Important Bird Areas Map

Description:  These BLM managed lands include a mix of shrubland and forest land. The habitats for which this site was identified are the ceanothus-manzanita brushfields and scrub oak habitat.

Conservation Issues     In many areas Ceanothus-manzanita brushfield habitat has been lost to urbanization and/or forest succession (due to fire suppression). Further, it is considered a "fire hazard" and is often eradicated to reduce fire danger.

of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database

Location:  West-central Willamette Valley, about 10 miles west of Salem, in Polk County. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  This national wildlife refuge was established in 1965 to provide winter habitat for Dusky Canada Geese, a subspecies that winters primarily in the Willamette Valley. Four other subspecies also regularly winter here. Grass fields provide forage for wintering goose flocks, and restored wetlands provide roosting habitat for geese, as well as habitat for other waterfowl and waterbirds. An Oregon white oak woodland, oak savanna, and upland prairie provide habitat for other wildlife and rare native plants. (Contributed by Karen Viste-Sparkman).

Outstanding Features:  Baskett Slough and nearby private lands provide habitat for one of the largest concentrations of the Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), currently a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act, and is listed as critical on the Oregon sensitive species list. No formal surveys have been done on the refuge alone, but anecdotal information estimates a population of at least 10 breeding pairs. Together with adjacent private lands the breeding population easily exceeds 25 pairs. The entire population in the Willamette Valley is estimated to be less than 200 pairs. The refuge also supports a rare community of upland prairie and Oregon white oak woodland/oak savanna. Restored wetlands support concentrations of wintering waterfowl, and the mid-winter waterfowl aurvey detected 35,988 ducks, geese, and swans in 2001. The refuge regularly supports more than 100 shorebirds during spring and fall migrations. (Contributed by Karen Viste-Sparkman).

Conservation Issues:  Natural succession has been taking place since early settlers arrived and eliminated fire from the ecosystem. Woody vegetation is invading prairies and conifers are over-topping oak trees, destroying these rare plant communities. The refuge is managing woody vegetation by repeated mowing and a prescribed burning program. These communities would be lost without these actions. Invasion of non-native plant species is an ongoing problem that requires repeated chemical and mechanical treatment of vegetation.

Oak restoration is needed in the form of removing conifers and possibly thinning oaks and returning fire to the oak community. Prairie restoration needs to take place in degraded prairie areas and retired farm fields by controlling invasive plants through mechanical, and chemical control; controlling encroaching woody species through mechanical removal and fire; and reintroducing native prairie plant species. (Contributed by Karen Viste-Sparkman).

Birdlists:  • USFWS Western Oregon Refuge Complex (Willamette Valley)

of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database

(Recreation.Gov).

Location:  On the northern Oregon coast, just north of Cannon Beach, near Ecola State Park, southwest Clatsop County. Vicinity maps (rocks are unlabeled offshore of Chapman Point): TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  This site is a small portion of the Oregon Islands NWR. It is comprised of four large rocks including seabird colonies 219-017, 270-018, 270-019 and 270-020. Only 270-020 contains low vegetation, the rest are mostly devoid of vegetation and little soil is present.

Outstanding Features:  Over 200 Brown Pelicans have been observed at this site. These rocks support more than 6% of Oregon's breeding population of Common Murres and 27% of the state's breeding Brandt's Cormorant population. A total of 49,542 seabirds nest here including six species. Bald Eagles routinely forage on seabirds at this location with up to three seen at one time.

Conservation Issues:  Human disturbance is a concern at this site from low flying aircraft, close approach of boats, and humans on the beach and the adjacent mainland. Educational efforts are underway to alleviate these problems. Significant increase in bald eagle predation, particularly from juvenile birds, has been causing widespread nesting failure at these colonies since 1994. Some abandonment of this site is occuring.

