asc general meeting dr. jamie cornelius
TRANSCRIPT
Due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, ASC willslowly restart in-person programs and meetings. Butour policy changes with pandemic status andrestrictions. So, for the latest info, please visit ourwebsite at auduboncorvallis.org.
ASC General Meeting11/18/21 on ZOOM at 7:00 pmDr. Jamie CorneliusWandering the earth with nomadicfinches: Lessons learned aboutfacultative migrations
Birds are the harbingers of spring as migrantsmove north and begin singing. These north-southwaves of billions of birds are familiar to most of us, butthere are many birds for whom north-south is notalways the way. Nomadic and irruptive species livelives of flexibility - responding to less predictablefluctuations in food that can vary in timing or location.How do these birds cope with such uncertainty? Whatstrategies in behavior or physiology do they have tosurvive when things go wrong? Dr. Cornelius will sharesome of what she’s learned about life as a wandererfrom Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, goldfinches, ZebraFinches, and more.
Dr. Cornelius is an Assistant Professor ofIntegrative Biology at Oregon State University. Afterearning her PhD at University of California, Davis shespent time at research institutions around the world,
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including the Max Planck Institute of Ornithology inGermany, St. Petersburg University in Russia, and theOrganization for Tropical Studies in Costa Rica. Shecurrently studies how birds adapt to unpredictablechanges in the environment, including during foodshortages, storms and predation.
In normal times, ASC member meetings are heldthe third Thursday of each month from Septemberthrough May. Presentations on Zoom will also be heldon the third Thursday. We want to keep the sharing,learning and inspiration going, but health and safetyare priorities in these times. For login information, seeour website at auduboncorvallis.org.
Thanks to new volunteer Eric Preston for guidingour Zoom meetings, and Program Committee membersMai Kiigemagi and Mikaela Lea for coordinating andscheduling.
Next Month’s Program:December 16 - Member Slideshow - Share your
photos of wildlife, and the best of nature! Contributiondeadline 12/12/21
Mikaela Lea, Program Committee
In This Issue:Monthly Meeting Notes 1ASC Website and Social Media 2Conservation Report 2-3Field Trips – Saturday trips return 3Education News 3-4Gardening for Birds 4-5Hesthavn News 5-6Community Notes 6-7Board Meeting Summary 7-8Membership Corner 8Contributors to this CHAT 9Calendar 9
ASC Website, Social MediaOur website manager Sue was traveling as we
wrote this issue of the CHAT, so look for new insightsfrom her next month. Reminder: for contact informationto report injured, rare, banded, or dead birds, check theASC website “Birding” tab, then the “Injured or Rare
Birds” subtab for email and/or phone numbers. Exploreother pages to participate in our November birdcoloring contest, volunteer options, and much more.We are at: auduboncorvallis.org.
Corvallis Audubon FacebookBe sure to keep up to date and be inspired by
joining our ASC Facebook page. Just "like” us for thelatest news and pictures of wildlife that affect our localarea. Feel free to post about what is happening in yourneighborhood, street and back yard. Let's stayconnected. Join us on Facebook at CorvallisAudubon.
Nancy Demasi, ASC Facebook
Audubon Corvallis InstagramCheck us out on Instagram at auduboncorvallis. We
NEED a new coordinator for our Instagram account.Please let us know at [email protected] if youcan fill this hole. Doesn’t take much time. Thanks,
Christina Linkem, ASC Instagram
Conservation ReportWe regretfully note the passing of longtime ASC
member and Conservation Committee member andChair John Gaylord. Indefatigably cheerful, John tookon quite a few conservation issues and projects forASC, with a record of positive results. We will miss him.
