East Cascades Bird Alliance

February Birders' Night--Birds Imagined in Music
2024-02-15 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Environmental Center, 16 N.W. Kansas Ave., Bend, OR
Birds Imagined in Music
How would you capture the essence of birds in music? Have you ever wondered about this? If so, you’re in good company! Rebekah Lambert and Mike Fox (beginning birders, long-time concert-goers, members of the esteemed Prineville Bird Club) will take us through 750 years of classical music inspired by birds. Owls, cuckoos, nightingales! Choral and orchestra music, violin, flute, even a concert band. And, a musical/avian mystery — was the composer imitating a Scarlet Tanager or a Red-Eyed Vireo? You decide.
By Rebekah Lambert and Mike Fox
If you cannot attend in person, join on zoom.

The Cornell Lab's Great Backyard Bird Count
2024-02-16 - 2024-02-19
The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is Coming…

Welcome to the New Year! We’ve been busy gearing up for another incredible February event. In the next few weeks, consider spreading the word about the GBBC by sharing some of the following resources with your family, friends, and community.

Posters in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese;
Social media posts in English, Spanish and French;
Details on how to participate in the count weekend.

Also, we’ll be doing several webinars this year. If you are interested in attending them to learn more about the GBBC and birds, mark your calendars for the dates below.

Details and registrations links coming soon!

Friday, February 9, 9:00 a.m ET: Merlin Bird Trivia with Bird Count India (India birds)
Saturday, February 10, 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. GMT: LEGO’s Build the Change/GBBC
Tuesday, February 13, 1:00 p.m. ET: Beyond the Backyard – All About the GBBC
Thursday, February 15, 7:30 p.m. ET: Merlin Bird Trivia with Birds Canada (U.S./Canada birds)

We’re excited to celebrate another year of birds with you,
The GBBC Team

Deschutes Land Trust Nature Night: The Real Dirt on Soil!
2024-02-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, Oregon, 97703
The Real Dirt on Soil!
It’s ALL about soil! Soil is a critical part of the natural world that is perhaps the least understood. That’s why the Deschutes Land Trust and Oregon State University professor James Cassidy are teaming up to share the real dirt on soil! Join us to gain a better understanding of soil and its fundamental importance to our lives. Learn what every human should know about the world of soils, including all about nutrients, how soil stores water and nutrients, and the ways soil gives life to the world we know and love.
The Land Trust is working to make our events as accessible as possible. This event will feature:

A free livestream option. Registration is required.
An ASL interpreter.
Accessible parking, a ramped entrance, wheelchair seating, restrooms, water fountains, and assisted listening devices at the Tower Theatre. Learn more.
Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this event to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.

About James Cassidy
James Cassidy has been an Instructor of Soil Science at Oregon State University for over 20 years. The introductory class now has over 100 students each term and is very popular. James is also the faculty advisor for the wildly popular OSU Organic Growers Club—OSU’s student farm. Coming from a non-traditional background (in the music industry for over 40+ years), he is passionate about soil and is popular with students because of his dynamic speaking style. The student farm project has over 300 student volunteers on its list-serve and continues to grow. The farm cultivates over 50 different fruit and vegetable crops and is in its 24th season.
*This is a Deschutes Land Trust event. Please see their website for more information.

Crooked River Wetlands Saturday Bird Walk
2024-03-02 09:45 - 12:00 | Crooked River Wetlands Complex, 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop in Prineville, OR, 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop, Prineville, OR, 97754, United States
Dec-Feb: No wetland walks due to cold temps, little water, and few birds.
~ We will resume on the first Saturday of March. ~
Volunteers from the Crooked River Wetlands and Prineville Bird Club sponsor monthly bird walks at the wetlands in Prineville on the first Saturday of the month.
There are a couple of seats on golf carts for those needing some help getting around.
No registration is required.
We will meet at the Wetlands Pavilion, located at 4035 Rimrock Acres Loop, Prinveville OR
What to bring/wear:

Dress for 20 degrees colder than it will be. You can always shed layers.
Binoculars (loaners will also be available) and scopes or camera, if you have them.
Meet at the Wetlands pavilion.

