Thursday, April 11, 2024
HARNEY COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM TOUR
SELF-GUIDED TOUR – $3-5 person, 10am to 4 pm |
HARNEY BASIN WETLANDS RESTORATION TOUR
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HOW, WHEN, AND WHERE TO BIRD HARNEY COUNTY PROGRAM
PROGRAM, WORKSHOP – $10 / person, 3 to 4:30 p.m. |
DOWNTOWN HISTORY WALKING TOUR
TOUR – Free , 4 to 6 p.m. |
WETLANDS HAPPY HOUR
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‘BELTED KINGFISHER – MESSENGER OF WATERWAYS’ BOOK TALK
PROGRAM – Free, 6 to 7 p.m. |
NOCTURNAL WILDLIFE TOUR
TOUR – $55 / person, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. |
Friday, April 12, 2024
SUNRISE BALD EAGLE FLY OUT TOUR
TOUR – $30 / person, 5:15 to 9:30 a.m. |
BASIN BIG DAY TOUR
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BIRDERS CONNECT – COFFEE HOUR
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WATERFOWL ID WORKSHOPHave you ever seen birds on a pond and wondered, who’s out there? This waterfowl ID class will give you the tools you need to identify them. This class will go over waterfowl evolution, point out patterns, shapes, and behaviors to help you identify the different species here in Harney County. After the class, join us in the Waterfowl ID Tour where we will use these new skills in the field. This class is led by Melissa Petschauer, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator for High Desert Partnership. Her career has been based in avian research with a focus on waterfowl. |
BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – NORTH
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URBAN BIRDING DROP-IN WALK
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BIRD CRAWL – SOUTH
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BIRDING MALHEUR REFUGE HQ TO BUENA VISTA TOURThis tour travels along the northern part of the Malheur Auto Tour Route (Central Patrol Road). This region of the refuge is often more sagebrush than wetland so this tour is a great opportunity to not only look for upland bird species, but to look for families of river otter, awesome geographic features, and one of Malheur’s uncommon (but awesome) black deer. Tara Lemezis is Portland Audubon’s Assistant Director of Adult Education and has been visiting Malheur for about a decade. As this tour approaches Buena Vista, you’ll likely encounter an increasing number of waterfowl, waterbirds, and cranes. This trip covers two of the Bird Crawl stops, so you could get two stamps for your passport while on this tour! VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us). TOUR – $45 / person, 8 to 11 a.m. |
BOCA LAKE HIKING TOUR
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DOUBLE 0 LLAMA HIKING & PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
TOUR – $100 / person, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
WATERFOWL ID TOURTime to put your new knowledge to the test! Using what you learned in the Waterfowl ID class, we will go out and identify waterfowl in the basin. This is a great opportunity to try out your new knowledge, ask questions and see waterfowl in their natural habitat. Please dress for the weather, as we will be in and out of the van. This tour is led by Melissa Petschauer, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator for High Desert Partnership. Her career has been based in avian research with a focus on waterfowl. VAN-GUIDED (You ride with us). TOUR – $40 / person, 9 to 11 a.m. |
BIRDING BY BIKE – HALF THE WHEELS, TWICE THE FUN
TOUR – $20 / person, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
FIELD SKETCHING / JOURNALING WORKSHOP/TOUR
WORKSHOP, TOUR – $20 / person, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
HARNEY COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM TOUR
SELF-GUIDED TOUR – $3-5 person, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
ART SHOW & SALE
ACTIVITY – Free, 12 to 6 p.m. |
FOREST BIRDS TOUR
TOUR – $45 / person, 12:30- to 3:30 p.m. |
BIRDING BY EAR WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP – $20 / vehicle, 1:30 to 3 p.m. |
URBAN BIRDING DROP-IN WALK
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BIRDING BENSON POND TO P-RANCH TOURJoin Tara Lemezis, Portland Audubon’s Assistant Director of Adult Education, on this tour traveling the southern region of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge’s Auto Tour Route. Tara has been birding at Malheur for nearly a decade and knows all the birdy spots along this route. You’ll travel past many of the refuge’s best wet meadow habitat, past several ponds, and along woody riparian habitat. This route travels along the Blitzen River, so ther are plenty of opportunities for viewing riverine bird species (such as mergansers) and several mammal species, including mink, otter, and sometimes beaver. This tour stops at two of the Bird Crawl stops, so be sure to bring your passport! VAN-GUIDED (You ride with us). |
CRANE CARAVAN TOUR
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BIRD PHOTOS: Composition, Light, & Action [Workshop]
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GOLDEN EAGLE NEST VIEWING TOUR
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FIELD SKETCHING / JOURNALING WORKSHOP/TOUR
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DOWNTOWN HISTORY WALKING TOUR
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VERITAS SCHOOL CHOIR PERFORMANCE
PROGRAM – Free, 5 to 5:30 p.m. |
BIRD TRIVIA & EVENING SOCIAL
Not interested in Bird Trivia but want to socialize and watch the activities? PLEASE JOIN US! |
STAR STORIES ON THE WINGUntil very recently, birds and other winged creatures had dominion over the skies. But with the advent of the aeronautical age, humans have now conquered the atmospheric realm and beyond. Join Oregon Outback Star Safari as we explore many of the celestial wonders our scientific investigations have revealed, and others that continue to inspire our curiosity. Beneath some of the darkest night skies remaining in North America, our cosmic journey will include a laser-guided tour of the night sky, constellation stories, and telescope observations.
Please wear warm clothing for this 1.5 to 2-hour program and bring your own chair or blanket to sit upon, and binoculars if you have them. *Spring weather in Harney County is highly unpredictable. Program is weather dependent and subject to cancellation due to cloudy conditions/poor visibility. Refunds available for these circumstances.
$20 / person, Friday, April 12, 8:30 to 10 p.m. Location: Slater Elementary School North Field – 800 N Fairview Ave., Burns, OR 97720 |
Saturday, April 13, 2024
DOWNTOWN HISTORY WALKING TOUR
Enjoy a chance to stretch your legs between birding tours and learn more about Burns history. This walking tour covers 16 blocks in the downtown area of Burns and focuses on many of the 100+ year old buildings still in use. You will visit and get a brief historical sketch about each building on your path. