BIRDS ACROSS OREGON

Malheur Basin / Steens Mountain

June 2 - 8, 2008
May 31 - June 7, 2009

(This tour can be organized for private parties also, in spring or fall.)

The scenic beauty of Oregon is well known, yet the image of towering coniferous forests, rocky coastline and placid mountain lakes provides an incomplete picture of the state's diversity. Less than half of the state is forested. Most of the eastern part is covered by sagebrush, grasslands and scattered junipers. This birdwatching trip bisects Oregon from west to east and explores coast, mountains and desert.

On the Oregon coast, extensive estuaries provide habitat for tens of thousands of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl each spring and fall. We should see some late-migrating shorebirds, and from rocky headlands colonies of murres, guillemots, cormorants, marbled murrelet, rhinoceros auklet, and possibly tufted puffin. Crossing the Coast Range and Cascade Mountains, we stop in coniferous forests at various altitudes to search for western warblers, flycatchers, vireos and woodpeckers.

Next we visit the Great Basin, a vast desert covering much of the West's interior and extending well into southeastern Oregon. Within the Great Basin are many small mountain ranges with associated shallow lakes. The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, encompassing marshy Malheur Lake, is one of the finest waterbird refuges in the United States. Many western birds reach the northwest limit of their range at Malheur. Our field trip spends three days at the refuge and around the neighboring Steens Mountain, a majestic tilted fault block.

Approximately 200 bird species may be seen in a wide variety of habitats. See the accompanying bird list for possibilities. Avian behavior and natural history will be discussed as well as identification by sight and songs. In addition to ornithology, Mark Smith is knowledgeable about the regional botany, wildlife and geology. Join us for exciting western birdwatching and an excellent introduction to Oregon.

June 2 - 8, 2008

COST: $1585
LEADER: Mark Smith  
LIMIT: 9