The quarterly journal of Oregon field ornithology Volume 24, Number 3, Fall 1998 The Records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee, 1997-98 71 Harry Nehls MEMORIAM: Janice G. "Jan" Krabbe . .73 Merlin S. (Elzy) Eltzroth

Status of Blue-headed and Plumbeous Vireos in Oregon 74 Jim Johnson

Basin & Delta 77 Doug Foster Birding the mouth of New River, Coos Co., Oregon ... 80 David J. Lauten

Inland observations of Red-breasted Merganser in Oregon 82 Bill Tice

News & Notes OB 24(3)

OFO BIRDING WEEKENDS

Curry County Nathaniel Wander

Baker County... Mike Bogar

Malheur NWR Paul T. Sullivan

19th Annual OFO Meeting • 90 Cindy Lawes

FIELDNOTES. • 92

Eastern Oregon, Winter 1997-98 93 Ray Korpi

Western Oregon, Winter 1997-98 97 Bill Tice COVER PHOTO American Black Duck, 4 January 1998, Hood River, Hood River Co. Photo/Skip Russell.

CENTER • OFO Membershipform • OFO Bookcase • OFO Birding Weekends • Oregon Rare Bird Phone Network • Checklist of Oregon's birds • Oregon Shorebird'Festival Oregon Birds is looking for material in these categories: news briefs on things of Oregon Birds temporal importance, such as meetings, y The quarterly journal of Oregon field ornithology birding trips, announcements, news items, OREGON BIRDS is a quarterly publication of Oregon Field Ornithologists, an etc.; articles are longer contributions Oregon not-for-profit corporation. Membership in Oregon Field Ornithologists includes a sub• dealing with identification, distribution, scription to Oregon Birds. ISSN 0890-2 313 ecology, management, conservation, Editor Owen Schmidt taxonomy, behavior, biology, and historical Assistant Editor Sharon K. Blair aspects of ornithology and birding in Oregon Associate Editor Jim Johnson (articles cite references — if any — at the end of the text, names and addresses of OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS authors typically appear at the beginning of President Ray Korpi, Portland (1998-99) [email protected] the text); short notes are shorter Secretary Mary Anne Sohlstrom, Hillsboro (1998-99) [email protected] communications dealing with the same Treasurer Reid Freeman, Eugene (1998-99) [email protected] subjects as articles (short notes typically cite Directors Chuck Gates, Powell Butte (1998-99) [email protected] no references, or at most a few in Ted Ernst, Corvallis (1997-99) [email protected] Vjera Arnold, Springfield (1998-2000) parentheses in the text; names and addresses Tom Winters, John Day (1998-2000) of authors appear at the end of the text); bird Publications Ray Korpi [email protected] finding guides "where to find a in Archivist Paul T. Sullivan [email protected] Oregon" (for some of the rarer birds) and OFO Bookcase Lucy Biggs [email protected] "where to find birds in the area" (for OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE some of the better spots); reviews for Secretary Harry Nehls, Portland (1999) [email protected] published material on Oregon birds or of Members Tom Crabtree, Bend (1998-2000) [email protected] interest to Oregon birders; photographs of Colin Dillingham, Brookings (1998-2000) birds, especially photos taken recently in Jeff Gilligan, Portland (1996-98) [email protected] Oregon (color slide originals are preferred; Jim Johnson, Portland (1996-98) [email protected] please label all photos with photographer's Gerard Lillie, Portland (1997-99) [email protected] Larry McQueen, Eugene (1997-99) [email protected] name and address, bird identification, date Craig Roberts, Tillamook (1996-98) and place the photo was taken; all photos will Skip Russell, Beaverton (1998-2000) [email protected] be returned; contact the Editor for more Owen Schmidt, Portland (1997-99) [email protected] information). Alternates Craig Corder, Hermiston (1998) [email protected] Steven Dowlan, Salem (1998) [email protected] Deadline for the next issue of Oregon Kamal Islam, Corvallis (1998) Birds — OB 24(4), Winter 1998 — is 20 Kevin Spencer, Tulelake, CA (1998) [email protected] October 1998. The next issue should get to Bill Tice, Falls City (1998) [email protected] you by the first week of December 1998. Material can be submitted any time, and the sooner the better. Please send materials Oregon Birds directlv to the Editor. OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE © 1998 Printed on Recycled Paper OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS Soy-based Ink P.O. Box 10373 Eugene, OR 97440

OregoTon Bird ges t InOBR toucC h OFO Boarusd directlOFO Publicationy .... s OFO Birding Weekends Owen Schmidt, Editor Harry Nehls, Secretary Ray Korpi, President Lucy Biggs Paul T. Sullivan 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue 503-289-1676 86701 1/2 Franklin 4470 S.W. Murray Boulevard #26 Portland OR 97212 Portland OR 97202 [email protected] Eugene OR 97405 Beaverton OR 97005 503-282-9403 503-233-3976 Reid Freeman, Treasurer [email protected] 503-646-7889 [email protected] [email protected] 541-343-7488 [email protected] [email protected] Oregon Birds 24(3): 70, Fall 1998 The Records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee, 1997-98 Harry Nehls, Secretary, OBRC, 2736S.E. 20th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 From July 1997 to July 1998 the Or• ver(s) submitting written or other evi• help with expenses: Cape Arago egon Bird Records Committee dence for accepted records, and the Audubon Society, Corvallis Audubon (OBRC) completed the following OBRC record file number.The OBRC Society, Grant County Bird Club, records.The first group of records are record file number reads as follows: Grande Ronde Bird Club, Lane County those for which the written report the first 3 digits are the AOU number Audubon Society, Portland Audubon and/or photographs or specimens for the species, the second 2 are the Society, Umpqua Valley Audubon, and supported the stated identification year in which the record was ob• Yaquina Birders and Naturalists. and are accepted records. If photo(s) served, and the last numbers are the Finally, the OBRC solicits nomina• or specimen is indicated for a record consecutive numbers for the records tions for membership. Each year the it was accepted as verified. Other as they are filled. OBRC elects 3 of its 9 members for records were accepted as sight The members of the OBRC for 1998 3-year terms (technically, the OBRC records. are Tom Crabtree, Colin Dillingham, elects nominees for appointment by Of the 26 records reviewed by the Jeff Gilliganjim Johnson, Gerard Lillie, the OFO Board). Birders themselves Committee 12 were accepted and 14 Larry McQueen, Craig Roberts, Skip interested in serving on the OBRC were not accepted. Russell, and Owen Schmidt.The alter• should nominate themselves. All Information presented below for nates are Craig Corder, Kamal Islam, nominees must be members of OFO each species includes location of Steven Dowlan, Kevin Spencer, and in good standing and all nominations sighting, number of birds, sex and age Bill Tice. must be received by the Secretary if known, special information (such The OBRC thanks the following before 30 October 1998. New terms as collection and museum number) organizations for having made finan• begin at the new calendar year. and date(s), initial(s) of the obser- cial contributions in the past year to Costa's Hummingbird RECORDS ACCEPTED Little Stint 242.3-95-05 South Jetty Columbia River, Clatsop Co., 1 immature 10-11 August 1995 (MP, photos by HN). Costa's Hummingbird 430-96-27 Grants Pass, Josephine Co., 1 adult male 3- 17 November 1996 (DV, photos by CD). 5f' ill Least Flycatcher 647-97-32 Benson Pond, Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1 singing bird on 3 June 1997 (Tape record• ings by DH). Tropical Kingbird 446-96-19 Brookings, Curry Co., 1 bird on 17 October 1996 (EI). Gray-cheeked Thrush Blackpoll Warbler 757-94-02 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1 bird on 26 661-96-35 Cape Blanco, Curry Co., 1 immature bird on September 1994 (TJ,HN). 27 September 1996 (photos by CD). Black-backed Wagtail Rose-breasted Grosbeak 695.1-96-02 Cape Blanco, Curry Co., 1 bird on 9 Novem• 595-96-32 Hunter Creek, Curry Co., 1 second year male ber 1996 (TWa, photos by DMu). on 8 July 1996 (photo by CD). Cape May Warbler Clay-colored Sparrow 650-92-08 Fields, Harney Co., 1 fall bird on 20 Septem• 561-94-34 Newport, Lincoln Co., 1 bird on 21 October ber 1992 (TG). 1994 (CiL).

Oregon Birds 24(3): 71, Fall 1998 Hooded Oriole a Fulvous Whistling-Duck or completely rule 505-95-17 Bend, Deschutes Co., 1 adult male on 2 May out similar duck species. 1996 (PMe). American Black Duck Baltimore Oriole 133-86-03 Yaquina Bay, Lincoln Co., 1 bird observed 7 507-91-03 Brookings, Curry Co., 1 immature male on 1 September 1986The description submitted December 1991 (photos by CD). indicated that this individual was a hybrid, most probably Mallard X American Black Duck. The dull olive-green upper mandible with considerable black mottling plus other plumage characteristics indicate hybrid.The origin of this bird was discussed but it was not the reason this record was not accepted.

Gyrfalcon Bayocean SpitTillamook Co., 1 subadult gray 354-96-20 phase bird on 1 January 1996. This record was very brief and did not give enough de• tail to completely eliminate a Peregrine Fal• con. A large falcon in flight is very difficult to identify" to species. 354-95-21 Baskett siough NWR, Polk Co., 1 dark bird on 9 November 1995. Details of this sight• ing was of a flying bird and was based more Contributors Baltimore Oriole on size and coloration than any other field Colin Dillingham (CD) point. As the description did not eliminate Tony Greager (TG) other large falcons the record was not ac• David Herr (DH) cepted. Elizabeth Irle (EI) Tim Janzen (TJ) Common Moorhen Cindy Lawes** (CiL) 219-95-07 1-84 east of the Sandy River, Multnomah Co., Patty Meehan (PMe) 2 adults on 31 August 1995.The description Don Munson" (DMu) submitted fit that of adult Moorhens. How• Harry Nehls (HN) ever, at the time of the observation no Ameri• Mike Patterson (MP) can Coots were observed. Yet the next day Dennis Vroman (DV) the observer and several other birders found Terry Wahl** (TWa) two juvenile American Coots on the pond ** New to the all lime contributors list. where the Moorhens were seen; they could not find any Moorhens.This species is very RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED rare in Oregon, has occurred only as single individuals, and only during the spring.The Yellow-billed Loon record raises questions despite the good de• 008-94-31 Yaquina Bay, Lincoln Co., 1 winter plumaged scription. The Committee decided not to adult 21-27 November 1994. Details submit• accept the record. ted were rather sketchy and incomplete and did not completely rule out second winter Curlew Sandpiper plumaged Common Loon 244-95-14 South Jetty of the Columbia River, Clatsop 008-94-32 Wallowa Lake, Wallowa Co., 1 winter plum• Co.. 1 bird on 26 August 1995.The descrip• aged bird on 29 December 1994. Details sub• tions submitted appeared to be that of a Cur• mitted adequately described a Yellow-billed lew Sandpiper. However, the slide taken of Loon but the photos created some questions. the bird showed chestnut or dark reddish Other birders visiting the area a few days tertails edges and a back pattern inconsistant later observed a loon that appeared to be with that species. The Committee did not the bird described and photographed ear- accept this questionable individual. lier.After close examination it was identified as a Common Loon.As there was some ques• Ross's Gull tion on the identification of this bird the Yaquina Bay, Lincoln Co., 1 immature bird record not accepted. 061-93-02 on 18-19 April 1993.The description of this individual was of a bird in transitional plum• Fulvous Whistling-Duck age. It was seen at a distance and many iden• 178-95-02 Upper Campbell Lake,Lake Co., 2 birds were tifiable field points were not seen and some observed 18 September 1995. Not accepted that were described could well have been as descriptions did not adequately describe distorted by lighting and distance. This re- Oregon Birds 24(3): 72, Fall 1998 port did not completely eliminate other spe• There were enough questions for the Com• cies of small gulls. mittee to not accept the record. Costa's Hummingbird Curve-billed Thrasher 430-94-28 Agate Beach, Lincoln Co., a male from 10 707-95-01 Toketee Lake,Douglas Co., 1 bird on 12 July November to 13 December 1994. The de• and 1 August 1995. The descriptions given scriptions submitted did not completely were contradictory and somewhat incom• describe a Costa's Hummingbird.The feeder plete.They did not rule out similar thrasher attracted a good number ofAnna' s Humming• species that may have been in heavily worn birds and there was considerable confusion plumage at this time of year. and discussion during the period of obser• vation about a Costa's actually being there. Northern Parula Because of the doubt raised the Committee 648-93-22 Bayocean Peninsula,Tillamook Co., 1 female did not accept this record. or immature on 24 July 1993.There were too many inconsistencies in the description to Least Flycatcher identify this bird as a Northern Parula and 467-90-29 Thornton Creek, Lincoln Co., 1 bird observed eliminate other warbler species. 24 August 1990. The plumage description 648-93-23 Florence, Lane Co., 1 female on 21 August provided was not complete enough to iden• 1993 The observation of this bird was brief tify a Least Flycatcher and eliminate other and the chance of mis-identification great. Empidonax species. A persistently calling The description of the bird was incomplete bird in late August is highly unusual and and did not fully eliminate other species of raised questions on what was actually heard. warbler. 0

August % 1933 - May 16,1998 MEM0R1AM: Janice G. "Jan" Krabbe Born in Buffalo, N.Y., reared in Little April 1984 issue of Bird Watcher's In February 1980 she was elected Rock, Arkansas, after finishing high Digest published her article "Reserved founding Secretary of Oregon Field school there she earned a BS degree for Bluebirds."Jan took part in many Ornithologists and held that position at the University of Houston. Jan Christmas Bird Counts and was for 2 terms. Her campaign slogan was moved to Corvallis in 1965 and re• Corvallis Audubon Society's represen• "I can type 50 birds a minute!" Fol• ceived a Master's degree in Marine tative in helping get the lowing that she was elected an OFO Biology from Oregon State University Jackson-FrazierWetland established as board member for 2 additional years. in 1969. Her employment, first with a Benton County Park. One of her achievements was orga• the Environmental ProtectionAgency nizing the first statewide Rare Bird then with the U.S. Department of Ag• Phone Network for OFO in 1982. riculture, was followed by 10 years Until last year, she was listed as with the Student Development Divi• co-leader for the most birds seen in sion at Linn-Benton Community col• Benton County. Certainly a highlight lege. was being one of the first group of She Joined the Audubon Society of observers to correctly identify the Corvallis in 1978 and was elected Spotted Redshank at the south Jetty Secretary in 1980. After that she of the Columbia River in February served as editor of the chapter news• 1981. It was the first Spotted Reds• letter Chat for 2 years and edited or hank on the West Coast south of co-edited the field notes for 4 years. Canada and created widespread inter• During this time Jan assisted in non- est. game bird rehabilitation and with the — Merlin S. (Elzy) Eltzroth, 6980 bluebird trail by field testing differ• N.W Cardinal Drive, Corvallis, ent types of nest boxes.The March- OR 97330-9527

Oregon Birds 24(3): 73, Fall 1998 Status of Blue-headed and Plumbeous Vireos in Oregon

Jim Johnson, 6303 S.E. Ramona Street, Portland, OR 97206 [email protected] Cassin's Vireo (Vireo cassinii), Blue- spring report was in 1992 when Vireos are scarce with only 2 so far: headed Vireo CV. solitarius) and Gerard Lillie found one on Mt. Tabor one bird was found in Fields, Harney Plumbeous Vireo (V. plumbeous) in Portland, Multnomah County, on 29 County, on 4 August 1994 by Maitreya; were considered conspecific under March. and a pair finishing construction of a the name Solitary Vireo (V.solitarius) One published report of a Blue- nest in a cedar was found along Kelly until July 1997, when the American headed Vireo at Malheur N.W.R. head• Cr., south of Lakeview, Lake Co., on Ornithologists' Union published the quarters (Anderson 1989) is not in• 13 July 1996, by Mike and Merry Lynn forty-first supplement to the Check• cluded in this summary because the Denny. Craig Miller (pers. comm.) list of North American Birds (Ameri• observer is now unsure that the iden• searched for these birds on 24 July can Ornithologists' Union 1997). tification was correct. 1996, but unfortunately, the site was Cassin's Vireo is the common and being logged and the vireos were not widespread breeder throughout the Plumbeous Vireo Reports in relocated. Gilligan et al. (1994) men• Pacific Northwest, including Oregon, Oregon tions, without details, that Plumbeous while Blue-headed and Plumbeous The Plumbeous Vireo breeds in Vireo has been seen during the breed• Vireos are rare in the state.The latter Great Basin and Rocky Mountain ing season in Umatilla County, but the 2 species are included on the Oregon woodlands north to southern Mon• only record that I could locate was Bird Records Committee's (hereafter tana and west to east-central Califor• of a possible individual along the up• OBRC) list of review species. nia (American Ornithologists' Union per Umatilla River, east of Gibbon, in In this article I summarize and dis• 1983). So far, all Oregon reports have July 1994. However, the observer is cuss the timing and distribution of come from east of the Cascades crest. now unsure of the sighting, so it is known reports of Blue-headed and For purposes of this summary of not included for consideration. Plumbeous Vireos in Oregon through Plumbeous Vireo sightings, the spring The remaining 5 reports are from fall 1997, but no attempt was made period is considered to extend the fall period from late August to the to assess the validity of these reports. through mid-June; the summer or end of September, with 2 in Harney Also, I summarize the field identifica• breeding season is mid-June through County, one in Lake County, one in tion of Blue-headed and Plumbeous mid-August; and the fall period starts Deschutes County, and 2 from Vireos.All reports in the tables below in mid-August. Wallowa County. refer to single birds except where The first Oregon Plumbeous Vireo Littlefield (1990) reported that noted. I use the name "Solitary Vireo" report came from Plush,Lake Co.,on Plumbeous Vireo occurred on the in this article to refer to all 3 species 28 May 1976 by Steve and Priscilla Malheur N.WR. during migration,but collectively. Summers (Table 2).The species was those records were not detailed so not reported again until 1992, but they could not be included in this Blue-headed Vireo Reports in since then it has been found annu• summary. Oregon ally in Harney County and rarely else• The Blue-headed Vireo breeds where. Identification of Blue-headed and throughout much of southern Canada Twelve (60 percent) of the 20 Or• Plumbeous Vireos (west to northeastern British Colum• egon reports fall within the spring Comments regarding the field iden• bia), the Great Lakes region, northeast• period, and all but one of these were tification of Blue-headed and ern United States and the Appalachian reported from Harney County mi• Plumbeous Vireos and their separa• Mountains (American Ornithologists' grant traps such as the town of Fields tion from Cassin's Vireo were largely Union 1983). and the Malheur N.WR. headquarters. gleaned from Heindel (1996). Refer There are only 6 reports of Blue- Note that some records, in particular to that article for a more detailed dis• headedVireo in Oregon (Table l).The the 22 May-12 June 1994 report, may cussion of identification and several first 2 reports were, amazingly, found pertain to more than one individual. color photographs. at the same location almost exactly 5 Summer reports of Plumbeous Potential Blue-headed and years apart: at Bayocean sandspit, Tillamook County, by Harry Nehls Table 1. Reports of Blue-headed Vireo in Oregon. on 4 October 1980; and DATE LOCATION OBSERVER(S)1 SOURCE2 by Jeff Gilligan and Stefan 10/04/80 Bayocean sandspit, Tillamook Co. HN pers. comm. Adolfson on 5 October 10/05/85 Bayocean sandspit, Tillamook Co. JG, SA pers. comm. 1985 Three additional fall 3/29/92 Mt. Tabor, Portland, Multnomah Co. GL pers. comm. birds have been reported 9/09/92 Rosebud Ranch, Summer L. Basin, Lake Co. SS AB47(1), OB 19(2) — two in Lake County 9/13/93 Summer Lake Basin, Lake Co. SS AB 48(1), OB 20(2) during September and 10/03/93 Sawyer Park, Bend, Deschutes Co. TC AB 48(1), OB 20(2) one in Deschutes County SA, Stefan Adolfson; TC, Tom Crabtree; JG, Jeff Gilligan; GL, Gerard Lillie; HN, Harry Nehls; SS, Steve Summers in early October.The only AB, American Birds Field Notes; OB, Oregon Birds Field Notes

