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Audubon Society of CorvallisAudubon Society of Corvallisthe CHAT

VOL. 35 Summer 2006Summer 2006Summer #10

In this issue:House Drilling Bill 74Wilson’s Snipes Wanted 75Oregon Shorebird Festival 75Paddle Oregon 79Protect Birds with Your Food Choices 79

Board Election ResultsThe 2006-2007 ASC board was elected at the May general meeting.

Elected Offi cersPresident: Chris Mathews; Vice President/Program Chair: Susan Haig; Secretary: Marcia Cutler; Treasurer: Judy Hays

Board Members at LargeJohn Gaylord, Linda Campbell, Elise Elliott-Smith (Hes-thavn Programs), Leah Gorman (Education), Will Wright (Education), Claudia Regier (Refreshments)

Appointed Committees and CoordinatorsBirdathon Chair: Mary Van Brocklin; Bluebird Trail: Elsie Eltzroth; Chat Editors: Joan/Neil Newhouse/Lidstrom; Conservation Chair: Dave Mellinger; Education Chair: Kate Mathews; Field Notes Compiler: Joel Geier; Field Trip Coordinator: Paula Vanderheul; Hesthavn Sanctuary Chair: Ray Drapek; Historian: Marcia Cutler; Membership Chair: Amy Schoener; Public Relations: Don Boucher; Sales: Bob Smythe; Fund-raising: Karan Fairchild

Chris Mathews

Benton County Plan HearingsOn August 1st you can have your say about growth, de-st you can have your say about growth, de-st

velopment, and protection of natural resources in Benton County!

Benton County is now updating its Comprehensive Plan, fi rst adopted in 1982 in response to State mandate. The purpose of this update is to create a more workable document to guide decisions about growth, development and protection of natural resources in the county, outside of the cities and their growth boundaries (because in Benton County, cities themselves are responsible for planning within their urban growth boundaries).

The County’s Comprehensive Plan serves as the driv-

ing force (along with State regulations) for the County’s Development Code, which regulates activities in County jurisdiction.

See your newspaper for details, and then come have your say!

Amy Schoener

Birdathon 2006 Raises Money, AwarenessThe 2006 Audubon Society of Corvallis Birdathon was once again a fun and successful fundraising event. We brought in upwards of $2500 in pledges. All of this goes directly to Hesthavn Nature Center, our educational facil-ity and nature sanctuary. In addition to the much-needed funds, every sponsor gained a bit of a personal stake in Hesthavn. Many sponsors were not Audubon members - hopefully they learned more about Audubon, Hesthavn, and the value of native wildlife and habitat (by the reason-ing that it must be valuable if we’re going to the effort to raise money for it).

Thanks to the nine teams who participated, and to all of you who pledged to a team. It’s not too late to send in your pledge if you haven’t already: write a check to Audubon Society of Corvallis, note “Birdathon” and the name of the team or birder in the memo line, and mail to PO Box 148, Corvallis, 97339. See "Birdathon" on next page

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A special thanks goes to Elsie Eltzroth, who continued the legacy of her late husband Elzy by offering an incen-tive pledge to every team. If you would like to follow her example, or if you own or work at a local business that would like to sponsor teams next year (and would benefi t from some publicity and good will in the community), please contact me.Some highlights of this year’s event:

We raised upwards of $2500 in pledges.• Nine teams participated, with at least 16, probably

more, birders.• Karl Fairchild topped the species list once again,

with 154 species.• Don Boucher, Lisa Millbank and company saw 107

species without burning any fossil fuel (they were the Roadrunners bicycle team).

• Karan and Jim Fairchild raised the most money (based on pledges) at more than $700, with Don and Lisa in close second.

• Alex Van Brocklin, age 5 ½, was the youngest birder participating.

Thanks again to everyone who participated and made this year’s Birdathon a success!

P.S. Karl Fairchild, Noah Strycker, and Michael Dos-sett did a Lane County Big Day during Birdathon weekend. They broke the long-standing record of 153 species – by one, hard-won species! Way to go guys – and thanks for collecting sponsors for the Birdathon in conjunction with your Day. What a fun variation on the Birdathon event. Last year these guys broke the Benton County Big Day record. Anyone out there want to challenge them next year?

Mary Van Brocklin

House Drilling BillWould Endanger CoastsOffers No Energy Solution In a Congress that has produced no productive solutions to the biggest energy and environmental challenge of recent times, the current offshore drilling proposal sets a new low. Removing a quarter-century old ban on dangerous drilling off of our irreplaceable coastlines is reckless and irrespon-sible. What Congressman Pombo’s bill does is put one of America’s greatest natural resources, our pristine beaches, at risk of ruin. The bill threatens to cripple America’s vibrant coastal tourism economy, which in Florida alone produces $57 billion in revenue.

The oil and gas industry already has access to over 80 percent of the known reserves of oil and natural gas in our offshore areas. They have rights to more than 4,000 untapped leases in the Gulf of Mexico alone. It makes no sense to put our coasts at risk when the industry has not even tapped into the leases they already have.

In the face of runaway energy prices, it is discourag-ing to see the House focus on a giveaway of America’s

resources that serves narrow special interests. Recent polls bear this out; showing the leadership of the House is sadly out of touch. We are fortunate this bill faces much darker prospects in the Senate, and faces the very serious budget concerns raised by the Bush Administration.

