OREGON BIRDS is a quarterly publication of Oregon Field Ornithol• OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS ogists. Oregon Birds is printed at the University of Oregon Press. Member• ship in Oregon Field Ornithologists is on an annual basis and includes a sub• scription to Oregon Birds. ISSN 0890-2313 NINTH ANNUAL MEETING
Editor Owen Schmidt June I7-I9,1988 Issue Editor Paul Sullivan Elk's Lodge Assistant Editor Sharon K. Blair I48 N.E. Dayton Associate Editor Jim Johnson John Day, Oregon Friday — June 17,1988 Registration — 6:30 pm Slide potpourri — Bring 10-15 of your favorite slides OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS Malheur National Midlife Refuge Management Plan President Alan Contreras, Eugene (1988) Saturday — June 18,1988 Secretary Kit Larsen, Eugene (1988) Field Trips — 6:00 am Treasurer Tom Mickel, Eugene (1988) Panel discussion on flycatcher identification Directors Donna Lusthoff, Portland (1986-88) Banquet — Steak dinner, 6:00 pm Alice Parker, Roseburg (1987-89) Business meeting Bill Stotz, Ashland (1987-89) Speaker — Mark Henjum, Or. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Non-Game Wildlife Biologist Larry Thornburgh, North Bend (1986-88) Sunday —June 19,1988 Field trips — 6:00 am
OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE DETACH AND RETURN WITH PAYMENT Secretary Clarice Watson, Eugene (1987) REGISTRATION FORM Members Tom Crabtree, Bend (1986-88) Ml In fa Mch participant Jeff Gilligan, Portland (1987-89) Steve Heinl, Eugene (1986-88) David Irons, Portland (1987-89) Jim Johnson, Portland (1987-89) Larry McQueen, Eugene 1988-90) Harry Nehls, Portland (1988-90) Owen Schmidt, Portland (1988-90) Steve Summers, Klamath Falls (1986-88) USE ADDmONAl SHEETS IT NEEDED Alternates David A. Anderson, Portland No. of Tim Bickler, Lake Oswego EACH PERSONS TOTAL Jim Carlson, Eugene Registration: Matt Hunter, Eugene Programs, Field Trips Adults $10.00 Bob O'Brien, Clackamas High school students or younger $5.00 Banquet: Steak dinner $9.50 OREGON BIRDS 1988 OFO Dues Individual $12.00 OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE Family $15.00 ©1988 TOTAL ENCLOSED £ OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS P.O. Box 10373 Make checks payable to 0F0; return registration form by June 1,1988 to: Eugene, OR 97440 Tom Winters, P.O. Box III, Canyon City, OR 97820 Report of the Nominating Committee OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS OFO Annual Meeting 1988 NINTH ANNUAL MEETING The Nominating Committee proposes the following June 17-19,1988 officers for the coming year. Additional nominations may be submitted to the Secretary prior to the meeting or made from Field Trips the floor. Prairie City, Logan Valley, Canyon Creek President: Bobolinks and Upland Sandpipers should highlight this trip. Larry Thornburgh, North Bend. "I have enjoyed working as an OFO Board member during the past two years. Habitat will range from lowland prairie to mountain mead• Two projects initiated during this time that I wish to help ows and will include many of the forest species. perpetuate are a fall shorebird festival and a revised site guide for Oregon. Both enhance field experiences for Oregon Bear Valley birders." Renowned for its Upland Sandpipers, Bear Valley offers Treasurer: excellent birding for waterfowl and forest species. Kit Larsen, Eugene. Kit has served as Secretary for Dayville, South Fork John Day River the current year and is active with the Lane County Breeding Bird Atlas and other projects. Eagles, Lewis'Woodpeckers, and Yellow-breasted Chats in abundance. Also waterfowl and forest species. Secretary: Fox, Long Creek, Dale Donna Lusthoff, Beaverton. Donna has served as a Board member and organized the 1987 annual meeting in Dale is becoming famous for hummingbirds, including Seaside. regular sightings of Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Also expect waterfowl and forest species. Board Member: FIELD TRIP SIGN-UP Tom Mickel, Eugene. Tom has served as OFO Sat. Sun. Treasurer for the past three years. • • Prairie City, Logan Valley, Canyon Creek Board Member: with Cecil Gagnon David Anderson, Portland. Dave compiles the Hood • • Bear Valley River CBC and writes the Eastern Oregon field notes for with Tom Winters Oregon Birds. Carryover board members will be Alice Parker, • • Dayville, South Fork John Day River Roseburg, and Bill Stotz, Ashland. Immediate past president with Tom Hunt will be Alan Contreras, Eugene
• • Fox, Long Creek, Dale To be arranged
FIELD TRIPS ARE SU8JECTT0 CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE New OFO Distribution Center MEMBERSHIP IN OFO BRINGS YOU As of May 1, 1988, orders for OFO • Oregon Birds — OFO's quarterly journal with news briefs of interest to publications and "bookshelf" items, as well as back Oregon birders • short notes and articles on status and identification of issues of Oregon Birds, will be handled by Alice Parker in Roseburg. The Board made this change in Oregon's birds • bird-finding guides to Oregon's better birding spots and order to lighten the Treasurer's workload and begin rarer species • reviews of printed material of interest to Oregon's birders. developing a new marketing plan. Orders should • Proceedings of the Oregon Bird Records Committee — OFO members still be sent to the OFO P.O. Box. Please bear with stay current on the rare birds of Oregon. us during the transition period, as we are developing a new system of tracking and filling orders. • Annual meetings — As a member, you are invited to participate in OFO's birding meetings, held at some of Oregon's top birding spots. New Site Guide Expected • Publications — OFO publishes useful field cards and field The first in a new series of OFO Site Guides checking sheets accurate accord• is expected to be ready for sale at the Annual Meeting ing to the Official Checklist of in John Day. The Guide will cover the Oregon Oregon birds prepared by the Coast, and is expected to cost $5.00, with an OFO Oregon Bird Records Committee. member's price of $4.00. Future guides will cover inland western Oregon and eastern Oregon. A combined edition is planned for the future. FOR USE IN 1988 ONLY OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP & MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
1. Name 2. Address 3. City State Zip 4. Telephone
5. • $12.00 Individual 6. • Renewal • $15.00 Family • New member • $20.00 Sustaining
7. Make check payable to Oregon Field Ornithologists or OFO, and mail to the Treasurer, P.O. Box 10373, Eugene, OR 97440 OFO BOOKCASE and MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Where do a in Oregon? Prices good June 1988 — August 1988 Red necked Grebe Black-chinned Hummingbird Oregon Field Ornithologists each order < lark's Grebe Calliope Hummingbird 1988 Membership I'll Individual $12.00 $ American While Pelican Broad-tailed Hummingbird Family $15.00 $ LMII Bittern Allen's Hummingbird < .illlc F.gret Acorn Woodpecker Fill in reverse side Sustaining $20.00 $ Ross' (loose Williamson's Sapsucker Gift $ Purasian Wigcon White-headed Woodpecker Special Publication No. 1, Bibliography of Oregon Ornithology: An I larlequin Duck Three-toed Woodpecker Updating for the Years 1971-1977, With a Revised Crossreferenced ('ldsquaw Black-backed Woodpecker List of the Birds of Oregon. Mark Egger, 76 pp., November 1980. $3.00 $ Harrow's Coldcncye Black Phoebe Mack shouldered Kite Pinyon Jay Special Publication No. 3, Index to Oregon Bird Reports in Audubon Paid Pagle Northwestern Crow Field Notes and American Birds 1947-1981. Clarice Watson, 79 Pt'il shouldered Hawk Plain Titmouse pp., February 1982. $3.00 $ Ferruginous Hawk American Dipper Special Publication No. 4, A Bibliography of Bird Identification Articles (iray Parlridge Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Gray Catbird in Five Journals, with Crossreferences to a List of Over 580 Species. ( liukar Spruce Grouse Bohemian Waxwing Clarice Watson, 44 pp., January 1987. $4.00 $ White-tailed Ptarmigan Red-eyed Vireo Oregon Field Ornithologists sticker $1.00 $ SaM Grouse Nashville Warbler OFO's Field Checking Card (fits into field guide) Wild Turkey Virginia's Warbler 5 ..$1.00 $ Northern Pobwhite Hermit Warbler Mountain Quail American Redstart 15 $2.00 $_ Yellow Rail Northern Waterthrush 100 $12.00 $ Snowy Plover Yellow-breasted Chat Oregon Birds back issues as available (specify; price is for each number): Bill k-necked Stilt Green-tailed Towhee Volume 14, Numbers 1 & 2 $3.00 $ American Avocet Brown Towhee Volume 13, Numbers 1 (limited stock), 2,3 & 4 $3.00 $ Solitary Sandpiper American Tree Sparrow I Ipland Sandpiper Vesper Sparrow Volume 12, Numbers 2 (limited stock) & 4 (Nos. 1 & 3 out of print) $2.00 $ Long-billed Curlew Black-throated Sparrow Volume 11, Numbers 1, (2-3), & 4 $2.00 $ Rock Sandpiper Sage Sparrow Volume 10, Numbers 1,2, & (3-4) : $2.00 $ Tufted Puffin Grasshopper Sparrow Volumes 6-9, Numbers 1,2,3, & 4 $2.00 $ I lorned Puffin Swamp Sparrow Bobolink Volume 5, Numbers 1 & 5 only $1.00 $ Yellow-billed Cuckoo I'lammulatcd Owl National Geographic Society Tricolored Blackbird Spotted Owl Rosy Finch Field Guide to the Birds of North America (Revised Edition) $19.00 $ Parred Owl Pine Grosbeak Natural Sound Cassettes by Eleanor A. Pugh (ireat Gray Owl Lesser Goldfinch Birds of Foothill Woodland Edges, 90 minutes $9.00 $ Poreal Owl An Almanac of Western Habitats, Vol. I: Northwestern, 90 minutes $9.00 $ Plack Swift White-throated Swift Learn to Identify Birds by Ear, 90 minutes $9.00 $_ Backyard Bird Song, 60 minutes $7.50 $ Explorations of the Sound of 3 Hawaiian Islands, 60 minutes $7.50 $ (fregon Birds is looking for sites to find these species in Oregon. For many Audubon Society of Corvallis sites, a 1-paragraph description will do. A rough map of the site may help. Send your favorite site for publication in Oregon Birds. Use the back of this Checklist of the Birds of Oregon, Elzy Eltzroth $3.00 $ form, or a separate sheet of paper. You'll get full credit, and the appreciation TOTAL $ of Oregon's birders! All items postage paid. Make check payable to Oregon Field Ornithologists or OFO. Mail to the Treasurer, P.O. Box 10373, Eugene, OR 97440 Editor, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212 REVISED OREGON RARE BIRD PHONE NETWORK Anlorlu I Miko Pall Jeff Gilligan, 234-5961 Harry Nehls, 233-3976 | Owen Schmidt, 282-9403 < Portlanc atilla/Hermiston lariorT6erdeii922-3653 Craig Corder, SeT^eCy-^ JosepjV^ Fj^rmConiey, 432- 9685 on City Winters, 575-2833
ayville Paul Sullivan, 987-2136 I yn Tdpits, 267- 7208 Bend Larry ixhornburgh, m Crabtree, 388-2462 76G 4281 QvyBanta, 396- 2808 c^iv) Bay/North
riond/Coquille
MATH FALLS Pprl Oilord Steve Summers, Jfn Honors, Carrio Osborne Ashland 884-1938 \5 arjorie Moore, 482-1303 HI Stotz, 488-0348 Phone number in italics means you may reach an answering machine.
Rules for a network are simple: rare birds only (no east/west or west/east Oregon birds); birders who get calls have to make calls (this means long distance tolls); and once on the network, keep it going by 1. keeping your address and phone number(s) current. Name Birders who would like to represent their local birding areas 2. should write to Address The Editor, Oregon Birds 3. 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue City State Zip Portland, OR 97212
4. Please feel free to send ideas and suggestions, too! Telephone OREGON RARE BIRD PHONE NETWORK • Ashland Marjorie Moore, 357 Taylor, Ashland, OR 97520, (H)482-1303, 776-7294 Bill Stotz, 453 Taylor, Ashland, OR 97520, (H)488-0348 oki:<;on BIRDS • Astoria Mike Patterson, 384 Altadena Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103, (H)325-1365 Volume II, Number 2, Summer 1988 • Bend Tom Crabtree, 1667 N.W. Iowa, Bend, OR 97701, (H)388-2462 (W)389-7723,1-800-762- 6616 OREGON'S SEAB1RDS • Canyon City Tom Winters, P.O. Box 111, Canyon City, OR 97820, (H)575-2833 (W-Tom)575-l 637 (W- Paid Sullivan, Issue Editor Barbara)575-0028 • Coos Bay/North Bend/Coquille UNPUBLISHED DATA Ben Fawver, 350 S. 8th Street #6, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)269-7392 Paul Sullivan 117 LynTopits, 888 Telegraph, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-7208 (W)888-4762 Barbara Griffin, 1691 Grant Street, North Bend OR 97459, (H)756-5688 Larry Thornburgh, 2109 Oak Street, North Bend, OR 97459, (H)756-4281 SI A',( >NAI. DIFFERENCES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT Gary Banta, Rt. 1 Bx. 4010 (Fat Elk Rd.), Coquille, OR 97423, (H)396-2808 Harry Nehls 118 • Corvallis/Philomath Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 3595 Roosevelt Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330, (H)752-0666 (IR( IANIZING A PELAGIC TRIP Jan & Rick Krabbe, 24461 Columbine Drive, Philomath, OR 97370, (H) 929-5941 (W- Jan)928-2361 x410 (W-Rick)967-5821 J tin ('art son 121 • Dayville Paul Sullivan, P.O. Box 111. Dayvffle, OR 97825, (H)987-2136, (W)987-2333 ( tii'I'V ('< )1 INTY PELAGIC TRIPS • Eugene inn Rogers 127 Jim Carlson, 1560 Chasa St., Eugene, OR 97401, (H) 485-4491 (W) 687-4436 (leave message with receptionist) Barb Combs, 1466 Elkay Drive, Eugene, OR 97404,
• < Iregotl Field < Ornithologist's l(>88 Annual Meeting will be in John Day the CHANGES IN WATERBIRD NUMBERS BEFORE AND AFTER WOOkOndol IK I'Lliuic. Make your plans now! Look for more dcliiils elsewhere THE 1983 OIL SPILL AT YAQUINA ESTUARY, OREGON in ilii'i in. i>| (>icyj>n Hints. Range D.Bayer 157 • Washington birder Bart Whclton reports 19 Boreal Owls in the Blue and Wallowa Mountains in ()ctobcr-Novcmbcr 1987, with 8 on the Oregon side. This marks the DEPARTMENTS In i rcporl of Boreals in Oregon since 2 specimens were collected on 20 January IHKI in lite "(>iegon Cascades," and 21 March 1902 at Fort Klamath, Klamath NEWS AND NOTES 111 < imilly
INFORMATION WANTED ON OREGON'S BIRDS 207 • I II i i member Geoff Keller from Coos Bay has published a new bird sound It l niiliii)', titled Bird Songs of Southeastern Arizona and Southern Texas, a long- COLOR-MARKED BIRDS IN OREGON 211 play ui)'. iccord narrated by Josic Bridges. Species include Ringed Kingfisher, Bulf- brooslcd Flycatcher, Brown Jay, Clay-colored Robin, Five-striped Sparrow, and OtllCI hard-to-find species. Geoff Keller, Sora Record Company, P.O. Box 1584, FIELDNOTES: Eastern Oregon, August-November 1987 Coos Bay, OR 97420-0334. David A. Anderson 194 • Another new periodical for birders has been announced — WildBird. "Every issue SITE GUIDES: WHERE DO YOU FIND A IN OREGON? 216 • 'l WildBird has facts and information you won't want to miss; reports on the latest iiinilhological studies; in-depth articles on threatened species; unusual sightings FEATURES from birders like yourself; product tests and much more." No word on when the first ISSUO will appear, but promotional literature is in the mail. WildBird, Subscription IN portment, P.O. Box 6040, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-9983. 1987 OREGON LISTING RESULTS Steve Summers 163
CHANGES IN THE CHECKLIST OF THE BIRDS OF OREGON Clarice Watson
THE OFFICIAL CHECKLIST OF OREGON BIRDS 177
ERRATA Ann M. Ward 215
COVER Northern Fulmar. Photo/Tom Crabtree.
I hr 1988 Oregon Waterfowl Stamp depicts Great Basin Canada Geese (Branta canadensis mojfltti) on awintry morning. The artist, Darrell Davis ofHood River, Oregon, is the second i h tgonian to win the competition.
Oregon Birds14(2): 110, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 111,1988 • Washington birder Dennis Paulson is making headways with his book on Pacific i ii. Api il); (3) coastal Labrador in late August; and (4) coastal United Slates from Northwest shorebirds. "The shorebird book has progressed well in the past six Mllllic south to New York (August to mid-September, if blown in from the ocean), months, with hopes of finishing by midsummer and turning it in to UW Press some for more reading, see Gollop, Barry & Iverson, 1986, Eskimo Curlew: AVanishing lime in the fall, after we solicit photographs. Any announcements in OB should state Sptii its?, Special Pub. No. 17 of the Saskatchewan Natural History Society. Spread we are still interested in photographs, and we hope for publication in late fall of Hi. win11 thai the Eskimo Curlew lives! Report any sightings to Craig Faancs, 1989." Dennis R. Paulson, The Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2604 St. Patrick Avenue, Grand WA 98195, (206)543-5590. i land, NB (.8803,(308)381-5571.
• Studies in Oregon Ornithology No. 4 — Waterbird and Mammal Censuses at • l 'n ijccl FeederWatch is a new continent-wide survey of bird feeders, designed to Siuslaw Estuary, Lane County, Oregon — has been published. "Six chapters are NniwCl questions about birds in winter. Project FeederWatch is a cooperative included. Chapter 2 is devoted to elucidating study areas and methods. Chapter 3 n search venture of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and the Long Point Bird gives the results of each separately censused area, starting from the mouth of the i Hi ,1'ivaiory, and is modelled on a successful 11-year survey in Ontario. It needs Siuslaw Estuary and then moving upstream. Chapter 4 discusses within-day, iln ittsands of additional observers across the continent to help answer questions on wilhin-month, seasonal, and yearly variation in censuses as well as differences in n I HI. ,ii I geographic scale. You need not be an expert birder. "The Project censusing methods. Chapter 5 compares various areas at the Siuslaw, and Chapter . i .in eniintcs on common species, and baffling rarities can be ignored." Counts are 6 furnishes information about selected individual mammal and waterbird taxa." made over a 1-2 day period of your choice every other week from November tomid- Bayer and Lowe found that the Siuslaw is an important overwintering area for Mnri'h. You arc not obliged to watch every time nor must you watch continuously Tundra Swans along the Oregon coast, that swan abundance can vary markedly cm watch days. Observations arc recorded on computer-readable forms. Project between years, and that duck numbers peak in January-March. To order a copy, 11 < da Watch will send you an annual newsletter and report on the season's results, send $8.50 (postpaid) to Gahmken Press, P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365. IIKJ 2 issues of Birdscope, the Laboratory of Ornithology's research newsletter. I hire ll a $9 annual subscription fee. Erica Dunn, Coordinator, Project Fccdcr- • The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology has a new phone number: (607)254- \i li. ( omell Laboratory of Ornithology, Sapsucker Woods, Ithaca, NY 14850. BIRD. Why would an Oregon birder call the Laboratory? Lots of reasons: the Li• brary of Natural Sounds is an excellent place to obtain recordings of nearly any bird • II you're thinking about buying a Questar telescope or other fine telescope for species; color slides of over 600 species of North American birds are available; the birding, first cheek with Attour Sales Company. This group is run by the same Colonial Bird Register; the Nest Record Program; Project BirdWatch; Project p. nplr dial run die annual birding trips toAttu, theNorthAmericanbirdingparadi.se FeederWatch; a mail-order bookstore. The Laboratory is coordinating breeding il. a i. tin westernmost island in the Aleutian chain. They have pieced together and bird atlases across the continent, and sponsors birding tours and home study courses I ll iln "Birding Questar," which is the optimum combination of Questar parts, in bird photography and ornithology. For more information, write to the Laboratory ftK'llsIng parts, nnd tripod parts to use for birding. It would be easy for a birder to at 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. make I pun hosing mistake relying only upon Questar's own catalog. And they .li it i.niii Questar's prices. They have also announced that they will shortly be • Do night-flying birds fly into lighthouses? Apparently not. "In the 1890's and nl lei tug complete Kowa telescope packages, priced well under the Questar system. 1900's, birds often struck [the Yaquina Head lighthouse] when it had a continuous And by the way, birding trips to Attu apparently will continue beyond 1988. At one beam. Since then the lights have been changed so that they are intermittent. This mi., it had been announced that the annual spring trips to Attu would end in 1988 past summer, Kathy Liska, while working as an Interpretative Biologist for the In. lire the ('oast Guard was closing its station there. But it is apparently going to BLM at Yaquina Head, looked to see if she could find any birds that had been killed I., possible to go to Attu forat least a few more years. For more information, contact by hitting the Light House. She found none." This item appeared in The Sandpiper, Allotii Sales at P.O. Box 1353, Highland Park, IL 60035, (312)831-0207. the monthly publication of Yaquina (Lincoln County) Birders & Naturalists. For more information on Yaquina B&N, write to Range D. Bayer, P.O. Box 1467, • II you find a dead bird on the beach, leave it there. Someone may be doing a Newport, OR 97365. "beached bird census" and removing a bird may skew the results. An exception 1.1 .nlil he made for a rare bird, which should be collected and reported to the Oregon • Eskimo Curlews (Numenius borealis) were rediscovered in May 1987 by the Mini Records Committee. Portions of the beach between Alsca Bay and Beverly Canadian Wildlife Service as a breeding bird in the Canadian Arctic. That's not Beach State Park are censused by birders in the Newport area, according to The news. What is news is that increasing public awareness may help recover this Sandpiper. For more information on Yaquina Birders and Naturalists, who publish species from the brink of extinction. There may be 50 to 100 of the birds still living. / lie Sandpiper, write to Range Bayer, P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365. The best places to find them are (1) the Texas Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi north (7 March to 7 May, peak in mid- to late-April); (2) east-central Nebraska (mid- to
Oregon Birds14(2): 112,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 113,1988 • Malheur Field Station offers the following courses of interest to Oregon's birders: II llli IH and III historic Prcnchglen Hotel." Limited to 9. Call Joe Morawski, 228- Field Ornithology, 18 June to 26 June 1988, by Herb Wisncr, $295. "The " "i "' write toTNCat 1205N.W. 25th Avenue,Portland, OR 97210. course is intended to provide an introduction to the birds to be found on or adjacent to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Emphasis will be on learning identifica• •1 'I 11 • lin hing for an official logo. Everyone with artistic talent and interest is tion techniques through observation of form, habits, song, and behavior. In llivlli 'I It1 ul.mil their creation to the OFO Board before the next annual meeting addition, requirements for food, habitat, and nesting will be considered for as many in hint l"HH A new logo will be chosen by balloting at that time. Steve Heinl, species as possible. The Malheur area has a considerable variety of environmental '111 i lllli tiding to design a logo, was kind enough to draw the Western Meadow- conditions which result in a good diversity of bird life. Most of the time will be spent l nl i 'l 11 Mi. been using on letterheads. Steve's mcadowlark will be an automatic in sampling this diversity in the field with return to the Field Station each day. l Wry '.i nd yi mi best to Oregon Field Ornithologists, P.O. Box 10373, Eugene, OR Blocks of time will also be set aside for discussion of appropriate features of the "/III! biology of birds important for understanding their ways of life and place in the ecosystem." • Running tally of the birds of the Oregon rare bird phone network: Advanced Field Ornithology, 14 August to 10 September 1988, by CD. Littlefield, $535. "Designed for the birder with developed identification skills who l "li' it I 'in k, I ake Mcares, Tillamook Co.,4 March 1988,1 adult male, by John desires further intense study. A majority of the days are spent in the field visiting n. all the 'birding hotspots' of southeastern Oregon. Learn the techniques used in the field study of birds. The primary focus is the development of observational skills I mperoi < loose, fields south of Hines, Harney Co., 8 March 1988, by David for describing the distribution and abundance of birds in various habitats of Piullin; southeast Oregon and northwest Nevada. Food and feeding habits, and behavior of wild birds will be investigated. Mist-netting and banding, aging and sexing of birds RuSly Blackbird, 1 adult female, Commonwealth Lake, Commonwealth Park, in the hand will contribute to the emphasis on detailed identification techniques. W i hlngton ('<)., 13 March 1988 by Joe Evanich, again 15 March 1988 by Harry Students maintain a field journal, and learn terms and concepts relevant to species II. Ills. encountered. We spend much of our time away from the Station camping and ex• amining avian populations in different habitats." BIlN lav. I ai (i(x)sc Lake, Lake Co., 31 March 1988, by Merle Archie; and Steens Mountain, 14 August to 20 August 1988. "This integrated natural history course provides a review of the geology, history, and Native American I'" ki i... I. ai Barbara Griffin's North Bend feeder, Coos Co, 19 March 1988. culture history. Study the varied vegetation and wildlife of the sagebrush, juniper, aspen, and alpine bunchgrass belts of Steens plus the Blitzen and Catlow Valleys. Base camp at Malheur Field Station with day trips by school bus to the mountain. P< )SliTONS AND OPPORTUNITIES Optional one overnight camping and hiking at high elevation on the mountain." Oregon High Desert in the Fall, 18 September to 24 September 1988. "Fall v. .tunieei lapior irappcrs and banders are needed 25 August - 31 October for the is a good time to be in Malheur Wildlife Refuge for migratory birds and bird ' i •< I siudy in the Goshute Mountains, eastern Nevada. Research site is at identification. Other topics will be prehistoric and presentNative American culture, "(KM) li ui a remote wilderness setting. Applicants must be willing to work long the historic cattle country, Steens Mountain (roads permitting), ghost towns, and I..mi s.lie in |>(KMI physical condition, and be prepared to backpackinto the study area geology of the area." ">"l Cfltnp primitively for extended periods with their own gear. Food and Price for courses includes room and board, tuition, and transportation. For more bllMCmcnl lor travel expenses may be provided, if needed. Minimum time information, write or call Lucile A. Housley, Malheur Field Station, HC 72 Box 260, imltmenl I weeks. Send resume by 1 July to Stephen W. Hoffman, Western Princeton, OR 97721, (503)493-2629. 1 Ulallon lor Raptor Conservation, P.O. Box 304, Albuquerque, NM 87103, i .ii.i ")| ').>...| • The Nature Conservancy, Oregon Chapter, is sponsoring Birds Across Oregon field trips beginning 12 June, 4 September, and 18 September 1988, $785/$825. 1 11 ei 11 aplor observers are needed 15 August-5 November 1988toconduct "Join naturalists Mark Smith and Mike Houck for a week-long trek across Oregon • I illy migration counts at remote lookouts in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Appli- to see nearly 200 species of birds and a variety of wildlife, wildflowers and geology. • mil inn.I l»e in good physical condition, supply their own backpacking and We will begin on the coast with the thousands of migrating seabirds and shorebirds . Hlttplng gear, and withstand long hours on a cold, windy ridgetop. Large numbers and travel by van to the Cascades near Sisters, the Malheur National Wildlife Ml(l diversity ol raptors will be observed on an irregular basis. Stipend available for Refuge, the Alvord Desert and finally our own Borax Lake Preserve. Along the • qwrlenccd observers; minimum time commument 1 month. Send resume by 1 way, we will stay in condos on the coast, at a beautiful private ranch, in Field S tation
Oregon Birds14(2): 114,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 115,1988 July to Stephen W. Hoffman, Western Foundation for Raptor Conservation, P.O. Box 304, Albuquerque, NM 87103, (505)291-9224. UNPUBLISHED DATA
• Volunteer field assistants are needed for the Marbled Mur relet Project. There are 4 or more positions in the '•• >• till yi II . i, wlicn I began studying immunology, I was assigned the task Coast Range west of Corvallis. "Specific III Nlllll) ui!1 MM' mi.xiurc of antibodies in a bottle of frozen scrum. It was a routine duties include listening for murrelet vocali• ll i II INI' in our laboratory. What really impressed me was the dale on the zations, playing tape recorders to solicit re• • ui' Hi' ' ninihadbcendrawnfromacowbeforelwasborn. And sat in a freezer sponses, conducting vegetation analyses and nest I |n,nin century! searches, and entering data into a microcomputer." Kim \ (hat point I became firmly convinced that if all research (i.e., data collection) Nelson, Oregon State University, Department of Wildlife, •" n in "top at any moment — now, for instance — publication and writing could Corvallis, OR 97331, (503)754-4531, (503)753-4395. i'i' i'ii li'i years. We have enough data on laboratory shelves and messy desks to 11 ui, < nIij-litcn the world. However, researchers rush on to the next inuiguing MEETINGS AND EVENTS i'i"!'!' in ui the next academic post, leaving many valuable observations unpub- li In ,l • 9-12 June 1988, the Wilson Ornithological Society will hold its Centen• So ii is with birding. In the course of preparing this issue of Oregon Birds, I nial Meeting at Rosemont College in suburban Philadelphia, PA. A 3-day scien• Hive Men that several researchers have done serious work on Oregon's scabirds. tific program is scheduled, including an international symposium on Parus. Write I IMII lesultshaveappeared in graduate theses, etc., but have not reached the average to: WOS Local Committee, Department of Ornithology, Academy of Natural Sci• «IfCgon birder. I believe there is a rich well of untapped material here. I was unable ences, 19th and The Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103. in in mil contributions from these people. They plead they arc busy. Indeed, they • 11-18 June 1988, the Cornell Library of Natural Sounds will hold a week-long mi I understand that. But I will continue to try to recruit them for Oregon Birds. workshop on recording natural sounds at San Francisco State University's Sierra I thank the many authors and reviewers who contributed to this issue of Oregon Nevada Field Research Station, located about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento. Hiiils. I only hope that what you see in this issue is the first taste of a flow of "The location offers a wide range of recording conditions in its superb surroundings. lnlni ination on Oregon's scabirds which will appear in the pages of Oregon Birds. The birdlife for recording is exceptional with species such as the Williamson's Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Spotted Owl, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Paul Sullivan Dipper, and Gray-crowned Rosy Finch." Greg Budney, Cornell Laboratory of Or• Issue Editor nithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, (607)255-4337. 0
• 18-19 June 1988, Oregon Field Ornithologists 1988 annual meeting in John Day.
