Field Trips

Saturday 

SAT01 Migrants and Milkshakes
Start: 6 am from Burns, return around 5:30 pm
Trip Leader: Shawneen Finnegan, Dave Irons, Steve Hampton
Anticipated Birds: Black-throated Sparrow, Sagebrush Sparrow, Migrating Warblers, Snowy Plover
Make an early start from Burns to make it down to Fields when the Oasis is the most active. Explore the oasis and town for migrant warblers before venturing out into the desert for some sagebrush specialties like black-throated and sagebrush sparrows. Have lunch in Fields (don’t forget to get your milkshake!) before heading back on the eastern side of Steens Mountain. The leisurely trip back will have multiple stops in the Alvord Basin (Andrews, Mann Lake, the Playa).
Round Trip Distance: 260 miles
Walking and Trail: Oasis and Town
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in Frenchglen, Fields, Frog Spring, no water
Additional Info: Bug Spray or prevention recommended. Recommended to fill up on gas in Burns 

SAT02 Bushwacking with Bob
Start: 7 am in Fields
Trip Leader: Bob Archer
Anticipated Birds: Gray-headed Junco, riparian birds
This trip is for the adventure (and Gray-headed Junco) seekers! Join Bob Archer on a hike up Arizona Creek on an old Jeep trail in the Pueblo Mountains to look for a unique subspecies of Junco and explore some beautiful aspen groves. Be prepared for some pretty exposed hiking – an early start, plenty of water (and sunscreen) and snacks are necessary. Preview the adventure here: https://outandaboutoregonbirds.blogspot.com/2015/06/harney-county-in-may-2015.html?m=0
Round Trip Distance: 260 miles driving, 6 miles hiking on an old Jeep trail
Walking and Trail: High Clearance Vehicles and Well-Prepared Hikers needed
Toilets and Water: None during the hike; pit toilets and limited supplies in Fields
Additional Info: Camping near Fields the night before is highly recommended. Bob will meet you in Fields. Time has not been set. Probably 7:30 am. All depends on if participants can camp or stay down at Fields area. Trip is highly dependent on weather in the Pueblos.

SAT03 Forest Foray for Woodpeckers
Start: 7 am at Idlewild SnoPark
Trip Leader: Lin Stern and Duke Tufty
Anticipated Birds: White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, American Goshawk
Enjoy a day of birding around Idlewild Campground in Malheur National Forest! A great spot for high-elevation woodland birds, Idlewild hosts a suite of exciting species and a lower-intensity hike. Look for birds such as White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Green-tailed Towhee, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Canada Jay, Western Tanager, Western Bluebird, and American Goshawk.  Participants will explore the campground and hike ~2 to 3.5 miles on surrounding trails to explore a wider range of habitats. After Idlewild, you will venture higher in elevation, looking for potential forest grouse and exploring recently burned areas for woodpeckers.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Paved, low incline around the campground, Devine summit loop is a 2.5-mile dirt trail with various inclines
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in the campground
Additional Info: Bug Spray or prevention recommended. The trail is generally easy. Currently, it has 3-4 trees that need to be climbed over (anticipated that it will be cleared by the meeting)

SAT04 Wandering for Warblers
Start: 6 am at Malheur NWR Headquarters
Trip Leader: Eric and Andrew Pratt
Anticipated Birds: Migrant Warblers
Expect a fast-paced field trip looking for warblers and rarities throughout the refuge. Focused on hitting various migrant traps at Malheur NWR (Headquarters, Benson Pond, Frenchglen, Page Springs), this trip is designed to be flexible and allow for the excitement of the chase when another group finds an unexpected migrant.
Round Trip Distance: 120 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Flush toilets at Headquarters, Pit toilets at various locations on the southern refuge
Additional Info: This trip is designed to be flexible, and the locations visited will change based on bird activity

