Re Quare on conditions at Malheur: We drive from Klamath (birding great) to
Malheur (French Glen) on Tuesday, May 4, and then up Bltizen River Road on
the 5th. Birding was great. Weather was quite warm. We are inept at
iditifying small birds and gulls but saw over 75 identified species. On road
from Burns to Malhuer Headquarters, we say Curlew, Whimbrel, Sandhill Cranes,
Stilts, Great Egrets, Bonaparte Gulls, many swallows and blackbirds of
various kinds, Western Kingbirds, Cinnamon Teal, and many other species.
Highlight of trip, along with Great Horned Owl sightings, was going through a
flock of at least 300 Yellow-winged Blackbirds which practically stopped
traffic on causeway between two large lakes (name unknown) north of Malheur
Lake. Locals said they had never seen this, and the birds had separated when
we drove back the next day. Great-horned Owls on nest with chicks were seen
at Headquarters and P Ranch. Also at P Ranch were over 40 roosting Turkey
Vultures and 6 browsing Mule Deer. Among many other birds, while driving
Blitzen River Road, we saw a Short-eared Owl. On way out, we saw at least 40
White-faced Ibis right next to the road east of Headquarters. At least a
hundred more were on fields east and north of Burns. We drove out to Double
O Ranch (18 miles of dirty road), saw few birds, but did add Blue-winged
Teals and Willets to our list. With Klalmath, it was our most fantastic
birding trip ever. Ed Level, Everett.