For more information please contact Chuck Gates at 541-280-4957

Sponsored by the Prineville Bird Club and the Wetlanders.

ECBA Board Meeting
2024-03-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-02 18:00 - 20:00
East Cascades Bird Alliance Board of Directors meets monthly, on the first Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Board meetings are held virtually, via Zoom, and are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, contact ecba@ecbirds.org for a Zoom invitation.

Birding by Ear 2024
2024-03-19 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-03-26 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-04-02 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-04-09 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-04-16 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-04-23 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-04-30 08:00 - 10:00 | Sawyer Park, 62999 O. B. Riley Road, Bend, Oregon
Birding by Ear is a weekly bird walk led by ECBA volunteer Dave Tracy. Meet at Sawyer Park at 8 a.m. prepared to walk a mile on flat, sometimes muddy, trails. New as well as seasoned birders are welcome! Learn to identify the birds you hear, hone the skills you have, or share your talent with others! The walk will take place every Tuesday through early June.

ONDA's Cultivating Partnerships: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Science in Land Stewardship (Bend)
2024-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, Oregon, 97703
Spend an evening with Dr. Cristina Eisenberg, Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at Oregon State University, as part of our 2024 High Desert Speaker Series. Dr. Eisenberg will share learnings from her research on ecocultural restoration and how she approaches land stewardship through a lens of Two-Eyed Seeing. This event will explore how a merging of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western Science can build cross-cultural partnerships and projects that conserve landscapes and elevate indigenous communities. ONDA’s Stewardship Director, Gena Goodman-Campbell, will delve into the current steps ONDA is taking to restore Oregon’s high desert in partnership with local tribes.
Dr. Cristina Eisenberg is the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at Oregon State University in the College of Forestry (CoF) and Professor of Practice. In the CoF she is the director of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Lab, and the Indigenous Natural Resource Office. As a Native American and Latinx ecologist, she leads several long-term ecological restoration projects, including the BLM /OSU/Fort Belknap Grassland Restoration Project on the Northern Plains of Montana, and the Pacific Northwest Tribal Conservation Corps Pilot Project for Seeds of Success, which involves working with five of the Tribal Nations in Oregon. All the projects she leads incorporate Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and best Western science into ecocultural restoration practice. She works with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the US Forest Service, the US Congress, and the Bureau of Land Management to advise them on IK and Tribal Sovereignty and how to partner with Tribal Nations. Cristina is a Director at Large on the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Board of Directors. She leads the SER TEK Working Group and is the author of numerous books, journal articles, and book chapters.

For more information about the event and registration, please visit ONDA’s site: https://onda.org/event/cultivating-partnerships-traditional-ecological-knowledge-and-science-in-land-stewardship-bend/

Wednesday Birders 2024
2024-03-20 00:00, 2024-03-27 00:00, 2024-04-03 00:00, 2024-04-10 00:00, 2024-04-17 00:00, 2024-04-24 00:00
Wednesday Birders is a group of birders, birding, but not a traditional field trip with a named leader who always provides a guided field experience. Everyone helps everyone else, shares, learns and enjoys birding together. Usually some advanced birders are there and are so helpful. All are welcomed. We carpool when possible.
As times vary from week to week, please watch COBOL for details and times which are usually announced a few days prior to Wednesday.
All the locations are listed on our website. From the home page, select Birding Resources, and from the drop-down menu, you can choose Birding by County where you will get a list of favorite birding places including directions to the spots and what birds you might hope to find.
One of the goals of Wednesday Birders is to encourage everyone to use the ECBA birding site guides and get used to using those directions and the “how to bird it” tips for the locations. Simply select the county and the hotspots are listed alphabetically.
Important Notes:

Please remember to read COBOL by Tuesday mornings for last minute details and changes to plans in case of adverse weather, road conditions or detours, bird news or better birding opportunities. Watch COBOL for meeting and carpooling times and places or for changes in the plan.
COBOL is Central Oregon Birders Online. It’s free to join.
Remember to dress for the weather. Be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc. and bring a pair of binoculars. Spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.

