Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The Oregon Birding List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Thursday, June 20 at 02:02 AM EST The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Lilac-breasted Roller,©Barry Kent Mackay

19 Jun RBA: Portland, OR 6-20-13 [Harry Nehls ] 19 Jun Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions ["Kay Carter" ] 19 Jun Re: ID Help....Bad Picture [Jeff Gilligan ] 19 Jun ID Help....Bad Picture [Justin Cook ] 19 Jun Rose-breasted Grosbeak [Roy Lowe ] 19 Jun Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 06/19/13 [Wink Gross ] 19 Jun Sheridan sewage ponds ["Paul T. Sullivan" ] 20 Jun smartphone digi-photos? [] 19 Jun Peoria Backyard Big Year, week 24 ["M & R Campbell" ] 19 Jun Re: Washington County birds of late [Alan Contreras ] 19 Jun Washington County birds of late ["Greg Gillson" ] 19 Jun [COBOL] Pygmy Owl - Calliope, then to Cold Springs, Camp Sherman ["judy" ] 19 Jun Sandy River Delta Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brewer's Sparrow, E. Kingbirds, etc. [Adrian Hinkle ] 19 Jun Klamath Marsh & River Canyon surveys [Kevin Spencer ] 19 Jun Late singing Golden-crowned Sparrow gone (Junction City area) [Joel Geier ] 19 Jun Troutdale Swigert Rd ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER [Shawneen ] 19 Jun Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions ["HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " ] 19 Jun Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions [Lyn Topinka ] 19 Jun Sandy R. Delta---birdy! with one not-unexpected negative datum [Tom McNamara ] 19 Jun Coos Semipalmated SANDpiper [Daniel Farrar ] 19 Jun Toledo Black Phoebe Nest Update [Range Bayer ] 19 Jun Wed morning, Eugene [Larry McQueen ] 19 Jun Sandy River Delta BREWER'S SPARROW & ATFL [Shawneen ] 19 Jun Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions ["Tom Crabtree" ] 19 Jun Glossy Ibis at Malheur NWR [Tim Blount ] 19 Jun RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions [] 19 Jun Coos Tidbits [Tim Rodenkirk ] 18 Jun Mute Swans at Fern Hill Wetlands [Matthew Olson ] 18 Jun Photos: Bay-breasted Warbler and Glossy Ibis [Adrian Hinkle ] 18 Jun status of GRAY-HEADED JUNCOS in S. Harney County [Adrian Hinkle ] 18 Jun Two Spots At Silver Falls State Park... [John Thomas ] 18 Jun Harney Co. June 13-16: Bay-breasted, Parula, Glossy Ibis, catbirds, GH Juncos [Adrian Hinkle ] 18 Jun Time for a reminder. . . ["kolwicz AT minetfiber.com" ] 18 Jun Re: Malheur Photos ["Tom Crabtree" ] 18 Jun Polk County Ovenbird - NO [Hendrik Herlyn ] 18 Jun 6/17/13 - Union County : NE Oregon Birds of late. [] 18 Jun Re: Mute Swans still at Fernhill this morning ["Cathy Nowak" ] 18 Jun Malheur Photos [Tim Blount ] 18 Jun Roseate Spoonbills, High Island, Tx. [linda phelan thompson ] 18 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? [Mike Patterson ] 18 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? ["Wayne Weber" ] 18 Jun Mute Swans still at Fernhill this morning [Phil Kahler ] 18 Jun Olive-s Fly SW Portland [Thomas Love ] 18 Jun Scio BBS results 2011 to 2013 ["Jeff Harding" ] 17 Jun O-c s this spring [Norgren Family ] 17 Jun Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? [L Markoff ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Harry Nehls ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Phil Kahler ] 17 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? [Joel Geier ] 17 Jun Linn County Black and White Warber - No (for me) ["Jeff Harding" ] 17 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? [Joel Geier ] 17 Jun Re: [birding] Miller Millet Park? [Brandon Wagner ] 17 Jun Tyler Hicks [Jeff Fleischer ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Mike Patterson ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [David Irons ] 17 Jun Ovenbird in Polk County ["W. Douglas Robinson" ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands ["HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Alan Contreras ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands ["Cathy Nowak" ] 17 Jun Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Alan Contreras ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [] 17 Jun Lost Jacket?? [Kevin Smith ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Alan Contreras ] 17 Jun GREAT GRAY fledgling, Lazuli brood patch [Harry Fuller ] 17 Jun Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? [Hendrik Herlyn ] 17 Jun Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? [Alan Contreras ] 17 Jun Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? [Tom McNamara ] 17 Jun Klamath River Canyon [Kevin Spencer ] 17 Jun Re: American White Pelicans- Ft. Columbia WA [Jeff Gilligan ] 17 Jun Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Alan Contreras ] 17 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? [Joel Geier ] 17 Jun Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Tim Rodenkirk ] 17 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? ["Wilson Cady" ] 17 Jun Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands [Phil Kahler ] 17 Jun Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? [Wayne Hoffman ] 17 Jun Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? [Alan Contreras ] Subject: RBA: Portland, OR 6-20-13 From: Harry Nehls <hnehls6 AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:52:27 -0700 - RBA * Oregon * Portland * June 20. 2013 * ORPO1306.20 - birds mentioned Mute Swan GLOSSY IBIS Black-necked Stilt American Avocet Semipalmated Sandpiper Common Nighthawk Olive-sided Flycatcher Western Wood-Pewee Pacific-slope Flycatcher EASTERN PHOEBE Ash-throated Flycatcher Gray Catbird OVENBIRD BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER NORTHERN PARULA BAY-BREASTED WARBLER Brewer¹s Sparrow Gray-headed Dark-eyed Junco ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK Pine Grosbeak - transcript hotline: Portland Oregon Audubon RBA (weekly) number: 503-292-6855 To report: Harry Nehls 503-233-2976 compiler: Harry Nehls Coverage: entire state Hello, this is the Audubon Society of Portland Rare Bird Report. This report was made Thursday June 20. If you have anything to add call Harry Nehls at 503-233-3976. On June 17 a singing OVENBIRD was found in Polk County four miles west of Falls City. A BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER was near Jefferson at Buell-Miller County Park June 16. A male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was seen June 19 near Waldport. The EASTERN PHOEBE at O.C. Brown County Park east of Roseburg continues to be seen. Birds seen during the week in Harney County included a GLOSSY IBIS, NORTHERN PARULA, and CATBIRD at Malheur NWR Headquarters, a BAY-BREASTED WARBLER and a CATBIRD at Fields, and many GRAY-HEADED DAERK-EYED JUNCOES near Ten Cent Meadows in the Pueblo Mountains . Migrants during the week included single COMMON NIGHTHAWKS at Willamina and Corvallis, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS and PEWEES at Coos Bay, and a calling OLIVE-SIED FLYCATCHER in a Southwest Portland Neighborhood. On June 17 an adult SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER was photographed on the beach near Lakeside in Coos County. On June 15 a singing PINE GROSBEAK was seen just north of Bonney Butte southeast of Mt. Hood. On June 19 a singing BREWER¹S SPARROW and an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER were at the Sandy River Delta near Troutdale. That day an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER was at Westmoreland Park in Southeast Portland. A flock of ten MUTE SWANS have been seen during the week at the Fernhill Wetlands in Forest Grove. Nesting AVOCETS and BLACK-NECKED STILTS were found during the week at Fern Ridge Reservoir. That¹s it for this week. - end transcript Subject: Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions From: "Kay Carter" <kaycarter AT wbcable.net> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:31:37 -0700 I also have the 3 mentioned bird apps (Sibley, iBird Pro, and Audubon) on my Android phone - have had them for about 3 years. Audubon often doesn't start up properly, but is fine on re-start. I don't find it very useful, however, unless I want one more version of a particular bird's song (and then I'm generally disappointed because what I want is rarely here). I like iBird for its non-ID-related factoids (what the bird eats, number of eggs laid, nest characteristics, etc.). Like others, I use Sibley almost exclusively for ID reference. It really is the best in this category, with by far the most different plumages, in flight and seated poses, etc. I'm pretty sure I paid $9.99 for it; I think it goes "on sale" pretty regularly. But, most of us are used to plunking down well over $20 for printed field guides, so that doesn't seem so outrageous to me for the app. And, unlike the $30 - $35 printed books, the app is updated regularly, for free . . . I've been hoping that National Geographic will come out with an Android version, but, as you discovered, it's still available only on iPhone. Kay Carter Canby OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: ID Help....Bad Picture From: Jeff Gilligan <jeffgilligan10 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:38:47 -0700 I think it is a very young Golden-crowned Kinglet. On Jun 19, 2013, at 9:35 PM, Justin Cook wrote: > Went up to McIntyre Ridge (Clackamas County, close to Sandy) for a hike and can't decide what this little bird is. Very rainy and wet but some good mountain flowers. It's a stretch given the poor picture: > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/55968954 AT N07/9090869014/ > > I could be mixing it up with another bird in my head but markings besides the head seemed like a Golden-crowned Kinglet with a strong white wing bar and drab olive yellow maybe on the primaries. I've had a beer so maybe not. > > Thanks in advance for any guesses. > > Justin > > > Other birds, went looking for ground birds but found a few warblers instead: > http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14459378 > Subject: ID Help....Bad Picture From: Justin Cook <jrc7219 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:35:54 -0700 Went up to McIntyre Ridge (Clackamas County, close to Sandy) for a hike and can't decide what this little bird is. Very rainy and wet but some good mountain flowers. It's a stretch given the poor picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/55968954 AT N07/9090869014/ I could be mixing it up with another bird in my head but markings besides the head seemed like a Golden-crowned Kinglet with a strong white wing bar and drab olive yellow maybe on the primaries. I've had a beer so maybe not. Thanks in advance for any guesses. Justin Other birds, went looking for ground birds but found a few warblers instead: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14459378 Subject: Rose-breasted Grosbeak From: Roy Lowe <roy.loweiii AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:26:50 -0700 This morning a male rose-breasted grosbeak appeared on one of the bird feeders in our backyard adjacent to Eckman Lake near Waldport. Compared with the evening and black-headed grosbeaks this bird was really shy and was only seen once. This is a second Lincoln County record for me. Roy Sent from my iPad OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Pittock, NW Portland, week ending 06/19/13 From: Wink Gross <winkg AT hevanet.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:12:15 -0700 Here is the summary of my morning dogwalks from NW Seblar Terrace to the Pittock Mansion for the week 06/13/13 to 06/19/13. Species neither seen nor heard the previous week are in ALL CAPS. Additional information about my dogwalk, including an archive of weekly summaries and a checklist, may be found at http://www.hevanet.com/winkg/dogwalkpage.html The sightings are also in eBird. We did the walk 5 days this week. Species # days found (peak #, date) Band-tailed Pigeon 3 (4) Anna's Hummingbird 4 (2) Rufous Hummingbird 3 (3) Red-breasted Sapsucker 4 (2) Downy Woodpecker 3 (2) Northern Flicker 5 (2) Pileated Woodpecker 1 (1, 6/18) WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE 1 (1, 6/17) Pacific-slope Flycatcher 4 (3) Steller's Jay 4 (6) American Crow 5 (9) PURPLE MARTIN 1 (1+, 6/17) Violet-green Swallow 2 (5, 6/19) Black-capped Chickadee 4 (8) Chestnut-backed Chickadee 4 (7, 6/19) Bushtit 3 (4, 6/18) Red-breasted Nuthatch 5 (4) Brown Creeper 4 (2) Pacific Wren 5 (3) BEWICK'S WREN 1 (1, 6/14) American Robin 5 (20, 6/17) European Starling 5 (3) Orange-crowned Warbler 3 (1) Wilson's Warbler 5 (3) Spotted Towhee 5 (5) Song Sparrow 5 (10) Dark-eyed Junco 5 (10, 6/18) Western Tanager 2 (1, 6/14 & 17) Black-headed Grosbeak 5 (2) Purple Finch 3 (3) House Finch 5 (4, 6/19) Red Crossbill 1 (?[heard only], 6/17) American Goldfinch 2 (3, 6/19) In the neighborhood but not found on dogwalk: Mourning Dove, Hairy Woodpecker Misses (birds found at least 3 days during the previous 2 weeks but not found this week): Swainson's Thrush, Cedar Waxwing Wink Gross Portland Subject: Sheridan sewage ponds From: "Paul T. Sullivan" <paultsullivan AT onlinenw.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:27:20 -0700 Folks, We visited the Sheridan sewage ponds this afternoon. A stiff breeze nearly generated white-caps on the water. We found: 40 Canada geese, including young 50 Mallards plus 50 young (10 broods) A number of the hens went into elaborate distraction displays. 6 Shovelers 2 Lesser Scaup 4 male Ruddy ducks 2 Turkey vultures - fluyovers 1 Eared Grebe in breeding plumage - What's it doing here at this time? 1 Osprey on nest at football field across Hwy 18 1 Killdeer 2 Spotted Sandpipers 6 Rock Pigeon 6 Vaux Swifts - flying into the wind 12+ Tree Swallows with young - flying into the wind 2 Violet-green Swallows - flying into the wind 2 Rough-winged Swallows - flying into the wind 12+ Cliff Swallows - flying into the wind 12+ Barn Swallows - flying into the wind 1 Savannah Sparrow 2 Brewer's Blackbirds 2 Red-winged Blackbirds I carefully watched a flying white-bellied swallow that had a white throat and a prominent black necklace, trying to make it into a county-first BANK SWALLOW. However, I twice saw it fed by another swallow, and when I finally saw it overhead, the necklace was incomplete. It was a young Tree Swallow. There were several on the wires nearby, being fed. I studied another dusky-bellied swallow that I tried to make into a female Purple Martin (you see what I was working on...) but it just wasn't bigger than the other swallows. It was a Rough-winged Swallow. Good birding, everyone, Paul T. Sullivan OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: smartphone digi-photos? From: SJJag AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:52:33 +0000 (UTC) Well I thought I may as well as use the list again. Any thoughts on good techniques for phone-digiscoping or digibinocularing? (New words?) I shot a couple of photos through the scope, seemed to work ok, do I recall a past thread about this and apple having some sort of adapter for their phone? Thanks in advance. Steve J. OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Peoria Backyard Big Year, week 24 From: "M & R Campbell" <campbell AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:15:47 -0700 No new birds this week, as the coveted Possible Peoria Lewis's Woodpecker (PPLW) remained possible--and coveted. Species identified during week 24 (June 9 to June 15) of my Backyard Big Year in Peoria, beside the Willamette River, in Linn County: (Numbers indicate total weeks listed. New birds in caps.) Wood Duck 19 Mallard 24 Hooded Merganser 17 Common Merganser 20 Great-blue Heron 16 Turkey Vulture 14 Osprey 12 Bald Eagle 23 Red-tailed Hawk 22 Killdeer 24 Spotted Sandpiper 15 Eurasian Collared-Dove 24 Mourning Dove 24 Rufous Hummingbird 14 Belted Kingfisher 23 Red-breasted Sapsucker 14 Downy Woodpecker 24 Hairy Woodpecker 10 Northern Flicker 24 American Kestrel 5 Western Wood-Peewee 5 Western Scrub-Jay 24 American Crow 18 Common Raven 14 Tree Swallow 16 Violet-green Swallow 14 Barn Swallow 10 Cliff Swallow 9 Black-capped Chickadee 24 Bushtit 21 Brown Creeper 20 House Wren 8 Bewick's Wren 24 Swainson's Thrush 6 American Robin 24 European Starling 24 Cedar Waxwing 6 Common Yellowthroat 10 Yellow Warbler 7 Wilson's Warbler 8 Spotted Towhee 24 Song Sparrow 24 Western Tanager 5 Black-headed Grosbeak 8 Red-winged Blackbird 24 Brewer's Blackbird 18 Brown-headed Cowbird 15 Bullock's Oriole 8 House Finch 24 American Goldfinch 15 House Sparrow 24 Year to date: 120 Randy Campbell Subject: Re: Washington County birds of late From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:45:32 -0700 Small numbers of southbound shorebirds are already coming in; these outriders are a little early. -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com From: Greg Gillson Reply-To: Greg Gillson Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:40:53 -0700 To: OBOL Subject: [obol] Washington County birds of late Wanted to share a few observations of late that I found interesting. There is a credible eBird report of hen Pintail and chicks from the Tualatin River NWR last week. I think this is first report for WashCo and very rare westside. Let me check... Handbook of Oregon Birds, 2009, Herlyn and Contreras. This is a digested version of Bird of Oregon a general reference, 2003, Marshall et al. Every Oregon birder should have this book for quick status and distribution... Yes, rare in summer west of Cascades, I¹m unsure of confirmed breeding. Red-winged Blackbird riding a Great Blue Heron like a rodeo bull. Hanging on to back feathers with bill and feet, wings raised. Rode at least 60 feet as heron flew. Wasn¹t quite hummingbird migrating on goose bizarre but... Two Caspian Terns this morning at Fernhill Wetlands where reported yesterday. Female Purple Martin at Jackson Bottom Wetlands (report from yesterday from Fernhill, I think). Perhaps only 4th county report this spring‹all one-day wonders. One Wilson¹s Phalarope remains at Jackson Bottom Wetlands. Three Greater Yellowlegs were a surprise. Only 2 weeks before fall shorebird migration begins! Greg Subject: Washington County birds of late From: "Greg Gillson" <greg AT thebirdguide.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:40:53 -0700 Wanted to share a few observations of late that I found interesting. There is a credible eBird report of hen Pintail and chicks from the Tualatin River NWR last week. I think this is first report for WashCo and very rare westside. Let me check... Handbook of Oregon Birds, 2009, Herlyn and Contreras. This is a digested version of Bird of Oregon a general reference, 2003, Marshall et al. Every Oregon birder should have this book for quick status and distribution... Yes, rare in summer west of Cascades, I’m unsure of confirmed breeding. Red-winged Blackbird riding a Great Blue Heron like a rodeo bull. Hanging on to back feathers with bill and feet, wings raised. Rode at least 60 feet as heron flew. Wasn’t quite hummingbird migrating on goose bizarre but... Two Caspian Terns this morning at Fernhill Wetlands where reported yesterday. Female Purple Martin at Jackson Bottom Wetlands (report from yesterday from Fernhill, I think). Perhaps only 4th county report this spring—all one-day wonders. One Wilson’s Phalarope remains at Jackson Bottom Wetlands. Three Greater Yellowlegs were a surprise. Only 2 weeks before fall shorebird migration begins! Greg Subject: [COBOL] Pygmy Owl - Calliope, then to Cold Springs, Camp Sherman From: "judy" <jmeredit AT bendnet.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:08:41 -0700 Birders for Wednesday divided into 2 groups today. Some went to find specific woodpeckers and they may report separately today. The other group had the good fortune of birding with young people, nine from the Realms School ( in an ornithology summer class) with their teacher Eric Beck and 2 of their parents, as well as Annette and Parker Gerard and 2 others in the Young Birders group that has recently formed. So we had sharp eyes and ears out there with the rest of us. Our first bird of the trip was the NORTHERN PYGMY OWL that has been staked out on a hunting perch at Calliope. I heard from an out of town birder who observed it take and eat a House Wren on Tuesday. We saw no drama like that today, mostly the bird perched and when it flew off the perch, a Song Sparrow mobbed it. The ideal way to see the owl and not interfere with nature, is to stand on the north side near the pile of branches so that you are high enough to see over the tops of the willows in the stream. Lifer for many of the young people. We also showed them the old Goshawk nest and discussed giving birds space, especially with young on the nest and that is the principle that we followed today. We did some of the tour of homes with a focus on woodpeckers and had success at each, with families at home in each cavity. George kept his camera going for the kids and the videos were a real hit. He got video of a Downy WP carrying a fecal sack out of the nest. What 13 year old isn't wild about that! We watched the Williamson's making sap wells and feeding young. We enjoyed the American Dipper at the bridge over the Metolius which was a crowd pleaser again as it repeatedly brought food to the young in the nest. Songbirds are getting quieter. We did not hear an Olive Sided today and heard only one distant Warbling Vireo. A probable family of Brown Creepers cheerily sang and walked up little trees at Cold Springs. The list is below. This report was mailed for Judy Meredith by http://birdnotes.net Turkey Vulture Red-tailed Hawk Eurasian Collared-Dove Mourning Dove Northern Pygmy-Owl - Calliope Crossing Calliope Hummingbird - Calliope Crossing, 3 on territories Williamson's Sapsucker - Camp Sherman Red-naped Sapsucker - Calliope Crossing Red-breasted Sapsucker - Calliope Crossing Downy Woodpecker - Cold Springs White-headed Woodpecker - Camp Sherman Northern Flicker - all over Western Wood-Pewee Western Scrub-Jay Common Raven Tree Swallow Violet-green Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Cliff Swallow Mountain Chickadee Red-breasted Nuthatch Pygmy Nuthatch - nest cavity at Calliope Crossing Brown Creeper - Cold Springs House Wren - still some left Calliope Crossing American Dipper - Camp Sherman, bridge American Robin European Starling Yellow Warbler - Calliope Yellow-rumped Warbler - Cold Springs Western Tanager - Camp Sherman, Cold Springs Chipping Sparrow - Camp Sherman Song Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Black-headed Grosbeak - Calliope Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Total number of species seen: 37 The "Regular" Wednesday birders on the trip today were George Jameson, Courtney Jett and Judy Meredith, accompanied by 12 young people and 3 parents and a teacher. Great fun. This is the next generation of birders and hopefully conservationists too. We saw that some of them are really really enthused and have keen observational skills already. Great fun, but some of us are exhausted! Judy Meredith, jmeredit AT bendnet.com _______________________________________________ COBOL mailing list COBOL AT lists.oregonstate.edu http://lists.oregonstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/cobol To unsubscribe, send a message to: COBOL-request AT lists.oregonstate.edu with the word "unsubscribe" in the body. OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Sandy River Delta Ash-throated Flycatcher, Brewer's Sparrow, E. Kingbirds, etc. From: Adrian Hinkle <adrian.hinkle AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:41:14 -0700 My mom (Em Scattaregia) and I spent the morning (7:30 - noon) birding Sandy River Delta. We were joined by Thomas Larsen for much of the morning, and credit goes to him for spotting the Ash-throated and co-spotting the Brewer's Sparrow. Here a a few of the counts we came up with (individually tallied): Barn Owl --1 WW Pewee -- 22 Willow Flycatcher -- 37 ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER -- 1 Eastern Kingbird -- 6 Red-eyed Vireo -- 7 Swainson's Thrush -- 33 Yellow Warbler -- 23 Common Yellowthroat -- 54 Yellow-breasted Chat -- 1 BREWER'S SPARROW -- 1 Lazuli Bunting -- 61 (!) (at least 2/3rd male) Thanks also to Tom M. who got me on a couple more E. Kingbirds. The Ash-throated was along the gravel road that goes north from the west side of the parking lot. It was 0.9 mi. north of the start of the road, up where it crosses a power line corridor. It then flew west across the Sandy River Delta, evidently to Swigert Rd. where Shawneen F. just refound it. The Brewer's Sparrow was singing from the scotch broom near the red-and-white kingbird tower (NE of the main parking area). Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80672850 AT N02/ 65 species for the morning! Good birding, Adrian Hinkle Subject: Klamath Marsh & River Canyon surveys From: Kevin Spencer <rriparia AT charter.net> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:26:59 -0400 (EDT) On Tues. a point count survey on the "south" side of the Oregon stretch of the Klamath River Canyon (accessed from Dorris, CA) had the normal species, but at the Frain Ranch raft take-out, or rest stop, two YELLOW-BREASTED CHATs were actually chatting it up. This location has had this species previously, but two in the same vicinity was exciting. Also, saw a turkey feather, LEWIS'S WOODPECKER carrying food, and a WESTERN TANAGER nest exchange. The road to this location is very rough and should only be attempted with a high clearance 4X4 rig, and make sure your spare is good. Today, on the Chinchalo BBB, the survey that goes across the Klamath Marsh, it seemed a bit less birdy. At about the 3 mile mark, while counting a large group of Yellow-headed Blackbirds that appeared to be foraging in a small location (birds seen leaving with food, and others coming from the marsh) I heard some TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD vocals. I scanned the flock and sure enough there were two males mixed in. This would be the furthest north in the Basin that I have observed that species. (obviously they are much further north into Crook Co., and Washington State). Speculating on observations. After completing the route, and on returning, I saw a flock of mostly male Yellow-headed Blackbirds, some females, and other blackbirds as well, that did not appear to be foraging for nest food, and wondered if either nesting was done, or if nesting for some, was abandoned. I noticed that more than a week ago that the historical and persistent TC Blackbird site near Malin, OR, was quiet. So, it seems that fledging was early for that location. I noticed on the survey at Klamath Marsh that the Yellow-headed Blackbird colony was quite diminished compared to previous years (that colony is further along the route near the 8-9 mile mark). The large congregation of blackbirds today reminds me of their tendency for that behavior later in the summer and into fall. So, I wonder. I'd say that nesting for most species seems to be advanced for this time of year. The Basin had a rather "warm" spring, and without serious weather setbacks. So, it could be that the blackbirds have begun to fledge and it's on the early side. However, I only noticed adult birds. Which makes me wonder if that's not the case, but rather nests have been abandoned, or not attempted. The marsh is much drier this year. And no Yellow Rails detected this year, during this daylight survey. (they have been reported, but 7 miles or further, and not the more usual 4-5 miles). Kevin Spencer rriparia AT charter.net Klamath Falls, OR Subject: Late singing Golden-crowned Sparrow gone (Junction City area) From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:11:40 -0700 Hi all, Just in case anyone was waiting on the edge of their seats for the follow-up news, here's another negative datum to go with Tom McNamara's non-finding of Yellow-billed Cuckoos at Sandy River Delta today: This morning I revisited the point count station west of Junction City where I reported a late Golden-crowned Sparrow singing on May 24th. I heard nothing of the sort today, so he must have moved on -- or moved somewhere else, at least. A pair of WESTERN BLUEBIRDS were tending two fledglings along a pasture fence at the same stop. Happy birding, Joel P.S. To throw in one more bit of negativity on the cuckoo front, I checked the gallery forest at Luckiamute Landing about a week ago when a similar weather pattern was moving through, and had the same negative result as Tom did at Sandy River Delta today. -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis Subject: Troutdale Swigert Rd ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER From: Shawneen <shawneenfinnegan AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:53:01 -0700 After playing around with my new camera at Sandy River Delta I decided to see if anything was out by the Troutdale Airport. I was rewarded at the end of Swigert Rd seeing an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER Presumably the same bird the Hinkles had. It is in the field just east of FedEx hunkering down in the scotch broom. Shawneen Finnegan Sent from my iPhone Subject: Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions From: "HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " <ninerharv2 AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:35:52 +0000 I am with Lyn on field use. It is really to the point where I do not carry a field guide with me as the Sibley app gives me all I need. It is a fast, quick reference tool. The ability also to check and compare bird calls/songs to what I have just heard has been invaluable for those many birds you hear but don't see and can't remember where you heard that call before. Its nice to check it out on the spot. Harv Schubothe Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: Lyn Topinka Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:18:28 To: Subject: [obol] Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions hi all ... I too have a Samsung phone and initially put on the Audubon app as they had a special once and it was free ... I found it didn't always work however ... so I paid the small mount and got the iBird Pro ... it's never failed me  ... then Santa gave me the Sibley for Christmas ... now I find IN THE FIELD I am using almost exclusively the Sibley ... back in the car however or at home I am almost always using the iBird Pro ... at home I want to see photos and can enjoy clicking on all their menu choices ... in the field I want it to be quick and convenient and Sibley fits the bill ... I do not do any of the "listing" or any of that interactive stuff with either of the 3 apps so have no idea how they compare ... enjoy your new phone, Lyn At 11:45 AM 6/19/2013, Tom Crabtree wrote: >I have an Android phone as well and have been using iBird Pro.  I >like it a lot.  It's easy to use, doesn't need a data connection >every time you start it and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.  I >thought Sibley's price was ridiculously high.  Nat Geo is only >available for I-phones and the Audubon program had so many negative >comments about it that I thought I would wait until they get the >bugs out.  I don't think you will be disappointed with iBird Pro. > >Tom Crabtree > >-----Original Message----- >From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] >On Behalf Of SJJag AT comcast.net >Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 9:21 AM >To: obol AT freelists.org >Subject: [obol] RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions > >Hello List, > >New owner of a smart phone (Samsung 4)looking for >suggestions/comments re: birding apps. > >I have IBird Pro on my Kindle, wonder how it is on a smart phone. > >I see that Sibley is available, $19.99 wonder if it is that much >more useful than IBird at $4.99. > >National Geographic seems only available for IPhones, any others out there? > >Thanks in advance. > >Steve Jaggers > > >OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or >unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > > > > >OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol >Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Lyn Topinka http://EnglishRiverWebsite.com http://ColumbiaRiverImages.com http://RidgefieldBirds.com OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions From: Lyn Topinka <pointers AT pacifier.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:18:28 -0700 hi all ... I too have a Samsung phone and initially put on the Audubon app as they had a special once and it was free ... I found it didn't always work however ... so I paid the small mount and got the iBird Pro ... it's never failed me ... then Santa gave me the Sibley for Christmas ... now I find IN THE FIELD I am using almost exclusively the Sibley ... back in the car however or at home I am almost always using the iBird Pro ... at home I want to see photos and can enjoy clicking on all their menu choices ... in the field I want it to be quick and convenient and Sibley fits the bill ... I do not do any of the "listing" or any of that interactive stuff with either of the 3 apps so have no idea how they compare ... enjoy your new phone, Lyn At 11:45 AM 6/19/2013, Tom Crabtree wrote: >I have an Android phone as well and have been using iBird Pro. I >like it a lot. It's easy to use, doesn't need a data connection >every time you start it and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I >thought Sibley's price was ridiculously high. Nat Geo is only >available for I-phones and the Audubon program had so many negative >comments about it that I thought I would wait until they get the >bugs out. I don't think you will be disappointed with iBird Pro. > >Tom Crabtree > >-----Original Message----- >From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] >On Behalf Of SJJag AT comcast.net >Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 9:21 AM >To: obol AT freelists.org >Subject: [obol] RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions > >Hello List, > >New owner of a smart phone (Samsung 4)looking for >suggestions/comments re: birding apps. > >I have IBird Pro on my Kindle, wonder how it is on a smart phone. > >I see that Sibley is available, $19.99 wonder if it is that much >more useful than IBird at $4.99. > >National Geographic seems only available for IPhones, any others out there? > >Thanks in advance. > >Steve Jaggers > > >OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or >unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > > > > >OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol >Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Lyn Topinka http://EnglishRiverWebsite.com http://ColumbiaRiverImages.com http://RidgefieldBirds.com OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Sandy R. Delta---birdy! with one not-unexpected negative datum From: Tom McNamara <tmacport99 AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:55:34 -0700 It was quite birdy at Sandy River Delta this a.m. I started out alone and found even more E. Kingbirds there today (8) than last week.---3 in the historical area and 5 more on another power line stretch. Looks like they're colonizing the area [Luke, there's post-doc waiting and you can be home for dinner at night ;-) ] I ran into Adrian, Em and Tomas L. who told me of the Brewer's sparrow and the Ash-Thr. Fly. (that Shawneen posted about earlier). Tomas L and I met Shawneen over near the Brewer's spot and the bird obligingly commenced singing for us. Lots of Laz buntings, Swainson's thrushes, towhees, Willow flys, Am. Goldfinches. As for the negative datum: turns out that Adrian and I had had similar ideas: hmmmm, rain predicted for Portland....... 2/3 through June....time to look for a Yellow-billed Cuckoo out there. No go, to no one's surprise. With several reports in last few years, it's worth covering the area. good birding, Tom Subject: Coos Semipalmated SANDpiper From: Daniel Farrar <jdanielfarrar AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:29:18 -0700 Obol, On June 17th I saw an adult SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER on the beach in northern Coos county (sorry for the late report). We were a couple miles north of Tenmile Creek and came across a small flock of 4 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, 2 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and the Semi Sand. It really stood out of the crowd and was easy to pick out with the naked eye. I put up a crummy photo on my flickr page www.flickr.com/photos/jdanielfarrar/9086159753/ Daniel Farrar Dunes City, Oregon jdanielfarrar AT gmail.com Subject: Toledo Black Phoebe Nest Update From: Range Bayer <range.bayer AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:04:34 -0700 Hi, Chuck Philo reports that both Black Phoebe adults were feeding young in the nest this morning (June 19), but that he had not seen any such feeding yesterday. This is the second brood in the same nest this year in an outbuilding in Toledo. I haven't seen any other sightings of Black Phoebes in Lincoln County this month. -- Range Bayer, Newport, Oregon OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Wed morning, Eugene From: Larry McQueen <larmcqueen AT msn.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:31:34 -0700 Some mornings are dull. We took the trail at the end of West Amazon, which has great habitat, but apparently the birds didn't know it. It was surprisingly quiet. The list of those that should have been seen, is longer than the list we got. Wild Turkey - 3 Turkey Vulture - 10 Band-tailed Pigeon - 10 Vaux’s Swift - 1 Anna’s Hummingbird - 1 Pileated Woodpecker - 2 Northern Flicker - 5 Willow Flycatcher - 1 Violet-green Swallow - some American Crow - some Steller's Jay - 7 Western Scrub-Jay - 3 Black-capped Chickadee - 6 Red-breasted Nuthatch - 2 Brown Creeper - 1 Bewick's Wren - 1 American Robin - 3 Swainson’s Thrush - 1 European Starling - few Orange-crowned Warbler - 2 Black-throated Gray Warbler - 4 Common Yellowthroat - 1 Western Tanager - 5 singing Black-headed Grosbeak - 15 Lazuli Bunting - 3 Spotted Towhee - 12 Dark-eyed Junco - 2 American Goldfinch - 10 House Sparrow - many by the houses. Dave Brown, Kit Larsen, Fred Chancey, Don Schrouder, Sylvia Maulding, Dave and Sally Hill, and Larry McQueen Subject: Sandy River Delta BREWER'S SPARROW & ATFL From: Shawneen <shawneenfinnegan AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:50:07 -0700 The Hinkle's found a singing BREWER'S SPARROW right around the E Kingbird red-and-white tower around 9 am that is still present at 10:45. They also found an ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER that quickly disappeared to the north over the river. Shawneen Finnegan OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions From: "Tom Crabtree" <tc AT empnet.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:45:40 -0800 I have an Android phone as well and have been using iBird Pro. I like it a lot. It's easy to use, doesn't need a data connection every time you start it and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I thought Sibley's price was ridiculously high. Nat Geo is only available for I-phones and the Audubon program had so many negative comments about it that I thought I would wait until they get the bugs out. I don't think you will be disappointed with iBird Pro. Tom Crabtree -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On Behalf Of SJJag AT comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 9:21 AM To: obol AT freelists.org Subject: [obol] RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions Hello List, New owner of a smart phone (Samsung 4)looking for suggestions/comments re: birding apps. I have IBird Pro on my Kindle, wonder how it is on a smart phone. I see that Sibley is available, $19.99 wonder if it is that much more useful than IBird at $4.99. National Geographic seems only available for IPhones, any others out there? Thanks in advance. Steve Jaggers OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Glossy Ibis at Malheur NWR From: Tim Blount <harneybirder AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:27:08 -0700 Hi All, The Glossy continues on Marshall Pond at HQ. Tim Blount Www.harneybirder.com Subject: RFI: smart phone birding apps. suggestions From: SJJag AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:21:05 +0000 (UTC) Hello List, New owner of a smart phone (Samsung 4)looking for suggestions/comments re: birding apps. I have IBird Pro on my Kindle, wonder how it is on a smart phone. I see that Sibley is available, $19.99 wonder if it is that much more useful than IBird at $4.99. National Geographic seems only available for IPhones, any others out there? Thanks in advance. Steve Jaggers OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Coos Tidbits From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:43:01 -0700 (PDT) On Sunday the 16th there was a singing LESSER GOLDFINCH in our Coos Bay yard.  I haven't had them in the yard many times.  This is pretty far west for them during breeding season although they have bred in town before. On Monday the 17th I saw a WESTERN SCRUB-JAY out on the north spit of Coos Bay.  A pair did breed in town last year, not sure what this bird was doing out on the coast so late in June? Yesterday (the 18th) I saw at least 9 female GADWALL with broods at the old Weyerhaeuser settling pond site on the north spit of Coos Bay (now owned by the Port of Coos Bay).  It appears that 3 BUFFLEHEAD plan on oversummering. There are also at least three WILSON'S PHALAROPES on nest (I saw 3 males and one female).  In the past I normally don't see the young phalaropes until the first week of July. Scads of RW Blackbirds out there with many recently fledged young 'uns, I saw a couple hundred easily. Happy Birding! Tim R Coos Bay Subject: Mute Swans at Fern Hill Wetlands From: Matthew Olson <gentlesenator AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:26:46 -0700 The birds were still there this evening. Too far out to get a clear photograph, but clearly them. Best, Matthew Olson http://about.me/matthewolson OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Photos: Bay-breasted Warbler and Glossy Ibis From: Adrian Hinkle <adrian.hinkle AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:21:59 -0700 I have uploaded photos to my flickr page of the male Bay-breasted Warbler (Fields 6/14/13) and Glossy Ibis (Malheur HQ 6/13/13). http://www.flickr.com/photos/80672850 AT N02/ Happy birding, Adrian Hinkle If interested, also check my Birdfellow report ( http://www.birdfellow.com/members/adrian_hinkle/field_reports/809-pueblo-mtns-6-14-13-junco-search) and Tim Blount's site (www.harneybirder.com). Subject: status of GRAY-HEADED JUNCOS in S. Harney County From: Adrian Hinkle <adrian.hinkle AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:13:56 -0700 This is a report on our junco search in Harney County's Pueblo Mountains on Friday, June 14th. We were hoping to re-find a pair of Gray-headed Juncos that we found there last year, and far exceeded our expectations! The Gray-headed Junco, though visually unlike our Oregon Junco, is conspecific with all other juncos excluding Yellow-eyed. One of ten OBRC-reviewed subspecies (of any bird), the Gray-headed Junco is the Great Basin's most common junco. Though common just south and east of Oregon, records of Gray-headed Junco in the state have been accepted a mere four times. This includes a record of five pairs on 22 June 1999 in the Oregon Canyon Mtns (Malheur County). A lack of coverage of SE Oregon mountain ranges is the presumed reason for a sparsity of reports. Even if you are neither a hiker nor interested in juncos, I strongly suggest that you view this Birdfellow field report on our trip. Not only are there extensive photos, but bird lists, discussion on juncos, and maps are also included. PHOTOS, LIST, MAP: http://www.birdfellow.com/members/adrian_hinkle/field_reports/809-pueblo-mtns-6-14-13-junco-search EBird fans can find a complete checklist here: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14454420 Lastly, I also suggest viewing these photos of other hybrid juncos. Gray-headed x Oregon is not a known intergrade. http://www.flickr.com/groups/hybridbirds/discuss/72157604320042327/ Comments on whether we did indeed find intergrade juncos are very welcome! Photo on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/80672850 AT N02/9079636963/ Cheers, Adrian Hinkle, Christopher Hinkle, Em Scattaregia Pueblo Mtns, 6/14/13: Junco Search http://www.birdfellow.com/members/adrian_hinkle/field_reports/809-pueblo-mtns-6-14-13-junco-search Subject: Two Spots At Silver Falls State Park... From: John Thomas <johnpam AT mtangel.net> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:57:46 -0700 Went up to the Ultra-Green Silver Falls today and walked 1000' up above North Falls on Perimeter Trail. I was thinking, " I wonder if MacGillivray's Warblers have site fidelity" as I had seen one in a small clearing up there a few years ago. Took Old Dog through the clearing to give her a drink of water from a spring and then on coming back through the area I had a bird angrily chitting at the dog...and...it was a MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLER. I pished a little bit to get a better look - a "stunnah." A WILSON'S and a BC CHICKADEE also came in to see what was going on; but, to be honest, I think the dog was what really got the birds going, not my pishing. Other birds on this Perimeter Trail included a large number of SWAINSON'S THRUSH and PACIFIC WREN along with a few more WILSON'S WARBLERS. I made a lot of racket on this trail with my walking stick banging on trees as I didn't want Old Dog and master to run into Large Mammal in this "back country." After Old Dog and I wore ourselves out on this trail, quiet and beautiful as it was(nobody there, no falls on the mountain) we went up to Silver Ridge Road and drove from above the park toward Silverton. At the logged out section where the old road goes into Silver Falls, we stopped and walked down the fire trail toward the main lodge. First bird heard and seen was a very vocal OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER who seems to be setting up territory. Other birds at this site included WC SPARROW, OC WARBLER, RB SAPSUCKER (taking feed to a hole in a nearby Maple), and WESTERN TANAGER. The sparrows scolded the Old Dog persistently and brought out the warbler. The flycatcher called the entire hour we were there. Good Birding, John Thomas Silverton/Mt Angel area OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Harney Co. June 13-16: Bay-breasted, Parula, Glossy Ibis, catbirds, GH Juncos From: Adrian Hinkle <adrian.hinkle AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:55:56 -0700 We just returned from a family birding, camping, and hiking trip in Harney County. Mid-June treated us well this year, as it did last year; we found a number of rarities, relatively few mosquitoes, and perfect hiking and birding weather. On Thursday, June 13th, we located a GLOSSY IBIS on HQ's Marshall Pond. Many photos were taken. We believe that it is a morning bird; on both 6/13 and 6/16, the bird disappeared around 9:00am. It was not seen in a couple afternoons between those dates. Otherwise, we found a Bonaparte's Gull at the Narrows and lots of wind in Fields. Few migrants. Had fun counting birds along the S. CPR, hoping for more accurate data to enter in eBird (split up checklists into different sections and lakes along the road). We found 87 Yellow Warblers, 581 Black Terns, 67 Forester's Terns, 27 Willow Flycatcher, a lots more. Several Bobolinks. Don't even ask about blackbirds. No idea what a good count for those birds would be, but it just gives an idea of how thick the birds are. On Friday, 6/14 we found a singing male Bay-breasted Warbler at the entrance to Fields Oasis. It was the first bird we heard when we got out of the car. A catbird was also there, along with a trickle of the expected migrants. Next we hiked into the Pubelo mountains, and encountered 15+ juncos between 6000 and 7000 ft. near Ten Cent Meadow. Many were Gray-headed, but some appeared to be integrades with Oregon. Details and photos will be posted later. A quick 6/15 check at Fields produced absolutely no migrants. Hiked in the Steens. On 6/16, we birded headquarters for part of the morning. The GLOSSY IBIS continued. Both a singing male NORTHERN PARULA and a sulking GRAY CATBIRD briefly appeared only to vanish amidst a good variety of other migrants (Warbling Vireos, tanagers, BH Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, pewees, Willow and Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Swainson's Thrush). It seems to us that mid-June is almost peak for vagrants. Between three trips (Jun 11-15, 2008; Jun 13-17, 2012; Jun 13-16, 2013), we found several OBRC review rarities, including Blackburnian Warbler, Eastern Phoebe, Orchard Oriole, Bay-breasted Warbler, and Glossy Ibis. Hope to see some of you all out there in mid June next year! Happy birding, Adrian Hinkle, Christopher Hinkle, Em Scattaregia Subject: Time for a reminder. . . From: "kolwicz AT minetfiber.com" <kolwicz@minetfiber.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:40:02 -0700 . . . that netiquette and listserve rules require that posters remove excessive quotes from their replies. This latest volume was cluttered with at least a dozen re-quotes and re-re-requotes of earlier messages, the excess accounted for maybe even 3/4 of the total content. I know it's easy (and lazy and inconsiderate) to just "Reply to:" and let fling with your response, but it makes the digest version difficult to read. Frank in Monmouth OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Malheur Photos From: "Tom Crabtree" <tc AT empnet.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:04:10 -0800 Tim, What a cool website. Thanks for doing this. It's a great way to share vicariously what those of us that haven't been able to make it over there have missed seeing in person. Tom Crabtree, Bend From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On Behalf Of Tim Blount Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 10:48 AM To: OBOL Subject: [obol] Malheur Photos Hi All, I have update harneybirder.com with the most recent photos from Christopher and Adrian Hinkle, Scott Carpenter, Tom Mickel and myself. Images include the recent Glossy Ibis, Gray-headed Junco, Bay-breasted Warbler, N. Parula, Gray Catbird and Cape May Warbler. Thanks for those willing to share photos! Cheers! Tim Blount www.harneybirder.com Subject: Polk County Ovenbird - NO From: Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:47:18 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, Rich Hoyer, Tristan Hynes, Oscar Harper and I went up to Falls City today to see if we could relocate the OVENBIRD found yesterday by Doug Robinson. Alas, we had no luck with vagrant warblers of any flavor, but we found a nice assortment of the usual forest birds along Valsetz Road, including several PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, WARBLING VIREOS, HERMIT, BLACK-THROATED GRAY, ORANGE-CROWNED and WILSON'S WARBLERS, SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, BROWN CREEPERS, BLACK-HEADED and EVENING GROSBEAKS and WESTERN TANAGERS. In Falls City, we had one AMERICAN DIPPER on the Valsetz River (above the falls). On our way home, we made a brief stop at the Philomath Sewage Ponds. Things were pretty quiet. The only water birds we saw were several broods of MALLARDS, a female WOOD DUCK with nine downy young (high cuteness factor!) and lone RUDDY DUCK. Numerous swallows and a few swifts swirled overhead, a WESTERN WOOD-PEWEE called from the greenway along the entrance road, and many SAVANNAH SPARROWS were singing from the fence line around the ponds' perimeter. Happy summer birding Hendrik __________________________ Hendrik G. Herlyn Corvallis, OR "Nature is not a place to visit. It is home."      -- Gary Snyder Subject: 6/17/13 - Union County : NE Oregon Birds of late. From: AVITOURS AT aol.com Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:13:55 -0400 (EDT) Birders - Yesterday (6/17, 7:30 am - 1:30 pm), I had one of the most memorable days birding in Union County. The morning started out birding with David Shuteroff, from Yreka, CA. He only had a couple of birds he really wanted to see, I knew where they were, and with a bit of luck, we hit a grand slam. His first target bird was a Bobolink. We saw and heard two male BOBOLINKS along Arch Street near Union Junction. We then made a brief stop at Catherine Creek State Park and had a very vociferous VEERY, with close range looks. Above the park on Hall Ranch we found a nesting pair of WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKERS, David's second target bird, and a species I had not found nesting before in UC. The day could have been complete by this point, but I asked him about Gray Catbirds, and he had not seen them before. So, we visited Rhinehart. We had half a dozen or so GRAY CATBIRDS, calling away, and picked up two WILLOW FLYCATCHERS. We also heard a saw a 'Western' FLYCATCHER, which sounded like both Cord and Pacslope. Mr. Shuteroff ended up picking up 5 life birds by 1:30 pm. After the morning birding, I ate a late lunch (4:00pm), found myself re energized, and decided to see where the snow level was up at Mt. Fanny. After trying for several hours, I finally found the right elevation and habitat type, and picked up 6 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS. I passed Moss Springs and stopped at the second (2005), burn. I heard drumming and then saw 2 AMERICAN THREE-TOED WOODPECKERS. A hundred meters or so up the road, the snow was too deep for the truck, there was a lot of water and muck, so I parked and walked up. Several switch backs later, I found myself looking into the Minam River drainage, Horseshoe Basin. Walking became difficult here (490 NF road), with frozen snow, thawed snow, tons of water, and lots of mud. It looks like I may have been the first person up here since the thaw. Mosquitos and the various biting flies were not bad, if you didn't stay in one spot for too long. I had walked about a quarter of the way to the OPB tower road (may be less than a mile) , when I suddenly flushed up a Grouse off the road. I just assumed it was a Dusky Grouse. I slinked over the snow as quietly as possible, and could see the bird in the tree -- Not a Dusky, but a male SPRUCE GROUSE.!. This is the earliest I have detected this species in Union County. We watched each other for about 20 minutes. I got to heard him vocalize twice. I unfortunately had neither a camera or camera phone. I ended the day detecting 100 species, as a BARN OWL flew across my headlights, on my way back to La Grande. What a great day birding! Good birding, - Trent Bray The Bobolink - Linking Birders & Birds 1707 5th Street La Grande, OR 97850 (541) 963 - 2888 Subject: Re: Mute Swans still at Fernhill this morning From: "Cathy Nowak" <cathy.nowak AT state.or.us> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:26:01 -0700 I heard back from the ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator this morning and he will check into it. He had not heard about them. M. Cathy Nowak Certified Wildlife Biologist(r) Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area 59116 Pierce Rd La Grande, OR 97850 541-963-4954 From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On Behalf Of Phil Kahler Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 9:07 AM To: OBOL Subject: [obol] Mute Swans still at Fernhill this morning Stopped by Fernhill Wetlands before work this morning and saw that all 10 Mute Swans are still in the south mitigation pond. Phil Kahler Tualatin Valley Academy Science Department 21975 SW Baseline Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-649-5518 x404 philk AT tvja.org http://www.tvja.org/science Subject: Malheur Photos From: Tim Blount <harneybirder AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 11:47:55 -0700 Hi All, I have update harneybirder.com with the most recent photos from Christopher and Adrian Hinkle, Scott Carpenter, Tom Mickel and myself. Images include the recent Glossy Ibis, Gray-headed Junco, Bay-breasted Warbler, N. Parula, Gray Catbird and Cape May Warbler. Thanks for those willing to share photos! Cheers! Tim Blount www.harneybirder.com Subject: Roseate Spoonbills, High Island, Tx. From: linda phelan thompson <lindaphelanlmt AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:06:11 -0500 Dear Obolers, I'm down here in Texas, and did indeed see the Spoonbills and Snowy Egrets nesting. The Neotropical Cormorants are still here, but they've finished nesting. Apparently the birds are nesting late this year, good for me, since I'm here now. The young range from very young chicks, to fairly large in size (both species). I saw one Spoonbill still nesting, and at least a few still flying around with twigs in their bills. Some Egrets, looking full grown in size, are still very dramatically demanding to be fed, and the feeding looks so violent, I'm surprised their wings aren't broken afterward, the way their wings are caught up in the parent's sharp bill. I was also at Anahuac briefly (it was nice and breezy there), and saw some HUGE Turtles, lots of swallows, a heron resembling our green heron, and one Black-Necked Stilt, another first for me. There were Killdeer, and I saw Red-Winged Blackbirds and Cattle Egret along the roadsides. I was surprised to see raptors there, a big plus for me. I had good close looks at two that flushed from trees along the road, and two overhead. Do the Harriers here have white on the head? The two overhead had white on the rumps, but also on the head. The most numerous species were the Great-Tailed Grackle. An amazing adventure, and now that I know how to get there, will try to make it out there on other visits to my husband's relatives. Have fun out there, fellow birders, I hope to see the Mute Swans when I get back. Linda Phelan