Bird Records for Some Sites in the Lincoln City (Oregon) Area (Part A)
by Range D. Bayer (P. O. Box 1467, Newport, Oregon 97365) and Phil Pickering (925 SE 31st, Lincoln City, Oregon 97367)
16 November 1994
A report submitted to the Lincoln City Citizen's Advisory Committee
for Local Wetlands Inventory.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chap. 1. Introduction
Chap. 2. Rock Creek Marsh, South of Devils Lake
Chap. 3. Field along Schooner Creek
Chap. 4. Lincoln City Wastewater Treatment Ponds
Chap. 5. Marsh/Pond Southeast of the Lincoln City Sewage Treatment Plant
Chap. 6. Mouth of Schooner Creek
Chap. 7. North Siletz Bay
Chap. 8. South 63rd Street in Cutler City
Chap. 9. Drift Creek Meadows along Highway 101
Chap. 10. Drift Creek Meadows or Pasture
Chap. 11. Drift Creek Pasture South of Gorton Road
Chap. 12. Cannery Slough East of Kernville
Chap. 13. Lower Siletz River near Kernville
Chap. 14. Literature Cited
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Please Note!
This report makes no claim as to whether these sites are wetlands or
not.
Nor does this report advocate which sites should or should not be
protected.
The purpose of this report is simply to give what bird records we have
for these selected sites in the Lincoln City area.
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Chap. 1. INTRODUCTION
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1-A. IMPETUS FOR THIS REPORT
This report has been prepared in response to a 13 September 1994
request by Sheridan Jones, who is a member of Lincoln City's wetlands
committee, to Bayer for bird records at possible wetland sites in the
Lincoln City area.
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1-B. AUTHORS' DIVISION OF LABOR AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bayer made some observations, but his major contribution was to
compile these observations and to prepare this report.
Pickering made the majority of these observations, especially the
censuses. But because of Bayer's time constraints in trying to complete
this report in time for the Committee's November 17 meeting, Pickering has
not seen this report. Thus, any errors in this report are not Pickering's
fault.
We thank all the observers who graciously shared their field notes and
made this report possible. Each observer is credited for his/her
observations in the tables of data.
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1-C. LIMITED SCOPE OF THIS REPORT
This report makes no claim to be comprehensive, but it includes
records that are not available elsewhere. Other sources of data include
governmental agencies and academic researchers (Table 1.1) as well as data
for some Lincoln City sites that Bayer did not have time to compile for
this report (Table 1.1).
In particular, Bayer would have liked to have included records for
South Siletz Bay (i.e., South Bay south of Cutler City) and Devils Lake,
but the volume of material (e.g., over 100 censuses for South Bay) was too
great to be given in this report.
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TABLE 1.1. Listing of sources of aquatic bird records for the Lincoln City
area that Bayer is aware of that are not included in this report.
Anthony unpubl.=unpublished data of Dr. Robert G. Anthony, Oregon
Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331;
Bayer et al. unpubl=unpublished data compiled by Bayer from many observers.
ODFW=Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (especially records for the
introduced Western [Great Basin] Canada Goose.
USFWS=U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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Area Source
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Devils Lake Anthony et al. 1990, unpubl. (?);
ODFW, USFWS, Bayer et al. unpubl.
Drift Creek Meadows or Pasture ODFW, USFWS
South Siletz Bay Bayer et al. unpubl.
Siletz Bay (pooled) Anthony et al. 1990, unpubl. (?);
ODFW, USFWS, Bayer et al. unpubl.
Lagoon at Salishan Spit Bayer et al. unpubl.
Siletz Keys Bayer et al. unpubl.
Salishan Lake at Salishan Golf Course Bayer et al. unpubl.
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1-D. ARRANGEMENT OF THIS REPORT
Sites are arranged from north to south. The latitude and longitude,
habitat, elevation, and distance to the coastline are tabulated in the
Study Area section for each site.
References are in the Literature Cited at the end of this report.
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Chap. 2. BIRD RECORDS FOR ROCK CREEK MARSH, SOUTH OF
DEVILS LAKE
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2-A. INTRODUCTION
This Chapter includes records made through December 1992; one more
recent observation was also discovered and included. All these records
have been double-checked against the original reports for accuracy.
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2-B. STUDY AREA
Approx. Center of Site: 44 57.6' N, 124 00.0' W
Location: Township 7S, Range 11W, Section 14
Area Studied: ?
Habitat(s) Studied: freshwater marsh
Elevation: <40 ft (<12 m)
Minimum Distance to Coastline: 0.8 mi (1.3 km).
Rock Creek is the main tributary of Devil's Lake, and most, if not
all, observations included here were at the marsh south of East Devil's
Lake Road.
Because of the tall grass and sedges that obscured vision, it was not
possible to comprehensively census this area for birds.
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2-C. PICKERING'S METHODS
In his January 1985 letter, Phil Pickering wrote that he had made all
of his observations here from the roadway of East Devil's Lake Road. Prior
to September 1982, he used only binoculars, but after then he also used a
22x spotting scope. He viewed the area as far south as he could see with
his scope and also the immediate tree and marsh line bordering the Road to
the north.
In his January 1985 letter, Pickering wrote that this marsh in winter
is often flooded, particularly near the Road. The area he censused to the
south of the Road consisted of about 70% tall marsh grass/sedges and 30%
open areas, with one small, deep creek (Rock Creek) flowing northward near
the east end. During the summer and during other dry periods, some of the
open water areas dried up, leaving areas of short, 5-7 inch tall grass.
