Malheur Musings
May 2023
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The nesting pair of Bald Eagles has returned to the cottonwood stand to the east of P Ranch. In 2019 this pair hatched the first (known) eaglets in over 100 years! We are thrilled they continue to enjoy the Refuge as much as we do. Volunteers Hunter and Hill were stationed at P Ranch (article about their experience below) and observed noticeable behavioral changes by the end of April indicating that they may now have young in the nest.
This image was taken by FOMR Volunteer Dan Streiffert
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It may sound cliche or trite, but I truly believe that my job is an honor and I'm humbled by how fortunate I am for every aspect of my life to be steeped the wonders that are Malheur NWR, the Harney Basin, the Great Basin, and the Pacific Flyway. It's a joy to do what I do and share all of this with all of you - galvanizing your support for the important work being done in this important place.
Despite how much I love it, it can still be easy to forget how important that all is when you do it every day. Then, sometimes someone notices and something happens that reminds you of the deeper connections and broader impact of this work. I had one of those experiences last month when the Planning Committee for the Harney Count Migratory Bird Festival was recognized by Senator Jeff Merkley during a local Town Hall.
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It is hard to believe that the 2023 festival has already come and gone. We are now planning our next gathering for the Friends Membership Weekend in June! It is going to be great fun. We will hold a Q&A with Malheur NWR staff and host a presentation on Wetlands by FWS Biologist John Vradenburg! More information can be found below or HERE.
Thank you, as always, for being a Friend.
Janelle L Wicks
FOMR Executive Director
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By Peter Pearsall
At Malheur, Mackay began as Deputy Project Leader and was selected for the Project Leader position after Chad Karges retired in 2019.
“It has been a privilege to continue building on the network of partnership and collaboration established well before my arrival, for the benefit of not just the Refuge and the fish and wildlife it supports—which is a critical stopover along the Pacific Flyway for migratory waterfowl and waterbird species—but also the Harney County community and the greater conservation community,” said Mackay. “Collaboration is the lifeblood of how we do business in the Harney Basin and it benefits everyone involved.” Read More
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By Peter Pearsall/Photos by Casie Smith
At Malheur Lake, one thing is abundantly clear: the water is anything but, and the decades-long turbid conditions are impacting ecological health of the lake, which is a crucial area for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.
While there are multiple aspects to the turbidity problem at Malheur Lake, one key factor is the lack of emergent plants such as cattail and bulrush, which absorb wind and wave energy, allowing suspended sediment to settle to the bottom, reducing turbidity. Read More
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Howdy y’all! My name is Veda Allen (pronounced Vey-duh, sort of like Darth Vader), and I am the new Wildlife Biologist Intern at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge with Friends of Malheur. As of May 6th, I have officially graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. My degree was Forestry with an emphasis in Wildlife management. I’ve completed several research projects during my college career, from drones to frogs to dolphins (oh my!). Read More
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A MAY update by Gary Ivey, PhD.
I am excited to offer an update on the locations of seven Trumpeter Swans marked on Benson Pond with GPS-GSM neck collars to track their migration. Two of the collars have not transmitted data since late March, before they left Malheur Refuge. Here’s a summary of the travels of the other 5... Read More
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How Big is the Lake? Starring Malheur Lake! |
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Using imagery on April 29. The lake is currently estimated at 6,037 acres! While it hadn't grow too much since April 9th , it has gotten a bit deeper.
Attached is a screen shot of a LandSat image of Malheur Lake. It looks like the Silvies River is almost to the lake. Not quite there yet, but we will see what the future brings.
Thanks again for tuning in this episode of "HOW BIG IS THE LAKE!!" Tune in again for our next update in the June issue of Malheur Musings. Will the Silvies River touch the lake by then?? Will it reach the Narrows? Tune in next month to find out! By Alexa Martinez
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
for Tribal Youth
for Malheur NWR
for the future of Conservation!
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The Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge have committed to supporting the 2023 Tribal Stewards Program with a MINIMUM of $5,000 and we are asking our Members to MATCH US!
Tribal Stewards are returning to Malheur this summer and YOU can be a part of supporting this program!
Click HERE to read about the 2019 Program.
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Currently sending $6,437.30! |
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By Peter Pearsall
Photos by Dan Streiffert
A boldly colored member of the New World blackbird family, the Bullock’s oriole is a thrill to behold as it hops among branches of cottonwoods and other deciduous trees and shrubs, often not far from water, gleaning insects and other invertebrate prey. Read More
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By Carey Goss
More than 60 art pieces were entered in the contest from kindergarten to 12th grade. “Every art piece entered in the youth art contest was remarkable.” Wildlife Refuge Specialist Carey Goss said. “I believe it added something more to the Harney County Art Show and Sale.” (Left: Best in Show Winner, Barn Owl by Sadie Davis, 6th Grade)
The youth art contest encourages students from kindergarten through high school to observe, understand, and ultimately share what they have learned about migratory birds. By creating a unique art entry for the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival, the students are provided an opportunity to artistically express their knowledge of the diversity, interdependence, and beauty of wildlife. Read More
The Friends are proud to sponsor this program by providing Shop Harney Gift Cards to the young artists who place 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
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A weekend to celebrate Malheur NWR and our Friends Members
FRIDAY, June 9th
- 9am - 2pm Board of Directors Business Meeting and Strategy Session
- 2pm - 4pm Program: Malheur Refuge Staff Informational Panel
- Refuge Management, Maintenance, and Biology Staff will be sharing some highlights of their work on the ground. They will answer questions and mingle with attendees.
