Just looking for social opportunities? You’ll find them listed here, and in the full event schedule. Socials are a great way to gather with fellow birders, compare sightings, learn places to go and what to see, meet new people, and have fun! Come and join us!
WETLANDS HAPPY HOUR
Ever wonder why birds use some areas more than others? What entices birds to rest and nest at different locations? Curious to know more about wetland restoration? Join Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative partners for this casual and educational gathering. Come learn more about the work being done by High Desert Partnership, Portland Audubon, Ducks Unlimited, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge staff, and other local stakeholders to improve wetland habitat while supporting the local economy. Come when you want. Stay as long as you want. Led by Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative. High Desert Partnership will be providing refreshments and appetizers including alcoholic beverages. Doverspike Beef, will provide meatballs!
Free, Thursday, April 11, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: 1899 Foundry, 315 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
BIRDERS CONNECT – COFFEE HOUR
This early bird gathering is designed to provide space for birders to socialize and casually bird while enjoying coffee and pastries. There won’t be a birding guide for this coffee hour, but Friends of Malheur volunteers will be on-hand to provide information about the refuge, give the low-down on recent bird sightings, and to help answer any questions you might have.
Free, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 12/13/14, 6 to 7 a.m.
Location: Malheur Refuge Headquarters, Crane’s Nest Store – 36391 Sodhouse Ln, Princeton, OR, 97721
BIRD TRIVIA & EVENING SOCIAL
Are you a Bird Nerd? Think you’re the nerdiest Bird Nerd? Come test your bird nerdiness at our Bird Trivia and Happy Hour. Janelle and Teresa Wicks will be your co-hosts. Teresa has been a bird nerd since entering the world, spreading bird nerdery for all to hear since learning to talk. Janelle does not self-ID as a bird nerd but has been bird nerd adjacent for much of her career, particularly since meeting Teresa in 2015.
We’ll start gathering for trivia at 5:30. You’ll have about a half-hour to order food and/or drinks, find a seat, join your team, etc. Trivia will get started around 6:00. This pub trivia will be run “rank choice” style, meaning each round YOU decide how many points each question will be worth (1-5 points). There will be four rounds, including an audio round, plus a “Photo ID half-time”. We’ll wrap up with a Bonus Question, where you can risk it all to steal the feather crown.
Not interested in Bird Trivia but want to socialize and watch the activities? PLEASE JOIN US!
Free, Friday, April 12, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Location: Burns Elk’s Lodge – 118 N Broadway, Burns, OR 97720
SATURDAY SWOOP + FOCUS ON FINLEY
This year, we’re changing up our pinnacle event! Like a swoop of cranes, we’ll be gathering to eat, socialize, have fun, and learn – with a “Focus on Finley”! As a biologist, photographer, writer, filmmaker, and public official, Finley spent his life tirelessly advocating for the protection of wildlife, especially birds. His efforts led to the creation of three National Wildlife Refuges in Oregon, and a fourth was named in his honor.
There will be food trucks and pop-ups on-hand and the bar will be open (no-host). The Swoop schedule includes a Bird Call Contest (you do the calling, the crowd does the judging), a “Name that bird(s)” audio challenge (we’ll play recordings collected from Malheur, you’ll try to ID the birds), and a round of William L. Finley trivia. Prizes will be awarded for the “Focus on Finley” trivia, the Bird Call contest, and the audio challenge!
We’ll also have a three-part educational component, delivered by the authors of “For the Love of Nature”, William L. Finley III (yes, Finley’s grandson!) and Carole Finley. Each of these presentations will be 10-15 minutes long and will cover topics associated with Finley and Malheur from 1908 to today.—- Read more about the Finleys and their book writing process, here!
Prizes will be awarded for the “Focus on Finley” trivia, the Bird Call contest, and the audio challenge.
Tentative:
5:15 – 5:45 Finely and Bohlman @ Malheur Lake 1908
5:50 – 6:10 Bird Call Contest
6:15 – 7:45 Water in 1935
7:55 – 7:10 Name that Bird
7:15 – 7:45 Malheur the Crown Jewel
8:00 – 8:30 Focus on Finley trivia
Join us for this casual, fun, and fascinating event! Game participation is not required, only encouraged!
$25 / person, Saturday, April 13, 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Central Hotel – 171 N Broadway Ave Ste. A, Burns, OR 97720
BRUNCH WITH THE BIRDS
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a morning must-stop for every birder in the area during spring migration. You never know what will arrive to seek shelter among the small oasis of trees that surround the remarkable CCC-era buildings. Join Teresa Wicks, Portland Audubon’s Eastern Oregon Program Manager, for a walk of the grounds followed by a catered brunch hosted by the Friends of Malheur NWR at the Crane’s Nest Nature Center Pavilion along the Marshall Pond Trail. Participants should indicate dietary restrictions.
$40 / person, Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Malheur Refuge Headquarters Lawn, 36391 Sodhouse Ln, Princeton, OR 97721