Further south, the tall grass thickened and then gradually faded into a cow
pasture, which was at the limit of his vision with the spotting scope. The
area next to the road was not grazed as far as Pickering knew, being
flooded the majority of the time. Because of the tall grass, not all of
the open area was visible, so waterfowl and other birds were probably
missed.
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2-D. SULLIVAN'S METHODS
Gloria Sullivan made many observations here during late July-September
1988 (Table 2.2) because of Bayer's request for late July and August
Red-winged Blackbird records in the July 1988 Sandpiper (a publication of
Yaquina Birders and Naturalists). Her records are the most comprehensive
that we have to indicate that many Red-wings remain in Lincoln County
during this period.
Unfortunately, Sullivan did not describe her methods in her field
notes, and Bayer did not ask her about her methods at the time. She has
since moved. In particular, it would be interesting to know exactly where
in this large Marsh that Red-wings were routinely roosting every day. She
made her observations from the roadway of East Devils Lake Road, and she
presumably used binoculars.
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2-E. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
2-E-1. HUMAN DISTURBANCE
We have not documented the kinds and amounts of human disturbance
here, but there may be waterfowl hunting or some shooting of birds from the
roadway. Traffic along the Road may have some effect and result in some
road kills of birds crossing the Road. The marsh area itself didn't appear
to be grazed.
2-E-2. SPECIES DIVERSITY AND GENERAL COMMENTS
Nutria and 57 taxa of birds have been recorded here (Table 2.4).
Several kinds of aquatic birds were noted (Table 2.4), with waterfowl
sometimes being abundant (Table 2.3). Virginia Rails and Soras were
recorded several times (Tables 2.1 and 2.3) and were probably much more
common than our records indicate because they are hard to see.
Red-winged Blackbirds were sometimes abundant in winter and were
singing on 3 January 1991 (Table 2.3).
2-E-3. WHITE-TAILED KITE
This species (formerly known as the Black-shouldered Kite) has only
become regular in Lincoln County since 1979 (Bayer 1992) and is still not
widely distributed or abundant in the County. It was first noted at Rock
Creek Marsh in March 1989, but only one has been seen at a time
(Table 2.3).
2-E-4. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD ROOSTING IN SUMMER
In many years, it appeared that Red-wings were absent from Lincoln
County in late July and August (Bayer 1992). Because Red-wings may be less
conspicuous while molting and Gloria Sullivan noted that many were molting
during this period (Table 2.2), it is plausible that their perceived
absence is simply a result of observers not finding them or looking in
appropriate places, but it is also still possible that some may migrate
away. The clue to observing them in late July and August may be in finding
where they roost and being there at dusk when they come in, as Sullivan
did. In mid-September, they resumed singing (Table 2.2) and are thus then
easier for people to detect.
Sullivan noted that the behavior of Red-winged Blackbirds at dusk was
pretty much the same. She wrote that they stayed in the same limited
portion of Rock Creek Marsh and were fairly quiet. They almost darted up
out of the grasses, then dropped back down or flew low and landed a few
feet away. The whole flock would often "shoot" straight up and then land
several feet away.
Their presence at Rock Creek Marsh in late July and August was not
limited to 1988, as Ruth Goodrich also found 16 on 2 August 1990
(Table 2.3).
2-E-5. DUSK BEHAVIOR AND ROOSTING
There is little information specific to Lincoln County about bird
activity at dusk, even though this is a significant time of day for many
birds. Sullivan's July-September 1988 observations provide some of the
best information that we have.
In July-September 1988, a Barn Owl came out twice and perched at dusk
(Table 2.3), Red-wings came here regularly to roost (Table 2.2), Mallards
and perhaps other ducks left here and flew north towards Devils Lake three
times (Table 2.3), and Eurasian Starlings (8/6/88) and crows (9/8/88) each
once had an apparent pre-roosting flight over the marsh (Table 2.3).
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2-F. TABLES
TABLE 2.1. Phil Pickering's 17 waterbird censuses of Rock Creek Marsh.
Although marsh vegetation makes a comprehensive, accurate census of
waterbirds impossible, the following censuses are an index of waterbird
abundance. Note that Great Blue Herons and Killdeer may often been present
but not recorded.
Census Time=time during which census occurred. All times are in Pacific
Standard Time (PST) by the 24 hour clock (i.e., 1200 is added to times
in the afternoon, so 1 PM=1300).
Duration=duration of census.
+=there were at least the indicated number of birds present.
.=zero. A "." is used to enhance readability of when a bird was present.
M=male
F=female or immature male in female-type plumage.
?=unknown.
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TABLE 2.1a (bittern-Ruddy Duck at Rock Creek Marsh):
AmBi=American Bittern CiTe=Cinnamon Teal
GBHe=Great Blue Heron Gad=Gadwall
CGWT="Common" race of AmWi=American Wigeon
Green-winged Teal Can=Canvasback
GWTe=Green-winged Teal RNDu=Ring-necked Duck
Mall=Mallard RuD=Ruddy Duck
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Census Dur-
Time ation Number of Birds....................................
Date (PST) (min) AmBi GBHe CGWT GWTe Mall CiTe Gad AmWi Can RNDu RuD
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03/15/82 afternoon ? ? 1 . . 100+ . . 24 . . .
03/24/82 evening ? ? 1 . . 6 . . 21 . . .
03/30/82 afternoon ? ? 1 . 3M3F 100+ . . 21 . . .
04/03/82 afternoon ? ? ? . . 100+ . . 6 . . .
02/02/83 0800-0900 60 ? ? 1 110 . . 2 39 4 . .
