There are Anna’s Hummingbirds currently at my feeder, at ~1000’ on the eastern
edge of the Coast Range, numbering up to 3 at a time. On evidence from my
neighbor, who has been feeding Rufous for many years, they were not present
here before we moved in 10 years ago. We saw one per summer as our flower
garden got established. I added lots of good hummingbird plants. Only last year
did we have ANHU here going into winter. It’s been interesting to see more of
them showing up at more times during the year. However, I haven’t seen any
signs of nesting so far.
Pamela Johnston
From: David Irons
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2015 7:59 AM
To: Tim Janzen ; BILL ROSIE TICE
Cc: OBOL Oregon Birders Online
Subject: [obol] Re: Another question on range expansion
Tim et al.,
The interesting thing about this upslope expansion is that it took roughly
20-25 years (from the point that Anna's became commonplace in the Willamette
Valley) for it to happen. For those who weren't birding in Oregon back in the
1970's, you'll probably be surprised to learn that until about 1975 or so,
Anna's Hummingbird was a rare bird in the Willamette Valley. I actually had to
make a concerted effort and go to the Portland home of a birding friend of mine
to get my state Anna's on 31 December 1977. It was my 300th Oregon bird at the
time.
The initial expansion into Oregon seems to have been driven by a northerly fall
dispersal, as Anna's would often show up in October/November at a feeder that
someone forgot to take down at the end of the Rufous Hummingbird season (early
September). These feeders were almost always at or near the valley floor in
residential areas. I wonder if the driver in all of the expansion of Anna's is
critical population mass. Anna's are now abundant throughout the year around
every Willamette Valley town that I have spent any time in. Perhaps the
population density has reached a point where they have to push out at the edges
of what has historically (short-term) their range in the lowlands. This range
expansion is ongoing and now includes parts of Oregon that are east of the
Cascades. I don't have a good feel for Anna's status in Klamath Falls,
Bend/Redmond/Madras or other points farther east, but they are certainly there.
Perhaps Tom Crabtree, Judy Meredith or others can report on the status there.
Dave Irons
Portland, OR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: tjanzen@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: llsdirons@xxxxxxx; watice@xxxxxxx
CC: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [obol] Re: Another question on range expansion
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2015 23:35:16 -0800
Dear Dave and Bill,
I agree with you about the upslope movement of Anna's Hummingbird. Prior to
about 2000 I could not find them in the Happy Valley area where I live. If I
wanted to see them in the Portland metro area in Clackamas County I had to
search for them along the Willamette River or in appropriate habitat on the
valley floor in the SW part of the county. However, about 2000 Anna's
Hummingbirds began appearing at my hummingbird feeders on Mt. Scott where I
live at about the 750 foot elevation level. They have breed near my house
consistently since then. They can be found with regularity elsewhere in the
vicinity on various hills as well. I don't know how far upslope in the
Cascades in Clackamas County that Anna's Hummingbirds breed, but I wouldn't be
surprised if they breed in the Sandy area or further east in the Cascade
foothills.
Sincerely,
Tim Janzen
From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
David Irons
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2015 8:46 PM
To: watice@xxxxxxx
Cc: OBOL
Subject: [obol] Re: Another question on range expansion
Bill,
You raise an interesting question about Anna's. Their range extends way to
north, with the Victoria, BC CBC now recording upwards of 500.
The real interesting thing is the upslope expansion that you allude to. For the
most part this seems to be a comparatively recent development. Prior to the
last few years, Anna's on the west side of the Cascades seemed to be mostly
restricted to the valley floor, not often being found very far upslope. Over
the last couple years I have been noticing Anna's at upslope sites in the
Cascades and the Coast Range. Of course my observations are colloquial and
lacking rigorous protocols, but I don't feel like I was just missing birds
upslope in the past.
Dave Irons
Portland, Oregon
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 26, 2015, at 9:56 AM, BILL ROSIE <watice@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Since Tim R brought up the question on breeding records of Kite and
Red-shouldered Hawk in the Willamette Valley, the subject naturally leads to
the idea of range expansion. In the last 20 years or so, we have watched
Red-shouldered Hawks, Black Pheobes and possibly Kites extend their breeding
range. This leads me to ask the question about Anna's Hummingbirds – I seem to
get the idea that their range has stretched as well. I live in Falls City, and
up until maybe 5-6 years ago, I had 2 records of Anna's at my place, here at
the base of the coast range. Now they are year round residents, although my
feeders may keep them here. Roy Gerig and I saw one once near Sugarloaf
Mountain, half way to the coast. I'd like to know what others think.
