The Applegater

Applegater Summer 2016 11 BY PETER J. THIEMANN The birds of spring BIRD EXPLORER Peter J. Thiemann 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. e 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. Open 7days a week! Deli & Picnic Supplies Breakfast • Lunch •To-Go Orders Gas • ATM • Espresso Beer & Wine Applegate Store & Cafe 15095 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR 541-846-6659 13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR Stay at a real country farm on the Applegate River! Horsefeather Farms Ranchette Guesthouse Stayovers B&B www.horsefeather-farms-ranchette.com Bring the kids! Pet friendly! Call for information and reservations: 541-941-0000 In spring, birds put on a real show: breeding plumage! ere 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 a re f o u n d i n Oregon, with m a n y o f t h e 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 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 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. iemann peterjthiemann@yahoo.com Photos courtesy of Peter J. iemann flickr photo stream. Photos, clockwise from top left: Harlequin Duck, Northern Pygmy Owl, and the Common Loon. Photos: Peter J. Thiemann 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 e 60's-era tractor that Jack Shipley donated to Cantrall Buckley Park nine years ago is getting a little long in the tooth. e 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. ank you! —Tom Carstens Want to donate a tractor? H AV E A H A P P Y A N D S A F E F O U R T H O F J U LY !

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