[Umpqua Birds] Re: Condor?
- From: "Robin Hartmann" <robinhartmann@xxxxxxx>
- To: <umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:42:21 -0600
Maybe the sighting was near the “super secret location” mentioned in this
article in “Terra” an OSU publication:
http://oregonstate.edu/terra/2014/10/back-from-prehistory/
From: Matthew G Hunter
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 1:05 PM
To: umpquabirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Umpqua Birds] Condor?
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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