban Natu• poop. teurs worldwide are using Ca• H ral Science Museum, PO Box 4085, Durban 4000, Tomorrow we'll be good as new. nary, a computer software program South Africa) to be placed on the mailing list, or for analyzing the sounds of birds and to provide suggestions on any aspects of the 22nd 0

Oregon Birds 22(1): 22 Become a steward for wildlife

Wetlands are home for a tremendous variety of birds, mammals, and fish. More than 5000 plant species thrive in these important systems.However, Oregon's wetlands are diminishing. We have lost over 870,000 acres of our original 2.3 million acres of wet• lands; others retain only a fraction of their natural habitat values. Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and support the Oregon Wetlands Joint Venture — a coalition ;W of private and governmental entities cooperating in the protection and en• hancement of wetlands. A new wetlands poster has been de• veloped to assist in raising funds to enhance habitat in Oregon. For just ^\^J illome+re Woodies $10, you can be a partner in efforts to increase homes for wildlife.A free newsletter from the Oregon Wetlands Joint Venture is also available. To order, please mail a check (pay• able to Wetlands Donation) for $10 per poster plus $2 shipping and han• C\i\CMkc\\cu\ wild birds. dling to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bird Program, P.O. '^/SJursery |or young Box 59, Portland, OR 97207. wings. > Sustenance yot

"The Joint Venture evolved from a rIywav trovelers. great concern for wetland habitats among government and private orga• nizations. It has been both a catalyst and focal point for new and expanded programs to protect and rehabilitate this critical habitat." Oregon Wetlands Joint Venture Sara Vickerman, Director of State Conservation Programs, Defenders of Wildlife

Oregon Wetlands Joint Venture

Oregon Birds 21(4): 23 Oregon Birds Regional Editors Western Oregon Jeff Gilligan 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue •Fall 231-0971 Portland, OR 97232

Western Oregon Gerard Lillie 329 N.E. Gilham • Spring 257-9344 Portland, OR 97215 Oregon Birds and Audubon Field Notes have synchronized reporting areas, periods, and deadlines. Field reports for eastern and western Oregon are due Western Oregon Jim Johnson 10405 N.E. 9th Ave. AptG-10 to the OB Regional Editor and AFN Regional Editor at the same time. • Winter/Summer 360-576-6984 Vancouver, WA 98685 Season Months Due date Spring March—May 10 June Eastern Oregon Paul T. Sullivan 4470 S.W. Murray Blvd. #26 Summer June—July 10 August • Fall/Spring 646-7889 Beaverton, OR 97005 Fall August—November 10 December Winter December—February 10 March Eastern Oregon Tom Crabtree 1667 N.W. Iowa • Winter/Summer 389-7723 Bend, OR 97701

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

Audubon Field Notes 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

Rogue Valley Howard Sands 10655 Agate Road 826-5246 Eagle Point, OR 97524

regon Field Ornithologists members bird all over the the Oregon locations listed below. If you would O state, and often find birds that are of interest to local like to add a local newsletter or revise any of the birders. OFO supports publication of local field notes and information below, please contact the Editor, encourages OFO members to contact local newsletter Oregon Birds, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, publishers or field notes editors whenever birding in or near OR 97212.

Area Publication Publisher Address Fieldnotes editor Phone Bend Eagle Eye Central Oregon Audubon PO Box 565 Tom Crabtree 503-388-2462 Society Bend OR 97709 Ivy Hilty (Madras) 503-475-3290 Coos Bay Cape Arago Audubon 888 Telegraph Society Coos Bay OR 97420 Corvailis The Chat Audubon Society of PO Box 148 Mark Nebeker 503-745-7028 Corvallis Corvallis OR 97339 Eugene The Quail Lane County Audubon PO Box 5086 Allison Mickel 503-485-7112 Society Eugene OR 97405 Florence Florence Audubon Society 88909 Rustic Lane Florence OR 97439 Grants The Siskin Siskiyou Audubon Society PO Box 1047 Eleanor Pugh 503-866-2665 Pass Grants Pass OR 97526 Hood Columbia Gorge Audubon PO Box 512 River Society Hood River OR 97031 John Day The Upland Grant County Bird Club P.O. Box 111 Tom Winters 503-575-2833 (h) Sandpiper Canyon City OR 97820 503-575-2570 (w) Klamath The Grebe Klamath Basin Audubon PO Box 354 Falls Society Klamath Falls OR 97601 La Grande The Rav-on Grande Ronde Bird Club PO Box 29 Bill & Chris Dowdy 963-4768 La Grande OR 97850 Medford The Chat Rogue Valley Audubon 6045 Foley Lane Ric Thowless 503-535-3280 Central Point OR 97520 Newport The Sandpiper Yaquina Birders and PO Box 1467 Range Bayer 503-265-2965 Naturalists Newport OR 97365 d'dline: 20th of mo. Portland Audubon Warbler Audubon Society of 5151 NW Cornell Road Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 Portland Portland OR 97210 Port Orford The Storm Petrel Kalmiopsis Audubon PO Box 1265 Society Port Orford OR 97465 Roseburg Wing-Tips Umpqua Valley Audubon Box 381 Society Roseburg OR 97470 Salem The Kestrel Salem Audubon Society 1313 Mill St SE John Lundsten 503-585-9442 Salem OR 97301

