Tom,
You mentioned the cold snap last year when it reached -27 F. About 10-12 days
later we had an Anna's on the Bend Christmas Bird Count. The bird remained in
my neighborhood until at least 1/29/2015 at which time I no longer observed it.
Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Crabtree" <tc@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: llsdirons@xxxxxxx, "Tim Janzen" <tjanzen@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "BILL ROSIE TICE"
<watice@xxxxxxx>
Cc: "OBOL Oregon Birders Online" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, November 27, 2015 10:53:04 PM
Subject: [obol] Re: Another question on range expansion
The history of Anna’s 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” Anna’s
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
Anna’s 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 didn’t 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 80’s 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
80’s we would get a few reports of Anna’s in the Bend area, but they were not
widespread. By the 90’s 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out of date, stating this about its status in Oregon, “In w. Oregon, local and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.
--
Mark Gonzalez
Bend, Oregon
