Nothing rare to report but some interesting observations- my trip turned
from a birding to mostly hiking flavor, will try and focus on the birds.
I left on Sunday the 31st and stopped and found a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH at
the usual spot near Gilchrist, Klamath Co. Camped near Cabin Lake in the
pondo pines. Woke up to an ethereal dawn chorus composed of Mt. Bluebirds,
GT Towhees, and Brewer's Sparrows- fantastic. Dawn is early now so this
was at 0330 at which time I was up and ready to go most mornings. I am
always short on sleep this time of year- guess it happens to most birders
though!
Birded Summer Lake on Monday, 1 June. Noticed that John and Laura had 36
SNOWY PLOVERS here a few days before. I could only find 28 but also saw 4
SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS and 8 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, late for both of these
species. Good year for FORSTER'S TERNS there. I camped at the JUNIPER
TITMOUSE spot (up the road, 4x4 required) which is accessed about mp 24.7
before Adel. I had two birds, both with food so they must be on nests and
were pretty quiet. Great spot for nighthawks which were flying all around
above my tent after sunset.
Fields was quiet when I was there Tuesday and Wednesday AM. I did have a
fun hike up Colony Creek on Tuesday (south of Cottonwood Creek). I hiked up
about 2.5 miles until the trail sort of ran out. The interior rose was in
full bloom everywhere along the creek and it smelled like heaven. I decided
to head up into the rim rock along the ridge from there which was about a
1000 feet up then took the ridgeline back down. I had at least 9 singing
BLACK-THROATED SPARROWS on my way down- several singing right in front of
me. Good year for this species. I had birds way off in the sage on the
east side of the Hwy between there and Fields singing. The highlight of the
hike though were mariposa lilies flowering all over the ridgeline,
absolutely spectacular! Also two different BURROWING OWLS along main road
on drive north between Colony Creek and Fields.
After two slow mornings at Fields I decided to go hiking in NE OR and check
a few bird spots since I had not been there in like a decade or more. Did
see a N GOSHAWK at Idlewild Campground while hiking there north of Burns.
Was at Rhinehart Cyn/Philberg Road in Union County on Wednesday at dawn. I
knew I would have lots of catbirds (double digit numbers) but was surprised
to find three+ singing VEERYS which I had not observed there on previous
visits 10+ yrs ago. Also all the other usuals including Western Flycatcher,
E Kingbird, and several chats.
From there I boogied to the Wallowas where I was hoping to take a long
hike. I decided on the McCully Creek trail since I have still not seen a
Spruce Grouse in OR (and still have not). About the last mile of road
there it enters private. There was a huge sign saying no one could use the
road and that violators would be trespassed etc. So I turned around and
hiked one of the trails out of Wallowa State Park- the E Fk Wallowa Creek
trail up towards Aneroid Lake. I made it up about 3.5 miles to 7000' where
the snow stopped being patchy and became solid and it was freezing cold
(probably snowing up there this weekend). The trail was fun though and
included singing breeders like Townsend's Warblers and RC Kinglets. The
lower trail was carpeted with Calypso orchids and purple clematis amongst
many other species of flowers. Spectacular views of Wallowa Lake from up
high and Aneroid Peak, Chief Joseph Mtn et al.
After I got down later in the PM I stopped at Minam SP where I had multiple
VEERYS and catbirds, as was the case way back in the early 2000s also (one
of the go to spots for Veerys in OR for decades).
On Friday morning I stopped in Sumpter (Baker Co.) where I had another
VEERY along the Powder River off the main hwy 7 at the Sumpter turn off.
Last time I saw one here was in 2002. Me oh my how the time does fly!! From
there I went to Clyde Holiday SP and saw/heard the LEAST FLYCATCHER which I
last heard there in 2002 also. Another catbird meowing nearby. Good hiking
trail added onto west end of campground making it easy to spend an hour
birding here which I did. Wood Ducks in the pond and Spotty Sandpipers
flying back and forth between river and pond. Quite a birdy spot.
From there went to John Day Fossil Beds NM and hiked the Blue Basin Trail
which is super incredibly breathtakingly beautiful. The salvia sage was
flowering there and the usual juniper nesters were easy to see like AT Fly
and Gray Flycatcher. A couple Canyon Wrens amongst the many Rock Wrens.
Then a long drive back to wet, green Coos Bay by evening.
Super fun trip, even without all the rarities.
Happy June birding all!
Tim Rodenkirk
Coos Bay