02/13/83 1600-1630 30 ? ? . 37 . . 14 2 4 . 1
03/13/83 0900-? ? ? ? 1 51 26 . . . . 3M4F .
03/28/84 1330-1400 30 ? ? . 13 . 6 . . . . .
04/14/84 0900-1000 60 ? ? . 10 . . . . . . .
05/03/84 0900-1000 60 ? ? . . . . . . . . .
05/19/84 1800-1900 60 1 ? . . . . . . . . .
05/23/84 1000-1030 30 ? ? . . . . . . . . .
12/23/84 1400-1430 30 ? ? . . . . . . . . .
12/25/84 1000-1100 60 ? ? . . . . . . . . .
01/09/85 0900-0930 30 ? ? . . . . . . . . .
03/07/85 1200-1300 60 ? ? . 6 . . 1 . . . .
09/04/85 1300-1330 30 ? ? . . . . . . . . .
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TABLE 2.1b (rail-gulls at Rock Creek Marsh):
ViRa=Virginia Rail LeS=Least Sandpiper
Sor=Sora CoS=Common Snipe
AmC=American Coot gul=gull sp.
Kil=Killdeer
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Census Dur-
Time ation Number of Birds.............
Date (PST) (min) ViRa Sor AmC Kil LeS CoS gul
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03/15/82 afternoon ? ? ? . ? . . .
03/24/82 evening ? ? ? . ? . . .
03/30/82 afternoon ? ? ? . ? . 3 .
04/03/82 afternoon ? ? ? . ? . . .
02/02/83 0800-0900 60 ? ? . ? . . .
02/13/83 1600-1630 30 ? ? 2 ? . . 10
03/13/83 0900-? ? ? ? 6 ? . . .
03/28/84 1330-1400 30 12+ 1 . ? . 30 .
04/14/84 0900-1000 60 10 4 . ? . 10 .
05/03/84 0900-1000 60 10 4 . ? ` 10 .
05/19/84 1800-1900 60 10 2 . ? . . .
05/23/84 1000-1030 30 ? ? . ? . . .
12/23/84 1400-1430 30 15+ 2 . ? . 10 .
12/25/84 1000-1100 60 20+ 3 . ? . . .
01/09/85 0900-0930 30 20+ 2 . ? . . .
03/07/85 1200-1300 60 10+ 1 . ? . . .
09/04/85 1300-1330 30 15 1 . ? . . .
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TABLE 2.2. Gloria Sullivan's observations of Red-winged Blackbirds at Rock
Creek Marsh. Note that her comments about molting were her impressions,
not systematic measurements about the extent of molting.
@=about.
*=Red-wings flew in and landed in about the same portion of the Marsh each
night; unfortunately, the exact location in the Marsh is unknown.
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Time
Date (PST) Number Comments
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07/27/88 1800-1900 80-100 Included 20-25 adult males with bright red on
wings; many immatures were molting.
07/28/88 1800-1900 80-100 *
08/06/88 1800-1900 20-25 * Included 7-10 adult males
08/13/88 1815-1845 80-100 * Included 20-25 mature males
08/14/88 1815-1900 5 One female sat on tall grass "chuck-chucking"
08/25/88 @1830 5 * Immatures and a partially molted male
" @1840 15 * Flew in from north; some immatures molting.
" @1847 @25 * Flew in from the south
" @1850 20-30 * Flew in from unknown direction
" @1900 80-100 * Sky suddenly full of them
" later 5 * Noisy before landing; Sullivan left at 1930.
08/28/88 1810-1820 0 None seen
" 1820 2 Immatures flew in from north, landed in top of
spruce, and called "chuck-chuck"
" @1827 5 * Flew in from the south & landed in marsh
" @1829 80-100 * Flew in fast and landed
" later 15-20 * Flew in from the south
" later 8-10 * Flew in from the west
" later 8-10 * Flew in from the south; at least one immature
male was molting; Sullivan left at 1840.
08/29/88 1825-1830 0 None seen
" @1830 2 * Flew in fast; some molting.
" later 15 * Flew in fast; heard "chuck-chuck"
" later 10 * Flew in fast from the south
" later 8 * Flew in fast & disappeared
" later 5 * Flew in fast & disappeared; Sullivan left
at 1850.
09/03/88 0730 20-30 In morning, several to 20-30 at a time flew
up and then settled back down in the marsh
grass as if they were feeding.
09/07/88 1800-1815 0 None seen
" 1815 80-90 * Suddenly swooped down & into marsh
" later 15 * Swooped in from different direction
" later 3 * Swooped in from different direction. Others
flew in but were not recorded before
Sullivan's departure at 1840.
Between 09/10 & 09/17/88 Heard first Red-wing singing since spring;
adult males would call & some immature
males tried to sing but were
squeaky/croaky. [Sullivan didn't record
the exact date.]
09/19/88 1800 80+ Some adults & immatures singing; many males
had already completed molting.
09/27/88 1725-? @200 * See Footnote A.
09/28/88 1730-1815 250+ * See Footnote B.
Footnote A [9/27/88]): Some were flying into the marsh when Sullivan
arrived; later, about 200 were perched in one tree and singing
nonsynchronously for about 15 min before they flew down into the marsh.
Sullivan estimated that about 85% of the molting was complete, but it isn't
clear if she was referring to the percentage of birds who had completed
molting or the percentage of molting completed for each bird.
Footnote B [9/28/88]): At least 250 were perched in a different tree
than on 9/27; this tree bordered the marsh. They sang nonsynchronously for
12 min, then some started flying down into the marsh, where they were
quiet.
