Bright and early on Tuesday mornings at Sawyer
Park, eager birders surround Dave Tracy as he names the calls and songs
that he hears . Mostly ignoring the noisy vocalizations of Red-winged
Blackbirds and other familiar birds, he points out the chip note of a
Wilson’s Warbler and the song of a Lazuli Bunting. Looking high into a
Ponderosa, he notes a Pygmy Nuthatch’s pip pip pip. As the group
crosses the foot bridge, they peer into the willows for a glimpse of
warbler or an empid flycatcher: Hammond’s or a Dusky? . . . a lively
discussion ensues. Upriver, the area of nesting swallows and bushtits is
less vocal now that incubation is underway.
Dave has been leading Birding by Ear (BBE) Walks,
sponsored by East Cascade Audubon, for several years now during spring
migration. A tradition started by Steve Shunk almost a decade ago, BBE
continues to increase in popularity as the word spreads about this
informative and fun weekly outing.
The best way to learn a bird’s song is to see and
hear the bird singing, Dave says. It is how Dave learned, starting with a
summer job after high school graduation on a BLM fire crew stationed at
Fort Rock. A fellow crew member was a wildlife biologist who showed young
Tracy a whole new world to explore. Later, Dave honed his skills
volunteering for point counts with the Forest Service. The protocol—sit
for five minutes considering the habitat, season, time of day as well as
the birds seen and heard—provided memorable impressions.
As technology improved, Dave progressed from tapes
to the more congenial programs and apps. Using his iPhone, he taped the
song of a Fox Sparrow heard at the Entrada Burn, and using spectrogram
software, compared parts of it to other birds’ song. He discovered what he
suspected, snippets of the songs of several resident birds, including an
Oliver-Sided Flycatcher, Red Crossbill, Robin, Red -breasted Nuthatch and
a Western Tanager.
Ever curious about the life of birds, Dave is
currently following the recent studies of night flight calls recorded
during migration from the roofs of school buildings.
Besides leading BBE Walks, Tracy has participated
in multiple bird related activities including service as the past
president and board member of the Oregon Field Ornithologists. He was one
of the founders of East Cascades Bird Conservancy and enjoys seeing how
the organization has grown and flourished.
For more information on birding by ear, he
suggests Donald Kroodsma’s book, The Singing Life of Birds, Kelly
Bettinger’s The Unabashed Guide to Selected Oregon and Washington Bird
Songs and Calls, and Nathan Pieplow’s website, Earbirding.com.
In his other life, Dave, a fifth generation
Oregonian, spends time with his family and operates a fiber optics
assembly company here in Bend.
Lake Abert
Workshop – Presenting Science to the Decision-Makers
By
Steve Dougill, Past President, East Cascades Audubon
Society
Last spring, East Cascades Audubon received a grant
from National Audubon to promote the conservation of Lake Abert in
Southeast Oregon. One major goals of the project was to bring
decision makers together and present hard science on the effects of low
water levels on the biological systems at the lake. To this effect,
22 people from 15 agencies met at Paisley, Oregon, on April 29, 2011 for
discussions and scientific presentations before a field trip to Lake Abert
and the Chewaucan inflow.
The star attraction was Dr Dave Herbst, from the
University of California Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory at
Mammoth Lakes. Dave is an authority on the Great Basin lake systems
and provided invaluable insights into the geo-morphology and ecology of
this unique system. As water levels drop, salinity increases causing
a cascading series of events that reduce food resources and availability
for migratory birds. Trent Seager and I presented information on the
birds of Lake Abert and past survey results. (Up to 220,000 Phalaropes and
35,000 Avocets have been counted on a single day). Ron Larson
(unaffiliated at this meeting) spoke about the historic water levels
in the Chewaucan river basin, and a speaker from the United States
Geological Survey outlined its current project of collecting water
chemistry data and lake levels. It was a great chance to bring all
this information together; this year, for the first time, we will have
bird counts, invertebrate sampling, salinity and water level data ….giving
us a strong scientific basis for discussions with the different
agencies. Dave Herbst is now working more closely with USGS.
USGS is collecting more data on each trip to the lake, and Dave is getting
the extra data in return for helping ISGS identify aquatic insects…. A
win-win situation.
