ASC Monthly Speakers
“Oregon Vesper Sparrow: Our next local endangered species?”
Joel Geier – February 20
Vesper Sparrows were once an abundant summer resident of the Willamette Valley. These birds are now found at only a handful of known nesting sites, mostly on private grazing land or Christmas tree farms. Local populations have declined or died out on their historic range from Crescent City, California to southeastern British Columbia. Joel will describe recent research to identify key factors responsible for these birds’ decline, as well as newly discovered fascinating behaviors.
In 1940 when Oregon State College published Birds of Oregon by Ira Gabrielson and Stanley Jewett, these authors described Oregon Vesper Sparrows as “an abundant summer resident of the Willamette Valley.” However as local birders know, these birds have become hard to find apart from a handful of known nesting sites. The few local nesting sites are now almost entirely on private lands, either on grazing lands used by cattle or on Christmas tree farms.
Elsewhere in their historic breeding range, which once extended from Crescent City, California to southeastern British Columbia, local populations have declined and in some cases blinked out entirely. A 2015 range-wide inventory sponsored by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) estimated the remaining population as fewer than 3,000 birds. Thus their status is similar to that of another formerly common endemic grassland bird, the Streaked Horned Lark, which is already federal listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Following further research, in 2017 ABC petitioned for federal listing of Oregon Vesper Sparrow. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has taken up this issue and is expected to issue the results of their assessment in the coming year.
Meanwhile research has continued, with the Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) and Ecostudies Institute joining ABC to try to identify key factors responsible for these birds’ decline. This has included intensive studies of reproductive success, led locally by Bob Altman with key contributions by Lisa Millbank, and also joined last year by Jayshaun Talbert. Efforts to identify migratory routes and the wintering range of these birds in California are also underway, led by Sarah Rockwell of KBO.
Some fascinating details of these birds’ behavior have emerged, including a remarkable degree of nest site fidelity, and distinct timing of migration depending on age and sex. For a couple of sparrows that have lived to a “ripe old age” of as much as 7 years, we can even sketch out individual biographies complete with sibling rivalries!
Joel has participated in this work seasonally since 2013, as a “side gig” from his day job as a hydrogeologist working on the regulatory side of radioactive waste disposal. After diverting from his early interest in biology to a more practical degree in mining engineering, then later a doctorate in geology, he welcomes the chance to get out for a few months every summer to pursue his lifelong passion. He has also served as regional Christmas Bird Count editor for Nevada and Oregon (recently retiring from the latter) and continues as compiler of four widely scattered CBCs as well as volunteering on Breeding Bird Survey routes in both states.
Range-wide Oregon Vesper Sparrow Project
“Spectacular Birds of the Colombian Andes”
Roy Lowe – March 20
Take a visual birding trip with photographer Roy Lowe to Colombia, from near sea level to 13,000 feet in the Andes Mountains. Colombia has the highest bird diversity in the world with more 2,000 species recorded. Roy’s presentation will feature a myriad of colorful images of many of the awesome birds he encountered from awesome Mountain Toucans, to brilliant tanagers, scintillating hummingbirds, secretive antpittas, and the bizarre but beautiful Andean Cock-of-the-Rock.
Roy Lowe is a resident of Waldport, Oregon and an avid wildlife photographer. He was employed with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 37 years. At the time of his retirement in 2015, Roy was the Refuge Manager of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. In retirement he has worked with the Paulson Institute and World Wildlife Fund – Hong Kong to assist with training of coastal wetland managers in the People’s Republic of China. He has been monitoring the return of Western Snowy Plovers to Lincoln County, Oregon following a 39-year absence.
2024-2025 Speaker Schedule
Hybrid in-person and Zoom meetings
Feb 20 – Joel Geier: “Oregon Vesper Sparrows: Our next local endangered species?”
Mar 20 – Roy Lowe: “Spectacular Birds of the Colombian Andes”
Apr 17 – Mark Kerstens: “Black-backed Woodpeckers”
May 15 – Jayshaun:Talbert: “Lights Out Corvallis”
If you would like to suggest a speaker for ASC’s 2024-2025 monthly presentations, please contact Mai Kiigemagi at audubon.corvallis@gmail.com.