Mike DaultonDirector of Conservation Policy,

National Audubon Society

Field Trip ScheduleMonthly Year-round Second SaturdayAug 12 Saturday morning local birding 7:30 AM Sept 9 Saturday morning local birding 7:30 AMOct 14 Saturday morning local birding 7:30 AMNov 11 Saturday morning local birding 7:30 AMDec 9 Saturday morning local birding 7:30 AM

Our Saturday morning local fi eld trip meets the second Saturday of every month at the Avery Park Rose Garden parking area at 7:30 AM. This fi eld trip is especially inter-esting for beginner birders, and birders new to Oregon’s mid-valley area. We spend a lot of time identifying local birds by sight and song. We visit the valley national wildlife refuges—Finley, Baskett Slough, and Ankeny, as well as other birding areas throughout the year. Paula Vanderheul is fi eld trip leader. vanderp@peak.org 541-752-0470

Full Day BirdingSept 23 Newport CoastOct 21 Fern Ridge Wildlife AreaNov 18 Tualatin River NWR

About 3 to 4 times a year we schedule full-day trips to the coast, and other refuges within Oregon. On these trips we carpool, sharing gas cost with the drivers. Everyone should bring a large lunch, water/drinks, binoculars, spot-ting scope (if available), warm clothing, sturdy shoes, and rain gear. We meet at 7:30 AM at the Benton Center park-ing lot at 757 NW Polk, which can be reached by turning east on Polk at the corner of Polk and 9th Street, where Borders Books is located. Contact Paula Vanderheul for further information.

Spring 2007 Weekend Field TripsMar 16-18 Bandon Coast Apr 20-22 Klamath Basin May 4-6 Rogue Valley May 17-20 Malheur NWR

Fred Ramsey leads all the spring weekend trips. Fred has been leading these fi eld trips for ASC over 30 years. He is an amazing fi eld trip guide sharing his knowledge of fi nding birds in their habitat, pointing out wild fl owers, butterfl ies, mammals, and reptiles. The fi eld trips fi ll up early in the fall. Sign-up sheets are available at the general meeting or email Paula Vanderheul with your requests. Vanderp@peak.org

Paula Vanderheul

Birdathon continued from front page

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Bicycle Birdingin Corvallis AreaJuly 30 Sunday, Meet at the Avery Park Rose

Garden. Destination—Willamette Park, Corvallis

Aug 27 Sunday, Meet at the Avery Park Rose Gar-den. Destination—OSU Covered Bridge and the Fairgrounds.

Sept 24 Sunday, Meet at the Avery Park Rose Gar-den. Destination—Philomath via bike path.

All trips are 9 AM–noon. Easy and fl at ride of 3-10 miles. We’ll poke along and fi nd birds in every nook and cranny along bike routes in Corvallis. Bring water, bin-oculars and rain gear. Led by Don Boucher at 753-7689 or bouchdon@juno.com.

Don Boucher

Tracking Field TripsJuly 23 9am-12. Free. Aug 20 9am-12. Free.

Find tracks and other signs of animals & birds. Sun-days. Meet at Avery Park Rose Garden in Corvallis at 9 AM. Return at noon. We’ll carpool to a local tracking spot. For more information, contact Don Boucher, 753-7689, www.neighborhood-naturalist.com

Don Boucher

Wilson’s Snipe Sightings Needed!

Wilson’s Snipe, taken by Britt Cline at Sparks Lark in the Cascades, August 2005

As part of a graduate project with Dr. Susan Haig (Oregon State University), I am investigating Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) habitat needs and movement across the annual cycle in the Willamette Valley. Although the emphasis is on Willamette Valley locations, I would be very interested in (and appreciative of) reports of snipe sightings in Oregon!

Please send replies involving encounters with these elu-sive birds to Britt Cline at bcline@usgs.gov. Thanks again!

Britt Cline

20th Annual Oregon Shorebird FestivalSeptember 8, 9 and 10, 2006Experience the wonder of shorebird migration along the scenic Oregon coast at the 20th annual Oregon Shorebird Festival at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in Charleston, OR. Activities include expertly guided fi eld trips to Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, New River, the Coos Bay area; a Saturday pelagic trip; and evening photography and art programs. To register for the festival or for more information please visit our website at www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/shorebirdfestival.htm or contact Dawn Grafe at 541-867-4550.

Dawn GrafeRefuge Operations Specialist, US Fish and Wildlife Service

New Corvallis Birding ListserveIf you are interested in getting emails from Corvallis bird-ers about what birds they are seeing around Corvallis, all you need to do is join the new local listserve. To join browse to:

http://midvalleybirding.org/mailman/listinfo/list

There is a section called “Subscribing to list”. Find this section and fi ll in the information and you will be subscribed. Online archives of the list traffi c is available at http://midvalleybirding.org/mailman/listinfo/list

Jim Norton

Hesthavn NewsNew Observation Bee HiveCome see the bees at Hesthavn. Mike Bur-gett and Ray Drapek recently installed a hive in a glass-sided case. In other news, there are plans to paint the barn in either late sum-mer or early fall. There will be work parties on July 22 and September 30, which may include painting.

Ray Drapek

The new observation hive

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Field Notes: April 25 thru July 10, 2006

Fairly wet spring weather continued through May, but gave way to summer in a big way, as temperatures topped 100º

Fairly wet spring weather continued through May, but gave way to º

Fairly wet spring weather continued through May, but gave way to F twice in mid-June

to set all-time records for our area.The American Ornithological Union (AOU) has once again given

us a new name for a familiar bird. What we used to know as “Blue Grouse” are now Sooty Grouse (Dendrogapus fuliginosusGrouse” are now Sooty Grouse (Dendrogapus fuliginosusGrouse” are now Sooty Grouse ( ) in the western part of their range, from the Sierra Nevada north through the Cascades and points west. Interior birds are now called Dusky Grouse (Dendrogapus obscurus(Dendrogapus obscurus( ).

