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Pronghorn are not true antelope. In fact, their scientific name, Antilocapra americana, means "American goat-antelope," but it is not a member of the goat or the antelope family. You may be aware that this unique species is the second fasted land mammal, but did you know that it can and will swim?! Biologist, Teresa Wicks, recently observed a pair swimming through water east of Hwy 205 north of the Narrows.
Photo by Dan Streiffert, Photographer & Volunteer
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'What can I do?' is one of those questions that just hits differently depending on the word you emphasize. But here, in this space, regardless of how you ask the question, the answer is simple: Keep. Showing. Up.
Eager to get your hands dirty and make a personal and positive impact on the Refuge?
VOLUNTEER; The next Friends Stewardship Gathering is May 29-31st with FREE Lodging.
Email friends@malheurfriends.org to sign up!
Want to be a part of inspiring rural youth to become the next generation of naturalists?
DONATE; FOMR only needs an additional $860 to order enough beginner binoculars for every 1st and 3rd grade student who will attend a Refuge Field Trip this spring!
Are you feeling called to celebrate birds and bring more beauty into the world?
CREATE; Sign up HERE for the upcoming FREE Online Nature Journaling Workshop!
Need to speak out in support of the US FWS National Wildlife Refuge System, in defense of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or to Safegard the Endangered Species Act?
CALL & WRITE; Sharing your perspective with your state and federal elected officials has never been easier. Sign up for Action alerts with the National Wildlife Refuge Association and the American Bird Conservancy - BOTH are great resources!
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The truth is that there is no right or wrong answer for what to do or how to respond to the challenging times we are in. We all have the means and ability to serve the natural world in our own unique ways. I try to remember that even actions that feel menial can be meaningful; like just looking up to discover and appreciate the unexpected great-horned owl nesting within a watch tower (pictured left by Dan Streiffert). The failing would be in not doing anything at all.
And if ever you have need of it, I hope that this newsletter serves as a monthly reminder of the importance and impact your Friendship has on Malheur NWR, the Refuge System, and more broadly our precious public lands.
In Service to Malheur,
Janelle Wicks
Executive Director
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Water Update: Late April 2025
Written by Peter Pearsall
Photo of Double O flooding by Travis Miller
There is approximately 48 inches of water still up there—we have had some come down, but it is still holding pretty tight with the cooler temps. The Blitzen River has been averaging around 400 cfs for the last couple of weeks. I expect that to start to come up in the next week or two, with warmer weather and rain in the forecast. The P-Ranch and Buena Vista Units are still open to the public but could see closures in the next month or two. Read More
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Waxing and Waning Malheur Lake
Written by Peter Pearsall
Photo of Map showing 1984 flooding at Malheur Refuge by USGS
Malheur Lake is predominantly fed by two rivers. From the north, the Silvies River descends from the Blue Mountains, while from the south, the Donner und Blitzen River carries meltwater and rainfall off the flanks of Steens Mountain. Malheur has no true outlet and is thus a “terminal” lake. When water levels rise high enough (above 1247.5 meters above sea level), overflow spills east into Harney Lake through Mud Lake.
This closed-basin system means that the lake is entirely dependent on inputs from snowmelt, rainfall, and seasonal river flow. With no consistent outflow and a shallow basin floor lying just a meter below the overflow threshold, Malheur Lake is very sensitive to climatic extremes. Read More
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Aerial Sage Grouse Surveys in Harney County
Written by Peter Pearsall
Photos by Skyler Vold, ODFW Sage-Grouse Conservation Coordinator
In early April 2025, a crew from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) conducted aerial sage-grouse surveys via helicopter over several Priority Areas of Conservation (PACs) located on Steens Mountain. The ODFW biologists used P Ranch as their base camp due to its proximity to the survey transects.
“The aerial surveys are conducted to locate previously undocumented leks, document shifts in sage-grouse breeding distribution, and monitor activity of leks which are inaccessible from the ground,” said Skyler Vold, ODFW Sage-Grouse Conservation Coordinator. Read More
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Written By Janelle Wicks
Photo of American Avocet by Dan Streiffert
The issues are many. My voice feels small. But I do have a voice whereas the jackrabbits, the burrowing owls, the sagebrush – our beloved Refuge has no voice of its own. Our Refuge does have my voice and your voice, and that together we can be loud. Echo one another. Amplify the message: Our Public Lands are sacred and in need of our protection. Read More
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A Refuge Reflection
Poetry and prose from Friends
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Dawn at Benson Pond
Water skippers tiptoe past pond frogs
Through passageways where fry and minnows work
The velvet undersides of sunken logs
And turtles, snakes, and salamanders lurk.
Teeming finches, darting, tease the reeds
And set the cattails swaying like batons.
A flock of wood ducks startles and stampedes—
The flutter raises trumpets from the swans.
Great blue herons lift discordant notes,
Horned owls hoot from high up in a tree,
Cranes chime in as frogs unload their throats
And crickets chirp in two-part harmony.