• 27 June - 3 July 1988, American Birding Association convention in Duluth, Minnesota. American Birding Association, P.O. Box 6599, Colorado Springs, CO 80934.
• 15-18 August 1988, the American Ornithologists' Union will hold its 106th stated meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Address inquiries about local arrangements to Douglas A. James, Department of Zoology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, (501)575-6364.
• 10, 11 September 1988, Western Field Ornithologists' pelagic trips out of San Diego. "The boat, the New Seaforth, is a large fishing boat with a galley where short orders including breakfast, snacks, and beverages are sold." Write to Ginger Johnson, 4637 Del Mar Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107, (619)223-7985. 0 I'iitk footed Shearwater in Oregon waters. PhotolOB fdes.
Oregon Birds14(2): 117, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 116,1988 l i ii in1,i oil shore, i'hc very cold water trapped below the surface is released and SEASONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE W$ III lip to the surface bringing with it masses of plankton and other nutrients. This ' I gs great schools of small fish and other sea life to the area to feed upon MARINE ENVIRONMENT iln Wi tilth of food. These fish and other sea life attract in turn larger fish, such as lllnOll and slcclhcad and large flocks of birds such as pelicans, shearwaters, gulls, Harry Nehls, 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 IHll ill Ills, (ircat numbers of birds migrate along the offshore upwcllings, often i III ig into huge feeding flocks when conditions are right. I li< - c upsurges of cold, food-laden waters normally occur within a few miles Birders venturing offshore in late summer often encounter large numbers of . 'I I., ue and arc best noted by the fine salmon and stcelhead fishery that take place birds just over the surfline and out to about 20 or 25 miles. The numbers then drop within them. The fishermen call these waters "summer seas" or "salmon water" and off so that by 30 miles the birds are widely scattered and few individuals are seen. . .in loll lliem on sight by the clear greenish cast to the water. Birders have often Only at offshore fishing operations or about turbulent waters near sea mounts where in iltul tills greenish color while watching the waves break on coastal headlands and abundant food is available do open ocean seabirds congregate in any numbers. I The ocean off the West Coast of North America is in fact much colder during October offshore boat trips and those taken in winter and spring find the birds widely Hi. «aim summer months than during the cold stormy winter period. scattered from just offshore all the way out. If a busy fishing factory boat operation I lie food-rich upwcllings are important in maintaining healthy populations of is not encountered the entire trip will be slow and boring, although a few interesting I .ii .is (.llshore. Upwcllings off the North American Coast arc affected by a variety species may be found. 1.1 phenomena not yet fully understood. During mostof the summer the upwcllings Early ornithologists studying the distribution of seabirds could not fathom the HI. strong and widespread, but during the transitional periods of spring and fall and mystery of the offshore zone and the open ocean. The main problem was that they ui i lines during the peak summer months they all but disappear or become localized considered the ocean little more than a big pond showing little variation. Today .mil weak. Scabirds arc then severely stressed, causing high mortality or much much of the mystery is still there but recent studies in physical and biological i. .In. id reproductive success. Upwcllings off the Pacific Coast of South America, oceanography are answering many of the questions on the distribution of birds over i mi id by El Nino conditions, can be far more dramatic and dcsUuclive than any the oceans and along the coastlines. miii off North America. The ocean and a fresh water lake have many similar characteristics. Both are Warm water currents that come up from the south during the summer months warmer near the surface and colder toward the bottom. There are layers that vary me n clear bluish color and normally contain such animals as tuna, sharks, ocean both in temperature and in the amount of nutrients. A persistent sUong wind will utml ish, and good numbers of seals and dolphins. Despite the large numbers of other push the water at the surface of a lake creating higher water at one end than the other. iiiiuiials that occur with the warm water, the amount of food available for birds is When the winds die down the water rolls back to a level position. A persistent wind KHKh lower than in the surrounding waters. Often large flocks of foraging seabirds over the ocean docs the same thing, but the results are far more dramatic. "" found along the turbulent edges of the currents. Xantus' Murrclcts, Black- The oceans have been found to be as diverse and varied as the habitats and life ». Med Shearwaters, uopicbirds and several other species associated with warm zones on land, but they are often hard to define and are subject to seasonal changes. in nuts occur off Oregon and Washington in good warm-water years. Off the Pacific Coast of North America 3 distinctly different types of seas are In recent years, regular rivers of these warm seas have been found well regularly found, each producing its own birding opportunities. These seas can often i ill shore, rarely occurring to within 20 miles of the beaches. These warm currents be identified by the color of the water and the number and types of wildlife found iite unpredictable. Their appearance offshore may have a great bearing on the in the area. . ..millions of the sea closer to shore. It is possible that it may be a major factor in During the winter months, the water in the ocean off Oregon is stable despite lite amount of upwelling that occurs as it moves closer or farther away from the irregular strong winds and heavy seas. The surface water is much warmer than that IMChcs. Much has yet to be learned about these warm water currents. trapped far below the surface. These "winter seas" of the fishermen do not have any If you wish to sec large numbers of birds of many species, it is best to be offshore great concentrations of nutrients and what there are remain well-scattered. Fishing ilm ui)- a period of strong upwellings. However, seabirds that seldom come close to is slow during this condition and bird and animal life are widely scattered. As the Imiil or are not attracted to upwellings are more likely to be seen closer to the beaches name implies, this is the condition of the ocean through most of the winter. ilm ui)1, periods of the "winter seas" when the ocean close to shore is similar to mid- However, periods of little or no upwelling can occur at other times of the year, iHfiin conditions. Gadfly petrels, Laysan Albatross, and other open ocean birds that producing similar conditions. These "winter seas" are easily noted by the grayish in i iircly reported in Oregon are more likely to be encountered at that time. cast of the water and the tendency for fog or haze during warm weather. Wh i Ic persistent winds and other conditions may produce major changes in sea "Winter sea" conditions usually occur during periods of persistent southerly i ..millions, strong storms and periods of high winds seldom do more than rough up winds which prevail through most of the period from early October into February. Hi. in lace of the ocean. The storms and winds may cause great mortality locally When northerly winds increase in intensity in early spring a major change takes IMII lltey rarely create any long-term changes. Strong storm cells pushing eastward
Oregon Birds14(2): 118,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 119,1988 from far offshore often drive hapless birds before them bringing oceanic species close to shore. Hardy birders who have braved the elements on exposed headlands have reported many interesting species as these storms break against the continent. ORGANIZING A PELAGIC TRIP Learning to read the sea and knowing how to use this knowledge may be as important in searching for scabirds as knowing the tides when studying shorebirds. inn ('arlson. 1560 Chasa Street. Eugene, OR 97401 Birders are just beginning to understand what is going on over the oceans and along the beaches. Oregon birders have an opportunity to take part in this exciting new This article describes the basic technique of organizing pelagic trips in the study and on the way learn more about the movements of seabirds over local IM IOCS that at least 1 Oregon birder will make the effort to develop a comprehensive offshore waters. Mlagic birding schedule. While the total number of trips taken in Oregon waters has 0 mi i cased significantly in the last decade, we still have a long way to go toward well- I'ulilicized and coordinated pelagic opportunities. The type of pelagic or deep-water trip which will be described here requires n.ivding at least 12 miles off-shore and spending a minimum of 5 hours. Sport- phingor whale-watching trips seldom go far enough off-shore to encounter species ili.il cannot be seen from our capes and jeltys. The first real pelagic trips in Oregon were organized in the early 1970s when •.dine of the local Audubon societies, including Corvallis, started conducting fall trips. In the last decade, several trips per year have been taken from a number of 11 uslal ports and in more seasons. Most of these trips have been organized by a few individuals or by some of the Audubon chapters. There has been little coordination nl ihe efforts with some trips scheduled for the same day. In contrast to the Oregon experience, Washington and California have had more organized efforts. Terry Wahl has conducted many trips each year from Weslport, Washington. He has kept excellent records of all of his trips since 1971 mid now has a profile of the birds most likely to occur in all seasons. In California, Shearwater Journeys conducts as many as 50 trips per year, primarily from the Monterey Bay area. These trips have been expanding in number and coverage over ilu- past decade. Now they encompass every month of the year and include several Iliple-day excursions to areas far off shore. These trips are well-publicized in national magazines and well-known throughout the birding world. The first step in organizing a pelagic trip is to determine the objectives of the i up. There are at least 4 basic objectives which have been used in Oregon. The first objective is education for beginning pelagic birders. Many odicrwise active birders in ()rcgon still have relatively little experience with pelagic species. Thus the early n ips in Oregon were primarily oriented to seeing the largest number of species and •gaining familiarity with them. These education trips are usually taken in the late •miner, August and September, and try to find large foreign fishing ships that i Berate in our near shore waters at that time. These trips spend more time studying Ilu- regular species such as Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Black-footed A Ibatross, Cassin's Auklet, and jaegers. Oregon's avid year listers also try to get on nl least 1 of these trips to pad their species lists. The second objective is to work on county distributions or county listings. This has been a very popular activity among Oregon birders in the 1980s and has resulted In n number of trips being taken from all of the major ports. The third objective is to investigate seasonal or zonal differences. Very few '.|n ing trips have been taken in Oregon and almost no winter trips, so little is known Oregon birders crowd the bow of a pelagic charter. Photo/Owen Schmidt. JPOUI seasonal abundance except for the fall migration period. An OFO-sponsored
Oregon Birds14(2): 120,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 121,1988 Lrip in May 1986 did encounter large numbers of Black-footed Albatross and negotiate the length oflhc trip, beginning time,the maximum number of passengers, breeding-plumaged Sabine's Gulls. Buller's Shearwaters are only found in the fall. price and deposit. It is usually necessary to place a $100-200 deposit to reserve the Zonal differences can also be explored. There has still not been an off-shore trip that boat. The price of the boat usually depends entirely on the length of time on the has gotten to the 1000 fathom depths needed for some of the pelagic species being ocean. Some charter operators will charge a base price for a certain number of seen off of California. Nonetheless, many of the off-shore banks and rock piles have passengers and add cost per passenger beyond the minimum. Most operators are produced good concentrations of birds. also willing to extend a trip in progress for a predetermined hourly rate. The final objective is to try for the truly unusual species. These are the attempts Once the boat is secured and a price determined, the trip organizer makes an being made for Laysan Albatross and the Plerodroma petrels. These trips require estimate of the number of paying passengers and calculates the cost per birder. The going to places and at limes that haven't been tried previously. Some attempts have cost should include the cost of the boat, publicity, supplies (e.g., popcorn), some been made, especially late-winter trips. Usually they are cancelled due to weather long-distance phone calls and possibly trip leaders' shares. Recently, trip rates have or sea conditions. One early season trip in 1986 got out on the ocean but couldn't ranged from $30-50, depending on trip length. Advertising for participants is the return to port due to high seas. The birders on that trip spent a very uncomfortable next task. In Oregon, this has been done primarily through local Audubon newslet• night waiting to getback to port. Aside from thepotential discomfort, these trips also ters, word of mouth or the Portland Rare Bird Alert. In a few rare cases, trips have tend to be very species deficient. There is a high risk that nothing of interest will be been scheduled far enough in advance for a note in Oregon Birds. There have also found, but there is always a chance for something special. been a few trips scheduled in conjunction with an OFO annual meeting. The Once a decision has been made on the objectives of the trip, long range optimum solution would be to develop a coordinated schedule for all Oregon trips, preparations begin. The objectives may determine the port and season of die trip. In even if they were for multiple ports and multiple organizers, and mail it to all OFO Oregon, charter boats large enough to conduct a pelagic trip are available in members and Audubon chapters. Garibaldi, Newport, Depoe Bay, Hammond, Winchester Bay, Charleston, and The organizer must keep track of the birders who sign up for the trip. It is usually Brookings. An early contact, at least 2 months—preferably longer, with the charter best to collect the fee in advance to ensure their participation. A master list with each operator is usually necessary to obtain a boat for a Saturday trip during the summer participant's name and phone number should be developed in case there is a reason salmon season. At other seasons shorter time is possible. It is best to arrange the boat to contact them prior to the trip. The final long range task is to ensure that there will as far in advance as possible. In Washington and California, the trip organizers be enough good birders on board to act as leaders or helpers to the beginning birders. arrange most of their dates a year in advance. The trip organizer also needs to
Birders David Irons and Robin Salo sit out a quiet spell. Popcorn chum attracts seabirds. Sooty Shearwater glides past pelagic charter out oj'Newport, Oregon. PhololOwcnSchnidl. PhotolOwen Schmidt.
Oregon Birds14(2): 123, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 122,1988 Russian trawler off Newport, Oregon, 1 September 1979. Pelagic trips try to find large fishing vessels because of the large number of birds that sometimes follow. Photo/Tom Crabtree.
Swirling mass of Sooty Shearwaters following a large fishing vessel off Garibaldi, Oregon, 7 September 1986. Photo/Tom Crabtree.
Oregon Birds14(2): 124, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 125, 1988 This is usually not a problem as the most active birders in Oregon are also the most likely to go on the trips. This may be more of a problem for an Audubon group or dry crackers. So far, everyone I have seen get sick returns to health immediately if the number of trips expand rapidly. In Oregon, the leaders are almost never paid, upon reaching shore. Many of them will even try again next year. although sometimes 1 or 2 may have their fees covered by the other trip participants. Organizing a pelagic trip is not particularly difficult. There is some pre-trip Once all the major trip details have been completed there are a few final pre- planning and preparation involved and some risk for the trip leader if they arc not trip activities. Some organizers send a reminder letter or postcard with the final sponsored by an organization. The challenge for some Oregon birder is totake on details of time and place, what to wear (warm, water resistant clothing), what food the coordination and logistics of running a more comprehensive and well publicized to bring, and what to do about possible seasickness. The trip leader also obtains at pelagic schedule. Oregon birding will be much improved if someone will take on least 2 large bags of popcorn for attracting birds. These can be obtained at grocery this task. In the meantime, appreciate those individuals who do take thetime and wholesalers. Fish oil is also used sometimes, or the charter operator is asked to bring make the effort to organize the trips. some fish scraps to throw to the birds. 0 In the last few days before the trip, another contact with the charter operator will provide information on weather and sea conditions and the presence of foreign % fishing boats. Trips are almost never cancelled due to weather until the morning of the trip, so all trip participants should be prepared to meet at the boat. CURRY COUNTY PELAGIC TRIPS Final logistics on the morning of the trip include a check with the charter operator to get last minute weather and sea information, and to find out if there are any foreign fishing boats nearby. The checklist of birders is used to make sure all Jim Rogers, 95187 Elk River Road, Port Orford, OR 97465 participants are on the boat. Participants are asked to be available to board the boat The first pelagic trip off the Curry County shores was conducted out of at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure time. When everyone is on the boat Brookings on 20 September 1980. Duringlhe previous day and night heavy rain was the skipper gives abrief safety talk and the trip leader states the objectives of the trip, falling along die coast, but the morningof the 20lh dawned clear and bright. The seas the likely route and important locations, the identity of the trip "experts" who can were placid as the tela J cruised past the jettys at the mouth of the Chetco River. help the beginning birders, and an appeal to everyone to call out birds so that The 14 birders on board watched Red-throated Loons, Brown Pelicans, Western and everybody has a chance to see everything. Glaucous-winged Gulls, and Common Murres, but there was great eagerness to On many trips, the leader will attempt to keep track of all the birds seen at leave the shore behind and see what could be found out in the open ocean. Russian periodic intervals, e.g., hourly. The other birders can check the list periodically. At factory ships were reported to be processing fish about 12 miles out, and we were the end of the trip a total count is made for anybody who is interested. hoping to find one. Relatively few pelagic trips had been held in Oregon at that time, During the trip, the leader stays in contact with the skipper to signal stops for and none off the south coast, so there was a great deal of anxious anticipation on the birds or to change directions for any reason. Several times during the trip an attempt pail of the members of this pioneer voyage: Tad Finnell, Terry Morgan, Steve and is made to draw birds to the boat by putting out a popcorn slick, fish oil, or by tossing I'riscilla Summers, Fred Bower, Dale Bures, Ray Ekstrom, Mike Robbins, Jim fish scraps to the birds. Gulls usually start the action but it is not unusual to have 3 Carlson, Steve Heinl, Matt Hunter, and Dennis and Jim Rogers. or 4 species of shearwaters, Northern Fulmars and Black-footed Albatrosses As we headed west, scores of Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklets flushed from congregating around the slick. As the number of birds increases, the chances for the surface. We were certainly not disappointed when the skipper of the Lela J, after jaegers, Arctic Terns, Sabine's Gulls, and Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels improve. If conversing on the radio with other boats, located our quarry — the factory ships. As large foreign factory ships are operating in the vicinity, birds are attracted to them. we approached the nearest ship, we were thrilled to see swarms of birds flying Close to these factory ships the more unusual birds such as South Polar Skua and around it. We moved in close to the ship, its Cyrillic letters adding to the exotic aura Flesh-footed Shearwater are sometimes seen. If the objective of the trip is deep of being in a world never seen before by some of us. The Russian crew lined the rail, water, most of the time must be spent traveling out and back. However, if factory probably regarding us with the same curiosity as we regarded them. A large, totally ships are operating nearby it is always good to check them. bald man resembling Mr. Clean, clad in a blue track suit ran endlessly around the The most important thing during the trip is to make sure everyone has a chance ship, paying us no attention. A slim woman in a long dress lent an air of mystery to to see every species. There will always be some birds that are missed by some people I In- somewhat ominous appearance of the ship and crew. I wished we could but every effort should be made to see the rarer species. Communicate. However, our attention was primarily focused on the many pelagic A word about seasickness. It seems that on most trips there will be a few people birds swooping past — shearwaters, jaegers, albatrosses... with someone shouting who will turn green and resort to the rail after an hour or so on the high seas. Most oui a new species every few minutes. I tallied 400 Sooty and 200 Pink-footed of the time these are first-timers but several of Oregon's most active birders are Shearwaters, 40 Parasitic, 40 Pomarine and 5 Long-tailed Jaegers, at least 1 South known to turn a different color on the sea. There is very little anyone can do until POlar Skua, 20 Black-footed Albatrosses, 50 Arctic Terns, and 50 Sabine's Gulls. the boat is back to shore except to console them and try to get them to munch on some A single Flesh-footed Shearwater zipped past, identified by the more experienced
Oregon Birds14(2): 126,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 127,1988 birders, but missed by myself. Al these depths, about 50 nautical miles offshore, those 2 observers reported Reluctantly leaving the scene, we headed back toward Brookings, where the several Laysan Albatross, Mottled Petrel, and Solandcr's Petrel. Their trips were Leta J was scheduled to pick up a fishing party — her usual cargo. Then, far off to from late January to 20 May. Reports from northern California in the Spring of 1986 the starboard, a small shearwater skimmed over the surface with very rapid wing indicated good numbers of deep ocean species were being seen in the Corded Banks beats. The consensus was that it was a Manx/Black-vented Shearwater, but positive area in the vicinity of the 1000-fathom mark. identification wasn't possible. While we were still several miles from shore Our trip was a little late to be termed early spring although it was earlier than hundreds of Red Phalaropes flew past, along with a couple of Water Pipits. A lone Pitman's latest date. The trip departed at 7:00 am with clear weather, glassy seas, Tufted Puffin gave us a rare view of a non-breeding plumaged bird. and a light swell. There were 30 birders on board. The remainder of the trip was uneventful, but very pleasant as we basked in the There were very few birds in the first hour as we traveled southwest to go over sun with visions of shearwaters in our heads. the top of the Stonewall Banks. We saw our first pelagics in this area including 15 Two subsequent trips aboard the Leta J, on 29 August 1981 and 8 September Sabine's Gulls in breeding plumage. We also saw Black-footed Albatross, Pink- 1985 have been quite successful, but not as memorable as that first one. The footed and Sooty Shearwaters and a few alcids. We started seeing Northern Fulmars Russians have been elsewhere, and the smaller fishing boats don't attract the huge between Stonewall and Heceta Banks and had a very dark Pomarinc Jaeger pass by. flocks of birds. Nevertheless, we have managed to find most of the species found 11 look 4 hours to get to the north end of the Heceta Banks in Lane County. We found on the first trip, and added Buller's Shearwater (20 in 1985) and Northern Fulmar a few small American bottom-fishing boats, but few birds. We put out a popcorn to die list. Unfortunately, the Manx/Black-ventcd Shearwater has eluded us. Nor slick that eventually brought in a large flock of birds including at least 50 Black- have we ever found storm-petrels. The commercial fishermen report that the "tuna footed Albatross. birds" as they call them are about 60 miles out — too far for the half-day trips we We also saw our first Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels and 1 Long-tailed Jaeger. After have scheduled on the Leta J, but perhaps the boat's owner would al low us to go that about an hour of watching the flock we decided to try deeper water and headed west. far from shore on an all-day trip. If there is sufficient interest for such a voyage, I'll Almost immediately, the boat entered a fast moving fog bank which reduced check into it. visibility to a few hundred yards. We continued to see numbers of Black-footed In the meantime, I'm considering scheduling a half-day trip for Saturday AlbatrOSS, Northern Fulmar, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, but our hoped-for Laysan morning, 17 or 24 September. The Leta J carries 15 passengers. The last trip cost AlbfltroSS and Pterodroma petrels faded into the mist. The best bird was an adult $20 apiece. If anyone wishes to reserved a spot on this fall's trip, drop me a line or 1 .ong-tailcd Jaeger which flew right by the boat. call (503)332-2555. We eventually got to the 650 fathom mark about 42 miles offshore, and decided 0 to head north to see if we could get out of the fog. Unfortunately, it stayed ahead of us all the way back to Newport. By the time we got back to the dock at 5:00 pm the fog was on the bay. While we didn't find the rarities we were seeking, we did learn some useful information. First, even with \hc Harper'sFerry, which is nearly twice as fast as die Other charter fishing boats which operate off Oregon, it takes a long time to reach the Heceta Banks from Newport. We had good water conditions for traveling, but with stops for birds it took nearly 4 hours to reach the north end of the Banks. In a 1986 SPRING PELAGIC TRIP 10-hour trip we cannot expect to visit both the Heceta Banks and deep water. We will be taking other trips to the Banks to check on timing as well as the fall birding Jim Carlson, 1560 Chasa Street, Eugene, OR 97401 potential. We will plan an earlier spring trip, probably in late March or early April. ()n this trip the plan will be to go straight west from Newport passing over the An OFO-sponsorcd spring pelagic trip was conducted out of Newport's South Rockpile and Nelson Island on our way to the 1000 fathom depths at 50-60 nautical Beach charters on 17 May 1986. The 10-hour trip aboard the 60-foot Harper'sFerry miles. Of course, the weather and sea conditions will be the determining factor for had 2 primary objectives. The first was to explore the area of the Heceta Banks off any trip. Lane County. The second objective was to try to get to deep water (over 1000 We did see high numbers of Black-footed Albatross, Northern Fulmars, Fork- fathoms). The Heceta Banks area has been reported as a good area for pelagic lailcd Storm-Pctrcls and Sabine's Gulls. We only saw a few jaegers, but 2 of them species because of the proximity to deep water and the occurrence of foreign factory were Long-tailed. We'll have to try again for Laysan Albatross, Solandcr's Petrel, ships. See Robert Pitman's Short Notes, Oregon Birds 7(2): 98-99; Terry Wahl, Mottled Petrel and Leach's Storm-Petrel. Pelagic Note Oregon Birds 8(1): 42. Wahl felt that the best area for a late winter- See you on the next trip. early spring trip would be Heceta Banks and further out a few miles to the 2000- meter (1000 fathoms) depth contour.
