Nature's symphony: Documenting bird species at Phipps Meadow
GRANT COUNTY, OR
Forest restoration isn't just about trees — it's a game changer for bird and wildlife populations. By enhancing habitat quality through methods like selective thinning and native plantings, we can steward healthier, more diverse ecosystems that cater to the needs of both local and migratory bird species.
Spanning 278 acres at the headwaters of the Middle Fork John Day River, Phipps Meadow is a haven for biodiversity in Eastern Oregon. Its varied ecosystems support over 200 wildlife species, making it an essential area for conservation efforts.
Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) recently hosted a successful bird count day at Phipps Meadow. Supported by the Cornell Land Trust Small Grant Program, this initiative focused on documenting bird species to later assess the impact of forest restoration efforts on local wildlife.
Photos by Matt Franklin
Led by BMLT's conservation team and experts from Grant County Birders and Blue Mountain Audubon Society, volunteers had the opportunity to connect to the flora and fauna that make Phipps Meadow such a special place. The day began at the dawn chorus, the most active time of day for birds. Volunteers split into groups to identify birds at six permanent point count locations and walking transects in the meadow and upland forest. Several groups used the Merlin Bird ID, a machine learning-powered app developed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology to assist in identifying birds by sight or sound. The data was compiled and entered using the eBird app, a powerful community-science tool to catalog bird observations worldwide.
Volunteers observed 30 distinct species of birds over the course of the morning. The group was impressed by the biodiversity and distinct melodies of various songbirds, including American Robins, Western Meadowlarks, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Hermit Thrush. The distinctive winnow sound of the Wilson’s Snipe diving high above the meadow was also heard. The winnow is a sound created by Snipes as a courtship display, caused by the beating of their tail-feathers during a plunge (it sounds a bit like a DJ spinning turntables).
Data collected during the bird count will inform ongoing habitat monitoring and restoration strategies at Phipps Meadow. Forest restoration can improve bird populations by enhancing habitat quality. Measures like selective thinning and controlled burns promote healthier forests with varied vegetation layers, benefiting birds that rely on specific habitats for nesting, foraging, and breeding. This holistic approach supports both resident species and migratory birds passing through the area.
BMLT extends sincere thanks to all volunteers whose dedication and passion contributed to the event's success. Their involvement is instrumental in protecting and understanding Phipps Meadow's unique ecosystem. We plan to host additional bird count days in the future to help us understand the long-term impacts of river and forest restoration activities on wildlife.
Thank you to the Cornell Land Trust Small Grant Program for making this event possible and for supporting ongoing restoration planning on the property.