On November 2, the Benton County PlanningCommission has scheduled a public hearing on theCoffin Butte landfill expansion conditional use permitapplication submitted and amended by RepublicServices. At earlier advisory Council hearings, publicconcerns ranged from a public road closure and trafficrerouting plans, increased landfill footprint, elevationand noise, exponentially increased intake from anexpanded “regional” service area beyond earlier plans,deferral of a planned and permitted disposal cell whilecommercial rock quarry export continues, hydrologicand contaminant concerns, justifying taking additionalvolume as other regional landfills close, and when thislandfill will close where all our waste will go. Hats off toASC member Joel Geier for his research andcontributions towards community dialogue on thisissue.
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Meetings on the fate of the Elliott State ResearchForest continue. Details are emerging of plans tocreate a separate agency or quasi-public corporation(yes, they exist and are governed by state rules) thatwould own the Elliott. Draft Oregon legislation is beingdeveloped by DSL and OSU that will create itsstructure, representation, and governance. There arerefinements, particularly regarding Marbled Murrelets,also happening on the Elliott Draft HabitatConservation Plan, which could be released for publiccomment before year’s end.
Locally, the cutting of cottonwoods and ash trees inthe Willamette Greenway portion of the Trysting TreeGolf Course has raised the ire of some. The land isowned by OSU, overseen by the OSU Foundation, butrun by a private corporation headed by a major donorto the Foundation. In continuing to diminish riparianfeatures here, there may be a violation of the golfcourse’s conditional use permit, and within that, apotential role for ASC to help protect recognizedsignificant riparian habitat.
Jim Fairchild, Conservation Chair
Field TripsSecond Saturday Field TripsResume November 13
The first Saturday morning local field trip since thepandemic began will be November 13. We’ll meet at8:00 am at the shelter in Willamette Park (end of SEGoodnight Ave.) and tour the park. This four-hourexcursion is free and geared to people with an interestin learning more about birds that can be found in theCorvallis area. All levels of expertise are welcome.Bring suitable hats, shoes, and rain gear, as well aswater and snacks! Participation will be limited due tothe ongoing pandemic and face coverings will berequired. Please [email protected] to signup. Led by Duncan Evered and Caryn Stoess. Weathermay alter plans.
Caryn Stoess & Duncan Evered
2022 Extended Field Trips on HoldUntil Pandemic Situation isResolved AND we Get a NEW FieldTrips chairperson!
We still need a new weekend field trips chair orco-chairs, ASAP to begin transitioning with andlearning from our amazing coordinator of 50 years offantastic birding trips, Fred Ramsey. Please help uscontinue the tradition!
We are still not in a position to plan for ASC’smulti-day field trips as they entail long rides in enclosedpassenger vans. COVID-19 conditions don’t allow thatyet. If that situation changes, AND SOMEONE STEPSUP TO MANAGE THE PROCESS, we will plan for2022 in: Bandon; Klamath Basin; Rogue Valley withShakespeare; Malheur NWR; Summer Lake;Wallowas; Steens Mountain; and a Shorebird Search. Ifthese don’t work, we can try to find other venuesand/or other transportation, so that we may enjoy thisgreat state of ours. Stay tuned and keep up-to-date bychecking our website. Suggestions are welcome [email protected]
Education NewsAnnouncing ASC’s Second AnnualConnect with Nature Bird ColoringContest, Going NOW, Nov. 1 - 30,2021
This contest is for “artists” of all ages, split into 4groups for children from ages 2 to 17, and 1 for adults.Once again, we invite our whole community to reflecton the beauty of nature, show artistic creativity, havefun coloring, and learn about this year’s four featuredlocal celebrity birds: California Quail, Great Blue Heron,Anna’s Hummingbird, and an unspecified owl.Contestants are urged to personalize their entry byanswering “What do you like about this bird?”
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The 4 drawings will be posted on the ASC website(auduboncorvallis.org) along with contest rules, birdphotos, and how to enter. Materials will be available inboth English and Spanish.
Electronic distribution saves money for ourall-volunteer, non-profit group, but we don’t wantanyone in the community to be excluded. There areseveral ways to get your entry form and favoritecoloring page:
1. Download it from the website2. Email us at [email protected] and
we will snail mail them to you, or3. Stop by for copies from our project partner at
the Corvallis Office Max Print Center, 1834 NW9th St. Thanks to our friends at Office Max ledby Store Manager Layla Montes.