Oregon Birds14(2): 128, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 129,1988 ANNOTATED LIST Black-footed Albatross — A total of 145 birds with over 100 of these on the Heceta Banks and just west of the Banks from 30 to 40 miles offshore. The first few were found at the Stonewall Banks. We saw scattered birds on the way back until about 10 miles off shore. These birds came to the popcorn slick very rapidly. Northern Fulmar — Over 60 birds altogether, witii 45 at Heceta Banks and west. Several of the birds were very light-colored. They were also easily attracted to the popcorn. Pink-footed Shearwater — A total of about 30 individuals widely scattered but most were found from 15 to 25 miles offshore. Sooty Shearwater—Nearly 600 birds, mostly within 15 miles offshore. There were small numbers seen throughout the day. Many of these birds appeared to be in molt and were quite worn and ratty looking. Some were missing primaries. Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel—About 50 birds. The first ones were seen on the Heceta Banks, but they were then seen in small numbers for the rest of the trip. The last ones were seen within 10 miles of Newport. Red-necked Phalarope — At least 225 of these were seen in flocks of 5-25 birds indicating a major northward movement. No Red Phalarope were picked out of these flocks. They were seen throughout the trip with most relatively close to shore. Pomarine Jaeger— One very dark individual was seen flying very low over the water. One other unidentified jaeger was seen which was probably this species. Long-tailed Jaeger — Two individual adults. The first one was about 25 miles offshore. The second one was well seen by most observers at our farthest point, about 42 miles offshore. Sabine's Gull — Over 35 birds were seen, all in bright spring plumage. The first ones were found at Stonewall Banks, but over 20 were seen at Heceta Banks and further west. One bird was seen on the way back about 15-20 miles offshore. Alcids — Over 300 Common Murres were seen, all relatively close to shore. Only 2 Pigeon Guillemots were seen outside the jettys. A very low number of Cassin's Auklets, about 5, were seen compared to most fall trips. Three Tufted Puffins were observed including 1 at the Heceta Banks. Rhinoceros Auklet was scattered, about 24 birds total. Other—Very few gulls were noted during the trip, even at the popcorn slick. There was a Rock Dove seen approximately 30 miles offshore. It flew over the boat several times appearing to want to land, but never got up the Uncommon pelagics in Oregon waters. Top: Butler's Shearwater. Photo/Owen Schmidt. nerve. Middle: South Polar Skua. Photo/Tom Crabtree. Bottom: Short-tailed Shearwater off 0 Garibaldi, 3 October 1987. Photo/Bob O'Brien.
Oregon Birds14(2): 130,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 131, 1988 Top: Black-footed Albatross. Photo/Owen Schmidt. Bottom: Pink-footed Shearwaters. Top: Black-footed Albatross. Bottom: Pink-footed Shearwaters. Both off Garibaldi, Photo/Tom Crabtree. Tillamook County, 7 September 1986. Photos/Tom Crabtree.
Oregon Birds14(2): 132,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 133, 1988 I join l August to 12 October 1987,1 had a unique opportunity to watch birds PELAGIC FALL MIGRATION IN nl sea off the Oregon coast. I was serving as a Foreign Fisheries Observer aboard the Polish trawler Aquila. For 65 days we fished 20 to 40 miles offshore, except for OREGON WATERS visits to cargo vessels lying 45 to 65 miles outat sea. We were off Lincoln County for 47 days. Lesser amounts of time were spent off all the other counties north of Paul Sullivan, P.O. Box 111 ,Dayvillc, OR 97825 ('oos Hay. In early 1987 I secured employment monitoring foreign factory trawlers 8 August 1987 fishing inside the U.S. 200-mile Fishery Conservation Zone. Since 1977 American observers have been living aboard foreign vessels, monitoring their compliance This was a nice bright sunny morning. I got up to the bridge about 8:30 a.m.... with U.S. regulations and gathering biological data. By law the observers are to birdwalch awhile before getting down to serious work.... I saw afew albatrosses, provided with an officer's meals and cabin, help as needed, and free run of the ship. fulmars, about 60 Sooty Shearwaters, 15 unidentifiable phalaropesflashing by, a Cruises off the west coast usually last 2 or 3 months. Although the job docs not couple distant jaegers, one Long-tailed Jaeger, one Pink-footed Shearwater, four involve collecting data on birds, it affords excellent birding opportunities. Buller's Shearwaters!, and three South Polar Skuas.... I worked from 9:30 a.m. to Being at sea for 2 and a half months aboard a 100-meter ship gave me several 3 p.m. Then 1 got to do a bit of birdwatchingfrom the stern at 4 p.m. The factory offal advantages over theordinary pelagic trip: (l)Ididnot have to scceverything the first had now attracted 100 Sooty Shearwaters, over 30 fulmars, one Pink-footed day, I could get my sea legs; (2) The ship was tall and stable, and I could move about Shearwater, two South Polar Skuas, another Long-tailed Jaeger, and two or three freely to obtain good views; (3) I could distribute my birdwalching lime throughout Pomarine Jaegers. Finally 1 went out at dusk, 8:30-9 p.m. I saw more Sooties and the day and night hours; (4) Chum was unlimited, and the birds came within a few fulmars, a couple albatrosses and jaegers, plus one Tufted Puffin near the ship on feet of the stern; (5) I could gain familiarity with the jizz of pelagic species; and (6) tfie water, three Fork-tailed and one Leach's Storm-Petrel. 1 could observe changes as migration progressed. 1 October 1987 The dry season experienced by western Oregon meant that our weather was During the night we traveled over 30 miles to tie up to two mother ships to pleasant, without real storms. A foggy drizzle on 23 September produced the only unload our holds.... We were about 50 miles west ofDepoeBay at 9:30 a.m. when major "fall out" of migrant land birds. I got out to the stern to look at birds. The sea was calm; we were shrouded in fog. Of course I had no control over our location. On 7 August we were in The factory was still.... producing a trail of offal.... In the offal trail the first bird I Washington waters, transferring cargo 73 miles off the mouth of the Columbia saw was a Laysan Albatross! River. From 11 to 17Scptemberwe madeaportcallandcrewchangein Vancouver, B.C. I could not control the fishing schedule which brought fish aboard for my Inspect ion. Nonetheless, I got out to birdwatch during breaks in my work on all but two of the days we were in Oregon waters. My birding methods were recreational, not scientific. I did notrun transects, nor control my data for time of day, effort expended, weather, or my location on the ship. I usually spent about an hour, then took a break. Some days I could spend only 30 minutes; other days I spent 3 hours. Common Species A tabulation of my sighting of common species is given in Tables 1 and 2, divided by location. To save space I averaged the numbers from 2 or 3 consecutive days. This averaging tends to dampen the variation due to unequal effort from day to day. The numbers cannot be translated to birds per square mile or birds per hour, bnl Ihcy do provide information about relative abundance of the various species and the migration peaks of individual species. Black-footed Albatrosses were seen every day and Northern Fulmars nearly every day, but their numbers increased as the season wore on. Pink-fooled Shearwaters peaked at 44 on 5 September; Buller's at 16 on 28 August. These 2 species actually became easier to find as the season wore on and Sooty numbers
Oregon Birds14(2): 134, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 135,1988 declined. Sooty Shearwaters peaked at 20,000 (a black blizzard around the ship) on 9 September, then dropped to 1 bird by 9 October. Long-tailed Jaegers reached a peak of 62 on 20 August, then trailed off to almost nothing in the last days. Pomarine Jaegers also peaked early, 19 on 21 August, but continued in low numbers through the period. Parasitic Jaegers were represented by only a few juveniles until 4 September and reached a peak of 10 on 26 September. Phalaropes were difficult to see and identify from the large ship. They would sit, hidden among the waves, then take flight and leave. My first clue to their presence was often auditory rather than visual. My best luck at finding them came on calm days when I could stand on the bow and watch as we approached sitting flocks. The Red Phalaropes seemed to appear later than the Red-necked. Gull numbers rose dramatically after mid-September as the number of shear• waters fell. They presented a special identification problem: about 95 percent were first-year birds, and they were in constant motion. Studying a single interesting individual was difficult. I believe many of the "Gull sp." entries represent Glaucous-winged X Western Gull hybrids. The distinctive Sabine's Gull got off to a slow start, but rose to a peak of 104 birds on 26 September. Rhinoceros Auklets were seen throughout the period, but like phalaropes they were best seen from the bow on calm days. My numbers are an underestimate. Uncommon Species A number of species were seen only a few times during the course of the cruise. The most notable bird was the Laysan Albatross, which lingered around the ship for 2 foggy days, 1 and 2 October, while we unloaded cargo some 34 to 47 miles off Dcpoe Bay. At one point it fed about 10 yards from our stern. I saw Leach's Storm-Petrels 55 miles off the mouth of the Columbia River on both sides of the state line on 6 August, then again off Tillamook County on 8 August. A Brandt's Cormorant visited us briefly on 23 September, and 3 Pintails flew over on 9 October, both off Lincoln County. Infrequent gulls included: 2 Bonaparte's on 10 October (Tillamook County); 1 Heerman's on 19 August; 3 Mew on 11 October; 5 Ring-billed on 19 and 20 August and 24 September (all Lincoln); a few scattered Herring and Glaucous- winged (Lane, Lincoln, Tillamook); and 1 Black-legged Kittiwake on 28 Septem• ber (Lincoln). I saw very few scattered Arctic Terns except for 1 group of 15 on 10 September, 50 miles off Clatsop County. Alcids included 4 scattered Common Murres (Lincoln, Clatsop), 1 Pigeon Guillemot (Tillamook), 6 Marbled Murrelets (Coos, Lincoln), 6 Cassin's Auklets (Lincoln, Tillamook), and 1 Tufted Puffin (Tillamook). Usually we were too far offshore to encounter any alcids except Rhinoceros Auklets. Shorebirds and Passerines A birder at sea can suffer from "passerine withdrawal" on a long cruise. However, on this cruise land birds provided ample excitement. Just as the trees at Malheur N.W.R. headquarters are an oasis in a dry, salty world, a ship at sea is an
Oregon Birds14(2): 136,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 137,1988 oasis in a wet, salty world. It is a migrant trap. Once they stop, the birds are semi- captive. They arc intent on refueling, catching insects around the nets and the galley waste. They allow very close approach, photography, and note-taking. Once, as I was standing at the rail showing the captain the picture of the Townsend's Warbler in my field guide, the real bird flew up and landed 10 inches from the book! My final listof shorcbird and landbird species (seeTable 3) included5 different shorebirds, Rock Dove, Water Pipit, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cow- bird, 9 warblers, and 5 sparrows. It began on 24 August with a humble Brown- headed Cowbird, but the real celebrities were the warblers and sparrows. The crescendo came on 23 September when a foggy drizzle brought down a Long-billed Dowitchcr, Western Sandpiper, Orange-crowned and Townsend's Warblers, Fox and White-crowned Sparrows, and a surprising female Black- throated Blue Warbler. That square white spot on the wing brought out the camera! On 30 September the Water Pipit only stayed for the morning, but the Dark-eyed Junco and the White-throated Sparrow began a week-long visit. Two mornings later this eastern sparrow was only a grace note to the Laysan Albatross and my efforts to record the field marks of a fall-plumaged Blackpoll Warbler. I was able to study the Blackpoll for parts of 3 days as it hopped about the deck. The final highlight was a Palm Warbler bobbing its tail on the bow on 6 October some 34 miles west of Florence. This cruise offered me a rare opportunity to study Oregon's regular pelagic species at length and to see some surprising vagrants. I may have discovered a new birding hotspot in Oregon. "Drive north on Hwy. 101, turn left 30 miles ...." 0
i pi;
All 4 of Oregon's Stercorids on these 2 pages! Top: Parasitic Jaeger. M iddle: Long-tailed Jaeger. Bottom: Pomarine Jaeger. All off Lincoln County, August/September 1987'. Pho• South Polar Skua, 25 miles off Lincoln County, August 1987. Photo/Paul Sullivan. tos/Paul Sullivan.
Oregon Birds14(2): 138,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 139, 1988 o O 3 Table 1. Common Species: Average number of individuals sighted per day* off Lincoln County. 03 a Month (1987) August September October Days 4 10-12 13-15 16-19 20-22 23-25 28-30 31-3 4-6 7-9 16-19 20-22 23-25 26-28 1-3 8-11 N5 Black-footed Albatross 12 9 19 20 3 2 6 31 20 5 113 184 50 23 72 8 Northern Fulmar 8 18 3 5 3 1 7 10 14 8 44 83 76 64 67 282 Pink-footed Shearwater 8 9 6 10 2 7 17 22 8 3 8 5 8 2 4 O Buller's Shearwater 1 + 1 7 1 + 1 + 1 1 + Sooty Shearwater 10 200 283 300 217 200 201 483 2200 8333 435 600 177 78 1 4 cCOo Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel 2 + 1 4 1 2 3 1 + CO Red-necked Phalarope 4 1 20 1 3 3 - Red Phalarope - 7 1 4 7 - Phalarope sp. 1 6 - 2 1 - 87 2 1 + - Pomarine Jaeger 3 5 6 10 13 3 4 7 8 1 1 1 2 3 1 3 Parasitic Jaeger 1 + - - 1 2 2 1 4 2 + Long-tailed Jaeger 13 17 37 30 5 23 35 20 10 1 t 6 + Jaeger sp. 6 3 1 1 South Polar Skua 2 1 1 1 + - + - 1 + + + California Gull 7 2 2 12 15 16 42 38 13 144 467 317 219 38 675 Western Gull 20 9 16 13 24 2 8 7 11 23 61 109 57 10 72 Sabine's Gull 4 6 5 8 5 5 4 + 28 23 11 69 1 9 Gull sp. - 7 125 64 233 158 133 650 567 450 133 44 283 Rhinoceros Auklet + - + -- 1 4 -- 4 + * All values rounded to the nearest whole number. No observations on 17 August, 1 September, or 10 October. + Less than 1/2 per day. None.
Table 2. Common Species: Average number of individuals sighted per day.* County Coos Douglas Lane Tillamook Clatsop Month (1987) Aug Aug Oct Aug Sep Oct Aug Oct Aug Sep Oct Days 1 1 5-7 3 29-30 4-6 4&8 26-27 9-10 11 -12 5-6 8-9 10 12 Black-footed Albatross 5 6 31 7 91 35 6 11 1 1 18 3 2 1 Northern Fulmar 3 3 68 - 61 101 28 1 166 125 1 32 - 48 Pink-footed Shearwater - - 13 - 3 3 2 - 3 2 1 1 2 Buller's Shearwater 4 - - 3 2 1 - 1 --- . Sooty Shearwater 20 1 2 - 38 4 275 7 3 2 200 150 7 3 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel 24 - - 5 - - 2 - - -- Red-necked Phalarope ---- - 22 - - 7 - --- - Red Phalarope ------3 1 - - - - ta Phalarope sp. ----- 36 8 - - 3 - - -- o Pomarine Jaeger -- 1 - 1 2 3 1 7 3 1 3 1 3 3 Parasitic Jaeger - - 1 - 1 1 - - 2 --- 1 - Long-tailed Jaeger ---- 1 3 1 9 1 1 - 2 10 1 CD Jaeger sp. -- 1 2 1 8 2 - 6 3 - 1 6 2 •"I South Polar Skua -- - - 2 2 - - - - 2 - - tao. California Gull - - 433 - 115 327 1 - 259 30 -- - 10 Western Gull - 44 - 62 17 5 45 4 3 2 2 Sabine's Gull - - 15 - 3 31 - 1 30 9 - -- 6 Gull sp. - - 58 - 238 120 - - 300 18 - - 21 10 Rhinoceros Auklet - - 1 - 1 + -- 8 1 - - 10 2 * All values rounded to the nearest whole number. + Less than 1/2 per day. CO None. CO Table 3. Shorebird and Landbird Sightings. Initial location Species Number Dates (1987) Miles County Offshore Black-bellied Plover 1 26 Aug 62 Tillamook Wandering Tattler 1 10 Sept 52 WA state Western Sandpiper 1 23 Sept 33 Lincoln Short-billed Dowitcher 1 8 Sept 24 Lincoln Long-billed Dowitcher 1 23 Sept 33 Lincoln Rock Dove 3 3 Oct 39 Lincoln Water Pipit 1 30 Sept 36 Lane Orange-crowned Warbler 1 23 Sept 33 Lincoln Nashville Warbler 1 10 Sept 50 Clatsop Yellow Warbler 1 10 Sept 50 Clatsop Black-throated Blue Warbler 1 23 Sept 33 Lincoln Yellow-rumped Warbler 1 10 Sept 50 Clatsop 1 7-8 Oct 26 Douglas Townsend's Warbler 1 23-28 Sept 33 Lincoln Palm Warbler 1 6-7 Oct 34 Lane Blackpoll Warbler 1 1-3 Oct 47 Lincoln Wilson's Warbler 1 6-8 Sept 23 Lincoln Savannah Sparrow 2 9 Oct 18 Lincoln Fox Sparrow 1 22 Sept 32 Lincoln 2 23 Sept White-throated Sparrow 1 30 Sept, 1-3, 6 Oct 35 Lane White-crowned Sparrow 1 23 Sept 33 Lincoln Dark-eyed Junco 1 30 Sept, 1-8 Oct 37 Lane Red-winged Blackbird 1 4 Sept 22 Lincoln Brown-headed Cowbird 1 24 Aug 31 Lincoln 4 25 Aug 29 Lincoln 1 26-27,31 Aug 22 Lincoln 1 3 Sept 32 Lincoln 1 10 Sept 42 Tillamook Passerines at sea. Upper left: White-throated Sparrow, 40 miles offDepoe Bay, Lincoln < 'ounty, 1 -3 October 1987. Upper right: Black-throated Blue Warbler, 33 miles off Lincoln County, 23 September 1987. Lower left: Blackpoll Warbler, 40 miles offDepoe Bay, 1-3 October 1987. Lower right: Palm Warbler, 34 miles off Lane County, 6-7 October 1987. rhotoslPaul Sullivan.
Oregon Birds14(2): 142, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 143,1988 WHY I'M NOT CHUMMY WITH PELAGIC BIRDERS
Alan Conlreras, Bureau of Governmental Research & Service, P.O. Box 3177 Hendricks Hall, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403—0777
The first time I saw a Leach's Storm-Petrel it was right where it should have been, flapping back and forth over the whitecaps of Fern Ridge Reservoir. That's where it needed to be for me, because the true bounding main is altogether too vigorous for my taste. I have done my time out on the heaving billows, and for that matter, my share Of heaving into the billows. I have seen most of what there is to see out there, and plan to do the rest of my pelagic birding from locations no more unstable than, say, a jetty. I admit that my pelagic trips were rewarding. The glorious sight of my first adult Sabine's Gull off northern Califor• nia, seen through glasses smeared with scum from - the, huge wave that had just plastered the observers. The excitement of a nearby flock of albatrosses exam• ining with interest the green hat that only moments before had pro• tected my head from the delicate 30-knot breeze. (Hint to the unini• tiated: a 30-knot breeze does not portend 30 me• dium-sized shore- birds unless they
Black-footed Albatross, 15 September 1985, 18 miles off Tillamook Bay. Photo/David A. Cassin's Auklet photographed from shore, on a sunny day, just feet happen to be rip- Anderson. from the Bayocean sandspit inTillamookBay. Photo/Owen Schmidt, ping along in front
Oregon Birds14(2): 144, 1988 Oregon Birdsl4(2): 145,1988 of it, in which case you won't have time to look at them.) One time a Winter Wren popped aboard, apparently to dine on remnants of my FIRST SIGHTING OF A LIVE breakfast that dolled the rail. One Oregon birder will doubtless remember the time I didn't make it to the rail. Well, he should have known better than to wear Guccis MOTTLED PETREL FROM OREGON on a pelagic trip. Enough about llic ugly past. I'm told there is now some device invented by the SHORES Bhagwan Shrcc Rajnccsh that I can glue behind my ear to keep me happy out on the ocean, but I choose to disbelieve. Jim Johnson, 3244 N.E. Brazee Street, Portland, OR 97212 I recommend SGPB (Solid Ground Pelagic Birding). There is a lot to be seen David Irons, 5314 N.E. 37th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211 from the comfort of your neighborhood jetty or dike. I have seen the following in Oregon while standing on the ground: Northern Fulmar (lots), Pink-footed Shear• water (twice), Sooty Shearwater (lots), Short-tailed Shearwater (lots), Fork-tailed The Mottled Petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata) is a very local breeder on the Slorm-Pclrel (twice), Leach's Storm-Petrel (twice), Pomarine Jaeger (twice), islands in Foveaux Strait, islands off Stewart I. and at Snares Is., New Zealand, Parasitic Jaeger (maybe 10 times), Long-tailed Jaeger (three times), South Polar November-March and has been found to be a common May-October visitor in the Skua (twice), Black-legged Kittiwake (zillions), Sabine's Gull (maybe 5 times), northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean mainly north of 41° N. and between 162° Arctic Tern (lots), and Cassin's Auklet (maybe half a dozen times). E. and 140° W. north to the southern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska (Ainley & As well as a frigatebird disturbing the gulls in the Charleston boat basin. Manolis 1979; Harrison 1983). So the opportunities for land-based pelagic birding are substantial. Some This species has proved to occur somewhat regularly along the west coast of points to remember for the birder whose innards churn at the mention of the word the North American continent. Most records involve dead or dying birds found on "gangplank": beaches or live birds seen at least 60 miles offshore. The authors could locate only Pelagic birds show up in weird places where you don'teven have to smell that 2 inshore records of live, healthy birds away from Alaska. Most occurrences have special ocean aroma. Try Malheur in the fall for jaegers. They in particular can been either during July and August or from late February thru early May. There are appear anywhere in the fall. All 3 have appeared at Fern Ridge Reservoir, 50 miles a few records during November and December (Ainley & Manolis 1979; Robcrson from the ocean in central Lane County. I once saw a Parasitic at Davis Lake in the 1980,1985). Ainley and Manolis (1979) noted that the November and December central Cascades, and they have been seen following tractors in Benton County. A birds ocurrcd during Northern Fulmar "flight years." Long-tailed Jaeger even showed up at Haystack Reservoir near Madras last On 10 December 1987 we observed a single Mottled Petrel about 500 yards off summer. Boiler Bay Wayside, Lincoln County, Oregon. There are 6 previous records for the Sabine's Gulls pop up at inland lakes, too, especially in the fall. Big storms in state. The first verified record of the species in Oregon was a partially decomposed the fall can splatter Leach's Storm-Petrcls and other pelagic species inland as far as specimen found on the open beach 2 miles north of Alsea Bay, Lincoln County, on the Cascades, so check your local lakes after such rough weather. 25 February 1959 (Ainley & Manolis 1979). Three additional washups have been At the coast, pick places where you are either sticking out into the ocean, e.g. found, 2 during a beached bird census conducted 18 March 1972. These individuals jetties or headlands, or places where there is deep water near shore. Boiler Bay is were found 7 and 10 km south of Newport, Lincoln County (Ainley & Manolis one such place, check with local birders to find others. Most inland birders tend to 1979). Another bird was picked up 15 December 1986,0.5 miles north of Driftwood go to the coast when the weather is really nice. For pelagics, try to go when it's nasty, S.P., Lincoln County (Heinl 1987). There are 3 records of live birds: one 175 km particularly at the tail end of a storm with lots of wind. west of Tillamook, Tillamook County, 16February 1971 (Ainley & Manolis 1979); Some species are fairly easy to find at certain times of year, e.g. Northern 9 birds 60 miles west of Waldport, Lincoln County, 31 March 1981 (Irons & Watson Fulmars in late October and early November. Others appear when their food source 1985); and 28 birds 100 miles off Cape Lookout, Tillamook County, 19 April 1985 is close to shore, e.g. shearwaters. One technique for spotting pelagics is to watch (Fix 1985). incoming fishing fleets as they enter your range of vision, they often have a few The December 1987 bird was first spotted by Irons among a huge feeding flock shearwaters or kittiwakes hanging around. Always check big swarms of gulls; of mixed seabirds which included 1000 Black-legged Kittiwakes, 40 Short-tailed pelagics are often attracted to gull flocks. Shearwaters, 12 Sooty Shearwaters, 8 Pomarine Jaegers, thousands of migrant Red I have also had good luck with shearwaters in the summer when there are heavy Phalaropes, and assorted alcids, loons, grebes, and gulls. After watching the bird fog banks offshore and clear weather right along the coast. They sometimes feed bank in and out of troughs between swells, we lost the bird as we attempted to close to the beach under such conditions. exchange the scope. During the next 3 hours with only a brief lunch break we look And go out on boats if you must. Give my regards to the birds I will doubtless turns scoping the flock in an attempt to relocate the bird. During ihis period there not sec often from land. While you are out there I will be lounging at the cape of was a steady influx of Northern Fulmars and by the end of the day we had seen my choice, enjoying the company of a tired Blucthroat. several hundred. Finally Johnson spotted the petrel during one of his turns at the 0
Oregon Birds14(2): 146,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 147, 1988 scope. He watched the bird for about 15 seconds before it disappeared behind a swell and was not seen again. very small fraction of the birds seen the previous day, and did not see the Mottled Petrel. We agreed that the bird showed the following characteristics: it appeared slightly smaller than the kittiwakes; it was relatively small-bodied, with long narrow Boiler Bay has probably been the best seawatch location in Oregon during the past decade. Both Laysan and Black-footed Albatrosses have been seen during wings; the mantle and upperwings were a fairly uniform dark gray, with the slight storms. Large numbers of alcids can be seen almost any lime of year. Ancient and suggestion of die " W" pattern characteristic of many Pterodroma species; the nape Marbled Murrelets, Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin, Common Murre, and Pigeon and hindcrown were paler gray, fading to white on the forecrown; a blackish patch Guillemot can all be expected here during the proper season. Cassin's Auklet has surrounded the eye, extending up and back onto the hindcrown and nape; the.chin, been seen here more regularly than from any other location. Earlier in fall 1987 a throat, and upper breast were clear white; the lower breast and belly were an even Xantus' Murrelet spent about a week feeding just off the point. medium gray; the relatively short rounded tail was white below and ashy gray On the day of the petrel sighting, other noteworthy species were seen, assumed above; the underwings were white except for a distinct broad slate-col• to be pushed in by the storm. A Leach's Storm-Petrel, a South Polar Skua, and 2 ored bar which extended from the mid-axillars forward to the Horned Puffins were seen through the course of the day. carpal joint then across the leading edge of the underwing Just as several previous west coast records coincided with Northern Fulmar halfway to the wingtip; the short stubby bill was black; leg "flight years," the December 1987 Motded Petrel occurred while hundreds of color was not noted; the flight was bounding with hard fulmars were passing southward off Boiler Bay. rolling banks in between swells; the wings were held stiffly with the outer wings swept back. LITERATURE CITED Although the collective viewing time of this bird was not much more than a minute, Ainley D.G. & B. Manolis. 1979. Occurrence and Distribution of the Mottled Petrel we are both confident of the identification Western Birds 10(3): 113-123. In our experience with both offshore and Fix, D. 1985. Field Notes — Western Oregon, Spring 1985. Oregon Birds inshore seabirds neither of us had seen 11(4): 170-184. anything like this bird. All shearwaters, Harrison, P. 1983. Seabirds: An Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin Company, gulls and terns were read• Boston. ily eliminated by the Z MotdedPetrel, • 1987. A Field Guide to Seabirds of the World. The Stephen Greene Striking Shape, flight -JgZL 7 «9SMTS|p3 Illustration! Press, Lexington, Massachusetts. style, and plumage 0*"%^ =^^^^^^^^L. JoeEvanich, of this bird. We Heinl, S. 1987. Field Notes: Western Oregon, Winter 1986-1987. Oregon Birds 13(3):312-318. both identified it to genus Irons, D. & C. Watson. 1985. OBRC Report: Committee Actions 1978-1983 almost immediately. Cook's Oregon Birds 11(1): 18-68. Petrel (P. cooki) and Robcrson, D. 1980. Rare Birds of the West Coast. Woodcock Publications, Pacific Stejneger's Petrel (P. Grove, California. longirostris) were the other P r i • 1985. Monterey Birds. Monterey Peninsula Audubon Society, Carmel, mary species considered on the basis of their previous occur- California. rence in the eastern North Pacific. The darker, less patterned upperparts, dark gray belly and lower breast, and the broader 0 underwing bar, effectively eliminated these birds from considera- tion. A search through sea- bird references failed to find any other species that matched the de- scription of this bird. All other simi- larly-plumaged petrels lack the gray belly and lower breast which char- acterizes Motded Petrel (Har- rison 1983,1987). This feeding flock was found on the last day of almost a week of strong onshore winds. On the day of this sighting the winds were a steady 20-30 mph out of the west but otherwise the weather was quite nice, with predominantly sunny skies, We believe that the large flock of birds were feeding in an upwelling that was produced by the storm. Johnson and other birders returned the following day when the winds had subsided and found a
