Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 27

Cinnamon Teal at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Well, we've done it! This Cinnamon Teal, a common breeding bird in the Malheur region, is the last photo in this series.

And what a pretty duck it is, common in every roadside ditch and puddle!

We've covered some of the birds and showed some scenery from the flooded agricultural fields of Burns and Hines in the north to the tiny town of Frenchglen in the south, with Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in the middle.

We didn't head farther south to the similarly tiny hamlet of Fields and its oasis or any of the seasonal streamlets near the border with Nevada. And the road up the Steens will not be open until later summer when the snow melts more on its 9000 foot summit. We didn't head east to Diamond Craters or Round Barn. And we didn't venture north of Burns to Idlewild Campground and its ponderosa pine birds.

But we did cover the main portion of "Malheur" during, perhaps, a typical 4-day trip during Memorial Day weekend.

I hope you enjoyed it!

The photos presented in this series, as well as additional photos, are in my pBase photo archive. I will probably be adding to the photos over the next year as I go through all the shots. After all, I am still working on some of the photos from 2009!

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 26

Common Nighthawk at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Common Nighthawk is usually the latest regular spring migrant to arrive in the Pacific NW. The first few usually arrive by Memorial Day weekend, but the bulk don't arrive until June. They sit horizontally on branches, wooden fence rails, refuge signs, and gates (as above).

Not really nocturnal, and not a hawk at all, these crepuscular insect-eating birds are camouflaged to hide them during the day.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 25

Ruddy Duck at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Ruddy Ducks are fairly common wintering birds and migrants throughout the Pacific Northwest, as long as the water remains unfrozen. But their dull brown plumage in winter is nothing like their breeding finery.

Ruddy Ducks are common throughout the Malheur area. The bright cinnamon body, white face, and blue bills are quite striking--even in the subdued light of a cloudy early evening photo (above).

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 24

Black-headed Grosbeak at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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An activity pursued by many birders at Malheur during memorial day--and throughout this time in later spring--is searching for rare birds. One-year old birds tend to migrate later and wander more widely than adults. Thus, many rare first-year vagrants are found during the Memorial Day weekend.

"Did you hear about the Hooded Oriole at Fields?"

"Yes, we just came from there and saw it! And did you hear about the Blackpoll Warbler at Benson Pond?"

Such are the greetings of birders throughout the weekend as they pass in cars or meet in the various oases.

While Black-headed Grosbeaks (female photographed above) are abundant migrants and quite pretty in both plumage and song, birders examine them closely at Malheur looking for the similar vagrant Rose-breasted Grosbeaks.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 23

Northern Shoveler at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Many ducks nest in the marshes of Malheur. Northern Shoveler is one of the common breeding ducks throughout the refuge.

Summer birds in the Oregon Coast Range

Gray Jay, Timber, Washington Co., Oregon on 22 June 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

This past week I led a half-day birding field trip into the Oregon Coast Range about 40 miles west of Portland, Oregon. The trip was sponsored by the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve.

The five of us spent the morning primarily at Reeher Forest Camp in the Tillamook State Forest about 2 miles west of the small hamlet of Timber.

We left the parking lot at Jackson Bottom in Hillsboro about 7:30 am and arrived at Timber about 45 minutes later. At Reeher Camp we chased around some singing birds, including SWAINSON'S THRUSHES, HERMIT WARBLERS, VARIED THRUSHES, and PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHERS, though we enjoyed more of their songs than much actual observations in the thick and tall forest. A family group of COMMON RAVENS were making quite a racket and allowed us to get good views at surprisingly close range.

From the horse camp we took the trail down along the river and enjoyed more birds down to the bridge over the Nehalem River. There we enjoyed a pair of AMERICAN DIPPERS bringing food to their mud and moss nest under the bridge.

Returning to the day use parking area we walked up Wheeler Road about 1/2 mile. We enjoyed looks at WESTERN TANAGERS, WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEES, and an EVENING GROSBEAK feeding his fledged young. A family group of HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS cavorted about high up in one tree, providing less than ideal views.

Birders at Timber, Oregon on 22 June 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

For the final hour of our field experience, before driving back to Hillsboro, we drove closer to the summit of Round Top Mountain. On the steep north slope we heard the deep booming calls of SOOTY GROUSE, but did not see these shy forest chickens.

We stopped in a ravine and were able to call up a group of about 7 GRAY JAYS, who glided in through the trees for delightfully close views and one usable photo (above).

