No subject

apparently have not been documented in Josephine Co during the nesting 
period.  There's reports of them during the nesting season just south of the 
County boundary in CA, however.  It's reasonable some may be out there in 
the County in the higher elevations of the Siskiyous.  Have seen them 
nesting in the Mt. Ashland area (Jackson Co).  The Biscuit Fire and likely 
has improved the habitat for Bluebirds.  Steve Summers reported them in the 
Rough and Ready Creek area near US 199 on 4 May 1975 (lower elevation, but 
near this same area).

Dennis (north of Grants Pass)


> Some friends yesterday (5/21/07) saw a male Bluebird they IDed as a
> Mountain Bluebird at the Babyfoot Lake Trailhead (WEST of Hwy 199 in
> the Illinois Valley, Josephine Co).  This is particularly interesting
> as the sighting is at a relatively high elevation (~4300') and during
> breeding season.  I do have a photo if anyone w/ a website feels it's
> worth posting.
>
> The ridge that the trailhead is on constitutes the boundary between
> Josephine and Curry counties so, actually, I'm not sure which county
> the bluebird was actually in.
>
> I have heard of breeding records (but perhaps 12 miles? to the east
> of this sighting) to the south in CA but very near the OR border.  IF
> the bird is part of a breeding pair, this would constitute a very
> Westerly mtn. bluebird breeding location.
>
> Perhaps I'll drive up and look but life is full.
>
> The Babyfoot Lake trailhead is up (about 17 windy miles but the
> unpaved road is in good condition) $8 Mtn Rd. which heads west from
> Hwy 199 about midway between Selma to the North and Kerby to the
> South.  The trailhead area was severely burned by the Biscuit Fire
> and then (roughly) logged.  (But snag patches were left).  There have
> been a few recent (unconfirmed) reports of Black-Backed WPs in this
> same area.  Hairy's are very common in the snag patches.
>
> (I observed a Male BBWP near here several years post-fire on the
> Curry Co. side of the ridge.  The observation was particularly
> satisfying as the bird was foraging on a Brewer's Spruce.)
>
> Best,    Romain
>
> Siskiyou Biological Services LLC
> Romain Cooper
> 10398 Takilma Road
> Cave Junction, OR 97523
> home office 541-592-2311
> cell 541-415-1490