Storm Petrel Kalmiopsis Audubon Society
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Storm Petrel
Kalmiopsis Audubon Society
Curry County, Oregon Volume 44, Number 2 Spring 2021
Upcoming Events
May 5, Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m., Training for
Black Oystercatcher Nest Monitoring (online)
May 8, Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, Training for
Black Oystercatcher Nest Monitoring (online)
Black Oystercatchers are charismatic and beloved shore-
birds that we love to see on the South Coast. Because of
their small global population size, low reproduction rate,
and reliance on rocky intertidal habitats, they are considered
a “species of high conservation concern” and serve as an
indicator of intertidal ecosystem health. This year’s survey
effort will focus again on monitoring nests through the sum-
mer (May through August). The expected time commitment
is monitoring twice a month or more, but there can be some
flexibility if you partner up with other volunteers. This is a Black Oystercatcher
fun way to get to better know these fascinating birds and our Photo: Peter Monteforte / Audubon Photography Awards
coastal ecosystems. If you are interested in helping, please
plan to attend one of the two virtual training sessions. For more information, contact Allison Anholt, Coastal
Community Science Coordinator for Portland Audubon, who is orchestrating the monitoring effort coastwide:
asopcoastalbirds@gmail.com.
May 9, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,
COASST Training (online)
COASST (Coastal Observation and Seabird
Survey Team) is a citizen science program that
focuses on monitoring beaches from Alaska to
northern California for beached birds and
marine debris. The information collected by
volunteers is then used to track ocean and
beach health. This online training session for
southern Oregon is designed to teach new vol-
unteers the basics of beach surveying and mon-
itoring with COASST. Future trainings will be
planned to cover more advanced information
for full-fledged COASST volunteers. For more
information, contact Paige at COASST:
coasst@uw.edu. Here is a short link to the
training registration: https://bit.ly/3wKM1CI.
Sanderlings and Dunlins Photo by Rowly Willis
◄▼►◄▼►◄▼►◄▼►◄▼►
With continuing precaution for Covid-19 and our area still at risk, we have no field trips planned yet
for this spring. Please sign up for the KAS HOOT OUT email newsletter or follow us on Facebook.
We’ll keep you posted if conditions change!
Page 2 The Storm Petrel Spring 2021
and more majestic each year. Beyond that, the rich
From the President’s Desk offshore waters host whales, Steller sea lions, seals,
and more, while our rocky sea stacks and shores host
H appy spring to all! The lengthening and bright-
ening days just make me want to get outside —
into the garden, with its blooms and birds — and also
millions of seabirds, plus hundreds of species of ma-
rine algae (aka seaweed) and invertebrates! Even just
this overview is overwhelming in the best sense —
to explore the beautiful and remarkable natural land- there is so much to learn about, to see, and to be in-
scapes in our public lands “back yard.” In our Curry spired by in the natural world! What are your favor-
County “beat,” we have such an extraordinary array ite, wondrous local places? I’d like to pull together a
of amazing wild ecosystems! Many are truly national better collection of photos to showcase the beautiful
treasures. and astounding array of natural beauty, biodiversity,
Beginning in the north, at Floras Lake Natural Area, and life in our extraordinary corner of Oregon. If
we have unusual “pygmy forests”— not to mention you’d like to help, please send me your photos and
stunning views! In the Wild and Scenic Elk River’s stories at ann@kalmiopsisaudubon.org.
I’d hoped that by now we’d be able to plan for some
late spring KAS outings, but alas, Curry County is
We have an extraordinary still designated as a moderate-risk area for Covid, so
we’ve put off making plans. If conditions change,
array of amazing wild there is the possibility that we may yet organize
something, so please sign up for our email HOOT
ecosystems! Many are OUT so we can keep you posted. Send an email to
truly national treasures. ann@kalmiopsisaudubon.org.
Through more than 40 years of conservation advoca-
cy in Curry County, our award-winning Storm Petrel
watershed, we have two wilderness areas with awe-
has been a steady source of news for everyone who
inspiring old-growth forests that host Marbled
cares about the local environment. Now, thanks to
Murrelets, plus unusual serpentine headwaters with
the determined efforts of Storm Petrel editor-
rare Brewer’s spruce atop Iron Mountain. We have
so many state park gems — from Cape Blanco to
Humbug, Sebastian to Boardman, with dramatic The Storm Petrel is the quarterly newsletter of Kalmiopsis
wind-sculpted coastal scrub, brilliant irises about to Audubon Society, P.O. Box 1265, Port Orford, OR 97465, in
bloom, plus rocky habitat and pocket beaches! Curry County, Oregon. Kalmiopsis Audubon Society is a chapter
of the National Audubon Society.
