East Cascades Bird Alliance

Wednesday Birders Are Back!
2023-05-03 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
May 3 – Agency Plains north of Madras to find LB Curlews etc, then Warm Springs boat ramp and on to the trail by the museum.
Visit the museum!

All locations are listed on the ECBA website. Select tab for Birding Locations, choose the county and you get a list of favorite birding places. It includes directions to the spots and what birds you might hope to find.

Under usual circumstances, transportation is via carpool depending on who can drive and individual schedules. Dress for the weather; be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc; and bring a pair of binoculars; spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.

Contact Judy Meredith for more information at jmeredit@bendnet.com

Wednesday Birders Are Back!
2023-04-26 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
April 26 – Whiskey Springs. Location changed to Tumalo Reservoir!
All locations are listed on the ECBA website. Select tab for Birding Locations, choose the county and you get a list of favorite birding places. It includes directions to the spots and what birds you might hope to find.

Tumalo Reservoir. It is about 2 miles to walk around it. Habitat is pine forest, some willow scrub and some water with muddy edges. We can expect that more migrants have come in by then.

Meet at the Res at 8:00 at the inlet area. If the group is too big, we will divide into 2 groups and go around in opposite directions.

Bring a scope of you don’t mind carrying it, for waterfowl and for raptors high in the sky. I will have mine.
People could carpool from Bend from the usual ODOT Park and Ride, near the DMV, leaving there about 7:40. I won’t be there.

See you at the Res. Judy. jmeredit@bendnet.com

Earth Day 2023
2023-04-22 11:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Earth Day Fair and Parade 2023 will take place on Saturday, April 22nd from 11am-3pm in downtown Bend. An Environmental Center event, this
family-friendly event typically features a lively and inclusive parade through downtown Bend where folks are encouraged to wear costumes to showcase their favorite thing about planet earth. During the fair, food vendors, booths, and performers offer something for everyone.

11:00-11:30 a.m. — Gather for the parade at the corner of Louisiana and Bond St.
11:30-12:00 — Short parade through downtown Bend, led by the Earth Guardians and other special guests (TBA!) Costumes encouraged! No signs and no motorized vehicles.
12:00 -3:00 p.m. — Fair featuring an activity zone, electric vehicle showcase, garden activities, live music and performances, and local food and vendors. And an ECBA booth!

Worthy Brewing is organizing an Earth Day celebration for the afternoon and evening of April 22, following the festivities at the Environmental Center. There will be music, food, beer, talks, tours, and a range of organizations like the Food & Farm Alliance, Pollinator Pathways, and WinterCreek Nursery…and ECBA!

Birding Basics session 4: Field Experience - April 21st
2023-04-21 07:45 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Crooked River Wetlands Complex, 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop in Prineville, OR, 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop, Prineville, OR, 97754, United States
April Birding Basics: Field Experience

Attention novice birders, birders new to Central Oregon, and those who want a refresher course! ECBA is offering a series of free field experiences designed just for you. Each month, January through June, there will be spots for 20 people to learn about a variety of Central Oregon birds, birding locations, skills, and resources.

Details for the April 21st Birding Basics: Field Experience:
Topic: Identifying spring song birds and waterfowl and using technology to record the birds we see
Location: Crooked River Wetlands Complex, Prineville
Meeting spot: Crooked River Wetlands parking lot at 4035 NW Rimrock Acres Loop, Prineville (44.316021, 120.898322)
Group Leader: Chuck Gates
Date/Time: April 21. 8:00-10:00 a.m. Meet at 7:45 a.m.
Focus: We will begin by discussing the importance of sewage treatment systems as stopovers for migrating waterfowl. Then we will introduce you to a citizen science project called eBird which will allow you to build your own day list of birds you see. Finally, we will identify approximately 50 species of birds and point out the field marks necessary to identify them.
Skill emphasis: We will be working on estimating numbers and entering data into eBird (an online birding database). If you have a smart phone, please download the free eBird app from your platform app store. Before you come, take a few minutes to register the app and set up an account with a password. The instructor will show you how to use it. If you don’t have a smart phone or don’t want to learn eBird, there will be plenty of instruction on using field marks to identify birds. Throughout the class, we will work on spotting field marks, using optics, and identifying sounds.
What to Expect: We will go on a 2 mile hike that will take approximately 2 hours. The trail is nearly flat. The weather can be erratic that time of year so dress in layers. We will have a chase vehicle to carry extra gear.
Bring: Smart phone with eBird registered and installed. Bring optics (we have loaner binoculars), camera if you have one, lots of layers of clothing, and water (and perhaps paper and pen for notes).
Who should sign up? All ages are welcome. There is a limit of 20 participants. ECBA members and non-members are welcome. Please leave your dog at home. Sign up here starting April 1 which will take you to Member Planet: www.memberplanet.com/events/eastcascadesaudubonsociety/birdingbasicsfieldexperiencescrookedriverwetlands_1

If you have questions, e-mail Gordon Wetzel gordonwetzel@gmail.com or Lynda Paznokas Lpaz@bendnet.com. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to attend.

