ECBA News

July’s Malheur Musings

When I think of Malheur Refuge I feel unabashedly patriotic. Capital P - Patriotic, flag waving, eagle saluting kind of pride swells in me when I think of the National treasures our country is safeguarding; National Marine Monuments, National Parks, Wilderness Study Areas, and so much more including the National Wildlife Refuge System of which Malheur is just a single unit.

2026 Learning about Pinyon Jays in Central Oregon Continues

The East Cascades Bird Alliance (ECBA) Pinyon Jay Survey in Central Oregon (March–May 2026) focused on documenting the presence, numbers, and reproduction of pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus). This species is under review for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing and identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Oregon’s 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan.
Pinyon Jay Adult Sentinel, photo by Laurel Collins

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.

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.

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

Olympic Bird Fest 2026

Online Registration Open Now!

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.