Oregon Birds14(2): 148,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 149,1988 in 1980 and 1982, which was probably long before they could have swum 118 miles THE YEARLY CYCLE OF COMMON (190 km) north from the next colony to the south (Matthews 1983:2). Ferris' 1930- 1940 banding data indicate that 7 of 21 chicks (juveniles) recovered in July and MURRES ALONG THE OREGON August were found south of their nesting colony, and one was found 95 miles (154 km) south of its nesting colony in its first September (Bayer and Ferris 1987:18,21). COAST Juvenile murres can move quite far northward. Ferris' banding data indicate that some juveniles arrived in British Columbia waters in September (Bayer and Range D. Bayer, P.O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365 Ferris 1987:18). This supports Manuwal et al.'s (1979: 58-59) and Wahl et al.'s Reed W. Ferris, 6550 Ponto Drive SP 118, Carlsbad, CA 92009 (1981: 80, 782-783) conjecture that the large increase in Common Murres at the Strait of Juan de Fuca in September may be a result of an influx of murres from at least as far south as Oregon. In their first winter, some juveniles were recovered as Recently published research about Common Murres (Uria aalge) along the far away as near Vancouver, British Columbia (Bayer and Ferris 1987: 20-21). Oregon coast allows us to examine the biology of murres in more detail than has It is not clear when murres start returning to Oregon coast waters, but they are been previously possible. The following synthesis about murres along the Oregon often present in late December. Ferris' banded murres were not recovered in Oregon coast is adapted from Bayer and Ferris (1987: 15-16). from October through December (Bayer and Ferris 1987: 18-19), and murres Murres can first land on their Oregon nesting colony in mid-winter but do not usually were not found in Oregon during winter nearshore or estuarinc censuses frequently do so until April. Two to three thousand murres were seen on one of their (Scott 1973, Bayer 1983). But murres were seen near the Oregon coast in late nesting colonics at Three Arch Rocks off Tillamook County on 16 December 1986 December and early January during 50-100 percent of Christmas Bird Counts (Roy Lowe, USFWS Biologist, pers. comm.). But the first murres didn't land on (CBCs) in 1973-1982 at 6 Oregon coastal CBC sites (Bayer and Krabbe 1984). At their Yaquina Head colony in Lincoln County until early February in 1980 and 1981 the Tillamook and Coos Bay CBC sites, an average of 6733 and 2720 murres, (Bayer and Herzing 1985). After they first land on the colony, murre attendance is respectively, were seen on each of 10 CBCs (Bayer and Krabbe 1984). intermittent. For example, Lowe noted that murres were only sporadically on their With the murres' return to the Oregon coast, their yearly cycle starts again, and Three Arch Rock colony in December 1986. Further, Yaquina Head murres were they can commence intermittently landing on their colonies. not frequently on their colony until March 1980 and April 1981 (Bayer and Herzing We are grateful to suggestions made by Paul Sullivan and Owen Schmidt that 1985). improved this paper. Murre eggs and chicks can be present at Oregon colonies from May through August. Murres at Yaquina Head first started laying eggs in early or late May in 1969-1971 (Scott 1973). At Three Arch Rocks and Cape Lookout, Ferris noted eggs LITERATURE CITED in June, July, and even early August in the 1930s (Bayer and Ferris 1987:105,107- 109). Bayer, R. D. 1983. Seasonal occurrences of ten waterbird species at Yaquina A murre chick leaves its colony when it is still flightless with an adult male, Estuary, Oregon. Murrelet 64: 78-86. presumably its male parent (Scott 1973). The first chick/parent pairs were seen near . 1985. Nearshore flights of seabirds past Yaquina Estuary, Oregon, Yaquina Head from 30 June to 21 July in 1969-1971,1980, and 1982 (Scott 1973, during the 1982 and 1983 summers. Western Birds 16: 169-173. Bayer 1983). . 1986. Seabirds near an Oregon esluarine salmon hatchery in 1982 and Oregon coast murre colonies appear to be typically abandoned completely in during the 1983 El Nino. Fishery Bull. 84: 279-286. late July and early August. Off Yaquina Estuary in Lincoln County, Bayer (1985) and R. W. Ferris. 1987. Reed Ferris' 1930-1943 bird banding records and reported adult murres flying north en masse in late July. By 3 August 1981,1983, bird observations for Tillamook County, Oregon. Studies in Oregon Ornithol• and 1985, murres had departed the Yaquina Head colony (Bayer, pers. obs.; Lisa ogy No. 3. Ellingson, pers. comm.), but some murres remained on the Cape Lookout colony in andD. L. Herzing. 1985. Pre-laying assemblages of Common Murres on Tillamook County to at least 13 August in 1934 (Bayer and Ferris 1987:108). The the colony at Yaquina Head, Oregon. Murrelet 66: 94-95. exit of murres from Oregon is also confirmed by murre numbers declining and J. Krabbe. 1984. CBC analysis: comparison of [Oregon] coastal dramatically in YaquinaEstuary in AugustorSeptemberof 1975,1979,1980,1982, Christmas Bird Counts. Oregon Birds 10: 115-125. and 1983 (Bayer 1983,1986). Manuwal, D. A., T. R. Wahl., S. M. Speich. 1979. The seasonal distribution and After leaving the colony, chick/parent pairs swim away. Dan Varoujean (pers. abundance of marine bird populations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and northern comm.) has indicated that chick/parent pairs swim northward after leaving their Puget Sound in 1978. NOAA Tech. Memo. ERL MESA-44. Oregon colony. However, Bayer (1983) noted that murre chicks showed up at Matthews, D. R. 1983. Feeding ecology of the Common Murre, Uria aalge, off the Yaquina Estuary 3.4 miles (5.5 km) south of the Yaquina Head colony on 10-11 July Oregon Coast. M.S. Thesis, Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon Birds14(2): 150,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 151,1988 Scott, J. M. 1973. Resource allocation in four syntonic species of marine diving young take to the water, either accidentally or when forced off the ledges by their birds. Ph.D. Thesis, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, Oregon. parents. They drop from the high cliffs, at times several hundred feet, to the ocean, Wahl.T. R. S. M. Speieh.D. A. Manuwal, K. V. Hirsch.and C. Miller. 1981. Marine usually early on a morning when the sea is smooth and the surf is low. bird populations of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Strait of Georgia, and adjacent When the young bird leaves the nesting rocks, the female parent leaves the waters in 1978 and 1979. EPA-600/7-81-156. (Note that this is labelled on the young in the care of the male and heads northward to join the earlier migrants at spine as EPA-600/7-80-166.) richer feeding waters to the north. By the latter part of July and through August the 0 surface of the ocean just offshore contains great numbers of Murres. Each young bird is in the company of an adult male, which it follows about, begging for food. The adult birds begin their molt during this period and soon become flightless. If food is scarce the Murres must disperse over the ocean as fast as possible. During this period mortality is greatest and many birds are found dead, washed up on the COMMON MURRES IN OREGON beaches. The fall migration consists mainly of a gradual movement out onto the open sea Harry Nehls, 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 where the birds spend the winter. This may not be at any great distance from the breeding grounds except when strong storms, lack of food, or some other natural event forces them farther away. After the post-breeding molt the birds that flew One of the most abundant and conspic uous breeding birds along the West Coast northward in late summer apparently drift back southward to winter offshore from of North America is the Common Murre (Uria aalge). Many thousands can be their nesting rocks. It is not unusual for great flocks of Murres to return to the found breeding in large compactcolonies on many offshore rocks and mainland cliff breeding rocks during m id-winter, but they do not normally stay for more than a few faces along the Oregon Coast. Their teeming numbers and apparent stability is days before leaving for the open sea again. These winter movements may be in testimony to their remarkable resilience while surviving in a harsh and ever response to mid-winter upwellings. changing environment. If there is a reduction in the upwelling or for some other reason the food supply Available food allows a pair of Murres, like many forms of seabirds, to raise fails during the period that the young are unable to fly, the many thousands of only 1 young in a nesting season—if successful. This low reprod uctive rate is offset individuals concentrated along the coasdine cannot disperse fast enough to find by the overall longevity of the species. Mortality is high among young birds. Only food for all. If the food begins to fail while the young are still on the rocks, they are about a third reach breeding age at 4-5 years. These remaining birds often survive pushed off and an immediate evacuation takes place. Of course many birds perish 30 or more years. Starvation, disease, natural and human-caused poisonings, and when this happens, even adults that become too weak in searching for food or from drownings are among the many problems that contribute to population instability. avian diseases caused by overcrowding on the nesting rocks. This happens to a The Common Murre breeds from central California northward to the Pribilofs, small extent each fall and it is not unusual to find many dead Murres on the beaches and westward through the Aleutians to the Asia coast. It is scarce south of San every year. During some years the mortality is localized and not widespread. In Francisco in summer but to the north it is one of the most abundant birds in its range. other years many thousands perish all along the coast during major environmental Two races are recognized: those to the north of Oregon are considered the North disasters. Pacific Murre (U. a. inornata), those to the south the California Murre (U. a. From late August into November 1967, dead Murres were noted all along the californica). The breeding birds off Oregon and southern Washington show a beaches from northern California into Washington at the rate of about one bird for confusing combination of characteristics and, although closer to californica, are every 20 feet of beach. Most of these were young of the year. That year was one intermediate in most respects. of outstanding breeding success when the number of young was enormous. There A birder visiting the coast any time after mid-March will find the offshore rocks was no formal investigation of why so many Murres died, but local birders assumed lively with row upon row of these penguin-like birds. Around early May they begin that the Murres could not disperse fast enough and the food supply was exhausted. to lay their eggs, without the benefit of nest, right on the ledges. From that time to Ornithologists at Point Reyes Bird Observatory north of San Francisco blamed the the end of summer a constant struggle takes place to protect the eggs and young. The Murre mortality in their area on an apparent outbreak of paralytic shellfish birds must contend with gulls, sea lions, small mammals, high winds and a constant poisoning. search for an adequate food supply. During the 1969 breeding season another great success was recorded. How• It takes about a month for the eggs to hatch. Thereafter the need for food for ever, from about 18 to 26 July a sharp drop in die food-rich upwellings was noted. both the adults and the growing young increases. The young are even more Fishermen along the coast were forced to remain inside the harbors as heavy fogs, vulnerable to predation than eggs and many are lost. At this time most nonbreeding rough water, and dark gray "winter seas" moved onshore. Murres and other seabirds and unsuccessful breeders leave the colony, migrating northward toPuget Sound or were hard-put to find food. The great swarms of shearwaters noted up to that lime beyond. When about 5 or 6 weeks old, long before they are grown or able to fly, the moved off and were not seen again for several weeks when the upwellings resumed.
Oregon Birds14(2): 152,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 153,1988 By late July great numbers of Murres began to wash onto the beaches in the Newport area, and many adult and young birds were collected by Oregon State University. All were found to have died of starvation. Within a few days, a PLASTIC PARTICLES IN 3 OREGON migration of smal 1 food fish was noted moving up from the south and entering many of the harbors and river mouths in the southern part of the state. By 5 August, the FULMARS birds of the Newport area were seen eating small fishes in the surf and few were found dead thereafter. From that time on, however, Murres were noted at well below Range D. Bayer, P.O. Box 1467, Newport, Oregon 97365 normal numbers up and down the Oregon coast, with almost no migration of any Robert E. Olson, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center kind seen. Apparently the mid-July evacuation was extensive. The mortality that Newport, Oregon 97365 ' fall was confined to the Newport area and most other areas had only a slight increase in the normal yearly mortality. Except for some increase in mortality caused by oil spills and increased fishing The ingestion of plastic particles by seabirds is of widespread occurrence activities offshore, Murre populations suffered few setbacks in Oregon until the elsewhere (Day et al. 1985) and is known to occur off California (Baltz & Morejohn early 1980's when unusual sea conditions severely restricted breeding success. In 1976, references cited in Day et al. 1985). The only previous record of Oregon response to an unusually strong El Nino condition in the South Pacific, the ocean seabirds swallowing plastics is that of Matthews (1987) for Sooty Shearwaters currents and atmospheric conditions over the North Pacific were severely disrupted (Puffinusgriseus); Matthews did not find plastics in Common Murres {Uria aalge). and caused little or no upwellings off North America. The 1981 breeding season More Oregon seabirds may be found to have swallowed plastic particles, if researchers look for them. began as usual with great numbers of Murres crowding the breeding rocks and many young birds were raised, but the post-dispersal mortality was high. In mid-October 1984, the glandular stomach (provenlriculus), gizzard, and The 1982 season was a disaster. Many birds left the nesting rocks before the intestines of each of several Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) were examined young were ready, and most young that made it to the ocean were found dead on the that had been recently found along the Oregon Coast. Although not all fulmars beaches. The 1983 season was even worse. The adult birds returned to the nesting contained plastics, plastic particles were found in the gizzards of 3 fulmars. The rocks but few even attempted to lay eggs. There were few dead young on the beaches total number of particles was 8, so the 3 fulmars that had swallowed plastics had an that fall, but many adult birds were washed onto the beaches throughout the year. average of 2.7 particles per fulmar. Of the 8 particles, 4 were light blue to turquoise, In 1984, the Murres returned to the nesting rocks in smaller than usual numbers, but brought off a good number of young birds. The beaches were again heavy with dead birds, but it was obvious that the Murres were successful in increasing their numbers. Average number of plastic particles in Northern Fulmars Oregon's Murre colonies have been returning to full strength in the past few 15-rl years and overall are in a healthy condition. The California populations, severely depicted by egging in the early years, have been suffering from oil spills, offshore gillnet fishing and other human-caused problems on top of natural disasters. The Murres there are increasing in some areas but are still in alarmingly low numbers. Common Murres occur in seemingly unlimited numbers but they live in a turbulent and dangerous environment. They are a resilient breed and can cope with io H natural disruptions but human caused mortality must be strictly controlled to insure continuing healthy Murre populations. 0
j>egon Alaska Atlantic Arctic California Netherlands
Oregon Birds14(2): 154,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 155,1988 2 were whitish brown, 1 was dark green, and 1 was dark blue. The largest particle was a 17 x 14 x 7 mm lump of whitish brown styrofoam. The only plastic pellet was CHANGES IN WATERBIRD NUMBERS 4x2x2 mm and was whitish brown. The other 6 particles were flatish and were 8-14 mm long, 2-9 mm wide, and 1 -4 mm deep. The 8 particles averaged 0.06 g BEFORE AND AFTER THE 1983 OIL (range 0.03-0.16 g); all floated to the surface when immersed in water. Of the 8 particles, 4 were light blue to turquoise, 2 were whitish brown, 1 was dark green, and SPILL AT YAQUINA ESTUARY, 1 was dark blue. OREGON The presence of plastics in Oregon's fulmars is not unexpected, since fulmars have been documented to ingest plastics elsewhere (Baltz & Morejohn 1976, Day et al. 1985, Van Franeker 1985). Although having a similar average to the 2.8 Range D. Bayer, P. O. Box 1467, Newport, OR 97365 particle/fulmar average found in Alaskan fulmars (cited in Day et al. 1985), Oregon fulmars do not appear to ingest as many particles as some fulmars have elsewhere, since the Oregon average of 2.7 plastic particles/fulmar is less than the 11 particle/ During a heavy storm on the night of 19 November 1983, the.fi/ue Magpie, a fulmar average off California (Baltz & Morejohn 1976), an average of about 12 350-foot general cargo freighter, slammed into the ocean side of the north jetty (Fig. along the Netherlands coast (Van Franeker 1985), and the 4-5 average in the 1) as it tried to enter Yaquina Estuary. The fuel tanks of the freighter ruptured, Atlantic Arctic (Van Franeker 1985). The few Oregon fulmars examined, however, releasing as much as 60,000 gallons of "bunker C" oil within 5 days and 10,000 may not be representative of other Oregon fulmars. gallons of diesel fuel within the first 3 days after the wreck (Rosemary 1983a, S leeth We are grateful to Fran Recht of the Port of Newport's Marine Refuse Disposal 1983). Project for kindly providing a copy of Day et al. (1985), to Mark Stern for reviewing More than 8,000 gallons of bunker oil were skimmed from Yaquina Estuary the manuscript, and to Owen Schmidt for providing the bar graph. (Rosemary 1983b), but the total amount that entered the Yaquina is unknown. Most of the bunker oil and diesel was thought to have been carried out to sea by winds and LITERATURE CITED wave action, but pockets of oil were still found in Yaquina Bay in mid-December (Anonymous 1983). Bunker oil was found at the estuary mouth, at embayments, Baltz, D.M. & G.V. Morejohn. 1976. Evidence from seabirds of plastic particle and more than 5 miles upstream to Coquille Point (Monroe 1983, Sleeth 1983) (see pollution off central California. Western Birds 7: 111-112. Fig. 1). Day, R.H., D.H.S. Wehle, & F.C. Coleman. 1985. Ingestion of plastic pollutants Oil and oiled birds were found not only in Yaquina Estuary but also along the by marine birds. Pp. 344-386 in PROCEEDINGS OFTIIE WORKSHOP ON THE FATE AND coastline, perhaps as far as 100 miles to the north (Rosemary 1983a). As of 30 IMPACT OF MARINE DEBRIS 27-29 November 1984, Honolulu, Hawaii; R.S. November 1983, a total of 365 oiled birds had been found at Yaquina Estuary and Shomura and H.O. Yoshida (eds.). NOAA Tech. Memo. NOAA-TM-NMFS- at adjacent beaches; 248 were found dead and another 28 died while they were being SWFC-54. held to be cleaned (Rosemary 1983b). Thirty-two of the oiled birds were Brown Matthews, D.R. 1987. Food habits and distribution of Common Murres (Uria Pelicans, at least 7 of which which died (Monroe 1983). Many of the pelicans were emaciated before the oil spill, probably because of poor feeding conditions aalge) and Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinusgriseus) offshore Oregon, June 1984. associated with the 1983 El Nino (Snow 1983). Many other birds may have been Pacific Seabird Group Bull. 14(1): 34. Abstract only. oiled or swept out to sea. Many other birds may have been oiled but were not Van Franeker, J.A. 1985. Plastic ingestion in the North Atlantic fulmar. Marine recorded because they sank (see Speich and Thompson 1987), were not reported to Pollution Bull. 16: 367-369. oil spill coordinators, or were swept out to sea. 0 When an oil spill occurs, it would be worthwhile to know how many birds are present and likely to be affected. Although numbers of oiled birds have been tallied for several Pacific Northwest oil spills (Speich and Thompson 1987, and references therein), I have been unable to find any references to an oil spill where the number of birds in the affected area was known before the oil spill and also shortly afterward. In the case of the Blue Magpie oil spill, I had by chance conducted a census the day before the wreck (Table 1). I had also made 2 other censuses within 21 days before the wreck and 4 censuses within 22 days after the wreck (Table 1). I minimized the possibility of recounting birds by counting during a single, continu• ous sweep with a 20x telescope only when glare, heat waves, and water conditions did not obscure birds. All these censuses were at the embayments shown in Fig. 1.
Oregon Birds14(2): 156,1988 Oregon Birdsl4(2): 157,1988 Counts of some birds remained relatively unchanged after the oil spill, but the November (unpubl. data). numbers of Pied-billed Grebes, Western Grebes, Brown Pelicans, dabbling ducks, The only species whose numbers changed differently in 1983 compared to coots, and toial watcrbirds declined significantly (Table 1). The average number of other years was the American Coot, which decreased significantly after the oil spill scaup and scoters also declined an average of 187 birds and 59 birds, respectively, (Table 1). In 1982 and 1984, over 275 coots were still counted in mid-December after the wreck, but these declines were not statistically significant, perhaps because (unpubl. data), but there were less than 30 in 1983 after the oil spill (Table 1). there were too few censuses. In contrast, Canvasbacks, Brant, Common Goldeneye, Nevertheless, it is not possible to ascribe the abnormal coot decrease after the oil and Ruddy Duck numbers increased significandy (Table 1). spill to the effects of oil because the coots may have also been negatively influenced It would be easy to jump to the conclusion that the oil spill influenced bird by the 1983 El Nino, which effected many other bird species along the Oregon Coast numbers. Insurance adjusters for the freighter might argue that the oil actually (Snow 1983, Bayer 1984,1985,1986a,b; Hodder and Graybill 1985). FurUicr, the helped increase bird numbers, while environmentalists could argue that several bird decrease may also have resulted from increased human activity in embaymcnt areas species decreased in response to the oil. to clean up the oil spill or from yearly variation in the timing of coot fall em igration. In fact, the effect, if any, of the oil spill on Yaquina Estuary bird numbers is In conclusion, I was fortunate to be able to census birds before and after an oil impossible to separate from normal fall migration or lingering effects of the 1983 spill. However, even with these censuses, it is not possible to conclusively El Nino. The marked decrease of Western Grebes is consistent with the late fall determine whether bird numbers changed in response to the oil spill, or if bird decrease of Western Grebes at Yaquina embayments documented in 1980 (Bayer numbers just continued to change as they normally would with migration. The 1983: 82). Similarly, the decline in Pied-billed Grebes, pelicans, and dabbling censuses simply allow one to estimate how many birds may be susceptible to being ducks is consistent with a late fall decrease in the numbers of these birds in other oiled, not how bird numbers were influenced by oil. years at Yaquina embayments (unpubl. data). Although I continued to make censuses after those given in Table 1, determin• The increase in Brant after the oil spill is concurrent with their normal fall ing longer term changes in bird numbers as a result of the oil spill is also tenuous increase at the Yaquina (Bayer 1983). Canvasbacks, Common Goldeneyes, and because even more emigration and immigration occurs, the lingering effects of El Ruddy Ducks also normally increase in numbers at Yaquina Bay in mid- to late Nino may also be important, and the 1983-1984 winter was abnormally cold at the Yaquina Estuary.
/ am grateful to Mark Stern and Paul Sullivan for reviewing the manuscript.
Center LITERATURE CITED Anonymous. 1983. More oil cleaned up. News-Times (Newport, Oregon newspa• per). Dec. 28, p. A-10, col. 1. Bayer, R. D. 1983. Seasonal occurrences of ten waterbird species at Yaquina Estuary, Oregon. Murrelet 64: 78-86. . 1984. OversummeringofWhimbrels, Bonaparte's Gulls, and Caspian Terns at Yaquina Estuary, Oregon. Murrelet 65: 87-90. . 1985. Nearshore flights of seabirds past Yaquina Estuary, Oregon, during the 1982 and 1983 summers. Western Birds 16: 169-173. . 1986a. Breeding success of seabirds along die mid-Oregon Coast concurrent with the 1983 El Nino. Murrelet 67: 23-26. . 1986b. Seabirds near an Oregon estuarine salmon hatchery in 1982 and during the 1983 El Nino. Fishery Bulletin 84: 279-286. Hodder, J. and M. R. Graybill. 1985. Reproduction and survival of seabirds in Oregon during the 1982-1983 El Nino. Condor 87: 535-541. Monroe, B. 1983. Oil ring-around-the-balhtub doesn't preclude fishing, crabbing. Oregonian (Portland, Oregon newspaper). Nov. 27, p. E-10, col. 1. Figure 1. The lower part of Yaquina Estuary, Oregon. Bunker C oil extended from the Rosemary, K. 1983a. 100-mile shoreline watch for freighter oil continuing. Orego• wreck of the freighter on the ocean side of the north jetty upstream to Coquille Point. nian (Portland, Oregon newspaper). Nov. 28, p. B-l, col. 2. The Marine Science Center dock is where tide heights were measured. Cross-hatching . 1983b. Oil spill cleanup sticks crew with surprise. Oregonian indicates the area censusedfor waterbirds. (Portland, Oregon newspaper). Nov. 30, p. C-3, col. 1. Sleeth, P. 1983. Ship's oil tanks will be allowed to drain. News-Times (Newport,
Oregon Birds14(2): 158,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 159,1988 O to GO CO •o a s a o o So.- Co re 1 a E 3 co • a. ON g" a 2 s p. o_o f; t CO fiaa
o c a o
oo £a oc
to
n On s PS O ar S 3 Co 5. S"
Table 1. Number of waterbirds at embayments of Yaquina estuary within 22 days of the 19 November 1983 oil spill. Embayments censused are shown in Fig. 1. The only waterbirds censused that are not included below are Double-crested Cormorants and gulls (see footnote c); shorebirds were also not censused. PSTime is the time at the start of a census by the 24 hour clock (i.e., 1PM=1300). Censuses took about 35-100 minutes, depending upon how many birds were present. LoTime is the time at the start of a census relative to the time of the nearest low tide measured at the Marine Science Center dock shown in Fig. 1 (i.e., a LoTime of +1.3 means that a census started 1.3 hours after the time of low tide). Net Change in Means = (Post-oil mean) - (pre-oil mean). P = probability (which was calculated with the Mann-Whitney test), NS = Not statistically Significant, * = two-tailed P<0.10.