Oregon Birds 24(3): 74, Fall 1998 Plumbeous Vireos in Oregon must be ration of bright Cassin's and dull Blue- Discussion identified with caution and every ef• headed Vireos can be very difficult The Blue-headed Vireo is clearly a fort should be made to obtain photo• without comparative experience so vagrant in Oregon, primarily during graphs and/or song recordings. Note always use a combination of charac• fall migration. Reports of this species that some Solitary Vireos, possibly ters to make the identification (see are split between western and east• hybrids, have intermediate character• the note above regarding molt). ern Oregon, but there is only one istics and may not be identified to Other more subjective features may spring record — the rest found dur• species with confidence. be useful. The song of Blue-headed ing fall migration. It is interesting that Knowledge of the Solitary Vireo Vireo is generally sweeter and more there are no Blue-headed Vireo molt schedule is important when musical, without the slight burry qual• records from the well-birded migrant identifying an out-of-range birdAdults ity of Cassin's.This difference is com• traps of Harney County such as the go through a complete prebasic molt plicated, however, by the fact that Malheur N. WR. headquarters and the on the breeding grounds in July and there is a east-west cline in Blue- town of Fields, long popular with August. Therefore, adults look their headed Vireo songs, being clearer in northwestern birders looking for east• brightest during fall migration, and the east and burry in the western ern vagrants .A significant percentage some Cassin's Vireos, especially males, portions of the species' range (James of Oregon's vagrant warbler records may appear closer to Blue-headed. 1981). Song differences are highly come from these migrant traps, so it Conversely, southbound immature subjective even with comparative seems natural to assume that more Blue-headed Vireos, generally less col• experience. Blue-headed Vireo is said Blue-headed Vireos would be found orful than adults, may appear closer to be more sedate than Cassin's with there as well.There is no explanation to Cassin's at this time of year. The less wing-flicking. for this apparent anomaly. prealternate molt before spring mi• The Basin and Range area of south• gration is partial, involving only some J FMAMJ JASOND east Oregon seems to be just at the of the greater wing coverts and fringe, or just outside, the Plumbeous tertials. Because much of the plum• Vireo's known breeding range, but age is several months old during this species has been found annually spring migration and may be worn Figure 2. Plumbeous Vireo records in Oregon. Each dot, and each pair of dots connected by a dotted in this region's migrant traps in recent and faded, some Cassin's Vireos at this line, represents one report. years, with 60 percent reported from time of year may look quite gray and the period of mid-May to mid-June. could be confused with Plumbeous Plumbeous Vireo Only 3 of the 20 reports were from Vireo. For the same reason, some Field identification characters of areas outside Harney and Lake Coun• spring Blue-headed Vireos, especially Plumbeous Vireo include: all gray ties. More intensive searching may females, may be faded and appear head and back; white edgings to the prove that the Plumbeous Vireo is a closer to Cassin's Vireo. flight feathers, rather than greenish regular, though uncommon, breeder as in Cassin's: and dingy underparts in southeast Oregon, as suggested by J FMAMJ JASOND (aside from a bold white throat) with its annual occurrence and one con• a grayish wash along the flanks. firmed breeding attempt. Though essentially a gray-and-white Also of interest is that the Figure I. Blue-headed Vireo records in species, some may have a slight green• Plumbeous Vireo was largely unre• dot represents one report. ish tinge to the rump, olive at the sides ported in Oregon until 1992, except of the breast or pale yellow along the for the 1976 report. This was about Blue-headed Vireo lower flanks. Beware of faded and when rumors of a potential split of Identification characters to look for worn spring Cassin's Vireos which the Solitary Vireo were first going in the field include: blue-gray to gray can look quite gray, but close inspec• around, and perhaps this encouraged head contrasting sharply with both a tion should reveal faint greenish many birders to really start looking. snow-white throat and a green back; edges on the flight feathers, and some On the other hand, Plumbeous Vireo bright lemon or greenish-yellow greenish tones on the back and/or is typically distinct enough from our along the sides and vent; and often sides. Just as with Blue-headed Vireo, familiar Cassin's Vireo that I think they extensive, contrasting white edgings Plumbeous Vireo flicks its wings less would be difficult to overlook. An• on the outer three tail feathers. Note than Cassin's Vireo. other possible explanation for the rise that there is a decrease in plumage The Gray Vireo (V. viciniof), al• in Plumbeous Vireo reports is that brightness and contrast from adult though unrecorded in Oregon, is su• they are expanding their range into males to immature females, particu• perficially similar to Plumbeous Vireo southeastern Oregon from Nevada larly with regard to head coloration. and has a chance of occurring in the and Idaho, but only time can confirm Any Solitary Vireo with an obviously state. On the face, the Gray Vireo has this hypothesis. blue head can safely be called a Blue- a thin white eyering and pale gray If the Plumbeous Vireo does ex• headed Vireo, and is likely a male. lores, rather than the bold white spec• pand its breeding range into eastern Cassin's Vireos are more uniformly tacles and dark lores of Plumbeous Oregon, it will be interesting to see colored with less bright yellow and Vireo. Also, Gray Vireos typically dif• how it will affect breeding popula• green tones and dingier white throat fer in having only one well-formed tions of Cassin's Vireo. The present and breast, with softer, diffuse head/ wing bar on the greater wing coverts, breeding status of Cassin's Vireo in back and head/throat contrasts. Sepa• rather than two bold white wing bars southeast Oregon is somewhat un-

Oregon Birds 24(3): 75, Fall 1998 clear, however: Littlefield (1990) men• Vireos at the same time of year for Birds of Malheur County, Oregon tions that he has found nesting Soli• comparison? and the Adjacent Snake River Is• tary Vireos on Steens Mtn. in an as• Continued careful observation and lands of Idaho. Oregon Field Orni• pen-juniper association, but doesn't documentation by birders may shed thologists Special Publication No. state which form they were; Marshall some light on the true status of these 8. (1987) doesn't mention any birds of species in Oregon. Gilligan, J, M. Smith, D. Rogers, and A. the Solitary Vireo complex being Contreras, editors. 1994. Bird of found on 4 ranges, including Steens, Acknowledgments Oregon: Status and Distribution. in southern Harney and Malheur I thank everyone who contributed Cinclus Publications, McMinnville, Counties; and Contreras and Oregon reports, and Matt Hunterjeff Oregon. Kindschy (1996) state that Cassin's Gilligan and David Bailey for provid• Heindel, M.T. 1996. Field Identifica• Vireo breeds only in the northwest• ing many helpful comments on an tion of the Solitary Vireo Complex. ern corner of Malheur County. early draft of this article. Birding 28(6):458-471. James, R.D. 1981. Factors Affecting Caveat LITERATURE CITED Variation in the Primary Song of Is it just coincidence that most re• American Ornithologists' Union. North American Solitary Vireos. Ca• ports of Blue-headed Vireo have come 1983. Check-List of North American nadian Journal of Zoology in fall, when Cassin's Vireo may look Birds. Sixth EdAmerican Ornitholo• 59:2001-2009. more "blue-headed" and colorful? And, gists' Union. Littlefield, CD. 1990.Birds of Malheur is it just coincidence that most re• American Ornithologists' Union. National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon. ports of Plumbeous Vireo have come 1997. Forty-first supplement to the Oregon State University Press, in late spring, when Cassin's Vireo is American Ornithologists' Union Corvallis, Oregon. in its most worn plumage and looks Check-list of North American Marshall, D.B. 1987. Comparative Bird most "plumbeous"? Do these reports Birds. The Auk 114:542-552. Observations from Steens, Pueblo, represent the normal pattern of oc• Anderson, D.A. 1989. FIELDNOTES: Trout Creek and Oregon Canyon currence of these species in Oregon? Eastern Oregon, Fall 1988. Oregon Mountains. Oregon Birds It is possible that some reports of Birds 15(2):113-H9. 13(2):193-209. 0 Blue-headed and Plumbeous Vireos from Oregon are incorrect. Contreras A-and R.R. Kindschy. 1996. On the other hand, some of the drab Blue-headed Table 2. Reports of Plumbeous Vireo in Oregon. Vireos (spring adults and DATE LOCATION OBSERVER(S)1 SOURCE2 fall immatures) and 5/28/76 Plush, Lake Co. S&PS fide CM brighter Plumbeous Vireos 5/25/92 Frenchglen, Harney Co. JG.GL.HN AB 46(3), OB 18(4) in fall probably have been 6/05/93 Andrews, Harney Co. JG,HN OB 20(1) overlooked. It will be inter• 6/07/93 Malheur N.W.R. hq, Harney Co. TJ.DvdB OB 20(1) esting to see how our un• 9/03/93 near Joseph, Wallowa Co. CC,JSt OB 20(2) derstanding of these spe• 9/17/93 Hatch, Wallowa Co. CC,JSt OB 20(2) cies' occurrence in Oregon 5/22/94- Fields, Harney Co. JG,DB,JJ,TC,AM,HN,M AB 48(3), OB 20(4) evolves over the coming 6/12/94 years. 8/04/94 Fields, Harney Co. M pers. comm.

Observers are asked to 8/23/94- Fields, Harney Co.3 M pers. comm. consider the following fac• 8/26/94 tors when viewing a pos• 9/17/94 Indian Ford Cmpgrnd, Desch. Co. DS fide CM sible Blue-headed or 5/20/95 Fields, Harney Co. M pers. comm. Plumbeous Vireo in Or• 5/28/95- Malheur N.W.R. hq, Harney Co.3 JSi,AM,JJ,M OB 22(1) egon and separating it 6/04/95 from Cassin's Vireo: 6/02/95 Fields, Harney Co. M pers. comm. • plumage variation by 6/12/95 Fields, Harney Co. DB.JJ AB 49(5), OB 22(1) season (brighter, fresh- 9/30/95 Malheur N.W.R. hq, Harney Co. AM OB 22(2) plumaged adults in the fall, 5/24/96- Malheur N.W.R. hq, Harney Co. RK,JJ,JG,TJ,HN,TK OB 22(4) and duller, worn-plumaged 5/26/96 birds in the spring); 7/13/96 Kelly Cr, Lake Co. (pair at nest) M&MD OB 23(1) • plumage variation by 5/23/97- Fields, Harney Co. M,M&MD pers. comm. age and sex (adults gener• 5/25/97 ally more colorful than 5/26/97- Malheur N.W.R. hq, Harney Co. RK,SR pers. comm. immatures, males generally 5/31/97 more colorful than fe• 6/03/97 9 mi. n. of Buchanon, Harney Co. JL pers. comm. males); and DB, David Bailey; DvdB, Dan van den Broek; CC, Craig Corder; M&MD, Mike & Merry Lynn Denny; JG, Jeff Gilligan; TJ, Tim • have you recently ob• Janzen; JJ, Jim Johnson; RK, Ray Korpi; GL, Gerard Lillie; JL, John Lundsten, AM, Alan McGie; M, Maitreya; HN, Harry served several Cassin's Nehls; SR, Skip Russell, JSi, Jamie Simmons; DS, Dave Stesjkal; JSt, Judy Stevens; S&PS, Steve & Priscilla Summers AB, American Birds Field Notes; CM, Craig Miller; OB, Oregon Birds Field Notes May pertain to more than one bird.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 76, Fall 1998 Greater White-fronted Geese at rest in a field in the Klamath Basin. Photo/Don Hummel. Yukon Delta Gulf of Alaska Basin & Delta Klamath Basin Doug Foster, 189 Myer Creek Road, Ashland OR 97520

The Klamath Basin and Yukon Delta that annually nest in the Delta are are linked by waterfowl. Millions of from the Pacific flyway. acres of wetlands and roadless tun• Sky-blackening swirls of migrating 'ft, dra make the Yukon Delta in western ducks and geese can sometimes still Alaska the most productive waterfowl be seen in Fall in the Klamath Basin breeding grounds in North America. — for this is where the Pacific flyway Thousands of miles to the south on constricts, like the waist of an hour• the California-Oregon border, the Kla• glass. Waterfowl were once drawn to math Basin is a funnel for 80 percent the immense, shallow lakes and of waterfowl migrating along the Pa• marshes that filled this inland plateau. Klamath Basin by the thousands, and cific flyway. Five federal waterfowl Most of these wetlands were drained blue autumn skies set off their orange refuges and tens of thousands of acres in reclamation projects, and today feet and black-and- white bellies. In of grain fields and marshes make the fields of alfalfa and grain grow on the October, Cackling Canada Geese ar• Basin a critical staging area for ducks, reclaimed lands. Migrating waterfowl rive and their oft-repeated, high- geese, and swans migrating along the are now drawn to the Basin's crop• pitched "luk-luk, luk-luks" fill the air. Pacific flyway. lands; the refuges there cooperatively Cackling Canada Geese, a western The Yukon Delta — which encom• farm part of their land and leave a sub-species of the Canada Goose passes the broad outlets of Alaska's 2 third of the crops on the ground as found only in the Pacific flyway are largest rivers, the Yukon and high energy food for waterfowl. the smallest of the white-cheeked Kuskokwim — is a vast, flat Historically, the Klamath Basin has geese — only slightly heavier than a wetland-tundra complex underlain been the most important Fall staging Mallard. They are commonly known with permafrost and dotted with area in the Pacific flyway for both as cacklers because their shrill calls countless ponds, lakes, and meander• Cackling Canada Geese and Greater sound like laughter. Historically, over ing rivers. Most of this land lies within White-fronted Geese. Both species fly 60 percent of the world's population the protective boundaries of the non-stop for 2000 miles from Alaska gathered at Tule Lake National Wild• 26-miIlion acre Yukon Delta National to Oregon, crossing the Gulf of Alaska life Refuge in the Klamath Basin each Wildlife Refuge. The Delta provides and making land-fall at the mouth of Fall before continuing south to win• habitat for all 4 of North America's the Columbia River. In September, ter in California's Sacramento and San flyways, but the preponderance of the when the grain fields are golden, Juaquin Valleys. Recently, most million ducks and half-million geese waves ofWhite-fronts descend on the cacklers have been wintering in

Oregon Birds 24(3): 77, Fall 1998 northern Oregon's Willamette Valley; rebounded to 318,000. In early No• to open, these geese descend on the only 15,000 cacklers congregated in vember when their numbers peak in Delta to nest .White-fronts are the first the Tule Lake Refuge in November the Basin, you can expect to see about to nest, and sometimes late snow• 1997. Overhunting in the nine- 100,000White-fronts at Tule Lake ref• storms cover the backs of these incu• teen-sixties and seventies decimated uge, according to Dave Mauser.These bating geese. Cackling Canada Geese, cutting their geese prefer to forage in barley The principal duck species to nest numbers by 90 percent — but a 10- stubble fields, especially flooding on the Delta are Green-winged Teal, year strict hunting ban has increased fields where water lifts barley seeds Greater Scaup, and Northern Pintails. their population to 205,000. within easy reach. About 5 percent of the Pintails in The best place in the Klamath Ba• After staging in the Klamath Basin North America nest on the Delta; over sin to see cacklers in November, ac• these geese fly south to winter in three- quarters of these Pintails mi• cording to Klamath Basin National California's Central Valley, with some grate to California to winter. Pintails, Wildlife Refuge wildlife biologist White-fronts continuing on south to the most abundant duck in the Pacific Dave Mauser, is along the Tule Lake Mexico. They begin moving back flyway are one of the first ducks to refuge tour route, where the geese north in February — but in a more migrate south in Fall; and they are also feed on alfalfa and green-sprouting gradual, less concentrated migration one of the first to return north in winter wheat. In November 1987, a than in Fall. In Spring they are scat• Spring. Early arrivals at the Delta feed flock of 40,000 Cackling Canada tered throughout the Basin, as hunt• on the tundra's over-wintered blue• Geese was seen feeding in one alfalfa ing pressure does not drive them to berries and crowberries. field near Tule Lake. (While the ma• the safety of the refuges.A good place Two important pintail migration ture cacklers favor carbohydrate-rich to see cacklers and White-fronts in the corridors that connect Alaska and the grain seeds, immature birds favor Klamath Basin in April, according to Klamath Basin are an inland route via protein-rich green forage.) Mauser, is the Miller Island Wildlife Alberta and a coastal route from the One of the largest concentrations Management Area south of Klamath tip of the Alaska Peninsula direct to of White-fronted Geese in North Falls. the Klamath Basin, across a corner of America occurs in the Klamath Basin, The Yukon Delta is the nesting the Pacific Ocean. Northern Pintails where most of the Pacific population ground for virtually all the world's mass in the Basin in peak numbers in gathers in late October and early Cackling Canada Geese and for most early November, according to Mauser, November.These Pacific flyway geese of the Pacific population of Greater and you can then expect to see about also suffered an 80-percent popula• White-fronted Geese. In May, when Tundra Swans on snow-covered ice, Lower Klamath tion decline from overhunting a few the tundra is often still covered with National Wildlife Refuge, Siskiyou Co., CA. Photo/ years ago, but their numbers have snow and the lakes are just beginning Otis Swisher.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 78, Fall 1998 300,000 pintails at Lower Klamath Spring, migrating through Alberta. Swans just at Lower Klamath National National Wildlife Refuge. (The US Fish Most Pacific flyway Tundra Swans Wildlife Refuge.) In February, flocks andWildlife Service census at the end stage at Great Salt Lake enroute to of Tundra Swans trace oblique white of October 1997 counted 570,000 California's Central Valley, but large lines across the Basin's skies: their big, Northern Pintails at Lower Klamath numbers veer from Alberta to stage white wings beat a slow, steady, shal• Refuge). After staging in the Basin, at the Klamath Basin before continu• low cadence, their loud, eerie "hoo- Pintails fly on south to winter in the ing south to their wintering grounds. ing" calls flow constantly across the California's Central Valley, with They don't arrive in the Basin in sub• air — each note preceded by a smaller numbers continuing on to the stantial numbers until early Decem• wheezy, whistling exhalation. The west Coast of Mexico. ber. sights and sounds of migrating swans, The Yukon Delta provides nesting In the Pacific flywayTundra Swans once experienced, are never forgot• habitat for 45 percent of the are the last to arrive in Fall and the ten. continent'sTundra Swans. In the first first to leave again for their breeding The Klamath Basin is home to the weeks of MayTundra Swans arrive at grounds in the north. With the first first waterfowl refuge created in this the Delta and begin to build nests al• Spring thaw, Tundra Swans become country: President Theodore most as soon as they land. Eighty per• restless and begin to push north.They Roosevelt set aside Lower Klamath cent of nesting swans on the Delta usually begin to leave central Califor• National Wildlife Refuge in 1908The select sites on small islands in lakes nia in mid-February and within 3 following year Roosevelt set aside or on the shores of lakes and ponds weeks almost all have departed. Many land in the Yukon Delta as a preserve within 20 yards of the water; the rest north-bound Tundra Swans stage in and breeding ground for birds. This pick hummocks in marshes, heath the Klamath Basin in the Spring; but area was greatly expanded in the tundra within 100 yards of water or, by mid-March they are departing the nineteen-twenties, thirties, sixties, and more rarely, level meadow areas. Basin on their northerly migration. eighties; and now the Yukon Delta Most Tundra Swans that nest on the The best time to see Tundra Swans National Wildlife Refuge is more than Delta winter in the Pacific flyway. Mi• in the Basin is early to mid-February, 100 times the size of all the federal grating swans start to leave the Delta according to Mauser, for they stage refuges in the Klamath Basin. But to• in mid-September, although some re• there in greatest concentrations in day — as has been true for millennia main until freeze up in October.Their Spring. You can expect to see 5000 — both Basin and Delta are critical Fall migration is more leisurely than to 10,000 then, although peak num• links in the Pacific flyway. 0 in Spring — the Tundra Swans gradu• bers often exceed 30,000. (The U.S. ally move south as freeze-up over• Fish and Wildlife Service Klamath takes them.They are interior migrants, Basin waterfowl survey for 17 Febru• Tundra Swan closeup, Lower Klamath National using the same corridors Fall and ary 1988, counted 19,140 Tundra Wildlife Refuge. Siskiyou Co., CA. Photo/Otis Swisher.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 79, Fall 1998 Birding the mouth of New River, Coos Co., Oregon

David J. Lauten, Suite 130, 181 S.Broadway, Coos Bay, OR 97420 [email protected] There are 2 relatively easy access friendly, but also points to New River. Traveling south enjoy their peace, of Bandon on Hwy. 101 there is a Wild• so it is best to be life Park and Zoo. Immediately after sensitive when the parking lot of the park is Lower out there. One Four Mile Road.Turn right here.Travel can walk a dis• on this road and it will become gravel, tance north, but a curve past several houses, and better way to t \ straighten toward the dunes to the plore is to cross west. The road bends sharply to the the river, as the right with a driveway and house con• western side is tinuing straight ahead. On the left side easy to walk of the private driveway is a fenced 2- along and much rutted road that leads into a field.Just more open. , to the south is another private resi• To get aero- r dence.This field is the property of the one must wade or BLM, and is a public access point to wear high boots New River. Park along the road and — or, drag a ca• fence, but park clear of the private noe, kayak, or in driveway. flatable boat Walk through the fence along the down to the river. rutted old road, and follow it out The depth of the through the field. Keep walking west river varies from when the grass gets thick. Soon you spot to spot ant will see New River in front of you, time of year, br; with Four Mile Creek just to the south. tends to be n During mid- to late-summer the river more than thigh shallows to dry conditions, and it is deep in many along here that mudflats form. The spots.The mud on conditions may change yearly, so the other hand some scouting may be needed to find can be soft and Coos County the current best areas. deep, so choose The mudflats attract excellent num• your spot care• Curry County bers of migrating shorebirds, with fully. Another al• Western and Least Sandpipers being ternative is to go the most common. Other common to access point / shorebirds include Black-bellied Plo• number two, de- / vers, Semipalmated Plovers, and scribed below. Short-billed Dowitchers, but a large Further south after the wildlife park trailer. There are trails leading variety of shorebirds are also fre• on Hwy. 101 you will cross Fourmile throughout the property. See Birding quently found including Golden-Plo• Creek, and the next right is Croft Road in Southwestern Oregon for better vers, Baird's Sandpipers, and Whim- (with the blueberry farm sign).Turn details. brels. Scan the shorebirds carefully for right here (west) and follow this road During summer, vehicles are not the unusual, as the potential to find until the pavement ends and the road permitted to drive all the way down just about anything is excellent here. forks. Stay right, and drive past the to the boat ramp (this is to restrict The mudflats can be scanned from cranberry fields, then stay left at the access to New River during the breed• the edge of the river, or one can get end of the field, go up the hill and ing season of the Snowy Plover; New onto the mudflats and walk to the onto the BLM's Storm Ranch property. River is one of the better nesting lo• north for a more thorough check. This place has many of the common cations in the state). The walk down Remember however that this is pri• birds that inhabit the coastal shrub is only about a mile, and is relatively vate property, with the property lines and short pine forest, and definitely flat and easy.The walk along the road going all the way out to the beach! has both Allen's and Rufous Hum• will be excellent for passerines. In The river once was not here, but has mingbirds, as well as Anna's. It is a fine September this access point is flowed northward over the years place to study the difference between opened and one can drive down to forming a new river channel (a "new displaying males (Tim Rodenkirk, per• the river. river"), splitting the private proper• sonal communication) .Also check the At the boat ramp there is a need to ties.The landowners tend to be very hummingbird feeder at the host's cross The best thing to do is bring an

