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Audubon Society of Corvallis

the CHAT

VOL. 34 March 2005 #7

In This Issue:

Wildflower Hikes in the Columbia Gorge 51Field trips 51Migratory bird arrival dates 54Wintering Bald Eagles in the Klamath Basin 55

General MeetingMarch 17, Thursday, 7:30-9:00 PMFirst Presbyterian Church

Wild Utah: America’s Redrock Wildernessby Bob BristerBob Brister, Outreach Co-ordinator for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, presents a multi-media slide show documenting citizen efforts to designate public lands in southern Utah’s spectacular canyon country as Wilderness under the 1964 Wilderness Act. This 20-minute journey through red rock splendor invigorates and motivates viewers to participate in the movement to protect these unique lands.

“Wild Utah: America’s Redrock Wilderness” was made possible through the generous donation of photos, music and words from concerned Utahns who wish to pass this heritage onto future generations, including a special reading by Pulitzer Prize winning author Wallace Stegner from his famous Wilderness Letter.

In conjunction with a 30 minute presentation on the current status of the Utah wilderness movement by Bob Brister, Outreach Coordinator for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, this inspirational and informational event is a must see for citizens wishing to become person-ally involved to make the difference in this tremendous American public lands conservation effort.

Meeting Place Change: no longer at the LibraryThe Chapter meeting is now at the meeting hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 118 SW Eighth Street. We are returning to our customary meeting location, now that the church has completed its renovation project. As usual, the meeting will be preceded by a social period, with refresh-ments, beginning at 7:00.

Future Programs at General MeetingsApr 21 Dave Mellinger, OSU faculty and Corvallis

Audubon member. Whale and Bird Sounds.May 19 Dick Bauer, local wildlife photographer. The

Galapagos Islands.

The 5th Annual ASC BirdathonMay 7 and 8

Do you like to bird?(add 2 points)Do you enjoy a little friendly competition?(add 2 points)Do you enjoy raising money for a good cause?(add 2 points)

If you scored a 2 or higher, you’re in luck! The Audubon Society of Corvallis is hosting our 5th annual Birdathon

See "Birdathon" on next page

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during the weekend of May 7. It’s to raise money for our local nature center, and to raise awareness about birds and Audubon in our community.

What is a Birdathon anyway?It’s basically a birding marathon. First you ask your rela-tives, friends, co-workers, and/or neighbors (like the ones who’ve hit you up to buy cookies and candy bars for their kids’ fundraisers) to pledge a certain amount for each spe-cies of bird you might see, by yourself or as part of a team. Then, on the weekend of May 7, you go out and bird for however long you want, wherever you can get to in one weekend (Willamette Park, the coast, Costa Rica...). This event is open to all skill levels and team participation is encouraged. If you’re an armchair birder or can’t go out that weekend, you can still participate by birding your own backyard or pledging to a team. If you want to participate but feel uncomfortable asking people for money, consider pledging to yourself, in honor of a favorite aunt or grandpar-ent! Then send them a letter telling where you went, what you saw, and what the money is going for.

Who benefits from the Birdathon?All proceeds from the Birdathon go directly to Hesthavn Nature Center, ASC’s 5 ¾ acre patch-o-heaven out on Oak Creek Road (west of 53rd Street). Hesthavn is dedicated to educating the community about our local environment. In the past 4 years, the Birdathon has raised over $17,000 for Hesthavn! Proceeds have gone to such worthy projects as museum display cases, a new floor, and a composting toilet.

The other beneficiary of the Birdathon, of course, is YOU. Personal testimonial: every spring, this Birdathon has lifted me out of a winter slump, dusted off my bin-oculars, and gotten me back out in nature after months of rarely seeing green. Need a challenge to light your fire? The highest Birdathon weekend count so far has been 121 species—can you break that record?!!

I’m in—Sign Me Up!Simply pick up the information packet at our March or April monthly meeting, or contact me, Mary Van Brocklin, and I’ll send you a packet:745-7170; mary_vanbrocklin@yahoo.comWe’ll announce results at our May meeting and in the sum-mer Chat, including winners for highest species count and highest amount of pledges collected. Go Team!

Birdathoncontinued from front page

Yet Again, ESA Under AttackThe Endangered Species Act (ESA) is under attack in Congress this year. Members of Congress are mounting an effort to “reform” the ESA and “bring it up to date.” Unfortunately, the people doing this are the very ones who have tried to eviscerate the ESA in the past—most nota-bly Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Oregon’s Greg Walden (R-OR).

