Oregon Birds The Journal of Oregon Birding and Field Ornithology Volume 45 Number 1, 2019 Oregon Birds The Journal of Oregon Birding and Field Ornithology

Oregon Birds is a publication of the Oregon Birding Association, an Oregon not-for-proft corporation. Two issues are produced each year, a full-color Year-in-Review issue in the spring, and an issue in the fall with various articles about birds and birding. Article deadline for the fall issue of Oregon Birds is August 1, 2019. Please send articles and/or article ideas to Linda Burftt at [email protected].

Spring Editor: Selena Deckelmann Fall Editor: Linda Burftt Photo Editor, Layout: Diana Byrne Maps: Alan Woods

Contents of Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019

2018 in Review, Selena Deckelmann, Diana Byrne ...... 1 OBA Annual Meeting, Kathy Krall ...... 17 5-Mile-Radius Birding, Jen Sanford ...... 21 Western Snowy Plovers, Eleanor P. Gaines ...... 28 Oregon Bird Records Committee, Treesa Hertzel ...... 32 2018 Listing Results Summary, Paul T. Sullivan ...... 35 Regional Field Notes, various authors ...... starting on page 2

Cover Photos OBA Membership

Front cover: This Eastern Bluebird is one of two that Membership in OBA is open to everyone. Dues support events, were found at the Dharma Rain Zen Center in Portland publications, and special projects. Members receive issues on Nov 25, 2018 by Eric Carlson. These are the frst ever of Oregon Birds in the mail twice a year. Field trips for OBA reported in Oregon. Photo by Noah Strycker. members, led by expert birders, are offered at locations through- out Oregon. OBA annual meetings are held at some of Oregon’s Back cover: This Sedge Wren is one of two that were top birding sites with birding trips led by local experts. Annual found near Florence at the Waite Ranch, in the McKenzie membership fees: River Trust. The frst was found on Dec 13, 2018 by Rog- 21 and under...... $21 er Robb, and a second one was found on Dec 21 by Individual...... $30 Adrian Hinkle. Photo by Noah Strycker. Family...... $35 Sustaining...... $50 All photographs appearing in Oregon Birds are held in copyright by the photographer, and are reproduced in Join, renew, change your address, or make a tax-deductible Oregon Birds with the permission of the photographer. donation online at https://oregonbirding.org or you may send your information to our mailing address below.

Oregon Birding Association PO Box 675 Lincoln City OR 97367-0675

ISSN 0890-2313 2018 In Review

by Selena Deckelmann and Diana Byrne

Steller’s Eider, Jack WIlliamson

elcome to the 2018 spring issue of Oregon Birds! This Eastern Bluebird: Two male Eastern Bluebirds (photo front issue is devoted to regional reports, which include cover), a frst record for the west coast of the United States, were Wrarities as well as notable or unusual sightings of birds discovered by Eric Carlson on Nov 25, 2018 at the Dharma Rain across Oregon. We wish to thank our 15 regional editors for Zen Center (DRZC) in Portland, Multnoham County, where their detailed reports of 2018 bird sightings covering most of the they stayed into March 2019. The lengthy presence of the two counties in Oregon. We need additional regional feld notes ed- bluebirds drew hundreds of birders to the14-acre site, generating itors for 2019 to cover Morrow, Umatilla, Harney, and Malheur more than 180 eBird reports. Counties. Please contact us if you are interested in sharing your local birding knowledge as a regional editor. “DRZC folks are careful caretakers and stewards of the land, a brownfeld that is being restored to a natural, native landscape,” The many sightings and locations mentioned in the regional re- wrote Oregon birder and member of the center, Mary Garrard, on ports highlight the diversity of Oregon’s habitats and the exper- OBOL. She contacted the DRZC to make sure the infux of bird- tise of Oregon’s birders. We hope this issue will inspire you to ers was not having a negative impact, and they replied that they explore new places and see interesting birds in Oregon in 2019. enjoyed exchanging greetings and watching birders enjoy the land, and they appreciated the respectful behavior of the birders. The Bird of the Year award for 2018 goes to the rarest bird that stayed the longest and was seen by the most birders. The winner Sedge Wren: Roger Robb reported a Sedge Wren (photo back is a three-way tie among three species, Steller’s Eider, Eastern cover) on Dec 13, 2018 at Waite Ranch, Lane County, the third Bluebird, and Sedge Wren. Oregon record. Then on Dec 21, Adrian Hinkle determined that there was a second Sedge Wren. Immediately after the initial Steller’s Eider: The early contender for the award was the report, birders were asked to “chill for a couple of days” while Steller’s Eider (photo above) spotted on Jan13, 2018 at Seaside local birders with experience surveying this area for the trust Cove, Clatsop County, by Adrian Hinkle and Mary Lynn “Em” worked on a plan for access. Alan Contreras led coordination for Scattaregia. They detected the fatter head shape of the Steller’s visits by 67 people in December. And in the new year, Daniel Eider among scores of scoters foating offshore. The fourth re- Farrar picked up visit coordination duties, as the birds continued cord for the state, it remained until at least Apr 26 and was seen into March of 2019. by more than 300 people, based on eBird reports. The two Sedge Wrens observed at Waite Ranch highlighted The female Steller’s Eider appeared right in the middle of a the local birding community’s involvement with conservation popular surfng location. “Several sufers have paddled by pretty efforts. Like the bluebirds, the wrens were on private land that is close to the eider. It did not seem to bother her at all,” reported being restored. This area is owned by the Mackenzie River Trust Jeff Dillon on eBird. Mike Patterson provided local knowledge and is a tidal estuary of the Siuslaw River. The restoration will to help minimize the impact of so many birders visiting the site, result in 211 acres of marsh, a 10-mile channel, and great habitat writing on OBOL, “The surfng community has a high sense for birds and salmon. of ownership at Seaside Cove…They are having a good time sharing the eider with bird-folk…but it’s important that we don’t Enjoy the 2018 regional reports, and good birding in 2019! wear out our welcome with inconsiderate behaviors.”

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 1 North Coast Field Notes

Clatsop and Tillamook Counties by Wink Gross

s sometimes happens, a strong candidate for “Bird of Individuals were reported from Fort Stevens, Gearhart, Bay- the Year” occurred almost right at the start: the female ocean, and Sitka Sedge State Natural Area. Latest was a single ASTELLER’S EIDER found by Adrian Hinkle at Seaside bird at Nehalem Bay State Park on Sep 11 (Robert Martinez). Cove on Jan 13. The fourth record for the state, it remained at Three Solitary Sandpipers were at least two more than we least until Apr 26. usually get: at Anderson Lane, Brownsmead, on Apr 28 (MP); at Nehalem Sewage Treatment Plant on May 1 (Beverly Hallberg); A Sandhill Crane was at Idaville, Tillamook County, from Jun and at Netarts Spit on May 16 (Glen and Malinda Chapman). 21 to 24. Mike Patterson found a Black-necked Stilt at Browns- mead on Apr 7. Peter Barnes found an American Golden-Plover Janet Phillips reported a single Parakeet Auklet from a Princess at Necanicum Estuary on Aug 24. Snowy Plovers continued their Cruise 65 miles off Rockaway on Apr 30. The 63 Tufted Puffns recovery on the North Coast with 17 at Sitka Sedge State Natural on Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Aug 11, were the most Tim Area on Oct 21 (Wink Gross); 19 at Nehalem Bay State Park on Halloran has seen in several years. He reported 26 active bur- Nov 19 (Beverly Hallberg); and 15 during the Columbia Estuary rows. CBC on Dec 16 (fde Mike Patterson). Elegant Terns peaked at 30 at the Hammond Boat Basin on Sep An adult Hudsonian Godwit was at Bayocean, Tillamook 14. Otherwise they went unreported in the region. County, on Aug 11 (WG), and a juvenile bird found by Evan Cain hung out near Fort Stevens parking lot D from Sep 14 until A Yellow-billed Loon was at Wheeler on Nov 20 (photo next at least Sep 20. Two Rock Sandpipers were at Barview Jetty on page, upper right) (Beverly Hallberg). Jan 1 (David Mandell, Jay Withgott). Baird’s Sandpipers were widely reported, the high count being 30 at Necanicum Estuary During the annual OBA meeting, an Oregon Pelagic Tours boat on Aug 24 (Peter Barnes). David Bailey found a WHITE- trip out of Garibaldi found a Flesh-footed Shearwater on Sep 29. RUMPED SANDPIPER at Little Beach, Gearhart, on May 22 A Manx Shearwater was off Tierra del Mar on Oct 1 (WG). (photo below). It lingered a couple of days. It was a banner year Beverly Hallberg spotted a “dark, nighthawk-like” Leach’s for Buff-breasted Sandpipers, which is to say there were some. Storm-Petrel at Nehalem Bay State Park on Aug 10. Steve Warner found three at Necanicum Estuary, on Aug 31. Two were at Nehalem Bay State Park on Sep 4 (Ken Chamberlain). David Bailey noted “a bright white booby with a large bright orange-yellow bill and black wedge-shaped tail and black border to the white wings” fying high over Gearhart on Oct 9. The bill color suggested NAZCA BOOBY as the likely (if that word can be applied in this case) species. If so, a frst for Oregon, except for a deceased bird found on Sep 14 this year at South Beach State Park, Lincoln County. A BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY was observed at Cape Meares during the Oregon Birding Associa- tion meeting by Colby Neuman and Paul Sullivan on Sep 29. A lingering Brown Pelican was observed at Pacifc City on Jan 1 (Wayne Hoffman).

Peggy Blair found a Snowy Egret along Whiskey Creek Road, Tillamook County, on May 20. Jimmy Billstine spied two Cattle Egrets along Boquist Rd., Tillamook County, on Dec 19. They remained well into the next year. An out of place for the date Sharp-shinned Hawk was at Cannon Beach on Jul 27 (Jeff Gilli- gan). White-rumped Sandpiper, Ed McVicker

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 2 Diana Byrne spotted a Northern Goshawk over Beneke Creek Road, Clatsop County, on Jun 30. Dave and Ellen Morrison saw one along Moon Creek Rd., Tillamook County, on Nov 20. A Swainson’s Hawk was over the Goodwill store (picking up or dropping off?) in Tillamook on May 5 (David Mandell). Golden Eagles were reported at Brownsmead on Feb 4 (Adrian Hinkle, Mary Lynn “Em” Scattaregia and Andy Frank) and Netul Land- ing on Mar 11 (MP).

Shawneen Finnegan and Dave Irons found a Lewis’s Wood- pecker at Wireless Road, Astoria, on Apr 29. Two were at park- ing lot D, Fort Stevens State Park, on May 1 (MP). Jack Doyle found one on Cascade Head on May 7.

A Gyrfalcon was hunting Snow Geese at Brownsmead on Jan 6 (Kathleen Sayce). Yellow-billed Loon, Beverly Hallberg

Rich Hoyer spotted a Dusky Flycatcher at Cape Lookout on Another was along Goodspeed Rd., Tillamook, on Dec 10 (John May 18. At least eight Black Phoebes were found on the Colum- Allen). Audrey Addison photographed a Sage Thrasher at bia Estuary CBC on Dec 16 (fde MP). Adam Kotaich located Goodspeed Rd. on Oct 20. WG heard a Northern Mockingbird at a Say’s Phoebe in Astoria on Oct 8. A “possible” Eastern Goodspeed Rd. on Nov 10. On the same day, another was found Kingbird was at Nehalem on the rather early date of Apr 20 in Astoria (MP). (Andrew Ferre). Another Nehalem “possibility” was a SCIS- SOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER reported by Tate Pyle on Jun Tom Love heard an EASTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL over- 15. head at South Jetty Columbia River on Sep 30.

A Loggerhead Shrike found at the “Fisherman’s parking lot” of White-winged Crossbills continued in the region from their Fort Stevens State Park on Apr 9 lingered in the area for a week invasion in the fall of 2017 with 25–30 hanging out at Good- (Dave Irons, MP, Patti Teague). speed Rd. (Even this observer eventually got to see them.) The last report was of a male photographed at Nestucca Bay National A Bank Swallow was at Gearhart Ocean State Park on Jul 28 Wildlife Refuge on May 20 (Angela Calabrese). (Eric Anderson). Craig Tumer found one at South Jetty Co- lumbia River on Jul 30. Jay Withgott and David Mandell were Up to 60 Lapland Longspurs were at South Jetty Columbia River surprised to see 12 Barn Swallows at Tierra del Mar on Jan 1. on Oct 13 (MP). That brings us to “The Bunting.” On Nov 25, MP found a pale bunting among a large fock of Snow Bun- The White-breasted Nuthatch at Tierra del Mar was last seen tings on Clatsop Beach. Affectionately known as the “Putative on Feb 10 (Andrew Ferre). Isaac Denzer found a Blue-gray McKAY’S BUNTING” (photo below), it was chased up and Gnatcatcher (prob. eastern ssp., based on call) at Bayocean on down the beach and sometimes photographed (and sometimes Sep 8. not) by many birders over the next few weeks. The last eBird report was on Dec 15 by Skip Russell, who suggested that there A Mountain Bluebird was at “Social Security Beach” (far north were actually two “pale buntings”—which might explain a lot. end of Fort Stevens State Park) from Apr 13 to 17 (MP). Reports and photos have been submitted to OBRC to ponder.

Snow Buntings and putative McKay’s Bunting, Nagi Aboulenein

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 3 David Mandell saw a Grasshopper Sparrow along McDon- ald Dike Rd. in Nehalem on Oct 21. Daniel Newberry found a Clay-colored Sparrow at Seaside Cove on Sep 22. It or another Lincoln County was at the same location on Oct 15 (David Bailey). Clay-col- ored Sparrows were also reported from Goodspeed Rd. on Field Notes Sep 30 (Jeff Harding) and Seaside Sewage Treatment Plant on Oct 6 (Nick Mrvelj). Steve Warner spotted a Black-throated Sparrow at Neawanna Mill Ponds in Seaside on May 12 (photo below). It was refound the next day. A Lark Sparrow was at Wireless Road, Sep 9 (MP). A Harris’s Sparrow was along Aldrich Point Rd. in Brownsmead on Dec 29 (MP), and Audrey Addison, Sarah Swanson and Max Smith found one on Boquist Rd., Tillamook County, on Dec 31. (Nice way to fnish out your year lists!) Swamp Sparrows were particularly numerous: seven were found on the Columbia Estuary CBC on Dec 16 (fde MP), by Kai Frueh and at least three were at Goodspeed Rd. in November (mult. n Nov 9, two Tundra Swans were seen on the Salishan observers). Nature Trail (Tara Choate). Seven were seen on Idaho Flats on Nov 17 (Chuck Philo, Howard Shippey, Steve A Yellow-headed Blackbird was at Wireless Rd. on May 29 O Holzman, Rachel Holzman, Marty and Jennie Bray). On May 25, (MP). The Hooded Oriole was at its usual (undisclosed) loca- two Blue-winged Teal were seen at Salmon River Estuary (Dawn tion in Seaside on Jan 12 (MP). Villaescusa). Another one was seen in Beaver Creek on Jul 1 (Laura Paulson). A male Eurasian Green-winged Teal was seen A Northern Waterthrush was at Brownsmead from Jan 2 to on the north end of Alsea Bay on Jan 14 (Evan Hayduk). at least Apr 21 (MP). Perhaps the same individual returned on Oct 6 (fde Harry Nehls). Dominic Norris found a Black-and- A California Quail was seen in Beaver Creek Natural area on white Warbler at Cape Lookout on Jul 20. Another was at Fort May 5 (MJB). Another one was along Elk City Rd. on Jun 16 Stevens on Sep 8 (MP). A Nashville Warbler, uncommon at the (Jamie Simmons, Jim Anderson). And one was seen in Harlan on coast, was along Pentilla Road, Brownsmead, on Feb 18 (MP). Jun 23 (Isaac Denzer). Palm Warblers swarmed the region with many reports, including fve at Jackson Road, Brownsmead, on Dec 27 (MP) and four on A late Clark’s Grebe was reported on Jul 8 at Yaquina Head Beachwood Street during the Tillamook CBC on Dec 15 (Kathy (Ethan and Neil Denton). Another Clark’s Grebe was reported Krall). at Yachats State Park on Jul 27 (Elizabeth Laver-Holencik, Will Wright, Kim Nelson, Barbara Dolan). On Jul 29, two Clark’s Two male Lazuli Buntings were at Wireless Road, Apr 29 Grebes were reported from Yaquina Head (Joshua Meyers and (Shawneen Finnegan, Dave Irons, Nick Mrvelj). Linnnea Basden). ABBREVIATIONS: Common Nighthawks were seen in numerous places throughout the county including in Makai (near Ona Beach State Park) on MP - Mike Patterson May 24 (MJB); H.B. Van Duzer Park on Jun 18 (Roy Gerig); a WG - Wink Gross forest road just east of Lincoln City on Jun 20 (Dawn Villaescu- CBC - Christmas Bird Count sa); Beaver Creek Natural Area on Jun 24 (Laura Paulson); Drift OBRC - Oregon Bird Records Committee Creek Camp on Jun 26 (Isaac Denzer) and Jun 27 (Jonathan Reimer-Berg); and Burnt Woods on Jul 17 (Adrian Hinkle). And over 11 were heard or seen along North Beaver Creek Rd. on Aug 8, and two were heard there again on Aug 9 (AH, Hendrik Herlyn, Oscar Haper).

A Sora was heard on May 9 at Beaver Creek Natural Area (MJB). Another Sora was seen at Beaver Creek Natural Area on Dec 30 (SH, RH).

A Sandhill Crane was photographed along Beaver Creek on Feb 17 (Stephen Rossiter, Jenifer Roth, MJB). A fyover Sand- hill Crane was seen at Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Jul 4 (Tim Shelmerdine).

A Black-necked Stilt was photographed at Agate Beach on May Black-throated Sparrow, Diana Byrne 6 (CP, MJB).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 4 Snowy Plovers bred in the county suc- cessfully for the second year in a row. A Long-billed Curlew was seen at Agate Beach on May 1 (Roy Lowe). Another one was seen from Yaquina Head on May 5 (ID, Kai Frueh). And one was seen on May 14 at Moolack Creek (Paul Sullivan). A probable BAR-TAILED GODWIT was seen at Ona Beach State Park on Aug 5 (Karen and Jim Fairchild). A late Marbled Godwit was seen at Hatfeld Marine Science Center on Jan 1 (Mike Wheeler). One was also seen in December of 2017. Six late Marbled Godwits were reported on Dec 30 at HMSC (Jim Fairchild). A very late Black Turnstone was seen along Smelt Sands State Park on Jun 21 (Mary Lynn “Em” Scattaregia). A very late Red Knot was seen at Salishan Nature Trail on Nov 30 (Russ Namitz). A Ruff showed up along the bay of Waldport Short-tailed Albatross, Audrey Addison on Jan 2 (Evan Hayduk). It was seen in a variety of other places including Beaver Creek Natural Area and Eckman Lake (mult. Another late Mew Gull was seen at Adobe Resort in Yachats on observers). It was last seen along Beaver Creek on Feb 12 (Russ Jul 22 (Joshua Galpern). There were many sightings of Glaucous Morgan). Another Ruff (photo below) showed up at HMSC Gulls at the beginning and end of the year, including those at on Sep 11 and stayed until Sep 27 (mult. observers). An early Yaquina River South Jetty, Newport Public Fishing Pier, Yaquina Baird’s Sandpiper was photographed between South Beach State Bay North Jetty, Yachats, and Seal Rock. A particularly late one Park and OB on May 5 (ID, Kai Frueh). A Buff-breasted Sand- was photographed on May 6 at NJ (KF, ID). It was seen again piper was reported from HMSC on Sep 24 (Casey Storey). An on the May 19 OPT boat trip on the way into the bay. The only early Semipalmated Sandpiper was photographed at HMSC on Elegant Tern in Lincoln County was seen at South Beach State Apr 28 (ID) with a fock of Western Sandpipers. Another early Park on May 2 (Roy Lowe). one was seen on the beach between South Beach State Park and OB on May 5 (ID, KF). Three Western Sandpipers were at the A SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS was seen on the Dec 8 Yaquina Bay oyster farms on Jan 1 (Mike Wheeler). Two were OPT boat trip (photo above) along with three to fve Laysan seen at Eckman Lake on Jan 3 (Mike Wheeler). This year there Albatrosses. Seven Murphy’s Petrels were seen off the Lincoln were very few Solitary Sandpipers seen in Lincoln County, with County coast from the Emerald Princess cruise ship on Apr 29 only one seen at Beaver Creek Natural area on Sep 1. A Willet (Paul Lehman). A little later that day, there were 10 seen off the was seen at HMSC on May 15 (CP). One was photographed Emerald Princess (mult. observers). Another Murphy’s Petrel there again on May 25 (Elizabeth Laver-Holencik). was seen on May 7 off the Emerald Princess (Bruce Rideout, Larry Cartwright, Pete Janzen). On Nov 21 a possible THICK-BILLED MURRE was seen off Boiler Bay (Craig Tumer). Two early Ancient Murrelets were seen at Yaquina Head on Aug 8 (David Yake). Four were there on Aug 10 (Ken Chamberlain). A very high count of 425 Ancient Murrelets was seen off Spanish head on Dec 16 (PP). Two Par- akeet Auklets were seen on Dec 8 (OPT). Two Parakeet Auklets were seen off BB on Dec 14 (PP). Another Parakeet Auklet was seen off BB on Dec 20 (PP). A possible CRESTED AUKLET was also seen off BB on Dec 14 (PP).

An adult Franklin’s Gull was seen off BB on Apr 23 (PP). Another one was photographed at Undersea Gardens in Newport on Jun 16 (Nicholas Martens, Maureen Leong-Kee). On Nov 17, two Franklin’s Gulls were seen fying past Boiler Bay (PP). On Oct 29 an adult Franklin’s Gull was seen off BB (PP). A late Mew Gull was seen at HMSC on Jul 4 (Louisa Evers). Ruff, Nagi Aboulenein

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 5 Rock Wren, John Sullivan Lapland Longspur, Jacob Mathison On May 11, four Murphy’s Petrels were seen off the Newport (Brian Westman) and one was seen on Idaho fats the same day coast (David Pearson). Five Hawaiian Petrels were seen off (Annika Anderson). A Say’s Phoebe was at HMSC on Mar 11 the coast of Lincoln County on May 11 (David Pearson). Two (Nick Mrvelj). Chuck Philo saw one there on Mar 28 and the last COOK’S PETRELS were seen on the morning of Apr 26 off one was seen there on Apr 4 (Nancy Stotz). An Ash-throated the Lincoln County coast (mult. observers). A Flesh-footed Flycatcher was photographed at HMSC on Jun 10 (Pam Otley, Shearwater was seen on the Aug 12 OPT boat trip. A GREAT SH, RH). SHEARWATER was photographed on the Sep 15 OPT boat trip. A Northern Shrike showed up at the LNG Tank in Newport on Oct 16 and stayed well into the new year (mult. observers). A A NAZAKA BOOBY was found dead at South Beach State Red-eyed Vireo was photographed about 25 miles east of OB Park on Sep 14 by James Billstine and reported to the Oregon on Aug 25 (SH, RH). Wayne Hoffman saw a Blue Jay at South Bird Records Committee by Robert Lockett, Jim Danzenbak- Beach State Park on Jun 16. It was not refound. Two Horned er, and Wayne Hoffman for Oregon’s frst record. A BROWN Larks were seen at South Beach State Park on Nov 12 (Jeff BOOBY was picked up at South Beach State Park and brought Bolsinger). A Rock Wren was discovered by Eric Pratt at Yach- to Newport aquarium on Apr 8. Another was photographed at ats on Nov 25 (photo above left) (Eric, Andrew and Bruce Pratt, Yaquina Head on Apr 12 (SH, RH, MJB, Travis Smith, Wayne John Sullivan). On Aug 19 a Townsend’s Solitaire was seen a Hoffman). A Booby sp. was seen from Spanish Head on Sep 28 little east of OB (Eric Horvath). Two were seen there on Aug (PP), but could not be identifed to species. 22 (Laura Paulson). One was seen a little farther east on Aug 25 (SH, RH, CP, MJB). A very early Swainson’s Thrush was heard A single American White Pelican was seen just south of Depoe at the Newport aquarium on Apr 17 (Sally Hill). One was heard Bay on May 14 (Cody Smith). On May 15, a fock of American around the same date in 2017. Two Gray Catbirds were seen White Pelicans was seen fying over the Yaquina Bay Bridge along Beaver Creek Rd. starting on Jul 1 (MJB). One was seen (CP). On May 23, 11 were present on the mudfats of HMSC there until Jul 18 (mult. observers). A Northern Mockingbird (Tamara Baumberger). They were seen again on May 24 (Joshua was seen at OB on Jun 8, 11, 14 and 15 (MJB). Meyers, Linnaea Basden, Annika Anderson, CP). They were last seen on May 25 (CP). An American White Pelican was seen at A White-winged Crossbill was seen along Beaver Creek on Jan Salishan Nature Trail on Nov 11 (Camden Bruner, Casey Hase, 2 (Will Wright). A Lesser Goldfnch was seen at the Salishan John Gardiner). Nature Trail on Sep 9 (ID). One was also reported in Newport on Sep 9 (RH). On Oct 6, two were at the Salishan Nature Trail, and A Green Heron was seen at the Toledo Port Docks starting in at least one was in Cutler City (OH, HH, KF, Jacob Mathison). A December of 2017 and continuing until at least Feb 10 (CP). A Lesser Goldfnch was seen at HMSC on Dec 17 (SH). On Dec possible Black-crowned Night-heron was seen on Jun 13 along 18 it was seen again (Mike and MerryLynn Denny). Highway 20 (CP). The Lapland Longspur that was found on Dec 30, 2017, at NJ A Spotted Owl was photographed in Lincoln County around (photo above right) stayed there until Feb 21 (mult. observers). Aug 27 (Brandon Green). Exact date and location were not dis- A Lapland Longspur was found across the bay on Mar 11 at Ya- closed because this is an endangered species. quina River South Jetty, and was probably the same bird due to plumage. It was seen there by many observers until Apr 9. Two An early Olive-sided Flycatcher was seen at Beaver Creek Nat- were seen in South Beach on Sep 27 (K. C. Anderson). One was ural Area on Apr 15 (MJB). A Dusky Flycatcher was seen near at HMSC on Oct 10 (Daniel Farrar, Lydia Cruz). One was seen Eddyville on Aug 8 (AH, HH, OH). A Say’s Phoebe was found at Yaquina River South Jetty on Oct 12 (Audrey Addison). On at HMSC on Mar 9 (Carolyn Storey). Two were there on Mar 10 Oct 16, three Lapland Longspurs were seen at the Newport LNG Tank. Seven were seen that day at NJ (CP). Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 6 On Oct 26, a Lapland Longspur was seen in Yachats (Joshua and Terry Little). One Lapland Longspur was photographed at NJ on Nov 1 (Russ Morgan). And one was seen at NJ on Nov 17 (Aar- on Beerman). Three Snow Buntings were seen at NJ on Nov 16 (Russ Morgan, Nolan Clements, Courtney Kelly Jett). Two were there on Nov 17 (Jonathon Dachenhaus), on Nov 18 (Aaron and Gloria Beerman, MJB), and on Nov 19 (Sylvia Maulding). One was at NJ on Dec 8 (Courtney Kelly Jett, Audrey Addison). And a Snow Bunting was seen at NJ on Dec 30 (HH, AH, MLS, Courtney Kelly Jett, Audrey Addison).