Oregon Birds 22(1): 24 FIELDNOTES: Eastern Oregon, Summer 1995

Tom Crabtree, 1667NWIowa, Bend, OR97701 [email protected]

Weather conditions were mild during most of the Bufflehead RED PHALAROPE period with above average precipitation and un• a female was on the observation pond at Malheur an extremely out of place breeding plumaged fe• seasonably cool temperatures. Temperatures over N.W.R. on 6 June (AM). It was joined by another male was at Hatfield Lake, Deschutes, on 14 July 90° F or higher were recorded only twice on two female on 14 June (DF) This species is rare in sum• (CM,TC,DH). consecutive days in late July. No surprising rarities mer. Wilson's Phalarope occurred during the period. Highlights during the Osprey Up to 7650 were counted on 20 July at Lake Abert period included Red Phalarope, Yellow-billed 1 was seen at Page Springs Campground on 3 June during the peak of their southward migration (CM). Cuckoo, Costa's Hummingbird, Least Flycatcher, (PTS, JM); another was at Weed Lake on 29 June California Gull Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Northern (ES, GI); another was over the Ukiah Sewage Ponds 45 were on Owyhee Res., Malheur, on 12 June Mockingbird, Tennessee Warbler, Chestnut-sided on 8 June (MD). (MD). Whether these were non-breeding birds or Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Northern Bald Eagle are nesting in some unknown location nearby is a Parula, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Grasshopper an adult was seen at Malheur lake on 27 July (ES, matter of conjecture at this point. Sparrow, and Great-tailed Grackle. LG). This species is rare at Malheur N.W.R. in sum• Bonaparte's Gull Pacific Loon mer. Another was at the Eastern Oregon Agricul• 8 in first summer plumage were reported from 1 in non-breeding plumage was reported from tural Research Center near Burns on 24 July (LH). Willow Creek WMA on 12 June (DF); 1 was at Malheur Res., Malheur, on 14 June (DF). Swainson's Hawk Hatfield Lake on 14 July (TC). Up to 25 first sum• Eared Grebe an impressive concentration of 100 birds was found mer non-breeders spent the summer from mid July An albino individual was observed at Lake Abert on on 23 July south of Rattlesnake Canyon, Harney on at Summer Lake (CM). 3 July (JM, PTS). Even more remarkable were two (LH). Forster's Tern complete albinos and one partial albino found there Ferruginous Hawk One was at Beulah Res. on 15 June. The species is two weeks later on 20 July (CM). an adult was over Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 9 June not known to breed in n. Malheur Co. (AC) Western Grebe (MD). Caspian Tern pair were present, with some displaying, at the Peregrine Falcon 6 at Bully Creek Res., Malheur, on June 16 were northern end of Beulah Res., Malheur, on 15 June. 1 was seen between 21-31 July along Sodhouse sitting on a small offshore island, but breeding could Sixty were at Bully Creek Res., Malheur on 16 June. Road, Malheur N.W.R. (GI, RV, m.ob.) for an ex• not be confirmed. They may have been visitors from 25 were on Owyhee Res. 17 June, apparently non- tremely rare summer sighting. Snake River breeding islands (AC). breeders (AC) Yellow Rail Black Tern American White Pelican 6 were heard in Ft. Klamath on 30 June (PTSJM). 1 was at Bully Creek Res., on June 16. The species nested on Malheur Lake for the second time since Semipalmated Plover is surprisingly hard to come by in the county, espe• 1990 and produced 15 young. Generally numbers 1 seen on 29 June at Harney Lake most likely was cially in the northern part (AC). appeared to be lower in Harney County this year. an early migrant, but the species has nested at YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO Double-crested Cormorant Malheur N.W.R. before (GI, ES). 1 was in Fields on 24 June (TL). A habitat deprived 3 were on the Owyhee River about 4 miles below Greater Yellowlegs individual was spotted in a greasewood bush at the the Owyhee Dan on 12 June (MD). an early migrant was at Paulina Marsh, Crook on north end of Lake Abert on 25 June (fide CM). What Great Egret 2 3 June (TC, CM); another early bird was at Wamic was likely the same bird was later found at the south 1 was at Beulah Res., Malheur on 15 June. An• on 1 July (DL); 3 were at Rock Creek, Gilliam, end of Lake Abert as it flew into a juniper tree on other was in the Owyhee Valley 17 June. These and 2 were at Grass Valley, Sherman on 22 July 29 June, and subsequently disappeared into the birds probably came from breeding locations in (DB.JJ). large poplar trees at the forbidden Rivers End Harney Co. or in southwestern Idaho, although Solitary Sandpiper Ranch. This represents Lake County's third record. small numbers breed along the Snake River. 