Malheur Musings
August 2023
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There is magic in the air at Malheur NWR. It's in the sunlight, the smell of sagebrush, the call of the birds. You can practically feel, smell, and hear is all captured in this picture.
Image taken by Glen Malone
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Cool summer evenings are so pleasant this time of year. The sunsets are stunning, the mosquitoes are few, and the dusk seems to stretch on with the singular goal of giving you time to enjoy nighthawks dancing in the sky. What a joy.
MAs I take the time to enjoy these simple pleasures of our environment, I am also busy at work, thinking about YOU and how we serve the Refuge. One, very important, way we do this is by managing the Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store at Refuge Headquarters. In this special space we sell shirts, stickers, stuffies, and all the Malheur memorabilia but the real purpose is connecting with the Refuge's visitors. Finding a Manager to take on this task is no simple feat, but we know the right person will be joining our team very soon!
Please help us spread the word:
We Are Hiring!
The Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store Manager will manage inventory and oversee retail operations while also serving as a Refuge resource and public liaison. Maybe YOU are or know the ideal candidate?!?
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We are a small team, with a lot of projects and programs underway. I am eager to welcome my newest colleague who will work with me, on behalf of you, and in service to this precious Refuge that we all love so dearly.
Thank you, as always, for being a Friend.
Janelle L Wicks
FOMR Executive Director
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Written by Wm. Tweed
As we creep into late summer, I think we can agree that itâs been good season. Malheur Lake has water, and the Donner and Blitzen River continues to flow nicely. Resident birds have prospered this year, and the refuge should be in good shape to welcome fall migrants. Nature, for a change, is doing well â good news for all of us who care about Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
And thereâs more good news â you! Read More
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By Peter Pearsall

Malheur Refugeâs new Restoration Coordinator, Jess Wenick, has a long history with wildlife conservation in Harney County.
Born and raised in the area, Wenick âs first paying job, at age 15, was as a Youth Conservation Corps student at Malheur Refuge. This position introduced him to duck and crane banding, nest searches, and other aspects of wildlife resource management.
Later, Wenick served as the Wildlife Program Manager for the Burns Paiute Tribe. He returned to Malheur Refuge from 2003-2016, serving as the Range Management Specialist and Ecologist while also supervising the Refugeâs Wildlife Program. Read More
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An August update by Gary Ivey, PhD.
Only one of the GPS collars of the 12 trumpeter swans marked in the study transmitted data during the month of July. Adult female with collar code @10 remained very sedentary in the same area she used in June on a small wetland just northeast of the small town of Chateh in extreme northwestern Alberta. Her sedentary behavior suggests that she has been nesting and may have a brood. She should be molting her flight feathers at this time of year. Read More
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Hi again Friends!
July has been a rewarding month. As mentioned in my previous update, Lin (the Portland Audubon intern) and I had the opportunity to travel to Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Idaho. There, we learned how to identify common aquatic vegetation in the Pacific Northwest. This information is essential for both of us, as Lin and I will be performing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) surveys starting next week.
Adonia Henry, Zone Biologist for the USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System, was our teacher. Days one and two involved very in-depth PowerPoints on species-specific identifiers between the various submergent and emergent vegetation. Adonia also had us practice how to estimate percent cover for different species within a sample frame. At the end of day two, we practiced our newfound skills in the field. This was my favorite, as applying our knowledge greatly helped me remember plant names and how to distinguish between families. My only qualm was that the mosquitos there are worse than at Malheur!
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How Big is the Lake? Starring Malheur Lake! |
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Welcome to another exciting episode of "How Big is the Lake?!" In the spirit of duck banding, this installment is brought to you by duck poop! Forgot moisturizer? No problem, slather some duck poo and say hello to baby soft hands!! Promoted by an ODFW biologist. (Seriously, they told our seasonals this last week)
The month of July has been warmer and this year we made a little change in our management. Instead of immediately diverting water back into the Blitzen River, we have been pushing water into other fields to help minimize the turbidity caused by fast moving water from the Blitzen into Malheur Lake. The intention is to help promote establishment of the new emergent and submergent vegetation that is growing out on Malheur Lake.
As of July 20, 2023 the lake is approximately 23,942 acres. Due to our change in water management, we may not see the lake reach the Narrows this year. But we still have one more month for those who may hold out hope!! If you look hard at the photo you can see along the shoreline of the lake the water is clear and the center of the lake is where all the turbidity is occurring.
Thanks again for tuning into this month's episode!! Stay tuned for more!
~ Alexa Martinex, MNWR Wildlife Biologist
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We raised $7,791.85 to support the Northwest Youth Corps Tribal Stewards program with Oregon Natural Desert Association! Thank you for your contributions!
