This is Bird Note.

Canyons, whether large or small, can host a spectacular variety of birds.

Consider Swakane Canyon in central Washington State.

It cuts west from the Columbia River into the Entia Mountains for nine miles while gaining nearly 3,000 feet.

Steep slopes wall in the canyon floor, several hundred yards wide.

The lower canyon is dry and sparsely vegetated, but as we track upward, we see that gains in elevation bring abundant changes in plant life, creating varied habitats.

A slender creek runs through the canyon, nurturing shrubs like blue elderberry.

The plant provides nesting cover for Bullock's Orioles and other birds in summer,

and masses of tiny fruit to migrating birds in September.

A few miles up the canyon, we find stands of ponderosa pines, home to western tanagers.

Climbing farther, we come upon groves of aspens and dense willow thickets,

then grassy meadows interspersed with beaver ponds.

Near the top of the canyon, accompanied by the song of a hermit thrush, we entered the shade of tall furs.

Each successive habitat embraces a new mix of birds and other wildlife.

In this canyon, nature creates a masterpiece, lovely to behold, and so rich in variety.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.