The following is the list of birds seen or heard, from Timber west to Round Top. You might want to compare this list with a similar trip last week.

Sooty Grouse 3
Band-tailed Pigeon 1
Rufous Hummingbird 3
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-breasted Sapsucker 5
Downy Woodpecker 3
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 6
Willow Flycatcher 2
Hammond's Flycatcher 5
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 15
Warbling Vireo 8
Gray Jay 9
Steller's Jay 2
Common Raven 7
Violet-green Swallow 2
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 12
Red-breasted Nuthatch 6
Brown Creeper 1
Winter Wren 4
American Dipper 2
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Swainson's Thrush 20
American Robin 8
Varied Thrush 3
Orange-crowned Warbler 2
Black-throated Gray Warbler 2
Hermit Warbler 6
MacGillivray's Warbler 3
Wilson's Warbler 20
Western Tanager 4
Spotted Towhee 5
Song Sparrow 2
White-crowned Sparrow 1
Black-headed Grosbeak 2
Purple Finch 2
Red Crossbill 2
American Goldfinch 4
Evening Grosbeak 14

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 22

Franklin's Gull at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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This noisy hooded gull of marshes in the Great Plains and Great Basin is one of the specialties of Malheur. Found throughout Malheur, it is frequent at Benson Pond in the south end of the refuge.

Steens Mountain over Benson Pond on Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

Jackson Bottom birds: June 18-24, 2010

Cedar Waxwing at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 23 June 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

It's finally stopped raining! ...At least for a couple of days... Birds are busy with their family duties here at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

One interesting species here at the Wetlands is the BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD. It lays its eggs in the nests of other birds and lets the foster parents raise their young. This week we've observed both LESSER GOLDFINCHES and HOUSE FINCHES with juvenile cowbirds following them begging for food--indicating two of the local host species so far.

A surprise bird was a YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD that put in a brief appearance in the wetlands on June 23. There are no definite previous records for the Preserve. This species is a rare almost-annual late spring migrant in wetlands in Washington County.

Here is this week's list of observed birds.

Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Western Scrub-Jay
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 21

Short-eared Owl at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Another bird that seems to like the south end of the refuge, between Page Springs Campground and Benson Pond, is the diurnal (day-time active) Short-eared Owl.

Flying like a big floppy moth, it wings over the meadows on deep wing strokes looking for rodents.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 20

Bobolink north of P Ranch at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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One of the birds that seems to prefer the south end of Malheur refuge is the Bobolink. They seem to especially like the short-grass fields just north of P Ranch.

Both the P Ranch and Frenchglen are named for the cattle baron Pete French. The history of this region is as interesting and unique as the land itself. You owe it to yourself to familiarize yourself with the story and visit the historic sites in the area.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 19

Yellow Warbler at Benson Pond on Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Down through the middle of Malheur NWR leads the Central Patrol Road. Much of it follows willow-lined channels. Two birds are abundant here in spring: Willow Flycatchers and Yellow Warblers. The male Yellow Warblers, with their red-streaked breasts, are so bright that many photos of them are over-exposed.

In the south end of the refuge is Benson Pond and P Ranch. Nearby is the "town" of Frenchglen. The campground of Page Springs is 3 miles east.

Birders at Benson Pond on Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

The Blitzen River comes roaring down a canyon on the west side of the Steens Mountains and comes out into the valley at Page Springs Campground. There are many willow clumps here as the once rushing stream becomes a slow channeled water course, controlled for water levels on the entire rest of the refuge.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 18

Hammond's Flycatcher at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Flycatchers are one of the common migrant birds passing through Malheur refuge headquarters in spring. The bird above is part of a group of about 8 look-a-like flycatchers in the genus Empidonax found in the Pacific NW. These birds can provide much identification challenge and discussion.

On a photo, bill size and color, and primary length past secondary stack are important. In life, tail-wagging behavior can be an important clue. Calls and songs are the best way to identify them, but they are often silent away from their breeding grounds. Plumage color? That doesn't really help all that much; most of them look pretty much the same.

Although I did know the identity of this bird when I took the photo--or thought I did--I don't remember now. Most birds this day were Dusky Flycatchers. But there was one Hammond's Flycatcher present as well. It is not "Western" (Pacific-slope or Cordilleran). It is not Willow. I don't think it is a rare Least Flycatcher. Or is it? I would call it Dusky, but the bill seems a bit short and all-dark. What to do? Ask my friend Dave Irons for his opinion!