Why is the ESA important?It protects the life forms that have been around since people first appeared on Earth, and most of us feel that we should not kill off what we have inherited down through the cen-turies. Legally speaking, the ESA is one of the few existing laws with an easily understood, sharp boundary: it’s pretty simple to comprehend that a species is either still around or it’s not. That simplicity gives the ESA unusual clarity and power for protecting wildlife and the needed habitat.

One threat from Congress will come in the form of requiring more scientific “proof” that species are endan-gered. Science can almost never prove an idea—it can only provide evidence consistent with the theory, or else disprove alternatives—so requiring proof would make it almost impossible to enforce the ESA. Also, anyone who has ever done any sort of scientific fieldwork knows how hard it is to prove anything. The current standard is to use the “best available science” in making decisions under the ESA—decisions to list species, protect habitat, start recovery programs, etc. Surely the best available science is the best standard to go by.

Another attempt to weaken the ESA will be to change the way critical habitat is designated. This change would remove enforceable deadlines and give the Secretary of Interior (and her boss, the President) sole discretion to designate habitat—or not. In addition, loopholes will be inserted by making many changes in the definition of criti-cal habitat, making it increasingly difficult for species to recover from the brink of extinction.

What can you do?1 Defenders of Wildlife is hosting a workshop on the

ESA and how you can help protect it. The workshop will be held in late March; for more information, call Vicki Kaplan, 310-531-3415.

2 Write to our newspapers—the Gazette-Times, the Oregonian, the Barometer, etc.—about your support for the ESA. Getting the word out to the public will be very important this year. One thing that we birders understand much better than most people is the con-nection between a species and its habitat. Humans can and do live almost anywhere, and most people simply don’t understand that other species aren’t like that: most species have very specific habitat requirements, and will die without that habitat. Let’s

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ASC Field Trip ScheduleMar 12 Saturday local morning birding 7:30 AMMar 18-20 Bandon CoastMar 19 Saturday, Bicycle Birding, 9 AM-noonApr 9 Saturday local morning birding 7:30 AMApr 17 Sunday, Bicycle Birding, 9 AM-noonApr 22-24 Klamath BasinMay 6-8 Rogue Valley Birding & Shakespeare PlayMay 14 Saturday local morning birding 7:30 AMMay 19-22 Malheur National Wildlife RefugeMay 21 Saturday, Bicycle Birding, 9 AM-noon

Second Saturday Field TripsEach month on the second Saturday, a local morning field trip meets at the Avery Park Rose Garden parking area at 7:30 AM. We carpool to designated birding spots. This field trip is especially interesting for beginner birders and new birders to Oregon’s mid-valley area. We spend a lot of time identifying local birds by sight and song. We visit the valley National Wildlife Refuges—Finley, Baskett Slough, and Ankeny, as well as other birding areas throughout the year. Field trip leader is Paula Vanderheul 541-752-0470, vanderp@peak.org

Bicycle Birding in Corvallis9 AM–noon. Meet at the Avery Park Rose Garden (except in May). Easy and flat ride of 3-8 miles. We’ll poke along and find birds in every nook and cranny along bike routes in Corvallis. Bring water, binoculars and rain gear. Led by Don Boucher, 753-7689, bouchdon@juno.com

Mar 19 Saturday, meet at Avery Park Rose GardenApr 17 Sunday, meet at Avery Park Rose GardenMay 21 Saturday, meet at E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area

Spring Weekend Trips 2005The 2005 spring weekend trips are set up for the follow-ing dates:

Bandon Coast March 18-20 is full, waiting list onlyKlamath Basin April 22-24 is full, waiting list onlyRogue Valley May 6-8 Shakespeare Play “Napoli

Milonaria”; 4 openings availableMalheur NWR May 19-22; 2 opening available

The Rogue Valley and Malheur trips require a $50 deposit by February 28, 2005 payable to Fred Ramsey, 3550 NW Glen Ridge Place, Corvallis, OR 97330.Contact Paula Vanderheul via email: vanderp@peak.org or phone 541-752-0470 for the details of the weekend trips and sign-up.

Spring Wildflower Hikes in the Columbia GorgeIn cooperation with Friends of the Columbia Gorge, ONRC’s naturalist Wendell Wood will be leading a series of seven wildflower hikes this spring in portions of the Columbia River Gorge proposed for Wilderness protection. The hikes will be in some of the Gorge’s most scenic and best-known locations and lesser-known too. Wildflower walks are scheduled on weekdays and weekends between April 14 to June 5, 2005 and will vary in length and time. Complete plant lists, with both common and scientific names, of plant and wildflower species to be seen will be provided for participants. Wendell will also discuss natural history information relating to many species.