1 was at Wamic on 22 July (DL). Burrowing Owl Cattle Egret Willet 1 was reported along Twin Springs Rd. SW of Vale, 1 was seen near Burns on 1 June (AM). six birds were found in wet meadows along Buck for one of the only sightings of this increasingly rare Black-crowned Night Heron Creek Rd., Crook, on 15 June (DF); 2 were at species in our state (MD); a family was found near 1 was at Willow Creek WMA, Gilliam, on 11 June Paulina Marsh on 23 June (TC, CM). MP 66 on the Izee-Paulina Rd, Crook in mid-July (DF). Long-billed Curlew (BW); 1 was found south of Kent, Sherman, on 22 Trumpeter Swan 65 birds were in one field south of Vale on 11 June. July (DB, JJ). The only other one reported was Those on Malheur N.W.R. produced 3 cygnets (RV). This is an unusually large concentration for this north of Buena Vista, Malheur N.W.R. on 3 June Snow Goose species in Oregon in June (MD). 24 were south of (PTSJM). 2 were at Malheur N.W.R. on 21 July 21 (GI). Paisley on 3 July (PTS, JM). Short-eared Owl Ducks, generally Sanderling This species was reported to be less common than The reservoirs of Malheur County support an as• 1 was at John Day Dam and another at the Wasco usual this summer. tonishing array of breeding waterfowl where feeder Sewage Ponds on the unusual date of 22 July (DB, Vaux's Swift creeks enter the lakes. Upper Beulah Reservoir JJ). 3 were over Owyhee State Park, Malheur on 12 June held 11 species of ducks in addition to other Semipalmated Sandpiper (MD). This species is usually not encountered waterbirds on 15 June. Upper Bully Creek Reser• 1 was at Wamic on 29 July (DL). Another was at regularly in such dry habitat. Chimney Swift is a voir held a similar variety on 16 June, including a Summer Lake on 3 July (CM). possibility that must be considered. The nearest male Bufflehead near flooded cottonwoods, appro• Black-necked Stilt breeding location for Vaux's is perhaps 80 miles priate breeding habitat for this species that has not an out of range bird was found at Hatfield Lake, away to the northwest or 100 miles to the north• been proven to nest in far eastern Oregon (AC). Deschutes, on 14 July (DH, CM, m.ob.); 1 was east east, and even that is the fringe of the range. Other Ring-necked Duck of Island City, Union, in early June (PTS, JM). One observers in the area saw no Vaux's in their trips to a male was on the Ukiah Sewage Ponds, Umatilla, was found at Painted Hills Reservoir on 10 June for Ironside Mountain. Vaux's should have passed on 8 June (MD) Wheeler County's 2nd record (LR). through that area at least a month earlier, if at all. Oregon Birds 21(4): 25 Chimney has occurred to the northern California Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher Grasshopper Sparrow coast, and bred at least once. Birders in the region a pair was found on the nest west of Frenchglen on I was seen on 18 June in Jordan Valley, Malheur in 1996 should keep their eyes (and ears!) open. 11 June (MD); another pair was found in scrub (AC); 5 were along Twin Springs Rd. SW of Vale on Black-chinned Hummingbird aspen/mountain mahogany habitat on Glass Butte, II June (MD); a "colony' was found near Kent, 3 were at Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 24 July (DS); 1 Lake on l6june (DF). Sherman on 9 July (DB). was at Fields on 9-10 June (MD). Townsend's Solitaire Black-throated Sparrow COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD An exceptionally late bird was at Benson Pond, a late report is of a pair on territory near the GI An adult male returned to Larry & Rachel Baker's Malheur N.W.R. on 3 June (TC, AM). Ranch, Crook on 21 May (HN) feeder in Bend for the third year in a row. This Gray Catbird Bobolink bird has now been recorded no fewer than 14 times 1 was at Fields on 9-10 June (MD, SR); another 6 males & 3 females were observed in a meadow in Deschutes, compared to 12 times for the rest of was at Willow Creek, n. of Ironside, Gilliam on 14 on the west edge of Ukiah in June and early July the state! June (DF); another was at the north edge of the (KK); 3 males were S of Baker City on 13 June Calliope Hummingbird Warm Springs Reservation along Beaver Creek on (MD). 