The Wild and Scenic Rogue River (and Wild Rogue
Wilderness) country offers so much that is outstand- Permission to reprint articles in this publication is granted,
provided credit is given to both the author and the newsletter,
ing — from its one-of-a-kind constricted canyon at unless the article is under copyright.
Mule Creek (accessible only by lengthy hike or boat-
The KAS board meets quarterly. Visitors are always welcome at
in); to high peaks, with Mount Bolivar to the north meetings and other functions. Please call any of the listed officers
and Brandy Peak to the south; to beautiful lower can- for the date and location of the board meeting.
yons, which host oak savannas and runs of salmon Officers
and ancient sturgeon — plus Bald Eagles and Os- President Ann Vileisis (541) 332-0261
prey! The greater Kalmiopsis Wilderness country, Vice President
Secretary
Foncy Prescott
Max Beeken
(541) 332-1032
(541) 373-1599
with its unique serpentine geology, hosts rare plant Treasurer Sara Lovendahl (541) 366-2063
communities — including ancient Jeffrey pines, Coordinators
Conservation Chair Ann Vileisis (541) 332-0261
pitcher plants, and stunning lilies found nowhere The Storm Petrel Penny Suess (541) 332-3017
else. This wildland block is the source of several of Membership Linda Tarr (541) 332-1032
Dark Skies Al Geiser (541) 332-6720
our fabulous Wild and Scenic Rivers — the Illinois Let’s Go Birding Gary Maschmeyer (541) 412-0806
and Chetco and North Fork Smith, which flow with Directors
brilliant clear water for salmon and a host of other Max Beeken 2018 - 2022 maxbeeken@gmail.com
Deborah Buitron 2020 - 2024 grebes@frontier.com
aquatic species and wildlife. A little closer in, Snow Al Geiser 2018 - 2022 oneocean@frontier.com
Camp and the headwaters of Hunter Creek and Pistol Joan Geiser 2018 - 2022 oneocean@frontier.com
Sara Lovendahl 2021 - 2025 sjlovendahl@charter.net
River also have unique botany and amazing back- Tim Palmer 2019 - 2023 tim@timpalmer.org
country, including the proposed Veva Stansell Botan- Foncy Prescott 2019 - 2023 foncyprescott@frontier.com
Linda Tarr 2019 - 2023 lindatarr@frontier.com
ical Area. Ann Vileisis 2020 - 2024 ann@kalmiopsisaudubon.org
Joy Wolf 2021 - 2025 joyful.heart1215@gmail.com
At the southern end of our range, we have the Ore- KAS Website http://www.kalmiopsisaudubon.org
gon redwoods, which, I swear, keep getting bigger
Spring 2021 The Storm Petrel Page 3
coordinator Penny Suess, an archive of our group’s
publication will become part of the record of local
history at the Curry Public Library. Penny also se-
cured a WorldCat library catalog entry for the Petrel,
which will provide access via the Multnomah County
Library portal to our digital issue archives, available
through our website: www.kalmiopsisaudubon.org/
storm-petrel-archives. Thank you, Penny!
Finally, I want to thank Sheila Chambers for donat-
ing a pair of binoculars to KAS, which we can hope-
fully put to good use when we get back to hosting
bird-watching field trips. Thanks to all for being part
of our Kalmiopsis Audubon Society (KAS) commu-
nity on the South Coast! – Ann Vileisis
Graybill and Jan Hodder, Anne Morgan and Phil
KAS Annual Meeting, Arnold, Tim Palmer, and Rowly Willis; as well as a
fun birding quiz, set up by Joy Wolf. It was so nice to
a Fun Gathering Online see everyone! Thanks to Joy for helping to host our
Thanks to all who attended our virtual annual meet- online gathering!
ing this year! I am pleased to report that we elected
Treasurer Sara Lovendahl to another term and Joy Gardening for Birds
Wolf, whom some of you know from past birding Having birds visit is one of the delights of gardening.
trips, as a new board member. We appreciated the If you want to consider ways to attract more birds to
many contributions of all our board members but es- your garden, Kalmiopsis Audubon has some terrific
pecially those of outgoing board member Penny tips for local gardeners on our website: https://
Suess, who has helped us get our Storm Petrel news- kalmiopsisaudubon.org/gardening-for-birds. You’ll
letter into tip-top shape — leading the charge to navi- find recommendations for native plants plus best
gate us through a big transition to a new printer, new times for pruning and more. Look under Discover>
masthead, and more. Although Penny will be step- Birding Resources>Gardening for Birds.