For more information, and to reserve a place on one or more hikes see ONRC’s website at www.onrc.org and click on “events” (near top of the page) or else go to:

http://www.onrc.org/alerts/s05.wildflower.hikes.htm

get this point across!3 Write or call Congress, especially your Senators,

Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith (+1-202-224-3121; U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510), and ask them to preserve the Endangered Species Act and not weaken it. Explain to them the value you place in wildlife and habitat. See www.stopextinction.org for some good talking points.

-Dave Mellinger

Birding Classes in AprilWeeknight classes and weekend field trips. Instructed by Don Boucher. Cost is $8 per each, 2-week class

April 6, 9, 13, 16—Birding in the Willamette Valley A study suitable for beginners and newcomers. This class is an easy and fun way to become familiar with local birds. Learn identification techniques, how to choose field guides and binoculars, and good local birding sites.

April 20, 23, 27, 30—Birding by EarA study in the sounds of nature. Become familiar with local bird songs and calls and learn tips and techniques for listen-ing and remembering bird sounds. Beginning birdwatchers should take “Birding in the Willamette Valley” first. This is a great opportunity for sight-impaired people to learn how to associate names with bird voices.

Pick Up Your Registration FormAvailable on-line at www.peak.org/~ecenter or stop by the Corvallis Environmental Center 214 SW Monroe to register. For more information contact Avery House 541-758-6198

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Field Notes:January 25 through February 21, 2005

This winter been one of the driest on record in the Willamette Val-ley. Warm days with temperatures over 65o F had many birds singing by the end of February. Another Western Tanager was found wintering on the Willamette University campus in Salem, no doubt helped along by the mild weather. At our place n. of Corvallis, the osoberry bushes were blooming and willows were putting out new leaves by 20 Feb.

One of the most exciting birds in Oregon was found east of the Cascades 3 Feb when a Northern Hawk Owl was discovered in a residential neighborhood just se. of Bend. This northern owl thrilled many birdwatchers who traveled to see it through the end of the month. Farther east, record numbers of both Northern Hawk Owls and Great Gray Owls showed up the Lower 48, particularly in northern Minnesota. These owl irruptions are thought to be a function of population cycles in Arctic rodents, especially lemmings and voles.

Abbreviations & Locations: NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; Baskett Slough (NWR) is near Dallas in Polk Co. E.E. Wilson (Wild-life Area) is north of Adair Village along Hwy 99W. Finley (NWR) is south of Corvallis. Stewart Lake is on the Hewlett-Packard campus in north Corvallis.

Sightings: Along with the usual large flocks of Canada Geese and Cackling

Geese, two Greater White-fronted Geese were at Finley NWR 3 Feb (Michael Dossett). On 8 Feb I came across another at E.E. Wilson which was still there 19 Feb (Allen Wineland). One and sometimes a second Snow Goose continued at Finley NWR through 3 Feb (Marcia Cutler; Jamie Simmons; M Dossett). At least one Ross’s Goose contin-ued there through 16 Feb, with a second present 29 Jan (Roger Robb; Noah Strycker).

Barb and Jerry Bellin found a Brant at Finley 1 Feb, perhaps the same one that was found during the Corvallis CBC in December; this bird continued to be seen through 15 Feb (M Dossett; B Bellin).

The flock of up to 54 Trumpeter Swans that wintered along Airlie Rd. in s. Polk Co. continued through 21 Feb, often in the company of a few dozen Tundra Swans.

Three pairs of Wood Ducks on Stewart Lake 18 Feb were the first there this year (Bill Looney fide J Simmons). Carolyn Paynter spotted six Gadwall on a pond near headquarters at Finley 7 Feb. Two Eurasian Wigeon drakes were feeding with a large American Wigeon flock there 8 & 16 Feb (A Wineland; N Strycker).

Three wintering Cinnamon Teal continued at Toketie Marsh. Numbers should increase in March as true spring migrants begin to ar-rive. The Northern Shoveler flock at Stewart Lake has been increasing in numbers recently, with a high count of 64 on 17 Feb (J Simmons).

A male Falcated Duck continued through the period at an RV park near Coburg. Another exotic visitor, a “Eurasian” Green-winged Teal, turned up on Mike Lippsmeyer’s wetland in se. Polk Co. 29-30 Jan.

Stewart Lake held some notable diving ducks this month. The Canvasback congregation reached a record high count of 31 during 18-30 Jan (J Simmons; N Strycker). One 29 Jan Hendrik Herlyn noticed a Greater Scaup drake among the Lesser Scaup. The lake’s scaup flock spiked at 39 on 25 Jan, but otherwise fewer than 10 were present through the period (J Simmons). Single Buffleheads made appearances 7 & 9 Feb, and two male Ruddy Ducks were present 7 Feb through the end of the period (J Simmons).