Have fun, and when you are happy with your art,either scan it AND the entry form or photograph themwith your phone. Email both to the address above. Or,snail mail it to us at PO Box 148, Corvallis, Oregon97339 by November 30.
Winners will be announced and certificates ofartistic merit mailed by mid-December to those whoprovide their address. Prizes will be awarded towinners in each of the 5 age groups.
Thanks to the team of Education Volunteers whoare stepping up to bring this fun event back in 2021:Mikaela Lea (Contest Coordinator), Phyllis Bailey,Tricia Bowlby, Karly Hall (last year’s winner), LizHogan, Mai Kiigemagi, Dale Mitchell, Sue Powell,Meika Vingelen, and Dodie Wilson.
Liz Hogan, ASC Education Team volunteerDue to increased COVID numbers, the ASC
Education team will not be running any in-personprograms this fall. Keep watching this column andthe ASC website for updates.
Meika Vingelen and Dodie Wilson,Education Co-Chairs
Gardening for BirdsCalifornia Wild Grape: AutumnFruit Bonanza
Fig. 1. California Wild Grape growing in Douglas-fir.
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When using native plants, one is always tempted toviolate the strictly native label. Everybody does it, butwe should be intentional about what we are doing. Iuse a number of non-natives selected to provide someresources for birds and insects to add to the mix. Thismainly applies to hummingbirds, though there are afew trees and shrubs from California and southwestOregon that I have planted for general attraction forbirds. One of these is California Wild Grape, Vitiscalifornica, whose range reaches at least to theRoseburg area. I planted this for its potential toproduce large quantities of fruit in the autumn and ithas met that objective, while also providingentertainment seeing which birds eat the fruit in anygiven year.
California Wild Grape (CWG) is a riparian speciesthat does best with reliable water. Most of my plantsare planted above the immediate riparian zone butseem to easily tap into the hyporheic zone below. Ihave planted some on drier sites and these have donewell after I spent a couple of summers providing anoccasional big dose of extra water to help themestablish. Plant descriptions say that CWG grows to30-35 feet in height, but mine are generally muchlarger than that. The plants grow into adjacent treesand spread extensively throughout the canopy (Fig. 1,2). This adds extra physical structure to the landscape.Clearly, a plant this size isn’t suitable for every garden.
Fig. 2. Ripe fruit of CWG.Since we are beyond the northern edge of the
range and we live in a cooler site, CWG fruit ripeningvaries over a month or so. After cooler summers, only
part of the crop ripens in late October. However, afterthe warm summer we just endured, fruit startedripening in late September. Interestingly, as theweather suddenly cooled, ripening of the remainingfruit slowed markedly.
A variety of birds consume CWG; Thrushes, mainlyAmerican Robin, but also late Swainson’s and arrivingHermit Thrushes and Varied Thrush. We have seenBand-tailed Pigeon at times and Cedar Waxwings arecommon, as are Pileated Woodpeckers (Fig. 3) andNorthern Flickers. The Pileated start checking the fruitin August, often settling for Chokecherry until CWGripens. When a number of birds are feeding, the wholecanopy shakes. What we do for entertainment!
W. Proebsting, text and photos
Fig. 3. Pileated Woodpecker consuming CWG fruit.Text and Photos by William Proebsting
Hesthavn NewsWork is continuing on improvements to the nature
center. Visitors will recall that there have been twoinformation kiosks, one in the upper parking lot andanother next to the barn. In the interest of reaching outto our Spanish-speaking neighbors, we plan to doubleour kiosk space and have the same informationavailable in Spanish. The display box for the kioskdown by the barn has been moved to the wall of thebarn next to the new ramp and a second box has beenattached there as well. A roof has been added to theramp to provide cover for people reading the displays
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and to keep sunlight from causing the displays to fadetoo quickly. There is a landing at the top of the ramp,and the whole structure has a back-porch feel to it. Asthe project is still being finished and still looks like aconstruction site, I will provide photos next month afterwe’ve cleaned things up. Meanwhile, in the upperparking lot a second kiosk, like the first one, is beingconstructed. Photos of that will also be available whencompleted.