Abbreviations & Locations: BBS = Breeding Bird Survey; NWR = National Wildlife Refuge; SF = State Forest; STP = sewage treatment ponds; m. obs. = multiple observers; p. obs. = personal observation. Baskett Slough (NWR) is near Dallas in Polk Co. Cabell Marsh and McFadden Marsh are at Finley (NWR) s. of Corvallis. Cold Creek wetland is a hunting club wetland along Robison Rd. Coffi n Butte and E.E. Wilson (Wildlife Area) are north of Corvallis along Hwy 99W. Gap Rd. rice ponds are in Linn Co. near Brownsville. Stewart Lake is on the Hewlett-Packard campus in ne. Corvallis. Toketie Marsh is the remedial wetland for Coffi n Butte landfi ll.Inland Reports:

Greater White-fronted Goose migration peaked around the weekend of 30 Apr, when Don Boucher, Lisa Millbank and Stacy Drake saw a total of about 500 fl ying north. One late bird was at Mike Lippsmeyer’s wetland on Stapleton Rd. s. of Monmouth 17 Jun. Late northbound fl ocks of Canada Geese included 60 over Jamie Simmons’ NW Corvallis yard 24 May and 30 over our place near E.E. Wilson 4 Jun. At Baskett Slough, Cackling Geese hung around longer than usual with 200 still there 2 May (Ben Young). Three Tundra Swans at Baskett Slough 13 Apr (Bill Tice, Roy Gerig) were also notably late.

Of 12 Mallard ducklings at Stewart Lake 24 Apr, none survived; this has happened for several years now, possibly due to predation by the large-mouthed bass in the lake (J Simmons). On 6 May a pair of Blue-winged Teal were at McFadden Marsh (Stuart Sparkman) and two were at the Cold Creek wetland (Joe Fontaine). One drake was at Philomath STP 13 May (fi de Marcia Cutler).

Two Gadwall were still at Finley 9 May (Rainer Wieland). An Gadwall were still at Finley 9 May (Rainer Wieland). An GadwallAmerican Wigeon drake at Stewart Lake 3 May was the last there (J Simmons), but a straggler was at the Monroe STP 13 May (fi de M Cutler). 12 Northern Shovelers remained at Philomath STP 13 May (M Cutler). A Northern Pintail at Finley 9 May (R Wieland) was the last local report. Northern Pintail at Finley 9 May (R Wieland) was the last local report. Northern PintailA few Green-winged Teal continued at the Gap Rd. rice ponds thru 8 Green-winged Teal continued at the Gap Rd. rice ponds thru 8 Green-winged TealMay (Mark Nikas) and at Finley thru 9 May (R Wieland). Two female Ring-necked Ducks at Stewart Lake 3 May were the last seen there (J Simmons), but two males continued at Finley thru 24 Jun (Doug Robin-son). One Buffl ehead was at Finley thru 13 May (Erik Knight). A male Ruddy Duck lingered at Philomath STP thru 13 May (M Cutler).

Ruffed Grouse were heard at Finley 9 Apr (D Boucher, L Millbank). Sooty Grouse (as we call them now) were calling in the forest along sw. Bruce Rd. and at Fitton Green 13 May (M Cutler), and on Marys Peak 16 May (Rich & Nanette Armstrong). Three Wild Turkeys were along the trail at Bald Hill Park 6 May (Barbara Taylor). Mountain Quail were seen on the road to Fitton Green 13 May (fi de M Cutler); on 21 Jun eleven chicks marched into Pat Waldron’s yard e. of Scio, with one adult bringing up the rear.

A breeding-plumage Clark’s Grebe at Cabell Marsh 24 Jun (D Rob-inson; Paula Vanderheul) was just the second record for Benton Co.

Six American White Pelicans were at Finley NWR 9-10 May (R Wieland; Noah Strycker). On 29 May Aaron and Sara Liston saw 25 fl y over downtown Corvallis, heading west, then turning north. Most likely they ended up At Baskett Slough where a fl ock was present thru the end of the period. The last inland reports of Double-crested Cormorant were 13 May in Benton Co. (fi de M Cutler) and at Baskett Slough 16 May (B Young).

American Bitterns were at Cheadle Marsh, Finley NWR 6-27

May and at E.E. Wilson 28 May (S Sparkman; R Armstrong; D Boucher, L Millbank). The Great Blue Heron nest at Toketie Marsh apparently failed and was vacant by 2 May (p. obs.). Great Egrets were last reported from Finley 24 May (R Armstrong). Allen Wineland saw three Green Herons fl ying together near the hospital in Lebanon 5 May, suggesting courtship. Jeannine and Gil Lawrence saw one fl ying around Monteith Park in Albany 3 Jun. A nest in Albany held three babies as of 12 Jun (fi de Chris Mathews).

Raylene Gordin noticed a new Osprey nest on a utility pole near Osprey nest on a utility pole near OspreyWaterloo 18 Jun. A nest at Snagboat Bend held downy gray young by 8 Jul, as adult Osprey had to fend off Osprey had to fend off Osprey Bald Eagles intent on stealing their dinner (M Cutler, ASC fi eld trip). The only White-tailed Kite report this period was one e. of the Benton Co. Fairgrounds 19 May (S Drake fi de D Boucher). A pair of Northern Harriers plus an adult female were hunting near Ward & Peterson Buttes in Linn Co. 11 May (Bob Altman, p. obs.). One was at Herbert Open Space s. of Corvallis 21 May (D Boucher, L Millbank), and one was at Finley 13 May & 2 Jul (E Knight).

On 14 May Chris Miller was cleaning up some feathers that ap-peared to be from Band-tailed Pigeons taken by an accipiter, when a Cooper’s Hawk fl ew right past. Cooper’s Hawk fl ew right past. Cooper’s Hawk Red-shouldered Hawks were reported from Finley 9 May - 3 Jul (R Wieland; D Robinson; J Fontaine) and Cres-cent Valley High School 7 Jul (R Armstrong). While banding bluebirds near Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis 21 May, Paula Vanderheul saw four Golden Eagles soar high over westbound. A Peregrine Falcon stayed around for the Benton Co. migration count 13 May (fi de M Cutler).