Notable diving ducks elsewhere included a Greater Scaup at the Philomath sewage ponds 15 Feb (B & J Bellin). A male Common Goldeneye was on the river at Willamette Park 31 Jan (H Herlyn), and two were there 15 Feb (N Strycker; B & J Bellin).

A Ring-necked Pheasant has been visiting Norm Robinson’s feeders near Philomath City Park, for the third winter in a row.

More Turkey Vultures showed up this month. One soared over

Mike Lippsmeyer’s place in se. Polk Co. 4 Feb. Just n. of Corvallis near Lewisburg, Bob Altman saw one 5 Feb; one or two were reported intermittently from the same area through the end of the period. Four at Finley NWR 23 Feb (Steve Seibel) were the largest concentration seen so far.

Two White-tailed Kites were seen regularly at the Finley NWR prairie overlook through 14 Feb (S Seibel; Carolyn Paynter). Three were near the Kings Valley cemetery 8 Feb (Jeff Fleischer).

Bald Eagles were seen regularly at Finley through the period, with a peak count of seven soaring there together 30 Jan (S Seibel). Jeff Fleischer counted 28 Bald Eagles and an amazing 103 Northern Har-riers while surveying raptors in sw. Linn Co. 15 Feb. An adult Golden Eagle was seen intermittently along Bruce Rd. at Finley NWR 24 Jan through 14 Feb (Sylvia Maulding; R Robb; M Dossett; S Seibel).

A Sharp-shinned Hawk has been making regular raids on Norm Robinson’s feeders in Philomath. ASC field trip participants spotted a Cooper’s Hawk at Jackson-Frazier Wetland 13 Feb (Don Boucher).

Marcia Cutler and Hendrik Herlyn saw another Cooper’s Hawk in a curious position near Corvallis Airport 14 Feb; the hawk was perched in (not on top of) a chain-link fence. That this hawk managed to squeeze into a square of the fence grid might not surprise hawk banders, who sometimes use potato-chip cans to hold medium-sized accipiters snugly and safely during banding. One has to marvel, though, at how this bird managed to come to this unusual perch on the wing.

A Red-shouldered Hawk continued at E. E. Wilson through 12 Feb (M Cutler). Another was along Gap Rd. s. of Brownsville 15 Feb (J Fleischer). Pairs of Red-tailed Hawks at E.E. Wilson were acting territorial and performing courtship flights around nest sites by mid-Feb. A few Rough-legged Hawks continued near Finley through the period, mainly along the s. side of Bruce Rd. where Steve Seibel saw a dark morph and two light morphs 27 Jan. Jeff Fleischer found three in se. Linn Co. 15 Feb.

On 8 Feb I watched a pair of American Kestrels in courtship flight at the E.E. Wilson canal pond. At one point the female flew to the entrance of a wood-duck-sized nest box on the north side of the pond and peered inside. A pair were seen copulating during a 14 Feb raptor survey in Benton Co (M Cutler).

Merlins were seen occasionally around Corvallis in late Jan and early Feb, most frequently around Chintimini Park (H Herlyn; M Cutler) and in downtown Corvallis (D Boucher; N Strycker). One was near the Corvallis Airport 15 Feb (B & J Bellin).

An adult Peregrine Falcon was at Finley NWR 29 Jan (Roger & Betty Robb). One was also seen during the 14 Feb raptor survey (M Cutler, H Herlyn). A Prairie Falcon was near the north entrance of Finley NWR 30 Jan (Joe Fontaine), 14 Feb when a bold Northern Harrier was harrassing it (S Seibel), and again 16 Feb (N Strycker).

Two Virginia Rails were calling at Jackson-Frazier Wetland 29 Jan (H Herlyn). The ASC field trip 13 Feb also heard some there (D Boucher).

A few lucky observers enjoyed the stirring spectacle of Sandhill Crane migration on 23 Feb, when two flocks of 50 cranes flew over Lebanon (fide S Seibel) and a flock of about 60 flew over North Albany (D Boucher).

Four Spotted Sandpipers were at Willamette Park 31 Jan (H Herlyn). About twenty Dunlin joined 80 Killdeer near the swan flocks along Airlie Rd. 17 Feb.

A Herring Gull was along Bruce Rd. 14 Feb (M Cutler); two joined Ring-billed Gulls in the same area 15-16 Feb (B & J Bellin; N Strycker). A Glaucous-winged Gull was at Willamette Park 31 Jan (H Herlyn).

