Rich Hoyer on the conclusion of his Oregon tour

The tour’s final flourish in the marshes, mountains, and basins in eastern Oregon was such a delight. With a Pacific frontal system arriving about a month early, the weather was utterly glorious, with cool mornings (even a light frost one day!), fresh breezes, and a warming fall sun. Delicious and varied picnic lunches every day (made more tasty by the gorgeous surroundings) added to the fun birding.

Even owling was successful with a surprise Northern Saw-whet Owl and spectacular views of a Flammulated Owl that appeared in record time. 

One exception would have been the lack of Black Rosy-Finches at Steens Mountain, but the magnificent vistas and numerous raptors (such as Prairie Falcon and Golden Eagle below eye level) made this one of the most memorable days. We also saw Green-tailed Towhee, Cassin’s Finches, and migrant Red-breasted Nuthatches, Townsend’s Solitaires, and a very inquisitive female Calliope Hummingbird that darted in and about all of us.

Steens Mountain

A similar overlook at Summer Lake’s Winter Ridge provided us with a memorable Canyon Wren experience.

Canyon Wren

In the valleys below we spotted many perched raptors (Ferruginous Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, countless Red-tails), Sage Thrasher, Sandhill Crane families, and several close herds of the endemic American family, the Pronghorn.

Pronghorn

We also saw all eleven expected species of woodpecker, with some very lucky encounters, such as this Black-backed Woodpecker in a burn which we wouldn’t have known about but for the help of Tim Blount, one of several birders statewide who made important contributions to our tour.

Black-backed Woodpecker