Jeff Harding and Bill Thackaberry found Virginia Rails at Lava Lake in the Cascades 17 Jun. Both these and Soras continued to be heard at Finley thru 27 May (D Boucher, L Millbank). A Sandhill Crane fl ew over Finley NWR 30 Apr (L Millbank, S Drake, D Boucher); two were at Lava Lake 17 Jun (B Thackaberry, J Harding).

A Semipalmated Plover was at the Cold Creek wetlands 2 May (p. obs.). The Killdeer nesting on the path by the gamebird display pens at E.E. Wilson successfully hatched four chicks which were still in the nest 20 May (J & G Lawrence).

Five Black-necked Stilts were at Baskett Slough 2 May (B Young). The last northbound migrant Greater Yellowlegs was noted there 16 May (B Young); southbound shorebird migration started with one at the Stapleton Rd. wetland 26 Jun (Karen Lippsmeyer). A Lesser Yellow-legs was at Cold Creek wetlands 6 May (J Fontaine). Several Solitary Sandpipers were still at E.E. Wilson 4 May (Ray Fiori); singles were at Jackson-Frazier Wetland 5 May (R Armstrong) and Finley 6 May (S Sparkman). Migrant Spotted Sandpipers were at Stewart Lake 10, 19 & 22 May (J Simmons).

Northbound migration of “peeps” continued thru 6 May when fl ocks of both Least and Western Sandpipers as well as two Dunlinwere at Finley (S Sparkman; J Fontaine). Eight Least Sandpipers at the Gap Rd. rice ponds (M Nikas) were the last local peeps reported until southbound migration began with one peep sp. at the Stapleton Rd. wetland 26 Jun (M Lippsmeyer) and an adult Western Sandpiperat Toketie Marsh 6 Jul (p. obs.). The only Pectoral Sandpiper reports came 4 May with two at Finley (R Armstrong) and several at E.E. Wilson (R Fiori). The last Long-billed Dowitcher report was two at McFadden Marsh 13 May (M Cutler). Three Wilson’s Snipe were still at Jackson-Frazier Wetland 5 May (R Armstrong).

By 22 May, 22 Wilson’s Phalaropes were at Baskett Slough where seven were present from late Apr (R Gerig). One was at Finley 23 May (N Strycker), and four stopped by the Stapleton Rd. wetlands 2 Jun (M Lippsmeyer). Some Red-necked Phalaropes were reported from the Bruce Rd. Mitigation Marsh 3 May by an experienced observer (fi de J Simmons).

A Bonaparte’s Gull was at Finley NWR 23 May (N Strycker). On 10 Jul 4 or 5 medium-large gulls winged westward over E.E. Wilson (J Simmons, J Fontaine, p. obs.); this is the month when many young California Gulls fl y from inland breeding sites to the coast, so that is likely what they were. Four Caspian Terns visited Baskett Slough 1 Jun (B Tice) and three were at Cabell Marsh 3 Jul (J Fontaine).

Band-tailed Pigeons showed up at yard feeders around the area.

77

Flocks were also seen making daily commutes between conifer-forested hills on the fringes of the valley where they nest, and lowland deciduous forests where they feed (when they are not feasting at feeders).

An unusual dove at Oak Creek 3 May (Bill & Lena Proebsting) and a similar bird in s. Corvallis 23 May (Peggy Krause) were most likely Eurasian Collared-Dove (an introduced, naturalized species which has been rapidly expanding northward into Oregon) but possibly a dark variant of Ringed Turtle-Dove (a common cage bird which sometimes escapes). Birders experienced with both species felt that photographs from the second location looked most like Eurasian Collared-Dove.

A pair of Western Screech-Owls nested in a tree cavity at Joe Sikich’s place w. of Corvallis. By 3 Jun one adult began to roost on the edge of the cavity; Joe suspects the young were close to fl edging. A Common Nighthawk sw. of Philomath 2 Jun (Jim & Karan Fairchild) Common Nighthawk sw. of Philomath 2 Jun (Jim & Karan Fairchild) Common Nighthawkwas the fi rst of the season. A pair were sw. of Philomath 27 Jun (Sandy Bryce). On 10 Jul an adult was on a nest with one chick at E.E. Wilson. Over 200 Vaux’s Swifts massed over downtown Corvallis just after sunset 5 May (Steve Seibel).

On 2 May, Dee & Doug Lytle photographed a puzzling humming-bird which turned out to be a juvenile Anna’s Hummingbird (fi de Mike Patterson). A male Calliope Hummingbird was just w. of Iron Mtn in the Cascades 18 Jun (J Harding, B Thackaberry). A pair of Rufous Hummingbirds continued in Corvallis yard thru 28 May; on 18 Jun one chased a Western Scrub-Jay into some bushes (C Miller).

A Lewis’s Woodpecker was along Airport Rd. w. of Lebanon 9 May (Randy Campbell, Jeff Fleischer). A female American Three-toed Woodpecker was at the Pacifi c Crest trail head in Santiam Pass 29 May (J Woodpecker was at the Pacifi c Crest trail head in Santiam Pass 29 May (J WoodpeckerSimmons, Jim Anderson, Jon Bendixen); another was near the Hoodoo resort 26 Jun (R & N Armstrong). A family group of Black-backed Woodpeckerswere at the Santiam Sno-Park 6 Jul (Dave Irons, Diane Pettey).