The first Band-tailed Pigeons of spring showed up sw of Philomath 19 Feb (Karan Fairchild) and along Oak Creek 23 Feb (Lena Proebst-

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ing). Noah Strycker saw an amazing flock of 370 Mourning Doves perched along an irrigation rig along Eureka Rd. e. of Finley 16 Feb. By then, doves were starting to split off from wintering flocks and show up in breeding situations; some were calling sw. of Philomath by 19 Feb (Karan Fairchild).

A Great Horned Owl was brooding on a nest n. of the angling pond at E.E. Wilson by 8 Feb. A Burrowing Owl continued at Baskett Slough through 20 Feb (Erik Knight).

Andrea Foster reports that a pair of Anna’s Hummingbirds con-tinue to frequent her nw Corvallis yard. They will soon have competition at the feeders, as Rufous Hummingbirds are showing up on the coast, and could arrive in the Corvallis area any day now.

The young Acorn Woodpecker colony at Stewart Lake is held strong at four birds through the period. After an unusual woodpecker was reported near Lewisburg 27 Jan, Marcia Cutler and Kate Matthews tracked down a likely suspect: a Red-breasted Sapsucker with a clear red head and a lighter than usual back. Downy Woodpeckers were among the species enjoyed by the ASC field trip to Jackson-Frazier Wetland 13 Feb (D Boucher).

On 30 Jan a Say’s Phoebe was at the base of Manning Butte s. of Plainview (Roy Gerig). Another was just off Airport Rd. s. of Corvallis 14 Feb (H Herlyn, M Cutler), near where one was found last month. A Northern Shrike continued at E. E. Wilson through 8 Feb; two more were found on the 14 Feb raptor survey (M Cutler).

In another sign of spring, Hutton’s Vireos were singing sw. of Philomath by 19 Feb (Karan Fairchild). A few Steller’s Jays around our place near E.E. Wilson were singing their soft songs by the end of the period, surprisingly melodic for birds which are usually so raucous.

Eight Horned Larks were in a hilly fescue field along Airlie Rd. 26 Jan, including several males which engaged in long song flights and tail chases. Researchers at OSU are investigating the conservation of the subspecies that breeds locally, called “Streaked” Horned Larks, which are endemic to the Willamette Valley and the Puget Trough (in Washington). The Oregon population is estimated to be as low as 200 birds. Please report the locations of any Horned Larks that you encounter in our area during spring or summer.

Two Tree Swallows were at E. E. Wilson 12 Feb (M Cutler). Another winged over Finley 14 Feb (N Strycker), three showed up to check Pat Waldron’s bird houses e. of Scio 18 Feb, and one was near North Albany (D Boucher). Twelve Barn Swallows flew north over Baskett Slough 18 Feb (Harry Nehls).

Birds singing in the spring-like weather this month included two Marsh Wrens at Jackson-Frazier Wetland 29 Jan and Brown Creepers and Bewick’s Wrens at Willamette Park 31 Jan (H Herlyn). Winter Wrens added their voices to the spring chorus sw. of Philomath by 19 Feb (Karan Fairchild). Ruby-crowned Kinglets were also singing by the end of the period.

Up to four Western Bluebirds were seen around the HP campus 21 Jan through 9 Feb (J Simmons, Jim Anderson, George Weaver). Eight were at Bald Hill Park 24 Jan (D Boucher), and several were near Lewisburg 27 Jan (M Cutler).

Ray Drapek passed on photographs of a very unusual bird that turned up in a s. Corvallis yard in mid-Feb. The bird appears to be a nearly pure-white American Robin. Varied Thrushes continued to be abundant at E.E. Wilson through the period.

One Orange-crowned Warbler (and possibly a second) was near Crabtree 30 Jan (R Gerig).

The Clay-colored Sparrow found along Bruce Rd. last month was last reported 25 Jan (Tom Snetsinger).

Among the chocolate-brown “Sooty” Fox Sparrows (mainly of the fuliginosus subspecies) which winter abundantly in our area, Hendrik Herlyn found a “Slate-colored” Fox Sparrow with a more grayish

head and back at Willamette Park 31 Jan, apparently of the altivagans subspecies. He also found about 7 Lincoln’s Sparrows in the park.

A White-throated Sparrow showed up in Andrea & Greg Foster’s nw. Corvallis yard 15 Feb. Jamie Simmons has hit the jackpot with up to four visiting his nw. Corvallis yard through the period. He also had a female Slate-colored (Dark-eyed) Junco visit a few times this winter, most recently 13 Feb.

Pine Grosbeaks were found again near Ray Benson Sno-Park in Santiam Pass in late Feb (Madeleine Landis fide Steve Shunk).

