Friend, August Malheur Musings! 🙌

Malheur Musings

September 2022

On Tuesday August 23rd, it was brought to my attention that the famed ferruginous hawk nest in this lone juniper along Highway 205 had fallen and its support branch broke. This nest was reported to be used by common ravens in 2005 before hosting ferruginous hawks in 2006. It is also known to have been home to Canada geese a time or two over the years. Thanks to Rick Vetter for sharing this information with us. Photo by T. Wicks

Greetings!

Landscape, like life, can seem to change in an instant. But more often than not the change comes after a great deal of subtle or unseen circumstances building up to that moment. A gentle breeze can push the final pressure point of a branch under enormous weight from years of nest building and brood rearing. No one was anticipating the loss of the highway 205 ferruginous hawk nest but it could have been expected. How long can the branches of a lone juniper support the nesting activities of such an active pair and their offspring?

Though this tree and its nest were not on the Refuge, we have all been fortunate for a great long while to have a front row seat and witness the activity of these magnificent birds. While they have been very accommodating to onlookers, it has been a wonderful educational opportunity to help people understand that our comfort zone does not necessarily align with theirs. Giving more distance rather than less and using ones car as a blind always proved to be great ways to observe their antics. Particularly when the chicks were young nestlings.

Of course, an entire community of birders are saddened by this news, but fortunately for trees and birds – Life goes on. What we can anticipate is the return of this ferruginous hawk pair. Not likely to this tree to rebuild, but perhaps to a new tree in the region. Maybe one with a little more privacy.

We are inviting you to help us celebrate the many years of service this tree gave to supporting the hawks. Do you have a favorite picture taken of the nest or these birds from over the years? Perhaps a memory you would like to reflect on and share? Please reach out to us at friends@malheurfriends.org and we will put together a dedication for the October issue of this newsletter.

As always, Thank you for being a Friend.

Janelle L Wicks

FOMR Executive Director

Conservation Corner

Shorebird Migration at Malheur Refuge

By Peter Pearsall/Photo by Dan Streiffert

Birds, like many aspects of the landscape, change in lockstep with the seasons. Some of the species found at Malheur Refuge are year-round residents, but the majority pass through on their way to other areas, using the refuge as a stopover site. This is especially true of Malheur’s shorebirds. Read More

Ibis Wrangling in the Wild West

Management Update

By Andrea Mott, USGS Waterfowl Research Crew Lead

Seen commonly in wetlands and flooded agricultural fields throughout the west, the White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) is easily recognizable by its subtly beautiful iridescent plumage and comically long bill. The ibis has become the poster child for biological diversity among the arid and semi-arid wetland habitats being threatened by climate change. The ibis use these wetlands throughout the year to breed, overwinter, and use as stopover sites during migration. Spearheaded by the Intermountain West Joint Venture, University of Montana, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an effort to deploy solar powered GPS-GSM transmitters (GPS data transferred from transmitter to a website via cell phone towers) on ibis throughout 8 western states, to get real time habitat use. By identifying critical areas of use, conservation efforts can be made to help maintain these important habitats not only for the ibis, but for multiple other species that rely on the same type of environment. Read More

FOMR proudly supported this project by funding 3 radio transmitters and hosting the crew in our onsite trailer. Thank you, Andrea and team, for doing this important work!

Converting the Lawns into Diverse Landscapes

By Tara Wertz, MNWR Deputy Refuge Manager

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is experiencing the negative effects of extended drought and landscape scale climate change. Some of the issues that are having immediate and significant effects comprise of drying springs, stressed and dying trees, and capacity challenges to the domestic well that services our buildings. Just between last fall and as recently as this week, the impacts can be seen with increasing drama. Read More

International Crane Foundation Visits Malheur

By Anne Lacey, ICF Senior Manager (North America Programs)

The ICF works worldwide to conserve cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. Most of the world’s cranes are rare, endangered, or in decline; however, the remarkable recovery of Sandhill Cranes is a story of true conservation success. Sandhill Cranes are proof that when private and public landowners commit to sharing their lands with cranes, when they truly benefit from that commitment, and when broad public support ensures policies that promote the protection and wise management of wetlands, cranes and many other species of wildlife can thrive among us. As part of ICF’s Strategic Planning for our Sandhill Crane Program, we are visiting sites that embody this commitment that are crucial to keep the recovery of the Sandhill crane on track. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge fills many critical needs for Sandhill Cranes, and other wetland and water dependent birds. Read More

Species Spotlight

Common Nighthawk

By Peter Pearsall

Photo by Dan Streiffert

One of the most easily seen bird species at Malheur Refuge each summer is also one of our oddest: the uncommonly distinctive common nighthawk. Read More

Malheur & Me:

Leaving a Legacy of Arts & Education

It was September 6th, 2021 when I was contacted by Steve Lehman that I learned of Joan Lehman through the following message:

Hello, We are interested in supporting the AIR program with cash donations. Can we and others make donations that go directly for that purpose?