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Location:  On the southern Oregon coast, a series of rocks surrounding Cape Blanco and extending north to off Blacklock Point, Curry County. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  This site is a small portion of the Oregon Islands NWR. The habitat varies from low rocks to Castle Rock which is over 150 feet high. Most rocks are devoid of vegetation. This site includes Blacklock Point Rocks (270-022), Unnamed Rock (270-022.1), Tower Rock (270-023), Castle Rock (270-024), Unnamed Rock (270-025), Unnamed Rock (270-026), Gull Rock (270-027), Unnamed Rock (270-027.1), Unnamed Rock (270-027.2), Unnamed Rock (270-027.3), Unnamed Rock (270-027.5), and Needle Rock (270-028). Photo Roy W. Lowe, USFWS.
Outstanding Features:  This site provides habitat for more than 45,494 nesting seabirds comprised of eight species. This site also supports 6% of Oregon's Common Murre breeding population (USFWS census data).

Conservation Issues:  Low flying aircraft, close approaching boats and trespass on rocks is of concern for causing disturbance to nesting seabirds. Educational efforts are underway to prevent these probblems

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Location:  Just south of Boardman, Morrow County. No public access. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  The Boardman Grasslands IBA consists of two adjacent parcels totalling approximately 69,000 acres: the Boardman Conservation Area and the Boardman Bombing Range (Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman). These adjacent parcels represent the largest remaining single block of predominantly native shrub steppe and grassland habitats in the Columbia Basin Physiographic Province of Oregon. The Boardman Grasslands have high-quality occurrences of bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) shrub steppe, Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) steppe, basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata) steppe, bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoregneria spicata) grasslands and needle-and-thread (Heterostipa comata) grasslands. In a basin which largely has been converted to dryland and irrigated agriculture, the Boardman Grasslands provide critical habitat for a number of native wildlife species including ten state and/or federally listed threatened, endangered, or sensitive wildlife species.

Outstanding Features:  This site supports what are suspected to be the largest nesting populations in Oregon for Grasshopper Sparrow, Long-billed Curlew, and Burrowing Owl. Significant regional nesting populations of Swainson's Hawk and Ferruginous Hawk use the Juniper Canyon area of the bombing range. Other Partners in Flight focal species for conservation that occur in shrub-steppe habitats in the IBA are Loggerhead Shrike, Sage Sparrow, Sage Thrasher, and Lark Sparrow. This site contains an area of native bunchgrass habitat that has been ungrazed for over 50 years. Ungrazed big sagebrush habitat is also present on the range.

Conservation Issues:  Ongoing efforts at restoration (both in planning and by on-ground activities) include grazing management, exotic plant reduction, noxious weed control, improved management of wildfires, restoration of historically impacted areas, research on the effects of non-natural predator populations on avian communities.

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database

Location:  In the northern Oregon Cascades, approximately 9.5 km east-southeast of Government Camp (south side of Mt. Hood), on the east side of the White River drainage within the Mount Hood National Forest, Hood River County (LAT 45o 15' 46.8" N, LONG 121o 35' 31.2" W). Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  Bonney Butte is at the southern terminus of Surveyor’s Ridge, which originates near Hood River, Oregon, south of the Columbia River Gorge. The ridge extends southward for approximately 50 km and ends southeast of Mt. Hood. Bonney Butte is a mostly bald knoll with a summit elevation of 1,754 m. The south and west slopes are steep, dropping approximately 725 m to the White River, whereas the east slope drops only 65 m to Bonney Meadows. The area within a 5-km radius of Bonney Butte is forested, except for Bonney Meadows and several clearcut tracts. Hemlock (Tsuga spp.), true firs (Abies spp.), and pines (Pinus spp.) are common in the surrounding forests. Several huckleberry species (Vaccinium spp.) also commonly occur in the area. The observation site is located on the highest point of the butte. The trapping station is located approximately 500 m north on a separate knoll and slightly lower in elevation. The intervening space is largely forested.

Outstanding Features:  Bonney Butte has been a HawkWatch International monitoring location since 1994. The season average for total raptors (1994-2001) is 2817 birds. The most numerous species observed are the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and Golden Eagle, but up to 18 species of raptors have been observed in a single season.