On 25 Jan, Hendrik Herlyn saw a brazen (or oblivious?) flock of Pine Siskins fly in to perch in a tree right next to a perched Merlin in NW Corvallis. When Hendrik came back a short time later, the Merlin was still there but the siskins were gone. Hendrik couldn’t tell if the Merlin looked any fatter.

Coastal notesOn 25 Jan Eric Horvath saw two Rock Sandpipers with 50 Surf-

birds, Black Turnstones, and three Black Oystercatchers roosting on the rocks at high tide at Seal Rock. Another Rock Sandpiper was with Surfbirds and Black Turnstones along the south jettyof Yaquina Bay 16 Feb (Janet Lamberson).

Thousands of Common Murres were on the colony rocks around Yaquina Head 12 Feb (Rebecca Cheek, Walt Nelson, Wayne Hoffman). Dead and moribund Horned Puffins continued to show up on Lincoln Co. beaches through the period (fide Range Bayer), presumably indi-cating this usually rare species is present in some numbers offshore this winter.

Three male Rufous Hummingbirds had shown up in Waldport by 4 Feb (Jorrie & Ken Ciotti). Another visited Dawn Grafe’s office feeder at the Hatfield Marine Science complex in Newport 16 Feb.

Next monthGet those feeders ready for the swarms of fiesty Rufous Hum-

mingbirds which should soon be showing up in the Willamette Valley! The first Violet-green Swallow was reported from Corvallis just as I was wrapping up this column. By late March we can also look forward to more early spring migrants, including Orange-crowned Warblers and Osprey. Please let me know about your observations by 28 Mar.

Joel Geier, 38566 Hwy 99W, Corvallis, OR 97330-9320 Telephone: (541) 745-5821 or 745-5020e-mail: jgeier@attglobal.net

Peregrine

Juvenile

Adult

artwork by Don Boucher

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Corvallis Bird Phenology / Migrant Arrival DatesBird phenology records in Corvallis date from 1970. The last phenology table was published in the Chat in March 1994. This list updates the arrivals through the spring of 2002.

Average Species Number Earliest arrival years arrival

Jan 29 Say’s Phoebe (M) 04 Jan 07

Feb 10 Tree Swallow 27 Jan 10 19 Turkey Vulture 29 Jan 17 27 Horned Grebe (M) 03 Feb 03

Mar 02 Rufous Hummingbird 32 Feb 14 03 Violet-green Swallow 29 Feb 21 13 Cinnamon Teal 27 Jan 31 13 Sandhill Crane (M) 17 Jan 26 16 Band-tailed Pigeon 20 Feb 04 19 Long-billed Dowitcher (M) 20 Jan 19 21 Orange-crowned Warbler 30 Feb 11 22 Osprey 30 Jan 28 31 Cliff Swallow 25 Mar 17

Apr 02 Northern Rough-winged Swallow 24 Mar 22 03 American Bittern 17 Feb 16 04 Common Yellowthroat 31 Mar 18 05 Barn Swallow 27 Mar 22 05 Sora 20 Feb 22 08 Lesser Yellowlegs (M) 19 Jan 20 09 Black Swift (M) 03 Mar 30 10 Black-throated Gray Warbler 30 Mar 15 10 House Wren 24 Feb 21 11 Chipping Sparrow 26 Mar 07 12 Black-bellied Plover (M) 10 Feb 26 13 Long-billed Curlew (M) 05 Mar 18 14 Vesper Sparrow 13 Mar 19 15 Nashville Warbler 18 Mar 13 17 Cassin’s Vireo 30 Mar 26 18 Black-necked Stilt (M) 09 Apr 09 18 Willet (M) 03 Apr 03 18 Wilson’s Warbler 28 Apr 03 20 Vaux’s Swift 30 Apr 05 21 Solitary Sandpiper (M) 21 Apr 08 21 Yellow-headed Blackbird 20 Feb 21

Apr 22 Hammond’s Flycatcher 11 Apr 14 23 MacGillivray’s Warbler 29 Apr 02 24 Semipalmated Plover (M) 17 Feb 07 24 Warbling Vireo 28 Mar 20 24 Whimbrel (M) 03 Apr 13 26 Western Kingbird 23 Apr 15 27 Calliope Hummingbird (M) 13 Apr 06 27 Western Tanager 27 Feb 28 28 Hermit Warbler 18 Apr 01 28 Pacific-slope Flycatcher 26 Apr 02 29 Yellow Warbler 22 Apr 10

