Applegater Summer 2016
11
BIRD EXPLORER
The birds of spring
BY PETER J. THIEMANN
In spring, birds put on a real show:
breeding plumage! There is the spectacular
Harlequin Duck that winters along our
Pacific coast and then migrates inland to
clear mountain streams for nesting and
raising its young. Nests of this species
can be found in tree cavities and broken
stumps or between boulders of fast-
moving mountain streams. Only about
200 breeding pairs of Harlequin Ducks
are found in
Photos, clockwise from top left: Harlequin Duck, Northern Pygmy Owl, Oregon, with
and the Common Loon. Photos: Peter J. Thiemann
many of the
overwintering
f l o c k s
departing for
northern areas
in early spring.
“ H a r l e q u i n”
comes from the
From the Heart
of the Applegate
Anthology of original essays, poems, and short
stories contributed by Applegate Valley writers
in support of the Applegater.
Available now for $16 at:
Amazon.com and www.applegater.org
Applegate Valley Realty, Jacksonville
Bloomsbury Books, Ashland
Oregon Books, Grants Pass
Terra Firma, Jacksonville
multicolored comic servant character
from the Italian commedia dell’arte in the
late 16th century.
The Common Loon can be seen
all winter in its drab plumage along our
Pacific shores. But in the spring, before it
departs to mountain lakes farther north
for nesting, the Common Loon puts on
its beautiful breeding plumage as seen in
my photo. “Loon” is derived from old
Norse language, “lom,” meaning clumsy,
because this species “runs” on water
before becoming airborne. Sometimes,
half a mountain lake is needed for a
successful takeoff!
T h e r e
was another
Peter J. Thiemann
awesome late
winter bird sighting here in our
mountains: a Northern Pygmy Owl,
ounce for ounce the fiercest predator to
be found. When birding in springtime,
I always look at woodpecker holes and
often find the five species of woodpeckers
common in our region. But once in a
while I find a roosting or even nesting
owl that has taken residence. Owls do not
build their own nests, but use cavities or
nests from other species.
Common finds are Western Screech
Owls, like the owls that are roosting now
in my garden woodpecker holes. Rare to
find is the Northern Pygmy Owl. It is
Oregon’s smallest owl, hunts in daylight,
and can be seen around birdfeeders where
it looks for small birds and rodents.
About the size of a robin, this owl is often
overlooked when perched quietly on a
low branch scanning the grasses below.
Sometimes a flock of birds will harass the
small owl and alert the birder looking.
I captured some exceptional images of
a Northern Pygmy Owl with a freshly
caught meadow vole as large as the owl!
Peter J. Thiemann
peterjthiemann@yahoo.com
Photos courtesy of Peter J. Thiemann flickr
photo stream.
Want to donate a tractor?
The 60’s-era tractor that Jack Shipley
donated to Cantrall Buckley Park nine
years ago is getting a little long in the
tooth. The park needs a medium-size
4WD tractor with a front loader, able to
attach a brush hog.
If you have anything like this or
know anyone who does, give Rick Barclay
a call at 541-899-7155. We’ll send you
an IRS-worthy receipt for tax purposes.
Thank you! —Tom Carstens
Handcrafted ‘Applecrates’ for sale
Beautiful planters called “Applecrates,” built with
donated local wood and volunteer labor, are for sale.
All proceeds help sustain the Applegater. See these useful
and long-lasting Applecrates at Applegate Valley Realty,
935 N. Fifth Street, Jacksonville. The price of a stock
planter box (see photo), 12” wide x 22” long x 14” deep,
starts at $40. For more information, call Chris Bratt at
541-846-6988.
Applegate Store & Cafe
Open 7days a week!
Deli & Picnic Supplies
Breakfast • Lunch •To-Go Orders
Gas • ATM • Espresso
Beer & Wine
15095 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR
541-846-6659
Horsefeather Farms
Ranchette
Guesthouse Stayovers B & B
13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR
Stay at a real country farm on the
Applegate River!
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE
FOURTH OF JULY!
Call for information and reservations:
541-941-0000
www.horsefeather-farms-ranchette.com
Bring the kids
! Pet friendly
!