...As I was beginning to suspect, Dave calls this a Hammond's, due to large headed look with small all dark bill and fairly long and sharp-pointed primaries....

You know what? This is just like birding at refuge headquarters!

Now that we've seen the north end of the Malheur NWR in SE Oregon, lets drive another 25 miles south. The southern end of the refuge has additional interesting birds...

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 17

Lark Sparrow at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Lark Sparrows are found in some of the more grassy parts of the Malheur area. They frequent pastures and roadside edges with grasses amid the sage.

The head of the Lark Sparrow is often featured as an example in naming the various feather tracts of the head. You want field marks for the head? Lark Sparrows have them all!

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 16

Western Kingbird at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Western Kingbirds are one of the more obvious roadside landbirds at Malheur. They can be found sitting on telephone and fence wires, and are usually present around ranch houses or barns.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 15

Sage Sparrow at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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One of the most reliable spots to see Sage Sparrow is below the cliffs that are 2 miles west of The Narrows store. Here you may also find Brewer's Sparrows, Lark Sparrows, Vesper Sparrows, and sometimes Black-throated Sparrows.

Jackson Bottom birds: June 11-17, 2010

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center, Hillsboro, Oregon on 17 June, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Spring weather may continue at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon. However, spring bird migration is over.

All birds detected this week were summer residents. Some are singing to declare their territory or attract a mate. Most, however, have already begun nesting--some for the second time. For instance, the AMERICAN ROBINS nesting in the Kingfisher Marsh view shelter completed building their second nest.

Many birds are feeding young. The parents are going one way with a bill full of worms, and back the other way a few minutes later with a fecal sac for disposal.

Some of the confirmed breeding activity observed this week includes COMMON YELLOWTHROAT carrying food to the nest. Recently fledged birds just out of the nest include SONG SPARROW, LESSER GOLDFINCH, MARSH WREN, and VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW.

The nestling BALD EAGLE "chick" is now 8 weeks old and nearly as large as its parents. It has been noted hopping up and down on the nest flapping its wings. It will not be ready for its first flight for several weeks yet.

This week's list of detected birds is quite a bit shorter than what's actually here. Chest-high grass, soaking wet from continuing showers, clogs some of the trails (but as I write this I hear the Hillsboro Parks crew mowing some of it down).

Canada Goose
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Cooper's Hawk
Virginia Rail
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
Brown Creeper
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 14

Sage Thrasher at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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One of the most abundant birds in the sage scrub at Malheur is the Sage Thrasher.

Typcal high desert plants that make up the "sage" flats include: Big Sagebrush, Rabbitbrush, Shadscale, Greasewood, Bitterbrush, and others.

Sage Thrasher at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 13

Warbling Vireo at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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One of the abundant birds in the Pacific NW is the Warbling Vireo. They migrate in large numbers through the Great Basin desert. They are one of the typical migrants at Malheur Headquarters and other oases. It is not unusual to have 15-20 birds at Headquarters each day in May.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 12

Loggerhead Shrike at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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There are several good birding locations near Refuge Headquarters and the north end of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The Narrows is a stream between the two huge alkaline lakes of Malheur Lake to the east and Mud Lake to the west. I remember a time in the 1980's where these two lakes merged and filled the Blitzen Valley for many miles. Recently, however, water at The Narrows has dried up and you can no longer even see the shore of the two lakes. West of The Narrows 2 miles is a cliff that has hosted a nesting Golden Eagle and Barn Owl for many years. The sage flats below host all Oregon's desert sparrows.

The Malheur Field Station is a group of mobile homes and buildings providing an educational setting for Evergreen State College students and others. Birders can rent the old mobile homes during Memorial Day weekend, though they are usually reserved far in advance. The trees and lawns here are not as well-developed as Headquarters, but sometimes interesting birds show up.

The graveled Central Patrol Road (CPR) takes off south through the center of the refuge following the river canal and ponds. Highway 205 parallels the refuge to the west.

About 12 miles to the south of Headquarters is Buena Vista Station and the fantastic overlook there.

Steens Mountain backdrops the Coyote Buttes with the Malheur Field Station below on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 11

Western Meadowlark at Malheur NWR, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Each spring morning, as soon as the sun's rays peek over the eastern horizon, the flute-like serenade of the Western Meadowlark begins from the sage and ranch lands at Malheur.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 10

Western Tanager at Malheur NWR Headquarters, Oregon on 30 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Lawn and fruit trees! Cottonwoods, spruce, pine, licacs, hawthorn! Bird feeders, bird baths, hummingbird feeders! You have finally arrived at Malheur NWR Headquarters, some 25 miles south of Burns, Oregon.