1 was at Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 28 July (DS); 8 22 July (DL). Tricolored Blackbird were at Dale, Grant, on 8 June (MD). Northern Mockingbird 12 were seen in a cattail marsh along 1-84 near Lewis' Woodpecker a single bird was seen on 11 July at Moon's Ranch, Stanfleld on 3 July (KK); 3 were in Wamic on 15 at least 8 birds were found nesting in Shevlin Park, Harney (RV). July(DL). Bend, on 25 June (DH); another was in an aspen "Plumbeous" Solitary Vireo Yellow-headed Blackbird grove near the headwaters of Bridge Creek, 1 was at Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 4 June (AM); an• several were showing territorial behavior in dense Malheur, on 14 June (DF). other was at Fields on 12 June (DB). flooded willows at upper Beulah Res., Malheur on Williamson's Sapsucker Red-eyed Vireo June 15. This location has no cattails and they a pair was found nesting in Shevlin Park, Bend, an 1 was at Clyde Holliday State Park on 9 June (MD); seemed to be using the bushes as a substitute (AC). unusually low elevation for them in the Central Or• another was found in scrub aspen/mountain ma• GREAT-TAILED CRACKLE egon Cascades (DH). A pair was along Bridge Cr. hogany habitat on Glass Butte, Lake on 16 June 1 was seen at Malheur N.W.R. HQ several times just south of Ironside Mtn., Malheur on 16 June (DF); another was at Fields on 19 June (fide HN). during the period. Unlike last year there was no (AC). This is the very edge of their breeding range One was singing in the Burnt River Canyon west of nesting in 1995. in SE Oregon. Durkee, Baker on 2 July (AC and Bryan Ledford). Red Crossbill Black-backed Woodpecker NORTHERN PARULA an unusual report was 6 birds on 10 June above Breeding in Malheur County was confirmed for the 1 was at Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 15 June (AC); an• Frenchglen (SR). first time by BLM biologists in June, at Ironside Mtn. other was also seen there on 27 July (AC); one was Corrections {fide AC) also reported from Glass Butte, Lake on 16 June The Trumpeter Swans reported in the Eastern Or• Three-toed Woodpecker (DF). egon Field Notes for fall 1994 in Oregon Birds a pair was found 11 miles east of Seneca, Grant on TENNESSEE WARBLER 21 (2), are now thought by the observers to be Tun• 9 June (MD) 1 was at Fields on 7 June (TK). dra Swans. The Red-breasted Sapsucker reported Eastern Kingbird CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER from the mouth of Hood River on 27 November a bird of this species was found at Hatfield Lake, 1 was at Malheur N.W.R. on 20 June (RG); one was should have been a Red-breasted Merganser. Deschutes, on 14 July for about the third county at Fields on 26 June (fide HN), another male on Observers record (CM, TC, DH). One was at the Chewacan territory spent the first two weeks of July at Mare's DB = David Bailey; DVB = Dan Van Den Broek; AC Marsh south of Paisley on 30 June {fide CM); an• Egg Spring, Klamath (m.ob.). = Alan Contreras; CC = Craig Corder; MD = Mike other was at the north end of Lake Abert, Lake, on BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER & Merry Lynn Denny; DF = Darrel Faxon; RG = 3 July (PTS, JM). Up to 3 were found on the a male was at Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 11 June (DB). Roy Gezig; LG = Leah Grail; DH = Dean Hale; LH = Guttierez Ranch in Crook County on 8 July (Chuck American Redstart Larry Hammond; DH = Debbie Hickey; GI = Gary Gates). 1 was found in Fields on 13 June (DB); another Ivey; JJ = Jim Johnson; KK = Karen Kronnen; TK = Hammond's and Dusky Flycatchers was there on 21 June (fide HN); 1 was at Boardman Ted Kenefick; DL = Donna Lusthoff; TL = Tom Love; A good place to compare these is at Eldorado Camp• on 11 June (PTS, JM). AM = Alan McGie ; CM = Craig ground, Baker, where Hammond's are common in Ovenbird Miller; JM = Judy Meredith; HN = Harry Nehls; MP the forested areas and Dusky can be found down• 2 were reported from Harney this summer. 1 was = Mike Patterson ; LR = Lewis Rems; SR = Skip stream at the old corrals (AC). at Malheur N.W.R. HQ on 4 June (TC, PTS, JM); Russell; ES = Eric Scheuering; DS = Doug Staller; "Western" Flycatcher another was in Fields on 9 June (SR, MD). PTS = Paul Sullivan; BU = Beth Ullenberg; RV = birds of this complex were scarcely mentioned by BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER Rick Vetter; BW = Barbara Winters; RW = Rachel observers in the field this summer. Paul Sullivan 1 was reported from Fields on 6 June (DVB). White. 0 reported having 3 Pacific-slopes and 1 Cordilleran ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK at Catherine Creek south of Union on 10 June. Paul 1 was at the Silver Lake Ranger Station, Lake from Dickcissel, OBRC 604-95-09E (left), OBRC 604-95- also reported 2 Pacific-slopes at Bullard Canyon 9-15 June (Rick Elston). 09G (right), 26 July 1995, , Crook Co. Photo/Greg Boyce. near Lakeview on 3 July (PTS, JM). LEAST FLYCATCHER 1 was at Benson Pond, Malheur N.W.R. on 10 June (MD, SR); a pair was at Clyde Holliday State Park, Grant this summer (AC, MD); still another was reported' "vigorously calling'' at Willow Creek WMA, Gilliam, on 12 June (CC, DF); finally, one was re• ported from Spring Creek Forest near La Grande on 17June (MP). Red-breasted Nuthatch a late pair was in Fields on 3 June (TC). Ruby-crowned Kinglet a late individual was at Page Springs, Malheur N.W.R. on 6 June (AM).