A Brewer’s Sparrow was seen in Waldport on Apr 28 (Jenni- fer Hayduk). It was probably the Timberline subspecies. An extremely late Golden-crowned Sparrow was reported from Newport on Jun 11 (Rebecca Cheek). Black-and-white Warbler, Dave Irons A Yellow-breasted Chat was recorded on Jun 16 north of Logs- den (Jamie Simmons, Jim Anderson). Two were there again on Like most years, a few Lazuli Buntings were seen in Lincoln Jun 18 (Russ Namitz). Two were seen at Moonshine Park on Jun County – but they are pretty hard to come by. One was reported 19 (Janet Lamberson). Another Yellow-breasted Chat was heard from Yachats on May 7 (Andy Frank); another was seen in Nash- near Nashville on Jul 14 (AH, MLS). One was heard again on ville on Jul 17 (AH, MLS); and one was photographed between Jul 17 (HH). One was also heard that same day at Moonshine Harlan and OB on Aug 9 (H, HH, OH). One was seen at OB on park (HH). Aug 22 (MJB). It was seen again on Aug 23 (Lori Quay).

A Black-and-white Warbler was found on the west end of Beaver Creek Rd. on Jan 6, and it continued until Apr 5 (mult. ABBREVIATIONS: observers). It was seen off and on and was fairly hard to fnd. AH - Adrian Hinkle PP - Phil Pickering A Black-and-white Warbler was found at OB on Nov 24. It CP - Chuck Philo RH - Rachel Holzman continued well into the new year (photo above) (mult. observ- HH - Hendrik Herly SH - Steve Holzman ers). A Nashville Warbler was seen at OB on Oct 27 (MJB). A ID - Isaac Denzer BB - Boiler Bay Gray-headed Orange-crowned Warbler was seen on Dec 28 in KF - Kai Frueh HMSC - Hatfeld Marine Sci- Lincoln City (AH, MLS). A very well-documented Magnolia MJB - Marty and Jennie Bray ence Center Nature Trail Warbler was found at OB on Nov 2 (Russ Morgan), and it MLS - Mary Lynn “Em” NJ - Yaquina Bay North Jetty continued well into the new year (photo below) (mult. observ- Scattaregia OB - Ona Beach State Park ers). A Yellow Warbler was reported from Newport on Dec OH - Oscar Harper OPT - Oregon Pelagic Tours 28 (Ross Hubbard). A very out-of-season Hermit Warbler was photographed on Jan1 along Hidden Valley Rd. (Mike Wheeler). A late Wilson’s Warbler was seen at D River wayside on Oct 3 (Tim Teal).

Magnolia Warbler, Bing Wong

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 7 South Coast Field Notes

Coos and Curry Counties by Tim Rodenkirk

Trumpeter Swan was on a private ranch near Cape A Sandhill Crane was observed on a ranch near Cape Blanco on Blanco from Dec 10 through the end of the year (Terry May 22 (TW) and another was on a ranch west of Langlois on AWahl). Cinnamon Teal (one or two broods), Northern Dec 22 and was still present into late January 2019 (TW, TR). Shoveler (one brood), and Gadwall (20+ broods) all bred again on the North Spit of Coos Bay (Tim Rodenkirk). Two Cinnamon The only Black Swifts reported were on May 21, when four Teal were found on the Dec 16 Coos Bay CBC (Harv Schubothe, were at New River (TR) and two were over Bandon (Harv Barb Taylor) and one was found on the Port Orford CBC (TW). Schubothe). A Rufous or Allen’s Hummingbird (immature or fe- A male Barrow’s Goldeneye was present in the Empire area of male) was at a feeder in Langlois during the Dec 22 Port Orford Coos Bay from Mar 6 to 9 (Roger Robb, TR). A hybrid male CBC (TR). A single, displaying male Calliope Hummingbird Common x Barrow’s Goldeneye was present from at least Mar appeared in Eden Valley, Siskiyou National Forest, on Apr 22, 17 to 25 further up the bay in North Bend (TR). the only “regular” spot for this species on the south coast (TR).

Coos County’s fourth White-winged Dove was in North Bend The January mid-winter Snowy Plover count found 128 in Coos from Dec 20 to 27 (Adrian Hinkle et al.). Three Black-footed County (Dave Lauten, Kathy Castelein). Snowy Plovers success- Albatrosses were observed from Cape Arago on Dec 15, the day fully bred again at Floras Lake and attempted unsuccessfully to before the Coos Bay CBC (Jim Danzenbaker, Dan and Anne breed in Gold Beach. Up to six were present during the winter of Heyerly). Murphy’s Petrels were reported from cruise ships 2017/2018 and again in the winter of 2018/2019 in Gold Beach in Curry County on the following dates: two on Apr 28 (Paul (Dolores Steinlicht, Neil Holcomb et al.). A high count of 304 Lehman et al.), three on May 3 (David Sonneborn, Bill Shelmer- migrating Marbled Godwits was reported from NSCB on Apr dine), and one on May 11 (Nancy Christensen). In Coos County 22 (DL, KC). The high count of Red Knots was 15 on May 11 there was one reported from a cruise ship on May 3 (David Son- at NSCB (DL, KC). There were two reports of Buff-breasted neborn, Bill Shelmerdine) and two on May 11 (PL et al.). Sandpiper, both from NSCB: one from Sep 1 to 3 (Nagi Abou- lenein, Tahgrid Elmeligui); and another from the same site on HAWAIIAN PETREL reports from cruise ships include: one on Sep 5 (TR). There were only two Solitary Sandpiper reports: one May 11, Curry County, (David Rankin) and one in Coos Coun- near Cape Blanco at the Wahl ranch on Jul 30 (TW); and another ty on the same day (Nancy Christensen). There was a single at New Lake on Sep 3 (TW). A single Wandering Tattler over- COOK’S PETREL reported, off Coos County on May 11 (Nancy wintered in Bandon during the winter of 2017/2018 and again Christensen). during the winter of 2018/2019 (mult. observers). A single Willet also overwintered both winters along the downtown Coos Bay shoreline. It is the last survivor of a fock that numbered eight in 2000 (TR). One to two Rock Sandpipers overwintered in Bandon during the winter of 2017/2018. They have become very hard to fnd in recent years (mult. observers).

A juvenile Wilson’s Phalarope was found on NSCB on Jul 15; they have bred at this site in the past but it is unclear whether this bird bred there or was a migrant (TR). A South Polar Skua was found alive on the beach at New River on the unusual date of Jun 19 (DL, KC). It was found dead a few days later further north (Joe Metzler).

The south coast’s frst LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was a one-day wonder in Curry County on Nov 2 (photo left) (Russ Namitz). It was a slow year for Elegant Terns with only three Curry County reports and one Coos County report, all Lesser Black-backed Gull, Russ Namitz single digit numbers (mult. observers).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 8 Turkey Vultures overwintered again during the winters of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 in the Coquille Valley. The frst wintering birds were noted in 2012/2013 and they have been regular every winter since (mult. observers). No Turkey Vultures were noted in the Catching Slough pastures of Coos Bay during either winter; they were frst noted overwintering in the Catch- ing Slough area during the winter of 2011/2012. A Swainson’s Hawk was observed in the Langlois area on Nov 10 (TW), and one was also seen in Langlois during the fall of 2017 (TR, Jeff Gilligan).

Two Burrowing Owls overwintered in separate locations at the Bandon Dunes Golf Course complex during the winter of 2018/2019 (Norm and Karen Shorts). A Long-eared Owl was heard repeatedly calling in the Siskiyou National Forest at about 4,500 ft. elevation near Fishhook Peak before dawn on Jul 1. Eastern Kingbird, Trevor Hook This area was burned over later in the summer by a wildfre (TR). Up to three Short-eared Owls have overwintered at the Ni- les’tun Unit of Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in both The south coast’s frst ever Black-billed Magpie frequented a the winters of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 (mult. observers). This private ranch near Langlois from mid-October through at least species has not been regular anywhere in Coos County for years. Jan 2, 2019 (fde TW). Two Barn Swallows were seen at Bandon Dunes Golf Course on Jan 2 (Norm Shorts) and a single was at A Lewis’s Woodpecker graced the NSCB on May 15. This NSCB on Dec 4 (TR). species is reported about once or twice a decade in Coos County (DL, KC, TR). At least three Acorn Woodpeckers were on the A pair of White-breasted Nuthatches was seen feeding young east side of Mt. Bolivar, the only spot they are “regular” as in the very southeast end of Curry County in the Siskiyou Na- migrants in Coos County, on May 13 (TR). A Yellow-bellied tional Forest for a frst Curry County breeding record (Romain Sapsucker was videotaped in Charleston on Oct 13 (Kathleen Cooper, Christie Dunn). A Rock Wren was photographed in a Kravik). The Prairie Falcon found on the Dec 30, 2017 Coquille Pistol River yard on May 24 (Trevor Hook). A singing Rock Valley CBC lingered through at least Jan 13, 2018 (Romain Wren was found up around 3,000 ft. elevation in the Coast Cooper et al.). Range of Coos County along Highway 42 near the Douglas County line on May 27 (W. Douglas Robinson). In the same A Tropical Kingbird overwintered at the Wahl ranch near Cape area there were several Purple Martins breeding in snags left Blanco from Nov 24, 2017 through Jan 17, 2018, the latest on from a slash burn (TR). Another singing Rock Wren was at Mt. record for Curry County (TW). Another was photographed in Bolivar on Jun 24, where this species has been found singing the Empire area of Coos Bay on Jan 6 for the frst ever Coos six of the last 11 springs (TR). A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was County January record (Kathleen Kravik). During the fall of in a Brookings neighborhood on Dec 21 (Russ Namitz). A 2018 there were only four Tropical Kingbirds reported: two in Townsend’s Solitaire was observed in a Brookings yard on Sep 3 Curry County (photo next page, upper left); and two in Coos (Mark Stevens). Northern Mockingbirds (possibly two) wintered County, the lowest total in several years (mult. observers). Two in Brookings and Arago during the winter of 2018/2019 (mult. Eastern Kingbirds were at Pistol River on Jun 1 (photo above) observers). (Trevor Hook) and another was photographed at the Heads in Port Orford on Aug 29 (Charlie Quinn et al.).

A Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was photographed on NSCB on May 25 (photo right) (DL, KC). Say’s Phoebes overwinter regu- larly in Curry County but not in Coos County until recently: one was present in Coos County in the Coquille Valley near Norway during the winter of 2017/2018 (TR); and one overwintered near the Quarry on Bethel Mountain Rd. in southwest Coos County both winters (TR). A Dusky Flycatcher overwintered on the Wahl ranch from Dec 2, 2018 through at least Feb 2, 2019, a frst Curry County winter record. There is also a Coos County winter record (TW et al.). A Loggerhead Shrike was found on Apr 14 on a private ranch west of Langlois (Rick McKenzie). One or two Northern Shrikes wintered in Coos County during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 but none were reported in Curry County either winter. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Adam Kotaich

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 9 There was a Yellow-headed Blackbird at the Wahl ranch in Curry County on May 22 (TW). A COMMON GRACKLE was photographed coming to a feeder in Bandon on May 15 (Alan Brockway). A frst winter male Bullock’s Oriole was observed in Brookings on Feb 3 and was likely overwintering (TR). Coos County’s fourth Northern Waterthrush was on NSCB on Sep 22 (Dave Haupt, Lars Norgren). A singing Tennessee Warbler Jun 9 on NSCB was the third Coos County record, the frst two records being winter birds (TR). A Nashville Warbler and a Vir- ginia’s Warbler were found in the same Brookings yard on Dec 19 (Adrian Hinkle). One Common Yellowthroat overwintered in the Coquille area during the winter of 2017/2018 (TR). During the winter of 2018/2019 up to three Common Yellowthroats overwintered at Millicoma Marsh, with singles near Coquille and in Langlois (TR et al.).

A singing Northern Parula was near Floras Lake on Sep 15 (W. Douglas Robinson, Jenna Curtis, Will Wright, Kim Nelson). A record 44 Palm Warblers were found on the Dec 22 Port Orford CBC (TW et al.). A Hermit Warbler was found in a Coos Bay neighborhood on Jan 28 (TR). A Wilson’s Warbler in Bandon on Mar 21 was an overwintering bird or the earliest spring arrival Tropical Kingbird, Alan Contreras on record for Coos County (David Rankin). A male Rose-breast- ed Grosbeak was briefy glimpsed at Agate Beach in Port Orford White-winged Crossbills were heard on Jan 7 at Cape Arago on Jun 11 (Joni Dawning). Coos County’s latest Black-headed and Jan 28 at Lost Lake (TR), with the latest report at Bullards Grosbeak was seen coming to a feeder through Oct 6 (Bob Beach State Park on Mar 27, when a female was observed (Kev- Fields). in Spencer). Lapland Longspurs are regular in the fall but much rarer during spring migration. There was one near Cape Blanco on May 1 (TW) and another on NSCB on May 21 (DL, KC). The ABBREVIATIONS: Jul 9 Lapland Longspur on NSCB was the frst ever July record for Coos County (DL, KC). A Snow Bunting was photographed DL, KC - Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein on Nov 14 in a very unusual location: in a burn area on the Siski- TW - Terry Wahl you National Forest east of Gold Beach (Trevor Hook). CBC - Christmas Bird Count NSCB - North Spit of Coos Bay There were only two Clay-colored Sparrows reported during fall migration, one in Gold Beach (photo below) and one at Arizona Beach State Recreation Site (Alan Contreras, Daniel Farrar). An- other one showed up at a feeder up Elk River in early December, where it appeared to be overwintering (Jim and Carrie Rogers). Coos County’s fourth Brewer’s Sparrow was photographed at Face Rock Wayside in Bandon on Oct 8 during a period of heavy fog (Robert Doster). Possible breeding Vesper Sparrows were heard singing up Bethel Mountain in southwest Coos County on Apr 20 and in the open agriculture felds south of Powers on May 12 (TR, Barb Taylor et al.). A migrant Vesper Sparrow was found in the Winchuck wetlands on Oct 13 (Caleb Centanni, No- lan Clemens, Alan Contreras). A Lark Sparrow was on a private ranch near Cape Blanco on Sep 23 (TW). A Lark Bunting near Cape Blanco on Jul 18 was about the sixth Curry County record (TW). A Red Fox Sparrow was found on the Dec 22 Port Orford CBC in Langlois (Lars Norgren, Courtney Kelly Jett). Coos County’s latest ever White-throated Sparrow lingered until May 26 in North Bend (Barb Taylor). First-year Harris’s Sparrows were overwintering on the Wahl ranch near Cape Blanco from Dec 10 through the end of the year (TR, TW), and at Millico- ma Marsh from Dec 13, 2018 through at least Feb 2, 2019 (TR et al.). The Jul 7 Golden-crowned Sparrow in Bandon was the latest on record for Coos County (DL, KC). Clay-colored Sparrow, Audrey Addison

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 10 Portland Area Field Notes Columbia, Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas Counties by Sarah Swanson

single Ross’s Goose was reported with a fock of Snow the one found at Oxbow Park on Nov 17 (Mary Lynn “EM” Geese at Rentenaar Rd., Sauvie Island, on Jan 30 (Steve Scattaregia). Red-necked Grebes also returned to TL, with a ANord, Zach Schlanger). A Brant was seen at Tualatin high count of two on Nov 1 (Joseph Blowers). One stayed in the River National Wildlife Refuge from Mar 10 to 11 (Ken Cham- Willamette River near Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge until Apr berlain) and on Apr 24 (Peyton Cook) and another was spotted at 15 (Ken Vanderkamp). Clark’s Grebes were found wintering in RR on Nov 3 (Maureen Leong-Kee, Nicholas Martens). their usual habitat across the area. Two of them stayed at Sauvie Island into July, as reported by many observers. White-winged Scoters were abundant along the Columbia River in the later part of 2018, with a high count of 16 seen from A very rare visitor to Portland, a Common Poorwill, was heard Hayden Island on Nov 7 (Thomas Magarian). One was seen at on Mount Tabor from Apr 27 to May 1 (Tom McNamara, Audrey Timothy Lake on May 22, and up to three were present in early Addison). Another was photographed on a road on Larch Mt. on November (Joseph Blowers). A female Black Scoter was report- May 18 (Ian Shriner). ed at Hayden Island on Oct 25. Another was seen from Sauvie Island from Dec 5 to15 (Philip Kline, Peyton Cook et al.). A There were no reports of Black Swifts in Portland this year. Long-tailed Duck was seen at Prescott Peach County Park from One individual was reported at Little Crater Lake on Jun 23 (KC Nov 17 to 19 (PK). Unusual for the location, an immature Bar- Anderson). row’s Goldeneye was photographed at Fernhill Wetlands on Sep 1 (Steve Nord). Red-breasted Mergansers were again found A Calliope Hummingbird was seen on MT from May 25 to 26 along the Columbia River in the winter, and also at Hagg Lake, (photo below) (John Powell). FW, Whitaker Ponds, Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, and TL. This year was an exciting one for shorebirds in the Portland area. Red-necked Grebes were present in their usual winter locations An eBird high count of fve Black-necked Stilts for Washington along the Columbia River and in Hagg Lake. Less expected was County was photographed on Apr 23 at TRNWR (Steve Nord). One was seen at Vanport Wetlands on May 3 by the Multnomah Madness Birdathon Team, and Eric Bergman saw two there on May 17. An American Avocet was seen at TRNWR on May 18 by Jeff Dillon and photographed by others. One was also present at FW from Aug 9 to 12 (Stefan Schlick). Three were photographed at Broughton Beach on Sep 15 (Andy Frank). The frst American Golden-Plover in years to visit Portland was photographed at BB on Oct 24 (Duke Tufty). A Whimbrel was a rare visitor to SI on Jun 1 (PK). Three Long-billed Curlews also visited the island on Aug 8 (Peyton Cook). Force Lake had a wild couple of weeks in October. First, a Red Phalarope was seen from Oct 1 to 6 (Andy Frank). That disappeared, but was replaced by a Ruff from Oct 7 to 10 (Chris Armstrong, Isaac Denzer). While looking for the Ruff, Audrey Addison found a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper on Oct 7 that was seen in the area until Oct 10. Sanderlings were seen in their customary locations at SI and BB, but a more surprising fnd was the two immature birds photographed foraging near the high jump at Sherwood High School on Sep 5 (Ben Davis). Very rare for the area, an impressive fve Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Sauvie Island and enjoyed by many from Sep 5 to 11 (Zach Schlanger). One was also at FW on Aug 23 (Bob Lockett, Ed McVicker). A movement of Red-necked Phalaropes in early April produced Calliope Hummingbird, John Powell sightings at Scappoose Bottoms, FW, and TRNWR.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 11 A Snowy Egret was seen by many at Smith and Bybee Wetlands from Jul 15 to Aug 14 (Ken Vanderkamp). One to two Black- crowned Night-Herons continue to be seen at Koll Wetlands outside of the breeding season. There were also sightings of one to two birds at FW and nearby Beal Wetlands from March to April and from July to December. A single bird few over SW Portland on May 28 (Eric Bergman).

A White-faced Ibis was seen at Vanport Wetlands from Aug 1 to 2 (Isaac Denzer).

Out-of-season Turkey Vultures were widespread across the area in early 2018, but less so at the end of the year. An early Osprey was seen on Feb 3 along the Portland south waterfront (Jeff Hayes). Late ones were seen in November at Hagg Lake and Sauvie Island.

Northern Goshawks are regularly seen in the higher elevations around Portland, but one seen at Graham Oaks Nature Park on Mar 28 by Craig Tumer was unexpected. A Swainson’s Hawk was photographed at the Portland Airport fre station on Jun 1 (Norm Edelen). Another was seen at Delta Park on Oct 2. A Slaty-backed Gull, Peyton Cook Rough-legged Hawk unexpectedly hung around the fre station from Mar 21 to Sep 8 (Craig Tumer). In the midst of shorebird excitement at SI, Max Smith spotted a juvenile Parasitic Jaeger that was seen traveling around Stur- A Long-eared Owl was heard near Scappoose on Dec 27 (PK). geon Lake from Sep 5 to 16. Initially mistaken for that bird was a juvenile Long-tailed Jaeger that was seen in the same area An Acorn Woodpecker was seen in a yard in Rainier from from Sep 8 to 15. Another Parasitic Jaeger was photographed May 13 to 14 (Jack Holley). It was a big year for Yellow-bellied from BB on Sep 14 (Zach Schlanger, Ken Vanderkamp). Sapsuckers with four sightings across the area. The overwin- tering bird from 2017 at Commonwealth Lake was last seen on Sabine’s Gulls were less common than last year, but were still Mar 14 (photo next page, upper right). Another was seen along seen at multiple locations along the Columbia River and at SI the Crown Zellerbach Trail from Mar 5 to 12 (PK). One was in from late August into September. A Franklin’s Gull was report- the Irving Park area of Portland from Nov 8 to 25 (Jay Withgott). ed at SI on Jun 14 (Brodie Cass Talbot). A SLATY-BACKED The fourth was seen along the Springwater Corridor in Gresham GULL was a rare sighting in Rainier from Feb 18 to 19 (photo on Dec 31 (Peter Barnes). A Red-naped Sapsucker was photo- above) (Nick Mrvelj, Colby Neuman). graphed at Pittock Mansion on Apr 22 (Angela Calabrese, Molly Sultany). Another was seen along a trail in Sherwood by many Two Black Terns were photographed at Jackson Bottom on May visitors from Oct 4 through the end of the year (Rick Bennett). 14 (Nels Nelson) and seen again on May 25 (PK). Common Terns were seen at several locations along the Columbia River A Gray Flycatcher was an unexpected visitor to the North and at Sauvie Island in August and September. Portland yard of Nick Mrvelj on May 1. This was another good year for Say’s Phoebes in the area, with many seen in spring Pacifc Loons were at Hagg Lake on Jan 13 (Rick Bennett) and across the area and one overwintering at FW until Feb 15. An along the Portland waterfront on Feb 27 (Kent Coe). They were Ash-throated Flycatcher was photographed in Ivor Davies Park seen in the winter by many observers at Hayden Island, TL, and on Apr 30 (Joseph Blowers). Another was reported at Sandy Riv- BB. Red-throated Loons followed a similar pattern with many er Delta on Jun 18 (Linda Magnuson). No Eastern Kingbirds sightings along the Columbia River and reports of two from TL were reported from their previous breeding site at Sandy River from Oct 24 to 25 (Joseph Blowers, W. Douglas Robinson). Delta, but one was seen on June 6 at Powell Butte and another was photographed by Eric Carlson at Dharma Rain Zen Center A Pelagic Cormorant was seen on Feb 18 at Hayden island on Jun 21. (Adrian Hinkle, Mary Lynn “Em” Scattaregia). High counts of American White Pelicans were impressive this year including Several species of swallows were found out of season in the a large gathering one week that produced counts of 100 over the area. A Violet-green Swallow was seen at Smith and Bybee Columbia Slough on Nov 2 (Andy Frank), 200 at Oaks Bottom Wetlands on Nov 1 (Zach Schlanger). Another was photographed Wildlife Refuge on Nov 4 (Ezra Cohen), and 120 at TRNWR on on Nov 6 with a Rough-winged Swallow at River Island Natural Nov 6 (Rick Bennett). An immature Brown Pelican was seen Area (Aaron Beerman). Wintering Barn Swallows seemed to be from BB on Jun 12 (Craig Tumer). more widespread and abundant than usual at both the beginning and end of the year. Reports came in from wetlands across the

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 12 Portland area and from sites along the Columbia River. A high count of 50 was seen at Smith and Bybee Wetlands on Nov 10 (Ken Vanderkamp).

Two Pygmy Nuthatches were seen along the Trolley Trail along the Willamette River on Jun 9 (Lawry Sager). A Rock Wren was seen at MT on Apr 27 (Ken Vanderkamp).

A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher was found along a trail in NE Port- land on Nov 30 and persisted there through the end of the year (Casey Cunningham).

Two male EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, a frst record for the west coast of the U.S., were discovered by Eric Carlson (photo below) on Nov 25 at the Dharma Rain Zen Center. They stayed into 2019, being seen by many excited visitors. Mountain Bluebirds again visited Powell Butte in March and April with a high count of 11 on Mar 31 by Adrian Hinkle and Mary Lynn “Em” Scat- taregia. Another was heard at Larch Mt. on May 2 (Wink Gross). Townsend’s Solitaires are commonly found in the mountains near Portland, but they visited the low elevation parts of the Portland area primarily in spring, when two were seen at MT. Single birds were also seen across the area in January, August, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Bill Tice and September. A Brewer’s Sparrow was photographed at Harbor View Park on Northern Mockingbirds were absent from the Portland area May 6 (Nick Mrvelj). A Vesper Sparrow was photographed on in 2017, but reappeared in 2018 with three sightings. One was Powell Butte on Mar 15 (Brodie Cass Talbot). A Harris’s Spar- found on Jan 1 near Oregon Episcopal School and remained row was seen at RR on Jan 6 (Lindsay Willrick) and another was until Apr 9 (Dwight Porter). Another was photographed at Salish photographed in a yard in St. Helens on Dec 18 (Tom Myers). A Ponds on May 26 (Aleks and Danielle Weir). Another was re- third stayed with a fock of sparrows near Company Lake from ported from Cooper Mountain on Jun 24 (Martha Wild). Jan 27 to Apr 21 (Justin Cook).

A single Common Redpoll was reported at FW on Jan 22 (Steve Two female Yellow-headed Blackbirds were early visitors to SI Nord), and a fock of six was seen at Company Lake near Trout- on Mar 3 (mult. observers). dale on Mar 10 (Justin Cook). A Snow Bunting was reported in a Clackamas yard on Apr 2 (Marty Wallauer). A Northern Waterthrush lurked along RR from Oct 26 to Dec 3 (Linnaea Basden, Joshua Meyers). The continuing VIRGIN- An American Tree Sparrow was seen at RR from Jan 29 to IA’S WARBLER in a NE Portland yard was seen until Feb 6. 31 (PK). A Clay-colored Sparrow was reported at FW on Sep Palm Warblers made quick visits to the area, being seen on 10 (Stefan Schlick) and another was at MT on Sep 30 (Mary Oct 14 at Hayden Island (Nick Mrvelj, Peyton Cook), on Nov Lynn “Em” Scattaregia). Sightings of early Chipping Sparrows 4 at Harbor View Park (Peter Barnes), and on Dec 23 at RR by included a fock of four seen in North Portland on Apr 7 (PK). a Christmas Bird Count group (Courtney Kelly Jett). A winter Black-throated Gray Warbler was heard at Oaks Bottom Wild- life Refuge on Nov 9 (Brodie Cass Talbot). A Wilson’s Warbler was reported at Commonwealth Park on Feb 28 (Julian Hwa).

A SUMMER TANAGER was photographed in a NE Portland yard on Nov 7 (Chad Crouch).