I have a cautionary note for anyone planning tohike the trails at Hesthavn. A snag next to Paula’s trailsnapped off at about 15 feet above the ground. Itlanded in the fork of another tree and now dangles overPaula’s trail. This is a good 18-inch diameter snag andwould hurt … a lot … if it landed on someone’s head. Iput some pink ribbon across the trail and it is effectivelyclosed for now. An arborist will be coming to clearthings up, hopefully soon.
November and December workparties (all from 10 AM to 2 PM ona Sunday):November 7, Weeding work party. (There are always
blackberries to dig up.)November 21, Barn and yard work party.December 5, Weeding work party.December 12, Barn and yard work party.
Check the ASC website or the Hesthavn Facebookpage for up-to-the-minute info
Ray Drapek, Hesthavn Chair
Our Trails Are Still Open to EnjoyNature
Hesthavn’s trails and outdoor facilities are still opento our guests during daylight hours, as long as youobserve social distancing and wear a mask within 6feet of others.
Directions to Hesthavn8590 NW Oak Creek Drive, Corvallis. Take Harrisonwest from downtown Corvallis; after you cross 53rd, itbecomes Oak Creek Drive. Pass Bald Hill farm andfollow the brown signs for ‘Nature Center.’ Hesthavnwill be on your left shortly before the end of Oak CreekDr.
Community NotesKBAS Invite to Wildfire Program
Audubon Society of Corvallis members are invitedto a free Zoom presentation on Wildfires and ForestResilience in Eastern Oregon by Ariel Cowan (OregonState University Extension Regional Fire Specialist),Tuesday, November 9, at 7 PM.
Klamath Basin Audubon Society invited ASCmembers to join in the Zoom presentation, when OSU’sAriel Cowan will talk about the role of wildfires andnatural resilience in forests east of the Cascades.Pre-registration is required by Monday, November 8.You can register now at: Klamath Basin AudubonSociety (klamathaudubon.org) or call 877-541-2473.
Kathy LarsonPublicity Chair for KBAS programs
Winter WingsGet ready for a 2022 Winter Wings Festival like noother!
Winter Wings brings together birders andphotographers to learn and explore with top notchprofessionals and enthusiastic local guides. TheKlamath Basin is renowned for its massive wintering
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population of Bald Eagles, but is prime habitat for manyother raptors including owls, and a diversity ofwaterfowl.
The 2022 Festival will feature Richard Crossley,author of the Crossley ID Guides and co-author ofOrnitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul. For ourphotography keynote we are excited to have JenniferLeigh Warner, conservation wildlife photographer. Joinus for an extensive array of field trips, workshops,presentations, and receptions that highlight thewonders of the Klamath Basin in winter.
On Friday, Feb. 18th we will have severalpresentations on the status of Klamath Basin wetlandsand partner initiatives.Dates: Friday, February 18, 2022 through Sunday,February 20, 2022Host site: Oregon Institute of Technology (OregonTech), 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, Oregon,97601Website: www.WinterWingsFest.orgRegistration opens in mid-Dec. on date TBAFor information call 877-541-BIRD (2473) or email [email protected]
Diana Samuels,Klamath Basin Audubon Society
Corvallis Sustainability CoalitionIt’s important to protect and sustain habitat for
wildlife. For ASC members it starts with ourstewardship role at Hesthavn Nature Center. Within ourextended nature community, ASC members can alsovolunteer to help restore native habitat, establishpollinator gardens, or maintain habitat by joining workparties sponsored by other groups who are stewards ofnatural areas.
