“So...if I can’t see my own shadow, but I can see yours, what does that tell us? Are we supposed to be doing this one at a time? This doesn’t make any sense.”
Photo of Belding’s ground squirrels by Kay Steele | | |
At Malheur and across the National Wildlife Refuge System there has been much ado about a lot these days. Those of us in leadership positions with Refuge or Hatchery Friends groups have been closely monitoring the communications and guidance related to Director's Order 230, which is likely to mean nothing to most people if not everyone reading this newsletter. But this, after all, is one of the many reasons I find producing this newsletter to be so valuable.
Director's Order 230 was issued on December 16th by US Fish & Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik. The goals it states are to assess the alignment of existing refuges and hatcheries with the current USFWS mission. The guidance it lays out is to improve operational efficiencies and evaluate infrastructure needs.
In a network of 573 Refuges and 71 Hatcheries operating under long term restrictions on funding and staffing it is certainly easy to believe that there are inefficiencies and infrastructure needs across the entire system, Malheur among the many others.
Fortunately, leadership in the Service saw fit to broadcast a general opportunity to contribute to the fact-finding mission of the Order. They distributed surveys that would help to capture this information; first to Service staff and then to Friends groups like ours, of which there are approximately 180.
Seeing an opportunity to advocate for the importance of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and its needs, Friends of Malheur filled out the survey and submitted a letter to the Director. We are asking you, this vast community of Friends to the Refuge to consider sharing your thoughts as well.
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We, as an organization also chose to sign onto a letter drafted by the National Wildlife Refuge Association. (READ HERE) Our voices matter to Malheur and this precious System of federal lands protected for wildlife. Together, we are an undeniable force of support.
Thank you,
Janelle Wicks
FOMR Director
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Virtual Fence Grazing Pilot Study for Reed Canarygrass
Written by Jess Wenick/ Photo by Jess Wenick
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and partners are preparing an experimental, pilot-scale effort that uses targeted cattle grazing guided by GPS virtual fencing to reduce tall, invasive reed canarygrass and evaluate habitat response. Project specifics will continue to be refined based on site conditions and monitoring.
What we are trying to learn, and why.
Reed canarygrass can form dense monocultures in wet meadows. The pilot’s goal is to reduce those impacts by strategically targeting reed canarygrass at its most vulnerable physiological stage (tiller elongation/early boot).
This approach aligns with the idea that short-duration, targeted grazing can reduce reed canarygrass height and thatch and create space for native plants, then allow us to evaluate vegetation and wildlife response. READ MORE
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MOTUS Towers at Malheur Refuge
Written by Peter Pearsall
Wildlife surveys at Malheur Refuge are getting a technological boost courtesy of the Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus), an international collaborative research network utilizing automated radio telemetry to track migratory animals.
“Within the Refuge’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan are several wildlife surveys that we conduct every year, including shorebird surveys on Malheur and Harney Lake. These lakes host an abundance of migratory shorebirds every spring and fall. As part of our objective to collect baseline data on birds’ use of these habitats, we’re now using Motus towers to track tagged shorebirds remotely,” said Alexa Martinez, Malheur Refuge Wildlife Biologist. READ MORE
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Connections and Harney County Cranes
Written by Dr Gary Ivey/ Photo by Dr Gary Ivey
Spring in Harney County is heralded by the return of thousands of lesser sandhill cranes to the private hayfields on the Silvies Floodplain, north of Malheur Refuge. While the larger, greater sandhill crane breeds in this area, these lessers use it as a re-fueling station for their long northward migration. They begin arriving in early March and peaking in mid-March; large flocks totaling up to 6,000 birds can be found feeding in the irrigated meadows on the Silvies floodplain through mid April. This used to be the most important spring staging site in the Flyway. However, efforts at Columbia Refuge in Othello Washington which began to provide corn fields for spring migrating cranes in the mid-1990s has led to a shift in higher crane use in that area, and most of the Harney County lessers head to Othello after leaving Harney County. READ MORE
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SNEEK PEAK!
The platform is up. The camera is installed. We are working now on updates to the website were the feed will run LIVE for your viewing pleasure. For now, please enjoy this 24hr timelapse of our new osprey nest camera! Click below.
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President's Message for February 2026
Written by Bill Tweed, FOMR President
As you peruse this month’s Musings, you can see what a contradictory month January has shaped up to be. It has been a time of both happy accomplishments and concerns.
The installation of the new osprey nesting platform and monitoring camera near the south end of the refuge goes at the top of the plus list. READ MORE
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Species Spotlight; Brewer's Blackbird
Written by Peter Pearsall/ Photo by Peter Pearsall
If you’ve ever been in a grocery store parking lot and locked eyes with a glossy black bird strutting like it owns the place, chances are you’ve met the Brewer’s blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus). Common and clever, this often-encountered icterid of western and central North America is a great example of how wildlife adapts to human-altered landscapes.