Oregon Birds 22(1): 26 Oregon Birds 21(4): 27 FUXDNOTES: Western Oregon, Summer 1995

Jim Johnson, 10405 N.E. 9th Avenue, Apt. G-10, Vancouver, WA 98685 [email protected]

Abbreviations used: of confirmed breeding west of the Cascades. Ancient Murrelet BLM Bureau of Land Management Harlequin Duck One was at Yaquina Head 1 July (BLM i\zS,fide BSNWR Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge At least four broods were produced in the upper RB). There are several summer records. Co. County Molalla Basin in Clackamas Co. during the breed• Barred Owl m.ob. many observers ing season (SD), and at least nine broods were A juvenile with parents were at Wilhoit Springs, SJCR South Jetty of the Columbia River accounted for on lower Quartzville Cr. above Green Clackamas Co. during July (fide SD). This rela• SJYB South Jetty of Yaquina Bay Peter Res. in Linn Co. (SD, HB). A brood was again tively new member of the Oregon avifauna contin• S.P. State Park seen on the Nestucca R. in July where a male was ues to be found breeding at new locations through• s.p. sewage ponds seen in early June. This is the same location where out western Oregon. a hen with a brood was seen in July of 1994. Black Swift Common Loon Oldsquaw One was seen flying north past Siltcoos Oudet, Lane An adult was on Roslyn L., Clackamas Co 16June A late migrant or summerer was at Yachats 14 June Co., 8 June (LX,fide HN). Did no one check out (SD). (fidem). Salt Cr. Falls, Lane Co., for this species? No reports Horned Grebe White-tailed Kite were received, The first post-breeders were noted in Lincoln Co. One was at the Newport Airport 8 June (fide RB). Allen's Hummingbird 25 July (fide RB) and at the mouth of Eagle Creek Long-billed Curlew A well-described adult male was in Sutherlin, Dou• near Bonneville Dam, Multnomah Co. 28 July (DB). One near BSNWR 10 June (PA) was late for a mi• glas Co., 22-24 July (KW). Extreme care must be Red-necked Grebe grant. taken when a suspected Allen's Hummingbird is Several late migrant/summering birds were in Lin• Solitary Sandpiper found outside of the southern coastal breeding coln Co. (m.ob. fide RB): two at the SJYB and one A territorial bird was at Olallie Meadows, eastern range. at Seal Rocks 11 June; one on Yaquina Bay 16 June; Marion Co., 1,6,12 & 14 July QL). This is the first Lewis' Woodpecker one at Yaquina Head 3 & 12 July; one on Yaquina evidence of breeding in the state since the 1980s An adult and juvenile were near Timberline Lodge Bay 12 July; and one at the SJYB 22 July. Certainly when up to two pairs were present at Gold L. bog, on Mt. Hood, Clackamas Co., 22 July (TJ). These some of these reports represent the same bird. Lane Co., for several summers. birds may have come from Hood River or Wasco Clark's Grebe Wilson's Phalarope County breeding areas. One was at Diamond L, Douglas Co., 28 July (DM). Agitated males were seen near Morgan L., BSNWR, Red-naped Sapsucker This location is out of the known breeding range. in June (m.ob./*«feSD). Nesting was confirmed at One nested with a Red-breasted Sapsucker in the Great Egret this site in 1994. Five Rivers area of southeastern Lincoln Co. in early The first post-breeders were noted at Alsea Bay and A female was at Big Meadow east of Timothy L., June (fide RB). The hybrid young fledged on 27 Yaquina Bay 9 July (KM). Clackamas Co., 21 June (TJ). Nestingwas