Birders’ Night: Central Oregon’s Wolves–What a birder might want to know

For over a decade, wolves have been returning to Central Oregon.  This presentation will give a brief overview of the history and status of Central Oregon’s wolves, followed by some observations, research, and speculations about how these wolves interact with and impact our local birds.  There will also be a guide to birding in wolf activity areas, including how to identify and report wolf sign.

Ander Rhoads is an eighth-grade homeschooler passionate about the quest for scientific facts relating to historically mythologized and persecuted animals. Ander has been lucky enough to spend a week in Yellowstone with the wolf biologist and author Rick McIntyre.  His current mentors include wolf biologists in ODFW and US Fish and Wildlife.  Most of Ander’s free time is spent tracking wolves in the Upper Deschutes and Metolious pack areas. Ander has authored articles on wolves, including one published by the Nugget Newspaper.  He often presents on wolves at schools and other organizations, including Oregon State Parks.  Ander is also an enthusiastic volunteer with the High Desert Museum and Sunriver Nature Center.  In addition to his interest in wolves, Ander has been birding with his family in Central Oregon since they moved here in 2020.  Since he was ten years old, Ander has co-led bird walks and assisted with bird surveys, including recently co-mentoring students at the Sisters High School bird survey of Pine Meadow Ranch.