ECBA News
AllAnnouncementsArchive 2023Archive 2024ArticlesBirds Teach UsECBA NewsGolden Eagle Nest CameraMalheur NewsPast EventsPhoto StoriesResourcesUncategorizedVolunteer Opportunities
2026 Summer Lake Shorebird Survey SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 30 AND 31, 2026
Volunteers conduct counts of all shorebirds and other waterbirds (excluding waterfowl and American coots) across the entire Summer Lake Wildlife Area.
Garden for Birds
Birds need our help. Habitat loss is the #1 threat facing birds and we can do something about it in our outdoor spaces, gardens, and landscapes. Learn about the GARDEN FOR BIRDS PROJECT from Cornell Lab of Ornithology
May’s Malheur Musings
Greetings! Putting together this monthly newsletter is one of the great joys of my job. I place a pretty high value on the role it plays in keeping you connected to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Sometimes this means that in order to give it the attention I feel it deserves while also being fully involved in the work of FOMR on the ground, it gets delayed.
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.
ODLT Sunrise Bird Counts
Oregon Desert Land Trust needs help with sunrise point counts in wet meadows and creeks at Trout Creek Ranch, which lies 40 miles south of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Join in one or both 4-hour surveys to document migratory birds and guide restoration plans across this nearly 17,000-acre private property. ODLT needs 4 more volunteers for each survey.Photo courtesy of ODLT.
Take a close look! Some familiar folks here from last year’s surveys.
March 21, 2026 Update Report from our Brothers Sage-Grouse Project
In 2025 we were experimenting with different types of crop cover to enhance native seed germination and growth. We put out a black plastic crop cover and plastic perforated trays to see which was more effective for seed germination and growth. Photo by Harry Johnson
April’s Malheur Musings
Harney County Migratory Bird Festival is a mere two weeks away! While we are excited about spring arrivals on the Refuge we never forget that the entirety of Harney County is coming alive all around us.
City of Redmond Wetlands Complex Update
The City of Redmond has significantly grown and changed since it installed its first wastewater treatment facility in 1978. The projected population in Redmond by the end of 2045 is 54,000. The current system can process and treat 2.8 million gallons per day; the current system will need to be expanded to treat the 4.6 million gallons per day required for the projected population growth.
Pollinator Pathway Bend
Here’s a fun and informative video to start dreaming about spring. Pollinator Pathway is a national organization dedicated to the establishment of native plant communities for pollinators that are managed without pesticides. photo by Barb Rumer