Thompson, Fanno Creek/Tigard -- *Linda Lee* Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:00:44 -0700 The ORANGE-CROWNED migration was chugging along as expected at the Stanley Lake banding station until the weather changed in early May and we couldn't get any nets up. We completely missed the WILSON'S movement and barely caught the tail end of the YELLOW movement. It was a cold, wet spring. Beware of quantitative judgements based on qualitative data... -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Chasing the non-zero probability http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/?p=1374 OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? From: "Wayne Weber" <contopus AT telus.net> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:48:08 -0700 Oregon Birders, I just wanted to add a note of caution to the discussion. It may be misleading to draw general conclusions from the (anecdotal) observations of spring migration by 2 or 3 observers, or even half a dozen observers. Unless you are out birding EVERY DAY during the spring migration (let’s say at least from April 1 to May 31), you may miss a large part of the migration. There are frequent large fallouts of Neotropical migrants in spring migration (hundreds of birds of numerous species) which are mostly gone by the next day. I say this based on my own personal experience near Vancouver, BC, and from years of reading e-mail reports of spring birding from places such as Tabor Mountain in Portland and Skinner Butte in Eugene. If you miss a single day’s observation, you may miss a significant percentage of the entire spring’s grounded migrants at that locality. The best data on numbers of grounded migrants come from banding stations which operate daily throughout the migration period, and which conduct daily counts of birds in the areas in addition to those which are actually caught and banded. We have two such stations in the Vancouver, BC area-- one at Iona Island in the Fraser Delta in Richmond, and one at Colony Farm Park in Port Coquitlam. Are there any such banding stations (involving numerous observers) in western Oregon? If so, they would be the best source of information on the abundance of Neotropical migrants. There is no question that there are major population changes going on in many species of Neotropical migrant birds-- both short-term changes and long-term changes. However, it’s much easier to accurately measure such changes during the breeding season (using methods such as the Breeding Bird Survey) than during the migration periods, either spring or fall. Migration is such a variable phenomenon, in terms of both the timing and the geographic location of concentrations of migrants, and is so much affected by weather conditions, that counts of grounded migrants give a much poorer picture of year-to-year changes in numbers than counts of singing males on the breeding grounds. So please be cautious, and don’t assume just because there appear to be low numbers of migrants in your area for one or a couple of years, that there have been massive, widespread population declines in these species. Wayne C. Weber Delta, BC contopus AT telus.net From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On Behalf Of Joel Geier Sent: June-17-13 8:08 PM To: Oregon Birders OnLine Subject: [obol] Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? P.S. I just want to note how happy I am to see this thread getting as much attention as it has on OBOL. State- and county-level rarities are fun but ultimately the birding experience for all of us will be impoverished if "expected" species aren't hanging in there. I'm not convinced that we need to be sounding alarm bells based on one season's migration along the east coast, but I do think this is the kind of topic that we'd all do well to have in the back of our minds. So thank you to Caitlin Coberly for raising the topic, and to the rest of you who have contributed your personal insights. Good birding, Joel Subject: Mute Swans still at Fernhill this morning From: Phil Kahler <philk AT tvja.org> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:07:08 -0700 Stopped by Fernhill Wetlands before work this morning and saw that all 10 Mute Swans are still in the south mitigation pond. Phil Kahler Tualatin Valley Academy Science Department 21975 SW Baseline Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-649-5518 x404 philk AT tvja.org http://www.tvja.org/science Subject: Olive-s Fly SW Portland From: Thomas Love <tlove AT linfield.edu> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:29:12 +0000 Much to my surprise, given the date (18 June), a calling OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER put in an appearance in our SW Portland neighborhood this morning. Seems like we get one every other year passing through, but this year seems way later than usual. Tom L. Subject: Scio BBS results 2011 to 2013 From: "Jeff Harding" <jeffharding AT centurytel.net> Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:47:26 -0700 Here is what I've recorded on the Scio BBS for the last three years. I have run the survey since 1985, so more data is available, but these years were easy to put together because I put them into eBird. I'm not sure it has any real significance, given the relatively small sample, the possibility of observer error and all. For what it's worth, Orange-crowned Warblers are pretty stable, Willow Flycatchers are up. I was impressed with the Band-tailed Pigeons this year. They are probably undercounted, since I heard and counted one on several stops, and there was likely a flock. I saw one flock of 5 fly by, and once there were 11 in a tree I could see, but more were probably there. I hope the table is not distorted too much. 2011 2012 2013 Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos 0 4 0 California Quail - Callipepla californica 9 10 6 Ring-necked Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus 0 0 1 Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavo 0 1 2 Turkey Vulture - Cathartes aura 2 1 6 Northern Harrier - Circus cyaneus 3 0 0 Red-tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis 3 3 0 Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus 1 4 0 Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularius 0 0 1 Band-tailed Pigeon - Patagioenas fasciata 3 0 22 Rock Pigeon - Columba livia 0 5 1 Eurasian Collared-Dove - Streptopelia decaocto 0 1 6 Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura 8 4 9 Northern Pygmy-Owl - Glaucidium gnoma 1 0 0 Rufous Hummingbird - Selasphorus rufus 1 2 5 Red-breasted Sapsucker - Sphyrapicus ruber 0 1 3 Northern Flicker - Colaptes auratus 3 4 4 American Kestrel - Falco sparverius 2 3 0 Olive-sided Flycatcher - Contopus cooperi 2 0 1 Western Wood-Pewee - Contopus sordidulus 24 23 24 Willow Flycatcher - Empidonax traillii 10 6 15 Pacific-slope Flycatcher - Empidonax difficilis 4 0 0 Hutton's Vireo - Vireo huttoni 1 0 0 Cassin's Vireo - Vireo cassinii 0 2 0 Warbling Vireo - Vireo gilvus 9 7 6 Steller's Jay - Cyanocitta stelleri 7 7 2 Western Scrub-Jay - Aphelocoma californica 16 7 17 American Crow - Corvus brachyrhynchos 34 21 39 Common Raven - Corvus corax 1 1 0 Northern Rough-winged Swallow - Stelgidopteryx serripennis 0 0 1 Purple Martin - Progne subis 1 0 0 Tree Swallow - Tachycineta bicolor 3 9 2 Violet-green Swallow - Tachycineta thalassina 33 24 32 Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica 11 6 6 Cliff Swallow - Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 0 1 4 Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus 4 8 9 Bushtit - Psaltriparus minimus 2 0 0 Red-breasted Nuthatch - Sitta Canadensis 3 6 3 House Wren - Troglodytes aedon 1 1 0 Pacific Wren - Troglodytes pacificus 3 1 0 Bewick's Wren - Thryomanes bewickii 2 2 3 Swainson's Thrush - Catharus ustulatus 30 40 66 American Robin - Turdus migratorius 71 78 100 European Starling - Sturnus vulgaris 30 35 19 Cedar Waxwing - Bombycilla cedrorum 0 11 1 Orange-crowned Warbler - Oreothlypis celata 7 7 8 MacGillivray's Warbler - Geothlypis tolmiei 4 2 3 Common Yellowthroat - Geothlypis trichas 7 14 9 Yellow-rumped Warbler - Setophaga coronate 0 0 1 Black-throated Gray Warbler - Setophaga nigrescens 2 1 2 Wilson's Warbler - Cardellina pusilla 3 1 0 Yellow-breasted Chat - Icteria virens 1 0 1 Spotted Towhee - Pipilo maculatus 15 12 28 Vesper Sparrow - Pooecetes gramineus 1 0 2 Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis 11 15 11 Song Sparrow - Melospiza melodia 9 17 29 White-crowned Sparrow - Zonotrichia leucophrys 29 25 32 Dark-eyed Junco - Junco hyemalis 4 6 6 Western Tanager - Piranga ludoviciana 5 6 2 Black-headed Grosbeak - Pheucticus melanocephalus 16 13 20 Lazuli Bunting - Passerina amoena 0 0 4 Red-winged Blackbird - Agelaius phoeniceus 3 4 7 Brewer's Blackbird - Euphagus cyanocephalus 11 8 7 Brown-headed Cowbird - Molothrus ater 5 5 4 Purple Finch - Haemorhous purpureus 1 7 2 House Finch - Haemorhous mexicanus 1 10 0 American Goldfinch - Spinus tristis 18 25 19 House Sparrow - Passer domesticus 1 7 0 Subject: O-c s this spring From: Norgren Family <gnorgren AT earthlink.net> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:00:10 -0700 is often the case with negative evidence, but there are no Orange-crowned Warblers at my house. Haven't been a meaningful number all spring. Haven't heard them on my bicycle rides either. Lars X-ecartis-version: Ecartis v1.0.0 Sender: obol-bounce AT freelists.org Errors-to: obol-bounce AT freelists.org X-original-sender: gnorgren AT earthlink.net Precedence: normal Reply-To: gnorgren AT earthlink.net List-help: List-unsubscribe: List-software: Ecartis version 1.0.0 List-Id: obol X-List-ID: obol List-subscribe: List-owner: List-post: List-archive: X-list: obol OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? From: L Markoff <canyoneaglej AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:08:17 -0500 There were several bad storm systems that hit Texas during the last couple weeks of April that had a big impact on spring migration there. While birders were delighted with the fallout, there was high bird mortality. Very sad. Don't know if those events would have any effect further north in places like Connecticut, but I have to wonder. Lori Markoff formerly of Austin, TX soon to be of Eugene, OR On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 3:28 PM, Tom McNamara wrote: > Obol, > > Well, well I've been wondering if this topic was going to come up on this > forum. Very interesting to me that Caitlin forwarded a post about east > coast migration and how lousy it's been. As it happens, I was there > (central Connecticut) from May 11-17, supposed prime time. But the > birding was substantially less than prime. I was out at least 4 or 5 times > in the early morning, at 5 different spots with disparate habitats, for at > least 2 (and sometimes 3.5-4) hours in very good weather and I was, I have > to say, disappointed. But the disappointment was quickly accompanied by > concern. I mean it's nice to have really hot birding but it's something > else altogether if the birds are really getting hammered in such a way that > it is so immediately apparent and personal. > Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Harry Nehls <hnehls6 AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:36:36 -0700 > Obolers, > > Its been awhile so I may be a bit foggy, at one time a mortuary in either > Hillsboro or Forest Grove had a flock of Mute Swans. Some Individuals reported > in the area over the years apparently came from that flock, and apparently > they returned after wandering. Of course birds from the wild British Columbia > population occur from time to time in the Forest Grove area also. > > Harry > > > > Who would own ten swans? > Harry Nehls Portland, Oregon Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Phil Kahler <philk AT tvja.org> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:22:13 -0700 Did anyone report seeing the Mute Swans at Fernhill today? I didn't have a chance to get out and check this morning. Just wondering if they are still around. Phil On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 5:58 PM, Mike Patterson wrote: > The Ziaks don't do Mute Swans. They do TRUMPETER SWANS and the > progeny of the pinioned birds at Ziak's are leaking out into other > parts of Brownsmead. The EMPEROR GEESE are no longer at Ziak's > (haven't been for awhile) and the got rid of their exotic teal > collection as well. VIRGINIA RAILS have taken up in the abandoned > aviary. > > I am assuming that the Mutes at Fernhill are not flight capable? > Could they be birds that winged their way down from BC? Every > Mute Swan I've seen in Clatsop flew in from elsewhere. > > -- > Mike Patterson > Astoria, OR > Chasing the non-zero probability > http://www.surfbirds.com/**community-blogs/**northcoastdiaries/?p=1374 > > > > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol > Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/**obol > Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > > -- Phil Kahler Tualatin Valley Academy Science Department 21975 SW Baseline Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 Phone (503) 649-5518 x404 Fax (503) 642-7654 philk AT tvja.org http://www.tvja.org/science Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:08:03 -0700 P.S. I just want to note how happy I am to see this thread getting as much attention as it has on OBOL. State- and county-level rarities are fun but ultimately the birding experience for all of us will be impoverished if "expected" species aren't hanging in there. I'm not convinced that we need to be sounding alarm bells based on one season's migration along the east coast, but I do think this is the kind of topic that we'd all do well to have in the back of our minds. So thank you to Caitlin Coberly for raising the topic, and to the rest of you who have contributed your personal insights. Good birding, Joel Subject: Linn County Black and White Warber - No (for me) From: "Jeff Harding" <jeffharding AT centurytel.net> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:58:07 -0700 Tyler Hicks reported a Black and White Warber from Buell-Miller Park, between Stayton and Jefferson on the North Santiam River yesterday. I was there after work, between 5:15 and 6:45 this evening, and failed to detect it. It was windy, and I am not intimate with it's calls and song, so there is a good chance it is still there. It is also a fairly large patch of habitat, and if it moved a little, it could be difficult to relocate. Here is what Tyler told me: The warbler is hanging out in the cottonwoods/willows on the sw side of the park. Park at the boat ramp and take the trail south of the portapotty. This trail will take you across the park which is mostly dominated by Scotch Broom. The broom field is full of Lazuli Buntings and Yellow-breasted Chats. The trail will enter the cottonwood forest and then split after 150 yards. Take the south split (downriver) the B&W Warbler was hanging out in the cottonwoods/willows as the trail exits (see map) onto a large gravel bar south to a willow dominated area with wetlands. I was fishing here from 5 AM to 10 AM and the bird sang consistently the whole time. It is a male. http://goo.gl/maps/lXatQ On the way to work this morning I stopped in Jefferson. Asking around for the park, I also asked where the Wild Turkeys hang out. There was a nice mob at 6th and Union. They were county birds for me, so I don't have to worry about that one anymore. Cheers, Jeff Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ? From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:41:55 -0700 Hi all, I don't want to discount the concern since it might be well-grounded, but reading through all of the postings in this thread so far, it seems like there is a lot of heterogeneity of experience regarding neotropical abundance, depending on location. Just between Hendrik and myself, both of us mostly "motorless" birders who cover areas separated by less than 10 miles, there was a big difference in terms of our impressions of Orange-crowned Warbler migration. I know that Hendrik is a super birder so I trust his impressions from Willamette park vs. mine at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, but I think it shows how a few miles of distance can make a big difference. When you're dealing with a heterogeneous phenomenon, what you need is a lot of quantitative observations at spatially separated locations. If there's a systematic effect of climate change on which "hotspots" yield the greatest concentrations of spring migrants, then anecdotal observations might be deceiving as a measure of broad population movements. If eBird had come on line about 8-10 years earlier than it did, and/or if BirdNotes had seen a more vigorous response from Pacific Northwest birders when it did come on line at that time, we would perhaps have a better baseline for assessing trends in neotropical migrants, on a broad regional scale. But neither of those things came to pass. The good news is that the US Geological Survey (and earlier Biological Survey) have a statistically robust method for tracking bird populations which has been going on for many decades, called the Breeding Bird Survey. Many of you -- and many Oregon birders who have passed on -- have contributed many hours to this survey. If you have good ears for birds, please consider volunteering for one of Oregon's vacant routes. For this kind of question that requires a long-term baseline and widespread spatial sampling, it's the best tool that we have available. The second best tool is the CBC. Good birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: [birding] Miller Millet Park? From: Brandon Wagner <bmwboarder AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:40:55 -0700 Hey Jeff, midvalley, and OBOL, A couple other people got in touch with Tyler and below is what was forwarded on to me: Brandon Wagner The name of the park is Buell-Miller County Park and it is east of Jefferson. The warbler is hanging out in the cottonwoods/willows on the sw side of the park. Park at the boat ramp and take the trail south of the portapotty. This trail will take you across the park which is mostly dominated by Scotch Broom. The broom field is full of Lazuli Buntings and Yellow-breasted Chats. The trail will enter the cottonwood forest and then split after 150 yards. Take the south split (downriver) the B&W Warbler was hanging out in the cottonwoods/willows as the trail exits (see map) onto a large gravel bar south to a willow dominated area with wetlands. I was fishing here from 5 AM to 10 AM and the bird sang consistently the whole time. It is a male. http://goo.gl/maps/lXatQ Cheers, Tyler On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 6:18 PM, Jeff Fleischer wrote: > HI Brandon, > > I just posted to OBOL a request for Tyler Hicks to contact me about the > warbler sighting, hope he responds as this is a very rare sighting here in > Linn County. I have lived in Albany for 26 years and have never heard of > Miller Millet Park! :) If I find out anything new I will let you know, > > Jeff > > > ------------------------------ > *From:* Brandon Wagner > *To:* Midvalley Birding > *Sent:* Monday, June 17, 2013 1:54 PM > *Subject:* [birding] Miller Millet Park? > > Does anyone know where this is? I can't find it on any maps. > > PS: Just for fun, I had an Acorn Woodpecker eating away at my bird feeder > this afternoon. > > Brandon Wagner > _______________________________________________ > birding mailing list > birding AT midvalleybirding.org > http://midvalleybirding.org/mailman/listinfo/birding > > > Subject: Tyler Hicks From: Jeff Fleischer <raptorrunner97321 AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:10:56 -0700 (PDT)  Hi Tyler, If you are monitoring OBOL or the Corvallis birding listserve, could you please email me, I am interested in getting additional information on your Black and White Warbler sighting in a park west of Jefferson the other day.  