Lost Lake is located in closed-basin on the western slope of the Cascade mountain range at an elevation of 3,983 feet.  The closed-basin is approximately 100 acres in size, the lake itself occupies about half of that area during peak seasonal water levels.  The lake empties in the summer when stream inflows slow and no longer keep up with or ahead of the volume of water flowing out through one of the many lava tubes in the basin. A 2003 research project concluded the water likely drains 6 miles to the southwest into Clear Lake, the head of the McKenzie River.

My bird survey tracks show the areas in which I focused my search for nesting LINCOLN SPARROW.  While the habit looks similarly good in each of the three areas, I was only able to locate one nesting pair.  The most abundant species was SPOTTED-SANDPIPER, all scurrying about feverishly herding their fledglings into deeper grass on my approach. 

LINCOLN SPARROW - I believe there were at least two, and possibly three fledglings that were being fed constantly by both parents in a small area of tall grass around the nest. 

One of three lava tubes that I am now aware of in the basin.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER seemed to be everywhere.

HOUSE WREN were abundant in the area infrequently visited on the south side of the lake. 

It was here that I flushed two WILSON'S SNIPE - I believed they picked the best spot in the area to privately raise a brood.

eBird Checklist of all birds observed here