May 01 Pectoral Sandpiper (M) 04 Apr 15 01 Purple Martin 10 Mar 17 03 Swainson’s Thrush 24 Apr 05 03 Western Wood-Pewee 21 Apr 07 04 Red-eyed Vireo 02 Apr 06 05 Black-headed Grosbeak 29 Apr 23 05 Bullock’s Oriole 23 Apr 11 06 Blue-winged Teal (M) 20 Apr 21 06 Lazuli Bunting 26 Apr 22 07 Olive-sided Flycatcher 23 Apr 20 07 Red-necked Phalarope (M) 13 Apr 23 10 Wilson’s Phalarope (M) 20 Apr 20 12 Yellow-breasted Chat 21 Apr 04 14 Marbled Godwit (M) 02 May 09 16 Willow Flycatcher 18 Apr 25 18 Black-throated Sparrow (M) 04 May 15 19 Black Tern (M) 07 Apr 02

Jun 02 Pacific Golden-Plover (M) 02 May 19 04 Common Nighthawk 13 May 10 07 Eastern Kingbird (M) 04 May 23

(M): Migrant, does not spend the season or breed in our area

-Compiled by Alan McGie

Average Species Number Earliest arrival years arrival

Chat Editor Needed in MayPlease conact Don Boucher, 753-7689, bouchdon@juno.com

Conservation Chair WantedPlease contact Jim Fairchild, 929-4049, alderspr@peak.org

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Contributors to The ChatBob Brister, Mary Van Brocklin, Paula Vanderheul, Lisa Millbank, Dave Mellinger, Joel Geier and Alan McGieChat Distribution: Fran Gates, Alberta Pierce, Eleanor and Ken Kidd, Joan Siegienski and Joe Fontaine

Bald Eagles—as Common as Crows!Winter Trip to the Klamath Basinby Don BoucherOn February 10, Lisa Millbank and I explored the Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges on either side of the California and Oregon border. At morning twilight, we arrived at the very small town of Worden, which is on HWY 97 in Oregon, about 3 miles from the state border. In the hills to the west is Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge. We came to Worden to wait for the eagles to fly eastward from their roosting area in the forest in Bear Valley National Wildlife Refuge to the Klamath Lake and Tule Lake areas. We waited at a parking area near the railroad tracks. For a period of about 45 minutes, 50 Bald Eagles must have passed. Some of the local birders present said they have seen more than 100 at this daily event.

The Klamath Basin has the largest winter gathering of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 United States. After they disperse, they can be seen peppered throughout the wetlands and fields. Everywhere we stopped, there were eagles, not unlike one would find crows in the countryside anywhere else. In fact, I think we saw many more eagles than crows. Of course, eagles are not the only birds to see. We encoun-tered more Tundra Swans than I’ve seen anywhere else, there were thousands. We also saw geese, ducks, herons, egrets, hawks, meadowlarks and other birds.

We also visited Lava Beds National Monument in California, including Captain Jack’s Stronghold, which is both historically and geologically fascinating. Nearby is a cliff face with hundreds of ancient petroglyphs. The cliffs harbor roosting sites for owls, hawks, falcons, ravens and others. At the base of the cliffs are the remains of thousands of pellets from owls and other raptors. The pellets, which are in all stages of decay, leave a litter of bones from small mammals and birds. We got a good look at a pair of Prairie Falcons. At the base of the cliffs, you can see the shoreline of the lake which once covered the now dry landscape.

You can see the Klamath Basin area on the ASC’s an-nual spring trip in April (see field trips on page 51, it’s full but there’s waiting list-and there’s also next year!). At that time, there won’t be so many eagles, although some will still be there. You will see a much higher diversity and an overall higher number of birds. My favorite species at that time of year are the Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Ross’ Goose, American White Pelican, and several species of grebe. When I made the spring trip a few years ago, we logged 150 species for the entire trip.

Hundreds of Bald Eagles winter in the Klamath Basin. This one overlooks Swans and Pintails.

Red-tailed Hawks, like this one, and Northern Harriers were the next most numerous raptors.

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Mount Shasta can be seen during clear weather.

Thousands of Tundra Swans and other waterfowl visit the Klamath Basin.

Near the Lavabeds there are cliffs with ancient petroglyphs. Also owls, raptors and other birds.

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Audubon Society of CorvallisP.O. Box 148Corvallis, OR 97339

Non-Profit OrgU. S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 58Corvallis, ORRETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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The Chat is published 10 times a year by the Audubon Society of Corvallis, PO Box 148, Corvallis OR 97339. Annual ASC memberships are $20 for an individual, $25 for a family, $15 for a student. Chat-only subscriptions are $10.

