Roseburg-Sutherlin Christmas Bird Count--December 15, 2018

This year we continued with a trend of new people joining the CBC: Thank-you Carol C, Cindy B, Marnie K, Angie W, Eric S, Maris W, Christine S, Jim H, Donna P, and John R. It's also great to see relatively new folks returning and strengthening the count coverage: Kelly B, Ken C, Sidney P, Greg Z, Bill & Nancy F, and Stacy B. And thanks to all the long-timers that give us shoulders to stand on!

We again met afterward at The Roost, and were well-fed by Serge Queant's famous seafood chowder, as well as Lisa Hunter's meat and veggie chilis, and a variety of other breads and desserts brought by Debbie Hamm and others. Thank-you to all who helped feed these hungry birders!

Early morning owling; yes it was cold! At this stop we had an amazing four species of owls: Northern Saw-whet Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Great-Horned Owl, and Barred Owl! At the other ten stops we had mostly nothing, so our persistence paid off. (Photo by Maris Wilson)

 
Weather was cold in the morning, but quite tolerable in the afternoon. Most birders commented on the low number of birds and the difficulty of finding birds. Their sentiments are reflected in the numbers. Total number of birds was 17,954, down from a high count of 39,149 last year, and lower than at least the previous five years. Last year we recorded an amazing 17,985 American Robins, more than all species combined this year!

One last look at a sparrow flock before leaving Ford's Pond (Photo by Maris Wilson)

Despite the low counts of birds, a very respectable total of 113 species was recorded this year, a little above the average of 110, but below the all-time high of 120 species.

The top ten most numerous birds observed this year were European Starling (2796), American Robin (2625), Canada Goose (1190), American Coot (819), American Wigeon (804), Dark-eyed Junco (778), Mallard (732), Brewer's Blackbird (562), American Crow (535), and Red-winged Blackbird (498). However, the most widespread birds, found by all 14 teams (with numbers), were Mallard (732), Red-tailed Hawk (73), California Scrub-Jay (188), Black-capped Chickadee (343), American Robin (2625), European Starling (2796), Dark-eyed Junco (778), Golden-crowned Sparrow (276), and Spotted Towhee (140). In contrast, 19 species were found in only one team area; not found by any other team (see links to summary tables below for more detail).
 
One new species was recorded for the count: YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT! This bird had been at Jim Houseman's backyard at Chevy's Pond (across Church Rd. from Ford's Pond), since December 9, and was seen and photographed on count day! There are only about a dozen winter records of this species in Oregon.

Yellow-breasted Chat (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Yellow-breasted Chat (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Two BARRED OWLS were heard at a single stop along Cole Road by Matt Hunter and crew, for only the 2nd count record. There are probably dozens in the count circle, but with only a small amount of owling effort they are unlikely to be detected. A BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER was found by Keith and Ken Phifer at the River Forks RV Park for the 3rd count record. Other species recorded 10 or fewer times in the count's history include: 4 TURKEY VULTURES (in two areas in west Roseburg, 5th count record); 1 male CINNAMON TEAL, Chevy's Pond (6th), 2 AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN, Ford's Pond (6th), 2 SNOW GOOSE in two different areas (9th).

Cinnamon Teal male (Photo by Matt Hunter)

American White Pelicans (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Snow Goose (Photo by Matt Hunter)

New record highs include: BUFFLEHEAD (373), COMMON GOLDENEYE (27), GREAT BLUE HERON (81), GREAT EGRET (56), AMERICAN PIPIT (270), and LESSER GOLDFINCH (305).

Record lows include: ROCK PIGEON (143),  TOWNSEND'S WARBLER (1), and PINE SISKIN (1).

Species missed that have been recorded on 30 or more of 44 historical counts include (and number of counts in which previously recorded): RING-NECKED PHEASANT (40), MERLIN (36), WESTERN GREBE (36), and BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (31).