Before Oil Spill After Oil Spill Net Date 10/29 11/5 11/18 11/24 11/26 11/29 12/6 Change PSTime 1343 0802 1355 1305 1019 1348 1320 in LoTime +1.3 +2.3 -3.1 Mean +4.5 -0.7 -0.4 +6.0 Mean Means P
Red-throated/Pacific Loon* 2 5 2 3 7 35 5 1 12 +9 NS Common Loon 3 15 9 9 24 11 4 9 12 +3 NS Pied-billed Grebe 39 9 11 20 0 0 1 0 <1 -19 * Horned Grebe 29 32 32 31 14 21 33 22 23 -8 NS Eared Grebe 3 1 2 2 0 0 2 4 2 0 NS Western Grebe 227 551 631 470 111 135 188 189 156 -314 * Brown Pelican 5 5 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 -4 * Brant 71 75 206 117 264 318 365 306 313 +196 *
dabbling ducks b 5165 5079 3382 4542 3028 2895 2403 2909 2809 -1733 * Canvasback 8 0 0 3 395 349 637 528 477 +474 * scaup sp. 530 698 445 558 507 196 524 257 371 -187 NS scoter sp. 269 201 161 210 108 120 246 128 151 -59 NS Common Goldeneye 0 0 0 0 10 5 9 6 8 +8 * Bufflchead 207 83 171 154 137 172 174 129 153 -1 NS Red-br. Merganser 7 6 3 5 14 9 12 4 10 +5 NS Ruddy Duck 30 11 21 21 115 63 194 61 108 +87 * American Coot 559 574 447 527 21 20 27 27 24 -503 *
TOTAL' 7154 7345 5524 6674 4755 4349 4824 4580 4627 -2047 •
a Red-throated and Pacific Loons.
b 90% or more of the dabblers were American Wigeon; there were also some Mallards, Northern Pintails, Gadwall, and Eurasian Wigeon.
c Double-crested Cormorants and gulls were present but are not included here because their numbers are reduced at these embayments near high tides, so the two post-oil censuses more than 3.5 hr from low tide are not comparable to other censuses. 0 1987 OREGON LISTING RESULTS
Steve Summers, 1009 Merryman Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97603
This was a good year for Oregon's listers. Many rariues were found and what made it nice was many hung around long enough for all to enjoy. My pick for the top 5 would be Lucy's Warbler (near Florence, late December 1986 - February 1987), "White-winged" Junco (Bend, February), Magnificent Frigatebird (Char• leston, March), Blackburnian Warbler (Nehalem meadows, November 1987 - at least March 1988), and in number 1 spot Ross' Gull (Newport, February). There were many others which could have made a top 5 list (Rusty Blackbird, Hudsonian Godwit, Prolhonotary Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Common Grackle, and so on). Such was the year. Here's hoping for more of the same in 1988! The lists keep growing. Another 400 state birder was added (congratulations, Tom!). Three more counties broke the 200 mark (Hood River, Malheur, and Morrow). A second-to-all-time-high year list record was set by Donna Lusthoff's 345 in 1987 — second to Phil Pickering's 1986 effort (356), but ahead of Jeff Gilligan's 1984 record (343). And again 70 birders contributed to this effort to get all of Oregon birded. Except for county year lists, totals marked with an asterisk (*) are previously submitted totals. Only totals of 350 or more for the state are carried through from year to year without a yearly update. In the counties, only totals of 225 or more (or totals under 225 if leading a county) are carried through without an updated total submitted each year.
Oregon State List (275) 431 JeffGilligan 364 Allison Mickel 406 Owen Schmidt 364 Martha Sawyer 403 Tom Crabtree 363 Patrick Mullcr *395 Richard Smith 363 Steve Summers *384 David Irons *362 Steve Gordon 382 Larry Thornburgh 361 Barb Bcllin 377 Alan Contreras *358 David Hofmann 377 Joe Evanich 357' Jan & Rick Krabbe 377 Donna Lusthoff 356 Alan McGie Northern Fulmar. Photo/Tom Crabtree. 376 Jim Johnson *356 David Fix 376 Phillip Pickering *356 John F. Gatchet 375 Jim Carlson *356 Terry Morgan 374 Steve Heinl 353 Bob Lucas 373 Linda Weiland 353 Clarice Watson 370 Sheran Jones *352 Tad Finncll 367 Tom Mickel *352 Tom Love 366 Judy Carlson 350 Richard Palmer 366 Barbara Combs *350 Matt Hunter 366 Dennis Rogers 343 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth
Oregon Birds14(2): 162,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 163,1988 343 Craig Miller 286 Jack Corbett 113 Donna Lusthoff 172 Barbara Combs 342 Merle Archie 283 Alan McGie 103 Barbara Combs 167 Steve Summers 342 Craig Corder 278 Craig Miller 166 Richard Palmer 342 Marion Corder 276 Tim Shelmerdine Clatsop 165 Tom Crabtree 341 Paul Sherrell 265 Paul Sherrell *257 JeffGilligan 158 Joe Evanich 336 David Anderson 264 Merle Archie 238 Phillip Pickering 155 Clarice Watson 336 Mike Patterson 259 Mike Patterson 227 Joe Evanich 154 Mike Patterson Barb Bellin 333 Jack Corbelt 258 Greg Gillson 207 Tom Crabtree 153 Ron Maertz 333 Mike Robbins 254 Ben Fawver 204 Jim Johnson 153 Donna Lusthoff 330 Roy Gerig 254 Kevin Sands 193 David Anderson 151 Merle Archie 330 David Herr 187 Donna Lusthoff 143 Jim Johnson 330 Kamal Islam 173 Mike Patterson 139 Anne Archie 329 Anne Archie 1987 County Lists (100) 165 Greg Gillson 137 Jan & Rick Krabbe 329 Ron Maertz 164 Steve Heinl 137 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 329 Alice Parker Baker 162 Dennis Rogers 135 Sayre Greenfield Karen Kearney *225 Ann Ward 156 Barb Bellin 135 323 Bob Lucas Eva Schultz 165 Joe Evanich 150 Craig Corder 126 322 Greg Gillson Elmer Miller 132 Mike Robbins 150 Bob Lucas 121 321 Eva Schultz Floyd Schrock 114 Dennis Rogers 150 Tim Shelmerdine 116 321 Mike Denny 108 Merle Archie 143 Richard Palmer 103 320 Marshall Beretta Jack Corbett 320 Tim Shelmcrdine 107 Anne Archie 143 Barb Combs 100 319 Ben Fawver 107 Barbara Combs 122 Marion Corder 319 Jerry Kearney 117 Craig Miller Crook 318 Greg Gillson Benton 109 Jim Carlson 170 Tom Crabtree 318 Fred Parker 216 Jan & Rick Krabbe 106 Mike Robbins 165 Mike Robbins 310 Fred Zeillemakcr 204 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 142 Bob Lucas 309 Sayre Greenfield 191 Fred Zeillemaker Columbia 134 Craig Miller 307 Jon Anderson 182 Greg Gillson 197 Phillip Pickering 118 Clarice Watson 300 Calvin Hill 173 Alan McGie 135 Jim Johnson 111 Barbara Combs 300 Joe Morawski 155 Barb Bellin 124 Joe Evanich 107 Dennis Rogers 289 Paul Osburn 150 Phillip Pickering 123 Dennis Rogers 100 Sayre Greenfield 281 Mike Denny 148 Roy Gerig 121 Donna Lusthoff 280 Frank Isaacs 147 Barbara Combs 117 David Anderson Curry 145 Clarice Watson 108 Barbara Combs *278 Jim Rogers 144 Mike Patterson 102 Craig Corder 257 Dennis Rogers 1987 Oregon Year List (250) 136 Jon Anderson *245 Carrie Osborne 345 Donna Lusthoff 134 Dennis Rogers Coos 221 Steve Summers 331 Jim Johnson 133 Richard Palmer 283 Alan McGie 212 Mike Robbins 329 Phillip Pickering 133 Mike Robbins 283 Larry Thornburgh 205 Steve Heinl 325 Joe Evanich 128 Bob Lucas 282 Ben Fawver 194 Jim Carlson 318 Larry Thornburgh 123 Steve Heinl 219 Dennis Rogers 183 Phillip Pickering 307 Tom Mickel 113 Jim Carlson 211 Phillip Pickering 149 Ray Ekstrom 306 Steve Heinl 200 Steve Heinl 141 Alice Parker 301 Allison Mickel Clackamas 192 Alice Parker 138 Barbara Combs 298 Tom Crabtree *134 David Fix 184 Fred Parker 128 Fred Parker 293 Shcran Jones 129 Phillip Pickering 180 Jim Carlson 127 Sayre Greenfield 288 Jim Carlson 115 Dennis Rogers 176 Mike Robbins 117 Jim Johnson
Oregon Birds14(2): 164,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 165,1988 118 Richard Palmer 109 Alan McGie 128 Donna Lusthoff 189 Fred Zeillemaker Bob Lucas 128 Eva Schultz 186 Jon Anderson 117 117 Phillip Pickering Deschutes 123 Howard Sands 177 Bob Lucas 114 Barb Bellin 249 Tom Crabtree 109 Clarice Watson 174 Craig Corder 114 Clarice Watson 227 Craig Miller 107 Tim Shelmerdine 173 Richard Palmer Barb Combs 112 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 173 Jan & Rick Krabbe 100 Ray Ekstrom 173 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 112 Alice Parker 173 Mike Robbins 168 110 Joe Evanich 164 Calvin Hill Gilliam 168 Clarice Watson 107 Fred Parker 161 Jim Carlson 129 Craig Corder 165 Paul Sherrell 104 Jim Carlson 158 Steve Heinl 103 Barbara Combs 163 Marion Corder 103 Merle Archie 151 Eva Schultz 101 Dennis Rogers 163 Mike Patterson 150 Greg Gillson 162 David Anderson Jefferson 146 Richard Palmer Grant 159 Barb Bellin 150 Barb Bellin 144 Donna Lusthoff 196 Merle Archie 157 Calvin Hill *147 Jeff Gilligan 136 Phillip Pickering 150 Joe Evanich 153 Greg Gillson 145 Tom Crabtree 133 Barb Bellin 141 Anne Archie 148 Eva Schultz 133 Roy Gerig 127 Dennis Rogers 127 Jan & Rick Krabbe 139 Sayre Greenfield 130 Floyd Schrock 125 Alan McGie 123 Richard Palmer 127 Ron Maertz 112 Mike Robbins 123 Sayre Greenfield 119 Mike Robbins 127 Tim Shelmerdine 109 Dennis Rogers 121 Paul Sherrell 118 Steve Heinl 119 Howard Sands 107 Steve Heinl 120 Merle Archie 118 Dennis Rogers 119 Kevin Sands 107 Craig Corder 116 Marion Corder 117 Mike Denny 118 Floyd Schrock Barbara Combs 114 Barbara Combs 115 Donna Lusthoff 115 Mike Robbins 105 104 Richard Palmer 112 Steve Summers 104 Barbara Combs 107 Ray Ekstrom 108 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 100 Phillip Pickering 106 Craig Corder Hood River Josephine 102 Clarice Watson Harney 202 David Anderson 198 Steve Summers 272 Merle Archie 175 Donna Lusthoff 170 Romain Cooper Douglas 268 Jeff Gilligan 135 Phillip Pickering 159 Mike Robbins 287 Martha Sawyer 260 Anne Archie 113 Joe Evanich 136 Ray Ekstrom *270 Ken Knittle 247 Phillip Pickering 112 Barbara Combs 123 Dennis Rogers 265 Ron Maertz 246 Tom Crabtree 103 Dennis Rogers 106 Barbara Combs 260 David Herr *240 David Irons 254 Alice Parker 237 Steve Heinl Jackson Klamath 238 Fred Parker 227 Jim Carlson *249 Otis Swisher 282 Steve Summers *234 David Fix 220 Craig Miller 237 Marjorie Moore 258 Mike Robbins 230 Dennis Rogers 219 Jim Johnson 228 Mike Robbins 254 Jim Carlson 222 Steve Heinl 218 Steve Summers 226 Howard Sands *247 Steve Gordon 195 Mike Robbins 217 Mike Denny 216 Steve Summers 241 Ray Ekstrom 194 Kevin Sands 210 Tom Mickel 202 Ray Ekstrom 227 Tom Mickel 188 Merle Archie 207 Joe Evanich 148 Kevin Sands *226 Tad Finncll 168 Steve Summers 207 Donna Lusthoff 146 Barbara Combs 226 Allison Mickel 158 Barbara Combs 206 David Hen- 141 Steve Heinl 200 Dennis Rogers 155 Jim Carson 204 Allison Mickel 139 Dennis Rogers 195 Steve Heinl 154 Anne Archie 204 Dennis Rogers 134 Jan & Rick Krabbe 189 Paul Sherrell 138 Phillip Pickering 203 Jan & Rick Krabbe 126 Jim Johnson 177 Jon Anderson 131 Mike Patterson 191 Alan McGie 122 Donna Lusthoff 176 Richard Palmer
Oregon Birds14(2): 166, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 167,1988 170 Barbara Combs 292 Jim Carlson 175 Donna Lusthoff 165 Richard Palmer 168 Ron Maertz 292 Tom Mickel 175 Richard Palmer 163 Floyd Schrock 163 Mike Denny 291 Alan Contreras 170 Eva Schultz 159 Tom Crabtree 158 Merle Archie 287 Clarice Watson 162 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 143 Joe Evanich 157 Bob Lucas *275 David Fix 154 Mike Robbins 137 Barbara Combs 156 Howard Sands 275 Allison Mickel 148 Jon Anderson 131 Greg Gillson 152 Anne Archie 272 Paul Sherrell 146 Jack Corbett 108 Dennis Rogers 152 Barb Bellin 267 Barbara Combs 138 Alan McGie 151 Jan & Rick Krabbe 254 Phillip Pickering 137 Mike Patterson Morrow 148 Clarice Watson 251 Dennis Rogers 136 Craig Corder 200 Craig Corder 145 Donna Lusthoff 246 Jan & Rick Krabbe 134 David Anderson 196 Marion Corder 143 Alan McGie 246 Mike Patterson 134 Sayre Greenfield 125 Dennis Rogers 139 Jack Corbett 239 Sayre Greenfield 134 Steve Summers 122 Steve Heinl 138 Eva Schultz 239 Eva Schultz 129 Fred Zeillemakcr 107 Barbara Combs 137 Phillip Pickering 232 Steve Summers 128 LeRoy Yanger 123 Sayre Greenfield *229 Tad Finnell 124 Mike Denny Multnomah 108 David Anderson 190 Mike Robbins 120 Tim Shelmerdine *244 Jeff Gilligan 108 Joe Evanich 169 Richard Palmer 119 Craig Miller 198 Tom Crabtree 105 Marion Corder 160 Elsie & Elzy Eltzrot 117 Merle Archie 198 Joe Evanich 153 LeRoy Yanger 197 Jim Johnson Lake 146 Barb Bellin Linn 176 Phillip Pickering 228 Craig Miller 133 Alice Parker 171 Greg Gillson 171 Donna Lusthoff 210 Steve Summers 130 Fred Parker 162 Jan & Rick Krabbe 161 Dennis Rogers 202 Merle Archie 123 Jim Johnson 139 Barbara Combs 158 David Anderson 195 Anne Archie 121 Floyd Schrock 130 Roy Gerig 152 Paul Osburn 184 Mike Robbins 118 Donna Lusthoff 128 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 140 Bob Lucas 174 Phillip Pickering 115 Joe Evanich 126 Jon Anderson 135 Steve Heinl 171 Jim Carlson 113 Bob Lucas 125 Dennis Rogers 131 Greg Gillson 162 Dennis Rogers 111 Ron Maertz 118 Steve Heinl 129 Mike Patterson 151 Calvin Hill 114 Richard Palmer 114 Craig Corder 150 Jan & Rick Krabbe Lincoln 106 Barb Bellin 113 Barbara Combs 140 Ray Ekstrom *300 Darrcl Faxon 102 Phillip Pickering 110 Tim Shelmerdine 139 Richard Palmer 268 Phillip Pickering 109 Barb Bellin 136 Steve Heinl 240 Jan & Rick Krabbe Malheur 135 Alan McGie 238 Joe Evanich 211 Craig Corder Polk 133 Barb Bellin 235 Floyd Schrock 204 Marion Corder 218 Roy Gerig 129 Barbarea Combs *232 David Irons 129 Merle Archie 203 Barb Bellin 126 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 219 Steve Heinl 102 Dennis Rogers 186 Floyd Schrock 124 Paul Sherrell 201 Greg Gillson 100 Barbara Combs 175 Richard Palmer 122 Sayre Greenfield 198 Barb Bellin 171 Jack Corbett 116 Tom Crabtree 186 Clarice Watson Marion 161 Phillip Pickering 111 Joe Evanich 185 Jim Carlson 216 Barb Bellin 152 Tom Crabtree 103 Donna Lusthoff 180 Tom Crabtree 209 Bob Lucas 147 Bob Lucas 179 Dennis Rogers 192 Jon Anderson 131 Barbara Combs Lane 178 Jim Johnson 183 Jack Corbett 127 Joe Evanich 299 Steve Gordon 178 Bob Lucas 175 Roy Gerig 125 Fred Zeillemakcr 296 Steve Heinl 177 Barbara Combs 175 Phillip Pickering 124 Jon Anderson
Oregon Birds14(2): 168,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 169,1988 123 Jan & Rick Krabbe Umatilla 106 Jon Anderson 108 Dennis Rogers 116 Donna Lusthoff 252 Marion Corder 101 Craig Corder 105 Floyd Schrock 114 Dennis Rogers 251 Craig Corder 100 Barb Bellin 103 Donna Lusthoff 105 Mike Patterson *225 Nancy Bock 100 Dennis Rogers 104 Steve Heinl 191 Joe Evanich 1987 County Year Lists (150) 148 Jim Carlson Wasco 251 Lane (Paul Sherrell) Sherman 147 Jan & Rick Krabbe 192 Craig Corder 236 Lane (Steve Heinl) 120 Roy Gerig 134 Mike Denny 181 Marion Corder *233 Coos (Ben Fawver) tics old 107 Dennis Rogers 129 Phillip Pickering 154 Roy Gerig record 100 Barbara Combs 124 Donna Lusthoff 148 Donna Lusthoff 227 Coos (Larry Thornburgh) 121 Dennis Rogers 142 Dennis Rogers *211 Malheur (Craig Corder) Tillamook 116 Steve Heinl 137 Steve Heinl 209 Hamey (Phillip Pickering) 288 Jeff Gilligan , 110 Mike Robbins 123 David Anderson 204 Malheur (Marion Corder) 260 Phillip Pickering 104 Barbara Combs 122 Phillip Pickering 202 Douglas (Ron Maertz) Jim Johnson *255 David Irons 101 121 Jim Johnson *201 Lake (Craig Miller) 246 Tom Crabtree 102 Joe Evanich 201 Tillamook (Jim Johnson) *242 David Fix Union 101 Richard Palmer *199 Deschutes (Tom Crabtree) 241 Jim Johnson 250 Joe Evanich 100 Barbara Combs 190 Lincoln (Phillip Pickering) 229 Joe Evanich 178 Craig Corder 188 Union (Joe Evanich) 226 Jan & Rick Krabbe 176 Phillip Pickering Washington 187 Washington (Joe Evanich) 225 Calvin Hill 167 Dennis Rogers 224 Joe Evanich *186 Columbia (Phillip Picker• 213 Roy Gerig 163 Donna Lusthoff 208 Donna Lusthoff ing) 210 Donna Lusthoff 162 Barb Bellin 178 Phillip Pickering 186 Lake (Steve Summers) 206 Jack Corbett 154 Steve Heinl 174 Jim Johnson 185 Deschutes (Craig Miller) 204 Dennis Rogers 149 Jan & Rick Krabbe 145 Dennis Rogers 178 Jackson (Marjorie Moore) 202 Richard Palmer 143 Mike Robbins 144 Tom Crabtree 174 Washington (Donna Lust• 199 Steve Heinl 142 Richard Palmer 134 Barb Bellin hoff) 195 Barbara Combs 132 Barbara Combs 131 David Anderson 173 Clatsop (Phillip Pickering) 189 David Anderson 131 David Anderson 117 Craig Corder 173 Polk (Roy Gerig) 187 Bob Lucas 126 Marion Corder 114 Richard Palmer 172 Douglas (Kevin Sands) 183 Barb Bellin 123 Jim Carlson 109 Barbara Combs 171 Lake (Merle Archie) 179 Greg Gillson 109 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 101 Steve Heinl 169 Hamey (Craig Miller) 179 Mike Patterson 108 Paul Sherrell 167 Clatsop (Jim Johnson) Alice Parker 172 Tim Shelmerdine 106 Wheeler *166 Hood River (David Ander• 167 Craig Corder 117 Dennis Rogers son) 166 Craig Miller Wallowa 112 Steve Heinl *160 Josephine (Romain Cooper) 160 Floyd Schrock *240 Frank Conley 103 Barbara Combs 159 Multnomah (Jim Johnson) 158 Clarice Watson 203 Paul Sullivan 157 Lake (Anne Archie) 143 Elsie & Elzy Eltzroth 181 Joe Evanich Yamhill 155 Hamey (Mike Denny) 136 Merle Archie 171 Phillip Pickering *180 Tom Love 152 Lane (LeRoy Yaugcr) 135 Mike Robbins 146 Mike Robbins 160 Roy Gerig 119 Mike Denny 133 Steve Heinl 140 Phillip Pickering 112 Marion Corder 119 Richard Palmer 118 Greg Gillson 104 Jim Carlson 115 Bob Lucas 115 Barb Bellin 102 Anne Archie 112 Marion Corder 112 Richard Palmer 111 James Simmons 108 Joe Evanich 110 Barbara Combs
Oregon Birds14(2): 170, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 171,1988 Previous County Record Year Lists CHANGES IN THE CHECKLIST OF 178 Benton (1982/83) Jan & Rick Krabbe/Matt Hunter 233 Coos (1983) Alan McGie (tied this year) THE BIRDS OF OREGON 220 Clatsop (1986) Phillip Pickering 218 Curry (1985) Jim Rogers 198 Deschutes (1984) Tom Crabtree Clarice Watson, 3787 Wibhire Lane, Eugene, OR 97405 247 Douglas (1983) Martha Sawyer 237 Harney (1986) Phillip Pickering 198 Jackson (1985) Marjorie Moore A list of Oregon birds was last published as the "Revised List of Oregon 234 Klamath (1983) Steve Summers Birds" in Oregon Birds 10(3&4): 100-111, 1984. A number of changes have 257 Lane (1985) Steve Heinl taken place since then. 241 Lincoln (1986) Phillip Pickering The 1984 list contained 434 species. One of these, the American Black 181 Marion (1986) Barb Bcllin Duck (Anas rubripes) was moved from the accepted category to one for 173 Multnomah (1984) David Irons correctly identified records but of questionable origin. 190 Polk (1984) Roy Gerig This 1988 list contains 452 species. Two of the additions, the Clark's 234 Tillamook (1985) Phillip Pickering 218 Umatilla (1982) Craig Cordcr Grebe (Aechmophorus clarkii) and the Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus 207 Union (1983) Joe Evanich nuchalis) are the result of splitting done by the American Ornithologists' 209 Wallowa (1985) Frank Conley Union. Sixteen additions are species new to the state. The Black Storm- 187 Wasco (1986) Craig Corder Petrel (Oceanodroma melania), Little Blue Heron {Egretta caerulea), Broad- 188 Washington (1984) John F. Gatchct winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), Little Stint (Calidris minuta), Laughing 150 Yamhill (1985) Roy Gerig
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Oregon'sfirst Lucy'sandYellow-throatedWarblers. PhololefllOwenSchmidt. Photo right/ Martha Sawyer.
Oregon Birds14(2): 172, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 173,1988 Gull (Larus atricilla), Ross' Gull (Rhodostethia rosea), Gray-cheeked Thrush New species on the Checklist of Oregon Birds (Catharus minimus), Lucy's Warbler (Vermivora luciae), Blackburnian War• bler (Dendroica fusca), Yellow-throated Warbler (D. dominica), and Le Conte's Species new to the state as the result of splitting done by the American Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) are additions that were verified with Ornithologists' Union photographs. Written records of the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), Clark's Grebe (Acchmophorus ciarkii) Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella), Blue-winged Warbler (V. pinus), Pine Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) Warbler (D. pinus), and Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni) have been accepted by the Oregon Bird Records Committee as sight records. Species new to the state, verified by photograph Nine species have had their status changed. The Yellow-bellied Sap- Black Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma melania) sucker (S. varius) was moved to the Review List after the AOU split; the Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and Common Grackle (Quiscalus Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) quiscula) have now been verified by photographs; and the Yellow Rail Little Stint (Calidris minuta) (Coturnicops noveboracensis), Stilt Sandpiper (C. himantopus), Buff-breasted Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis), Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Ovenbird Ross' Gull (Rhodostethia rosea) (Seiurus aurocapillus) and Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) are no Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) longer review species. All of these records and changes have been carefully Lucy's Warbler (Vermivora luciae) reviewed by the OBRC. Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca) An additional designation has been added for species considered to be Yellow-throated Warbler (D. dominica) extirpated and a section has been added to report those species which have Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) been reported in the state but not accepted by the OBRC and are therefore not on the official checklist. Species new to the state, sight records only 0 Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella) Blue-winged Warbler (V. pinus) Pine Warbler (D. pinus) Hoary Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni)
0
Oregon's first Ross' Gull. Photo/Harry Nehls.
Oregon Birds14(2): 174, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 175,1988 THE OFFICIAL CHECKLIST OF OREGON BIRDS
This list is based on the records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee and uses the taxonomic sequence and nomenclature of the American Or• nithologists' Union, as published in American Ornithologists' Union, 1983, Check-lbt of North American birds, 6th edition (Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, KS), as supplemented.
LEGEND
* A review species. At least one record verified by photograph, specimen, or video or sound recording—80 species. ** A review species. Sight records only, no verification—15 spe• cies. E Extirpated. No modern records—California Condor and Sharp-tailed Grouse (?). I Introduced species—9 species.
Order GAVIIFORMES Family Gaviidae • Red-throated Loon. Gavia stellata. • Pacific Loon. Gavia pacifica. • Common Loon. Gavia immer. •* Yellow-billed Loon. Gavia adamsii.
