[obol] PHAINOPEPLA Klamath County
- From: Kevin Spencer <rriparia@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "klamathbasinbirdnews: googlegroups.com" <klamathbasinbirdnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Oregon Birders Online <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2014 19:40:56 -0400 (EDT)
While doing a point count survey in the Klamath River Canyon I heard and
saw a PHAINOPEPLA. I believe it is the first county record for this
species. The photos I took are average, but the recording of its
whistles are good.
The location is remote, and difficult to get to, but with a high
clearance vehicle to get to the location, it might be worth going to
see. It seemed like it was hanging out at the location. It was seen in
the far SW part of Klamath County, and access is only from Dorris, CA
into Oregon.
A google map link to the location:
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zqHvb0dwPeNo.kKDTj9b3-I5U
It was an adult bird, all dark, shiny black, with somewhat lighter black
tail (when preening its tail seemed lighter, but may have been altered
by being backlit with the sun shining almost through it), white flashes
on the outer primaries in flight, crest, and red irises. It was vocal
with a repeated single note whistle, which it did often. It was seen
atop both larger and smaller shrubs, and medium sized trees, but seemed
to prefer a large yellow flowered elderberry shrub/tree. It was in thue
area of a large oak grass woodland, with pioneered juniper scattered
about It was seen at the site of a historical/former homestead/ranch
called "Kerwin Ranch" and the bird was not far from the historical
"yellow rail" marker that noted the historical spot.
If anyone wants directions, check out the link, or you can contact me.
Also of note was a BAND-TAILED PIGEON, which I have seen one time in the
canyon, flying about upslope many years ago. But there has always been a
hint of doubt. So hearing one very near the center of the second point
this morning really supported what I have thought since then; that they
possibly breed in the canyon there. I returned after the count and after
some searching with binos, looking into the tree, I was able to view a
primitive scaffolding about 30 feet up close to the bole of a Douglas
Fir tree. It was a flimsil builty nest looking structure, with many
small sticks, but also had some green matter to it. Based on other doves
not building the most stable of nests, I suspect that it might have
possibly been at least a nesting attempt.
Kevin Spencer
rriparia@xxxxxxxxxxx
Klamath Falls, OR
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