Birding

April 30, 2023April 29, 2023

White-fronted geese trail behind two Sandhill Cranes

This week Central Oregon skipped spring and went straight to summer. Not complaining, but it was an abrupt shift in weather and attitude.

We’re long overdue for a Summer Lake trip, so we loaded up the bird books and headed east.

It might be a bit cliche . . . turn seventy and post a piece on birding. Is that too much, old guy? In between trips to the river, which by the way are great places to bird, we do regular bird-centric excursions.

Over the years we’ve sat, eyes pinned to lenses, along a lot of different marshes. Living on the northern edge of the Great Basin puts us close to a few stopovers on the Pacific Flyway. One of the best, in our opinion, is Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge.

Unlike wildlife areas with better ‘press,’ Summer Lake never disappoints. Here we squint across a hundreds of yards of field. The loop road, often just a couple of tire ruts along the top of a dike, allows for great birding opportunities.

It was an unseasonably warm spring day, perfect time to catch the first round of migratory birds moving across the country. Some will spend weeks, others will move on in a few days.

The great thing is they never cease to amuse; like an acrobatic yellow-headed black bird bouncing from stalk to stalk, or Clark’s Grebes hunting a secluded section of the pond.

There is another visit scheduled for later this spring, well before the summer heat.

February 12, 2023February 10, 2023

Finding Whychus Creek

This week we thought it might be nice to take a walk. We don’t backpack, but we do often day hike. which in the winter can be tricky to find clear paths. A lot of people winter hike with snowshoes, and we’ve done that, but it’s not practical with Tip.

There are literally hundreds of short trail loops within a half-hour drive.

Most include a scenic overlook, waterfall, or some natural wonder. This week we went looking for a stream we’d heard a lot about, but had never actually seen.

Wychus Creek headwaters in the Sisters Wilderness area winds through the town of Sisters and empties into the Deschutes River a few miles west of Terrebonne.

An overlook loop is part of a series of interconnected trails that allow you to explore the creek or backpack up into the wilderness area.

(Right to left) Sweeping views of The Three Sisters and Broken Top Mountains.

The portion we walked is not only popular. but well groomed. Its half mile loop swings by a walled off ledge above the creek.

From this point you are treated to spectacular views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top with Mt. Bachelor to the south and Mt. Washington to the northwest.

On a different day . . .

We explored the area along the Middle Deschutes, about midway between Bend and Lake Billy Chinook.

Most of the Middle Deschutes River from this spot extending upstream above Bend is a designated paddle route that often includes walking trails. One section of those paths runs through a wildlife preservation area.

Borden Beck Wildlife Preserve is along a section of this trail. Caught in the middle of a dispute between land development or riparian preservation it wasn’t until 2019 that this parcel on the edge of Lower Bridge road received some protection.

The Deschutes River winds through marsh bottomland offering great birding at the right time of the year. This is not that time of year.

Sagebrush, juniper and blackberry line the trail

However, for a January day it was sunny and relatively warm. We got in a walk and figured out where to find the preserve’s parking and access point.

Both places have been added to the calendar for fall visits. After weeks of hiding from the frigid winter weather it was nice to get outside again.

September 25, 2022September 24, 2022

Breath of Fresh Air

Wildfire smoke finally dissipated so we headed east to Summer Lake. We have been waiting for a chance to go birding before waterfowl hunting season.

Cedar Creek Fire still threatens, but a few rainy days and a shift in weather patterns have us breathing easier, literally.

Summer Lake had an afternoon thunderstorm forecast. Ahead of any storm clouds, the valley was mostly basking in late summer sun.

A few migratory flocks were present. We caught a squadron of pelicans lumbering across the sky. Actually we’re so used to raptors and bug eaters darting across a river it gave us pause.

The squadron will hold pretty tight ranks in the air but they are gliders. There are minimal wing flaps which might account for the slow pace they took to pass overhead.

