Date: 11/1/26 4:22 pm From: frank lospalluto <fdlospalluto...> Subject: [RV Birds] Raptor Run help
I am forwarding this for Andrew Donnelly. If you are interested reply to him at <acadonnelly...> good birding, frank
Hello RV Birders:
I volunteered to take over the Applegate-WIlliams Raptor Run this winter without really having anyone already on board to help me out with it. It is a relatively short run (53 miles) and I drove it today just to get my bearings and it took me a little less than two hours to drive, albeit with minimal birding. I can probably trim 10-15 minutes off of the finding-my-way part now that I know the route. The roads wind quite a bit and so I will really need a few others to help me do the raptor part, as I'll really have to keep my eyes on the road out there. The route starts just south of Grants Pass and ends up near Williams. It winds through quite a few open fields and vineyards, but there are also lots of trees in a lot of areas, so the extra eyes are really needed. I didn't see a whole lot today (RTHA, AMKE, one BAEA), but it is early in the fall/winter season. Typically this route gets 4-6 species and about 10-50 raptors. You never know what you might find. In addition to the raptors today were a lot of turkeys, some flocks of geese, and a few Varied Thrush. It seems to be a good start to the winter for Varied Thrush, maybe I just haven't gotten out enough in the previous few winters I've been here, but so far I've seen far more this fall than I usually do.
If anyone is interested in helping me do this, I'd appreciate it. I anticipate running it once in late November, once in December, once in first half of January, and sometime in both February and March. My schedule is flexible and I can run it on a weekday or weekend. I do travel a fair amount and have work around that.
Because the route is relatively short (probably 3-4 hours) I imagine there can be stops for other birds if the opportunity presents itself. And I will always stop to try and get photos of things if I can.
Thanks for any help I can get. This route has been run since 2005, so I'd like to keep it going and get some good data, and some extra eyes will definitely help with that.
Andy Donnelly Medford, OR <acadonnelly...>
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The following message was sent to RVAS and I am just passing it along. I
know no other details .
I am sorry for lack of photo or details, but, I was a passenger and while
driving by last Saturday and I saw what looked like a single Burrowing Owl,
height, size, color, posture, in open habitat, near Bear Creek, and all
that mess of highway. I am an outta towner, so haven't gotten back to look
yet.
42°21'07.3"N 122°52'44.5"W
good birding ,
frank
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Date: 10/23/26 9:08 pm From: Pepper Trail <pepper.trail...> Subject: [RV Birds] Lewis's Woodpeckers moving along Jenny Creek
On a hike along Jenny Creek today, I counted at least 41 Lewis's Woodpeckers moving south, fly-catching as they went. Also had two Black-billed Magpies and three Townsend's Solitaires.
While walking on the path named Rose Hip Lane (near the intersection of Hwy. 99 and Hwy. 66) earlier today I spotted a Northern Shrike at 12 noon perched not far from the path leading to the lake.
This is the first shrike species I have spotted at Emigrant Lake and I walk the area regularly (Greensprings Spur Rd., main entrance across from the Rowing Club, two areas blocked for entry near the old Hwy 66 weigh station).
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Date: 10/15/26 9:48 pm From: Pepper Trail <pepper.trail...> Subject: [RV Birds] Magpie in the valley and more
Hi,
In the belief that any observation of a Black-billed Magpie in the valley is worth reporting - I saw one today (10/15/26) along Dead Indian Memorial Road about a half-mile before the junction with the west end of Shale City Road. It was perched on a fencepost as I drove past. There was no place to stop to look for more magpies.
I then hiked the Grizzly Peak trail. I saw four raptors as I crossed over the peak: a Red-tail, a Sharp-shinned, an adult Bald Eagle, and a Prairie Falcon. The Prairie Falcon engaged in a brief aerial dogfight with a raven.
No other unexpected birds on the hike, but there were at least a half-dozen Varied Thrushes along the trail - always a pleasure to see.
Pepper
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