Information about the scheduled work parties canbe obtained by checking out the Corvallis SustainabilityCoalition Conservation Volunteer Calendar. HesthavnNature Center work projects are listed, along withvolunteer opportunities posted by other partner groups.Note that many groups schedule planting events duringthe winter months. You can also check out the homeweb sites for volunteer opportunities sponsored by theGreenbelt Land Trust, CSC Water Action & NaturalAreas Teams, Institute for Applied Ecology, Benton
County Soil & Water Conservation District & the NativePlant Society if you wish to get onto their mailing lists.
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition ConservationVolunteer Calendarhttps://sustainablecorvallis.org/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-calendar/
Suzanne Ortiz
Message from Malheur FriendsGreetings Corvallis Audubon,
Last night there was an unexpected feline at thevolunteer RV park. They caught it, but we can't havedomestic cats at home in the Refuge. Now, I have astray kitten curled up in my lap hoping to find her asuitable home.
My reflection is that you just never know what theday will bring. In the best of times, you have theresources and capacity to prepare for the worst, hopefor the best, and remain flexible to whatever comesyour way.
It is in this spirit that non-profit organizations likeours engage in strategic planning. We began thisprocess ourselves in spring of 2021 and I am proudthat we are creating and using tools designed to createstronger organizational structure and direction, but alsoto build in adaptability as the Refuge and it's needsevolve.
As our Friends and Followers, your support iscritical to our ability to do this work and plan for thefuture of our organization and of Malheur NationalWildlife Refuge. You just never know when ametaphorical kitten will show up!
As always, thank you for being a Friend.Janelle L Wicks
Executive DirectorFriends Of Malheur Refuge
Board Meeting SummaryOctober 14, 2021Present: Phyllis Bailey, Ray Drapek, Karan Fairchild,Jim Fairchild, Mikaela Lea, Dave Mellinger, SusanMcNutt, Suzanne Ortiz, and Carolyn Peterson
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VP/Program Committee – Mikaela. Monthly speakerslisted in CHAT. Zoom webinars continue.
Committee Reports:Education – Mikaela. The coloring contest will runNov 1-30. Prizes $25/per winner for 6 winners. Pagesthis year have birds only so people can add habitat.Everything will be bilingual. Office Depot will havematerials on hand, otherwise people can print their ownsheets. Judges include 2020 contest winner, Karli Hall.WWFD will be in person and online.CHAT deadline November 22 (notice date change dueto Thanksgiving!!)Conservation – Jim Fairchild – noted passing ofJohn Gaylord, longtime ASC member and volunteer.Ongoing meetings with Advisory Councils on variousactivities. More details in the Conservation Report inthis CHAT.Publicity/Social Media – Mikaela would like moreflyers available to advertise.Hesthavn - Ray reported ongoing projects andvolunteers working.Old Business – Suzanne Ortiz is in the process ofgetting a committee to write a diversity statement.New Business – South Corvallis Butterfly Gardenproject (pollinator garden) needs volunteers. ContactDave Mellinger directly if you want to help.Next Board meeting November 11th Location TBA(see ASC website)
Susan McNutt, Board Secretary
Statements onDiversity/Inclusion andLand AcknowledgementsThe Audubon Society of Corvallis Board has formed aworking committee to draft two statements: one ondiversity & inclusion and one on landacknowledgement.
We want to extend an invitation to any of ourmembers who are interested in joining the collaborativeprocess to contact us at [email protected]
Committee members: Ray Drapek, Dave Mellinger,Suzanne Ortiz
Suzanne Ortiz
Open Board MeetingsASC Board of Directors meetings are open to all
ASC members, and the Board encourages you tocome and see what we do. Our monthly Board meetingis on Thursday, one week before the General Meeting.See the Board meeting minutes or ASC website forlocation and time.
Membership CornerWelcome New Members
Debby de CarloCarol KirkRamesh Sagili
General Membership RenewalInformation
For membership renewal online go to the ASCwebsite (https://auduboncorvallis.org/membership/)and renew via PayPal. To renew by USPS, mail acheck to ASC, PO Box 148, Corvallis, OR 97339.