SAT05 The Malheur Classic
Start: 6:30 am at Malheur NWR Headquarters, finished by 2 pm
Trip Leader: Henry and David Burton
Anticipated Birds: Warblers, Waterbirds, Burrowing Owl
Enjoy a leisurely field trip on the refuge north of Buena Vista. This trip will start at Malheur HQ when the songbird activity is high. After searching Headquarters (including Marshall Pond), drive on the northern CPR to check Wright’s pond for breeding waterbirds before looking through waterfowl and waders at the Narrows. If time allows, you will visit Harney Road, Ruh-Red Road, and Lawen Marsh for Burrowing Owls, sagebrush birds (e.g., Sage Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, and Brewer’s Sparrow), and wading birds before heading back into town.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways, and gravel roads
Toilets and Water: Flush toilets at Headquarters
Additional Info: Bug Spray Recommended, Scopes are useful at the Narrows

SAT06 Searching the South Refuge
Start: 630 am in Frenchglen
Trip Leader: Nolan Clements and Miles Scheuering
Anticipated Birds: Bobolink, Warblers
Explore Center Patrol Road from Krumbo Reservoir Road to Page Springs. Visit Iconic migrant traps like Benson Pond, Page Springs, P-Ranch, and Frenchglen while checking for waterbirds along the way. Listen for the robotic clinking song of Bobolink along the way and enjoy watching males sing and display in the willows and reeds, both near and far from the road.
Round Trip Distance: 120 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets at various locations on the southern refuge
Additional Info: This trip is a mix of driving and walking

SAT07 On Birding Benson Pond, Krumbo Reservoir, and Buena Vista Ponds and Overlook – Birding in the Middle of the Refuge
Start: 630 am at Benson Pond
Trip Leader: Jill Punches and Coleen Pigeon
Anticipated Birds: Warblers, Flycatchers, Shorebirds, Waterfowl, Terns, Canyon and Rock Wrens
Explore the middle part of the refuge, including Benson Pond, Krumbo Reservoir Road, and Buena Vista Overlook. Benson Pond is an iconic migrant trap where more than 250 bird species have been seen. We’ll check the trees lining the trail and the grasslands for waterbirds along the way. We’ll make our way to Krumbo Reservoir; Caspian, Black, and Forster’s Tern are all expected there. Depending on water levels, we’ll stop by Buena Vista Ponds and take a short hike up to the overlook to get a look at Canyon and Rock Wrens.
Round Trip Distance: 120 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets at various locations on the southern refuge
Additional Info: This trip is a mix of driving and walking

SAT08 Big Sticks and Little Chicks, a Golden Eagle Nest Tour of Selected Nests Near the Refuge
Start: 7 am at the Narrows Cafe
Trip Leaders: Rick Vetter and Joan Suther
Anticipated Birds: Golden Eagle Nestlings
A tour of Golden Eagle nests with eaglets and associated bird species in sagebrush ecosystems from the Narrows to Frenchglen. Learn about the life history of golden eagles nesting near the refuge. From site selection to incubation of eggs, feeding chicks to fledglings, and causes of death. Some of the sites and nests we will look at have been monitor—asince 1940. A unique history due to the proximity to the refuge.
Round Trip Distance: 130 miles
Walking and Trail: mostly car-based
Toilets and Water: Restrooms at The Narrows, Buena Vista, and Frenchglen
Additional Info: Bring lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, bug repellent, scope, and field chair. We will have two scopes.

Sunday

SUN01 Migrants and Milkshakes
Start: 6 am from Burns, return by 5 pm
Trip Leader: Eric and Andrew Pratt
Anticipated Birds: Black-throated Sparrow, Sagebrush Sparrow, Migrating Warblers
Make the trek down to Fields Oasis to look for migrant warblers and birds unique to southern Harney County. You can pop into the famous Fields Station for a milkshake or tasty treat before trekking into the oasis and around town to look for migrants before heading out into the sagebrush for black-throated and sagebrush sparrows. Some stops in the Alvord Basin are possible (pending time) to check for Snowy Plover and other shorebirds on the Alvord playa and migrants in Andrews.
Round Trip Distance: 250 miles
Walking and Trail: Oasis and Town
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in Frenchglen, Fields, Frog Spring, no water
Additional Info: recommended to fill up on gas in Burns 