We are planning a Memorial Art Show for longtime Ontario teacher, artist and lover of the Malheur Bird Refuge Joan Lehman. The event isn’t until August of 2022. We plan to give her art to those who donate a set amounts to a cause of our choice. We feel strongly the AIR program would be the perfect destination.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards, Steve

I was immediately enthusiastic about Steve's proposal. After all, it is not every day that someone reaches out and says they want to fundraise on your behalf! In the months that followed, a great deal of work went into what turned out to be an incredible event honoring Joan's life's work of sharing art with her friends, family, and community. You can watch a walkthrough of the art show and check out images from the event in addition to reading more about Joan by visiting this website: Joan Lehman Memorial Art Show

Joan's friends and family raised $6,763.90 for the Artist in Residence (AIR) Program! These funds will go a long way in reaching the youth of Harney County through this unique art and conservation education program.

Furthermore, we have been gifted 'Harry the Heron' who was constructed by Joan and her daughter to be a life size replica of a great blue heron. Harry is soon to be on display in the Crane's Nest Nature Store and some events or programs.

I hope you take a moment to visit their website and learn more about Joan, the deep and abiding mark she left behind, and this incredible event in her honor.

Thank you to Steve and Kira Lehman and the over 30 donors for making the Friends of Malheur NWR and the AIR Program a part of Joan's legacy.

Refuge Reflections

Neville the nighthawk

nestles nearly unseen in

a cottonwood tree

by Suzanne Simons

If you want to contribute a poem, photo, or other creative rendering to be included here please email us, friends@malheurfriends.org

Events

32 Refuges from across the country are hosting a Walk for the Wild 5k that you can complete Your Way. Join us in person or participate virtually. Either way, registration is FREE and any donation you contribute or raise from friends and family will go directly to the Friends of Malheur NWR to support on the ground stewardship activities.

3 Ways to Participate:

Click on the image or header above to Register and Join Team Friends of Malheur NWR. Then join us in person at Refuge HQ on 10/9/2022 or complete your 5k independently!
Click on the image or header above to make a Donation to our Team. Help us come out on top and spread the word about Malheur NWR in this national campaign!
Share the linked website above or our Facebook event to encourage others to 'Move for Malheur' and support our mission through donations.

Want SWAG? Better order soon to get your gear in time for Refuge Celebration Week. Orders placed by September 16th should arrive by October 8th! Order HERE!

BONUS: All participating Teams are eligible to receive a portion of a Matching Fund that is being raised by the Public Lands Alliance! Their goal is $100,000 - the more you give, the more Malheur gets!

Volunteer with Friends

Looking for something fun and purposeful to do next month?

Join us for the fall South End Stewardship work party just in time to kick off Refuge Celebration Week!

Volunteers will tent or car camp at P Ranch with access to the bathroom. Everyone is encouraged to bring appropriate layers, reusable water bottles, your favorite work gloves, etc. Water and additional personal protective equipment will be provided. All volunteers must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination as work will be conducted in close quarters.

To sign up email Alice Elshoff at calice58@gmail.com

Making plans for next year? Why not volunteer?

Needed: Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store Volunteers are needed for 2023! Individuals must be comfortable interacting with the visiting public and carrying out day-day store operations tasks such as running a point of sale system, counting and stocking inventory. Training and ongoing support will be provided. Volunteers also help to maintain the ground surrounding the Nature Center including filling and cleaning bird feeders, occasional light grounds keeping, etc.

Have your own Home on Wheels? Great!

Volunteers with an RV/Camper have access to full hook-ups at the volunteer RV park. Their 40' concrete pad includes a 'wayside' with a picnic table and room to set up an outdoor kitchen or camp chairs for taking in the sunsets.

All volunteers have access to bathrooms with showers, a fully stocked kitchen, a community room with DirectTV, WiFi, and laundry facilities.

Photo of Volunteer RV pads with sun setting by Sharon Vail, FOMR Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities continue to be contingent upon and will be subject to any local, state, or federal health and safety guidelines. Volunteering may be cancelled at any point.

If you wish to be considered for a volunteer position please email Janelle, director@malheurfriends.org

August's Most Popular

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.

This month's feature post is brought to you by:

USFWS Columbia Pacific Northwest; August 18th, 2022

Happy anniversary to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a vital bird sanctuary in southeast Oregon!

On this date in 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt established the Lake Malheur Reservation thanks to the prodding of well-known naturalist and Oregon Audubon Society founder William L. Finley.

“Here spread at our feet was a domain for wild fowl unsurpassed in the United States,” wrote Finley in an article for Atlantic Monthly upon his first visit to Malheur.

Today, the 187,000-acre refuge in Oregon’s high desert remains a world-renowned spot to view migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.

Hundreds of thousands of birds and other wildlife rely on the water at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which flows down from the adjacent Steens Mountain via the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Donner und Blitzen River.

The refuge landscape also preserves a human legacy that profoundly predates its establishment 114 years ago. The archaeological record of Native American inhabitants at Malheur dates back at least 9,800 years.

Learn more about the species that call Malheur home, as well as how to visit the special refuge that is open all year, sunrise to sunset: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/malheur

Photos: Dan Streiffert

#oregon #pnw #wildlife #wildlifephotography USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System #otd #otdih #conservation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service History

This post on Facebook was shared 93 times! We are proud to have Malheur featured by the Region on her 114th birthday! For more great content you can follow the Friends of Malheur on Facebook and Instagram at Malheurfriends!