Tuesday we left Klamath Falls for our next destination of 'Bend' in Deschutes County, this means that we now begin to head back northwards through the mountains on our return journey to Seattle.
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| Ring-necked Duck - Absent from our first week we've come across more of these around the inland waters |
While on route we stopped off at Wood River Wetlands, around 30 miles north of Klamath Falls. The wetlands have been recently restored, the land once used for cattle grazing for four decades. In 1996 the BLM and partners restored over 3,000 acres of wetland and two miles of Wood River channel. The wetland is located adjacent to Agency Lake on the north-eastern end of Klamath Lake.
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| The aptly named Yellow Warbler were in double figures at Wood River |
We spent a pleasant hour or so walking the woodland path which runs adjacent to the wetland area. As we set off a booming
Bittern could be heard and a flash of yellow that caught the eye turned out to be a
Bullock's Oriole, they nest here one local birder told us. The aptly named
Yellow Warbler were in double figures and at least two
Willow Flycatchers were recorded. A singing
Warbling Vireo,
Orange-crowned Warbler, House Finch, drumming
Downy Woodpecker and a
Golden-crowned Sparrow before we had our first look over the open water. Here
Canvasback and
Ring-necked Duck and within the reedbeds the unmistakable call of
Sora could be heard.
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| Common Garter Snake - Photo by Dee |
Halfway through the walk Dee was in her element when she came across a
Porcupine, this one curled up in a ball and fast asleep, these animals being mostly nocturnal. Further wanderings and more discoveries with
Yellow-bellied Marmot and two
Common Garter Snakes to add to her growing amphibian and mammal listings.
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| Cliff Swallows - Gorgeous looking birds! Although the photo doesn't do them justice! |
We arrived at a bridge at the top end of the walk that crosses the Wood River and here it opens out to produce good views of the open water, reedbeds and surrounding mountains. A large colony of
Cliff Swallows were nesting under the rafters, an
American Bittern flew over the reedbeds, two
Ospreys,
Northern Harrier and
Raven over, plus as we were heading off back to the car a party of four
Black Terns flew through.
Tuesday we left Klamath Falls for our next destination of 'Bend' in Deschutes County, this means that we now begin to head back northwards through the mountains on our return journey to Seattle.