ping down from our board, we are grateful that she
will be staying on as our Storm Petrel editor- Workshops: Advocacy
coordinator! Through Writing and FERNS
We made the best of these strange pandemic times, In early April, KAS sponsored an “Advocacy through
with members Zooming in from Brookings to Merlin Writing” online workshop about how to write letters
to Gold Beach to Port Orford to Charleston! And in to the editor and op-eds. Maya Holiman spoke about
our online format, we enjoyed fabulous original mu- the importance of advocacy writing to share infor-
sic performed by Greg Thelen and Cliff Stansell; a mation and build community, then author Tim Palm-
moving poem recited by Vicki Graham; great photos er gave guidance and tips based on his long experi-
shared by Gary Nuechterlein and Deb Buitron, Mike ence. (Tim’s tips from this session are available on
request. Email tim@timpalmer.org.) Thanks
to Maya for organizing this terrific educa-
tional event! In late April, Teresa Bird will
lead another workshop to help more citi-
zens on the coast learn how to use Oregon’s
FERNS (Forest Electronic Notification and
Reporting System) to track aerial spraying
and clearcuts in local watersheds. This
training can help empower citizens with
information to stay safe and hopefully im-
prove forest practices. ■
Top: Anna’s Hummingbird
Photo by Sheila Chambers
Left: Western Tanager with Red Hot Pokers
Photo by Lois Miller
Page 4 The Storm Petrel Spring 2021
Conservation News the River Democracy Act and encouraging them to
introduce and advance SOWSPA in the Senate.
by Ann Vileisis
Representative DeFazio Leads on SOWSPA! Here is the contact page for Senator Wyden:
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/email-ron
I am pleased to report that, since the last Storm Pet-
rel, the bill to protect the headwaters of Hunter Here is the contact page for Senator Merkley:
Creek, Pistol River, the Illinois (Rough and Ready https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact
Creek), and North Fork Smith from the threats of Here is a sample message to help you with writing
strip mining — the Southwestern Oregon Watershed your own note:
and Salmon Protection Act (SOWSPA) — has passed
the whole U.S. House of Representatives as part of a Dear Senator Wyden/ Senator Merkley,
larger public lands bill (the Protecting America’s Thank you for introducing the River Democracy Act.
Wilderness and Public Lands Act), thanks to a big I appreciate your listening to Oregonians and giving
push by our Representative Peter DeFazio! If you’ve federal agencies clear guidance to better protect the
not yet thanked Congressman DeFazio, please send a rivers that flow through our federal public lands.
quick note via the contact page on his website to ex- However, in southwest Oregon, we have some rivers
press appreciation (and help to keep him engaged!): that need additional protection from the threat of
https://defazio.house.gov/contact/contact-peter. strip mining at their headwaters. To address this
Now it’s time to ask our senators to do their part! issue, I urge you to please re-introduce the Southwest
They have already introduced a different bill, the Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act
River Democracy Act, which — based on nomina- (SOWSPA). The U.S. House of Representatives re-
tions from hundreds of Oregonians — would desig- cently passed this bill, and so your leadership is now
nate thousands of miles of new wild and scenic rivers needed on the Senate side to get this important act
throughout our state, giving clear guidance to federal passed into law. Please re-introduce SOWSPA soon!
land managing agencies to accord our wild rivers
with a higher level of protection. But most important,
we need our senators’ help to finish the business of
passing SOWSPA, which remains crucial to protect-
ing threatened headwaters from mining.
As longtime KAS members know, SOWSPA builds
on years of communities coming together — on both
sides of the Oregon and California border — to advo-
cate for protecting outstanding wild rivers, drinking
water, salmon and steelhead runs, recreation opportu-
nities, and other natural values. The initial impetus
was a proposal for mineral exploration in the head-
waters of Hunter Creek/Pistol River by a company
that also held a large block of mining claims in the
headwaters of the North Fork Smith River. The later- Floating Offshore Wind Power:
ite soils (what we often call “serpentine”) are rich in Coming SOON to a Coast Near Us
minerals but are of low grade — so mining would In late March, KAS along with the Oregon Audubon
require removal of massive amounts of overburden. Coalition (OAC) hosted a webinar with planners
Such strip mining, plus piling and leach-processing from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage-
of rock, in our high-precipitation area would be like ment (BOEM) and the State of Oregon about current
opening a Pandora’s box at the headwaters of our planning for future installation of floating wind tur-
special wild rivers. bines in federal waters off our coast. In short, BOEM
is now preparing to identify potential leasing areas,
Working for increased protections for our public lands
called “call areas,” for wind energy development
is a long process that demands perseverance, but I
companies, and the agency wanted to “engage” with
know that all our local voices together — YOUR
us to tell us what they are doing to address concern
VOICES — have been absolutely critical in getting
us this far. Please let’s press ahead together. I thank about impacts to birds.
you for your help in keeping this ball rolling along! Of course, we’re very interested to know. Our
“beat”— Oregon’s South Coast — is seabird central!