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TABLE 2.3. Incidental observations at Rock Creek Marsh. Records included
in the previous Tables are not included here.
If known, the times in Pacific Standard Time (PST) by the 24 hour
clock (i.e., 1200 is added to times in the afternoon, so 1 PM=1300).
Initials of observers:
RB=Range Bayer GG=Greg Gillson DS=Dale Snow
BB=Barb Bellin RG=Ruth Goodrich GS=Gloria Sullivan
DF=Darrel Faxon PP=Phil Pickering PS=Paul Sullivan.
Other codes: M=male, F=Female or immature male in female-type plumage.
03/23/74 (RB). 2 Great Blue Herons, 2 Common Snipe, Turkey Vulture,
many ducks, Red-winged Blackbird, many American Robins.
12/?/81 (PP). Pair of Northern Shovelers.
01/30/82 (RB). 1000+ surface-feeding ducks (mainly wigeon) at this marsh,
when only 25 were found 30 min later at DLake.
02/02/83 (PP). 50 Red-winged Blackbirds, 2 Bewick's and 20 Marsh wrens,
1 Peregrine Falcon.
02/13/83 (PP). 50 Red-winged Blackbirds, 3 Bewick's and 20 Marsh wrens,
1 Red-tailed Hawk.
03/13/83 (PP). 25 Violet-green Swallows, 10 Marsh Wrens, 30 Red-winged
Blackbirds.
03/28/84 (PP). 1 No. Harrier, 20 Marsh Wrens.
04/14/84 (PP). 1 No. Harrier, 20 Marsh Wrens.
05/03/84 (PP). 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 100+ Vaux's Swifts,
1 Anna's Hummingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, 20 Marsh Wrens,
3 Common Yellowthroats, Black-headed Grosbeak.
05/19/84 (PP). Western Wood-Pewee, 20 Marsh Wrens.
05/23/84 (PP). 20 Red-winged Blackbirds.
12/23/84 (PP). 1 No. Harrier, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Hairy & 2 Downy
woodpeckers, 20 Marsh Wrens, 25 Red-winged Blackbirds.
12/25/84 (PP). 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 No. Harrier, 20 Marsh Wrens,
30 Red-winged Blackbirds.
01/09/85 (PP). 1 Cooper's Hawk, 20 Marsh Wrens, 30 Red-winged Blackbirds.
03/07/85 (PP). 2 Turkey Vultures, 1 Sharp-shinned & 1 Red-tailed hawks,
2 Red-breasted Sapsuckers, 1 Hairy & 4 Downy woodpeckers, 30 Tree,
8 Violet-green, and 1 Cliff swallows; 20 Marsh Wrens.
03/28/88 (RG). No. Harrier.
04/03/88 (GS). No. Harrier.
04/10/88 (RG). 2 No. Harriers, 1 Great Blue Heron, 4 Mallards.
04/17/88 (RG). Virginia Rail, nutria.
05/22/88 (RG). Pair of Cinnamon Teal.
06/15/88 (RG). Cedar Waxwing, Am. Goldfinch, Hairy Woodpecker.
08/06/88 (1800-1900)(GS). Large flying flock of noisy Eurasian Starlings
flitting about the marsh in spectacular waves. [Bayer's comment: this
probably a pre-roost flight.]
08/23/88 (about 1850)(GS). Barn Owl perched on a pole, Great Blue Heron,
Marsh Wren, crows, Mallard, Great Blue Heron.
08/25/88 (1830-1930)(GS). Marsh Wren, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, crow,
Barn Owl perched on telephone pole at about 1900, ducks fly up from
the marsh towards Devils Lake in groups of 1-3 (those that were
identified were Mallards).
08/28/88 (1810-1840)(GS). Marsh Wren, crow, Cedar Waxwing, Downy
Woodpecker.
08/29/88 (1825-1850)(GS). Ducks fly towards Devils Lake, Marsh Wren,
Steller's Jay, crows, Cedar Waxwing.
09/07/88 (1800-1840)(GS). 4 Mallards flew up out of marsh grass towards
Devils Lake, Steller's Jay.
09/08/88 (1815)(GS). Sora scurrying out from under bridge, many crows
flying in an undulating, zig-zag flight pattern with much squawking,
6 Mallards flew up out of marsh towards Devils Lake, 1 Great Blue
Heron.
02/05/89 (1230-1315)(RG). 6 No. Pintails, 11 No. Shovelers, 2 Great Blue
Herons, 5 Common Snipe, 8 Am. Wigeon, 13 Green-winged Teal,
lots of Mallards, Brewer's and 5 Red-winged blackbirds, Am. Robin,
1 No. Harrier, 3 Long-billed Dowitchers, Fox Sparrow.
02/17/89 (RG). 11 Red-winged Blackbirds, many Mallards.
02/20/89 (RG). 2 Great Blue Herons, many Mallards.
02/24/89 (RG). 1 Great Blue Heron, 2 Mallards.
02/26/89 (RG). 1 Great Blue Heron, 8 Mallards, 1 No. Harrier.
02/28/89 (RG). 33 crows, Red-winged Blackbird.
03/08/89 (RG). Mallard, 30 crows, 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 3 Green-winged Teal,
Red-winged Blackbird.
03/15/89 (RG). 10 Mallards, 4 Am. Wigeon, 18 crows, 1 Great Blue Heron,
Red-winged Blackbird.
03/17/89 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite.
03/18/89 (RG). 10 Mallards, 26 crows, Red-winged Blackbird.
03/20/89 (RG). 2 Mallards, 6 crows, 2 Great Blue Herons,
Red-winged Blackbird.
