Oregon Canyon Road and Oregon Canyon Mountains

Habitat and Birds

This area is loaded with birds and very interesting habitat. Curl-leaf mountain mahogany is the dominate native tree along the basalt rims while aspen forests fill the canyons along with bitter brush, choke cherry and sage. The birds of this area are amazing from late June-early August. Look for Western Bluebirds here. They are fairly hard to find elsewhere in the county. There are Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, Northern Goshawk, Bushtit, Mountain Chickadee, Virginia Warblers, Black-throated Gray Warblers, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds, Hermit Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, Nashville Warbler, and Fox Sparrows. The White-crowned Sparrows of this region are the oriantha race. This is a great spot for wild flowers and, best of all, birds. In 1998, four pair of Virginia Warblers were located on and near Twin Buttes (elevation 7930′). Down in the west fork of Oregon Canyon Creek, Gray-headed Junco were found breeding in the aspen stands. Watch for Northern Goshawk here as well. They have nested at this location in the past. Wayne Bowers has plenty of experience in this area and offers this advise: Anyone who might be exploring the Oregon Canyon/Trout Creek Mountains in summer: In the past I have found the gnatcatchers nesting in the Tin Troughs Spring area. The Black-throated Gray Warblers also are common nesters in the mountain mahogany patches in that area. To reach it turn right (north at the first two track as you crest the long climb up the road from the Oregon Canyon Ranch which is referred locally and on some maps as the “Wood Road”. I have also seen Lewis’ Woodpeckers nesting in an aspen in the head of Fifteen-mile Creek – the only place in that area I have seen them. Alert!-This is a very isolated area and should you encounter medical issues whileup here you are on your own and will need to rescue yourself.