$4.00

Volume 17, Number 4, Winter 1991

The Records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee, 1990-1991 99 Harry Nehls

Oregon Bird Records Committee: You Be The Judge 104 Harry Nehls

Record High Totals of Individuals on Oregon Christmas Bird Counts 105 Alan Contreras

SITE GUIDE: Southern Curry County Coast 109 Dennis Rogers

CBC Preview: Coquille Valley 110 Alan Contreras

Oregon Birds Crossword Puzzle ....111 Karen Kearney

Bustards on the South Oregon Coast? 112 Don Alan Hall and Roberta L. Hall

News and Notes 113

Color-marked Birds in Oregon 116

The Pan-American Shorebird Program 118 Manomet Bird Observatory

Information Wanted on Oregon's Birds 121

Aleutian Canada Goose Recovery .123

FIELDNOTES 124 Eastern Oregon, Spring 1991 124

Joe Evanich Western Oregon, Spring 1991 127

Jeff Gilligan

Cover photo Philadelphia Vireo, 3 June 1991, Fields, Harney Co., first photographic record for Oregon. Photo / Jeff Gilligan.

Oregon Birds The quarterly journal of Oregon field ornithology

OREGON BIRDS is a quarterly publication of Oregon Field Ornithologists, an Oregon not-for-profit corporation. Membership in Oregon Field Ornithologists includes a subscription to Oregon Birds. ISSN 0890-2313

Editor Associate Editor

Assistant Editor

Owen Schmidt Jim Johnson Sharon K. Blair

OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS President David A. Anderson, Portland (1992) Secretary Tim Shelmerdine, Lake Oswego (1992) Treasurer Dennis Arendt, Eugene (1992)

Past President Bill Stotz, Florence Directors Barbara Griffin, North Bend (1990-92)

Howard Sands, Eagle Point (1990-92) Gerard Lillie, Portland (1991-93) Don MacDonald, Corvallis (1991-93)

OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE Secretary Harry Nehls, Portland (1991)

Ve~oe-s Tom Crabtree, Bend (1989-91) Jim Carlson, Eugene (1990-92) Jeff Gilligan, Portland (1990-92) Linda Weiland, Portland (1990-91) Jim Johnson, Portland (1990-92) Nick Lethaby, Beaverton (1991-93) Larry McQueen, Eugene (1990-93) Owen Schmidt, Portland (1991-93) Steve Summers, Klamath Falls (1989-91)

Alternate Craig Roberts, Tillamook (1991)

Oregon Birds OREGON BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

O 1991

OREGON FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS P.O. Box 10373

Eugene, OR 97440

Oregon Birds is looking for material in these categories:

News Briefs on things of temporal importance, such as meetings, birding trips, announcements, news items, etc.

Articles are longer contributions dealing with identification, distribution, ecology, management, conservation, taxonomy, behavior, biology, and historical aspects of ornithology and birding in Oregon. Articles cite references (if any) at the end of the text. Names and addresses of authors typically appear at the beginning of the text.

Short Notes are shorter communications dealing with the same subjects as articles. Short Notes typically cite no references, or at most a few in parentheses in the text. Names and addresses of authors appear at the end of the text.

Bird Finding Guides "where to find a in Oregon" (for some of the rarer

birds) and "where to find birds in the area" (for some of the better

spots).

Reviews for published material on Oregon birds or of interest to Oregon birders.

Photographs of birds, especially photos taken recently in Oregon. Color slide duplicates are preferred. Please label all photos with photographer's name and address, bird identification, date and place the photo was taken. Photos will be returned; contact the Editor for more information.

Deadline for the next issue of Oregon Birds - OB 18(1) - is 24 January 1992. The next issue should get to you by the first week of March 1992. Material can be submitted any time, and the sooner the better. Please send materials directly to the Editor, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212, (503)282-9403.

Oregon Birds Board of Editors: David A. Anderson, Range D. Bayer, Charlie Bruce, Alan Contreras, Tom Crabtree, David Fix, Jeff Gilligan, Steven G. Herman, Mike Houck, George A. Jobanek, Jim Johnson, C.D. Littlefield, Roy Lowe, David B. Marshall, Harry B. Nehls, Mark Stern, Paul Sullivan, Clarice Watson.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 98, Winter 1991

The Records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee, 1990-1991 Harry Nehls, Secretary, Oregon Bird Records Committee, 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

From October 1990 to October 1991, the Oregon Bird Records Committee (OBRC) completed the following records. The first group of records are those for which the written report and/or photographs or specimens supported the stated identification and are accepted records. I f photo(s) or specimen is indicated for a record, i t was accepted as verified. Other records were accepted as sight records.

Of the 62 records reviewed by the Committee and the 3 records brought up for reconsideration during this period, 56 were accepted and 9 were not accepted. Four species — American Black Duck, Baikal Teal, Great Knot, and Worm-eating Warbler — were added to the Oregon checklist.

Information presented below for each species includes location of sighting, number of birds, sex and age i f known, special information (such as collection and museum number), and date(s), init ia l of the observer(s) submitting written or other evidence for accepted records, and the OBRC record file number. The OBRC record file number reads as follows: the first 3 digits are the AOU number for the species, the second 2 are the year in which the record was observed, and the last numbers are the consecutive numbers for the records as they are filed.

I n many instances, although the record was verified by photographs, no written summary of the sighting was presented to the Committee. We fully encourage that the original observer of a rare bird submit a written report of the find detailing the event and what led to the identification of the species. Recently, records of some species have been questioned (e.g., Tufted Duck), and we find that many of these records lacked some details as only 1 observer took the time to submit a report. Many of these records had more than 1 observer involved. We would urge that several observers submit independent reports on each record.

The members of the OBRC for 1991 are J im Carlson, Tom Crabtree, Jeff Gilligan, Linda Weiland, J im Johnson, Larry McQueen, Nick Lethaby, Owen Schmidt, and Steve Summers. The alternate is Craig Roberts.

The OBRC thanks the following organizations for having made financial contributions i n the past year to help wi th expenses: Cape Arago Audubon Society, Central Oregon Audubon, Florence Audubon Society, Corvallis Audubon Society, Lane County Audubon Society, Portland Audubon Society, Grande Ronde Bird Club, Klamath Basin Audubon Society, Salem Audubon Society, Umpqua Valley Audubon, Southern Willamette Ornithological Club, and Yaquina Birders and Naturalists.

1. Records Accepted

MOTTLED PETREL 099-89-07 Clatsop Beach, Clatsop Co., 1 de­

composed bird found 15 November 1989 (HN), wings collected.

099-90-08 45 miles W of Lincoln City, Lincoln Co., 1 bird on 11 December 1990 (TSt).

099-90-09 45 miles W of Tillamook Co., 1 bird on 11 December 1990 (TSt).

099-90-10 45 miles W of Cape Lookout, Tillamook Co., 1 bird on 11 Decem­ber 1990 (TSt).

LITTLE BLUE HERON 200-90-05 Brownsmead, Clatsop Co., imma­

ture bird, 20 January to 11 March 1990 (photos by HN, MP)

BAIKAL TEAL 139.1-74-01 Irish Bend, Benton co., male col­

lected by hunter 12 January 1974. Specimen to Oregon State Univer­

sity Collection. First verified state record.

MOUNTAIN PLOVER 281 -89-05 South of Bandon, Coos Co., 2

adults on open beach, 6 December 1989 (BS).

HUDSONIAN GODWIT 251-90-11 Florence, Lane Co., 1 juvenile on 18

September 1990 (BS).

GREAT KNOT 234.1-90-01 Bandon, Coos Co., immature bird 1

-17 September 1990 (NL, MS, pho­tos by JG.HN).

RUFF 260-89-16

260-89-19

South Jetty, Columbia River, Clatsop Co., 1 bird on 31 August-6 September 1989 (photos by MP). Sauvie Island, Columbia Co., 1 juve­nile female, 30 August 1989 (photo by HN);

260-89-20 Sauvie Island, Columbia Co., 1 juve­nile male, 24 August to 15 Septem­ber 1989 (NL, PS, photos by JJo, GL, HN).

260-89-21 Sauvie Island, Multnomah Co., 1 juvenile male, 1-12 September 1989 (JJo, NL, photos by HN,BW).

260-90-22 Sauvie Island, Multnomah Co., 1 adult male, 26-28 August 1990 (NL);

260-90-23 South Jetty, Columbia Piver, Clatsop Co., 1 adult female on 25 July 1990 (MP).

260-90-24 South Jetty, Siuslaw River, Lane Co., 3 juveniles on 18 September 1990 (photos by BS.TMi)

LITTLE GULL 060.1-89-07 John Day Dam, Sherman Co., 1

juvenile on 21-28 November 1989 (HN, TS, photos by GL).

ELEGANT TERN 066-90-14 South Jetty, Columbia River,

Clatsop Co., up to 125,12 August to 16 September 1990 (photos by PM.KI.TC).

066-90-15 Winchuck River mouth, Curry Co., 2 adults on 9 October 1990 (CD).

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 387-90-07 1.5 mi. NE Red Bridge State Park,

Union Co., 1 bird on 23 June 1990 (CC).

387-90-09 Bend, Deschutes Co., 1 bird on 18 June 1990 (TC).

COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD 430-89-19 Winchester, Douglas Co., 1 male on

5 May 1989 (photos by MS).

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 402-90-08 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1

immature on 14 October 1990 (pho­tos by TC.SS).

WOOD THRUSH 755-89-03 Fields, Harney Co., 1 adult on 14

October 1989 (photos by SS).

NORTHERN PARULA 648-90-16 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1

male on 23 September 1990 (DA, JG).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER 659-90-22 Toledo, Lincoln Co., 1 male on 10

July 1990 (DFa). 659-90-23 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1

adult on 30 May 1990 (photo by KKe).

Oregon Birds 17(4): 99, Winter 1991

MAGNOLIA WARBLER 657-89-14 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 8

June 1989 (photo by AMc). 657-90-15 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 6

October 1990 (KKe, photos by JeK). 657-90-16 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1

adult male on 3 June 1990 (TC). 657-90-17 Benson Pond, Harney Co., 1 adult

male on 5 June 1990 (JJo).

CAPE MAY WARBLER 650-90-05 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1

immature female on 22 September 1990 (SS).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER 654-89-21 Hq, Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 29-

30 September 1989 (photo by JJo). 654-90-22 Frenchglen, Harney Co., 1 male on

23 September 1990 (photo by COL).

BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER 667-90-07 Hq, Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 4-5

June 1990 (MS, photos by JJo, TC, JG).

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER 662-90-05 Page Springs Campground, Harney

Co., 1 male on 1 June 1990 (photos bySK, OS.BT).

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER 660-88-07 Hq, Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 17

September 1988 (SH, photo by TC). 660-90-08 Page Springs Campground, Harney

Co., 1 male on 27 May 1990 (RK, JK, photo by KKe).

WORM-EATING WARBLER 639-90-01 Hq, Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 16

September 1990 (TG, TC);

KENTUCKY WARBLER 677-90-02 Frenchglen, Harney Co., 1 adult on

8 June 1990 (TC, photos by SS).

MOURNING WARBLER 679-90-04 Brothers, Deschutes Co., 1 male on

3 June 1990 (TC);

CANADA WARBLER 686-89-03 Seaside, Clatsop Co., 29 October

1989 (MP, photos by HN.BW).

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 595-89-17 Woahink Lake, Lane Co., 6-13 De­

cember 1989 (SH, photo by BS).

INDIGO BUNTING 598-90-12 Silver Lake Ranger Dist., Lane Co.,

1 female on 7 June 1990 (SS); 598-90-13 Grants Pass, Josephine Co., late

May to late July 1990 (RLB, ALB).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW 561 -90-22 Nesika Beach, Curry Co., 13 Octo­

ber 1990 (DF). 561 -90-23 Roseburg, Douglas Co., 1 bird on

16 December 1990 (DF.MH).

BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW 565-90-02 Stukel Mountain, Klamath Co., fam­

ily group, 17-22 July (JJo, photos by SS.TC).

LARK BUNTING 605-90-10 Benson Pond, Harney Co., 1 imma­

ture female 18-19 September 1990 (JJo).

MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR 539-90-03 Lower Klamath NWR, Klamath Co.,

1 winter plumaged male 13-15 January 1990 (SS.REk)

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE 512-89-06 Fields, Harney Co., 14 October

1989 (photos by SS).

BRAMBLING 514.1-90-03 Florence, Lane Co., 1 adult male in

basic plumage 25-31 October 1990 (GH.TMi, AMi, photos by PMo.SS).

HOARY REDPOLL 527-90-02 9 Miles NW Bates, Grant Co.,

January 1990 (RHu);

Contributors David Anderson** R. L. Buckmaster** A.L. Buckmaster** Craig Corder Tom Crabtree Mike Denny** Mary-Lynn Denny**

14

Colin Dillingham Ray Ekstrom Darrel Faxon David Fix Jeff Gilligan Tony Greager** Greg Hammon ** Steve Heinl Robert Hudson Kamal Islam Jim Johnson Jerald Kearney** Karen Kearney Stephen King** Jan Krabbe Rick Krabbe Nick Lethaby Gerard Lillie Alan McGie Pat Moynahan** Harry Nehls Mike Patterson Martha Sawyer Owen Schmidt Tom Staudt Bil l Stotz Paul Sullivan Steve Summers Bill Tice Bing Wong

** New on all time contributors list

Through October 1991, the OBRC has received 992 records — 64 of which are still under consideration. Of the 928 completed records, 746 (80.4%) were accepted, and 182 (19.6%) were not accepted.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 100, Winter 1991

2. Records Not Accepted

YELLOW-BILLED LOON 008-89-22 Hood River, Hood River Co., 1 bird

on 29 January 1989. Not accepted as photos inconclusive. Did not rule out Common Loon.

CURLEW SANDPIPER 244-89-13 South Jetty, Columbia River,

Clatsop Co, 1 bird on 30 Septem­ber 1989. Not accepted as descrip­tion and photos indicated bird was possibly a Dunlin.

THICK-BILLED MURRE 031 -89-05 Yaquina Bay, Lincoln Co, breeding

plumaged bird on 14 October 1989. Not accepted as description and slides did not eliminate Common Murre.

031 -89-06 Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co, breeding plumaged bird on 12 November 1989. Not accepted as description did not eliminate Common Murre.

XANTUS' MURRELET 025-89-06 Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co, 1 bird on 24

October 1989. Not accepted as observation too brief to eliminate possible error.

PHAINOPEPLA 620-87-04 Talent, Jackson Co, 11 November

1987 to 19 February 1988. Not ac­cepted because photograph indi­cated bird was possibly a Steller's Jay.

3. Reconsidered Records

MOTTLED PETREL 099-72-03 So. of Yaquina Beach, Lincoln Co,

19 March 1972. Skull to USNM. No. 555218. Museum not positive of identification. Accepted on reconsid­eration based on description of plumage (HN).

099-72-04 So. of Yaquina Beach, Lincoln Co, 18 March 1972. Skull to USNM. No. 555219. Museum not positive of identification. Accepted on reconsid­eration based on description of plumage (HN).

AMERICAN BLACK DUCK 133-50-02 Summer Lake GMA, Lake Co, 1

collected by hunter, 12 November 1950. Not accepted as origin ques­tionable. Accepted as a museum specimen of wild bird on reconsid­eration.

On reviewing the permanent files of the OBRC during the past year, several records were found that were not pub-

1985-86

1986-87

1987-88 1988-89

1989-90 1990-91

Percentage of records "accepted" and "not accepted" by the OBRC for the past 6 years.

lished, or that were published with erro­neous or incomplete information. The following will bring the published files up to date, and will correct existing errors.

Prior records not published in Or­egon Birds or in OFO Special Publica­tion No. 5, Rare Birds of Oregon (Janu­ary 1989):

4. Accepted Records

HUDSON1AN GODWIT 251 -88-09 South Jetty of Columbia River,

Clatsop Co, 1 juvenile on 31 August 1988 (MP).

COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD 430-89-18 Cottonwood Creek, Harney Co, 1

male on 20 May 1989 (DSw).

BROWN THRASHER 705-88-10 Salem, Marion Co, 1 bird 10 De­

cember 1988 to 16 February 1989 (MLo.TSt, photo by DMM).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER 657-88-13 Mora, Sherman Co, 1 adult male on

5 June 1988 (Dl).

BLACKPOLL WARBLER 661-87-23 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co, 1

bird on 18 September 1987 (photo byTC).

661 -87-24 Frenchglen, Harney Co, 1 bird in September 1987 (photo by TC).

KENTUCKY WARBLER 677-89-01 Fields, Harney Co, 1 bird on 16

June 1989 (VN)

CANADA WARBLER 686-88-02 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co, 1

adult male 2-4 September 1988 (JC, JuC, photos by JJo, TC).

DICKCISSEL 604-88-05 Astoria, Clatsop Co, 1 immature

male 10 December 1988 to 19 January 1989 (TSt, photos by MP, Dry).

CLAY-COLORED SPARROW 561 -88-21 Harbor, Curry Col „ 1 bird on 3 Octo­

ber 1988 (RE).

CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR 538-89-06 Diamond Lake Sewage Ponds,

Douglas Co, 1 female or young bird on 13 September 1989 (DF).

5. Record Not Accepted

NORTHERN CARDINAL 593-83-03 Cave junction, Josephine Co, 1

immature male during spring 1983.

6. Corrections to already-published records:

FAR EASTERN CURLEW 268.2-82-01 Bayocean Spit, Tillamook Co, 1

September 1982. Delete record as report withdrawn prior to Committee action.

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK 595-88-18 Bend, Deschutes Co, 1 adult male

on 28 May to 8 June 1988 (photos by GJh). Record published with wrong Record number.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 101, Winter 1991

McCOWN'S LONGSPUR 539-82-03 South Jetty ot the Columbia River,

Clatsop Co., 19 September 1982. Delete record as report withdrawn prior to Committee action. Record number has been reused on an­other report.

GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE 512-86-05 Beuna Vista Station, Harney Co, 3

males from 30 May to 7 June 1986 (photos by OS, JJo, TC). Correc­tions made to location and number of birds involved.

BALTIMORE ORIOLE 507-74-01 Bayocean Spit, Tillamook Co, 1

male on 26 October 1974 (photos by RL). Record published with wrong Record number.

7. Corrections to lists of con­tributors on already-published records

YELLOW-BILLED LOON 008-89-20 Manzanita, Tillamook Co, 1 bird on

5 February 1989 (NL).

LITTLE BLUE HERON 200-85-02 Willamette R. near Buena Vista

Ferry, Marion & Polk Cos, 1 young adult in breeding plumage 16-18 May 1985 (GA, JG, EE photos by ME, JJo).

GARGANEY 139.2-88-01 Nehalem Sewage Ponds, Tillamook

Co., 1 in basic plumage 17-19 Sep­tember 1988 (NL.SH, photos by JJo, JG.TC).

TUFTED DUCK 149.1-89-11 Kerby, Josephine Co, 1 adult male

on 12 March 1989 (MS, photo by JJo).

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER 246-80-08 Bayocean Spit, Tillamook Co, 1

juvenile on 17 August 1980 (JG, photo by OS).

246-81-14 Davis Lake, Klamath Co, 1 adult in breeding plumage 25-26 July 1981 (AMi, photo by TMi).

CURLEW SANDPIPER 244-76-04 Seven Devils Wayside, Coos Co, 1

approaching basic plumage on 16 August 1976 (RLeV, photo by MFo).

RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE 041 -83-02 15 nautical miles West of Tillamook

Head, Clatsop Co, 1 adult on 7 August 1983 (RoL, photo by SMc).

BOREAL OWL 371 -88-01 Umatilla National Forest

(T6N,R39E,S28), Wallowa Co, 1 on 17 October 1988 (JGa, sound re­cordings by DH, VT). First verified state record.

COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD 430-79-04 Mollala, Clackamas Co, 1 male at

feeder 26 June to 26 July 1979 (photos by TC, HN).

430-90-20 Sutherlin, Douglas Co, 1 adult male on4April1990(KWi,JWi).

LEASTFLYCATCHER 467-88-15 Malheur NWR, Harney Co, 1 sing­

ing bird on 29 May 1988 (photos by AC).

TROPICAL KINGBIRD 446-82-07 Newport, Lincoln Co, 1 from 6-15

November 1982 (GB, EH, photos by BC, RS.JK).

BLUE JAY 477-73-01 Ontario, Malheur Co, 2 adults on 29

December 1973 (WEH.WH).. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT 700-88-02 Double O Ranch Road, Harney Co,

1 on 4 June 1988 (GL, RRd, TSt). First accepted state record.

PHAINOPEPLA 620-88-03 14 miles east of Gold Hill, Jackson

Co, 1 young male 22 December 1988 to 1 January 1989 (DSt, AMc, MS, photos by BS, DMM.JJo.TC).

NORTHERN PARULA 648-86-10 Davis Lake, Klamath Co, 1 adult

male on 18 June 1986 (photos by AMc).

648-88-14 Andrews, Harney Co, 1 on 4 June 1988 (photos by DBa, JG, TC).

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER 659- 82-12 Ashland, Jackson Co, 1 immature

on 30 September 1982 (DSt).

MAGNOLIA WARBLER 657-88-12 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co, 1

adult on 28-29 May 1988 (SH.HN, photos by DBa, JG).

BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER 654-82-04 Malheur NWR, Harney Co, 1 male

in October 1982 (TM, photos DB).

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER 660- 76-01 Grizzly Campground, Howard Prai­

rie Lake Jackson Co, 1 male on 22 June 1976 (DSt).

660-88-07 Hq. Malheur NWR, Harney Co, 1 on 17 September 1988 (SH, photos byTC).

BLACKPOLL WARBLER 661 -88-22 Malheur NWR, Harney Co., 1 fe­

male on 7 June 1988 (photos by DBa, JG).

BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER 636-80-08 Roseburg, Douglas Co, 1 male on

20,21 &23 October 1980 (FP).

SCARLETTANAGER 608-79-02 Hart ML, Lake Co, 1 male mist-

netted on 14 June 1979 (LRM, photo by PD).

BLUE GROSBEAK 597-75-01 Corvallis, Benton Co, 1 from 4-17

January 1975 (photos by ME, FR) first verified state record.

LARK BUNTING 605-80-03 North Bend, Coos Co, 1 in winter

plumage, probably a male on 12 September 1980 (Dl, photos by JG, TF).

HOODED ORIOLE 505-85-07 Eugene, Lane Co., 1 male on 1 May

1985 (PG, photo by GGa).

HOARY REDPOLL 527-86-01 Near Umapine, Umatilla Co, 1-3

birds on 21 January to 5 February 1986 (MS, JE, JJo, photos by HN. TC.OS).