Order PODICIPEDIFORMES Family Podicipedidae • Pied-billed Grebe. Podilymbus podiceps. • Horned Grebe. Podiceps auritus. • Red-necked Grebe. Podiceps grisegena. • Eared Grebe. Podiceps nigricollis. • Western Grebe. Aechmophorus occidentalis. • Clark's Grebe. Aechmophorus clarkii
Order PROCELLARIIFORMES Family Diomedeidae •* Short-tailed Albatross. Diomedea albatrus. • Black-footed Albatross. Diomedea nigripes. • Laysan Albatross. Diomedea immutabilis.
Oregon Birds14(2): 176,1988 Oregon Birdsl4(2): 177,1988 Family Procellariidae Family Threskiornithidae • Northern Fulmar. Fulmarus gkcialis. • White-faced Ibis. Plegadis chihi. •* Mottled Petrel. Pterodroma inexpectata. •* Murphy's Petrel. Pterodroma ultima. Order ANSERIFORMES • Pink-footed Shearwater. Puffinus creatopus. Family Anatidae • Flesh-footed Shearwater. Puffinus carneipes. Subfamily Anserinae • Buller's Shearwater. Puffinus bulleri. •* Fulvous Whistling-Duck. Dendrocygna bicolor. • Sooty Shearwater. Puffinus griseus. • Tundra Swan. Cygnus columbianus. • Short-tailed Shearwater. Puffinus tenuirostris. • Trumpeter Swan. Cygnus buccinator. • Greater White-fronted Goose. Anser albifrons. Family Hydrobatidae • Snow Goose. Chen caerulescens. •** Wilson's Storm-Petrel. Oceanites oceanicus. • Ross' Goose. Chen rossii. • Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel. Oceanodroma furcata. • Emperor Goose. Chen canagica. • Leach's Storm-Petrel. Oceanodroma leucorhoa. • Brant. Branta bernicla. •* Black Storm-Petrel. Oceanodroma melania. • Canada Goose. Branta canadensis.
Order PELECANIFORMES Subfamily Anatinae Family Pelecanidae • Wood Duck. Aix sponsa. • American White Pelican. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos. • Green-winged Teal. Anas crecca. • Brown Pelican. Pelecanus occidentalis. •* Baikal Teal. Anasformosa • Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos. Family Phalacrocoracidae • Northern Pintail. Anas acuta. • Double-crested Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus. • Blue-winged Teal. Anas discors. • Brandt's Cormorant. Phalacrocorax penicillatus. • Cinnamon Teal. Anas cyanoptera. • Pelagic Cormorant. Phalacrocorax pelagicus. • Northern Shoveler. Anas clypeata. • Gadwall. Anas strepera. Family Fregatidae • Eurasian Wigeon. Anas penelope. •* Magnificent Frigatebird. Fregata magnificens. • American Wigeon. Anas americana. • Canvasback. Aythya valisineria. Order CICONIIFORMES • Redhead. Aythya americana. Family Ardeidae • Ring-necked Duck. Aythya collaris. J American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus. •* Tufted Duck. Aythya fuligula. LI Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis. • Greater Scaup. Aythya marila. • Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodias. • Lesser Scaup. Aythya affinis. • Great Egret. Casmerodius albus. •* King Eider. Somateria spectabilis. • Snowy Egret. Egretta thula. • Harlequin Duck. Histrionicus histrionicus. •* Little Blue Heron. Egretta caerulea. • Oldsquaw. Clangula hyemalis. •* Tricolored Heron. Egretta tricolor. • Black Scoter. Melanitta nigra. • Cattle Egret. Bubulcus ibis. • Surf Scoter. Melanitta perspicillata. • Green-backed Heron. Butorides striatus. • White-winged Scoter. Melanitta fusca. • Black-crowned Night-Heron. Nycticorax nycticorax. • Common Goldeneye. Bucephala clangula. • Barrow's Goldeneye. Bucephala islandica. • Bufflehead. Bucephala albeola.
Oregon Birds14(2): 178, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 179,1988 • Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus. •*E? Sharp-tailed Grouse. Tympanuchus phasianellus. • Common Merganser. Mergus merganser. •I Wild Turkey. Meleagris gallopavo. • Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus serrator. •I Northern Bobwhite. Colinus virginianus. • Ruddy Duck. Oxyura jamaicensis. • California Quail. Callipepla californica. • Mountain Quail. Oreortyx pictus. Order FALCON1FORMES Family Cathartidae Order GRUIFORMES • Turkey Vulture. Cathartes aura. Family Rallidae •*E California Condor. Gymnogyps calif or nianus. • Yellow Rail. Coturnicops noveboracensis. • Virginia Rail. Rallus limicola. Family Accipitridae • Sora. Porzana Carolina. • Osprey. Pandion haliaetus. •* Common Moorhen. Gallinula chloropus. • Black-shouldered Kite. Elanus caeruleus. • American Coot. Fulica americana. • Bald Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus. • Northern Harrier. Circus cyaneus. Family Gruidae • Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter striatus. • Sandhill Crane. Grus canadensis. • Cooper's Hawk. Accipiter cooperii. • Northern Goshawk. Accipiter gentilis. Order CHARADRIIFORMES • Red-shouldered Hawk. Buteo lineatus. Family Charadriidae •* Broad-winged Hawk. Buteo platypterus. • Black-bellied Plover. Pluvialis squatarola. • Swainson's Hawk. Buteo swainsoni. • Lesser Golden-Plover. Pluvialis dominica. • Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo jamaicensis. •* Mongolian Plover. Charadrius mongolus. • Ferruginous Hawk. Buteo regalis. • Snowy Plover. Charadrius alexandrinus. • Rough-legged Hawk. Buteo lagopus. • Semipalmated Plover. Charadrius semipalmatus. • Golden Eagle. Aquila chrysaetos. •** Piping Plover. Charadrius melodus. • Killdeer. Charadrius vociferus. Family Falconidae LP Mountain Plover. Charadrius montanus. • American Kestrel. Falco sparverius. • Merlin. Falco columbarius. Family Haematopodidae • Peregrine Falcon. Falco peregrinus. • Black Oystercatcher. Haematopus bachmani. • Gyrfalcon. Falco rusticolus. • Prairie Falcon. Falco mexicanus. Family Recurvirostridae • Black-necked Stilt. Himantopus mexicanus. Order GALLIFORMES • American Avocet. Recurvirostra americana. Family Phasianidae •I Gray Partridge. Perdix perdix. Family Scolopacidae •I Chukar. Alectoris chukar. • Greater Yellowlegs. Tringa melanoleuca. •I Ring-necked Pheasant. Phasianus colchicus. • Lesser Yellowlegs. Tringa flavipes. • Spruce Grouse. Dendragapus canadensis. •* Spotted Redshank. Tringa erythropus. • Blue Grouse. Dendragapus obscurus. • Solitary Sandpiper. Tringa solitaria. •I White-tailed Ptarmigan. Lagopus leucurus. • Willet. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus. • Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus. • Wandering Tattler. Heteroscelus incanus. • Sage Grouse. Centrocercus urophasianus. • Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularia.
Oregon Birds14(2): 180, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 181,1988 • Bonaparte's Gull. Larus Philadelphia. • Upland Sandpiper. Bartramia longicauda. • Heermann's Gull. Larus heermanni. • Whimbrel. Numenius phaeopus. • Mew Gull. Larus canus. LP* Bristle-thighed Curlew. Numenius tahitiensis. • Ring-billed Gull. Larus delawarensis. • Long-billed Curlew. Numenius americanus. • California Gull. Larus californicus. •* Hudsonian Godwit. Limosa haemastica. • Herring Gull. Larus argentatus. •* Bar-tailed Godwit. Limosa lapponica. Thayer's Gull. Larus thayeri. • Marbled Godwit. Limosa fedoa. • • Western Gull. Larus occidentalis. • Ruddy Turnstone. Arenaria interpres. • Glaucous-winged Gull. Larus glaucescens. • Black Turnstone. Arenaria melanocephala. • Glaucous Gull. Larus hyperboreus. • Surfbird. Aphriza virgata. Black-legged Kittiwake. Rissa tridactyla. • Red Knot. Calidris canutus. • •* Red-legged Kittiwake. Rbsa brevirostris. • Sanderling. Calidris alba. LP Ross' Gull. Rhodostethia rosea. • Scmipalmated Sandpiper. Calidris pusilla. • Sabine's Gull. Xema sabini. • Western Sandpiper. Calidris mauri. Caspian Tern. Sterna caspia. •* Rufous-necked Stint. Calidris ruficollis. • •* Elegant Tern. Sterna elegans. LP Little Stint. Calidris minuta. • Common Tern. Sterna hirundo. LP Long-toed Stint. Calidris subminuta. Arctic Tern. Sterna paradisaea. • Least Sandpiper. Calidris minutilla. • Forster's Tern. Sterna forsteri. • Baird's Sandpiper. Calidris bairdii. • •* Least Tern. Sterna antillarum. • Pectoral Sandpiper. Calidris melanotos. • Black Tern. Chlidonias niger. • Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Calidris acuminata. • Rock Sandpiper. Calidris ptilocnemis. Family Alcidae • Dunlin. Calidris alpina. • Common Murre. Uria aalge. LP Curlew Sandpiper. Calidris ferruginea. LP Thick-billed Murre. Uria lomvia. • Stilt Sandpiper. Calidris himantopus. • Pigeon Guillemot. Cepphus columba. • Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Tryngites subruficollis. LP Ruff. Philomachus pugnax. • Marbled Murrelet. Brachyramphus marmoratus. • Short-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus griseus. LP Xantus' Murrelet. Synthliboramphus hypoleucus. • Long-billed Dowitcher. Limnodromus scolopaceus. • Ancient Murrelet. Synthliboramphus antiquus. • Common Snipe. Gallinago gallinago. • Cassin's Auklet. Ptychoramphus aleuticus. • Wilson's Phalarope. Phalaropus tricolor. LP Parakeet Auklet. Cyclorrhynchus psittacula. • Red-necked Phalarope. Phalaropus lobatus. LP* Crested Auklet. Aethia cristatella. • Red Phalarope. Phalaropus fulicaria. • Rhinoceros Auklet. Cerorhinca monocerata. • Tufted Puffin. Fratercula cirrhata. • Horned Puffin. Fratercula corniculata. Family Laridae • Pomarine Jaeger. Stercorarius pomarinus. Order COLUMBIFORMES • Parasitic Jaeger. Stercorarius parasiticus. Family Columbidae • Long-tailed Jaeger. Stercorarius longicaudus. • South Polar Skua. Catharacta maccormicki. •I Rock Dove. Columba livia. LP Laughing Gull. Larus atricilla. • Band-tailed Pigeon. Columba fasciata. • Franklin's Gull. Larus pipixcan. •* White-winged Dove. Zenaida asiatica. LP Little Gull. Larus minutus. • Mourning Dove. Zenaida macroura. •** Common Black-headed Gull. Larus ridibundus.
Oregon Birds14(2): 182, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 183,1988 Order CUCULIFORMES • Allen's Hummingbird. Selasphorus sasin. Family Cuculidac •** Black-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus erythropthalmus. Order CORACIIFORMES •* Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus americanus. Family Alcedinidae • Belted Kingfisher. Ceryle alcyon. Order STRTGIFORMES Family Tytonidae Order PICIFORMES Family Picidae • Common Barn-Owl. Tyto alba. • Lewis' Woodpecker. Melanerpes lewis. • Acorn Woodpecker. Melanerpes formicivorus. Family Strigidae • Red-naped Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus nuchalis • Flammulated Owl. Otus flammeolus. LP Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus varius. LI Western Screech-Owl. Otus kennicottii. • Red-breasted Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus ruber. (J Great Horned Owl. Bubo virginianus. • Williamson's Sapsucker. Sphyrapicus thyroideus. • Snowy Owl. Nyctea scandiaca. LP Nuttall's Woodpecker. Picoides nuttallii. LP Northern Hawk-Owl. Surnia ulula. • Downy Woodpecker. Picoides pubescens. • Northern Pygmy-Owl. Glaucidium gnoma. • Hairy Woodpecker. Picoides villosus. • Burrowing Owl. Athene cunicularia. • White-headed Woodpecker. Picoides albolarvatus. • Spotted Owl. Strix occidentalis. • Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides tridactylus. LP Barred Owl. Strix varia. • Black-backed Woodpecker. Picoides arcticus. • Great Gray Owl. Strix nebulosa. • Northern Flicker. Colaptes auratus. • Long-eared Owl. Asio otus. • Pileated Woodpecker. Dryocopus pileatus. • Short-eared Owl. Asio flammeus. LP Boreal Owl. Aegolius funereus. Order PASSERIFORMES • Northern Saw-whet Owl. Aegolius acadicus. Family Tyrannidae Order CAPRIMULGIFORMES Subfamily Huvicolinae Family Caprimulgidae • Olive-sided Flycatcher. Contopus borealis. • Common Nighthawk. Chordeiles minor. • Western Wood-Pewee. Contopus sordidulus. • Common Poorwill. Phalaenoptilus nuttallii. LP Alder Flycatcher. Empidonax alnorum. • Willow Hycatcher. Empidonax traillii. Order APODI FORMES LP Least Hycatcher. Empidonax minimus. Family Apodidae • Hammond's Hycatcher. Empidonax hammondii. • Black Swift. Cypseloides niger. • Dusky Hycatcher. Empidonax oberholseri. • Vaux's Swift. Chaetura vauxi. • Gray Hycatcher. Empidonax wrightii. • White-throated Swift. Aeronautes saxatalis. • Western Hycatcher. Empidonax difficilis. • Black Phoebe. Sayornis nigricans. Family Trochilidae • Say's Phoebe. Sayornis soya. • Black-chinned Hummingbird. Archilochus alexandri. • Anna's Hummingbird. Caiyple anna. Subfamily Tyranninae LP Costa's Hummingbird. Caiyple costae. • Ash-throated Flycatcher. Myiarchus cinerascens. • Calliope Hummingbird. Stellula calliope. LP Tropical Kingbird. Tyrannus melancholicus. • Broad-tailed Hummingbird. Selasphorus platycercus. LP Cassin's Kingbird. Tyrannus vociferans. • Rufous Hummingbird. Selasphorus rufus. • Western Kingbird. Tyrannus verticalis.
Oregon Birds14(2): 184, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 185,1988 Family Troglodytidae • Eastern Kingbird. Tyrannus tyrannus. • Rock Wren. Salpinctes obsoletus. •* Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Tyrannus forficatus. • Canyon Wren. Catherpes mexicanus. • Bewick's Wren. Thryomanes bewickii. Family Alaudidae • House Wren. Troglodytes aedon. • Horned Lark. Eremophila alpestris. • Winter Wren. Troglodytes troglodytes. • Marsh Wren. Cistothorus palustris. Family Hirundinidae • Purple Martin. Prognesubis. Family Cinclidae L) Tree Swallow. Tachycineta bicolor. • American Dipper. Cinclus mexicanus. • Violet-green Swallow. Tachycineta thalassina. • Northern Rough-winged Swallow. Stelgidopteryx serripennis. • Bank Swallow. Riparia riparia. Family Muscicapidae Subfamily Sylviinae • Cliff Swallow. Hirundo pyrrhonota. • Barn Swallow. Hirundo rustica. • Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus satrapa. • Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula. • Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Polioptila caerulea. Family Corvidae • Gray Jay. Perisoreus canadensis. • Steller's Jay. Cyanocitta stelleri. Subfamily Turdinae • Blue Jay. Cyanocitta cristata. •* Northern Wheatear. Oenanthe oenanthe. • Scrub Jay. Aphelocoma coerulescens. • Western Bluebird. Sialia mexicana. • Pinyon Jay. Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus. • Mountain Bluebird. Sialia currucoides. • Clark's Nutcracker. Nucifraga columbiana. • Townsend's Solitaire. Myadestes townsendi. • Black-billed Magpie. Pica pica. • Veery. Catharus fuscescens. • American Crow. Corvus brachyrhynchos. LP Gray-cheeked Thrush. Catharus minimus. • Northwestern Crow. Corvus caurinus. U Swainson's Thrush. Catharus uslulatus. • Common Raven. Corvus corax. (J Hermit Thrush. Catharus guttatus. LP* Wood Thrush. Hylocichla mustelina. Family Paridae • American Robin. Tardus migratorius. • Black-capped Chickadee. Parus atricapillus. • Varied Thrush. Ixoreus nacvius. • Mountain Chickadee. Parus gambeli. • Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Parus rufescens. Subfamily Timaliinae • Plain Titmouse. Parus inornatus. • Wrentit. Chamaea fasciata.
Family Aegithalidae Family Mimidae • Bushtit. Psaltriparus minimus. • Gray Catbird. Dumetella carolinensis. • Northern Mockingbird. Mimus polyglottos. Family Sittidae • Sage Thrasher. Oreoscoptes montanus. • Red-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis. •* Brown Thrasher. Toxostoma rufum. • White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta carolinensis. •** California Thrasher. Toxostoma redivivum. • Pygmy Nuthatch. Sitta pygmaea. Family Motacillidae Family Certhiidae •* Black-backed Wagtail. Motacilla lugens. • Brown Creeper. Certhia americana. • Water Pipit. Anthus spinoletta.
Oregon Birds14(2): 186, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 187, 1988 Family Bombycillidac LP* Pine Warbler. Dendroica pinus. • Bohemian Waxwing. Bombycilla garrulus. LP* Prairie Warbler. Dendroica discolor. • Cedar Waxwing. Bombycilla cedrorum. • Palm Warbler. Dendroica palmarum. LP Bay-breasted Warbler. Dendroica castanea. Family Ptilogonatidae LP Blackpoll Warbler. Dendroica striata. LP Phainopepla. Phainopepla nitens. • Black-and-white Warbler. Mniotilta varia. • American Redstart. Setophaga ruticilla. Family Laniidae LP Prothonotary Warbler. Protonotaria citrea. • Northern Shrike. Lanius excubitor. • Ovenbird. Seiurus aurocapillus. • Loggerhead Shrike. Lanius ludovicknus. • Northern Waterthrush. Seiurus noveboracensis. LP* Connecticut Warbler. Oporornis agilis. Family Sturnidae LP* Mourning Warbler. Oporornis Philadelphia. •I European Starling. Sturnus vulgaris. • MacGillivray's Warbler. Oporornis tolmiei. • Common Yellowthroat. Geothlypis trichas. Family Vireonidae LP Hooded Warbler. Wibonia citrina. •** Bell's Vireo. Vireo bellii. • Wilson's Warbler. Wibonia pusilla. • Solitary Vireo. Vireo solitarius. LP Canada Warbler. Wibonia canadensis. • Hutton's Vireo. Vireo huttoni. • Yellow-breasted Chat. Icteria virens. • Warbling Vireo. Vireo gilvus. • Red-eyed Vireo. Vireo olivaceus. Subfamily Thraupinae •* Summer Tanager. Piranga rubra. Family Emberizidae •* Scarlet Tanager. Piranga olivacea. Subfamily Parulinae • Western Tanager. Piranga ludoviciana. •** Blue-winged Warbler. Vermivora pinus. LP Golden-winged Warbler. Vermivora chrysoptera. Subfamily Cardinalinae • Tennessee Warbler. Vermivora peregrina. •* Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Pheucticus ludovicianus. • Orange-crowned Warbler. Vermivora celata. • Black-headed Grosbeak. Pheucticus melanocephalus. • Nashville Warbler. Vermivora ruficapilla. •* Blue Grosbeak. Guiraca caerulea. LP Virginia's Warbler. Vermivora virginiae. • Lazuli Bunting. Passerina amoena. •* Lucy's Warbler. Vermivora luciae. •* Indigo Bunting. Passerina cyanea. LP Northern Parula. Parula americana. •* Painted Bunting. Passerina ciris. • Yellow Warbler. Dendroica petechia. •* Dickcissel. Spiza americana. CP Chestnut-sided Warbler. Dendroica pensylvanica. LP Magnolia Warbler. Dendroica magnolia. Subfamily Emberizinae LP Cape May Warbler. Dendroica tigrina. • Green-tailed Towhee. Pipilo chlorurus. LP Black-throated Blue Warbler. Dendroica caerulescens. • Rufous-sided Towhee. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. • Yellow-rumpcd Warbler. Dendroica coronata. • Brown Towhee. Pipilo fuscus. • Black-throated Gray Warbler. Dendroica nigrescens. • American Tree Sparrow. Spizella arborea. • Townsend's Warbler. Dendroica townsendi. • Chipping Sparrow. Spizella passerina. • Hermit Warbler. Dendroica occidentalis. •* Clay-colored Sparrow. Spizella pallida. LP Black-throated Green Warbler. Dendroica virens. • Brewer's Sparrow. Spizella breweri. LP Blackburnian Warbler. Dendroica fusca. •* Black-chinned Sparrow. Spizella atrogularb. LP Yellow-throated Warbler. Dendroica dominica. • Vesper Sparrow. Pooecetes gramineus.
Oregon Birds14(2): 188,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 189,1988 Subfamily Carduelinae • Lark Sparrow. Chondestes grammacus. U Rosy Finch. Leucosticte arctoa. • Black-throated Sparrow. Amphispiza bilineata. (J Pine Grosbeak. Pinicola enucleator. • Sage Sparrow. Amphispiza belli. U Purple Finch. Carpodacus purpureus. •* Lark Bunting. Calamospiza melanocorys. CI Cassin's Finch. Carpodacus cassinii. • Savannah Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis. • House Finch. Carpodacus mexicanus. • Grasshopper Sparrow. Ammodramus savannarum. CI Red Crossbill. Loxia curvirostra. •* Le Conte's Sparrow. Ammodramus leconteii. • White-winged Crossbill. Loxw leucoptera. • Fox Sparrow. Passerella iliaca. • Common Redpoll. Carduelis flammea. • Song Sparrow. Melospiza melodia. •** Hoary Redpoll. Carduelis hornemanni. • Lincoln's Sparrow. Melospiza lincolnii. • Pine Siskin. Carduelis pinus. • Swamp Sparrow. Melospiza georgiana. • Lesser Goldfinch. Carduelis psaltria. • White-throated Sparrow. Zonotrichia albicollis. • American Goldfinch. Carduelis tristis. • Golden-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia atricapilla. • Evening Grosbeak. Coccothraustes vespertinus. • White-crowned Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys. • Harris' Sparrow. Zonotrichia querula. Family Passeridae • Dark-eyed Junco. funco hyemalis. •I House Sparrow. Passer domesticus. •** McCown's Longspur. Calcarius mccownii. • Lapland Longspur. Calcarius lapponicus. •* Chestnut-collared Longspur. Calcarius ornatus. SPECIES NOT ON THE OFFICIAL CHECKLIST OF OREGON BIRDS •** Rustic Bunting. Emberiza rustica. • Snow Bunting. Plectrophenax nivalis. Reports of birds of the following species have been submitted to the •* McKay's Bunting. Plectrophenax hyperboreus. Oregon Bird Records Committee but no records for these species have been accepted. For Mute Swan and Monk Parakeet, these are introduced species Subfamily Icterinae that may be found free-living in Oregon but have not established viable • Bobolink. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. populations and thus are not on the Official Checklist. • Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius phoeniceus. • Tricolored Blackbird. Agelaius tricolor. • Manx Shearwater. Puffinus puffinus. • Western Meadowlark. Sturnella neglecta. • Ashy Storm-Petrel. Oceanodroma homochroa. • Yellow-headed Blackbird. Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus. •IX Mute Swan. Cygnus olor. •* Rusty Blackbird. Euphagus carolinus. •t American Black Duck. Anas rubripes. • Brewer's Blackbird. Euphagus cyanocephalus. • Common Eider. Somateria mollissima. •* Great-tailed Grackle. Quiscalus mexicanus. • Common Black-Hawk. Buteogallus anthracinus. •* Common Grackle. Quiscalus quiscula. •t Harris' Hawk. Parabuteo unicincius. • Brown-headed Cowbird. Molothrus ater. • American Oystercatcher. Haematopus palliatus. •* Orchard Oriole. Icterus spurius. • Gray-tailed Tattler. Heteroscelus brevipes. CP Hooded Oriole. Icterus cucullaius. • Temminck's Stint. Calidris temminckii. • Northern Oriole. Icterus galbula. • White-rumped Sandpiper. Calidris fuscicollis. • Spoonbill Sandpiper. Eurynorhynchus pygmeus. Family Fringillidae • Iceland Gull. larus glaucoides. Subfamily Fringillinae • Lesser Black-backed Gull. Larus fuscus. •* Brambling. Fringilla montifringilla. • Yellow-footed Gull. Larus livens. • Great Black-backed Gull. Larus marinus.
Oregon Birds14(2): 191,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 190, 1988 • Kittlitz's Murrelet. Brachyramphus brevirostris. •t Spotted Dove. Streptopelia chinensis. •IX Monk Parakeet. Myiopsitta monachus. • Greater Roadrunner. Geococcyx californianus. FIELDNOTES • Whip-poor-will. Caprimulgns vociferus. • White-eared Hummingbird. Hylocharis leucotis. Oregon Birds and American Birds have synchronized reporting areas, per• • Magnificent Hummingbird. Eugenes fulgens. iods, and deadlines. Field reports for eastern and western Oregon are due • Eastern Phoebe. Sayornis phoebe. to the OB Regional Editor and AB Regional Editor at the same time. • Great-crested Flycatcher. Myiarchus crinitus. • Yellow-billed Magpie. Pica nuttalli. Season Months Due date • Verdin. Auriparus flaviceps. Fall August—November 10 December • Sprague's Pipit. Anthus spragueii. Winter December—February 10 March • Philadelphia Vireo. Vireo philadelphicus. Spring March—May 10 June • Painted Redstart. Myioborus pictus. Summer June—July 10 August •+ Northern Cardinal. Cardinalis cardinalis. • Field Sparrow. Spizella pusilla. • Baird's Sparrow. Ammodramus bairdii. • Sharp-tailed Sparrow. Ammodramus caudacutus. • Smith's Longspur. Calcarius pictus. • Scott's Oriole. Icterus parisorum. • Lawrence's Goldfinch. Carduelis lawrencei.
t Accepted as correctly identified but of questionable origin. IX Not on the official list. Introduced birds that can be found in Oregon but are not adequately established as a breeding species—Mute Swan and Monk Parakeet.