Audubon Society of Corvallis

CHATthe

CalendarMar 12 Saturday local morning birding 7:30 AM** Mar 17 General Meeting 7:30 PM, 1st Presb. Church

Bob Brister, America’s Redrock Wilderness*Mar 18-20 Bandon Coast**Mar 19 Saturday, Bicycle Birding, 9 AM-noon**Mar 28 Field Notes deadlineMar 31 Chat deadline for AprilApril Birding Classes all month (see page 51)Apr 9 Saturday local morning birding 7:30 AM**Apr 17 Sunday, Bicycle Birding, 9 AM-noon**Apr 21 General Meeting 7:30 PM, 1st Presb. Church

Dave Mellinger, Whale and Bird Sounds*Apr 22-24 Klamath Basin**Apr 25 Field Notes deadlineApr 28 Chat deadline for MayMay 6-8 Rogue Valley Birding & Shakespeare Play**May 7-8 5th Annual Birdathon (see pages 49-50)

Everybody’s welcome, including nonmembers, to any ASC function* see front page** see page 51 for field trip descriptions

Audubon Society of Corvallis www.audubon.corvallis.or.us

President: Susan Haig, 1646 NW Crest Pl., Corvallis, 97330, 753-5068, sue_haig2003@yahoo.com

Vice President/Program Chair: Chris Mathews, 3336 SW Willamette Ave., Corvallis, 97333, 754-1172, mathewsc2@comcast.net

Treasurer: Judy Hays, 6920 NW Cardinal Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 745-5692, haysj@comcast.net

Secretary/Field Trip Coordinator: Paula Vanderheul, 991 NW Sequoia, Corvallis, 97330, 752-0470, vanderp@peak.org

Historian: Marcia Cutler, 835 NW Merrie Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 752-4313, mccarmel@peak.org

Board Members at Large

Hal Batchelder, 24566 Elderberry La., Philomath, 97370, 929-3537, hbatchelder@coas.oregonstate.edu

Renee Bellinger, 2492 SE Powell Pl., Corvallis, 97333, 752-1750, renee.bellinger@oregonstate.edu

Elise Elliott-Smith, 1163 NW Polk, Corvallis, 97330, 754-3906, eelliottsmith@yahoo.com

Karan Fairchild (Fund-raising), 31540 Homestead Rd., Philomath, 97370, 929-4049, alderspr@peak.org

Bill Proebsting, 7350 NW Oak Creek Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 752-0108, proebstw@science.oregonstate.edu

Claudia Regier (Refreshments), 1030 SW Sunset Dr., Corvallis, 97333, 753-0879

Dave Mellinger (alternate), 3798 NW Jameson Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 757-7953, DavidKMellinger@yahoo.com

Committees and Coordinators

Conservation Chair: Jim Fairchild, 31540 Homestead Rd., Philomath, 97370, 929-4049, alderspr@peak.org

Newsletter Editor/Outreach: Don Boucher, 5008 Technology Loop, Apt. 9, 97333, 753-7689, bouchdon@juno.com

Hesthavn: Sanctuary Chair Ray Drapek, 3273 SE Hathaway, Corvallis, 97333, 754-7364, drapek@fsl.orst.edu

Bluebird Trail Chair Elsie, Eltzroth, 6980 Cardinal Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 745-7806, eltzroth@peak.org

Refuge Keeper/Sales Table: Gary Gibson, 25071 Evergreen Rd., Philomath, 97370, 929-3804, gibgrn@juno.com

Wildlife Watch Chair: Elzy Eltzroth, 6980 Cardinal Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 745-7806, eltzroth@peak.org

Education Chair: Kate Mathews, 3336 SW Willamette Ave., Cor-vallis, 97333, 754-1172, kate.mathews@comcast.net

Electronic Communications: Sheridan McCarthy, 2807 NW Morning Glory Dr., Corvallis, 97330, 602-1470, sheridan@larkonline.net

Membership Chair Amy Schoener, 24362 Cardwell Hill Dr., Philomath, 97370, 929-4041, cloudrun@peak.org

Publicity Chair Bob Smythe, 2758 SW Fairmont Drive, Corvallis, 97330, 757-6357, smythe@stat.orst.edu

Birdathon Chair: Mary Van Brocklin, Corvallis, 97330, 745-7170, mary_vanbrocklin@yahoo.com

Chat Distribution: Fran Gates, 2960 NW Bryant Street, Corvallis OR 97330, 757-0036

Chat Email Distribution: Joe Fontaine, fontaine_joe@hotmail.com

Field Notes Editor: Joel Geier, 38566 Hwy 99W, Corvallis, OR 97330, 745-5821 or 745-5020, jgeier@attglobal.net