suspected June. Snowy Egret by the observers. A pair nested and fledged two young in the Abbott One to three were along the lower Winchuck R., Franklin's Gull Burn, west of Timothy L., Clackamas Co., during Curry Co., throughout the period (DM). A breeding-plumaged adult was at Warrenton 1 July the period (DvdB, ES, PS, TJ) for the first nesting Black-crowned Night-Heron (DB, JJ) at the early end of when this species oc• record in Clackamas Co. An immature was at the SJCR 29 June (MP). curs in western Oregon. Williamson's Sapsucker Trumpeter Swan Heermann's Gull Two males, and a female were observed leaving One immature summered at Eckman L. near The first post-breeders were noted at Waldport & cavities in Abbott Burn during the period (TJ, ES, Waldport 6 June+ (DF, RL m.ob.). Hammond 1 July (KM, DB, JJ). PS, DvdB) for the first evidence of breeding in MutenSwan Glaucous-winged X Western Gull Clackamas Co. One was at SJCR 29 June (MP). This species is Nests were again found on concrete pilings at Five nests were found between Fish L. and Dead rarely found away from locations where breeding Willamette Falls, Oregon City, Clackamas Co. First Indian Rd., Jackson Co., 22 June (HS, etal.). populations have been established. observed on 27 June (TJ), one nest was abandoned, Ash-throated Flycatcher Greater White-fronted Goose but the second hatched 3 young about 25 July. The One was in Oaks Bottom, Portland, 14 June (RS An early adult was on Sauvie I. 6 July (DB). adult of the successful nest was a typical hybrid, fide HN). This species is rather rare in western Brant and the other adult was more toward Glaucous- Oregon outside of the Rogue and Umpqua basins. As usual, a few birds summered at coastal loca• winged in the hybrid spectrum. A Glaucous-winged Eastern Kingbird tions: SJCR, Bayocean sandspit, and sites in Lin• X Western Gull nest here last summer was the first This was a banner year for Eastern Kingbirds in coln Co. (m.ob.). known nest of any gull in the Willamette Valley. western Oregon. Reports were as follows: one at Green-winged Teal Forster's Tern Scott's Mill, Clackamas Co., 19 June (SD, TJ, ES); The first fall migrants were One was at Yaquina Bay 25 July (fide RB). one at Nehalem S.P, 20 June (?K,fide noted at Bay City s.p. 29 July HN); one at Eden Valley, Coos Co., 23 (DB,JJ). Table 1 First migrant dates of south-bound shorebirds. June (DM, JB); one at Warrenton 29 Northern Shoveler Species Date Location Observer June (MP); one at the Sandy R. delta, A brood of 7 chicks was at Semipalmated Plover 26 June .... Tillamook DB Multnomah Co. 30 June (PS, nestingwas Molalla s.p., Clackamas Co., 16 GreaterYellowlegs 22 June .... SJCR MP discovered here last year and the year LesserYellowlegs 27 June .... Seaside DB June and another brood of 8 before); one at Peterson Butte near Black Turnstone 6 July Seal Rocks, Lincoln Co fide RB chicks was there 3 July (ES, TJ). Lebanon, Linn Co., 8 July (JL); and one Surfbird 2 July. Seal Rocks, Lincoln Co fide RB at Detroit, Marion Co., 21 July (JL, SP). Both broods were successfully Semipalmated Sand 27 June . . Warrenton HN raised through the end of the Western Sandpiper 25 June . . SJCR HN period. These were the second Least Sandpiper 26 June . . Tillamook DB and third records, respectively, Short-billed Dowitcher.... 2 July Warrenton MP Continued on page 32.

