As we worked on the new nest, one of the ferruginous hawks flew over and watched us for a few minutes. They have not been seen on the new platform yet but nesting starts in mid February. Let’s hope they accept the invitation to nest above the coyotes this year.
These community science opportunities in the Harney Basin and more specifically at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are as abundant as the birds and YOU can help.
In December we had the opportunity to be part of the Refuge Christmas Bird Count (CBC). We were stationed for three nights at the historic P Ranch with Rick Vetter and Joan Suther, two of Harney County’s finest birders, and Henry Burton who developed his excellent birding skills and his love of the Refuge by coming with his family ever since he was a small child.
This year, 14 field birders enjoyed near record breaking warm temperatures and mostly clear skies all day, with gorgeous views of the Steens mountains and Frenchglen cliffs to the west where golden eagles were already checking out nest sites for breeding season, just months away.
In 2021, we partnered with the refuge and Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative partners to pilot an effort using autonomous recording units (ARU) to expand monitoring efforts in the Harney Basin.