0
Oregon Birds Regional Editors Steve Hcinl David A. Anderson 356 West 8th 6203 S.E. 92nd Avenue Eugene, OR 97401 Portland, OR 97266
American Birds Regional Editors Philip W. Mattocks, Jr. Thomas 11. Rogers 915 E. Third Avenue E. 10820 Maxwell Ellensburg, WA 98926 Spokane, WA 99206
Oregon Birds14(2): 192, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 193,1988 MNWR on 2 Sept., but by 2 Nov. only 5 were present (CDL). All of the Snowy THE FALL MIGRATION: EASTERN Egrets had departed MNWR by 1 Oct. A single Green-backed Heron was at the mouth of Hood River 30 Aug. (DAA). An immature Black-crowned Night-Heron OREGON, AUGUST-NOVEMBER 1987 was at Clyde Holliday SP 6 Aug. (RH). A White-faced Ibis was noted flying over Fish Lake on Steens Mountain 13 Aug. (CDL) and several were still in the Day ville, David A. Anderson, 6203 S.E. 92nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97266 GRANT area 11 Sept. (TW). The first reported Tundra Swan was noted at the Lower Klamath NWR at the early date of 20 Sept. They were not regularly reported until about a month later. Abbreviations: Several sightings were made in the Cascades this fall: 5 at Clear Lake, WASCO, 20 CG campground Oct. (DAA, DL); and 2 at Wickiup Res. on 25 Oct. (CM). Fifty to 55 adultTrumpeter hq headquarters Swans with 14 cygnets remained at MNWR this fall. Singles were reported from LO lookout Pine Hollow Res., WASCO, 11 Nov. (DL) and from Summer Lake 28 Nov. (Marty MNWR Malheur National Wildlife Refuge St. Louis, fide CM). NAR National Antelope Refuge The first migrant Greater White-fronted Geese reported were 6 at Rock Creek NWR National Wildlife Refuge Res., WASCO, on 6 Sept. (DAA). The largest number reported was 450 at Summer NP National Park Lake 22 Sept. (CM) but the 65 at Sunrivcr 25 Oct. was an incredible number for that WMA Wildlife Management Area location (CM, TC). Snow Geese were slow in arriving at MNWR this year and by SP State Park 2 Nov. only 240 were noted (CDL). Thirty-six briefly visited Clear Lake, WASCO, Res. Reservoir 1 Nov. (PM, LW) and a blue phase was noted at Summer Lake 30 Nov. (CM). Single Ross' Geese were noted at MNWR on 19 Sept. (CM; at the south-east corner of Lake Abert, LAKE (M& AA) on 5 Sept.; and at Pine Hollow Res. on 22 Nov. (DAA, DL). The weather this season can be characterized in 1 word: drought. By October, Four were at Summer Lake on 5 Nov. (CM). Ten Wood Ducks at MNWR 6 Oct. was Baker's rainfall was 66 percent of normal while the Pendleton Airport received only the largest number reported this fall (DP, CDL). "A major concentration" of 150 0.08 in. of precipitation in August and September — the second lowest reading in Northern Shovelers were noted at Hatfield Lake 14 Oct. (CM). The only Eurasian 53 years (The Oregonian, 13 Oct. 1987). Rivers and reservoirs were also at or near Wigeon noted this fall was at Hood River on 22 Nov. (DAA, DL) with a flock of record low levels. The low levels of some reservoirs is thought to be a contributing about 1000 Americans. Redheads were slow in arriving in the region this fall. They factor in the larger numbers of shorebirds being reported later in the season. This were not noted at Hood River until the end of Oct. when 33 were seen on the 31 st was a good year for loons, scoters, and shorebirds with the highlight of the season (DAA). Greater Scaup were seen at the Prairie City, GRANT, sewage ponds 23 Oct. being the HUDSONIAN GODWIT at Summer Lake. The sketch of the bird by Ray (TW) and at Wickiup Res. 1 Nov. (TC). Two Harlequin Ducks were at Monan Lake, Ekstrom sets a standard we should all strive for. JEFFERSON, 1 Nov. (PM, LW) for the only reported sighting this fall. Two Oldsquaw wandered to Lake County this fall. The first, a male, was at Summer Lake Common Loons first showed up on 30 Sept. when 10-12 were noted at Wallowa 12 Nov. (CM) while a female was at the Lakeview sewage ponds 18-26 Nov. Lake, WALLOWA (FC). The highest concentration in the region was at Wickiup (M&AA). This was a very good year for Surf Scoters with at least 9 reports between Res. on 10 Oct. when 265 were noted there (CM). By 1 Nov., only 103 remained 17 October and 12 November: 4-5 were at Haystack Res. 25 Oct. (BB); 2 were at (TC). Elsewhere only 1-2 birds were noted. Four Pacific Loons found at Wickiup La Grande 19 Oct. (JE); a pair was at the Chickahominy Res., HARNEY, 17-18 Oct Res. 25 Oct. (CM) were the third Deschutes Co. record. A single Pacific Loon was (F&WvH); and singles were noted as follows: 17-18 Oct. at MNWR (M&MLD) for at Thompson Res., LAKE, 26 Oct. (CM) and 2 were still at Wickiup Res. 1 Nov. the third refuge record; 24 Oct. at Big Lake, Santiam Pass (CM); 24 Oct s.e. of (TC). Deschutes Co's. first Red-throated Loon was at Wickiup Res. 25 Oct. through Princeton (GC); 25 Oct. at Hatfield Lake (TC); 26 Oct. at Thompson Res. (CM); and 1 Nov. (CM, TC). Sixty Horned Grebes were reported from Wickiup Res. 10 Oct. at Klamath Falls on 12 Nov. (SS). Only 3 reports of White-winged Scoters were (CM). Two Red-necked Grebes were found this season: 1 at Hood River 20 Oct. noted: a female at Malheur Lake 25 Sept. (fide CDL) was the ninth MNWR record; (DL, VT); and 1 on Ana Res., Summer Lake WMA on 30 Nov. (CM). The Western 1 at Haystack Res. 25 Oct. (BB); and 5 at Hood River on 31 Oct. (DAA, DL). Four Grebe population remains low at MNWR, with 125 there in early Sept. By 1 Nov. Red-breasted Mergansers were found on Wickiup Res. 1 Nov. (TC). all but 1 had departed (CDL). A single American White Pelican lingered at Cold Springs NWR until 1 Nov. Two Turkey Vultures still present at Dayville in early Nov. were the last ones (Portland Audubon Warbler 12/87). Several at McNary Dam on 7 Oct. had been noted (TW). The last reported Osprey was noted 15 Nov. at Twickenham (TW). A banded at Stum Lake in central British Columbia (DL). At MNWR 3335 pelicans single Black-shouldered Kite was noted on Jackson Creek, MALHEUR, north of were noted during aerial surveys on 2 Sept. Numbers declined to 388 by 2 Nov. and McDermitt, NV for one of the few regional records. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's by 31 Nov. only a few remained (CDL). At least 160 Great Egrets were still around Hawks were widely reported after mid-Sept. Six Northern Goshawks were reported
Oregon Birds14(2): 194, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 195,1988 this season which is about average. An immature Red-shouldered Hawk noted near P Ranch, MNWR 27-28 Aug. is thought to have been the same one later noted at Roaring Springs Ranch in the Catlow Valley from 20 Sept. through 9 Oct. (m.ob.); an adult with 2 immatures were noted at Paisley, LAKE, 22 Aug. and 16 Oct. raising the possibility that they may have bred locally; and a sub-adult was at Klamath Falls on 29 Nov. (PL). A BROAD-WINGED HAWK was reported at MNWR this year on 25 & 28 Sept. (Portland Audubon Warbler 11/87). The last Ferruginous Hawk reported was 1 near Crane 14 Nov. (JE). The season's first reported Rough-legged Hawk was at DeMoss Park, SHERMAN, on 11 Oct. (JJ). Only 3 Merlin were noted this season with the first being at Joseph 6 Sept. (FC). Two Peregrine Falcons and at least 11 Prairie Falcons were reported this season. A rare G YRFALCON was noted at the Cove sewage pond 19 Oct. (JE). Several Spruce Grouse were seen throughout the season in the Mt. Fanny area of Union Co. (DL). Wild Turkeys were noted along the North Fork John Day River in Aug. (TW); at the head of Fly Creek on 21 Aug.; and in the Indian Ford CG/Black Above: Red-shouldered Hawk, Roaring Springs Ranch, Harney Co., 26 September 1987. Butte area in Oct. (fide TC). A Mountain Quail was found in a hunter's bag from Photo/Jim Johnson. U G U «j ~ 2 2. j
Oregon Birds14(2): 196,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 197,1988 spread but generally not numerous. Singles were noted as follows: 13 Aug. at the An immature Franklin's Gull visited Clear Lake, WASCO, 31 Aug. (DAA); 9 mouth of Hood River (DL, VT); 21 Sept at Hart Lake (CM); 31 Aug. at Summer were along the east shore of Lake Abort 13 Aug. (MA) and 120 were at Summer Lake; 25 Sept. at The Narrows (PP); and 25 Sept. at Bully Creek Res., near Vale. Lake 31 Aug. (CM). Bonaparte's Gulls were noted until 22 Nov. when 1 was seen At Clear Lake, WASCO, 8 were noted 9 Sept. (DL, VT) with 4 remaining through at Pine Hollow Res. (DAA, DL). The most noted was 10 at Lake Abert 13 Aug. 27 Sept. (DAA). Up to 4 Semipalmated Sandpipers were at MMWR 9-17 Aug. (CM (MA). Mew Gulls wandered up the Columbia River at least as far as the mouth of & RBA 20 Aug.); 1-2 were present at Summer Lake 22-31 Aug. (SS, CM); 1 was Hood River with 4 being there in Oct. (DL). An aerial survey of MNWR 1 Oct. found at Indian Tom Lake 8 Aug. (OS); and the last for the season was noted at Hatfield 567 Ring-billed Gulls using the refuge. Immature Herring Gulls were noted at the Lake on 5 Sept. (CM). Western Sandpipers were noted in the region until 24 Oct. Dayville dump and Prairie City sewage ponds in Aug. (TW). A single Herring Gull when several were seen at Ochoco Res. (CS, fide TC). A SHARP-TAILED was at the mouth of Hood River 12 Sept. (DAA), and 5 were found at Wickiup Res. SANDPIPER reported from Hatfield Lake 17 Oct. (RBA 22 Oct.) was not verified and along the Deschutes River on 8 Nov. (TC). A Thayer's Gull was noted at the and no details were provided. Pectoral Sandpipers were reported regionwide this La Grande sewage ponds 11 Aug. (DL, VT). At Hood River 1-3 Glaucous-winged year in low numbers between 13 Aug. (1 at Cold Springs NWR (DL, VT)) and 7 Gulls were consistently noted in Aug. and Sept. A Common Tern was seen at Pine Nov. (1 at MNWR (CDL)). The most reported was 23 at Clear Lake, WASCO, on Hollow Res., WASCO, on 9 Sept. (DL, VT). The 14 Common Terns noted over 27 Sept. (DAA). Seventy-five Dunlin at Thief Valley Res. 12 Aug. were the most Harney Lake 2 Sept. were slightly earlier than normal (CDL). This species has reported (DL, VT). A Stilt Sandpiper was at Summer Lake on 15 Sept. (SS) for one shown an increase in numbers in the basin after first being recorded in 1976. A single of a handful of regional records. Single Short-billed Dowitchers were reported at Arctic Tern was at the mouth of Hood River 9 & 27 Sept. (DL, VT, DAA). Summer Lake 15 & 31 Aug. (SS); 3 were at MNWR 9 Aug. (CM) and 2 were heard Wandering Caspian Terns were widely noted in small numbers regionwide in and seen at Haystack Res. 30 Aug (B&JB). The largest number of Long-billed August. The largest number of Forster's Terns reported was 10 at Davis Lake 2 Aug. Dowitchers at Summer Lake this fall was 5262 on 3 Aug. (CC, fide BP). Eight (RH). A Black Tern wandered to Haystack Res. 30 Aug. (BB). remained there until 30 Nov. (CM). Twenty Red-necked Phalarope were at the La A Common Barn-Owl was at Summer Lake 22 Sept. (CM) and another was at Grande sewage ponds 11 Aug (DL, VT) and 3 were at Hatfield Lake 23 Sept. (DL). MNWR-hq 14 & 25 Sept. (CDL). A Western Screech-Owl was noted at Page What is among the state's first reports of a LONG-TAILED JAEGER east of the Springs CG, HARNEY, 19 Aug. through 26 Sept. (m.ob.). One was at Tumalo SP Cascades occurred on 30 Aug. at Haystack Res. when a single bird was noted 10 Oct. (CM, TC) and another was in Bend's west hills 28 Oct. (TC). A Northern (B&JB). Pygmy-Owl was reported to have gotten stuck in a stove pipe at Murderers Creek ranch, GRANT, in Sept. (TW). Another was reported, alive, near Snow Mt., HARNEY, on 11 Nov. (CDL). Burrowing Owls found near the railroad crossing on Highway 217 near Burns were again seen 27 Sept. (TW). Plans to reopen the railroad may not go over to well with these residents .... The rarely-reported BARRED OWL was noted at Delintment Lake 35 miles n.w. of Burns 11 Sept. (CB, fide CDL). A Great Gray Owl was noted at Crockett Knob, GRANT, on 11 Nov. (TW). Long-eared Owls were at Hart Mt.'s Hot Springs CG 21 Sept. (CM); 2 miles s.w. of MNWR-hq on 27 Nov.; and 6 were at the 3 Mile Ranch pond 14 Nov. (JE). At least 1 Northern Saw-whet Owl was at MNWR-hq 9-18 Oct. and another was noted there 30 Nov. (CDL). The region's last reported Common Nighthawk was at Hot Springs CG, Hart Mt. 20 Sept. (CM). Six Black Swifts at Kigcr Gorge, Steens Mt. 16 Aug. is thought to be the second record for southeastern Oregon (MH, fide CDL). Black-chinned, Calliope, and Rufous Hummingbirds were still coming to feeders in Mt. Vernon and Prairie City in mid-Sept. (TW). The last Rufous Hummingbird noted this year in Bend remained until 27 Oct. (TC). A Broad-tailed Hummingbird was reported from the Dog Creek area of Grant Co. in Aug. (TW). On a float trip down the Deschutes River 22-25 Sept. from Warm Springs to Sherars Bridge, over 200 Belted Kingfishers were noted (OS). Lewis' Woodpeckers were scarce this season at MNWR, however, along the treeless 40 mile stretch of Deschutes River above Sherars Bridge 3 flocks totalling 19 birds were noted 22-25 Sept. (OS). Lewis' were also fairly common in the Dufur/Wamic area of Wasco Co. in Oct. and into Nov. (DAA, DL). Twelve birds wandered up to Crater Lake in Sept.
Oregon Birds14(2): 198,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 199,1988 where they are only irregularly noted (MB). A "bright adult male" YELLOW- the following weekend none could be found. At least 20 Mountain Bluebirds were BELLIED SAPSUCKER was reported at MNWR-hq on 4 Oct. (TL). Good on top of Stccns Mt. 17 Oct. (M&MLD). Four Townsend's Solitaires were seen numbers of Red-naped Sapsuckers moved through MNWR 25-26 Sept. with at least entering Arnold Ice Cave s.e. of Bend 15 Oct. in order to get some water off the ice 6 being in the Blitzen Valley 25 Sept. (JJ). Up to 2 were at Benson Pond 3-12 Oct. (DAA, SSn). A late Swainson's Thrush was noted in the Cloverdale area 9 Nov. (PM, JJ). Single Red-breasted Sapsuckers were noted at Summer Lake rest area 22 (LR). The season's first migrant Varied Thrush at Malheur was noted 12 Sept. (TC). Sept. (CM); at Benson Pond 25-26 Sept. (JJ); and from Summer Lake 30 Nov. (CM). They were more common than usual this season and were noted until at least 7 Nov. Two Red-breasted Sapsuckers and a Red-breasted X Red-naped Sapsucker hybrid (CDL). Two Gray Catbirds photographed at Cabin Lake 24 Sept. were at an unusual were seen at Indian Ford CG 10 Sept. (TC). Williamson's Sapsuckers were widely location (DL). S ingle Northern Mockingbirds were noted at Benson Pond, MNWR, reported regionwide this season. Two Downy Woodpeckers were reported from 24-26 Sept. (CDL) and at Paisley 6 Sept. (SS). MNWR this season; the first at Benson Pond 3 Oct. (PM, LW) and another 11 miles A few Bohemian Waxwings were reported by the end of Nov. At Lakeview 35 north of Frenchglen 13 Oct. (CDL). A White-headed Woodpecker noted along the were noted 24 Nov. (M&AA); 3-5 were at McNary Park 27-29 Nov. (RBA, 3 Dec.) Deschutes River between Madras and Sherars Bridge in late Sept. seemed to be in and a single bird was at the Malheur Field Station 30 Nov. (CDL). A Northern Shrike an unusual location (OS). A Three-toed Woodpecker was in the Mt. Fanny area of at Dog Creek, GRANT, 16 Oct. was the season's first report. Union Co. 8 Oct. (DL). Several Black-backed Woodpeckers were reported this A Red-eyed Vireo at Fields 19 Aug (DI, PP) was the only 1 reported this season. season. At Fourmile Lake, KLAMATH, 3 were noted 5 Aug. (HS); 1 was at A Warbling Vireo at MNWR on 25 Sept. set a new late date for the refuge surpassing Boundary Springs in Aug. (BM); 1 at Calamity Butte LO17 Aug. (MA); 1 at Nichol the previous late date by 9 days (CDL). Orange-crowned Warblers were most Butte n.w. of Riley, HARNEY, 31 Oct; and 1 at Adams Spring west of Snow Mt., common at MNWR in mid-Sept. A Nashville Warbler was still in John Day on 5 HARNEY, on 6 Nov. (CDL). Both "three-toed" woodpeckers were near Cultus L. Sept. (TW). Two Yellow Warblers were at MNWR-hq 15 Oct. (PM, LW). A through Oct. (Rebecca Goggins). A Northern (Yellow-shafted) Flicker was at MAGNOLIA WARBLER at Benson Pond 24-26 Sept. (JJ, PP) was preceded by Sisters 5 Oct. (LR), and another was at Wildhorse Creek, UMATILLA, 4 Oct (JS). 1 atFields 11 Sept. (CDL). This was a good yearfor BLACK-THROATED BLUE A Western Flycatcher was at Cottonwood Creek south of Fields 12 Sept. WARBLERS. A male was at Frenchglen 23 Sept. (CDL); another male was at 3 (CDL). Klamath County's second record of a BLACK PHOEBE was noted 29 Mile Ranch pond 25 Sept.-3 Oct. (JJ, PM, LW); a female was at MNWR-hq 12-17 Nov. at Klamath Falls (PL). A late Say's Phoebe was at Dayville on 23 Oct. (TW). Oct (m.ob.); and another male was at Summer Lake 13-14 Nov. (MStL, fide CM). A SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER noted 3 miles s.e. of Burns on 3 Aug. Single Black-throated Gray Warblers were noted at MNWR-hq 17 Sept. (CDL); at represents about the third record from southeastern Oregon (M&SR). It unfortu• nately did not stick around. The last Barn Swallow at MNWR was noted 12 Nov. which is about 4 days earlier than the latest date (CDL). Gray Jays were noted along the Middle Fork John Day River 23 Sept. (TW). A Steller's Jay wandered to Frenchglen 9 Oct. (CM). A BLUE JAY was reported from north of the Fort Rock Store 4 Oct. (RBA, 8 Oct.). A Scrub Jay was noted at Dufur, WASCO, 27 Sept. (DAA) and another was at Fields on 18 Sept. (TC, JG, TB). Up to 100 Pinyon Jays were seen at Cabin Lake on 24 Sept. (DL). Flocks were also noted near Madras in Sept. and near Warm Springs on 11 Oct. (RBA, 15 Oct.) which is slightly north of their normal range. An immature Pinyon Jay wandered up to the Calamity Butte LO 18 Oct. for what may be the first Harney Co. record (MA). A Clark's Nutcracker was at Horseshoe Lake, JEFFER• SON, 1 Nov. (PM, LW). Mountain Chickadees were regularly noted at MNWR from early Oct. through period's end (CDL). Two Whjte-breasted Nuthatches made an appearance at MNWR-hq 19 Aug. (CDL) and a Pygmy Nuthatch there the same day is a rare sighting for the refuge. Bewick's Wrens may be increasing in southeastern Oregon. One in Bullards Canyon near Lakeview 10-24 Nov. may be a resident (MA), but 1 on Cottonwood Creek south of Fields 12 Sept. and 2 at Roaring Springs Ranch 24 Sept. were in areas where they are rarely reported (CDL). Two American Dippers were at Page Springs 1-2 Nov. (CDL). Mountain Bluebirds passed through the Clear Lake, WASCO, area in mid- Sept. Ten were there 9 Sept. (DL) and at least 27 were present 12 Sept. (DAA). By Magnolia Warbler, Fields, Harney Co., 25 September 1987. Photo/David Herr.
Oregon Birds14(2): 200, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 201,1988 Black-throated Blue Warbler, 3-mile Pond, Harney Co., 25-26 September 1987. Top photo/ Bay-breasted Warbler, Hart Mt. NAR. Top: 2 August 1987, when first captured. Bottom: 23 Jim Johnson; bottom photo/David Herr. August 1987, when recaptured. Photos/Ken Voget.
Sand Springs, DESCHUTES, 23 Sept. (DL); at Frenchglen 25 Sept. (CDL); and at for BLACKPOLL WARBLERS in Harney Co. with no less than 8 being reported LaPine 29 Sept. (HH, fide TC). Late Townsend's Warblers were noted at Celilo between 11 Sept. through 3 Oct. (m.ob.). Single BLACK-AND-WHITE WAR• Park, WASCO, 11 Oct. (JJ); and the 1 at MNWR-hq 12-17 Oct. set a new late date BLERS were at MNWR-hq 6 Sept. and 9 Oct. (fide CDL). Only 2 migrant record by 13 days. A Hermit Warbler 12-23 Sept. at MNWR-hq was apparently the American Redstarts were reported: 1 at Ochoco Lake 20 Sept. (OS); and 1 at first autumn record on the refuge and only the third for the refuge (CDL, TC, JG). Roaring Springs Ranch 24 Sept. (PP). A super rare PROTHONOTARY WAR• A BAY-BREASTED WARBLER was banded at Hart Mt. NAR on 2 Aug. (BP, BLER visited MNWR-hq 10-11 Oct. (T&AM, Jim & Judy Carlson, Steve Gordon, KV) and was recaptured 21 days later at the same spot. This was also a good year RBA 15 Oct.). There are now about 3 records for southeastern Oregon. A Northern
Oregon Birds14(2): 202, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 203,1988 Watcrthrush was seen at McNary Park, UMATILLA, 14 and 29 Nov. (RBA, 3 I on Rems, Mike and Sandy Rule, Marty St. Louis, H. Sands, Jamie Simmons, Steve Dec.). An OVENBIRD was at Roaring Springs Ranch 18-24 Sept. (TC, CDL, JG, Snodgrass (SSn), Christy Steck, Paul Sullivan, Steve Summers, Otis Swisher, TB) and another was at MNWR-hq 22 Sept. (CDL). A Yellow-breasted Chat was Vcrda Teale, Ken Vogct, Linda Weiland, Tom Winters. Other Sources: The Chat, still at Adrian, MALHEUR, 30 Aug. (C&MC). A MacGillivray's Warbler paused Duck Soup, The Eagle Eye, Portland Audubon Warbler. at the Summer Lake rest area 8 Aug. (CM); 3 were in the MNWR environs 25-26 Sept. (JJ). A female Wilson's Warbler was still in Bend 15 Sept. (MM, fide TC). Rufous-sided Towhces are uncommon fall visitors to Crater Lake N.P. There• fore 2 seen in the park 18 Sept. and 10 Oct. are noteworthy (MB). The first American Tree Sparrows of the fall were 2 at Frenchglen 2 Nov. (PS), this was followed by a report of 4 at P Ranch 14 Nov. (JE) and of a single bird at Klamath Falls 29 Nov. (PL). An out-of-place Savannah Sparrow was noted at LaPine 11 Sept. (HH). Klamath County's first SWAMP SPARROW was found 29 Nov. near Klamath Falls (PL). Nine White-throated Sparrows were reported between 21 Sept. and 1 Nov. from Harney (5), Lake (2), Deschutes (1) and Hood River (1) Counties. A Golden-crowned Sparrow, only occasionally seen at MNWR, was noted at head• quarters 25 Sept. (CDL). Seven Harris' Sparrows were noted after the season's first was found at Dog Creek near John Day on the early date of 16 Oct. (TW). Three were in the Frenchglen area 1 -2 Nov. (CDL); with 1 remaining at the P Ranch on 14 Nov. (JE); 1 was at Summer Lake 20-23 Nov. (MStL) and another was at the DeMoss Memorial Park, SHERMAN, on 28 Nov. (CM). A DARK-EYED (GRAY- HEADED) JUNCO was seen along Cottonwood Creek south of Fields 14 Nov. (JE). An immature Lapland Longspur was on Steens Mt. 17 Oct. (DL, VT). Two Snow Buntings were reported. Onen.e. of Frenchglen 29 Oct. was the earliest record for southeastern Oregon (GI) and the second was found at the Alvord Borax works 14 Nov. (JE). The NORTHERN (BALTIMORE) ORIOLE found at MNWR-hq 31 July remained at least until 13 Aug. (TC, CDL). Rosy Finches were reported from Steens Mt. where they are normal, with 200 being there on 1 Nov. (PS). Up to 47 were on Calamity Butte 15-30 Oct. (MA); 17 were on Hagar Mt., LAKE, 26 Oct. (CM); several adult and young were on Sacajawea Mt., WALLOWA, 7 Sept. (FC); and several were reported from Lookout Mt., HOOD RIVER, in Oct. (fide DL). The elusive Pine Grosbeak was noted in Sept. between Keeney Meadows and Fox (TW) and in Nov. south of Joseph (RBA, 3 Dec). Three Purple Finch were in Lakeview 17 Nov. (M&AA). At the Glass Butte Pond, LAKE, 10 Cassin's Finch were noted 15 Oct. (LW, DL), 60 were at Wright's Point, HARNEY, 29 Nov. (CDL). Flocks of Red Crossbills numbering 200-300 were noted at Cabin Lake and Sand Springs 23-24 Sept. (DL). Four Lesser Goldfinch were at Page Springs 27 Sept. (TW) with only 1 there on 17 Oct. (M&MLD). Small numbers were also in the Lakeview area Oct. through mid-Nov. (M&AA). Cited Observers: David A. Anderson, Merle and Ann Archie, Barb and Jerry Bellin, Tim Bickler, Maureen Briggs, Chuck Bruce, Chris Carey, Frank Conley, George Constantino, Craig and Marion Corder, Tom Crabtree, Mike and Merry- Lynn Denny, Joe Evanich, Jeff Gilligan, Fay and Wally van Hise, Helma Holver- I stott, Mike Houck, Rich Hoyer, Dave Irons, Gary Ivey, Jim Johnson, Paul Lehman, CD. Littlef ield, Tom Love, Donna Lusthoff, Tom and Allison Mickel, Craig Miller, Black-throated Blue Warbler, female, 12 October 1987, Malheur NWR Headquarters. Margaret Morris, B. Morrow, Pat Muller, Dave Paullin, Phil Pickering, Bill Pyle, Photo/Jim Johnson.
