Hello Everyone,
From May 24-27, 2016 I made a whirlwind trip to Eastern Oregon to complete my goal of finding 100 species in each of Oregon’s 36 counties. I am happy to report it was a successful trip in that I was able to find the needed species. There were three counties where I needed to go: Gilliam, Baker and Malhuer, the latter two were in far eastern Oregon, while the first was north-central. I had been brainstorming this trip for about a year, knowing I’d need to get over there soon after migrants arrived.
On Tuesday, May 24, I was planning to leave from work at 6 p.m., but there was a new RN who was willing to come in at 3 p.m. and relieve me, so that was a plus to get to my first stop while it was still light. I headed north into the Portland rush hour traffic, but as least it was progress. I planned to camp at the Deschutes State Park, where the Deschutes River reaches the Columbia, and got there about 8:00 or so, giving me time to walk the trail up river from the park. In the park itself were more Bullock’s Orioles than I have ever seen in one area, and a few Western Kingbirds as well. But the farther up river I walked, the less birdy it got, but I was able at least to add a Chat to my Sherman County list.
The park looks to be ideal for a Great-horned Owl, and in this county (Sherman) I had no owls, so had my hopes up that sometime during the night I’d hear one. But after what follows I did not give a hoot if I heard one or not. It was almost dark when I got back to my campsite. After climbing in the back of my pick up, I soon realized this idea was a BIG mistake. Across the Deschutes River a train engine fired up his motor, let it idle for about a half hour, then took off. It seemed like not too much longer afterward that I could hear another one, and then another one, and in between them the vehicles on I-84 were loud enough to keep me awake also. I could tell it was going to be a long night! I had set the alarm for 4 A.M. so I could be where I needed to by 5:00, but I was awake before then, and I am not sure just how much I slept. I suppose ear plugs might have helped, but I did not have any.
When I got out of my truck, it was quieter now with less traffic and no trains, so I thought that maybe now a Great-horned Owl would vocalize and make it all seem worth it. But the only bird I heard was a “mockingchat,” making fun of my complaining. Get me out of here!
I was soon on the interstate and headed east. In the dim light I could see the wind turbines going around - not a good sign. If it was windy now, it was not going to let up anytime soon. It was dawn when I exited where I needed to in order to reach the Willow Creek Wildlife Management Area. One needs to go beyond the eastern Gilliam County line into Morrow County, then turn right at the first road heading back west to reach it. I have heard there are Long-billed Curlews in the fields along the way, and I looked both coming and going but was not successful.
Willow Creek WMA is the only major wetland in Gilliam, and so county listers must go there to find species associated with water. This was my second trip there, the first a few months ago. My Gilliam list was at 91, so I figured it should not be too difficult to reach the 100 barrier now that spring migration was in full swing. The first bird I heard upon getting out of my truck was a Warbling Vireo (92) soon followed by a Bullock’s Oriole (93). I walked over to the pumping station and quickly added House Wren (94), Black-headed Grosbeak (95) and Wilson’s Warbler (96). It seemed to me that I should be finding more new species since there were plenty of other common ones present, but after a few minutes, walked south on the road that parallels the marsh and creek. I soon picked up Marsh Wren (97), Chat (98) and Northern Rough-winged Swallow (99). There were a pair of Red-tailed Hawks flying over and calling loudly, and in time I saw their nest, which was what all the fuss was about.
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| Young Red-tailed Hawks on next. Willow Creek WMA |
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| Western Kingbird - Willow Creek WMA |
Once back at the pump station area I added Tree Swallow (100) and Downy Woodpecker (101), so now I had reached the mark, finally. I figured I had better pad the list by finding a few more, especially since my math skills are occasionally lacking. I got out the scope and could see a few American Avocets (102) part way down the slough on the west shore. There is a shallow area on the west side, partially hidden, and cannot be seen unless one walks far enough past it on the east side, so I headed out on the “trail” with hopes of adding a few more. A few hundred feet along and a Macgillivray’s Warbler (103) piped up and soon I spied a Cinnamon Teal (104). I finally reached a clearing where I could look over the rest of the slough, but alas, no new birds. This was indeed a let down.
