Bird Notes - September to December, 2002
by Jim Rogers

Bird Records

November 9: A lone Lesser Goldfinch spent the day at Alice Pfand’s feeder. Although relatively common in the Rogue and southern Willamette Valleys, this species is rarely seen on the coast.

Early November: Three Chestnut-collared Longspurs and two Horned Larks showed up for a week-long stay at the Wahl ranch on lower Elk River. On about the same day, Terry Wahl also spotted a Sandhill Crane and a Say’s Phoebe that are still present on the ranch. On a single day, in addition to the above four species, Terry also had a Northern Shrike, an Osprey, and a Bald Eagle! During this period, a Clay-colored Sparrow spent a few says at the ranch, and Terry found an American Tree Sparrow at Floras Lake.

December 7: A Black-billed Magpie showed up at the old Agness Store as reported by Dennis and Linda Graves. This very noticeable corvid of the sagebrush and juniper areas of eastern Oregon is found fairly regularly in the upper Rogue in Jackson County, so it’s to be expected that one would occasionally move down the river.

Please phone, fax or mail your bird observations to me at (541) 332-2555; 95187 Elk River Rd., Port Orford, OR 97465. Thanks.