ACTION NEEDED: Please send an email to Senators
Oregon hosts one-half of the West Coast’s breeding
Wyden and Merkley thanking them for introducing
bird colonies, and our part of the coast hosts more
Spring 2021 The Storm Petrel Page 5
than one-half of Oregon’s colonies. We have millions fish, and wildlife can be minimized. I am grateful
of seabirds that come to breed here precisely owing that BOEM is making this effort, but I have no delu-
to the wind, which churns the surface and causes sions. This is the same agency that oversees offshore
upwelling of deep, cold water and nutrients that oil and gas leasing, and its process aims to expedite
installation of industrial-scale energy production fa-
cilities by big energy companies. Though it sounds at
first like BOEM’s planning will inform the site selec-
tion, actually the companies decide where they want
to site facilities first, and then a public process fol-
lows from there. It is expected that BOEM will invite
companies to propose sites for projects later this year
(likely in November). Then there will be two oppor-
tunities for public input — the first in response to
general siting of “call areas” and another with the
NEPA-required public process — after areas have
been leased and companies have put forth their spe-
cific plans, which is, of course, quite late in the game
for making meaningful adjustments.
Meanwhile, with the Biden Administration’s big
push to address climate change with green energy
nourish the invertebrates and fish they forage on; it’s projects, there is now a rush to bring these facilities
one of the richest and cleanest marine ecosystems on to Oregon to take advantage of substantial, time-
the West Coast. Moreover, these rich waters also limited federal subsidies. On the state level, in early
attract nearly 100 species of pelagic birds from all April, the Oregon House Committee on Energy heard
across the Pacific, including albatrosses, shearwaters, a bill put forth by our Representative David Brock
fulmars, and more. I’ve never yet been out on a Smith to expedite installation of three gigawatts of
pelagic birding trip, but friends who have say that power — roughly 250 to 300 massive turbines — off
25 miles out is where one starts to see many of these our coast by 2025 or 2030. The initial bill called for a
Above:
Ruby-crowned
Kinglet
Right: Aleutian
Cackling Geese
and New Chicks
Photos by
Rowly Willis
Opposite page:
Hiking the
Rogue River
Trail
unique species. Of course, fish and wildlife, includ- task force to expedite development and included no
ing whales and other marine mammals, depend on mention of birds, fish, wildlife, or ecosystems, but
rich offshore waters, too. it was substantially amended to instead direct the
Oregon Department of Energy to collect information
So what is BOEM doing? It is currently assembling about the benefits and challenges of connecting
and starting to analyze known data with the aim of the offshore energy facilities with Oregon’s
identifying areas where presumably impacts to birds, electric grid. The amended version includes a ►
Page 6 The Storm Petrel Spring 2021
◄ statement about minimizing impacts to ocean
ecosystems and also, very fortunately, includes
clear language about the need to plan for decommis-
sioning of such facilities. This improved bill has
bipartisan support, is expected to pass, and aims to
give different economic stakeholders and the State of
Oregon greater leverage in deciding where and how
wind energy facilities might be sited — though to be
clear, the primary permitting process will be federal.
In the past, land-based wind power on our coast had
been deemed economically infeasible because the big
BPA (Bonneville Power Administration) transmis-
sion lines stop at the California border and so could
not carry electrons south to lucrative, larger markets
seeking renewable energy. Now, however, a new
model is being put forth — to tap Oregon’s offshore
wind to supply power to coastal communities and Wind,” and saw that the initial bill to expedite energy
then use our state’s existing grid infrastructure to also development included not a single word about birds,
convey electricity into the Willamette Valley, freeing it was hard not to worry about the gold-rush mentali-
up other energy for energy-demanding metropolitan ty of wind developers. It made me realize we’ll sure-
areas to the north and south. It is widely thought ly need to stand up for the albatrosses, petrels, and
from a national perspective that wind power will help puffins, and hopefully be a force to make sure these
potentially massive industrial facilities get sited in
the least damaging locations and operated in the least
Top: damaging manner possible. Please stay tuned on this
Bald Eagles
important emerging issue.