Eight Olive-sided Flycatchers were found in Benton Co. 13 May (M Cutler). Males singing at E.E. Wilson 28 May and in Avery Park 18 Jun (D Boucher, L Millbank) were notable for the valley fl oor. The fi rst Western Wood-Pewee of the season was at Stewart Lake 3 May (J Simmons), and another was on Peterson Butte 11 May (B Altman). Just 12 were found in the county 13 May (fi de M Cutler) as the main population seemed slow to arrive, but by mid-Jul their nasal “pyeer!” call could be heard almost everywhere in our area. A Willow Flycatcher at Finley 13 May was the fi rst record for the spring migration count (fi de M Cutler); two were at E.E. Wilson 28 May, and another was behind the Safeway on Philomath Blvd. 29 May (D Boucher). A Hammond’s Flycatcher was w. of Philomath 13 May (fi de M Cutler). A Pacifi c-slope Flycatcher called from the woods above our house near E.E. Wilson 29 Apr. A Black Phoebe continued at the bridge in Monroe 29 Apr (Will Wright). One turned up just s. of Dallas 16 May (Jessie Leach).

Western Kingbirds made a good showing in Linn Co., with fi ve along Gap and Belts Rds sw. of Brownsville and four at Ward Butte by 9 May (R Campbell, J Fleischer), and three more near Peterson Butte by 11 May (B Altman, p. obs.). In Benton Co., fi ve were found near Lewisburg and one more at E.E. Wilson 13 May (R Armstrong). At least one stayed n. of Lewisburg thru late May (R & N Armstrong). Two were at Finley 24 Jun (D Robinson).

A Salem Audubon fi eld trip found a pair of Cassin’s Vireos with a nest along the Woodpecker Loop trail at Finley 6 May (S Sparkman). Warbling Vireos were fi rst noted 30 Apr at Finley (D Boucher, L Millbank, S Drake) and 30 were found in Benton Co. 13 May (fi de M Cutler). A male Red-eyed Vireo singing at E.E. Wilson 9-11 Jul (p. obs.; Tom Snetsinger) was territorial and patrolled a territory of scattered cottonwood stands which looked suitable for nesting; however, the bird seemed to disappear by the time these fi eld notes went to press.

Inavale 3rd & 4th graders under Leah Gorman’s direction par-ticipated in the Cornell Crow Count on the OSU campus 2 Jun; their observations included Western Scrub-Jays foraging, and American Crows fi ghting, foraging, and acting as sentinels. One crow even ap-peared sneak into a nest on a girder just under the eaves of a 5-story university building.

A Horned Lark in the Belts Rd. grasslands sw. of Brownsville Horned Lark in the Belts Rd. grasslands sw. of Brownsville Horned Lark

20 Jun (M Nikas) was the only report of the period. None were found on the Scio BBS 11 Jun (J Harding) and a check of two usual nesting areas sw. of Lebanon 11 May also turned up none (B Altman, p. obs.), although a few pairs had been seen earlier in April (M Nikas).

Purple Martins were heard in the upper/east parts of Beazell Memorial Forest Park 20 May (J & Karl Fairchild). A female was in Corvallis 21 May (S Drake fi de D Boucher). The colony at Pat Waldron’s place e. of Scio numbered 20 by 11 Jun. Mrs. G.H. Simonson wrote to say that 4-6 Violet-green Swallows arrived along Riverside Dr. sw. of Albany by late Apr, with one pair using a bluebird box which has been used by this species for eight years now. The nest held fi ve eggs as of 17 May, and the young fl edged and left the nest by 24 Jun. Northern Rough-winged Swallow pairs were nesting along the Marys River bank between Bellfountain & 53rd St. by 12 Jun, and under the Greasy Creek Bridge s. of Philomath 28 Jun (D Boucher, L Millbank).

Chestnut-backed Chickadees were excavating a nest hole near Ft. Hoskins 4 May (R Armstrong et al.). Three House Wrens were singing in clearcuts in McDonald SF by 28 Apr (p. obs.). Several set up housekeeping at ASC’s Hesthavn preserve where their chattering could be heard thru 8 Jul. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Stewart Lake 28 Apr (J Simmons) was the last of the season.

A Townsend’s Solitaire was in a clearcut in McDonald SF 14 May (B Proebsting). Swainson’s Thrushes were fi rst noted at Peavy Arboretum 8 May (Stephanie Haines), and were singing by the end of the month. The last Hermit Thrushes reported in the valley were at Finley and at E.E. Wilson 30 Apr (D Boucher, L Millbank; p. obs.). Varied Thrushes were last reported from low elevations 8 Apr (L Millbank, D Boucher). A thrush singing an incomplete song on McCullough Peak in McDonald SF 14 May sounded most like a Hermit Thrush (B Proebst-ing). Swainson’s, Hermit and Varied Thrush were all singing at once at the campground on Mary’s Peak 28 Jun (D Boucher, L Millbank).

A Northern Mockingbird turned up at Baskett Slough 5-13 May (B Young; B Tice). One stopped by a Philomath yard 6 Jun (Ron Jameson).

After unusually low numbers thru mid-May, Cedar Waxwingfl ocks fi nally made their annual appearance and by 12 Jun there were “too many to count” along the Mary’s River (D Boucher, L Millbank).

Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, Hermit, MacGilli-vray’s and Wilson’s Warblersand Wilson’s Warblersand were at Peavy Arboretum 6 May (D Boucher, L Millbank, S Haines). Lone Nashville Warblers turned up in the Proebstings’ yard along Oak Creek and at Foster Res. 4 May (fi de R Armstrong; T Janzen). One was also found at the prairie overlook at Finley 13 May (fi de M Cutler). The fi rst Yellow Warblers showed up at Finley 30 Apr (D Boucher et al.) and at Stewart Lake 4 May (J Simmons). Most Yellow-rumped Warblers departed low elevations by early May, with stragglers at Finley 6 May (S Sparkman) and Baskett Slough 16 May (B Young). A few Audubon’s Warblers were on Mary’s Peak 16 May (R & N Armstrong).