ABBREVIATIONS:

PK - Philip Kline BB - Broughton Beach FW - Fernhill Wetlands MT - Mount Tabor RR - Rentenaar Rd., Sauvie Island SI - Sauvie Island TL - Timothy Lake Eastern Bluebird, Eric Carlson TRNWR - Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 13 Marion and Yamhill County Field Notes

by Pamela Johnston

uring migration in 2018, Greater White-fronted Geese Trumpeter Swans appeared in both Marion and Yamhill Coun- appeared on the Willamette Valley foor and travelled ties. Following a report from south of Turner, Bill Tice found Dover the east edge of the Coast Range in both spring and three of them on Jan 3. On Jan 21, Vic Brockett photographed fall. A fock passed high over Linda Fink’s farm at Grand Ronde Trumpeter Swans at Turner, and on Mar 29 HF saw one on Agency on Apr 14. A large number were on the ground on Apr Wapato Lake. 15 at ANWR (Fred Stephens, Mike Unger). On Apr 20, a fock of 200 few over Pamela Johnston’s house northwest of McMin- The storm wigeon morph of American Wigeon frst seen on Dec nville. On Sep 24, Roy Gerig found 40 or more at ANWR, and 23, 2017 at Huddleston Pond in Willamina was reported for on Sep 30 a fock of 75-100 were laughing their way over LF’s the last time on Jan 7, 2018 (BT). At ANWR, RG found a pair farm. The last report, on Oct 15, was from YSTP (Harry Fuller). of Blue-winged Teal on May 8, and MU and a Salem Audubon Society group saw one May 27. On Jun 12, Kay Fagan and FS Snow Geese were found tucked into focks of Cackling Geese counted six Blue-winged Teal there (MU). Canvasback moved and Canada Geese. HF and Rob Schulman saw three Snow through Yamhill County in spring and fall. HF saw some on Mar Geese at YSTP on Mar 29. On Nov 6, as a fock of Cackling 29 at Wapato Lake, and PTS saw three on Nov 7 at SSP. On Apr Geese was settling at dusk in a feld between Hwy 18 and Kreder 15 at ANWR, FS and MU located a single Cinnamon Teal along Rd., Don Albright saw four white geese (presumably Snow Buena Vista Rd. On Apr 24 a Salem Audubon Society group saw Geese). From Nov 10 to 11, Grant Canterbury saw focks of some Cinnamon Teal (MU). By May 8, RG said there were more Snow Geese fying near his Silverton yard. On Nov 29, on a tip of them than any other water bird. Numbers were lower on May from LF, Paul Sullivan found a Snow Goose in a fock of 300 11 when HF saw three there. HF observed one at YSTP on Sep white-cheeked geese at Rock Creek Rd. David Mandell picked 2. out two Ross’s Geese from about 500-600 Cackling Geese on Apr 18 at Duckfat Rd. RG found a Ross’s Goose nearly hidden On Oct 31, Isaac Denzer found photos on eBird that he real- in enormous focks of Cackling Geese on Apr 24 at ANWR. ized were of a female BLACK SCOTER, and alerted Oregon Birders Online. The photos were taken by Jim and Jeanette Scott that morning at Huddleston Pond in Willamina. Quinton Nice followed up, and PTS refound it on Nov 1, and it was also pho- tographed by Bill Tice (photo left). Tom Love enjoyed seeing the Black Scoter close up on fat water. It was not found on Nov 2.

After a gap of several years, a pair of Mountain Quail came to PJ’s yard on May 21, leading fuffy young; they continued until Nov 19. On Aug 13, John Thomas and Pam Reid saw a Moun- tain Quail family near Silver Falls State Park. Two adults with nine young were crossing Powers Creek Loop Rd., near Ham- mond Creek. LF counted 60 California Quail by her barn, near Grand Ronde Agency, on Nov 2. From French Creek Rd. above Detroit, RG heard Mountain Quail and Sooty Grouse on Apr 9, as did Jim Kopitzke and Jeff Harding on Jun 5. On Apr 20, above Detroit along USFS Rd. 2225, RG saw a Ruffed Grouse and heard fve or more Sooty Grouse.

RG found an early Western Grebe on the Willamette River near Salem on Feb 2. PTS saw three Western Grebes at McGuire Reservoir on May 20.

Black Scoter, Bill Tice

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 14 On Mar 7, the frst Band-tailed Pigeons came to Karen Hoyt’s feeders seven miles west of Carlton. The last report was on Oct 21 from Steven Burock, fve miles northwest of McMinnville.

On May 27, Roger Freeman heard a Common Nighthawk at his home outside Silverton, and saw another there on Jun 18. One was seen day-roosting at Keizer Rapids Park by MU and a Salem Audubon Society group on Jun 26. Shane Pruett saw 15 fying at MBIP on the evening of Jul 26. On Jul 30, Tim Johnson found at least a dozen over the river at MBIP, high numbers for the area. In the second half of June, LF detected them at dusk over Agency Creek. PTS found some fying on Jul 8 at dusk by Greenacres Rd.

Vaux’s Swifts used roosting sites both new and old in late summer. Near sunset on Aug 22, DA found roughly 150 circling near Heiser Farms on Grand Island. On Sep 12, HF saw 250 Vaux’s Swifts going into the chimney of Cooperative Ministries in McMinnville. On Sep 17, John Thomas and Grant Canterbury counted 1654 Vaux’s Swifts using the chimney of the Palace Theater, Silverton, usually a hot spot for swift migration.

On Oct 13, Roger Freeman heard some very distant and high- Western Kingbird, Tim Johnson fying Sandhill Cranes over the western Cascade foothills from his home near Silverton. He counted 16 circling and gaining On Mar 15, Patrick Gallagher spotted an active Great Blue Her- altitude over Silverton on Oct 20. They are not regularly found on rookery near Mill Creek in Salem. On Mar 25, HF noticed an in Yamhill County, but on Oct 22, Karen Hoyt spotted a low fy- occupied rookery, visible from I-5 south of the Brooks exit. Rog- ing Sandhill Crane over Kuehne Rd. From her home four miles er Freeman saw two adult Black-crowned Night-Herons fying north of Silverton, Pam Reid heard cranes fying south on Nov 8. separately, heading toward Silverton Reservoir on Jun 26.

A Black-Necked Stilt was at Duckfat Rd, when Joel Geier saw it Feb 12 was the earliest date for Turkey Vulture in PTS’s Yamhill on Apr 4. One American Avocet was at ANWR on Sep 21 (RG). records. The last report came from LF on Sep 29, with a kettle of At Sheridan Southside Park on Aug 13, a workman told PTS 25 over Grand Ronde Agency. that he had seen an interesting bird on his morning rounds. His description ft Long-billed Curlew, a second Yamhill record; the On Mar 29 Jack Williamson saw an Osprey pair on a nest plat- frst was in 2010. At Sheridan on Aug 23, PTS found a Baird’s form near Dominic Rd. and Hwy 214; and HF and Rob Schul- Sandpiper. A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on Aug 28 at ANWR man found a pair on a nest platform near Gaston. At the ANWR by RG. He saw three more in the shorebird fock there on Sep observation point, two White-tailed Kites entertained Joshua 20. On Aug 14, Clay Crofton, Kay Fagan, FS, and MU were Little on Oct 27. at ANWR when they found one Solitary Sandpiper. RG joined them in the sighting. On the morning of Mar 25, RG discovered LF reported Red-shouldered Hawks several times in Yamhill an adult Sabine’s Gull on Mission Pond in Salem. A frst record County: on Jan 12 at Corbett Acres; on Jan 17 on private proper- in Marion County, it was seen by multiple observers through Apr ty near Grand Ronde Agency; and on Mar 5 on private property 2. Two Sabine’s Gulls were at SSP on Apr 8, reported by Aaron off Willamina Creek Rd, harassing a Red-tailed Hawk. Beerman. Lars Norgren had the high number of 12 Rough-legged Hawks While RG was crossing the bridge in Salem Riverfront Park on along De Jong Rd. on Jan 3. One was at Baker Creek Rd. and Feb 2, he saw a Red-throated Loon on the Willamette River. On Pheasant Hill Rd., seen on Jan 5 by HF. John Shewey saw a Apr 20, while at Detroit Flats, RG found one Common Loon. Rough-legged Hawk at Salem Airport from Turner Rd. on Sep From May 21 to 22, PTS reported possibly two pairs and a lone 29, and on Oct 27 RG sighted one from the ANWR observation bird on McGuire Reservoir. On Jun 5, JH and Jim Kopitzke platform. found one in breeding plumage on Detroit Reservoir. RG and Jack Presley saw an adult Northern Goshawk at ANWR 60 American White Pelicans visited ANWR where RG saw them on Sep 5. A Barred Owl called near LF’s home by Grand Ronde on Sep 21. American Bitterns were tuning up at ANWR starting Agency on Apr 4; a pair duetted on May 17; and one called Apr 15, when FS and MU heard a serenade along Buena Vista again on Sep 9 and 12. A Barred Owl was also heard at MBIP on Rd. American Bittern reports from ANWR continued through the Jun 4 by MU and a Salem Audubon Society group. breeding season.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 15 an adult at ANWR on Oct 27, while RG saw a juvenile there that day, and on Nov 2 Jim Leonard saw a juvenile hawking for insects. Ron Mulbery saw one at ANWR on Nov 3 (photo left).

Kay Fagan and FS detected a Cassin’s Vireo moving through ANWR on Sep 8 (MU). A singing Red- eyed Vireo was heard by PTS from the fshing trail at Grand Island on Jun 21. No Horned Larks were reported until Aug 2. Roshana Shockley saw one with PTS, at Perrydale Rd. in a harvested feld. Male and female Wrentits called at LF’s place at Grand Ronde Agency from late August into September. At least 200 Cedar Waxwings moved through HF’s neighborhood in McMinnville starting Oct 18, eating Cornus berries and Sorbus berries.

When Phil Pickering visited ANWR on Apr 12 he found Purple Martins. Reports of concentrations of swallows over water at ANWR begin on Mar 29, when JH noted a lot of Tree Swallows, several Barn Swallows and Violet-green Swallows, and a Cliff Swallow. Alan Contreras saw an enormous mixed fock (over 400) with swarms of swallows and small insects, on Apr 4. Phil Pickering observed a dense fock of over 2000 swallows, mostly Violet-green Swallows, feeding low to the water in driving wind Northern Shrike, Ron Mulbery and rain. By Apr 15 Northern Rough-winged Swallows were at Amity-Bellevue Hwy where they nest in the creek bank (PTS). On Jun 7, LF located a breeding population of Acorn Woodpeck- PTS also saw a post-breeding gathering of 87 Cliff Swallows ers near Willamina in Corbett Acres, and a pair in an oak grove on Jul 13 at SSP. Later yet, on Oct 9, Kay Fagan and FS saw near Grand Ronde, sites new to her. 488 perched swallows at ANWR. Of these, only 23 were Barn Swallows. RG’s report of a very early Merlin on Aug 14 at ANWR suggests it may be the same one found by Don Berg and others at Baskett The frst mention of night-roosting Barn Swallows came from Slough NWR in preceding days. More usual timing is Oct 31, DA on Aug 22, of several hundred heading north over Grand Is- when HF saw one in McMinnville. The frst fall Peregrine Fal- land. On Sep 9, PTS saw 25 Barn Swallows roosting at Greena- con was by Hwy 18 and Loop Rd. on Nov 4 (PJ). Prairie Falcons cres Rd. By Sep 12, he estimated 20,000 were going to roost in a come to the Willamette Valley in late fall and winter; RG saw cornfeld on Dorsey Rd. Within a week there were 150,000. The one on Dec 4 not far from Duckfat Rd. last report was one at ANWR on Nov 22, seen by RG.

Black Phoebes nest in both Marion and Yamhill Counties, but The greatest rarity of the year eluded photographic documen- sightings are limited. PTS noted one at Sheridan Southside Park tation: at the YSTP on Sep 9, Russ Namitz heard a fyover bird on many of his visits. On Oct 6, Tim Janzen heard and saw one calling that was probably an EASTERN YELLOW WAG- by a slough at Webfoot Rd. DA reported one on Oct 18 at a small TAIL. There were no other detections. On Jan 28, Pepper Trail pond by Hwy 18. These wet sites are typical for Black Phoebes. saw a fock of at least 75 American Pipits along Buena Vista Rd. On Mar 11 at Detroit Lake, JH and RG saw two Say’s Phoebes in migration. Another was inside the Yamhill County Fair- grounds arena building on Oct 11, where PJ helped it outdoors. RG found both a Black Phoebe and a Say’s Phoebe on Oct 27 along Buena Vista Rd.

Western Kingbirds (photo previous page) nested in both Marion and Yamhill Counties. On May 16, PTS saw a Western Kingbird on a nest on Moore’s Valley Rd. On May 26, RG located fve Western Kingbirds north of Sublimity along Anderson Rd.; that same day, Grant Canterbury saw a pair of along Selah Springs Rd. near Silverton.

On Jan 3, a Northern Shrike was in the mitigation wetland at Salt Creek near Ballston (Lars Norgren). On Mar 28, RG saw a Northern Shrike on a sandbar of the Willamette River at Keizer Rapids Park. Jim Kopitzke refound it on Apr 2. Jack Presley saw another one at Detroit Flats on Apr 27 (RG). Joshua Little saw American Redstart, Dave Budeau

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 16 at ANWR. HF photographed a lone one on Apr 29 at Joe Dancer Park, McMinnville. OBA Annual Meeting On Apr 15 at ANWR, FS found one male Yellow-headed in Portland Blackbird; another was feeding on the mudfats there on Sep 10 (HF). Western Meadowlarks were on Burns Rd., when DA and David Lantz counted 13 on Jan 5. On Mar 3 an American Kestrel fushed three Western Meadowlarks from rows of vegetables along McKay Rd. (PJ). Exciting Icterids started the year in Mar- ion County on Jan 3: BT saw one immature or female Tricol- ored Blackbird in the corn rubble on Hennies Rd. near Turner; and also saw a bright female Rusty Blackbird, a frst Marion County record. The next Tricolored Blackbird report came from ANWR on Jun 4, when JH noticed a blackbird with milky white epaulets, with Brewer’s Blackbirds.

An Orange-crowned Warbler was at a hummingbird feeder in Salem on Feb 4 (Barbara Millikan). Dave Budeau saw an Amer- ican Redstart coming into his apple tree south of Turner, which RG photographed on Nov 30 (photo previous page, lower right). he Oregon Birding Association’s 2019 annual meeting On Oct 21, HF found a Clay-colored Sparrow among juncos at will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2, at Mc- Joe Dancer Park in McMinnville. RG saw two Vesper Sparrows TMenamin’s Kennedy School in NE Portland. on Apr 28 along Anderson Rd., and on Jun 16 Joel Geier detect- ed one on Union Hill Rd. along the Scio Breeding Bird Survey This site is close to well-known birding locations such as Sauvie route. A Swamp Sparrow was seen on Mar 30 at MBIP by Ben Island, Sandy River Delta, Mt. Tabor, and many more. There will and Kai Frueh, Oscar Harper, and Hendrik Herlyn; and on be free feld trips on both days. This is your opportunity for some Nov 10 one was seen at the Oregon Gardens entrance by Grant urban birding with great local guides! Canterbury. White-throated Sparrows are consistently found in many locations in winter. First sightings in Marion and Yamhill Saturday night’s dinner will feature McMenamin’s locally Counties ranged from Oct 5 to Dec 4. The birds were in mixed sourced food and excellent craft beers. Gluten-free and vegan focks with other sparrows, or alone at bird feeders. A Harris’s dietary options, and non-alcoholic drinks, will be available. Sparrow was in the Conservation Area of MBIP on Jan 6 (Noah Strycker). Again this year, a Harris’s Sparrow came to John We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker will be bird Thomas and Pam Reid’s yard fve miles northeast of Silverton, song expert Nathan Pieplow, author of the Peterson Field Guide with sightings from Feb 15 to Apr 21. On Apr 5, Barbara Dolan to Bird Sounds of Western North America, published in April and Tim Johnson found one in the same area as on Jan 6. 2019. Nathan will also lead a workshop and a feld trip.

On Jan 5, DA and David Lantz saw Western Bluebirds in oak For more information and to register, visit the OBA website at trees with mistletoe, at sites including Starr Quarry Rd., Wood- https://oregonbirding.org land Heights Rd., Walnut Hill Rd., Terrace View Dr., and Hill- view Dr. On Mar 9, Joan Sterling found some in Miller Woods, We look forward to seeing you there! a nature park west of McMinnville. At Detroit Flats on Mar 11, - Kathy Krall for the OBA board JH and RG saw three Mountain Bluebirds. Returning there on Apr 20, RG saw three Townsend’s Solitaires. PTS saw about fve Pine Siskins at his feeders for a few days in March, but on Mar 30 his feeders were covered with 36 Pine Siskins.

ABBREVIATIONS: DA - Don Albright MU - Mike Unger FS - Fred Stephens PJ - Pamela Johnston HF - Harry Fuller PTS - Paul T. Sullivan JH - Jeff Harding RG - Roy Gerig LF - Linda Fink ANWR - Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge MBIP - Minto-Brown Island Park SSP - Sheridan sewage ponds YSTP - Yamhill sewage treatment ponds

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 17 Single Western Grebes were at BSNWR on May 20 (Shane Pru- ett) and on May 26 (Nancy Stotz), and at the flbert farm pond on Polk County Hwy 99 near Sarah Helmick State Park on Nov 2 (BT). A single Calliope Hummingbird showed its gorget to Brandon Wagner Field Notes at his feeder north of Independence on Apr 21.

Black-necked Stilts continued migrating to BSNWR, and breed- ing in numbers at the south end of BSNWR. They were seen from Mar 30 (Joshua Jackson) through Jul 19 (Craig Tumer). Migrating high counts were 17 on May 1 (BT) and 19 on May 12 (Rick Bennet). The breeding high count was 18 on Jun 17 (Erik Knight). Nine Black-bellied Plovers few over Joshua Meyers south of Perrydale on Apr 14, and singles were at BSNWR on Apr 10 (Roger Robb) and May 9 (Roy Gerig, BT). Two breed- by Caleb Centanni ing-plumage Pacifc Golden-Plovers graced BSNWR in spring: a male on May 6 (Erik Knight); and a female from May 18 to 22 t least fve Snow Geese were with Cackling and Canada (mult. observers). Skip Russell and Darlene Betat found a single Geese at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge at the Whimbrel in the grass south of the Narrows (Cottonwood Pond) beginning of the year (Don Berg, Kaplan Yalcin), with A at BSNWR on Jun 3, a bird which stayed through Jun 5 (RG, equal numbers returning in the fall. Polk County’s regular group BT, DB, Jonathan Reimer-Berg). of Trumpeter Swans foraged amid Tundra Swans in a muddy feld at the intersection of Smith and Elkins Roads at the begin- Low water levels on Morgan Lake (north BSNWR) from late ning of the year, seen by many. The high count was 18 Trumpet- August onwards made for good fall shorebird conditions, and ers on Jan 28 (DB). Trumpeter Swans were reported in southern the south refuge was productive as well. Baird’s Sandpipers Polk County through Mar 26 (Deanna Emig). An intriguing were at BSNWR on Aug 10 (David Yake); on Sep 7 when there Green-winged Teal seen at the BSNWR Hwy 22 overlook on Jan were three at ML (RG); and on Sep 8 (Kaplan Yalcin). Single 9 (Evan and Caleb Centanni) was apparently an intergrade be- Pectoral Sandpipers picked over the mud at ML on Sep 3 (DB) tween the American and Eurasian subspecies. Canvasback num- and on Sep 17 (RG, Jim Kopitzke). ML held a single Semipal- bers were low all year, with a high count of only four on a small mated Sandpiper on Aug 30 (CC), which stayed through Sep 8 pond west of Rickreall on the Dallas Christmas Bird Count (Bill (DB, RG, Russ Namitz). Short-billed Dowitchers came through Tice, Paul Sullivan). A single Redhead, very uncommon in the BSNWR on Jul 14 (Mike Dixon) and on Aug 10 there were four county in recent years, was reported by an anonymous eBirder birds (David Yake). One very Solitary Sandpiper migrated alone at the BSNWR Hwy 22 overlook on Apr 9. Common Goldeneye through BSNWR on Aug 10 (David Yake). Three Lesser Yellow- was also hard to come by, with a few migrating through BSNWR legs were late from Oct 27 to Nov 2 at the Narrows of BSNWR in the spring, and one each on the Monmouth Sewage Ponds on (mult. observers). A lone Red-necked Phalarope swam through Dec 27 (BT), and on a farm pond on Rolling Hills Rd.(EC). A the Narrows on May 9 (Alan Contreras, Nolan Clements) and female Barrow’s Goldeneye returned to MSP for the third year four were seen on Wendell Kreder Reservoir near Buena Vista in a row on Feb 13 (photo below) (BT). by EC and CC on Aug 30. Migrating Eared Grebes came through BSNWR from Apr 9 to No data was readily available on Marbled Murrelets in Polk 24 (John Gardiner, BT) and through MSP from Oct 9 to 27 (BT, County this year. Migrating Bonaparte’s Gulls passed through Jeff Harding, Aaron and Gloria Beerman). BSNWR from Apr 10 to Jun 8, seen by many, with high count of four on Apr 10 (RG, Roger Robb). At least 100 Mew Gulls were on the Monmouth and Independence Sewage Ponds during the DCBC, a high number for the county (BT, Paul Sullivan). 20 Ring-billed Gulls were seen at BSNWR by RG on Apr 10, and one each were at Livermore Rd. north of BSNWR on Feb 11 (BT) and Independence Sewage Ponds on Dec 27 (BT, Paul Sullivan). Herring Gulls passed through in the winter and late fall, with high counts of 35 near Perrydale on Jan 21 (BT) and 16 at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem on Nov 20 (DB). Iceland Gulls (lumped with Thayer’s in the new taxonomy) were found by BT on Jan 21 near Perrydale (fve birds); on Feb 11 on Liver- more Rd; and on Nov 14 at MSP. Black Terns were seen one to two at a time from May 12 to Jun 8 at the south end of BSNWR in the spring (mult. observers), but there was no sign of them later in the breeding season. A single Forster’s Tern few into Barrow’s Goldeneye, Bill Tice ML on Sep 7 (RG).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 18 A late-April movement of American White Pelicans was notable, Prairie Falcons were unusually prevalent in the county, with a with birds at BSNWR, West Salem, and a high count of 36 fying number of reports around BSNWR in January-March. There over BW’s house north of Independence on Apr 23. On Aug 18, were three reports of Prairie Falcons in November: at LSNA on a skulking Black-crowned Night Heron fushed from the south Nov 4 (Nancy Stotz); at Frizzell Rd. on Nov 18 (BW); and at end of Moftti Marsh at BSNWR when RG walked by. Three Morrow Rd. on Nov 19 (Deanna Emig). There were also two Turkey Vultures teeter-tottered in slightly early and were seen on the Dec 27 DCBC at ML (Hendrik Herlyn, Isaac Denzer, Kai by BT on Kings Valley Highway near Pedee on Feb 10. Two Frueh) and at Elkins Rd. (John Matthews, Grant Hoyt, Karen White-tailed Kites, increasingly uncommon in Polk County, Hoyt). Pileated Woodpecker was missed on the DCBC, although were visible from Priem Rd. near Airlie on Mar 17 (RG), then this was possibly related to a shift of observer effort to open ar- were observed copulating the next day by BT, a frst county eas due to pleasant, spring-like weather and high raptor activity. record of breeding behavior, but were never reported again. One White-tailed Kite was in the Pedee Creek Valley in the south There were only fve reports of Hammond’s Flycatchers from county on Apr 1 (Joshua Meyers, Linnaea Basden), an interest- Apr 28 to Jun 27. The small numbers almost certainly refect ingly late date, and three were seen at Old Wallace Bridge Rd. minimal coverage in the Coast Range, where they are a normal by Linda Fink on her Nov 27 raptor survey, one of which was breeder. A single Dusky Flycatcher was seen at Staub Nature seen through the end of the year. A remarkable seven different Park in West Salem by DB on Jun 17. Black Phoebes continued Golden Eagles, normally rare, were seen in Polk County in 2018: a pattern of apparent annual increase, especially in the BSNWR two on Zumwalt Rd. on Jan 1 (Stephanie Hazen); one on Pedee and southern Polk County areas. W. Douglas Robinson noticed Creek Rd. on Nov 11 (BT); and four at BSNWR on Mar 24 a Say’s Phoebe fy from extreme southern Polk County into (DB, Jonathan Reimer-Berg). Golden Eagles were also seen at Benton County near Robison Rd. on Jan 22. Two were found by BSNWR on Oct 14 (Ken Pitts); on Nov 17 (Kaplan Yalcin); and Don Berg on Nov 10: one on Morrow Rd. near BSNWR; and on Dec 27 (Clay Crofton). One Golden Eagle was seen at the one on Farmer Rd. to the east. One was seen at the south end Oregon State University banding station led by Josée Rousseau of Livermore Rd. on the DCBC on Dec 27 (HH, ID, KF). A pair and Joan Hagar at Luckiamute State Natural Area on Aug 30 of Western Kingbirds perched regally from Apr 29 to May 9 on (Jenna Curtis, Jesse Laney et al.). Coville Rd. just east of the BSNWR entrance (Joshua Jackson, BT, RG), and a likely different pair was farther west near the A rare Northern Goshawk darted powerfully across Coville Rd. Narrows of BSNWR on May 19 (Brian Westman). One was seen on Sep 17 (RG, Jim Kopitzke), and another Northern Goshawk at the OSU banding station at LSNA on Aug 23 (Jenna Curtis, sat calling in the dense forest above Gerlinger County Park west Jesse Laney, Josée Rousseau, Joan Hagar), and another few of Falls City on the DCBC (Tim Johnson, Barbara Dolan). Also through the area on Sep 9 (Hayley Machado). unusual were three reports of Swainson’s Hawk in fall migra- tion: one in a migrant hawk group near Ballston (north county) on Sep 7 (Joel Geier); one near Rickreall on Sep 19 (Mike Patterson); and one on Airlie Rd. on Oct 3 (BT). JG also picked out a likely Ferruginous Hawk from the group on Sep 7, and another possible Ferruginous was kiting at the intersection of Coville Rd. and Hwy 99 on Dec 26 (CC, DB, Brandon Wagner, Tim Johnson).

In unusual habitat, a Northern Pygmy-Owl tooted in the new year at LSNA on Jan 1 (JG). At least one Burrowing Owl was in the vicinity of BNSWR from Dec 4 to 18, when it was found and documented by Jim Leonard and Dona Bolt (photo right) (mult. observers). The species was formerly regular in the area but hadn’t been reported in Polk County for 10 years. The outlook for Spotted Owls in Polk County was sadly grim, with govern- ment surveys reportedly struggling to fnd more than one bird in the breeding season. Short-eared Owls roosted at the beginning and end of the year on Farmer Rd. near BSNWR. A high count of 23 were seen on Dec 27 (DB, Jonathan Reimer-Berg, Tye Jeske). On the same day, the DCBC recorded its all-time high of three Northern Saw-whet Owls, with many more surely missed.