Left: Dunlin
Bottom: Administration Revokes Bad MBTA Opinion
Mating Northern In early March, the Biden Administration revoked
Harriers the controversial opinion made by the former admin-
Photos by istration’s Department of the Interior Solicitor, the
Rowly Willis so-called “M-Opinion,” which in 2017 had weakened
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act — one of America’s
to reduce our dependence on polluting fossil-fuel en- bedrocks for bird conservation. Reversing decades of
ergy sources, namely oil and gas, with an overall ben- legal interpretation, the “M-Opinion” declared that
efit of ultimately reducing impacts of climate change. the Act did not prohibit incidental — albeit the pre-
dictable and preventable — killing of migratory birds
National Audubon has a policy of supporting wind by commercial activities. In addition, the Biden Ad-
energy development that minimizes impacts on ministration started a public process that hopefully
birds — recognizing that the environmental stressors
associated with climate change are already affecting
birds, fish, and wildlife. The harsh reality is that we
now live in a time of increasingly heartbreaking
tradeoffs based on the tragic failure of past energy
policy decisions.
One thing I have learned about reducing impacts of
wind turbine arrays is that siting is supremely im-
portant; wind generators are a good idea but are not
suitable everywhere. With concern about potential
impacts of industrial wind installations on birds, fish,
and wildlife in the rich waters off Oregon’s coast,
KAS and the OAC intend to engage to ensure that the
expedited federal permitting process will not sidestep
these concerns.
Honestly, when I listened to the state hearing online,
heard our coast described as the “Saudi Arabia of
Spring 2021 The Storm Petrel Page 7
Native Plant Notes
by Teresa Bird / Illustration © Aislinn Adams / Photo by Teresa Bird
Wild Ginger: Asarum caudatum
I’m sure you’ve seen the dark green,
heart-shaped leaves as you’ve walked
through a moist, forested area, but the
flowers of the wild ginger are reserved
for the curious! If you peek beneath the
bed of leaves, you may be lucky and spot the witchy-looking blooms, rang-
ing from white to deep purple, with three long, tapered, twisted petals. The
Latin root of Asarum means “sanctuary” (as the leaves provide for the flow-
ers, I’d guess), and caudatum means “tailed” (for the “long-tailed” petals).
Though the leaves, stems, and rhizomes smell and taste like ginger, A. cau-
datum is not related to the ginger root you’d use for cooking at home. It was
used medicinally by native peoples, but some Asarum species are toxic, so
consumption is not recommended. Instead, I do recommend seeking out this
other-worldly plant in the forest! April 2021 was declared National Native
Plant Month — so get out there and do some botanizing! I also want to give
a shout out to the KAS Facebook page, where you can see photos of the wild
ginger flower as it unfolds — it’s magical! ■
will also revoke the pending regulation intended to Mature trees in old-growth forests play an outsized
further codify the unfavorable-to-birds “M-Opinion.” role in storing and sequestering carbon because they
With ever increasing development along their migra- serve as a centuries-old bank. Intact, primary, or un-
tory flight paths, our birds face increasing threats — logged forests store 30 percent to 70 percent more
from potential for collisions with tall buildings, wind carbon than logged forests. It will take quite a long
turbines, and communications towers, to finding time for newly planted trees to catch up — 100 or
former wetland resting and feeding habitats reduced 200 years, of course. In addition, protecting mature
to crowded, disease-ridden, or polluted-by-industry forests would have the multiple benefits of also pro-
sinks. Several industries, including wind energy, have tecting clean water and biodiversity.
made great effort to develop best practices and miti- For all these reasons, Kalmiopsis Audubon joined
gation measures to reduce incidental bird mortality, with more than 100 conservation and environmental
owing precisely to the “stick” of the MTBA. This groups in sending a letter to Biden Administration
bedrock law remains critically important as a tool for climate policy leaders, urging them to include protec-
bird conservation into the future. tion of mature and old-growth forests as a key strate-
gy to assure compliance with the Paris climate treaty.
Protect Forests to Address Climate Crisis At a global climate summit on Earth Day, Biden an-
President Biden’s first big action on the environment nounced an ambitious new goal of reducing carbon
was to re-enter the Paris climate agreement, and his emissions by 50 percent by 2030 — signaling greater
administration has hit the ground running with efforts urgency and commitment to addressing the climate
to accelerate a transition to renewable energy. How- crisis. There is a lot of focus on new technologies, but
ever, there is another important approach that many let’s not forget the value of our trees and forests as
in the conservation community would like to see tried-and-true carbon sequesterers.