Corrected comprehensive list of con­tributors with accepted records:

John Allen (JA1) David Anderson (DA) Greg Anderson (GA) Jon Anderson (JAn) Jim Arenson (J A)

David Bailey (DBa I Robert Barnes (RBa Norm Barrett (NBI Alan D. Barron (AB Range Bayer (RB Guy & Linda Beaudine G&LB) Barbara Bellin (BBi Christy Brindle(CB) George Burt (GB)

Tim Bickler (TBi I Tim Blount (TB) Chris Bond (CBo Bob Bromley (BBr Lois Brooks (LB) P.A. Buckley (PB i Robert L. Buckmaster RLB) Aimie L. Buckmaster (ALB) Dan Bump (DB) George & Dorothy Burt (G&DBu)

Jim Carlson (JC) Judy Carlson (JuC) Derb S. Carter (DC) Barbara Combs (BC) Greg Concannon (GC) Alan Contreras (AC) Craig Corder (CC) Tom Crabtree (TC) Kevin Cromack (KC) C.A. Curran (CCu)

Penny Delevoryas (PD) Mike Denny (MD) Merry-Lynn Denny (MLD) Colin Dillingham (CD) Lynette Dillon (LD) Suzanne Dodson (SD) Virginia Druliner (VP)

Oregon Birds 17(4): 102, Winter 1991

Alan Dyck (AD) Jan Kapan (JKa) Nina Priee (NP) Jerald Kearney (JeK) Al Prigge (APr)

Mark Egger (MEg) Karen Kearney (KKe) Eleanor Pugh (EP) Ray Ekstrom (REK) Geoff Keller (GK)

Eleanor Pugh (EP)

Elsie Eltzroth (EE) John Kempe (JKe) Tim Ramis (TR) Merlin S. (Elzy) Eltzroth (ME) Carol Kinch (CKi) Fred Ramsey (FR) Richard Erickson (RE) James R. King(JRK) Dan Reed (DRe) Joe Evanich (JE) Steven King(SK) Hilda Reiher (HR)

Ken Knittle(KK) Robert Ringler (RR) Craig Faanes (CF) Jan Krabbe (JK) Michael Robbins (MR) Darrel Faxon (DFa) Rick Krabbe (RK) Craig Roberts (CR) Dan Fay (DFy) Dan Rodgers (DRo) Rob Fergus (RF) Ron LeValley (RLeV) Robert Rodgers (RRd) Kathy Finnell (KF) Nick Lethaby (NL) Dennis Rogers (DR) Tad Finnell (TF) Gerard Lillie (GL)

Dennis Rogers (DR)

David Fix (DF) Charles Linehan (CL) M . Sacca (MSa) Maggi Ford (MFo) C D . Littlefield (CDL) Georgiana Sanderson (GS) Mary Forrester (MF) Robert Loeffel (RoL) Martha Sawyer (MS) Bill Freeland (BF) Tom Love (TLo) CarlSchilt(CSc) Gary Friedrichsen (GF) Roy W. Lowe (RLo) Owen Schmidt (OS) Joanne Fuller (JF) Marguerite Lowery (MLo) Floyd Schrock (FS)

Robert Lucas (RL) Ed Schwartz (ES) Bob Gabriel (BGa) Tom Lund (TL) Tim Shelmerdine (TS) Gail Garner (GGa) Bruce Lyon (BLy) Michael Sherrill (MSh) Paula Gardner (PG) Carol Sherwood (CS) John Gatchet (JGa) Ron Maertz (RM) James Shimoto (JS) Roy Gerig(RG) David MacManiman (DMM) Gerald Smith (GSm) Jeff Gilligan (JG) Dave Markley (DMa) Richard Smith (RS) Steve Gordon (SG) Margaret Markley (MM) CD. Snow (CDS) Michael Graybill (MG) David Marshall (DM) Tom Staudt (TSt) Tony Greager (TG) William McDonald (WMc) Bill Stotz (BS) Barbara Griffin (BG) Alan McGie (AMc) Douglas Stotz (DSt)

Scott McMullen (SMc) Nancy Stotz (NS) Greg Hammon (GH) L.B. McQueen (LMc) Gary Strachen (GSt) Jamie Hannum (JH) L. Richard Mewaldt (LRM) Paul Sullivan (PSu) Floyd Hayes (FH) Allison Mickel (AMi) Priscilla Summers (PrS) Loren Hays (LHa) Tom Mickel (TMi) Steve Summers (SS) Steve Heinl (SH) Craig Miller (CM) David Swanson (DSw) P. Sydney Herbert (PSH) JeffMoffett (JMo) Pat & Sharon Sweeney (P&SSw) Hendrick G. Herlyn (HGH) Marjorie Moore (MMo) Otis Swisher (OSw) Steve Herman (SHe) Terry Morgan (TM) David Herr (DH) Joseph Morlan (JM) Avery Taylor (AT) Lynn Herring (LH) Pat Moynahan (PMo) Verda Teale (VT) Dan Heyerly (DHe) Patrick Muller (PM) Carl Templeman (CT) Dave Hiebert (DHi) Larry Thornburgh (LT) W.E. Hoffman (WEH) Dave Nafziger (DN) Sarah Thurman (STh) Wayne Hoffman (WH) Harry Nehls (HN) William Tice (WT) Dave Hofmann (DHo) Tom Nelson (TN) Paul Tubbs (PT) David Holway (DHw) Pam & Pete Neumann (P&PN) Peter Turnbull (PTu) Eric Horvath (EH) Virginia (Marcy) Nufer (VN) Timm Turrentine (TT) Richard Hoyer (RHo) Robert C. Tweit (RT) Eugene Hunn (EHu) Bob O'Brien (BO"B) Matt Hunter (MH) Clarence O'Leary (CO'L) George Vaughn (GV) Robert Hudson (RHu) Marilyn O'Leary (MO'L) Ken Voget (KV)

Laimons Osis (LO) Ken Voget (KV)

David Irons (DI) Bruce Ostyn (BO) Clarice Watson (CW) Kamal Islam (KI) Linda Weiland (LW) M.E. Isleib (MEI) Richard Palmer (RP) C.J. Weiss (CJW)

Alice Parker (AP) John Wilson (JWi) Stewart Janes (SJa) Fred Parker (FP) Katherine Wilson (KWi) Greg Johanson (GJh) Mike Patterson (MP) Tom Winters (TW) Jim Johnson (JJo) William Pearcy (MWP) BingWong(BW) John Johnson (JJ) A.R. Phillips (ARP) Roy Woodall (RW) Meredith Jones (MJ) Phil Pickering (PP) Ken Woodruff (KW) Sheran Jones (SJ) J . Jerome Pierce (JJP)

Robert Pitman (RPi) C. Fred Zeillemaker (CFZ) Durrell Kapan (DK) Diane Pope (DP) 0

Oregon Birds 17(4): 103, Winter 1991

Oregon Bird Records Committee: You Be The Judge Harry Nehls, 2736 S.E. 20th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202

On 21 June 1987, 2 birders visiting the T Ranch at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge observed a bird that they identi­fied as a Red-headed Woodpecker in the deciduous trees near the ranch house. They immediately sent in a report to the OBRC. Details of the report were published at Oregon Birds 17(3), 88, and you were asked to vote on the report, preparing and sending in comments on your decision.

In OBRC action, every mem­ber of the Committee noted that the description was very brief. Most, however, agreed with one member's comment: "Despite the very brief description, I don't have any doubts. The description elimi­nates everything else. The date of the sighting and location are reasonable for this exciting vagrant." On the first round the Committee voted 8-1 in favor of accepting thereport, but not the unani­mous voted needed on the first round.

The lone 'not accept' member com­mented: " I want to accept this one, but the description is so brief and field guide­like. Where was the white on the wings, what about a white rump, tail color? I feel like they saw a Red-headed Wood­pecker, but the details are just too skimpy. Last June (1986) Northern Cali­fornia had a Red-headed Woodpecker photographed at Crescent City, less than 20 miles south of Oregon." On the sec­ond round of voting the Committee ac­cepted this record 8-1.

I t was the feeling of most of the Committee members that, although the report was brief and lacking in some details, what was presented ruled out the Red-breasted Sapsucker and dis­pelled any reasonable doubt as to the proper identification of this bird.

Three excellent replies were received concerning this "you be the judge" ar­ticle. Al l gave very good reasons why this record should be accepted or re­jected. Their letters showed that consid­erable care was taken in coming to their conclusions. All 3 commented on the insufficient details given, especially the lack of an accurate description of the bird's upperparts. On what part of the wing was the white? Did it have a white rump? How black was the back?

Barbara Combs, of Eugene, writes: " I would have voted 'no' on this record. My principle reasons are the lack of experience of the observers and insuffi­

cient details. The one directly leads to the other. Birders who are relatively inexperienced generally lack skill in dif­ferentiating parts of a bird's anatomy. The result of this lack of experience (is) shown in this report.... The description relies largely on color, which can be a very unreliable identification aid. I am at a loss to figure out how a bird ob­served with its belly against a tree trunk can be adequately described as to belly color. Seen in undulating flight, a flash of white can seem momentarily bright."

Michael Patten, of Riverside, Cali­fornia, questions the report on several grounds. " I can see no recourse but to reject a record such as the one pre­sented. I assume that the Red-headed Woodpecker reported at Malheur 21 June 1987 was a first for Oregon. As such, the level of documentation should be unassailable. The skimpy details pre­sented certainly are suggestive of a Red­headed Woodpecker, but they are not conclusive. The 'brilliant red head and neck' would seemingly narrow the choices rather quickly. The 'pure white belly" and "black back with white on wings' seem to point to nothing other than a Red-headed Woodpecker."

He continues, "Just because these details "best fit' a certain species, is that enough to document that that species was seen? I have long felt that a record should not be accepted simply because the details suggest that the bird 'could not be anything else.' I t has never been

the function of committee members to determine what species was seen, but to evaluate whether or not the documenta­tion presented with a given report is

adequate enough to support arecor d of the claimed species. The details presented with this report are vague enough to give rise to a number of questions .... Thus while the re­ported details are intriguing, they are nothing more than suggestive. I would think that Oregon would await a better documented report. In fact, weak details such as these are the reason hypothetical lists ex­ist. "

Kevin Spencer of Tule Lake, California tended to side with the majority of the Committee: " Like the observers, I too have not any

firsthand experience with a Red-headed Woodpecker. After considering their ob­servations I've concluded that they did most likely have a Red-headed Wood­pecker sighting. Brilliant white breast ... pure white breast. *** They noted less red on head and neck for the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (and) noted that the Red-breasted Sapsucker" s breast is too dull." He did note: "... disappointed in lack of detail which could have included size of patch, or its position on the wing — this could have added validity to sighting i f details supported their iden­tification." He also observed " I know one cannot assume an experienced observer just because one is at Malheur, but they knew enough to try to rule out the Red-breasted Sapsucker."

Few birders have the experience to write a good detailed rare bird report, and most received by the OBRC reflect this fact. On evaluating a report, OBRC members do not check for style or spell­ing. What is looked for is if there was an honest attempt to describe how the bird was found and observed, and how the observer came to identify the bird as to species.

In this case the observers missed a few plumage characteristics, but did note key points. There are only 2 species of North American woodpeckers with all-redheads. Theobservers compared their description of this bird to that of the 2 red-headed species and gave reasons the Red-breasted Sapsucker was elimi-

[Editor's Note: I n the last issue of Or­egon Birds, H a r r y Nehls, Secretary of the Oregon B i r d Records Committee, presented a written report of a b i r d identif ied as a Red-headed Wood­pecker — Oregon's first. O B 17(3): 88, F a l l 1991. H a r r y presented the infor­mation as it was available to the O B R C . "Now it is your turn . Y o u be the judge. " Several readers sent i n their comments .... ]

Oregon Birds 17(4): 104, Winter 1991

nated. One of the key field points that

swayed many of the OBRC members was the description of the underparts. Red-breasted Sapsuckers often show faded dull white underparts, but in all plumages the sides and flanks are con­spicuously streaked with dusky. When pressed against a tree or in flight the underparts appear dull. Red-headed Woodpeckers, on the other hand, have clear white sides and flanks. When pressed against a tree or in flight the entire white underparts are conspicu­ous. In comparing plumage characteris­tics with the 2 candidate species, this obvious field point was emphasized.

The observers reporting this sight­ing are not known personally by most of

the OBRC members. But they are known to be active field birders that regularly cover Malheur NWR as well as their local area. They are members of the Grant County Bird Club, are on the local rare bird telephone network, and regu­larly report their findings to the local field notes editor. After sighting this bird, they immediately spread the word in an attempt tohave the report verified.

As the OBRC votes to either accept or not accept a report, a hypothetical classification is not an option. There are, however, 3 classes of accepted records: verified; single report sight record; and multiple report sight record. Although accepted, a single report sight record carries the least supportive evidence.

The goal of the OBRC is to evaluate

each submitted report fairly and hon­estly. To evaluate a possible first state record more stringently than that of subsequent records would be unfair to both the observer of the first record and to observers of records that follow. At the present time there are 17 species on the Oregon state list that are based on unverified accepted sight records, in­cluding the Red-headed Woodpecker. All are conspicuously coded as such.

The OBRC wishes to thank Clarence and Marilyn O'Leary for submitting the Red-head Woodpecker report. Special thanks go to Barbara Combs, Michael Patten, and Kevin Spencer for taking the time to evaluate and comment on this report.

0

Record High Totals of Individuals on Oregon Christmas Bird Counts Alan Contreras, 101 Amador # 29, Jefferson City, MO 65109

Oregon's record high Christmas Bird Count individual totals were last com­piled and published in 1981 and up­dated in 1982. For these data see Combs (1981, 1982). I have analyzed the Or­egon CBC results through 1989 (and added a few corrections to the earlier lists) and prepared the attached update of the all-time records table.

Because the process of preparing a list of this sort contains plenty of oppor­tunity for human error, it is likely that I have missed some new records set dur­ing this time period. I would appreciate receiving any additions or corrections to the list. These records are all from counts conducted under National Audubon Society rules and published in American Birds or Oregon Birds. In addition, 2 records from the as yet un­published 1989 Coos Bay count have been included, and a few new records set on the 1990 CBCs (only those available to me) have been included.

Coos Bay holds or shares 54 highs, followed by Eugene, Tillamook Bay, Portland, and Medford. Seven other counts hold at least 10 records. Forty different counts hold at least 1 record, although several of those are not cur­rently operating. The oldest record still standing is of 2 Arctic Terns at Portland in 1933, the next oldest are also from Portland in 1938, when 2 Turkey Vul­tures and 102 Northern Bobwhites were counted. Although the TV record has been tied 3 times, the Bobwhite tally is likely to stand for some time. A number of other records from older counts also

remain. Some counts had "big years" for

records, with a number of records set that still stand. Chief among these is the 1976 Coos Bay count, conducted during an "El Nino" winter on a clear 7 0 ° day with the help of a pelagic team, from which 11 record highs (after deletion of a Thick-billed Murre record) remained afterl3years. Other noteworthy record-setting days include the 1985 Lincoln City count, the only one ever published, which set 6 records that still stand, and perhaps even more impressive, the 1971 Sauvie Island count, with 4 records standing for 18 years, and the 1973 Tillamook Bay count, with 5 records standingl6years later. Thel981 Ruggs-Hardman count set 5 records, including 4 raptor highs, that have held up for many years, and the 1980 Alma count set 3 records that still stand for forest species, including over a thousand Chest­nut-backed Chickadees.

I hope that you enjoy perusing these records. I have refrained generally from adding qualifying footnotes to some of the more unusual records, such as the Arctic Terns, Williamson's Sapsucker, Solitary Vireos, various warblers, and other species that may or may not have been identified correctly. Because de­tails from many of these records are unavailable there is no basis other than the experience and opinion of individual readers to provide guidance regarding the interpretation and use of the infor­mation presented in this list. The excep­tion I have made to this general "hands

off" rule regarding records is that those records that have been submitted to and approved by the Oregon Bird Records Committee and published in the Committee's regular reports or in Rare Birds of Oregon (Schmidt 1989) have been marked with a " t " symbol.

I appreciate the comments, sugges­tions, and corrections offered by John Biewener, Stephen Dowlan, David Fix, Sharon Freshman, Ron Maertz, Mike Patterson, Paul Reed, Aaron Skirvin, Marty St. Louis, Larry Thornburgh, Tom Winters, and Herb Wisner.

LITERATURE CITED

Combs, B. 1981. Oregon CBC Record High Counts. Oregon Birds 7(4): 161

Combs, B. 1982. Changes to Oregon's CBC Records. Oregon Birds 8(4): 161

Contreras, A. 1988. Results of Five Winter Bird Counts in Oregon in 1987-88. Oregon Birds 14(4) 360.

Contreras, A. 1990a. Results of Five Winter Bird Counts in Oregon in 1988. Oregon Birds 16(4) 273.

Contreras, A. 1990b. Corrections to 2 Oregon CBC Records. Oregon Birds 16(4): 279.

Schmidt, O. 1989. Rare Birds of Or­egon: A report on the first 10 years' records of the Oregon Bird Records Committee. Oregon Field Orni­thologists Special Publication No. 5. 0

Oregon Birds 17(4): 105, Winter 1991

Oregon Christmas B i r d Count Record High Counts of Individuals N Species High CBC Year N Species High CBC Year

Red-throated Loon 212 Florence 1985 Red-breasted Merganser 297 Tillamook Bay 1976 Pacific Loon 140 Coos Bay 1983 Ruddy Duck 8,550 Klamath Falls 1978 Common Loon 193 Coos Bay 1977 Turkey Vulture 2 Portland 1938

t Yellow-billed Loon 1 Eugene 1989 Turkey Vulture

Klamath Falls 1966 Pied-billed Grebe 258 Lincoln City 1985 Gold Beach 1975 Horned Grebe 267 Coos Bay 1976 Dallas 1977 Red-necked Grebe 91 Lincoln City 1985 Osprey 2 Gold Beach 1974 Eared Grebe 61 Klamath Falls 1962

Osprey Eugene 1990

Western Grebe 679 Gold Beach 1970 Black-shouldered Kite 22 Medford 1986 Clark's Grebe 11 Utopia 1987 Medford 1988 Black-footed Albatross 2 Coos Bay 1976 Bald Eagle 64 Klamath Falls 1952 Northern Fulmar 12 Tillamook Bay 1976 Northern Harrier 150 Ruggs-Hardman 1981

1 Flesh-footed Shearwater 1 Coos Bay 1983 Sharp-shinned Hawk 19 Portland 1987 Buller's Shearwater 1 Yaquina Bay 1989 Cooper's Hawk 17 Portland 1958 Sooty Shearwater 1,500 Tillamook Bay 1949

Cooper's Hawk Medford 1978

2 Short-tailed Shearwater 15 Coos Bay 1989 Northern Goshawk 3 Klamath Falls 1980 Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel 1 Florence 1984 Bend 1984

3 1 Yaquina Bay 1985 Red-shouldered Hawk 5 PortOrford 1981 Leach's Storm-Petrel 1 Coos Bay 1974 Swainson's Hawk 7 Malheur NWR 1976 Am. White Pelican 3 Klamath Basin 1944 Red-tailed Hawk 368 Dallas 1978 Brown Pelican • 54 Coos Bay 1987 Ferruginous Hawk 3 Malheur NWR 1941 Double-crested Cormorant 504 Sauvie Island 1987 Rough-legged Hawk 143 Ruggs-Hardman 1981 Brandt's Cormorant 151 Yaquina Bay 1981 Golden Eagle 29 Ruggs-Hardman 1978 Pelagic Cormorant 287 Yaquina Bay 1986 American Kestrel 167 Corvallis 1978

4 American Bittern 3 Eugene 1969 Merlin 11 Utopia 1981 Great Blue Heron 279 Sauvie Island 1987 Peregrine Falcon 7 Tillamook Bay 1987 Great Egret 73 Klamath Falls 1986 Gyrfalcon 1 Sauvie Island 1970 Snowy Egret 11 Coos Bay 1988

Gyrfalcon Eugene 1973

Cattle Egret 17 Tillamook Bay 1983 Portland 1974 Green-backed Heron 14 Portland 1948 Columbia Estuary 1981 Black-cr. Night-Heron 608 Klamath Falls 1966 Tillamook Bay 1985 plegadis ibis, sp. 4 Sauvie Island 1981 Columbia Estuary 1989 Tundra Swan 5,946 Sauvie Island 1988 Hood River 1989 Trumpeter Swan 54 Malheur NWR 1981 Yaquina Bay 1989

Malheur NWR 1983 Prairie Falcon 13 Ruggs-Hardman 1981 Gr. White-fronted Goose 916 Klamath Basin 1944 Gray Partridge 260 Ruggs-Hardman 1981 Snow Goose 2,700 Sauvie Island 1984 Chukar 485 Ruggs-Hardman 1980 Ross' Goose 9 Klamath Falls 1986 Ring-necked Pheasant 1317 Umatilla Co. 1990 Emperor Goose 1 Sauvie Island 1975 Blue Grouse 28 Cottage Grove 1975

Yaquina Bay 1977 Ruffed Grouse 24 Ruggs-Hardman 1967 Sauvie Island 1986 Sage Grouse 303 Hart Mountain 1978 Coos Bay 1987 Wild Turkey 49 Roseburg 1975

Brant 4,100 Tillamook Bay 1939 Northern Bobwhite 102 Portland 1938 Canada Goose 37,135 Sauvie Island 1988 California Quail 756 Adel 1988 Wood Duck 471 Salem 1978 Mountain Quail 235 Oakridge 1977 Green-winged Teal 15,000 Dallas 1973 Virginia Rail 60 Lincoln City 1985 American Black Duck 1 Sauvie Island _ 1971 Sora 4 PortOrford 1985 Mallard 31,000 Sauvie Island 1977 American Coot 5,568 Lincoln City 1985 Northern Pintail 87,000 Sauvie Island 1971 Sandhill Crane 346 Sauvie Island 1989 Blue-winged Teal 9 Sauvie Island 1976 Black-bellied Plover 607 Coos Bay 1982 Cinnamon Teal 24 Columbia Estuary 1988 Lesser Golden-Plover 8 Coos Bay 1979 Northern Shoveler 13,600 Sauvie Island 1971 5 Ringed Plover 2 Eugene 1954 Gadwall 2,012 Coos Bay 1975 Snowy Plover 40 Coos Bay 1978 Eurasian Wigeon 27 Portland 1988 Semipalmated Plover 82 Coos Bay 1981 American Wigeon 115,000 Sauvie Island 1971 Killdeer 10,728 Corvallis 1984 Canvasback 2,380 Columbia Estuary 1983 Mountain Plover 2 Corvallis 1966 Redhead 425 Coos Bay 1979 Corvallis 1981 Ring-necked Duck 1,455 Forest Grove 1983 Am. Black Oystercatcher 71 Port Orford 1980

t Tufted Duck 1 Forest Grove 1983 American Avocet 2 Klamath Falls 1978 t Greater Scaup 616 Tillamook Bay 1939 Greater Yellowlegs 68 Coos Bay 1981 Lesser Scaup 7,000 Eugene 1964 Lesser Yellowlegs 56 Coos Bay 1979 Harlequin Duck 40 Tillamook Bay 1972 Willet 20 Coos Bay 1984 Oldsquaw 20 PortOrford 1988 Wandering Tattler 13 Coos Bay 1975 Black Scoter 341 Yaquina Bay 1987 Spotted Sandpiper 15 Yaquina Bay 1975 Surf Scoter 1394 Coos Bay 1990 Whimbrel 14 Yaquina Bay 1979 White-winged Scoter 3,770 Lincoln City 1985 Long-billed Curlew 2 Yaquina Bay 1979 Common Goldeneye 3,254 Klamath Falls 1987 Marbled Godwit 45 Tillamook Bay 1974 Barrow's Goldeneye 244 Klamath Falls 1987 Ruddy Turnstone 25 Gold Beach 1976 Bufflehead 2,204 Klamath Falls 1987 Black Turnstone 327 PortOrford 1980 Hooded Merganser 157 Grants Pass 1985 Surfbird 375 Columbia Estuary 1989 Common Merganser 928 Eugene 1976 Red Knot 22 Coos Bay 1976

Oregon Birds 17(4): 106, Winter 1991

N Species High CBC Year N Species High CBC Year Sanderling 5,853 Columbia Estuary 1983 Lewis' Woodpecker 308 Medford 1969 Western Sandpiper 2,044 Coos Bay 1979 Acorn Woodpecker 146 Eugene 1977 Least Sandpiper 3,268 Coos Bay 1976 Red-naped Sapsucker 1 John Day 1983 Baird's Sandpiper 7 Coos Bay 1975

Red-naped Sapsucker Klamath Falls 1983

Pectoral Sandpiper 2 Eugene Portland

1959 1959

Bend Bend

1986 1989

Rock Sandpiper 31 Tillamook Bay 1971 Red-breasted Sapsucker 59 Eugene 1990 Dunlin 20,483 Columbia Estuary 1980 Williamson's Sapsucker 3 Klamath Falls 1980 Short-billed Dowitcher 150 Coos Bay 1983 Downy Woodpecker 86 Portland 1951

2 Long-billed Dowitcher 532 Coos Bay 1989 Hairy Woodpecker 29 Portland 1964 Common Snipe 546 Tillamook Bay 1980 White-headed Woodpecke 5 Fort Klamath 1962 Wilson's Phalarope 1 Coos Bay 1976 Three-toed Woodpecker 1 Baker 1986

Summer Lake 1989 Black-backed Woodpecker 2 Oakridge 1974 Red-necked Phalarope 54 Gold Beach 1969 Northern Picker 558 Eugene 1973 Red Phalarope 251 Coos Bay 1977 Pileated Woodpecker 13 Cottage Grove 1976 Pomarine Jaeger 1 Florence 1983 Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1980

Yaquina Bay 1986 8 Tropical Kingbird 1 Columbia Estuary 1989 Parasitic Jaeger 1 Tillamook Bay 1973 9 Western Kingbird 7 Klamath Falls 1964

Coos Bay 1981 empidonax, sp. 2 Malheur NWR 1940 South Polar Skua 1 Florence 1988 Black Phoebe 28 Grants Pass 1988 Franklin's Gull 1 Dallas 1988 Say's Phoebe 4 Medford 1986 Com Black-headed Gull 1 Columbia Estuary 1981 Horned Lark 834 Ruggs-Hardman 1985 Bonaparte's Gull 151 Klamath Falls 1981 Tree Swallow 8 Medford 1979 Heermann's Gull 119 Tillamook Bay 1972 Violet-green Swallow 1 Dallas 1975 Mew Gull 20,000 Tillamook Bay 1973 Barn Swallow 3 Salem 1982 Ring-billed Gull 10,546 Salem 1982 Gray Jay 46 Lincoln City 1985 California Gull 5,901 Salem 1981 Steller's Jay 314 Eugene 1975 Herring Gull 2,000 Portland 1955 Blue Jay 2 Sauvie Island 1976 Thayer's Gull 800 Salem 1981 t

Blue Jay Medford 1977

Western Gull 4,717 Coos Bay 1987 t Union County 1979 Glaucous-winged Gull 16,391 Portland 1961 Scrub Jay 723 Eugene 1987 Glaucous Gull 4 Sauvie Island 1979 Pinyon Jay 507 Bend 1982 Black-legged Kittiwake 165 Yaquina Bay 1986 Clark's Nutcracker 197 Bend 1976 Red-legged Kittiwake 1 Coos Bay 1988 Black-billed Magpie 1,196 John Day 1981 Sabine's Gull 1 Coos Bay 1978 American Crow 5,618 Eugene 1968

