[Umpqua Birds] Condor?
- From: Matthew G Hunter <matthewghunter@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 11:05:48 -0800
Hi Folks,
I thought I would pass this on for those of you who are not on OBOL
(Oregon Birder's On Line, http://orbirds.org/obolguidelines.html), because
the reported sighting was in southern Douglas County.
I really don't know anything about the person's experience, etc., other
than what can be surmised from the below email. On the one hand, my bet is
it was either a Turkey Vulture at a different elevation (size is often
difficult to asses, especially at 70 mph), or an adult Golden Eagle or
immature Bald Eagle, again at 70 mpg. I have gotten the impression
described here (of great size and "grayish" underneath) numerous times
while driving, upon seeing an immature Bald Eagle fly over. On the other
hand, do I really want to throw this off and ignore it just because it is
likely a misidentification? No, I don't want to. I'm hoping it will happen
to me some day! And I'll have my camera! Condors were once in the Umpqua
Valleys. In fact, some of the last Condors sighted in Oregon were here in
the Umpqua Valleys, near Drain in 1903 and 1904.
Supposedly all Condors now flying have patagial tags, but again, especially
with an immature condor, they would be difficult to see while the observer
was flying down I-5.
You never know. Keep an eye out. But if you think you see a California
Condor, pull over and look again! And take a picture with your cell phone.
:-)
Matt
From: <muchcatfur@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2015 22:09:10 +0000 (UTC)
To: <hnehls6@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Conversation: Rare Bird Alert
Subject: Rare Bird Alert
I believe I spotted a California Condor last Friday, January 2, while
driving on the I-5 south to California. This would have taken place around
10:30 am.
The bird was flying north along the river between mileposts 84 and 86 at a
point where there is an opening in the trees flanking the river.
The bird was about twice the size of the vultures in the area, had light
grey under its wings (at least the right wing visible from the freeway) and
had the general configuration of a condor. I would not mistake a heron, for
instance, for this. I have herons in my back yard, and this was darker and
bigger. It was a stunning sight, and puzzling. Do these things wander this
far north?
Sorry, but driving at 70 mph and trying to get a picture proved impossible -
I thought about it, but realized the danger involved. Driving home on
Monday, the 5th, I reviewed the location, which is near the Heaven on Earth
Restaurant near Azalea, OR. The river turns out to be Cow Creek, according
to Google Maps.
Dean Sigler
503-649-2006
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