For a more detailed look at the numbers this year, check out these summary tables (also available at www.umpquabirds.org/cbc):
**Numbers of birds recorded by team area--sorted by taxonomy
**Numbers of birds recorded by team area--sorted by total number of each species
**Numbers of birds recorded by team area--sorted by number of team areas recording each species

Thank-you again to Jeannie Pollock for entering everyone's tally sheet data into her spreadsheet and eventually to the national CBC database! The variability in people's writing is tremendous and Jeannie conquers this challenge and gets it all entered!!! 

For more information on Christmas Bird Counts in Douglas County, see www.umpquabirds.org/cbc. Hope to see y'all and your friends next year!!!  :-)

Some other photos from count day....

Lincoln's Sparrow (Photo by Liz Gayner)

Canvasbacks, w/Ring-necked Ducks in foreground (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Sharp-shinned Hawk (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Cooper's Hawk (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Hermit Thrush (Photo by Matt Hunter)

The Third Reedsport Christmas Bird Count--December 27, 2017

Eighteen participants counted 16,433 birds of 114 species in the third edition of the Reedsport Christmas Bird Count. The first two counts each had 22 observers and found 16,349 birds of 133 species and 8,249 birds of 116 species, respectively. This was the first year we were able to count the Umpqua Estuary sector, thanks to John Schaefer with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Unfortunately, we also were unable to cover the Scholfield Creek sector this year. Weather was not too cold or rainy, but late afternoon showers closed things down early for some.

Tables of species detected this year are sorted and linked here: by taxonomy, by total number of each species, and by number of team areas recording each species. Click here for a map of the team areas and here for additional information on Douglas County CBCs.

Firsts for the count included: 8 TUNDRA SWAN, 2 WOOD DUCK, 2 EURASIAN WIGEON, 2 LONG-TAILED DUCK, 5 CALIFORNIA QUAIL, 1 SOOTY SHEARWATER, 60 LEAST SANDPIPER, and 2 RING-BILLED GULL.

Tundra Swans, Bufflehead, Northern Pintail on Umpqua Estuary by Matt Hunter

Ring-billed Gull on Umpqua Estuary by Matt Hunter

Although maximum and minimum numbers are not very significant for a count of only three years, I report them here anyway to document the progress of this CBC.

Previously recorded species with maxima this year included: 5 NORTHERN SHOVELER, 608 NORTHERN PINTAIL, 3218 BUFFLEHEAD, 57 HOODED MERGANSER, 123 COMMON MERGANSER, 43 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, 3 EARED GREBE, 189 WESTERN GREBE, 1 (tied) CLARK'S GREBE, 45 GREAT BLUE HERON, 66 SNOWY PLOVER***, 22 KILLDEER, 1634 SANDERLING, 560 DUNLIN, 385 MEW GULL, 37 CALIFORNIA GULL, 7 THAYER'S GULL, 7 MOURNING DOVE, 14 DOWNY WOODPECKER, 273 AMERICAN CROW, 9 TREE SWALLOW, 80 BUSHTIT, 25 RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH, 35 BREWER'S BLACKBIRD, 366 RED CROSSBILL, 546 PINE SISKIN.

***The Snowy Plover record is a new state record. Twenty-six (26) were a mile or two south of Tahkenitch Creek, and 40 were about a half-mile north of the mouth of Tahkenitch Creek. The previous state record of 43 was set by the Reedsport CBC on December 30, 2015!

