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!!!!!!

Roseburg-Sutherlin Christmas Bird Count--Dec 17, 2016

We were fortunate to have a beautiful, though somewhat cold, day for the 43rd consecutive Roseburg-Sutherlin Christmas Bird Count (CBC). It started out just under freezing in most places and reached a maximum of about 40 F. The sun even peaked out a few times during the day. We had 11 teams this year comprised of 24 birders (fewer than usual) covering 14 areas; in addition we had 4 feeder counters. We counted a total of 27,346 birds (over 1/3 American Robins), comprising 105 species (Average 110, max 120). A google map of the count circle and team areas is here. Click on the following links to see bird species found on the count, sorted by taxonomy, total number of each species, or number of team areas in which each species was found. For additional information, see the Umpqua Birds CBC page. Thank-you to Jeannie Pollock for the data entry!

Three owl teams had a tough time finding much beyond 5 GREAT HORNED OWLs, but Keith Phifer came up with the count's only WESTERN-SCREECH-OWL. The Roseburg-Sutherlin CBC once held the national record for Western Screech-Owls with an amazing 55 (yes, fifty-five) detected during the 1992 CBC! No Barn Owls were found, and the count is still waiting for its first Barred Owl!

A single "count first"--1 male TRICOLORED BLACKBIRD--was detected at Chevy's Pond (next to Fords Pond) by Keith Phifer. The bird had been located there a couple weeks earlier by local resident Jim Houseman and apparently it stuck around!

Other rare birds found during the count included an immature male LONG-TAILED DUCK (3rd time), an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN (4th time), and an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER (13th time), all at Umpqua Sand & Gravel by Matt Hunter and Stacy Burleigh. In addition, a total of 12 SNOW GEESE (8th time) were found in two different locations (Barb Taylor, Beth Brown, Peggy Gilbertson, Matt Hunter, Stacy Burleigh), and a SWAMP SPARROW was found by Keith Phifer at Fords Pond.

Record highs for this count included 12 SNOW GOOSE, 4 EURASIAN WIGEON, 47 CANVASBACK, 313 RUDDY DUCK, and 11 RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS.

Low numbers for the count (new or tied records) included 1 CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, 1 WESTERN SCREECH-OWL, and 4 PACIFIC WRENS.

Species missed that have been detected on over 30 of 43 years for the count included RING-NECKED PHEASANT (39 yrs), VARIED THRUSH (36 yrs), SPOTTED SANDPIPER (36 yrs) and HAIRY WOODPECKER (34 yrs).

After counting birds all day, we again enjoyed warm soup, chili, bread, salad and treats at the Douglas County Library, shared stories and enjoyed seeing friends. I hope you'll join us next CBC season!

Following are some photos from the day (all photos by Matt Hunter).

Three Snow Geese near Kruse Farms (2 imm and 1 adult)

Long-tailed Duck (immature male) at Umpqua Sand & Gravel

Cedar Waxwings on ridge above North Umpqua River

Western Bluebird and Cedar Waxwing on ridge above North Umpqua River

 

American White Pelican at Umpqua Sand & Gravel

"Gray-headed" Orange-crowned Warbler at Umpqua Sand & Gravel

Peregrine Falcon (adult male) at Umpqua Sand & Gravel

Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Umpqua Sand & Gravel

American Kestrel (male)

Black-crowned Night-Heron (immature near South Umpqua River)