[obol] Wallowa and Union Co (06/02-06/03)

[Stefan Schlick]

The generous Khanh Tran took me out on a weekend trip to the Wallowas and 
back. Thanks to his knowledge and skills we found almost all of our targets. 
Here are our findings.

We started at "o dark 30" on Saturday morning at McCully Ck where we had one 
skittish young male SPRUCE GROUSE about 0.4mi into the trail. Other singers 
include Dusky, Hammond's and Olive-sided Flycatcher, a pair of Williamson's 
Sapsuckers near the parking lot and Red Crossbill.

Proceeding toward Imnaha, there were 2 Red-eyed Vireos, a Veery and at least 
one Yellow-breasted Chat in the long riparian corridor along the creek. I 
didn't jot down the mile markers, sorry. Up near Hat Point, a probable 
Northern Goshawk was circling overhead. Both Bluebirds were in the burn near 
the top.

Late afternoon along Golf Course Rd north of Enterprise we had a pair of 
agitated Long-billed Curlews, 3 Grasshopper Sparrows (one still singing) and 
a Brewer's Sparrow.

We finished the day near MP39 along CR3 north of Enterprise were a GREAT 
GREAT OWL flew in to briefly perch on a fence post. We suspect there might 
be a nest site close by. In the ponds just south, we had several Wilson's 
Phalarope, a drake Blue-winged Teal and at least 2 pairs of Eared Grebes.

On Sunday we attempted to refind both the Spruce Grouse and the Great Gray 
Owl early in the morning but couldn't. On the way back we drove up to Moss 
Spring CG, but failed to find Three-toed Woodpecker there. Khanh did dig up 
a dead Northern Goshawk however.

We arrived at Rhinehart Bridge at around 11am and it was still superbirdy. A 
gazillion of Gray Catbirds were mewing and flitting around. A few 
Yellow-breasted Chats, Black-headed Grosbeaks and a Canyon Wren were also 
around.