Numbers of Black-throated Gray Warblers continued to be low in nesting habitat thru 2 May, when Bill Proebsting could fi nd none at Bald Hill Park. Late reports of Townsend’s Warblers at low elevations included two at Ft. Hoskins 4 May (R Armstrong) and two at Finley 13 May (E Knight). A Hermit Warbler was near Ft. Hoskins 4 May (R Armstrong et al.). Many were singing on Mary’s Peak 28 Jun (D Boucher, L Millbank). A singing Northern Waterthrush was at Lost Lake 6 Jul (Dave Irons, Diane Pettey). A Yellow-breasted Chat was singing at Cabell Yellow-breasted Chat was singing at Cabell Yellow-breasted ChatMarsh 13 May (E Knight); by 18 May at least four were at E.E. Wilson (Michael Dossett), which annually hosts a large share of the Willamette Valley breeding population. Western Tanager migration through down-town Corvallis reached “full force” by 5 May (D Boucher).

Jim Swinyard photographed an albino Spotted Towhee in his backyard in late May (fi de Trish Daniels). Savannah Sparrows were abundant in grass fi elds, and juvenile Song Sparrows appeared by 7 Jul. The last Golden-crowned Sparrows were three at Stewart Lake 11 May (J Simmons), and singing individuals at Coffi n Butte and the Lewis Brown Farm on Peoria Rd. 20 May (Michael Dossett).

Among our declining grassland/savannah birds, lone Chipping Sparrows were reported from Willamette Park 5 May (N Strycker),

"Field Notes" continued on next page

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Pelagic Birds and ShorebirdsAugust 5 and 6, Siskiyou Field Institute CourseThe Siskiyou Field Institute (SFI) invites you to join us in discovering the remarkable Klamath-Siskiyou region. SFI has a diverse offering of engaging fi eld based natural his-tory courses throughout 2006. To learn about our courses or to register for a class, visit our website www.thesfi .org or call us at 541-592-3777.

Pelagic Birds and Shorebirds: Birding the Northern California Coast -Stewart Janes, PhD and Wendell Wood August 5 and 6, 2006 near Crescent City, California Explore the Northern California coast scouting for birds of the shore and sea. On Saturday, explore the coast scouting for shore-birds. On Sunday, venture into the open sea to see ocean birds and learn about their fascinating life histories.

Amy Schell-LaporaProgram Coordinator, Siskiyou Field Institute

Belts Rd. near Brownsville 8 May (M Nikas), and Lewisburg 13 May (Paul Adamus), and several pairs were active on Peterson Butte 11 May (B Altman, p. obs.). A singing male at Coffi n Butte was not seen after 2 May (p. obs.). A Vesper Sparrow was along Belts Rd. 22 Apr (M Nikas). Vesper Sparrow was along Belts Rd. 22 Apr (M Nikas). Vesper SparrowAdditional May sightings of this rare and local nesting species included one at Bald Hill 2 May (B & L Proebsting), two at Willamette Park 5 May (N Strycker) with one still singing there 31 May (R Armstrong), two singing birds on Coffi n Butte and a pair at Ward Butte 11 May (B Altman, p. obs.), one 4 mi. sw. of Philomath 12 May (Bruce Newhouse), and one along Bruce Rd. and another at Fitton Green 13 May (fi de M Cutler). No Grasshopper Sparrows were reported from the area this season.

Male Black-headed Grosbeaks showed up in Monroe 29 Apr (W Wright), on Bald Hill 2 May (B & L Proebsting), and along Riverside Dr. sw. of Albany 3 May (Mrs. G.H. Simonson). A male Lazuli Buntingarrived in nw. Corvallis 29 Apr (Barbara Taylor), ahead of the main wave two weeks later (m. obs.). Jeannine and Gil Lawrence saw a pair at Finley 10 Jun. A nest at our place held noisy nestlings by 10 Jul.

Western Meadowlarks, another declining grassland species, were reported from just two locations: the Belts Rd. grasslands where 6 were tallied 8 May (M Nikas), and the prairie overlook at Finley where three were tallied 13 May (E Knight). The Yellow-headed Blackbird fl ock at the Mitigation Marsh on Bruce Rd. peaked 29 Apr when 12 males plus some females were counted (fi de J Simmons); at least two females were still there 8 Jul (p. obs.). One showed up in s. Corvallis 4 May (fi de Molly Monroe). Brown-headed Cowbirds continued to arrive with many sightings in the fi rst week of May.

A male Bullock’s Oriole was at Willamette Park 5 May (N Strycker), and fi ve migrants were at Peavy Arboretum 6 May (D Boucher, L Millbank). A male was at Stewart Lake 15 May (J Simmons). The ASC fi eld trip to Snag Boat Bend 8 Jul heard two families and saw one male (M Cutler).

An unusual large fi nch visited Rose Amberwulf’s Corvallis feeder 22 Jun. The description (larger than House or Purple Finch, bright red with white wing bars on brownish/grayish wings, with dark around the eyes) could fi t either Pine Grosbeak or White-winged Crossbill, either of which would be extremely rare west of the Cascades crest, but the bird was not seen again. Flocks of Red Crossbills were noted from the higher elevations at Beazell Memorial Forest Park 15 Jun (J & Karl Fairchild). Two Pine Siskins in NW Corvallis 28 Apr & 7 May (R Armstrong) were the only ones reported. Four Evening Grosbeaksvisited Richard & Kathy Sherman’s window feeder in Scio for several days thru 11 May.