Several different agencies are involved at Lake
Abert. BLM manages the land; OWRD manages the water; and ODFW
manages the wildlife (brine shrimp, alkali fly, migratory bird
species). In follow-up discussions we will be focusing on the goals
for providing critical wildlife habitat (lake levels equated with lake
function and food web) for the migratory birds,. We therefore plan
to meet with ODFW to discuss whether increasing water flow in low years
will help the birds.
You can see the PowerPoint presentations from the
event on the web at: http://ecaudubon.org/Projects/LakeAbert/tabid/241/Default.aspx
It is also not too late to volunteer for the fall
counts; again see the web.
Spring Sightings in Central Oregon , by Chuck
Gates
After a long visit with Jack Frost, there is nothing like the spring
birding season to break the doldrums of cold winter and rejuvenate the
birder’s psyche. This spring was wet, cool, and late. This
created conditions for unusual birds and birding. Spring 2011
delivered some very nice (and unusual) birds.
Waterfowl numbers peak in early spring and then drop off as birds move
to northern breeding grounds. This movement produces sightings of
unusual birds as they pass through. A late SNOW GOOSE was found on
the Prineville Sewer Ponds on April 10. One ROSS’S GOOSE was found
on Houston Lake later the same month. A single CACKLING GOOSE was
reported on the Crook County NAMC in May for a late record. Several
TRUMPETER SWANS visited Hatfield Lake on their journeys north. At
least 5 EURASIAN WIGEON were located in areas like Hatfield Lake,
Prineville, and Redmond’s Fireman’s Pond. Unusual in spring,
Deschutes County BLUE-WINGED TEAL were reported from the Redmond Area and
Hatfield Lake. A RED-BREASTED MERGANSER stayed for a few days at
Hatfield Lake around the 10th of April. At least 5 different HORNED
GREBES were seen at various waterfowl locations in the area. A
CLARK’S GREBE was seen at Ochoco Reservoir for most of the season.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS seemed to be just about everywhere this
spring. The AMERICAN BITTERNS at Houston Lake proved difficult to
find with only one report this spring. SANDHILL CRANES were seen at
several Crook County locations. Four FRANKLIN’S GULLS made an
appearance at Gutierrez Ranch near Paulina and an unusually high number
(7) of FORSTER’S TERNS were seen on Ochoco Reservoir on May 5.
Shorebirds make very brief stops in Central Oregon on their way north
to breed. One has to get lucky to see a rarity as they rarely stay
around for more than a day (or even a few hours). BLACK-BELLIED
PLOVERS are always of interest as was the one that visited Hatfield Lake
on April 4. SOLITARY SANDPIPERS were seen at Hatfield Lake, Redmond
Sewer Ponds, and on the Jefferson County NAMC. An unusual WILLET
showed up at the Redmond Sewer Ponds while RED-NECKED PHALAROPES appeared
at quite a few locations.
Game Birds are the favorites of many a birder. Spring 2011 saw
some interesting reports from this group. RUFFED GROUSE are present
all year but rarely seen. Three reports of this species came in from
the Sisters area. GREATER SAGE-GROUSE made a bit of a comeback at a
new lek in the MIllican area. As many as 40 birds were seen this
spring. SOOTY GROUSE were seen but difficult to find due to late
snows. WILD TURKEY showed up in the Sisters and Paulina areas.
MOUNTAIN QUIAL were located along the Paulina Highway and on the Jefferson
NAMC. A lone BAND-TAILED PIGEON was seen briefly at a Bend feeder on
May 1st for an unusual Deschutes County record.
Everyone loves the raptors so raptor highlights brighten the days of
all birders. NORTHERN GOSHAWK numbers seem secure as birds were
reported from Northeast of Sisters, Prineville, Camp Polk, Calliope
Crossing, and the Crook County NAMC. MERLIN stayed around until
March 23rd. PEREGRINE FALCONS were seen at Hatfield Lake on two
occasions. The Prineville area continues to be a relative stronghold
for BARN OWLS (birds were seen in two different barns in the area).
A WESTERN SCREECH-OWL could be heard calling from a neighborhood in Powell
Butte throughout the season. NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL reports came in from
Black Butte, near Sisters, and Camp Sherman. A nesting pair of GREAT
GRAY OWLS made a big splash as they produced the first confirmed nesting
record for the Ochoco Mountains (and Crook County). LONG-EARED OWLS
were found at their traditional location near Haystack Reservoir.
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWLS were located near Bend and at Pelton Dam
Overlook.