Coos Bay 1981 Northwestern Crow 13 Tillamook Bay 1977 Arctic Tern 2 Portland 1933 Common Raven 655 Oakridge 1978 Black Tern 1 Columbia Estuary 1979 Black-capped Chickadee 1,036 Eugene 1980 Common Murre 50,000 Tillamook Bay 1968 Mountain Chickadee 315 Fort Klamath 1962

6 Thick-billed Murre 1 Coos Bay 1976 Chestnut-backed Ch'dee 1,059 Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1980 Pigeon Guillemot 55 Gold Beach 1971 Plain Titmouse 75 Medford 1971 Marbled Murrelet 30 Florence 1985 Bushtit 759 Portland 1987 Ancient Murrelet 800 Coos Bay 1976 Red-breasted Nuthatch 151 Fort Klamath 1962 Cassin's Auklet 200 Coos Bay 1976 White-breasted Nuthatch 116 Salem 1970 Rhinoceros Auklet 15 Coos Bay 1976 Pygmy Nuthatch 148 Bend 1976

7 Tufted Puffin 45 Coos Bay 1976 Brown Creeper 57 Eugene 1989 Rock Dove 2,397 Portland 1987 Rock Wren 10 Ruggs-Hardman 1978 Band-tailed Pigeon 120 Rose burg 1959 Canyon Wren 59 Utopia 1978

t White-winged Dove 1 Tillamook Bay 1986 Bewick's Wren 141 Eugene 1975 Mourning Dove 1,205 Salem 1989 10 House Wren 6 Portland 1959 Monk Parakeet 21 Portland 1988 Winter Wren 383 Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1978 Barn Owl 33 Tillamook Bay 1982 Marsh Wren 118 Tillamook Bay 1980 Western Screech-Owl 48 Florence 1986 American Dipper 42 Oakridge 1976 Great Horned Owl 40 Malheur NWR 1939 Golden-crowned Kinglet 1,057 Yaquina Bay 1989 Snowy Owl 11 Tillamook Bay 1973 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 790 Eugene 1980

t Northern Hawk Owl 1 Sauvie Island 1973 Blue-gray Gnatcatcher 1 Salem 1979 Northern Pygmy-Owl 10 Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1984

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Coos Bay 1987

Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1985 Western Bluebird 981 Medford 1986 Burrowing Owl 19 Medford 1960 Mountain Bluebird 735 Bend 1982 Spotted Owl 8 Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1977 Townsend's Solitaire 442 Antelope 1979 Barred Owl 1 John Day 1987 Swainson's Thrush 4 Portland 1959

Wallowa County 1988 Hermit Thrush 147 Florence 1985 Great Gray Owl 7 Fort Klamath 1959 American Robin 103,532 Portland 1967 Long-eared Owl 13 Ruggs-Hardman 1981 Varied Thrush 1,081 Florence 1983 Short-eared Owl 103 Klamath Falls 1952 Wrentit 296 Florence 1986 Northern Saw-whet Owl 9 Florence 1985 Gray Catbird 6 Ashland 1939 Black-chinned Humm. 1 Columbia Estuary 1983 Northern Mockingbird 2 Gold Beach 1970 Anna's Hummingbird 32 Eugene 1982

Northern Mockingbird Eugene 1971

Costa's Hummingbird 1 Coos Bay 1988 Eugene 1984 Rufous Hummingbird 2 Salem 1978 Sage Thrasher 2 Malheur NWR 1960

Coos Bay 1981 Sage Thrasher

Utopia 1978 Belted Kingfisher 69 Coos Bay 1976 American Pipit 821 Corvallis 1978

Oregon Birds 17(4): 107, Winter 1991

N Species High CBC Year Bohemian Waxwing 1,320 Cedar Waxwing 1,615 Northern Shrike 29 Loggerhead Shrike 8 European Starling 1,100,000 Solitary Vireo 1 Hutton's Vireo 16 Tennessee Warbler 1

Orange-crowned Warbler 7

Nashville Warbler 2 f Lucy's Warbler 1

Yellow Warbler 2

Yellow-rumped Warbler 1,748 Black-throated Gray Warbler 1

Townsend's Warbler Hermit Warbler

Palm Warbler

t Black-and-white Warbler Northern Waterthrush MacGillivray's Warbler

8 Common Yellowthroat

93 1

Wilson's Warbler 2 11 Yellow-breasted Chat 2

Western Tanager 4 Black-headed Grosbeak 3

f Blue Grosbeak 1 Dickcissel 1 Rufous-sided Towhee 449 California Towhee 68 American Tree Sparrow 251 Chipping Sparrow 32

t Clay-colored Sparrow 2 Vesper Sparrow 62 Lark Sparrow 142 Black-throated Sparrow 2 Sage Sparrow 15 Lark Bunting 1 Savannah Sparrow 205 Fox Sparrow 943 Song Sparrow 1,418 Lincoln's Sparrow 119 Swamp Sparrow 20 White-throated Sparrow 12 Golden-crowned Sparrow 1,800 White-crowned Sparrow 778 Harris' Sparrow 4 Dark-eyed Junco 4,472

Wallowa County 1980 Grants Pass 1986 Ruggs-Hardman 1984 Klamath Falls 1962 Portland 1966 Ruggs-Hardman 1974 Alma-Up.Siuslaw 1980 Florence 1987 Florence 1988 Eugene 1969 Eugene 1984 Coos Bay 1975 Florence 1986 Coos Bay 1976 Bend 1977 Medford 1988 Coos Bay 1979 Eugene 1971 Yaquina Bay 1976 Portland 1980 Eugene 1980 PortOrford 1982 Yaquina Bay 1982 Eugene 1990 Cottage Grove 1971 Coos Bay 1975 Portland 1980 Roseburg-Sutherlin 1980 Cottage Grove 1981 Roseburg-Sutherlin 1985 Florence 1986 Coos Bay 1987 Tillamook Bay 1979 PortOrford 1981 Coos Bay 1977 Malheur 1963 Eugene 1967 Eugene 1973 Corvallis 1975 Columbia Estuary 1984 Eugene 1984 Eugene 1986 PortOrford 1986 Roseburg-Sutherlin 1986 Tillamook Bay 1987 Tillamook Bay 1989 Coos Bay 1976 Coos Bay 1971 Portland 1941 Medford 1967 Eugene 1980 Columbia Estuary 1988 Salem 1970 Medford 1970 Baker 1981 Ashland 1940 Coos Bay 1983 Eugene 1951 Medford 1977 Ruggs-Hardman 1968 Hart Mountain 1974 Corvallis 1966 Dallas 1980 Florence 1986 Corvallis 1978 Eugene 1990 Tillamook Bay 1989 Eugene 1982 Medford 1969 Umatilla County 1987 Eugene 1972 Salem 1970

N Species High Lapland Longspur 13 Snow Bunting 401 Red-winged Blackbird 16,404 Tricolored Blackbird 2,067 Western Meadowlark 895 Yellow-headed Blackbird 165

t Rusty Blackbird 4 Brewer's Blackbird 15,000 Brown-headed Cowbird 650

t Hooded Oriole 1 t

Northern Oriole 1

Rosy Finch 3,033 Pine Grosbeak 58 Purple Finch 422 Cassin's Finch 150 House Finch 1,849 Red Crossbill 701 White-winged Crossbill 5 Common Redpoll 210 Pine Siskin 2,688 Lesser Goldfinch 1,413 American Goldfinch 1,761 Evening Grosbeak 598 House Sparrow 3,621

CBC Yaquina Bay Wallowa County Eugene Medford Medford Klamath Falls Sauvie Island Medford Portland Eugene Coos Bay Gold Beach Coos Bay Eugene Medford Eugene Dallas Union County Wallowa County Portland Baker Sauvie Island Tillamook Bay Eugene Wallpwa County Columbia Estuary Medford Medford Utopia Portland

Year 1985 1980 1975 1963 1987 1950 1987 1969 1967 1978 1979 1975 1977 1979 1979 1980 1983 1983 1985 1951 1958 1972 1973 1965 1989

1984 1987 1976 1981 1958

Record accepted by the Oregon Bird Records Committee. The Committee was established in 1978, and reviews only birds rare in the state, not seasonal rarities.

The Coos Bay compiler indicates that this species was also reported on the 1988 count. That record was published in Oregon Birds as "shearwa­ter, sp." See Contreras (1990a).

The 1989 Coos Bay CBC has not yet been published as of the date of this writing but is scheduled to appear in Oregon Birds.

The Yaquina Bay compiler indicates that the count found 1, not 2, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels on the 1985 CBC. The record appears in American Birds as 2, apparently a typographical error.

The Sodhouse compiler indicates that the count found 1, not 5, American Bitterns in 1980. The record appears in American Birds as 5, apparently a typographical error.

This record is generally believed to be a misprint for Semipalmated Plover.

The Coos Bay compiler indicates that the Thick-billed Murre record has been deleted from count records. See Contreras (1990b).

The Coos Bay compiler indicates that the count found 45, not 15, Tufted Puffins on the 1976 CBC. The record was published in American Birds as 15, apparently a typographical error.

The bird was in Washington State.

The John Day compiler indicates that 27 Western Kingbirds were found on the unpublished 1985 CBC.

10 The Roseburg compiler indicates that the count found 1, not 6, House Wrens in 1975. The record that appears in American Birds is 6, appar­ently a typographical error.

11 The Coos Bay compiler indicates that the Yellow-breasted Chat record has been deleted from count records.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 108, Winter 1991

SITE GUIDE: Southern Curry County Coast Dennis Rogers, 95187 Elk River Road, Port Orford, OR 97465

The Brookings area has a climate and avifauna more closely resembling the coast of Northern California than the remainder of the Oregon Coast. Birders from farther north usually can find spe­cialties l ike Red-shouldered Hawk, Allen's Hummingbird, and Black Phoebe without too much difficulty — species which are rarely seen farther up the coast.

The area culturally resembles Cali­fornia as well, but among the pseudo-suburban sprawl remain a number of good birding spots. Relatively l itt le cov­erage has been given to the area, espe­

cially its California-style vagrant traps. Along most of the Curry County

coast the Siskiyou mountains come al­most to the breakers wi th only a few creeks and rivers to provide any relief from the second-growth spruce, f ir , and alderforests.Near Brookings the Chetco and Winchuck Rivers have formed small valleys, now mostly devoted to sheep ranching. Also, a wide bench between the 2 rivers is given over to the cultiva­tion of lilies though development is eat­ing away at the edges. The mouth of the Chetco River has been made into a small harbor catering mostly to tourist boats but with a small commercial fleet.

Al l the "specialties" of the area are widespread but can be difficult to pin down. Black Phoebe is most common i n winter as is Red-shouldered Hawk,

though the hawk has been seen carrying nesting material i n the area. Various spots for these 2 species are covered. Allen's Hummingbird is best seen Apri l -June before the males leave and i t be­comes impossible to distinguish Allen's from the common Rufous Humming­bird. Selasphorus hummingbirds like to perch on telephone wires where they can easily be examined.

[1] Southern Curry County is more or less defined by Cape Sebastian, noted as a long ridge the highway crosses over. The beach south towards Pistol River usually has a few gulls and Black Oys-tercatchers. Tufted Puffins nest on the large grassy rock to the northwest. The pond along the highway just before the Pistol River usually has a few ducks i f hunting pressure is not high.

[2] East of the highway the Pistol River Valley is good for Red-shouldered Hawks and Black Phoebes. A small over­grown pond about one-fourth of a mile down the first right after turning off the highway is especially favored by the Black Phoebe.

[3] Continuing south on Highway 101 the next spot is Lone Ranch Beach, which has produced some vagrants. Check the willows alongthe small stream for rarities i f visiting during June or

September-October — though the records for the park of Tropical K i n g b i r d , Scissor-tailed F ly ­catcher, and Black-backed Wag­tail had nothing to do with the willows.

The town of Brookings itself has many exotic plantings and feed­ers and has harbored Orchard Ori­ole. Anna's Hummingbird can be quite common. There is a North­ern Mockingbird somewhere in the town most winters.

The North Bank Road just before the large bridge over the Chetco River leads to more Red-shouldered Hawk habitat. [4] At 4.5 miles from the highway a bridge crosses a small tributary allowing a generous view of the river. The cutbank on the south side of the river has been the nesting site for western Oregon's only known colony of Bank Swallows, but is

becoming somewhat eroded. Black Phoebe can often be seen around the school about

Continues, next page. OREGON

CALIFORNIA

Oregon Birds 17(4): 109, Winter 1991

Continued from previous page. one-half mile to the east.

[5] Across the Chetco River at Har­bor is where the dock and port facilities are, generally not too interesting com­pared to others on the coast. The first Brown Pelicans i n Oregon each season are usually seen here. A large metal building i n the middle of the boat park­ing lot is one of the few reliable spots i n Curry County for Rock Doves. At the base of the south jetty one can look for seabirds but the area is usually unex­ceptional.

[6] From theboatbasin geton Ocean View Drive, which follows the bluff south towards the mouth of the Winchuck River. During vagrant season check the scattered clumps of alders for insecti-vores. Hooded Warbler and Oregon's first Pine Warbler are amongthe results

of the minimal coverage this area has had.

The mouth of the Winchuck River is sometimes worth v is i t ing . [7] The Winchuck River Valley is another area for Red-shouldered Hawks, perhaps the most productive. There is a campground about 9 miles from the highway. Other­wise the valley is similar to that of the Chetco.

[8] To reach the only remaining stand of old-growth redwoods i n Or­egon, go up the Winchuck road 1.6 miles to al-lane bridge (goodforBlackPhoebe) crossing the river to the south. Follow the gravel road (#1101) through the cut-over private land about 14 miles to Spur #170. Down the spur about 0.4 miles a "nature t ra i l " — actually an old survey line for the road the Siskiyou National Forest was building to liquidate the t i m ­

ber — leads off from the corner of a reforested clearcut. The largest trees are out a few hundred yards from the road. This is now a Spotted Owl Habitat Conservation Area.

[9] I n the highest areas of the county one eventually reaches habitat for such species as Mountain Chickadee and Green-tailed Towhee, wi th the area around Vulcan Lake near the Kalmiopsis wilderness the best. These species re­flect the geological and botanical dis­tinction between the Siskiyous and Oregon's coast range. One should get a map from the ranger station i n Brookings before exploring.

The Brookings area has consider­able potential for the discovery of rar i ­ties. I f more Oregon birders cover the extra distance to get there much more is probable. 0

CBC Preview: Coquille Valley Alan Contreras, 4098 Market Street N.E. #22, Salem, OR 97301

The first Coquille Valley CBC has been approved by American Birds and wi l l be held on Sunday, 22 December 1991 (ten­tative date). Although no count fee wi l l be charged participants, tax-deductible donations to support AB wi l l be accepted gladly.

The count circle is centered near North Bank Road between Bandon and Coquille, and the circle contains the entire lower Coquille River Valley from a point about 4 miles upriver from Coquille (not quite to Norway) to the estuary at Bandon. The northern edge on the coast is at Whiskey Run Beach, the southern edge at the China Creek outfall below Bradley Lake. See the map for a general idea of where the circle lies and what i t contains.

I n most years the lower Coquille Valley contains large numbers of water­fowl,raptors, andshorebirds. Red-shoul­dered Hawk is seen here regularly, and Oregon's only winter record of Ruff was found near Coquille on 18 January 1980 by David Fix and Tom Lund. This valley has also hosted Tufted Duck, and usu­ally contains several wintering Black-shouldered Kites. The Bandon estuary region is well-known to Oregon birders, and holds the possibility of wintering Ruddy Turnstones and Willets as well as other waterbirds, raptors, and passer­ines.

The new count is situated a few miles south of the existing Coos Bay CBC, and about 12 miles north of the Port Orford CBC. I t expects to attract

observers from these areas as well as from the Willamette Valley and other parts of western Oregon. The count date has been chosen to avoid conflict with other coastal counts traditionally held in southwestern Oregon using estab­lished dates.

The count should, with good cover­age, find 140+ species. Observers inter­ested i n participatingin the count should contact me by 18 December. Alan Contreras, 4098 Market Street N.E. #22,Salem, OR 97301, (H) 371-3458 (W)399-9912. 0

Oregon Birds 17(4): 110, Winter 1991

Oregon Birds Crossword Puzzle Karen Kearney, 6875 S.W. 158th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97007

ACROSS 2 Southwestern hummer that has recently

appeared regularly in Bend 4 Tillamook Co. pelagic trips start here 9 Tim Shelmerdine found this rarity at Timothy

Lake 12 Sparrow-attracting noise 13 National birders org. 14 Nick Lethaby found this most famous bird of

1990 16 Unidentified flying object 18 Jim Johnson's Garganey was found here 21 Sabine's Gull's bill's is yellow 24 Rare warbler the Krabbe's found at Page

Springs CG in 1990 28 Number of Oregon birders who have seen

400+ species in Oregon 29 Rare sparrow that summered on Stuckel Mt.

last year 31 Owen Schmidt, Oregon Birds

DOWN 1 Dark-backed, white-bodied albatross 2 First-winter Black-legged Kittiwake sports a

black one below the nape 3 Oregon's newest oriole 4 Lobe-toed waterbird 5 Eastern thrasher that wintered in French Glen

last year 6 All-blue cousin to the Lazuli 7 Terns that have invaded in recent summers 8 The voice of the Portland Rare Bird Alert 10 Valley of the Upland Sandpiper 11 Phil Pickering found this gull at John Day Dam

in 1989 15 The one at Monmouth wasn't countable 17 He's seen the most Oregon birds 19 Murrelet discovered nesting in coastal old

growth 20 Rosy Finches can be found in November on

Mary's

first word 25 A Florence non-birder hosted this famous

finch last year 26 Blackbird NOT found at Malheur 27 What to do when you want to trespass on

private property 30 Fall plumage is lime green: _-sided Warbler 34 Common Yellowthroat's is black 35 County most likely to produce an Allen's

Hummingbird 37 Bald and enormous (pi.) 39 Number of Northern Hawk-Owl records in

Oregon 40 23 Down, second word 43 Usually darker on Philadelphia than on

Warbling 0

32 Most are Larus 33 Probably our "most wanted" grosbeak 35 The Yellow-

billed is hiahlv

22 Cavity-nesting eastern warbler 23 Shearwater most likely to be seen in winter, Crossword puzzl e answer on page 112.

sought after in June

36 Stereotype of a birdwatcher

38 Black Swift's

1 2 3 11114 5 6 mm

sought after in June

36 Stereotype of a birdwatcher

38 Black Swift's

7 8

sought after in June

36 Stereotype of a birdwatcher

38 Black Swift's 9 10 11

breeding ground: llll 111! llll 12

Creek Falls 41 The Red- l l i l : l : : 13 14 15

throated must fly right over Oregon

42 Nocturnal raptors

44 Heron's nesting grounds

45 Large grayish mountain

1111111:111111 16 throated must fly right over Oregon

42 Nocturnal raptors

44 Heron's nesting grounds

45 Large grayish mountain

17 |j§§ 111!!! 'ill. 18 iiiii throated must fly right over Oregon

42 Nocturnal raptors

44 Heron's nesting grounds

45 Large grayish mountain

111 19 !§§ iiiiiii I 20 l i i i l 21 22 23

throated must fly right over Oregon

42 Nocturnal raptors

44 Heron's nesting grounds

45 Large grayish mountain

24 25 26 27 28 llll

throated must fly right over Oregon

42 Nocturnal raptors

44 Heron's nesting grounds

45 Large grayish mountain 111 mm I I I w m "' gjjj 111

mm

ground-dweller, first

29 30 31

word 46 45 Across,

32

second word 47 Tapping 2

pebbles together sounds like the

1133 34 35 : ; :l|: :l:l second word

47 Tapping 2 pebbles together sounds like the

36 37 1 38 39 40

second word 47 Tapping 2

pebbles together sounds like the mmmm 41 lililll ! 42 43 . / ' .

Yellow 48 Red-bodied, K*SSB I l l

•:-'::-:'x'x llll 44

black-winged Piranga

45 I 4 6 11 111 47

49 This uncommon sandpiper probably bred at Gold Bog

l l i lv . ' f i i ii? 111 49 This uncommon

sandpiper probably bred at Gold Bog

i l l I I I 48 III i i i i i i i II 49

49 This uncommon sandpiper probably bred at Gold Bog

Oregon Birds 17(4): 111, Winter 1991

Bustards on the South Oregon Coast? Don Alan Hall and Roberta L . Hall, 37112 Moss Rock Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330

The first written account of the nature of Oregon's south coastal area contains several references to birds found there i n the fall and winter of 1826-27. These br ie f references, by Chief Trader Alexander Roderick McLeod of the Hudson's Bay Company, were impre­cise and i n every case cited the birds as sources of food.

On an exploration and trapping ex­pedition from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River to the mouth of the Rogue River and back, from mid-Octo­ber 1826, to mid-March 1827, McLeod kept a journal. His daily entries deal mostly wi th the expedition's goal of find­ing furs and ways to ship them to mar­ket. McLeod often noted the availability of food needed to supply the expedition, which included several dozen people — Europeans, French-Canadians, and na­tive Americans including Iroquois, Ha-waiians, andlocal Indians. At least some of the men were accompanied by fami­lies.

McLeod's 1826-27journal was pub­lished i n 1961 as a 45-page appendix to ^volume on Peter Skene Ogden's explo­rations. The McLeod journal contains at least 22 references to hunting deer and 10 to hunting elk. Birds occasionally were mentioned. At least 10 references to birds merely cited "wild fowl," 5 cited "ducks," 2 cited "geese" and 1 cited "heron."

More puzzling, McLeod made 7 ref­erences to "bustards," the family of Old World game birds related to cranes and plovers. The word bustard is said to come from Old French, specifically Provencal, and is believed to have origi­nated with the Latin "avis tarda"—slow bird. The Second Edition of Webster's unabridged dictionary (Neilsonl934), cites "bustard" as local Canadian slang for Canada Goose. The Hudson's Bay Company party did contain several French-Canadian t rappers , b u t McLeod's journal makes at least 2 sepa­rate references to "geese." Birds of America, first published in 1917, is a useful source of early alternate names for North American birds, but i t con­tains no listing of "bustard."

I f not geese, herons, or ducks, what were the birds McLeod, a wilderness-wise native of Scotland, referred to as bustards? We wish to invite readers of Oregon Birds to speculate wi th us on the likely identity of McLeod's "bustards."

Following are the 7 references: (1) Oct. 31 — (Camped near the

head of South Slough, probably on Win­chester Arm in what is now the South Slough Estuarine Sanctuary a few miles south of Charleston i n Coos County.) "Constant rain during the day. Killed two bustards; many more might shot had we time for the purpose."

(2) Nov. 1 — (Having canoed into Coos Bay proper.) "Killed a couple of bustards and a heron; an Elk was wounded, the hurry of the moment only prevented us from tasting his flesh."

(3) Nov. 12 — (Camped on the bank of Coos Bay, apparently near mouth of Coos River.) "The men traded some fish [and] killed a few bustards."

(4) Nov. 17 — (Different camp site on Coos Bay.) "Some bustards killed."

(5) Jan. 12 — (Camped on north shore of Rogue River near its mouth.) "We have seen many seals on the river and many other marine animals not unlike the sea lion at which several shots were fired, without effect. Nine bustards killed of larger size than any I have seen in this quarter; their color dark, and under the wings deep brown."

(6) Jan. 13 — (Three or 4 miles upstream from mouth of Rogue River.) "Many Beaver vestiges [seen] though the distance was but few miles. Three elk killed and several bustards."

(7) Jan. 16 — (Near Coast between R o g u e a n d C o q u i l l e r i v e r s , p o s s i b l y n e a r mouth of S i x e s R i v e r . ) " S a m e w e a t h e r as yester-d a y [ s n o w , ha i l , and s t r o n g n o r t h w i n d ] , continued our route and en­camped in the las t w o o d s south of

river.... Killed three bustards." I t might be noted that at the times

McLeod mentioned bustards he was ex-ploringwith relatively small parties that would not have required as much food as when more men and families were present. Also, although McLeod's expe­dition spent the majority of the winter on or near the Coquille River, often well inland, his Coquille journal entries refer only to "wild fowl" and not "bustards."

McLeod's bustards seem to have frequented only areas near coastal estu­aries. The authors wi l l welcome any suggestions or speculations about the identity of these birds and wi l l submit a summary of the suggestions for a future issue of Oregon Birds.

LITERATURE CITED Davies, K C , Editor. 1961. Peter Skene

Ogden's Snake Country Journal 1826-1827. Hudson's Bay Record Society X X I I I , London. Appendix C, Pp. 175-220.

Neilson, Wil l iam Allan, Editor. 1934. Webster's New International Dictio­nary of the English Language. G. & C. Merriam Company, Springfield, Mass.

Pearson, T. Gilbert, Editor. 1936. Birds of America. Garden City Publishing Company, Garden City, N.Y.

