Hi all,

Here are my updated photos from my recent trip to Malheur NWR near Princeton, Oregon (SE corner of state). Some of them turned out okay but there is always room for improvement. The challenges of finding birds and getting them to pose for you. Then you have to deal with the lighting. Hope you will enjoy them!

My favorites are the shots of the White headed woodpecker and Say's phobe.

http://www.pbase.com/spruce_grouse/malheur_trip_2008&page=all

For those who are unfamilar with this area, it is covered in detail in The Birder's Guide to Oregon by Joe Evanich. I HIGHLY recommend the book and birding the area to see some interested water birds in great numbers.

In the next few weeks, this area is a great migrant trap for songbirds and usually attacts some Eastern vagrant. The last two years produced such rarities as Scissor tailed flycatcher, Brown Thrasher, Baltimore Oriole, Rose breasted grosbeak, Cape May warbler, Black throated blue, Chestnut sided warbler, Magnolia warbler just to name a few. Anything is possible as streaked back orioles were also found at the refuge.

Sage grouse are still displaying in good numbers near the NWR and should continue for at least two more weeks. They are much easier to see than Leahy Junction since the birds are up close. We had two birds about 30 feet from our car. Pronghorns are quite common in the area.

Here is my recent trip report to give you an idea. Managed to get great gray owl and upland sandpiper as well but you will have to travel about one hour north for these speciality birds.

You haven't fully lived until you birded Malheur. The area is very beautiful and rugged. Let me know if you have any questions.

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)

____________________________________________________________________________

Hi Obolers!

This weekend I had a fun birding trip focusing on Harney, Grant, and Union Counties. On two different days, I had the pleasure with birding with Henri Horvat, Tim Brown, Alex and Tiffany B. I have never birded Malheur prior to Memorial Weekend and did n't know what to expect. As usual, there is always something special. Having great company and getting a number of lifers for them made it all fun. It was definitely one of my best trips to this amazing area with quality looks, great company, and some decent photos.

Highlights included seeing all the "Malheur" specialities in good numbers, displaying SAGE GROUSE, 5000 SNOW GEESE, one BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER (Fields), several JUNIPER TITMICE (Adel), and getting 6 owl species including two GREAT GRAY OWLS (Grant and Union Co). We also had one nice flock of GRAY CROWNED ROSYFINCHES along Hwy 395 around MP 95 (Summit 5200).

Here is my trip report and I probably will forget something. Excuse it's discursiveness and format as I am tired.

FOSTER FLATS:

The SAGE GROUSE were fully displaying in the morning to about 7:30 AM. There were approximately 10 males and one hen. At one point, they saw a GOLDEN EAGLE flying at a distance, and they quickly ceased their display and crotch down at a freeze position for at least five minutes before resuming. There was one young, small inexperienced male that was being constantly chased by the older males. A few SAGE SPARROWS were singing along the 8 mile gravel road from Hwy 205.

HWY 205/NARROWS:

Several raptor species: FERRUGINOUS, SWAINSON'S, RED TAILS, PRAIRIE FALCONS, AND GOLDEN EAGLES. A couple of BURROWING OWLS were along Hwy 205 en route to HQ from Burns; had another owl near the Fields Station. A couple of SAGE THRASHERS and LOGGERHEAD SHRIKES were near the Narrows Gas Station as well. LEWIS WOODPECKERS were also strewn along the telephone poles of Hwy 205.

HEADQUARTERS:

The area was very quiet and almost all of the trees were devoid of leaves, buds, or small flowers for the migrants. Lots of White crowned Sparrows and Yellow rumped Warblers. Other birds included: several NASHVILLE WARBLERS, a couple of ORANGE CROWNED WARBLERS, LEWIS WOODPECKERS, and singles of WARBLING VIREO, WESTERN WOOD PEWEE, and YELLOW WARBLER. Always nice to see the Great Horned owls roosting near by.

En route to HQ from the Field Station, there was one pair of EURASIAN WIDGEONS, along with many LONG BILLED DOWITCHERS.

HINES AREA: (Greenhouse and Hotchkiss Ln)

Among the many willets, long billed curlews, American Avocets, Wilson' Pharolopes, Black Necked Stilts, Sandhill Cranes, Franklin's gull, yellow headed black birds, we managed to find a couple of TUNDRA AND TRUMPETER SWANS. A large flock of 5000 or more SNOW GEESE blazoned the clear blue skies with their stark plumage. One small flock of WHITE FRONTED GEESE were also noted on Greenhouse Ln. The MARBLED GODWITS are still hanging around the Hines area. And one of my favorites is seeing the graceful flocks of WHITE PELICANS effortless gliding in the blue skies at several locations.