advanced, too: protecting our forests. KAS Supports ODFW Efforts
Safeguarding current carbon stored in forests and in- to Protect Habitat
creasing those stores is recognized by the Intergov- Earlier this year, the Oregon Department of Fish and
ernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as an Wildlife (ODFW) submitted applications for “in-
essential strategy for addressing the climate crisis. stream water rights” to ensure future flows for fish in
U.S. forests already sequester nearly 12 percent of more than 100 streams around the state, including in
our nation’s annual carbon emissions, but they could our area the Sixes, Chetco, and Winchuck. The flows
do more if public lands forests were strategically of all our local rivers are pretty much already
managed to retain carbon. “fully-appropriated” for the low-flow summer ►
Page 8 The Storm Petrel Spring 2021
Winging It
by Mark Lanier / Photo © David Brown / Macaulay Library
Osprey
I love how we humans have snuck birds into our lives.
We’re night-owls, odd ducks, and some — crazy as a loon.
Distances are measured as the crow flies, and we recognize
feathered travelers as the harbingers of spring. Thus, Mich-
iganders watch longingly for March robins, Scissortail Fly-
catchers in Oklahoma foretell warmer days, and Mountain
Bluebirds replace Colorado’s melting snow. Here on the
South Coast, I’ve noticed that many folks see spring’s
arrival carried on the wings of the first Osprey.
David Marshall’s Birds of Oregon, A General Reference,
backs my observation, noting March 20 as the typical larg-
est influx of Osprey into the state. Those first to arrive tend to be the old guard, returning to their previous
years’ nest to dust off and use again. Before long, the males take the lead in courtship by performing the “sky
dance” display for potential mates, along with treating the female to as many fish as he can catch. By late April,
the parents are taking turns incubating one to four eggs for the next 38 days. Another 55 days or so pass before
the young fledge and nests are abandoned again until next year.
As for many raptors, Osprey populations were severely impacted by DDT in the 1950s and ’60s but have
bounced back. Estimates in 1976 had only 33 pairs on the entire length of the Rogue, but by 1996, 42 pairs were
found on the lower third of the river alone.
With a feet-first dive and the ability to rotate the outer talon to improve the slippery grip, Osprey are extraordi-
nary fishing specialists. One study estimated that a pair rearing two young consumes about 375 pounds of fish
over the breeding season!
We live in an exceptional place to observe these remarkable birds. A few years back, in 15 minutes at the mouth
of the Rogue, I saw more osprey diving for fish than I’d witnessed in my entire life before. And if you’ve ever
seen and wondered about lampreys or surfperch lying on roads or lawns, a good bet for the cause is that a Bald
Eagle harangued an Osprey into dropping its catch.
The rain is abating, fruit trees and skunk cabbage are blooming, and the Osprey are back. Ah, Spring! ■
◄ months, which means that water users already “future development” that would be more important.
have the rights to take all the water that is avail- I honestly can’t imagine many local residents prefer-
able down to a fairly minimal flow level, not always ring more development to rivers with insufficient wa-
leaving enough as would be optimal for fish and ter in the summer or fish in the fall. On behalf of
aquatic life. Like most states in the West, Oregon’s KAS, I submitted a letter to the commissioners and
water allocation system is based on the antiquated also to the State Water Resources Department to
doctrine of first in time, first in right — established back up ODFW’s applications for local in-stream
long before anyone could envision a scenario of scar- flows, and I appreciate other KAS members from the
city and certainly before anyone remembered to specific watersheds who helped by sending addition-
leave some water in the river for fish. al letters. We also sent a letter to support ODFW in
Fortunately, many of our rivers already have some updating the state’s Essential Fish Habitat maps.
minimal in-stream water rights for fish, and in some These official maps determine where the many laws
cases, farmers or ranchers have worked with ODFW intended to protect salmon habitat actually apply —
to allow their water rights to flow in-stream for and affect activities such as mining and logging.
the purpose of conservation — so the new ODFW
applications were submitted as a kind of insurance Port Orford Dark Sky Ordinance
policy, giving fish priority should any flows become Keeping Port Orford’s skies dark — for natural beau-
available in the future. Nevertheless, Curry County’s ty, birds and wildlife, human health, and energy con-
commissioners decided to oppose the in-stream servation — has been an issue championed by KAS
flow proposals, suggesting that they would preclude for more than two decades with notable success, but
Spring 2021 The Storm Petrel Page 9
evolving LED lighting technology has made an up-
grade of the Port Orford outdoor lighting ordinance POETRY CORNER
necessary. The public process has taken longer than
expected, but we’re now getting close. At its March
meeting, the City Council sent the latest version back
to the Planning Commission (PC) with a request for
some specific fixes related to enforcement provi-
sions, street lights, and security lights. At its April
meeting, the PC stated its intent to make the fixes in
May and then to hold another public hearing in June.