0 Crossword puzzle from page 111.

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O B 1 7 ( 4 1 W i n t e r 1 9 9 1

Rules for a network are simple: rare birds only (no east/west or west/east Oregon birds); birders who get calls have to make calls (this means long distance tolls); and once on the network, keep it going by keeping your address and phone number(s) current. Minimum information on a rare bird call should include species, age and sex (if not known, say so), number of birds, who found it (them), and who to call for more information, if anyone. •

Birders who would like to represent their local birding areas should write to

The Editor, Oregon Birds 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue Portland, OR 97212

Please feel free to send ideas and suggestions, too!

This page printed on recycled paper,

O B R C RBVIHW SPBCIKS R E P O R T F O R M — 1988

O R E G O N B I R D R E C O R D S C O M M I T T E E P.O. Box 10373

Eugene, O R 97440 1. Y O U R N A M E A N D ADDRESS

T E L E P H O N E

2. B I R D I D E N T I F I C A T I O N . Write in the name of the species you have identified and infor­mation on numbers, sex, plumage, and age.

D O N O T W R I T E I N T H I S SPACE

D A T E R E C E I V E D B Y O B R C S E C R E T A R Y

R E V I E W SPECIES REPORTFORM. This form is intended as a convenience and a guideline. It may be used flexibly and need not be used at all . Attach additional sheets if needed. Please type, or write legibly. Y o u may find it easiest to use separate sheets of paper keyed to the general guidelines in this form.

3. DATE(S) . Month, day, and year. I f there are multiple observations, each date.

4. L O C A T I O N . B e specific; describe habitat.

5. D E T A I L S . Include only what was actually observed, not what should have been seen or heard. Stress field marks: bill , eye, wings, tail , legs, shape, proportions, " j i z z " , etc. Include behavior: feeding, resting, flying, interactions with other species, etc. Describe v o i c e — s o n g , calls , or n o t e s — i f heard. I f you have made field notes and/or field sketches, include them (or copies of them).

Describe your reasons for your identification: your familiarity with the species, field guides used, similar species that were eliminated, references that were consulted, etc.

Describe the circumstances of the observation: light conditions, position of the sun, distance to the bird, duration of observation, equipment used, time of day, time of tide, etc.

Add the names (and addresses and phone numbers if known) of other observers who may have identified the bird.

6. PHOTOS, RECORDINGS. State whetherphotos were taken or video or sound recordings were made. O B R C wil l duplicate and return original slides and tapes promptly. Donations of slide duplicates ( O B R C prefers a double set) and copies of recordings may be considered a tax-deductible expense!

7. S I G N A T U R E , D A T E . Sign this form, and date it for when it was filled out.

This page printed on recycled paper.

• Ashland Marjorie Moore, 357 Taylor Street, Ashland, OR 97520, (H)482-1303, 776-7294 B. June Babcock, 17297 Antioch Road, White City, OR 97503, (H)826-7011 • Astoria Mike Patterson, 324 38th Street, Astoria, OR 97103, (H)325-1365 • Bend Tom Crabtree, 1667 N.W. Iowa, Bend, OR 97701, (H)388-2462 (W)389-7723,1-800-762-6616 • Brookings Colin Dillingham, 437 Azalea Park Road, Brookings, OR 97415, (H)469-9624 • Canyon City Tom Winters, P.O. Box 111, Canyon City, OR 97820, (H)575-2833 (W)575-1637 • Coos Bay/North Bend Ben Fawver, 793 Johnson, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-6485 Lyn Topits, 888 Telegraph, Coos Bay, OR 97420, (H)267-7208 {W)888-4762 Barbara Griffin, 1691 Grant Street, North Bend OR 97459, (H)756-5688 Larry Thornburgh, 2058 Cedar Court, North Bend, OR 97459, (H)756-4281 • Corvallis/Philomath Elzy & Elsie Eltzroth, 6980 N.W. Cardinal, Corvallis, OR 97330, (H)745-7806 Jan & Rick Krabbe, 24461 Columbine Drive, Philomath, OR 97370, (H) 929-5941 (W-Jan)928-2361

x410(W-Rick)967-5821 • Eugene Jim Carlson, 1560 ChasaSt, Eugene, OR 97401, (H) 485-4491 (W) 687-4436 (leave message) Barb Combs, 1466 Elkay Drive, Eugene, OR 97404, (H)689-6660, (W)378-6190 Kit Larsen, 2162 Kincaid Street, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)344-9574 (W) 686-4394 Tom Mickel, 5259 Overbrook Lane, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)485-7112, (W) 935-2283 Clarice Watson, 3787 Wilshire Lane, Eugene, OR 97405, (H)485-6137 • Florence Pat Moynahan, 88518 Fourth Avenue, Florence, OR 97439, (H)997-2691 Bill Stotz, 1305 Laurel, Florence, OR 97439, (H)997-8978 • Portland Jeff Gilligan, 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, (H)23J-097/(W)326-3057 Harry Nehls, 2736 S.E. 20th, Portland, OR 97202, (H)233-3976 Owen Schmidt, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97212, (H)282-9403 (W)326-3115 • Port Orford Jim Rogers & Carrie Osborne, 95187 Elk River Rd., Port Orford, OR 97465, (H)332-2555 • Roseburg/Glide Alice Parker, 313 W. Hickory St., Roseburg, OR 97470, (H)672-1549 Meredith Jones, 1394 Fisher Rd. N.W., Roseburg, OR 97470, {H)672-6367 Ron Maertz, 257 Brown Street, Glide, OR 97443, (H)496-3847 • Salem Barb Bellin, 4730 Elizabeth Street N, Salem, OR 97303, (H)393-0243 Bob Lucas, 392 Holder Lane S.E., Salem, OR 97306, (H)363-9710 • Silver Lake Steve Summers, P.O. Box 202, Silver Lake, OR 97638, (H)576-2190 • Tillamook Craig Roberts, 2880 Old Netarts Road W., Tillamook, OR 97141, (H)842-5782 • Umatilla/Hermiston Marion Corder, Rt. 1 Bx. 210, Umatilla, OR 97882, (H)922-3653 Craig Corder, P.O. Box 1174, Hermiston, OR 97838, (H)567-8944(W)567-6414

Phone number in italics means you may reach an answering machine.

This page printed on recycled paper.

T h e 9 2 n d C h r i s t m a s B i r d C o u n t i n O r e g o n

14 December 1991 - 2 January 1992

Alan Contreras, 4098 Market Street N.E. #22, Salem, OR 97301

This is Oregon's CBC information made known to Oregon Birds by press time....

14 December 1991 2 Tillamook Bay Owen Schmidt 282-9403

The Tillamook Bay CBC typically has the highest species count of any Oregon CBC. Meet at Hadley House, 2203 Third Street, Tillamook OR 97141, (503)842-2101, before 7:00 am, for area assignments. The Hadley House will open at 6:30 for breakfast especially for CBCers, and those who wish to order breakfast may do so off their special CBC menu. Owen Schmidt, 3007 N.E. 32nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, (W) 326-3115.

17 Roseburg RonMaertz 496-3847 Each area leader has their own meeting place; call ahead. Ron Maertz, 257 Brown Street, Glide, OR 97443.

19 Medford Joseph Shelton 772-4490 Rogue Valley Audubon Society. Joseph Shelton, P.O. Box 8311, Medford, OR 97504.

22 Utopia Karen Lang 489-3280 Informal count; contact compiler for information.

23 Bend Tom Crabtree 388-2462 Meet at Pioneer Park at 7:30 am; contact compiler for more information.

32 Malheur NWR Rick Vetter (W) 493-2612 (H) 573-5601 This count covers the southern part of the Refuge; contact compiler for details.

34 Union County Bill Dowdy 963-4768 Contact compiler for information.

36 Baker County-Salisbury Laura Hayse 523-9254 Contact the compiler. Laura Hayse, P.O. Box 143, Baker City, OR 97814, (503)523-9254.

15 December 1991 1 Columbia Estuary Mike Patterson 325-1365

Meet at 7:00 am at the Pig & Pancake in Astoria; overnight arrangements can be made upon request. Mike Patterson, 324 38th, Astoria, OR 97103.

5 Coos Bay Larry Thornburgh 756-4281 This count holds the Oregon record for most species seen on a CBC, 150 in 1976. Meet at 7:00 am at North Bend High School; contact compiler for more information.

9 Forest Grove JoeEvanich 284-4153 Contact compiler for meeting place and time. Joe Evanich, 5026 N.E. Clackamas, Portland, OR 97213.

10 Upper Nestucca Larry R. Scofield 787-3833 This will be the 16th CBC, sponsored jointly by the Salem BLM and the Salem Audubon Society. Meet at 6:30 am, Hi Spot Restaurant, Willamina; owling count on 15 December 9:00 pm to midnight. Larry R. Scofield, 740 Parry Road, Falls City, OR 97344, (W) 375-5630.

15 Antelope Karen Lang 489-3280 Informal count; contact compiler for information.

33 Wallowa County Frank Conley 432-9685 Meet between 6:00 and 6:30 am at Toma's Restaurant in Enterprise. Contact compiler for more information.

16 December 1991 31 Sod House Rick Vetter (W) 493-2612 (H) 573-5601

This count covers the northern part of the Refuge; contact compiler for details. 17 December 1991 14 Corvallis RickKrabbe 929-5941

No additional details. 28 Summer Lake Martin J. St. Louis 943-3180

Meet at the Summer Lake Wildlife Area Headquarters, 1.3 miles south of Summer Lake at 7:30 am; sector and group assignments will be made then; potluck at 5:30 pm and compilation during the potluck. Martin J. St. Louis, 36981 Highway, Summer Lake, OR 97640, (W) 943-3152.

20 December 1991 4 Florence Bill Stotz 997-8978

One of only 3 Oregon counts to ever surpass 145 species. Contact compiler for information.

25 Ruggs-Hardman Stephen Brownfield — 676-9138 or 676-9696 Tentative date; contact compiler for information.

c 5 ^

21 12

26

December 1991 Salem Steve Dowlan 581-2086 Sectors are pre-assigned; call night before count. Steve Dowlan, 6712 Liberty Rd. S., Salem, OR 97306. John Day Tom Winters 575-2833 Meet at Mother Lode Restaurant, 241 W. Main, John Day, at 6:00 am for breakfast and organization; potluck dinner at 6:00 pm; owlers should notify compiler. Tom Winters, P.O. Box 111, Canyon City, OR 97820, (W)575-1637.

22 December 1991 5a Coquille Valley Alan Contreras 371-3458

A new count covering the valley from Coquille to Bandon estuary. Observers may also contact Larry Thornburgh in North Bend at 756-4281. Al Contreras, 4098 Market Street N.E. #22, Salem, OR 97301, (W)399-9912.

7 Sauvie Island Jim Johnson 335-3103 Meet at 7:15 am in the parking lot at the base of the bridge on the Sauvie Island side. Jim Johnson, 3244 N.E. Brazee Street.Portland, OR 97212.

24 Umatilla County Aaron Skirvin 276-1948 Contact compiler for details.

28 December 1991 6 Port Orford Dennis Rogers 332-2555,472-2776

Specialties include Black Phoebe, Red-shouldered Hawk. Local observers may also contact Ellen Waring at 332-0735.

8 Portland John Biewener 645-0368 Each area leader has their own meeting place; call ahead. John Biewener, 2740 N.W. 144th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006.

13 Silverton Roger Freeman 873-3742 Contact compiler for information.

29 December 1991 3 YaquinaBay Paul Reed 265-7386

Meets at 7:00 am at Marine Science Center conference room. Contact compiler for advance information.

16 Eugene HerbWisner 344-3634 Contact compiler for information. Team leaders meet separately.

30 December 1991 30 AdeJ BillPyle 947-3315

Contact compiler for information.

31 December 1991 11 Dallas RoyGerig 623-6884

Meet at 7:00 am, Farroll's Restaurant, Rickreall, on Hwy. 99W; we also meet there about 5:00 pm for a countdown. Roy Gerig, 18445 Oakdale Road, Dallas, OR 97338.

This page printed on recycled paper.

29 Hart Mountain Bill Pyle • Contact compiler for information.

-947-3315

1 January 1991 20 Hood River David A. Anderson 775-5963

Contact the compiler for meeting time and location. David A. Anderson, 6203 S.E. 92nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97266.

Oregon's CBCs for which there was no count date set by press time ....

15 Alma-Upper Siuslaw Charles Thomas This count is not currently operating and is not expected to be restarted in the near future. Contact Charles Thomas, Eugene BLM, for more information.

18 Grants Pass Dennis Vroman Count will be held. Contact compiler at Galice Ranger District, Siskiyou National Forest.

27 Klamath Falls -

35 Baker (Valley) Laura Hayse 523-9254 Date undecided. Contact the compiler. Laura Hayse, P.O. Box 143, Baker City, OR 97814, (503)523-9254.

0

Notes to CBC Compilers: (1) Please send a copy of your CBC results to me at the same time you send your results

to American Birds. I will write the summary for this region's CBCs that appears in the CBC issue of AB, and I need your results to get a head start. Thanks for your cooperation! Alan Contreras, 4098 Market Street N.E. #22, Salem, OR 97301, (503)371-3458

(2) For a study on Northern Harriers, I am asking that CBC compilers classify 1991 sightings as adult male, adult female, juvenile, or unknown. Return results by 15 January 1992. "The Christmas Bird Count is simply the only means of gathering these data simultaneously over a broad geographic range." Michael S. Shipman, Denver Mu­seum of Natural History, Department of Zoology, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, CO 80205-5798, (303)370-6387 Fax (303)331-6492.

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News and Notes T h i n g s to do. (1) For most 0 F 0 m e m ­bers , your membership expires w i t h t h i s issue of OB. 0 F 0 has gone to a q u a r t e r l y system of membership , where a m e m ­ber is e n t i t l e d to the next 4 issues of OB no m a t t e r w h e n the member jo ins . (This cleared up a n u m b e r of problems under the old volume-year system s t e m m i n g f rom members who j o ined la te i n the volume year and who were e n t i t l e d to back issues.) T h i s i s y o u r l a s t i s s u e of O B u n l e s s y o u r e n e w y o u r m e m b e r ­s h i p b y 24 J a n u a r y 1992. Please save OFO the cost of sending reminder no­tices by r e n e w i n g early . A n d please con­sider u p g r a d i n g your membership to F a m i l y or Sus ta in ing or even Li fe cat­egories; the Oregon Birds t e a m thanks you! (2) Does your membership expire w i t h th i s issue? Check your m a i l i n g label ! A new code system has been added to your label — showing the las t vo lume of OB to w h i c h you are ent i t l ed . I f the designation 17(4) appears, th i s is your last issue. 18(1), t h e n the next issue is your last , etc. (3) Get i n t o the record books! F i l l out the a n n u a l l i s t i n g report f o rm i n the center of th is issue and send i t to Steve Summers by 15 February 1991 to be inc luded i n the next l i s t i n g report — scheduled for O B 18(2), S u m ­mer 1992.

B i r d s of T h o r n t o n C r e e k . The f i r s t vo lume of the 3-volume "B i rds o f L inco ln County Coast Range" project is now available. D a r r e l Faxon and Range Bayer combined to compile and analyze Faxon's near ly 100,000 records t a k e n d u r i n g 17.4 years. Faxon averaged 19-24 observation days /month, 13-34 spe­cies/day, a n d 34-66 species/month. He noted an average o f 101 species each year f rom 1973-1990. Faxon d i d not note a s p r i n g wave of songbirds, b u t usual ly noted a major movement d u r i n g A u ­gust-September. H i s records suggest t h a t some raptors m a y migra te t h r o u g h d u r i n g f a l l . $16.50 postpaid, 91 pages, a lka l ine paper. Gahmken Press, P.O. Box 1467, N e w p o r t , OR 97365.

G u l l I D w o r k b o o k . The Oregon G u l l Ident i f i cat ion Workbook by K a t h y M e r r i f i e l d is a m i x t u r e of ways to iden ­t i f y gulls i n Oregon w i t h space to color t h e m yourself. " L e a r n g u l l colors and differences among gul ls by coloring!" $9.95, 36 pages. Selaginella Publ i ca -

Pacific Seabird Group

t ions, 3261 N . W . Jackson #6, Corval l is , OR 97330.

L a k e A b e r t e r r a t a . The lead ar ­ticle i n the last issue of Oregon Birds, "B irds of N o r t h Lake Aber t , Lake Co., Oregon," by K r i s t e n s e n , S t e r n , a n d M o r a w s k i , stated i n the f i r s t paragraph t h a t " L a k e Aber twas designated a H e m i ­spheric Shorebird Reserve." I n fact, Lake A b e r t has no such designation and , i n fact, there is no such designation at t h i s t i m e for any site i n Oregon or W a s h i n g ­ton . The Oregon Birds t e a m regrets the error. M a r k Stern , Oregon N a t u r a l H e r i ­tage Program, 1205 N.W. 25th ,Port land , OR 97210, (503)621-3538.

N e w s f r o m M a l h e u r F i e l d S t a ­t i o n . "After an extremely dry w i n t e r , late s p r i n g rains came i n abundance to H a r n e y County. The spr ing and s u m ­mer flower display was incredible . Over 200 of the rare andendangeredMalheur w i r e lettuce p lants germinated f r o m n a t u r a l seeds a n d produced m a t u r e plants . There have been carpets of p a i n t ­b r u s h , l u p i n e , desert gold, needle and thread grass, and I n d i a n rice grass deco­r a t i n g the landscape. A t the same t i m e , M a l h e u r Lake has s h r u n k to i t s pre -floodlevel, and very gradual ly the m a r s h plants are being reestablished. For sev­eral years, large numbers of pelicans nested on islands i n M a l h e u r Lake . W i t h lowered water levels, t h a t i s l a n d nest­i n g h a b i t a t has been reduced. N o t one pelican nested i n the lake th i s year — probably to the disgust of the coyote populat ion . " Luci le Housley, Executive Director , M a l h e u r E n v i r o n m e n t a l F i e l d Stat ion , H C 72 Box 260, Princeton OR 97721,(503)493-2629.

F e r g u s o n to r u n for C o n g r e s s . Former M a l h e u r F i e l d Stat ion director Denzl Ferguson announced his i n t e n ­t i on to r u n for the Congressional seat now he ld by Bob S m i t h .

P a c i f i c S e a b i r d G r o u p to m e e t . C h a r l e s t o n , Oregon , 15-19 J a n u a r y 1992. Th is group w i l l not meet i n O r ­egon again for at least 4-6 years. There w i l l be a hal f -day of papers on M a r b l e d M u r r e l e t research. The meet ing is spon­sored by the U n i v e r s i t y of Oregon's I n ­s t i tute o f M a r i n e Biology and the U.S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service. One notable

> 1 feature is a slide exchange. Persons who have slides they w o u l d be w i l l i n g to share are urged to b r i n g t h e m to the meet ing where orders for duplicates can be made. There w i l l be field t r ips to Bandon M a r s h N W R , Oregon Islands N W R , and the South Slough Estuar ine Research Reserve. S. K i m N e l s o n , Chair , M a r b l e d M u r r e l e t Technical Commit ­tee, Oregon State U n i v e r s i t y , 104 Nash H a l l , C o r v a l l i s , O R 9 7 3 3 1 - 3 8 0 3 , (503)737-1962.

M i s c e l l a n e o u s notes . These items appeared i n the Newsletter of the Or­egon Chapter of The Wi ld l i f e Society, S u m m e r 1991 issue:

- P e r e g r i n e Falcons have been hacked for the f o u r t h year i n a row i n southeast Oregon. This year's hack sites are located at S u m m e r Lake i n the W a r n e r Bas in . N o fledglings were lost to predators th i s year. Several a d u l t per­egrines were observed i n the area, pre­sumably f rom past years' hacking . Hack towers were b u i l t w i t h cooperative f u n d ­i n g f r o m the B u r e a u of L a n d Manage­m e n t and the U.S . Forest Service and w i t h volunteer assistance f rom Pacific Power & L i g h t and Surprise Val ley Elec­t r i c Coop.

- F o u r T r u m p e t e r Swans were f lown f r o m Red Rock Lakes N W R to M a l h e u r N W R i n J u n e 1991 to improve the M a l h e u r gene pool. Three nonbreeding swans f r o m M a l h e u r were moved to S u m m e r Lake W i l d l i f e Area i n an at ­t e m p t to teach the M a l h e u r Trumpeters to migrate to better w i n t e r i n g areas at S u m m e r Lake i n fu ture years.

- The B u r n s Ranger D i s t r i c t of the M a l h e u r N a t i o n a l Forest discovered t h e i r first k n o w n B a l d Eagle nest th is past summer . Two y o u n g were success­f u l l y fledged.

D u c k s d o w n . Breed ing duck popu­lat ions i n the U n i t e d States and Canada were up s l i gh t l y overall (6 percent) i n 1991 f r o m 1990, b u t numbers of most species continue to be lower t h a n the i r 35-year average. S p r i n g 1991 surveys by the U . S. F i s h & Wi ld l i f e Service found an increase i n Blue -winged Teal (34 percent) and scaup (25 percent) whi le N o r t h e r n P inta i l s fel l 20 percent to a record low 1.8 m i l l i o n ind iv idua ls . M a l ­lards and most other ducks d id not change signif icantly . Continued drought

Oregon Birds 17(4): 113, Winter 1991

and changing a g r i c u l t u r a l practices are b lamedfor the low figures. Source: Orni­thological Newsletter 84:3, October 1991.

L i n c o l n C o u n t y n e w s . These i tems appeared i n The Sandpiper, the newsletter o fYaquina Birders and N a t u ­ra l i s ts :

M u t e S w a n Odyssey — G e r t i S chramm f i r s t reported 4 M u t e Swans at Sallys Bend at Y a q u i n a Bay on M a r c h 17 of t h i s year. They were reported often i n late M a r c h and A p r i l , and t h e i r photo was even i n the N e w p o r t newspaper. They apparent ly were l a s t noted at Y a q u i n a B a y on M a y 12 by K a t h y M e r r i f i e l d , who also suppl ied our next report of the 4 a t Alsea B a y on June 9. The latest e n t r y i n t o t h e i r saga is R u t h Warren 's report t h a t 4 M u t e Swans h a d been seen at the S ius law E s t u a r y at Florence, b u t t h a t on A u g u s t 19, only 1 remained and i t appeared i n j u r e d .

D e a d B i r d s on L i n c o l n C o u n t y Beaches — I f you are w a l k i n g the beach and f i n d a dead b i r d , leave i t there! Y o u can't help the b i r d , and i f you remove i t , you m a y mess u p somebody's research. Several o f us (Roy Lowe, Bob Loeffel, and Sarah & Don B r o w n ) do Beached B i r d W a l k s ( B B W ) on portions of the beach between Alsea Bay and Bever ly Beach State P a r k . D u r i n g a B B W , each volunteer identi f ies , counts, and records each dead b i r d , so we w o u l d prefer t h a t unless a dead b i r d is rare t h a t you leave i t alone. To f i n d out i f someone is do ing a B B W for a p a r t i c u l a r L inco ln County beach, ca l l Roy L o w e , U S F W S , a t (503)867-0270.

T h e B i r d s of N o r t h A m e r i c a . The Birds of N o r t h Amer i ca project is look­i n g for w r i t e r s interested i n produc ing thorough accounts of the biology o f av ian species breeding i n the U n i t e d States and Canada. "Modern author i ta t ive ac­counts" w i l l be used for conservation p l a n n i n g and management as wel l as to catalyze f u r t h e r research. Each account w i l l be 30-40 pages double spaced and available both electronically and as a removable section o f a loose-leaf b inder . W r i t e r s can expect a modest a d m i n i s ­t r a t i v e subsidy, a discount on the series, and recognition as an a u t h o r i t y on t h e i r species. A l a n F. Poole, M a n a g i n g Direc­tor , 1900 F r a n k l i n P a r k w a y , Ph i lade l ­p h i a , P A 19103-1195, (215)299-1042 F A X (215)977-8737.

S e l l t h a t r a r e b i r d photo . Oregon birders w a n t i n g to sell t h e i r b i r d photos (and other n a t u r e photographs) should know about The GuilfoyleReport, a quar ­ter ly i n newsletter f o rmat . "We connect photographer w i t h photobuyer and ex­

p l a i n the i n n e r work ings of the publ ica­t ions t h a t ut i l i ze na ture images." Sub­scr ipt ion is $68 per year. " I f you are less t h a n satisfied, your money w i l l be re ­funded . " A n n Gui l f oy le , E d i t o r / P u b ­l i sher , A G Edi t i ons , 142 B a n k Street, N e w Y o r k , N Y 10014, (212)929-0959.

B i r d t a p e s . B i l l W a r d , w i l d l i f e sound recording enthusiast , has agreed to make his tapes Birds of the Northwest available to the public on a non-prof i t basis. W a r d , whose recordings are used by Cornel l Univers i ty ' s Laboratory o f Orni tho logy and others, has spent years collecting, r e f i n i n g and u p d a t i n g these tapes. The set of two 60 -minute cassette tapes is priced at $15.00. A l l proceeds f r o m the sale of Ward's tapes go to the Siskiyou Audubon Chapter . To order, w r i t e to Siskiyou Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1047, Grants Pass, OR 97526.