SUN02 Poking around Pike Creek
Start: Meet at Pike Creek Trailhead at 7 am (2 hrs from Burns), return by 2 pm
Trip Leader: Nolan Clements and Miles Scheuering
Anticipated Birds: Migrant Warblers
Wander up scenic Pike Creek in search of stunning views of the Alvord Desert and the east face of Steens Mountain, along with uncommon breeding birds and the chance at a few migrants. The Pike Creek drainage has historically hosted Plumbeous Vireos, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, and “Cordilleran” Western Flycatchers, as well as a handful of rarities over the years, and we’ll make an effort for these among other expected shrubby breeders. We’ll aim for an early start to beat the heat and maximize bird activity during the busiest parts of the day. We will depart from the Pike Creek trailhead at 7 am and expect to return no later than 2 pm. We will hike a moderately strenuous 5–7-mile route on steep terrain. Please come prepared with sturdy hiking shoes, at least two bottles of water, lunch, and snacks.
Round Trip Distance: 210 miles
Walking and Trail: Moderately strenuous hiking (more adventurous)
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in Frenchglen, Fields, Frog Spring, no water
Additional Info: Recommended to fill up on gas in Burns, wildflowers should be blooming

SUN03 Forest Foray for Woodpeckers
Start: 7 am at Idlewild SnoPark
Trip Leader: Kelli Van Norman and Jack Maynard
Anticipated Birds: White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, American Goshawk
Enjoy a day of birding around Idlewild Campground in Malheur National Forest! A great spot for high-elevation woodland birds, Idlewild hosts a suite of exciting species and a lower-intensity hike. Look for birds such as White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Green-tailed Towhee, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Canada Jay, Western Tanager, Western Bluebird, and American Goshawk.  Participants will explore the campground and hike ~2 to 3.5 miles on surrounding trails to explore a wider range of habitats. After Idlewild, you will venture higher in elevation, looking for potential forest grouse and exploring recently burned areas for woodpeckers.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Paved, low incline around the campground, Devine summit loop is a 2.5-mile dirt trail with various inclines
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in the campground
Additional Info: Bug Spray or prevention recommended. The trail is generally easy. Currently, it has 3-4 trees that need to be climbed over (anticipated that it will be cleared by the meeting)

SUN04 Wandering for Warblers
Start: 6:30 am at Malheur NWR Headquarters
Trip Leader: Lin Stern
Anticipated Birds: Migrant Warblers
Expect a fast-paced field trip looking for warblers and rarities throughout the refuge. Focused on hitting various migrant traps at Malheur NWR (Headquarters, Benson Pond, Frenchglen, Page Springs), this trip is designed to be flexible (hopefully) and allow for the excitement of the chase when another group finds an unexpected migrant.
Round Trip Distance: 120 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Flush toilets at Headquarters, Pit toilets at various locations on the southern refuge
Additional Info: This trip is designed to be flexible, and the locations visited will change based on bird activity

SUN05 The Malheur Classic
Start: 6:30 am at Malheur NWR Headquarters
Trip Leader: Joan Suther and Rick Vetter
Anticipated Birds: Warblers, Waterbirds, Burrowing Owl
Enjoy a leisurely field trip on the refuge near Headquarters. This trip requires less driving than some other trips but will visit some of the best spots on the refuge. The trip will start at Malheur NWR HQ when the songbird activity is high. After walking around headquarters, drive to the Narrows for water birds in good light and then to S Harney Rd for burrowing owls, sagebrush bird species, and a look at the iconic golden eagle nest. The last part of the trip will focus on the northern CPR, with a check of Wright’s pond for breeding waterbirds.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Flush toilets at Headquarters
Additional Info: Bug Spray Recommended, Scopes are useful at the Narrows

SUN06 Searching the South Refuge
Start: 6:30 am in Frenchglen
Trip Leader: Duke Tufty and Peter Olsoy
Anticipated Birds: Bobolink, Warblers
Explore Center Patrol Road from Krumbo Reservoir Road to Page Springs. Visit Iconic migrant traps like Benson Pond, Page Springs, P-Ranch, and Frenchglen while checking for waterbirds along the way. Listen for the robotic clinking song of Bobolink along the way and enjoy watching males sing and display in the willows and reeds, both near and far from the road.
Round Trip Distance: 120 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets at various locations on the southern refuge
Additional Info: This trip is a mix of driving and walking