April Birders' Night: Status of the Greater-Sage Grouse in Eastern Oregon
2023-04-20 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Environmental Center, 16 N.W. Kansas Ave., Bend, OR
Emily Weidner of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will talk about recent developments in the science and status of Greater Sage-Grouse in Eastern Oregon. Join in live at the Environmental Center in Bend, or via Zoom.
Join the Zoom Here

Wednesday Birders Are Back!
2023-04-19 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
April 19 – Calliope Crossing, Indian Ford CG, Indian Ford Creek across the highway.
Meet to carpool at 8 am. at Village Greens.

All locations are listed on the ECBA website. Select tab for Birding Locations, choose the county and you get a list of favorite birding places. It includes directions to the spots and what birds you might hope to find.

Under usual circumstances, transportation is via carpool depending on who can drive and individual schedules. Dress for the weather; be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc; and bring a pair of binoculars; spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.

Contact Judy Meredith for more information at jmeredit@bendnet.com

Prineville Bird Club Meeting
2023-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Crook County Library, 175 NW Meadow Lakes Drive, Prineville, Oregon, 97754
The Prineville Bird Club meets every second Thursday of the month, at the Crook County Library and usually in the Broughton Room. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to encourage fellowship and socializing. We talk a little bit about local birds being seen, show some member photos, and discuss this month’s Field Trip.

Wednesday Birders Are Back!
2023-04-12 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
April 12 – High Lakes, Wickiup etc.
Carpool from Bend at 8:00 from south side of Deschutes River Woods Store or 8:45 from Park and Ride at Wickiup Junction. If roads there are not accessible, try at LaPine State Park. Rosland Park off Huntington is a good spot also. Park in the day use area at Rosland and walk trails.
All locations are listed on the ECBA website. Select tab for Birding Locations, choose the county and you get a list of favorite birding places. It includes directions to the spots and what birds you might hope to find.
Under usual circumstances, transportation is via carpool depending on who can drive and individual schedules. Dress for the weather; be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc; and bring a pair of binoculars; spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.
Contact Judy Meredith for more information at jmeredit@bendnet.com

Wednesday Birders Are Back!
2023-04-05 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
April 5 – Ryan Meadow trails

Carpool at 8:00 from the big parking lot off Simpson near the Pavilion
All locations are listed on the ECBA website. Select tab for Birding Locations, choose the county and you get a list of favorite birding places. It includes directions to the spots and what birds you might hope to find.
Under usual circumstances, transportation is via carpool depending on who can drive and individual schedules. Dress for the weather; be prepared with food, sunscreen, etc; and bring a pair of binoculars; spotting scopes are helpful on many trips.
Contact Judy Meredith for more information at jmeredit@bendnet.com

March Birders' Night: Birds of the Southern Hemisphere
2023-03-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Environmental Center, 16 N.W. Kansas Ave., Bend, OR
Ken Hashagen will share his experiences and photos from a tour of Antarctica, South Georgia and The Falkland Islands. Join us at the Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave. or via Zoom.

Prineville Bird Club Meeting
2023-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Crook County Library, 175 NW Meadow Lakes Drive, Prineville, Oregon, 97754
The Prineville Bird Club meets every second Thursday of the month, at the Crook County Library and usually in the Broughton Room. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to encourage fellowship and socializing. We will talk a little bit about local birds being seen, show some member photos, and discuss this month’s Field Trip. This month’s main program is a movie titled “From Billions to None”. This movie depicts the life and extinction of one of the most common birds to ever have occupied the planet – the Passenger Pigeon. It will cover the causes of the extinction and what we can do to prevent future extinctions.

Birding Basics, session 3: Bird ID at the Old Mill District
2023-03-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is the third in a series of six free field experiences, held monthly, to be offered for new birders, birders who are new to Central Oregon, or others who would like a “refresher course” in birding. Each will be a two-hour opportunity to learn about a variety of Central Oregon birding locations, topics, skills, and resources.
The focus of this session will be water bird identification in the Old Mill District.
Be prepared to walk two or three miles on level ground, and dress for winter conditions. Bring binoculars and a scope with a tripod if you have one. Loaner binoculars will be available.
All ages are welcome; the group will be limited to the first 20 participants who enroll here. Please leave your dog at home.

