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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.
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.
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
Caring for Winter Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds can and do die when deep cold, blizzards, and ice storms set in. Keeping them alive requires warm feeder solutions and, in some cases, an additional heat source. Elise Wolf
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.
Sevilla Rhoads, First place winner of December 2025 OBA Contest
I was in the Sisters school parking lot taking photos for a student group that needed photos of White-headed Woodpeckers and Pinyon Jays for a presentation to the school board about a conservation-friendly 'fuel reduction' of the Trout Creek Conservation Area. I was lucky. Not only did two White-headed Woodpeckers turn up, but also a flock of Pinyon Jays and they were fighting over a puddle of water!
When a Bird Hits a Window
To understand the gravity of a window collision, imagine flying down a hill on a bike going 20-30 mph and hitting a cement wall, head first. Birds hit our windows fast and hard. Yes, sometimes they ricochet off, but those that are forced to land are harmed.
Helping Birds Keep Their Cool
Central Oregon is on track to break temperature records this summer (again), reminding us that the High Desert sun is no joke. High temperatures can lead to dehydration, heatstroke, and even death for our feathered neighbors. The good news? There are simple, affordable steps everyone can take to create a life-saving oasis for our visiting yard birds.