Oregon Birds 24(3): 80, Fall 1998 inflatable along (or canoe, kayak, etc.) and float across, but one can wade here. Beware however that directly off the ramp is a deep hole, so do not cross here! Go down river (north) be• tween 25 to 75 yards or so, and cross. It may be as deep as your waist in places, but you may find a place no deeper than thigh deep. Of course every winter this could all change, so be careful — and hold your optics high! The area just south of the boat ramp and across from the boat ramp is good to check for "grass-loving" shorebirds such as Buff-breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers.The area is more marshy here and often ducks are present. Rails most likely use these shorelines, too. Once across head north (down• stream) along the wide west bank and shore bird! After a mile you will come to Four Mile Creek on the east side of New River, and the BLM access property. North of here is the private property. You may continue along, as this has been an excellent area. If you choose to continue north through private properly soon the dunes on your left will fade out and a long sand spit will be in front of you.This is the New River spit The river side may still have some good areas for shorebirds. A long walk out the spit brings you to the mouth of the river, which changes every year.The mouth almost always has gulls and Caspian Terns in summer, and Brown Pelicans and Double-crested Cormorants may sit on the beach here too .An Elegant Tern was noted here only once during the big summer 1997 invasion. Throughout all the dunes, the spit, and along the high beach is prime Snowy Plover nesting habitat. It is generally a restricted area throughout the summer, although there are no signs to inform you of this. Please be very sensitive if you pass through any exclosures as these are plover nests Murres are common, and Cassin's and of these areas. Plover nests are very and approaching an exclosure may be Rhinoceros Auklet have been seen. cryptic; you may never see an adult, a violation of law for harassment. Shearwaters tend to be out pretty far as they see you before you see them So if you elect to go onto the beach at New River, depending on the wind. and they sneak off the nest unnoticed. please be careful, but please do en• Check the ocean for loons, grebes, Nests are easily stepped on and you joy the plovers, as there are good scoters, and other waterfowl. would be surprised how out in the numbers here and should be rela• If you have walked all the way to open they could be, yet incredibly tively easy to find. In fact they are of• the mouth of the river, you can return hard to see. If you see an adult feign• ten easiest to see along the river, via a long walk up the beach or via ing injury or anxiously flying and run• where they brood chicks, chase the river. Either way be prepared to ning about, please back away from the meals, and hide from the wind. spend 6 hours here, but it is a most area as there is either a nest or chicks The ocean here can be productive rewarding and interesting place with nearby. Do not go near any fencing for Marbled Murrelets. Common incredible potential. 0

Oregon Birds 24(3): 81, Fall 1998 Inland observations of Red-breasted Merganser in Oregon Bill Tice, 750 Wood Street, Falls City, OR 97344

The Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus life, it is possible to tell the young males and RECORDS EAST OF THE CASCADES: serratof) is a relatively common bird females only [italics supplied] by specimens in North America and Eurasia, and in hand. We feel, therefore, that many of the Lake Co., 12 Records: nests across the entire Northern Red-breasted Mergansers reported on sight 4/13/88 (1 adult drake) Summer Lake WA, River Hemisphere, including all of Alaska, observation from Malheur and Klamath ba• Campground, Marty St. Louis most of Canada, southern Greenland, sins are in reality the American Merganser. 5/4/88 (5) Summer Lake WA, C. Miller, Marty St. Iceland, Scandinavia, and northern Louis (1 pair at Duchy Lake, 2 females, 1 drake at Schoolhouse Lake) OB 14(3) :370 Siberia. It winters chiefly on all the Due to better optics, field marks 5/7-9/88 (4) Thompson Res., Steve &PriscillaSum• coasts north of the Tropic of Cancer recognition, and greater field cover• mers. Jim & Judy Carlson, 1 drake, 3 females OB (23 degrees latitude) except Africa. age by competent birders, few would 14(3):370 During the winter months, it is found hesitate to identify these birds with 5/9/90 (1 female) Summer Lake WA, Schoolhouse most often in Oregon on coastal bays, certainty on inland waters 57 years Lake, Merle Archie estuaries, and to a lesser extent be• later. While we are still at risk for mis• 9/26/90 (1) Summer Lake WA&vicinity, Steve Sum• yond the surf. Most sightings are of taking Common Mergansers for Red- mers individuals, pairs, or small groups. breasted Mergansers in certain plum• 11/21/90 (1 female) Summer Lake WA, C. Miller, Red-breasted Mergansers are also ages, we may wish to reconsider their E.J. Miller OB 17(2):52 conclusion: 4/17/91 (5 birds) Summer Lake WA, Steve Sum• occasionally found on inland waters mers, OB 17(4):125 in Oregon.These birds are either win• We feel, therefore, that many of the Red- breasted Mergansers reported on sight ob• 5/2/91 (1) Summer Lake W.A., Steve Summers tering or are seen during migration. 5/13/91 (1) Thompson Reservoir, C. Miller, OB In recent years, due to greater cover• servation from Malheur and Klamath basins P(4):125 age of certain areas of the state, more are in reality the American Merganser. 4/18/92 (1 male) Thompson Reservoir, C. Miller; inland sightings have been reported. Central Oregon Audubon field trip, OB 18(4): 125 In fact, over half of all sightings have Because this species normally7 ap• 4/4/94 (1) Schoolhouse Lake, Summer Lake WA, been since 1990! With thorough cov• pears to prefer coastal waters, the Craig Miller photos, OB 20 (4): 132 erage through the next decade, we majority of birders do not anticipate 10/23/96 (1 female or immature) Thompson Res• may come to expect the species to or look for it inland. The increase in ervoir. C. Miller be regular but very uncommon along the number of skilled birders in Or• the Columbia River during winter. The Mouth of the Deschutes River egon has resulted in an increase in - Wasco/Sherman Cos., 10 Over a half of a century ago the number and frequency of Records Gabrielson and Jewett said in the sightings of the species in the last 10 years. Most of the sightings listed be• 3/21/90 (3) Roy Gerig, Floyd Schrock, OB 1940 publication Birds Of Oregon 16(4):315 (later re-issued by Dover Books as low were gathered from past issues 1-2/91&-4/22 (2) Donna Lusthoff & Verda Teale, Birds of the Pacific Northwest,which of Oregon Birds, American Birds. OB17(3):90;OB17(4):125 it is not): Audubon Field Notes, and from per• 1/11/92 (2 adults) Donna Lusthoff, 0B 18(3)89 First reported by Lewis and Clark (1814) from sonal communications and discus• 2/8/92 (2 adults and 1 imm.) Donna Lusthoff & the mouth of the Columbia River on March sions with Craig Miller and other Craig Corder, OB 18(3)89 27, 1806, the Red-breasted Merganser is birders. In as much as field notes edi• 3/14/92 (1 female) Skip Russell, OB 18(4):125 now known as a winter bird on all the larger tors scrutinize reports, it can be as• 2/12/94 (1 imm) Donna Lusthoff, 0B 20(3):102 bays and river mouths along the coast, where sumed that these reports are for the 3/15-4/23/94 (1-2) Dave Bailey, 0B 20(4):132 it replaces the American [= Common] Mer• most part valid. 11/27/94 (1 female) Mike & Merry Lynn Denny, ganser, which is abundant over the fresh I have been able to find a total of OB21(2):58 waters of the state. It arrives in November 125 records of this species on inland 4/14/95 (1) Craig Corder & Judv Stevens, OB and remains until early May (our earliest date 21(4):124 waters in Oregon. Forty-eight records 4/2/96 (1 female) Dave Bailey, OB 22 (4): 120 Nov. 22; latest May 23, both Tillamook Co.) are from the Columbia River, 41 are during which time it may be seen as single from other locations east of the Cas• Wasco Co., 10 Records birds or as little flocks. All Oregon specimens cades, and 34 from sites west of the 12/20/88 (1 male) 3 miles west of Celilo Falls rest [of Red-breasted Merganser] that we have Cascades.There are inland records for area on the Columbia River, Mike & Merry Lynn been able to obtain have come from the all inland counties except Polk, Denny, 0B 15(3):182 coastal district, and so far as we know the Yamhill, Josephine, Wallowa, Union, 11/21/90 (2) Pine Hollow Reservoir, Donna species is at best only a casual visitor to the and Grant. Lusthoff, OB 17(2):52 interior. Bendire (1877) and Merrill (1888) re• 12/7/91 (1) Pine Hollow Reservoir, Donna Lusthoff, corded it from Fort Klamath, and Bendire OB 18(3):89 (1877) from the Blue Mountains. Although the 3/6/93 (1 female) Mosier, Donna Lusthoff, OB adult males can be distinguished easily in 19(4):114 4/25/93 (1 female) Wamic, Donna Lusthoff, OB

Oregon Birds 24(3): 82, Fall 1998 19(4):114] 1/6/85 (pair) McNary Dam, Craig Corder, OB RECORDS WEST OF THE CASCADES: 10/30/93 (1) The Dalles Dam, Donna Lusthoff, OB 11(4):186 21(2):65 1/11/87 (1 male) 1 mile below McNary Dam, Craig Multnomah Co., 14 Records 2/19/95 (1) Mayer State Park near Rowena, Donna and Marion Corder, OB 13(2):307 1/11/58 (5) Swift's Pond, VerdaTeale (pers. com. Lusthoff, OB 21(3):93 8/23/92 (1) near Hermiston, Judy Stevens, OB Verda Teale) 1/15/95 (1) Mosier, Donna Lusthoff, OB 21(3):93 19(2):53 3/16/58 (1) Sturgeon Lake, Verda Teale (pers. com. 10/28/95 (2) Wamic, Donna Lusthoff, OB 22 (2) :60 12/4/95 (1 female) McNary Dam, Jim Johnson, VerdaTeale) 10/11/96 (1 female) Pine Hollow Reservoir, Donna Dave Bailey 12/14/63 (1) Sturgeon Lake, Verda Teale (pers. Lusthoff com. VerdaTeale) Hood River Co., 5 Records 1/2/84 (1) Columbia River near Portland, Jeff Deschutes Co., 8 Records: 12/14-21/88 (1) Mouth of the Hood River, David Gilligan, OB 10(2):37 11/1-8/87 (4) Wickiup Reservoir, Tom Crabtree & Anderson, OB 15(3):182 1984, Portland CBC (1) OB 11(2&3):101 Craig Miller, OB 14(2):195 4/2/89 (4) Mouth of the Hood River, Donna 12/27/86 (1) Jim Johnson (Columbia River off 5/1/88 (1) Wickiup Reservoir, Craig Miller, Eagle Lusthoff, OB 15(-t):292 Sauvie Island), OB 13(2):313 Eye Juivjul 88, p5; OB 14(3):370 11/3/88 (1) Winter of 1990-91. "One male wintered at Govern• 12/27/87 (1) Jim Johnson, Columbia River near Hatfield Lake, Craig Miller, Eagle Eye Dec 88, p2; ment Cove" OB 17(3):90; OB 17(4):125 Portland, OB13(2):313 OB 15(2):114 1/1/95 (1) Mouth of the Hood River, Jim Johnson 10/22/88 (2) Columbia River near Portland, Jim 8/31/89 (1) Wickiup Reservoir, Craig Miller, Eagle & Dave Bailey, OB 21(3):93 Johnson Eye Sep 89 p5 10/19/96 (1) Hood River mouth, Jim Johnson, OB 1/15/90 (1) Columbia River near Portland, Dave 10/13/91 (1) Wickiup Reservoir, LewRems, Eagle 23(2): 70 Irons &Dave Fix, OB 16(3):245 Eye, Nov91p2 1/5/91 (1) Pordand, OB 17(3):95 5/17/92 (1 female) Hatfield Lake, Craig Miller Harney Co., 4 Records 2/15/91 (1) Sauvie Island, OB 17(3):95 11/17/96 (2) Tumalo Reservoir, Dean Hale, OB 11/23/76 (1) at Dry Lake (See CD. IMefield; Birds 4/21/91 (1) Bull Run Reservoir, C. Corkran & 23(2): 70 of Malheur NWR.pg. 88-89 Donna Lusthoff (fide Tim Janzen) 5/20-28/97 (1 female) Hatfield Lake, Dean Hale, 11/25/83 (lmale) near00Ranch,MerleandAnn 11/16/91 (3) Near Dalton Point on the Columbia OBOL.^feJ. Meredith Archie, OB 9(4):27 River, Jim Johnson, OB 18(2) :62 4/16/83 (3 males) Boca Lake (See CD. Littlefield; 12/29/96 (1) Columbia River off Sauvie Island, Crook Co., 6 Records Birds of Malheur NWR. pg. 88-89) Anthony Floyd, OB 22(3):91 4/21/83 (1) Ochoco Reservoir, Christy Steck, Eagle 6/11/96 (1 imm. male) Borax Lake, Dave Bailey, Eye May 1983 p.5 OB23(l):23 Jackson Co., 8 Records 11/10/90 (1) Prineville sewage ponds, Craig Miller 11/22/64 (2 females) At a pond north of Medford, & Lew Rems, Eagle Eye Dec 90 p.2. OB 17(2):52 Klamath Co., 2 Records R.B.,W.C.,J.H.,AB19(1):69 11/16/90 (1) Ochoco Res, Craig Miller & Lew Rems 2/10-mid March/65 (pair) At a pond north of 9/8/91 (1) Ochoco Reservoir, Lew Rems, Eagle Eye 5/2-9/81 (1 female) Link River, Steve Summers, Medford, W.C,AB 19(3): 410 Nov. 91 p.2 OB7(3):115 11/6/87 (1) Lost Creek Reservoir, Dave Fix, OB 11/3/91 (1) Ochoco Reservoir, Tom Crabtree, OB 3/2/85 (2 males) Link River, Steve Summers, OB 14(3) :287 18(2):59 11(4):186 12/90 (4) ("4 were in the Rogue Valley during 12/28/96 (1) Barnes Butte Reservoir, Tom Crabtree Jefferson Co., 2 Records December. M.ob.") OB 17(3)95 & Craig Miller, OB 22(3):89 11/20/90 (1) Haystack Reservoir, Lew Rems, OB 9/10/92 (2) Agate Reservoir Howard Sands, Jerry 17(2):52 Wahl, OB 19(2):57 Sherman Co., 8 Records 4/21-5/2/90 (3-7) Haystack Res. Walt Yungen, Paul 11/23/89 (71 male and 6 females) John Day Dam, Sullivan, OB 17(4):125 Lane Co., 6 Records Jim Johnson 4/21/58 (1 Female, 5 males) Fern Ridge Res. John 11/26/89 (1) John Day Dam, Craig Miller Wheeler Co., 1 Record Bodly,AFN12,#4pg. 378 11/9/91 (1) John Day Dam, Nick Lethaby, OB 12/73 (2) Fern Ridge Res. Alan Contreras & Harry 18(2):59 2/13/93 (3) Donna Lusthoff Nehls, AB 28(3): 684 1/11/92 (2 adults) Donna Lusthoff & Craig Corder, Malheur Co., 1 Record 84 Cottage Grove CBC, OB 11(2&3):101 OB 18(3) :89 5/3/88 (pair) Ontario Sewage Ponds, Jammie 1/7/90 (1) Fern Ridge Res. Dave Irons, Jim 2/8/92 (2 adults and 1 imm) Donna Lusthoff & Simmons, OB 14(3):370 Johnson, OB 16(3):245 Craig Corder, OB 18(3):89 3/15/94 (1) On The Willamette River, Tom and 12/4/94 (1) John Day Dam, Jim Johnson & Dave Morrow Co., 1 Record Allison Mickel, OB 20(4):138 Bailey, OB 21(3) :93 10/13/90 (1) Boardman, Craig Corder, OB 10/21/96 (2) at Lookout Point Reservoir, ReidFree- 3/14/95 (1 female) John Day Dam, Dave Bailey, 17(2):52 man, OB23(2):80 OB 21(4): 124 10/27-11/5/95 (1) John Day Dam, Harry Nehls & Baker Co., 1 Record Washington Co., 6 Records Jim Johnson, OB22(2):60 5/7/76 (14 Birds!) Phillips Lake, Ann Ward, AB 12/9/83 (1 female and imm. male) Forest Grove 30(4): 866 Sewage Pond, Verda Teale (pers. com. Verda Umatilla Co., 5 Records Teale) 11/18/84 (2 females) McNaryDam, Craig Corder, 83-84 One wintered at the Forest Grove Sewage OB 11 (4): 186 Ponds, Dave Irons, OB 10(2):37 Oregon Birds 24(3): 83, Fall 1998 1/2/85 (2) Forest Grove Sewage Ponds, Jeff Gilligan, 1990 and the decade is not over.There lumbia River, most from the 1990s. OB11(2&3):101 were 38 (31 percent) records from Very little of the Columbia River is 12/2/90 (1) Forest Grove Sewage Ponds, OB the 1980s, 4 in the 1970s, 3 in the accessible from Interstate 84, and it 17(3)95 1960s, and 3 in the 1950s. It should is interesting to note that all but 2 of 12/15/91 (1) Forest Grove Sewage Pond, Verda be obvious that this data represents the 42 sightings were recorded from Teale, Donna Lusthoff, Nancy McDonald (pers. com. Verda Teale) greater coverage by more birders, 6 locations: McNaryJohn Day, andThe 12/15/92 (1) Forest Grove Sewage Ponds, Harry rather than an increase in occurrence Dalles Dams, the mouths of the Nehls, OB 18(3):93 for the species, which is also possible. Deschutes and Hood Rivers, and the It is also interesting to note that Sauvie Island/Portland areas. This Douglas Co., 4 Records there were no records from Lake leads to the possibility many more 11/4/83 (2 imm.) Diamond Lake, Dave Fix, OB Abert, the Warner Valley, Crater Lake, birds may be found if more of this 11(1):6 Hills Creek Reservoir, Foster Reser• river could be accessed from shore. 11/17/87 (1) Diamond Lake, Dave Fix, OB voir, Green Peter Lake, Lake Billy Chi• The following entry in a recent AB 14(3):287 nook, or Timothy Lake. It is likely that issue helps confirm this:"As usual, all 11/11/88 (1) Diamond Lake, Dave Fix, OB this species has used these large bod• but one of the 19 Red-breasted Mer• 15(2):124 ies of water. Perhaps in the future ganser reports from the interior were 11/11/88 (3) Lemolo Lake, Dave Fix, OB 15 (2): 124 birders will observe the species on along the Columbia River." (AB these lakes as well. Observations have 49(2):190.)This was in winter 1994- Benton Co., 4 Records occurred at similar sites nearby, some 95. 12/2/73 (1) Finley NWR, William Elliot, AB of which would appear to be just as Of note also is a sighting of 75 Red- 28(3) :684 attractive to the Red-breasted Mergan• breasted Mergansers on the Colum• 12/2/95 (1 female) Philomath Sewage Pond, ser. Hendrik Herlyn, Rich Hoyer, Jammie Simmons bia River near Longview, Washington 11/2/96 (1 female) N.E. Elliot Circle, Anthony Floyd Many parts of large bodies of wa• on 20 March 1966 by Alan Baldridge (fide Hendrik Herlyn) ter are simply inaccessible or largely and David Marshall, which were 5/10/97 (1 imm. male) E.E. Wilson Game Refuge, restricted, such as Upper Klamath thought to be attracted to the smelt Bill Tice Lake, Goose Lake, Harney Lake, run with Common Mergansers (over Malheur Lake, Lake Abert, Summer 100) there. (AB 20(3):450.) This is Clackamas Co., 3 Records Lake.These lakes and others comprise indeed an unprecedented number to 1/21/86 (1 male) Above Oregon City on the many square miles of water where be found inland! Being found in asso• Willamette River, Rob Furgus, OB 12(4):35 10/88 (1 male) Burnside Park in West Linn, Dan Red-breasted Mergansers could rest ciation with Common Mergansers Van Den Broek (fide Tim Janzen) while migrating through inland Or• may be a helpful hint to scan over 12/31/94 (1) Lake Oswego, OB 21(3):97 egon, or provide wintering habitat. flocks of this species in searching for Thirty-nine percent (48 records) of Red-breasteds. It may also occasion• Marion Co., 3 Records all sightings are from along the Co• ally associate with other species of 1/3/89 (3) Cascade Gateway Park, Merlin and Elsy Elzroth, OB 15(3):190 11/25-12/1/94 (1 female) Cascade Gateway Park, Steve Dowlan, D. Copeland OB 21 (2) :64 12/1/94 (1) Detroit Lake, by Dave Copeland Linn Co., 1 Record 12/1/94 (1) Detroit Lake, by Dave Copeland (Same bird as in last entry for Marion County) Total 125 Inland Records Discussion Red-breasted Merganser appears to strongly favor large inland waterways, such as the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, and as well as large lakes and reservoirs. Eighty-seven percent of all sightings have occurred on larger lakes, reservoirs, or rivers.The other 13 percent were from ponds or sew• age lagoons. It may be assumed that an adequate supply of fish must be present in these smaller bodies of water to sustain any wintering mer• gansers. Columbia West of the East of the It should be noted that 76 (61 per• River Cascades Cascades cent) of these records are from ob• Figure 1. Red-breasted Merganser records in Oregon along the Columbia River, east of the Cascades (away servations which were reported after from the Columbia River), and west of the Cascades (away from the Columbia River).