Oregon Birds14(2): 204, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 205,1988 INFORMATION WANTED ON OREGON'S BIRDS Note to OB readers: OB will publish information requests that may be of interest to Oregon's birders. The ending notation in brackets shows the first issue of OB in which the request appeared. Deschutes National Forest birds. The Deschutes NF has been developing a computerized data base of observation records for wildlife seen within the Forest. I would greatly appreciate the help of birders in supplementing our records. If you have birded within the Deschutes NF—or plan to—I would like to know: (1) species and number of individuals recorded; (2) date observed; (3) geographic location as precisely as possible; and (4) indication of breeding (e.g., nest, offspring, etc.). Information is especially needed for the more uncommon species (e.g., Northern Goshawk, etc.), species on the margin of known ranges, or species of localized occurrence. I have observation forms if you prefer, and a copy of your records would also be satisfactory. This information will be used by our biologists to identify important habitat. [OB 13(2)] Ed Styskel, Forest Wildlife Biologist,Deschutes National Forest, 1645 Highway 20 East, Bend, OR 97701,388-8567 or 389-0245.
Oregon birds in the neotropics. Anyone with information on the natural history of Oregon birds in the neotropics, please contact me regarding information for a forthcoming issue of Oregon Birds. Also, anyone interested in a birding trip to southern Mexico and Guatemala in February 1989, please contact me as soon as possible. [OB 13(1)] Tom Love, 8060 S.W. Churchill Court, Tigard, OR 97224.
Common Loons. Information is requested on sightings of Common Loons in Oregon. The Northwest Ecological Institute is studying pre-brecding behavior and possible nesting in the state. Dates and locations of gatherings of Common Loons or observations of pairs or fights from February through May anywhere in Oregon (including offshore), would be greatly appreciated. Also new and old records of Common Loons seen on freshwater lakes in Oregon from late May through August would be of great interest. [OB 13(1)] Char Corkran,Vice President/Treasurer, NorthwestEcologicalResearchlnstilute, 13640 N.W. Laidlaw Road, Portland, OR 97229, 643-1349 or 645-4751.
Oregon Birds14(2): 206,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 207,1988 Trumpeter Swans. The Trumpeter Swan Society is looking for sightings of Bald Eagles in Lincoln County. If you see Bald Eagles in Lincoln County, Trumpeter Swans anywhere in Oregon outside the usual nesting area in Harney Co. please note the age of the eagle, the date, the bird's activity, and the location of the Information needed is good location data, date, time of day, and behavior — and sighting. [OB 14(1)] your name, address, and phone number. Please note neck collar information, date of sighting, location of sighting, and the presence of other swans. [OB 13(1)] Gloria Sullivan, 3121 N.E. 30th Drive, Lincoln City, OR 97367, (II) 994-3759. David Paullin, P.O. Box 113, Burns, OR 97720. Marbled Murrelet inland sightings. Information is requested on inland sightings of Marbled Murrelets in Oregon. The Pacific Seabird Group is compiling Coastal swans. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is attempting to determine all available information on Marbled Murrelets throughout the Pacific Northwest. Tundra and Trumpeter Swan use areas on the Oregon coast. Information needed is Recent and dated observations of murrelets along rivers or creeks, and in forested good location data, date, time of day, behavior, and age if possible. Look for neck areas is needed. Details should include date, time of day, specific location, number and leg bands. [OB 13(1)] of birds, age, and behavior. [OB 13(4)] Roy Lowe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Science Center, Newport, OR S. Kim Nelson, Oregon Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Oregon Stale Univer• 97365,867-3011 ext. 270. sity, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, (503)754-4531. Mark A. Stern, Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, 1234 N.W. 25th Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, (503)228-9550. Coastal Canada Geese. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is attempting to determine Canada Goose use areas along the Oregon coast. Observations of any subspecies of Canada Goose including the introduced Great Basin Canada Goose Snowy Owl sightings. I am researching the population status and health of are needed, but especially of Aleutian and Dusky Canada Geese. Record date, Snowy Owls in North America, and request help in obtaining field observations. I location, time of day, and subspecies. Look for neck collars and leg bands. [OB need the following for each sighting: date, location, number seen, age and sex, what 13(1)] the birds were feeding on, and any other available information. Please include your name, address, and telephone number. Age and sex determining characteristics will Roy Lowe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Science Center, Newport, OR be sent on request. [OB 14(2)] 97365,867-3011 ext. 270. Ursula C. Petersen, 436Birge Hall, Department of Zoology, University of Wiscon• sin, Madison, WI53706, (608)262-3159. Raptor survey. A seasonal raptor inventory and survey is being conducted throughout the United States. Anyone with interest in raptors and experience with raptor identification may participate. Results from surveys will be submitted Three-toed Woodpecker nest locations. I am conducting a research project, periodically to federal and state wildlife agencies and wildlife-oriented societies. funded by the Oregon Nongame Checkoff Program and the U.S. Forest Service, on To be a coopcrator, submit a brief description of your raptor identification Three-toed Woodpeckers in Oregon. Please notify me of (1) any nests located experience and interests. "Only sincere cooperators should apply." [OB 13(3)] during 1982-1987, and (2) any sightings during the winter months (October-March) of any year. Information should be as specific as possible. [OB 13(2)] Douglas E. Trapp, President, Midwest Raptor Rehabilitation Society, P.O. Box 1812, Sioux City,lA 51102-1812. Rebecca Goggans, Wildlife Biologist, do ODF&W, 61374 Parrell Road, Bend, OR 97702, (503)388-6363. Bald Eagles in Tillamook County. If you see Bald Eagles in Tillamook County away from their nest, please note the age of the eagle, the date, and the location of Eastern/Western Wood-Pewees. I am looking for recordings of single-note the sighting. [OB 14(1)] whistle calls—not calls—of both Eastern and Western Wood-Pe wees. The sounds are needed for possible use by the California Bird Records Committee. [OB 14(1)] Nancy McGarigal, 45605 Highway 22, Hebo, OR 97122, (H) 392-3248 or (0) 392- 3161. Dr. Steven Bailey, Department of Birds and Mammals, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118, (415)750-7177.
Oregon Birds14(2): 208,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 209, 1988 Yellow-billed Cuckoos. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists are interested in Yellow-billed Cuckoo sightings. See OB 12(2): 70 for an interest Red Crossbills. For a study on Red Crossbills in North America, I am soliciting announcement. If you located a Yellow-billed Cuckoo in Oregon, please be aware (1) information on areas with good conifer cone crops, (2) information on occur• that this species is also a "review species" and the Oregon Bird Records Committee rence of the birds, and (3) tape recordings, especially of flight calls. [OB 13(1)] asks for reports. [OB 12(2)] JeffGrolh, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, CA Bill Haight, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, 506 S.W. Mill Street, P.O. Box 94720. 59, Portland, OR 97207. History of Oregon ornithology. I desire information on the history of Oregon Vaux's Swift migratory staging. We would like information on roost sites used ornithology prior to the publication in 1940 of Gabrielson and Jewett's Birds of by Vaux's Swifts in pre-migration in Oregon. Send location (town, street, address, Oregon. I seek especially details, either biographical or anecdotal, and photographs description), name, address and phone number of resident, and your name, address of Oregon's ornithologists and birdwatchers. I shall copy all photographic material and phone number. [OB 13(4)] and return it promptly. I would greatly appreciate any contribution. [OB 13(1)] Portland Audubon Society, 5151 N.W. Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97210. George A. Jobanek, 2730 Alder, Eugene, OR 97405.
Purple Martin colonies. The Purple Martin Colony Registry Program of the newly-formed Purple Martin Conservation Association is attempting to locate and register a majority of the martin colonies in North America. You can further assist us by attempting to find martin colonies on your travels. If you have or know of a COLOR-MARKED BIRDS IN OREGON colony, or are interested in starting one, please let us know. [OB 13(2)] Note to OB readers: OB will keep a running tab of color-marked birds that may be seen by Oregon's birders. The ending notation in brackets shows the first issue Purple Martin Conservation Association, P.O. Box 178, Edinboro, PA 16412. of OB in which the notice appeared. Any banded or color-marked bird, including those with the standard aluminum U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service band, may be reported directly to the Bird Banding Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20708. Western Bluebirds. Individuals with single nest boxes or active with a bluebird trail are asked to send the following information: (1) total number of nest boxes, (2) number of nest boxes used by bluebirds, (3) total number of bluebird eggs, (4) American White Pelicans. The Canadian Wildlife Service has color-marked number of bluebirds fledged, (5) general area where the boxes are located, and (6) Pelicans with bl ue wing tags on the left wing. The birds were captured at S turn Lake approximate elevation above sea level. Results will be published. [OB 13(1)] in central British Columbia, the only pelican nesting colony in that province. [OB 14(1)] Earl Gillis, 14125 N.E. Cullen Road, Newberg, OR 97132. Doug Wilson, Vancouver, British Columbia, (604)584-8822. Cedar Waxwings, both adult and juvenile, have appeared in several states since at least 1969 with orange rather than the normal yellow tail tips. The color of the Bro wn Pelicans. Brown Pelicans have been color-marked by researchers at the tips of the rectrices of the most intensely colored individuals is approximately the University of California, Davis. The tags vary from plain aluminum bands to bands burnt orange (Color 116) of Smiths's Naturalists' ColorGuide (Part III, 1981). If plus plastic leg markers of various colors. Each configuration has a meaning, so you see such a bird, please let us know as we are interested in the geographic good accurate descriptions are needed. You may see a green, yellow, or orange distribution of these waxwings. [Editor's note: Pat Murphy in Bird Watcher's plastic tag hanging off a green leg band. Note the date and location, the color Digest (January/February 1988, page 14) writes that "the orange color on waxwing configuration, numbers (if possible), and include any other comments about the tails is so common it isn't even mentioned in the bird banding manual. It is thought situation or condition of the bird. [OB 13(1)] to be diet-based."] [OB 14(1)] Pelican Research Project, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, University of Kenneth C. Parkes or D. Scott Wood, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, California, Davis, CA 95616, or Roy Lowe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Marine Science Center, Newport, OR 97365,867-3011 ext. 270
Oregon Birds14(2): 210,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 211,1988 Tundra Swans. Tundra Swans breeding in northwestern Alaska have been marked with blue plastic neck collars bearing white alphanumeric codes prefixed Include a description of the code. [OB 13(1)] with the letter U. The numbers, in the sequence 000-300, are read vertically from James S. Sedinger, Institute of Arctic Biology, 211 Irving Building, UAF, Fair• the bottom up. Some birds were fitted with backpack harness telemetry transmit• banks, AK 99775-1780. ters. All have FWS bands. Most birds are expected to pass through Pacific or Intermountain flyways. [OB 13(4)] Pacific Black Brant. If you see a Pacific Black Brant with a color leg band, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.BirdBanding Office, Laurel, MD 20708 and Selawik please note the color of the band, which leg the band was on, and the lettering on the National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box270, Kotzebue,AK 99752, (907)442-3799. band. Note the color of the band, the color of the lettering on the band, letter code (2 or 3 letters or numerals), and whether read from body to foot or vice versa. Also note date and locality, and look to see whether a whip antenna is hanging down from Trumpeter Swans. The Trumpeter Swan Society is looking for sightings of the Brant's tail, because some have been fitted with radio transmitters. [OB 14(1)] Trumpeter Swans anywhere in Oregon outside the usual nesting area in Harney Co. Information needed is good location data, date, time of day, and behavior — and Roy Lowe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Science Center, Newport, OR your name, address, and phone number. The Canadian Wildlife Service has neck- 97365, 867-3011 ext. 270 collared Trumpeter Swans during the summer of 1986 in southern Mackenzie District, Northwest Territories. Look for red collars with white alpha-numeric markings. Please note neck collar information, dateof sighting, location of sighting, Dusky Canada Geese. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is collecting and the presence of other swans. [OB 13(1)] information on Dusky Canada Geese in an attempt to understand wintering requirements of this troubled subspecies. Any Canada Goose in Oregon with a red David Paullin, P.O. Box 113, Burns, OR 97720 collar is a Dusky. A Canada Goose with a yellow collar is either a Dusky marked several years ago or a Cackler. Note the following: characteristics of fields they are found in, numbers of Duskys and numbers of other subspecies of Canadas, collar Lesser Snow Geese. The small breeding population of Lesser Snow Geese in numbers, etc. There are several avenues of reporting your findings. Any marked the Prudhoe Bay area of Alaska has been studied for the past 7 years. Several bird can be reported directly to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Portland thousand birds have been tarsus-banded and neck-collared with blue and white Audubon Society will take your information and translate it to special Fish and alphanumeric bands. [OB 13(1)] Wildlife forms. [OB 13(1)] Snowgoose Project, Attn.: DM. Troy, LGL Alaska Research Associates, 505 W. Maurita Smyth, Portland Audubon Society, 5151 N.W. Cornell Road, Portland, OR Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 501, Anchorage, AK 99503 97210, (W)238-0667. Lesser Snow Geese. Look for Lesser Snow Geese wearing a green collar with a 2-letter, 2-digit code (example: "FA21"). In addition, collared geese will be Lesser Golden-Plovers. As part of a study on their wintering biology, Lesser painted either green or red on tops and bottoms of wings. Note the wing color Golden-Plovers have been banded on Oahu, Hawaii. Each bird wears a Fish & (green or red) and usual location and habitat information. [OB 13(1)] Wildlife Service band on one leg and one or more color bands on the other. Color band combinations are 2 of the same color, 2 of different colors, 3 of 2 colors, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, Migratory Bird Coordinator, P.O. 3 of 3 colors. Please note which leg is color banded and the exact sequence of colors. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103, (505)766-8052, or Bosque del Apache [OB 13(2)] National Wildlife Refuge, P.O.Box 1246, Socorro, NM 87801, (505)835-1828 Oscar W. Johnson,Department of Biology, Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN 56560. Pacific Black Brant. During the summer of 1986, Brant on the Yukon- Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, were color banded yellow with a single black digit (number or letter) repeated 3 times around the band. Each bird is carrying 2 color Sanderlings. The Sanderling Project has mist-netted and color-banded San- bands on the same leg producing a 2-digit code. Any sighting will be appreciated. derlings along the West Coast. The only colors used were green, orange, red, yellow, and white. No blue. Some juvenile Sanderlings have been transplanted to other parts of the coast in an attempt to determine how a young bird selects a given Oregon Birds14(2): 212,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 213,1988 site along the coast as its winter home. Each transplanted bird carries a color Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees. The Northwest Ecological combination of bands, and a green flag on its right leg. Please try to record the com• Research Institute is conducting a long-term study in the Portland west hills, Cedar plete color combination. [OB 13(1)] Mill, and Catlin Gabel School areas. Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chicka• dees have been marked with from 1 to 3 colored plastic bands on their legs. Please The Sanderling Project, P.O. Box 247, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 contact us if you see marked chickadees at your feeder, or if you regularly see House Finches with an aluminum U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service band. [OB 13(1)] Semipalmated and White-rumped Sandpipers. While unlikely to appear in Philip Gaddis, 13640N.W. LaidlawRoad, Portland, OR 97229,645-4751, or Char Oregon, Semipalmated and White-rumped Sandpipers were color-marked in Brazil Corkran, 130 N.W. 114th Street, Portland, OR 97229, 643-1349. in 1986-87. Look for a numbered blue flag with an orange or yellow band over it. 0 [OB 13(3)] Susana Lara Resende, Corson Building E227, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
Ring-billed and California Gulls. For a long-term study on post-breeding dispersal, wintering locations, and nest site fidelity, Ring-billed and California Gulls were banded in 1987 at Lake Lahontan, Nevada. Each bird has an FWS ERRATA aluminum band on the right leg, and either a green or red plastic band with black Summaries of the 2 Baker County 1987-88 Christmas Bird Counts, as numbers on the left or right leg. Each plastic band bears a prominent black number. published in Oregon Birds 14(1): 65,72, Spring 1988, were reversed. Baker In future years, yellow, blue, white, and orange color bands may be used—probably Valley CBC (CBC number 36) actually had 46 species, and Baker-Salisbury a different color each year. Please record the date, time, and location of sighting, which leg the plastic band is on, color of plastic band, and number on plastic band (CBC number 35) actually had 29 species. The highest number of species if possible. [OB 13(4)] ever on the Baker-Salisbury CBC was 34 in 1960. Alan Gubanich, Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, Ann M. Ward, 1242 Dewey, Baker, OR 97814 (702)784-6652. Hugh Judd, 2325 Jessie, Sparks, NV 89431, (702)356-7485.
Western Gulls. To learn more about gull movements, Don McKenzie has painted Western Gulls in the Yaquina Bay area. Please note the color and location of the paint (e.g., red on back of right wing), and place, time, and date of sighting. [OB 13(3)] Don McKenzie, Marine Science Center, Newport, OR 97365,867-3089.
Western Bluebirds. In 1983 and 1984 Western Bluebird nestlings on the Corvallis Bluebird Trail were marked with 2 color bands on the leg opposite the usual Fish and Wildlife band. A few hand-raised birds also have a white band above the FWS band. Please note the position of the bands, which leg they are on, sex of the bird, place and date of sighting, and behavior of the bird when seen. [OB 13(1)] Elsie Eltzroth, 3595 N.W. Roosevelt Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330
Oregon Birds14(2): 214,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 215,1988 about the hiding part. Often they chase each other, running around on the ground WHERE DO YOU FIND A or flying low between the sagebrush. IN OREGON? Greg Gillson, 1200 E. Ulh, Newberg, OR 97132
Barrow's Goldeneye Calliope Hummingbird Barrow's Goldeneyes may be found at Lost Lake on Highway 20 (about 4 miles Calliope Hummingbirds are more numerous on the east side of Hood River (tounty than is the Rufous. Even though they can be seen in the valley around Odell, west of Santiam Pass). The birds nest here and may be found from at least May I hey seem to be most numerous in the Fir Mt. Road area east of Odell. South of Hood through mid-September. An alternate location is nearby Clear Lake which is on River, drive 5 to 5-1/2 miles on Hwy. 35. Turn left (east) on Fir Mt. Road. After Highway 126. the road has climbed up out of the valley, check in areas which are open and brushy. Kent Rodecap, 982 N.W. Cypress Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330 Calliope Hummingbirds are easy to find when the flowers are blooming from mid- April through May. They can also be seen into August but are not nearly as easy or numerous. Black-backed Woodpecker Although Black-backed Woodpeckers can David A. Anderson, 6203 S.E. 92nd, Portland, OR 97266 be found at many scattered localities in the lodgepole pine forests of Oregon, I have often found this species near the East Davis Lake Green-tailed Towhee Campground which is easily acces• Green-tailed Towhees may be found from late April to early September at sible from U.S. Highway 58. To Indian Ford Campground on Highway 20 near Sisters. Look on the west side of the reach the site, turn west off the East Davis Lf Cascade Lakes Highway at the Campground creek in the Ceanothus and manzanita scrub. "Pishing" and "squeaking" helps. Davis Lake road junction (see Don't be surprised if you see Rufous-sided Towhees first Be patient because it attached map). Black-backed usually takes a while to get a good view of Green-tailed Towhees. Another site, Woodpeckers frequent dead although less reliable, is at Idlewild Picnic Grounds on Highway 395 north of Burns. stands of lodgepole pine along the Look along the meadow, scrub and picnic ground "interface" once you're well in access road to East Davis Lake Campground. the picnic grounds. Park at the road junction leading to the camp• Kent Rodecap, 982 N.W. Cypress Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330 ground and walk along the gravel access road while listening for their tapping sounds in clumps of dead lodgepole pine alongside the road. Similar areas of dead lodgepole pine immediately beyond the East Harlequin Duck Davis Lake access road are also good spots to find the species. The Forest Service The Harlequin Duck is relatively easy to find along the coast of Oregon in is cutting many of the lodgepole pines infested by pine beetles in this area so winter. In the spring and summer months it is not so easy to find, however. Birders observations of Black-backed Woodpeckers may diminish in the future. can find this species in Hood River County from mid-April through at least mid- June along the Hood River and its tributaries. Nesting undoubtedly occurs along Hood River since female birds with young have been noted here through August Alan McGie, 2816 N.W. 13th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330 (fide Tim Bickler). Since this species is by no means common within the county, some effort will have to be made in order to find it. I have noted Harlequin Ducks along Hood River near the Hood River powerhouse just southeast of the city of Black-throated Sparrow Hood River, near Tucker County Park, at Woodworth Road, at Baseline Road, and In recent years I have found a pair every May on Buena Vista Overlook at on Hwy. 35 where it crosses the East Fork of Hood River about 2 miles north of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. They have a Junco-like high-pitched squeak Routson County Park. and stay low on the ground or under bushes. Walk around the rocks on top and follow the ridge on the east side. They like to play hide-and-seek and are very good David A. Anderson, 6203 S.E. 92nd, Portland, OR 97266
Oregon Birds14(2): 216, 1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 217,1988 Rosy Finch Rosy Finches may be seen nearly every November and perhaps later depending on snow conditions near the summit of Mary's Peak. Mary's Peak may be reached from Highway 34 (road from Philomath to Alsea). Park in the parking lot near the summit and then walk along the unpaved road to the summit. The birds, generally just a few, will be somewhere along the road or at the very summ it. They often forage on the road itself. Kent Rodecap, 982 N.W. Cypress Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330 Early May above Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood provides excellent views of singing Rosy Finches. Depending on snow depths, a short walk up the mountain (less than 1/2 mile) to the bare lava-gravel areas is suggested. The hike is not strenuous unless the snow is real soft. Horned Larks are even more common and also singing. Eric V. Poz20,15130 S.W. Almonte, Beaverton, OR 97007
White-headed Woodpecker White-headed Woodpeckers may be regularly found in ponderosa pine habitat on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains or farther east. I have found them from April through October but have not looked at other times. Three worthwhile Yellow Rails- sites near Sisters on the eastern slope of the Cascades are Indian Ford Campground north side of Weed Road alongside on Highway 20, Cold Springs Campground on Highway 242, and along the the fenceline. However, as you can Mctolius River near the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery. Another reliable spot is the imagine, the Yellow Rails are easily Idlewild Picnic Grounds on Highway 395 north of Burns. At all of these sites, it is heard but seldom seen as they scurry recommended that one walk all through the area both looking and listening. around in the grass. Cattle occasion• Sometimes patience is required. At other times the birds are found quickly. ally graze at this site which may Kent Rodecap, 982 N.W. Cypress Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330 discourage Yellow Rails from nest• ing here in certain years. Alan McGie, 2816 N.W. 13th Street, ... quite common at Cold Springs campground. Corvallis, OR 97330 Greg Gillson, 1200 E. 11th, Newberg, OR 97132 To! Klamath Falls Yellow-breasted Chat Yellow Rail The E.E. Wilson Wildlife Management Area, operated by the Oregon Depart• Although Yellow Rails have been reported at scattered localities in the vast ment of Fish and Wildlife, is a reliable site for Yellow-breasted Chats. The W.M.A. meadows near Fort Klamath, one fairly rel iable si te is located alongside Weed Road is located adjacent to U.S. Highway 99W between Monmouth and Corvallis in 1/2 mile west of the junction with Highway 62 (see attached map). This area is easily northern Benton County. To reach the area, turn east off Hwy. 99W at the Camp accessible by taking the cutoff road west of U.S. Highway 97 at the Chiloquin Adair Monument and Park near the first hate on the south side of the road where a interchange or by taking Highway 62 if traveling north from Klamath Falls. Weed paved road open to fool I rail ic leads south (see attached map). Walk south about 0.1 Road is the first paved road north of the Klamath Fish Hatchery. The Yellow Rails mile to an isolated ash swamp. The Yellow-breasted Chats can be found around the inhabit the meadows immediately beyond the ditches and fencelines adjacent to the northern and southern cd^cs of the ash trees in the surrounding lush vegetation. I road. On 22 July 1985,1 heard at least four Yellow Rails calling near dusk on the
Oregon Birds14(2): 218,1988 Oregon Birds14(2): 219,1988 have found up to three chats in the area each year. The average date of arrival is 14 May, but they have been seen as early as 1 May. OREGON BIRDS The quarterly journal of Oregon Field Ornithologists Alan McGie, 2816 N.W. 13th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330 Oregon Birds is looking for material in these categories: Yellow-breasted Chats may be found at Page Springs Campground near News Briefs on things of temporal importance, such as meetings, birding Frenchglen and the southern end of Malheur N.W.R. during late spring and early trips, announcements, news items, etc. summer. Walk along the riparian corridors "pishing" and "squeaking" (really make noise) and with patience at least one Chat should appear. Listen for their calls as an Articles are longer contributions dealing with identification, distribution, initial aid to locating them. Another fairly reliable spot during mid-June is along the ecology, management, conservation, taxonomy, behavior, biology, and O'Neill/'Rimrock" Road (starts near Terrebonne) to Prineville. Search the riparian historical aspects of ornithology and birding in Oregon. Articles cite area west (on the O'Neill side) of the electrical transmission towers using the same references (if any) at the end of the text. Names and addresses of technique recommended above. At this site you'll have to stay at roadside. The authors appear at the beginning of the text. riparian area is almost immediately adjacent to the road. Short Notes are shorter communications dealing with the same subjects as articles. Short Notes typically cite no references, or at most a few in Kent Rodecap, 982 N.W. Cypress Avenue, Corvallis, OR 97330 parentheses in the text. Names and addresses of authors appear at the end of the text.
Yellow-breasted Chats may be found in Washington and Yamhill Counties Bird Finding Guides "where to find a in Oregon" (for some of the near Gaston. The dry scotch broom-covered hillsides near fir and deciduous trees rarer birds) and "where to find birds in the area" (for some of are best. These birds are best located by their distinctive and varied song. V ve found the better spots). Chats both on the road up to Elk Cove Winery (Olson Road outside of Gaston off Route 47, and in the hills surrounding Wapato Lake. This is not an easy bird in this Reviews for published material on Oregon birds or of interest to Oregon area, but these areas may be interesting to avid county listers. birders. Photographs of birds, especially photos taken recently in Oregon. Color Eric V. Pozzo, 15130 S.W. Almonte, Beaverton, OR 97007 slide duplicates are preferred. Please label all photos with pho• tographer's name and address, bird identification, date and place the photo was taken. Photos will be returned; contact the Editor for more 0 information.
Deadline for the next issue of Oregon Birds — OB 14(3) — is 29 July 1988. The next issue should get to you by the first week of September 1988. Material can be submitted any time, and the soonerthe better. Please send materials directly to the Editor, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212 (503)282-9403
Oregon Birds Board of Editors: David A. Anderson, Range D. Bayer, Charlie Bruce, Alan Contreras, Tom Crabtree, David Fix, Jeff Gilligan, Steven G. Herman, Mike Houck, David Irons, George A. Jobanek, Jim Johnson, CD. Littlefield, Roy Lowe, David B. Marshall, Harry B. Nehls, David G. Paullin, Mark Stern, Paul Sullivan, Clarice Watson
Oregon Birds14(2): 220,1988 Oregon Field Ornithologists Non-Profit Organization OREGON BIRDS U.S. Postage Paid P.O. Box 10373 Eugene, OR 97401 Permit #516 Eugene, OR 97440
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