No family defines Central Oregon like the woodpeckers. We have 12
species in the state and all 12 were seen locally this season. The
highlight was the appearance of an ACORN WOODPECKER near Sisters around
the 10th of May (Nice find Mary Crow). AMERICAN THREE-TOED
WOODPECKERS were seen at Rooster Rock Burn and at Ryan’s Meadow.
Over 20 BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKERS were seen in charred forests around
Central Oregon.
In the bird world, you are referred to as a passerine if you have feet
that are evolved to perch on branches and such. Passerines are the
biggest group of birds and often make up the bulk of rare bird
reports. Many good passerines were seen in our area this spring
season. A single COSTA’S HUMMINGBIRD was found in late May on the
east side of Bend. BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINBIRDS were also seen in Bend,
Prineville, Crooked River Ranch, and near Ochoco Reservoir. A BLACK
PHOEBE made a rare appearance in Deschutes County with one bird showing up
at Camp Polk Meadow briefly. While not unusual on any spring count,
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHERS buzzed the birding hotlines this spring with
unconfirmed reports on March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd. This
species does not arrive normally until the middle May. A
CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE is not unheard of in western Deschutes County
but it is rarely reported. One bird was found at the Metolius
Preserve on April 17th. A single BEWICK’S WREN survived wintering at
Lower Bridge and was hear singing throughout the spring season at that
location. Black Butte Swamp produced the only SWAINSON’S THRUSH
report of the season as this species continues to be elusive in Deschutes
County. An AMERICAN REDSTART found at Alder Springs was certainly
one of the spring highlights. A CLAY-COLORED SPARROW made a brief
visit to Chuck Rich’s feeder on Purcell Road in Bend around the 25th of
May. WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were seen throughout Central Oregon up
until the 15th of May. Prineville continues to be the hotspot for
TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS. These birds moved around using multiple
roosting locations before choosing LaMonta Road as a nesting spot.
PURPLE FINCHES were reported from Sunriver, Bend, Tumalo, and Calliope
Crossing.
Blast from
the Past - Birds and Birders of 30 Years Ago - Judy
Meredith
The monthly Audubon meetings were usually held in
the Methodist Church on the same street as the Central Oregon
Environmental Center sits today. But for Ray Atkeson, a famous
Oregon photographer, the meeting was held in the Great Hall at Sunriver
Resort.
The Madras flock, as usual, contributed greatly to
the activity of the chapter, writing field notes, hosting seed sales and a
having holiday bazaar for fundraising. Names like Ivy Hilty, Kay Kirby,
Bonnie Grote, and Adele Rodriguez are sprinkled through all the
newsletters during these years.
Cal Elshoff gave the program in
November 2011 on the “Chihuahuan, Sonoran and Mohave Deserts” and included
birding in Baja, Big Bend in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico,
Chiricahuas of Arizona, and Death Valley.
A field trip to Malheur led by Lloyd Sharp and
Bruce Nolf, featured birds and geology. Lloyd wrote up a great trip
report. In the same newsletter, he wrote a comprehensive article on
“The Care and Coddling of your Binoculars”. Hmmm, Sharp, now isn’t the
name familiar…. Yes, Sandy Sharp, the lovely woman at the Sisters
Ranger District office who feeds the birds and greets us when we visit, is
the daughter of Lloyd and Barbara Sharp. Her parents were very
active members and instilled in her a love of birds, camping, and
exploring the back country of Oregon. Read more about the Sharps in
future articles.
Birds being seen included Gray Partridge around Madras, Chukar at Smith
Rocks, a White-headed Woodpecker bathing at Thorn Springs, immature Red
Crossbills all over on Sept 6th, and Northern Goshawks in 2 locations.
Summer Lake: shorebirds and
mud - by Steve Dougill
Save the date – The first weekend after Memorial Day. This year
was our third annual Summer Lake breeding shorebird surveys, and, my
goodness, what fun! The idea is to provide feedback to the refuge
staff on shorebird (and other bird) utilization of the habitat that is
constantly changing due to their management practices. For a weekend we
get open access to the wildlife management area. This year Ellen paddled
her Kayak; several of us were up to our knees in mud and mire; others kept
to the dry ground and everything in between.
My group headed out to the edge of the lake, firstly across dry ground
with calling Long-billed Curlews, then across deeper marsh
surrounded by Avocets and Stilts. We even found a hot spring bubbling out
near the edge of the main lake. After cleaning up, there was
plenty of time in the evening to bird and enjoy fantastic Thai food and
potluck desserts. And don’t forget the Black Butte Porter!
