[obol] Black Rosy-Finch at Steens--YES

[Robert Lockett]

Adrienne Wolf-Lockett and I were successful in finding BLACK ROSY-FINCH at Steens Mountain this morning (Sunday 9/24). We tried 3 times Saturday without success, checking the summit, East Rim, and Kiger Gorge. Sunday morning we revisited the East Rim at 7:30 a.m. and found a large flock (50-75) feeding in a grassy area on the steep eastern face of the mountain, about 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile south of the East Rim parking lot. As we watched the very active flock, about 20 birds worked their way up to the edge of the rim, then departed, apparently heading for a gorge to the west. Fifteen minutes later, most of the remaining birds did the same, striking out to the northwest.
   
  Back at the East Rim parking lot, we were surprised to find 4 more rosy-finches feeding at the edge of the rim. These birds allowed approach to within 6 feet.
   
  Other sightings from the Rim: 4 CHUKARS near the large flock of rosy-finches; a PRAIRIE FALCON catching the morning sun perched below the rim; an OSPREY cruising south along the rim; and one Bighorn Sheep ewe also below the East Rim.
   
  We also had a PAUL SULLIVAN sighting at the Fish Lake campground. He was leading a large flock of birders.
   
  Camping at Fish Lake was chilly (heavy frost) but spectacular, with howling coyotes and about a gazillion stars.
   
  Malheur headquarters had a COMMON NIGHTHAWK flying at 10:30 a.m., roosting GREAT HORNED OWLS, buckets of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, some WILSON'S and single ORANGE-CROWNED and TOWNSEND'S warblers, a FOX SPARROW, and at least two VARIED THRUSHES.
   
  The full list will be posted on Birdnotes.net.
   
  Bob Lockett



 		
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