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China Gulch
Roughly 6,600 acres of chaparral with scattered small forest patches in generally south-facing drainages. See aerial image of vicinity.
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China Gulch
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Roughly 6,600 acres of chaparral with scattered small forest patches in generally south-facing drainages. See aerial image of vicinity.
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Location: Southwest Oregon, just east of the town of Applegate and north of the Applegate River, Josephine County. Rough map of area. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.
Description: Roughly 6,600 acres of chaparral with scattered small forest patches in generally south-facing drainages. See aerial image of vicinity.
Outstanding Features: This IBA contains one of the largest remaining patches of chaparral in southwest Oregon, and hosts three bird species unique to this habitat: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Oak Titmouse, and California Towhee. The titmouse and towhee are year-round residents here and the gnatcatcher migrates from points south to breed here in the summer. In addition, the area provides excellent winter cover and food resources for 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.).
Conservation Issues: Chaparral, the dominant habitat in this IBA, is a priority habitat in western Oregon lowlands and valleys (Altman 2000b). Chaparral has been reduced in extent in southwest Oregon through clearing for farming or grazing, overgrowth by trees because of fire suppression, clearing for residental expansion, and clearing to reduce fire hazard near developed areas. In a few areas, chaparral has expanded in small degree where fire was suppressed in otherwise grassland areas (Altman et al. 2001). Concerns and potential threats of and to chaparral should be addressed on a case by case basis. Solutions should maintain the health of these habitats and the safety of people (e.g., increasing the grassland to shrub ratio can help both goals).
Scientists with Klamath Bird Observatory have completed a 2-year comparison of bird communities in areas where chaparral shrub density was reduced through mastication and where shrubs remain untreated.Links: • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
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Location: Southwest Oregon, just east of the town of Applegate and north of the Applegate River, Josephine County. Rough map of area. Vicinity maps: TopoZone, USGS.
Description: Roughly 6,600 acres of chaparral with scattered small forest patches in generally south-facing drainages. See aerial image of vicinity.
Outstanding Features: This IBA contains one of the largest remaining patches of chaparral in southwest Oregon, and hosts three bird species unique to this habitat: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Oak Titmouse, and California Towhee. The titmouse and towhee are year-round residents here and the gnatcatcher migrates from points south to breed here in the summer. In addition, the area provides excellent winter cover and food resources for 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.).
Conservation Issues: Chaparral, the dominant habitat in this IBA, is a priority habitat in western Oregon lowlands and valleys (Altman 2000b). Chaparral has been reduced in extent in southwest Oregon through clearing for farming or grazing, overgrowth by trees because of fire suppression, clearing for residental expansion, and clearing to reduce fire hazard near developed areas. In a few areas, chaparral has expanded in small degree where fire was suppressed in otherwise grassland areas (Altman et al. 2001). Concerns and potential threats of and to chaparral should be addressed on a case by case basis. Solutions should maintain the health of these habitats and the safety of people (e.g., increasing the grassland to shrub ratio can help both goals).
Scientists with Klamath Bird Observatory have completed a 2-year comparison of bird communities in areas where chaparral shrub density was reduced through mastication and where shrubs remain untreated.
Links: • Summary Page of Audubon Society of Portland data in National Audubon Society database
