Welcome to the East Cascades Audubon Society. We are a local organization, specializing in Central Oregon ornithology. We gather local data and both sponsor and participate in projects that help protect local bird populations. Join ECAS and help preserve the birds in this region. We rely on a very active volunteer base. Check the 'Contact' menu for opportunities
Winter 2023 Calliope Newsletter
Bird-related Events
Birding Basics: Field Experiences
Attention Novice Birders and Birders new to Central Oregon!
ECAS will offer a series of free field experiences designed for new birders and birders who are new to Central Oregon. Each month, January through June, there will be spots for 20 people to learn about a variety of Central Oregon birds, birding locations, skills, and resources.
Details for the February 5th (new date) Birding Basics: Field Experience:
Topic: Water Birds of Mirror Pond
Location: Drake, Harmon, and Pageant Parks Date/Time: January 29th (Sunday), 2:00-4:00PM Meeting spot: Harmon Park, 1100 NW Harmon Blvd, Bend (or park at Drake Park and walk over)
Group leader: Gordon Wetzel
Hooded Merganser by Claire Weiser
Focus: Water birds identification. The Deschutes River in winter has many beautiful water birds, unlike summer when there are mostly Mallards and Canada Geese. We may see Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, American Wigeon, Common Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, and if we are lucky, maybe Hooded Merganser or Wood Duck.
Additional skill: Using field optics (binoculars and scopes).
What to expect: Walking 1-2 miles on level ground which may be covered with snow and ice. Bring: Binoculars and a scope with a tripod, if you have them. Loaner binoculars will be available. Dress warmly in layers including gloves and a hat. Hand and toe warmers as well as ice-bud traction devices for boots are helpful. Optional: paper/pen for notes, camera, water. Who should sign up? New birders or those who are new to birding in Central Oregon. ECAS members, non-members, and all ages are welcome. If, once registered, you find that you are unable to attend, please let the leader know.
Sign-up here starting January 1st which will take you to Member Planet.
If you have questions, email Gordon Wetzel gordonwetzel@gmail.com or Lynda Paznokas lpaz@bendnet.com
Descriptions of future field experiences are available under Trips/Events.
DO YOU HAVE INTEREST IN A 2023 BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS?
Because interest in bird photography has always been so strong among ECAS members who enjoy sharing their photography, ECAS is considering offering a bird photography class that we would schedule for a date in 2023. We would appreciate if you could answer our short survey so that we can judge potential interest and get some guidance about what type of class or classes to offer.
Crooked River Wetlands Walks
The monthly Wetlands Walks will switch to winter hours and dates, the first Saturday of the month, November through April. We’re moving everything forward two hours to let it warm up a bit before we head out on the walks.
Gather at the Wetlands Parking Area - 9:45AM. Walk begins – 10:00AM and ends at noon.
Volunteers Needed
ECAS runs on the strength of our volunteers. Our projects, committees, programs, field trips and special events only happen because of our enthusiastic volunteers. Our members are passionate about enjoying and learning about our wild birds, and interest in helping has never been stronger.
We would like to have one or two people working together, to help match members who want to volunteer, with projects or programs where volunteer help is needed. Guidance will be provided.
ECAS also would like to have another group of volunteers form a "Social Media/Online Media Committee.” This committee would be responsible for our message getting out on Facebook and maintaining the website. If we want to get involved in other social media outlets then this committee would be responsible for that, too. If you would be interested in helping with this you can leave a message at ecaudubon@gmail.com
News
New Membership Process
The ECAS Membership Committee and the ECAS Board of Directors have chosen to use a new membership management system from Member Planet. Each ECAS member can now create their own account. A special notice to all of the ECAS membership was sent out Monday, November 26, explaining how the process works. Here is a link to that document.
Jim Anderson's Nesting Box Guide now available. Also click here for a video of Jim interviewed on Oregon Field Guide.
Central Oregon Birders On Line
Oregon Birders On Line
Birds of Central Oregon Checklist
(Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties)
County Checklists
Central Oregon Nests & Young Photos
If you find an injured bird, here is a link for steps to follow:
Woodpeckers
knocking on your house - or at your door? Here is a link with lots of info about them and what to do.
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Monthly Birders’ Nights Reimagined
Birders’ Night returns this month on Thursday, January 19 at 7:00PM. Marina Richie will tell us stories and read excerpts from her book, Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher, a 2022 National Outdoor Book Award winner. The presentation will be live at the Environmental Center and also online. The Zoom link will be https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87054580833 - log in a few minutes before 7pm January 19.
Marina Richie is a nature writer based in Bend, Oregon. She has worked as a journalist and managed communications for a number of wildlife-oriented public and private organizations. She has a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Montana and an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Oregon. Her articles and essays on the natural world are widely published and she is the author of two children's books. She will be the Saturday speaker at the Winter Wings Festival in Klamath in February. You can follow her bi-monthly blog on her website.
If anyone has suggestions for future programs, please contact Gordon Wetzel at gordonwetzel@gmail.com .
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Chuck Gates' excellent presentation on sparrows that was provided via a Zoom class is now available as a YouTube program. Here is the link to it:
Here a link to the November Birders’ Night on Vaux’s Swifts with Larry Switters.
Here is a link to the Mountain Quail in Eastern Oregon program in October 20th by Mikal Kline of ODFW.
A link to LeighAnn Krieigh's September program is here:
July’s program was Marty St. Louis and Jim Greer on Summer Lake and the Oregon Recreation and Conservation Fund respectively.
Here is a link to the program if you missed it.
John DeLuca's April presentation on bird friendly plantings can be viewed here
Here is a link to Mark Kerstens' February 17, 2022 presentation at Birders' Night on Black-backed Woodpecker research.
January 20, 2022 Birders’ Night featuring
Back to the Night: Why Preserving the Stars is Not Just for the Birds can be viewed here
October Birders' Night featuring Jeff Fleischer, the originator and Project Manager of the Winter Raptor Survey, can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaJHcp5HxKQ
September's program on Sparrows of Central Oregon with Chuck Gates can be viewed here:
Jim Anderson's program on June 17th can be viewed here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJglOBgPDIE
The May program on Elevational Woodpecker Nesting can be viewed here on the ECAS YouTube site
The January program on the Tongass Odyssey
Instructions for downloading Zoom Link here
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Sage-grouse You Tube video with Dr. Stu Garrett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb5p-fEC18M
Want to Volunteer? Click here
2022 Wychus Golden Eagle Cam
Stormy fledged Wednesday, June 29 at ~5:48 am. You can see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunskY3ihpk
You may also see the video in the comments on the website and read the reactions of our many viewers who have been waiting expectantly for this event. https://www.goldeneaglecam.org/home/live-camera#comments
On April 11, the first egg has hatched at the golden eagle nest on Whychus Canyon! Check it out: https://www.goldeneaglecam.org/home/live-camera#comments
To view the comments, click on the "sort by newest" on the right hand choice under your login name.
Petra laid an egg on Friday, February 25. To see a video of this go to youtu.be/EQAwPvaODFE
Follow this link to see the camera
According to Frank Isaacs of the Oregon Eagle Foundation, the golden eagles using this nest have raised young each year since 2010. They are the only nesting pair in Oregon that nested successfully each year of the Golden Eagle Nest Survey Project (2011–2021).
If you want to help support this effort, you can donate to ECAS using the Donate button above. This will help pay for the broadband usage needed for this effort.
Click on the picture below to view a a slideshow about the project's history.
Click here for the
Winter Raptor Survey Project
slide show presentation!
