Rock Wren – Ethical Birder

Scout Camp Loop Trail

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 by John Rakestraw, posted in OR Birding Sites, reptiles & amphibians

canyon The Scout Camp Loop Trail is a lovely 2.2 mile hike northwest of Terrebonne. It is not particularly birdy. I logged 11 species on my trip, and the top eBird list for this site is only 17. (eBird calls this site Scott Camp Loop Trail, a typo that I hope will be corrected soon.) Despite the low diversity, it was well worth it to spend a few hours along this stretch of the Deschutes River.

The first .4 mile is through some juniper/sage steppe, which actually held the greatest bird diversity of the hike. The trail then descends into the canyon.

This Rock Wren was singing up a storm, but insisted on doing so from a high backlit perch.

With the recent high temperatures and lack of rain, most of the vegetation on the slopes was dried to a crisp. But the Blazing Stars were in full bloom, in defiance of the harsh conditions.

riparian Down at the river’s edge was a lush ribbon of greenery.

Several Mule Deer were taking advantage of the lush growth.

chat small Aside from the Violet-green Swallows flying over the water, the most common bird along the river was Yellow-breasted Chat. There were at least six individuals working the riparian corridor.

I don’t study butterflies much, but this Two-tailed Swallowtail was a new one for me.

common side-blotched lizard pair Whenever I visit eastern Oregon I am especially on the lookout for herps. This pair of Common Side-blotched Lizards was the only herp sighting of this hike, but the species was new to me.

side-blotched 1 Here is the female, whose colors are more muted.

side-blotched 3 The male was really colorful, with blue spots on the back and orange underneath.

side-blotched portrait Another look at the male. The two didn’t seem to mind my presence. I think they were more interested in each other.

Happy Summer

Timberline

July 17, 2016July 17, 2016 by John Rakestraw, posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites, rarities

I hiked from Timberline Lodge to the snow fields above Silcox Hut. My main target was Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch. I missed the finches, but there is always something fun to see on the mountain. There were a lot of skiers and snowboarders on the remaining snow fields. I don’t know how you expect to find Rosy-Finches while going that fast, but to each their own.

Several Clark’s Nutcrackers were hanging out near the lodge. This species can be quite tame, but the ones near Timberline tend to be shy and keep their distance. Perhaps I need to carry more snacks.

Lupines were one of several wildflowers that are currently in bloom.

A couple of Horned Larks were pretty cooperative.

This blurry creature is a juvenile Rock Wren. The pale sandy brown plumage had me stumped for a while, as the adults are more clearly marked with cold brown and gray colors and speckling.

No visit to Timberline is complete without Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, the Alpine Ambassadors of Cuteness.

Yellow-bellied Marmots reign over the higher slopes. The vegetation is so sparse here it is hard to imagine how these guys find enough to eat.

walking that fine line between majestic and adorable

Cimarron National Grassland, 19 August 2013

August 21, 2013August 21, 2013 by John Rakestraw, posted in beyond OR, reptiles & amphibians

I spent the day on the Cimarron National Grassland in southwestern Kansas. It is a frequent destination for Kansas birders lured by the possibility of southwestern species that only make it into Kansas here. The area has seen a lot of changes in recent years. A large fire swept through the area a few years ago, killing many of the cottonwoods in the riparian corridor. The last two years have seen severe drought, followed by four inches of rain in the past several weeks. I have been visiting this area since 1984, and this is the first time I have ever seen water flowing in the Cimarron River.

Even during the slow birding season of late August, you can count on finding Western Kingbirds in trees and on power lines.

This is Point of Rocks, one of the few actual landmarks in this area.

This is the view from the top of Point of Rocks, with the Cimarron River corridor on the left. They say you can see wagon wheel ruts from the Sante Fe Trail from here, but I’m not sure which tracks were made by wagons and which were made by pickup trucks. Birding is usually slow here, but sometimes the brushy slopes attract interesting migrants, and raptors often fly by at eye level.

No matter how slow the birding, you can always find a Rock Wren or two at Point of Rocks.

Rock Wren scratching

While it may look like rock, this bluff above the Cimarron River is made of sand.

Despite the dry climate, there are a few ponds on the grasslands. This American Bullfrog looked especially alert.

Widow Skimmer

This White-lined Sphinx put on quite a show.

Fort Rock State Park

June 20, 2012June 20, 2012 by John Rakestraw, posted in mammals, OR Birding Sites

Fort Rock (Birding Oregon p. 27) is a wonderful open ring of rock rising out of the flat sage steppe of Lake County. The remnant of a lava eruption, worn down by the waves of an immense lake, the high rock walls are home to White-throated Swifts, Rock and Canyon Wrens, and various raptors. The sage flats inside and surrounding the structure attract Sage Sparrows and Green-tailed Towhees.

The rock is filled with bubbles, the result of lava erupting into a lake.

The moon over the western wall. There is a pair of Prairie Falcons in this photo, the male is on top of the ridge and the female is down and to the left near the whitewash.

Here’s a closer look at the Prairie Falcons.

A view of the west wall from inside the crater.

Rock Wren, blending in well with his surroundings

This Mountain Cottontail was soaking up a little sun on this cold windy morning.

The outside of the eastern wall near the parking area. This area seems to be best for White-throated Swifts and Canyon Wrens.

The vegetation near the parking lot attracts both migrant and resident birds. Brewer’s Blackbirds are common here.

Green-tailed Towhee being buffeted by the wind

Western Tanager

Cold temperature and high winds forced this Western Wood-Pewee to hunt from the ground.

BLM Wilderness Study Area, Adel

June 16, 2012 by John Rakestraw, posted in OR Birding Sites

Near the town of Adel, the BLM Wilderness Study Area is probably the best place in Oregon to find a Juniper Titmouse. While this species was the main goal of my hike in this area, there were many other species to enjoy, along with the great views. To reach this site, park in the wide pullout off the westbound lane of Hwy 140 near milepost 25. Just a few yards west of the pullout, a dirt road leads up the hill toward the top of Fish Creek Rim. Walk up this road to its terminus at the communication towers at the top of the rim. (Because of these towers, you actually have good cell phone reception throughout the hike, an unusual occurrence in this part of Oregon.)

This blurry Chipping Sparrow was part of a small flock of sparrows near the start of the hike. A Black-throated Sparrow was a nice surprise.

Rock Wrens were common on the way up the hill, perching in junipers, sage, and occasionally on rocks.

The view from about half-way up the hill, looking down toward the highway and Deep Creek

Farther up the hill

The view from the top, looking down on the Warner Valley. The wetlands in the valley are the source of the Ring-billed Gulls and American White Pelicans which can be seen soaring over the juniper woodlands.

The top of the rim is more tundra-like, with a few trees and short grasses. Mountain Bluebirds and Western Meadowlarks are common in this area.

Variable Checkerspots were clinging to the road to avoid the strong winds.

Mountain Lion tracks

Mountain Cottontail

On the way back down the hill, three and a half hours into the four-hour hike, I did find a Juniper Titmouse. I try not to put too much emphasis on “target birds,” but it is nice when you actually find them.