M a c i n t o s h u s e r s . I f you were f rus ­t r a t e d t h a t the b i r d f l i g h t performance calculation programs accompanyingC.J. Pennycuick's book " B i r d F l i g h t Perfor­mance: APrac t i ca l Calculat ion M a n u a l " (Oxford U n i v . Press, 1989) came i n M S -DOS format , your w a i t is over. The pro­grams are available for the M a c both as compiled ready-to -run applications and as in terpre ted B A S I C l i s t ings . To obta in copies send a b l a n k f o rmat ted 800K or 4 0 0 K M a c diskette to F r e d C. Schaffner, U.S. F i sh & Wi ld l i f e Service, P.O. Box 510, Boqueron, PR 00622.

S p o t t e d O w l u p d a t e . Where are we on the N o r t h e r n Spotted Owl? The U.S. F i sh and Wi ld l i f e Service revised t h e i r proposed ru le designating cr i t i ca l h a b i t a t for th i s Federal ly- l isted t h r e a t ­ened species. Federal Register 56(156): 400.02-40143,13 A u g u s t 1991 . Here is a smal l excerpt f rom the "background" por t ion of t h i s 140-page ru le :

"On January 28, 1987, the Service received a petit ion requesting that the northern spotted owl be listed pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended (Act). A 90-day finding was issued on July 23, 1987, acknowledging that the petit ion pre­sented substantial information indicating that l i s t ing might be warranted. On De­cember 17, 1987, the Service made a 1 -year finding that l i sting the northern spot­ted owl was not warranted at that t ime. Notice of this finding was published i n the Federal Register on December 23, 1987 (52 FR 48552).

On May 5,1988, several environmen­ta l organizations filed suit challenging the Service's finding that l i s t ing was not war­ranted. On November 17,1988, the court i n that suit (Northern Spotted Owl v. Lujan, No. C88-573Z, Western Distr ict , Wash­

ington) ordered the Service to reanalyze the evidence and determine whether to issue a revised petit ion finding.

On A p r i l 25,1989, the Service issued a revised finding indicating that l i s t ing the northern spotted owl as a threatened species throughout i t s entire range was warranted . On June 23, 1989 (54 FR 26666), the Service published a proposal to l ist the northern spotted owl as a threat­ened species. After reviewing a l l appli­cable information and public comment, the Service published a f ina l rule to l ist the northern spotted owl as a threatened spe­cies on June 26,1990 (55 FR 26114). The Service did not propose to designate c r i t i ­cal habitat for the northern spotted owl w i t h i n the l i s t ing rule because the Service found that critical habitat was not deter­minable at the t ime. The Service subse­quently began planning an approach to propose critical habitat .

On August 10, 1990, the plaintiffs filed an additional motion seeking to com­pel the Service to immediately propose critical habitat . On February 26,1991, the Court ru led that the Service had violated the Act i n fa i l ing to designate critical habi­ta t concurrently w i t h l i s t ing the owl. The Court ordered the Service to propose a rule on critical habitat and to publish a final rule at the earliest possible time permitted under the appropriate regula­tions.

The Service published a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the north­ern spotted owl on May 6, 1991 (56 FR 20816). The May 6 proposal announced the Service's intent ion to publish arevised critical habitat proposal i n early August 1991, to allow for the fullest possible con­sideration of public comment on the eco­nomic and other relevant impacts of a designation and the subsequent comple­t ion of the Service's economic analysis. This new proposal supersedes a l l aspects of the May 6 proposal."

The comment period for the pro­posed ru le ended on 13 October 1991. A final ru le is due 60 days f r o m then . For a copy of the proposed ru le , or for fur ther i n f o r m a t i o n , contact Dale H a l l , Assis­t a n t Regional Director for F i sh and W i l d ­l i fe Enhancement , U.S. F ish and W i l d ­l i fe Service, 911 N . E . 11 t h Avenue, Port ­l a n d , OR 97232, (503)231-6159.

T u a l a t i n V a U e y N W R . "Northwest Oregon c u r r e n t l y is experiencing u n -precedentedurbanization. A n addit ional 500,000 people are expected to be par t of the Port land/Vancouver metropo l i tan area w i t h i n the next 20 years. Despite Oregon's s t rong l a n d use laws, n a t u r a l areas, p a r t i c u l a r l y wet lands , are being lost rap id ly . I n coordination w i t h the M e t r o p o l i t a n Service D i s t r i c t (Metro) , local governments, and numerous con­servation organizations, the U.S. F i sh and W i l d l i f e Service (Service) has spoh-

Oregon Birds 17(4): 114, Winter 1991

sored a demonstrat ion program to pro ­tect and enhance wet lands and w i l d l i f e habi tats w i t h i n u r b a n areas. As an ad ­j u n c t to t h i s p rogram, the Service is proposing to establish the T u a l a t i n V a l ­ley N a t i o n a l W i l d l i f e Refuge i n order to help protect and enhance nat i ona l ly sig­ni f i cant wi ld l i f e habitats w i t h i n the Port ­land/Vancouver metropo l i tan area. The Service has t h e legal responsib i l i ty for the wel fare of a l l m i g r a t o r y b i rds , some anadromous fish, and Federal ly - l is ted threatened endangered p lants and a n i ­mals i n the U n i t e d States. I n v iew o f these responsibi l it ies and the Service's experience i n m a n a g i n g such resources, the Service is proposing to acquire lands or various interests i n lands and estab­l i s h the T u a l a t i n Va l l ey N a t i o n a l W i l d ­l i fe Refuge i n order to protect, enhance, and manage u p l a n d , w e t l a n d , and r i ­p a r i a n hab i tats for a v a r i e t y of m i g r a ­tory b irds a n d res ident fish a n d w i l d ­l i f e . " A n env i ronmenta l assessment on the proposed new refuge has been pre ­pared. U.S. F i sh a n d W i l d l i f e Service, Region 1 , 911 N . E . 1 1 t h Avenue, Por t ­l a n d , OR 97232.

S o c i e t y for N o r t h w e s t e r n V e r ­tebrate Bio logy . Th i s organization "en­compasses members w i t h interests i n b i rds , m a m m a l s and herpt i les i n the Pacific N o r t h w e s t (broadly in te rpre ted for the purposes of the j o u r n a l a l though Wash ington , Oregon, B r i t i s h Co lumbia , Idaho, a n d M o n t a n a seem to encompass most of the members) ." This organiza­t i on publishes thejournalMwr^e/ef . John Pierce, Treasurer , Society for N o r t h ­western Ver tebra te Biology, N a t u r a l Resources Sciences, Wash ington State U n i v e r s i t y , P u l l m a n , W A 99164-6410, (509)335-6166.

I t h a p p e n s . B u t i t doesn't just hap ­pen. Oregon Birds is p u t together w i t h the help o f qui te a few Oregon birders . The fieldnotes editors p u t a t e r r i f i c amount of energy and expertise i n t o the field notes t h a t appear i n each issue o f O B . Joe E v a n i c h is p r e s e n t l y t h e fieldnotes editor for eastern Oregon, a n d Jef f G i l l i g a n and J i m Johnson sp l i t the duties for western Oregon. Past editors have inc luded D a v i d A Anderson, D a v i d F i x , Steve Summers , and Steve H e i n l . There are deadlines to meet, facts to check, data to si ft t h r o u g h , proof sheets to double-check, and much more. I t takes a fine sense of w h a t i s i m p o r t a n t to w r i t e the field notes, a n d a h i g h l y ref ined expertise to notice and h i g h l i g h t w h a t is new a n d dif ferent. I t is l i k e l y t h a t , i n t i m e , the fieldnotes sections of old OBs w i l l seen as among the most valuable contributions to the l i t e ra ture of Oregon's ornithology. Oregon birders appreciate the richness these editors b r i n g us. T h a n k s , Joe, Jeff, J i m , D a v i d , D a v i d , Steve — "et a l . "

R a r e b i r d s . R u n n i n g t a l l y of the b irds o f the Oregon rare b i r d phone n e t w o r k (and a few we learned about too late for the phone ne twork ) (reports o f these b irds m i g h t not have been v e r i ­fied, and, i n fact, m a y be i n error ) :

- 8 June 1991, Blackpoll Warbler , a female, at Malheur NWR headquarters, by David Bailey and Jeff Gi l l igan;

- 8 June 1991, Magnolia Warbler, a male, at Malheur NWR headquarters, by D a v i d Bai ley , A l a n McGie , a n d Je f f Gi l l igan;

- 1 4 June 1991, Bar-tai led Godwit, a juvenile at Bandon Marsh NWR, by Bob Morr is and Jeff Gi l l igan;

- 2 August 1991, Elegant Terns, 4 birds at the Yaquina Bay jetties, Lincoln Co., by Wes & Florence Bel l ;

- 4 August 1991, Horned Puff in, at Barview, Til lamook Co., by Paul Sherr i l l ;

- 5 August 1991, Elegant Terns, 4 birds at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, by Paul Sherr i l l ;

- 9 August 1991, Horned Puff in, at the Siuslaw River mouth , by M a t t Hunter , Paul Sherri l l , andTomand Al l isonMickel ;

- 11 August 1991, an adult and a juvenile Ruff, at the South Jetty of the Columbia River, by Mike Patterson;

- 29-30 A u g u s t l 9 9 1 , immature L i t t l e Blue Heron at Oregon Oyster, Yaquina Bay, Oregon's fourth record and Lincoln County's first, by Roy Gerig;

- 4 September 1991, a Ruff at M u d Lake, Sauvie Island, by J i m Johnson;

- 21 September 1991, Magnolia War­bler at Cottonwood Creek i n Malheur County, by Dave Anderson and Donna J .

Lusthoff; - 2 October 1991, Boreal Owl, at Todd

Lake south of M t . Bachelor, by Tom Crab tree;

- 6 October 1991, Yellow-bellied Sap-sucker at Silver Lake Ranger Station camp­ground, Silver Lake, by Steve Summers;

- 1 2 October 1991, Le Conte's Spar­row at Fields, Harney Co., by Gerard Li l l ie and J i m Johnson;

- 12 October 1991, Boreal Owls at Tollgate, northeastern Oregon, by Donna J . Lusthof f and others; and

- 9 November 1991, Gyrfalcon at Gold Beach Sewage Ponds, by Colin Di l l ingham and A l a n Barron.

Meetings, events & deadlines -14 December 1991 - 2 January 1992,

inclusive, 92nd Christmas B i r d Count, National Audubon Society, 950 T h i r d Av­enue, New York, N Y 10022.

-15-19 January 1992, Pacific Seabird Group, annual meeting, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, Charleston, OR 97420. Palmer Sekora, U.S. Fish and Wildl i fe Service, Finley Wildlife Refuge, 26208 Finley Refuge Road, Corvallis, OR 97333.

- 24 January 1991 — Deadline for Oregon Birds 18(1). Manuscripts due, fieldnotes due, articles and notes due, 1992 dues due. I f you have not renewed your membership i n OFOby this date, a copy of OB 18(1) w i l l not be pr inted for you. OFO has moved to a new quarterly member­ship basis. Your membership runs for 4 quarters from the quarter i n which OFO receives your dues. I f your current OFO membership expires w i t h OB 17(4)—this issue — and do not renew by this date — 24 January 1991 — you may not get OB 18(1) and youH have a hole i n your other­wise complete set of Oregon Birds. Don't r u n the risk! The Oregon Birds team thanks you!

-15 February 1992, deadline for 1991 Oregon l i s t ing results. F i l l i n the handy tear sheet i n the middle of this issue to be included i n the annual l ist ingreport . Steve Summers, P.O. Box 202, Silver Lake, OR 97638, (503)576-2190.

- 9-12 A p r i l 1992, Wilson Ornithologi­cal Society meeting, a t the Hi l t on Inn Gateway West, Kissimmee, Florida. Ke i th B i l d s t e i n , D e p a r t m e n t o f B io logy , Winthrop College, Rock H i l l , SC 29733.

- 20-26 A p r i l 1992, American Bird ing Association's 1992 Convention, Mobile, Alabama. Field tr ips to F t . Morgan, Dau­ph in Island, Blakely Is land, Mobile Delta, and the Mississippi Coast, and banquet speaker Pete Dunne. A B A Convention '92, P.O. Box 6599, Colorado Springs, CO 80934-6599.

- 22-26 June 1992, Cooper Ornitho­logical Society, 62nd Annual Meeting, at

Oregon Birds 17(4): 115, Winter 1991

the Univers i ty of Washington, Seattle. Wildl i fe a r t exhibit , social events, and pelagic, mountain , and is land field tr ips . David A. Manuwal , Wildlife Science Group, College of Forest Resources, Univers i ty of Washington, Seattle, W A 98447.

- 24-27 June 1992, American O r n i ­thologists' Union , 110th Stated Meeting, at Iowa State Univers i ty , Ames, Iowa. E r w i n E. H a a s , Iowa Coop. Wildl i fe Res. U n i t , Science H a l l 2, Iowa State Univer ­sity, Ames, I A 50011.

- 22-25 September 1992, Neotropical Migratory B i r d Symposium and Work­shop, at Estes Park, Colorado. Paper pre­sentations, roundtable sessions, and pan­els to review management needs, conser­vat i on pr ior i t i es , and state-of - the-art

knowledge of neotropical migratory birds. Tom M a r t i n , Arkansas Coop. Fish & W i l d ­life U n i t , Department of Biological Sci­ences, U n i v e r s i t y o f A r k a n s a s , Fayetteville, AR 72701.

-17 December 1992 - 3 January 1993, inclusive, 93rd Christmas B i r d Count, National Audubon Society, 950 T h i r d Av­enue, New York, N Y 10022.

-17 December 1993 - 3 January 1994, inclusive, 94th Christmas B i r d Count, National Audubon Society, 950 T h i r d Av­enue, New York, N Y 10022.

- 21-27 August 1994, X X I Interna­tional Ornithological Congress, Vienna, Austr ia . Interconvention, A - l450 , Vienna, Austr ia .

0

Color-marked Birds in Oregon Note to Oregon Birds readers: OB keeps a r u n n i n g tab o f co lor-marked b irds t h a t may be seen by Oregon's b irders . The ending notat ion i n brackets shows the first issue of OB i n w h i c h the notice appeared. A n y banded or co lor-marked b i r d , i n c l u d i n g those w i t h the s tandard a l u m i n u m U.S . F i s h & Wi ld l i f e Service band , may be reported direct ly to the B i r d B a n d i n g Laboratory , L a u r e l , M D 20708. This is a comprehensive l i s t i n g of requests made k n o w n to Oregon Birds. The last comprehensive l i s t i n g o f requests appeared a t Oregon Birds 16(2): 131-138, Summer 1990.

other comments. Leopold A . Moreno , W i l d l i f e & Fisheries Biology, U n i v e r s i t y o fCal i fornia ,Davis ,CA95616, (916)752-3576.

COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF ENTRIES

A m e r i c a n R o b i n s . Robins have been m a r k e d w i t h the s tandard a l u m i ­n u m U.S. F ish and Wi ld l i fe Service bands plus colored bands (combinations of red , l i g h t b lue, d a r k b lue , s i lver , gold, and green). These birds are p a r t of a s tudy concerned w i t h d iet choice and i n f o r m a ­t i on on where they are seen feeding is of p a r t i c u l a r interest . Please note the fo l ­l owing : band colors ( in t h e i r order down the leg), where the b a n d is seen, i f the b i r d is feeding ( w h a t on), a n d the date and t i m e of s ight ing . [ O B 15(1)] Rex Sa l labanks , D e p a r t m e n t o f Bio logy , Univers i ty ofOregon,Eugene,OR97403.

A m e r i c a n W h i t e P e l i c a n s . A m e r i ­can W h i t e Pelicans are be ing banded i n a study of t h e i r feeding ecology and dispersal i n the K l a m a t h Bas in area, Cal i fornia . I n 1990, b i rds were banded on the le f t tarsus w i t h a red streamer attached and 10 birds were fitted w i t h backpack radio t r a n s m i t t e r s . B i rds w i t h radios have a purp le plast ic streamer opposite the red streamer. Streamer and tagcolors w i l l vary i n fu ture years. Please send band a n d t a g posit ion and n u m ­bers, location o f s ight ing , date, and any

B a l d E a g l e s . Over the past 5 years we have released 37 eaglets f r o m our hack site i n the Ventana Wilderness Area about 2300 feet above B i g Sur i n central Cal i fornia . The last B a l d Eagle t h a t bred i n central Cal i fornia was i n 1934. We now have one pair t h a t seems firmly established at one of our local reservoirs. M a n y of our eagles eventu­al ly f ly n o r t h out of the region. The r i g h t leg has a m e t a l U.S. F i s h and Wi ld l i f e Service band , and the le f t leghas ablack b a n d w i t h a w h i t e number and le t ter . O u r b irds also carry radio t r a n s m i t t e r s . A n y i n f o r m a t i o n w o u l d be appreciated. [ O B 1 7 ( l ) ] C r a i g Hohenberger, Ventana Wilderness Sanctuary, P.O. Box 894, Carme l Va l l ey , C A 93924, (408)626-8348.

B l a c k B r a n t . Several thousand Black B r a n t have been color-marked i n the Soviet U n i o n , A laska , and Canada d u r i n g the las t 5 years. I n d i v i d u a l s are m a r k e d w i t h colored plastictarsus bands conta in ing 3-character a lpahnumer i c codes, read f r o m bot tom to top. These

bands have the fo l lowing color combina­tions: red background w i t h w h i t e char­acters , green w i t h w h i t e characters, blue w i t h w h i t e , yel low w i t h black, and whi te w i t h blue characters. A smal l number of yel low and black bands contain 2-char-acter codes t h a t are read top to bottom. Send band color, a lphanumer ic code, locat ion, a n d date. [OB 17(1)] James S. Sedinger, I n s t i t u t e o f Arct i c Biology, U n i v e r s i t y o f A l a s k a F a i r b a n k s , F a i r b a n k s , A K 99775.

B l a c k - c a p p e d a n d C h e s t n u t -b a c k e d C h i c k a d e e s . The Nor thwes t Ecological Research I n s t i t u t e is conduct­i n g a l ong - term study i n the Port land west h i l l s , Cedar M i l l , and C a t l i n Gabel School areas. Black-capped and Chest­n u t - b a c k e d Ch i ckadees h a v e been m a r k e d w i t h f r o m 1 to 3 colored plastic bands on t h e i r legs. Please contact us i f y o u see m a r k e d chickadees a t your feeder, or i f you regu lar ly see House Finches w i t h an a l u m i n u m U.S. F i sh and W i l d l i f e Service band. [OB 13(1)] P h i l i p Gaddis , 13640 N . W . L a i d l a w Road, Por t land , OR 97229,645-4751, or Char C o r k r a n , 130 N . W . 114th Street, Por t land , OR 97229, 643-1349.

B l a c k - s h o u l d e r e d K i t e s . Since F e b r u a r y 1989, 25 Black-shouldered Ki tes have been color banded near E u ­reka , Cal i fornia . Color bands have a colored v i n y l tab. Jeffrey R. D u n k or R o b e r t J . Cooper , D e p t . W i l d l i f e , H u m b o l d t State U n i v e r s i t y , Areata , CA 95521,(707)826-3439.

B r i s t l e - t h i g h e d C u r l e w s . Br i s t l e -th ighed Curlews were color banded i n Alaska and on the nor thwest H a w a i i a n Islands as p a r t of a study of t h e i r breed­i n g a n d populat ion ecology. A l l birds were banded on the t i b i a and some on the metatarsus w i t h a stainless steel band and e i ther 1 l i g h t blue band or 4 colored plastic bands i n combinations of red , green, l i g h t b lue , yel low, orange, and mauve. Note the colors, sequence and posit ion (above or below the ankle j o i n t ) of bands on each leg. [OB 15(1)] B r i a n McCaf fery .U.S . F i s h and Wi ld l i f e Service, P.O. Box 346, Bethe l , A K 99559 (907)543-3151; Robert G i l l , U.S. F i sh a n d W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e . l O l l E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, A K 99503 (907)786-3514.

B r o w n P e l i c a n s . B r o w n Pelicans have been co lor -marked by researchers at the U n i v e r s i t y of Ca l i f orn ia , Davis. The tags v a r y f r o m p l a i n a l u m i n u m bands to bands plus plastic leg markers of various colors. Each conf iguration has a mean ing , so good accurate descrip-

Oregon Birds 17(4): 116, Winter 1991

t ions are needed. Y o u m a y see a green, yel low, or orange plastic t a g h a n g i n g off a green leg band . Note the date and locat ion, the color conf igurat ion , n u m ­bers ( i f possible), a n d include any other comments about the s i tuat i on or condi­t i o n of the b i r d . [ O B 15(1)] Pelican Re­search Project, D e p a r t m e n t of W i l d l i f e & Fisheries , U n i v e r s i t y of Ca l i f orn ia , Davis , C A 95616, or Roy Lowe, U .S . F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service, M a r i n e Science Center, N e w p o r t , OR 97365, 867-3011 ext. 270

C a n a d a G e e s e . W i l d l i f e agencies i n Washington and Oregon h ave m a r k e d a segment of the Canada Goose popula­t i o n along the lower Co lumbia River w i t h l i g h t gray neck collars. Black a l ­phanumer i c codes on the collars begin w i t h 2 numbers followed by 2 letters (for example, 01CA). Please record the fo l ­l o w i n g i n f o r m a t i o n : collar code, exact location, and date and t ime of s ight ing . Include your name, address, and phone number . [OB 15(2); O B 16(4)] P a t M i l l e r , W a s h i n g t o n D e p a r t m e n t o f W i l d l i f e , 5405 N . E . Hazel D e l l , Vancouver, W A 98663, (206)696-6211, or Don Kraege, Washington Depar tment o fWi ld l i fe , 600 N . Capito l W a y , O lympia , W A 98504, (206)753-5728.

C o a s t a l geese a n d s w a n s . The U.S . F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service is a t ­t e m p t i n g to determine Canada Goose use areas along the Oregon coast. Ob­servations of any subspecies of Canada Goose i n c l u d i n g the introduced Great Bas in Canada Goose are needed, b u t especially of A l eut ian a n d D u s k y Canada Geese. Record date, locat ion, t i m e of day, and subspecies. I f you are not sure of the subspecies, note the re lat ive size of the b i rds , color of the breast, presence or absence of a neck r i n g , etc. O n a l l geese,look for neck collars andlegbands. Reports of B r a n t , and T r u m p e t e r and T u n d r a Swans are also wanted . [OB 13(1); 14(4); 17(1)] Roy Lowe, U.S . F i sh and W i l d l i f e Service, M a r i n e Science Center, N e w p o r t , OR 97365, 867-0270.

C o m m o n R a v e n s . D u r i n g 1989, 1990, and 1991 — 2 2 0 j u v e n i l e Common Ravens were m a r k e d i n Douglas County, Wash ington . A b r i g h t yel low m a r k e r w i t h a n u m b e r ( in e i ther turquoise or black) was placed on each w i n g . I n f o r ­m a t i o n f r o m r e t u r n s w i l l be used to determine t i m i n g , route , and r a p i d i t y o f m i g r a t i o n , and w i n t e r i n g h a b i t a t . Please note date of s i ght ing , number of ravens seen, color of n u m b e r on m a r k e r i f pos­sible, and your name, address, and phone number . I have 1 recovery f r o m 10 miles south of B o a r d m a n on 1 A p r i l , a date

t h a t leads me to believe t h a t a t least some of the ravens I a m m a r k i n g are w i n t e r i n g i n southern Oregon or n o r t h ­ern Cal i forn ia . [ O B 15(4); 16(4)] George Brady , Washington Department o f W i l d ­l i f e , Box 535, Pateros , W a s h i n g t o n 98846, (509)923-2326.

D a r k - e y e d J u n c o s . A 5-year " O r ­egon" Junco color leg b a n d i n g project has been under taken to determine the w i n t e r movements, spr ing- fa l l m i g r a ­t i on routes, and summer nest ing loca­tions of the Dark-eyed Junco populat ion t h a t w inters i n the Rogue River Val ley . M a r k e d ind iv iduals have 2 color bands (red, yel low, b lue, or orange) o f the same color on the le f t leg, w i t h a U.S . F i sh & Wi ld l i f e Service numbered band on t h e r i g h t leg. The color of the band w i l l indicate the o r ig ina l band ing location. The fo l lowing i n f o r m a t i o n is requested: date, accurate location description, color o f b a n d s , n u m b e r o f m a r k e d a n d u n m a r k e d juncos seen together at any t i m e , and the n u m b e r of consecutive days m a r k e d ind iv idua ls were seen at the same location. [OB 16(1); OB 16(4)] Dennis P. V r o m a n , 1106 N.W. A Street , G r a n t s Pass , O r e g o n 9 7 5 2 6 , ( H ) (503)479-4619 (W) (503)476-3830.