Clark's Grebe on Umpqua Estuary by Matt Hunter

Snowy Plovers on beach of N Spit by Nathan Hamm

Snowy Plover ... by Bob Archer

Count lows included: 73 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 260 RING-NECKED DUCK, 10 GREATER SCAUP, 6 RED-THROATED LOON, 1 PACIFIC LOON, 45 PIED-BILLED GREBE, 6 RED-NECKED GREBE, 118 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, 16 PELAGIC CORMORANT, 3 NORTHERN HARRIER, 1 SORA, 4 HERRING GULL, 15 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, 25 OLYMPIC GULL, 29 ROCK PIGEON, 17 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, 19 BELTED KINGFISHER, 2 RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, 2 PILEATED WOODPECKER, 1 PEREGRINE FALCON, 19 BLACK PHOEBE, 1 HUTTON'S VIREO, 61 STELLER'S JAY, 29 COMMON RAVEN, 31 BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, 31 PACIFIC WREN, 22 MARSH WREN, 109 GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, 83 RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, 36 WRENTIT, 36 HERMIT THRUSH, 153 AMERICAN ROBIN, 2 AMERICAN PIPIT, 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW, 242 SONG SPARROW, 14 LINCOLN'S SPARROW, 110 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, 8 HOUSE FINCH, 10 HOUSE SPARROW.

Species missed that were recorded on both the previous two counts included: AMERICAN GOLDFINCH, SAVANNAH SPARROW, ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER, NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, GREAT HORNED OWL, WESTERN SCREECH-OWL, BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE, MARBLED MURRELET, COMMON MURRE, COOPER'S HAWK, BRANDT'S CORMORANT, WHITE-WINGED SCOTER, CACKLING GOOSE, BRANT.

Species not yet detected on the count over the three years, but expected include: Canvasback, Ruffed Grouse, Green Heron, White-tailed Kite, Black-bellied Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Surfbird, Long-billed Dowitcher, Bonaparte's Gull, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Cedar Waxwing, Brown-headed Cowbird, Evening Grosbeak, among others.

Additional photos from the count (Thanks to the photographers!):

Bald Eagle at Tahkenitch Lake by Matt Hunter

Common Loon on Tahkenitch Lake by Matt Hunter

Herring Gull on Tahkenitch Lake by Matt Hunter

 

Varied Thrush on Tahkenitch Creek Tail by Bob Archer

Tahkenitch Creek Trail by Bob Archer

Mouth of Tahkenitch Creek by Bob Archer

Mouth of Tahkenitch Creek by Bob Archer

Swamp Sparrow along S. Smith River Rd. by Keith Phifer

Roseburg-Sutherlin Christmas Bird Count--Dec 16, 2017

Thirty-five eager participants counted birds for this year's Roseburg-Sutherlin CBC! It was exciting and fun to have some new faces join us this year! Thank-you Kelly B, Ken/Linda/Melissa B, Eric C, Lori D, Bill and Nancy F, Shawn H, Kevin K, Sidney P, and Greg Z for your efforts!!! Also new this year: Mark Hamm and his helper Kelby Fujii organizing the count for the first time, as well as the countdown meeting location "The Roost," a room owned by Mark. And it just gets better: in addition to Serge Queant's fabulous seafood chowder, several others brought chili, fresh veggies, bread/rolls, wine, and desserts. All told it was a fabulous count and countdown gathering!

We were fortunate to not have rain on count day, but the fog was thick in most places until a short break in the afternoon before it again returned for the evening. Temperatures were in the 40s.


During the countdown event we tallied 110 species, but additional tally sheets came in and we ended up with 116 species for this year's count, one of the highest ever (maximum 120, average 110). Birders counted and/or tallied 39,149 birds for this year's Roseburg-Sutherlin CBC, almost half of which were AMERICAN ROBINS (17,985).

One new species was detected for the count, a BARRED OWL along Oakhill Road, by Keith Phifer. Before sunrise, Keith had been calling for a variety of owls and, hearing nothing, got in his car and began turning around. In his headlights he noticed an owl perched on a nearby wooden fence post. Keith saw it was a Barred Owl and was able to get a photo to verify the first record for the Roseburg-Sutherlin CBC. There are undoubtedly a dozen or perhaps several dozen of this species within the count circle, but they are not as vocal or responsive as some owls to recorded calls. Even though the owl did not make a sound, Keith's efforts, diligence, and awareness paid off.

Barred Owl photo by Keith Phifer

Species detected that have been recorded 10 or fewer times over the 44 years of the count, include AMERICAN BITTERN (4th time), AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (4th), THAYER'S GULL (7th), SORA (10th). Other unusual species observed this year (occurring on fewer than 1/3 of counts) include CHIPPING SPARROW, BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, SAY'S PHOEBE, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

Record high counts tallied this year include PEREGRINE FALCON (6), SPOTTED TOWHEE (354), YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (423), WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH (39), and AMERICAN ROBIN (17,985).