For questions and for more information contact Brian MacDonald: brian.macdonald9@gmail.com or ecaudubon@gmail.com

Deschutes Land Trust Nature Night: An Introduction to the Klamath Tribes
2024-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend, Oregon, 97703
An Introduction to the Klamath Tribes
Join Gabriann Hall of the Klamath Tribes and the Deschutes Land Trust for an evening centered around the Klamath Tribes. Gabriann will share her personal perspective and insight through acknowledging Native history and carrying on the tradition of oral storytelling. Learn about the impact of Termination and Restoration on the Klamath Tribes’ people, then gain a better understanding about current issues related to treaty rights, first foods, and dam removal. Gabriann will finish the evening talking about the Klamath Tribes’ work on water and land restoration.
The Land Trust is working to make our events as accessible as possible. This event will feature:

A free livestream option. Registration is required.
An ASL interpreter.
Accessible parking, a ramped entrance, wheelchair seating, restrooms, water fountains, and assisted listening devices at the Tower Theatre. Learn more.
Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this event to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.

About Gabriann Hall
Gabriann “Abby” Hall is an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes. She was born and raised in the Fort Klamath Valley and attended school in Chiloquin, Oregon. She then went on to attend Oregon State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Gabriann later returned to school and received a Master of Arts in Teaching. She currently teaches Ethnic Studies, Native Studies, and Diversity in Allied Healthcare at Central Oregon Community College.
*This is a Deschutes Land Trust event. Please see their website for more information.

JUST ADDED: March Birders' Night: The Incredible Uniqueness of Baby Birds' Developmental Journey
2024-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Environmental Center, 16 N.W. Kansas Ave., Bend, OR
Title: The Incredible Uniqueness of Baby Birds’ Developmental Journey by Elise Wolf
Step into the enchanting world of baby bird development! What’s so intriguing about these feathered marvels? Most baby birds are hidden from view, yet each undertakes a unique and extraordinary developmental journey. From the cozy warmth of the nest to the exhilarating first flight to the bird’s hatch-year challenges, we’ll explore the remarkable transformation of some of these tiny bundles of fluff into graceful avian wonders. We will delve into the fascinating uniqueness of baby birds as they navigate the challenges of fledging the nest and becoming self-sufficient. Join us as we celebrate the boundless wonders of some of our most interesting baby birds.
Elise Wolf has been a wildlife and habitat advocate for 30 years. In 2009, she expanded into also caring for individual birds in need. After training with another rehabilitator for two years, she founded Native Bird Care and started on an educational path to work with birds that were in decline and help fill a critical gap in wildlife rehabilitation. Her training includes hands-on training with some of the top rehabilitators in the country, along with multiple conferences and specialized research and study.
Elise is fascinated with the science behind every species of birds she cares for. To date, she has treated 127 individual species (types) of birds, from hummingbirds up to Trumpeter Swans. She personally writes the Native Bird Care blog and posts on Facebook, applying her extensive knowledge about birds and other important issues. The Source and Nugget Newspapers in Central Oregon publish her writings as well. Community presentations are offered a couple of times a year. Elise will also present an occasional training class on avian rehabilitation.
If you cannot attend in person, join on zoom.

Crooked River Wetlands Saturday Bird Walk
2024-04-06 07:45 - 10:00 | Crooked River Wetlands Complex, 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop in Prineville, OR, 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop, Prineville, OR, 97754, United States
We lead walks every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from April through
October.
Due to frigid conditions, we only meet on the 1st Saturday in
November and March.
There are no walks offered in December through February.

