I don't know if anyone else has seen these in the valley yet, but I had a Golden-crowned Sparrow on my walk along the TID ditch south of Park Street today. Seems about on schedule...
Pepper
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Date: 9/14/26 9:58 am From: Kristi Mergenthaler <kristi...> Subject: [RV Birds] Support the Conservation of Imperatrice
Hi Everyone,
If you live in Ashland please consider writing a letter of support for the
conservation of the land called "Imperatrice" that the City is planning on
selling. If you were lucky enough to attend hikes there with RVAS or other
groups when it was open to the public, please mention that and any other
personal experiences, like looking at this grassland viewshed from your
home. This is a hotspot for Grasshopper Sparrows and declining grassland
birds and a great spot for winter raptors, including Rough-legged Hawks
and Short-eared Owls. The far northern section is a beautiful oak savanna.
The City Council will have an executive session on the 15th, tomorrow, to
discuss how to "dispose" of the land. Some council members appear to be
interested in maximum profit (and the city is short of money) and are
interested in partitioning the section below the Talent Irrigation Ditch
that is irrigated pasture to subdivide and sell. SOLC, the local land trust
I work for, would prefer to see the land not subdivided and to purchase the
whole property for conservation and at least limited public access. We have
been in dialog with the city since 2009 about some sort of conservation
outcome for this extraordinary place. At some point, there will be a public
meeting where we can also give testimony or share letters. I am pasting in
more info in below along with the council email. A short message is all
that is needed.
Speak Up Now for Land Conservation in Ashland. Ashland is currently
deciding how to handle the city-owned 876-acre Imperatrice Property, an
exceptional intact landscape of grasslands, oak woodland, rare plant and
bird habitats, elk, and working lands at the edge of the city. Before the
City of Ashland decides how to structure a sale, council members need to
hear that conservation matters to our community. A conservation outcome can
protect natural values while allowing appropriate sustainable farming or
ranching in suitable areas. Please Take One Simple Action Now: Send a
short, personal message to the Mayor and City Council asking them to keep
Imperatrice intact and pursue a conservation outcome. If the city divides
or sells the property, then ask that permanent conservation protections be
established before the sale. • Email the Full Council: <council...>
• Or Use the City Form: Contact the Ashland City Council • Deadline to
Contact: September 14 (Before Meeting on September 15) A few sentences are
more than enough. Share where you live, why Imperatrice matters to you, and
make the request above. You may use or adapt this language: Please keep
Imperatrice intact and pursue a conservation outcome. If the city divides
or sells the property, then please require permanent conservation
protections before the sale. Conserving Imperatrice is a long-term
investment for the landscape, wildlife, working lands, and community
character of Ashland. Thank you so much for speaking up for this special
place, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy (SOLC)
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I wanted to let you know that two raptor survey routes are available this
winter in our area: *The* *Rogue River Valley* and *Rogue River – Shady
Cove* areas.
A survey involves driving a specified route once a month, spotting and
identifying raptors along the way, and completing an online report
afterward. Don't worry if you miss an ID here and there — there's even an
"Unidentified" category for the tricky ones.
*Time commitment:* Surveys take most of a day and are done once a month.
Three surveys are required (December, January, February), with November and
March optional.
I've been doing raptor surveys for the past four years alongside three
other longtime volunteers, and it's one of the best birding activities I've
done. When I started, I knew I couldn't drive, spot/ID raptors, *and* keep
track of sightings all by myself — so I recruited some help (Leslie H,
Dick A, Barry H) . If one of us can't make it, we bring in someone else to
fill in. It's been educational and a lot of fun.
I'd really encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.
If you're interested, contact:
- Jeff Fleischer: <raptorrunner97321...>
- Or me: <keeley256...> or 541-646-8797