How to See the Monthly Presentations
The 2023 – 2024 Monthly Meetings will be both in-person and available on Zoom. February and March presentations will be held in the Corvallis Community Center Alder Room on NW Tyler Ave. in Corvallis (Chandler Ballroom for April and May). At 6:30 pm is the social gathering, followed by a business meeting at 7:00 pm, the program could start as early as 7:20 pm, and it lasts about an hour. For those who are viewing the presentation via Zoom, we suggest you tune in at 7:15.
The in-person meetings will also be available on Zoom to ASC members who provided their email address with their membership dues. They will receive an invitation and instructions the day before the webinar. Members may view the presentation on their computers or phones at home. A few days following the meeting, the link to the recording will be posted on the ASC website (see Past Presentations below).
Past Video Presentations
To view recorded presentations from December 2022 to May 2023, click on the links below. Some presentations were not able to be archived. Contact
February 2025
Vesper Sparrows were once an abundant summer resident of the Willamette Valley. These birds are now found at only a handful of known nesting sites, mostly on private grazing land or Christmas tree farms. Local populations have declined or died out on their historic range from Crescent City, California to southeastern British Columbia. Joel will describe recent research to identify key factors responsible for these birds’ decline, as well as newly discovered fascinating behaviors.
January 2025
Sea otters are charismatic marine mammals that once thrived along Oregon’s coastline. Two centuries of fur trading caused their local extinction, and without them, Oregon’s kelp forests have suffered, Chanel Hansen and the Elakha Alliance are dedicated to restoring a healthy population of sea otters, which will increase the resilience of the ecosystem.
Link to Zoom recording
December 2024
Five ASC/MVBA members shared some of their favorite photos and videos during the annual Member Slide Show. Tom Heath showed beautiful birds plus a river otter, coyote, and pronghorn, ending with his unique dahlia. Carolyn Peterson had awesome bird, reptile, and marine photos from her trips to California and Indonesia. Teri Engbring brought beautiful shots of Alaska glaciers, Italian Alps, and a few family favorites. Matt Lee had amazing photos and videos featuring Heron Island, Tasmania, and Victoria, Australia wildlife. Sue Powell shared an underwater video from a Great Barrier Reef island.
Link to Zoom recording
November 2024
OSU Master’s student Richard Rich presented a great overview of both Greater Sage-grouse and Common Ravens, including ID tips and life history information. He described his research into raven-grouse interactions and surprising new evidence of undocumented raven behaviors. Link to Zoom recording
October 2024
Retired biologist Ann Eissinger presented an overview of Great Blue Herons, including life history, habitat, status, monitoring, and conservation efforts. Ann spent over 30 years studying the birds in Washington and continues to volunteer as a science advisor for heron projects in NW Washington. Link to Zoom recording
September 2024
Peter Moore discussed the results of population surveys of three albatross species that nest on Campbell Island, NZ. Removal of non-native Norway rats was completed in 2001 and resulted in population recovery of the albatrosses and other endemic species. Link to Zoom recording
May 2024
Carina Kusaka’s presentation described her research about detecting changes in Tufted Puffin breeding habitat along the Oregon Coast. Her work will determine will help land managers to direct conservation activities where and how they will be most effective. Carina is also the author and illustrator of the children’s book Polly the Puffin.
Link to recording
April 2024
Nikkie Cross shared eBird, which can target and locate new birds wherever you travel, track your life list, and contribute your sightings to help scientists worldwide.
Link to recording
March 2024
Alan Contreras took us on an entertaining tour of how birds were first observed from Lewis and Clark through the 1950s. He also covered the growth of amateur birding and how their sighting enhanced academic and agency protection of habitat and resources.
No Zoom recording available
February 2024
Native grasslands in Oregon have have disappeared, leaving only rare patches for butterflies that depend on them. Dana Ross presented an overview of Benton County butterflies, natural history of our local rare species, and other species in Oregon. Link to recording (note that sound is missing for about 10 minutes)