03/23/89 (RG). 6 Mallards, 9 crows, 1 Great Blue Heron,
Red-winged Blackbird.
03/28/89 (RG). Violet-green Swallow, 6 Mallards, 7 crows, 1 Great Blue
Heron, 1 Eur. Starling, 4 Am. Robins, Red-winged Blackbird.
04/02/89 (RG). 10 Mallards, 8 crows, 1 Great Blue Heron, 15 Am. Robins,
2 Wood Ducks, 2 Common Snipe, Red-winged Blackbird.
04/07/89 (RG). 2 M & 1 F Cinnamon Teal, 2 M & 2 F Green-winged Teal,
10 Mallards, 3 crows, 1 Great Blue Heron, 5 Am. Robins, 2 Common
Snipe, Red-winged Blackbird, Violet-green Swallow.
09/11/89 (RG). 1 White-tailed Kite.
10/02 & 23/89 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite.
11/13, 20, 27, & 29/89 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite.
12/11/89 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite.
01/15, 22, & 29/90 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite.
02/05/90 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite, Red-winged Blackbird.
02/06/90 (DS). 1 White-tailed Kite.
08/02/90 (RG). 16 Red-winged Blackbirds (males & females) flew in, landed,
and were so quiet that they could have easily been missed.
08/15/90 (RG). Could hear but not see Red-winged Blackbirds in marsh.
12/13/90 (RG). 6 male Red-winged Blackbirds, 1 Common Snipe, 1 No.
Harrier, few Mallards.
12/23/90 (RG). 1 Red-tailed Hawk, 1 No. Harrier, lots of Mallards,
Killdeer, 5 Common Snipe, Marsh Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, 3 No.
Shovelers, crows, small flock of Green-winged Teal, 6 yellowlegs.
01/03/91 (RG). 1 Virginia Rail, 5 Common Snipe, 2 Killdeer, Marsh Wren,
1 M & 1 F No. Harrier, 20 Red-winged Blackbirds singing.
03/25/91 (RG). Violet-green Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird,
1 Belted Kingfisher on telephone line, 1 Turkey Vulture, Marsh Wren,
few Mallards, 8 Green-winged Teal.
04/11/91 (RG). 1 Am. Coot.
04/16/91 (DF). 1 No. Rough-winged Swallow.
10/19/91 (PS). 1 White-tailed Kite
01/19/92 (BB). 1 White-tailed Kite.
01/29/92 (RG). Many Red-winged Blackbirds.
12/20/92 (GG). 1 Virginia Rail, 1 Swamp Sparrow.
10/14/93 (RG). Green Heron.
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TABLE 2.4. Phylogenetic list of species recorded at Rock Creek Marsh. The
following one mammal species, 54 bird species, two bird taxa not identified
to species (yellowlegs spp. and gull spp.), and one bird subspecies have
been recorded here.
nutria Long-billed Dowitcher
American Bittern Common Snipe
Great Blue Heron gull spp.
Green Heron Barn Owl
Wood Duck Vaux's Swift
Green-winged Teal ("Common" race) Anna's Hummingbird
Green-winged Teal Belted Kingfisher
Mallard Red-breasted Sapsucker
Northern Pintail Downy Woodpecker
Cinnamon Teal Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Shoveler Western Wood-Pewee
Gadwall Tree Swallow
American Wigeon Violet-green Swallow
Canvasback Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Ring-necked Duck Cliff Swallow
Ruddy Duck Steller's Jay
Turkey Vulture American Crow
White-tailed (Black-shouldered) Kite Bewick's Wren
Northern Harrier Marsh Wren
Sharp-shinned Hawk American Robin
Cooper's Hawk Cedar Waxwing
Red-tailed Hawk European Starling
Peregrine Falcon Common Yellowthroat
Virginia Rail Black-headed Grosbeak
Sora Fox Sparrow
American Coot Swamp Sparrow
Killdeer Red-winged Blackbird
yellowlegs spp. Brewer's Blackbird
Least Sandpiper American Goldfinch
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Chap. 3. FIELD ALONG SCHOONER CREEK
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3-A. INTRODUCTION AND STUDY AREA
Approx. Center of Site: 44 56.3' N, 123 58.9' W
Location: Township 7S, Range 11W, Section 25
Area Studied: ?
Habitat(s) Studied: field
Elevation: <40 ft (<12 m)
Minimum Distance to Coastline: 1.7 mi (2.8 km).
The single sighting by Phil Pickering is the only record we have, and
it has been double-checked against Pickering's original field notes. This
record is included because this site is near the city limits of Lincoln
City and may fall within the City's Urban Growth Boundary. The one record
also demonstrates that this site is used by waterfowl.
This field is along the south side of Schooner Creek Road and north of
Schooner Creek. It is shown with marsh symbols at the western edge of the
1984 Devils Lake 7.5' quadrangle; it is not classed as a salt marsh in ODFW
(1978). During Bayer's visit of 11 November 1994, cattle were grazing in
this field that was east of about Milepost 1.2 along Schooner Creek Road.
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3-B. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
On 30 January 1983 at 1600 Pacific Standard Time, Pickering saw
322 Mallards, 19 Northern Pintails, 14 Gadwalls, 43 American Wigeon,
10 Northern Shovelers, one female Hooded Merganser, and 50 gull spp. on
this site.
Waterfowl have previously been reported to use farm fields and
pastures elsewhere (e.g., Thomas 1976, Hirst and Easthope 1981, Eamer 1985)
and in Lincoln County (Llewellyn et al. 1994:136-138). Thus, the presence
of waterfowl here is not unexpected.