If you are here in the first few hours after dawn during spring migration you will see an amazing spectacle. Hundreds of birds drop out of the sky to land exhausted in this most amazing green oasis. Here they are--Western Tanagers (above), Black-headed Grosbeaks, Wilson's Warblers, Lazuli Buntings, Warbling Vireos, and dozens of other regular species!

The birds started their migration a few weeks earlier, crossed the length of Mexico, flew over the Southwestern cactus deserts, and now have navigated the Great Basin sage flats. They fly at night, rest and eat during the day. If the weather is cooperative, they take off again at dusk, heading for some northern forest or pleasant meadow to breed. But first they have to get there. Refuge Headquarters at Malheur is a welcome break providing water, shade, a hiding place, and food.

No wonder most serious birders start each morning at "Headquarters" before heading off elsewhere for the day.

Western Tanagers, nest in conifer forests, but are common migrants in May at Malheur.

Malheur NWR Headquarters, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

"Seen only" -- bad photos, great birds in the forest

The magic of digital photography allows me to brighten the shadows and darken the highlights in order to better see this Pacific-slope Flycatcher. Like most flycatchers, it is easier to identify this bird by its song and calls than by its visual field marks. Photographed near Timber, Oregon on 12 June, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Today I visited Reeher Forest Camp near the town of Timber in the Coast Range west of Portland, Oregon.

I love birding in the forests of the Pacific NW--especially during the breeding season when nearly every bird is singing. Non-stop.

Because it is so hard to see in the deep forest--dark with blinding shafts of golden light piercing through--more birds are heard than seen. Many more. Photography is just about impossible in harsh light and deep shadows with most birds high above you in the canopy backlit. I have one flycatcher photo to share, but most will go in the digital trash bin.

Some people, when writing out their list of birds detected from their birding day in the field, mark some of their detections with the comment "heard only" to indicate they did not actually see the bird. On my trip today I kept track and have just the opposite to report. Most of my birds were heard and identified first and seen later, if at all.

To see what I mean, here is today's list, broken out.

Saturday, June 12, 2010
Timber, Washington County.
Primarily Reeher Forest Camp, walking new 2 mile loop ("Triple C Trail") through forest and clear cut. Also drove to top of Round Top Mountain and birded road sides.

Seen only (not heard)
Turkey Vulture 1
Rufous Hummingbird 2
Violet-green Swallow 1

Identified optically first, then heard
American Robin 4
American Dipper 2

Identified by call or song first, then later saw at least one individual well enough to identify by sight
Sooty Grouse 2 (saw 1)
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Band-tailed Pigeon 50 (saw 35)
Northern Pygmy-Owl 1
Red-breasted Sapsucker 4 (saw 1)
Pacific-slope Flycatcher 25 (saw 1)
Gray Jay 2
Steller's Jay 4 (saw 2)
Common Raven 4
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 30 (saw 20)
Red-breasted Nuthatch 6 (saw 3)
Brown Creeper 12 (saw 2)
House Wren 8 (saw 3)
Golden-crowned Kinglet 6 (saw 1)
Orange-crowned Warbler 8 (saw 4)
Hermit Warbler 15 (saw 4)
MacGillivray's Warbler 7 (saw 2)
Willson's Warbler 10 (saw 6)
Western Tanager 8 (saw 3)
Spotted Towhee 7 (saw 2)
Song Sparrow 6 (saw 3)
White-crowned Sparrow 12 (saw 7)
Dark-eyed Junco 10 (saw 7)
Black-headed Grosbeak 8 (saw 3)
Evening Grosbeak 15 (saw 8)

Identified by call or song and not seen, or not seen well enough to identify by sight alone
Common Nighthawk 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Olive-sided Flycatcher 6
Willow Flycatcher 8
Hammond's Flycatcher 3
Warbling Vireo 35
Bewick's Wren 1
Winter Wren 4
Swainson's Thrush 20
Varied Thrush 5
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Purple Finch 2
Red Crossbill 25
American Goldfinch 1

Notice above that some of the most abundant birds were "heard only." Even when I did see birds, I heard far more than I saw.

See how many birds I would have missed if songs and calls weren't part of the "field marks" I have memorized?

