Birding Day: Catherine Creek and Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak

Name: Birding Day: Catherine Creek and Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak
Start: 2024-03-30T08:00:00-07:00
End: 2024-03-30T17:00:00-07:00

This is a self-driving day trip. We will meet at 8 a.m. at Catherine Creek trailhead (45.7105, -121.3621), which is approximately a one-hour and twenty-minute drive from Portland. Bring lunch and dress for the weather.

The wildflowers of Catherine Creek are magnificent at this time of year! We’ll be looking for Yellow Fritillary, Oneflower Broomrape, Nuttall’s Larkspur, Pacific Hound’s Tongue, Checker and Glacier Lily, Poet’s Shooting Star, and a variety of saxifrages and lomatiums. Although this is not primarily a birding trip, we may find Western Bluebird, Lewis’s, and Acorn Woodpecker, among others.

After Catherine Creek, we will drive an hour (a little more if the Dalles Bridge is closed) to the Deschutes River downstream from Sherar’s Bridge and check the wildflowers there. This early date is also great for the small Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak, which should be out in full force, weather permitting.

Glacier Lily, photo by Troy Smith

Sheridan's Green Hairstreak, photo by Frank D. Lospalluto

Columbia Desert Parsley, photo by Tara Lemezis

Nuttall's Larkspur, photo by Peter Stevens

Acorn Woodpecker, photo by Tara Lemezis

Lewis's Woodpecker, photo by Tara Lemezis

Rest stops: We will have rest stops between walks – our second area will be about 1:20 hr by car from the first
Sun exposure: Mostly full
Amenities (bathrooms and parking): Portapotties will be available at the first stop, gas stations will be available along the drive
Public transit: None

Accessibility

Distance: At least two walks of up to two miles each, up to four miles total
Elevation changes: There is considerable elevation change on both hikes, but we will be slow
Trail: Somewhat rocky trails
Pacing: Slow

Join Stefan for an exhilarating day of wildflowers and birds at Catherine Creek and Deschutes River Canyon!

Trip Details

Leader: Stefan Schlick
Date and time: March 30, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Fee: $95 members / $125 non-members
Limited to 10 participants

Trip Leader

Stefan Schlick

Stefan is a birding expert, and has birded in Europe and North America extensively. After living in Wisconsin, Florida, California, and Washington, Stefan has settled in Oregon where he was a member of the Oregon Bird Records Committee. Stefan is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and love of birds with the folks on his trips.

Contact Stefan

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