[obol] Least Bitterns

[Darrel Faxon]

Obol,
    A nice find, Lars, but I'm not sure how surprised we should be. A number of years ago one was seen at a small marsh near Buena Vista on July 19.  It wouldn't surpise me if this species was more regular (notice I didn't say common) in the Willamette Valley than we suppose.  This is especially worth considering in light of the fact that if one looks in the roadside ditches in many places, and seemingly especially so in Washington County, he can see evidence suggesting that at one time there were a lot more cattail marshes than there are now. It is possible that Least Bittern was once a more common species in the valley, whose population has suffered due to loss of habitat, but that the area always was and still is a part of their normal range.  I don't think we have to assume this bird is a straggler north of its normal range.
    Which brings up a question.  Least Bitterns do vocalize, right?  Has anyone ever reported hearing one in Oregon?  There used to be reports from around Klamath Lake in various spots.  Has anyone ever heard one there?  Or has anyone even attempted to listen for them?  We could have a Klamath Marsh Yellow Rail situation here, and, in similarity to that situation,  not even know it.

Darrel 
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