Record (or tied) low counts this year include LESSER SCAUP (2), WESTERN SCREECH-OWL (1), and WHITE-THROATED SPARROW (1).

Species missed that have been recorded on more than two-thirds of previous counts include (and number of counts in which recorded): PILEATED WOODPECKER (36), AMERICAN PIPIT (32), and GREEN HERON (31).

For a more detailed look at the numbers this year, check out these summary tables (also available at www.umpquabirds.org/cbc)(note: some late "feeder count" data came in that was added to the national database, but not updated in these tables--mgh):
**Numbers of birds recorded by team area--sorted by taxonomy
**Numbers of birds recorded by team area--sorted by total number of each species
**Numbers of birds recorded by team area--sorted by number of team areas recording each species

With new faces participating in organizing the CBC, counting birds, and bringing food to the count, and a new location, I think this CBC is going in a good direction. Thank-you to everyone who participated this year and/or contributed in some way. Building bird data and building friendships is a good way to spend a winter day!!!

Thank-you again to Jeannie Pollock for entering everyone's tally sheet data into her spreadsheet and eventually to the national CBC database! The variability in people's writing is tremendous and Jeannie conquers this challenge and gets it all entered!!! 

For more information in Christmas Bird Counts in Douglas County, see www.umpquabirds.org/cbc.

A FEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THE DAY:

American White Pelican, photo by Matt Hunter

American White Pelican, photo by Matt Hunter

Canvasback, photo by Matt Hunter

 

Northern Pygmy-Owl, photo by Matt Hunter

Iceland (Thayer's type) Gull, photo by Matt Hunter

Eurasian Wigeon (upper right) with American Wigeon, photo by Matt Hunter

Say's Phoebe, photo by Keith Phifer

American Bittern, photo by Dale and Elva Paulson.

American Bittern digging/foraging in bank of ditch, photo by Dale and Elva Paulson.

The Second Reedsport Christmas Bird Count--December 28, 2016

The second Reedsport Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was a great success!  Although we had fewer participants and fewer bird numbers this year (a common report from CBCs this year), all the participants, including a handful of new ones, put out superb effort with enthusiasm to document the bird life of the Reedsport area this winter. It is also very important for a new count like this to evaluate the team areas, and people's input for this count has been extremely valuable!

Temperatures began in the 30s and ended up in the upper 40s, with mostly sunny skies. Total individual birds this year was only 8,249 versus 16,349 last year, and species totals 116 this year versus 133 last year. Charts of species detected this year are sorted and linked here: by taxonomy, by total number of each species, and by number of team areas recording each species. Click here for a map of the team areas and here for additional information on Douglas County CBCs.
 

Waiting out high tide at the North Jetty (photo by Russ Namitz)

For the second year in a row, but for different reasons, our boat plans for the estuary fell through, so we didn't get to count birds on the river between Salmon Harbor and Gardiner. Hopefully everything will fall into place next year! In contrast, we were successful for the second year in a row getting a boating team on Tahkenitch Lake where they counted many species of waterbirds, and obtained two new count species! Way to go Captain Bill Evans and First Mate John Sullivan!!! Their eBird checklist from Tahkenitch Lake with some great photos is here.

John Sullivan and Bill Evans exploring Tahkenitch Lake (selfie).

Tahkenitch Lake boat route.

The birding fun of the count started the previous day when James (Jimmy) Billstine found a GRAY CATBIRD at a small pond surrounded by willows, waxmyrtle, shore pine, and sitka spruce out toward the south jetty. The bird was extremely difficult to relocate, but Jimmy did detect it on the day of the count. The day after the count several of us were standing there talking when the bird mewed at us several times and once did its ratchet call. I was able to obtain a mediocre recording of its mew calls, and got one good quick glimpse of the bird. We obtained no photos of this skulker. It is amazing how this species can remain undetected for long periods only 20 feet away!