I had traipsed through sage brush, dew laden tall weeds, and spider webs. By the time I got back to the truck my jeans could now be called “green jeans!” Oh yes, did I mention mosquitos? They were out in force the whole time I was there. Plus, when I got back to the truck, I realized my lense cap was missing, and the lense was scuffed up. Luckily it was nothing the lense cloth could not take care of. Being deprived of sleep, mosquito bitten, and just plain let down, I was ready to move on to Baker County. It just seemed there must have been other easy birds to get there like Sora, Virginia Rail, Common Yellowthroat, etc. I guess I should stop complaining or Darrell Faxon might have to get after me again.
Well, the sun was up, and at least I reached the 100 barrier, so all was not so bad. I believed the birding pendulum would swing the other way as the day went on. It could not be like this the whole trip. Once back near the Hwy exit, I drove south a short way to check out the wetland, which is in Morrow County and was able to add Yellow-headed Blackbird, Virginia Rail and Pied-billed Grebe there, bringing Morrow up to 109.
Now I was back on the interstate speeding east to Baker County. It seemed like a bit of a waste to be driving during the best time of the day for birding, but there was no other way. It was around 200 miles to where I needed to be. I don’t remember what time I started, but I got there about 11:30. I exited onto Rt 30 heading toward Haines. When I was certain I was in Baker County, I started birding in earnest. My Baker list was at 62 and there were plenty of easier holes to fill. Cliff Swallows (63) were common. In a wet field on the south side of the Hwy were a flock of 12 Long-billed Curlews (64). Western Kingbird (65) was next. A small pond on the left side of the road yielded Tree Swallow (66), Yellow Warbler (67) Wilson’s Warbler (68) and Osprey (69). In Haines I headed north to Coffey Road to the sewage lagoons. Along the way were some Bank Swallows (70) and a Great-blue Heron (71) at a small river. The sewage lagoons held a pair of Wilson’s Phalaropes (72). In order to see some parts of these lagoon it helps if you stand on your roof, something I have done a number of times. So I got on top of my cab in order to see better. I found out later on, when washing my windshield, that my weight must have started a small crack in it! Oh well, one reason why I take the old beater to such far out places is because I don’t have to worry about more dents or how it looks. It runs great, and that is all that matter anymore. Maybe I should go on a diet? I actually bought it new in ’96 so at one time it did look quite so....used.
While at the lagoons I saw 3 raptors: Turkey Vulture (73) Golden Eagle and Northern Harrier. My next stop was to be the gravel pits in Baker City, on the north side of the freeway. Birds I added here were Clark’s Grebe (74), Ruddy Duck (75), Yellow-headed Blackbird (76), Northern Rough-winged Swallow (77), and Spotted Sandpiper (78).
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| Yellow-headed Blackbird - Gravel Pits in Baker City, Oregon |
Paul Sullivan had given me directions to where a Burrowing Owl was along Ruckles Creek Road, just a few miles to the north. Along the way I added Say’s Phoebe (79), Sage Thrasher (80), Brewer’s Sparrow (81), Horned Lark (82) and Prairie Falcon (83). I looked hard for the owl but came up empty. Somehow I did not realize I needed Brown-headed Cowbird (84) until I now looked over my list again, and they were easy to find.
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| Sage Thrasher - Ruckles Creek Road, Baker County, Oregon |
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| Columbia Plateau Ground-Squirrel??? |
I headed back to Baker City, got gas, and found a hummingbird feeder to park near while I ate lunch. No hummers showed up, so after eating headed south of town on Rt 7. There were some wet fields along the way where I picked up Pheasant (85) and saw a Wilson’s Snipe. At this time of year the snipe are “winnowing,” doing their display flight which can be heard a ways off, and I heard many during the trip. The next addition was a Savannah Sparrow (86) sitting on a tractor. A little farther along Rt 7 is a narrow canyon Paul had mentioned, and here I was able to add: Chat (87), Bullock’s Oriole (88), Violet-green Swallow (89) and Orange-crowned Warbler (90).
I was headed to Phillips Reservoir, and along the Powder River found a Vaux Swift (91). At a campground entrance I found House Wren (92), Yellow-rumped Warbler (93) and Western Wood Pewee (94). My plan was to circle around the west end of the lake, and along the way found a Sandhill Crane (95). On Hudspeth Loop Road I played both Sora (96) and Virginia Rail (97) songs, and both responded immediately. Right after that I pulled into the southern campground for the reservoir where I could scope the west end of it. Here I added: California Gull (98), Chipping Sparrow (99), Ring-billed Gull (100), Common Loon (101), Western Grebe (102), Dusky Flycatcher (103) and Western Tanager (104).