Links: • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Bonney Butte Raptor Migration Project (HawkWatch International)

Location:  Off the southern Oregon coast. This area changes in size and location (due to seasonal and annual changes in wind and current patterns), but is generally located within 25 miles west of Cape Blanco and south up to 50 miles.

Description:  This area has relatively consistent winds and a physical obstruction to ocean currents (Cape Blanco) that combine to create the most dependable and nutrient-rich upwellings away from the immediate coastline on the Oregon coast. When this nutrient-rich water is brought to the ocean surface (upwelling), a diverse community of marine life is supported by its bounty.

Outstanding Features:  This area has some of the highest concentrations of seabirds in the California Current System (CCS). Because of the consistency of the upwelling at this site, the area may be particularly important during segments of climatic cycles when marine food resources are relatively scarce along the West Coast.

From Briggs et al. 1992: "Several sections of the upper continental slope seemed to support substantial numbers of albatrosses more consistently than others: . . . the slope off Cape Blanco."

From Ainley et al. 2005: "The high seabird density in the Heceta Bank and Cape Blanco areas indicates them to be refuges contrasting the low seabird densities currently found in most other parts of the CCS, following decline during the recent warm regime of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation." And, "Given that the Sooty Shearwater, by far the most abundant species in the CCS (and which contributes immensely to overall biomass), declined by 90% in the CCS since 1976..., our results are surprising. We expected to encounter significantly fewer numbers and biomass than was present, as we have noted in central California studies.... It is possible that in addition to their overall decline in the CCS, the shearwaters have become more confined to those regions that still provide high food availability. If so, the areas around Cape Blanco and Heceta Bank have apparently retained their importance to seabirds regardless of the apparent overall decline of zooplankton and presumably micronekton in the CCS...."

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Article on Oregon coastal IBAs (Newport News Times)
• Department of Land Conservation and Development Ocean Coastal Management Program: Ocean Program
• GLOBEC Northeast Pacific Program Mapping of Physical and Biological Fields in the Northern California Current July 31 - August 19, 2002
• Pacific Coast page of the Waterbird Conservation for the Americas website. Includes the USFWS Regional Seabird Conservation Plan and the California Current Marine Bird Conservation Plan

Location:  In southwest Oregon at the junction of the southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains, southeast of Ashland in southeast Jackson County. Vicinity maps (site not labeled): TopoZone, USGS. Site maps: BLM.

Description: The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument was established in June 2000 under the Antiquities Act. It was singled out as "an ecological wonder" with "spectacular biological diversity" in recognition of its role as a biological crossroads between the Cascade, Klamath/Siskiyou, and Great Basin ecoregions. It is the nation's first National Monument established specifically to protect biodiversity. The Monument is managed by the Medford District of the Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Landscape Conservation System. The BLM is currently developing its management plan for the Monument.

Outstanding Features:  Two hundred and two bird species have been reported from the Monument. In addition to its importance to particular species of concern, including Northern Spotted Owl, Great Gray Owl, Peregrine Falcon, and Willow Flycatcher, the Monument is remarkable for the array of birds that are near their range limit in the area. This list includes northern limits of Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and California Towhee, western limits of Canyon Wren and Black-billed Magpie, eastern limits of Hermit Warbler and Band-tailed Pigeon, and southern limits of Ruffed Grouse and Rufous Hummingbird. The tremendous array of habitats in the Monument provide for great diversity in vertebrate fauna (Pepper Trail, Birds of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument).

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (BLM)

Location:  Southwest Oregon, just east of the town of Applegate and north of the Applegate River, Josephine County. Rough map of area. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  Roughly 6,600 acres of chaparral with scattered small forest patches in generally south-facing drainages. See aerial image of vicinity.

