To Southern California, Brazil, and Back: First GPS Tracking of Oregon Vesper Sparrow and Western Purple Martin Migration

By Larry Jordan on January 13, 2025 in

Join the Redwood Region Audubon Society on Thursday, January 16 at 7:00 p.m. for a program entitled “To Southern California, Brazil, and Back: First GPS Tracking of Oregon Vesper Sparrow and Western Purple Martin Migration” by Sarah Rockwell. One of the biggest challenges in identifying ways to help migratory birds is that we don’t know where they are most of the year. Without this basic information, it is challenging to identify and prioritize conservation actions. Archival, lightweight GPS tags placed on small songbirds have been available for about a decade, and they are revolutionizing our understanding of bird migration and migratory connectivity. The Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO), along with partners at USFS, USGS, Cape Arago Audubon, and Avifauna Northwest, is using these GPS tags to track the migratory routes and overwintering locations of both Oregon Vesper Sparrow and Western Purple Martin, two imperiled subspecies unique to the Pacific Northwest. These are the first studies with these subspecies—the first to track them with GPS technology year-round! These birds have returned with fascinating information, revealing discoveries about their incredible journeys, including unexpected lengthy fall stopovers, and for Purple Martins, winters on the beach in southeastern Brazil. In this talk, Sarah will share photos and maps from this research, and give a peek into the amazing window we now have into the incredible voyages these birds undertake. Dr. Sarah Rockwell is a Senior Research Biologist at KBO, where she manages several research programs studying the ecology of bird species of conservation concern, and monitoring birds at riparian, oak, and coniferous restoration sites. Sarah manages KBO’s Oregon Vesper Sparrow research program, studying nest success, survival, and habitat needs to better understand the causes of their decline and potential conservation actions. Sarah joined KBO in 2013 after completing her PhD at the University of Maryland and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, where she studied the ecology of the then-endangered Kirtland’s Warbler in her home state of Michigan. She earned her BA in Biology in 2002 from Kalamazoo College, where she fell in love with birds during her study abroad experience in Ecuador. She lives in Ashland, Oregon, with her husband and four-year-old daughter. Programs are held at Six Rivers Masonic Lodge, 251 Bayside Road, Arcata, or via the Zoom link www.rras.org. Drinks and goodies are served at 7:00 p.m., the program begins at 7:30.

Purple Martins in the Central Valley: Going, Going, Gone

By Larry Jordan on February 3, 2022 in

Take a tour of the birding hotspots in Pt. Reyes: there are such diverse habitats, from grasslands, estuaries and sandy beaches, lagoons to coastal chaparral and hardwood/conifer forests, and this leads to a great diversity of bird species. This program will highlight many of the past Altacal trips and all the rare migrants and other cool birds that have been seen at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. Altacal has been leading camping trips to Pt. Reyes for decades, and we have seen some really interesting birds (as well as other wildlife) there over the years. During fall migration, some eastern warblers and other birds somehow get off track and end up migrating south along the west coast, and Pt. Reyes is the perfect stopping point. Mary will introduce you to the main birding spots with maps and photos and share stories about them all. If you have never joined Altacal on one of these trips, you will want to after watching this presentation! Black-throated Blue Warbler by JT Lewis Purple Martins have been in long-term decline in California due to factors such as habitat loss, competition with the European Starling, disturbance from construction projects, and declines in their insect food supply due to neonicotinoid insecticide use. Dan Airola has been studying and working for over two decades to conserve the last Central Valley population of Purple Martins, which nest in elevated freeways and overpasses in Sacramento. This program will present his study results and describe conservation measures that have been implemented and are needed to protect this species and help it recover. Dan Airola is a wildlife biologist and ornithologist who has worked for over 40 years on bird conservation issues in Northern California. His recent research addresses status, ecology, migration, and conservation of at-risk species including the Tricolored Blackbird, Swainson’s Hawk, Yellowbilled Magpie, fire-adapted forest species, and migrant songbirds. Dan also serves the Central Valley Bird Club as a Director and Conservation Chair.