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| Sandhill Crane near Phillips Reservoir. |
On the map, to the west of where I was, it shows the "town" of Whitney, and there is a road from there which cuts south, which I wanted to take, as it is said to be good birding along the way to the town of Unity. I had also printed out some material from the East Cascades Audubon Society (hereafter ECAS) with specifics about this road, which was the incentive to travel on it. Some “miles” after I had gone by, I reread where it was called a “ghost town.” It must have lived up to that name because, it was invisible when I was drove by it. By this time of day, being a little sleep deprived (maybe I should have been seeing ghosts?), one does not make the best decisions sometimes, and I suppose I should have been more in tune with my plans, but coffee can only do so much.
I decided to go over the pass and into Grant County to Austin Junction, then head back west on Hwy 26 toward Unity. Once back into Baker County, I stopped at a campground which gave me: Cassin’s Finch (105), Hermit Thrush (106), Hairy Woodpecker (107) and Ruby-crowned Kinglet (108). I opted to take Rouse Road, which, on the map looked like it would allow a closer view of the south end of Unity Reservoir. When I got to where it was in view, it was far away enough to require a scope. Here I aded Double-crested Cormorant (109) and Wood Duck (110). I next drove over to the state park and checked out the wetland on the east side of the road where I saw 4 Red-necked Phalaropes (111). I then went into the park where I could view the water, but the wind was so strong and cold it made my eyes water, so did not stay there long.
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| Belding's Ground-Squirrel |
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| Brewer's Sparrow - Unity, Oregon |
It was getting late, and I planned to head to a place called “Long Creek Campground,” and was following the directions from the ECSA website, so headed SE of Unity. At the beginning of the road the sign said Long Creek Reservoir 10 miles, and nothing about a campground. Well, the campground was supposed to be about 7 miles somewhere down this road (s?) and I never ended up there, but went all the way to the reservoir where there was a very primitive campsite. The road started out in the sage brush and junipers and ended up in the pine forest. The lake was small, about 2 acres or so.
After I got out of my truck I heard a clucking-like sound, similar to what some local Wild Turkeys make back home, so figured this may be a good find. Later on I figured out that it was a Coot making the noise, so, we know who the turkey was. I had been tired, and dragging along most of the afternoon, so figured I should reward myself and have some lasagna, so boiled water, poured it into the foil bag, stirred it up, zipped it closed, and walked down to the water while it “cooked.” There was a pair of Coots, Mallards and one Spotted Sandpiper there. When I got back to the campsite, I got out my folding chair, pulled up a piece of firewood to put my feet on, got my I-phone and spoon, and sat down to eat. After a few bites, I played the Northern Pygmy Owl (112) song, and immediately got a response. Ah, a nice way to end the day I thought.
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| Long Creek Reservoir |
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| Spotted Sandpiper - Long Creek Reservoir |
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| Red-tailed Hawk near Long Creek Reservoir |
When I was down to my last bite, I found the packet of desiccant that is supposed to keep the contents fresh, absorbing any excess moisture or aromas. I eat such food so rarely that I don’t remember these packets are in there. I suppose if I ate it, it might keep me from farting for a year or so………
I usually don’t sleep well outside of my own bed, but since I was already lacking in that department, I slept better than the previous night, but not really enough to feel “normal.” Out there it was totally silent. No trains or semi trucks to disturb me.
At dawn a Western Screech Owl (113) began his trills. How nice, one owl serenades me to sleep, and another wakes me up. In the vicinity of the site I added Hammond’s Flycatcher (114) and Stellar’s Jay (115).