Due to the unforseen circumstances of a mudslide at the Burns Paiute Jonesboro property the TS Crew was unable to complete their week of work there. This disruption resulted in grant funds that were covering the expense of that week being able to be allocated to the crew's time at Malheur. This means the money we raised this year will be able to be applied towards sponsorship of the Crew's return in 2024!
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By Peter Pearsall
Photos by Peter Pearsall
Franklinâs Gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan) is an elegant gull widely distributed throughout the Americas, breeding in North America and wintering in South America. They are regular breeders at Malheur Refuge
Named after the Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, adult birds display a distinctive plumage featuring a black hood, dark gray back, and white underparts. They have a red bill, bright red legs, and a white eye ring. Outside the breeding season, their hood fades, revealing a white head with a dark smudge behind the eye. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but with mottled brown plumage and a dark bill. Read More
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YOU can join this work and help to prepared Sod House Ranch for its annual opening!
Housing at Malheur Field Station is being provided at no cost to participants, but sign-up soon as space is limited. For more information, please contact Alice Elshoff at calice58@gmail, with a cc to friends@malheurfriends.org
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Volunteers are critical to helping us meet our mission of conserving the natural and cultural resources of the Refuge. YOU can join this work and help to restore the Crane Pond Overlook Trail!
VOLUNTEERS WILL:
- Cleaning entrance signs and interpretive panels
- Clearing, graveling, and maintaining the trailhead
- Cleaning the site of brush and debris
- Install new directional signage
- Conduct willow whip harvesting for future work party reconstruction of the Marshall Pond Trail Secrecy Fence
Housing will be hosted at no cost to participants; A dorm at Malheur Field Station dormitory will be reserved unless 8 or less volunteers sign up, in which case camping will be available at Refuge Headquarters. For more information please contact Alice Elshoff at calice58@gmail, with a cc to friends@malheurfriends.org
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McMenamin's Old St Francis School - Bend, OR
The Friends of Malheur NWR are kicking off National Wildlife Refuge Celebration Week with an evening of fun in honor of Malheur NWR and the mystical dark skies that blanket the Refuge. Did you know that Malheur NWR lies beneath the largest contiguous expanse of dark skies in the lower 48? This little know fact is gaining attention from scientists, naturalists, and creatives alike. Join us in honoring this with messages three such individuals!
Ellen Waterson, Award winning Poet, Author, and Writing Instructor
Scott Fisher, Pine Mountain Observatory Director
Bill Kowalik, International Dark Skies - Oregon Board Chair
Enjoy these passionate and knowledgeable speakers in addition to a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, and one FREE drink ticket per attendee!
*If you have goods or services that would be suitable for the silent auction please contact Janelle, Friends@malheurfriends.org
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Reflections & Connections |
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Written by Sharon Vail, FOMR Volunteer
We arrived at the Refuge in July, usually considered a slow time, to find Marshall Pond full, and water everywhere it should be. This abundance of water also brought an overabundance of mosquitoes. When we set up camp at the volunteer RV pads, the skeeters enthusiastically welcomed us, although the sentiment was not mutual.
While most of the migrant songbirds had moved on, a lot of waterfowl decided to take up summer residence at the Refuge. Some called Marshall Pond home this year, and they provided me with several âfirsts.â READ MORE
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Every month there is excellent content on the Friends Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages. Here we will feature the most popular post of the month.
July 21, 2023: Quail crossing! How many quail chicks can you spot in this photo? The average clutch size for this species is 12-16 eggs!
Photo by Gary Kegel
Follow the Friends of Malheur on Facebook and Instagram at Malheurfriends!
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Membership Minute
The sustaining support of our members is more important than ever.
If you are unsure of your Membership status you can email us at friends@malheurfriends.org today!
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Current Membership Total: 924 |
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Not a Member or need to RENEW?
Prefer to send a check? Easy.
Fill out THIS FORM and mail it with your dues to:
Friends of Malheur NWR
36391 Sodhouse Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
Baltimore Oriole male adult seen at Benson Pond in June. Photo by Peter Pearsall
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Introducing the Sandhill Crane Society
Beginning this year, Friends of Malheur are welcoming the 17 inaugural members of the Sandhill Crane Society. Any supporter who contributes $1,000 or more through Membership dues and/or donations throughout the year will become a Member of this new program. Our depth of our gratitude for those individuals who support our mission at this level of ongoing support cannot be expressed, but we sure will try!
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Crane's Nest Nature
Center & Store
7 Days/Week | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
HIRING: Nature Center & Store Manager
We are seeking a new member of our team to oversee retail operations, work with volunteers, maintain our facilities, and more. Click the image to view the full job description and learn how to apply!
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
7 Days/Week | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
36391 Sodhouse Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
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