[obol] Re: Loss of Catbird habitat
- From: "melissa" <mmcdowell1955@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Tim Rodenkirk" <timrodenkirk@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 18:24:39 -0800
I realize that catbird habitat is an anomaly and the least of our problems here
on the coast. But it stands for any habitat really and the more people are
informed about invasive plants vs. native plants and habitat removal in
general, the better, no? A lot of budding birders aren't aware of habitat loss
in general and invasives in particular. And I realize it's happening everywhere
and I am just one small voice but I insist on defending native habitat!
From: Tim Rodenkirk
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 6:08 PM
To: mmcdowell1955@xxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: Nels Nelson ; Wayne Hoffman ; obol
Subject: Re: [obol] Re: Loss of Catbird habitat
I can't tell you how much habitat has been removed in Coos County, it is crazy,
but I think that is the case everywhere. As for catbird habitat being removed?
It was such a bizarre event to begin with, but to think that catbirds would
breed a second year at the same spot is well crazy too : )
It is always a bummer when good birding habitat disappears. I saw much of that
today driving from Bandon to Coquille. The Barred Owl spot along Hwy 42N (that
I heard them from Hwy 42S) on the local CBC has been clearcut. Also, there has
been a fantastic passerine spot for years at the Norway pond sight near Myrtle
Point, Coos. It has been totally leveled with cats. There is no veg anywhere
along the east side of the pond and it looks like they may be planning on
building something.
I can't even begin to talk about all the changes around Coos Bay also. You all
may think that we get good birds down here and such (at times) but the reality
is that good birding spots are hard to find and mostly they are emphermal
locations on lands not protected for any reason. Very frustrating indeed,
nothing like what you all have happening in the valley. That said, I couldn't
imagine living in a bigger city than Coos Bay! The ups and the downs...
Tim R
Coos Bay
On Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 10:33 AM, melissa <mmcdowell1955@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
As a retired invasive plant manager for a federal agency, it is frustrating
that native plants were removed in favor of holly, etc. Thanks are in order for
the removal of English ivy and Himalayan blackberry but if in fact a state
agency was involved in this vegetation project the agency needs to be
questioned. If it happened on private, then yes I agree that landowners should
be informed (with much diplomacy).
From: Nels Nelson
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 8:46 AM
To: Wayne Hoffman
Cc: obol
Subject: [obol] Re: Loss of Catbird habitat
Wayne/all,
I'm wondering if this disaster (for the GRCA and all of us birdwatchers that
got to see them there) is partly my/our fault for not letting the powers that
be at HMSC know of this unique west side GRCA nesting site and it's importance,
or was it simply insensitivity or incompetence on the part of someone at HMSC.
It's too late for this site (at least in the near future, absent prompt
re-plantings of the mature native Salal, Salmonberry, Red Elderberry, and
Waxmyrtle), but makes me ponder the importance of developing a protocol within
OBA that would trigger someone from OBA informing the landowner of any/all
future nesting sites (of this and other rare/semi-rare species) when they are
discovered and the negative impact it would have on the species if the
landowner should decide to alter that habitat. Just some random thoughts
passing through my mind. I'm curious if other OBOLites have similar thoughts
or suggestions to consider.
Nels
Hillsboro
On Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 6:57 AM, Wayne Hoffman <whoffman@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi -
Earlier this week the patch of shrubbery at the Hatfield Marine Science
Center where the Gray Catbirds nested last summer has been cleared. This may
have been done as part of an exotics control program. The area did have a lot
of English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry, however the native Salal, Salmonberry,
Red Elderberry, and Waxmyrtle were also removed. And, the exotic holly tree
and Cherry Laurel were retained.
In any case the habitat that housed the only documented catbird nesting
west of the Cascades is no longer.
Wayne
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