Brewer’s blackbird males are glossy black with a metallic sheen and striking pale yellow eyes. Females are gray-brown overall with darker wings and eyes that are dark rather than yellow. The species name cyanocephalus literally means “blue-headed,” a nod to the male’s iridescence. READ MORE
| | Volunteering with Friends | | |
2026 Shorebird Survey Opportunities!
Written by Dr Teresa 'Bird' Wicks, Bird Alliance of Oregon
Each year, we rely on volunteers to help with surveys. We accept volunteers of any skill level, pairing newer volunteers/bird identifiers with more experienced folks. Nearly all areas we survey in spring and fall, and all areas we survey in the summer, require hiking 5-10 miles roundtrip per day on uneven terrain, in one of the most beautiful regions of Malheur. READ MORE
This year the survey windows are:
- Spring Intermountain West Shorebird Survey: April 23-26, 2026
- Malheur Western Snowy Plover Survey: June 17-20, 2026
- Fall Intermountain West Shorebird Survey: August 12-15, 2026
To sign-up or for more information, email Bird Wicks, twicks@birdallianceoregon.org
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2026 Stewardship Work Parties
Save the dates for the following volunteer weekends. Lodging will be provided, FCFS, at the Malheur Field Station.
July/August Bat Flyouts Dates TBD
August 7-9 Sod House Ranch
September 18-20 Tasks TBD
October 16-18 Tasks TBD
Want to join us? Email friends@malheurfriends.org
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Volunteer Shout Out(s)!
When local high school teacher and artist, Dav Oliver, delivered this beautiful new redband trout we were still unsure how it would be properly displayed. Al to the rescue! While he has been gearing up for the final installation of bat condos at Refuge Headquarters he also took on welding a stand for the fish! Al just delivered it back to Refuge HQ on Tuesday along with the final bat condo and all is being installed this week with the help of returning volunteer, Ian Snyder, who just a couple of weeks ago was aloft in the manlift installing the new osprey nest camera! THANK YOU Dave, Al, and Ian for all you do!
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Exciting News at Buena Vista House!
This year, the Friends will caretake the Historic Buena Vista House and utilize it for lodging volunteers and seasonals as needed.
We have been collecting furnishings and expect to have the house ready for guests by April 1. Can you help us with a donation to fill one or more of the needs we have to fully outfit the space? SEE LIST HERE
If you live in Portland, Eugene, or Bend and would like to make a donation of linens or small housewares we have local Board Directors who could receive these items!
Questions? Offers? email friends@malheurfriends.org
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Outreach & Events
While we are currently unable to host programs at Malheur NWR we are excited to continue our education and outreach efforts with our partners in Harney County.
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REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 14TH!
Click Here for FULL EVENT SCHEDULE
REFUGE SPECIFIC HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
Bird Crawl Locations
Hike Boca Lake
Hike the Double O
Malheur Birding & Dunn Dam Tour
Llama Powered Birding Tour
Birding Benson Pond to P Ranch
Birding by Bike on Bridge Creek
Travel Through Time at Malheur Refuge
Brunch w/ the Birds
& so many other great tours and programs!
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Virtual Author Talk: James McCommons
Monday, March 16th 2026 | 3PM Pacific
REGISTER NOW: Click HERE
Join the Friends as we host a presentation from James and an opportunity for discussion about his book which will be published on March 17th!
"This dazzling account from journalist McCommons (Camera Hunter) examines how the “meanness... and greed” of the indiscriminate slaughter of birds in turn-of-the-20th-century America prompted a diverse array of figures to take up the cause of conservation." - Publisher's Weekly
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NEW! A Book Circle for bird and nature nerds!
This group will tackle a new title quarterly starting with Feather Wars which will be published on March 17th, the day after our virtual talk with author James McCommon (see above). We will take sign-ups from now until March 15th, at which point we will place our pre-order and schedule monthly zoom chats.
We are offering TWO Ways to join in the booky fun.
Feather Friend | $50: Register and receive a copy of the book from the Crane’s Nest Nature Store along with a tote bag and novelty items. Receive an invitation to the monthly Zoom chats on Second Sundays at 7pm. Proceeds support Friends of Malheur NWR.
FREE*: No registration necessary. Just join in the Goodreads.com Group Chat to share your reflections and engage in meaningful conversation with others.
*You will need to acquire the book yourself. We recommend checking out your local library or www.bookshop.org to support small local bookstores, but of course, FOMR's online store for titles that we carry.
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PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
If you know of or are associated with a group that would be interested in a Malheur NWR themed presentation, please reach out to FOMR Director Janelle Wicks to coordinate.
Potential topics are as diverse as the Refuge itself.
Virtual or in-person depending on seasonal availability.
Email: friends@malheurfriends.org
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January'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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January 23, 2026: Remember when people used to wait in lines outside of physical department stores until they opened to fight over holiday gifts? How quaint.
This absolutely insane moment was captured by Refuge volunteers Jim Soupir and Joan Suther during the Malheur Refuge Christmas Bird Count a couple years back. The harrier and long-eared owl were locked together on the ground, apparently fighting over a mouse or vole. #longearedowl #northernharrier #malheurnationalwildliferefuge #friendsofmalheur #christmasbirdcount
Follow the Friends of Malheur on Facebook and Instagram at Malheurfriends
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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 1415+ members demonstrate a strength in community and that 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) Sandhill crane by Lane Wintermute
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Crane's Nest Nature Center & Store
Headquarters Site REOPENING SOON - MARCH 1, 2026
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
CLOSED until March 1st
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