In her Corvallis yard 30 May, Chris Miller watched a Bobcat chase a squirrel up a tree, then bolt right past her after the squirrel jumped to another tree to escape. Another or perhaps the same one) sauntered past her house on 5 Jun. Stephanie Haines saw a tawny (spotless) Bobcatsitting in the road near Finley headquarters 7 Jun.Coastal Notessitting in the road near Finley headquarters 7 Jun.Coastal Notessitting in the road near Finley headquarters 7 Jun.

Nine Brant continued thru 26 Jun at Seal Rocks (Kitty Brigham fi de Range Bayer), after most headed north to breed. Eight molting male Harlequin Ducks showed up there by 3 Jun, after returning from inland nesting areas (Wayne Hoffman). A Yellow-billed Loon near the South Jetty of Yaquina Bay was last seen 14 May (R Armstrong).

Seabirds seen on a 1 Jul pelagic trip included two Black-footed Albatrosses, one Northern Fulmar, two Pink-footed Shearwaters, and 25 Sooty Shearwaters (Greg Gillson). 34 Brown Pelicans were off Yaquina Head 19 May (C Ashy).

Attacks by Bald Eagles on the seabird nesting colony at Yaquina Head have been frequent this season. Although sometimes gangs of West-ern Gulls manage to chase them away with empty talons (fi de C Ashy), Roy Lowe reports that eagle attacks are impacting seabird nesting colonies all along the Pacifi c Northwest Coast, affecting hundreds of thousands of Common Murres with abandonment of some nesting colonies.

Migration of Semipalmated Plovers peaked 250 passing Boiler Bay 3 May (P Pickering). Wandering Tattlers were noted on coastal

rocks 9-13 May (D Faxon; W Hoffman; Don Stein). 800 Whimbrelsfl ew past Boiler Bay 29 Apr, presumably coming off a nearby roost; similar numbers were seen there daily thru 4 May (P Pickering). During the same period, fl ocks of up to 50 Whimbrels gathered on Nye Beach, joined by two Long-billed Curlews 2 May, four Marbled Godwits 3 May, and 26 Marbled Godwits 4 May (C Ashy).

Ruddy Turnstones were at Boiler Bay 1 & 4 May (P Pickering) and at Yaquina Bay and Seal Rock 9 May (Darrel & Laura Faxon). Red Knots made a good showing along the Oregon Coast, including six at Boiler Bay and several at Nye Beach 2 May (P Pickering; C Ashy). An estimated 150,000 Western Sandpipers passed Boiler Bay during sea watches 3-4 May (P Pickering), in what was a spectacular shorebird passage all along the coast. 100 phalaropes seen from a whale-watching boat off Newport 14 May appeared to be all Red-necked Phalaropes(R & N Armstrong).

Hundreds of Bonaparte’s Gulls passed north off Boiler Bay and Newport 1-4 May (P Pickering; Rebecca Cheek). 50 were still along the north Jetty at Yaquina Bay 14 May (R Armstrong). Heermann’s Gulls began to turn up by 1 Jul (G Gillson). A fl ock of 30+ small terns at Yaquina Bay 11 May were mostly Common Terns but included a few Arctic Terns (W Hoffman). Caspian Terns continued to pass north on their way to breeding colonies thru early May, with small numbers of non-breeding, summering birds remaining on Yaquina Bay (fi de R Bayer). The pelagic trip out of Newport 1 Jul found 25 Marbled Mur-relets, several Cassin’s Auklets, 70 Rhinoceros Auklets, and two Tufted Puffi ns (G Gillson).

Eurasian Collared-Doves were also reported from the coast, including one in South Beach 1-3 May (R Cheek) and two in Newport 29 May (C Ashy). 22 Black Swifts fl ew past Cascade Head 28 May and one was seen there 8 Jul (P Pickering).

A Northern Mockingbird was at the Hatfi eld Marine Science Center 5-10 May (Chuck Philo fi de R Bayer). A Sage Thrasherturned up along the south jetty at Yaquina Bay 14 May (Justin Wrinn). A singing American Redstart was along North Beaver Creek 22 Jun (Eric Horvath fi de R Bayer). A very late, territorial Golden-crowned Sparrow was on Cascade Head 8-10 Jul, but did not seem to have a mate (P Pickering).Next issue

Please send me your sightings for the next issue by 29 Aug (see back page for address/phone info). - Joel Geier

Field Notes continued from previous page

79

Protect BirdsWith Your Food Choices — Part 3

Coffee and More InformationAnyone can make a positive difference to birds and help to reduce their exposure to pesticides. As consumers, we can accept the harm being done with agricultural chemicals, or we can reject it with a few thoughtful changes to our lifestyles.

Coffee is a major commodity in Central and South America, and most of it is now grown in large plantations carved out of the native forests. “Sun-grown” commer-cial coffee plantations may be treated with DDT or other deadly bioaccumulative pesticides, and they deprive forest birds, such as our neotropical migrant songbirds, of their habitat. The solution is to look for “shade-grown” organic coffee. A shade-grown organic plantation preserves the rainforest canopy and abundant insect life that are so vital to bird life in the tropics, and retains nearly all the native avifauna. Sun-grown plantations have 94-97% fewer bird species than shade-grown organic plantations. Making an important difference for birds is just as simple as your morning cup of coffee.

Learn moreMany organizations work to decrease pesticide use and raise public awareness of its effects. To learn more, visit their websites:

• Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) www.panna.org

• Beyond Pesticides www.beyondpesticides.org • Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides

www.pesticide.orgWe are fortunate to have the knowledge and resources available to make informed choices about what we buy. Making such choices acknowledges the harm modern agriculture has wreaked upon birds and the biosphere as a whole, in pursuit of a few more cents per acre. Each of us can take part in alleviating the chemical burden placed on birds by pesticides.

