ECBA Second Annual Youth Scholarship Announcement
The East Cascades Bird Alliance (“ECBA”) is excited to announce its second annual youth scholarship for a student to attend the American Birding Association’s (“ABA”) Camp Colorado in Allenspark, CO, from August 2-8, 2026 (the “Camp”).
As part of the Camp, attendees explore Colorado from grassland to glaciers, from the shortgrass prairie of northeastern Colorado to the aspen groves and alpine tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park. Expert staff from the ABA and skilled guest instructors will lead field trips in search of species such as White-tailed Ptarmigan, Clark’s Nutcracker, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Burrowing Owl, Thick-billed Longspur, and Cassin’s Sparrow, among others.
Mission
East Cascades Bird Alliance seeks to foster knowledge and appreciation of birds and their habitats by all people through education, outings, and field studies that will inspire actions to protect wild birds and the places they need to thrive.
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February’s Malheur Musings
At Malheur and across the National Wildlife Refuge System there has been much ado about a lot these days. Those of us in leadership positions with Refuge or Hatchery Friends groups have been closely monitoring the communications and guidance related to Director’s Order 230, which is likely to mean nothing to most people if not everyone reading this newsletter.
Wildflowers: Missing Link in Sage Grouse Conservation?
Josh Collins, ECBA member of our Conservation & Science Committee works with Stu Garrett’s group of enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers on our Greater Sage-Grouse Project. Josh recently gave an excellent talk on Wildflowers and Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation in Central Oregon. This talk was given by Josh for the Bird Alliance of Oregon as part of their Nature Night speaker series.
Golden Eagle Nest Updates: Ayama Fledges, Returns for Visits
Golden Eagle Nest updates: With our camera running all winter, it was so interesting to see that Rocky and Petra returned to their nest as often as they did. Following both the faithful and new observers’ comments, feel free to ask questions and learn about these amazing birds.
January’s Malheur Musings
Greetings! The beginning of a new year is often a time for retrospection, and this January is no exception.
Osprey Watch
OSPREY WATCH is a global community science project that tracks osprey nesting activity over time. Think Wild is leading local efforts here in Central Oregon with participation from ECBA volunteers. Observing, monitoring nests, and submitting data on a regular basis contributes to a much larger data base that is growing all the time.