Oregon Birds 24(3): 84, Fall 1998 OFO Bookea&e, 9 ^ OFO publications.... m For OB 24(3), Fall 1998 Special Publication No. 1 $3.00 $_ Bibliography of Oregon Ornithology: An Updating for the Years 1971 - Annotated Bibliography of Oregon Bird 1977, With a Revised Cross-Referenced List of the Birds of Oregon. Literature Published Before 1935 $45.00 $ 1980. MarkEgger. George A. Jobanek. Oregon State University Press, 1997,496 pp., Special Publication No. 3 $3.00 $_ hardcover. Index to Oregon Bird Reports in Audubon Field Notes and American Birds of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge $18.95 $ Birds 1947-1981. 1982. Clarice Watson. Special Publication No. 4 $4.00 $ CD. Littlefield. 1990, 294 pp., 2nd printing A Bibliography of Bird Identification Articles in Five Journals, with The Birder's Guide to Oregon $13.00 $ Cross-References to a List of Over 580 Species. 1987 Clarice Joe Evanich. 1990,288 pp. Watson. Cumulative Index to Oregon Birds: Vols. 1-17 Special Publication No. 6 $5.00 $_ (1975-1991) $5.00 $ Birds of Northeast Oregon: An Annotated Checklist for Union and Alan Contreras. 1992,41 pp. Wallowa Counties. Second Edition (Rev'd). 1992. Joe Evanich. A Birder's Guide to the Klamath Basin $10.00 $ Special Publication No. 8 $12.00 $_ Steve Summers. 1993,85 pp. Birds of Malheur County, Oregon. 1996. Alan Contreras and Robert R. Birds of Oregon: Status and Distribution $24.95 $ Kindschy, illustrated by Ramiel Papish. Jeff Gilligan, et al. 1994, 330 pp., softcover Special Publication No. 9 $5.00 $_ OFBirdinO Birdeg thre CarSoutherd n Oregon Coast $$10.0 2.50 $$ A Pocket Guide to Oregon Birds. 1996. Alan Contreras. Special Publication No. 10 $5.50 $_ CapPackee Aragt of o50 Audubo. n Society. 1996,96 pp., softcover Cumulative Index to Oregon Birds, Vol. 1-22.1998. Alan Contreras. Checklist of Oregon birds $ 1.00 $_ Special Publication No. 11 $7.50 $_ Single. A Guide to Birds and other Wildlife of the Columbia River Estuary. 1998. Mike Patterson. Checklist of Oregon birds $ 6.00 $_ Special Publication No. 12 $16.00 $_ Pack of 10. Field checking card fits into field guide. 3 I Birds of Coos County, Oregon: status and distribution. 1998. Alan Contreras. OFO Lapel Pin $ 7.00 $ 1-inch, OFO logo. Other publications.... OFOT-Shirt $14.00 $_ Northwest Birds in Winter $17.95 $_ Specify S, M, L, and XL Alan Contreras. Oregon State University Press, 1997, 264 pp., softcover. OFOT-Shirt $16.00 $_ XXL only OFO Bookcase continues on reverse .... OFOVolume Windos 5-24w. DecaPrice variesl ; write for availability and prices$. 2.30 $ 4-inch, OFO logo. OFO Membership forOregon Birdsm bac k issues $ . $_ Membership in Oregon Field Ornithologists brings you.... • Oregon Birds - OFO's quarterly journal with news briefs • status and identification of Oregon's birds • bird-finding guides to Oregon's better birding spots and rarer species. • Proceedings of the Oregon • $25.00 Individual 2. • Renewal Bird Records Committee - 1. • $30.00 Family • New member Stay current on the rare $50.00 Sustaining birds of Oregon. • • Annual meetings - • $14.00 Students (under 18 years) Participate in OFO's birding • $100.00 OFO Patron meetings, held at some of $ Tax-deductible contribution Oregon's top birding spots. • $ Oregon Fund for Ornithology • Publications - OFO • publishes an authoritative • Do NOT put my name and phone number in OFO Directory and useful checklist 3- • Do NOT sell or pass along my name from the OFO mailing list accurate according to the Make check payable to Oregon Field Ornithologists or OFO records of the Oregon Bird 4 6. Records Committee. The 5. Special Publication series Mail OFO Membership form to: brings titles of particular OFO interest to Oregon's birders. Your address • OFO Birding Weekends - m c/o Treasurer Premiere birding trips led by CTfy~ State Tip- P.O. Box 10373 experienced birders to Eugene, OR 97440 Oregon's top birding spots, telephone email Eleanor Pugh's Natural Sounds Cassettes CASSETTES WITH VOCAL IDENTIFICATION AND/OR NARRATIVE 0.00 $_ Mountain Forest Birds 1 Seventy-two species of western birds and a few small squirrels that may sound like birds. This cassettes complements the next one listed to cover almost all birds to be generally found in wooded habitats. 90 minutes. 0.00 $_ Birds of Foothill Woodland 1 Newly-revised. 75 species of the more common lowland birds. Songs and calls in a format that is easy to use for reference and familiarity. 90 minutes. 0.00 $_ Birds of the Wetlands 1 Songs and calls from lakes, marshes, and streams. Covers loon, grebes, herons, waterfowl, shorebirds, and riparian species etc. 58 species, and marsh choruses to practice identification. 90 minutes. 9.00 $_ Birds of the High Desert Calls and songs of the birds east of the mountains in the Great Basin and northern high desert, arranged according to the special favored habitats of desert fauna. 60 minutes. 9.00 $_ Birds of the Southwestern Low Desert Calls, songs, and other sounds of 42 species of the Sonoran Desert primarily. 60 minutes. 9.00 $_ Backyard Bird Songs .. Songs and calls of 28 species of birds that generally come to landscaped backyards and feeding stations. In-depth samples of the variety of sounds in their musical language. 60 minutes. 0.00 $_ Wintering Birds of the Rogue Valley 1 Eighty-two species, with calls. Includes grebes, ducks, and others commonly found over the winter. 90 minutes. 0.00 $_ Learn to Identify Birds by Ear (Western) 1 A self-guided workshop with hands-on practice, back-to-back comparisons of confusing species; generous samples of recordings, including an easy quiz to review species you already know. 68 species. 90 minutes. 0.00 $_ Learn to Identify Birds by Ear (Eastern) 1 Same as above, using 47 eastern species; calls and songs. 90 minutes. 0.00 $_ Confusing Species 1 Back-to-back comparisons of the calls and songs of 56 species, including some shorebirds and visually confusing birds, with tips on distinguishing each by ear. 90 minutes. Night-Birding: Owls and Others 9.00 $_ Seven species of owls and 12 other species of birds that call and sing in the dark. 60 minutes. Warblers of the West 1 0.00 $_ This is the same as Warblers I and Warblers II. Twenty species, with in-depth comparisons of variations, and tips to identification, especially of, "those confusing spring warbler songs", and call notes. 60 minutes. Shorebirds and Rails 1 0.00 $_ Various sounds of these birds of the wind and water as they are found In the 3 contiguous Western states. 25 species of shorebirds, 3 species of rails. . Wildlife Voices by Family (Choose any 2 per cassette) 1 0.00 $_ Owls, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, 4 Difficult Flycatchers, Wrens, Thrushes, Finches. Sparrows I (humid), Sparrows II (arid), Warblers I, Warblers II. Swallows 8 Swifts, Mammals, Pacific Coastlands, Fall Comes to NW, Shorebirds and Rails (both sides) FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Games - Wildlife by Ear 1 3.00 $_ A special cassette of the sounds of familiar native animals are identified on one side. On the other side, the animals are mixed up and unidentified, in order to play at least five different games. Instructions and a pack of special cards are Did Yoincludedu Eve. 6r0 Hearminutes? . 1 7.50 $_ A cassette designed to encourage all ages to LISTEN, learn, and explore natural sounds in many habitats. Calls of 47 animals, birds, and insects are arranged in short sections, by habitat. A LISTENER'S GUIDE contains many suggestions, activities, study questions, and information. Excellent illustrations suitable for realistic coloring are included. 60 minutes. Beautiful Bird Songs of the WesCASSETTESt WITH NO VOCAL NARRATIVE, FOR UNDISTRACTED LISTENING 9.00 $_ Twenty-six species; generous selections of pleasant songs, as heard in the wild. Enclosure; 60 minutes. An Almanac of Western Habitats, Volume I. Northwestern 1 0.00 $_ A series of "sound walks" in various habitats, throughout the year. Enclosure describes events and lists species for each walk. 90 minutes. Pacific Tidelands/Fall Comes to the Northwest 9.00 $ Special sounds along the Pacific Ocean shore and coastal forest-land. Includes shorebirds and bugling elk. Enclosure describes events. 60 minutes. Write for a complete list. Recorded, edited, and produced by Eleanor A. Pugh. High quality normal bias ferric oxide tape will be sent unless high bias tape is specified. Please check your tape player for a "High Bias" switch to be sure. All item Make checks payable to Oregon Field Ornithologists or OFO. TOTAL

Mail OFO Bookcase to: V- Your name OFO Publications Your address c/o Lucy Biggs

State Tip" 86701 1/2 Franklin Eugene, OR 97405 telephone" IbScyber-dyne.com

email" lilabie in tJM Is itemational Bird Tours

sim Many OFO members travel regularly with Oregon naturalist Mark Smith to see birds and study nature Terty Dallas in distant lands. You don't have to be an 39 S.W. Dorlon experienced burder to enjoy these tours. Upcoming Pendleton OR 97801 departures include: Brazil, Madagascar, Oregon, 541-276-2738 Yucatan.Costa Rica, Belize 8 Tikal! Enliven your list Backyard Bird Shop with toucans, quetzals, macaws, and Jabirus! Write Beth Rose 3893 S.W. Hall Boulevard for a brochure. Beaverton OR 97005 Mark Smith Full Circle Tours toll free 503-626-0949 2421 N.W. Quimby 888-660-4286 Backyard Birtl Shop Portland, OR 97210 503-223-7716 Gary T. Patterson 4235 S.W. Highway 101 Lincoln City OR 97367 503-996-3383

Laura Whittemore 560 N.W. Eastman Parkway Flora & Fauna Books Cresham OR 97030 503-661-4944 NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS Backyard Bird: Shop 121 First Avenue South Linda Marzocco 3574 S.E. Hawthorne Seattle, WA 98104 Portland OR 97214 503-230-9557 Write for our new birding catalog! Backyard Bird Shop David Hutchinson 206-623-4727 Mitch Lambley 352 B Avenue Fax 206-623-2001 Lake Oswego OR 97034 We stock the first 300 species accounts in the unique Birds of North America 503-635-2044 frem:tjiyfirs M«rca«ttte series. $9.00 per account, double species accounts $15.00; write for a species list Missy & Lance Lltchy in taxonomic order. We will waive the shipping charge on one account when General Delivery Frenchglen OR 97736 ordered with at least one book from our catalog. 541-493-2738 Hcrmiston Book Company Peggy Westfall Life Lists I Target Lists I Reference Database I World Birds List 1 Query I Entering Records I 235-B E. Main Street HermlstonOR 97838-1870 541-567-0645 Bird Brain 4.0 Malheur Field Station Bookstore Manager Bird listing software for the Macintosh. Includes the HC72 Box 260 Princeton OR 97721 latest AOU 41 st Supplement changes. Bird Brain 541-493-2629 Northwest Nature Shop keeps track of all your birding records. Easily. Mike Uhtoff Gives you elegant life lists, year lists, backyard list 154 Oak Street Ashland OR 97520 — almost any kind of list you can imagine. Bird 541-482-3241 Brain is easy to use. It takes advantage of the Portland Audubon Society Bookstore Manager Mac's intuitive, user-friendly interface. Pop-up 5151 N.W. Cornell Road Portland OR 97210 menus make data entry simple. You type the first 503-292-6855 letters of the bird's name, and then pick the bird you Summer lake Store Dale 8 Tule Chlono want from a short list. Keep track of all your birding P.O. Box 36 37580 Highway 31 records. Have your whole birding history at your finger• Summer Lake OR 97640 tips. 541-943-3164 The Bookloft Bird Brain Jr. Freeware. But only for the Mac. Basic bird listing 107 E Main Street Enterprise OR 97828 software for the Mac. Easy to use starter version of Bird Brain. Simpler. 541-000-0000 But only for birders who don't bird outside the U.S. and Canada. Down• Wild Bird Center load from Web site. Upgrade available to Bird Brain 4.0. Matthew Adamson 40 East 5th Avenue Bird Brain 4.0 with AOU list $79.95 Eugene OR 97401 Bird Brain 4.0 with World Birds Data 99.95 541-465-9453 Wild Bird Nest Shipping/handling 4.00 Greg Wallwork Order by mail Ideaform Inc., 908 East Briggs, Fairfield, IA 52556 501 Abernethy Road Oregon City OR 97045-1158 Order by phone ....800-779-7256 503-655-8001 Wild Bird Shop Order by fax 515-469-5065 ^Ss, Janet & Brian Godfrey Ecola Square Mall Order online http://www.birdwatching.com 123 S. Hemlock Cannon Beach OR 97110 503-436-9806 Order by email [email protected] 11 -13 September Shorebird Festival* 199S OFO Birding Come to Charleston for the Oregon Shorebird Festival, an annual Oregon birding gathering. Weekends (Clip this schedule and post it on your refrigerator)

19 September Fall NJV. Migration Count

26-27 September Malheur NWR Come enjoy the crisp air at Malheur NWR and look for fall migrants. This trip will be led by Tim Janzen. Base: Malheur Field Station.

10-11 October NE Umatilla County We will search for that "most wanted" owl, the Boreal Owl, and enjoy the fall colors of the Blue Mountains. Base: Walla Walla, WA.

Please make a separate copy of this form for each weekend^ wish to attend 14-15 November Columbia River We will check out the fall migrants on the Columbia River from the John Day Name dam to Hood River. Base: The Dalles. Address

City, State, Zip

Phone/email

12-13 December Wallowa County Trip you wish to join We will look for winter species: waxwings, finches, raptors, and gallina• ceous birds, and enjoy the beauty of the Wallowas. Base: Enterprise. Number of persons Amount enclosed $15 per participant

Make checks payable to Oregon Field Ornithologists December Christmas Bird Counts* Questions? Don't miss out on this special annual birding event. Call (503) 646-7889

Mall OFO Birding Weekend form to: ' Events marked with an asterisk are not OFO Birding Weekends and require separate registration. Paul T. Sullivan 4470 S.W. Murray Blvd. #26 Anyone interested in leading all or part of a 1999 OFO Beaverton, OR 97005 Birding Weekend should contact Paul T. Sullivan. H-I2-I3 September 1998 11-12-13 September 1998 Cape Arago Audubon Society in cooperation with To get to the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, follow the signs to Charleston. OIMB is on the right hand side coming over the bridge from Coos Bay. Follow the signs. Park at OIMB and walk Oregon Field Ornithologists to the Boat House. Betty Kay Charters is located in the Charleston Boat Basin. Oregon Institute of Marine Biology Friday, II September Charleston, Oregon Registration at OIMB, 5:00-7:30 pm • Evening session, Boat House, OIMB, 7:30 pm • opening remarks, Ray Nolan • evening program, Jonathan Plissner, post-doctorate associate with Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey Resources Division, "Movements of Shorebirds in the Great Basin* • field trip announcements Saturday, 12 September 6:30 am, pelagic trip, meet at Betty Kay Charters in the Charleston Boat Basin at 5:45 am • 7:45 am, field trips meet at OIMB to carpool • Bandon Marsh, meet 8:15 am at Ray's Marketplace, Hwy. 101 and 42S in Bandon; this is an excellent time to see the fall migration Spotted of shorebirds: Godwits are commonly seen, Wandering Tattlers are usually seen, as well as Sanpiper Red Knots and Golden-Plovers; short side trip for Snowy Plovers • Millicoma Marsh Trail, meet at 8:15 am at Millicoma Middle School Parking lot; shorebirds and view a wetland creation project • Lunch on your own • 6:00 pm, dinner at OIMB • 7:30 pm, OIMB Boat House, review of day's birds, keynote speaker Dr. Lewis W. Oring, Professor of Environmental and Resources Sciences, "Breeding Biology of the Spotted Sandpiper: Aggressive Female and Domestic Male' Registration Individual $12.00 Family $20.00 Sunday, 13 September Pelagic Trip (7 hours) Saturday $40.00 6:30 am, pelagic trip, meet at Betty Kay Charters in the Charleston Boat Basin at 5:45 am • Sunday $40.00 7:45 am, repeat of Saturday field trips • Sunday afternoon birding trips on your own Dinner Saturday night (pre-registration needed] $9.50 Lodging in OIMB dorm/person/night Fri $20.00 We will have a pelagic trip both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Breakfast is on your (bring your own bedding and towels] Sat $20.00 own. These trips are on a large boat piloted by an experienced captain who knows where to T-Shirt (S, M,L,XL) find birds. There will be an expert in identification on board during each trip. Dress in layers $12.00 and take rain gear. If motion sickness is a problem, plan accordingly. Birds usually seen T-Shirt Long sleeve $15.00 include Black-footed Albatross, Sooty, Pink-footed and Buller's Shearwaters, Red and Red• Please make your check payable to Cape Arago Audubon Society necked Phalaropes, Sabine's Gulls and many other species. Whales and dolphins are often seen. For more information, contact: Lodging: The dormitory at OIMB is available Friday and Saturday night at $20.00 per Lyn Topits 541-267-7208 night. You must bring your own bedding and towels; space is limited. Many major motels and campgrounds are available; call for a list. Barb Griffin 541-756-5688 _ Great Gray Owl _ European Starling _ Long-eared Owl _ Cassin's Vireo _ Short-eared Owl _ Hutton's Vireo Red-throated Loon _ Wild Turkey _ Northern Saw-whet Owl _ Warbling Vireo Pacific Loon _ Northern Bobwhite _ Common Nighthawk _ Red-eyed Vireo Common Loon _ California Quail _ Common Poorwill _ Tennessee Warbler Red-hilled Grebe _ Mountain Ouail _ Black Swift _ Orange-crowned Warbler Horned Grebe _ Yellow Rail _ Vaux's Swift _ Nashville Warbler Red-necked Grebe _ Virginia Rail _ White-throated Swift _ Yellow Warbler Eared Grebe _ Sara _ Black-chinned Hummingbird _ Yellow-rumped Warbler Western Grebe _ American Coot _ Anna's Hummingbird _ Hlack-throated Gray Warbler •ark's Grebe _ Sandhill Crane _ Calliope Hummingbird _ Townsend's Warbler Black-footed Albatross _ Black-bellied Plover _ Broad-tailed Hummingbird _ Hermit Warbler Laysan Albatross _ American Golden-Plover _ Rufous Hummingbird _ Palm Warhler Northern Fulmar _ Pacific Golden-Plover _ Allen's Hummingbird _ Glack-and-white Warbler Pink-footed Shearwater . Snowy Plover _ Belted Kingfisher _ American Redstart Flesh-footed Shearwater _ Semipalmated Plover _ Lewis' Woodpecker _ Ovenbird Buller's Shearwater _ Killdeer _ Acorn Woodpecker _ Northern Waterthrush Sooty Shearwater _ Black Oystercatcher _ Red-naped Sapsucker _ MacGillivray's Warbler Short-tailed Shearwater _ Black-necked Stilt _ Bed-breasted Sapsucker _ Common Yellowthroat Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel . American Avocet _ Williamson's Sapsucker _ Wilson's Warbler Leach's Storm-Petrel _ Greater Yellowlegs _ Downy Woodpecker _ Yellow-breasted Chat American White Pelican _ Lesser Yellowlegs _ Hairy Woodpecker _ Western Tanager Brown Pelican _ Solitary Sandpiper _ White-headed Woodpecker . Black-headed Grosbeak Double-crested Cormorant _ Willet _ Three-toed Woodpecker j Lazuli Bunting Brandt's Cormorant _ Wandering Tattler _ Black-backed Woodpecker _ Green-tailed Towhee Pelagic Cormorant _ Spotted Sandpiper _ Northern Flicker _ Spotted Towhee American Bittern _ Upland Sandpiper _ Pileated Woodpecker _ California Towhee Least Bittern _ Whimbrel _ Dlive-sided Flycatcher _ American Tree Sparrow Great Blue Heron _ Long-billed Curlew _ Western Wood-Pewee _ Chipping Sparrow Great Egret _ Marbled Godwit _ Willow Flycatcher _ Clay-colored Sparrow Snowy Egret _ Ruddy Turnstone _ Hammond's Flycatcher _ Brewer's Sparrow Cattle Egret _ Black Turnstone _ Dusky Flycatcher _ Vesper Sparrow Green Heron _ Surfbird _ Gray Flycatcher . Lark Sparrow Bl.-crowned Night-Heron _ Red Knot _ Pacific-slope Flycatcher _ Black-throated Sparrow White-faced Ibis _ Sanderling _ Cordilleran Flycatcher . Sage Sparrow Tundra Swan _ Semipalmated Sandpiper _ Black Phoebe _ Savannah Sparrow Trumpeter Swan _ Western Sandpiper _ Say's Phoebe . Grasshopper Sparrow Gr White-fronted Goose _ Least Sandpiper _ Ash-throated Flycatcher . Fox Sparrow Snow Goose _ Baird's Sandpiper _ Western Kingbird . Song Sparrow Ross' Goose _ Pectoral Sandpiper _ Eastern Kingbird . Lincoln's Sparrow Emperor Goose _ Sharp-tailed Sandpiper _ Horned Lark . Swamp Sparrow Brant _ Rock Sandpiper _ Purple Martin . White-throated Sparrow Canada Goose _ Dunlin _ Tree Swallow . Golden-crowned Sparrow Wood Duck _ Stilt Sandpiper _ Violet-green Swallow _ White-crowned Sparrow Green-winged Teal . Buff-breasted Sandpiper _ N. Rough-winged Swallow . Harris' Sparrow Mallard _ Ruff _ Bank Swallow . Dark-eyed Junco Northern Pintail _ Short-hilled Dowitcher . Cliff Swallow . Lapland Longspur Blue-winged Teal _ Long-billed Dowitcher _ Barn Swallow _ Snow Bunting Cinnamon Teal _ Common Snipe _ Gray Jay . Bobolink Northern Shoveler _ Wilson's Phalarope _ Steller's Jay , Bed-winged Blackbird Gadwall _ Red-necked Phalarope _ Blue Jay . Tricolored Blackbird Eurasian Wigeon i, Red Phalarope _ Western Scrub-Jay . Western Meadowlark American Wigeon _ Pomarine Jaeger _ Pinyon Jay . Yellow-headed Blackbird Canvasback _ Parasitic Jaeger . Clark's Nutcracker . Brewer's Blackbird Redhead _ Long-tailed Jaeger _ Black-billed Magpie . Brown-headed Cowbird Ring-necked Duck South Polar Skua . American Crow . Bullock's Oriole Greater Scaup _ Franklin's Gull _ Northwestern Crow . Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch Lesser Scaup Bonaparte's Gull _ Common Raven . Black Rosy-Finch Harlequin Duck _ Heermann's Gull _ Black-capped Chickadee . Pine Grosbeak Dldsquaw _ Mew Gull _ Mountain Chickadee . Purple Finch Black Scoter . Ring-hilled Gull . Chestnut-backed Chickadee . Cassin's Finch Surf Scoter _ California Gull . Oak Titmouse . House Finch White-winged Scoter _ Herring Gull Juniper Titmouse . Red Crossbill Common Goldeneye _ Thayer's Gull . Bushtit . White-winged Crossbill Barrow's Goldeneye Western Gull . Red-breasted Nuthatch . Common Redpoll Bufflehead . Glaucous-winged Gull . White-breasted Nuthatch . Pine Siskin Hooded Merganser _ Glaucous Gull . Pygmy Nuthatch . Lesser Goldfinch Common Merganser . Black-legged Kittiwake . Brown Creeper . American Goldfinch Red-breasted Merganser Sabine's Gull . Rock Wren . Evening Grosbeak Ruddy Duck . Caspian Tern . Canyon Wren House Sparrow Turkey Vulture Elegant Tern . Hewick's Wren Osprey Common Tern . House Wren White-tailed Kite Arctic Tern . Winter Wren Bald Eagle Forster's Tern , Marsh Wren Northern Harrier Black Tern American Dipper Sharp-shinned Hawk Common Murre . Golden-crowned Kinglet This is a list of the 352 species most Cooper's Hawk . Pigeon Guillemot . Ruby-crowned Kinglet Northern Goshawk . Marbled Murrelet . Blue-gray Gnatcatcher -likely to be encountered in LTregon. Red-shouldered Hawk . Ancient Murrelet . Western Bluebird This list is based an the records of the Swainson's Hawk . Cassin's Auklet . Mountain Bluebird Red-tailed Hawk Rhinoceros Auklet . Townsend's Solitaire Oregon Bird Records Committee and Ferruginous Hawk . Tufted Puffin . Veery uses the taxonomic sequence and no• Rough-legged Hawk Horned Puffin Swainson's Thrush menclature of the American Orni• Golden Eagle Rock Dove Hermit Thrush American Kestrel Band-tailed Pigeon . American Robin thologists' Union, as published in their . Mourning Dove Merlin . Varied Thrush 1983 Check-list of North American Prairie Falcon . Barn Owl . Wrentit Peregrine Falcon . Flammulated Dwl . Gray Catbird birds, 6th edition, as supplemented. Gray Partridge Western Screech-Owl . Northern Mockingbird Any bird seen in Oregon that is not Chukar . Great Horned Owl . Sage Thrasher Ring-necked Pheasant . Snowy Owl . American Pipit listed here is considered to be a "rare Spruce Grouse . Northern Pygmy-Owl ; Rohemian Waxwing bird" and a report of its occurrence is Blue Grouse Burrowing Owl . Cedar Waxwing Ruffed Grouse . Spotted Owl . Northern Shrike requested by the Oregon Bird Records Sage Grouse Barred Owl Loggerhead Shrike Committee. 0 RARE BIRD REPORT FORM - 1994 DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Oregon Bird Records Committee — OBRC Jeff Gilligan, 231-0971 OBRC Harry Nehls, 233-3976 Owen Schmidt, 282-9403 P.O. Box 10373 [ Portland I Umatilla/Hermiston Eugene, OR 97440 Craig Corder, 567-0305

