[obol] Applegate R. banding day (Jo Co)

[Wayne Hoffman]

I think we have resident Spotted Towhees in our yard that have been here 
continuously for several years.  However, in late winter most years, and 
mid-winter some years we also see different towhees that i think are an 
inland subspecies.  These (males, at least) have more and larger white spots 
dorsally, and a paler shade of orange on the flanks.

So I think we have both permanent residents and transients visiting us.

Wayne

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lars and Gail Norgren" <gnorgren at earthlink.net>
To: "Dennis P. Vroman" <dpvroman at budget.net>
Cc: "obol" <obol at lists.oregonstate.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 12:31 AM
Subject: Re: [obol] Applegate R. banding day (Jo Co)


      I wondered this morning, independently of
Dennis, and for the first time ever, if SPOTTED
TOWHEES migrate. I have been doing a 1,44km
transect count for two weeks now where I usually
record no towhees, only 1 when I detect any. Today
I counted 7. The entire transect is good towhee
habitat and I have attributed the previous numbers
to low detection- late summer sulleness on the
towhees' part. One towhee today was making a call
note almost identical to a Black-headed Grosbeak.
     Of course a glance at any distibution map
will show that many SPOTTED TOWHEES must migrate.
Maybe most of them do. I have made a lot of assumptions
about the towhees in my yard reminiscent of Marcia
Marvin's juncos. Maybe the low towhee count on my
earlier transect counts reflected a reality- the
departure of nesting birds. Lars Norgren
MANNING OREGON
On Sep 26, 2006, at 3:58 PM, Dennis P. Vroman wrote:

> Today (09-26-06) at the Applegate River banding station (just west of 
> Provolt, Josephine Co) a total of 7 species, 19 individuals were captured; 
> the list:
>
> Swainson's Thrush - 3 (1 recap, banded last year)
> Orange-crowned Warbler - 2 (yellowish birds)
> Western Tanager - 1 (a real "tubby" one; lots of fat)
> Spotted Towhee - 4
> Fox Sparrow - 6 (1 recap from 10-11-05)
> Song Sparrow 2 (1 recap)
> Golden-crowned Sparrow - 1
>
> Other observations: Turkey Vultures (mention is another message), 
> YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER (1st fall bird seen at site), RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET 
> (heard, 1st fall bird for site), about 140 CEDAR WAXWINGS (they arrived in 
> force, not many on previous dates), 4 YELLOW WARBLERS.
>
> Over the last two banding session, there has been a lot of unbanded 
> SPOTTED TOWHEES showing up at the station. Perhaps a movement of non-local 
> breeders and/or their fledglings?
>
> Dennis (north of Grants 
> Pass)_______________________________________________
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