Early morning owling was not very successful for small owls, but GREAT HORNED OWLS were heard several places during the early morning hours, a pair was heard calling during the day out Sparrow Park Road, and one was flushed during the day at the Dean Creek Elk Area. Jimmy Billstine and Miracle Fingerson had one WESTERN SCREECH-OWL near the Umpqua Lighthouse. During the day Bill Evans and John Sullivan had 3 NORTHERN PYGMY-OWLS from Tahkenitch Lake, and Russ Namitz had one along Sparrow Park Road. No Barn Owls, Barred Owls, N. Saw-whet Owls, though all are present in the count circle in numbers.

New count species included a female HARLEQUIN DUCK in the "triangle" at the south jetty, by Jimmy Billstine and crew; 6 GRAY JAYS and 8 TREE SWALLOWS at Tahkenitch Lake by Bill Evans and John Sullivan; 1 CALIFORNIA SCRUB JAY at the Umpqua Lighthouse by Judy Franzen and company (Billstine's crew); and 1 SEMIPALMATED PLOVER by Glenn Reubon on the Oregon Dunes Overlook/Tahkenitch Creek beaches (North Dunes); 2 BLACK TURNSTONE on the North Jetty by Russ Namitz's team and 2 at Winchester Bay by Billstine's team. Most Oregon birders don't realize that "rock-pipers" are relatively difficult to come by in Douglas County because the only coastal rocks are the jetties, and Salmon Harbor area.

Female Harlequin Duck (Photo by Jimmy Billstine)

Tree Swallow (Photo by John Sullivan)

Gray Jay (Photo by John Sullivan)

Black Turnstones on North Jetty (Photo by Russ Namitz)

Some "standard scarce birds" included a few SNOWY PLOVERS by Russ Namitz and crew on the beaches off Sparrow Park Road, and up north of Tahkenitch Creek by Glenn Reubon; a SWAMP SPARROW at Leed's Island by Matt Hunter (last year there were 6 counted in 4 areas); an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER at the exact location as last year at Champion Park dike; a COMMON YELLOWTHROAT at the exact location as last year off the east parking lot at Dean Creek Elk area (both warblers by Matt Hunter). Finally, two WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS at one feeder in east Reedsport by Matt Hunter.

Snowy Plover (Photo by Russ Namitz)

Orange-crowned Warbler (photo by Matt Hunter)

 

Swamp Sparrow (photo by Matt Hunter)

White-throated Sparrow (Photo by Matt Hunter)

Since this is only the second year of the count, we can't really compare highs and lows, and from my perspective we did not have any significantly high numbers of any species.  On the other hand, some low numbers and misses were apparent that either had an explanation or were mysterious.  From Russ's photo below of the Bald Eagle on the north jetty, you can see that the surf was huge and full of spray, so it was nearly impossible to find and identify birds over the ocean. So, understandably, we had low numbers of scoters and missed some alcids such as Rhinoceros Auklet. Anyone want to try to pick out a Marbled Murrelet in that surf??  Finally, birds I consider surprising misses include Least Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Greater Yellowlegs; all shorebirds that are often found near each other at small pasture ponds or mudflats. I'm not sure where they were!

Enjoy more photos from our photographer bird counters, and hope to see you next season!!!  :-)

Bald Eagle and huge surf at the jetties (photo by Russ Namitz).

Immature White-crowned Sparrow (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Adult Red-tailed Hawk (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Adult Bald Eagle (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Female Common Goldeneye (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Male Bufflehead (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Horned Grebe (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Female Bufflehead (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Red-throated Loon (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

American Coot (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Surf Scoter (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Surf Scoter (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

House Finches (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Male Red-breasted Merganser, front (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Western Grebe (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Near adult Mew Gull (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Harbor Seal (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

Anna's Hummingbird (Photo by Stephen Franzen)

PLAN TO JOIN US NEXT SEASON!!!!!!