Malheur 2017 - Day 1, Part 1

One thing we have done consistently over the past three years that we’ve lived in Oregon is go to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. I’m sure you all remember the occupation last year that threatened our beautiful piece of public land, but that was not enough to deter birders. We still went last year shortly after the refuge roads opened back up, although the headquarters was still closed for another year. However, this spring, the headquarters reopened with the great efforts of diligent workers and volunteers, and we were ready for another annual trip. 

White-Faced Ibis

Tree Swallow in a nest box

Desert Paintbrush

Upland Larkspur

This place is truly a natural wonder and unlike anything else. Each time we go, we are truly in awe of this place – its geology, the wildlife, the views, and, of course, the birds.

Sagebrush sea

Chipmunk

Juvenile Sage Thrasher

Before we arrived to Malheur, we spent the night in Bend and birded that area our first morning. We hit up the sagebrush areas in search of Green-tailed Towhees, Sage Thrashers, and Sagebrush Sparrows. We got the first two, but dipped once again on the sparrows – a sagebrush nemesis of ours. We also picked up Gray Flycatcher, watching it dip its tail and give its distinctive “chibit” call.

Gray Flycatcher

Green-Tailed Towhee

Green-Tailed Towhee blowing in the wind

Next stop was the Sage Hen Rest Area – a seemingly regular rest stop, but definitely far from it. There are nesting Mountain Bluebirds all over as there are several nest boxes posted around the grassy areas. It's hard to find any bluer blue than Mountain Bluebirds. It's almost impossible to truly capture their vibrant color in a photo. 

Male Mountain Bluebird

Female Mountain Bluebird

Male Mountain Bluebird

Juvenile Mountain Bluebird

This year, we were pleasantly surprised to find nesting Say’s Phoebes, too! There was a pair working hard to gather lots of grubs and bugs to feed three hungry nestlings. Their nest was perched atop the light fixture above the women’s restroom. They surely did not mind the comers and goers that passed through the rest stop. There were also quite a few of these huge and beautiful Columbia Silkmoths - they were a beautiful red velvet color with bold patterning. I couldn't believe the Phoebes hadn't snatched them all up to feed their chicks!

Say's Phoebe

Say's Pheobe with a butterfly snack

Sweet baby Say's Phoebe - look at that precious gape!

Say's Phoebe chicks snuggling

Columbia Silkmoth

Columbia Silkmoth - Ain't it a beauty!

In the back of the rest stop is a lovely little loop trail. It’s a nice hike to see some wildflowers, butterflies, and songbirds. We picked up Brewer’s Sparrow buzzily singing away. We were caught off guard when I heard this little nasaly call up in a tree. I know it sounded kind of familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Then out in front of our eyes popped a Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher! We were used to seeing plenty of these guys in the Southeast, but this was an Oregon first for us.

Brewer's Sparrow

Brewer's Sparrow

Nelson's Hairstreak

Anicia Checkerspot

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher

Macro shot of a flower

After our rest stop hike, we were ready for the big leagues and headed over to the headquarters of the refuge. It was great to see this place back in action – plenty of birds and birders mulling about. There did seem to be a lack of hummingbirds compared to when we came the same time of year two years ago. Bullock’s Orioles were enjoying the nectar feeders with fewer hummers to hoard them. 

A peaceful moment at the Malheur NWR HQ

Black-Chinned Hummingbird

Bullock's Oriole

Bullock's Oriole

Red Admiral

Lazuli Buntings and Tree Swallows dazzled us with bright shades of blue. There seemed to be more Lazuli Buntings this year than our past two visits. The little females were plentiful - muted in color but still cute as a button.

A vibrant Male Lazuli Bunting

Male Lazuli Bunting

Female Lazuli Bunting

Female Lazuli Bunting

Tree Swallow

Steel blue Tree Swallow

There were plenty of pops of yellow all around the refuge. Bright and cheery Yellow Warblers and Western Tanagers lined the trees. And the Yellow-Headed Blackbirds were a lovely sight, although they sound like demons from hell – but still delightful.

Western Tanager

Western Tanager

Western Tanager

Juba Skipper

Yellow Warbler

Yellow-Headed Blackbird - beautiful bird, haunting call

Yellow-Headed Blackbird

It was so great to be back at the Malheur NWR Headquarters. Although some tension lingers amongst the locals, I know the naturalists and the birders can all agree that it's great to have this treasure up and running again. 