D u s k y C a n a d a G e e s e . The U.S . F i sh and Wi ld l i f e Service is col lecting in f o rmat i on on D u s k y Canada Geese i n an a t t e m p t to unders tand w i n t e r i n g r e ­quirements of t h i s t roubled subspecies. A n y Canada Goose i n Oregon w i t h a red collar is a Dusky . A Canada Goose w i t h a yellow collar is e i ther a D u s k y m a r k e d several years ago or a Cackler. Note the fo l lowing: characteristics of fields they are found i n , numbers of Duskys and numbers of other subspecies of Canadas, collar numbers , etc. There are several avenues of r epor t ing your f indings . A n y m a r k e d b i r d can be reported direct ly to the U.S . F i s h a n d Wi ld l i f e Service. The Por t land Audubon Society w i l l take your i n f o r m a t i o n and translate i t to special F i s h and W i l d l i f e forms. [ O B 13(1)] M a u r i t a S m y t h , P o r t l a n d Audubon So­ciety, 5151 N . W . Cornel l Road, Port ­l a n d , OR 97210, (W)238-0667.

D y e d s h o r e b i r d s . The Canadian Wi ld l i f e Service, Western and N o r t h e r n Region, w i l l be band ing shorebirds d u r ­i n g the f a l l m i g r a t i o n i n Saskatchewan. B i rds w i l l be dyed yellow (orange) on t h e i r underparts andbanded w i t h w h i t e flags and a red or green color band . Please send reports of s ightings to H . L . Dickson, Canadian Wi ld l i f e Service, 2nd F loor , 4999-98 A v e n u e , E d m o n t o n , A l b e r t a T 6 B 2X3, Canada, or to Cher i G r a t t o - T r e v o r , C W S , 115 P e r i m e t e r

Road, Saskatoon S 7 N OX4, Canada.

G r e a t e r S a n d h i l l C r a n e s . Since 1983, The N a t u r e Conservancy has color-m a r k e d approx imate ly 90 Greater San­d h i l l Cranes at Sycan M a r s h and sur­r o u n d i n g breeding sites i n Lake Co., Oregon. A l l m a r k e d cranes have a 3-i n c h t a l l orange band w i t h a 1/2-inch wide piece of w h i t e tape wrapped around the middle . Often th is t a l l orange band is reported as "orange/white/orange." A d ­d i t i ona l bands are 1-1/2 inches t a l l and are colored yel low, w h i t e , blue, red, and green. Typica l ly , each crane has a t a l l orange b a n d on one leg and 2 smaller colored bands on the other. A l l bands occur on the upper leg. Banded cranes have been reported f r o m Langel l Val ley east o f K l a m a t h Fal ls , Camas Pra ir ie , S u m m e r L a k e W i l d l i f e Management A r e a , P a u l i n a M a r s h , C h e w a u c a n M a r s h , and near Greaser Reservoir i n the W a r n e r Bas in . [OB 15(4); OB 16(4)] Report s ightings to M a r k Stern , Oregon N a t u r a l Her i tage Program, 1205 N.W. 2 5 t h , P o r t l a n d , OR 97210, (503)228-9561.

H a r l e q u i n D u c k s . A population of H a r l e q u i n Ducks i n n o r t h e r n Idaho has been m a r k e d w i t h nasal discs of various shapes and colors: b lue, red, gray, wh i t e , orange, green, yel low, and black discs i n the shape of a circle, square, oval, t r i ­angle, and cross. M a r k i n g w i l l continue i n 1990. For a recent and s imi lar study i n G r a n d Teton N a t i o n a l Park , 50 per­cent of m a r k e d H a r l e q u i n Ducks re­t u r n e d the next year. Please note sex and n u m b e r of duck, color and shape of nasal marker , andexactlocation of sight­ing . I f possible, t r y to take a photograph. [ O B 16(1); O B 16(4)] C r a i g Groves, Nongame and Endangered Wi ld l i f e Pro­g r a m , Idaho D e p a r t m e n t o f F i sh and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, I D 83707, (208)334-3402.

L e s s e r S n o w G e e s e . Look for Lesser Snow Geese w e a r i n g a green collar w i t h a 2-letter, 2-digit code (ex­ample : "FA21") . I n add i t i on , collared geese w i l l be pa in ted e i ther green or red on tops a n d bottoms of wings . Note the w i n g color (green or red) and usual loca­t i o n and h a b i t a t in f o rmat i on . [ O B 1 3 ( l ) ] U.S. F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e Service Regional Office, M i g r a t o r y B i r d Coordinator, P.O. Box 1306, A lbuquerque , N M 87103, (505)766-8052, or Bosque del Apache N a t i o n a l Wi ld l i f e Refuge, P.O. Box 1246, Socorro, N M 87801, (505)835-1828

L o g g e r h e a d S h r i k e s . I have banded a d u l t a n d nest l ing Loggerhead Shrikes i n southwestern Idaho, us ing

Oregon Birds 17(4): 117, Winter 1991

both F W S and plastic bands. A n y s ight ­i n g o f a banded shr ike w o u l d contr ibute to our unders tand ing of th is shr ike popu­la t i on . Chr is Woods, Raptor Research Center, Boise State U n i v e r s i t y , Boise, I D 83725, (208)385-3697.

L o g g e r h e a d S h r i k e s . Loggerhead Shrikes breed ing in east-central A l b e r t a have been color-banded i n 1991 (as i n 1989 a n d 1990) w i t h w h i t e sp l i t plastic r ings i n add i t i on to s tandard a l u m i n u m bands. Several more years of b a n d i n g is expected. D o u g Col l ister , 3426 Lane Crescent S.W., Calgary, A l b e r t a , T 3 E 5X2, Canada.

M a n i t o b a r a p t o r s . B u r r o w i n g Owls were m a r k e d w i t h F W S a l u m i ­n u m bands,black legjesses i n 1988, and red , w h i t e , or blue numbered plastic bands i n 1989. Ferruginous H a w k s were m a r k e d w i t h F W S a l u m i n u m bands,

a n d black anodized a l u m i n u m bands w i t h 2-digit a lpha-numeric codes on the opposite leg i n 1988 and 1989. Logger­head Shrikes were m a r k e d w i t h F W S a l u m i n u m bands, red plastic bands on the opposite leg i n 1988, and red and w h i t e plastic bands on the opposite leg i n 1989. [ O B 1 6 ( 2 ) ] K e n d e S m e t o r M i k e Conrad , M a n i t o b a D e p a r t m e n t of N a t u ­r a l Resources, Box 14 ,1495 St. James Street, W i n n i p e g , M a n i t o b a , R 3 H 0W9, (204)945-6301.

O s p r e y . Osprey nest l ings were color-banded i n i n t e r i o r Alaska . Bands on the right leg are red a l u m i n u m bands inscribed w i t h 2 alphabetical symbols. Report s ightings, along w i t h characters on the bands i f possible. [OB 14(4); O B 16(4)] Jef f Hughes , A laska Depar tment of F i s h a n d Game, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, A K 99502, (907)267-2201.

P a c i f i c B l a c k B r a n t . B lack B r a n t i n A laska have been m a r k e d w i t h col­ored leg bands and colored nasal tabs. Note the color of the band , the color of the l e t t e r i n g on the band , l e t ter code (2 or 3 let ters or numera ls ) , and whether read f r o m body to foot or vice versa. Also note date and loca l i ty , and look to see whether a w h i p a n t e n n a i s h a n g i n g d o w n f r o m the Brant ' s t a i l , because 53 have been f i t t e d w i t h radio t ransmi t t e r s . I n 1989, 8 radio-tagged b irds were e i ther heard orrecoveredby hunters a t w i n t e r -i n g areas i n Ca l i f o rn ia and Mexico. [OB 15(1); 16(1)] Roy Lowe, U.S . F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service, M a r i n e Science Cen­ter , Newpor t , OR 97365, 867-3011 ext. 270.

P a c i f i c G o l d e n - P l o v e r s . Pacific Gol den -Plovers have been banded on Oahu , H a w a i i , and near Nome, Alaska.

Continued on page 120.

The Pan-American Shorebird Program Manomet Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 1770, Manomet, MA 02345

The Pan Amer i can Shorebird Program was launched i n 1983 as the f i r s t col­laborative effort to coordinate color m a r k ­i n g schemes for m i g r a t o r y shorebirds i n the N e w W o r l d . The program has three m a i n objectives: (1) to e l iminate the d u ­pl icat ion of color band combinations i n the f i e ld , (2) to provide a clearing-house for s i ght ing reports and channel in fo r ­m a t i o n between f ie ld observers a n d r e ­searchers, and (3) to gather data on the m i g r a t i o n pathways and t i m i n g of move­m e n t s b e t w e e n N o r t h a n d S o u t h America . Since 1983, PASP has w o r k e d closely w i t h the B i r d B a n d i n g Labora ­tory of the U n i t e d States F i s h and W i l d ­l i fe Service to meet these objectives.

The m a r k i n g scheme used b y a l l cooperators is based on colored leg flags. Each country i n the Western H e m i ­sphere has been assigned a 1 - or 2-flag combinat ion . For example , a l l b i rds banded i n Canada carry a w h i t e f lag , w h i l e b irds f r o m B r a z i l carry blue flags. D u r i n g s ightings , the color of the leg f lag immediate ly identi f ies t h e country o f o r i g in . A n y add i t i ona l leg bands ident i f y a specific i n d i v i d u a l or b a n d i n g cohort {e.g., site or date) depending on the goals and objectives o f the p a r t i c u l a r m a r k i n g program. PASP does not dictate the po­s i t ion of the f lag on the bird 's leg. Some researchers choose to v a r y the f lag posi­t i o n w i t h i n the color combinat ion and some use the f lag posit ion to ident i f y a p a r t i c u l a r cohort. The employment o f flags great ly increases the l ike l ihood

t h a t the s ight ing w i l l y ie ld useful in fo r ­m a t i o n .

PASP works w i t h banders to f ind unique color combinations t h a t w i l l sat­isfy the needs of the research program. Lists o f combinations are available upon request. The flags are made f r o m U V -stable Darv i c plastic. Th is m a t e r i a l is avai lab le as s m a l l s t r ips f r o m A . C . Hughes , L t d . , 1 H i g h Street, H a m p t o n H i l l , Middlesex, TW12 1 N A , Eng land ) and is fashioned for the species of i n t e r ­est. Ins t ruc t i ons for flag-making are available f r o m PASP.

T r a v e l l i n g vast distances and con-c e n t r a t i n g i n staging areas, color m a r k e d shorebirds are easily observed d u r i n g m i g r a t i o n . PASP cont inual ly receives s i gh t ing reports and functions as a con­d u i t o f in f o rmat i on between volunteer observers i n the f ie ld and researchers throughout the Americas. S i g h t i n g r e ­ports are traced i n the PASP b a n d i n g databases and i n f o r m a t i o n such as loca­t i o n and date of banding are r e t u r n e d to the observer. The bander then receives a l l details of the s i gh t ing i n c l u d i n g the name and address of the observer.

Shorebird enthusiasts should take special care i n n o t i n g certain aspects o f the color band combinat ion. F i r s t , ob­servers should be sure to d is t inguish l eg flags f rom leg bands w h e n recording the observation i n the f ie ld . C o n f i r m i n g the presence o f a leg flag and i t s color is o f p r i m a r y importance . W i t h the color o f the leg flag comes the f i r s t piece of useful

i n f o r m a t i o n c o n c e r n i n g m i g r a t i o n routes; the notat ion of addi t ional color bands t h e n provides the details often necessary to p in -po in t the band ing loca­t i o n and date. The posit ion of the flags and bands on the bird's l e g — above or below the j o i n t — is also cr i t i ca l . PASP suggests t h a t observers always report the combinat ion beg inning w i t h the left leg, read f r o m top to bot tom, followed by the right leg, read f r o m top to bottom. Remember to note which bands are above the j o i n t and w h i c h are below.

The fo l lowing is an example of a standardized notat ion for r epor t ing the color b a n d combinat ion shown below:

— , R Y : m , F r

I n th is notat ion the colon (:) sepa­rates the two legs and a comma (,) sepa­rates bands above versus below the jo int . The posit ion of the leg f lag is noted w i t h an upper case " F " followed by a lower case l e t ter for the color; the example shows a red f lag. Color bands are i n d i ­cated by a cap i ta l l e t ter . Dashes are used to indicate positions on the leg t h a t were w i t h o u t bands and a meta l or a l u ­m i n u m band is indicated by a lower case " m " .

The Pan Amer i can Shorebird Pro­g r a m is adminis tered by the Western Hemisphere Shoreb ird Reserve N e t ­work . For more i n f o r m a t i o n . w r i t e PASP/ W H S R N , P.O. Box 936, Manomet , M A 02345.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 118, Winter 1991

Pan American Shorebird Program flag codes. Canada white United States dark green

Central America Mexico red over yellow Honduras red over grey Costa Rica red over black Guatemala red over orange Nicaragua red over dark green Belize red over light green El Salvador red over blue Panama red over white

Caribbean Islands Haiti yellow over red Puerto Rico yellow over dark green Dominican Republic yellow over white

Venezuela black Suriname light green

Northern South America Colombia light green over yellow Ecuador light green over red Guyana light green over dark green French Guiana light green over blue

Peru yellow Brazil blue

Central South America Bolivia orange over red Paraguay orange over yellow Uruguay orange over blue

Argentina orange Chile red

1

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network

30 July 1991

Jim Johnson 3244 N.E. Brazee St. Portland OR 97212

Dear Mr. Johnson:

Thank you for sending in the sighting report of a color-marked Western Sandpiper, seen at Tillamook Bay, OR.

This bird was marked near Parita Bay, Panama, as part of a cooperative project between the Canadian Wildlife Service and Panamanian biologists. These researchers have been banding Western Sandpipers in this area over the past 3 years.

Your observation and sighting report are greatly appreciated. This information makes a valuable contribution to our knowledge of shorebird movements and migratory routes, and supports efforts to conserve shorebird populations and the wetland habitats on which they depend.

Please continue to send any observations of color marked migratory shorebirds to PASP, Manomet Bird Observatory, P.O. Box 1770, Manomet, MA 02345, USA.

Sincerely,

James E. Lyons

Manomet B i r d Observatory • P . O . B o x 1770 • Manomet , M A 02345 P h o n e : (508) 224-6521 • F a x : (508) 2 2 4 - 9 2 2 0

USF&WS metal band

red band

yellow ba -,rxY :m,Fr

red flag

l e f t l e g r i g h t l e g

Oregon Birds 17(4): 119, Winter 1991

Continued from page 118. Each b i r d wears a F W S b a n d on one leg (some w i t h a color band) a n d 1 or more color bands on the other . Color b a n d combinations are 2 of the same color, 2 of di f ferent colors, 3 of 2 colors, and 3 of 3 colors. Please note w h i c h l eg is color banded and the exact sequence of colors. " I t is i m p o r t a n t t h a t we k n o w w h i c h leg carries the par t i cu lar color(s) and, where used together, whether the color b a n d is above or below the m e t a l band. " A ye l ­low dye w i l l be appl ied to the w h i t e plumage o f Pacific Golden-Plovers on O a h u i n A p r i l 1991 . Recent f indings: the populat ion consists of b o t h t e r r i t o r i a l and n o n - t e r r i t o r i a l b i rds , w i t h one or the other behavior apparent ly f ixed for l i fe after the f i r s t w i n t e r i n g season; sur ­v i v a l rates are h i g h (over 80 percent f r o m year to year) ; and the b irds exh ib i t s trong site fidelity, w i t h t e r r i t o r i a l i n d i ­v iduals occupying the same terr i tor ies f rom year to year. [OB 15(2); 16(1); O B 16(4); O B 17(1)]. Oscar W . Johnson, D e p a r t m e n t o f Biology, M o n t a n a State U n i v e r s i t y , B o z e m a n , M T 5 9 7 1 7 , (406)994-4548, or P h i l l i p B r u n e r , N a t . Sci. D iv . , B Y U - H a w a i i , La ie , H I 96762, (808)293-3820.

R e d h e a d s . I n a cooperative s tudy of the ecology of w i n t e r i n g Redheads i n s o u t h Texas , Redheads have been banded w i t h U . S . F W S a l u m i n u m bands and nasal discs. Ye l low, w h i t e , red , b lue , and green discs were used. Discs a t ­tached i n 1987-88 were b l a n k , w h i l e those attached i n 1988-89 are a lpha -numer i ca l ly coded. "Please report loca­t i o n , date, sex, nasal disc color, a lpha­numer ic code, and condit ion o f observed b irds . [OB 15(2)] Joe Moore , D e p a r t ­m e n t of W i l d l i f e and Fisheries Sciences, 302 Nagle H a l l , Texas A & M U n i v e r s i t y , College Stat ion , T X 77843-2258.

R i n g - b i l l e d a n d C a l i f o r n i a G u l l s . For a l ong - t e rm study on post-breeding dispersal, w i n t e r i n g locations, and nest site fidelity, R ing-b i l led and Cal i fornia Gulls have been banded every year since 1987 a t Lake L a h o n t a n , Nevada. Each b i r d i s given a F W S a l u m i n u m b a n d and a single colored plastic band either above the F W S band or on the other leg. Colors used are red or green (1987), yel low (1988), blue (1989), or w h i t e (1990). Please record the date, t i m e , and loca­t i on o f s ight ing , w h i c h leg the plastic band is on, color o f plast ic band , and number on plastic band i f possible. [OB 13 (4 ) ; O B 1 4 ( 4 ) ; O B 1 6 ( 4 ) ] . A l a n Gubanich , D e p a r t m e n t of Biology, U n i ­vers i ty of Nevada, Reno, N V 89557, (702)784-6652. H u g h J u d d , 2325 Jessie, Sparks, N V 89431 , (702)356-7485.

R u d d y T u r n s t o n e s . Ruddy T u r n ­stones have been color banded on the Colvi l le River De l ta on the centra l arctic coast of A laska . Breeding b irds have been m a r k e d w i t h un ique combinations of dark blue, d a r k green, red , orange, yel low, b r o w n , gray , p i n k , mauve, and w h i t e bands. A l l birds carry a w h i t e s t a t i o n code b a n d . [ O B 16(2)] J i m Helmer icks , Colvi l le Vi l lage v ia Pouch 340109, Prudhoe Bay, A laska 99734.

S a b i n e ' s G u l l s . Sabines's Gul ls have been color banded on the Colvil le River De l ta on the central arctic coast of A l a s k a . B r e e d i n g b i r d s have been m a r k e d w i t h un ique combinations o f d a r k blue, dark green, red , orange, ye l -l ow .brown , gray, p ink ,mauve , and whi te bands. A l l b irds carry a w h i t e s tat ion code band. [OB 16(2)] J i m Helmer i cks , C o l v i l l e V i l l a g e v i a Pouch 340109, Prudhoe Bay, A laska 99734.

S a n d e r l i n g s a n d W e s t e r n S a n d ­p i p e r s . The SanderlingProject has mis t -net ted and color-banded Sanderlings along the West Coast. The only colors used were green, orange, red, yel low, and wh i t e . No blue. Some juven i le Sand­erl ings have been t ransp lanted to other parts o f the coast i n an a t t e m p t to deter­

m i n e how a young b i r d selects a given site along the coast as i t s w i n t e r home. Each t ransp lanted b i r d carries a color combination ofbands, and either a green, w h i t e , or red flag on i t s r i g h t leg. Please t r y to record the complete color combi­nat i on . Western Sandpipers have also been color banded. For both species, note w h i c h leg the a l u m i n u m F W S band is on. [OB 15(1)] The Sander l ing Project, P.O. Box 247, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, or Roy Lowe, U.S. F ish a n d W i l d l i f e Ser­vice, M a r i n e Science Center, N e w p o r t , OR 97365,867-3011 ext. 270. Reports of banded Sanderlings can be sent to B a r ­bara Kus , D e p a r t m e n t of Biology, San Diego State U n i v e r s i t y , San Diego, C A 92182.

S e m i p a l m a t e d S a n d p i p e r s , St i l t S a n d p i p e r s , a n d H u d s o n i a n G o d -w i t s . The Canadian Wi ld l i f e Service banded Semipalmated Sandpipers, S t i l t Sandpipers, 100 Hudson ian Godwits on L i t t l e Q u i l l Lake , Saskatchewan, dur ­i n g the 1988-90 field season. B i r d s w i l l be dyed w i t h picric (can appear yellow or orange) on various locations o f the i r chest and/or stomach. We w i l l also be band ing the birds w i t h w h i t e flag bands a n d red and/or green bands. Please record the location and date of the s ight­i n g , the species sighted, the location of the dye and/or the location and color of the bands. [OB 15(1); 16(4)] Send obser­vations to H . Loney Dickson, Canadian Wi ld l i f e Service, Western and N o r t h e r n Region, Room 210 Second Floor, 4999 -98 lh Avenue, Edmonton , A lber ta , T 6 B 2X3, Canada, (403)468-8917.

S h o r e b i r d s . A b o u t 800 shorebirds of several species were banded a t Chey­enne Bottoms i n Kansas d u r i n g t h e l 9 8 9 s p r i n g and fa l l migrat ions . A l l birds carry an orange b a n d over a band of another color on the i r left leg, and a green flag over a band of another color on t h e i r r i g h t leg. [OB 16(1)] Nel l ie Ts ipoura, Pan Amer i can Shorebird Pro­g r a m , P A S P / W H S R N , 550 S. Bay A v ­enue, I s l i p , N Y 11751.

S h o r e b i r d s . Over 200 shorebirds were banded as p a r t of a study of the t empora l and spat ia l d i s t r i b u t i o n of shorebirds m i g r a t i n g and breeding at Utah 's Great Salt Lake . Ki l ldeer , A m e r i ­can Avocets, Black-necked St i l ts , Wi l lets , Long-bi l led Cur lews , Wilson's Phalar -opes, and Spotted and Least Sandpipers are among the species color banded. They carry a l i g h t green band above the le f t knee, a d a r k green flag above the r i g h t knee, and a combinationof 2 to 4 color bands and a F W S meta l band be­low. Colors include dark b lue , l ightgreen,

Oregon Birds 17(4): 120, Winter 1991

red , w h i t e , orange, a n d yel low. Please report species, b a n d combinat ion , date, place, behavior, flock size, and other notable i n f o rma t i o n . [OB 16(4)] Suzanne D . Fel lows, U t a h Coop. F i sh & W i l d l i f e Res. U n i t , U t a h State U n i v . , Logan, U T 84322-5210, (801)750-25091.

S h o r e b i r d s . The Canadian W i l d ­l i fe Service, Pra i r i e and N o r t h e r n Re­gion, w i l l be b a n d i n g shorebirds d u r i n g s p r i n g and f a l l migrat i ons i n 1990 and 1991 . B i r d s w i l l be dyed w i t h yellow (orange) on the underpar t s , and m a y also be red (p ink) . B i r d s should have w h i t e flags and red or green color bands as we l l . [ O B 16(4)]. H . L . Dickson, Cana­d i a n W i l d l i f e Service, 2nd Floor, 4999-98 Avenue, Edmonton , A l b e r t a T 6 B 2X3, Canada.

S n o w y P l o v e r s . I n 1988-89, i n co­operation w i t h the Oregon D e p a r t m e n t of F i s h and W i l d l i f e Nongame Program, we color-marked 372 Snowy Plovers at A b e r t Lake , Lake Co., Oregon. Each plover has 2 bands on each leg , w h i c h may include e i ther 3 colored bands and an a l u m i n u m Federal band , or 4 colored bands. B a n d colors include w h i t e , ye l ­l ow, red , d a r k blue, l i m e , and the a l u m i ­n u m Federal band. Banded plovers have been resighted a t A b e r t Lake , and m a y l i k e l y occur at other a lka l ine lakes i n Lake and H a r n e y Cos. These banded plovers have been res ighted frequent ly along the Cal i f orn ia a n d B a j a Cal i fornia coasts d u r i n g f a l l / w i n t e r , and should be watched for along the Oregon coast d u r -i n g b o t h the f a l l / w i n t e r and spr ing /sum­mer seasons. A d d i t i o n a l l y , i n 1990 we color-marked about 12 plovers at breed­i n g areas along the southern Oregon coast. [OB 15(4); 16(4)] Report s ightings to M a r k Stern , Oregon N a t u r a l H e r i ­tage P r o g r a m , 1205 N . W . 25 th , Por t ­l a n d , OR 97210, (503)229-5078.

T u n d r a S w a n s . T u n d r a Swans breeding i n nor thwes tern A laska have been m a r k e d since 1984 w i t h blue plas­t ic neck collars bear ing w h i t e a l p h a n u ­meric codes pref ixed w i t h the l e t ter U . A t o t a l of 102 b irds have been m a r k e d , over 90 of w h i c h are probably s t i l l al ive. The numbers , i n the sequence 000-300, are read ver t i ca l ly f r o m the bot tom up . Some b irds were fitted w i t h backpack harness te lemetry t ransmit ters . A l l have F W S bands. Most b i rds are expected to pass t h r o u g h Pacific or I n t e r m o u n t a i n f lyways. [ O B 13(4); 14(4)] U.S. F ish and W i l d l i f e Service, B i r d B a n d i n g Office, L a u r e l . M D 20708 and S e l a w i k N a t i o n a l Wi ld l i f e Refuge, P.O. Box 270, Kotzebue, A K 99752, (907)442-3799.