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Chap. 4. LINCOLN CITY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PONDS
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4-A. INTRODUCTION
Wastewater treatment ponds are a humanly made wetland that can provide
suitable habitat for many waterbirds in Oregon (Fix 1978, Evanich 1983) and
elsewhere (e.g., Frederick and McGehee 1994). There are regularly reports
of rare waterbirds that have been found at treatment ponds along the north
coast of Oregon in Oregon Birds, and Evanich (1983) describes the
importance of birders being courteous in seeking entry before birding at
sewage treatment ponds. In Lincoln County, many waterbirds have also been
noted at the treatment ponds of the town of Siletz (Llewellyn et al.
1994:120-126).
These are all the records that we have that were made through December
1992; one more recent observation was also discovered and included. All
these records have been double-checked against the original reports for
accuracy. Most of these observations were by Phil Pickering.
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4-B. STUDY AREA
Approx. Center of Site: 44 55.9' N, 124 00.3' W
Location: Township 7S, Range 11W, SW 1/4 of Section 26
Area Studied: ?
Habitat(s) Studied: wastewater treatment ponds
Elevation: <40 ft (<12 m)
Minimum Distance to Coastline: 0.9 mi (1.5 km).
These ponds are located just east of Taft in Lincoln City, along
Schooner Creek at the Lincoln City Sewage Treatment Plant (STP). In
January 1985, Pickering wrote that he estimated that the three main ponds
were separated by about 15 feet wide dikes with the largest (and
westernmost) roughly a square, 150 ft/side. The other two large ponds were
rectangular in shape and were about 1/2 the size of the main pond. The
smaller circular ponds were south of the main pond and were about 30-36
feet in diameter. Just to the east of the complex was the Lincoln City
Police Department firing range.
In his March 1985 letter, Pickering noted that waterfowl (especially
Northern Shovelers and scaup) were often in the smaller round ponds, not
just the large rectangular ones.
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4-C. METHODS
Pickering, Jim Mackie, and Range Bayer obtained permission from site
staff before entering.
In his January 1985 letter, Pickering wrote that he counted each
waterbird individually (except for gulls, whose numbers were often roughly
estimated) with his 22x spotting scope.
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4-D. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4-D-1. HUMAN DISTURBANCE
These are humanly created ponds and were actively maintained by
people. Nevertheless, there was an extraordinary number of waterfowl here,
particularly Northern Shovelers (Table 4.1).
There are probably two interlinked reasons why some waterbirds were
common here in spite of human disturbance. First, shooting and hunting was
probably not allowed at these ponds, so the birds came here because they
were safe. Second, there evidently was an abundance of food for them at
these ponds.
4-D-2. BIRD SPECIES
50 species and one subspecies were recorded here (Table 4.3). Other
species that may have been present but which may have been overlooked
include Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, and American Crow.
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4-E. TABLES
TABLE 4.1. 21 waterbird censuses of the Lincoln City wastewater treatment
ponds by Phil Pickering. This Table is split into portions because there
are so many species that the Table is too wide to print altogether.
Census Time=time during which a census occurred. All times are in Pacific
Standard Time (PST) by the 24 hour clock (i.e., 1200 is added to times
in the afternoon, so 1 PM=1300).
Duration=duration of census.
?=unknown.
.=zero. A "." is used to enhance readability of when a bird was present.
+=at least the indicated number of birds were present.
@=estimated number.
M=male.
F=female or immature male in female-type plumage.
X=species present but not counted.
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TABLE 4.1a (grebes to Northern Pintail at wastewater ponds):
HoGr=Horned Grebe GrHe=Green Heron
EaGr=Eared Grebe GWTe=Green-winged Teal
WeGr=Western Grebe Mall=Mallard
GBHe=Great Blue Heron NoPi=Northern Pintail
Census Dura-
Time ation Number of Birds.........................
Date (PST) (min) HoGr EaGr WeGr GBHe GrHe GWTe Mall NoPi
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10/01/83 0630-0800 90 . . . ? 1 3M18F . 5
10/09/83 0730-0830 60 . . . ? . 22 . 16
10/21/83 0700-0800 60 . . . ? . 24 . .
11/06/83 0900-1000 60 . . . ? . 12 . 2
11/16/83 1030-1130 60 . . . ? . 8 . .
12/04/83 1330-1430 60 . . . ? . 4 . .
12/11/83 0830-0930 60 . . . ? . 5 . .
01/06/84 0830-0930 60 . . 1 ? . 6 10 7
01/25/84 0800-0900 60 . . . ? . 6 10 4
02/22/84 0900-0930 30 . . . ? . . . 2
03/11/84 1000-1030 30 . . . ? . . . 2
09/11/84 0830-0930 60 . . . ? 1 13 . 1
09/16/84 0800-0930 90 . . . ? 3 37 . 2
09/23/84 0800-0900 60 . . . ? 1 39 . 7
11/22/84 0800-0900 60 . . . ? . 43 . 5
03/10/85 1600-1700 60 . . . ? . 16 . .
09/22/85 0800-0900 60 . . . ? 1 75 . 25
11/22/85 1100-1200 60 1 . . ? . 33 . 6
12/06/85 0900-1000 60 . . . ? . 30 . 5
02/05/86 1300-1400 60 . . . ? . 23 . 19
03/03/86 1100-1200 60 . 1 . ? . 19 . .