The ordinance will then head back to the City Coun-
cil, hopefully for final approval. Please sign up for
the KAS HOOT OUT to learn more about how you
can help at the critical junctures. It will be important
to show public support! ■
Spring on the Gravel Bar
by Vicki Graham
Here on the gravel bar,
spring begins not with violets
or toothwort, iris or trillium,
but with stones:
the riverbed scoured clean
by winter floods,
cobble packed tight,
willows stripped, uprooted,
gripping air.
A spotted sandpiper,
feathers the colors of stone,
picks along the shore,
tail bobbing.
And the nest? Somewhere,
on the bank above the river,
Elfin Moth Photo by Rowly Willis
a shallow scrape in dry sand,
and four eggs the colors of stone.
Walking barefoot, stone to stone.
Interactive Map of Clearcuts and Wanting to see: poised
Sprays Across Oregon on that knife edge of desire
If you haven’t done so yet, I’d recommend checking between yes and no.
out the map created by Coast Range Forest Watch Knowing it is there
that compiles all the clearcuts and sprays planned so and deciding not to.
far in 2021. A zoomed-out view shows just how much
forestry activity is planned in the Coast Range, and
zooming in will allow you to see if activities may be
planned in a specific area you care about. It also al-
lows you to see which clearcuts and sprays are taking
place within municipal drinking watersheds. You can To stay informed, join fellow KAS
view the map online at members by signing up for the
www.sprayfreecoast.org/sprays-across-oregon/ HOOT OUT
which also provides information about more of the alert list. You will receive timely
map’s functions and how to use it. emails between issues of the
If you’re interested in helping to monitor forestry Storm Petrel. Contact
activity in a watershed near you, please contact teresa ann@kalmiopsisaudubon.org.
@kalmiopsisaudubon.org. – Teresa Bird
Page 10 The Storm Petrel Spring 2021
Bird Notes
Winter / Early Spring 2021
JANUARY
6 – A Swamp Sparrow was reported by Tim Roden-
kirk at Jerry’s Flat, a few miles up the Rogue River
from Gold Beach, and it was present through at least
February 7.
14 – A Shorted-eared Owl was spotted by Mick
Bressler and W. Michaelis at Jerry’s Flat.
16 – The first Tree Swallow report happened quite
early this year; Mick Bressler and W. Michaelis
found two birds near Jerry’s Flat. Tree Swallows are
not normally back to breed until February; they are
one of our earliest migrants.
16 – Tony Kurz reported a rare Glaucous Gull at the
mouth of the Winchuck River. Bleached Glaucous-
winged Gulls are often mistakenly reported as Glau-
cous Gulls because they can appear completely Short-eared Owl
white. The key is to look for a pink bill with a sharp- Photo: Jerry AmEnde / Audubon Photography Awards
ly demarcated black tip; if the bill is all dark or the
tip is not sharply demarcated it is likely a Glaucous- in a neighborhood near the Winchuck River mouth
winged Gull. on December 22 was last reported on this date. This
species is rarely observed north of its normal range in
17 – A wintering Clay-colored Sparrow was report- the deserts of southern Arizona and California.
ed by Jason Vassallo (et al.) in Gold Beach, and it
was present through at least February 6. Only a few 6 – Say’s Phoebes overwintering at three locations
stray from their Great Plains migration path and around the Brookings area were last reported on this
show up on the Pacific Coast; those that do usually date; one about a mile up the Winchuck and two in
just migrate through and rarely stay the winter as this different locations along Oceanview Drive. Over-
bird did. wintering Say’s Phoebes arrive in Oregon in late
September and leave by early March — it is one of
18 – Barn Swallows have been appearing in mid- the earliest migrants back to its breeding grounds in
winter for the past decade. They appear in December eastern Oregon in March and early April.
when no other swallows are around, then disappear
again by February — no one knows for sure why or
if these birds survive the cold temperatures. This
winter, Russ Namitz and Leisyka Parrot saw six of
them at Floras Lake on this date. This species histor-
ically arrives to breed in late March. Russ and
Leisyka also found a female Bullock’s Oriole in
Gold Beach that was observed through January 28. A
more common summer breeder, it is only rarely
found overwintering.
22 – Paul Shallert reported seeing his favorite
“black” Red-tailed Hawk in Cedar Valley again,
after not seeing it for several months since last fall. Costa’s Hummingbird
30 – Paul reported seeing a (big!) Northern Goshawk Photo: Katherine Poulsen / Audubon Photography Awards
at Geisel Monument in Gold Beach.