What an empty place the forest would appear if I couldn't identify the birds I heard.

How do you go about learning calls and songs? Anyone who can hear can learn bird calls and songs. Go birding in the forest more. Track down any unfamiliar song or call you hear. Watch it sing and remember. Use mnemonics or whatever works best for you. Start small. You already know crow and killdeer and several others, right? Learn one or two a day--don't confuse yourself with too many. Start in your own backyard. Review. Have fun!

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 9

Female Wilson's Phalarope near Hines, Oregon on 28 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Wilson's Phalaropes can be found in roadside ditches and wet fields throughout the Malheur region. This interesting swimming shorebird has females with brighter plumage than the males.

Now that we've taken a look at several of the specialty birds in the meadows east and south of Hines and Burns, we'll travel up and over Wright's Point and through sage scrub and cattle country about 25 miles to Malheur NWR proper and refuge headquarters. Stay tuned...

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 8

Willet near Hines, Oregon on 28 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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One of the sounds of dawn and dusk over the wetlands of the Malheur region is the "pill-will-willet!" call of the Willet. Rather plain on the ground, this large shorebird has striking bold black and white wing stripes. When they land on the ground they keep their wings held up for 2-3 seconds. Unfortunately, they were never in the right place for me to get a photo of this.

Next year...

Jackson Bottom birds: June 4-10, 2010

A male House Finch with its offspring at Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 9 June, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Wet, wet, wet! Rain this week backed up water from the Tualatin River and refilled the wetland ponds at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Joe Blowers found a pair of WESTERN KINGBIRDS on June 5, a first-Preserve record of these migrant flycatchers that are rather uncommon in NW Oregon.

Another surprise, a migrant DUSKY FLYCATCHER was present June 4. This is the second-Preserve record following the first observation the first week of May. They are typically found in mountain scrub and clear cuts from the upper Cascades eastward.

Continuing the flycatcher thread, several OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHERS are still being seen and heard on the Preserve for the third straight week. These should breed up in the older forests of the Coast Range and are presumably just passing through as late migrants.

A drake BLUE-WINGED TEAL was spotted on June 8.

Many fledglings are out and about, being cared for by their parents out of their nests including CANADA GOOSE, MALLARD, KILLDEER, MOURNING DOVE, HOUSE FINCH, BUSHTIT, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, and EURASIAN STARLING. On the other hand, many AMERICAN ROBINS seem to be nest building again, perhaps their nests were destroyed by the recent unseasonal deluges.

Forty-four chicks were counted in the Great Blue Heron rookery in Owl Woods on about a dozen nests. Rick Balazs counts these regularly by looking down on the nests from the Hillsboro Landfill (no public access).

The full list of species seen this week...

Cackling Goose
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Virginia Rail
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Western Kingbird
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Bushtit
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 7

Sandhill Crane near Hines, Oregon on 28 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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Sandhill Cranes nest in the fields south of Burns. This one seems to have dipped its head and entire neck into muddy water giving it quite a punk hair-do.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 6

Wilson's Snipe near Hines, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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We've discussed Wilson's Snipes in the past.

Here, though, they call "kip, kip, kip" from the wooden fenceposts, or fly in circles high overhead fanning their tail feathers to make the hollow, haunting, "whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo" sound.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 5

American Avocet near Hines, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

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The American Avocet is one ot the "target birds" for wildlife observers visiting Malheur. See this page for more information on this bird in the Pacific NW.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 4

Redhead near Hines, Oregon on 28 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

[Click to read all Memorial Day weekend at Malheur posts.]

Ducks breed throughout the wetlands at Malheur. One species that is rather unusual in most of the Pacific NW region is the Redhead. At Malheur you can observe these birds in roadside ponds at close range, starting right away in the Hines and Burns area. You can often compare them side-by-side with the similar red-headed Canvasback duck.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 3

White-faced Ibis near Hines, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

[Click to read all Memorial Day weekend at Malheur posts.]

Flocks of White-faced Ibis are found in wet agricultural fields throughout the Malheur region. Flocks start right in the Hines/Burns area.

Looking all-dark at a distance, the maroon bodies and bronze and green wing feathers really show well in the sun.

White-faced Ibis near Hines, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 2

Black-necked Stilt near Hines, Oregon on 29 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

[Click to read all Memorial Day weekend at Malheur posts.]

