After spending the weekend landscaping in the rain, I decided that a proper
day off was in order. So I birded the Sisters area this morning and early
afternoon. Both the birding and weather were excellent, and it was also
nice to not inhale grass pollen for a while.
Indian Ford Campground was the only "dead" spot that I encountered, and
even then I had two GREEN-TAILED TOWHEES immediately after arriving. There
was at least one YELLOW-RUMP and a few OC WARBLERS in the area. I also
re-familiarized myself with HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER calls, as I'd continue to
hear them calling from high up in the ponderosa pines throughout the day.
Calliope Crossing was about as birdy as I've ever seen it. In an hour, I
had WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER, RN SAPSUCKER, at least three WW PEWEES, CLIFF
AND RW SWALLOWS, a pair of GC SPARROWS, a BULLOCK'S ORIOLE, a few BH
GROSBEAKS, TANAGERS, YELLOW WARBLER, TOWNSEND'S WARBLER, and WARBLING
VIREO, among others. The HOUSE WRENS that nest in the snags every spring
were also present, as were, unfortunately, COWBIRDS. Also far more Song
Sparrows than I typically see there. Oddly enough, I did not see a Calliope
or Yellowthroat.
Cold Springs Campground wasn't bad, either. Highlights there included a
WESTERN BLUEBIRD (don't see those there often), a pair of WB NUTHATCHES, a
handful of CHIPPING SPARROWS, a single CASSIN'S FINCH, at least two PEWEES
and a couple of HAMMOND'S.
Whiskey Springs was full of gnats and mosquitos (insect repellent was only
somewhat helpful), but I gutted it out for about an hour to get my fix of
high-elevation-breeding warblers (numerous YELLOW-RUMP, several HERMIT and
TOWNSEND'S, a couple of BT GRAY, a female MACGILLIVRAY'S, and a single
ORANGE-CROWN with a very light eye ring that confused me for a while).
Others included WARBLING VIREO, a couple of TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE, a couple
of WESTERN TANAGERS, a CHIPPING SPARROW, a PURPLE FINCH, and the first
HAMMOND'S