Two Lewis’s Woodpeckers were recorded on the 2017 DCBC on Jan 1, 2018 (BT), and they continued to be seen through Mar 24 (CC, DB, Jonathan Reimer-Berg). They were not detected, despite effort, in Dec 2018. A Yellow-bellied Sapsucker visited the yard of BT near Falls City on Mar 11. Burrowing Owl, Jim Leonard

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 19 A good number of Northern Shrikes were found in the north- On the DCBC, ID and KF were surprised to see a Northern ern part of the county in the beginning and end of the year. RG Mockingbird, a third record for the count, fy past them on counted two birds twice on Livermore Rd., on Dec 13 and Dec Smithfeld Rd. at the north end of BSNWR. 31. South of Monmouth/Independence, where Northern Shrikes were formerly more common near Elkins Rd, a report on Robi- Nomadic fnch numbers were low at both the beginning and end son Rd. near the Benton County border on Feb 19 (Paul Ada- of the year for uncertain reasons. There was only one January mus) and a report from Monmouth Hwy from Feb 13 to 14 (EC, report of Purple Finch on Jan 28 in West Salem (DB), and a few CC) were the only Northern Shrikes reported in the last three in February. In December, two were found by DB in West Salem years. Two Red-eyed Vireos, possibly a male and female owing on the Salem CBC on Dec 15 and the DCBC recorded only to behavior, scolded and sang in the Black Cottonwood gallery one at the south end of Monmouth (John Matthews, Grant and forest at LSNA on Jul 10 (CC, EC) and were seen through Jul 14 Karen Hoyt). Red Crossbills were reported only twice in 2018: (DB, RG et al.). They are thought to have nested in the area in a fock of 50 at BTs home near Falls City on Feb 6; and a single previous years. Two were also at LSNA in fall migration, one of fyover bird on Perrydale Rd. north of Dallas on the DCBC (HH, which was banded (a possible frst banding record for Western ID, KF). Pine Siskins were present at the beginning of the year Oregon) by Josée Rousseau and others at the OSU banding sta- in small numbers but were virtually absent from valley sites in tion on Aug 23 (photo below), and another which was seen much November through December. Numbers may have been higher later by Bill Proebsting on Sep 20. Four Canada Jays, another in the Coast Range, where 40 were spotted on Robb Mill Rd. under-represented Coast Range species, were found on Robb during the DCBC (BW). Goldfnch numbers were within the Mill Rd. west of Dallas on May 28 (Mitch Ratzlaff). Another normal range, with both species present locally throughout the wandered downslope to the butte at BSNWR on Aug 10 (David year. Yake). On Mar 31, Nancy Stotz caught glimpses of several Lapland Streaked Horned Lark numbers seemed similar to 2016 and Longspurs darting through the grass on Livermore Rd. north of 2017, with birds clearly present in and near BSNWR year- BSNWR. Longspurs were observed there by others through Apr round, including singing birds in the breeding season (RG, EC, 7, and the high count was 15 on Apr 2 (BT). Vesper Sparrows CC, Alan Contreras et al.), and three single birds observed at were present in Christmas tree farms and grassland areas near BW’s house in agricultural lands north of Independence in May Airlie Rd. in southern Polk County from Apr 8 through late June, through July. A wintering fock was present on Livermore Rd. according to JG’s surveys of the species and one report from north of BSNWR from Jan through May, with a high count of 30 Rich Hoyer on May 24. JG also noted a singing Grasshopper on Apr 3 (Mitch Ratzlaff). Sparrow in the Airlie area on Apr 18. A single Grasshopper Sparrow was found by DB on Coville Rd. at BSNWR, just south JG heard a single Townsend’s Solitaire at LSNA during prairie of Baskett Butte, on May 17. At least two individuals, possi- maintenance work on Aug 27. Also at LSNA, the OSU banding bly including the bird seen by DB, were observed on the south station led by Josée Rousseau and Joan Hagar captured 120 slope of Baskett Butte from May 25 to Jun 9, singing from tall Swainson’s Thrushes throughout their fall run, none of which grass and nearby hedgerows (photo next page). A total of four were recaptures, remarkably. The project captured 43 passerine Swamp Sparrows, a rare but regular winterer in Polk County, species total throughout the fall season. A Dallas resident was were found on the DCBC. Two were in their traditional marsh rewarded with an amazing backyard bird when Polk County’s habitat at BSNWR (HH, ID, KF), and two were on Ballard Rd. frst record of gray appeared at his home on Jun 12. The bird in agricultural land between Monmouth and Dallas (Hannah was never seen again. Buschert, Erik Ostrander). White-throated Sparrows were plen- tiful on the DCBC, with at least seven reported from the vicinity of Monmouth/Independence (John Matthews, Grant and Karen Hoyt, Dominic Valenti). Also on the DCBC, a single Common Yellowthroat was very out of season at ML (HH, ID, KF). The species was a DCBC frst the previous year.

ABBREVIATIONS: DB - Don Berg RG - Roy Gerig CC - Caleb Centanni HH - Hendrik Herlyn EC - Evan Centanni BT - Bill Tice ID - Isaac Denzer BW - Brandon Wagner KF - Kai Frueh BSNWR - Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge ML - Morgan Lake at BSNWR MSP - Monmouth Sewage Ponds Red-eyed Vireo, Jenna Curtis. This bird was captured as part LSNA - Luckiamute State Natural Area of mist-netting research and is pictured in the hand of a certifed DCBC - Dallas Christmas Bird Count banding instructor with appropriate permits.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 20 Grasshopper Sparrow, Audrey Addison 5-Mile-Radius Birding by Jen Sanford y 2016 birding year began with a trip to Mexico fol- As I bird these previously un-birded or under-birded areas, I am lowed by trips and bird chases around Oregon. I trav- contributing data that help paint a more realistic picture of how Melled to Bend for the White Wagtail, southern Oregon birds are distributed in my area. In other words, my birding feels for the Spotted Owl, the Oregon Coast for the Common Scoter, useful in a way that it doesn’t when I bird a popular hotspot. and eastern Oregon for Bohemian Waxwings. However, if you ask me which bird was my favorite that year, I will tell you it’s Birding locally has more benefts, including a smaller impact on the Ash-throated Flycatcher I stumbled upon at Chinook Landing the environment. A motorless or “green” birding list can achieve Marine Park in October about 5 miles from my Portland home. something similar, but without the limitations of a radius, it loses the hardcore local aspect. When you spend more time in That’s when it clicked: fnding birds close to home was my your neighborhood parks and sketchy back alleys, you start to favorite aspect of birding. Even though I chase rare birds some- appreciate your surroundings even more. When you care about times, the birds I fnd on my own mean the most, make me the a place, you’re more likely to fght for it, whether it be through happiest, and keep me excited about birding. park clean-ups, telephone calls to your politicians, or planting native plants. To help motivate myself to focus on birding nearby, I decided I needed a new list: a 5-mile-radius (5MR) bird list. I took to the I am in my third year of keeping a 5MR list, and I am still excit- internet to draw a circle on a map around my home to see what ed to explore locally, drive less, bird more, and contribute more locations a 5MR would include. Not only did it include some to my community. I decided I wanted to encourage others to try heavily birded hotspots, it revealed many under-birded locations out a 5MR list in 2019, and I have now convinced more than that I was excited to explore. Next, I set up an eBird Patch List 200 birders across the country to try it, plus more in Canada, that included all of the hotspots and personal locations inside my the United Kingdom, and Australia! Most of these birders are 5MR, which gave me the number of species I had already seen reporting a reignited passion in their birding, which has made me within the radius. Once a patch is set up like this, it will continue so happy. to keep track of your list for you.

When I moved to Vancouver, Washington, I re-drew my radius If you’re interested in joining the ongoing discussion about 5MR and realized I barely knew this area at all. There were few eBird birding, consider joining our Facebook group or sending an hotspots to rely on, so I studied satellite images, went out explor- email to [email protected] for more info. ing, and created at least a dozen new hotspots in my radius.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 21 Benton and Linn County Field Notes

by Isaac Denzer

am Otley found an interesting goose at McFadden Marsh A Red-necked Grebe was found at Foster Reservoir on Jan 6, in Finley National Wildlife Refuge on Nov 24. It is two more were at the same location on Apr 29 (Skip Russell), Pthought to most likely be a Cackling X Emperor Goose and one was at the PSP on Aug 29 (Hendrik Herlyn). A Clark’s hybrid. Interestingly, a very similar bird was photographed at Grebe was at Cabell Marsh in FNWR on May 5 (HH), the next Fernhill Wetlands in Washington County earlier in the year; it is day an impressive fve were at the PSP (DR), and one was at quite likely that the two reports were of the same bird. During Foster Reservoir on Nov 24 (Thomas Gilg). early August, several reports of a Snow Goose, a rare species in summer, came from the Willamette Park area. A Ross’s Goose A Black Swift was reported from the PSP on May 27 (Howard was found along Bruce Rd. in FNWR from Jan 15 to 17 (PO). Bruner), and seven were there on Sep 12 (DR). Three early Vaux’s Swifts were at Bald Hill on Mar 30 (Kaplan Yalcin). Oregon’s second TUNDRA BEAN-GOOSE, which was spotted at Cabell Marsh in FNWR on Oct 26 by a visiting Finnish birder, Lisa Millbank reported a Calliope Hummingbird from her Cor- was certainly the highlight of Benton’s exceptional year (photo vallis yard on Apr 23, and one was seen on Witham Hill on May below). Despite the efforts of many birders, the goose was not 4 (HH, Oscar Harper). refound until Sylvia Maulding spotted it at McFadden Marsh on Nov 26. This time other birders were able to see and photograph At least four Soras wintered at Talking Water Gardens (mult. it, and it was seen regularly until Dec 18. On Feb 20, Deanna observers). Emig found a Brant along Dawson Rd. in Benton County. On Nov 14, she found another at FNWR, which continued into the An American Avocet was at Cabell Marsh on Sep 19 (Tyler new year. She also spotted a “BEWICK’S” TUNDRA SWAN Hallman); it continued until Oct 2 (mult. observers). A Whim- near Halsey on Jan 26, a rare record for Oregon. brel was found at the PSP on Apr 8 (DR, Isaac Denzer); it left soon afterwards. Two more were seen at the same location on A Blue-winged Teal was at Talking Water Gardens on Jan 22 Apr 10 (DR, SA), another was seen at Herbert Farm and Natural (Adrian Hinkle), for a rare winter record; it continued into the Area on Apr 14 (Randy Moore), and one was at the PSP on Apr spring. Up to three Surf Scoters were at the Philomath Sewage 16 (DR). Due to a rather dry year Cabell Marsh had an excep- Ponds from Oct 6 to 9 (mult. observers). A Barrow’s Goldeneye tional fall. A Whimbrel was photographed there on Sep 16 (Rich found in December 2017 in FNWR continued until Jan 5, 2018 Hoyer). Benton County’s long overdue frst Stilt Sandpiper was (mult. observers). On Jan 14, a male Red-breasted Merganser found at the marsh on Sep 14 (PO); it was seen by many birders was in Kings Valley (W. Douglas Robinson). over the next fve days. Benton County’s second Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was found and photographed on the mudfats sur- rounding the marsh on Sep 29 (Howard Bruner); it disappeared the next day, but on Oct 1 was replaced by what was likely a different bird (DR). The second bird was more cooperative, and stayed around until the next evening. A Sanderling was seen at the PSP on May 9 (HH). Another was found at the same location on May 24 (Jeff Harding). As usual, both Baird’s Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers made a good showing at the PSP during the fall, with high counts of four and two respectively. Wilson’s Phalarope’s fnally showed up in Benton County after an absence of almost two years. They were reported through the summer from both the PSP and FNWR.

An adult Sabine’s Gull was photographed at McFadden Marsh in FNWR on Apr 7(PO). The next day it (or another individual) was seen again (Craig Strobeck), the same day an additional two Tundra Bean-Goose, Jamie Simmons

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 22 were found at the PSP (DR). The PSP birds continued for anoth- er day after being seen by many observers. A Heermann’s Gull was found at the PSP on Nov 2 (Will Wright). A Glaucous Gull was at Coffn Butte on Dec 27 (DR). Two Caspian Terns were at Cabell Marsh in FNWR on Jul 28 (PO), and a Black Tern was at the same location on Jun 23 (PO).

A Red-throated Loon was photographed at the Eicher Rd. Quarry pond on Jan 16 (Jeff Harding), and continued into late March. A Pacifc Loon was photographed on a rainwater puddle at the Corvallis Airport on Dec 18 (Randy Moore).

A Broad-winged Hawk was spotted near Peoria on Oct 18 (Shane Pruett). A Swainson’s Hawk was seen over Dunn Forest on May 2 (DR), another was reported near Tangent on May 24 (Peggy Blair), one was photographed along Diamond Hill Drive Blackpoll Warbler, Noah Strycker on Aug 16, one was seen over Lost Lake on Aug 27 (Thomas Gilg), and one was seen at WP on Sep 14 (Duncan Evered). A very early Northern Rough-winged Swallow was found at Talking Water Gardens on Jan 16 (Bill Tice). The Burrowing Owl that was found at the Corvallis Airport during the Corvallis CBC (Dec 19, 2017) continued into the new A Mountain Chickadee was reported at Marys Peak on Jul 22 year (DR). Additional Burrowing Owls were reported through (Joshua Galpern). much of Linn County. A Great Gray Owl was seen and pho- tographed near Fitton Green Natural area in the Benton County A Rock Wren was seen at Marys Peak on May 4 (John Gar- coast range on Jan 7 (DR). This is the second record for the diner), for a rare Willamette Valley record. Another was photo- county, the frst came from the same area several years ago. A graphed at the PSP on May 16 (Eric and Andrew Pratt). A House Long-eared Owl was reported from Cardwell Hill Drive in Ben- Wren was found at WP on Jan 20 (DR), for a very rare winter ton County on Dec 16 (Hankyu Kim). Short-eared Owls were record. occasionally observed at and around the Corvallis airport during the summer months, indicating that they bred in the area. A Northern Mockingbird was found along Belts Road, Linn County, on Jun 22 (Roy Gerig). Lewis’s Woodpeckers continued at FNWR into the spring (mult. observers). A Red-naped Sapsucker was found on Lin- A Cassin’s Finch was found on Marys Peak on May 3 (DR), coln Avenue in Corvallis on Jan 28, it was most likely the same there were three at the same location two days later (DR, Tyler bird that was found in the same area in 2017. Hallman, Peter Kappas, Jenna Curtis), and one was found at WP on Oct 24 (DE). Two Common Redpolls were found with A probable Least Flycatcher was photographed at WP on Sep a large fock of Pine Siskins in Lobster Valley on Jan 6 (DR); 16 (Kai Frueh), however the photos proved to be inconclu- and two were found in a yard in Corvallis on Jan 14 (Jed Irvine). sive. 2018 was another good year for Dusky Flycatchers. Two They continued until Feb 2, and were seen by many birders, who were photographed at Bald Hill Natural Area on Apr 29 (Isaac Jed kindly allowed to visit his yard. Another two were at WP Denzer). At least one continued for the next two days. One was on Dec 1 (DE). This is an incredible number from a county that near Lewisburg on Apr 29 (Paul Adamus), another was seen tends to produce zero Common Redpolls on an average year. on Witham Hill on May 1 (HH), one was seen at WP on May 5 (Jesse Laney), two days later another was at the same location Multiple reports of Lapland Longspur came from the region (Kai Frueh), another was there on May 13 (Isaac Denzer), and during the fall, including a high count of fve fyover birds seen another was there three days later (Kai Frueh). Say’s Phoebes along Campus Way, Benton County (Nolan Clements). A Snow were again present in good numbers throughout the region. An Bunting was found on Marys Peak from Oct 22 to 28 (Chuck Ash-throated Flycatcher was photographed at Big Lake on Philo). Another was at the same location on Nov 6 (Nancy May 19 (Mike Clarke), and another was photographed at the Stotz), occasionally it was joined by one or two more. The group Betty Griffth’s Trail in Corvallis on Jun 11 (Nancy Stotz). continued until Nov 12.

A Red-eyed Vireo was heard singing at a location between Cor- A Green-tailed Towhee was reported at Big Lake on Aug 20 vallis and Albany on Jul 11 (Lisa Millbank). (Evan Thomas). On Jan 2, an American Tree Sparrow was found at Talking Water Gardens (Roger Robb). It was seen again Two possible Black-billed Magpies were reported from FNWR the next day (DR), but after that was not relocated. A Clay-col- on May 7 (Megan Cash). If confrmed these would be a third ored Sparrow was photographed at the PSP on Sep 22 (DR). A county record. Brewer’s Sparrow was at PSP on Apr 24 (DR), and on Aug 24 another was at the same location (HH, Will Wright).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 23 A Lark Sparrow was reported from an Albany yard on Aug 28 (James Smith). Grasshopper Sparrows were seen at the restored prairie at FNWR and at Belts Rd. through most of the summer; Lane County presumably they bred at both locations. A Harris’s Sparrow was photographed by Linda Morrison in her Lebanon yard on Field Notes Dec 30.

A male Yellow-headed Blackbird was spotted on Jan 9 (Bill Tice), which is a rare species in winter, along Robison Rd. in Benton County. A fyover Bobolink was seen at the PSP on Oct 16 (DR). Tricolored Blackbirds again wintered at the Eicher Rd. Feedlot and the PSP (mult. observers).

A Tennessee Warbler was reported at WP on Sep 19 (DE). Rare for winter, a Nashville Warbler visited Jed Irvine’s Corvallis by Tom Mickel yard from Jan 14 to Feb 1. A singing Nashville Warbler was found in northwest Benton County on Jul 14 (Bill Proebsting); report of Trumpeter Swans at Gold Lake on May 18 this species is very rare in the central coast range during the (Forest Tomlinson) was unusual. Were they attempting summer. Benton County’s second Blackpoll Warbler was found Ato breed or just migrating through? Another report of at WP on Sep 20 (DE), it continued until the next day and was Trumpeter Swans (an adult and two immature) comes from seen by multiple observers (photo previous page). On Oct 24 an- Forcia and Larsen Reservoir (eBird site), also known as the old other individual was found by HH in his Corvallis yard. Benton Star Lumber log pond just west of Noti. These birds were frst County had an incredible year for Palm Warblers, with the total reported on Jun 17 (Joshua Galpern) and were seen throughout number of county records likely being doubled. One was found the rest of the year (mult. observers) with occasional sightings on the OSU campus from Sep 30 to Oct 4 (Nolan Clements, from the Veneta sewage ponds (Barbara Combs) and Kirk Pond Caleb Centanni). One was at the PSP on Oct 13, four days later (Linda Gilbert). According to the USFWS, a permit is not need- in was joined by a second bird (DR); at least one continued until ed to keep waterfowl, so there’s no real way to know if they are Oct 18 (mult. observers). One was found by DE at WP on Oct wild or not. There was a very early report of Tundra Swans from 19, on Oct 23 he photographed two more at the same location, Heceta Beach on Sep 29 (Diane Pettey). and on Oct 26 he found three individuals. At least one contin- ued until Oct 29 (mult. observers). One was found at the Bruce A sighting of two Blue-winged Teal (photo next page) in the Ca- Starker Arts Park in Corvallis on Oct 24 (Don Boucher). nary Road area on Feb 11 (Sally Hill, DP) was an unusual winter sighting. This area has wintering Cinnamon Teal most winters. Benton county’s second DICKCISSEL (photo below) was Harlequin Ducks were seen at the H.J. Andrews Experimental found at the PSP on Oct 17 (HH). The bird was very cooperative Forest near Blue River on Apr 26 (Nate Day) and were found and, to the delight of local birders, stayed around for 10 days. with downy young along Lookout Creek next to the Andrews Forest (Al Prigge) on Jun 26 for the frst confrmed occurence ABBREVIATIONS: of breeding in the Willamette National Forest in a number of years. Their numbers along the Lane coast this fall and win- DE - Duncan Evered PO - Pam Otley ter were reported much lower than normal (mult. observers). DR - W. Douglas Robinson PSP - Philomath Sewage Ponds Both Surf Scoters and White-winged Scoters were found in HH - Hendrik Herlyn WP - Willamette Park higher-than-normal numbers along the Lane County coast this FNWR - Finley National Wildlife Refuge summer (mult. observers). Dexter Reservoir turned up a couple of rare summer records of grebes in breeding plumage: Horned Grebe on Jun 22 (John Sullivan) and a Red-necked Grebe on Jun 11 (SH, Vickie Buck).

A Common Poorwill was found above Hills Creek Reservoir on May 22 (Cody Smith), an early date for this rarely-found species in Lane County. Black Swifts were frst reported for the year from Salt Creek Falls on May 22 (Vickie Buck, SH) and Eric Horvath reported on July 7 that there weren’t any breeding at the falls for the second year in a row.

Black-necked Stilts returned to Fern Ridge Reservoir early with the frst report on Apr 15 (Roger Robb). A record number of 12 were seen on Apr 25 (SH), and they stayed later than normal with the last report on Oct 2 (RR). Dickcissel, Jamie Simmons

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 24 Blue-winged Teal, John Sullivan The Franklin’s Gull found at FRR on July 24 (Isaac Denzer, An unusual Black-necked Stilt report from the coast was on Sep Jacob Mathison) is a rare visitor to Lane County. The fourth 18 from the mouth of the Siltcoos River (RR). A probable Long- Lane County record of LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL billed Curlew was heard calling and then a large shorebird was was photographed at the north jetty of the Siuslaw River on Oct seen fying away near Mt Pisgah on Dec 12 (Jeff Rosier) for a 22 (DF). A Glaucous Gull was found in south Eugene on Dec rare winter record. The second Lane County record for HUD- 30 (Tom Mickel, JG) for an unusual report from the valley. Two SONIAN GODWIT was photographed at FRR on Aug 15 (Tye Elegant Terns were found at Heceta Beach on Aug 31 (DP) for Jeske). The frst of numerous reports of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper the frst sighting in Lane County in two years. from FRR was on Sep 18 (SH). An adult Stilt Sandpiper (photo below) was found at FRR on Aug 10 (JS) - it’s been four years The second record for Hawaiian Petrel was seen about 50 miles since the last report. Two juvenile birds were seen on Aug 15 off the Lane County coast on Sep 9 (Tom Crabtree). The frst (Tye Jeske) and the last report from FRR was on Aug 31 (JS). record for COOK’S PETREL was seen more than 30 miles off Surfbirds were reported to be in very small numbers on the the Lane County coast on Apr 26 (mult. observers). A Flesh-foot- Lane County coast in January and February (mult. observers). ed Shearwater was seen about 50 miles off the Lane County Buff-breasted Sandpipers put on quite the show at FRR this fall coast on Sep 9 (Tom Crabtree) for one of very few records for with the frst bird, an adult, found on Aug 23 (Caleb Centanni, Lane County. A rare, for Lane County, Manx/Black-vented Bill Tice); a juvenile on Aug 27 (Cory Gregory); four juveniles Shearwater was seen from the south jetty of the Siuslaw River on Aug 31 (mult. observers); and the last report was on Sep 15 on Oct 4 (DF). (Alan Contreras, Vjera Thompson). There was also one found along the coast at the mouth of the Siltcoos River on Sep 7 There has been speculation that Great Egrets breed in the Eugene (Daniel Farrar). An amazing 24 Semipalmated Sandpipers were area for years because of the small number that are seen through- found at FRR on Jul 24 (Isaac Denzer, Jacob Mathison). Lesser out the breeding season. On May 22 Vjera Thompson found one Yellowlegs are becoming more common during the winter in the in a heronry in west Eugene, but couldn’t tell if it had a nest or valley with reports of one near the Eugene airport on Jan 26 (JS) was just “hanging out” with all the Great Blue Herons. and three at Meadowlark Prairie on Mar 29 (AC et al.).

A Long-tailed Jaeger was photographed at FRR on Aug 27 (Cory Gregory) and another was seen on Sep 10 (SH) for rare reports from inland Lane County. Another jaeger was seen at FRR on Aug 27 (Cory Gregory), but not well enough to identify the species. 30 Marbled Murrelets were seen on the ocean off the mouth of the Siltcoos River on May 4 (JS), a very large number for Lane County. The Ancient Murrelet seen from the North Jetty of the Siuslaw River on Oct 23 (DF) was an uncommon sight for Lane County. 200 Cassin’s Auklets were counted off the mouth of the Siltcoos River on May 18 (JS), a very high count for Lane County. Rhinoceros Auklets (photo next page, upper left) returned to their nesting site at Sea Lion Caves on Apr 9 (SH, DP) and were last reported along the coast on Oct 20 from the south jetty of the Siuslaw River (AC et al.). A Tufted Puffn was seen from Heceta Head, where they once bred, on Jul 21 (SH). Stilt Sandpiper, Joshua Little

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 25 A rare sighting of a Black Phoebe in the high Cascades came from Waldo Lake on Aug 22 (Gerry Meenaghan). Say’s Phoe- bes are becoming common during the winter, spring, and fall in the valley (mult. observers), where they used to only be found during migration. An Ash-throated Flycatcher was found in the Oakridge area on May 11 (Mary Lee Sayre), a species that’s un- usual in the county. As is normal, there were a couple of Tropical Kingbird sightings along the coast this fall. The frst was at the Siltcoos River mouth on Oct 15 (DF) and the second was on Nov 9 in old town Florence (AC et al.).

A few California Scrub-Jays have been found in Florence off and on for many years, but the report of birds at C&M Stables many miles north of town on Nov 20 (AC et al.) shows they’re expanding their range in coastal Lane County. Small numbers Rhinoceros Auklet, John Sullivan of Tree, Violet-green, and Barn Swallows are more common- ly being reported during the winter months (mult. observers). Bank Swallows were found at FRR much earlier than in years The “small white egret” that was found along Washburn Road past (mult. observers), with a record 14 seen on Jul 27 (JS). An on Dec 15 (Sylvia Maulding) caused quite a stir as it was being unusual Chestnut-backed Chickadee was found at a River Road called an Intermediate Egret for a while, but it was fnally decid- feeder in Eugene on Jul 31 (Libbie Marshell). It had gray fanks ed that it was an unusually small Great Egret. 13 White-faced instead of chestnut, like the species has in California. Could it Ibis were found at FRR on May 11 (JS), they’re found every few have been a hybrid Black-capped X Chestnut-backed? years in the valley during spring migration. The birds of the year for Lane County were the two SEDGE The number of wintering Turkey Vultures has increased this year WRENS (photo back cover) found on McKenzie River Trust’s with birds being found in the area around Lane Community Col- Waite Preserve found Dec 13 (RR) and Dec 21 (AH). Blue-gray lege where in the past they were mostly found around the south- Gnatcatchers were nesting for the second time on the southern ern end of FRR (mult. observers). A Turkey Vulture was found end of Mt. Pisgah on Jun 13 (Dennis Arendt et al.). A Gray Cat- in Oakridge on Feb 15 (Mary Lee Sayre) for a rare winter record bird (photo below) was heard calling from a SW Eugene yard on for that area. Another rare Oakridge sighting was an Osprey on Jul 2 (AC). Northern Mockingbirds were found during the winter Feb 11 (Mary Lee Sayre). They have wintered in the Eugene and months in the valley and along the coast (mult. observers), but Springfeld area and along the coast most years for many years. there weren’t any reports during the breeding season along the White-tailed Kite numbers were much lower than normal during coast like last year. The two Common Redpolls found in late the winter months (mult. observers). One was found at FRR December 2017 were last seen on Jan 5, 2018 in Eugene (Charlie on Jun 25 (Derek Stoner) for a rare summer sighting. A winter Thomas, Will Wright). Very large numbers of Red Crossbills Bald Eagle roost was found in the area of Alvadore and Franklin were found in the Sitka spruce forests along the coast in January Roads on Jan 7 (JS, Tye Jeske) that had 52 birds. and February (mult. observers), and among them were small focks of White-winged Crossbills. The White-winged Cross- A Long-eared Owl was heard calling in the Florence area on bills were last reported on Feb 7 at the south jetty of the Siuslaw Nov 12 (Susan Perry) for an uncommon occurrence for the area. River pay station (Linda Gilbert). Lapland Longspurs were frst Short-eared Owls were found in higher numbers than normal reported along the coast from Florence on Sep 26 (DF), and were during the frst part of the year (mult. observers). One was seen seen in larger than normal numbers in October (DF). at FRR on July 18 (Finn Eetter) for a rare summer record and two were seen at the north jetty of the Siuslaw River on Oct 15 (DF), an unusual location.