SUN07 Page Springs and P Ranch in the South Refuge – Visiting the Regulars and Welcoming Migrants
Start: 6:30 am in Frenchglen
Trip Leader: Jill Punches and Jenny Jones
Anticipated Birds: Bobolink, Warblers, Flycatchers, Woodpeckers, Virginia Rail, Bald Eagles
Visit Iconic migrant traps like Page Springs, P-Ranch, and Frenchglen. Hike along the Donner and Blitzen River and up into the canyon at Page Springs. Listen for the robotic clinking song of Bobolink at P Ranch and enjoy watching males sing and display in the willows and reeds, both near and far from the road. Finish in the town of Frenchglen, where you can stop at the store. All three hotspots have recorded more than 200 bird species.
Round Trip Distance: 140 miles
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets at various locations on the southern refuge
Additional Info: This trip is a mix of driving and walking

SUN08 Big Sit – Lilly Irons Bench
Start: 7 am – Lilly Irons Bench – Malheur NWR Headquarters
Trip Leader: Dave Irons, Shawneen Finnegan, and Steve Hampton
Anticipated Birds: Big-Sit Record at the Bench is 71 Species
Dave, Shawneen, and our keynote speaker Steve Hampton will be on site at the Lilly Irons Memorial Bench, which is along the stone wall at the bottom of the lawn below the Malheur NWR Headquarters visitor’s center. This is an open house event, much like what we have done for the Boiler Bay seawatches over the past several years. We can only stay through early afternoon, as we will need to get Steve back to Burns to clean up and prepare for his evening keynote. We plan to arrive about 7 am and we will keep a stationary checklist for all birds seen from the vicinity of Lilly’s bench. The official big sit rules call for staying inside a 15-foot circle, but we’ll fudge that a bit. This is a wonderful spot for a Big Sit, with the HQ trees, the display pond, and a massive viewscape out to the north. Since the bench was installed in 2015, Dave and Shawneen have done numerous big sits from the bench. Their current big sit record is 71 species (27 May 2019) and they’ve topped 65 species two other times. With lots of eyes and ears and the fact that we will be in the peak window for spring migration, we fully expect to set a new record. Come whenever you want and stay as long as you can. If there are some hearty souls who want to continue on after we have to leave, we strongly encourage you to do so. Bring snacks, a sack lunch, cookies for the “leaders”, and probably some bug spray and sunscreen. Hopefully there will be a nice breeze to keep the mosquitos at bay.
Walking and Trail: Paved/Gravel Path to the bench – walking is contained (mostly) to a 15-foot circle
Toilets and Water: Flush Toilets
Additional Info: This is an open-house style big sit, come when you feel like and stay however long you would like

Monday

MON01 Forest Foray for Woodpeckers (Half Day)
Start: 7 am at Idlewild SnoPark
Trip Leader: Katie Sorenson and Peter Olsoy
Anticipated Birds: White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, American Goshawk
Enjoy a day of birding around Idlewild Campground in Malheur National Forest! A great spot for high-elevation woodland birds, Idlewild hosts a suite of exciting species and a lower-intensity hike. Look for birds such as White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Green-tailed Towhee, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Pygmy and White-breasted Nuthatches, Canada Jay, Western Tanager, Western Bluebird, and American Goshawk.  Participants will explore the campground and hike ~2 to 3.5 miles on surrounding trails to explore a wider range of habitats.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Paved, low incline around the campground, Devine summit loop is a 2.5-mile dirt trail with various inclines
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in the campground
Additional Info: Devine loop currently has 3-4 trees that need to be climbed over (anticipated that it will be cleared by the meeting)