W e s t e r n B l u e b i r d s . Western Blue ­b irds (Sialia mexicana) i n nest boxes on the Audubon Society of Corval l is B l u e ­b i r d T r a i l were first color-banded i n 1981 . I n 1983, 1984, 1988, and 1989, color combinations opposite the a l u m i ­n u m numbered U S F W S bands indicated f l edg ing sites of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 900 young. I n 1990, a color band was placed over the numbered band and a 2-color combinat ion on the opposite leg i d e n t i ­fied the i n d i v i d u a l . U s i n g the same sys­t e m , the numbered band w i l l be placed on the opposite leg i n 1991 . The colors: red , orange, yel low, green, b lue, d a r k

COMPREHENSIVE LISTING OF ENTRIES

B a l d E a g l e s i n O r e g o n . The O r ­egon Eagle Foundat ion asks for reports of s ightings of B a l d Eagles anywhere i n Oregon. O E F mainta ins an extensive Regional Reporter N e t w o r k , consist ing of reporters for each Oregon county. Reports are summarized annua l l y i n Report o f B a l d Eagle Observat ions , w h i c h is available to anyone invo lved i n projects t h a t m a y affect B a l d Eagles. Observations sent to O E F w i l l be for­warded to the appropriate person. [ O B 14(4); 16(4)] Oregon Eagle Foundat ion ,

p i n k (magenta), mauve (purple) , wh i t e , a n d r e d / w h i t e s t r ipe . Please repor t s ightings o f these b irds w i t h as much i n f o r m a t i o n as possible: w h i c h leg has the a l u m i n u m band , the colors of the bands and posit ion (upper/ lower) , date, place, ac t iv i ty , number , and sex of birds. I f the b i r d is i n h a n d , the U S F W S n u m ­ber is i m p o r t a n t w h e t h e r or not the b i r d is color-banded. I f the b i r d is dead, I w o u l d l i k e to examine the carcass i f possible. [OB 14(4); O B 16(4)]. Elsie E l t z r o t h , 6980 N . W . C a r d i n a l Dr ive , Corval l is , O R 97330, (503)745-7806.

0

5873 Estate D r i v e , K l a m a t h Fal ls , OR 97603.

B i r d c o u n t d a t a . L a n d b i r d popu­l a t i o n t r e n d data f r o m the western U n i t e d States and Canada are needed for comparison w i t h BBS data for the same region. I f y o u have (or know any­one w i t h ) a t least 20 years of count data of any k i n d f r o m w i t h i n the western region, please contact Richard L . H u t t o , D iv i s i on o f Biological Sciences, U n iver ­s i ty o f M o n t a n a , Missoula , M T 59812, (406)243-4292.

Information Wanted on Oregon's Birds Note to Oregon Birds readers: O B publishes i n f o r m a t i o n requests t h a t may be of interest to Oregon's b irders . The end ing notat ion i n brackets shows the first issue of OB i n w h i c h the request appeared. T h i s is a comprehensive l i s t i n g of al l outs tand ing requests for i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t have been made k n o w n to Oregon Birds.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 121, Winter 1991

B i r d s t h a t s t r i k e w i n d o w s . I ask t h a t you share a n y records y o u have document ing species t h a t have h i t glass panes o f a n y s t a t i o n a r y s t r u c t u r e . Records f r o m curators , collection m a n ­agers, and any i n d i v i d u a l s are equal ly valuable. Please inc lude species, date o f s t r ike , and location. A n y greater detai l about the species, glass, b u i l d i n g , h a b i ­t a t , or comments w i l l be appreciated. Dan ie l K l e m J r . , Biology, M u h l e n b e r g College, 2400 Chew Street , A l l e n t o w n , P A 18104-5586.

C o a s t a l geese . The U.S . F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service is a t t e m p t i n g to deter­mine Canada Goose use areas along the Oregon coast. Observations of any sub­species o f Canada Goose i n c l u d i n g the introduced Great Bas in Canada Goose are needed, b u t especially of A l e u t i a n and D u s k y Canada Geese. Record date, location, t ime of day, and subspecies. I f you are not sure o f the subspecies, note the re lat ive size of the b i rds , color of the breast, presence or absence of a neck r i n g , etc. Reports of B r a n t are also wanted . O n a l l geese, look for neck col­lars andlegbands . [OB 13(1); 14(4)] Roy Lowe, U.S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e Service, M a r i n e Science Center, N e w p o r t , OR 97365, (503)867-4550.

C o a s t a l s w a n s . The U.S . F i s h and Wi ld l i f e Service is a t t e m p t i n g to deter­mine T u n d r a and T r u m p e t e r Swan use areas on the Oregon coast. I n f o r m a t i o n needed is good location data , date, time of day, behavior, and age i f possible. Look for neck a n d l eg bands. [OB 13(1); 14(4)] Roy Lowe, U.S . F i s h a n d W i l d l i f e Service, M a r i n e Science Center , N e w ­port , O R 97365, (503)867-4550.

C o w b i r d s . I a m seeking u n p u b ­l ished observations o f female B r o w n -headed Cowbirds removingeggs or nest­l ings f r o m a nest. N o observations w i l l be publ ished by me w i t h o u t your ap­proval . [ O B 16(4)] D a v i d M . Scott, De-par tmento fZoo logy .Univers i tyo fWest -ern O n t a r i o , London, O n t a r i o , Canada, N 6 A 5B7.

E g g l a y i n g t i m e . I a m w r i t i n g a review about the h o u r o f l a y i n g of passe­rines and other smal l a l t r i c i a l b i rds . As publ ished data on t h i s topic are scarce, I w o u l d appreciate h e a r i n g f r o m per­sons who have unpubl i shed records on l a y i n g t imes t h a t they w o u l d al low me to use w i t h appropriate acknowledgement. The records should include species name, local i ty , date, estimate of hour of l a y i n g , and type o f t i m e used (e.g. , Eastern Standard T i m e o r E a s t e m D a y l i g h t T i m e i n N o r t h America, B r i t i s h Summer T ime , etc.). D a v i d M . Scott, Dept . of Zoology, U n i v . of W e s t e r n O n t a r i o , L o n d o n , O n t a r i o , Canada

L a n d b i r d s o n w a t e r . I request any observations, publ ished or u n p u b ­l i shed, of landbirds l a n d i n g on the sur­face of w a t e r (salt or fresh), t a k i n g off, and then f l y i n g away. [OB 16(4)] Pau l Sykes, 1080 Forest Road, W a t M n s v i l l e , G A 30677.

M a r b l e d M u r r e l e t s ight ings . I n ­format ion is requested on i n l a n d and a t -sea records of M a r b l e d M u r r e l e t s i n Oregon. Recent and dated observations of murre le ts along r ivers or creeks, i n forested areas, i n bays, at r i ver mouths , and offshore are needed. Detai ls should inc lude date, time of day, specific loca­t i o n , n u m b e r o fb irds , age, p lumage, and behavior. [OB 15(4); O B 16(4)] S. K i m Nelson, Oregon Cooperative Wi ld l i f e Re­search U n i t , Oregon State U n i v e r s i t y , 104 N a s h H a l l , Corval l is , OR 97331-3803, (503)737-1962.

N e o t r o p i c a l b i r d s . A Neotropical M i g r a t o r y B i r d Directory of Projects is being prepared to faci l i tate communica­t i o n among the g r o w i n g number of sci­entists and conservationists w o r k i n g i n N o r t h Amer i ca , Mexico, L a t i n Amer i ca , and the Caribbean. Please contr ibute a description of any projects you m i g h t have underway or p lanned; the direc­t o r y should be available i n early 1992. Inc lude project t i t l e , a 2-3 sentence ab­stract o f the project, s tatus , countries , budget , cooperators, contact person, and keywords. Partners i n F l i g h t Directory , Deborah Finch .U.S .ForestServ ice , 222 South 22nd Street, L a r a m i e , W Y 82070, (307)742-6621 F A X (307)721-0397.

N e o t r o p i c a l b i r d s . I f you know of o n g o i n g o r p l a n n e d r e s e a r c h o n neotropical m i g r a n t b i rds i n the Pacific N o r t h w e s t , e i ther studies of single spe­cies or groups of species (e.g., s tatus , population trends, habi tat use, responses to t i m b e r or range management , or ba­sic biology, etc.), please contact B r i a n Sharp , 2234 N . E . 9 t h Avenue, P o r t l a n d ,

OR 97212, (503)287-6501.

N e s t box n e s t i n g b i r d s . I amlook-i n g for a populat ion o fb i rds t h a t nest i n nestboxes. I a m a beg inn ing graduate s tudent interested i n parenta l care al lo­cation. I f y o u k n o w of a populat ion o f nest-box b r e e d i n g b i r d s (pre ferab ly banded) t h a t w o u l d be available for be­havioral observations for a thesis project, please contact Danie la M o n k , Depart ­m e n t of Biology, J o r d a n H a l l , I n d i a n a U n i v e r s i t y , B l o o m i n g t o n , TN 47405, (812)855-3282.

N o r t h e r n S h r i k e s . I a m seeking i n f o r m a t i o n on site f ide l i ty of N o r t h e r n Shrikes d u r i n g m i g r a t i o n and w i n t e r , bo th between and w i t h i n years. I wou ld apprec iate r e ce iv ing any reports o f banded or other k n o w n i d e n t i t y i n d i ­v iduals t h a t were recorded at the same location i n di f ferent years. I a m also interested i n k n o w i n g residence times of i n d i v i d u a l shrikes a t m i g r a t i o n or w i n t e r i n g sites. Please report any such data , i n c l u d i n g location, dates, age of b i r d , a n d observed behavior . C h r i s R i m m e r , V e r m o n t I n s t i t u t e o f N a t u r a l Science, Woodstock, V T 05091.

P e r e g r i n e s t a t u s . The U.S . F i sh & W i l d l i f e Service is r ev i ewing the status of the Arc t i c Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus tundrius) and the American Peregrine Falcon (F.p. anatum). Cen­suses show t h a t the Arc t i c throughout i t s range and the Amer i can i n Alaska , the Y u k o n , and the N o r t h w e s t T e r r i t o ­ries — m a y no longer be endangered or threatened w i t h ext inct ion . The Arct ic is now l i s ted as " threatened" and the A m e r i c a n as "endangered." D a t a on the status and comments on possible reclas­sif ication o f these subspecies are re ­quested. Ted Swem, U.S. F i sh & W i l d ­l i f e S e r v i c e , 1 4 1 2 A i r p o r t W a y , Fa i rbanks , A K 99701.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 122, Winter 1991

P r o j e c t F e e d e r W a t c h . "Feeding the birds is fun . It 's also a great way to contribute to the understanding of b i r d populations — i f you're a member of Project FeederWatch. Now is the t ime to sign up for this continent-wide survey of feeder birds. Each winter , from Novem­ber to March , FeederWatch participants record the k inds and numbers ofbirds at their backyard feeders on specially de­signed, easy-to-use forms. Last winter over 7,000 people from al l over N o r t h America contributed to this unique re­search program. The project is a j o in t effort of the Cornell Laboratory of O r n i ­thology and Long Point B i r d Observa­tory, Port Rowan, Ontario . Ornitholo­gists use FeederWatch data to monitor changes in b i rd abundance from year to year and to answer many other ques­tions about populations of N o r t h A m e r i ­can birds." Project FeederWatch, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sap-sucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, (607)254-2414.

Y e l l o w - b i l l e d C u c k o o s . Oregon Department of Fish and Wild l i fe biolo­gists are interested in Yel low-bi l led Cuckoo sightings. See OB 12(2): 70 for an interest announcement. I f you lo­cated a Yellow-billed Cuckoo i n Oregon, please be aware t h a t th is species is also a "review species" and the Oregon B i r d Records Committee asksforreports.[OB 12(2)] B i l l Haight , Oregon Department of Fish & Wild l i fe , 506 S.W. M i l l Street, P.O. Box 59, Port land, OR 97207.

Aleutian Canada Goose Recovery Restoring endangered or threatened animals and plants to the point where they are again secure self-sustaining members of their ecosystems is a p r i ­mary goal of the U.S. Fish and Wild l i fe Service's endangered species program. To help guide the recovery effort, the Service is work ing to prepare recovery plans for most of the listed species na­tive to the Uni ted States. The Service also periodically revises approved re­covery plans to incorporate new infor­mation and any change in status. Recov­ery plans describe actions considered necessary for the conservation of the species, establish criteria for the recov­ery levels for downlist ing or delisting them, and estimate t ime and cost for implementing the recovery measures needed.

The Endangered Species Act of 19 73 (Act), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires the development of recov­ery plans for l isted species unless such a plan would not promote the conserva­tion of a part icular species. Section 4(f) of the Act, as amended i n 1988, requires that public notice and an opportunity for public review and comment be provided d u r i n g recovery plan development. The Service w i l l consider al l information presented d u r i n g a public comment pe­r iod prior to approval of each new or revised recovery plan. The Service and other Federal agencies w i l l also take these comments in to account i n the

course of implement ing approved recov­ery plans.

The Aleut ian Canada goose {Branta canadensis leucopareia) nests on islands of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleut ian Archipelago. The species winters i n coastal Oregon and the Central Valley of California. A leut ian Canada gee ie were original ly l isted as endangered i n 1967. Two major threats are responsible for the decline of th is species: Predation of nesting geese and their young on many of the breeding islands by introduced exotic foxes and h u n t i n g on the winter­ing grounds. Recovery efforts have i n ­cluded h u n t i n g closures, and the rees-tabl ishment of Aleut ian geese on former breeding islands fol lowing the removal of introduced fox. These efforts have been successful in br ing ing the Aleut ian goose population up from approxim ately 800 birds i n 1975 to over 6000 birds in 1990. Effective January 1 1 , 1991, the Aleut ian goose was reclassified from en­dangered to the less cr it ical threatened status (55 FR 51106).

The Aleut ian Canada Goose Recov­ery Plan is being revised for the first t ime since 1982. Revisions to the plan places anewemphasison restoringrem-nant breeding populations i n the Cen­t r a l Aleutians and Semidi Islands, se­cur ing migrat ion and winter ing habitat i n California and Oregon, and updating the original objects and tasks. Several public and private entities are cooperat­ing i n the Aleut ian Canada goose recov­ery program, inc luding the California Department of Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Game, and the East Bay Munic ipa l U t i l i t y Distr ict .

B r i a n Anderson, Field Supervisor, Ecological Services, Anchorage Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wild l i fe Service, 605 W. 4 th Avenue, Room 62, Anchor­age, Alaska 99501, (907-271-2888), or Dr . Andrew F. Robinson, J r . , Fish and Wild l i fe Enhancement, U.S. Fish and Wildl i fe Service, 9 1 1 N W . 11th Avenue, Port land, Oregon 97232-4181.

Deadline for comments was 16 Sep­tember 1991. Source: Federal Register 56(151): 37368-69, 6 August 1991.

Oregon Birds 17(4): 123, Winter 1991

FIELDNOTES: Eastern Oregon, Spring 1991 Joe Evanich, 5026 N.E. Clackamas, Portland, OR 97213

Spring 1991 was generally wetter and cooler than usual throughout Eastern Oregon. A l l 3 months received more precipitation t h a n typical i n a l l regions, w i t h M a y being part icular ly wet — i t appears t h a t Eastern Oregon received at least a temporary reprieve from the serious drought conditions of the past fewyears. The most obvious effect of this cool, wet spring was the later-than-usual arr iva l of many land birds, especially passerines. I n Central Oregon, other t h a n waterbirds most species were late w i t h 27 sett ing a l l - t ime late a r r i v a l records. For a l l species, 9 were on t ime (on their mean arr iva l date), 21 were early (11 of these were waterbirds) , and 48 were late. Many observers also noted delayed nesting among waterfowl and raptor species.

The fol lowing abbreviations appear i n this report: N W R (National Wi ld l i fe Refuge); W M A (Wildl i fe Management Area); St. Pk. (State Park) ; L k . (Lake); Res. (Reservoir); Co. (County); H Q (head-quarters);/ide(reportedby);m.ob. (many observers); et al (and others). A l l county names are italicized.

L o o n s to H e r o n s Common Loons continued the i r

nor thward migrat ion d u r i n g Mar , Apr , and May; reports came from 10 Eastern Oregon counties, the latest at U n i t y Res., Baker on 27 May (C & MO). The h igh count was 31 birds at Wickiup Res., Deschutes on 21 A p r (WY). No other loon species were reported dur ing the period. Western Grebes arrived on t ime through­out Eastern Oregon dur ing late A p r i l , and Clark's Grebes were reported from the K l a m a t h Basin on 27 A p r (SR); at Nyssa, Malheur on 8 May (PTS); at Krumbo Res., Harney on 4 M a y (PJ); and 2 or 3 on Buena Vista Pond at Malheur N W R on 26 May ( H N , JE) . The last winter ing Red-necked Grebe i n the Government Cove area near Hood River was seen on 22 Apr (HN) . Another Red­necked Grebe was found near N o r t h Powder, Baker on 24 M a r (PTS).

American White Pelicans failed to nest at Malheur N W R this year due to receding water levels; the three islands in Malheur L k . used last year are now connected to the mainland, al lowing a greater chance for predation (fide RV, PJ).

The m a j o r n e s t i n g colonies of Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue

Herons, and Great Egrets (the largest i n Oregon) were located on Bathouse Is­land i n Malheur L k . as of 15 May. A n ­other large nesting colony was found at Diamond Marsh , Harney , and offered birders great views of breeding White -faced Ibis, Great and Snowy Egrets, B l a c k - c r o w n e d N i g h t - H e r o n s , and Frankl in ' s Gulls (fide RV, PJ). Included i n t h i s l a t t e r colony and observed throughout the Diamond area were up to 3 Cat t le E g r e t s ; nesting is suspected but unconfirmed as of 1 June (RV, PJ, m.ob.) A rare report for Eastern Oregon was the Green-backed Heron observed at Seneca, Grant on 5 May (MD). A n apparent f i rs t for Union was the Snowy Egret found on Vogel Pond near Union on 3 June (JW Jr . )

W a t e r f o w l A n adult and an immature T r u m ­

peter Swan were observed on Crane Prair ie Res., Deschutes on 4 May (DL, J K , SR), and 4 were observed at Pon-derosa Valley, Gra nt also on 4 May (MD). Migrant White-fronted Geese peaked d u r i n g mid-Apr ; "many" were at K l a ­m a t h Basin on 27 A p r (SR), 50 were near Cove, Union on 12 Apr (JW), and others were reported from Deschutes, Umatilla,

Oregon Birds Regional Editors Western Oregon Jeff Gilligan 26 N.E. 32nd Avenue — Spring/Fall

Oregon Birds and American Birds have synchronized reporting areas, periods, and deadlines. Field reports for eastern and western Oregon are due to the OB Regional Editor and AB Regional Editor at the same time.

Western Oregon Jim Johnson — Winter/Summer

Eastern Oregon Joe Evanich

Season Fall Winter Spring Summer

Months August—November

December—February March—May June—July

Due date 10 December 10 March 10 June 10 August

Portland, OR 97232 234-5961 3244 N.E. Brazee Street Portland, OR 97212 233-2836 5026 N.E. Clackamas Portland, OR 97213 284-4153

Eastern Oregon

American Birds Regional Editor All of Oregon Bill Tweit P.O. Box 1271

Olympia, WA 98507 (206)754-7098

American Birds Sub-Regional Editors Eastern Oregon Tom Crabtree 1667 N.W. Iowa

Bend, OR 97701 ' 388-2462

Western Oregon Harry Nehls 2736 S.E. 20th Portland, OR 97202 233-3976

Salem area Barb Bellin 4730 Elizabeth St. N. Salem, OR 97303 393-0243

Corvallis area Elzy Eltzroth 6980 N.W. Cardinal Corvallis, OR 97330 745-7806

Rogue Valley Marjorie Moore 357 Taylor Street Ashland, OR 97520 482-1303

Oregon Birds 17(4): 124, Winter 1991

Harney, and Lake. Snow Goose n u m ­bers peaked i n m i d - M a r ; the 10,000 birds observed on the Silvies R. f ioodplain near B u r n s , Harney on 11 M a r (fide RV) and the 5000+ were seen " i n H a r n e y Co." on 2 M a r (TC, SS) were the largest concentrations. Smal ler numbers (less t h a n 20 birds/f lock) were found i n Union and Grant d u r i n g the period.

There was l i t t l e to comment on con­cerning ducks. Migrat i ons were unevent­f u l and on schedule throughout Eastern Oregon; the only species reported ear­l i e r t h a n usua l was the Blue-winged T e a l — 1 was at LaPine,Deschutes on 13 A p r (LR) , and another was at H a t f i e l d L k . , Deschutes on 19 A p r (BB) . M a n y observers noted t h a t duck nest ing suc­cess was somewhat hampered by the w e t conditions over m u c h of the region. Even t h o u g h cool, wet weather delayed the nest ing of m a n y species, the r i s i n g water levels o fMalheur L k . flooded many nests d u r i n g M a y (fide RV) . A n albino M a l l a r d was an unusua l f i n d at Jones F ie ld , M a l h e u r N W R on 21 A p r (SRI). Euras ian Wigeon continue to be reported f rom Eastern Oregon: 1 was at Hines , Harney on 28 A p r ( C M , m o b . ) ; 2 were at H a t f i e l d L k . on 17 M a y (TC, SS); 3 were on Thompson Res . ,Lake on 22 A p r (SS); and 1 a t The Dalles , Wasco on 6 A p r ( D L , N M ) .

The large numbers of Greater Scaup w i n t e r i n g along the Co lumbia River departed by late M a r c h ; up to 100 were s t i l l present at Mosier , Wasco on 1 6 M a r ( D L , et al.) Isolated, out-of-range Greater Scaup were reported f rom Pr inev i l l e sewage ponds on 25 M a y ( D L , D A ) ; a female a t A n a Res., Lake on 2 M a y (SS); at least 2 at Sunr iver , Deschutes on 20 M a y (LR) ; 7 b irds on M c K a y Creek Res., Umatilla on 4 M a y (MD) ; and a pa i r on the Joseph sewage ponds, Wallowa f r om 14 A p r to 3 M a y (PTS). The question arises, j u s t how common is th i s species east of the Cascades where i t has t r a d i ­t i ona l ly been considered of accidental occurrence? M i g r a n t Barrow 's Go ld -eneyes were reported more often t h a n usual t h i s spr ing w i t h a record f r o m K r u m b o Res. (3 b irds on 2 M a r ; T C , SS) being somewhat out of the species' nor ­m a l mountainous range.

The male S M E W discovered las t J a n remained i n the v i c i n i t y of Cascades Locks, Hood River u n t i l a t least 1 A p r ( D L , m.ob.) A n a d u l t male Red-breasted Merganser remained i n the Government Cove area near Cascades Locks u p to 17 M a r (AF, m.ob.; other , more out-of-range Red-breasts were found at Haystack Res., Jefferson (3 b irds on 21 A p r and 7 on 2 M a y ; W Y , PTS) ; a p a i r was at the Deschutes River M o u t h up to 22 A p r

( D L ) ; 2 males and 3 females were at Summer L k . WMA,Lake on 17 A p r (SS); and a male was on Thompson Res. on 13 M a y (CM).

Raptors, Gallinaceous Birds T u r k e y V u l t u r e s were general ly

noted as a r r i v i n g late t h i s year, prob­ably due to the cool wet spr ing (TC, H N , m.ob.) Ospreys ar r ived throughout most of Eastern Oregon d u r i n g the first week of A p r i l , a typical a r r i v a l date. U p to 100 B a l d Eagles were s t i l l w i n t e r i n g i n the H a r n e y Bas in as of 2 M a r (TC, SS), and an i m m a t u r e b i r d Gate?) was seen 6 miles east of Joseph, Wallowa on 13 A p r (PTS). Two a d u l t and a second-year b i r d were seen near Seneca on 4 M a y ( M D ) , and a pa i r is suspected o f nest ing i n the upper Silvies River drainage, Harney (JS, GI ) . There were only 3 reports o f N o r t h e r n Goshawk th i s spr ing , 2 f r o m Grant a n d 1 f r o m n o r t h e r n Harney (Grant Co. B i r d Club , M D ) .

Aside f rom t h e i r usual haunts , Fer ­ruginous H a w k s were reported i n n o r t h ­east Wasco on 9 M a r and 30 M a r ( D L , M C ) ; 2 nests were reported f rom Nye Junc t i on , Umatilla on 7 A p r (PTS). The last Rough-legged H a w k of the w i n t e r was found 24 A p r i n the Grande Ronde Val ley , Union ( H N ) . A n unusua l concen­t r a t i o n o f 10 Golden Eagles was noted east of Madras , Jefferson on 19 M a y ( D L , D A ) . A t least 5 Peregrine Falcon reports were received throughout the period, 2 f rom Lake, 2 f r o m Deschutes, and 1 f r o m Grant. M e r l i n s l ingered as late a s l 4 A p r a t M c N a r y D a m , Umatilla (MD) .