It was now quite light, and I figured I could stop often on the way out. My list was at 115, so I knew I had a shot at reaching the 125 mark, so had to plan some strategy as to how much time I should bird in Baker County before heading east just a few miles to Malhuer County. I reasoned that the amount of sunlight meant a long day, and I had about half of the next day to finish there if I needed it. On the way out I saw Green-tailed Towhee (116), Gray Flycatcher (117) and Vesper Sparrow (118). I stopped at a creek and walked along the road which paralleled it. It may be that a campground is down that road but there was no sign to indicate such. A hundred yards down the road I spied a Lewis Woodpecker (119) up on the adjacent hillside. When I was back near the truck I heard a Warbling Vireo (120). As I side stepped a little to get a better view of it, my foot stepped on something quite soft and mooshy. I looked down to see a huge cow pie. I guess I was in for some aroma therapy. This is one time I wish I had flat soles, but mine were the type with deep groves, and, well, I spent the next few minutes messaging the gravel road with my left foot. In looking back, I maybe should have taken a pic of my footprint, but was in no mood for joking around.
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| Cow pie creator of the open range |
On the way out to the Hwy I saw what I assumed was a kestrel sitting on top of a juniper tree and just kept driving. However, the bird took off and I could then see it was an immature Sharp-shinned Hawk (121). Being still not far from Unity Lake, I decided to return there with hopes that the wind had died down so I could more adequately look over the water. I spent about 45 minutes driving there and scoping the water as well as the wetlands, all to no avail - no new birds. So I returned to Unity, found a hummingbird feeder along main street, parked where I would not look too conspicuous, and ate breakfast while watching it. Once again, no hummers showed up, but alongside the house a Lesser Goldfinch (122) did.
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| Phone Booth in Unity. No cell phone service? |
Next, it was on to Malhuer County. Not long before Baker County ends, the highway goes through a canyon, and I needed both Rock and Canyon Wrens, so stopped at a likely place. Just before I was to play a Rock Wren song, a Bewick’s Wren (123) piped up from the willow thicket lining the stream on the other side of the road. This seemed out of place, but he sang long and loud. A Rock Wren (124) responded to play back, but a Canyon Wren did not.
Not long after that I took a right turn on Camp Creek Road with plans to access the west side of Ironside Mountain - Malhuer County. The reader should understand that Ironside Mountain is in the NW corner of the county, and is the only such wooded area in it, so if you need those types of forest species for the county, you need to make the trek here. I found it to be a beautiful and scenic place, but also needing a high clearance vehicle the higher up you got.
I would be driving some 7 miles before I changed counties, and the literature from the ECAS website talked about this “increasingly rough road.” I was relieved that the bad part was after the 7 miles. I had printed off a map
that Dean Molen had provided for them, and it was very detailed, showing just where the county lines are. When I figured I must be getting pretty close, a Goshawk flushed from the right side of the road, crossed in front of me, and headed south along the hillside, apparently disappearing in some trees. I dug out the map quickly to figure out if we were yet in Malhuer County, but we were short of it. A nice bird to grace the list for the day though. However, as I continued south a bit further, the goshawk was seen again off on the same hillside, heading south again, and he kept going until I saw him circle high over where the road went east, up a hillside, which I knew to be in Malhuer County. Ka-ching! This was a nice way to start adding species to that county list, which now stood at 70. This was one bird which, according to the ECAS list, was considered rare for the county, so was the best bird of the whole trip.
When I got up to the top of that road, up the hillside, I stopped, got out to have a look around. Shortly a White-breasted Nuthatch (71) flew my direction and landed not far away. Next additions were Chipping Sparrow (72), House Wren (73) and Mountain Bluebird (74). I stopped seemingly every few hundred yards to check for birds, and also because the scenery was worth it. In making this blog it was difficult to know which of the many pictures to include. I followed the directions leading up the mountain, and, true to format, the road deteriorated, but not so bad as to make this adventurous county lister turn around. I eventually came to a fork where a log was across one road, indicating I could not go that way, and there were “No Trespassing” signs the other direction. I reasoned that no one was going to be out here patrolling this area, so I headed up that way. I did not get very far because it just got too steep and my wheels began spinning out, so had no choice but to turn around. But that was OK. I had seen plenty of great landscapes as well as birds.
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| Ironside Mountain |
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| Typical Scenery along the way up Ironside Mountain |
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| More Typical Scenery along the way up Ironside Mountain |
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| Female Cassin's Finch - Ironside Mountain |
Here is a list of new birds added to Malhuer County: Dusky Flycatcher (75), Clark’s Nutcracker (76), Cassin’s Finch (77), Western Wood Pewee (78), Green-tailed Towhee (79), Western Tanager (80), Warbling Vireo (81), Pileated Woodpecker (a pair-82), Golden-crowned Kinglet (83), Hammond’s Flycatcher (84), Orange-crowned Warbler (85), Yellow-rumped Warbler (86), Yellow Warbler (87), Hermit Thrush (88). I also heard what may have been a White-headed Woodpecker, but as I am not familiar enough with their rattle call, I opted to leave it off the list. Going to this area was a high-light of the trip, and the sleepless night of Tuesday was forgotten, for the time being. I have some concrete hopes of returning some day, maybe even convincing my wife to come along.
