[obol] Re: Pheasants
- From: Joel Geier <joel.geier@xxxxxxxx>
- To: Oregon Birders OnLine <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2016 22:45:46 -0800
Given the impressive number of replies on this thread, perhaps we should
call it "Pheasants Forever."
Personally, I tend not to trust any detections of Ring-necked Pheasant
cocks, anywhere in the state, as representing wild birds. When I see a
hen, I take note.
I'm not sure that releases are limited to ODFW, since there could be
private groups releasing birds (legally or otherwise). As I mentioned in
my previous posting, most places where I've detected this species in the
Willamette valley, other than Baskett Slough, are close to hunting club
properties.
That includes Finley NWR (even though it also seems plausible that
pheasants could be nesting on the North Prairie, just I've seen no
direct evidence of that), and the area around the Cold Creek hunting
club on Robison/De Armond Rds. along the Benton/Polk Co. line.
To address Hendrik's remark about birds (nowadays all males) that are
released for the annual fee hunt at E.E.Wilson Wildlife:
No idea how far any potential survivors of these releases might stray.
I doubt that many of them get very far, though some do seem to shelter
in place up to 3 months after the end of the season, before the coyotes
catch up with them.
These pen-raised birds are sorely lacking in survival skills. About 10
days ago I noticed one on the hillside above our yard (so about 200
yards from the wildlife area boundary) that was standing out in the
open, and being stalked by a large feral c*t that's been plaguing our
neighborhood. The pheasant only escaped because I went out and yelled at
the c*t, distracting it enough for the pheasant to escape.
But I'd bet it didn't last more than another day or two. There's at
least one Bobcat around, plenty of Coyotes, and probably at least one
Cougar patrolling the same ridge.
Good birding,
Joel
--
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
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