Marshland along the southwest loop road was dry. However, the canals were actively directing water onto land between Windbreak and Bullgate Dikes.

There were a lot of ODFW (Oregon Dept of Fish and Wildlife) workers, but only a couple of cars. Without the worry of someone needing space on the narrow road, we can pull over anytime something is sighted.

One stop was to watched Ibis feeding. We also spotted White-fronted geese whose size is evident by the tiny ducks next to them. They breed near the Arctic Circle and migrate along the Pacific Flyway to winter in freshwater marshes.

The north half of the refuge’s loop road is closed for the season. But it’s easy to drive along Windbreak dike to a camping site on the SE side of the refuge.

As we finished up lunch, the storm clouds were rolling in over Fremont Ridge. Guess it’s time to head home and stay ahead of the rain.

August 14, 2022August 13, 2022

Take a Seat

A mourning dove flutters from tree to tree

“Hurry-up” is programmed into our lives … but what’s the rush? At this point, we’re in a reset, rather than retirement.

No longer in a rush, it’s possible to see details once missed, overlooked, even forgotten … details that make a difference.

The flow of a stream stirs the surroundings. Walk up to the river and you’ll find an abundance of green growth at the base of a hill or canyon. Beautiful sights, but just a facade.

Take a seat on the edge of that river and a whole world will emerge. The river isn’t just motion, it’s a life force. Just a few quiet moments will reveal the extent of life being supported by this high desert waterway.

The fisherman will run a hand over tall grasses at river’s edge, or turn a submerged stone to coax insects out of hiding. Before stepping into the current, a scan will reveal where fish are holding and feeding. A few steps off the bank, and you’re engulfed in water sounds.

Camera in hand, a chair tucked behind a row of tall thistle, you’re in a perfect blind to watch as blossoms come alive with butterflies. The foliage also obscures you from the birds hopping about in the juniper branches or feeding from the water’s edge.

A Canada Goose acts as sentinel over this year’s goslings.

There are waterfowl as well, and today a flock of Canada Geese are spending their day foraging underwater plants.

An osprey plucks a fish from the water and alights at the top of a snag to enjoy her lunch.

When we first pull up to the river there is a burst of activity. Cooler and camp chairs are set out and fly rods strung.

However, the bulk of our time is spent quietly watching as the river unveils a wealth of life. You just need to take a seat and observe.

May 29, 2022May 28, 2022

Fledgelings

Red-winged blackbird coming in for a landing

This week we headed back out to Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge. There are always some birds that use the refuge as a nesting site. We were hoping to catch images of some babies.

American White Pelican

Summer Lake didn’t disappoint. A trip to the refuge always presents something new. The seasonal changes alone are worth the drive. This visit was no exception.

A Great Horned Owl family, nesting in a willow, seemed as curious about us, as we were them. This owl starts nesting early with both parents sharing in the rearing.

Perched throughout the tree, we sighted four baby Great Horned Owls.

The fledgelings are climbing trees in 5 weeks and fly by the 10th, but are still being fed by parents for several months. Their body is covered in a downy white fluff and lack the pronounced ear tuffs, but have the darker facial disc and yellow eyes.

Great Horned Owls vary in color by region with PNW species having a dusty gray brown tone.

We also happened across a flock of American White Pelicans. Breeding adults have a yellow plate sticking up on the front of their massive bill.

This group included some fledgelings, as southern Oregon is one of the few breeding sites along the migration route.

Several babies were snuggled in amongst this group

These are one of the largest birds in North America. The American White Pelican has white plumage with black flight feathers and has a nine foot wing span.

We also caught sightings of yellow-headed blackbirds staking out breeding territory and foraging. The Stilts were still around in great numbers, though we didn’t see any chicks. As well as the usual pairs of ducks in a variety of species and Canada geese.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

There was also a White-faced Ibis wading and feeding in the short grasses on the edge of a shallow pond.