MON02 The Malheur Classic (Half Day)
Start: 630am at Malheur NWR Headquarters
Trip Leader: Annie Tucker, Diane Cavaness, and Lorin Wilkerson
Anticipated Birds: Warblers, Waterbirds, Burrowing Owl, Sagebrush birds
On the final day of the annual meeting, start at HQ for warblers (including any potentially lingering vagrants), then head to the Narrows nearby to see breeding grebes and ducks up close and personal. (Trip leaders will have scopes available to see more distant birds.) Afterward, we’ll cruise up Harney Rd. where we’ll try for Burrowing Owl, sagebrush birds, and a chance at nesting Golden Eagle.
Walking and Trail: Various walking conditions, mostly flat and maintained walkways
Toilets and Water: Flush toilets at Headquarters
Additional Info: Bug Spray Recommended, Scopes are useful at the Narrows. This trip is a mix of driving and walking.

MON03 Magic in the Marshes (Half Day)
Start: 6:30 am at the Burns Fishing Ponds
Trip Leader: Spencer Parsons and Jill Punches
Anticipated Birds: Burrowing Owls, Wading Birds, Sage Thrasher, Sagebrush Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike
Start at Lawen Marsh to look for wading birds, then head to Ruh-Red Road for burrowing owls, sage thrasher, and sagebrush sparrow. We’ll end the field trip at the Narrows overlook to watch birds feed and move around before making the trek back home (or to explore the refuge more on your own).
Round Trip Distance: 50 miles
Walking and Trail: mostly car-based
Toilets and Water: The closest bathroom is at Malheur NWR Headquarters
Additional Info: this trip is mostly car-based and scoping

MON04 Mirror in the Sand, Stinking Lake
Start: 5 am at the Narrows Cafe, end by 12-2pm
Trip Leaders: Rick Vetter and Joan Suther
Anticipated Birds: Golden Eagle Nestlings
Walk a road along volcanic rimrock formed 1.9 million years ago that now provides habitat for some of the largest rattlesnake dens in the basin with views of some of the largest sand dunes on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge that provide habitat for two species of kangaroo rats and wood rats. A research natural area closed to the public, which was established in 1975 to protect a unique area of flora and fauna and fenced since 1976 to restrict livestock use. Stinking Lake is a large shallow alkali lake and one of the few areas on the refuge with a predictable water flow from a cold water spring that provides habitat for a unique dace and crayfish. We may not see any birds that are not observed elsewhere, but the habitat and scenery are priceless.  Depending on the weather and group interest and pace we may hike a road along Martha and Derrick lakes 3-4 miles roundtrip and possibly to Stinking lake, 8 miles roundtrip on flat ground or take a shorter trip with views of Stinking Lake, and Derrick Lake, 3-4 miles roundtrip.
Just like everywhere else on the refuge, especially this year with abundant water from the last 3 years and unusually warm temperatures through the winter and spring there is also a chance of observing billions of mosquitoes, even though we are in a drought year. Welcome to the desert!
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: 3-4 miles
Toilets and Water: No
Additional Info: Pack a lunch, snacks and water and sunscreen. Lets hope for a cool day and bring a sunhat

Owling Trips

Friday Owling
Start: 8 pm at the Snow-Zone Pullout of Devine Canyon
Trip Leader: Kelli Van Norman, Jack Maynard, and Jenny Jones
Anticipated Birds: Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common Poorwill
Start in the riparian areas of Devine Canyon listening for Western Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls. Work your way up to Idlewild for the opportunity to listen for Flammulated Owls and Common Poorwill calling in the night.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Paved, low incline around the campground,
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in the campground
Additional Info: owls are not guaranteed – playback will not be used, headlamps suggested

Saturday Owling
Start: 8 pm at the Snow-Zone Pullout of Devine Canyon
Trip Leader: Lin Stern
Anticipated Birds: Flammulated Owl, Western Screech-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common Poorwill
Start in the riparian areas of Devine Canyon listening for Western Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls. Work your way up to Idlewild for the opportunity to listen for Flammulated Owls and Common Poorwill calling in the night.
Round Trip Distance: 60 miles
Walking and Trail: Paved, low incline around the campground,
Toilets and Water: Pit toilets in the campground
Additional Info: owls are not guaranteed – playback will not be used, headlamps suggested