Malheur birding starts in the sister towns of Hines and Burns, Oregon. Burns is about 180 miles west of Boise, Idaho or about 125 miles east of Bend, Oregon (about 300 miles southeast of Portland, Oregon). [See the list of backyard birds of Burns.]

The agricultural fields immediately south of Burns and east of Hines are filled with large photogenic wading birds in late May. These include Sandhill Cranes, American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts (above), Long-billed Curlews, Willets, Wilson's Snipes, White-faced Ibises, Wilson's Phalaropes, Great Egrets, and others. Yellow-headed Blackbirds sing from the fence rows. Black Terns hawk insects over the marshes. Redheads, Canvasbacks, Cinnamon Teals, and other ducks are found in every pond.

You may also see Coyotes, Badgers, Mule Deer, Porcupines, Belding's Ground Squirrels, Least Chipmunks, Kangaroo Mice, Pronghorn Antelope, and perhaps Wild Mustangs in the surrounding area.

Wilson's Snipe on fencepost overlooking flooded fields near Hines, Oregon on 25 May, 2007 by Greg Gillson.

Memorial Day weekend at Malheur: Part 1

This singing Yellow-headed Blackbird seems to point the way to Malheur NWR, Oregon. Photographed near Hines, Oregon on 28 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Many birders in the Pacific NW make an annual pilgrimage to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon. This gem of the wildlife refuge system is one of the top refuges for birds in the Pacific NW. Indeed, this refuge usually appears in lists of the best birding hotspots for refuges nationwide.

Thousands of Snow Geese, Ross's Geese, and Sandhill Cranes stage here during migration in April, feeding here before taking the final northward leap. The John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival offers field trips to see the concentrations of these birds present then, and even offers trips to see Sage Grouse on their strutting grounds.

Late September and early October have pleasant weather, and fewer biting insects. The road up the 9000 foot elevation of the Steens Mountain may allow you to view Black Rosy Finches at the summit and perhaps Bighorn Sheep.

But for many regional birders, Memorial Day weekend in late May is "Malheur Day weekend." Hundreds of birders spread out at the many ponds, creeks, and oases from Burns in the north to the Nevada border some 150 road miles to the south. Besides the numerous spring breeders, myriads of migrants pass through the Great Basin on their way north and stop where they can find water in this region. Not a small number of birders daily search each favored birding site such as Refuge Headquarters, Benson Pond, Frenchglen, and the Fields oasis, searching for rare vagrants.

It should be noted that Malheur Refuge actually begins about 30 miles south of Burns, and continues to Frenchglen, about 40 miles further south. From there it is a 75 mile drive to the tiny town of Fields and its oasis. However, once one leaves Burns and heads south, birds are abundant in the fields and ponds and "Malheur" birding has begun.

My wife, Marlene, and I went to Malheur this past Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31. I took over 600 photos of birds, which I will eventually whittle down to a hundred or so. Over the next several weeks I will try to show daily a new bird species of Malheur and talk a little about the land and the birding in this amazing place.

[Click to read all Memorial Day weekend at Malheur posts.]

Jackson Bottom birds: May 28 - June 3, 2010

Unseasonally wet and rainy weather continues. Combined with the Memorial Day holiday there were fewer birds reported this week from Hillsboro's Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. Wednesday morning's free bird walk (in the rain) recorded over 50 species of birds.

An unseasonal and out-of-habitat CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE was the most unusual species reported this week, though regular in conifer forests nearby.

Some wetland specialists are now being seen with regularity. These include WILLOW FLYCATCHERS, YELLOW WARBLERS, and LAZULI BUNTINGS.

BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS, AMERICAN and LESSER GOLDFINCHES are common at the feeders, providing great views for all.

AMERICAN ROBINS and TREE SWALLOWS are peeking from their nests and fledglings of WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS, RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS, BUSHTITS, LESSER GOLDFINCHES, and BEWICK'S WRENS are following their parents and begging loudly.

This week's bird list...

Canada Goose
Gadwall
American Wigeon
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Ring-necked Duck
Hooded Merganser
Ring-necked Pheasant
California Quail
Pied-billed Grebe
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
American Kestrel
Killdeer
Spotted Sandpiper
Mourning Dove
Vaux's Swift
Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Steller's Jay
Western Scrub-Jay
American Crow
Common Raven
Tree Swallow
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
White-breasted Nuthatch
Bewick's Wren
Marsh Wren
Swainson's Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lazuli Bunting
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
House Finch
Pine Siskin
Lesser Goldfinch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
House Sparrow