On a June 29-July 2 round trip to Idaho to visit Laura's relatives we saw a
couple spots worth noting. We camped June 29 at Chukar Park Campground six
miles north of Juntura, Malheur County. It is a great birding spot. Namesake,
lots of vocal and visible chats, orioles, tanagers, yellow warblers, kingbirds,
and more. But take mosquito repellent and be watchful for snakes. We saw one
snake about four feet long; not a rattler, but they are probably there also.
Mosquitoes were bad.
Water levels at Stinkingwater Lake along Hwy 20 in Harney County are as high
for this time of year as I have ever seen them. With shorebird migration upon
us, the north shore could be highly productive over the next few weeks. We saw
only breeding species, but they will no doubt be soon joined by southbound
migrants.
Darrel & Laura
