In 1940, Birds of Oregon by Ira Gabrielson and Stanley Jewett described Oregon Vesper Sparrows as “an abundant summer resident of the Willamette Valley.” Today, they’re hard to find outside a few known nesting sites, mostly on private working lands like cattle ranches and Christmas tree farms.

Across their historic breeding range—from Crescent City, California, to southeastern British Columbia—populations have declined or disappeared. A 2015 survey led by Bob Altman for the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) estimated fewer than 3,000 birds remained. In 2017, ABC petitioned for federal listing, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to release its findings soon.

Research continues, with the Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) and Ecostudies Institute working with ABC to uncover causes of decline. Studies have focused on reproduction, migration routes, and wintering areas in California, 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 one sparrow who's lived to the ripe old age of 8 years, we can even sketch out a detailed biography, complete with sibling rivalries and occasional infidelities.

Joel Geier will present on Vesper Sparrows. From his early years as a dairy farm kid in western Minnesota, Joel has a lifelong interest in prairies and birds. Though he works internationally as a hydrogeologist, specializing in issues related to radioactive waste disposal, as a side gig he's worked since 2012 on grassland bird research in Oregon. He's 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.

This presentation is brought to you by Yaquina Birders & Naturalists.

Photo courtesy of Yaquina Birders & Naturalists