I needed to retrace my route back down the mountain and out again to the highway. When I got to the approximate area where I flushed the Goshawk, I spied another accipiter on a snag on the wooded hillside. Through my binoculars I could not tell if it was a Cooper’s Hawk or a Sharp-shinned Hawk. And just as I was looking down to reach for my scope, he must have taken off, as when my eyes returned to the hillside, the snag was birdless. So I drove on, and in a few feet the hawk flew out across the road after some small bird, and then I could tell it was a Cooper’s Hawk. I was now back in Baker County, so this was my final bird there (125), and seeing the third accipiter in one county in one morning was just fine with me, but even better was reaching the 125 mark.
Once back on the highway, it was not far to the county line, and I started adding more birds here and there. A Barn Swallow (89) was first. At a wet field I heard, then saw Wilson’s Snipe (90) and Sora (91). It was some 50 miles to the town of Vale where I was headed, and new birds along the way were: Brown-headed Cowbird (92), Bullock’s Oriole (93), Cliff Swallow (94), Sage Thrasher (95), Brewer’s Sparrow (96), Western Kingbird (97) and Northern Rough-winged Swallow (98).
After getting gas in Vale, I headed to where I could look at the Vale Sewage Lagoons. To do this you have to park on the side of the road, hike up a steep hillside so as to look over the berm beyond which they are hidden by. As soon as I parked my car, I could hear Yellow-headed Blackbirds (99), which made my within one of my grand goal. What would be the next bird? I needed four species of ducks, and two were here - Cinnamon Teal (100) would be the memorable bird of the day/year, followed by Wood Duck (101). I next went over to Bully Creek Reservoir where I was able to add: Western (102) an Clark’s (103) Grebes, Chat (104), Osprey (105) Eared Grebe (106), Blue-winged Teal (107) and Redhead (108). I had been here with my wife back in February working on winter birds, but this time I drove to the end to check out the large riparian area, which was mostly large cottonwood trees.
I tried to walk into the grove where a side road led, but found it too wet. There were orioles aplenty here though. At the very end, where the small creek leads into the cottonwood grove was a pull-out where there was another chat and a few yellow warblers. While I was parked there a rancher pulled up, asking me what I was doing, to which I said “Birding.” He asked me if I had seen the Bald Eagle, which I had. He said they had a nest somewhere in the cottonwoods. I relayed I was from the Willamette Valley where they had become common, but that I really enjoyed seeing the Golden Eagles when I came over to the east side of the Cascades. He appeared to be about the same age as me, and he said when he was young, the Golden Eagles were as thick as the vultures, but they had died back. He thought they were now increasing. He said he owned a lot of land upstream from the reservoir and he was happy to let people come on his property, but his dad was not so like-minded. So he went his way, and I went mine.
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| Sushi anyone? Osprey at Bully Creek Reservoir. |
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| Bully Creek Reservoir |
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| Bullock' Oriole - Bully Creek Reservoir |
I was planning on going next to Beulah Reservoir, some 50 miles to the west. By now it was hot and windy, and I ended up turning the AC on for a little comfort. When I reached the town of Ventura I added Bank Swallow (109) and Forster’s Tern (110). I had heard there were both Bobolinks and Curlews in the wet fields in the area, and spent about 30 minutes looking, but came up empty. Maybe I need more specifics?
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| Lazuli Bunting - Juntura, Oregon |
I next headed north to the reservoir. Other birders have told me that the road to the lake as well as the lake are quite birdy, so my hopes were up. Not far out of town I added Lazuli Bunting (111) and Eastern Kingbird (112). About 6 miles along is the “Chukar Park” campground. Any birder should suspect why the place is so named, and to my surprise, a Chukar (113) was just past the entrance! I almost got his pic to prove it, but you will just have to take my word for it. Shortly after that I saw a small flock of Cedar Waxwings (114). The road went through a beautiful valley to a beautiful lake. I started wracking my brain as to the meaning of the word Beulah, so when back home looked it up. Here is Webster’s definition: “an idyllic land near the end of life’s journey in Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.” This seemed fitting since I was near the end of my birding jaunt.