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Evening Happy Hour, Banquet, and Presentation: Wetlands of the Klamath Basin - Historical Conditions are the Path to a Successful (Wetter) Future with FWS Biologist John Vradenburg
SATURDAY, June 10th
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Migrate Across Malheur Event: Hotspot Hosts will greet visitors and tell them all about cultural and natural history of the popular Refuge site they are assigned. Of course, you will also encourage people to bird the site and share what they see! To volunteer, email Janelle at friends@malheurfriends.org
Do YOU have an Auction worthy item or activity that you would like to contribute as an In-Kind donation to the Friends Membership Weekend?
Email Janelle, friends@malheurfriends.org
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The programs taking place during our 2023 Members Weekend will be FREE with Donations gladly accepted. |
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Saturday May 13th | NEXT WEEK!
Stop by for 10 minutes, an hour, or for the full 4-hours. The goal is to count as many species as possible in a morning at Malheur HQ, and to contribute this data to the Global Big Day! Bring a blanket, bring a chair, borrow a chair, or park yourself on a bench. However you choose to count, you can join the fun.
Doughnuts and coffee will be available, and we'll have activities for the whole family, including story time at the Nature Center at 11:00.
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Join Portland Audubon in this first-ever Harney Basin marshbird bioblitz. We will send teams across Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and throughout the Silvies Floodplain to survey for marshbirds. Participants will be able to conduct surveys at sunrise, sunset, or both.
Camping will be provided at P Ranch. Camping gear is available for participants to use during this event. MORE INFORMATION
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Spring on Steens Mountain
~~ o the sparse trees the split trees the half trees and the burrow trees the one arm trees and the old crag trees o the lone tree ~~
in the afterbirth of winter
rejoice!
open the windows wide!
let the dogs run!
breathe a deeper breath of sky!
like water turned to wine
winter’s tattered grasses blossom
into fertile stalks of green
there! on crag and peak
beneath the last clutch of snow
above the open slope of thighs
spring rides in unbridled
velvet robes of auburn swath
the new born fawns
balsa root unsheath’s my heart
in tambourine divinity!
in wonder and in awe
we climb the soft terrain
of tracks of days of years
the altitude of long ago
to witness the awakening
unleashed into the sweet scent of day
magpie and raven dance the sweep
over tongue of sagebrush seas
and we the people of the mountain
unearth ourselves in the gush of springs
these holy waters
inside pronghorn country
Mimi German
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If you want to contribute a poem, photo, or other creative rendering to be included here please email us, friends@malheurfriends.org |
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By Cheryl Hunter & Larry Hill
Turkey vultures drying their wings on the fire tower and roosting in the cottonwood trees, rustling their wings as they get settled; northern flickers hammering on the trees and buildings all around us, calling to their mates; a bald eagle pair taking turns on their nest just south of the Central Patrol Road, never leaving it unattended day or night; and California quail calling in the grasses around the ranch buildings. Starlings, warblers, robins, sparrows, blackbirds, and an occasional killdeer calling and flying up as we stepped outside each morning; the distant sound of sandhill cranes calling in the nearby fields; and especially Wilson’s snipes surrounding us with eerie sounds as they winnowed in the darkening sky – these are the joys of being assigned to volunteer for Friends of Malheur at P Ranch in April. READ MORE
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April's Most Popular
Every month there is excellent content on the Friends Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages. Here we will feature the most popular post of the month.
April 6, 2023: A white-faced ibis lands in a wet meadow during a freak snowstorm in May 2019. What a pose! What a scene!
Photo by: John Dirvanowski
Follow the Friends of Malheur on
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
7 Days/Week | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
7 Days/Week | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Membership Minute
The sustaining support of our members is more important than ever.
If you are unsure of your Membership status you can email us at friends@malheurfriends.org today!
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Current Membership Total: 1003 |
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Not a Member or need to RENEW?
Prefer to send a check? Easy.
Fill out THIS FORM and mail it with your dues to:
Friends of Malheur NWR
36391 Sodhouse Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
Moonrise from P Ranch by Cheryl Hunter
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Introducing the Sandhill Crane Society
Beginning this year, Friends of Malheur are welcoming the 17 inaugural members of the Sandhill Crane Society. Any supporter who contributes $1,000 or more through Membership dues and/or donations throughout the year will become a Member of this new program. Our depth of our gratitude for those individuals who support our mission at this level of ongoing support cannot be expressed, but we sure will try!
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Friends of Malheur NWR aim to be your go-to resource for planning your visit! Our newly updated website (www.malheurfriends.org/visit/) has a lot of the same great seasonal sighting information in addition to a direct eBird link and more!
For even more content you can follow us on social media. Just follow @MalheurFriends on Facebook or Instagram and you will see posts about news, events, volunteer opportunities, and - of course - bird and wildlife sightings!
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Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
36391 Sodhouse Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
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