Highlights - Whimbrel seen by Peter; actually SEEING a Yellow Rail;
fantastic company and a lot of laughs … see you next year!
MORE BIRD
BLAB - by Marion Davidson
Cassin’s Vireo
I’m here, look up.
Fresh corn, up
here.
Chu-wee cheerio.
Yoo-Hoo up here.
It’s me
in the
tree.
Can’t you see
me here?!
Song Sparrow
My
my
my
zee river’s
mighty high!
Sweet
sweet
sweet
my
darling’s always sweet!
Brown-headed Cowbirds
His: Lullaby to his Buffalo Gal
Sleep tight beast—
shaggy friend
quiet the
night
bright the stars
Hers:
Knock it off you sentimental old bird.
Pack it
up, we’re on the road.
Steller’s Jay
He: Stella, Stella
I’m quite a fellow!
She: Rattle Rattle Rattlex
April Birder’s Night: The Birds of
Colombia
April Birder’s Night featured Colombian Bird
Guide, Christopher Calonje, with conversation and images (mostly his own)
of Colombia’s colorful birds. A third-generation native son, born in Cali,
Colombia, Christopher divides his time between Klamath Falls and Colombia
where he leads birding trips from the cloud forests of the mountains to
the valleys and coasts below. Just of few of his colorful photos included
toucans, trogons tanagers, caracaras, tiger herons, quetzals and
flamencos.
Boasting the world’s longest list of birds (now
over 1870 species if one counts the offshore islands), Colombia is premier
birding habitat, Christopher explained. The wide range of biological
diversity, provides excellent locations for migrant, resident and endemic
species.
Christopher explained that the time to visit
Colombia is now, as traveling is safe and the Colombian people are happy
to welcome visitors and share their rich culture and cuisine. Christopher
and his staff involve local communities and non profit conservation
organizations in the birding trips. For more information, see
Christopher’s website: http://www.colombiabirdwatch.com/.
Jeff Fleischer shared photographs
and statistics from the Winter Raptor Survey Project at the June 16
Birders' Night. Not surprisingly, Red-tailed Hawks, American
Kestrels, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, and Rough-legged Hawks
constitute over 90 percent of the birds counted on these surveys, while
Red-tails and Kestrels have been found on every route in the
project. More unusual winter birds have ranged from Swainson's Hawks
(not uncommon in summer) and Snowy Owls to Bend's 2005 Northern
Hawk-owl. Significant regional differences do exist for various
species found during the surveys. For example, Golden Eagles and
Ferruginous Hawks are far more common east of the Cascades, while
White-tailed Kites are only found to the west.
Jeff's project began during the winter of 2001-02
with four routes around Albany and has grown steadily ever since.
The East Cascades Bird Conservancy began sponsoring the program in 2004, a
responsibility assumed by the East Cascades Audubon Society (ECAS) when
the two organizations merged in 2010. The project has grown
immensely since its inception. A total of 80 routes were surveyed
the first winter, with 149 surveyed by 115 volunteers this past
winter. A total of 227,424 miles and 13,654 volunteer hours have
been logged on the project in the last seven years. Jeff hopes to
add even more routes to the project and is in the process of securing
volunteers to conduct surveys on new routes in southwest Idaho next
winter.
Jeff devotes an amazing amount of time and energy
to this project. He sets up routes, finds volunteers, prepares
individual route maps and data forms for each route, and provides
volunteers with monthly summary reports, as well as end of season and
cumulative reports. He has created a stand-out project and it is an
honor for ECAS to support it. The next step, which ECAS is working
to implement, is to statistically analyze the wealth of data that has been
accumulated thus far.
Birders' Night
Outlook
Mark your calendars now for three evenings with
birds and fellow birders. As usual, we will meet at the
Environmental Center at 16 NW Kansas, Bend. Coffee and cookies will
be set up at 6:30, and the program begins at 7. Remember that
there's no Birders' Night in November. Instead, we'll convene at the
Bend Senior Center on November 12 for the Annual Event. You'll find
more information on that event elsewhere in this Newsletter.
August 17 -- ECAS member Mary Yanalcanlin talks on
birding with children, including the new ECAS program "Fledgling Fun".
September 15 -- Jim Moodie, Professor of
Science and Biology at Central Oregon Community College, talks on how
birds communicate.
October 20 -- Terry Steele, photographer and
story-teller supreme, returns with a presentation on birds of Texas.