Lisa Millbank

Contributors to the ChatMary Van Brocklin, Mike Daulton, Britt Cline, Sandy Thixton, Dawn Grafe, Jim Norton, Amy Schell-Lapora, Ray Drapek, Chris Mathews, Lisa Millbank, Don Boucher, Paula Vanderheul, Amy Schoener

Chat Distribution: Fran Gates, Alberta Pierce, Elea-nor and Ken Kidd, Joan Siegienski, and Joe Fontaine.

Atop the Nestbox

Large birdhouse full of acorns

We all know that acorn woodpeckers create granary trees in which they hoard acorns. We discovered that they will also use a museum as a cache--that is, a large ornamental bird-house made as a replica of the Benton County Museum.

We knew that our small colony of acorn woodpeck-ers had been busy for several years trying to peck holes in this birdhouse on our property on Airport Road south of Philomath. But when we took in down in May, we dis-covered that what they had really been doing was fi lling it totally full of acorns and corn kernels.

Sandy Thixton

Paddle OregonAugust 28 to September 1, 2006Riverkeeper is an organization dedicated to the preserva-tion of America’s rivers. It was founded for the Hudson River by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Willamette Riverkeeper is focused upon our Willamette River, and they particularly invite birders to participate in their annual event, Paddle Oregon, a fi ve-day canoe fl oat from Eugene to Newberg. Approximately 100 paddlers are expected to participate.

Included in the price of $575 per person are all meals, nightly entertainment, camping, gear shuttle, safety staff, naturalists, fantastic scenery, and a unique birding op-portunity.

Willamette Riverkeeper has invited Corvallis Audubon to furnish one or more members to serve (at reduced price) as part of the naturalist staff. Anyone interested in serving in this capacity should contact Chris Mathews.

For details and registration information, visit the Willamette Riverkeeper web site, www.paddleoregon.org, or call 503-223-6418.

Chris Mathews

80

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

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PAIDPermit No. 58Corvallis, ORRETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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

Audubon Society of CorvallisAudubon Society of Corvallis

CHATthe

Audubon Society of Corvalliswww.audubon.corvallis.or.us

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

Vice President/Program Chair: Susan Haig, 1646 NW Crest Pl., Corvallis 97330, 753-5068, haig_susan@yahoo.com

Secretary: Marcia Cutler, 835 NW Merrie Dr., Corvallis 97330, 752-4313, marciafcutler@comcast.net

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

Board Members-at-LargeLinda Campbell: PO Box 334, Philomath, OR, 97370, 929-9420,

lcampbell@peak.orgHesthavn Program Coordinator: Elise Elliott-Smith: 1163 NW Polk,

Corvallis 97330, 754-3906, eelliottsmith@yahoo.comJohn Gaylord: GaylordJohng@aol.com, 745-5088Leah Gorman: 25096 Pleasant Hill Drive, Corvallis 97333,

929-6314, leah.gorman@orst.eduWill Wright: 1865 SW Roth, Corvallis 97333, 753-4395,

Will_Wright@Monroe.k12.or.usFund-raising: Karan Fairchild, 31540 Homestead Rd., Philomath,

97370, 929-4049, alderspr@peak.orgRefreshments: Claudia Regier, 1030 SW Sunset Dr., Corvallis

97333, 753-0879

Committees and CoordinatorsBirdathon Chair: Mary Van Brocklin, 745-7170, mary_

vanbrocklin@yahoo.comBluebird Trail Rep to the Board: Elsie Elzroth, 6980 Cardinal Dr.,

Corvallis 97330, 745-7806, eltzroth@peak.orgBluebird Trail Chair: Tara Robinson, 2759 NW Angelica Dr.,

Corvallis 97330 , 758-9181, robinson@exchangenet.netConservation Chair: Dave Mellinger, 3798 NW Jameson Dr.,

Corvallis 97330, 757-7953, DavidKMellinger@yahoo.com

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

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

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

Historian: Marcia Cutler, 835 NW Merrie Dr., Corvallis 97330, 752-4313, marciafcutler@comcast.net

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

Public Relations: Don Boucher, 5008 SW Technology Loop, Apt. 9, Corvallis 97333, 753-7689, bouchdon@juno.com

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

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

Chat Editors: Joan Newhouse & Neil Lidstrom, 2035 SE Stone St., Corvallis 97333, 754-3120, chateditors@gmail.com

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

Chat Email Distribution: Joe Fontaine, fontaine_joe@hotmail.comField Notes Editor: Joel Geier, 38566 Hwy 99W, Corvallis 97330,

745-5821 or 745-5020, jgeier@attglobal.net

Renew your membership before the date on the mailing label to avoid missing issues of the Chat.

CalendarJuly 23 Tracking, meet at Avery Park 9am*July 30 Bicycle Birding, meet at Avery Park 9am*Aug 1 Benton County Comprehensive Plan HearingsAug 5,6 Pelagic Birds Course, SFIAug 5 Afternoon Summer board meeting, potluck at HesthavnAug 12 Field trip, meet at Avery Park 7:30am*Aug 20 Tracking, meet at Avery Park 9am*Aug 27 Bicycle Birding, meet at Avery Park 9am*Aug 28 Paddle OregonAug 29 Deadline for September Field NotesAug 31 Deadline for September ChatSept 8-10 20th Oregon Shorebird FestivalSept 9 Field trip, meet at Avery Park 7:30am*Sept 23 Newport fi eld trip, meet 7:30am at Benton Center*Sept 24 Bicycle Birding, meet at Avery Park 9am*

*See page 74 & 75