Western Bluebird is a hard to find species in Sherman, and Lapland Longspur
too! I have yet to observe either species in Sherman. Thanks for the report.
On Fri, Mar 8, 2019 at 9:12 PM Philip Kline <pgeorgekline@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I spent an enjoyable day birding with Andy Frank in wintry Wasco and
Sherman Counties today. We birded a loop beginning at Deschutes River
State Park, then south on Rte 97, west on Route 216, and back north to I-84
on Rte 197. Highlight of the day was an incredible total of 55 Lapland
Longspurs in 3 different flocks, all unsurprisingly with Horned Larks.
Deschutes River State Park was absolutely hopping this morning, I highly
recommend a visit. Highlights included a Loggerhead Shrike hammering away
at a recently caught mouse, a Mountain and a Western bluebird, a flyover
Rough-legged Hawk, 4 Say's Phoebes, an American Pipit, and about 100
swallows that appeared to be about an even mix of Tree and Violet-green.
In addition, I saw a probable Slate-colored Fox Sparrow (along with two
Sootys), and a frosty pale grayish Song Sparrow that was likely a montana
from farther east than usual. Other Song Sparrows here seemed closer to our
familiar morphna west of the Cascades, but a bit paler, especially in the
underparts, with crisper streaks on the flanks.
A fun sight here was watching several Green-winged Teal apparently
shooting the rapids on a fast stretch of river. They were likely feeding
on something, but looked like they were having a great time. They
repeatedly flew up river then floated rapidly back down, often backwards,
and then repeated the process over and over again.
We then headed south on Route 97 to follow up on some Lapland Longspurs
reported by the side of the highway about 5 miles south of the route 216
turn off by Russ Morgan. We found a flock of about 250 Horned Lark and
counted an amazing 26 Lapland Longspurs in various stages of molting into
alternate plumage. This is quite a dangerous stretch of highway to pull
off on though with very little shoulder unfortunately.
We then backtracked to Highway 216 (Shears Bridge Highway) and took that
west to Tygh Valley. On the 14 mile stretch from Route 97 to the Deschutes
River we counted an impressive 11 Rough-legged Hawks, including at least 3
adults. A Spotted Sandpiper was a nice surprise at the River crossing.
Canyon Wrens were calling here too.
A couple miles west of the River Crossing in Wasco County we spied another
Horned Lark flock in the cow pasture at the intersection with Conroy Road.
We stopped and found another 18 Lapland Longspurs! Also here were at least
5 male Tricolored Blackbirds in the blackbird flock at the farmhouse near
the intersection. We then found another larger cow pasture about 2 miles
to the west, which contained another 11 Lapland Longspurs. We also saw
another Horned Lark flock further to the west, but it was getting late and
we didn't have time to stop and scope it, so there could still have been
yet more.
We were blown away by seeing this many Lapland Longspurs in this area, it
really seems to be a good winter for them. Try as we might we couldn't eke
out a Snow Bunting or another Longspur species, but it wouldn't surprise me
if they're out there.
Great day out. Good birding,
Philip Kline