There is a boat lunching area just beyond the dam where I found a Spotted Sandpiper (115). The water looked quite duckless so I kept driving, hoping that where the river entered the lake would be different. Along the way I added Lark Sparrow (116) and Caspian Tern (117). Eventually I rounded a corner and was at the end of the lake, and was rewarded with somewhat of a finale of birds to end the day: American Avocet (118), Wilson’s Phalarope (119), Red-necked Phalarope (120), Virginia Rail (121) Common Yellowthroat (122), and Marsh Wren (123). There were really a good variety and many birds there. On the way back to Chukar Park Campground I added Loggerhead Shrike (124) and Lesser Goldfinch (125).
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| Preening time for Pelicans at Beulah Reservoir |
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| American Avocet at Beulah Reservoir |
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| Lark Sparrow - Beulah Reservoir |
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| Beulah Reservoir - North End |
Here is a list of the rest of the birds here: Canada Goose, Wood Duck, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard, Blue-winged, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, California Quail, Pheasant, Pied-billed, Western and Clark’s Grebes, Cormorant, White Pelican, Great-blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel Sora, Coot, Crane, Killdeer, Snipe, Forester’s Tern, N. Rough-winged, Tree, Violet-green, Barn and Cliff Swallows, House Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Robin, Starling, Yellow Warbler, Chipping Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Red-winged, Brewer’s, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Meadowlark, Cowbird, Bullock’s Oriole, American Goldfinch and House Sparrow.
It was dusk by the time I reached the campground, so ate a wee bit, jumped in the back of my pick up, and slept pretty good, probably out of exhaustion. Nature was calling at 2:43 A.M. I did not think I would have much more appreciable sleep, felt rejuvenated enough, so headed west. I also felt good about the total of the bird lists, mainly reaching 125 in both Baker and Malhuer Counties. I drove on in the dark night, figuring I’d be missing lots of great scenery, and of the 10 vehicles that passed me going east on the way to Burns, 9 were semi trucks. I got gas in Burns, and the sun came up mid way to Bend. Somewhere around Chickahominy Reservoir was a dead Sage Grouse in the road. This was indeed unfortunate to see a rare species that had met his doom. A little further a dead badger did not evoke the same sentiments though.
On the power poles along the way I saw many Red-tailed Hawks, 2 Golden Eagles and 2 Ferruginous Hawks. There were Ravens aplenty too. I stopped at the Badlands, about 30 miles before Bend, to eat breakfast, and saw Loggerhead Shrike (205) and Brewer’s Sparrow (206), both additions to my Deschutes County list.
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| Sub adult Golden Eagle near Brothers, Oregon |
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| Ferruginous Hawk near Brothers, Oregon |
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| Loggerhead Shrike at the Badlands |
Otherwise, the rest of the drive was uneventful. I got a little drowsy west of the pass and pulled over to rest my eyes for 10 minutes, in which time I dozed and was refreshed. I stopped at Detroit Flats just in time to see a rainstorm come in, so turned around and made for home. It is now obvious that the lack of sleep on the trip was a let down to my immune system such that I succumbed to whatever bug I was last exposed to.
It is great to accomplish the 100/county mark. I’d like to thank a few people who shared their birding knowledge: Paul Sullivan, Jeff Harding, Chuck Gates, Russ Nimitz, Jimmy Billistine, Judy Meredith, Dan Heyerly, Diane Pettey, Tyler Hallman, Roy Gerig. The Oregon birding community is composed of many great people, willing to share birding info.
I am undecided about how to proceed next. I like the incremental idea of shooting for 125, 150, 175, 200 in each county. This obviously would be easier if one has the time, something I hope to have more of in a few years after retirement. In the meantime I may try to fill in missing species in various counties nearby.
It is not really that hard to find 100 species in each county. You mainly need to make the time and put forth the effort because the birds are gettable. You could probably do 36 big days and accomplish the feat in May-June (except for Gilliam County!). The second hundred, is another story, and is best explained by the title of the song by Ringo Star - “It don’t come easy.”