Outstanding Features: This IBA contains one of the largest remaining patches of chaparral in southwest Oregon, and hosts three bird species unique to this habitat: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Oak Titmouse, and California Towhee. The titmouse and towhee are year-round residents here and the gnatcatcher migrates from points south to breed here in the summer. In addition, the area provides excellent winter cover and food resources for a diversity of birds year-round. During winter, manzanita provides a berry food source for several species, particularly Hermit Thrushes. In early spring, manzanita flowers provide a nectar heavily used by arriving Rufous Hummingbirds (and others). The flowers are also eaten (perhaps for the nectar or other nutritional content?) by songbirds such as Purple Finches and Golden-crowned Sparrows before and during spring migration (Dennis Vroman pers. comm.).

Conservation Issues:    Chaparral, the dominant habitat in this IBA, is a priority habitat in western Oregon lowlands and valleys (Altman 2000b). Chaparral has been reduced in extent in southwest Oregon through clearing for farming or grazing, overgrowth by trees because of fire suppression, clearing for residental expansion, and clearing to reduce fire hazard near developed areas. In a few areas, chaparral has expanded in small degree where fire was suppressed in otherwise grassland areas (Altman et al. 2001). Concerns and potential threats of and to chaparral should be addressed on a case by case basis. Solutions should maintain the health of these habitats and the safety of people (e.g., increasing the grassland to shrub ratio can help both goals).

Scientists with Klamath Bird Observatory have completed a 2-year comparison of bird communities in areas where chaparral shrub density was reduced through mastication and where shrubs remain untreated.

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database

Location:  The northern Oregon coast. From the south jetty of the Columbia River south to the north spit of the Necanicum River. Includes the ocean side of Clatsop Spit, Columbia Beach, and Sunset Beach, Clatsop County, Oregon. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.

Description:  Roughly 15 miles of wet and/or dry sand beach.

Outstanding Features:  This stretch of beach has consistently (in season) hosted huge congregations of shorebirds (primarily Sanderlings) and sometimes large flocks of gulls. The following bird records are from Marshall et al. (2003; see for original sources): A flock of 80,000 Sanderlings on Clatsop Beach 23 Jul to 6 Aug 1983 is the largest single assemblage reported in Oregon. Other peak counts include 20,000 on 21 May 1977 on Sunset Beach, 1200/mi near the s. jetty of the Columbia R. 15 May 1978, and an estimated 30,000 in 3 mi (4.8 km) of beach near the s. jetty of the Columbia R. 25 May 1978. Note that these three peak counts come from essentially the same beaches. An estimated 1,200 Heermann's Gulls were observed on Sunset Beach, Clatsop Co., in Oct 1980. On 28 Oct 1980, 1,500 Herring Gulls and 800 Thayer's gulls were among a migrant gull concentration on Clatsop Beach.

Bird Lists:  Mike Patterson has recorded and presented loads of bird data from Clatsop County (bird page, archived pages), including spring shorebird counts from the Clatsop County, which include beaches: 1997, 1998, 1999, and summary.

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database

Many other species occur as well. One to several Bald eagles can be found during winter. Two Great Blue Heron colonies can be found - < 50 nests combined. Hundreds of songbirds stop during migration and/or winter on Cold Springs Refuge. Abundant species (generally several hundred individuals during a migration or winter season) include (in no particular order) Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Oregon Junco, and White-crowned Sparrow. Abundant resident species include Black-capped Chickadee and Song Sparrow.

of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database

.

Location:  South-central Oregon Coast, lower Coos River.

Description:  Determining precise boundaries of this IBA will require further work by a cooperative group of partners because of the complexity of the estuary system and the frequent changes in bird use of some areas. Roughly, the Coos River Estuary and some adjacent marshes and lowland roosting and feeding sites comprise the Coos Bay IBA (perhaps better named the Coos River Estuary IBA).

Outstanding Features:  The Coos River estuary hosts tens to hundreds of thousands of waterfowl during winter and migration periods, and tens of thousands of shorebirds of many species during spring and fall migration.

Bird Lists:  • Purchase "Birds of Coos County, Oregon," (special publication #12) from Oregon Field Ornithologists.

Links:  • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Coos Bay, Oregon Coastal