There were many reports of Lewis’s Woodpeckers during the winter and spring this year (mult. observers), with the last being two birds in the Creswell area on Apr 20 (Sue Shappard). One returned on the early date of Sep 18 to Skinner Butte (Michael Karpinko). A Red-naped Sapsucker was reported from the Cre- swell area on Nov 13 (Sally Nelson) for a rare valley sighting. There were two summer reports of Merlin: the frst was on Jul 25 in the Santa Clara area of Eugene (Mark Rudolph) and appeared to be an adult female and a recently fedged male; the second was on Aug 25 in Springfeld (JS).

Gray Catbird, Pam Otley

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 26 A Snow Bunting was photographed on the south jetty of the Siuslaw River on Oct 14 (Lindsay Willrick). They were report- ed in very small numbers along the coast during the late fall Douglas County migration.

A Green-tailed Towhee was found in the Blair Lake area of the Field Notes high Cascades on Aug 12 (JG). They’re reported most often in Lane County during the post-breeding season in the high Cascades. The Clay-colored Sparrow found in old town Florence by on Nov 3 (DF) was at a normal time for their occurrence in Lane Jesse Burgher County. Two over-shoot Black-throated Sparrows were report- ed in Lane County this year, on May 8 at the north jetty of the A Long-tailed Duck was seen at Ziolkouski Beach Park, Siuslaw River (Doug Coleman) and on May 11 in Oakridge (fde Winchester Bay on Dec 29 (W. Douglas Robinson). They are an Mary Lee Sayre). There were three reports of the red subspecies uncommon winter visitor to the Douglas County coast with only of Fox Sparrow this year: Jan 24 at FRR (Douglas Stotz); Dec 10 nine records. in old town Florence (DF, DP); and Dec 30 in SE Eugene (Tom Mickel, JG). There are probably more reports now because peo- An uncommon American Three-toed Woodpecker was seen at ple are looking more closely these days. Swamp Sparrows were Crater Lake North Entrance burned area on Jul 11 (Peter Scott). much more common this late fall and winter than normal with Douglas County only has eight records. A Lewis’s Woodpecker numerous reports from many locations (mult. observers). The was noted on Tiller Trail Hwy, Canyonville on Sep 18 (Russ most amazing number was 17, found at McKenzie River Trust’s Namitz). A Williamson’s Sapsucker was noted in the Union Waite Preserve on Dec 21 (Adrian Hinkle). Creek area of Umpqua National Forest on May 26 (W. Douglas Robinson). A Great-tailed Grackle was at Southwest Church A Yellow-headed Blackbird was found in Florence during De- Road, Sutherlin on May 25 (W. Douglas Robinson). cember (Sara Kaul) for a rare winter sighting. A male and then a female Bullock’s Oriole were found at a feeder in Florence California Towhees have been seen sporadically over the years. during December (Sara Kaul). A male was at the same feeder last One was spotted at Roberts Creek Road, Roseburg on Nov 3 winter. About the ffth Common Grackle for Lane County was (Matt Hunter). This is the furthest northern extent of species found at the Eugene airport on Aug 6 (Larry McQueen). Two range in the west. A pair of Lark Sparrows (photo below) were Black-and-white Warblers were reported this fall with the frst seen foraging at the North Bank Habitat Management Area East at Mount Pisgah on Aug 8 (JG) and the second from Oak Hill Boundary Road on Jun 21 (Elizabeth Gayner). This is a rare bird Cemetery on Sep 10 (Lisa Wallace). These are about the 10th in Douglas County, and the furthest northern extent of species record for the county. Palm Warblers were quite numerous this range in the west. A Vesper Sparrow, an uncommon sparrow fall with fve reports, all from the coast except the frst: Sep 14 at with limited range in Oregon, was seen on Westside Road, FRR (Margaret Bowan); two on Oct 14 (DF) and four on Oct 16 Camas Valley on Sep 17 (Russ Namitz). A Swamp Sparrow was (RR, Dennis Arendt) at south jetty of the Siuslaw River defation reported at Fords Pond on Jan 25 (John Sullivan). plain; two on Nov 2 at Westlake county park (DF); and one Nov 5 at old town Florence (DF). A rare winter Black-throated Gray A very uncommon winter bird, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, Warbler was found in west Eugene on Dec 19 and 30 (Bruce was reported at River Forks Park Road, Roseburg on Dec 16 Newhouse et al.). On Jan 18, a Hermit Warbler was found in the (Matt Hunter). A Palm Warbler was noted in the Winchester Bay south hills of Eugene (Lori Markoff). They winter here some area Dec 20 (Mike and MerryLynn Denny). A Yellow-breasted years in very small numbers. A very late Wilson’s Warbler was Chat, an uncommon winter bird in Douglas County, was at the found at Westlake County Park on Nov 6 (DF). Two Western Chevy Pond in December (James Houseman). Tanagers were photographed at feeders in the River Road area of Eugene from Oct 30 to Nov 19 (Libbie Marshell) for a very late occurrence. The third record of Summer Tanager for Lane County was of a female at Delta Ponds on Aug 30 (Laurie Brandt). A male Indigo Bunting was seen on May 16 in the Mount Pisgah area (Lyn Gilmand-Garrick, Chris Shuraleff) for a rare sighting in the county.

ABBREVIATIONS: DF - Daniel Farrar DP - Diane Pettey JG - Joshua Galpern JS - John Sullivan RR - Roger Robb SH - Sally Hill FRR - Fern Ridge Reservoir Lark Sparrow, Elizabeth Gayner

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 27 Western Snowy Plovers: a conservation success for Oregon

by Eleanor P. Gaines Snowy Plover adult male, Ron Gaines

Institute for Natural Resources Adults (usually the male) will lead chicks to food sources, but Portland State University young are able to feed themselves. Young chicks (under 10 n 1940, Gabrielson and Jewett called the Western Snowy days) avoid predation by running, then crouching and freezing Plover (Charadrius nivosus nivosus) the “pale little ghost of at an adult’s alarm call. Older chicks will run from disturbance. the sand dunes,” an apt description for a bird that was almost Chicks are highly mobile and able to swim; pre-fedged broods I have been documented over 11 km from their nest site, though lost from Oregon’s beaches. Found in scattered populations along a band of coastline from Damon Point, Washington to most move less than 1 km (Wilson and Colwell 2010, Institute Bahia Magdalena, Baja California (Page et al. 2009), the Pacifc for Natural Resources unpublished data). Snowy Plovers breed Coast population is listed as Threatened by the U. S. Fish and the frst nesting season after hatching, and most breed annually Wildlife Service (2007) and Oregon Department of Fish and after that (Warriner et al. 1986, Sandercock et al. 2005). In Ore- Wildlife (2009). The main threats to Snowy Plovers are habitat gon, American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Common Raven loss to invasive vegetation and coastal development (Muir and (Corvus corax), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are primary nest Colwell 2010), human disturbance (Ruhlen et al. 2003, Lafferty predators, but nests are also lost to weather, abandonment, and a et al. 2006), and increasing native and non-native predator pop- host of other predators. ulations (Neuman et al. 2004). These factors are intertwined; for example, human-associated trash attracts predators, and exotic Present year-round, Snowy Plovers were historically found vegetation provides cover for invasive native and non-native along Oregon’s sandy beaches from Astoria to Brookings. By the predators. 1970s, they were limited to a few sites between Florence and the Coos/Curry County line. Since 1990, state and federal agencies Plover nests are simple depressions in the sand, occasionally in Oregon have collaborated to intensively manage limiting fac- lined with shell fragments or other beach debris, and are often tors and monitor the plover’s progress towards recovery. Snowy placed near an object (e.g. a small plant or piece of driftwood) Plovers are a conservation-reliant species. Management includes in an otherwise sparsely vegetated landscape (Page et al. 1985). habitat restoration and maintenance, recreation restrictions, and Snowy Plovers rely on camoufage and early detection of ap- predator management. Introduced in the early 1900s, European proaching threats to avoid predation (Muir and Colwell 2010). beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) has since stabilized much of Both parents share incubation of the three-egg clutch, but once a the ephemeral coastal dunes system, resulting in densely vege- nest hatches, the female often leaves the male to rear the brood tated, steep foredunes that are unsuitable for plover nesting and on his own while she attempts a nest with a new male. Nests provide cover for predators (Wiedemann 1987, Muir and Col- typically take 29 days to hatch, and broods take another 28 well 2010). Habitat restoration involves removal of beachgrass days or so to fedge. Like other ground-nesters, Snowy Plovers and the steep foredunes to create wide, gently sloping, open suffer high rates of nest failure, but renest readily (Warriner et nesting habitat. Seasonal beach restrictions limit human use of al. 1986). The long breeding season allows female plovers time active nesting areas from March 15 to September 15 to minimize for up to three successful nests. Because males must rear broods disturbance to incubating adults and improve nest survival. (ICF they can, at most, rear two broods per season. However, because International 2010). Beach visitors are asked to stay along the of the high nest failure rates, few birds are this productive. The wet sand, and dogs, kites, and bikes are prohibited on nesting precocial chicks leave the nest within hours of hatching. beaches. Active nesting areas are roped off and marked with

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 28 Snowy Plover nest during hatching, J. Daniel Farrar Banded Snowy Plover chick, J. Daniel Farrar signs explaining the closure. Predator management in Oregon This fushing can alert predators to nest locations and exposes initially consisted of nest exclosures – wire mesh cages placed eggs to the elements; wind-blown sand can quickly bury an un- over nests to protect them from predation. However, exclosures attended nest. However, with an understanding of the challeng- do not protect the precocial chicks once they leave the nest, and es plovers face, and a little cooperation, Oregonians can look biologists have documented adult predation at exclosed nests. forward to growing Snowy Plover populations at sandy beaches Because population growth in Snowy Plovers is primarily driven up and down the coast. by adult survival (Sæther and Bakke 2000, Gaines et al. in prep), the risk to the overall population is not worth the beneft of increased productivity. To better respond to increasing levels of predation, biologists developed an integrated predator manage- ment plan that includes trash and carcass removal from nesting areas, predator harassment, occasional nest exclosure use, and since 2002, lethal removal of predators exhibiting focused atten- tion on plover nests (U. S. Department of Agriculture and U. S. Department of Interior 2002). Oregon’s predator management program has improved both productivity and survival across the life cycle, playing an important role in the growth of the popula- tion (Dinsmore et al. 2014, 2017, Gaines et al. in prep).

This suite of management actions has been successful – the Snowy Plover population in Oregon has grown from fewer than 50 birds in the early 1990s to over 500 today. Recent population models (Gaines et al. in prep) suggest that with current man- agement practices, Snowy Plovers will continue to increase in Oregon, expanding their distribution to unoccupied beaches, and serving as a source for smaller populations to the north and south. Indeed, in 2018, Snowy Plovers nested in every coun- ty along the Oregon coast, from Bailey Beach to Clatsop Spit (Figure 1). For plovers to succeed at these sites they will need space to “nest in peace”, including protection from frequent dis- turbance that keeps adults off nests or away from young chicks. Beach visitors can encourage plover recovery by respecting signed areas, staying on the wet sand in nesting areas, and exer- cising dogs at beaches not occupied by plovers. Even well-mean- ing birders can inadvertently cause a nest to fail if incubating adults repeatedly fush from the nest to avoid a perceived threat. Figure 1: Snowy Plover nests along Oregon Coast, 2018

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 29 Literature Cited: The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North Dinsmore, S. J., D. J. Lauten, K. A. Castelein, E. P. Gaines, and America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/154 M. A. Stern 2014. Predator exclosures, predator removal, and habitat improvement increase nest success of Snowy Plovers in Ruhlen, T. D., S. Abbott, L. E. Stenzel, and G. W. Page. 2003. Oregon, USA. The Condor 116:619–628. Evidence that human disturbance reduces Snowy Plover chick survival. Journal of Field Ornithology 74:300–304. Dinsmore, S. J., E. P. Gaines, S. F. Pearson, D. J. Lauten, and K. A. Castelein 2017. Factors affecting Snowy Plover chick surviv- Sæther, B.-E., and Ø. Bakke. 2000. Avian life history variation al in a managed population. The Condor: 34–43. and contribution of demographic traits to the population growth rate. Ecology 81:642–653. Gabrielson, I. N. and S. G. Jewett. 1940. Birds of Oregon. Oregon State College, Corvallis. 650 pp. Reprinted by Dover Sandercock, B. K., T. Székely, and A. Kosztolányi. 2005. The ef- Publications, New York. 1970. fects of age and sex on the apparent survival of Kentish Plovers breeding in southern Turkey. The Condor 107:583–596. ICF International. 2010. Habitat Conservation Plan for the Western Snowy Plover. August. (ICF 06537.06.) Portland, OR. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Interi- Prepared for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. or 2002. Predator damage management to protect the federally threatened Pacifc coast population of the Western Snowy Plover. Lafferty, K. D., D. Goodman, and C. P. Sandoval. 2006. Resto- Prepared by USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services Program and the ration of breeding by Snowy Plovers following protection from Siuslaw National Forest; USDI, Fish and Wildlife Service Re- disturbance. Biodiversity & Conservation 15:2217–2230. gion 1 and Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District; and in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Muir, J. J., and M. A. Colwell. 2010. Snowy Plovers select open and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Portland, OR. habitats for courtship scrapes and nests. The Condor 112:507– 510. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. Recovery Plan for the Pa- cifc Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius Neuman, K. K., G. W. Page, L. E. Stenzel, J. C. Warriner, and J. alexandrinus nivosus). In 2 volumes. Sacramento, California. xiv S. Warriner. 2004. Effect of mammalian predator management +751 pages. on Snowy Plover breeding success. Waterbirds 27:257–263. Warriner, J. S., J. C. Warriner, G. W. Page, and L. E. Stenzel. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2009. Oregon Ad- 1986. Mating system and reproductive success of a small popu- ministrative Rules, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, lation of polygamous Snowy Plovers. Wilson Bulletin 98:15–37. Division 100 Wildlife Diversity Plan. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ OARs/100.pdf Wiedemann, A. M. 1987. The ecology of European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria [L.] Link). A review of the literature. Page, G. W., L. E. Stenzel, and C. A. Ribic. 1985. Nest site se- Technical report 87-1-01. Nongame Wildlife Program, Oregon lection and clutch predation in the Snowy Plover. Auk 102:347– Department of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis. 353. Wilson, C.A., M. A. Colwell. 2010. Movements and fedging Page, G. W., L.E. Stenzel, J. S. Warriner, J. C. Warriner and P. success of Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) chicks. W. Paton. 2009. Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus), Waterbirds 33, 331–340.

Snowy Plover in winter, Ron Gaines

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 30 Rogue Valley Field Notes Jackson and Josephine Counties

by Frank Lospalluto

wo Ross’s Geese were at Whetstone Pond on Jan 17 Snowy Egrets are hard to come by in either county but one was (Noah Strycker). A lone Redhead was spotted on Pro- along the Rogue River outside of Grants Pass on Jul 13 (Sean Tvolt Pond on Oct 29 (Anne Goff). A male Red-breasted McAllister) and one was at Emigrant Lake on Sep 12 (Frank Merganser was on Lost Creek Reservoir on Jan 6 and the same Hall). or another was spotted below the dam on Feb 23 (Bob Hunter, Janet Kelly). Later in the year another was found on Lost Creek The frst Oregon record of ZONE-TAILED HAWK was seen Reservoir on Nov 6 (Howard Sands). An Eared Grebe was on and photographed near Roxy Ann Peak on Oct 25. The photogra- Lake Selmac on Oct 14 (Russ Namitz). pher posted it to Facebook and asked for help with identifcation where it was spotted by Dave Irons. A Burrowing Owl visited Black-chinned Hummingbirds were detected in both counties some California Ground Squirrel burrows in the Agate Lake area with one in Grants Pass on Jul 27 (Tanner Martin) and one in and stayed several weeks starting Mar 17 (Frank Lospalluto). Merlin on Sep 9 (Dennis Vroman). Two were at North Mountain Land development and human disturbance has greatly dimin- Park on Aug 29 (Andre Carvalhaes). ished the occurrence of this owl in Jackson County. It no longer breeds here nor is it found wintering with any regularity. 11 American Avocets visited the Kirtland Sewage Ponds on Oct 3 with many of them lingering for 10 days there (Tanner Martin). A female Williamson’s Sapsucker was spotted and photo- A Pacifc Golden-Plover was reported at Kirtland Ponds on graphed in Illinois Valley SP on Oct 9 by a Tennessee birder Aug 28 (Courtney Kelly Jett). A lone Long-billed Curlew was (Ken Oeser). A Red-naped Sapsucker returned to Emigrant Lake heard and seen fying over a farm in Eagle Point on Aug 12 (Bob Park for the third consecutive winter and was seen by many Hunter) and the same bird or another was at Agate Lake on Aug during January and February. 28 (Courtney Kelly Jett). A Ruff made a brief visit to Kirtland Ponds on April 4 (Frank Lospalluto). And in a year where they A Loggerhead Shrike was found during the Medford Christmas were seen in numerous locations a Buff-breasted Sandpiper Bird Count along Highlands Rd. on Dec 15 (Janet Kelly). A (photo below) was found on the shores of Emigrant Lake on Sep Red-eyed Vireo was seen and photographed in Grants Pass on 3 (Rene Allen). It was the sixth county record. Aug 21 (Tanner Martin).

A not-so-common Common Tern was at Agate Lake in the The second record of a Horned Lark in Josephine county was company of a few Caspian Terns on Sep 18 (Janet Kelly). And a reported on Nov 9 in Grants Pass (Dennis Vroman). An adult Forster’s Tern was at Agate Lake on May 25 (Janet Kelly). male Mountain Bluebird (photo next page, upper left) was seen off the Redwood Highway near O’Brien on Apr 22 (Steve Stump). And another male was seen on the road to Babyfoot Lake Trail on Jun 23 (Kristi Mergenthaler).

A Common Redpoll was found on the old Imperatrice Ranch outside Ashland on Jan 3 (Tiffany Manger). This is the fourth record for Jackson County. A male LAWRENCE’S GOLD- FINCH was found and photographed in Cantrall-Buckley Park in the Applegate Valley on May 27 (Anne Goff). On Jul 9, a family group of fve was reported from Provolt Pond (Anne Goff), which straddles the county border between Jackson and Josephine county.

A single Lapland Longspur was found on top of Lower Table Rock on Oct 10 (Bob Quacci) and two days later two were spotted at the same location (Matt Cahill). On Oct 14, eight to Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Frank Lospalluto 10 were found with a Horned Lark fock at Lost Creek Reservoir (Russ Namitz).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 31 Oregon Bird Records Committee by Treesa Hertzel

2019 Committee Alternates Phillip Kline (2021) Bob Archer Hendrik Herlyn (2019 Tom Crabtree Wink Gross (2019) Tim Janzen Mountain Bluebird, Howard Schenck Craig Miller (2019) Jay Withgott Jeff Gilligan (2020) A singing male Grasshopper Sparrow was in a pasture off of Wayne Hoffman (2020) Secretary Martin Rd. near Cave Junction on Jun 9 (Romain Cooper). At Nick Mrvelj (2020) Treesa Hertzel least four different Harris’s Sparrows were seen during the year Sally Hill (2021) in Jackson County. Three birds were spotted during January and Adrian Hinkle (2021) (term expiration dates) February with one in Medford on Jan 16 (Janet Kelly), one out- side Eagle Point on Jan 17 (Gary Shaffer), one at Ashland Pond on Feb 3 (Kate Cleland-Sipfe), and one was found during the The Oregon Bird Records Committee met twice in 2018: in Medford Christmas Bird Count on Dec 15 (Frank Lospalluto). Portland in the spring; and in Bend in the summer. 18 records are currently under review by the OBRC; 17 more wait in the wings A male HOODED ORIOLE was visiting a feeder in Sam’s for the next round of review and voting. Many great birds were Valley on Jul 14 (Cat Kizer). found in Oregon in 2018, but no state frsts, until fall when three possible new species for Oregon were reported: Nazca Booby, A Palm Warbler (photo below) was found during the Ashland Zone-tailed Hawk, and Eastern Bluebird. All three records were Christmas Bird Count on Dec 29 (Dick Ashford, Kent Erskine, accepted at the March 2019 OBRC meeting. Jon Cox) near the Imperatrice Ranch. This was the frst offcial record for Jackson county as it was seen and verifed by more The OBRC is in the process of converting all paper records and than one observer. However, one was reported in October 2015 slides to digital format. Committee member Tim Janzen has at the USFWS Forensics Lab in Ashland (Pepper Trail). taken the lead on this, and has converted over 1,500 slides that were originally submitted with rare bird reports in the 1970s and A likely frst-winter Chestnut-sided Warbler was found near 1980s. Each digital photo was then linked to its record in our the Grange Co-op in Grants Pass on Oct 12 (Dennis Vroman). online fle, available on the OBA website (https://oregonbirding. Klamath Bird Observatory banded a Black-and-white Warbler org). Tim is now scanning all of the paper records as PDFs. at Wildlife Images outside Grants Pass on Sep 15 (Lauren diBic- cari). This is the frst known record of this species for Josephine Policy Decisions County. Should a Committee member vote on his/her own submission? After discussion and a review of how other state records com- mittee handle this, the Committee voted unanimously to add to the rules that a member shall not vote on a record if he/she has submitted the only report of that sighting.

It was also decided that a member may not abstain from voting on a record based on the likelihood that the American Ornitho- logical Society will change that species’ status in the near future. That is, as long as it is currently recognized as a species by AOS, OBRC members shall vote on records of it. This came up in early summer 2018 as a report of an Iceland Gull was being re- viewed. At the time, the AOS was considering lumping Thayer’s Gull, a regular species in Oregon, with Iceland Gull, effectively making the newly expanded “Iceland Gull” a regular bird in Oregon. Some Committee members were reluctant to vote on the Palm Warbler, Barry McKenzie report until they knew what the AOS decision would be.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 32 Renumbering the Records

For many years, OBRC has been using a numbering system crafted from AOS species numbers. Since the AOS itself has abandoned those numbers, they no longer serve a useful purpose, so the Committee decided to change the Oregon numbering system to a new system using alpha codes (banding codes). We also added the letter “A” or “N” to indicate if the record was accepted or not accepted. And we added a number to indicate the consecutive order of records for each species. For example, 443-95-08 (Scissor-tailed Flycatcher) becomes STFL-95-08 (A-6). “A-6” indicates that this is the sixth accepted record of this species. Another example: 162-97-08 (King Eider) becomes KIEI-97-08 (N-2). “N-2” indicates that this is the second not-ac- cepted record of this species.

Records Accepted

The following records were accepted by the committee between April and December 2018:

STELLER’S EIDER — STEI-18-04 Short-tailed Albatross, Wink Gross Seaside Cove, Clatsop Co., 1 bird 13 January 2018 through 17 March 2018 (Adrian Hinkle, Sally Hill, Ken Chamberlain, Trent HUDSONIAN GODWIT — HUGO-17-30 Bray, Isaac Denzer, Dave Irons, Jack Williamson; photos by Siuslaw River south jetty, Lane Co., 1 bird on 24 May 2017 Isaac Denzer, Sally Hill, Adrian Hinkle, Ken Chamberlain, Trent (Mark Nikas). Bray, Owen Schmidt, Jack Williamson) (photo below). HUDSONIAN GODWIT — HUGO-18-31 COMMON GROUND-DOVE — COGD-14-08 One bird at Pelican Pond, Fern Ridge Reservoir, Lane Co., 15 Rhinehart Canyon access road, Union Co., 25 May 2014 (details August 2018 (details and photos Tye Jeske). Aaron Beerman). Accepted as Species Unresolved. LITTLE STINT — LIST-18-10 Wickiup Reservoir boat ramp, Deschutes Co., 1 bird on 8-10 September 2018 (details Peter Low and Jim Moodie; photos Jim Moodie and Craig Miller).

WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER — WRSA-18-06 Necanicum River estuary, Clatsop Co., 1 bird on 22 May 2018 (details Nels Nelson; photos Owen Schmidt)

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL —LBBG-17-09 Arlington, Gilliam Co., 1 bird on 25 December 2017 (report and photos by Russ Namitz).

SLATY-BACKED GULL — SBGU-18-11 Rainier City Park, Rainier, Columbia Co., 1 bird on 18 February 2018 (details and photos by NM; photos by NM, Colby Neuman, and Nels Nelson.

SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS — STAL-17-21 Observed and photographed on pelagic trip, approximately 40 miles west of Newport, Lincoln Co., 9 December 2017 (Wink Gross) (photo above).

ASHY STORM-PETREL — ASSP-14-12 Steller’s Eider, Owen Schmidt From 1 to possibly 4 birds seen on pelagic trip off Coos Co., 26 September 2014 (Russ Namitz, photos by Tom Shreve)

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 33 GREAT SHEARWATER — GRSH-18-03 Records Not Accepted One bird, seen and photographed on pelagic trip off Lincoln Co., 15 September 2018 (details and photos by Tim Shelmerdine). The following records were reviewed by the Committee and not accepted: BROWN BOOBY — BRBO-18-16 Yaquina Head, Lincoln Co., 1 bird on 12 April 2018, resting THICK-BILLED MURRE — TBMU-18-18 on rock. Details and photos: Wayne Hoffman, Marty Bray, and Tierra del Mar beach, Tillamook Co., 1 fyover 8 January 2018. Jeannie Bray Not accepted as sighting was brief and at a distance; could not rule out other, similar species. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER —STFL-18-24 North spit Coos Bay, Coos Co., 25 May 2018 (details and photos EASTERN PHOEBE — EAPH-18-27 by Dave Lauten, Kathy Castelein). Tillamook, Tillamook Co., 1 mile west of 101, 1 bird on 1 June 2018. Description and photos did not rule out Vermilion Fly- PLUMBEOUS VIREO — PLVI-18-14 catcher or Say’s Phoebe. Page Springs Campground, Harney Co., 17 August 2018. Two birds, one singing (details and photos Noah Strycker). PLUMBEOUS VIREO — PLVI-18-13 Fields, Harney Co., 28 May 2018, 1 bird. Description was brief CALIFORNIA THRASHER — CATH-17-05 and did not rule out similar species. Ashland, Jackson Co., 21 May 2017; two birds on residential back deck (details Ray and Kit Stanford). WHITE WAGTAIL — WHWA-17-10 Cape Blanco Rd, approximately one mile east of Pacifc Ocean, HOARY REDPOLL — HORE-18-03 Curry Co., 1 bird on 26 September 2017. Insuffcient description Outside Lostine, Wallowa Co., 1 bird with fock of Common does not rule out other, similar species. Redpolls, 20 January 2018 (details and photos by Janet Kelly, Trent Bray, Nagi Aboulenein, Colby Neuman, Ken Chamberlain, YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER — YTWA-17-10 Peyton Cook). Corvallis, Benton Co., 1 bird on 3 October 2017. Incomplete description did not rule out other possible warblers. LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH — LAGO-18-18 Cantrall-Buckley Park, Jackson Co., 27-28 May 2018, 1 male DICKCISSEL — DICK-74-23 (details and photos by Anne Goff). South Beach, Lincoln Co., 1 bird on 24 September 1974. Experienced observer did not report because OBRC was not in LAWRENCE’S GOLDFINCH — LAGO-18-19 existence at the time. Reported to OBRC in 2017 by a friend. One adult with four juveniles on a branch, 9 July 2018, Provolt Not accepted because of time lapse and original observer not Pond, Josephine Co. (details Anne Goff). available to report.

