We have had Anna's overwinter in our backyard at the 550 ft elevation level
in West Linn for each of the past 4 years. I began heating our feeder 2
years ago.
Jack Williamson
West Linn, Oregon
On Fri, Nov 27, 2015 at 10:47 AM, Pamela Johnston <pamelaj@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
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 <llsdirons@xxxxxxx>
*Sent:* Friday, November 27, 2015 7:59 AM
*To:* Tim Janzen <tjanzen@xxxxxxxxxxx> ; BILL ROSIE TICE <watice@xxxxxxx>
*Cc:* OBOL Oregon Birders Online <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*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.