Email Notifications/MeetingCancellations
We encourage members to join the ASC listserv toreceive emergency email notifications about meetingcancellations related to weather conditions, updatedinformation about ASC events, fieldtrip locations, andvolunteer work parties. Send an email to theadministrator (Karan Fairchild, [email protected]) andrequest to be added.
Have You Changed Your ContactInfo?
If you have moved recently or changed youremail/mail addresses, please update your informationby emailing it to [email protected].
Thank you for your generosity and support!Paul Adamus, Membership Chair
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Contributors to this ChatPaul Adamus, Don Boucher, Kelly Collins, Ray
Drapek, Teri Engbring, Jim Fairchild, Liz Hogan,Mikaela Lea, Christina Linkem, Susan McNutt,Suzanne Ortiz, William Proebsting, Diana Samuels,Jamie Simmons, Caryn Stoess, Naomi Weidner, andJanelle Wicks
Chat ArticlesThe Chat editors, Kelly Collins, Teri Engbring, and
Naomi Weidner, welcome articles from all members ofthe Audubon Society of Corvallis. Please submitarticles to the Chat editor by the fourth Thursday of themonth, unless another date is indicated in the CHATcalendar the previous month. Submit text usingMicrosoft Word and photos to: [email protected].
CalendarNov. 7 Weed work party, 10-2 at HesthavnNov. 11 ASC Board Meeting on Zoom, 7 pmNov. 18 ASC General Member Meeting, 7 pmNov. 21 Barn and yard work party, 10-2 at HesthavnNov. 22 December CHAT submissions due
Board and Member meetings may have to becancelled due to pandemic challenges, so pleasecheck our website for the latest scheduling info
White-breasted Nuthatch photo by Matt Lee
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OfficersCo-President Dave Mellinger dmell3.14159(at)gmail.comCo-President Karan Fairchild alderspr(at)peak.orgVice President Committee [email protected] Susan McNutt [email protected] Carolyn Peterson chinstrapdreams(at)comcast.net
Board MembersMark Baldwin [email protected] Lea mikaelalea96(at)gmail.comChristina Linkem cnlinkem(at)hawaii.eduSuzanne Ortiz [email protected] Bailey [email protected] Wilson dgwilson802(at)gmail.com
ChairpersonsBirdathon Karan Fairchild alderspr(at)peak.orgBluebird Trail Matt Lee [email protected] Editors Teri Engbring, Kelly Collins chateditors(at)gmail.comChristmas Bird Count
Co-Chairs Matt Lee & Bev Clark [email protected] Jim Fairchild [email protected] Sustainability Coalition Suzanne Ortiz [email protected] TeamCo-Coordinators Dodie Wilson & Meika Vingelen [email protected] Trip - local Duncan Evered, Caryn Stoess [email protected] Trip - regional Fred Ramsey flramsey5(at)comcast.netHesthavn Ray Drapek raydrapek(at)gmail.comHistorian Marcia Cutler marciafcutler(at)comcast.netMembership Paul Adamus adamus7(at)comcast.netPublicity Sue Powell [email protected]
Facebook, Nancy DeMasi [email protected],Christina Linkem cnlinkem(at)hawaii.edu
Refreshments Becky Garrett becky.bittern(at)yahoo.comSales Table Sally Shaw shaws(at)peak.org
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The CHAT is published 10 times a year by the Audubon Society ofCorvallis, PO Box 148, Corvallis OR 97339. Annual ASC memberships are$25 for an individual; $35 for a family; $15 for students; $15 for CHAT-onlysubscriptions (email delivery only); $50 for Supporting Level; $150 for PatronLevel; and $250 for Benefactor Level.
Interested involunteering?
Please let us know:[email protected]
Find us online
https://auduboncorvallis.org/ https://www.facebook.com/CorvallisAudubon/ https://www.instagram.com/auduboncorvallis/
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