Birding Basics, session 2: Exploring Hatfield Ponds and using Merlin Bird ID
2023-02-25 10:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
This is the second in a series of six free field experiences, held monthly, to be offered for new birders, birders who are new to Central Oregon, or others who would like a “refresher course” in birding. Each will be a two-hour opportunity to learn about a variety of Central Oregon birding locations, topics, skills, and resources.
The focus of this session will be exploring Hatfield Ponds and using the Merlin Bird ID app to help with identifying and understanding the birds we see. Hatfield Ponds is one of the best birding hotspots in Bend for waterfowl, meadow birds, and even raptors. If you have time, prior to the class, familiarize yourself with the Merlin Bird ID phone app. Gordon Wetzel will lead the class.
We’ll meet at Hatfield Ponds, 22395 McGrath Road, across from the Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Be prepared to walk two or three miles on level ground, and dress appropriately for winter weather. Bring binoculars and a scope with a tripod if you have one. Loaner binoculars will be available. Download the Merlin Bird ID app and ring your smart phone, if you have one. Optional items are paper/pen for notes, camera, and water.
All ages are welcome; the group will be limited to the first 20 participants who enroll here. Please leave your dog at home.
Parking is available at the entrance to the ponds.
Sign up here. The link will take you to Member Planet to enroll.
If you have questions, e-mail Gordon Wetzel, gordonwetzel@gmail.com, or Lynda Paznokas, Lpaz@bendnet.com.

Refuge Trees: Homestead Era Oases at Malheur NWR
2023-02-06 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
The High Desert Museum will offer a Natural History Pub presentation at McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., in Bend.
Old stands of largely cottonwood trees grow within Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon. Although these trees are not native to the region, many of the over 340 species of birds that visit Malheur annually depend on these trees to nest, feed, and rest. Join Janelle Wicks, Director of the Friends of Malheur NWR, to learn about the group’s work to assess the historical and ecological value for the Refuge’s wildlife and the work being done to ensure a future that supports a wildlife oasis in the high desert.
Attendance is free and open to the public, but the museum requests those interested to register for the event.

Birding Basics, session 1: Water Birds of Mirror Pond
2023-01-29 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Harmon Park, 1100 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend
This is the first in a series of six free field experiences, held monthly, to be offered for new birders, birders who are new to Central Oregon, or others who would like a “refresher course” in birding. Each will be a two-hour opportunity to learn about a variety of Central Oregon birding locations, topics, skills, and resources.
The focus of this session will be water bird identification and using field optics. The Deschutes River in winter has many beautiful water birds, in additions to summer’s standard Mallards and Canada geese. We may see Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Wigeon, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Ducks and, perhaps, a Hooded Merganser or even a Wood Duck.
Be prepared to walk one or two miles on level ground, possibly snow and ice covered. Dress appropriately with gloves and hat; hand-warmers and ice-buds on boots are helpful. Bring binoculars and a scope with a tripod if you have one. Loaner binoculars will be available.
All ages are welcome; the group will be limited to the first 20 participants who enroll here. Please leave your dog at home.
Street parking is available; or park at Drake Park and walk over the footbridge to Harmon Park.

Redmond Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-28 07:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
If you would like be a part of the Redmond CBC, please contact Mike Golden at gardenbug99@bendbroadband.com or 541-420-5841, who will post routes, teams and meeting places. Some routes are shorter and take less time than others. We can adapt if you would like to do half days or less than a full day.

Madras Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-21
Would you like to take part in the Madras CBC? Contact Annette Lange Hildebrand at lange69annette@gmail.com
for more information.

John Day Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-17 07:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Birders joining the John Day CBC will meet at the Outpost Restaurant before 7 AM for assignments (earlier if you want breakfast). The compilation will be at 1188 Brewery starting at 5 PM. For information, contact Tom Winters at 541-542-2006, 541-620-2922, or at tjwinters1951@gmail.com.

Bend Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-17 07:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Bend Christmas Bird Count will be held on Saturday, December 17th. There are a few openings available for fully vaccinated and boosted individuals. Most of the openings are to join groups that will be doing a lot of walking. The weather for the count is likely to be in the low to mid 30s with possible snow showers.
If you are interested, please email Tom Crabtree at tc@empnet.com, indicating your vaccine status, whether you would be looking for a driving or walking route, whether you want a full day (7am to 5pm) or a half day, and your birding experience level.