COMMON GRACKLE — COGR-18-43 So. Beach Rd. in Bandon, Coos Co., 15 May 2018, 1 bird (de- Submit a Rare Bird Report tails and photo by Alan Brockway). The Oregon Bird Records Committee is making an effort to BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER — BLBW-18-18 obtain reports of rare birds that we may have missed. If you Fields, Harney Co., 1 male on 28 May 2018 (details and photos have seen or photographed what you believe to be a rare by Eric, Andrew, and Bruce Pratt) bird and have not yet submitted a report to OBRC, please consider doing so now. CANADA WARBLER — CAWA-18-12 Fields, Harney Co., 1 bird on 28 May 2018 (Casey Cunning- You may report sightings that took place as long ago as ham). you wish. To submit your report, you may use the online form at the OBA website, https://oregonbirding.org, or you DICKCISSEL — DICK-18-24 can email your report and photos to the OBRC secretary at Philomath Sewage Treatment Ponds, Benton Co., 17 October [email protected]. 2018 (details and photos by Hendrik Herlyn and Isaac Denzer). If you are unsure if the bird you saw is considered rare, send “BEWICK’S” TUNDRA SWAN — BESW-18-07 your submission anyway and we will reply to you. We are Smith Rd., Halsey, Linn Co., 1 adult and 1 juvenile in fock of always happy to receive reports and photos. Tundra Swans, 25 January 2018 (photos and details by Sally Hill and Deanna Emig). Note: Adult believed to be the same bird as in records BESW-16-05 and BESW-17-06.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 34 2018 Oregon Listing Results - Summary Paul T. Sullivan

Snow Geese, Nels Nelson hese Oregon Listing Results include the efforts of 340 birders spanning many years. Thank you to the 130 75 birders reported county year lists in 2018. However, no Tbirders who submitted numbers this year. Welcome to birder submitted a year list for Gilliam, Jefferson, or Malheur the 17 new participants who joined us for the frst time. To give County. context to this year’s numbers, I have carried forward numbers from 184 other birders, plus 26 deceased birding friends. New County Life List Records:

Notable statewide achievements: Benton 289 Hendrik Herlyn Jeff Harding, Jay Withgott, and Lars Skalnes passed the mark of Columbia 244 Don Coggswell 400 species in Oregon. 73 birders have now reached that mark. Crook 283 Chuck Gates Deschutes 332 Tom Crabtree The top Oregon Life List stands at 498 species (Jeff Gilligan). Gilliam 208 Darrel Faxon Will Wright posted the highest state year list at 345 species for Josephine 255 Dennis Vroman the second year in a row. 56 birders submitted state year lists for Klamath 318 Kevin Spencer 2018. Lincoln 388 Darrel Faxon Marion 278 Roy Gerig Participation in the Birds Photographed in Oregon category Multnomah 301 John Fitchen increased to 66 people. Tom Crabtree tops that list with 440 Tillamook 305 Wink Gross, Jeff Gilligan species. Umatilla 295 Aaron Skirvin Union 291 Trent Bray Tait Anderson tops the Motorless Life and Year Lists with 305 and 232, respectively. These categories saw 22 and seven partic- Notable Local Listing Achievements: ipants, respectively. 15 mi. Circle Count Life 276 Tom Crabtree, Bend CBC 15 mi. Circle Count 2018 193 Philip Kline, Sauvie Island The Western Oregon and Eastern Oregon Life list categories CBC circle grew to 22 and 19 participants, respectively. Paul Sullivan tops Favorite Refuge 275 Rick Vetter, Malheur NWR the Western Oregon list at 411 and Tom Crabtree the Eastern Favorite Spot 253 Tim Rodenkirk, North Spit, Oregon list at 384. Coos Bay

Notable County Listing achievements: Number of participants in local listing: Three more birders reached the goal of 100 species in each of 15 mi. Circle Count Life 31 Oregon’s 36 counties: Aaron Skirvin, Howard Horvath, and 15 mi. Circle Count 2018 8 Mary Oppenheimer. 26 people have now reached that goal. Favorite Refuge 32 Favorite Spot 31 Ken Chamberlain reached the goal of 125 species in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. Yard Life List: 63 yard lists are listed, representing a variety of sizes, habitats, and duration of observation. Everyone’s yard list Two more birders have reached the goal of seeing 150 species is a notable achievement, no matter the number of species. in each of Oregon’s 36 counties: Tim Shelmerdine and Russ Namitz. Congratulations to all of you, and everyone who participated! Thank you to all who submitted Listing Results this year. We New County Year List Records: hope to hear from even more of our friends next year. Grant 188 Jimi Soupir This broke a county year list record that had stood for 30 years! The complete listing results can be found on the OBA website at Congratulations, Jimi. https://oregonbirding.org/listing/. Columbia 208 Philip Kline

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 35 Mid-Columbia Field Notes Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam Counties by Jeff Hayes

fock of 55 Snow Geese was at Arlington on Mar 12 Just shy of a dozen Tundra Swans were found at Government (Ken Chamberlain). Three lingered at PRW from Apr Cove on Nov 6 (SS), 13 were at PRW on Nov 4 (SL, Will Law- A28 to May 6 (David Mandell). Snow Geese were more rence), 16 were at PRW on Dec 8 (Will Lawrence, BCT), and a regular in the fall, with several November records including 105 single was recorded several times in December near JDD (mult. at Seufert Park east of The Dalles on Nov 30 (Matt Cahill) and observers). seven at the HRW from Nov 3 to Dec 15. The only spring report of Greater White-fronted Goose was a fyover fock heard on Apr A few Blue-winged Teal were reported from south Sherman 21 along the John Day River (W. Douglas Robinson). Sever- County in May (Matt Cahill, Jen Sanford). Four were among al fall reports included 15 at Wapinitia on Oct 2 (Silas Lewis, many other dabblers at TDRP, The Dalles (Louisa Evers), and Brodie Cass Talbott), 12 at Billboard Basin, The Dalles on Nov 3 two were at The Hook on Oct 25 (Jo Popma). A Eurasian Wi- (Andy Frank, Nick Mrvelj, BCT), and one at Driver Rd., Wamic geon was at Lone Pine, The Dalles on Jan 5 (SL). Canvasback on Dec 29 (Craig Tumer). Nov 6 produced two Brant records for appeared on the Columbia River in many locations from Novem- the region: one at The Hook, on the west end of HRW (Stefan ber through March. 10 were seen on Jan 12 at Arlington (AF), 10 Schlick, mult. observers), and three at Lone Pine, The Dalles were at the mouth of the Deschutes River on Jan 20 (Terry Lit- (SS). 10 Cackling Geese were found on Feb 10 in the Hood tle), and 11 were seen on Dec 25 (SS). One was seen at WCWA River Valley (Jeff Harding, Jim Kopitzke). The usual fall reports on Jun 16 (Pete Szasz). Six Redheads were on ponds in south of one to three birds from October through November occurred Sherman County on Apr 22 (WDR) and two were at WCWA Jun along the Columbia River with one found Dec 27 at the mouth 16 (Pete Szasz). Most fall and winter reports of Redheads along of the John Day River (Nolan Clements), two were picked out the Columbia involved fewer than fve birds, although 14 were among Canadas near Tygh Valley on Dec 27 (Joe Blowers, Jeff seen at PRW on Jan 15 (Casey Storey). An adult male Tufted Hayes), and one found at Driver Rd., Wasco County on Dec 29 Duck (photo below left) appeared at The Hook on Nov 10 (John (CT). Two Trumpeter Swans were at PRW on Mar 14 (Wink Bishop, Linda Gilbert), and was seen by many through the end Gross, Jack Hurt), and 10 or 11 birds were seen at The Hook on of November. Up to 100 Greater Scaup were noted among the Nov 11 (Caleb Centanni, Nolan Clements, Russ Morgan). diving ducks at The Hook (mult. observers) whereas higher numbers occurred at Arlington: 200 reported on Jan 28 (Bob Sizoo, E. Thomas), and 770 reported on Mar 1 (Dan Froehlich).

A drake Greater Scaup lingered at The Hook from Jun 13 to 17 (Ben Frueh, Kai Frueh, Stuart Johnston). Up to 500 Scaup (100 Greaters) were at The Hook on Nov 18. A pair of Harlequin Ducks was found at Powerdale Corridor, Hood River, from Apr 29 to May 6 (mult. observers). A hen was found on May 28 on the West Fork of Hood River (Brent Emmons) and a hen with four ducklings was sighted on Jun 11 at Tollbridge (SJ). Three hens were on the West Fork of Hood River on Aug 4 (Gloria Beerman). An amazing 23 Surf Scoters were observed at two lo- cations on the HRW on Oct 8 (Peyton Cook, Philip Kline, Colby Neuman). One lingered through Nov 7. Two were at TDRP on Oct 14 (Louisa Evers), while one drake was seen through Nov 13 (mult. observers). An immature Surf Scoter was at the mouth of the Deschutes River on Nov 3 (AF, NM, BCT). A probable female White-winged Scoter was discovered at The Hook on Oct 22 (Daniel Casey, Scott Somershoe) and remained through Nov 6. An apparent hybrid female Long-tailed Duck was spotted Tufted Duck, Bill Tice among the diving ducks at The Hook on Nov 18 (Russ Morgan).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 36 Barrow’s Goldeneye occurred in focks of fewer than 25 birds along the Columbia River during fall and winter months and a few summered at Cascade lakes. An amazing 400 Common Goldeneye were at Arlington on Mar 1 (Dan Froehlich). A female Red-breasted Merganser was photographed at Ball Lane Pond on Apr 22 (WDR) and a female was at The Hook from Oct 24 to 25 (Jo Popma, WDR).

Mountain Quail were found only in Hood River and west Wasco Counties. A covey of seven was found on Sep 30 at Tom McCall Preserve (Steve Nord). Chukar (photo right) were found in arid riparian canyons along the Deschutes, John Day, and lower White Rivers, including eight seen on Sep 6 near Maupin (Ryan Downey). Gray Partridge continue to inhabit central Wasco County and were widespread in Gilliam County, with no reports from Sherman County. Ruffed Grouse were secretive, with only a few reports, including one on Apr 22 along Lost Valley Road, south Gilliam County (KC). Sooty Grouse were sparingly re- ported. A family group was seen west of Dufur on May 27 (Dave Chukar, Mark Baldwin Catterson), and one was at Tom McCall Preserve on Sep 30 (Steve Nord). Wild Turkey continue to be locally common across Hood River, Wasco and north Sherman Counties. Two July reports of Black-chinned Hummingbird came from Hood River County: one on Jul 15 at Mount Hood National For- 11 Horned Grebes were found at the mouth of the Deschutes est Trail 600 (CN); and one on Jul 27 at Sakura Farm southwest River on Oct 13 (JBi), and 27 were at The Hook on Oct 24 of Hood River (Jeremy Nance). A probable immature male An- (WDR). An early Red-necked Grebe appeared on Sep 5 at Mayer na’s Hummingbird was photographed at DRSP on Mar 5 (CN), State Park (Vickie Buck), one was seen by many at The Hook one was found at Wasco on Sep 10 (NM, CN), and one lingered from Nov 12 to Dec 7, and one was at Port of Arlington on Dec at CCSP on Oct 6 (Craig Miller). This species has recently 16 (Aaron Beerman, Gloria Beerman, Stan Beerman). Spring expanded its year-round range to Hood River and The Dalles, Eared Grebe occurrences included one below JDD on Feb 27 with numerous reports of birds both using feeders and natural (Dan Froehlich), one at Hood River on Mar 4 (Linnaea Basden, food sources. One was seen using sapsucker wells in Hood River Joshua Meyers), one at TDRP on Mar 11 (Taylor Jessica Mizzi), Nov 29 (John Davis). At least two persisted in Maupin through and one at the mouth of Philippi Canyon (WDR). Three were late December (SL, BCT), the last recorded Dec 27 on the Tygh sighted at Condon Sewage Lagoons on Aug 20 (Russ Namitz), Valley CBC. A Calliope Hummingbird was detected on May 19 one was at The Hook from Sep 11 to Nov 15 (mult. observers), at Wasco City Park (AF, PK, NM, CN). and two were there on Oct 24 (WDR). Other fall and early winter reports of one to two birds came from TDRP from Oct Virginia Rail were present during May through August in all four 6 to Dec 25 (SJ et al.), and on Oct 8 at DRSP (PC, CN). Away counties, with one bird at Powerdale Corridor on May 6 (JBi), from the Columbia River, one Western Grebe was found on Sep the only Hood River County report. One to two birds were pres- 25 at PRW (SS, BCT), one was on the Deschutes River on Oct ent September through December at Bargeway Road wetlands, 19 (VB, Sally Hill), and two were at Pine Hollow Reservoir on The Dalles (Courtney Kelly Jett, SJ, mult. observers). A Sora Dec 8 (Will Lawrence, BCT). A Clark’s Grebe was found on Jul frequented two small wetlands at River Rd./Bargeway Rd., frst 24 at JDD (Adrian Hinkle), one was at TDRP on Oct 7 (SL) and found May 1 (SJ). There were multiple reports at Bargeway from seen through Oct 12, and fnally one was picked out from among Nov 15 to Dec 16, and one was at WCWA on Aug 14 (Dan Ge- many Westerns at The Hook on Nov 11 (Caleb Centanni, Nolan sualdo). A count of 870 American Coots occurred at The Hook Clements, Russ Morgan). on Oct 24 (WDR). A pair of Sandhill Cranes occupied Camas Prairie from Apr 20 to Jun 16, and a pair with two colts was seen Common in Hood River County, the only Wasco County report on Jun 16 (Char Corkran, Emilie Blevins). of Band-tailed Pigeon was four birds at TDRP on Sep 6 (VB). Three Common Poorwill were calling at the powerline corridor Black-necked Stilt reports from Gilliam County included one at along Mount Hood National Forest Road 17 on May 26 (Paul Arlington on Apr 21 (Bill Bradley, Lora Minty, KC), up to eight Sullivan), and one was here Jun 24 (Mike Bogar). A few Vaux’s at WCWA April through May (KC, Noah Strycker, Jay With- Swifts were reported in the town of Wasco on May 19 and Sep gott), one on May 12 at CSL (AB, GB, SB), and one at CSL on 10 (AF, PK, NM, CN). White-throated Swifts occurred at their Aug 20 (RN). American Avocets were found only at WCWA: expected riparian cliffs from April to June, and were numerous eight on Apr 15 (JW) and 10 on May 3 (NS). A handful of Semi- along John Day River from May 10 to 11 (Matt Cahill), and palmated Plovers were found from mid-August to mid-Septem- three were foraging over Criterion on May 12 (Ezra Cohen). ber from Hood River and The Dalles.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 37 Only a single Lesser Yellowlegs was spotted regionwide, at TDRP on Aug 29 (Lee Colten, JO, JS).

Two alternate-plumage Sabine’s Gulls appeared on Sep 3 at mHR (SJ); they were seen again on Sep 9 (Lee Colten, JO, JS). One bird with a full black hood was seen on Sep 20 at TDRP (BCT); it was refound on Sep 25 (SS, BCT). Bonaparte’s Gulls were found in nominal numbers August through November: two at TDRP on Aug 20 (SJ); seven at Pine Hollow Reservoir on Sep 10 (SJ); 11 at Lone Pine on Oct 21 (SJ); up to 10 at HRW from October through Nov 7; up to four at The Dalles through Nov 7; and fve at the mouth of the Deschutes River on Oct 13 (JBi). Two Heermann’s Gulls were at mHR on Nov 3 (Paul Ada- mus, Max Smith). These birds were identifed as an adult and a sub-adult later that day (Adrian Hinkle, NM, BCT, JBi) and not refound the following day. Three thayeri Iceland Gulls and two Mew Gulls were at Arlington on Mar 4 (PC, Adrian Hinkle, NM, Mary Lynn “Em” Scatteregia); an Iceland was among gulls at a Lesser Black-backed Gull, Brodie Cass Talbott landfll south of The Dalles on Feb 18 (SS). A few were at Hood River and The Dalles November through February. An adult Long-billed Curlews were sighted at several locations in Gilliam LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (photo left) was discov- County April through May and up to four birds frequented the ered on Sep 23 at TDRP (David Mandell, AB, GB, SB), and Juniper Flat area near Tygh Valley April through May. Five later that day at Lone Pine (Courtney Kelly Jett, SS, BCT). A Dunlin were at Lone Pine on Jan 5 (SL), three were at mHR on Herring X Glaucous-winged “Cook Inlet” Gull reported on Oct Apr 14 (JBi), 15 were there on Nov 3 (AF, NM, BCT), and two 2 at TDRP was the only large gull present (BCT). An adult was to three birds lingered at The Hook from Nov 7 to 30 (JBi, Terry noted on Nov 3 at Lone Pine (AF, NM, BCT) and reported again Little). on Nov 17 (mult. observers). A total of 48 Caspian Terns were at WCWA on May 3 (NS). Peak Common Tern numbers include Aug 20 brought a major movement of Baird’s Sandpipers: nine 24 at mHR on Sep 3 (SJ), and 36 at mHR on Sep 10 (NM, CN). at TDRP (Lee Colten, John Omer, JS); 20 at CSL (RN); 25 were One was at The Hook on Oct 26 (anonymous). A Forster’s Tern at CSL on Aug 22 (SS); and one to three birds at The Dalles was seen on Jun 16 at mHR (Ben Frueh, Kai Frueh), another through Sep 9. A Least Sandpiper was sighted at Billboard Basin was found on Jun 16 at WCWA (Paul Adamus), and fve were at on Jan 1 (JHo, SH, Bill Tweit). Four Pectoral Sandpipers were at The Hook on Sep 10 (Barbara Johnson). TDRP on Aug 20 (Lee Colten, JO, JS), three on Aug 22 at CSL (SS), three on Sep 6 at Dufur Sewage Lagoons (VB), and one at A Pacifc Loon was noted in close company with a Common TDRP on Oct 6 (Louisa Evers). One was at mHR on Oct 6 (JO), Loon on Oct 18 at the mouth of the Deschutes River (PC, PK, and two were there on Oct 8 (PC, PK, CN). Two Sanderlings CN); possibly the same bird was seen on Oct 27 (also riding appeared on Sep 3 at mHR (SJ). Single Semipalmated Sandpip- close in with a Common Loon) at The Dalles (SJ). A basic-plum- ers were found on Jul 30 at TDRP (SJ), one was there on Aug 20 aged or immature Common Loon was at Celilo Park on May 19 (SJ), one was seen among many peeps on Aug 20 at CSL (RN), (NM, CN) and another was at PRW on Jun 3 (BCT). Up to 400 and one was seen on Aug 22 at Moro Sewage Lagoons (Tim American White Pelicans gathered below JDD by late sum- Shelmerdine). Three were seen at TDRP on Aug 29 (Lee Colten, mer, and a few were found there through October. Great Egrets JO, JS), and one was there on Aug 31 (Lars Norgren). A Short- lingered into December at The Dalles, with two at TDRP on billed Dowitcher, unusual in the spring, was seen and heard at Dec 16 (Cheryl Grifftts, Richard Laubach); one was seen Dec mHR on May 2 (SJ). Four Long-billed Dowitchers remained at 29 and 31 at nearby Taylor Lake (Christopher Lindsey, CT). A The Hook on Nov 8 (BB, LM). Green Heron was at mHR on Jun 17 (Ben Frueh, Kai Frueh), one was found at DRSP on Oct 8 (PC, PK, CN). There were a few Five Red-necked Phalaropes were at CSL on May 12 (SB), scattered reports of Black-crowned Night-Herons along the Co- eight were there on May 20 (BB, LM), and one was at a vernal lumbia River. The longtime roost at Nichols Basin, Hood River pond northwest of The Dalles on May 14 (SJ). CSL was the held only one adult and one immature bird from Sep 3 through phalarope hotspot, with two Red-necked there on Aug 20 (RN), Dec 12 (SJ et al.); a juvenile was at PRW on Jul 23 (SL, BCT). fve Wilson’s on May 20 (AB,GB), and one Wilson’s on Aug 22 An adult was found on May 13 at LePage Park, Sherman County (Tim Shelmerdine). A hybrid Red x Red-necked Phalarope was (Peter Dunwiddie, Peter Zika), and one was at WCWA. at TDRP on Aug 29 (SJ). A hardy Spotted Sandpiper was on the Deschutes River, north of Maupin, on Dec 27 (SL, BCT). A Sol- A Northern Goshawk made an appearance along the Historic itary Sandpiper shared the vernal pool northwest of The Dalles Highway Trail, east of Hood River, on May 6 (JBi). One was on May 14 (SJ); one was at Rufus Sewage Lagoons on Aug 20 to noted on Dec 27 in the Tygh Valley (Joe Blowers, Jeff Hayes). 22 (RN, Tim Shelmerdine); and another was at CSL on Aug 20 Two Red-shouldered Hawks were found on Jul 15 along the low- (RN). A single Willet was reported on Apr 21 at WCWA (KC). er Hood River (Jenneifer Scoby), and single sub-adult birds were

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 38 found on Aug 5 at Maupin (BCT) and Aug 22 at TDRP (SJ). A probable migrant appeared on Oct 3 on Cooper Spur Rd. (Sam- uel Holman). Swainson’s Hawks were found April through July from central Wasco County and east through Gilliam County. A pair with juveniles was found on Jul 14 at Juniper Flat (BCT). One was at TMP on May 5 (BCT), a single migrant was spot- ted at BB on Sep 26 (Caleb Hansen et al.), and a late bird was reported on Oct 18 at DRSP (S. Keefer). Single migrant Rough- legged Hawks were found on Oct 10 and Oct 20 at BB hawk- watch. One was at Mt. Hood Meadows on Nov 22 (Mike Bogar). Two Ferruginous Hawk sightings occurred in Wasco County in June, and there was one April report each in Sherman and Gil- liam Counties. A migrant passed by BB on Sep 26.

Barn Owl reports were scattered across the more arid parts of the region. One bird was seen in a nest cave at CCSP (WDR). A nesting pair of Western Screech-Owls was found in Wehrli Canyon, Gilliam County on May 4 (NS), and two juveniles were found there on May 8 (Mark Ludwick). A Burrowing Owl Swamp Sparrow, Bill Tice photographed on Nov 17 at Hastings Ridge Road east of Dufur provided the only report for the region (Calley Lovett). A Long- GB, SB) and CCSP on Jan 13 (Craig Miller). Four black-billed eared Owl was found attending a nest with two owlets in south- Magpies were reported at Cascade Locks on Aug 22 (PS). west Gilliam County on Mar 31 (BB, LM), and one was located A Clark’s Nutcracker appeared near Parkdale on Jun 10 (Jon near Shaniko on Jun 6 (Karen Adams). Two Short-eared Owls Isacoff). Hundreds of American Crows were seen fying to roost were found near Condon on Apr 21 (KC), two individuals were east of White River Falls State Park on Oct 13 (Gary Granger, seen in southeast Wasco County the frst week of June (Karen Rebecca Provorse); few birds remain in this area in winter. Adams, BCT), and three were seen in central Gilliam County on Jun 26 (Tim Shelmerdine). A singing Red-eyed Vireo was located at Whyte Park on May 26 (JSi). An adult Horned Lark was seen feeding a juvenile at Coo- Williamson’s Sapsuckers were detected April through May at per Spur, Mt Hood on Aug 2 (Thomas Cable); one was at The LVR pine forest (KC, NS, JW). Two Red-naped Sapsuckers and Hook on Oct 24 (WDR). A few Purple Martins were noted at 325 Northern Flickers passed by BB Sep 26 (Caleb Hansen). Cascade Locks and HRW from May through August: no nesting A Red-breasted Sapsucker was found at DRSP on Mar 4 (PC, was noted. One was near The Dalles on May 21 (SJ); and one at Adrian Hinkle, NM, Mary Lynn “Em” Scatteregia). A group of TDRP on Aug 13 (SJ). Exceptionally early, eight Violet-green four Lewis’s Woodpeckers was at HHT May 5 (JBi); 112 were Swallows were at Seufert Park on Jan 24 (Cathy J. Flick). A counted in central Wasco County on the Tygh Valley CBC Dec fock of 50 to 100 Bank Swallows was at Tygh Valley on May 5 27. The only American Three-toed Woodpecker reports came (Audrey Addison, Max Smith, Sarah Swanson). A few pairs nest- from Mt. Hood on Jul 16 (CN) and Oct 7 (Camden Bruner, Ca- ed in a sand pile at Rufus May 27 (JSi). Only a few were noted sey Hase). A Black-backed Woodpecker was found near Mitchell at the colony south of The Dalles; whereas 20 were at WCWA on Pt. Jun 1 (SH) and there were many sightings in typical Cascades Aug 19 (RN). Two very early Barn Swallows were found at The habitat. No White-headed Woodpeckers were reported. Single Dalles on Feb 14 (BCT). Black-capped Chickadees were found Prairie Falcons passed over BB Sep 28 and Oct 4. at Whyte Park on May 27 (JSi) and at Thirtymile there were two birds on Jun 27 (Tim Shelmerdine). A Mountain Chickadee was Single Willow Flycatchers were found on Jun 25 at Boul- found at Middle Rock Creek Feb 28 (JS); one was near JDD on der Lake (Joe Liebezeit), on Jun 30 on Lost Lake Rd. (Jacob Apr 14 (JW). “Interior” form Bushtits were found in focks of Durrent, JS) and on Jul 9 at Antelope (VB, SH). Late May 20 to 50 birds in riparian areas of south Gilliam and Sherman brought migratory empids through the wheat country, such as Counties during the non-breeding season; a pair was in Wehrli the Dusky Flycatcher found on May 4 at CCSP (NS), and a Canyon on May 4 (NS). Pygmy Nuthatches were found as usual Pacifc-slope Flycatcher on May 26 at LVR (Jamie Simmons). in Ponderosa pines in west Wasco County; eight were found on A Black Phoebe was reported on Aug 12 at WRGMA HQ for Apr 22 at LVR pines (KC). a possible frst Wasco County record (Ellis Vonasek fde Peter Barnes). An early Say’s Phoebe appeared at lower Deschutes A Rock Wren was located at CCSP on Jan 20 (Bob Archer), River above DRSP on Jan 20 (Bob Archer). Ash-throated Fly- one was singing on May 20 at Warren Lake (CN), and one was catchers were found at HHT on May 3 (Charles Quinn) and on on Mt. Hood on Jul 28 (Chris Rurik). Wintering Pacifc Wrens May 6 (JBi); one was at The Hook on May 22 (SJ). occurred at CCSP on Jan 28 (Bob Archer), DeMoss Park on Dec 22 (Eric Carlson, MS, SSw), and near Friend on Dec 27 (Char Eastern Kingbirds occurred in west to central Wasco County Corkran, Emilie Blevins). There were several additional records from May through August, mostly in riparian groves. Winter from DRSP from November 2018 through March 2019. Loggerhead Shrikes were found on Dec 16 at Arlington (AB,

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 39 Wintering Marsh Wrens were found on Jan 28 at CCSP (Bob Archer); two were found on Dec 16 at WCWA (AB, GB, SB); another was found at Bargeway wetland, The Dalles, on Dec 16 (Char Corkran, Joshua Holman, Samuel Holman); two were found in central Wasco County on the Tygh Valley CBC on Dec 27; and several reports came from DRSP November 2018 through March 2019. American Dippers were seen feeding young at Tollbridge Park on Jul 28 (Harry Fuller). Sage Thrash- ers were sparingly reported: one on Apr 15 and Apr 21 near Moro (Craig Miller, WDR), one on May 25 near Ajax (JBi), and two reports in south Wasco County in May through June (BB, LM, Karen Adams). A Northern Mockingbird was photographed on Aug 12 at Bruckert Lane in northeast Sherman County (Kathy Thompson).