In Apr-Oct, we meet at 7:45am and start the 2-hour walk at 8:00am
In Nov. and March, we meet at 9:45 and start at 10:00AM
Some Important Information:
1. No experience is necessary. We usually have at least 2 experienced
leaders who will tell you what birds you are seeing and lots of fun
facts about them. We have loaner binoculars for you to use.
2. If mobility is a problem, we have a 4-person golf cart that trails
the group and can offer rides to anyone who gets tired or sore. The cart
was purchased to carry people who could not otherwise access the
complex. If a participant would like to ride the whole trip, please
contact Chuck Gates at 541-280-4957 or CRWCTOURS@cityofprineville.com to
reserve a seat.
3. Participants are welcome to peel away from the group at any time and
go on their own. They do not have to go the entire two hours.
4. There is no charge for this event. No registration is required.
5. We will meet at the Wetlands Pavilion, located at 4035 Rimrock Acres Loop, Prineville, OR

Harney County Migratory Bird Festival
2024-04-11 - 2024-04-14 | Burns, OR, Burns, OR, 97720, United States
Spend an amazing weekend witnessing the spectacular spring migration in the Harney Basin of Southeast Oregon. View thousands of migratory birds as they rest and feed in the wide-open spaces of Oregon’s high desert. From waterfowl to shorebirds, cranes to raptors, wading birds to songbirds, you’ll see them all! The festival offers non-stop birding activities as well as historical and cultural information sure to entertain you and your family. Whether you’re a beginner or a life-long wildlife enthusiast, the festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss this extraordinary weekend.
Registration opens February 2024

Think Wild's Beaver Walk & The Beaver Believers Film Screening
2024-04-19 16:00 - 19:00 | Lake Creek Lodge, 13375 SW Forest Service Rd., Camp Sherman, OR, 97730, United States
Beaver Natural History Walk & Restoration Site Tour , 4-5 pm
Followed by a screening of The Beaver Believers and Q &A Hosted by Maureen Thompson, Beaver Works Program Manager and Kolleen Miller, Education Director for The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council.
See Think Wild’s website for more details.

April Birder's Night (rescheduled from January)
2024-04-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Environmental Center, 16 N.W. Kansas Ave., Bend, OR
April Birders’ Night: Pinyon Jay Conservation–The Power of Community Science.
Photo Credit: Pinyon Jays – Abbott Schindler.

Join us for Birders’ Night with a presentation on Pinyon Jay Conservation by Ned Bohman from the Great Basin Bird Observatory.

Note that we will not be able to offer this program via Zoom.

Crooked River Wetlands Saturday Bird Walk
2024-04-20 07:45 - 10:00

Citizen Science Training Opportunity regarding Pinyon Jays (rescheduled from January)
2024-04-20 09:00 - 13:00
The tutorial and field trip will occur on Saturday January from 9am to noon or 1pm, and will provide participants with the tools to contribute to this worthy cause. Participants will meet at the Meyer Classroom at the Downtown Bend Public Library at 9am where Ned will provide more hands-on information about the community science program, including how to use the application to collect data. The program will then move into the field and hopefully involve observations of Pinyon Jays (though that can’t be guaranteed). The goal of the tutorial and field trip is to provide participants with the ability to collect valuable information about Pinyon Jays for this program.
Advanced sign-up is required for the tutorial and space is limited. This program is currently full. To be added to the waitlist, please send an email to ecba@ecbirds.org.

Earth Day Fair
2024-04-20 11:30 - 15:00
The Environmental Center is excited to bring back the annual Earth Day celebration in-person on Saturday, April 20, 2024. At this time, we are planning a short parade route through downtown Bend (11:30 am) followed by a street fair on Kansas Ave (12 – 3 pm). This family-friendly event features live music and performances, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a variety of environmental organizations that can help you get connected to local initiatives.

Malheur Spring Shorebird Survey with Bird Alliance of Oregon
2024-04-24 - 2024-04-27
Join Bird Alliance of Oregon and USFWS staff in supporting the regional effort to survey spring migrating shorebirds in the intermountain west. We’ll survey the Silvies Floodplain, and the Double O, Malheur Lake, and waters of the Blitzen Valley for spring migrating shorebirds. This survey is part of a project organized by Point Blue Bird Observatory and National Audubon, with support from the USFWS. Camping will be available. Camping gear will be available for participants to use during this event. There are some driving routes during this survey. All other routes require a minimum of 5 miles of hiking, with the possibility of 10 miles. Conditions in spring are unpredictable. Wet playas can be difficult to walk on/survey. This survey will present an opportunity for adventure! There are no bathrooms available during this survey. For more information, see here: https://audubonportland.org/events/.