/Phone number in italics^ 1. YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS DATE RECEIVED BY OBRC SECRETARY means you may reach an This form is intended as a convenience and a \answering machine. guideline. It may be used flexibly and need not sSalem beusedatall Attach. additional sheets if needed. 'BarbBellin\393-0243 ) Canyon City Please type, or write legibly. You may find it Bob Lucas, 353-9710 Tom Winters, 575-2570 easiest to use separate sheets of paper keyed to TELEPHONE the general guidelines in this form. Albany Rick & Kathy Krablje, 5 Corvallis/Philomath 2. BIRD IDENTIFICATION . Writ ein 3. DATE(S). Month, day, and year. If there Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 74fj-7806 the name of the species you have identified are multiple observations, each date. Florenc and information on numbers, sex, plumage, Bill Stork 997-8978 and age. J Bend kigene Tom Crabtree, 388-2462 ffm Carlson, 485-4491 Clarice Watson, 485-6137 Kit Larsen, 344-9574 Tom Mickel, 485-7112 4. LOCATION. Be specific; describe habitat. Always list the county; give compass orientation Barb Combs, 689-6660 to the nearest notable geographic feature. Use the DeLorme Oregon Arias and Gazetteer with version number, page number, and coordinates. Zoos Bay/North Bend Roseburg/Glide //Barbara Griffin, 756-5688 k Alice Parker, 672-1549 jf Lyn Topits, 267-7208 Meredith Jones, 672-6367 5. DETAILS. Include only what was actually observed, not what should have been seen or heard. Larry Thornburgh, 756-4281 Ron Maertz, 496-3847 JPort Orford Stress field marks: bill ,eye. wings, tail , legs, shape, proportions, "jizz", etc. Include behavior: Jim Rogers, lAshland/Medfordarea feeding, resting, flying, interactions with other species, etc. Describe voice — song, calls, or notes I Carne Osborne, 332-2555 Marjorie Moore, 535-5138 — if heard. If you have made field notes and/or field sketches, include them (or copies of them). Douglas Kirkpatrick, 772-2232 V .mwrn 'Grants Pass ) Brookings Barbara Hoffman, 471-6019 : Colin Dillingham. 469-9624

Rules for a network are simple: rare birds only (no east/west or west/east Oregon birds); birders who get calls have to make calls (this means long distance tolls); and once on the network, keep it going by keeping your address and phone number(s) current. Minimum information on a rare bird call should include species, age and sex (if not known, say so), number of birds, who found it (them), and who to call for more information, if anyone. Birders who would like to represent their local birding areas should write to The Editor, Oregon Birds, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212 Please feel free to send ideas and suggestions, too! Describe your reasons for your identification: your familiarity with the species, field guides used, similar species that were eliminated, references that were consulted, etc. •Albany Rick & Kathy Krabbe, 1035 Lawrence, Albany, OR 97321 ,(H) 541-928-1803 • Ashland/Medford area Marjorie Moore, 4729 S. Pacific Hwy. #11; Phoenix, OR 97535, (H)535-5138 (W)776-7293 or 776-7294 Douglas Kirkpatrick, 330 Harvard Place, Medford, OR 97504, (H) 772-2232 (W)779-1672 • Astoria Mike Patterson, 1338 Kensington Avenue, Astoria, OR 97103, (H)325-1365 •Bend Tom Crabtree, 1667 N.W. Iowa, Bend, OR 97701, (H)388-2462 (W)389-7723,1-800-762-6616 • Brookings Colin Dillingham, 437 Azalea Park Road, Brookings, OR 97415, (H)469-9624 • Canyon City Tom Winters, P.O. Box 111, Canyon City, OR 97820, (H) 541-542-2006 (W) 541-575-2570 • Coos Bay/North Bend Ben Fawver, 793 Johnson, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-6485 Describe the circumstances of the observation: light conditions, position of the sun, distance to the Lyn Topits, 888 Telegraph, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-7208 (\N)888-4762 bird , duration of observation, equipment used, time of day, time of tide. etc. Barbara Griffin, 1691 Grant Street, North Bend OR 97459, (H)756-5688 Larry Thornburgh, 2058 Cedar Court, North Bend, OR 97459, (H)756-4281 • Corvallis/Philomath Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 6980 N.W. Cardinal, Corvallis, OR 97330, (H)745-7806 • Eugene Jim Carlson, 1560 Chasa St., Eugene, OR 97401, (H) 485-4491 (W) 687-4436 (leave message) Barb Combs, 1466 Elkay Drive, Eugene, OR 97404, (H)689-6660, (W)378-6190 Kit Larsen, 2162 Kincaid Street, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)344-9574 (W) 686-4394 Tom Mickel, 5259 Overbrook Lane, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)485-7112, (W) 935-2283 Clarice Watson, 3787 Wilshire Lane, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)485-6137 • Florence Bill Stotz, 1305 Laurel, Florence, OR 97439, (H)997-8978 • Grants Pass Barbara Hoffman, 251 Brooke Lane, Grants Pass, OR 97527,541-471-6019 • Portland Add the names (and addresses and phone numbers if known) of other observers who may have Jeff Gilligan, 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, (H)23?-097/(W)326-3057 identified the bird. Harry Nehls, 2736 S.E. 20th, Portland, OR 97202, (H)233-3976 Owen Schmidt, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212, (H)282-9403 (W)326-3268 • Port Orford Jim Rogers & Carrie Osborne, 95187 Elk River Rd., Port Orford, OR 97465, (H)332-2555 • Roseburg/Glide Alice Parker, 313 W. Hickory St., Roseburg, OR 97470, (H)672-1549 6. PHOTOS, RECORDINGS. State whether photos were taken or video or sound recordings Meredith Jones, 2224 N.W. Calkins, Roseburg, OR 97470, (H)672-6367 were made. OBRC wil lduplicate and return original slides and tapes promptly . Donations of slide Ron Maertz, 257 Brown Street, Glide, OR 97443, (H)496-3847 duplicates (OBRC prefers a double set) and copies of recordings may be considered a tax- • Salem deductible expense! Barb Bellin, 4730 Elizabeth Street N„ Salem, OR 97303, (H)393-0243 Bob Lucas, 392 Holder Lane S.E., Salem, OR 97306, (H)363-9710 • Tillamook 7. SIGNATURE, DATE. Sign this form , and date it for when it was filled out. Craig Roberts, 2880 Old Netarts Road W„ Tillamook, OR 97141, (H)842-5782 • Umatilia/Hermiston Craig Corder, 880 E. Tamarack, Hermiston, OR 97838, (H)567-0305 (W)567-6414 Phone number in italics means you may reach an answering machine. diving ducks where smelt runs can Reservoir, the only other high eleva• drop by February, but numbers then be located. From the following obser• tion site, has produced 4 records, one begin to pick up again with spring vation, it may be well to figure out of which was also in November. This migration.While this mimics the spe• when smelt runs occur on the Colum• is not a month during which birders cies' patterns on the coast, it is never• bia River: "The smelt run up the Co• check the higher elevation lakes, but theless interesting to see it addressed lumbia River in early April attracted it is the time when this species most for this purpose. an estimated 50,000 gulls, mostly often appears at inland sites, so it may As previously mentioned, over half Calfornias (H.N.)."AB 32(5): 1047. be that Red-breasted Mergansers are of all inland sightings have occurred It is also interesting to note that also using these areas much more since 1990. During the 1980s, 4.4 birds have not been found at the than records might indicate. birds per year were seen. Since then, mouth of the Deschutes River prior When Red-breasted Mergansers 92 birds have been reported per year. to 1990. This curious statistic could have been found inland, 2 out of ev• Prior to 1980 there where 10 records be explained by the fact that birders ery 3 sightings were of individual dating as far back as 1958. Have we have figured out that the confluence birds Twenty-one sightings have been reached a plateau in the numbers of of rivers provide an abundance of of pairs (or two 2 birds together) Five Red-breasted Mergansers we will see food for waterfowl and other types observations have been of groups of inland each year? Only time will tell. of birds, and can be hot spots for 3, and 3 each were of groups of 4 and Sightings began to increase and be• birders. Also, certain birders have 5.Two observations of up to 7 birds come more consistent since 1983. taken it upon themselves to do ex• have been reported. The only other Five were reported in that year and tensive birding in a few of the lesser- sighting of a larger group was of 14 birds were reported every year since birded counties east of the Cascades. birds, which was also Baker County's then. This particular location is well worth only sighting.This is the size of groups While it is rather doubtful that Red- checking, since silt build-up provides generally found on the coast. breasted Mergansers are on the in• a large sand bar which is used heavily Red-breasted Merganser does in crease here in North America, more by waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds, fact winter inland in Oregon (Figure sightings are to be expected here on especially during migration. Other 2). Birds begin to trickle in with the inland waters in Oregon .With birding great finds here include Heermann's start of fall migration in late summer becoming more popular as the years and Sabine's Gulls. and build to a peak from November go by, and more birders becoming Another look at the location of through January.There is a noticeable more experienced, it is certain that these records reveals that when David this species will be seen with at least Fix lived at a high elevation location the same frequency in the future, and in the Central Cascades, he came up will be found in places where it has with 4 records from that area, all in not previously been seen. 0 the month of November. Wickiup

24 24

14 13 12

8

3 0. 1

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Figure 2. Red-breasted Merganser inland. "Birds begin to trickle in with the start of fall migration in late summer and build to peak from November through January. There is a noticeable drop by February, but number then begin to pick up again with spring migration."

Oregon Birds 24(3): 85, Fall 1998 News and Notes OB 24(3)

lease check your mailing label. [email protected] prematurely "trashed" it from their In P The volume and issue number of How do I contact the listowner for Basket. There is another way to ac• your last issue of Oregon Birds is questions? Send your questions to complish this if not very much time printed in the upper right hand cor• [email protected] has passed.You can go to www.cyber- ner. OB is sent on a 1-year basis, not How do I set Obol to digest mode? dyne/~lb/obol.html, then select email on a volume-year basis. In other Send the message digests. Lucy Biggs, lbiggs@oregon. words, your membership runs for 4 set obol digest uoregon.edu, University of Oregon, quarters — 4 issues of OB — from to [email protected]. How do I Materials Science Institute, Eugene, the quarter in which you joined or retrieve a quick command summary? OR 97403, 541-346-4784 fax (541) renewed. If the number 24(3) appears Send the message 346-3422. — this is your last issue. So it's time HELP to send in your membership dues! If to [email protected]. How do I ird songs on the Web. Here's a the number 24(4) or higher appears, retrieve info on the Obol list? Send Bsummary. (1) There is a site by feel free to send in your dues early. the message Patuxent that has quite a variety and You'll be guaranteed an extension of INFO obol good sound quality. http://www. 4 issues at today's rates, you won't to [email protected]. How do I mbr.nbs.gov/id/songlist.html (2) Try have to worry about your subscrip• find out who is on OBOL? Send the the Cornell website, :http://www. tion for more than a year, and you'll message ornith.cornell.edu and follow the link make the accounting at OFO a little REVIEW obol to the Library of Natural Sounds. I've easier.The entire OB team thanks you! to [email protected]. How do I found that downloading bird songs Send in your renewal now, and help conceal my email address from pub• really takes a long time. I'd recom• us out at OB! lic users and subscribers? Send the mend the CD ROM Thayer's Birds of message North America (around $70). he Oregon Fund for Ornithology SET obol conceal Gretchen Oosterhout, Ph.D., dmatrix Tsets aside money for worthwhile to [email protected]. ©europa.com projects related to the purposes of Please note: firstname lastname is OFO, to be dedicated at the OFO your actual first name and last name. he 1998 midwinter eagle count Board's discretion. Examples include For more information, go to Oregon Tfound 833 Bald Eagles in Oregon, special publications, improvements in State's ListServe Web page, which is: an increase of 22 percent over last Oregon Birds, support for ornitho• http://www.net.orst.edu/Is/ year. About two-thirds were adults. logical research projects, etc. All do• lsuserref.html. The OBOL list owner Golden Eagles were down to 88 from nations are tax-deductible. A handy is Lucy Biggs, [email protected]. check box on the OFO membership The text for all of this is on the Midwinter eagle counts in Oregon, 1988 - 1998. form makes it easy to earmark con• World Wide Web at http://www. No attempt has been made to adjust for differences tributions to the Fund. Birders wish• cyber-dyne. com/- lb/subscr. html .Set in weather, observers, or routes. The population of Bald Eagles in Oregon in the first half of January ing to contribute to the Fund should a bookmark on your browser! On sev• appears to be stable or increasing. Citation: Isaacs, send contributions to OFOTreasurer, eral occasions OBOL subscribers F.B. 1998. Results of the 1998Midwinter Eagle Count P.O. Box 10373, Eugene, OR 97440. have asked to have an email message for Oregon. Oregon Eagle foundation, Klamath Falls, re-sent because they inadvertently or Oregon. 1 page, 2 tables. regon Birders On Line (OBOL) O has become essential birding Bald Eagle equipment, in a sense, as many of 900- Golden Eagle Oregon's most active birders are "on line" exchanging news and notes via 800- Internet email. To sign on to OBOL, you need email access to the Internet 700- — usually through a personal com• 600- puter and an Internet provider. How do I subscribe to OBOL? Send the 500- command below to ListServ@mail. orst.edu: 400- SUBSCRIBE obol firstname lastname 300- How do I unsubscribe to OBOL? Send the command below to ListServ@mail 200- .orst.edu: SIGNOFF obol 100- How do I send a message to all birders who subscribe to OBOL? Send your 0- message to 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Oregon Birds 24(3): 86, Fall 1998 93 the year before. Oregon Eagle Christmas Bird Count, National Audubon Society. mation on the scientific program contact Martin Foundation, Inc., Frank B. Isaacs, Sec• - 29 March - 3 April 1999, Cooper Ornithological G. Raphael, Pacific Northwest Research Station, retary, 337 South G Street, Lakeview, Society, 69th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR. Sym• 3625 93rd Avenue S.W., 01ympia,WA 98512,360- posia and workshops will include "The effects of 753-7662 [email protected]. For in• OR 97630-1823, 541-947-2544 habitat fragmentation on western bird popula• formation on local arrangements contact Erick [email protected]. tions" and "Conservation of avian diversity in an G. Campbell, BLM, 1515 S.W. 5th Avenue, Port• urbanizing world". The plenary speaker Gordon land, OR 97201, 503-952-6382 eetings, events & deadlines Orians will address "Four and ninety blackbirds: [email protected]. Visit the COS home page M made known to Oregon Birds: a lovely long- term dish." The 1998 Miller Awardee at http://www.ets.uidaho.edu/coop/cooper/ - 28 - 30 September 1998, Western Bird Banding Russell Balda will speak on "The use of natural coshome.htm for more information. Association, annual meeting, Marshall, California. history information in predicting cognitive abili• -16 December 1999 through 3 January 2000,100th Kay Loughman, 393 Gravatt Drive,Berkeley, CA ties of corvids: clever corvids and cooperative col• Christmas Bird Count, National Audubon Society. 94705, 510-841-7428 [email protected] leagues." Concurrent general paper sessions are -15 December 2000 through 2 January 2001,101st - 30 September - 4 October 1998, Annual Meeting scheduled as well as poster sessions. For infor• Christmas Bird Count, National Audubon Society. 0 of the Raptor Research Foundation, Ogden, Utah. Carl D. Marti, Department of Zoology, Weber State Univ., Ogden, UT 84408-2505,801-626-6172 fax 29 March - 3 April 1999, 801-626-7445 [email protected]. Cooper Ornithological Society, - 30 September - 4 October 1999, international 69th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR scientific conference at Ebeltoft, Denmark, to cel• ebrate 100 years since Hans Christian Cornelius Mortensen started to band birds systematically. Ib Clausager, [email protected] or http://www.dum.dk/ news/birds.htm. - 1 - 4 October 1998, Western Field Ornitholo•

gists, 23rd annual meeting, Areata, California. Carl D. Marti, 801-626-6172 [email protected] http://www.weber.edu/rrf WFO Conference, Mad River Biologists, P.O. Box 3020,, McKinleyville CA mm 95519, 707-822-6393 [email protected] -18 December 1998 through 3 January 1999,99th The Western Meadowlark Recovery Project

The Oregon Department of Fish & Western Meadowlark Sturnella neglecta bird species. Wildlife (ODFW) plans to conduct an Length 9 1/2 in. (24 cm) The Problem... Through recent intensive landowner education pro• Best distinguished by its voice studies conducted by the "Wildlife gram to maintain and improve pri• Common in field and meadows Diversity Program" of ODFW we now vately-owned habitat for these grass• Male picks the nest site on the ground know the declining trends are due to land-associated birds in the Female will sit on 3-7 eggs for 13-15 days changes in habitat. Willamette Valley in 1998 and 1999- Voted the Oregon State Bird in 1927 by The Good News... is that with mini• The objectives for this proposal are Oregon's school children mal modifications in the way land is to: (1) create and distribute a bro• Once common in the Willamette Valley ... managed, the status of these grassland chure for private agricultural land• now scarce i birds can be improved. owners that integrates management On the Oregon Sensj he Species List in the The Western Meadowlark and other for grassland birds with economically Willamette Vailed Willamette Valley grassland birds need viable commodity production; (2) %, your help! Recovery projects take conduct "hands-on" workshops for money! Please make a donation to• interested landowners to learn about ward this very important project. integrating habitat management with Checks should be made payable to production of their specific commod• the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Founda• ity; and (3) work with landowners as tion and mailed to the address below. they implement on-the-ground habi• Let's work together so the next gen• tat improvement recovery projects. In eration can wake up to the melodi- addition, ODFW will develop species us song of Oregon's State Bird."A low accounts for these grassland bird spe• throaty, explosive chuck and a rattling cies for its publication Species at Risk. flight call-variable series of bubbling This publication is widely used by flutelike notes, accelerating toward managers, educators, students and the the end." public.The beautiful song of Oregon's Fund Raising Goal: $30,000. state bird — the Western Meadowlark Committed Funds: $20,000. Help — was commonly heard by residents Needed: $10,000. of the Willamette Valley as recently as Western Meadowlark Fund, P.O. 30 years ago. Now it's difficult to find Box 30406, Portland, OR 97294-3406, this species as well as other grassland 503-255-6059 fax 503-255-6467

Oregon Birds 24(3): 87, Fall 1998 OFO Birding Weekend in Curry County

Nathaniel Wander, P.O. Box 301, Port Orford OR 97465

About 119 species were tallied dur• which was mobbed by chickadees of its outer tail feathers. They are ing the Oregon Field Ornithologists and other small fry. Despite this rude moderately common here for a birding weekend in Curry County, 25- reception, the owl continued to fol• month as they migrate through, and 26 April 1998. Participants were Tom low our group in an attempt to dia• we saw two more from Oceanview Burnett, Linda Gilbert, Maeve Lofton, logue with Paul, though it is not cer• Drive, and an additional trio on the Jim Regali, Liba Stanek, Margaret tain who got the best of the debate. south fork of Pistol River. Stephens, Harold and Voyla Steves, Acorn Woodpeckers and their tan oak A lunch stop at the harbor turned Paul Sullivan, and Nathaniel Wander. larders, absent on the coastal plain, up a Brown Pelican and an immature The trip was guided by local expert were plentiful at this altitude .A Moun• Heermann's Gull. Because both lin• Don Munson. tain Quail could be clearly heard gered here throughout the winter, it At Brookings on Saturday morning, across the valley, but would not be was impossible to decide whether a peek into Chetco Cove from the induced to exhibit himself. they were early specimens or late The north bank of the river turned up one Don showed some of us Black harbor also held black-headed of the few local Purple Martin colo• Phoebes nesting in an old barn along Bonaparte's Gulls, passing through in nies, nesting in holes under the High• the river, and another near his home fair numbers on their way to north• way 101 bridge. On the beach to the in Harbor. We heard Virginia Rails on ern breeding grounds. west, Black-crowned Night Herons, the Lower Chetco River — but got Wading in the Chetco River be• and breeding plumaged Spotted Sand• no views. In a field above Hwy. 101 tween Loeb Park and the bridge, were pipers were seen. off Pelican Bay Drive, a tape called in a pair of black-beaked, yellow-footed Along the Winchuck River above a Yellow-breasted Chat. Remarkable Snowy Egrets, smaller than the locally Ludlum House, an American Dipper for its all-over-the-map range of vocal• common Great Egrets. We also heard nested on a brace in a corrugated re• izations, this gray and yellow, white- a Red-shouldered Hawk, though it taining wall. It mostly bobbed before spectacled bird is the largest warbler never came into view. The fields the nest, occasionally turning and to summer in Curry. Don also pointed around Pistol River were full of both poking its head inside. Periodically, it out an American Kestrel, growing neon-bright American Goldfinches, would drop to the riverbed, and stroll scarce as most have departed for their and olive-backed Lesser ones, the lat• about in the shallow flow. northern breeding grounds. ter common enough in Curry, but Further up the East Fork, we saw On a wire fence southwest of the uncommon further north. A pair of the day's first red-gorgeted green- Chetco Valley Museum, Don showed Ruddy Ducks, nearing the end of their backed Allen's Hummingbird, a life- us a Western Kingbird, distinguished local season, puddled in the river. bird for at least one participant. Paul from other yellow-bottomed tyrant Gold Beach boat basin held a good also called in a Northern Pygmy Owl, flycatchers by the white parenthesis Curry Co., continued next page.

