[obol] report from Audubon Birding Weekend to Wallowa county

[Paul T. Sullivan]

OBOL:

17 participants joined Carol & me for a 3-day July 4th weekend trip to 
Wallowa county, sponsored by Audubon Society  of Portland.  The weather was 
partly overcast on Friday as we went out the Zumwalt Rd. to Buckhorn 
Lookout.  Saturday was hotter as we went down to Imnaha, then back up to 
McCully trailhead.  On Sunday we visited the Enterprise Fishhatchery, fields 
around Wallowa, and the Wallowa river canyon.  We ended the trip at Rinehard 
Canyon near Elgin.

Highlights:
Blue-winged Teal - in a pond on Zumwalt Rd.
Western Grebe - Kinney Lake, E of Joseph
Turkey Vulture - SE of Enterprise, uncommon in the county
Bald Eagle - Kinney Lk., and nest with 2 young at Wallowa Lake
Cooper's Hawk - pair, S of Imnaha
Swainson's Hawk - several
Ferruginous Hawk - Zumwalt Rd.
Least Sandpiper - Kinney Lk.
Wilson's Phalarope - pond on Zumwalt Rd.
Common Nighthawk - Imnaha
Pacific-slope Flycatcher - Little Sheep Cr.
Warbling Vireo - plentiful around Imnaha, nest
Red-eyed Vireo - west & south of Imnaha
all 6 of the swallows
Veery - Wallowa River canyon wayside
Varied Thrush - McCully Cr.
Cedar Waxwing - nest,  Wallowa River canyon wayside
Yellow-breasted Chat - Devil's Gulch off the road to Imnaha & Rinehart 
Canyon
Bobolink - seen by a few participants south of Enterprise, in spite of much 
searching
Cassin's Finches - at feeder below Ferguson Ridge ski area
Red Crossbills - at feeder below Ferguson Ridge ski area

We were also treated to the excitement of an evacuation of folks stranded 
atop Mt. Howard.  The tram malfunctioned Saturday.  Everyone got down 
safely.

Good birding, everyone,

Paul T. Sullivan
Audubon Birding Weekends
(503) 646-7889
http://www.audubonportland.org/trips_classes_camps/adult_programs/birding_weekendsfolder/index_html