B lue Grouse were commented on only i n the Wasco Co. Cascades, where t h e i r numbers appear to be down th i s spr ing (DL) . A lone N o r t h e r n Bobwhite w a s f o u n d n o r t h w e s t o f M i l t o n -Freewater , Umatilla on 4 M a y ( M D ) ; th i s relect introduced populat ion is ap­parent ly on the decline. A lways a rare find i n Eastern Oregon, M o u n t a i n Qua i l were reported near Mosier on 8 M a y ( D L ; a possible co. first), and alongBeech Cr. , Grant on 20 M a y (BH) . Birders need to keep closer tabs on th is very local Eastern Oregon species. A pa i r of W i l d Turkeys found along Lookingglass Cr. , Union on 10 A p r (JW) was the only report of the species th is spr ing .

Cranes to Larids A p a i r o f Sandhi l l Cranes success­

f u l l y reared a chick at Camas Pra i r ie i n western Wasco th i s s p r i n g ( D L ) ; the species is very local and closely m o n i ­tored along the Cascades' eastern slope i n t h i s p a r t of Oregon.

Shorebird m i g r a t i o n was exception­al ly well-covered throughout Eastern

Oregon th i s s p r i n g d u r i n g A p r i l and ear ly M a y . A t least 24 species were recorded, m a i n l y f r o m Deschutes, Lake, Harney, and Wallowa. Head ing the l i s t of ou ts tand ing finds was the adult male R U F F at Summer Lake W M A from 12 A p r to 14 A p r (SS, C M , et al.) This is Eas tern Oregon's first record for the species, and one o f only a handfu l of s p r i n g occurrences for the state. Other noteworthy discoveries inc luded single W h i m b r e l s a t M a l h e u r N W R (25 May; T C , T M ) and P a u l i n a M a r s h , Lake (22 M a y ; SS); a R e d K n o t at Roaring Springs Ranch, Harney on 19 M a y (CC, fide TC) and 12 of t h a t species at Summer Lake W M A f r o m 11 M a y to 13 M a y (SS j ; a S t i l t S a n d p i p e r at M a l h e u r N W R on 8 M a y (J & D R , fide TC) ; an adult S e m i ­p a l m a t e d S a n d p i p e r at Summer Lake W M A on 8 M a y (SS); and 4 R u d d y T u r n s t o n e s also at Summer Lake on S M a y (SS). M a r b l e d Godwits moved t h r o u g h i n larger - than-usual numbers: up to 50 were found on M a l h e u r Lk . on 24 A p r ( G I , RV) , and 21 were at Summer Lake W M A on 4 M a y (SS).

Smal l numbers of Baird's Sandpip­ers were reported f r o m Summer Lake f r o m 12 A p r to 4 M a y (SS), at Hat f ie ld L k . on 14 A p r (TC), and at M a l h e u r Lk . on 29 A p r (RV, SR); the species is nor­m a l l y qui te rare d u r i n g spr ing i n East­ern Oregon. A lone Sanderl ing was at Summer Lake on 11 M a y ( C M . Small numbers o f S h o r t - b i l l e d Dowitchers moved t h r o u g h Eastern Oregon d u r i n g late A p r i l a n d early M a y ; reports carr.e f rom H a t f i e l d L k . , Summer L k . . an d the Joseph sewage ponds (TC, C M , m.ob.) Two w e l l - m a r k e d Short-bi l ls of the race L . g. caurinus were found at Hat f . el d Lk. on 7 M a y (TC); a l l other Eastern Oregon birds ident i f i ed to race have been L . g. hendersonii. The status of th is species, l i k e the Greater Scaup, needs to be re­evaluated i n Eastern Oregon.

Wilson's Phalaropes were f .rst re­ported on 26 M a r near Hines (SRI), a l i t t l e early. A large concentration of 200 was at The N a r r o w s , Harney on 1S May along w i t h 400 Red-necked Phalaropes (fide RV) .

U p to 40 m i g r a n t Bonaparte's Gulls were noted i n the K l a m a t h Basin on 27 A p r (SR), and a very late adult b i rd was found i n the Frank l in ' s G u l l colony at D i a m o n d M a r s h d u r i n g the last week of M a y (CC, m.ob.) A lone H e m n g Gul l was reported f rom Double 'O' Ranch, Harney on 25 A p r ( C M , K T ) . Interest ­ing ly , 2 h y b r i d Glaucous-wingedXWest-ern Gulls (a mated pair?) were found near Biggs, Wasco on 22 A p r (HN) ; this is near the t r a d i t i o n a l nest ing islands for Cal i fornia and Ring-bi l led Gulls .

Oregon Birds 17(4): 125, Winter 1991

O w l s to W o o d p e c k e r s The Spr ing Creek Great Gray Owls

of Union apparently raised 2 young this year (m.ob.), and another pair near Ragged Creek, Grant produced 3 young (fide TW) . Other Great Grays were re­ported elsewhere i n Grant, Union, and Wallowa (m.ob.) Two B u r r o w i n g Owls set up house i n an i rr igated f ield near Pine Grove, Wasco d u r i n g A p r i l and May ; this is apparently a f i rs t co. record for the species (DL , m.ob.) Very exciting was the discovery of 2 or 3 cal l ing B o ­r e a l O w l s near M t . Bachelor, Deschutes on 22 A p r (TC, CM, etal.); this is only the second record for th is species i n the Oregon Cascades i n recent years and the f i rs t on the east side.

A very cooperative Common Poor-w i l l spent a few days at Malheur N W R H Q from 25 May to 27 May ; the b i r d was amazingly tame as i t sat on the ground, a l lowing birders to approach w i t h i n inches ( H N , TC, m.ob.)! Hummingbirds were v i r t u a l l y uncommented-on. Black-chinned Hummers were reported from the usual sites i n Harney, Grant, Union, and Wallowa., and there were no Broad-tailed H u m m e r reports th is year.

A c o r n Woodpeckers continued to be found i n The Dalles wel l into May, but definite nesting has not been ver i ­fied (DL, m.ob.) Red-breasted Sapsuck-ers were noted at Bear Springs Ranger Station, Wasco on 1 A p r (DL) ; at Dufur , Wasco on 4 M a y (DA); and at Ind ian Ford Campground, Deschutes dur ing May (TC, m.ob.) A h y b r i d Red-naped X Red-breasted Sapsucker was studied near Bear Springs Ranger Station on 20 A p r (DL) . Black-backed Woodpeckers continued to be reported from the b u r n near Bend a l l through the period, but they appeared more widespread and harder to locate (fide TC) .

F l y c a t c h e r s to M i m i d s Flycatchers appeared on t ime and

in good numbers throughout Eastern Oregon this spring. 3 or 4 Gray F ly ­catchers near Fr iend, Wasco on 28 A p r may have been west of their typical haunts (DL , et al.) A Least Flycatcher was found at Fields, Harney on 26 and 27 M a y (JG, TC, H N , m.ob.); up to 3 singing birds of this species re turned to Clyde Holl iday St. Pk., Grant from late May onward after an absence of some five years at t h a t site (fide TW) . A n amazing B l a c k P h o e b e was reported wi thout details from The V Ranch at Malheur N W R on 5 A p r (fide RV).

The w i n t e r i n g B l u e J a y s reported at Hermiston, Umatilla last season were last seen on 6 A p r (2 birds; PTS) and 14 A p r (1 b i r d ; M D ) . Two of the jays were observed at tempt ing to nest, but were

apparently unsuccessful due to harass­ment by magpies (GL). A n out-of-range Scrub Jay was found in Bend on 15 May ( K a t h i Crabtree). Two Pla in Titmice were noted at Table Rock east of Silver L k . , Lake on 15 May ; this extends the species' known range i n Eastern Oregon nor th about 70 miles (SS)! Two B l u e -gray Gnatcatchers were reported from Page Springs Campground, Harney on 15 May (Clark College Biology Class); this is only the fourth or f i f th record of this species for Southeast Oregon.

A Gray Catbird found at Malheur N W R H Q on 26-28 May was the only report of the species outside i ts typical Northeast Oregon haunts(SS, TC.m.ob.) Nor thern Mockingbirds were reported from Hermiston on 20 May (MC) and at Burns Junction, Malheur on 26-27 May (DL, D A et al.) The latter s ighting i n ­volved two birds, possibly a mated pair. The B r o w n T h r a s h e r found last w i n ­ter at Frenchglen, Harney was last re­ported on 27 A p r (SS, TC, C M , m.ob.)

Vireos to Finches A B E L L ' S V T R E O was reported

from Malheur N W R H Q on the early date of 4 May (MD) . I f accepted by the Oregon B i r d Records Committee, this would be the second Oregon record. U n ­fortunately, i t was not photographed and the species remains unverified on the official state l ist . Possibly even more noteworthy was the Hutton's V i r e o also found at Malheur H Q on 5 May by the same observers ( M D , KS)! There is only one previous sight record for this species i n Oregon east of the Cascades.

I t was an excellent spring for va­grant warblers in Southeast Oregon, but most occurred after 1 J u n and w i l l be covered i n the next fieldnotes column. Ear ly ones included a Black-and-White Warbler at The V Ranch on 25 May (Gayle Stokes) and another at Fields on 31 May (ET); a Tennessee Warbler at Fields on 25 May (DF); an outstanding V I R G I N I A ' S W A R B L E R at Malheur N W R H Q on 28 May (no details; L W , PM) ; an O v e n b i r d at Malheur H Q on 27-28 May (TC, SS, m.ob.); and a N o r t h ­ern Waterthrush at Malheur H Q on 28 M a y ( P M , L W , e t a / . )

A n adult male Indigo B u n t i n g appeared briefly at Malheur H Q on 28 May (LW, PM) . The last "w inter ing " American Tree Sparrows were reported on 13 M a r at U m a t i l l a NWR, Morrow (CC) and on 21 Apr at Silver L k . (SS). There were an amazing 9 reports of White-throated Sparrows from Harney, Lake, Morrow, andDeschutes this spring, ranging from 2 M a r to 18 May (fide TC, m.ob.) Most unusual was an apparent h y b r i d W h i t e - c r o w n e d X G o l d e n -

c r o w n e d S p a r r o w studied at length on 16 M a y at Wick iup Res. (SS). Accord­i n g to the observer, the bird's back col­oration, pattern, and size were more l ike a Golden-crown t h a n a White-crown. The last H a r r i s ' Sparrow of the season was reported 17 M a r at U m a t i l l a N W R (CC).

Bobolinks were reported from their usual haunts in Northeast and South­east Oregon dur ing late May ; the colony near Ladd Marsh , Union contained 20+ terr i tor ia l male birds this spring (JW). T r i c o l o r e d B l a c k b i r d s continue their spread into north-central Oregon. 50-60 "singing" birds were at a marsh near Wamic, Wasco on 27 Apr (DL, D A m.ob.), and 1 was observed at Prinevil le on 16 M a r (TC). A female C o m m o n G r a c k l e was reported from Frenchglen on 24 May (Mark S m i t h , et al.)

Red Crossbills went v i r tua l ly unre­ported this spring, even in their typical mounta in haunts (m.ob.) Two Lesser Goldfinches at W a r m Springs Indian Reservation, Wasco on 19 May were somewhat east of the i r normal range (DL, DA).

Observers David A Anderson (DA); Barb Bell in

(BB); Craig Corder (CC); Mar ion Corder (MC); Tom Crabtree (TC); Mike Denny (MD) ; Joe Evanich (JE); David F ix (DF); Anthony Floyd (AF); Jeff Gi l l igan (JG); Bob Hudson (BH) ; Tom H u n t ( T H ) ; Gary Ivey (GI ) ;Pat t i Jubrias (PJ); John Kemp (JK) ; Gerard L i l l i e (GL) ; Donna J . Lusthoff (DL) ; Nancy MacDonald (NM) ; Tom Mickel (TM) ; Craig Mi l l e r (CM); Pat M u l l e r (PM); Clarence and M a r i l y n O'Leary (C & M O ) ; Lou Rems (LR); Jacques and Doris Ross (J & DR); Sandy Rule (SRI); Sk ip Russell (SR); Ken Stewart (KS); Paul T. Sul l ivan (PTS); Steve Summers (SS); Joan Suther (JS); Karen Theodore (KT) ; B i l l Tweit (BT); Rick Vetter (RV); J i m W a r d (JW); Linda Wei land (LW); W a l t Yungen (WY)

Oregon Birds 17(4): 126, Winter 1991

FIELDNOTES: Western Oregon, Spring 1991 Jeff Gilligan, 26 N.E. 32nd Ave., Portland, OR 97232

Spr ing weather i n Oregon is always unpredictable . T h i s one was wet , cold and b lustery . W h a t made i t u n u s u a l w a s t h a t t h a t c o n d i t i o n p e r s i s t e d t h r o u g h o u t most of M a y . The resul t was t h a t m i g r a t i n g l a n d b irds were concen­t r a t e d a lower elevations i n fa r greater t h a n n o r m a l numbers . The general ly inc lement weather also coincided w i t h m a n y w i n t e r i n g b i rds , as w e l l as m i ­grants f r o m the south, remain ing longer i n areas where they do not breed.

No reports of rar i t i e s were accom­panied by details. A l t h o u g h I have no a r g u m e n t w i t h any t h a t have been m e n ­t ioned here , a l l should be considered i n l i g h t of the absence of suppor t ing docu­menta t i on . Please send documentat ion w i t h the reports i n the f u t u r e . Where appropriate , I w i l l f o r w a r d the docu­mentat i on to the Oregon B i r d Records Committee .

Abbreviations: K R S P = K i r t l a n d R e -gional Sewage Ponds (near Medford) , SJCR = South J e t t y o f the Columbia R. and nearby areas.

Loons to mergansers Seventeen Red-throated Loons on

the Co lumbia R. a t Sauvie I . on 10 M a r . was a h i g h count for t h a t i n l a n d location ( N L , J J , JG) . A Red-necked Grebe was at Government Cove i n the Columbia Gorge on 22 A p r . ( H N ) . One Clark 's Grebe, always noteworthy i n the region, was a t Y a q u i n a B a y on 4 M a y ( B B , D F a , PP).

A Leach's Storm-Petre l was seen f rom the S.J.C.R. on 21 M a y ( H N ) . The species is common offshore a t t h a t t i m e of year, b u t rare ly seen f r o m l a n d .

The f i r s t s i g h t i n g of a B r o w n P e l i ­can for the s p r i n g was 1 a t the S.J.C.R. on 21 A p r . ( H N ) . The species has been seen i n smal l numbers i n recent years f r o m l a t e - A p r i l . The species' numbers have been on the increase since the b a n i n the use o f D D T i n the U.S . D u r i n g the years w h e n i t s numbers were at i t s lowest, i t was rare to see a B r o w n Pe l i ­can anywhere along the Oregon coast before mid -June .

Sightings of Black-crowned N i g h t -Herons continue to decrease i n the Rogue Val ley , where M M saw only 2 for the period. A Snowy E g r e t was on the Rogue R. es tuary on 20 A p r . (fide J i m Rogers). Fi f ty -one Great Egrets i n the lower Coquille R. Va l l ey on 3 M a r . was not a to ta l ly unexpected n u m b e r ( N L , SE).

U p to 20 T r u m p e t e r Swans w i n ­tered i n western Polk Co., and were las t seen on 8 M a r . (RG, m.o.b.). A n E m ­p e r o r Goose , always rare i n Oregon, was a t Seaside on 8 M a y ( E L ) . B r a n t were s t i l l mov ing along the coast i n t h e las t week of M a y , w h i c h is after the m i g r a t i o n has n o r m a l l y pas t . T h e season's f i r s t Blue-winged Teal was on 17 A p r . The f i r s t m i g r a n t C i n n a m o n Teal were noted i n the Coquille R. V a l ­ley on 3 M a r . ( N L , SE). Euras ian Wigeon, and m a n y o f the more common w a t e r ­fowl , l ingered la ter t h a n usual . A count of 16 E u r a s i a n Wigeon on the very late date of 16 M a y at Westmore land P a r k i n P o r t l a n d was especially no tewor thy . More Redheads were noted t h a t i n t h e past several years. The species is gener­al ly scarce i n western Oregon. The drake T U F T E D D U C K a t the Sher idan Sew­age Ponds was present to at least 18 Mar.(m.o.b.) . Another drake was a t the Bay C i t y Sewage Ponds (Ti l lamook Co.) f r o m 13 M a r . to 4 M a y (Steve Powel l , R L , et al.). The male S M E W t h a t w i n ­tered i n the Columbia Gorge was las t seen on 1 A p r i l ( D L ) . Several Red-breasted Mergansers, rare away f r o m the immediate coast, were reported d u r ­i n g the m i g r a t i o n f r o m i n l a n d valleys.

Vultures to quail Black-shouldered Ki tes , w h i c h have

never been a n y t h i n g approaching com­mon , were only reported w i t h r e g u l a r i t y i n the region s t a r t i n g i n the mid-1970s. They were reported again i n lesser n u m ­bers t h a n had been the case i n the early 1980s. One was i n the Rogue Va l l ey on 29 M a y (JWa) , w h i c h is late . Most are gone by m i d - A p r i l or earl ier . Do they go south to Cal i fornia to nest and r e t u r n to Oregon i n the late s u m m e r and a u ­tumn? I t h i n k t h a t the answer m u s t be yes. A l t h o u g h there are a few nes t ing records for western Oregon, such a con­spicuous b i r d w o u l d not be missed d u r ­i n g the breeding season. I n add i t i on , I have seen kites i n apparent direct m i ­gra t i on heading n o r t h on several occa­sions i n late A u g u s t and ear ly Septem­ber.

Fi f teen i m m a t u r e B a l d Eagles at Coos Bay on 16 M a y was an impressive n u m b e r for t h a t area (Hol ly Stanford). . The only report o f a Red-shouldered H a w k was one near the t o w n o f Arago , Coos Co., on 3 M a r . (SE). A Pra i r i e Falcon was at the S.J.C.R. on 13 A p r .

(RS). Eleven B l a c k - n e c k e d St i l t s were

reported f r o m various locations i n l a n d from 21 A p r i l to 30 M a y ( M E , H N , JB .HS, M M ) . A n A m e r . A v o c e t was near F a i r v i e w , M u l t n o m a h Co., on 15 M a y (TSt) ; another was near Medford on 18 A p r . ( M M ) ; and 2 were a t the K i r t l a n d Sewage Ponds, Jackson Co., on 22 Apr . ( M M ) . Twenty- f ive Lesser Yellowlegs were reported f r o m the Forest Grove Sewage T r e a t m e n t Ponds on 22 Apr . (GG). T h a t is an exceptional number for t h i s typ i ca l ly scarce s p r i n g m i g r a n t . So l i tary Sandpipers were reported i n smal l numbers f r o m the Wi l lamet te V a l ­ley, Rogue Val ley , and near Coos Bay f r o m 19 A p r i l to 11 M a y , as is typical . The species is often easier to locate i n s p r i n g i n the region, probably because m u c h of the h a b i t a t t h a t they use i n fa l l is i n u n d a t e d i n spr ing .

A W i l l e t was at the KRSP i n the Rogue Val ley on 4 M a y (RE). The species is very rare i n l a n d i n western Oregon. The only coastal reports were up to 3 at Y a q u i n a Bay. A t o t a l of 4 Long-bil led Curlews occurred on the n o r t h e r n coast f r o m 4 M a y to 12 M a y at three locations (PP, B B , M L F , B W , DFa) . N i n e M a r b l e d Godwits were reported along the coast f r o m 5 M a y to 27 M a y . Three at Yaquina B a y f r o m 17 Feb. to 3 M a r . may have represented very early migrants . Three h u n d r e d W h i m b r e l s at Yaqu ina Bay on 8 M a y was the h i g h count. E ighty Red Knots at the SJCR on 10 M a y was a good count, especially considering the d i m i n ­i s h i n g attractiveness o f the area to m i ­g r a n t shorebirds as i t becomes more marshy ( H N ) . A Sanderl ing , locally rare at t h a t i n l a n d l o c a t i o n , was at the KRSP on 24 Apr . ( M M , HS) . Two to 4 Ruddy Turnstones were a t the KRSP between 10 M a y and 13 M a y ( M M , m.o.b.). A Baird ' s Sandpiper (rare i n spring) was at Sauvie I . on 4 M a y (GL) , and 2 were at the K R S P f r o m 9 Apr . to 4 M a y (RE, M M ) . A thousand D u n l i n were at the SJCRon 21 M a y ; the number dropped to about 100 by 24 M a y ( H N ) . A M e w Gul l , a lways scarce i n the Rogue Val ley, was at the K i r t l a n d Sewage Ponds on the late date of 29 M a y (Jerry W a h l , et al.). Glaucous Gul ls were i n unusua l ly h igh n u m b e r s i n e a r l y s p r i n g . The 8 at Moolack Beach, L inco ln Co., on 8 M a r c h were perhaps the highest number ever reported at 1 location i n Oregon at any season (JG, N L ) . The las t reported was

Oregon Birds 17(4): 127, Winter 1991

on 8 Apr . at t h a t location. Twenty-five Caspian Terns up the

Columbia R. at Ranier on 16 Apr . is an interest ing record ( H N ) . A Black Tern was near Medford on 15 M a y (Ray Rravitz) , and 1 was at Ankeny N W R on 1 6 M a y (BB).

O w l s t h r o u g h f l y c a t c h e r s Black Swifts are diff icult to detect

i n migrat ion . The report of many at Agness, C u r r y Co., on 18 May is of note (AB). Two hundred Vaux's Swifts at Ashland on 10 May indicates a good m i g r a t o r y movement ( M M ) . Single Black-chinned Hummingb i rds were re­ported from Cascade Head on 24 May (PP), and the SJCR on 27 May (MP). Even after the extreme cold d u r i n g the preceding winter, Anna's Hummingbirds were widely distr ibuted, b u t perhaps i n diminished numbers.

A L e w i s ' Woodpecker was at M t . Tabor in Port land on 16 May (GL) . That species is now very rare i n the Port land area, andhas not been foundbreedingin years. Two Red-naped Sapsuckers were reported: one at Hammond, Clatsop Co., 21 Apr . (MP), and one i n a residential areaofPortland27-28May(PaulOsborn, Steve Jaggers).

As was the case w i t h many land birds, flycatchers seemed much more numerous t h a n usual. This probably only indicates t h a t bad weather forced

the birds down to where the birders are. Rain and cool weather dropped large numbers of empids, Western Wood-Pewees, and Ash-throated Flycatchers into the Ashland area on the morn ing of 17 May ( M M ) . G L had unprecedented numbers of empids on M t . Tabor, w i t h the greatest numbers moving through between 11 May and 18 May. G L re­ported up to 3 Dusky Flycatchers at M t . Tabor, w i t h extreme dates of occurrence 30 Apr . and 24 May.

T h r u s h e s t h r o u g h f i n c h e s Three Northern Mockingbirds were

reported from the Rogue Valley dur ing t h e per iod (fide M M ) . Loggerhead Shrikes, always rare west of the Cas­cade Mts. , were found at Dayton, Yamhi l l Co., 22 Mar . (TL) , and at Agness, Curry Co., 18 M a y (AB).

The, 200 Warb l ing Vireos seen by G L on 15 May at M t . Tabor i n Port land was a very large concentration for that species. He reported 20 from t h a t site only 3 days later. M t . Tabor also had impressive numbers of warblers dur ing the foul weather of mid-May. On 11 May G L counted 60 Orange-crowned War­blers, 200Yellow-rumps, 90 Townsend's, 50 Black-throated Grays, and a few Nashville and Hermit Warblers. A Black-and-white Warbler was at the Salmon R. Meadows, on M t Hood on 22 May (Sally Gould, Char Corkran). Over 400

Orange-crowned Warblers were counted on the Bayocean Sandspit, Til lamook Co., on 11 M a y (BB). I haven't seen Tricolored Blackbird colony i n Port land had at least 9 pairs (JG); and at least 3 males were at Ankeny N W R from 23 May on (BB). J G had recorded Tricol­ored Blackbirds w i t h i n 200 yards of the Gertz Rd. site i n 1967. I t is suspected t h a t the small colony has been at that location at least t h a t long, although i t was rediscovered only a few years ago. A R o s y F i n c h was a remarkable f ind on Sauvie I . on 13 May (NL) . A male C o m ­m o n R e d p o l l near Nehalem was per­haps equally surprising. There are very few records for the coast, and this may be the latest record for anywhere in the state (PS, et al.).

O b s e r v e r s June Babcock, A l a n Barron, Barb

Bel l in , Colin Di l l ingham, M e r l i n & Elsie El tzroth , Sheri Erickson, Darre l l Faxon, Dave F i x . Anthony Floyd, J i m Johnson, Roy Gerig , Je f f G i l l i g a n , Margare t LeFaive, Nick Lethaby, Gerard Li l l i e , Robert Loehning, Tom Love, Donna Lusthoff, K a t h y Merr i f i e ld , Marjor ie Moore, Pat Mul ler , H a r r y Nehls, Mike Patterson, Ph i l Pickering, Skip Russel, Howard Sands, T i m Shelmerdine, Rich­ard S m i t h , Tom Staudt (TSt), Paul Sul l ivan, Otis Swisher, B i l l Tice, Jerry W a h l , L inda Wei land, B ing Wong. 0

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Oregon Birds 17(4): 128, Winter 1991