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Anderson Butte - Sterling Ditch
These BLM managed lands include a mix of shrubland and forest land. The habitats for which this site was identified are the ceanothus-manzanita brushfields and scrub oak habitat.
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Anderson Butte - Sterling Ditch
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These BLM managed lands include a mix of shrubland and forest land. The habitats for which this site was identified are the ceanothus-manzanita brushfields and scrub oak habitat.
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Location: On BLM lands up Little Applegate Road (lands north of Little Applegate River) past junction with Sterling Creek Road. Includes portions of T39S, R2W, Sections 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24. Takes in Wolf Gap, Tunnel Ridge, and Goat Cabin Ridge. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGSDescription: These BLM managed lands include a mix of shrubland and forest land. The habitats for which this site was identified are the ceanothus-manzanita brushfields and scrub oak habitat.
Outstanding Features: This habitat is highly important to a very specific bird community that includes Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wrentit, Oak Titmouse, and California Towhee. All but the Wrentit are near the northern extent of their range in this IBA, and all but the gnatcatcher are year-round residents in this habitat. In addition, the manzanita in these shrublands provides resources to a diversity of birds year-round. During winter, manzanita provides a berry food source for several species, particularly Hermit Thrushes. In early spring, manzanita flowers provide a nectar heavily used by arriving Rufous Hummingbirds (and others). The flowers are also eaten (perhaps for the nectar or other nutritional content?) by songbirds such as Purple Finches and Golden-crowned Sparrows before and during spring migration (Dennis Vroman pers. comm.). Photo by Dennis VromanConservation Issues In many areas Ceanothus-manzanita brushfield habitat has been lost to urbanization and/or forest succession (due to fire suppression). Further, it is considered a "fire hazard" and is often eradicated to reduce fire danger.
Links: • Summary Pageof Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Medford District Bureau of Land Management - 42.253934263 -122.965507507
Location: On BLM lands up Little Applegate Road (lands north of Little Applegate River) past junction with Sterling Creek Road. Includes portions of T39S, R2W, Sections 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24. Takes in Wolf Gap, Tunnel Ridge, and Goat Cabin Ridge. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS
Description: These BLM managed lands include a mix of shrubland and forest land. The habitats for which this site was identified are the ceanothus-manzanita brushfields and scrub oak habitat.
Outstanding Features: This habitat is highly important to a very specific bird community that includes Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wrentit, Oak Titmouse, and California Towhee. All but the Wrentit are near the northern extent of their range in this IBA, and all but the gnatcatcher are year-round residents in this habitat. In addition, the manzanita in these shrublands provides resources to a diversity of birds year-round. During winter, manzanita provides a berry food source for several species, particularly Hermit Thrushes. In early spring, manzanita flowers provide a nectar heavily used by arriving Rufous Hummingbirds (and others). The flowers are also eaten (perhaps for the nectar or other nutritional content?) by songbirds such as Purple Finches and Golden-crowned Sparrows before and during spring migration (Dennis Vroman pers. comm.). Photo by Dennis VromanConservation Issues In many areas Ceanothus-manzanita brushfield habitat has been lost to urbanization and/or forest succession (due to fire suppression). Further, it is considered a "fire hazard" and is often eradicated to reduce fire danger.
Links: • Summary Pageof Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
• Medford District Bureau of Land Management