Female Wilson's Phalarope near Hines, Oregon on 28 May, 2010 by Greg Gillson.[Click to read all Memorial Day weekend at Malheur posts.]
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...