Oregon Birds 22(1): 28

Semipalmated Sandpiper, 30'June 1995, Molalla sewage treatment plant, Clackamas Co. Photos/Tim Janzen.

Oregon Birds 22(1): 30 Oregon Birds 21(4): 31 Continued from page 28. found in the vicinity of Roslyn L., near Sandy, in the northern Willamette Valley. Clackamas Co. 22 June-9 July (PS, JM); and one Lark Sparrow Bank Swallow was on Grand Island, Yamhill Co., 4 July (DC, fide One was near Breitenbush, Marion Co., 29 June, One was at Sarnie Island 21 July (DB). I consider BB). (S?,fide BB). This species is very rare away from this species a regular fall migrant on the island in Northern Waterthrush the Rogue and Umpqua Valleys. very small numbers, although it has not been found One was along Lava Cr, southwest of Lemolo L, Tricolored Blackbird elsewhere west of the Cascades regularly. Douglas Co., 18 June (RM, et at.). Possibly a new Four were at the Forest Grove s.p. 6 June (Milfide Rock Wren breeding area for the species in Oregon, roughly HN). This is a new location for this species in the Three singing birds were on Saddle Mtn., Clatsop 15 miles south of the Salt Cr. bog nesting site. I Willamette Valley. Apparently they were not present Co.. 1 July (MP, CL). This seems to be a regular don't think birders are looking for this species in at the northeast Portland site. site for the species in the Coast Range. There are a the central/southern Cascades as much as they used few to several other records. to. There were no reports from Salt Cr. Northern Mockingbird Yellow-breasted Chat Observers One was at Cove Beach near Arch Cape, Clatsop Two pairs were at the Sandy R. delta, Multnomah Paul Adamus, David Bailey, Range Bayer, Barb Co., 3JulyOM,/fcfeHN). Co. during the period (DB, PS). This species was Bellin, John Bischoff, Howard Bruner, Dave CURVE-BILLED THRASHER found nesting here last year for the first time in Copeland, Steve Dowlan, Darrel Faxon, Anthony One was seen 12 July at Toketee Ranger Station, decades. Floyd, Keith Graves, Mary Harris, Tim Janzen, Jim Douglas Co. (KG), then again on 1 Aug when it was Rose-breasted Grosbeak Johnson, Pat Kearney, Cindy Lawes, Roy Lowe, David reported to the masses (AF). Many looked for it A male visited a feeder in the village of Lukas, John Lundsten, Ron Maertz, Jerry Martin, after the Aug sighting, but the bird could not be 10 June (JT,fide HN). This is the same feeder that Judy Meredith, Don Munson, Harry Nehls, Mike relocated. If accepted by the Oregon Bird Records hosted one last year. Patterson, Howard Sands, Tim Shelmerdine, Robin Committee, this will be the first Oregon record. INDIGO BUNTING Shepard, Stuart Sparkman, Elmer Specht, Paul Red-eyed Vireo A male at Bloomberg Park, Eugene to at least 22 Sullivan, Jerry Thompson, Dan van den Broek, Katy In addition to breeders at Sarnie I. and Sandy R. June (TS). Presumably the same bird that was here Wilson. 0 delta: three were at Smith-Bybee Lakes Natural last year. Area, between Portland and Sauvie I., 8 July (HN); Vesper Sparrow five were in the Sandy R. Gorge between Springdale Up to two were in southwestern Clackamas Co. 14- and Dodge Park, Multnomah Co. (SD); several were 23 June (SD, TJ, PS). This species is rather scarce

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Oregon Birds 22(1): 32