An 2020 Publication 5/15/2017

WASCO COUNTY SPOTLIGHT

What is a Blitz? Birders from around the state gather in a single

Weds., May 24 to county to survey as many birds in as many places as possible in just Friday, May 26 in one weekend. Multiple stationary counts within Oregon2020 Hotspot

Blitz Squares are encouraged (click here for our protocol). Participation in Dates Tygh Valley, OR Blitzes is free! To register, visit: http://oregon2020.com/wasco/

Overview of Wasco County Located in the north-central part of Oregon, Wasco county is bordered by the slopes of Mt. Hood, the great , the scenic , and the mighty high

desert. Its largest city is The Dalles, which

sits at the gateway of the Columbia Gorge. Fast Facts The city was considered the end of the

• All-Time Bird Species for many pioneers. The county Total: 258 offers many recreational activities such as • Breeding Season Bird rafting, boating, fishing, rock climbing, or Above: Wasco County is east of Portland Species Total: 227 visiting the local historical ghost towns and • Total number of eBird and Mt. Hood, along Hwy 97. Its largest city is The Dalles. Native American petroglyphs. checklists: 4,414

Warbling Vireo: A Memorable Songster These small, olive-grey birds can be found nesting in urban parks and

neighborhoods throughout most of the U.S. Warbling Vireos are best

known for their persistent singing of their complex song, which early

twentieth century ornithologist William Dawson described as “fresh as apples and as sweet as apple Photo: Frode Jacobson blossoms.” The mnemonic for their song, “If I sees you, I will Wasco County Species squeeze you, and I’ll squeeze Highlights: you ‘till you squirt,” is certainly • Hermit Warbler memorable. Because • Warbling Vireo characteristics vary greatly

• Cassin’s Vireo across their wide range, there • Mountain Chickadee are currently six subspecies of • Northern Goshawk Warbling Vireo, although

ornithologists once believed Top Birding Locations in them to be two separate Wasco County: species. Gardali, T. and Ballard, G. 2000. • The Dalles Riverfront Park Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus), The Birds of • Dschutes River Landing North America Online (P.G. Rodewald, Ed.). Photo: Amado Demesa Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. • Mayer State Park Listen for Warbling Vireos singing from the trees during our Wasco County Blitz.

Written by Noelle Moen, Marie Rouyer, and Andrew Stokes for Oregon2020 - Jenna Curtis and Tyler Hallman, Editors.

All content © Oregon2020 unless otherwise noted.

THE HISTORY OF WASCO LODGING FOR THE WASCO

COUNTY COUNTY BIRDING BLITZ tribes, including the

Wasco, Paiute, and Warm Our headquarters and

Springs. The Dalles also daily meeting location

served as a way station for the Wasco County

on the emigrant road to Blitz will be in Tygh

the Willamette Valley. Valley, Oregon. Wasco County quickly

became a major Despite its small size, Tygh Scott Ripley Photo: Cacophony transportation hub for Valley offers an assortment

Wasco County, formed in both river traffic and of lodging options, from . Tygh Valley

1854, is named for the inland traffic. The Dalles budget motels, to the River is just north of Maupin,

Wasco (or Wascopam) is designated the county Run Lodge and Pine Hollow where additional lodging tribe of Indians that lived seat. It has been home to Resort. Local campgrounds can be found. Participants south of the Columbia three county like Hunt Park, Bonney may also consider staying

River. Falls on the courthouses, all of which Crossing, and White River in The Dalles. For more,

Columbia River near The are still standing today. Falls offer scenic views of visit:

Dalles served as a major the valley, waterfalls, and http://www.thedallescha trading center for many mber.com/attractions/

Birding Hotspot: White River Falls State Park

One of Oregon’s best-kept secrets, White River Fall State Park includes a waterfall that drops 90 degrees over a basalt shelf. Visitors to the Deschutes River corridor often use the park for its excellent picnicking spots, as well as for a hiking and fishing retreat. Hikers can trek the rugged quarter-mile trail deep into the canyon to observe a historic hydroelectric power plant at the base of the falls, all the while observing the beautiful desert flowers that bloom there every spring. The old hydroelectric power plant provided electricity to Wasco and Sherman counties from 1910 to 1960, and serves as a Photo: “Cacophony” fascinating example of our ancestors’ attempts to harness the raw, natural energy of the Pacific Northwest. FUN FACT:

Recently Reported at White River Falls: DID YOU KNOW… Wasco

• American Dipper was originally the largest • Lewis’s Woodpecker county ever formed in the • Peregrine Falcon US? It originally consisted of 130,000 square miles, • Black-billed Magpie and stretched from the • Canyon Wren Photo: Gary Halvorson Cascades to the Rockies, and from California to Don’t forget to register for the Wasco County Birding Blitz, Washington! 17 other May 24-26! Free registration and more information Oregon counties were available here: http://oregon2020.com/wasco/ formed from Wasco.

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