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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 18, 2006 The fall migration is heaven for birders Because they are in a hurry to get to breeding grounds, birds tend to tarry less in our area during the spring migration Someone recently asked me, "When is a good time to see lots of birds in our area?" Although just about any time is good, I always look forward to the spring and fall migrations. Both seasons provide great opportunities to see birds, but the fall migration is special. The spring migration is exciting since most birds are in their breeding plumage. But they always seem to be in a hurry to get to their breeding grounds. The fall migration seems to be much more leisurely. The birds seem to be a bit reluctant to fly south and there always seem to be more birds because of the influx of juvenile birds on their first migration south. Depending on the type of birds you would like to see, there are several exciting spots to explore for fall birding. Beginning in August, the fall migration of shorebirds usually picks up speed and continues through September into October. Good spots to observe shorebirds are the mudflats on the south shore of Lost Creek Lake, the east bank of Agate Lake and anywhere there are mudflats at Emigrant Lake. Lost Creek seems to be getting better each year, with more and more shorebirds using the mudflats. Also horned larks and occasional Lapland longspurs are becoming more regular every year along the shoreline. Agate Lake in the White City/Eagle Point area always seems to produce a rare bird or two each year. Along with the usual Western and least sandpipers, most years pectoral sandpipers, dunlin, long-billed dowitchers and greater and lesser yellowlegs visit as well. Some years a ruff, marbled godwit, long-billed curlew or black-bellied plover makes an appearance. Several species of gulls, terns, ducks, geese, herons and raptors make it even more interesting. Advertisement If you can tear yourself away from all this, the raptor migration usually starts in September and continues into November. Good spots to view migrating raptors are at Dutchman Peak near Mount Ashland and Haggleston Mountain along Highway 97 on the shores of Klamath Lake. Hawks and eagles use the warm air "thermals" to lift them so that they can soar southward. Both spots have produced scores of interesting birds. Haggleston Mountain is renowned for sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks, falcons, eagles and interesting buteos such as red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks and even broad-winged hawks on two occasions. Dutchman's Peak is a major flyway for migrating turkey vultures, with hundreds passing overhead on some days. Small-bird migrations such as those of thrushes, vireos, flycatchers, warblers and hummingbirds can be viewed nearly anywhere at any time. The foothills are usually productive and even your backyard can be a "hotspot" at times. So with fall migration beginning, make it a point to get out and enjoy one of the great spectacles of nature, the fall migration of wild birds. Richard Cronberg is a birding enthusiast and photographer who lives in Central Point. Write him at P.O. Box 4283, Medford, OR 97501. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews