July 3rd and 4th, I was in central Oregon. I was mainly
looking for Upland Sandpipers. I found 7 at 6:00 A.M. at
the Bear Valley location that had been described on the
OBOL list last week. This site is south of John Day,Or.
and north of Seneca,Or., just off of highway 395.Heading
south on 395 take the Scotty's Creek Road ( right turn)
west for about 5 miles, FR 24 will intersect at this point.
Follow FR 24 for about a half mile, there will be a lone pine,
about 30' tall on the right, with a place to pull over. The
Upland Sandpipers will be in the field on the left. Most
were sitting on fence posts( bring a scope). I had one fly to
the top of the lone pine and with the light from the rising
sun, it made for a great view.In addition there were 4 Long-billed
Curlews.About another half mile on FR 24 were approximately
40+ Common Snipe calling and doing their display flight.
In another field were 9 Antelope and a deer with a 4 week old fawn.
I left and returned about two hours later and it was like the play had
ended and evrybody had gone.Be there early if you are going.
The elevation is about 4500', with pine,open meadows,ponds
and a few cattle ranches.Takes about six hours to get there if
you don't bird along the way. Well worth the drive.

Toby Andrews