Hi Tweeters!

Stefan Schlick and I had a nice trip to the Steens Mountain this weekend
near SE Oregon. We were successful at locating a small flock of BLACK ROSY
FINCHES along Kiger Gorge. The adults and young were approximately 200
yards east of the parking lot.

Look for any small patches of snowfields with lush grasses or greenery. The
birds were actively feeding near the edges of the snowfields just beneath
the rim. At one point, we had three birds about 20 feet from us. I also
got to hear them vocalize.

The East Rim was much drier and no birds were found there. Perhaps, when
fall arrives and the thistles dry out and produce food, the family flocks
will be more conspicuous and common in this area.

Other interesting birds in the area include a small group of GREATER SAGE
GROUSE. We were able to study the secretive and cryptically plumaged birds
at close range as they slowly and methodically moved and crouched through
the rocky debris. The group was seen about of a mile before the East Rim
parking lot. Look for a "rocky" ruin with scattered large rocks. There is
something special about seeing these birds against the Steens backdrop. They
are really magnificent.

At top, there were several WHITE THROATED SWIFTS, ROCK WRENS, PRAIRIE
FALCON, RED TAILED HAWKS and VESPER SPARROWS. It was odd to see some RED
BREASTED NUTHATCH AND NORTHERN FLICKERS at the very top summit with little
trees.

We suspect this area would be an excellent location during fall for hawk
migration and possibly seeing a BROAD WINGED HAWK, or two.

On our way down from the Steens, we saw a family of MOUNTAIN QUAIL. They
were about 5-6 miles from the Page Springs Campground junction. The area
was flanked with heavy underbrush along with junipers. It was a nice treat
to see these birds in Harney County.

In the town of Burns, we saw 4 EURASIAN COLLARED DOVES.

We dipped on the UPLAND SANDPIPERS near Scotty Creek Lane but saw a family
of RUFFED GROUSE along HWY 395 about 20 miles before Ukiah.

After the birding Harney Co, we decided to bird Moss Springs and Anthony
Lakes for boreal birds. Both places were very quiet but Stefan managed to
find a soaring NORTHERN GOSHAWK near Moss Springs Campground.

Along Hwy 84 about MP 120-125, Stefan spotted three BIG HORN SHEEP. A couple
of days prior, I spotted a shaggy MOUNTAIN GOAT along the same strip.

Overall, it was a nice trip despite some slow birding which is expected for
this time of year.

I managed to get a few decent shots of the sage grouse. The black rosy
finches put a trance on me and I forgot to press the shutter button. Sorry,
I was in awe :)

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/updated_photos_&page=all

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)