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.
Written by Max Rae, Wildlife Photographer Photos by Max Rae; Feature image above of a great egret in flight As part of our local photo club, the Salem Digital
When I first saw the exquisite photo by Dan Streiffert on the Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page I was mesmerized.
Within 100 yards of the Crane’s Nature Center and Shop, where we worked, there were 5 species of birds with moms either sitting on eggs or feeding hatchlings. Those species were Red Tailed Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Say’s Phoebe, Barn Swallow and Black Chinned Hummingbird.
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