While the fields are not yet green and the camas has yet to bloom, the cranes have begun their return to the Harney Basin and Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. In coming weeks more will arrive whether to stay and reproduce or simply as a stopover on a longer journey north. Photo of a red-winged blackbird mobbing a greater sandhill crane among camas blooms in a meadow by Lane Wintermute. | | |
Here we are again. A time of change and growth that has been quietly in the works but slowly beginning to show itself. This is true of our natural surroundings but also for our organization as well.
The Crane's Nest Nature Store at refuge headquarters opened up on March 1st and as it does every year it marks a new season for the Friends. Volunteers return and some new faces arrive for the first time, like Leila and Bill who will be with us for the next 3 months!
You may also notice new staff this year including Store Assistant Manager, Sid Sullivan. Technicians Ian Snyder and Luke Duvall have both accepted offers for seasonal employment with the Friends this year. Luke will be the 2026 FOMR Biological Technician working directly with the Refuge staff and Ian will come in as our first ever Stewardship Technician committed to the review and development of FOMR's field projects from the Desert Rock Garden to hiking trails and the soon to be unveiled Osprey Nest Camera.
While the work this team accomplishes is invaluable to our mission, it is not without expense. It will cost nearly $24,000 to employ two seasonal technicians from May to August.
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Our team is growing in numbers and strength with the never-ending goal of doing the most good on the ground for Malheur. This only happens because of your support.
Thank you,
Janelle Wicks
FOMR Director
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Groundwater Measurements at Malheur NWR
Written by Darrick Boschmann, Oregon Water Resources Department Hydrogeologist/Photo by Alan Nyiri
Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) staff have been measuring groundwater levels in the Harney Basin at least as far back as the 1960s, and some USGS data goes back as far as the late 1920s.
The current quarterly well network was expanded significantly back around 2015 in anticipation of the Harney Basin groundwater study, which was completed in cooperation with USGS in 2024. Information on the groundwater study, including a number of publications, can be found at the following web locations. READ MORE
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The First Butterflies of Spring
Written by Peter Pearsall
Originally published March 2019
Spring is slow to arrive to Malheur Refuge. Frost clings to the ground well into April most years; the austere high-desert vegetation stubbornly refuses to show signs of life until even later. But the subtle lengthening of days doesn’t go wholly unheralded. Resident birds begin warming up their vocal repertoires, migratory ducks and geese arrive to still-frozen waterways, and hibernating squirrels and other mammals rouse from their dens, all anticipating the change in seasons.
With below-freezing temperatures occurring regularly at night, one doesn’t expect to see many poikilothermic, or “cold-blooded”, creatures out and about. But one resident poikilotherm that stirs to life on warmer days in early spring is, improbably, a butterfly: the mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), pictured above. READ MORE
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It's Feeding Time!
Written by Linda Hendricks Spence, BirdingBeyondtheFieldGuide.com
Now is the time to put up your birds’ seed feeders for spring and summer which is exactly what is happening at The Crane’s Nest Nature Center at Malheur Refuge Headquarters. Come! Watch!
I love looking out our windows or sitting outside and watching the birds at our feeders here in central Illinois. The birds are just so entertaining – and no matter what my mood is, I always end up grinning at their interactions – and antics! READ MORE
NOTE: In 2025 Friends of Malheur spent over $1,200 locally at Burns Farm & Feed on wild bird seed and suet to support the feeders at the Crane's Nest Nature Store and Refuge Visitor Center. Please consider a donation to offset this cost and fill the feeders! Click HERE to Donate.
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President's Message for March 2026
Written by Bill Tweed, FOMR President
We are each blessed or cursed with an internal clock that guides us in our interactions with the world around us. Some of us are morning persons, some evening. It’s just the way we are born. Left alone, and especially when I’m out in the wild, I am of the morning persuasion. Give me a bit of light in the eastern sky, and I’m happy to get moving.
I bring this up, of course, because our morning light is returning. As I write this, we’ve just wrapped up the four months of celestial darkness in the northern hemisphere that run from October 21st to February 21st. For the next four months, every day will see more morning light. I couldn’t be happier. READ MORE
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Species Spotlight; Yellow-headed Blackbird
Written by Peter Pearsall/ Photo by Peter Pearsall
Bold, brash, and unmistakable, the yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) is one of North America’s most striking marsh birds. With its golden head and jet-black body, the male looks almost tropical—until he opens his bill and unleashes one of the most famously harsh songs in the wetlands.
In summer males sport a bright yellow head and chest (the scientific name Xanthocephalus literally means “yellow-headed”), glossy black body, and distinct white wing patches visible in flight. Females are brown overall, with a dull yellow throat and face. READ MORE
| | Volunteering with Friends | | |
2026 Stewardship Work Parties
Save the dates for the following volunteer weekends. Lodging will be provided, FCFS, at the Malheur Field Station.
June 15-17 Bat Flyout Surveys
August 7-9 Sod House Ranch & Bat Flyout Surveys
September 18-20 Tasks TBD
October 16-18 Tasks TBD
Want to join us? Email friends@malheurfriends.org
REMINDER: Sign up NOW to volunteer for Intermountain West Joint Venture Shorebird Surveys on Malheur NWR. April 23 - 26th!
Email Teresa 'Bird' Wicks, twicks@birdallianceoregon.org
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Volunteer Shout Out(s)
Welcome to NEW Volunteers Leila and Bill who have only just arrived at Malheur NWR for what will be a 3 MONTH stay!
Sharleen Boichel is returning to work weekends this March!
NEW FOMR Volunteer Colleen Andersson will be visiting Harney County Rural School's Science Discovery Day as the Artist in Residence next week. Then Janet Stuart is returning for her third year as the Artist in Residence heading into elementary school classrooms to support the connectivity between art and science. She will be joined by Volunteer Doug Furr and Malheur NWR Wildlife Biologist Alexa Martinez!
WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!!!
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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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Dates: APRIL 16 - 19TH 2026
REGISTRATION is OPEN!
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 begin packaging your Feather Friend SWAG packs! Books have been ordered and will be in hand ready to send out on March 17th!
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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February'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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February 23, 2026: “With a graceful leap, wings outstretched, Sandhill Cranes welcome the longer days. The stately cranes are courting, renewing an annual dance they perform in earnest as the days lengthen into spring. Sandhill Crane pairs remain together for life, and their spirited dance plays an essential role in reaffirming this bond.” -Birdnote
Video of dancing cranes by Lane Wintermute #sandhillcrane #cranedance #crane #highdesert #friendsofmalheur
Follow the Friends of Malheur on Facebook and Instagram at Malheurfriends
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Amazon Wish List!
We have added a few new items in anticipation of the 2026 field season with increased volunteer and seasonal lodging at Historic Buena Vista House!
Please consider an in-kind donation to support these programmatic needs.
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Friends Membership
Membership does more than contribute funds that sustain our work in service to Malheur NWR. FOMR's 1400+ 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 Store has REOPENED as of March 1!
Stop in and say Hi to FOMR Manager Jill, Assistant Manager Sid, or one of our lovely Store Volunteers, Sharleen, Leila, and Bill!
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Malheur HQ Visitor Center
CLOSED until March 1st
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