For every cause there’s one effect beyond
The next as ripple-rings crisscross the pond.
David Hedges
Photo above: Sora at Benson Pond by Dan Streiffert
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Short-eared Owl
Written by Peter Pearsall / Photo by Dan Streiffert
The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, found across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and many islands in between. Named for its small, inconspicuous ear tufts, this striking raptor is frequently active during daylight, making it one of the easier owls to spot while hunting—especially at dawn and dusk. Read More
| | Volunteering with Friends | | |
Malheur in May is more than marvelous - as are OUR VOLUNTEERS! Thank you to all of our May Volunteers and a huge Kudos to FOMR's Crane's Nest Manager, Jill Bachman, for volunteer coordinating!
Teri Martine, Dan Streiffert, Craig Walker, Michele Wolski, Jo Jefferies, Cheryl Hunter, Larry Hill, Sharon & Ron Vail, Sally & John Works!
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The 2025 Stewardship Project Schedule
COMING UP: May 29-31 - Spring Spruce up and Migrate Through Malheur Event; In addition to taking care of various stewardship commitments across the Refuge FOMR will hold its annual public outreach event on Saturday 5/31.
August 8-10 - Sod House Ranch; Every year the historic Sod House Ranch site must be prepared for visitors in advance of its August 15th opening date. Other tasks will be taken on as time and energy allows.
September 19-21 - Stewardship tasks TBD
October 17-19 - Stewardship tasks TBD
If you have any questions or would like to sign up for a Stewardship Weekend,
please email friends@malheurfriends.org
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Outreach & Events
Be sure to check out the incredible opportunities below and see our website's event calendar for more. Click the links below to learn more about these programs and sign-up!
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Saturday May 10th | 8:00 AM - Noon
Hosted by Bird Alliance of Oregon
Malheur Refuge HQ
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at our third annual Malheur Big Sit. Bring chairs, blankets, or whatever your seating preferences are. There will be space to spread out at Malheur HQ, and for shifting views and positions while you’re birding with us.
Then, a week later... in Klamath Falls, join us for the 25th Annual Migratory Bird Day Festival at Veteran's Park from 10 am - 3pm. There will be activities and crafts, a Big Sit, story time, and MORE all in celebration of spring migration! For more information call 530.667.8311
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ANNUAL MIGRATE EVENT
& FRIENDS SOCIAL
May 31, 2025 | FREE
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Volunteers will be stationed at all your favorite Refuge hotspots to share their knowledge and bird observations.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Join us at the Malheur Field Station's Greasewood Lounge for a FREE Friends Picnic.
7:00 PM Social & Screening of The Harney Way, a 30-minute documentary celebrating the spirit of collaboration in Harney County.
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FOMR's Annual IN-PERSON Board Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 1st.
If you are a Member and/or prospective Board Member and are interested in attending this meeting please email Janelle, director@malheurfriends.org
| | CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO REGISTER FOR ONE OR ALL SESSIONS. | | |
April'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.
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Amazon Wish List!
The needs of the Friends and Refuge's programs are changing all the time. This Amazon WishList will be updated seasonally with items supporting the Biology Dept, Volunteer Program, Stewardship Projects and general operational needs!
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Annual Membership
Membership does more than contribute funds that sustain our work in service to Malheur NWR. FOMR's 1330+ Members demonstrate a strength in community and that's community's passion for Malheur NWR.
Unsure of your Membership status? Email us at friends@malheurfriends.org
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Not a Member or need to RENEW?
Simply visit OUR WEBSITE!
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
Photo (left) burrowing owl family by Volunteer Photographer Lane Wintermute
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
OPEN 7 Days/Week from March 1 - October 31
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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NEW ONLINE STORE - LIVE NOW!
All of the classic Malheur apparel and keepsakes, books, gifts, and more are now available through our new and improved online store.
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MAY FEATURED ITEM:
New Sustainable Tote Bag!
This bag is made of Jute; the most earth-friendly plant fiber. It is good for the climate, safe for wildlife (and humans), can be used for years and it's biodegradable! Could it be the PERFECT bag? Maybe!
The pictures (left) are from Manager Jill's recent trip to the grocery store. She only brought one bag with her and good thing it was THIS ONE! She was able to fit her entire purchase of $200 worth of groceries into this bag without fear of it breaking or spilling. GET YOURS for just $15!
| | PRE-ORDER YOURS TODAY! Get decked out in this custom limited-edition rainbow graphic Friends of Malheur NWR t-shirt! These shirts are soft and comfortable recycled tri-blend by AllMade. $30 Use Code PRIDE to active Free Shipping until May 5th! | | |
Malheur HQ Visitor Center
OPEN 7 Days/Week from March 1 - October 31
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Refuge HQ Visitor Center is completely dependent on the availability of volunteers. When volunteer availability is low the VC will be closed, but the Nature Store will remain open. Visitors are encouraged to ask any questions of the volunteers or staff in the Crane's Nest Nature Store at Refuge Headquarters.
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