OFO Birding Weekend, Baker County, 23-25 May 1998

MikeBogar, 6536 S.E.Apple, Milwaukie, OR 97222

Paul Sullivan, Marti Anderson, Jim were mixed with western Grebes on pers taking food to a nest, and the first Norris, Margaret Stephens, Liba Unity Reservoir. Birds detected in the Common Nighthawks of the season. Stanek, and Mike Bogar travelled to Burnt River Valley include Sora, San• Margaret spotted a Goshawk. Near Baker County on Memorial Day week• dhill Cranes, Eastern Kingbirds, Lark Eagle Creek, we were frustrated in our end for 3 full days of eastern Oregon Sparrows, and Bobolinks (in hayfields. attempts to see a Fox Sparrow, which birding. We met at 6:00 am Saturday right where Paul said they'd be). Re• was singing in the bushes a few feet to explore the environs south of turning to Baker City, we visited away. Not even Paul's hooting and Baker City, birded along the Burnt Phillips Reservoir and saw nesting pishing drew it out of cover. We had River and Unity Reservoir, and re• Ospey, a Tundra Swan, and a Pygmy much better luck with a Red Fox than turned via Whitney and Phillips Res• Nuthatch. Saturday's tally included all the Fox Sparrow, having clear views ervoir. 6 of Oregon's swallows. of the fox for 15 minutes. No pishing Near Baker City, Paul called a pair Sunday, local birders Heidi and Lou required. ofYellow-breasted Chats into view.A joined us on the south edge of the Monday morning, we explored the pair of Virginia Rails responded to Wallowas, heading up to Balm Creek gravel ponds just north of Baker City. calls and came out of cover. On Reservoir and down along Eagle Notable species here were Blue- Dooley Mountain, we watched a pair Creek to Richland. Good sightings winged Teal, Black Tern, Bank Swal• ofWilliamson's Sapsuckers nest-build• include Long-billed Curlews, Lazuli lows, Barn Owls in the shed, and ing and mating. Two Clark's Grebes Buntings, Lewis' Woodpeckers, Dip• Baker Co., continued next page.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 88, Fall 1998 OFO Spring Birding Weekend at Malheur NWR

Paul T.Sullivan, 4470 SW Murray #26, Beaverton, OR 97005

Nineteen participants gathered at we saw numerous waterfowl, includ• breasted Chat.Working our way north Malheur Field Station on the morn• ing a pair of Greater Scaup, Franklin's from the P Ranch on the Center Pa• ing of 30 May 1998, for introductions Gulls, Black-crowned Night Herons, trol Road, we tallied Bobolinks, Sora, and a sketch of the days schedule by Snowy Egrets, and the usual wading Eastern Kingbirds, and Willow Fly• our leader, Steve Shunk. Then we birds. Hurrying back to the Field Sta• catchers. Steve saw a suspicious fly• headed over to Refuge headquarters tion for supper we spotted a pair of catcher that eluded further scrutiny. for early morning birding. On the way Burrowing Owls nesting about a mile We drove by the spot were a Yellow- we saw the expected Great Egrets, northwest of the Field Station. After billed Cuckoo had been seen the af• Black-necked StiltsAmericanAvocets, supper some of the group returned ternoon before, but did not see it. (It and Long-billed Curlews.At headquar• to headquarters to add a few more was seen there 20 minutes later!) At ters we found the predictable legion species to the list. We enjoyed the 2 Knox Pond we tallied Caspian, of Yellow Warblers, a few Common resident Great Horned Owls reinforc• Forster's and Black Terns. Nighthawks, etc. Several in the group ing their pair bond. Those who Several participants departed at got to see an Eastern Wood-Pewee checked headquarters on Sunday mid afternoon, but those who stayed which had been captured at the band• morning found a Black-and-white added Trumpeter Swan to the list. ing station a couple days before. Oth• Warbler. Good birding and new birds were ers saw a Blackpoll Warbler. On Sunday morning we met for enjoyed by all, but especially by 2 la• Mid-morning we set off down "rap• breakfast on Steve's tailgate at Buena dies from England seeing the area for tor alley"toward Princeton.Along this Vista station.There we found an East• the first time. route Swainson's Hawks were more ern Phoebe flycatching and calling Participants were Tom Burnett, numerous than Red-tails, but we also around the outbuildings of the station. Kathleen Ehrenberg, Kris Falco, Bar• tallied Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Climbing to the overlook we tallied bara Haney Angela Harvey, Cindy & Falcons, and Golden Eagles. A re• Sage, Lark, and Brewer's Sparrows, John. Lawes, Carol Ledford, Maeve cently-tilled field with its exposed plus Ash-throated and Gray Flycatch• Lofton, Malcolm & Joan Macdonald, rodents had attracted some 15 rap• ers. Jim Norrisjim Regali, Rita Smith, Liba tors to one center-pivot irrigation rig At Page Springs we tallied Lesser Stanek, Harold & Voyla Steves, Mary near Crane. Goldfinches, Black-throated and Anne Sohlstorm, Paul Sullivan, and We went on to Lawen Rd., where MacGillivray's Warblers, and Yellow- Stephen Shunk. 0

Curry Co., continued. nest burrows on the sea stacks, as well in Port Orford.We heard Marsh Wrens assortment of shorebirds, breeding- as views of breeding-plumaged Pacific and Red-winged Blackbirds, but were plumaged Dunlins at the end of their Loons. On the return, we all but disappointed in attempts to call out season here the most notable. Sand- stumbled across the weekend's piece Soras or Virginia Rails. Before break• erlings were already noticeably ab• de resistance: an Ash-throated Fly• ing up, the group moved on to the sent. Black-toupeed, orange dagger- catcher in a wind-sheltered bosk be• old mill pond north of Buffington billed Caspian Terns were in the thick tween the highway and the dunes. A Park. We saw the promised Wood of their migration. A small Canada bird of the mesquite and of open pin- Ducks, as well as a bonus pair of Cin• Goose had insinuated itself into a yon and juniper forest, it has been namon Teal, familiar in the Willamette flock of domestics. recorded in Curry Co. on only a hand• Valley,but relatively uncommon here. ful of occasions. Saturday night, a band of die-hard 0 owlers attempted to call in a North• From the south bank of the Rogue Baker Co., continued. ern Saw-whet near Quosatana camp• we were afforded a look into a Great Great Horned Owl. Farther on was a grounds .Their tape brought in a much Blue Heron colony, and the remark• heron colony, Calliope Humming• more common Screech Owl instead. able spectacle of pair of White-tailed birds on a feeder, Horned Larks, and Kites exchanging an object in mid-air Sunday's return visit to the Gold Red-necked Phalaropes. At Ladd — apparently part of a courting ritual. Beach boat basin added a pair of Marsh, we watched a pair of Sandhill At the river's mouth along the North Brant. In the midst of their northern Cranes with a colt, some great North• Jetty, we were provided a distant view migration, these small, dark geese pass ern Harrier displays, and more Bobo• of a Clark's Grebe, more white-faced links (in hayfields, right where Paul noisily over the Curry coast in large and yellow-beaked than the common said they'd be).After noticing us, the Vs, but touch down only rarely. Fish- Western. crane colt did an impressive job of bearing Osprey wheeled overhead in After brief looks at the "Curry disappearing by blending into the no short supply. County Bufflehead Preserve," a.k.a. brown grasses. A hard hike over sand dunes to the Doyle Point settling ponds, and An extra treat for Paul, Liba, and me Crook's Point produced sightings of the fields surrounding Euchre Creek, was spotting Burrowing Owls along Tufted Puffins flying to and from their the group moved on to Garrison Lake Baker Co., continued next page.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 89, Fall 1998 Baker Co., continued. the north side of the freeway at mile- Paul was always standing nearby, mak• 1-84. En route to Baker City Friday, we post 173, near the Umatilla army de- ing funny faces. I never did see one found pellets where owls were re• pot.The official tally for the field trip of the little owls, but I thought the ported last year, at milepost 294.5. In was 128 species. Paul didn't include calls warranted a positive ID. Paul the last few minutes of twilight, we Northern Pygmy-Owl, though I dis• didn't agree,for some strange reason. spotted an owl hovering over the tinctly heard them calling many times He did, however, organize a great adjacent field. Heading home on Sun• and often saw lots of little 'dickie weekend and led us to a lot of good day, we found 2 Burrowing Owls on birds' mobbing in response. Curiously, birds. 0

19th Annual OFO Meeting

Outgoing Secretary Cindy Lawes, 13380 S.WButner Road, Beaverton, OR 97005 [email protected]

FO held its 19th Annual Meeting Ann Ward from Baker County has Oregon, which he co-authored, and O this year in conjunction with the been a long-time contributor from his most recent publication, Cumu• Southwestern Idaho Birders Associa• northeast Oregon. She and her hus• lative Index to Oregon Birds, Vol• tion and the Golden Eagle Audubon band started the Baker County CBC umes 1-22, 1975-1996. His current Society. Fifty-five birders attended the in 1957This is one of the longest-run• project is co-authoring a new Birds meeting held in Ontario, Oregon, at ning CBCs in Oregon. For many years of Oregon in cooperation with the the Four Rivers Cultural Center. The Ann was the only birder reporting Breeding Bird Atlas .Alan has also pub• lished at least 60 articles in Oregon bird count for Malheur, Baker, and fieldnotes from this part of Oregon. A Birds. Grant Counties and western Idaho biography of Ann may be found in OB was 171 species. Highlights included 21(1), Spring 1995. Alan Contreras Nominations accepted for OFO Common Loon at Malheur Reservoir, presented the award for Ann, who Board positions for the 1998-99 term: Green Heron off Douglas Road north could not be at the meeting. President, Ray Korpi of Ontario, Pacific-slope Flycatcher Alan Contreras from Lane County Secretary, Mary Anne Sohlstrom near Ontario, and Blue Grosbeak at is mostly known for his prolific writ• Treasurer, Reid Freeman Brogan. In Idaho,highlights included ing about Oregon's birds. He has pub• Board Members: Snow Goose, Great-tailed Grackle, and lished numerous books and articles, Ted Ernst (continues his 1997-1999 term) Chuck Gates (finishes 1998-1999 term vacated Common Grackle. and served as President of OFO in by MAS) Two awards were given in recogni• 1987 and 1988. Some of his books Vjera Arnold (1998-2000) tion for contributions to Oregon Or• include Northwest Birds in Winter. Tom Winters (1998-2000) nithology. Birds of Northeast Oregon, Birds of

Three new publications from OFO

Special Publication No. 10. Cumulative Index to Oregon Birds, Vol. 1-22. Alan Contreras. $5.50 A fine cross-listed index to Oregon Birds as well as an index to the Journal of Oregon Ornithology and other resources. ISBN 1-877693-24-3.

Special Publication No. 11. A Guide to Birds and other Wildlife of the Columbia River Estuary. Mike Patterson. $ 7.50 A guide for exploring the wildlife of the Columbia River Estuary from Ft. Canby and Baker Bay. Washington, south to Cannon Beach, Oregon, and east to Brownsmead and Nicolai Mountain. Top• ics include timing a visit, tips on targeting specific kinds of wildlife, site guides to the region's best areas, an annotated list by species describing where to find the most interesting birds and mammals and a complete checklist and seasonal bar chart the for birds of Clatsop County. ISBN 1-877693- 25-1.

Special Publication No. 12. Birds of Coos County, Oregon: status and distribution. Alan Contreras. $16.00 The book is a joint production of Cape Arago Audubon and Oregon Field Ornithologists. Species accounts, habitat information and photos, 25-year CBC tables, a table of pelagic trip results, maps and detailed histograms. ISBN 1-877693-26-X.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 90, Fall 1998 Ann Ward. Photo/OB Archives. Alan Contreras. left, Ray Korpi. Photo/Cindy Lowes.

he OFO Board of Directors gave Counts and she was the compiler for dent of OFO, and a member of the T2 awards to outstanding Oregon many years. She participated in vari• Oregon Bird Records Committee. He birders at the Nineteenth OFO Annual ous bird surveys and discovered has written numerous articles and Meeting in Ontario, 27 June 1998. American Redstarts breeding near several books on Oregon's birds. Alan The first award was given to Ann Baker City. In the early years Ann had founded the Florence and Coquille Ward of Baker City for her many years to overcome the incredulity of some Valley Christmas Bird Counts. His of contributing sightings from east• "experts" from western Oregon. All organizational skills have contributed ern Oregon. When she moved to of this was done in her cheery, up• greatly to our knowledge and enjoy• Baker City in 1954, she was coached beat way. Although her health is not ment of Oregon's birds. by the local priest-birder to get the what it used to be, her spirit contin• Peterson's guide and Gabrielson & ues. It was a joy to visit with her and Jewett's Birds of Oregon. With her present this award. late husband, Ann started the Baker The second award went to Alan Paul T. Sullivan, City and Baker Valley Christmas Bird Contreras. Alan has been Past Presi• paul. t.sullivan@bangate. tek.com

Oregon Birds 24(3): 91, Fall 1998 Oregon Birds Regional Editors Western Oregon Jeff Gilligan 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue •Fall 503-231-0971 Portland, OR 97232

Western Oregon Gerard Lillie 329 S.E. Gilham •Spring 503-257-9344 Portland, OR 97215 Oregon Birds and Audubon Field Notes have synchronized reporting areas, periods, and deadlines. Field reports for eastern and western Oregon are due Western Oregon Bill Tice 750 Wood Street to the OB Regional Editor and AFN Regional Editor at the same time. • Winter/Summer 503-787-3436 Falls City, OR 97344 Season Months to Editor To OB Spring March—May 10 June 20 October Eastern Oregon Paul T. Sullivan 4470 S.W. Murray Blvd. #26 Summer June—July 10 August 20 January • Fall/Spring 503-646-7889 Beaverton, OR 97005 Fall August—November 10 December 20 April Winter December—February 10 March 20 July Eastern Oregon Ray Korpi 9112 N.Tyler • Winter 503-289-1676 Portland, OR 97203

Eastern Oregon Kevin Spencer P.O. Box 353 •Summer" 916-667-4644 Tulelake, CA 96134

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

Audubon Field Notes Sub-Regional Editors Western Oregon Harry Nehls 2736 S.E. 20th 233-3976 Portland, OR 97202 Eastern Oregon

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

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

Bend Eagle Eye Central Oregon PO Box 565 Craig Miller 541-389-9115 Audubon Society Bend OR 97709 [email protected]

Coos Bay in- Tattler Cape Arago Audubon P.O. Box 381 541-267-7208 Society North Bend OR 974! ••

Corvallis The Chat Audubon Society of PO Box 148 Jonathan Plissner 541-929-6207 Corvallis Corvallis OR 97339 [email protected]

Eugene The Ouail Lane County Audubon PO Bo> 5086 Allison Mickel 541-485-71 1? Society Eugene OR 97405

Florence Florence Bird Club

Grants Pass-;:jvw The Siskin Siskiyou Audubon ; PO Box 1047 Eleanor Pugh 541-866-2665 Grams Pass OR 97526

Hood River Columbia Gorge PO Box 512 Audubon Society Hood River OR 97031

John Day The Upland Sandpiper Grant County Bird Club P.O. Box 111 Tom vVinteM:Q€K& 541-542-2006 (h) Canyon City OR 97820 541-575-2570 (w)

Klamath Falls The Grebe Klamath Basin Audubon PO Box 354 Kevin Spencer 916-667-4644 (h) Society Klamath Falls OR 97601

La Grande Tii.. Ra\n Grande Ronde Bird Club PO Box 29 Bill & Chris Dowdy 541-963-4768 La Grande OF: 97850

Medford The Chat Rogue Valley Audubon 6045 Foley Lane Ric Thowless 541-535-3280 Central Point OR 97520 Portland Audubon Warbler Audubon Society of 5151 NW Cornell Road Harry Nehls 503-233-3976 Portland Portland OR 97210 hnehl . teleport com

Port Orford The Storm Petrel Kalmiopsis Audubon PO Box 1265 Colin Dillingham 541-247-4752 (h) Society Port Orford OR 97465 541-247-3644 (w)

Roseburg Winq-Tips : Umpqua Valley Box 381 Audubon Society Ro •' 'hi iri] OR 974 70

Salem The Kestrel Salem Audubon Society 1313 Mill St SE John Lundsten 503-585-9442 Salem OR 97301 [email protected] I

Oregon Birds 24(3): 92, Fall 1998 FIELDNOTES: Eastern Oregon, Winter 1997-98

Ray Korpi, 9112 North Tyler Avenue, Portland, OR 97203

The number of reports overall was down this win• at or over Oregon st. line, Kla, 24 Jan (KS) Northern Goshawk ter, which is surprising given the mildness of the Wood Duck 1 wintering at Fields, Har, noted as "atypical" (M); winter. Kevin Spencer reported from Klamath Falls 220 at wildlife area, McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan 1, Canyon Creek, Gra, 20 Dec (US); 1, Pendleton that temperatures were above normal and rain pre• (MID, MD) CBC, 3 Jan (CC) dominated in December and January; snow came Mandarin Duck Red-shouldered Hawk to Klamath in February. In the north, fog seemed to 1 female, probably an escapee (?), paired with a 1 imm., Miller Island WA, Kla, throughout period loom large in December. Wood Duck drake, McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (KS); 1 other in Klamath Falls, Kla, Dec-Jan. (EO, Those species in italics are review species. The (MID, MD). KW.KS, etal). author wishes to ask that observers start differenti• American Black Duck Red-tailed Hawk ating Fox Sparrow races in light of need for data on 1 pure adult male, Hood River, Hoo, 4 Jan to end 1 wintering at Fields, Har, noted as "atypical" (M) ranges of these birds. Counties, when known, are of period (SR, DB, et al.). However, no write-ups Harlan's Red-tailed Hawk in italics and abbreviated using the first 3 letters; I had been received by the OBRC as of 5 July. 1, Malheur HQ, Har, 9 Dec (DE) did not include counties for CBC reports unless I Northern Pintail Ferruginous Hawk knew for sure where the sighting was. 1 male, McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) 1 wintered south of Klamath Falls, Kla (KS); 1, Abbreviations Blue-winged Teal PrineviUe CBC, 4 Jan (TC) WA Wildlife Area 1, Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan (CC) Rough-legged Hawk SP State Park Eurasian Wigeon 1 dark morph, Emigrant HiU, Uma, 3 Jan (MID, NWR National Wildlife Refuge 1, PrineviUe Sewage Lagoons, Cro,\\c - 4Feb MD, SM) Publications Cited (CG, CM, CC, SSh, JM); 1, John Day, Gra, 20 Dec, Peregrine Falcon Rv The Rav-on (Grande Ronde BC) 27 Dec, and again 24 Jan (US); 1, Wingville, Bak, 1, Dog Creek, Gra, 1 Dec (US); 1, Malheur NWR US Upland Sandpiper (Grant Co.) 9 Jan (SS) CBC, 20 Dec (DE); 1, Irrigon, Mor, 25 Dec (CC, American Wigeon JS) Common Loon 400+, Hat Rock SP, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) Gyrfalcon 1, Willow Creek WA, Gil, 7 Dec (CC, JS) Redhead 1 imm., Klamath Marsh NWR, Kla, 28 Feb (KS); Pied-billed Grebe 6, McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) Gray Partridge l.John Day CBC, 20 Dec (US) Ring-necked Duck 20, OFO Weekend in WaUowa County, 12 Jan (PS) Horned Grebe 17, Hat Rock SP, Uma, 16 Jan (MLD, MD) Mountain Quail 5 at Sand Station, Uma, on the Columbia, 16 Jan Tufted Duck 2, Cottonwood Creek between Long Creek and (MM, MID) 1 female, John Day Dam, She, 13 Dec (LR); 1 Monument, Gra, mid Feb (MD) Red-necked Grebe pure male at Bingen, WA, 31 Jan to end of period Virginia Rail 1, Hood River, Hoo, 31 Jan (WC) (WC, et al.) Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• Eared Grebe Greater Scaup mas (BT, RG); 1, John Day CBC, 20 Dec (US); 1 1, PrineviUe Sewage Lagoons, Cm, 11 Dec (CG); 1 male, Hat Rock SP, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD); wintered at Fields, Har (M); 4, PrineviUe CBC, 4 1, Bend CBC, 20 Dec (TC); 2, Hood River, Hoo, 4 "Usual large numbers in the Columbia River Gorge" Jan (CM) Jan (HN) (HN) Sora Western Grebe Oldsquaw 1, Hatfield Lake, Des, 1 Jan (JM) foUowed closely 2 at Sand Station, Uma, on the Columbia, 16 Jan 1, Summer Lake, Lak, 23-27 Dec (BT, RG); 1, by 1, PrineviUe CBC, 4 Jan, were Central Oregon's (MM, MID) Sutde Lake, Jef, 1 Jan to end of period (LR, SSh, first two winter records (CM). Clark's Grebe DH, CM, JM, etal.) KUldeer 1, Bend area, Des, 20 Dec - 2 Jan (TC, DH). This Surf Scoter 10, AUaUa Rd., Johnson Rd., Des, 7 Feb was a first-record on the Bend CBC. 2, SuttJe like, Jef, 4 Jan (DH, CM, JM, et al.) Greater Yellowlegs American Bittern Common Goldeneye 2, Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan (CC) Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• 22 at McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) Least Sandpiper mas (BT, RG) Barrow's Goldeneye 1, PrineviUe CBC, 4 Jan, for an unusual midwin• Great Egret "Usual numbers in Columbia River Gorge" (HN); ter record (TC); "Handful" in with DunUn, White 2, Lower Klamath NWR, Kla, throughout (CB, KS, 2 males at McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) Lake, Cal.-Or. border, 15 Feb. (DF) etal.) Bufflehead Dunlin Cattle Egret 37 at McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) 1, AlfaUa Pond, Johnson Rd., Bend, Des, 7 Feb 2 in Hermiston, Uma, continued into December Hooded Merganser (DH); "large flock" at White Lake, Cal.-Or border, (CC,JS) 1 male at McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) 15 Feb (DF) Black-crowned Might-Heron Turkey Vulture Mew (• uII Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• 1, Sisters, Des, 3 Feb, broke the early arrivals in 1, Klamath FaUs CBC, 3 Jan (EO); 1 imm., Kla• mas (BT, RG) Central Oregon by 20 days (LR fide CM) math FaUs, Kla, 15 Feb (DF) Tundra Swan White-tailed Kite Herring GuU 1, west of Moon Creek, Gra, 5 Dec (US); 4, Pine 1, Klamath Marsh NWR, KM, Jan.-Feb. (DL, WW, 4, Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan (CC) Creek, Gra, 19Jan (US); 4 adults, Conform Ranch, etal.) Glaucous-winged Gull Uma, 14 Feb (MID, MD) Bald Eagle 2, Lake Ewauna, Klamath FaUs, Kla, 3 Jan (KS; Bewick's Tundra Swan 5 in the desert reported in Lake County the week FM); 1 at Sand Station, Uma, on the Columbia, 16 4 in close group, Lower Klamath NWR, Kla, 31 after Christmas (BT, RG); 1 adult and 1 immature, Jan (MM, MID) Jan (AH); 1, HQ, Malheur NWR, Har, 21 Dec (DE) Hat Rock SP, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) Black-legged Kittiwake Whooper Swan Cooper's Hawk 1, John Day Dam, She, 13-16 Dec (CR, CM) up to 5, Lower Klamath NWR, Cal., W '97, with 1 1 immature female, Conform Ranch, Uma, 14 Feb Barn Owl