In the early morning, we had up to 10 BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERONS out in the open ponds. Our largest flock of 150 WHITE FACED IBIS, came from Knox Pond shortly before reaching Benson Pond.

PAGE SPRINGS:

Not birdy except for a few NASHVILLE WARBLERS, HOUSE WRENS, VIRGINIA RAILS, and one BUSHTIT. We also had excellent looks of a LONG EARED OWL along the creek. One CANYON WREN was singing at the entrance of the campground. There was a report of a NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH seen by Dent but I couldn't re-locate it.

FIELDS AREA:

Very quiet except for a male BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER among the few ruby crowned kinglets, singles of yellow warblers, warbling vireos, and yellow rumped warblers. For the second time, there were two BARN OWLS nervously flying around with good reason with the menacing presence of one great horned owl.

ADEL AREA:

We were able to find several JUNIPER TITMICE about 2 miles east before the town of Adel,

HWY 395 NORTH OF BURNS:

Near the Junction of Hwy 20/Hwy 395 (about 4 miles pass Burns), we had more white faced ibis, Franklins gull, Wilson pharalope, and one SOLITARY SANDPIPER in one of the small flooded fields.

IDLEWILD CAMPGROUND:

A quick stop produced two adult NORTHERN GOSHAWKS, one GREEN TAILED TOWHEE, two RED NAPED SAPSUCKERS. We also had crippling looks at one pair of WHITE HEADED WOODPECKERS. There were at least 6 of these lovely birds within the 30 minutes we were there.

SCOTTY CREEK LANE: (Grant County)

The Stiles really wanted Upland Sandpipers and Great Gray owls, so I warned them that the chances would be really LOW for both; a little early for the sandpiper and the elusiveness of the GG owls (forest phantoms). Both have graciously offered me a dinner of my choice at a nice restaurant for finding some unexpected lifers and target birds. So they, decided to give me a bonus if I find one or the other. I am always determined, if the incentative is good.

On the way in, we dipped on the sandpipers, but I managed to find a GREAT GRAY OWL along RD 24. These bags of gray feathers never fail to impress. The bird was about 20 feet from us and was very trusting. We were all in awe as we watched it for 20 minutes before letting it be. High fives and sounds of good cheers.

We had one BLACK BACKED WOODPECKER along the burned area of RD 24. It was quite otherwise.

Giddy with our success and we started to head out. Tiffany tells me, we need your birding Kharma again. Gee, the pressure. I was really tired with driving all night on Friday late after work, so I wasn't as sharp. But somehow, at the corner of my eyes, I spotted one shorebird like blob on the ground along the short grasses near some dirt mounds. Its, head bobbing motion caught my attention. My heart raced with excitment. Na, can't be. As I came to an abrupt stop, they both excitingly asked, what do you see? I don't know yet. I quickly got my scope, and got out to check. YIPEE, it was an UPLAND SANDPIPER! We had good scope views of the bird and were extremely estatic!

The bird was about 5.8 miles or shortly before the Y splits on the west side of the road.

STARR CAMPGROUND:

Campground was snowed in but descending down north along HWY395, I found one NORTHERN PYGMY OWL not far from the road. Further north on Hwy 395, near the Summit of 5200 (MP 95?), I found a small flock of GRAY CROWNED ROSYFINCHES along the side of the road where there was quite abit of snow on the ridge. We had good views of them for a few minutes before taking off. They were the Hepburn's subspecies.

SPRING CREEK CAMPGROUND:

Our final stop of the trip. We made a quick stop in hopes to get Williamson's Sapsuckers. It was very quiet but I did manage to find one pair of WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKERS along FR 741. The burn area was gated off and had to walk alittle but we found one PILEATED WOODPECKER, one pair of RED NAPED SAPSUCKERS, and one pair of BLACK BACKED WOODPECKERS around the surrounding areas.

On our way out at about 5:30 PM, I found another GREAT GRAY OWL along the main FR21 and we were able to watch it for quite a while and as it emitted a different call that what I am use to. Very mourningful as if it was looking for a mate.

Before, leaving Spring Creek, I heard and finally found my first DUSKY GROUSE for that area; another target bird for our trip.

All in all, it was a marvelous trip--more than I expected. I will definitely look forward to my paid dinner, gin and tonic, and creme brulee :)

PS I will submit photos later. Too tired....

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)