Evening Grosbeaks were sparse away from the Cascades; a female was at Condon city park on May 26 (JSi). The single report of Pine Grosbeak came from Camp Baldwin on Jul 8 (Ken Pahlas). A male Common Redpoll visited a feeder in Maupin Jan Great-tailed Grackle, Angela Calabrese 4 (SL). in for a big surprise when they discovered over 700 Tricoloreds A wandering probable Type 3 Red Crossbill was at CCSP Apr 21 mixed in with other blackbirds and starlings (CN, JW). (WDR). Three Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were at Mt. Hood Meadows on Feb 10 (Erik Gauger), and fve were located at Western Meadowlark can be tough to fnd in Hood River County, Mitchell Pt. west of Hood River on Apr 18 (JS). Only one Snow but two to three birds were at HRM from Nov 7 to 11 (JBi). A Bunting was reported from across the region, from Ketchum Rd. male Great-tailed Grackle (photo above) appeared at Dodson west of The Dalles on Nov 12 (Calley Lovett). No longspurs Rd., WRGMA on May 26 (Angela Calabrese, David Mandell). were reported. An Orange-crowned Warbler was located at DRSP on Jan 17 (KC, CN); two birds, one “Gray-headed” and one ‘lutescens,’ Grasshopper Sparrows were found in early June near Shaniko were there Mar 5 (CN). “Townsend’s/Hermit” Warblers were (Karen Adams); they were not reported from central Was- plentiful in the Cascades, with no sightings of hybrids reported. co County, or from Gilliam or Sherman Counties. A Harris’s A probable Palm Warbler was found at The Hook on Nov 15, Sparrow was discovered on Oct 28 at The Hook (John Davis). and the bird was active and vocalizing (Courtney Kelly Jett). A clearly different bird with more black markings was photo- graphed there on Nov 7 (JBi); one bird frequented a yard in ABBREVIATIONS: Maupin thru December (SL, BCT); one was at WCWA on Dec AB - Aaron Beerman LM - Lora Minty 1 (Jeff Dillon). A few White-throated Sparrows were present GB - Gloria Beerman NM - Nick Mrvelj during the colder months; two were at DRSP Nov 3 (AF, NM, SB - Stan Beerman RN - Russ Namitz BCT). A Lincoln’s Sparrow and a Savannah Sparrow were seen JBi - John Bishop CN - Colby Neuman at Oak Springs Rd. on Dec 27 (CN, JW). The only Sagebrush BB - Bill Bradley JO - John Omer Sparrow report came from SSCP on Apr 21 (WDR). Summering VB - Vickie Buck WDR - W. Douglas Robinson Vesper Sparrows were noted mainly from south Gilliam County; KC - Ken Chamberlain JS - Jen Sanford one was at Mt. Hood Meadows Jul 28 (Harry Fuller). A Swamp PC - Peyton Cook SS - Stefan Schlick Sparrow (photo previous page) was found at DRSP Mar 4 (PC, AF - Andy Frank JSi - Jamie Simmons Adrian Hinkle, NM, Mary Lynn “Em” Scatteregia); another SH - Sally Hill NS - Noah Strycker bird lingered at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center from Nov SJ - Stuart Johnston BCT - Brodie Cass Talbott 15 to Dec 7 (KC, Zack Schlanger, BCT). The only Green-tailed PK - Philip Kline CT - Craig Tumer Towhee was reported on May 29 west of Rock Creek Res. (BB, SL - Silas Lewis JW - Jay Withgott LM). Yellow-breasted Chats were sparingly reported, with sev- eral sightings along lower John Day and Deschutes Rivers. One BB - Bonney Butte Hawkwatch was at White River Falls State Park on Jun 7 (Jeanelle Richard- CCSP - Cottonwood Canyon State Park son). A Yellow-headed Blackbird was in with the mixed black- CSL - Condon Sewage Lagoons bird/starling fock on Oak Springs Rd. on Dec 27 (CN, JW). DRSP - Deschutes River State Park Tricolored Blackbirds were only reported from central Wasco mHR - mouth of the Hood River County, with several reports from Victor Rd.: 15 on Feb 10 (Eric HRW - Hood River Waterfront Carlson, Max Smith, Sarah Swanson); 60 on Mar 14 (Jack Hurt, JDD - John Day Dam Wink Gross); 60 on Jun 10 (Shawneen Finnegan, Dave Irons), PRW - Price Road Wetlands plus a few other spring sightings of smaller numbers. The count- TDRP - The Dalles Riverfront Park ers on the Oak Springs Rd. portion of the Tygh Valley CBC were WCWA - Willow Creek Wildlife Area

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 40 Central Oregon Field Notes Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, and Wheeler Counties by Chuck Gates

or this article, Central Oregon will be defned as the area Chukar were confned to multiple locations in Jefferson County encompassing Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and Wheeler with no reports from Crook and Deschutes. Chukars were noted FCounties. Many ecosystems and microclimates combine to multiple times in Wheeler County where they are relatively provide a diversity of habitats unique to our region. abundant. Gray Partridge continue their steady decline toward local extirpation with no reports coming in from Crook or Jef- Even though we are frmly planted in the high desert, Central ferson Counties in 2018 and only one report from Stone Cabin Oregon has enough water to attract a good variety of waterfowl. Creek in Wheeler County on May 12 (Char Corkran). Mountain The Emperor Goose (photo below) that frst showed up in Quail were seen or heard on about 20 different occasions and November 2017 in Bend, stayed through May 2018 and was last from all four counties. Greater Sage-Grouse were seen by multi- seen on May 27 (Deanna Emig). Cackling Geese were noted in ple observers at the Millican Lek east of Bend in the spring with high numbers with 18 reports received and a high count of 24 a seasonal high count of only seven birds. The long-term viabil- coming from Houston Lake in Crook County on Oct 31 (Chuck ity of this lek is certainly in question. A lone Dusky Grouse was Gates). White Geese are diffcult to fnd in Wheeler County, so found in the high Ochoco Mountains on Sep 18 (CG, JM, Don a Snow Goose on Bridge Creek on Oct 31 (Mark Gonzalez) was Sutherland). In Wheeler County, Dusky Grouse were located at important. Trumpeter Swan was tallied only once in 2018 with South Fork Rd. on Jun 18 (Nancy Stotz), at the Black Canyon two birds turning up on the Crooked River on Nov 12 (Tom Wilderness on Jul 21 (Kaplan Yalcin), near the south fork of Mickel). Wind Creek on Oct 15 (Courtney Kelly Jett), and on FR 2630 on Oct 20 (MC). Up to eight different Eurasian Wigeon were noted in Deschutes County (none were recorded in Crook, Wheeler or Jefferson). Generally, Red-necked Grebes, Horned Grebes, and Clark’s An American x Eurasian Wigeon hybrid was well documented in Grebes are considered unusual birds in Central Oregon. Red- Bend on Oct 7 (Matt Cahill). The only Long-tailed Duck report necked Grebe sightings occurred at Ochoco Reservoir on May came in from Suttle Lake on Nov 14 (Judy Meredith). After 12 (CG), at WR on Sep 9 (CKJ), at Haystack Reservoir on Oct several years of increasing Surf Scoter numbers in the fall, 2018 22 (Chris and Pam Scranton), and at Crane Prairie on Oct 22 broke that trend and scoter reports were few and far between. (CKJ). Horned Grebes continue to be more common with as There were no reports of White-winged or Black Scoters in the many as 47 individuals reported throughout the region in 2018. area. Red-breasted Mergansers were found at Hatfeld Lake on Clark’s Grebes were located at Wickiup Reservoir on Jul 22 and Apr 18 and Oct 20 (Peter Low). They were also noted at Wicki- throughout the fall (PL), at Ochoco Reservoir on Sep 26 (Sally up Reservoir in late October through early November (PL). Hill, Vickie Buck), at HaL on Oct 13 (Craig Miller), at HR on Oct 27 (MC), and at Suttle Lake on Oct 21 (Jack Williamson).

The only unusual Columbiform found in Central Oregon this year was the Band-tailed Pigeon. On May 20, a single individual showed up at a Prineville feeder (Leland Bliss) for a rare Crook County record. The East Cascades Audubon Society Fall Raptor Survey Station is near the crest of the Cascades so they often see Band-tailed Pigeons on their raptor counts. Eight birds were tal- lied at the survey station on Sep 30 and a single bird was noted there on Oct 20 (fde David Vick).

Swifts and hummingbirds are common as a group, but some spe- cies are unusual here. Black Swifts were recorded near Tumalo Falls on Aug 12 (JuM) and Aug 29 (Jim Moodie). They were also reported from Bend on Aug 26 (Tom Crabtree) and Mt. Bachelor on Sep 1 (Don Sutherland). Black-chinned Humming- Emperor Goose, Mark Gonzalez birds can be regularly found in Jefferson and Crook Counties,

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 41 but Deschutes County records are unusual. That said, 10 reports of Deschutes County Black-chinned Hummingbirds occurred this year. That was certainly out of the ordinary. A single Costa’s Hummingbird visited a feeder in SE Bend for a few days around Apr 21 (Diane Kook).

To be sure, 2018 was a good year for shorebirds. Single Black-bellied Plovers were found at Houston Lake on May 1 (Tom Penpraze), in Redmond on Sep 7 (Cody Smith), and at HaL on May 9 (JM) and on Oct 24 (PL). An American Gold- en-Plover turned up at the Crooked River Wetlands in Prineville on Jul 6 (Cache Lowe) for a third county record. A Snowy Plo- ver at Houston Lake on May 2 (Wayne Weber) was the second county record. Long-billed Curlews are expected in Crook and Jefferson Counties, but Deschutes County birds are less com- mon. Deschutes County Curlews were found in NE Bend on Mar 31 and WR on Aug 1 (PL). Marbled Godwits were tallied at HaL on Apr 27 (PL), at the Crooked River Wetlands on Jul 5 (CG), and at WR on Aug 18 (PL). Sanderling reports came in from the Crooked River Wetlands on Jul 24 (MG), HR on Sep 14 (Diane Burgess, Claire Weiser) for a second Jefferson County record, and a very late record at WR on Nov 3 (PL). A LITTLE STINT (photo below) was located at WR on Sep 7 (PL) for the Barred Owl, Tom Crabtree second Central Oregon record and the third Oregon record away from the coast. Semipalmated Sandpiper reports were abundant May 19 (Aaron Beerman) and at Houston Lake on Jun 4 (CG). this year from all three counties with over 27 birds reported. A Mew Gull report came in from LaPine on May 19 (Aaron Short-billed Dowitchers were noted at HaL on Jul 4 (Peter Low), Beerman). Herring Gulls are fairly regular at WR in the spring at WR on Aug 12 (PL), and at Hatfeld again on Aug 12 (CM). and fall and this year was no exception. Other locations that Solitary Sandpipers appear to be attracted to the Crooked River produced Herring Gull reports included HR on Oct 6 (Kari Wetlands as good numbers have been there in season since its Freiboth), Ochoco Reservoir on Oct 16 (CG), Redmond Sewer opening in 2017. Others showed up at HaL on four different oc- Ponds on Nov 13 (Judy Meredith), and Crane Prairie on Nov 17 casions, at the Redmond Sewer Ponds on Aug 3 (Cache Lowe), (PL). A Black Tern showed up at WR on Jul 20 (MC, CKJ) and and at WR on Aug 19 (Tom Crabtree). A lone Red Phalarope Common Terns were tallied at the Crooked River Wetlands on was seen at WR on Nov 7 (CKJ). May 2 (Wayne Weber), HR on Sep 9 (Colby Neuman), and in Bend on Oct 5 (Brodie Cass Talbott). Common Terns were also In the high desert, gulls and gull-like birds are not our usual fare. found at WR on Aug 17 (Jerry Lear) and Sep 19 (Sally Hill). A Long-tailed Jaeger was at WR on Jul 22 (PL). The only Sa- bine’s Gull reported this year was at WR on Sep 9 (PL). Frank- A Pacifc Loon was seen at HR on Oct 27 (MC) and that was lin’s Gulls were seen at WR on May 19 (MC) and from Jul 22 the only loon report for the region other than the aptly named through most of August (PL). Reports of more Franklin’s Gulls Common Loon. came from Hatfeld Lake on May 16 (CKJ), on Jun 17 (MC), and on Jul 15 (PL). Franklin’s Gulls were recorded in LaPine on Any heron that is not a Great Blue Heron deserves notice on this report. American Bitterns continued to nest at their histor- ical spot on Houston Lake (CG). Great Egret is fairly common on WR, but unusual sightings occurred at the Crooked River Wetlands on Jul 22 (Kaplin Yalcin), Tumalo Reservoir on Aug 2 (PL), Prineville Reservoir on Aug 22, and the Crooked River Wetlands again on Oct 16 (Sue Brittain) and Oct 29 (MG). The only Green Heron for the area turned up at WR on Aug 18 (PL).

Who doesn’t love a good, hard-to-fnd raptor? Red-shouldered Hawk sightings occurred in a wide range of areas. From Jul 24 through Dec 30 there were at least 10 different birds reported by about a dozen people. Only one BROAD-WINGED HAWK was recorded on the Green Ridge Hawkwatch site near sisters (PL). An unusual August Merlin report came in from Tumalo Reservoir on Aug 19 (Mark and Lisa Hughes) and a Gyrfalcon was spotted during an East Cascades Audubon Society Winter Little Stint, Jim Moodie Raptor Survey near Madras on Dec 25 (Tom Crabtree).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 42 No Burrowing Owls were found in Central Oregon this year af- ter several years that contained reports. Barred Owls (photo pre- vious page, upper right) turned up in 10 locations in 2018 and all were in Deschutes County and most were near the city of Bend. A Boreal Owl was heard calling northwest of Mt. Bachelor on Oct 1 (Craig Turner). Two Long-eared Owls were observed east of Paulina on Jun 7 (Tyler Groo) and another was heard on Butte Creek Rd. north of Fossil on Mar 30 (Tim Shelmerdine). A Short-eared Owl was seen on Puett Rd. in Crook County on Jun 6 for a possible nesting record (Deborah Kaechele).

Central Oregon is often called Woodpecker Wonderland as it has hosted over a dozen species of woodpeckers. Nine American Three-toed Woodpeckers were found in the area with the bulk of the sightings coming from FR 1018 west of Sisters. Other birds were seen at the Brokentop Crater Trail on Aug 7 (Evan Thom- Least Flycatcher, Tom Lawler as), at the Old Santiam Logging Rd. on Aug 28 (Aaron Beer- man), along the Moore Creek Trail on Sep 2 (Peter Low), and At least two Red-eyed Vireos were spotted at the museum in near Cultus Lake on Oct 17 (MC). A rare winter Williamson’s Warm Springs on Jul 14 where they stayed through Aug 14. Sapsucker was seen in Bend on Jan 22 (CKJ). A rare winter Barn Swallow was seen for two weeks near the Crooked River Wetlands starting on Dec 29 (CM). Though very Many Passerines are migratory so the potential for getting lost hard to fnd elsewhere in Central Oregon, Black-capped Chick- and ending up on a rare bird report is perhaps greatest for this adees appear to be annual breeders downstream from Warm group. The following is a summary of Passerine highlights for Springs on the Deschutes River (CG). Chestnut-backed Chicka- 2018. A Least Flycatcher (photo above) spent several days near dees share a similar abundance but breed near the Cascade crest Tumalo Reservoir starting on Jun 14 (PL). In some ways, 2018 in Deschutes and Jefferson Counties (Peggy Merar, Bob Sizoo, was the year of the Black Phoebe. Reports poured in from the Evan Thomas, MC, CM, Alan Mauer). Just two Bewick’s Wren Deschutes River near Bend on Jun 3 (Alec McDonnell), Powell reports came in this year with birds seen at Indian Ford Camp- Butte on Aug 6 (Cindy Zalunardo), and Warm Springs on Aug ground on Jun 2 (Richard Vreeland) and another found in Sisters 8 (fde JuM). A Black Phoebe was found at the Crooked River on Dec 6 (Clay Crofton). Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have become Wetlands on Aug 1 (Milton Vine) and was seen periodically annual nesters in the eastern Crooked River drainage but outside through the end of the year, providing Crook County’s third of that area, they are signifcant. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers were record and Central Oregon’s frst over-wintering Black Phoebe. found in Prineville on Jun 2 (Sally Hill, Vickie Buck), at Lower Bridge on Jun 28 (Bob Sizoo, Evan Thomas), on Gray Butte A Say’s Phoebe turned up on the Madras Christmas Bird Count on Jun 27 (fde JuM), and at Alder Springs on Aug 17 (Diane on Dec 19 (fde Mike Golden) for a rare December record. Burgess, Bob Sizoo). Eastern Kingbirds are annual nesters in eastern Crook County, but birds found at Mill Creek Rd. north of Ochoco Reservoir on Gray Catbird sightings occurred near Sunriver on Jun 6 (Janet Jul 7 (Bill Tice), in Warm Springs on Aug 7 (John Reuland), and Scheel), Smith Rock State Park on Jun 27 (Cynthia Stockwell), at Crane Prairie on Aug 26 (PL) were outstanding. A Loggerhead and at Lake Creek Lodge in Camp Sherman where a pair of Shrike was found east of Paulina on Dec 12 for a rare winter birds were suspected of breeding on Jun 2 (Jeff Nordstrom). A record (CG). Sage Thrasher was seen on Nov 26 northwest of Prineville for a very late record (CG). Due to private property limitations, only one person got to see and photograph Jefferson County’s frst BROWN THRASHER on Feb 2 (Trent Bray) near Willow- dale. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches were found on 10 different occasions with most summer and fall sightings happening along high mountain trails above timberline. Smith Rock State Park had as many as 80 Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches on Feb 10 (PL). Though becoming more common, Purple Finches still warrant mentioning, especially the dozen found at the Prineville Ceme- tery on Jan 12 (MG).

The New Year brought a Common Redpoll (photo left) to Prineville on Jan 1 (Bob Authier) and it was last seen on Jan 13 (JM). A Lapland Longspur showed up at HaL on Oct 13 (CM). Lark Sparrows are hard to fnd in Deschutes County so two birds at HaL on Sep 14 (Jerry Lear) were notable. Common Redpoll, Chuck Gates

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 43 American Redstart, Chuck Gates

A rare Black-throated Sparrow was discovered at HaL on May Great-tailed Grackles appeared in SE Bend on May 7 (fde 15 (CKJ, MC). Sagebrush Sparrows turned up in odd locations JuM), at HaL on May 12 (CM), and at the Crooked River Wet- like the Crooked River Wetlands on Apr 6 (MG) and WR on Aug lands for a Crook County frst record on May 17 (Ron Halvor- 4 and Sep 9 (PL). A surprising LARK BUNTING was reported son). A RUSTY BLACKBIRD spotted on Oct 30 on Deschutes from the John Day Fossil beds on Jun 24 but could not be con- River Slough Pond (Evan Thomas) proved to be the second frmed (Katie LaSalle-Lowery). Deschutes County record. A Northern Waterthrush was found on a local farm pond on Sep 13 for a Crook County frst record While abundant in the breeding season, wintering Savannah (Cindy Zalunardo). Sparrows were, at one time, exceedingly rare. That trend is changing. Winter Savannah Sparrows were seen in Culver on The frst Wheeler County record of Palm Warbler occurred Feb 2 (CG), at HaL on Dec 8 (JM, PL), in Bend on Dec 8 (PL), at the John Day Fossil Beds Painted Hills Unit on Oct 14 (Phil and in Madras on Dec 19 (fde Mike Golden). A Grasshopper Pickering). Two Tennessee Warblers were found at WR on Oct Sparrow was reported from Stone Cabin Rd. in Wheeler County 28 (PL, CM) and a very late Common Yellowthroat was seen at on Jul 9 (Char Corkran). Thick-billed Fox Sparrows are common the same location on Oct 27 (PL). An American Redstart (pho- nesters locally, but their Sooty cousins visit our area in winter to above) spent the day in a Powell Butte yard on Aug 21 (CG) and are much more uncommon. Sooty Fox Sparrows were spot- and a Magnolia Warbler was briefy seen at HaL on Sep 16. ted at 10 different locations in 2018. A Lincoln’s Sparrow was A Chestnut-sided Warbler was photographed east of Bend on seen at Smith Rock State Park on Feb 10 (PL). Swamp Spar- Jun 16 (Gary Clark) and observers were surprised to fnd three rows were tallied at Deschutes River Slough Pond on Nov 2 Yellow-rumped Warblers west of Prineville on Dec 29 (JuM, (PL), at HaL on Nov 4 (PL), and at the Crooked River Wetlands Cindy Zalunardo). on Dec 31 (CM, Marilyn Miller, Paul Adamus).

Central Oregon White-throated Sparrow reports numbered 16 ABBREVIATIONS: for the year which is very high. Harris’s Sparrows were found at 5 different locations in Bend. They were on Jan 1 (PL), a CG - Chuck Gates second bird on Jan 1 (PL), on Dec 4 (Charlene Virts), on Dec 15 CKJ - Courtney Kelly Jett (Howard Horvath), and a second bird on Dec 15 (Tom Crabtree). CM - Craig Miller Harris’s Sparrows were located in Prineville on Nov 30 (MG) JM - Jim Moodie and a very late Golden-crowned Sparrow was a surprise in Pow- JuM - Judy Meredith ell Butte on May 31 (CG). MC - Matt Cahill MG - Mark Gonzalez On Jun 6, breeding Bobolinks were confrmed at their historic PL - Peter Low location on Puett Rd. in eastern Crook County (Deborah Kaech- HaL - Hatfeld Lake ele) and Tricolored Blackbirds were reported throughout the year HR - Haystack Reservoir near Prineville. WR - Wickiup Reservoir

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 44 Klamath and Lake County Field Notes

by Kevin Spencer

ummer 2018 is notable for the persistence of smoke-col- They appear to be yearly now at SLWMA. A Mountain Quail ored skies for much of July and August, with below-av- heard at Hamaker Mountain on Apr 9 may show that species Serage winter and spring precipitation. A remarkable 5500 has expanded in the region (JVM). Another was near Malone White-fronted Geese were reported on Apr 23 at Township Rd. Springs on Sep 16 (Bert and Carena Pooth). A Ruffed Grouse in Klamath County (Kevin Spencer, Dave Haupt), with per- was drumming on May 12 at Silver Creek Marsh Campground sistence into mid-to-late May. More than 10 of the subspecies (JW). Two Sooty Grouse were seen at Hager Mountain on Oct “Tule” were seen at Summer Lake Wildlife Management Area 21 (Craig Miller). A Wild Turkey was seen at Booth Memo- on Sep 6 (KS, DH), where they are known to stop during migra- rial State Park on Aug 13 (Sarah Winnicki), and may also be tion. Cackling Geese were seen at Straits Drain, Lower Klamath expanding in the region. A Common Loon at East Bay Camp- National Wildlife Refuge on Dec 28 (Matthew Dodder). One ground was a notable spring record on May 13 (JW). A possibly male Eurasian Wigeon was spotted somewhat late at Township migrating Red-necked Grebe was at Caledonia Canal on Apr 21 Rd. on Apr 27 (KS, DH), another at East Bay in Lake County on (JVM), and one or two were spotted in what may have been a May 13 (Jay Withgott) and another at SLWMA on Sep 9 (Kara breeding attempt at East Bay Campground from May 12 to 13 Jakse). A Greater Scaup was seen at Campbell Reservoir on Oct (JW). Signifying the importance of private land food irrigation 15 and Shoalwater Bay on Feb 5, both well described by Julie practices, Township Rd. pastures hosted 2300 White-faced Ibis Van Moorhem. on Apr 23 (KS, DH).

One of the best locations to fnd a Long-tailed Duck is Link Four Red-shouldered Hawks, a surprising winter number, were River, Klamath Falls, and one was present there from Mar 29 to seen during the Klamath Falls CBC on Dec 15 (KS). Apr 3 (Dave Potter, JVM, Will Swank). Township Rd. also hosted an above-average concentration of 321 A Red-breasted Merganser was seen at Putnam’s Point, Klamath Black-bellied Plovers on Apr 27 (KS, DH). A Solitary Sand- Falls, from Nov 11 to 24 (DH, KS) and a male and female were piper on Aug 27 (Thomas Brown) and a Sanderling on Sep 15 seen on Apr 27. (Ryan Bushong) both at SLWMA were noteworthy observations. A high of 65 Willet were seen at Township Rd. on Apr 27 (DH, KS). One at SLWMA on Nov 3 seemed late (Mary Yanalcanlin). A rare Red Knot was at Oregon Drain on May 1 (KS, DH), while 136 Greater Yellowlegs were concentrated in Township Road area on Apr 27 (KS, DH). A surprising Stilt Sandpiper was at SLWMA on May 19 (Aaron Beerman). A Whimbrel was seen at SLWMA on May 24 (Coral Walker) and another was at Township Rd. on Apr 23 (KS, DH), where they are typically found yearly.