Oregon Birds 24(3): 93, Fall 1998 10 in 2 communal roosts, Malheur NWR CBC, 20 "Scads" reported in Lake County the week after Kla, 15 Feb (both by KS) Dec (DE); 1, PrineviUe CBC, 4jan (TC); 2, McNary Christmas (BT, RG) Golden-crowned Sparrow NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD) Hermit Thrush 1, Heppner, Mor, 7 Dec (CC, JS); 1 immature, Western Screech-Owl 2, La Grande, 9 Dec (Rv); 1, Malheur NWR CBC, Mount Vernon, Gra, 4 Jan into February (US) 1, John Day CBC, 20 Dec (US) 20 Dec; 3, McNary NWR, Uma, 16 Jan (MID, MD); Harris' Sparrow Northern Pygmy-Owl 1, Bend, 11 Feb (DH, PM); 1, Link River, Klamath 3, Fields, Har, 2 Dec (M); 1, Moro, She, 24 Dec Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• FaUs, Kla, 21 Feb (KS, FM) (PS); 1 wintered near Sun River, Des (DH); 2, mas (BT, RG) American Robin Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan (CC); 1, Hood River, Hoo, 12 Short-eared Owl Large movements reported in Was on 14 Feb (DL, Jan (HB); 1, Mount Vernon, Gra, 21 Jan into Feb• 1, Malheur NWR CBC, 20 Dec (DE); reported in PB) ruary (US) Lake County the week after Christmas (BT, RG) Varied Thrush Dark-eyed Junco Northern Saw-whet Owl 1, Klamath FaUs, Kla, 3 Jan (MK) Pink-sided forms reported at Fields during pe• 1, Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan (CC) Northern Mockingbird riod (M); 2 Slate-colored and 1 Pink-sided reported Anna's Hummingbird 1, Klamath FaUs, Kla, 1-15 Jan (KM) from Bend CBC (TC); an Oregon form with an aU- 1 wintered in Bend, Des, for an unusual aU-win- Sage Thrasher white head seen on UmatiUa CBC (MD). ter record (DH.PM, CM). 2, near Silver Lake, Lak, 28 Dec (BT, RG) Lapland Longspur Red-naped Sapsucker Brown Thrasher 15, south of Burns, Har, 15 Dec (DE); 1, near 1 adult female, Adel CBC (CM) 1, Summer Lake, Lak, 12 Dec through period Grass VaUey, She, 24 Dec (PS); 10, Township Rd., Red-breasted Sapsucker (CM, et al.) Kla, 19-22 Jan 1, nearFossU, Whe, 11 Jan (BS) Cedar Waxwing Snow Bunting Downy Woodpecker Reported throughout region in average numbers. 8, south of Burns, Har, 15 Dec (DE) A bird wintering in Fields, Har, was noted as "atypi• Bohemian Waxwing Western Meadowlark cal" (M). 1, Bend, Des, through Dec (SK, et al.); high of Singing birds at Ladd Marsh, Uni, 15 Feb (Rv) White-headed Woodpecker 128 at P Ranch, Har, during period (DE, et al.); 2, Purple Finch Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan; high of 500 in Joseph, Wal, Reported at Mount Vernon, Gra, 4 Jan (US) mas (BT, RG); 1, PrineviUe CBC, 4 Jan (TC) through period. Red Crossbill Black-backed Woodpecker Northern Shrike 80+ at Poverty Flat, Uma, 3 Jan (MLD, MD, SM) Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• 7 at Emigrant HiU, Uma, 3 Jan (MID, MD, SM); White-winged Crossbill mas (BT, RG) "no shortage" in Lake County, week around Christ• 10, Moro, She, 24 Dec (PS); 25 at OdeU Lake, Northern Flicker mas (BT, RG) Kla, 21 Feb (JH) 1 yeUow-shafted bird, 20 Dec to end of period, Yellow-rumped Warbler Common Redpoll Bend, Des (DH, TC) 2, Klamath FaUs, Kla, 3 Jan (KS); 40 in one flock, No reports this period. Say's Phoebe PrineviUe CBC, 4 Jan; 8, Hat Rock SP, Uma, 16 Jan Lesser Goldfinch 1, Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan (CC) (MID, MD); an Audubon's form wintering at Fields. 1, Bend, Des, 9, 10 Jan; 8, 23 Feb (DH, PM)— Blue Jay Har, noted as "atypical" (M) 4th or 5th Deschutes record (fide CM). 1 wintered in Enterprise (CC, PS, et al.); 1 win• Townsend's Warbler American Goldfinch tered in Bend (SW, DH, TC, et al.); 1, Burns, 28 1, Bend, Des, 1 Dec (HH)—2nd Deschutes Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• Feb (CD) County winter record. mas (BT, RG) Western Scrub-Jay American Tree Sparrow Evening Grosbeak 15, Bend CBC, 22 Dec; 4, Moro, She 24 Dec (PS) 1, Paisley, Lak, 26 Dec (BT, RG); 2, Hart Mm. Very few reports during the period. Black-capped Chickadee CBC, 31 Dec; 1, Pendleton CBC, 3 Jan; regular num• Observers 2, Klamath Falls, Kla, 3 Jan -15 Feb (MK, 3t al.) bers in Northeast Oregon (fide HN). PB-Patti Bernardi; CB-CUnt Brumitt; HB-Henry Chestnut-backed Chickadee Chipping Sparrow Burton; WC-WUson Cady; CC-Craig Corder; TC-Tom 1 detected near McKenzie Pass, extreme western 1 adult in Joseph, Wal, to 18 Dec (CC, PS, et al.): Crabtree; MID-MerryLynn Denny; MD-Mike Denny; Deschutes County, 23 Feb, is noted as difficult to 1, Mffler Island WA, Kla, 15 Feb (KS) CD-CoUn DiUingham; DE-Duncan Evered; DF-David find in the county (CM) Sage Sparrow Fix; RG-Roy Gerig; AH-Arlen Hagen; DH-Dean Hale; Juniper Titmouse Reported on Malheur NWR CBC, 20 Dec (DE) HH-Howard Horvath; MK-Mark KeUey; DL-Dave 6, Adel CBC (CM); 2 birds reported as "Junipers" Fox Sparrow Letter; DL-Donna Lusthoff; M-Maitreya; FM-Frank on the Klamath FaUs CBC, 3 Jan (why not Oaks?) 1, Bend CBC, 20 Dec (TC); 1, McNary NWR, Uma, Mayer; PM-Patty Meehan; JM-Judy Meredith; KM- Bushtit 16 Jan (MLD, MD) Karen Mieloszyk; CM-Craig Miller; SM-Shirley Muse; Reported in January in Canyon City, Gra (US). Lincoln's Sparrow HN-Harry Nehls; EO-Eddie; Olmedo; LR-LewRems; Canyon Wren 1 on John Day CBC, 20 Dec, was a first for the CR-Craig Roberts; BS-Brian Sharp; SSh-Steve Shunk; 1, John Day CBC, 20 Dec (US); 3, Smith Rock, count (US) SS-Stanley Speegle; KS-Kevin Spencer; JS-Judy Des, 1 Feb (DH) Swamp Sparrow Stevens; PS-Paul SuUivan; BT-BiU Tice; KW-Karl Bewick's Wren 1, Hatfield Lake, Des, 20 Dec-10 Jan (DH, TC) Wenner; SW-Steve WiUer; WW-WendeU Wood. 0 1, Hatfield Lake, Des, 28 Dec (DH, JM); 7 at Mis• White-throated Sparrow sion, Uma, 3 Jan (MID, MD, SM); 1,1 mUe below 1, Adel CBC (CM); 1, tan form, Klamath FaUs, Kla, Yellow-billed Loon, 2 December 1997, mouth of the Troy on Grande Ronde R.,Wal, 4 Feb, is a signifi• 3 Jan; 1, white form, Moore Park, Klamath Falls, Chetco River, Curry Co. Photo/Alan Barron. cant sighting (Rv) Marsh Wren Reported in Lake County the week after Christ• mas (BT, RG) American Dipper 1, Canyon Creek, Gra, 11 Jan (US) Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3 wintering at Fields, Har, noted as "atypical" (M) Western Bluebird 15, Klamath FaUs CBC, 3 Jan (KS) Townsend's Solitaire

Oregon Birds 24(3): 94, Fall 1998 Oregon Birds 24(3): 95, Fall 1998 FTJELDIXOTES: Western Oregon, Winter 1997-1998

Bill Tice, 750 Wood St., Falls City, OR [email protected].

Most will point the finger at El Nino as the cause of Clark's Grebe on the Portland CBC (Mult) 3 Jan (fide RK); 71 the mild winter. Many marginal wintering species 2 were at Millacoma Marsh (Coos) for much of were on the Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 Jan (fide were present in fair numbers, while some of the the period (TR). AC); These and the many scattered reports through• more northern species such as Snow Buntings, Laysan Albatross out the period attest to the mild winter. Snowy Owls, and Rosy Finches were absent. A dead bird was found near Thiel Creek Beach Snowy Egret Heermann's Gulls were not only found as far north (Lincoln) 27 Feb (B&SLo). 1 was at Kentuck Inlet (Coos) 7 Feb (TR); 1 was as Astoria for the entire period, but staged an im• Pelagic Trip at Empire (Coos) 11 Feb through the end of the pressive movement north during mid-February. The pelagic trip out of Depoe Bay on 28 Feb. found period (TR). Many of these sightings were gleaned from OBOL the following: Cattle Egret (Oregon Birders On Line), The Chat, The Kestrel, 1 Laysan Albatross One was on S.I. 1 Dec (HN); 2 were on the Eu• The Sandpiper, The Quail, and The Storm Petrel. 9 Black-footed Albatross gene CBC (Lane) 31 Dec-11 Jan (BC); 1 was along 1 Fork-tailed Storm Petrel AirlieRoad(Polk)5Jan(CK). Abbreviations 1 jaeger sp. Green Heron ANWR Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge 312 Black-legged Kittiwake 1 was on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec (fide BSNWR Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge Short-tailed Shearwater SD);1 on the Forest Grove CBC (Wash) 21 Dec CBC Christmas Bird Count 4 were on the Columbia Estuary CBC 21 Dec (fide (MS); 1 was on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); EEWGMA E.E. Wilson Game Management Area MP): 1 was found on the Tillamook CBC (Tilla• 1 was found on the Silverton CBC (Marion) 3 Jan FNWR Finley National Wildlife Refuge mook) 20 Dec (fide HN); 7 were off Orford Head (fide RF); 1 wintered near Fred Meyer's in Astoria FRR Fern Ridge Reservoir (Curry) 14 Feb (JG,TW). (DFfide MP); 1 was found on the Corvallis CBC MSC Marine Science Center BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER (Benton) 23 Dec thatwas seen into January 0S); 1 MSP Monmouth Sewage Ponds 1 was seen 11 Feb off Cape Blanco (Curry) which was along Seavy Loop Rd (Lane) 9 Feb (RF). Black-crowned Night-Heron m.ob. many observers would be Oregon's 5th sight record if accepted by S.I. Sauvie Island the ORBC (JR). 2 were on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); 36 wv Willamette Valley Northern Fulmar were seen at a roost near Eugene on 12 Jan (DD); One was near Coos Bay (Coos) 7 Dec (DL); 1 up to 5-6 were at a roost in Roseburg (Douglas) Pacific Loon was seen prior to the Columbia Estuary CBC (fide for some of the winter (GC); 1 was at Pony Slough Inland away from the Columbia River 1 was at MP); 38 were found on the Coos Bay(Coos) CBC (Coos) 10 Jan (TR); 1-2 were near the MSC (Lin• Selmac Lake (Josephine) 4-29 Dec (DM,PS); it or 20 Dec (fide HN); 1 was found on the Tillamook coln) 17 Jan to the end of period (fide RB) for an another was there on 9 Feb with fishing line CBC (Tillamook) 20 Dec (fide EN); 19 dead were unusual winter record for the mid coast; 7 were at wrapped around it's wing (DV). found on the 4.5 mile stretch of beach near Thiel the roost along Marine Dr. (Mult) 14 Feb (SO). Yellow-billed Loon Crk. during November (B&SLo; S&DBrfide m); 5 Sandhill Crane The only report was of one at the mouth of the were on the Port Orford CBC (Curry) 27 Dec OR 700 on S.I. was an unseasonably large number Chetco River (Curry) from 19 Nov-5 Dec fide AC); 31 were found along a 3 mile stretch of on 31 Dec, attesting to the mild December (HN); 3 (JR,AB,CD). beach south of Yaquina Head (Lincoln) 2 Jan (AF); landed briefly at the mouth of the Chetco River Common Loon 3 were found dead along Sunset Beach (Clatsop) (Curry) 22 Dec (JF fide CD) for a rare coastal 18 Jan (MP). Away from the coast Yamhill County's 2nd record record; migrating flocks were seen by mid Feb. in was still at the Brigantine Monastery 1 Dec (PS); 4 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel the Willamette Valley. were on Selmac Lake 0osephine) 4 Dec (DM); 1 1 was on the Columbia Estuary CBC 21 Dec (fide Tundra Swan was at ANWR (Marion) 14-17 Feb (SD, then AM). MP). 15 were very unusual at Idaho Flats (Lincoln) on Eared Grebe Leach's Storm-Petrel 25 Dec (B8dMn,fide RB). 1 was on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec (fide 1 was seen prior to the Columbia Estuary CBC Trumpeter Swan SD); 6 was a high for the Columbia Estuary CBC (fide MY). More unusual sightings were 1 on the Salem CBC (Clatsop) 21 Dec (fide MP); 1 was on the Corvallis White Pelican (Marion) 20 Dec (fide SD); 1-2 were at Cedar Can• CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide JP): 1 was on the Grants 2 wintered at FRR (m.ob.). yon (Wash.) 4-22 Feb (GG,m.ob.); 1 was 4.5 miles Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); 1 was at the Mollala Sew• Brown Pelican downstream from Coquille (Coos) 24-25 Feb age Ponds (Clack.) 25 Jan (TJ,ES,DVB). Pelicans were seen throughout the period: 55 were (TR.BFJT); 2 at the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant Horned Grebe at the Pistol River (Curry) 2 Dec (DM); 8 were at (Col.) 31 Jan (RK). 75 was a high for the Columbia Estuary CBC the mouth of the Chetco River (Curry) 15 Dec WHOOPER SWAN (Clatsop) 2 IDec (fide MP); 1 was on the Corvallis (DM); 3 were seen flying past Yaquina Head (Lin• Oregon's 2nd record reported late last period was CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide]Y): lwas on the Grants coln) 27 Dec (RB); 5 were seen beyond the surf at seen 1 Dec in the Maplegrove area (Polk) (M.Ob). Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); 1 was near Salem (Marion) Manzanita (Clatsop) 29 Dec (BG); 1 was at Tierra White-fronted Goose 1 Jan (fide MC); 22 were on Selmac Lake (Jose.) Del Mar (Tillamook) 2 Jan (WG); 11 were found 5-7 "Tule" White Fronts were at BSNWR (Polk) 29 Dec (PS); 2 were on the Portland CBC (Mult) 3 on the Port Orford CBC (Curry) 27 Dec QR,fide 15 Feb through end of period (HN, BT); 48 near Jan (DB JJ JG); 1 was at the Mollala Sewage Ponds AC); 3 were at Boiler Bay (Lincoln) 25 Jan (AC.KA); the Eugene Airport (Lane) was a nice sized winter (Clack.) 25 Jan (TJ,ES,DVB). 1 was at Newport (Lincoln) 8 Feb (JC); 1 was at flock for the Willamette Valley on 5 Dec (AC). Red-necked Grebe Bandon (Coos) 9 Feb (TR); 3 were off Cape Blanco Snow Goose 2 were on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec (fide (Curry) llFeb(TW,JR, SB). Unusual locations were 1 near Tillamook (Till,) SD); 1 on the Forest Grove CBC (Wash) 21 Dec American Bittern 17 Jan (S&KS) and 1 at Eucre Creek (Curry) dur• (MS); 1 was near Salem (Marion) 1 Jan (fide MC); 1 was at Eckman Lake (Lincoln) 3 Dec (JW, SaL, ing Jan (CD); Up to 1500 spent the winter on 1 was on Richardson Rd (Lane) 2 Jan (SM); 1 was fide RB); 1 was at Cedar Canyon Marsh (Wash.) 8 Sauvie's Island (HN); 1 spent the winter near at FRR (Lane) 1 Jan (RR); 1 was at Henry Hagg Feb (GB). CanyonvuTe (Douglas) (KG); As usual a few were Lake (Wash.) 19 Jan (GG). Great Egret reported from the WV during the period. 14 on S.I. 31 Dec (SP) and an amazing 63 were

Oregon Birds 24(3): 96, Fall 1998 Ross' Goose at Astoria (Clatsop) 18 Jan-8 Feb (MP); 1 was at 1 was near the MSC (Lincoln) 1 Feb (KM). 3 or 4 were present in the Willamette Valley: 1 Charleston Harbor (Coos) 23 Jan -11 Feb (TR); 1 Spotted Sandpiper was seen on and off at BSNWR (Polk) from 2 Dec was at the South Jetty of the Siuslaw River (Lane) 1 was on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec (fide (TJ) through 19 Jan; 1 was at FNWR (Benton) 20 31 Dec (B&ZS)1 was near Seaside (Clatsop) 12 SD); 9 were on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV). Dec (AF fide JP); an imm. bird was at FNWR Feb (SJ); 1 was on the Necanicum Estuary (Till.) 14 Red Phalarope (Benton) 6 Jan (BC); another was seen north of Feb MP. 2 were at E.E. Wilson on 1 Dec (Benton) (AF); 2 Florence (Lane) 6 Dec (DBe) through 22 Jan. Surf Scoter were on the Corvallis CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide Emperor Goose 1 was found on the Portland CBC (Mult.) 3 Jan JP): Many were blown to coastal areas from a storm The Sandy River bird has apparently moved to {fideW). on 6-7 Feb. Oregon as it has been seen here for over one year, Black Scoter Ruddy Turnstone and stayed through the period (m.ob.). 64 was a high for the Columbia Estuary CBC 1- 2 were in Florence (Lane) for much of the win• Brant (Clatsop) 21 Dec (fideM?). ter (B&ZS). 1 was along Elkins Rd (Polk) 19 Jan (HNJS); 2 Barrow's Goldeneye Red Knot were at FNWR (Benton) 15-1" Feb (SM, etal.); 1 3-4 were unusual at a pond at Mt. Hood Commu• 1 was at Yachats (Lincoln) 12 Feb (SL). was at BSNWR (Polk) 28 Jan to end of period (Dkn, nity College (Mult.) 13-28 Feb (S],etal.). Rock Sandpiper etal); 1 was at Scappoose Bottoms (Col.) 29Jan Common Goldeneye 2- 4 were at Depoe Bay (Lincoln) for much of the (HN). A female was at MSP (Polk) 4-6 Feb (BT.RG) period (AM,PS,et al.); 2 were at Cape Arago (Coos) Exotics: where they have become rare this decade. 2 were for the winter (TR); 2 were at Florence (Lane) for There have been a Red-breasted Goose, Bar- more regular at Dexter Reservoir (Lane) 11 Jan the period (B&ZS). headed Goose, and several Black Swans in the (DS, PSh) as were 5 at Fernhill Wedands (Wash.) Dunlin Willamette Valley this winter. 13 Dec (DLu). 10,000 at BSNWR (Polk) on 23 Feb was a large Blue-winged Teal Virginia Rail inland flock (BT). 2 females were in Coquille (Coos) 6 Dec (AC,RH); 1 was on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); an Long-billed Dowitcher 1 was at the Cannon Beach Sewage Ponds (Clatsop) amazing 70 on the Port Orford CBC (Curry) 27 Dec 55 at FNWR (Benton) 28 Jan (AM); and 30 at 3 Jan (MP); 3 males were on the Portland CBC OR fide AC); 1 was on the Silverton CBC (Marion) BSNWR (Polk) 8 Feb (FS) were a fairly large in• (Mult.) 3 Jan (fideM). 3 Jan (fide RF); near the end of period were widely land flocks. Cinnamon Teal reported. Jaegers Wintering birds and early migrants were as fol• Sora A probable Parasitic Jaeger was near Coos Bay lows: 1 was on the Corvallis CBC (Benton) 20 Dec 3 were on the Columbia Estuary CBC 21 Dec (fide (Coos) 7 Dec (DL, AC,RH,); 2 probable Pomarine (AFfide]?); 5 were on the Dallas CBC (Polk) 30 MP); 4 were on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); Jaegers were at Boiler Bay (Lincoln) 25 Jan (KA). Dec (fidem);\ near Tillamook (Till.) 17Jan 1 was found on the Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 Heermann's Gull