It is a rare find for sure here in Linn County and I am not familiar with Miller Millet Park that you had mentioned to Harry Nehls in your phone call.  Thanks :) Jeff Fleischer Albany Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Mike Patterson <celata AT pacifier.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:58:47 -0700 The Ziaks don't do Mute Swans. They do TRUMPETER SWANS and the progeny of the pinioned birds at Ziak's are leaking out into other parts of Brownsmead. The EMPEROR GEESE are no longer at Ziak's (haven't been for awhile) and the got rid of their exotic teal collection as well. VIRGINIA RAILS have taken up in the abandoned aviary. I am assuming that the Mutes at Fernhill are not flight capable? Could they be birds that winged their way down from BC? Every Mute Swan I've seen in Clatsop flew in from elsewhere. -- Mike Patterson Astoria, OR Chasing the non-zero probability http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/?p=1374 OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: David Irons <llsdirons AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:53:56 -0700 Don't know where they came from, but I know where they should go....away! Dave Irons Portland, OR Sent from my iPhone On Jun 17, 2013, at 4:12 PM, "HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " wrote: > Somewhere in my foggy photographic memory of another era, I seem to recall about ten of these critters on a small farmlike pond coming in on the highway from Baskett Slough into Salem. > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T > > -----Original Message----- > From: Alan Contreras > Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:08:19 > To: ; > Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands > > > Oh heavens Cathy, you're not a bureaucrat, you're a biologist. I am > thinking of people like inexperienced county recreation staff or that kind > of person. It just seems so unlikely that any private party could even > FIND ten available Mute Swans in one place in Oregon to transplant them. > > Maybe Ziaks would have heard about this, it's kinda sorta in their part of > the state, in a way. > > I don't suppose anyone saw a flock southbound over Dutch Harbor on Friday? > > -- > Alan Contreras > Eugene, Oregon > > acontrer56 AT gmail.com > > I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com > > > > > > > > On 6/17/13 4:03 PM, "Cathy Nowak" wrote: > >> Ok, I am trying not to take the "eau de bureaucrat" thing personally... >> >> I contacted our Wildlife Integrity folks in Salem regarding the birds but >> it is late in the day and I had to leave a message. If I learn anything >> through ODFW about the source of the birds and/or plans to deal with them >> I will try to pass it on to OBOL. >> >> M. Cathy Nowak >> Certified Wildlife Biologist® >> Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area >> 59116 Pierce Rd >> La Grande, OR 97850 >> 541-963-4954 >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On >> Behalf Of Alan Contreras >> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:52 PM >> To: OBOL >> Subject: [obol] Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands >> >> This Swan incident sounds more like a government idea gone wrong than a >> private dumping. Would there be a reason why a local government agency >> would stupidly introduce swans to eat something? Or just to be >> decorative?Who else could even transport ten swans at once, besides a >> professional aviary that would surely know better? Somebody should ask >> the county. I smell eau de bureaucrat. >> >> I surmise that someone has already contacted ODFW to remove them. >> >> -- >> Alan Contreras >> Eugene, Oregon >> >> acontrer56 AT gmail.com >> >> I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 6/17/13 3:33 PM, "SJJag AT comcast.net" wrote: >> >>> Exactly, but where did theese things come from?? Very Curious Indeed. >>> >>> Steve Jaggers >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Alan Contreras" >>> To: "Owen Schmidt" >>> Cc: "OBOL" >>> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56:19 PM >>> Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetland >>> >>> >>> Who would own ten swans? >>> >>> Alan Contreras >>> Eugene, Oregon >>> >>> >>> acontrer56 AT gmail.com >>> >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt < olschmidt AT mac.com > wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife >>> without permit prohibited. No person shall release within this state any >>> domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any >>> place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit >>> therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82] >>> >>> So ..... I guess not, no dumping. Without a permit. >>> >>> >>> oschmidt AT att.net >>> Monday, June 17, 2013 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras < acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like >>> Fernhill? >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Alan Contreras >>> Eugene, Oregon >>> >>> >>> acontrer56 AT gmail.com >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol >> Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >> Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org >> >> > > > > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol > Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol > Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol > Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol > Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > âÚ­Èb½ë0Ãëyéb²Û(®Ú­Èb½ïèn‰Ljv {*.­§¢éí¢»§²æìr¸›zm§ÿðÃëyéb²Û(®åŠË¡º% ‰íiËf¡×«jÚ+²†è–jz¶­¢»­ç¥ŠËl¢¸ Subject: Ovenbird in Polk County From: "W. Douglas Robinson" <w.douglas.robinson AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:25:10 -0700 An Ovenbird was singing this morning at 5:20 about 4 miles west of Falls City post office on Valsetz Road (44.84190, -123.48209). There is a pull-off on the north side of the road (a narrow road heads north; a few red shotgun shells are on the road there if I recall correctly) at about 4 miles west of the post office. I was standing there and the Ovenbird sang after I had been there a couple minutes. It was about 50 m to the southwest. It sang a total of 10 times, getting as close as 40 m then went to about 150 m or more to the southeast before I could not hear it anymore. It might be like the redstart I found at EE Wilson last June. I heard the redstart coming as it was moving along singing and it kept right on going, never to be seen again. If the Ovenbird was doing the same Brownian motion strategy, then it may be impossible to find again. The habitat where it was singing is not typical for Ovenbirds. Very thick stand of 12-15 year old doug-firs planted super dense. If I were gonna look for it, I'd start there and head east, checking in particular the stands of widely spaced older firs that extend from about mile 2.5 to 3.5. The deciduous understory and structure looks just like what Ovenbirds nest in at sites in the Midwest and South. Take care if you walk the road. Fair bit of logging traffic, as well as trucks hauling gravel. As you were Doug OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: "HARVEY W SCHUBOTHE " <ninerharv2 AT msn.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:12:04 +0000 Somewhere in my foggy photographic memory of another era, I seem to recall about ten of these critters on a small farmlike pond coming in on the highway from Baskett Slough into Salem. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -----Original Message----- From: Alan Contreras Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:08:19 To: ; Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands Oh heavens Cathy, you're not a bureaucrat, you're a biologist.  I am thinking of people like inexperienced county recreation staff or that kind of person.  It just seems so unlikely that any private party could even FIND ten available Mute Swans in one place in Oregon to transplant them. Maybe Ziaks would have heard about this, it's kinda sorta in their part of the state, in a way. I don't suppose anyone saw a flock southbound over Dutch Harbor on Friday? -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at:  oregonreview.blogspot.com On 6/17/13 4:03 PM, "Cathy Nowak" wrote: >Ok, I am trying not to take the "eau de bureaucrat" thing personally... > >I contacted our Wildlife Integrity folks in Salem regarding the birds but >it is late in the day and I had to leave a message.  If I learn anything >through ODFW about the source of the birds and/or plans to deal with them >I will try to pass it on to OBOL. > >M. Cathy Nowak >Certified Wildlife Biologist® >Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area >59116 Pierce Rd >La Grande, OR 97850 >541-963-4954 > > >-----Original Message----- >From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On >Behalf Of Alan Contreras >Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:52 PM >To: OBOL >Subject: [obol] Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands > >This Swan incident sounds more like a government idea gone wrong than a >private dumping.  Would there be a reason why a local government agency >would stupidly introduce swans to eat something?  Or just to be >decorative?Who else could even transport ten swans at once, besides a >professional aviary that would surely know better?  Somebody should ask >the county.  I smell eau de bureaucrat. > >I surmise that someone has already contacted ODFW to remove them. > >-- >Alan Contreras >Eugene, Oregon > >acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >I blog at:  oregonreview.blogspot.com > > > > > > > >On 6/17/13 3:33 PM, "SJJag AT comcast.net" wrote: > >>Exactly, but where did theese things come from?? Very Curious Indeed. >> >>Steve Jaggers >> >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Alan Contreras" >>To: "Owen Schmidt" >>Cc: "OBOL" >>Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56:19 PM >>Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetland >> >> >>Who would own ten swans? >> >>Alan Contreras >>Eugene, Oregon >> >> >>acontrer56 AT gmail.com >> >> >>Sent from my iPhone >> >> >> >> >> >>On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt < olschmidt AT mac.com > wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>      ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife >>without permit prohibited.  No person shall release within this state any >>domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any >>place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit >>therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82] >>  >>So ..... I guess not, no dumping.  Without a permit. >> >> >>oschmidt AT att.net >>Monday, June 17, 2013 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras < acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >>wrote: >> >> >> >> >>Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like >>Fernhill? >> >> >> >>--  >>Alan Contreras >>Eugene, Oregon >> >> >>acontrer56 AT gmail.com >> >> >> > > > > >OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol >Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:08:19 -0700 Oh heavens Cathy, you're not a bureaucrat, you're a biologist. I am thinking of people like inexperienced county recreation staff or that kind of person. It just seems so unlikely that any private party could even FIND ten available Mute Swans in one place in Oregon to transplant them. Maybe Ziaks would have heard about this, it's kinda sorta in their part of the state, in a way. I don't suppose anyone saw a flock southbound over Dutch Harbor on Friday? -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com On 6/17/13 4:03 PM, "Cathy Nowak" wrote: >Ok, I am trying not to take the "eau de bureaucrat" thing personally... > >I contacted our Wildlife Integrity folks in Salem regarding the birds but >it is late in the day and I had to leave a message. If I learn anything >through ODFW about the source of the birds and/or plans to deal with them >I will try to pass it on to OBOL. > >M. Cathy Nowak >Certified Wildlife Biologist® >Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area >59116 Pierce Rd >La Grande, OR 97850 >541-963-4954 > > >-----Original Message----- >From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On >Behalf Of Alan Contreras >Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:52 PM >To: OBOL >Subject: [obol] Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands > >This Swan incident sounds more like a government idea gone wrong than a >private dumping. Would there be a reason why a local government agency >would stupidly introduce swans to eat something? Or just to be >decorative?Who else could even transport ten swans at once, besides a >professional aviary that would surely know better? Somebody should ask >the county. I smell eau de bureaucrat. > >I surmise that someone has already contacted ODFW to remove them. > >-- >Alan Contreras >Eugene, Oregon > >acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com > > > > > > > >On 6/17/13 3:33 PM, "SJJag AT comcast.net" wrote: > >>Exactly, but where did theese things come from?? Very Curious Indeed. >> >>Steve Jaggers >> >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Alan Contreras" >>To: "Owen Schmidt" >>Cc: "OBOL" >>Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56:19 PM >>Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetland >> >> >>Who would own ten swans? >> >>Alan Contreras >>Eugene, Oregon >> >> >>acontrer56 AT gmail.com >> >> >>Sent from my iPhone >> >> >> >> >> >>On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt < olschmidt AT mac.com > wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife >>without permit prohibited. No person shall release within this state any >>domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any >>place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit >>therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82] >> >>So ..... I guess not, no dumping. Without a permit. >> >> >>oschmidt AT att.net >>Monday, June 17, 2013 >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras < acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >>wrote: >> >> >> >> >>Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like >>Fernhill? >> >> >> >>-- >>Alan Contreras >>Eugene, Oregon >> >> >>acontrer56 AT gmail.com >> >> >> > > > > >OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol >Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol >Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: "Cathy Nowak" <cathy.nowak AT state.or.us> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:03:42 -0700 Ok, I am trying not to take the "eau de bureaucrat" thing personally... I contacted our Wildlife Integrity folks in Salem regarding the birds but it is late in the day and I had to leave a message. If I learn anything through ODFW about the source of the birds and/or plans to deal with them I will try to pass it on to OBOL. M. Cathy Nowak Certified Wildlife Biologist® Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area 59116 Pierce Rd La Grande, OR 97850 541-963-4954 -----Original Message----- From: obol-bounce AT freelists.org [mailto:obol-bounce AT freelists.org] On Behalf Of Alan Contreras Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 3:52 PM To: OBOL Subject: [obol] Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands This Swan incident sounds more like a government idea gone wrong than a private dumping. Would there be a reason why a local government agency would stupidly introduce swans to eat something? Or just to be decorative?Who else could even transport ten swans at once, besides a professional aviary that would surely know better? Somebody should ask the county. I smell eau de bureaucrat. I surmise that someone has already contacted ODFW to remove them. -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com On 6/17/13 3:33 PM, "SJJag AT comcast.net" wrote: >Exactly, but where did theese things come from?? Very Curious Indeed. > >Steve Jaggers > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Alan Contreras" >To: "Owen Schmidt" >Cc: "OBOL" >Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56:19 PM >Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetland > > >Who would own ten swans? > >Alan Contreras >Eugene, Oregon > > >acontrer56 AT gmail.com > > >Sent from my iPhone > > > > > >On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt < olschmidt AT mac.com > wrote: > > > > > > > > > ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife >without permit prohibited. No person shall release within this state any >domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any >place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit >therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82] > >So ..... I guess not, no dumping. Without a permit. > > >oschmidt AT att.net >Monday, June 17, 2013 > > > > > > > > > > >On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras < acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >wrote: > > > > >Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like >Fernhill? > > > >-- >Alan Contreras >Eugene, Oregon > > >acontrer56 AT gmail.com > > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:51:47 -0700 This Swan incident sounds more like a government idea gone wrong than a private dumping. Would there be a reason why a local government agency would stupidly introduce swans to eat something? Or just to be decorative?Who else could even transport ten swans at once, besides a professional aviary that would surely know better? Somebody should ask the county. I smell eau de bureaucrat. I surmise that someone has already contacted ODFW to remove them. -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com On 6/17/13 3:33 PM, "SJJag AT comcast.net" wrote: >Exactly, but where did theese things come from?? Very Curious Indeed. > >Steve Jaggers > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Alan Contreras" >To: "Owen Schmidt" >Cc: "OBOL" >Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56:19 PM >Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetland > > >Who would own ten swans? > >Alan Contreras >Eugene, Oregon > > >acontrer56 AT gmail.com > > >Sent from my iPhone > > > > > >On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt < olschmidt AT mac.com > wrote: > > > > > > > > > ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife >without permit prohibited. No person shall release within this state any >domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any >place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit >therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82] > >So ..... I guess not, no dumping. Without a permit. > > >oschmidt AT att.net >Monday, June 17, 2013 > > > > > > > > > > >On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras < acontrer56 AT gmail.com > >wrote: > > > > >Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like >Fernhill? > > > >-- >Alan Contreras >Eugene, Oregon > > >acontrer56 AT gmail.com > > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: SJJag AT comcast.net Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:33:13 +0000 (UTC) Exactly, but where did theese things come from?? Very Curious Indeed. Steve Jaggers ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alan Contreras" To: "Owen Schmidt" Cc: "OBOL" Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 2:56:19 PM Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetland Who would own ten swans? Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com Sent from my iPhone  On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt < olschmidt AT mac.com > wrote:       ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife without permit prohibited.  No person shall release within this state any domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82]   So ..... I guess not, no dumping.  Without a permit.   oschmidt AT att.net Monday, June 17, 2013 On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras < acontrer56 AT gmail.com > wrote: Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like Fernhill? --  Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Lost Jacket?? From: Kevin Smith <kevinsmithnaturephotos AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:04:52 -0700 Did someone misplace a dark green jacket during the Woodpecker Festival?? Kevin Smith -- Kevin Smith Crooked River Ranch, Oregon Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:56:19 -0700 Who would own ten swans? Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com Sent from my iPhone On Jun 17, 2013, at 2:20 PM, Owen Schmidt wrote: > > ORS 498.052 Releasing domestically raised or imported wildlife without permit prohibited. No person shall release within this state any domestically raised wildlife or wildlife brought to this state from any place outside this state unless the person first obtains a permit therefor from the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [1973 c.723 §82] > > So ..... I guess not, no dumping. Without a permit. > > oschmidt AT att.net > Monday, June 17, 2013 > > > > > > On Jun 17, 2013, at 12:16 PM, Alan Contreras wrote: > >> Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like Fernhill? >> >> -- >> Alan Contreras >> Eugene, Oregon >> >> acontrer56 AT gmail.com >> > > Subject: GREAT GRAY fledgling, Lazuli brood patch From: Harry Fuller <atowhee AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:43:16 -0700 no pics of fledgling yet, just update http://atowhee.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/great-gray-update-2/ http://atowhee.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/lazuli-pleases-the-eye/ -- Harry Fuller Atowhee AT gmail http://www.towhee.net my birding blog: atowhee.wordpress.com Subject: Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? From: Hendrik Herlyn <hhactitis AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:24:37 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, I am not sure about local breeding populations, since I really haven't been out that much lately, but I certainly noticed that warbler, vireo and flycatcher migration seemed very slow this year. On outings during peak migration to Willamette Park (Corvallis), I encountered very low numbers overall. In other years, I'd easily encounter 50+ Orange-crowns in a morning; this year, I had to work hard to find 10. Plenty of Yellow Warblers, but not as many Wilson's as usual, and certainly a shortage of migrating Empids and Pewees. I assumed that perhaps the extended period of sunny, warm weather this spring simply accounted for a faster  migration, with less of a "fall-out" effect, but maybe I am wrong. Like Alan, I also noticed more House Wrens than usual this spring. It'll be interesting to see if local BBS data will indicate lower breeding numbers in some of those species. Happy summer birding Hendrik __________________________ Hendrik G. Herlyn Corvallis, OR "Nature is not a place to visit. It is home."      -- Gary Snyder --- On Mon, 6/17/13, Alan Contreras wrote: From: Alan Contreras Subject: [obol] Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? To: "tmacport99 AT gmail.com" Cc: "obol AT freelists.org" Date: Monday, June 17, 2013, 1:35 PM I should mention that House Wren seems very common this year. Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com Sent from my iPhone On Jun 17, 2013, at 1:28 PM, Tom McNamara wrote: > Obol, > > Well, well I've been wondering if this topic was going to come up on this forum.  Very interesting to me that Caitlin forwarded a post about east coast migration and how lousy it's been.  As it happens, I was there (central Connecticut) from May 11-17, supposed prime time.   But the birding was substantially less than prime. I was out at least 4 or 5 times in the early morning, at 5 different spots with disparate habitats,  for at least 2 (and sometimes 3.5-4) hours in very good weather and I was, I have to say, disappointed.  But the disappointment was  quickly accompanied by concern. I mean it's nice to have really hot birding but  it's something else altogether if the birds are really getting hammered in such a way that it is so immediately apparent and personal.  There was not a day there that I had over 8 or 9  warbler species. What?!!  The whole time I had a TOTAL  numbers count of 7 Empidonax!  Six of those were Willows, the other got away too quickly for ID.  Seven.   Of a genus. Are you kiddin' me!    > I ran into another birder at one spot and she too said that everything seemed really low this year. She mentioned warbler species numbers at East Rock (a known migration hot spot near New Haven, CT) were not getting above, like, 17.  She said there was talk of the phenomenon on CT's listserv too (I didn't monitor that-- staying w/ my elderly folks who have a Fred  Flintstone reject of a "computer") > For me, stuff like RB grosbeaks, Balt. orioles, Yellow warblers, Warbling and Blue-headed vireos were all seemingly represented well enough but, overall, the diversity and numbers were depressing, frankly.  On the other hand it  IS anecdotal, and I ran into a couple from Ohio last week while in Tabor and the woman said that she'd had 2 days this spring at Crane Cr/Magee Marsh where the songbirds were dripping from the trees, with 29 species of warbler in a few hundred paces. So, like others have said, BBS data will be interesting. > > Hereabouts, I missed a big chunk of prime time (3 weeks) but agree with Alan  about OC warblers:  it was really thin by the time I left (4/25) And I believe it wasn't until 4/20 that I had one singing, and I was in the park (Tabor) most mornings.  > > > Really immediate data (this a.m.) from Oak Isl. on Sauvie's Island  had > 16 Savannah sparrows, 14 BH grosbeaks, 12 or better House wrens, 12 or better WW pewees, 1 Willow, only  4 orioles and .....beautiful  weather and the place largely to myself (w/Tule). > good birding, > Tom OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:35:23 -0700 I should mention that House Wren seems very common this year. Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com Sent from my iPhone On Jun 17, 2013, at 1:28 PM, Tom McNamara wrote: > Obol, > > Well, well I've been wondering if this topic was going to come up on this forum. Very interesting to me that Caitlin forwarded a post about east coast migration and how lousy it's been. As it happens, I was there (central Connecticut) from May 11-17, supposed prime time. But the birding was substantially less than prime. I was out at least 4 or 5 times in the early morning, at 5 different spots with disparate habitats, for at least 2 (and sometimes 3.5-4) hours in very good weather and I was, I have to say, disappointed. But the disappointment was quickly accompanied by concern. I mean it's nice to have really hot birding but it's something else altogether if the birds are really getting hammered in such a way that it is so immediately apparent and personal. There was not a day there that I had over 8 or 9 warbler species. What?!! The whole time I had a TOTAL numbers count of 7 Empidonax! Six of those were Willows, the other got away too quickly for ID. Seven. Of a genus. Are you kiddin' me! > I ran into another birder at one spot and she too said that everything seemed really low this year. She mentioned warbler species numbers at East Rock (a known migration hot spot near New Haven, CT) were not getting above, like, 17. She said there was talk of the phenomenon on CT's listserv too (I didn't monitor that-- staying w/ my elderly folks who have a Fred Flintstone reject of a "computer") > For me, stuff like RB grosbeaks, Balt. orioles, Yellow warblers, Warbling and Blue-headed vireos were all seemingly represented well enough but, overall, the diversity and numbers were depressing, frankly. On the other hand it IS anecdotal, and I ran into a couple from Ohio last week while in Tabor and the woman said that she'd had 2 days this spring at Crane Cr/Magee Marsh where the songbirds were dripping from the trees, with 29 species of warbler in a few hundred paces. So, like others have said, BBS data will be interesting. > > Hereabouts, I missed a big chunk of prime time (3 weeks) but agree with Alan about OC warblers: it was really thin by the time I left (4/25) And I believe it wasn't until 4/20 that I had one singing, and I was in the park (Tabor) most mornings. > > > Really immediate data (this a.m.) from Oak Isl. on Sauvie's Island had > 16 Savannah sparrows, 14 BH grosbeaks, 12 or better House wrens, 12 or better WW pewees, 1 Willow, only 4 orioles and .....beautiful weather and the place largely to myself (w/Tule). > good birding, > Tom OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? From: Tom McNamara <tmacport99 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:28:45 -0700 Obol, Well, well I've been wondering if this topic was going to come up on this forum. Very interesting to me that Caitlin forwarded a post about east coast migration and how lousy it's been. As it happens, I was there (central Connecticut) from May 11-17, supposed prime time. But the birding was substantially less than prime. I was out at least 4 or 5 times in the early morning, at 5 different spots with disparate habitats, for at least 2 (and sometimes 3.5-4) hours in very good weather and I was, I have to say, disappointed. But the disappointment was quickly accompanied by concern. I mean it's nice to have really hot birding but it's something else altogether if the birds are really getting hammered in such a way that it is so immediately apparent and personal. There was not a day there that I had over 8 or 9 warbler species. What?!! The whole time I had a TOTAL numbers count of 7 Empidonax! Six of those were Willows, the other got away too quickly for ID. Seven. Of a genus. Are you kiddin' me! I ran into another birder at one spot and she too said that everything seemed really low this year. She mentioned warbler species numbers at East Rock (a known migration hot spot near New Haven, CT) were not getting above, like, 17. She said there was talk of the phenomenon on CT's listserv too (I didn't monitor that-- staying w/ my elderly folks who have a Fred Flintstone reject of a "computer") For me, stuff like RB grosbeaks, Balt. orioles, Yellow warblers, Warbling and Blue-headed vireos were all seemingly represented well enough but, overall, the diversity and numbers were depressing, frankly. On the other hand it IS anecdotal, and I ran into a couple from Ohio last week while in Tabor and the woman said that she'd had 2 days this spring at Crane Cr/Magee Marsh where the songbirds were dripping from the trees, with 29 species of warbler in a few hundred paces. So, like others have said, BBS data will be interesting. Hereabouts, I missed a big chunk of prime time (3 weeks) but agree with Alan about OC warblers: it was really thin by the time I left (4/25) And I believe it wasn't until 4/20 that I had one singing, and I was in the park (Tabor) most mornings. Really immediate data (this a.m.) from Oak Isl. on Sauvie's Island had 16 Savannah sparrows, 14 BH grosbeaks, 12 or better House wrens, 12 or better WW pewees, 1 Willow, only 4 orioles and .....beautiful weather and the place largely to myself (w/Tule). good birding, Tom Subject: Klamath River Canyon From: Kevin Spencer <rriparia AT charter.net> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:16:20 -0400 (EDT) Point Count Survey results (by bike) Survey from Klamath River Campground, John Boyle Dam side (north... access from Greensprings Hwy 66) Highlights: Yellow-breasted Chat - 1 heard at a station which is across from the Frain Ranch (historical), a location where they have been banded, so at least one is back Mountain Quail- 2 seen, which is the unusual part. Some scurrying in underbrush as I rode by, and went back to see them peering through veg at me. I don't know why they were hanging close... they usually split and are gone in a hurry. Made me think there was a nest or very young birds nearby. Lewis's Woodpecker carrying food. American Crow: why they are down there and not in the agricultural areas is unknown to me. Acorn Woodpecker- about 8 Great Egret-2: at dawn, fishing along the edge of the Klamath River, which is the lowest I have ever seen it (last 20+ years), and that was between the water releases by the power company later on. Klamath River Canyon, Klamath, US-OR Jun 17, 2013 5:45 AM - 9:45 AM Protocol: Traveling 3.0 mile(s) Comments:     Starting point of survey (PT CT) at KRC campground, and about 2.5 miles down to area where power lines go across a slide/steep area. Points about 0.2 miles apart. 15 points surveyed. (Survey ended at about 0800, so about 2 hours for survey, and general birding on return). 47 species (+1 other taxa) NUMBERS are for survey time only. Mountain Quail  2     heard some scurrying in underbrush as I went by on bike; stopped and checked it out and saw two wary MOUQ peeking through the deer brush. Got to see; and took one short video clip with fLIP. Great Egret  2     at campground already fishing at dawn along a drawn down river.... lowest I've ever seen. Osprey  1     calling at dawn, 5:30, at campground; must be near nest site, which in past was near this location Mourning Dove  2     avoided detection during survey points Vaux's Swift  1     calling overhead hummingbird sp.  1     unsure; possibly calliiope or Anna's; heard wing as it came close Belted Kingfisher  1 Lewis's Woodpecker  1     carrying food around point 7 or 8 Acorn Woodpecker  8     typical numbers for this stretch of river (almost 3 miles) Red-breasted Sapsucker  6 Downy Woodpecker  1 Hairy Woodpecker  3 Northern Flicker  7 Pileated Woodpecker  3     one close, another two drumming or calling in distance Western Wood-Pewee  30     probably most common vocal species this time of year and typical number for 3 mi. plus stretch of river Dusky Flycatcher  1 Ash-throated Flycatcher  1 Cassin's Vireo  16     common vocally active species in the oak/conifer woodland Warbling Vireo  5 Steller's Jay  6 Western Scrub-Jay  1 Clark's Nutcracker  2     calling from up near rim of canyon at point 10 American Crow  2     heard "cawing" at two stops; this species has been recorded on this route in previous years. Common Raven  1 Violet-green Swallow  2 Mountain Chickadee  2 Oak Titmouse  1     this species has been recorded previously in the same location White-breasted Nuthatch  4 Brown Creeper  7     one family unit of 3; 1 was a bird of the year. Canyon Wren  1     calling above slide area House Wren  4 American Robin  12 Nashville Warbler  1 Yellow Warbler  2 Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon's)  15 Yellow-breasted Chat (Western)  1     heard singing across the river, station 11, which is across the river from the Frain Ranch, a location where they have bred in previous years. Spotted Towhee  1 Chipping Sparrow  4 Song Sparrow  8 Dark-eyed Junco  2 Western Tanager  22 Black-headed Grosbeak  14 Lazuli Bunting  6 Red-winged Blackbird  3 Brewer's Blackbird  1 Bullock's Oriole  4 Purple Finch  2 Lesser Goldfinch  5 Kevin Spencer rriparia AT charter.net Klamath Falls, OR Subject: Re: American White Pelicans- Ft. Columbia WA From: Jeff Gilligan <jeffgilligan10 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:09:20 -0700 I was at Willapa Bay for the last four days. For the first time at this season I saw no Caspian Terns over the bay or while crossing the Columbia River, and only two Double-crested Cormorants. Until recent years there were thousands of both species. . Apparently the efforts to displace them to reduce salmon smolt predation has worked - that and the predation by Bald Eagles and gulls that swooped in behind them. Maybe the pelicans are finding a lot of food. On Jun 17, 2013, at 10:09 AM, Andrew Mattingly wrote: > About 50 American White Pelicans just off the rocky outcropping at Fort Columbia State park near Chinook,WA. And of course- I forgot my binoculars. > > Andrew Mattingly > Astoria/Ilwaco > Sent from my iPhone > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol > Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol > Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org > > OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:16:45 -0700 Is it legal to dump invasives like Mute Swan into a public wetland like Fernhill? -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com From: Tim Rodenkirk Reply-To: Tim Rodenkirk Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:27:37 -0700 (PDT) To: "philk AT tvja.org" , OBOL Subject: [obol] Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands Mute Swan is certain not a native species and is probably what some would consider a species of concern were it to get established (I am not talking about your clipped-wing park birds). Anyhow, does anyone know if there are any programs to remove free flying birds to prevent a breeding population from getting a toe-hold in Oregon? That said, is there already an established population somewhere in Oregon? I once had one at New River in SW Coos for about a month in the spring but it disappeared. For a couple winters I remember a Mute hanging with the Tundra flock near Floras Lake in Curry (one year there was actually a Trumpeter also with the other two species). Have a good one, Tim R Coos Bay From: Phil Kahler To: OBOL Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:58 AM Subject: [obol] Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands Yesterday morning, Sunday, June 16 I observed 10 Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands. I was surprised to see swans in June, so I did not get them correctly identified until late last night. To see photo check out http://www.birdfellow.com/photos/thumbnails/800-id-help-needed?id=10086 or http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14434427 -- Phil Kahler Tualatin Valley Academy Science Department 21975 SW Baseline Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 Phone (503) 649-5518 x404 Fax (503) 642-7654 philk AT tvja.org http://www.tvja.org/science Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? From: Joel Geier <joel.geier AT peak.org> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:15:22 -0700 Hi all, The timing and favored habitat of some of the neotropical species mentioned has been a little strange in some cases, and some places have seemed a little quiet. However overall I've seen/heard what I view as normal numbers of flycatchers, vireos, and warblers. As Alan suggests, the results of this year's Breeding Bird Survey should give better information than we can muster from anecdotal impressions. However, for now we're stuck with anecdotes so I might as well offer: We had a very dense migration of Orange-crowned Warblers through E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area during April. I didn't detect any Pacific-slope Flycatchers -- or hear of many local reports -- until I decided to go for a walk in Dunn Forest near Corvallis on April 28th. On that single walk I found something like 40 in the space of a few miles of forest. Swainson's Thrushes seemed late at favored sites like Luckiamute Landing. When they did show up, they seemed to launch straight into singing, rather than the usual period of just giving "whit" calls upon arrival. One thing that I've been wondering about is the effect of tree bud break shifting, as a response to climate change. I recently saw some data from a phenology project at Silver Falls State Park which indicated a steady advance in spring bud-break phenology (and interestingly, an advance rather than delay in autumn leaf-fall). Bird migration seems to be keyed mainly to seasonal daylight cycles which are independent of climate change, so the two processes might be getting out of synch in some places. Fifteen years ago my best warbler fallouts here in the mid-Willamette Valley were associated with big-leaf maple bud-break. Now the maples are mostly done blooming by the time most migrant warblers come through, and oaks (which blossom later) have been more productive. Perhaps neotropicals in the West will adjust to the changing phenology of food by shifting the elevation belts that they migrate through. Birders might need to adjust by searching for new hotspots where the emerging plant phenologies are more suitable for the timing of neotropical migrants. Good birding, Joel -- Joel Geier Camp Adair area north of Corvallis OBOL archives: www.freelists.org/archive/obol Manage your account or unsubscribe: http://www.freelists.org/list/obol Contact moderators: obol-moderators AT freelists.org Subject: Re: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Tim Rodenkirk <garbledmodwit AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:27:37 -0700 (PDT) Mute Swan is certain not a native species and is probably what some would consider a species of concern were it to get established (I am not talking about your clipped-wing park birds).  