11 Franklin’s Gulls were at East Bay Campground on May 13 (JW), away from typical agricultural wetlands. 61 were seen at Township Road on Apr 27 (KS, DH). Eight Herring Gulls on Nov 24 (DH, KS), and one “Thayer’s” Iceland Gull on Jan 21 (DH, KS) were at Lake Ewauna. One Mew Gull was seen at Straits Drain Units, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, on Feb 19 (DH, KS) and on Oct 26 one was seen at Putnam’s Point (KS). Counting as they few towards a night roost on the lake, 1260 Bonaparte’s Gulls (KS), and 660 Ring-billed Gulls were reported, both at Putnam’s Point on Oct 26 (KS). 96 Black Terns were counted at the East Bay Campground on May 13 Northern Mockingbird, Howard West (JW).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 45 Bonaparte’s Gull, Howard West

One Common Tern was at Agency Lake on Sep 7 (JVM) and one in Klamath County, on Oct 15 (JVM), and another two were in was at Upper Klamath Lake on Sep 2 (DH). One Band-tailed Klamath Falls, in range of spring movement through the area, on Pigeon was seen at Cabin Lake Campground on Jul 19 (Jeff Sex- Mar 1 (DH). ton) and another in the Agency Lake area on Aug 5 (Wes Stone). A song described as from an Oak Titmouse was heard at Wood A Flammulated Owl was heard in the Pine Grove area of Klamath River Wetlands on Oct. 26, one of the furthest north reports for Falls on Aug 10 (JVM), and another on the north end of Winter Klamath County (David Dwyer). Four Western Bluebirds were Rim on Jun 5 (Aaron Beerman). A Western Screech Owl was seen occupying a nest at Silver Creek Marsh Campground on at Willow Creek Campground, Warner Mountains, on Sep 28 May 12 (JW). (Glenn Reubon), and another was singing on May 11 at Wood River Day Use Area (KS, DH). A Barred Owl, that has been pres- A Swainson’s Thrush was at the north end of Lake Abert on Jun 6 ent at the same location dating back into 2017, was at the Wood (Aaron Beerman, Gloria Beerman). A Gray Catbird was singing River Day Use Area on Jan 13 (DH, KS). A Long-eared Owl was at Wood River Wetlands from Jun 15 to 16 (KS, DH), and another heard calling at Mare’s Egg Spring on May 11 (KS, DH), and two made calls and was seen at Wood River Wetlands on Sep 15 (KS, were at Silver Creek Marsh Campground on Sep 9 (Team Ona). A DH, Frank Lospalluto, Bob Hunter). This could have been the Northern Saw-whet Owl was heard singing at Short Creek Rd. on same bird, present all summer. Despite very small numbers this May 11 (DH, KS). winter, a Sage Thrasher was noted at SLWMA on Dec 18 (Judy Meredith). Near Christmas Valley, a Northern Mockingbird A row of feeders at SLWMA were host to fve Anna’s Humming- was spotted on May 4 (Jack Hurt), another was at the north end birds on Sep 15 (Ryan Bushong). One to four American Three- of Abert Lake on May 8 (Howard West) (photo previous page, toed Woodpeckers were at Fourmile Lake on Oct 20 (KS, DH). lower left). A juvenile Northern Mockingbird showing gape was This continues to be a reliable location to fnd them with bee- photographed at Wingwatcher’s Trail, Klamath Falls on Sep 30 tle-killed lodgepole in the area. Two more were at a burned area (DH), and seen again on Nov 24 with observers noting the light near Cold Springs Trail on Oct 20 (Eric Olson). brownish iris of an immature bird (DH, KS). A Lapland Longspur was at Straits Drain Units, Lower Klamath National Wildlife A Willow Flycatcher was at the north end of Lake Abert on June Refuge on Feb 19 (KS, DH). 6 (Aaron Beerman, Gloria Beerman). A high count of fve Black Phoebe were seen during the Klamath Falls CBC on Dec 15 A Black-and-white Warbler was photographed at Goose Lake (compiler KS). An Eastern Kingbird near Hart Lake on Aug 21 State Park on Aug 26 (Tina Nauman). A Magnolia Warbler was (Robert Keiffer) and a Red-eyed Vireo at Guano Creek in HMN- noted at the oasis on the north end of Lake Abert on Jun 6 (Aaron WR on Jun 1 (William Proebsting) were both great fnds. Beerman, Gloria Beerman). A Chestnut-sided Warbler was photographed at Hart Mountain Hot Springs Campground on Sep 12 Pinyon Jay were spotted at the Willow Valley Reservoir on 4 (Thomas Brown). A Blackpoll Warbler was photographed at Jun 18 (DH) and fve were also there on Oct 13 (JVM). Two SLWMA on Sep 7 (DH, KS). A Yellow-breasted Chat was at Hart American Crows were in the Bly area, a known summer location Mountain Hot Springs Campground on Sep 4 (Thomas Brown).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 46 Five American Tree Sparrow were at Hart Mountain Wildlife Management Area on Dec 19 (Clay Crofton). A LECONTE’S Grant County SPARROW (photo below), a frst county record, was at Wood River Wetlands on Sep 15 (KS, DH, Frank Lospalluto, Bob Field Notes Hunter, Lauren diBiccari, Richard Rusnak).

A lingering winter Swamp Sparrow, initially observed in 2017 (JVM), was at Miller Island WMA from Jan 3 to 7 of 2018 (JVM, Janet Kelly). Much more common now, two White-throated Sparrows were spotted at Kestrel Road, Running Y near Klamath Falls on Feb 2 (JVM), another was at Chiloquin on Oct 14 (Wes Stone), one was at Roosevelt Heights, Klamath Falls from Nov 5 to 8 (Debra Davis), and a fnal sighting was in the town of Klamath Falls on Nov 3 (DH). by Tom Winters

A Harris’s Sparrow was photographed at SLWMA on Dec 18 now Geese were found in the Mt Vernon area in mid- (Craig Miller), and another was photographed at Chiloquin on March (Karen Jacobs, Jim Soupir, Clarence and Marilyn Dec 28 (Wes Stone). SO’Leary) and at the end of March near Prairie City (KJ, JS). One was found on Magone Lake in late October, some were Two male Tricolored Blackbirds were heard on Jun 2, near Adel, near Mt Vernon in mid-November (CMO), near Prairie City in Warner Valley (Tyler Hallman). A Great-tailed Grackle was at early December, and the John Day Valley in mid-December. Summer Lake Lodge on Sep 28 (Gloria Beerman), and a female Greater White-fronted Geese were found in several locations in was seen at the Oregon Drain on Oct 20 (JVM). Juveniles were the John Day Valley during March, at Poison Creek Reservoir in seen at this location earlier in summer. Five more were at Wing Silvies Valley on Sep 22 (Tom Winters) and near Mt Vernon on Watchers Trail, from Nov 1 to 4 (KS, DH). This was a possible Oct 8 (KJ, JS). family group seen using the lake edge as a fight path. There was an unconfrmed sighting of a Brant in the John Day Valley in early March. Cackling Geese were seen near Mt ABBREVIATIONS: Vernon on Mar 28 and on Oct 19 (KJ, JS). Trumpeter Swans KS - Kevin Spencer were seen in Fox Valley on Mar 16 (Mike Bohannon), in Silvies DH - Dave Haupt Valley all spring (MB, TW) and six were seen in the John Day JVM - Julie Van Moorhem Valley on Dec 13 (MB). Tundra Swans were near Mt Vernon on JW - Jay Withgott Mar 16 (KJ, JS), in Bear and Silvies Valleys all spring (Adele SLWMA - Summer Lake Wildlife Management Area and Mark Cerny, KJ, CMO, JS, TW), and four were seen on the John Day CBC on Dec 15 (Barbara and Peter Meyer, TW).

In addition to Mallards, some waterfowl were present every month. Infrequent sightings include: Blue-winged Teal at Holl- iday State Park in August; Canvasback in Silvies Valley on Apr 6 (KJ, JS) and Holliday State Park on Oct 25 (Anne Frost); Red- head in Fox Valley on Apr 1 (KJ, JS) and Silvies Valley on Sep 30 (KJ, JS); and an unconfrmed sighting of a Harlequin Duck at Picture Gorge in March. There was one sighting of Barrow’s Goldeneye near Mt Vernon on Feb 1 (KJ, JS).

You never know where Mountain Quail will show up. This past year they were found in Canyon City in March (Allison Fields), Bear Valley on May 26 (TW), Pine Creek on Jun 3 (KJ, JS), Reynolds Creek on Oct 23 and 29 (MB), at the high school in John Day in October (Randy Hennen), and on the grade below Ritter Butte on Nov 28 (KJ, JS). Gray Partridge seem to be mak- ing a comeback. Usually found near Long Creek, they also were found at the John Day Airport on Aug 13, Aug 21, and Sep 26 (KJ, JS), along North River Rd. near Prairie City on Nov 12 (KJ, JS), and in Fox Valley on Dec 13 (KJ, JS). LeConte’s Sparrow, Frank Lospalluto

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 47 Long-billed Curlews arrived in Bear Valley on Mar 25 (TW). A Semipalmated Sandpiper was seen in Silvies Valley on Sep 7 (KJ, JS). A Solitary Sandpiper was found at Crane Prairie on Jul 3 (KJ, JS). Greater Yellowlegs were seen in Silvies Valley on Apr 6 (TW) and on Apr 12 (KJ, JS). A Franklin’s Gull was spot- ted in Silvies Valley on May 10 (MB). Ring-billed Gulls were seen at Long Creek in March and on Nov 26 (MB), at Dayville on Aug 30 (KJ, JS). A Forster’s Tern was seen in Silvies Valley on May 29 (KJ, JS).

A Double-crested Cormorant was found near Mt Vernon on Oct 15 (KJ, JS). A group of Great Egrets was found near Prairie City on Oct 4 (MB, KJ, JS, TW). A White-faced Ibis was seen in John Day in May (MB, Bill Moloney, Jeannine Sibley, CMO).

Turkey Vultures were frst noted at John Day on Mar 12 (CMO). Osprey were frst seen in John Day on Mar 28 (CMO). A Swain- son’s Hawk was frst noted in Bear Valley on Apr 18 (MB). A Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Clarence O’Leary Ferruginous Hawk was found along the Middle Fork John Day on Jan 23 (KJ, JS). Eared Grebe were found at Holliday State Park on Sep 20 (AF) and Silvies Valley on Sep 30 (KJ, JS). Western Grebe were seen Flammulated Owls were found near Bear Valley on May 20 near Mt Vernon on Oct 8 (KJ, JS). The frst Common Nighthawk (TW) and northwest of Ritter on Nov 11 (Jared Kennedy). A sighting was from Prairie City on May 28 (KJ, JS). The frst Western Screech-Owl was reported near Long Creek on Nov Vaux’s Swift sighting was in John Day on Apr 18 (TW). Hum- 15 (MB, AF). A late Burrowing Owl was reported near Bear mingbird arrivals are as follows: Black-chinned Hummingbird Valley by a rancher, but was not re-found, although TW did fnd at Dog Creek on May 1 (Cecil Gagnon); Anna’s Hummingbird several good burrows. The only Great Gray Owl report was at John Day on Jul 15 (CMO) and one stayed through December from Snowshoe Meadows along the Izee-Paulina Road in May for a frst on the John Day CBC; Rufous Hummingbird at John (Jeannine Sibley). A Long-Eared Owl was fushed at the John Day on Apr 25 (CMO); and a Calliope Hummingbird was at Day Airport in late November. John Day on Apr 20 (CMO). A Broad-tailed Hummingbird (photo above) showed up briefy in John Day on Jun 28 (CMO). An American Three-toed Woodpecker was found in the forest on Aug 28 (MB). In addition to the common “Red-shafted” North- Virginia Rail and Sora took up residence at the Forest Conser- ern Flickers, intergrades and “Yellow-shafted” have been regular vation Area at Prairie City (KJ, JS). The former was also found visitors in John Day most months (CMO). There were several along Canyon Creek in June (Susan Church) and the latter were sightings of Peregrine Falcons this year: Silvies Valley on Apr 6 found elsewhere in the John Day Valley on Jul 8 (MB) and at and Bear Valley on Jul 8 (KJ, JS), and also in Fox Valley in June Dog Creek on Aug 3 (Cecil Gagnon). Sandhill Cranes were frst (Jeannine Sibley). noted from Mt Vernon on Mar 10 (AF). Least Flycatchers were found along the South Fork John Day on Jun 28 (Tim Shelmerdine) and Jun 29 (Audrey Addison) (photo next page above). Gray Flycatchers were seen along Dix- ie Creek on Aug 11 (KJ, JS) and northwest of Monument on Aug 29 (Damon Haan). No Cordilleran Flycatchers were found this year, but Pacifc-slope Flycatchers were found in the Strawberry Wilderness on Jun 3 (KJ, Christopher Lindsey, JS), along the North Fork John Day in the same period (Jeannine Sibley), and at Strawberry Campground on Jun 28 (KJ, JS).

First-of-year swallows: Tree Swallows near Prairie City on Mar 11 (KJ, JS); Violet-green Swallows at Prairie City on Mar 12 (KJ, JS); Northern Rough-winged Swallows near Mt Vernon on Feb 6 (AF); Bank Swallows and Cliff Swallows in April; and Barn Swallows in Prairie City on Apr 22 (KJ, JS). Bushtits were found at the Fossil Beds on Feb 27 (KJ, JS) and Dec 17 (Barbara and Peter Meyer, Gary Wilson, TW), in Mt Vernon on Oct 30 (AF), in John Day on Nov 6 (CMO, Elaine Mezzo), and on the John Day CBC on Dec 15. Green-tailed Towhee, Char Corkran

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 48 Least Flycatcher, Audrey Addison

A Marsh Wren was found in Monument on Apr 1 (KJ, JS) and in Nashville Warbler at Mt Vernon on Apr 23 (AF); MacGillivray’s John Day on Dec 15 (Barbara and Peter Meyer, TW). A Be- Warbler at John Day on May 27 (CMO); Common Yellowthroat wick’s Wren was found along the South Fork John Day on Jun 4 at Prairie City on May 27 (KJ, JS); American Redstart in Bear (KJ, JS). Valley on May 16 (Teresa Southworth); Yellow Warbler at Mt Vernon on May 7 (AF); Townsend’s Warbler on Dixie Mountain Western Bluebirds arrived in John Day on Feb 5 (CMO). Moun- on Jun 6 (KJ, JS); Hermit Warbler at Rock Springs Campground tain Bluebirds were frst seen in Mt Vernon on Feb 25 (AF). on May 26 (Sally Hill); and Wilson’s Warbler at John Day on A Veery was found along the Middle Fork John Day on Jun 2 May 14 (CMO). (Karin and Ken Boucher) and Jun 21 (KJ, JS).

In addition to several sightings along the Middle Fork, a Gray ABBREVIATIONS: Catbird was seen in John Day in early August. The Brown Thrasher (photo below right) that showed up on Thanksgiving AF - Anne Frost MB - Mike Bohannon in 2017 stuck around into April of 2018. Bohemian Waxwings JS - Jim Soupir TW - Tom Winters were around John Day in January (CMO). An American Pipit KJ - Karen Jacobs CMO - Clarence and Marilyn was seen in Logan Valley on Apr 26 (MB). O’Leary

Evening Grosbeaks were around the frst half of the year and then disappeared save for one sighting in Bear Valley in Novem- ber (Adele and Mark Cerny).

Some were also found in Bear Valley on May 12 (Adele and Mark Cerny). Common Redpolls were in Mt Vernon Jan 14 (MB, AF) and in John Day from late February through early March (Cynthia Sanford).

Green-tailed Towhees (photo previous page lower left) were seen near Snow Mtn. on May 30 (Char Corkran) and at Ante- lope Lookout on Jul 3 (KJ, JS). A Clay-colored Sparrow was east of Seneca on Sep 24 (Vickie Buck, Sally Hill). A Sage- brush Sparrow was at the John Day airport on Sep 10 (KJ, JS). White-throated Sparrows were at Holliday State Park on Sep 24 (Vickie Buck) and in John Day on Oct 4 (CMO). Yellow-breast- ed Chats were frst seen at Mt Vernon on May 13 (AF).

Other than Yellow-rumped Warblers, which were found every month except March and December, frst-of-season warblers were: Orange-crowned Warbler at John Day on Apr 5 (CMO); Brown Thrasher, Tom Winters

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 49 NE Oregon Field Notes Union, Wallowa, and Baker Counties

by Nolan Clements

ortheast Oregon started 2018 with a below average Union County saw four reports of Red-necked Grebe throughout snowpack, which resulted in lower water levels during the year: one in May, two in October, and one in July. The Wal- Nthe latter half of the summer. This likely reduced the lowa CBC on Dec 23 had three Eared Grebes on Wallowa Lake number of shorebirds observed in late summer and early fall. (NC, et al.). These represented the count’s frst record. November through mid-December also saw very little snow and some days peaked at 50F in the Grande Ronde Valley. This Up to 40 White-throated Swifts were seen fying in and out of apparently reduced the occurrence of many of the area’s normal nests in Burnt River Canyon, Baker County, from April through winter birds. Not until late December did northeast Oregon get May. Anna’s Hummingbirds continue to become more common cold enough and see suffcient amounts of snow to congregate throughout fall migration in northeast Oregon. In recent years, buntings, longspurs, sparrows, and fnches. several birds have attempted to winter over. In 2018, several were present at feeders in south La Grande from late August to Snow Geese were prominent in northeast Oregon in 2018. the end of the year. The bird that was regularly observed until Over 3000 were tallied fying over Burnt River Canyon on Apr the new year had to endure six inches of snow, several days of 14 (Nolan Clements, Russ Morgan). This quantity is rare in 20-plus mph wind, and extended periods of sub-freezing tem- Baker, Wallowa, and Union Counties, and represents the highest peratures. recorded count in northeast Oregon. Similarly, Union County had a fock of Snow Geese stay from March through April at On Oct 4, Mike Hansen observed 1750 American Coots on Wal- Alicel Scrape. This fock varied from 50 to 250 individuals and lowa Lake. Although an abundant bird throughout all of north- contained several blue phase Snow Geese and as many as fve east Oregon, American Coot numbers do not normally top more Ross’s Geese. Union County continued to enjoy Snow Geese than 500, even in migration. In 2018, eight Sandhill Cranes were when one showed up on the Union CBC on Dec 16 at the God- captured on LMWMA. Of those eight, two were recaptures and ley Road Pond (NC), representing the fourth record for the CBC. the remainder were newly banded.

Eurasian Wigeon were observed in both Union and Baker A full breeding plumage, adult male American Golden-Plover Counties in spring migration. A White-winged Scoter was found was found at Alicel Scrape on May 20 (TB, Mike Mahoney). in Island City on private ponds on Dec 18 (Trent Bray). Union Several local birders who chased this second county record im- County had its frst occurrence of Black Scoter when two males mediately after it was seen were not rewarded due to an out-of- visited the La Grande Sewage Ponds on Oct 19 (TB). Two Long- season Prairie Falcon that fushed it. tailed Ducks were seen in 2018: the frst was a one-day wonder found at Jubilee Lake in Union County on Oct 22 (Michael Daugherty and Susan Daugherty), and the second stayed at the Joseph Sewage Ponds in Wallowa County from Nov 1 to 17 (Mike Hansen, Kim Zumwalt). Union County saw two reports of the annual, but sought-after, Red-breasted Merganser: one on Mar 8 in Island City (TB); and the other on Ladd Marsh Wildlife Management Area’s Peach Pond on May 13 (Ross Hubbard).

Mountain Quail, although a breeder in northeast Oregon, are dif- fcult to fnd. In 2018, Wallowa County saw one report in May, one in June, and one in August, all in the far northeastern portion of the county. Matt Wyatt also reported observing a small covey in Baker County in December at Big Muddy Creek. Spruce Grouse were sparsely recorded from late spring to mid-fall in the Union and Wallowa County portions of the Eagle Caps.

Gyrfalcon, Russ Morgan

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 50 There were three reports of Marbled Godwit throughout Baker and Union Counties in 2018. TB observed a large fock of 30 Marbled Godwits at Thief Valley Reservoir fying over both the Union and Baker County sides on Apr 26. Flocks this large very rarely occur in northeast Oregon. The other two records from 2018 are from Schoolhouse Pond on LMWMA on Jul 24 (NC, RM), and at Union Creek Campground, Baker County, on Sep 25 (Sally Hill, Vicki Buck). Several Dunlin were seen at Alicel Scrape in early April. Short-billed Dowitchers, an annual but rare migrant, were seen on Apr 10 at Alicel Scrape (TB), and again on Jul 17 at Schoolhouse Pond on LMWMA (RM). A rare Willet was found at Alicel Scrape on May 25 by NC and seen by others later that day.

Unlike most years, several Herring Gulls made appearances. Two were seen at Wallowa Lake on Oct 6 (Mike Hansen, Kim Zumwalt), and another was seen at the La Grande Sewage Ponds on Oct 10 (TB). Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Russ Morgan

In recent years, Black Terns have been unusually diffcult to A Gray Flycatcher was seen at Union Creek Campground on Jun come by, however, in 2018 three Black Terns were reported on 9 (Robert and Cynthia Danielson). Although Gray Flycatcher Peach Road in LMWMA on Jun 1 (Jimi Soupir). is almost certainly present in Baker County every year, it rarely gets reported due to the under-birded nature of the locations On Dec 10, a very late American White Pelican was seen fying where it could be found. near the La Grande Sewage Ponds (NC, Arlene Blumton). The Union CBC had its second-ever Great Egret on Dec 16 on Hot A notably late Cassin’s Vireo was observed at a feeder on Nov Lake-Union Rd. (TB). 13 White-faced Ibis were observed on 4 in south La Grande (Michael and Susan Daugherty). Wallowa May 7 on Old Trail Lane, Baker County (Dawn Bishop). Al- County yielded several reports of Red-eyed Vireo: one from though White-faced Ibis are a normal migrant through northeast June, one from July, and one from August. Oregon, they are usually only reported in groups of up to three. Blue Jays were reported in several areas in 2018. Two birds Two juvenile Red-shouldered Hawks made an appearance frst seen in 2017 continued until April 2018 in Cove, Union on Hawkins Road in Union County on Sep 7 (Cathy Nowak). County (Ross Hubbard). Another Blue Jay was seen in the town Although a regularly occurring bird in Baker County, Burrowing of Union on Nov 2 (Cathy Nowak). Baker County also had two Owls are hard to fnd in the limited sagebrush habitat in Union reports of Blue Jays: one from Halfway on Feb 26 (Margaret County. But in 2018, TB and Arielle Star observed one at Thief Durner); and another that continued from Nov 4 through the Valley Reservoir on Apr 29. Two Great Gray Owls were ob- end of 2018 at a private residence outside of Halfway (Haley served by NC and RM southeast of Medical Springs in Baker Sanders). County on Jul 11. Although Great Gray Owls are locally com- mon in all of the northeast Oregon counties in the eastern portion Although prominent in the western portion of the state, Bushtits of the Blue Mountains, it is unusual to see them in the foothills are quite rare in northeast Oregon. In 2018, Union County had of the southern Eagle Caps. Overall, northeast Oregon had a very one bird reported from Pyles Canyon on Jun 23 (W. Douglas good year for owls, totaling 10 species and missing only Boreal Robinson). Baker County had two reports, both from Burnt Riv- Owl and Barred Owl, both present but very rare. An unusually er Canyon, of fve birds on Apr 21 (NC, Arlene Blumton, Steve high number of Ferruginous Hawks were tallied in the Grande Clements), and of two birds on Apr 29 (TB, Arielle Star). Ronde Valley throughout fall migration, with a day high count of 10 on Sep 10 (NC, RM). Pine Grosbeaks were seen in the Union and Wallowa Coun- ty portions of the Eagle Caps throughout the year. Wallowa A Red-breasted Sapsucker was observed at a residence in south and Baker Counties both saw huge focks of Gray-crowned La Grande by Michael Daugherty and Susan Daugherty and Rosy-Finches (photo above). On Jan 20, Nick Mrvelj observed stayed from Sep 13 to Oct 24. 950 on Golf Course Road in Wallowa County, and on Apr 14 NC and RM saw an apparently migrating fock of 800 in the Burnt A GYRFALCON (photo previous page, lower right) was found River Canyon in Baker County. A Purple Finch was reported by Stefan Schlick on Feb 2, and remained on Elk Mountain Rd. at Hells Canyon Overlook in far southeastern Wallowa County in Wallowa County from Feb 2 to Feb 4 (mult. observers). on Jun 11 (Larry Brown). RM saw 200 Cassin’s Finches near Copperfeld in Baker County on May 2. Union County had its frst LEAST FLYCATCHER on Hot Lake-Union Rd. on Jun 25 (Tyler Hallman).

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 51 There were three reports of Swamp Sparrow: one on Peach Rd. in LMWMA on Feb 2 (NC); one at the same location on Nov 7 (RM); and one in Wallowa County at Enterprise Wild- life Management Area on Jan 15 (Gloria and Aaron Beerman). It was a very good year for Zonotrichia sparrows. There were four reports of White-throated Sparrow, three of which were from Union County and the remainder from Wallowa County. A whopping total of 15 Harris’s Sparrows were seen: nine in Union County; three in Wallowa County; and three in Baker County. Of particular note were two near Brownlee Reservoir on Mar 6 that were displaying nest building behavior (RM). After following up several weeks later, RM found neither of the birds and no re- maining nest structure. Northeast Oregon’s luck with Zonotrich- ia continued with Golden-crowned Sparrows. Even though they are the rarest of the genus, there were a total of fve reported: one in Union County and four in Wallowa County.

A Great-tailed Grackle was found by Jo Mahoney and seen by others at the Hot Lake RV Park in Union County on Aug 4. An American Redstart was seen in the oasis at Thief Valley Reservoir on Jun 10 (RM) and eventually observed by several others. Wallowa County had three reports of Black-throated Hoary Redpoll (lower center), with Common Redpolls, Gray Warbler which were all observed in May. Baker Coun- Peyton Cook ty had its frst SUMMER TANAGER (photo below), at the North Powder Pond on Nov 5 (RM). Several birders chased Oregon’s third, and Wallowa County’s frst, record of HOARY this bird the following day, but were not successful. A possible REDPOLL (photo above) was found northwest of Lostine on Rose-breasted Grosbeak was reported from a private residence School Flat Road, in a fock of 55 Common Redpolls on Jan 19 north of Summerville in Union County on May 30. (Colby Neuman, Ken Chamberlain, Nagi Aboulenein, Taghrid Elmeligui). ABBREVIATIONS: Snow Buntings are prominent in Wallowa County most win- NC - Nolan Clements ters, but are a rarity in Union and Baker Counties. In 2018, two RM - Russ Morgan Snow Buntings were observed on Dec 28 along Godley Rd. in TB - Trent Bray Union County (Mike Mahoney, Jo Mahoney). In addition to LMWMA - Ladd Marsh Wildlife Management Area Snow Buntings, Godley Rd. also yielded a county high count of 12 Lapland Longspurs on Dec 31 (NC, Arlene Blumton). Even more rare in Baker County, four Lapland Longspurs were seen along Ruckles Creek Rd. on Mar 6 (RM).

Although Green-tailed Towhees are seasonally present in south- east Union County and scattered throughout Baker County, they are incredibly diffcult to fnd. On Jun 11, one was observed at Thief Valley Reservoir (TB, Ross Hubbard). Amazingly, north- east Oregon had two Black-throated Sparrows in 2018. The frst was Wallowa County’s frst record on May 26 at the Lostine Cemetery (Steve Arment), and the other was found by Kenneth Phifer at Farewell Bend State Park in Baker County on Jun 8. On Feb 26, NC and RM found a Sagebrush Sparrow at the Bank Swallow Colony near LMWMA. This represents one of fewer than 10 records of this species in Union County. Grasshopper Sparrows were locally abundant throughout northeast Oregon. In Wallowa County, Chuck Gates saw 17 along Crow Creek Road on Jul 23. “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrows were reported through- out the breeding season in the Blue Mountains and in the Eagle Summer Tanager, Russ Morgan Caps in all northeast Oregon counties.

Oregon Birds Volume 45 (1) - 2019 52 Oregon Birding Association Board of Directors

Offcers: Directors:

President Diana Byrne - Portland (2019) Diane Cavaness - Brookings (2019) [email protected] [email protected]

President-Elect Nagi Aboulenein - Portland (2019) Ken Chamberlain - Portland (2019) [email protected] [email protected]

Past President James Billstine - Tillamook (2019) Jeff Dillon - Gladstone (2020) [email protected] [email protected]

Secretary Caryn Stoess - Corvallis (2019) Kathleen Krall - Porltand (2019) [email protected] [email protected]

Treasurer Jeff Harding - Lebanon (2019) [email protected] (term expiration dates)

Eastern Bluebird, Russ Smith Oregon Birds PRSRT STD Oregon Birding Association US POSTAGE PO Box 675 PAID Lincoln City OR 97367-0675 THE MAIL HOUSE Return Service Requested