[obol] Re: What's the only county without a Semipalmated Sandpiper record? Results
- From: "Dennis Vroman" <dpvroman@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <llsdirons@xxxxxxx>, "chuck gates" <cgates326@xxxxxxxxx>, "OBOL Oregon Birders Online" <obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2013 08:31:56 -0800
While it true that Josephine County is shorebird challenged, there have been a
good number (not a great number) found in the past. Also true, it's
recommended visiting shorebirds bring their own habitat, for otherwise, it's
limited. A large, shallow mud puddle could qualify.
If your an e-bird person, check under Josephine County for past sightings,
Steve Summers' past data is there, along with some others.
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: David Irons
To: chuck gates ; OBOL Oregon Birders Online
Sent: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:27 PM
Subject: [obol] Re: What's the only county without a Semipalmated Sandpiper
record? Results
Greetings All,
If you've not birded much in Josephine County, you might have scratched your
head at my suggestion that it was the only Oregon county without a record of
Semipalmated Sandpiper, especially since neighboring Jackson County has
produced a sizeable list of shorebirds. Frankly, I would have been stunned if
Josephine hadn't been the answer to Chuck's query. I have to wonder, what is
the total list of shorebirds species for Josephine. It must be pretty skimpy. I
rack my brain trying to think of where I might start looking for shorebirds in
Josephine and I can't even conjure up a place that might reliably yield a
Greater Yellowlegs. Are there records for species like Black-bellied Plover,
Wilson's Phalarope, or Pectoral Sandpiper? Surely there must be a muddy little
puddle or sewage ponds that have produced some of these species, but I haven't
been to such a place in the county.
Chuck mentions Lake Selmac in his post. "Someday Lake Selmac will provide a
Semipalm I'm sure." I'm not so sure Chuck. I have gone to Lake Selmac only
once, but my recollection of it is that of a fairly steep-banked lake with
virtually no muddy margins around the edge. Perhaps there are seasons when
there is some exposed mud for shorebirds, but I don't remember any reports of
shorebirds from this site. The largest body of water in the county is Applegate
Lake, a flood control reservoir on the Applegate River. I've never been there,
but the satellite images make it look similar to other mid-slope flood control
reservoirs (like Lookout Point and Cougar reservoirs in Lane County). These are
steep-banked "bathtubs" that collect virtually no birds.
So Chuck (or perhaps Dennis Vroman), how many species of shorebirds have been
recorded in Josephine County? I'd be surprised if the list approaches 20
species and even that seems like a stretch. I went through a field guide and
came up with only 14 species that seem likely. My personal life list for
Josephine County (113 species) includes just one species of
shorebird...Killdeer.
Dave Irons
Portland, OR
> Subject: [obol] What's the only county without a Semipalmated Sandpiper
record? Results
>
> Here are a few guesses:
> Gilliam
> Morrow
> Grant (2)
> Union
> Josephine (2)
>
> All good guesses but the final answer
> is.....................................Josephine. Congrats to Dave
> Irons and Darrel Faxon for guessing correctly.
> Someday Lake Selmac will provide a Semipalm I'm sure.
>
> --
> Chuck Gates
> High School Teacher (Retired)
> NAMC State Coordinator - East Cascades Audubon Society
> Online Oregon Birding Site Guide - birdingoregon.info
> 541-280-4957
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