Anyhow, does anyone know if there are any programs to remove free flying birds to prevent a breeding population from getting a toe-hold in Oregon?  That said, is there already an established population somewhere in Oregon?  I once had one at New River in SW Coos for about a month in the spring but it disappeared.  For a couple winters I remember a Mute hanging with the Tundra flock near Floras Lake in Curry (one year there was actually a Trumpeter also with the other two species).   Have a good one, Tim R Coos Bay ________________________________ From: Phil Kahler To: OBOL Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 10:58 AM Subject: [obol] Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands Yesterday morning, Sunday, June 16 I observed 10 Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands. I was surprised to see swans in June, so I did not get them correctly identified until late last night.  To see photo check out http://www.birdfellow.com/photos/thumbnails/800-id-help-needed?id=10086  or http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14434427 -- Phil Kahler Tualatin Valley Academy Science Department 21975 SW Baseline Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 Phone (503) 649-5518 x404 Fax (503) 642-7654 philk AT tvja.org http://www.tvja.org/science Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? From: "Wilson Cady" <gorgebirds AT juno.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:12:28 GMT Here at our place in Washington State, at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge, elevation 1,200', we experienced the lowest number of neo-tropical migrants this Spring, in our forty years of observations. We saw only a couple of flycatchers (1 Western-Wood-Pewee and 2 Pacific-slope Flycatchers) just a couple of Western Tanagers and very few warblers of any of the common species. Being on the top of the first ridge north of the Columbia River we are more accustomed to seeing mixed flocks consisting of dozens to hundreds of birds at a time set down after crossing the wide expanse of the river. We are still missing the locally breeding vireos, flycatchers and warblers in our woods. Wilson Cady Columbia River Gorge, WA ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Alan Contreras To: , OBOL Subject: [obol] Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:51:42 -0700 I thought the Orange-crown movement this spring in west-central Oregon was the smallest in memory. Patchy, thin and sometimes invisible and inaudible. However, tanagers were in very good numbers state-wide, as far as I could tell, as were pewees. Wilson's Warblers somewhere in between but perhaps not as common west-side as I expected. Quite common at eastern Oregon oasis sites. In SE Oregon, chats, buntings and orioles seemed exceptionally common and widespread. Yellow Warblers were abundant. Willow Flycatchers arrived several days later than expected but were reasonably common. The BBS numbers will be of interest. -- Alan ContrerasEugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com From: Caitlin Coberly Reply-To: Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:44:27 -0700 To: OBOL Subject: [obol] FW: [nfc-l] [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? A very interesting conversation on the night migration monitoring list about the lack of neotropical migrants on the east coast this year. Has anyone noticed reduced numbers here this year? It seems normal to me, but I have only been here a few years. I also have Swainson’s this year, which I did not have in either of the last two years. Best, Caitlin From: bounce-98081335-10103185 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-98081335-10103185 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 8:17 AM To: Joan E. Collins Cc: NYSBIRDS-L; NFC-L; Sean O'Brien Subject: Re:[nfc-l] [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? Thank you, Joan, for this anecdotal evidence. Since it has been a couple of weeks now, I'm curious to know if anyone has noted an improvement in their local area birding spots, or if it has been more of the same. For me, I've noted a serious lack of typical neighborhood birds that used to be a regular part of the acoustic atmosphere: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole and Red-eyed Vireo, just to name a few. I've also noticed a lack of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds this year – usually, they are zipping around and chittering in the neighborhood. Not so this year, yet anyway. If this is region-wide, I'd think it critically important to collect as much data as possible to help monitor or track this seeming dearth of activity. I expect this fall migration to be fairly telling, if there was a pop-ulation-wide impact of some kind. Sincerely, Chris T-H On Jun 4, 2013, at 4:11 PM, Joan E. Collins wrote: Thank you for this interesting post Chris. This has been a dominate topic of discussion among many birders in the Adirondacks. Sean O’Brien and I have been talking every few days wondering what has happened to many neotropical migrants this year. I mentioned the low numbers of Blackpoll Warblers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers on Whiteface Mountain in my earlier post today, but numbers of most neotropical migrants appear way down. Sean keeps remarking that there is no dawn chorus this year. Even my non-birder husband has been noting the lack of birds this spring. Normally, you can’t sleep past 4:30 a.m. in our house at this time of year because of the remarkable dawn sounds outside our bedroom window, but it feels more like late summer every morning with the lack of songs. I was aware of the weather-related fallout on the Gulf Coast of Texas in April, and I had to wonder, with so many birds too exhausted to be afraid of humans, how many may have perished unseen over the Gulf? Migration seemed highly unusual this year. Normally, species like Blue-headed Vireo would suddenly fill the forests overnight. This year, I found ONE, and then a week went by and I found a second one, then several days went by and they began to arrive in a trickle. Species were, for the most part, late arriving and they trickled in. We have been waiting for the forests to fill, but it hasn’t happened and it is now June 4th. In a section of Massawepie Mire that is normally filled with breeding Canada Warblers, we heard one on Saturday. It is definitely worrisome. As you mentioned, BBS surveys may help document the apparent population declines. Thanks again for your thoughts about possible reasons for such worrisome declines. I too, would be interested to hear the thoughts of other birders on this topic. Joan Collins Long Lake, NY From: bounce-98052797-13418206 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-98052797-13418206 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 12:18 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? Good afternoon! This morning, I sent the following email to NFC-L, the Night Flight Call eList, and thought some on NYSbirds-L might find this of interest or have some input. Sincerely, Chris T-H Begin forwarded message: Date: June 4, 2013 9:46:52 AM EDT To: NFC-L Subject: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? Good morning, I am curious to know if recording stations in the Northeast have experienced, numerically – with respect to quantity of night flight calls, a reduced number of migrants this spring as compared to past years. My perception is that there was a noticeable lack of birds moving throughout certain regions of the Northeast this spring. Conversely, did recording stations elsewhere (perhaps in the mid-west) record higher numbers of migrants this spring? On the ground, for example, I don't ever remember a year when I only heard or saw 2-3 Blackpoll Warblers. Period. Usually, I would hear or see several Blackpoll Warblers on any given day over the course of a few days during the peak movement for this species. Of course, maybe a mass die-off of Blackpoll Warblers and other migrants went unnoticed this past fall or this spring, similar to the infamous mass die-off from 2-3 October 2011 at the Laurel Mountain wind facility in West Virginia. See: http://www.birdfellow.com/journal/2011/10/29/in_the_news_484_blackpoll_warblers_die_at_wind_farm. Note: it is suggested these birds succumbed to exhaustion from becoming trapped in the sphere of fog-reflected light produced by a lighted substation, which was accidentally left on overnight at the facility, rather than actual deaths caused by direct turbine strikes. I know there was a memorable weather-related fallout on the Gulf Coast of Texas this past 25-27 April 2013. See: http://www.texasbirdimages.com/home/2013-fallout---cameron-county/nueces-co-list---april-25-2013. It makes me wonder if it is at all possible for unfortunately-timed severe weather-related events, during key trans-Gulf crossings, to result in population-wide declines of neotropical migrants. Or, is this just an anomalous year as a result of the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, producing unfavorable conditions for nocturnal movement of small passerines into the Northeast. In possible scenarios like this, do boreal neotropical migrants favor an alternate springtime route that may carry them North, up the Mississippi Flyway to a point North of the Great Lakes, allowing them to then catch the prevailing West wind in an Easterly direction to their breeding grounds? If such a scenario were to play out, how do first spring individuals learn of these routes? Do they follow the masses? Interestingly, I'm finding that the cuckoos seem most unaffected by minor Northerly airflow at night (such as the night of 2-3 June). I'm sure their body size and wing length have everything to do with the ability to migrate into a headwind as compared to smaller passerines, such as warblers. Last night, in calm to light winds, I recorded 7 different Black-billed Cuckoos and a single Yellow-billed Cuckoo, plus a single Virginia Rail, one Alder Flycatcher, one Swainson's Thrush, and a single Indigo Bunting. Unfortunately, I was not recording sooner this spring in Etna, NY, so don't have a good comparison of this year to last year (for peak migration); however, I did get out as much as possible to a migrant stopover patch on most mornings (see the Hawthorn Orchard: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/cayugabirdclub/hawthorn.htm and check eBird for this site). My perception from daytime observation was a serious lack of neotropical migrants, yet with a reasonable amount of resources (insect larvae) for them to feed upon. This was one of the more memorable springtimes for me, with respect to flowering trees. I don't recall a time in the recent past of a springtime with the same amazingly full quantity of flowers remaining on the trees for as long as they did, yet with so few migrants. Though, perhaps in actuality there may have been fewer food resources (insect larvae) available than in past years, due to the cooler weather this spring (in the Northeast). If weather conditions correlate as closely to food resource availability as is probably the case, perhaps the birds use weather-related cues to avoid migration routes that may lead through regions with a dearth of food resources as compared to routes through other regions with high food resources. Or, perhaps there was a mass die-off in the Gulf this spring or the Atlantic and/or Gulf last fall, or at nighttime lighted facilities on unfortunately fog-enshrouded nights. It all seems so speculative without looking at long-term population trends in different regions. I think it will be interesting to watch for the comparative results from this year's Breeding Bird Surveys to past Surveys and of Surveys to come in future years, as well as the gradual accumulation of records in eBird. Thanks for any thoughts and input on this! Sincerely, Chris T-H -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- NFC-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird! -- Subject: Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands From: Phil Kahler <philk AT tvja.org> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:58:19 -0700 Yesterday morning, Sunday, June 16 I observed 10 Mute Swans at Fernhill Wetlands. I was surprised to see swans in June, so I did not get them correctly identified until late last night. To see photo check out http://www.birdfellow.com/photos/thumbnails/800-id-help-needed?id=10086 or http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S14434427 -- Phil Kahler Tualatin Valley Academy Science Department 21975 SW Baseline Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 Phone (503) 649-5518 x404 Fax (503) 642-7654 philk AT tvja.org http://www.tvja.org/science Subject: Re: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? From: Wayne Hoffman <whoffman AT peak.org> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:57:31 -0700 Hi - I do not do a lot of birding in songbird migration spots on the west side, but Orange-crowned Warblers,Wilson's Warblers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Swainson's Thrushes seem to be of normal breeding season density in the areas I regularly visit in Lincoln County. Wayne On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 10:51 AM, Alan Contreras wrote: > I thought the Orange-crown movement this spring in west-central Oregon was > the smallest in memory. Patchy, thin and sometimes invisible and inaudible. > > However, tanagers were in very good numbers state-wide, as far as I could > tell, as were pewees. Wilson's Warblers somewhere in between but perhaps > not as common west-side as I expected. Quite common at eastern Oregon > oasis sites. > > In SE Oregon, chats, buntings and orioles seemed exceptionally common and > widespread. Yellow Warblers were abundant. Willow Flycatchers arrived > several days later than expected but were reasonably common. > > The BBS numbers will be of interest. > > -- > Alan Contreras > Eugene, Oregon > > acontrer56 AT gmail.com > > I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com > > > > From: Caitlin Coberly > Reply-To: > Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:44:27 -0700 > To: OBOL > Subject: [obol] FW: [nfc-l] [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or > Population Decline? > > A very interesting conversation on the night migration monitoring list > about the lack of neotropical migrants on the east coast this year. Has > anyone noticed reduced numbers here this year? It seems normal to me, but > I have only been here a few years. I also have Swainson’s this year, which > I did not have in either of the last two years.**** > > ** ** > > Best,**** > > ** ** > > Caitlin**** > > ** ** > > *From:* bounce-98081335-10103185 AT list.cornell.edu [ > mailto:bounce-98081335-10103185 AT list.cornell.edu] > *On Behalf Of *Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes > *Sent:* Monday, June 17, 2013 8:17 AM > *To:* Joan E. Collins > *Cc:* NYSBIRDS-L; NFC-L; Sean O'Brien > *Subject:* Re:[nfc-l] [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population > Decline?**** > > ** ** > > Thank you, Joan, for this anecdotal evidence. Since it has been a couple > of weeks now, I'm curious to know if anyone has noted an improvement in > their local area birding spots, or if it has been more of the same. For me, > I've noted a serious lack of typical neighborhood birds that used to be a > regular part of the acoustic atmosphere: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore > Oriole and Red-eyed Vireo, just to name a few. I've also noticed a lack of > Ruby-throated Hummingbirds this year – usually, they are zipping around and > chittering in the neighborhood. Not so this year, yet anyway. If this is > region-wide, I'd think it critically important to collect as much data as > possible to help monitor or track this seeming dearth of activity. I expect > this fall migration to be fairly telling, if there was a pop-ulation-wide > impact of some kind. **** > > ** ** > > Sincerely,**** > > Chris T-H**** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > ** ** > > On Jun 4, 2013, at 4:11 PM, Joan E. Collins wrote:**** > > > > **** > > Thank you for this interesting post Chris. This has been a dominate topic > of discussion among many birders in the Adirondacks. Sean O’Brien and I > have been talking every few days wondering what has happened to many > neotropical migrants this year. I mentioned the low numbers of Blackpoll > Warblers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers on Whiteface Mountain in my earlier > post today, but numbers of most neotropical migrants appear way down. Sean > keeps remarking that there is no dawn chorus this year. Even my non-birder > husband has been noting the lack of birds this spring. Normally, you can’t > sleep past 4:30 a.m. in our house at this time of year because of the > remarkable dawn sounds outside our bedroom window, but it feels more like > late summer every morning with the lack of songs. I was aware of the > weather-related fallout on the Gulf Coast of Texas in April, and I had to > wonder, with so many birds too exhausted to be afraid of humans, how many > may have perished unseen over the Gulf?