Juba Skipper

Juba Skipper

Finding My Spirit Bird: The Panda-faced Woodpecker

One of the things I love about Oregon are the numerous natural areas within a reasonable drive – state parks, national forests, the coast, mountains and national wildlife refuges. We’ve already talked about Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) that is just a few minutes away from our home. And just a bit farther south is Finley NWR.

View from Woodpecker Trail

Iris

Moss

When we first set out to go there, I was way more excited about this trip than many of the other birding trips we’ve had so far because of our target species – the Acorn Woodpecker. This bird, in hippy talk, is what I consider to be my “spirit bird.” I’ve loved this bird from afar for so many years, and honestly thought it would be much a very long time until I’d finally see one, as I didn’t foresee when we’d make it out west. So why is the Acorn Woodpecker my spirit bird? Well, if you don’t already know, Acorn Woodpeckers have a delightful behavior of drilling holes, or using the natural spaces in tree bark, to store huge caches of acorns, and sometimes other nuts. They can fill one tree, called the granary tree, with up to 50,000 holes! Now that’s impressive. Their OCD-like tendency to place acorns into these holes, and then continuing to move them around when the acorns shrink from drying out and get loose, speaks to my quirky, bordering obsessive, tendency of organizing and placing objects in just the right way.

Woods' Rose, maybe?

*Correction: California Poppy

Disonycha sp.

Upon first arriving at Finley NWR, we naturally walked The Woodpecker Trail hoping to find our target bird. We actually didn’t see it there, but we still had great birds that we couldn’t complain about, including SIX lifers! Right as we got to the trailhead, we had an adorable group of California Quail scuttle across the path in front of us. And before we could even continue along the trail, a gorgeous little male Rufous Hummingbird buzzed by us and obligingly landed on a tiny bare branch to allow great looks at him. 

California Quail

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Hitting the trail, we picked up the other 4 lifers: Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Gray Jay, Pacific Wrens, and Red-breasted Sapsuckers. When we found the Gray Jays, there was a cacophonous battle going on between Steller’s Jays and the Gray Jays. They flew back and forth at each other through the treetops, squawking as loudly as they could. I wish I had gotten good shots of the Gray Jays – they make me laugh. They’re so thick and stocky, and a bit Danny Devito-like, unlike the usual svelte other jays we’re used to seeing. This trail was so full and we had seen so much out there that after taking our time going through, Nick swore we had traveled at least 3, maybe 5, miles, but the trail was only 1.1 miles!

Pacific-Slope Flycatcher

Pacific Wren

Red-Breasted Sapsucker

The wonders of Finley NWR didn’t stop there. Not only would we walk away from our first trip out there with about half a dozen lifers, but we’ve also had some great views of non-lifers, like a gorgeous male Lazuli Bunting, singing so sweetly in the treetops. And the swallows around this area in general, especially Tree Swallows, seem to not mind landing and taking a rest in close view while letting you soak in their awesomeness, especially since they’re nesting.

Lazuli Bunting

Lazuli Bunting

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

Tree Swallow

But did we find our target species after all – my spirit bird? Why yes, yes we did! They were not on Woodpecker Trail as we had suspected (with that name, and all), but they were a little drive over to the visitor center. Our first time there, as soon as we stepped out of the car, we were warmly greeted by the residents there – no, not the staff, but a family of none other than Acorn Woodpeckers!!! Finally, my moment had arrived as I encountered my spirit bird. They are as magnificent in person as I had imagined. With their black and ever so slightly cream-colored faces, they kinda look like panda bears. But with their bold red crowns and rad, rock-n-roll black pattern on their white bellies (and their ‘tude), they are no docile panda.

Acorn Woodpecker

Acorn Woodpecker

We observed with awe and amazement these fantastic birds as they flew around the large oaks calling to each other. And we even got a nice glimpse of one of their caches. Since there are plenty of bugs to eat right now (which they actually prefer if they’re available) we didn’t see any acorn storing, but we’ll definitely have to watch them in autumn when they’ll be storing for the winter, showing off their incredible talent for hoarding seeds.

Acorn Woodpecker acorn cache

Acorn Woodpecker