This would be the only winter record in the state for Brewer’s Sparrow. The
all-time earliest date is April 2nd and the latest date is November 18th.
There are only thee winter records for Vesper Sparrow in Eastern Oregon. Two
from Malheur NWR and one from the Wallowa County CBC.
Tom Crabtree Bend
From: obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:obol-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ;
Tim Rodenkirk
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 6:50 PM
To: jshewey@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: obol; obol
Subject: [obol] Re: January in Gilliam County
Nice list John! Are Vesper and Brewer's Sparrow a species that is usually seen
this time of year there? They are both species worth tracking with the climate
issues we have. I live on the westside so I always think of them as summer
birds. Am envious of your list for sure!
Tim Rodenkirk
Coos bay
On Wed, Feb 3, 2016 at 4:21 PM, john shewey <jshewey@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Although this report is hardly timely, I hope it's at least interesting. During
my half-dozen January forays to Gilliam County, primarily in the general area
of Condon, I was very surprised to find the following: COMMON REDPOLL--a group
of 4 that flew right in to have a good look at me while I was climbing out of a
slot canyon feeding Wherli Canyon. VESPER SPARROW--1 individual in a large
patch of low sagebrush on a ridge high above 30-Mile Creek. BREWER'S SPARROW--2
individuals in close association in a sagebrush patch on a flat about 5 miles
from Condon. As for these last two sightings, I'd be interested in hearing
about other winter sightings in the region as I'm unfamiliar with whether this
is rare or just unusual. To be sure, it was a mild winter in that part of
Oregon and certainly Gilliam County is "under-studied" owing to the propensity
of private land (I've been chukar hunting around Condon for 20 years and have
never before seen "summer" sparrows there in winter). I
n the not-unusual-but always-fun-to-see category, the Holiday snowfall brought
hundreds of HORNED LARKS to the highway west of Condon and to the high
blow-offs in the CRP and stubble fields, but despite my best efforts, not a
Longspur to be found. Also found near Condon last month: MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD (2),
NORTHERN SHRIKE (2), PEREGRINE FALCON (1), WESTERN SCREECH-OWL (1 by call).
--John Shewey www.birdingoregon.com
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