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TABLE 4.1b (Blue-winged Teal to Ring-necked Duck at wastewater ponds):
BWTe=Blue-winged Teal AmWi=American Wigeon
CiTe=Cinnamon Teal Canv=Canvasback
NoSh=Northern Shoveler RNDu=Ring-necked Duck
Gadw=Gadwall
Census Dura-
Time ation Number of Birds...................
Date (PST) (min) BWTe CiTe NoSh Gadw AmWi Canv RNDu
--------------------------------------------------------------
10/01/83 0630-0800 90 . . 239 . 18 . 8
10/09/83 0730-0830 60 1M . 190 . 14 . 89
10/21/83 0700-0800 60 . . 181 . 7 1 36
11/06/83 0900-1000 60 . . 345 . 4 1 21
11/16/83 1030-1130 60 . . 325 . 7 4 13
12/04/83 1330-1430 60 . . 367 . . 1 4
12/11/83 0830-0930 60 . . 320 . 4 1 3
01/06/84 0830-0930 60 . . 390 3 5 . 14
01/25/84 0800-0900 60 . . 330 2 5 2 26
02/22/84 0900-0930 30 . . 148 . . . 9
03/11/84 1000-1030 30 . . 99 . . . 4
09/11/84 0830-0930 60 . . 74 . . . 2
09/16/84 0800-0930 90 . . 88 . . . 5
09/23/84 0800-0900 60 . . 67 . . . 5
11/22/84 0800-0900 60 . . 90 3 8 . 3
03/10/85 1600-1700 60 . 38 173 . . . 41
09/22/85 0800-0900 60 . . 151 . 14 . 15
11/22/85 1100-1200 60 . . 96 . 8 . 24
12/06/85 0900-1000 60 . . 251 . 3 . 21
02/05/86 1300-1400 60 . . 177 . 6 . 24
03/03/86 1100-1200 60 . . 172 . 3 . 8
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TABLE 4.1c (scaup-Ruddy Duck at wastewater ponds):
scau=total scaup SuSc=Surf Scoter RuDu=Ruddy Duck
GrSc=Greater Scaup WWSc=White-winged Scoter
LeSc=Lesser Scaup Buff=Bufflehead
Olds=Oldsquaw HoMe=Hooded Merganser
Census Dura-
Time ation Number of Birds..............................
Date (PST) (min) scau GrSc LeSc Olds SuSc WWSc Buff HoMe RuDu
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10/01/83 0630-0800 90 29 ? ? . . . . . .
10/09/83 0730-0830 60 30 ? ? . . . . 4F 2
10/21/83 0700-0800 60 16 ? ? . . . . 2F 2
11/06/83 0900-1000 60 35 X X . 2 1 . 2F .
11/16/83 1030-1130 60 16 ? ? . . 1 7 1M3F .
12/04/83 1330-1430 60 40 ? ? . . 2 30 2M3F .
12/11/83 0830-0930 60 60 X X . . 2 30 1M1F .
01/06/84 0830-0930 60 239 X X 1F . 2 18 5 22
01/25/84 0800-0900 60 248 X X 1F . . 34 . 22
02/22/84 0900-0930 30 108 X X 1 . . 30 . 7
03/11/84 1000-1030 30 35 X ? . . . 30 . .
09/11/84 0830-0930 60 3 ? ? . . . 1 . .
09/16/84 0800-0930 90 . . . . . . 1 . .
09/23/84 0800-0900 60 29 X X . . 2 2 . .
11/22/84 0800-0900 60 79 X X . . . 45 2 .
03/10/85 1600-1700 60 110 X X . . . 52 2 .
09/22/85 0800-0900 60 3 ? ? . . 1 . . .
11/22/85 1100-1200 60 35 X ? 1 . . 2 2 7
12/06/85 0900-1000 60 45 X ? . . 2 . . 4
02/05/86 1300-1400 60 43 X X . . . 7 1 2
03/03/86 1100-1200 60 40 X X . . . 55 1F .
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TABLE 4.1d (Virginia Rail-snipe at wastewater ponds):
SpSa=Spotted Sandpiper
ViRa=Virginia Rail BlTu=Black Turnstone
AmCo=American Coot PeSa=Pectoral Sandpiper
Kill=Killdeer CoSn=Common Snipe
Census Dura-
Time ation Number of Birds...................
Date (PST) (min) ViRa AmCo Kill SpSa BlTu PeSa CoSn
------------------------------------------------------------
10/01/83 0630-0800 90 ? . ? . . . .
10/09/83 0730-0830 60 ? . ? . . 2 .
10/21/83 0700-0800 60 ? . ? . . . 1
11/06/83 0900-1000 60 ? . ? . . . .
11/16/83 1030-1130 60 ? . ? . . . .
12/04/83 1330-1430 60 ? . ? . . . .
12/11/83 0830-0930 60 ? . ? . . . .
01/06/84 0830-0930 60 ? . ? . . . .
01/25/84 0800-0900 60 ? . ? . 4 . .
02/22/84 0900-0930 30 ? . ? . . . .
03/11/84 1000-1030 30 ? . ? . . . .
09/11/84 0830-0930 60 ? . ? 1 . 4 .
09/16/84 0800-0930 90 1 . ? 1 . 2 12
09/23/84 0800-0900 60 ? . ? 1 . 25 .
11/22/84 0800-0900 60 ? . ? . . . .
03/10/85 1600-1700 60 ? . ? . . . .
09/22/85 0800-0900 60 ? . ? . . 37 .
11/22/85 1100-1200 60 ? 10 ? . . . 15
12/06/85 0900-1000 60 ? . ? . . . .
02/05/86 1300-1400 60 ? . ? . . . .
