Eared Grebe – Ethical Birder

Crooked River Wetlands Complex

July 13, 2021 by John Rakestraw, posted in OR Birding Sites

crooked river parking lot I had a chance to visit Crooked River Wetlands near Prineville. Like Fernhill Wetlands, this site was constructed as part of a wastewater treatment system. But Crooked River Wetlands was designed from the beginning to accommodate both birds and birders. The parking lot has a covered picnic area (the only shade on the property) and a restroom. Paved and gravel paths provide easy viewing of the wetlands.

crooked river wetlands There are 15 bodies of water in the complex, which is right next to the Crooked River. Water levels vary with the seasons, so there is a variety of water depths which attract different species.

Shorebird migration is getting underway. Here are some Western Sandpipers.

Spotted Sandpiper

One of the deeper ponds held this pair of Ruddy Ducks.

eared grebe and baby Eared Grebe with baby

Between the river, the ponds, and the adjacent wastewater plant, this site attracts swarms of swallows. Tree Swallows use the many nest boxes.

This is one of the easiest places I know to see Bank Swallows.

Northern Harrier

brewer's Brewer’s Blackbird was one of five blackbird species I saw on this visit.

Tricolored Blackbirds can be hard to find in Oregon, but this site is pretty reliable.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds are common here. The males tended to hide in the reeds, but this female and youngster posed nicely.

Say's Phoebe This is one of two Say’s Phoebes that were working the fence line at the edge of the property.

Crooked River Wetlands is one of the best birding sites in central Oregon, providing access to a great variety of wetland species in a very dry part of the state. It provides a nice pocket of avian diversity at a time of year when birding can be pretty slow.

Happy Summer

Klamath Basin

May 19, 2010May 19, 2010 by John Rakestraw, posted in mammals, nesting, OR Birding Sites

Here are some photos from a recent trip to the Klamath Basin.

Eared Grebes are common in the wetlands along State Line Road (Birding Oregon p. 116). The second bird from the left is still in basic plumage, while all the other birds seen that day had already molted into alternate plumage.

Shorebirds, such as this Semipalmated Plover, can be found on the mudflats along State Line Road.

This Pied-billed Grebe was nesting at Wood River Wetlands (Birding Oregon p.111).

The Klamath Basin is famous for its large wintering population of Bald Eagles, but a few pairs stay to nest. This bird was found in Moore Park in Klamath Falls.

Moore Park is also home to Mule Deer. Note the fuzzy antlers starting to grow on the deer in the center of the photo.

Fernhill Wetlands 11/11/09

November 11, 2009 by John Rakestraw, posted in OR Birding Sites

I took a brief walk around Fernhill Wetlands (Birding Oregon p. 61) while meeting with a reporter today. The weather was rather dreary, but, as always, there were some birds around.

Eared Grebe is an unusual visitor to the main lake. Note the thin bill and dusky cheeks. The more common Horned Grebe has a thicker bill, white cheeks, and a neat black cap.

Another view of the Eared Grebe. The back end of this species tends to float fairly high in the water.

Most of the wintering Cackling Geese were off grazing somewhere, but these two were hanging out on the lake. The bird on the right has pale feather edges, indicating a young bird.

In contrast to the Cackling Geese, these resident Canada Geese are much larger with long snakey necks.

Common Mergansers were indeed common on the main lake this morning, but did not allow a close approach.

Great Egrets stand out on a dreary gray day.