(S&KS); 10 were in Scappoose Bottoms (Colum• Jan (fide AC); 5 were on the Port Orford CBC Very unusual were many reports of 1st year, 2nd bia) 2 Feb (SO); 5 were at the Beaverton Creek (Curry) 27 Dec (CD); 1 was at Cedar Canyon year, and adult birds along the entire coast through• Wetlands Park (Wash) 5 Feb (GG); 2 were at (Wash.) 22 Feb (DR). out the entire period. These were more common BSNWR (Polk) 15 Feb (HN); after which time there Snowy Plover in Curry and Coos Counties where DM,DL, KC.TW, were numerous reports of other early migrants. 8 were found on the Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 TR, were witnesses. As winter progressed these Gadwall Jan (fide AC). became more numerous, especially in the coun• 1 was seen 4 Jan along Euchre Creek (Curry) in a Semipalmated Plover ties mentioned. Here are a few of the reports: 1 county where they have been hard to find in recent 1 was at FNWR (Benton) 7 Feb (MH). first winter bird was at Yachats (Lincoln) 25 Jan years (CD). Black-bellied Plover (DFfide RB); 1 first winter bird was at Warrenton Eurasian Widgeon 1 was on the Corvallis CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide (Clatsop) 8 Feb (MP); "several" were at Newport 9 were found at ANWR ((Marion) 20 Dec (EK); 6 JP): a "small flock" was along Goodman Rd. (Lane) (Lincoln) 8 Feb 0C); 1 was near Tillamook (Till.) males were in the large widgeon flock at BSNWR 2 Jan (DPe); 75 were at BSNWR (Polk) 9 Feb 8 Feb (CL); 2 were at Cape Meares (Till) 13 Feb (Polk) 8 Feb (HN). (RGu). (MT); 5 were at Lincoln City (Lincoln) 14 Feb American Widgeon Black Oystercatcher (SLa); 2 were at Seaside (Clatsop) 14 Feb (MP); 6 2,000 were seen at BSNWR (Polk) on 8 Feb (HN) 23 was a large gathering at Seal Rocks (Lincoln) (4 ad. 2 imm.) were at Sunset Bay 14 Feb (RM); 1 which was thought to be a healthy sized flock for 14 Dec (KM, fide RB). was at Boiler Bay (Lincoln) 15 Feb (SD); 2 were at the Willamette Valley. Marbled Godwit the D River Mouth (Lincoln) 14 Feb (DBa); 2 were Canvasback Up to 36 were in the Coos Bay area for the winter at Oceanside (Till.) 15 Feb (DBa); 5 were at Cape 100 at the Fernhill Wetlands (Wash.) on 13 Dec (TR, etal.). Kiwanda (Till.) 15 Feb (DBa). Larger winter flocks was a large flock for the WV (DLu, PS). long-billed Curlew in the south were 40 at Port Orford (Curry) 15 Feb Redhead Up to 6 were at Pony Slough (Coos) for much of 0G, TW); 35-40 (20 adults) were in Brookings 4 on the Dallas CBC (Polk) 30 Dec {fide RG) the winter (lR,etal.). (Curry) 12 Feb (DM). which stayed through 7 Jan ; 10 were on the Port• Greater Yellowlegs SLATY-BACKED GULL land CBC (Mult.) 3 Jan (DBJJ, JG); 1 was on the 20 were at Beaver Crk. (Lincoln) through 15 Dec 1-2 adults were on S.I. at the Pellet Plant (Mult.) Brownsville CBC (Linn) 4 Jan (fide PA); 24 at Sally's (]S,KM,W, fide RB);1 was at Minto Brown Park 27 Dec-18 Feb 0J, m.ob.); another, described as a

Bend, Yaquina Bay (Lincoln) were a nice find (KM); (Marion) 19 Dec (BT, TL); 6 were at FRR (Lane) 3rd winter bird was there 1 Feb (DB); another 3rd 1 was on the lower Rogue River (Curry) 25 Dec 20 Dec (LM); 4 were on the Brownsville CBC (Linn) winter bird was found at Westmoreland Park (Mult) (DM); There were scattered reports of small num• 4 Jan (/WteJS);8wereatBrownsmead (Clatsop) 8 8-18 Feb (PMJG). bers from various places. Feb (MP); 8 were along Tangent Road (Linn) 12 Glaucous Gull Ring-necked Duck Feb (SD). Away from the coast and S.I where they are regu• 250 were at the Fernhill Wedands (Wash.) On 13 Lesser Yellowlegs lar there was a first winter bird at the Coffin Butte Dec (DLu). 1 was on the Columbia Estuary CBC 21 Dec (fide Landfill (Benton) on 1 Dec (AF) and was seen again Oldsquaw MP); 1 was found on the Coos Bay (Coos) CBC 20 nearby on 21-28 Feb (RK,BT); 2 (1 imm. and 1 A female was at the effluent pond north of Coos Dec {fide EN). adult) were 1 mile west of McMinnville in a large Bay (Coos) 6 Dec (SR); 1-5 were at Yaquina Bay Willet gull flock 17 Jan. The next day 2 adults were there 14 Dec-17 Jan (KM, AS, etal); 1 was at Alsea Bay 3 were at Pony Slough (Coos) for most of the win• and at least one stayed through the end of the pe• (Lincoln) 21 Dec (YM,fide RB); 2 were on the ter (TR, etal.). riod Feb (FS) which were also Yamhill County's 2nd Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 Jan (fide KC); 1 was Wandering Tattler record.

Oregon Birds 24(3): 97, Fall 1998 Western Gull RK); 1 was on the Port Orford CBC (Curry) 27 Dec Dec (BT); One along Farmer Rd. (Polk) on 5 Dec Inland, and away from the Columbia River there 0R fide AC); 1 was at Eckman Lake (Lincoln) 9 (BT); 1 was on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec was one at the Coffin Butte Landfill (Benton) on 1 Jan (AC); 1 was over the MSC (Lincoln) 16 Jan (fide SD); 1 was in southern Polk Co. 1 Jan (fide Dec (AF) and 2 or more wintered in the vicinity (RO). MC); 1 was on S.I. 10 Jan (WG); 1 was near FRR (BT,SD); 1 was on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec White-tailed Kite (Lane) 11-17 Jan (DH, RR); 1 was along Tartar (fide SD); a bird of the Wymani race was well de• 10 were found in the Maplegrove area (Polk) Rd. (Polk) 22 Feb (RK); 1 was north of Helmick scribed from the Pellet Plant on S.I. (Mult) 2 Jan while looking for the Whooper Swan 2 Dec (TJ); Park (Polk) 22 Feb (FS). (GG, JG); 1 adult was 1 mile west of McMinnville in 7-8 were in the FRR (Lane) area for the period Peregrine Falcon a large gull flock 17Jan-8 Feb (FS) which was only (LM, etal); 7 were in the Coquille area 6 Dec (AC, 7 were on the Port Orford CBC (Curry) 27 Dec

Yamhill County's 2nl1 record. RH); 7 were on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec (DV); 0R fide AC); many inland reports as usual. Black-legged Kittiwake 13 were reported on the Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) Gyrfalcon

Most interesting was a 2ai winter bird in the large 3 Jan (fide AC); 8 individuals were seen about One was reported (AF) along Airport Rd (Benton) gull flock in Southern Polk/Northern Benton Cos. Douglas Co. during the period (fide RM); scattered 6 Dec; it or another was on the Corvallis CBC (Linn) Found on 23 Feb along Airlie Rd. (Polk) it stayed reports of 1-2 birds from many areas. 23 Dec (fide}?): another probable one was at Jack• through 28 Feb (BT, etal.). Northern Goshawk son Bottoms (Wash.) 28 Dec 0Bfide HN); 1 was Caspian Tern 1 was found on the Tillamook CBC (Tillamook) on S.I. 17 Jan (fide HN); a tan colored bird was An extremely early bird was at Bandon (Coos) 20 20 Dec (HN): 1 was in Astoria (Clatsop) 11 Jan along Livermore Rd (Polk) 8-11 Feb (PS) for Polk's

Jan (AP). (MP); 1 was in Eugene (Lane) 31 Jan 0Ca); 1 was 3rd record; a different tan bird was at FNWR Cassin's Auklet found in the North Umpqua Ranger District (Dou• (Benton) 21 Feb (PS). 3 were found dead along Sunset Beach (Clatsop) glas) 2 Dec and again 28 Feb (RM). Band-tailed Pigeon 18 Jan (MP); 10 dead were found on S. Newport Red-shouldered Hawk 1 was found on the Dallas CBC (Polk) 30 Dec Beach (Lincoln) 24 Jan (BW). Red-shouldered Hawks put on an excellent show• (fideRQ). Raptors: ing north of their usual range. (Where does their Burrowing Owl It was thought that the mild winter helped bolster usual range now include?) They were reported from 1 was along Farmer Rd (Polk-4th County Record) the vole population in the Willamette Valley (RHs.) 14 of the 19 counties in W. Oregon. An imm. and 10 Dec (HH). which accounted for the impressive numbers of an adult were at E.E. Wilson (Benton) on 1 Dec Barred Owl raptors this winter. Two observers in 5 hours (AF) through end of period ; 4 were in the FRR 2 were reported from Mary's Peak (Benton) 18 counted 230 raptors in Polk Co. (BT,RT) on 5 Dec. (Lane) area from 4 Dec (LM) through end of pe• Jan (AF); 1 spent the winter at Mary S. Young Park Turkey Vulture riod; 1-2 were along Farmer Rd. (Polk) 5 Dec- in West Linn (Clack.) (fide HN). A late bird was seen along Airlie Rd. (Polk) 1-3 through end of period (BT). 1 was at Jackson Bot• Long-eared Owl Dec (JS, BA); another or the same was 4 miles south toms 13 Dec (fide HN); 4 were found on the Coos 1 on the Corvallis CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide}?):. of Monmouth (Polk) 4 Dec (BT); 4 were in the Bay (Coos) CBC 20 Dec (fide HN); 1-2 were at COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD Grant's Pass CBC area during count week (Jack• FNWR (Benton) 20 Dec-through end of period 1 male was on the Grant's Pass CBC 0ackson) 21 son) 21 Dec (fide DV); 1 was found on the Port (fide JS); 4 were on the Grants Pass CBC 21 Dec Dec which was said to have been around since sum• Orford CBC (Curry) (JR, fide AC); 2 were on the (DV); 2 were on the Roseburg CBC (Douglas) 20 mer (DV) and continued to at least 22 Feb when it Eugene CBC (Lane) 31 Dec (fide BC); 1 was at Dec. (fide RM); 1 along River Rd. (Marion) 25 was joined by another; 1 was found on the Medford EEWGMA (Benton) 17 Jan (DaveBudeau/fcfeAM); Dec (MP); 1-2 continued on at ANWR (Marion) CBC 0ackson) (fide DV); 1 in Portland (Mult.) 7 1 was at FRR (Lane) 19 Jan (SD); 1 was north of for the entire period 0L); 8 were reported on the Jan (DBu fide HN) and was seen for a few days Lebanon (Linn) 8 Feb OH); 1 was on Cape Blanco Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 Jan (fide AC); 2-3 after. (Curry) 12 Feb (TW); 1 was along Livermore Rd were near the North Spit Coos Bay (Coos) for the Rufous Hummingbird (Polk) 14 Feb (BT); 1 was at Glide (Douglas) 15 period (SR) et al; 1 was in Newport (Lincoln) 7 1 male on the Portland CBC (Mult.) was a rare Feb (BK); after mid Feb migrants were widely re• Jan (CP fide RB); 1 was along Rt. 99 south of winter find (fide RK); 1 male was at the North Spit ported. Monmouth (Polk) 17 Jan (MC); 1 was north of Coos Bay (Coos) 19 Jan (fide TR); a male was in Bald Eagle Tillamook (Till.) 17 Jan through end of period Mapleton (Lane) 15 Feb (Dbt). 1 was in Coos Bay (S&KS); Yamhill had it's first on 4-11 Feb where 23 was a high for the Columbia Estuary CBC (Coos) 6 Feb (BG) and another 11 Feb (TR). one was found 1.5 miles north of Hopewell (FS); 1 (Clatsop) 21Dec (fideM?). Mien's Hummingbird Golden Eagle was just west of Otis (Lincoln) 15 Feb (PS.MLo); 3 A male was quite early at Harbor (Curry) 27 Jan were seen near Whitehorse County Park 0ose.) 25 I was along Airlie Road (Polk) 1-4 Dec (m.ob.); (DM). Feb wherein territorial disputes looked evident to 1 was on the Corvallis CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide Lewis Woodpecker the observer and where a pair nested 3 years ago JP): 1 was on the Tillamook CBC (Tillamook) 20 1 was near the intersection of Llewellyn and Fern (DV) ; How long will it be until they breed in the Dec and was seen through 26 Jan 0G, MT); 1 was Roads (Benton) 6 Dec (AF); 1 was on the Roseburg Willamette Valley?. seenatLanglois(Curry)27Dec (TW); 1 was found CBC (Douglas) 20 Dec (fide RM); 2 were at Lower on the Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 Jan (fide AC); Red-tailed Hawk Table Rock 0ackson) on 13 Jan (DV). I was on the Brownsville CBC (Linn) 4 Jan (fide A Harlan's Hawk returned to the Suver area (Polk) TROPICAL KINGBIRD

PA); an imm bird was see along Gap Road (Lane) for its 6,h winter 1 Dec (AC, m.ob.); another was One was still hanging around the effluent ponds 27Dec (ESh); 1 was at BSNWR (Polk) 17Jan (BT) near the Scappoose Waste Water Plant (Columbia) north of Coos Bay (Coos) 13 Dec (TR); another was which stayed through the period; and imm was seen 27 Dec 0G); A few others were reported. Care near Rocky Point County Park (Coos) 6-13 Dec there 21 Feb (PS); 1 was east of Lebanon (Linn) needs to be given to the ID of Harlan's Hawks due (DL,SB). 18Jan 0H); 1 was at ANWR (Marion) 31 Jan 0S); do similarity with other dark morph buteos. Black Phoebe 1 was at FNWR (Benton) 31 Jan (AF). Ferruginous Hawk One was in Albany (Linn) on 3 Dec 0F); 1 was Osprey An imm. bird was west of White City 0ackson) 28 found on the Roseburg CBC (Douglas) 20 Dec; 1 Late or wintering birds were: 1 at Pony Slough Dec (PS) for a rare west side find. wintered again at the Emerald Valley Golf Course (Coos) 10 Dec-23 Jan (TR, DL,KC); it and another Merlin near Cresswell (Lane) (KN). one were on the Coos Bay CBC (fide RM); 2 at Eu• 6 were found on the S.I. CBC (fide}}); 4 were on Say's Phoebe gene (Lane) 12 Dec (DL,KC) which may have been the Dallas CBC (Polk) 30 Dec (fide RG); It was One returned to E.E. Wilson Game refuge

the 2 on the Eugene CBC (31 Dec) (fide BC); 2 thought that numbers were high in the region this (Benton) for the 5111 or 6th year on 1 Dec (AF); 1 were in Forest Grove (Wash.) 15 Dec (BS); 2 were winter. was along Simpson Road (Polk) 2 Dec (AF); 1 was on the Grant's Pass CBC 0ackson) 21 Dec (fide Prairie Falcon found on the Roseburg CBC (Douglas) 20 Dec; 1 DV); 1 on the Portland CBC (Mult.) 3 Jan (fide One was just east of E.E. Wilson (Benton) on 4 was along the Chetco River (Curry) 25 Feb (DM).

Oregon Birds 24(3): 98, Fall 1998 Western Flycatcher Townsend's Warbler 26Jan (AM). 1 was seen well on 30 Jan in an observer's yard 53 was a high for the Columbia Estuary CBC Lapland Longspur (KC) in Finn Rock (Lane) for one of very few empid (Clatsop) 21Dec (fide MP); 7 was a high for the 3 on the Port Orford CBC (Curry) 27 Dec (CD). winter records. Dallas CBC (Polk) 30 Dec (fide RG). Red Crossbill Tree Swallow Common Yellowthroat This species received only 2 reports. Were they 1 was found on the Coquille Valley CBC (Coos) 3 1 was at Millicoma Marsh (Coos) 9 Dec (DL, KC); mosdy absent from the area this winter? Jan (fide AC); by mid Feb were common. 1 on the Columbia Estuary CBC 21 Dec (fide MP). American Goldfinch Violet-green Swallow Lark Sparrow Very low numbers this winter from the WV. Early migrants were widely reported during the 1 adult was found on the Brownsville CBC (Linn) Lesser Goldfinch last week of Feb. 4 Jan through the end of the period OS). 36 was a healthy number on the Portland CBC Barn Swallow Sage Sparrow (Mult.) 3 Jan (fide RK); 8-9 coming to a feeder in 1 was at the LCC Campus 4 Jan (RR); 2 were on 1 was at the Sandy River mouth (Mult.) 15 Feb Salem (Marion) for most of the period (AC) and 8 the Eugene CBC (Lane) 31 Dec (fide BC). (BA, DVB) for Multnomah's 3rd record. coming to a West Salem feeder (Polk) were also Black-billed Magpie American Tree Sparrow healthy (RG). 19 was an unusually large flock for the Emigrant One remained at Minto Park (Marion) through Lawrence's Goldfinch

Valley (Jackson) 3 Jan (DK). 20 Dec (TJ, m.ob.) (3rd county record); 1 at FRR 1 was observed coming to a feeder before Xmas House Wren (Lane) 17 Dec (LM): 1 was a few miles south of (SF fide JH) but not made known until about 1 Feb

1 was at John Lundsten's home 1 Dec (Marion) Independence (Polk) 21 Dec (MLi) (5lh county in Jacksonville Oackson). This would be the 2nd or and 1 on the Eugene CBC (Lane) 31 Dec (fide BC) record); 1-2 were at ANWR (Marion County's 4lh 3rd state record if accepted by the ORBC. were certainly far north of their usual winter range. record) 14-28 Feb (SD,m.ob.). Observers Northern Mockingbird Chipping Sparrow JA Jon Anderson; BA Bob Airman; VA Vjera Arnold: 1 was on the Salem CBC (Marion) 20 Dec (fide One was at BSNWR (Polk) on 1-2 Dec (ML) it or LA Laurie Ashworth; DBa Diane Bagues: DB Dave SD); 1 was found on the Tillamook CBC (Tillamook) another one was there 21 Jan (BT); 1 was on the Bailey; DBt Doug Barrett; AB Alan Barron: DBu 20 Dec (fide HN) and stayed through end of pe• Roseburg CBC Oackson) 21 Dec (fide RM); 1 was Debbie Bush; DBe Dick Bell; DBr Dave Brown: JB riod (CL); 1 was found in Corvallis (Benton) early on the Corvallis CBC (Benton) 23 Dec (fide}?); 3 Joe Blowers; GB Greg Boyce; SB Stephen Brc in the period and relocated 20 Dec (AF); 1 was in were found on the Dallas CBC (Polk) 30 Dec (fide S&DBr Sara & Dan Brown; JCa Jim Carlson: GCG.L Eugene (Lane) 18-25Jan (RFr); 1 was in Creswell RG); 1 was on Farmer Road (Polk) 19 Jan (TS); 1 Casebolt; KC Kathy Castelein; RC Ron Cnadvricfc JC (Lane) 21 Dec (RR); 1 was near Grants Pass (Jose.) was at ANWR (Marion) 31 Jan OS); A flock of 13 Jean Chard; AC Alan Contreas; KC Kurt Cox; MC 20 Jan (DV); another one near Grants Pass 25 Jan west of West Salem (Polk) 14 Feb were early mi• Marcia Cutler; DD Don DeWitt: AD Angie was thought to be a different bird OH); 1 was north grants (BT, RC). Dillingham; CD Collin Cillingham: SF Stacy Fauaia. of Medford Oackson) 1 Feb (SH); 2 were at the Clay-colored Sparrow BF Ben Fawver; DF Dan Fay; JF Jeff FiiesherAF

Sevey place near Gold Beach (Curry) in Dec-Jan 1 was near Canby (Clack. Is1 county record) 11 Anthony Floyd; RFr Reid Freeman; RF R: irr :~— - (fide AB, CD). Dec-27Jan (TJ,ES, m.ob.). man; JF Jim Furlong; RG Roy Gerig: JG Jef

Oregon Birds 24(3): 99, Fall 1998 Slaty-backed Gull, 15 February 1998, Westmoreland Park, Multnomah Co. Photo/Skip Russell.

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• Check your mailing label; if your label reads "24(3)" — this is your last issue! Please renew now! •11-13 September 1996, Oregon Shorebird Festival • 20 October 1996, deadline • for OB 24(4), Winter 1998 • 10 December 1998, fall Dennis P. Vronan 24(2) (Aug-Nov) field notes to 269 Shetland Or. fieldnotes editors Grants Pass OR 97526 • 18 December 1998-3 January 1999, 99th Christmas Bird Count

Oregon Birds 24(3): 100, FaU 1998