The history of Annas Hummingbird in Central Oregon is somewhat incomplete.
Jeff Gilligan and I found the first one reported to the birding community on
August 2, 1975 at the Chiloquin Ranger Station. That summer according to
the Central Oregon Audubon newsletter, The Eagle Eye, unconfirmed Annas
Hummingbirds were reported from Bend and Tumalo. The next mention of the
species from that newsletter was in the summer of 1978 when it said mostly
Annas and Rufous Hummingbirds were seen outside of Sisters. One was
reported from Ochoco Lake outside of Prineville in the summer of 79. One
was reported from the Redmond area in July 1981. Unfortunately those who
were behind the early sightings are all deceased.
I moved to Bend in September of 1981. Although I didnt see any that fall,
I have had them every year since then at my house which is at 3900. Here
is a list of the first sightings for the balance of the 80s in Bend
1982 May 8
1983 May 15
1984 April 3
1985 April 2
1986 not recorded
1987 April 1
1988 March 8
1989 not recorded
Birds started attempting to winter in 1985 with sightings in January and
February. The next confirmed overwintering was in the winter of 1989-90.
In the 80s we would get a few reports of Annas in the Bend area, but they
were not widespread. By the 90s they were well established in Bend and we
were starting to get reports from other areas Redmond, Sisters and
Prineville. I will ask Chuck Gates to talk about Crook County. Now a few
birds will attempt to over-winter every year. Whether they make it or not
depends on the severity of the weather. Last year it got down to -27° in
early December. Needless to say, no hummingbirds were seen after that. I
would estimate that a few birds make it through the winter 2 out of 3 years
over the last decade.
Unfortunately the Birds of North America account for the species is
hopelessly out of date, stating this about its status in Oregon, In w.
Oregon, local and rare or uncommon in the interior valleys and foothills and
along the coast); east of the Cascade Mtns. reported nesting at Bend and
Klamath Falls (citations omitted).
Tom Crabtree, Bend
From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of 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.
