[obol] Addendum to Wallowa and Union Co.

[khanh tran]

Hi Obolers!

I just wanted to add a few things to the Stefan's earlier, well written 
post.

For any mammal fans, I did manage to find one badger along Golf Course Rd 
about 2 miles past Hwy 82. Another good area is along Tucker Down Rd near 
McCully Ck near the town of Joseph.  Last year, we had one near the fence 
line. As we stopped to observed it, it made some loud, hissing noises.  Very 
cool, critter!

Also, the Great Gray owl location is about 14 miles north of Enterprise off 
Hwy 3.

There is a cool, auto driving tour you can take which loops around 
interesting habitat for about 7 miles.  You will see a sign for the Boise 
Cascade Auto Route on the left off Hwy 3.  Very beautiful area with very 
lush open meadows and seeing the Wallowas as a backdrop is always a plus!!  
I believe the elevation is around 3000 ft or so and it is ideal for Great 
Gray owls.

As Floyd Schrock mentioned, visit Hat Point near the town of Imnaha.  It is 
one of my favorite places in Oregon and it birdy along the riparian stretch. 
   Very few pull outs and can be loaded with rattlesnakes, so BEWARE!  The 
area reminds me of a minature version of the Grand Canyons with the hint of 
the Swiss Alps from the Wallowa Mountains not too far away!!  What a great 
contrast of scenery.

Good birding,

Khanh Tran (Portland, Oregon)

From: Stefan earlier posting

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.