Try as I might, I can't find a place I would rather bird in July, in central Oregon, than Whiskey Springs. This low-flow natural spring, located at an elevation of 4,100 ft. approximately 11 miles n.e. of Black Butte, is a place where the spectacle of birds refreshing themselves is best observed from a lawn chair. Stunning views of secretive species always seem just seconds away, and after two hours, you walk out asking yourself why you're leaving.

The aerial view below shows a sea of sameness around the springs, unlike the well studied migrant traps in s.e. Oregon

The ground view, while not immediately impressive, gets more so with every passing minute if you sit still.

The Swainson's Thrush is first since they successfully eluded me last month :-)  This one belongs to the olive-backed group: I was wrong - it is a Hermit Thrush - which was very unsettling for me to learn. I was sure that I was starting off with a winner. The distinctive tail, facial pattern, and bold breast spots all point strongly to a bird that I am actually familiar with. Wow! Big lesson - my first look told me Swainson's and after that I never questioned my first impression even while sorting though what seemed like a boat load of pictures.  

juvenile taking a bath

The next day, the adult was back, acting more boldly than the previous day:

The flycatcher:

I believe this bird is a Pacific-slope Flycatcher. My reasons are (a) it spent all of its time foraging in low shady undergrowth near water in a moist mixed forest area, (b) oval eye-ring which looks like it might extent to a point at the rear, and (c) its yellow-olive colored underparts.  But I am sure someone out there will correct me. Wrong again - most are sure its not a Pacific-slope Flycatcher - and the opinions seem split between Gray and Dusky.

Orange-crowned Warble:

Correct!  Although, one good natured birder suggested it was an oriole!  I think he was feeling sorry for me.

Cassin's Vireo: Correct!

Warbling Vireo:  Correct!

Nashville Warbler:  Correct!

MacGillivray's Warbler: Correct!

Hermit Warbler: Correct!

Western Tanager:  Correct!

Black-headed Grosbeak:  Correct!

Williamson's Sapsucker (female): Correct!

The next few images are of Finch. Given the Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America lists only three species of finch you would think it would be relatively simple to master the differences - at least that's what I keep telling myself.  I do not believe the House Finch, a common inhabitant of our backyard feeders in West Linn, is pictured below. So that leaves Purple and Cassin's for me to chose from.  

I believe the finch pictured below is a female Purple Finch because of its weakly contrasting wing-bars, whitish eyebrow, dark lateral throat stripe, and the short dark streaks on whitish underparts. The bill, however, looks too long.  So again - I won't know for sure until an expert weighs-in. 

I will not be surprised if both my Id's are wrong, backwards, or some combination both if that is possible :-) 

Unanimous opinion of the ID of the bird below - female Cassin's Finch.  Strike one (well three but who's counting)

I believe the bird below is most probably a Cassin's Finch. It is an expected species in this area, and I am also relying (a lot) on the bright red crown contrasting with the rest of the male's head.  Correct!

I am tossed-up about the next two pictures - my vote is for Cassin's but I won't be surprised if no one agrees with me: The most disagreement was about the bird in the forefront.  Some say Cassin's others say Purple.  Thank goodness :-) 

Black-throated Gray Warbler (on more than one occasion they out numbered every other species): Correct!

Okay - I hope the next series will be my last Id-challenged set of this post.  To be clear, I had other Id challenges at this location. I just think that you can only ask so much of people :-)

With this bird, I can only hazard a guess. I believe its a juvenile Chipping Sparrow:  Correct!

juvenile female Rufous Hummingbird (my first time seeing one bathe): Incorrect - its a juvenile, female, Calliope Hummingbird

THE END - we have more pictures, but as we said you can only ask so much of people.

WE HOPE YOU SEND YOUR THOUGHTS - THEY ADVANCE OUR, HARD-EARNED, KNOWLEDGE.

The East Cascades Audubon Society directions to Whiskey Springs