I'm all for it. I'd take the Hermit or Townsend's Warbler over Osprey.
Despite the history of the Western Meadowlark as the state bird, it has
always bothered me how many other states have it.
We seem to have conflicting requirements here.
1. *Statewide*: We want a bird that is present throughout the state.
2. *Uniquely Oregonian*: We want a bird that is not common in other states.
Oregon is a large diverse state. It would be quite difficult to find a
species that occurs throughout the huge diversity of habitats statewide
while somehow being restricted from bordering states. If state borders were
created based on changes in habitat, then such a feat would be far easier.
As is, it seems to me that any species that occurs statewide will also
occur in many other states.
That said, I'd be all for a species that is uniquely west coast, yet not so
habitat restricted as to only be visible on the coast itself.
I'd hypothetically be all for Hermit Warblers! Throw my vote in this
hypothetical decision.
Cheers,
On Thu, Apr 20, 2017 at 9:20 AM, Wayne Hoffman <whoffman@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Good questions.
I doubt that they breed regularly anywhere east of Hwy 97.
If we are considering Meadowlark replacements as State Bird, I would
suggest a different species that has not yet been brought up, but has some
things in its favor.
1. It does breed in Oregon, but not so extensively as Hermit Warbler.
2. Some also winter in the state.
3. It probably is regular in every Oregon county, at least in migration.
4. It is not the State Bird of any other state.
5. It is beautiful and considered a real treat by nearly everyone who
sees it.
6. It's range is larger than that of Hermit Warbler, but is still pretty
much a west coast/Rocky Mountain specialty.
This is one of the Hermit Warbler's closest relatives: Townsend's Warbler.
Wayne
On 4/20/2017 7:15:56 AM, 5hats@xxxxxxxx <5hats@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
In just how many counties east of the Cascades is Hermit Warbler a
breeding species? In just how many of them has it even been recorded?
Darrel