03/03/86 1100-1200 60 ? . ? . . . .
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TABLE 4.1e (phalaropes-kingfisher at wastewater ponds):
RNPh=Red-necked Phalarope CaGu=California Gull
gull=total gulls (including gulls ThGu=Thayer's Gull
not identified to species) WeGu=Western Gull $
BoGu=Bonaparte's Gull GWGu=Glaucous-winged Gull $
MeGu=Mew Gull $=may include hybrid gulls
RBGu=Ring-billed Gull BeKi=Belted Kingfisher
Census Dura-
Time ation Number of birds..................................
Date (PST) (min) RNPh gull BoGu MeGu RBGu CaGu ThGu WeGu GWGu BeKi
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10/01/83 0630-0800 90 . 100@ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
10/09/83 0730-0830 60 . 100@ ? ? ? ? 1+ ? ? ?
10/21/83 0700-0800 60 . 75@ ? ? ? ? 1+ ? ? ?
11/06/83 0900-1000 60 . 100@ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
11/16/83 1030-1130 60 40 100@ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
12/04/83 1330-1430 60 . 100@ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
12/11/83 0830-0930 60 . 100@ ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
01/06/84 0830-0930 60 . 96 . 60 . . 1 . 35 ?
01/25/84 0800-0900 60 1 128 . 115 . . . . 13 ?
02/22/84 0900-0930 30 . 72 . 65 . . . . 7 ?
03/11/84 1000-1030 30 . 12 ? 10+ ? ? ? ? ? ?
09/11/84 0830-0930 60 . 7 ? ? 2+ ? ? ? 2+ ?
09/16/84 0800-0930 90 . 13 ? ? 3+ ? ? ? 5+ ?
09/23/84 0800-0900 60 . ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
11/22/84 0800-0900 60 . 295 1 275 3 16 . . . ?
03/10/85 1600-1700 60 . 38 . 33 2 . . . 3 ?
09/22/85 0800-0900 60 . 6 . 5 . 1 . . . ?
11/22/85 1100-1200 60 . 158@ . 150@ . 1 . . 7 ?
12/06/85 0900-1000 60 . 153@ . 150@ . . . . 3 ?
02/05/86 1300-1400 60 . 148@ . 120@ . . 1 11 16 ?
03/03/86 1100-1200 60 . 47 . 40 . . . . 7 ?
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TABLE 4.2. Incidental observations at the Lincoln City Wastewater
Treatment Ponds. These records do not include those given elsewhere.
Initials of observers:
RB=Range Bayer RG=Roy Gerig JM=Jim Mackie
DF=Darrel Faxon JG=Jeff Gilligan PP=Phil Pickering.
01/25/84 (PP). 1 Tree Swallow.
04/10/84 (JM). 20 Buffleheads, 20 No. Shovelers, 4 Mallards, 1 No. Pintail,
1 Killdeer.
05/10/84 (RB & JM). 4 Mallard adults with ducklings, 3 male and 1 female
Cinnamon Teal, 1 Blue-winged Teal, 4 Killdeer, 2 scaup,
2 Spotted Sandpipers, 30 Western Sandpipers.
09/11/84 (PP). 300+ Vaux's Swifts, 5 Marsh Wrens.
09/16/84 (PP). 5 Marsh Wrens.
11/22/84 (PP). 1 Cooper's Hawk, 1 No. Shrike, 2 Townsend's Warblers,
1 Lincoln's Sparrow.
09/22/85 (PP). 1 MacGillivray's Warbler.
11/22/85 (PP). 3 Marsh Wrens, 20 Golden-crowned and 1 White-throated
sparrows.
12/06/85 (PP). 2 Marsh Wrens, 10 Savannah, 20 Golden-crowned,
1 White-throated, and 4 Lincoln's sparrows.
03/28/87 (JG et al. in 1987 Oregon Birds 13[3]:275). Ring-necked Duck,
Lesser Scaup, Green-winged Teal, 1 Green-winged Teal ("Common" race).
09/23/94 (DF & RG). 100 Canada Geese, 75 Mallards, 10 No. Shovelers,
2 Blue-winged Teal.
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TABLE 4.3. Phylogenetic list of species recorded at the Lincoln City
Wastewater Treatment Ponds. The following 50 species and one subspecies
have been recorded here:
Horned Grebe Lesser Scaup Bonaparte's Gull
Eared Grebe Oldsquaw Mew Gull
Western Grebe Surf Scoter Ring-billed Gull
Green Heron White-winged Scoter California Gull
Canada Goose Bufflehead Thayer's Gull
Green-w. Teal ("Common" race) Hooded Merganser Western Gull $
Green-winged Teal Ruddy Duck Glaucous-winged Gull $
Mallard Cooper's Hawk Vaux's Swift
Northern Pintail Virginia Rail Tree Swallow
Blue-winged Teal American Coot Marsh Wren
Cinnamon Teal Killdeer Northern Shrike
Northern Shoveler Spotted Sandpiper Townsend's Warbler
Gadwall Black Turnstone MacGillivray's Warbler
American Wigeon Western Sandpiper Savannah Sparrow
Canvasback Pectoral Sandpiper Lincoln's Sparrow
Ring-necked Duck Common Snipe White-throated Sparrow
Greater Scaup Red-necked Phalarope Golden-crowned Sparrow
$ Western and Glaucous-winged gulls hybridize along the Oregon Coast
(Hoffman et al. 1978), so some of these gulls were probably hybrids.
Email comments to Range Bayer or see Yaquina.Info Page, Newport, Oregon 97365 USA.