6 – Tim Rodenkirk and others reported an over-
FEBRUARY
wintering Northern Mockingbird in Brookings off
6 – The male Costa’s Hummingbird that was found Oceanview Drive through at least February 6. Tim
by Chris Hinkle and Logan Kahle coming to a feeder also reported seeing a Nashville Warbler near theSpring 2021 The Storm Petrel Page 11
library in Brookings. In case you were wondering,
the Nashville Warbler does not nest anywhere near
Tennessee!
17 – Angelika Nelson spotted two Redheads on
Dewey Ponds off Cape Blanco Road. These diving
ducks stuck around until at least March 14.
27 – Gail and Jordan Dawn reported the first Turkey
Vulture and American Goldfinch at their place up
Euchre Creek.
MARCH
Above: Wilson’s Snipe Photo by Lynette Spence
7 – One of the overwintering Say’s Phoebes along Bottom left: Pacific Loons Photo by Mick Thompson
Floras Lake Loop was last seen on this date. Audubon Photography Awards
13 – The other overwintering Say’s Phoebe along
Floras Lake Loop was last reported on this date. their house in Port Orford. An impressive 1,450 were
seen in one hour off Brookings on April 10, heading
north. On April 13, Rick McKenzie estimated 40,000
on his ranch west of Langlois. The next day, Terry
Barn
Wahl saw thousands passing over his ranch near
Swallows Cape Blanco, likely headed over to the McKenzie
Ranch, further boosting the numbers there! This spe-
Photo by
cies winters in California, stages for a few weeks in
Lois the New River bottomlands each April, then heads
Miller nonstop to their breeding grounds in the Aleutians in
late April. The megaflight seen each year in coastal
Curry is certainly one of the highlights of spring!
8 – A migrating Pacific Golden-plover was photo-
14 – The overwintering Northern Mockingbird graphed at the McKenzie Ranch west of Langlois.
along Highway 101 at the Sixes River Flat area (just 13 – Deb Buitron and Gary and Emily Nuechterlein
north of the Cape Blanco turnoff) was present reported seeing a flock of 20 White-crowned Spar-
through at least this date (Terry Wahl et al.). rows and hearing the California Quail on Joy
26 – Paul Shallert reported seeing many brilliant Wolf’s land on Elk River.
Western Bluebirds at Cedar Bend Golf Course in 14 – Linda Tarr and Foncy Prescott saw a Wilson’s
Gold Beach. Snipe (a lifer for Foncy!) above Butler Bar on the
APRIL road to Barklow Mountain.
6 – This date began the amazing migration reports of 17 – Tim Palmer and Ann Vileisis saw half a dozen
Aleutian Cackling Geese. Ann Vileisis and Tim Caspian Terns, five Pacific Loons, and two Whim-
Palmer witnessed the first huge flocks flying over brels at Battle Rock Beach.
18 – Migration is upon us! Tim Rodenkirk reports
that he is already seeing thousands of Pacific Loons
per hour flying by offshore. Keep your eyes out for
shorebirds zipping along our beaches, too. Shorebird
migration usually peaks the last week of April and
first week of May. During this same period, there will
likely be more Pacific Loons migrating offshore —
in the tens of thousands per day — and large num-
bers of Bonaparte’s Gulls and Caspian Terns may
also be seen when weather permits.
Compiled by Tim Rodenkirk and Joy Wolf. Thanks to
KAS members and friends for sharing your unusual
bird sightings. Send your new observations to
KASbirdnotes@gmail.com. ■Non-Profit Rate
U.S. Postage Paid
Port Orford, Oregon
Kalmiopsis Audubon Society Permit #20
P.O. Box 1265
Port Orford, OR 97465
Address Service Requested
What’s Inside
Upcoming Events ....................................... 1
From the President’s Desk Good News
by Ann Vileisis ........................................... 2
for MBTA
KAS News ................................................... 3
Conservation News
by Ann Vileisis ........................................... 4 Offshore Wind
SOWSPA Passes the House, Offshore Wind Power on the
Power Looms, Bad MBTA Opinion Revoked, Horizon
In-stream Water Rights for Fish, Protecting
Forests for Carbon Storage, News About
Port Orford’s Dark Sky Ordinance Port Orford
Native Plant Notes Dark Sky
by Teresa Bird ............................................ 7 Update
Winging It
by Mark Lanier .......................................... 8
Map of Oregon Clearcuts and Sprays
by Teresa Bird ............................................ 9
Poetry Corner
by Vicki Graham ........................................ 9
Bird Notes
by Tim Rodenkirk and Joy Wolf ............... 10You can also read