**** > > **** > > Migration seemed highly unusual this year. Normally, species like > Blue-headed Vireo would suddenly fill the forests overnight. This year, I > found ONE, and then a week went by and I found a second one, then several > days went by and they began to arrive in a trickle. Species were, for the > most part, late arriving and they trickled in. We have been waiting for > the forests to fill, but it hasn’t happened and it is now June 4th. In a > section of Massawepie Mire that is normally filled with breeding Canada > Warblers, we heard one on Saturday. It is definitely worrisome.**** > > **** > > As you mentioned, BBS surveys may help document the apparent population > declines. Thanks again for your thoughts about possible reasons for such > worrisome declines. I too, would be interested to hear the thoughts of > other birders on this topic.**** > > **** > > Joan Collins**** > > Long Lake, NY**** > > **** > > **** > > *From:* bounce-98052797-13418206 AT list.cornell.edu [ > mailto:bounce-98052797-13418206 AT list.cornell.edu > ] *On Behalf Of *Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes > *Sent:* Tuesday, June 04, 2013 12:18 PM > *To:* NYSBIRDS-L > *Subject:* [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline?**** > > **** > > Good afternoon!**** > > **** > > This morning, I sent the following email to NFC-L, the Night Flight Call > eList, and thought some on NYSbirds-L might find this of interest or have > some input.**** > > **** > > Sincerely,**** > > Chris T-H**** > > **** > > Begin forwarded message:**** > > > > > **** > > *Date: *June 4, 2013 9:46:52 AM EDT**** > > *To: *NFC-L **** > > *Subject: Minimal Migration or Population Decline?***** > > **** > > Good morning,**** > > **** > > I am curious to know if recording stations in the Northeast have > experienced, numerically – with respect to quantity of night flight calls, > a reduced number of migrants this spring as compared to past years. My > perception is that there was a noticeable lack of birds moving throughout > certain regions of the Northeast this spring. Conversely, did recording > stations elsewhere (perhaps in the mid-west) record higher numbers of > migrants this spring?**** > > **** > > On the ground, for example, I don't ever remember a year when I only heard > or saw 2-3 Blackpoll Warblers. Period. Usually, I would hear or see * > several* Blackpoll Warblers on any given day over the course of a few > days during the peak movement for this species. Of course, maybe a mass > die-off of Blackpoll Warblers and other migrants went unnoticed this past > fall or this spring, similar to the infamous mass die-off from 2-3 October > 2011 at the Laurel Mountain wind facility in West Virginia. See: > http://www.birdfellow.com/journal/2011/10/29/in_the_news_484_blackpoll_warblers_die_at_wind_farm. > Note: it is suggested these birds succumbed to exhaustion from becoming > trapped in the sphere of fog-reflected light produced by a lighted > substation, which was accidentally left on overnight at the facility, > rather than actual deaths caused by direct turbine strikes.**** > > **** > > I know there was a memorable weather-related fallout on the Gulf Coast of > Texas this past 25-27 April 2013. See: > http://www.texasbirdimages.com/home/2013-fallout---cameron-county/nueces-co-list---april-25-2013. > It makes me wonder if it is at all possible for unfortunately-timed severe > weather-related events, during key trans-Gulf crossings, to result in > population-wide declines of neotropical migrants.**** > > **** > > Or, is this just an anomalous year as a result of the negative phase of > the North Atlantic Oscillation, producing unfavorable conditions for > nocturnal movement of small passerines into the Northeast. In possible > scenarios like this, do boreal neotropical migrants favor an alternate > springtime route that may carry them North, up the Mississippi Flyway to a > point North of the Great Lakes, allowing them to then catch the prevailing > West wind in an Easterly direction to their breeding grounds? If such a > scenario were to play out, how do first spring individuals learn of these > routes? Do they follow the masses?**** > > **** > > Interestingly, I'm finding that the cuckoos seem most unaffected by minor > Northerly airflow at night (such as the night of 2-3 June). I'm sure their > body size and wing length have everything to do with the ability to migrate > into a headwind as compared to smaller passerines, such as warblers. Last > night, in calm to light winds, I recorded 7 different Black-billed Cuckoos > and a single Yellow-billed Cuckoo, plus a single Virginia Rail, one Alder > Flycatcher, one Swainson's Thrush, and a single Indigo Bunting.**** > > **** > > Unfortunately, I was not recording sooner this spring in Etna, NY, so > don't have a good comparison of this year to last year (for peak > migration); however, I did get out as much as possible to a migrant > stopover patch on most mornings (see the Hawthorn Orchard: > http://www.birds.cornell.edu/cayugabirdclub/hawthorn.htm and check eBird > for this site). My perception from daytime observation was a serious lack > of neotropical migrants, yet with a reasonable amount of resources (insect > larvae) for them to feed upon. This was one of the more memorable > springtimes for me, with respect to flowering trees. I don't recall a time > in the recent past of a springtime with the same amazingly full quantity of > flowers remaining on the trees for as long as they did, yet with so few > migrants. Though, perhaps in actuality there may have been fewer food > resources (insect larvae) available than in past years, due to the cooler > weather this spring (in the Northeast).**** > > **** > > If weather conditions correlate as closely to food resource availability > as is probably the case, perhaps the birds use weather-related cues to > avoid migration routes that may lead through regions with a dearth of food > resources as compared to routes through other regions with high food > resources. Or, perhaps there was a mass die-off in the Gulf this spring or > the Atlantic and/or Gulf last fall, or at nighttime lighted facilities on > unfortunately fog-enshrouded nights. It all seems so speculative without > looking at long-term population trends in different regions. I think it > will be interesting to watch for the comparative results from this year's > Breeding Bird Surveys to past Surveys and of Surveys to come in future > years, as well as the gradual accumulation of records in eBird.**** > > **** > > Thanks for any thoughts and input on this!**** > > **** > > Sincerely,**** > > Chris T-H**** > > **** > > --**** > > Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes**** > > Field Applications Engineer**** > > Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology**** > > 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850**** > > W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132**** > > http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp**** > > **** > > **** > > --**** > > Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes**** > > Field Applications Engineer**** > > Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology**** > > 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850**** > > W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132**** > > http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp**** > > **** > > --**** > > *NYSbirds-L List Info:***** > > Welcome and Basics **** > > Rules and Information **** > > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > **** > > *Archives:***** > > The Mail Archive > **** > > Surfbirds **** > > BirdingOnThe.Net **** > > *Please submit your observations to **eBird* > *!***** > > --**** > > ** ** > > --**** > > Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes**** > > Field Applications Engineer**** > > Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology**** > > 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850**** > > W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132**** > > http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp**** > > ** ** > > --**** > > *NFC-L List Info:***** > > Welcome and Basics **** > > Rules and Information **** > > Subscribe, Configuration and Leave > **** > > *Archives:***** > > The Mail Archive > **** > > Surfbirds **** > > BirdingOnThe.Net **** > > *Please submit your observations to eBird > !***** > > --**** > Subject: Minimal Migration or Population Decline or ??? From: Alan Contreras <acontrer56 AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:51:42 -0700 I thought the Orange-crown movement this spring in west-central Oregon was the smallest in memory. Patchy, thin and sometimes invisible and inaudible. However, tanagers were in very good numbers state-wide, as far as I could tell, as were pewees. Wilson's Warblers somewhere in between but perhaps not as common west-side as I expected. Quite common at eastern Oregon oasis sites. In SE Oregon, chats, buntings and orioles seemed exceptionally common and widespread. Yellow Warblers were abundant. Willow Flycatchers arrived several days later than expected but were reasonably common. The BBS numbers will be of interest. -- Alan Contreras Eugene, Oregon acontrer56 AT gmail.com I blog at: oregonreview.blogspot.com From: Caitlin Coberly Reply-To: Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:44:27 -0700 To: OBOL Subject: [obol] FW: [nfc-l] [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? A very interesting conversation on the night migration monitoring list about the lack of neotropical migrants on the east coast this year. Has anyone noticed reduced numbers here this year? It seems normal to me, but I have only been here a few years. I also have Swainson¹s this year, which I did not have in either of the last two years. Best, Caitlin From: bounce-98081335-10103185 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-98081335-10103185 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Sent: Monday, June 17, 2013 8:17 AM To: Joan E. Collins Cc: NYSBIRDS-L; NFC-L; Sean O'Brien Subject: Re:[nfc-l] [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? Thank you, Joan, for this anecdotal evidence. Since it has been a couple of weeks now, I'm curious to know if anyone has noted an improvement in their local area birding spots, or if it has been more of the same. For me, I've noted a serious lack of typical neighborhood birds that used to be a regular part of the acoustic atmosphere: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole and Red-eyed Vireo, just to name a few. I've also noticed a lack of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds this year ­ usually, they are zipping around and chittering in the neighborhood. Not so this year, yet anyway. If this is region-wide, I'd think it critically important to collect as much data as possible to help monitor or track this seeming dearth of activity. I expect this fall migration to be fairly telling, if there was a pop-ulation-wide impact of some kind. Sincerely, Chris T-H On Jun 4, 2013, at 4:11 PM, Joan E. Collins wrote: Thank you for this interesting post Chris. This has been a dominate topic of discussion among many birders in the Adirondacks. Sean O¹Brien and I have been talking every few days wondering what has happened to many neotropical migrants this year. I mentioned the low numbers of Blackpoll Warblers and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers on Whiteface Mountain in my earlier post today, but numbers of most neotropical migrants appear way down. Sean keeps remarking that there is no dawn chorus this year. Even my non-birder husband has been noting the lack of birds this spring. Normally, you can¹t sleep past 4:30 a.m. in our house at this time of year because of the remarkable dawn sounds outside our bedroom window, but it feels more like late summer every morning with the lack of songs. I was aware of the weather-related fallout on the Gulf Coast of Texas in April, and I had to wonder, with so many birds too exhausted to be afraid of humans, how many may have perished unseen over the Gulf? Migration seemed highly unusual this year. Normally, species like Blue-headed Vireo would suddenly fill the forests overnight. This year, I found ONE, and then a week went by and I found a second one, then several days went by and they began to arrive in a trickle. Species were, for the most part, late arriving and they trickled in. We have been waiting for the forests to fill, but it hasn¹t happened and it is now June 4th. In a section of Massawepie Mire that is normally filled with breeding Canada Warblers, we heard one on Saturday. It is definitely worrisome. As you mentioned, BBS surveys may help document the apparent population declines. Thanks again for your thoughts about possible reasons for such worrisome declines. I too, would be interested to hear the thoughts of other birders on this topic. Joan Collins Long Lake, NY From: bounce-98052797-13418206 AT list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-98052797-13418206 AT list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 12:18 PM To: NYSBIRDS-L Subject: [nysbirds-l] Fwd: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? Good afternoon! This morning, I sent the following email to NFC-L, the Night Flight Call eList, and thought some on NYSbirds-L might find this of interest or have some input. Sincerely, Chris T-H Begin forwarded message: Date: June 4, 2013 9:46:52 AM EDT To: NFC-L Subject: Minimal Migration or Population Decline? Good morning, I am curious to know if recording stations in the Northeast have experienced, numerically ­ with respect to quantity of night flight calls, a reduced number of migrants this spring as compared to past years. My perception is that there was a noticeable lack of birds moving throughout certain regions of the Northeast this spring. Conversely, did recording stations elsewhere (perhaps in the mid-west) record higher numbers of migrants this spring? On the ground, for example, I don't ever remember a year when I only heard or saw 2-3 Blackpoll Warblers. Period. Usually, I would hear or see several Blackpoll Warblers on any given day over the course of a few days during the peak movement for this species. Of course, maybe a mass die-off of Blackpoll Warblers and other migrants went unnoticed this past fall or this spring, similar to the infamous mass die-off from 2-3 October 2011 at the Laurel Mountain wind facility in West Virginia. See: http://www.birdfellow.com/journal/2011/10/29/in_the_news_484_blackpoll_warbl ers_die_at_wind_farm. Note: it is suggested these birds succumbed to exhaustion from becoming trapped in the sphere of fog-reflected light produced by a lighted substation, which was accidentally left on overnight at the facility, rather than actual deaths caused by direct turbine strikes. I know there was a memorable weather-related fallout on the Gulf Coast of Texas this past 25-27 April 2013. See: http://www.texasbirdimages.com/home/2013-fallout---cameron-county/nueces-co- list---april-25-2013. It makes me wonder if it is at all possible for unfortunately-timed severe weather-related events, during key trans-Gulf crossings, to result in population-wide declines of neotropical migrants. Or, is this just an anomalous year as a result of the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, producing unfavorable conditions for nocturnal movement of small passerines into the Northeast. In possible scenarios like this, do boreal neotropical migrants favor an alternate springtime route that may carry them North, up the Mississippi Flyway to a point North of the Great Lakes, allowing them to then catch the prevailing West wind in an Easterly direction to their breeding grounds? If such a scenario were to play out, how do first spring individuals learn of these routes? Do they follow the masses? Interestingly, I'm finding that the cuckoos seem most unaffected by minor Northerly airflow at night (such as the night of 2-3 June). I'm sure their body size and wing length have everything to do with the ability to migrate into a headwind as compared to smaller passerines, such as warblers. Last night, in calm to light winds, I recorded 7 different Black-billed Cuckoos and a single Yellow-billed Cuckoo, plus a single Virginia Rail, one Alder Flycatcher, one Swainson's Thrush, and a single Indigo Bunting. Unfortunately, I was not recording sooner this spring in Etna, NY, so don't have a good comparison of this year to last year (for peak migration); however, I did get out as much as possible to a migrant stopover patch on most mornings (see the Hawthorn Orchard: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/cayugabirdclub/hawthorn.htm and check eBird for this site). My perception from daytime observation was a serious lack of neotropical migrants, yet with a reasonable amount of resources (insect larvae) for them to feed upon. This was one of the more memorable springtimes for me, with respect to flowering trees. I don't recall a time in the recent past of a springtime with the same amazingly full quantity of flowers remaining on the trees for as long as they did, yet with so few migrants. Though, perhaps in actuality there may have been fewer food resources (insect larvae) available than in past years, due to the cooler weather this spring (in the Northeast). If weather conditions correlate as closely to food resource availability as is probably the case, perhaps the birds use weather-related cues to avoid migration routes that may lead through regions with a dearth of food resources as compared to routes through other regions with high food resources. Or, perhaps there was a mass die-off in the Gulf this spring or the Atlantic and/or Gulf last fall, or at nighttime lighted facilities on unfortunately fog-enshrouded nights. It all seems so speculative without looking at long-term population trends in different regions. I think it will be interesting to watch for the comparative results from this year's Breeding Bird Surveys to past Surveys and of Surveys to come in future years, as well as the gradual accumulation of records in eBird. Thanks for any thoughts and input on this! Sincerely, Chris T-H -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- NYSbirds-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird ! -- -- Christopher T. Tessaglia-Hymes Field Applications Engineer Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 W: 607-254-2418 M: 607-351-5740 F: 607-254-1132 http://www.birds.cornell.edu/brp -- NFC-L List Info: Welcome and Basics Rules and Information Subscribe, Configuration and Leave Archives: The Mail Archive Surfbirds BirdingOnThe.Net Please submit your observations to eBird ! --