Table Rocks: IBA of the Month
by Mary Coolidge, Assistant Conservation Director
Twin volcanic mesas in Southwestern Oregon, Upper and Lower Table Rocks are as rich in geologic and cultural history as they are in present day species diversity. These rocks are reminders of Miocene era lava that flowed down the meandering Ancestral Rogue River canyon over 7 million years ago. The surrounding sandstone has since been eroded by the Rogue River, a steady workhorse that left these two basalt caps to stand 800 feet out of the valley below.
For 15,000 years, this area was occupied by the Takelma Indians, the Native peoples of the Upper Rogue River Valley. They referred to Table Rocks as Di’tani (Rock above) and Titanakh (Little Indian Plums). It is easy to see why they relied on the natural abundance of this area, which today hosts over 70 species of animals and 340 species of plants, 200 of which contribute to the astonishing wildflower displays of April, May and June. Concerned about development of these islands of biodiversity, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) began its conservation of Lower Table Rock in 1978 with a purchase of 1,881 acres. In 2008, they acquired an additional 1,710 acres. Today, a combined 4,800 acres on and around Upper and Lower Table Rocks are owned and managed by TNC and The Bureau of Land Management (BLM). BLM has designated much of its acreage here as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
Table Rocks is both an Important Bird Area and a Conservation Opportunity Area highlighted in Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Conservation Strategy. This IBA supports a remarkable species diversity, 20 of which are imperiled: this includes 5 ODFW Conservation Strategy bird species (Western Meadowlark, Streaked horned Lark, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lewis Woodpecker, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher), the Vernal pool fairy shrimp, and 13 plant species including dwarf wooly meadowfoam, large-flowered wooly meadowfoam, and Gentner’s fritillaria.
Four ecological regions have been identified on Table Rocks: Oak Savanna, characterized by open grassland spotted with oaks; Chaparral, dry shrubland characterized by Manzanita, buckbrush, and Gentners fritilaria; Mixed woodlands of Black oak, Douglas-fir, Pacific madrone, and Incense cedar; and Mounded Prairie atop the mesas, which describes a mosaic of grasses, wildflowers, and vernal ponds.
TNC and BLM are working to control invasive species, evaluate fire cycles, and to facilitate both recreational and cultural activities. Native species of birds, bats, plants and butterflies are all closely monitored.
Species of Ornithological Significance
Table Rocks IBA provides valuable habitat for three bird species at the northern extent of their range: Oak Titmouse, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and California Towhee. At a time when breeding bird data shows that our songbird species are in decline, it is important to preserve places on which migratory birds depend. Climate change and its potential to impact on current habitat arrays makes protection of land at birds’ current range limits especially critical.
In addition to the imperiled bird species listed above, birds of interest that have been found in the Table Rocks’ habitat mosaic include: Acorn Woodpecker, Band-tailed Pigeon,
- Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher - Michael Liskay
Olive-sided Flycatcher, Oregon Vesper Sparrow, Peregrine Falcon, Pileated Woodpecker, Western Bluebird, Willow Flycatcher, and White-breasted Nuthatch. Turkey Vulture and Rock Wren can also be expected.
If you go:
Table Rocks are open all year. Upper Table Rock is an easy 2.8 mile trip (720’ elevation gain). Lower Table Rock is a moderate 5.4 mile hike (780’ elevation gain).
From I-5 in Jackson County, SW Oregon, take the Central Point Exit (exit 33, just north of Medford) and drive east on Biddle Road for 1 mile. Turn left on Table Rock Road & continue for 5.2 miles to a curve. Turn right on Modoc Road for 1.5 miles to the Upper Upper Table Rock trailhead parking lot on the left, just opposite and electric substation.
To get to the Lower Table Rock trailhead from here, drive 1.5 miles to Table Rock Road, turn right (away from Medford) to milepost 10, and then turn left on Wheeler Road 0.8 mile.
Be mindful of poison oak, rattlesnakes, ticks, and steep cliffs. Dogs, horses, fires, and flower-picking are banned on Table Rocks.
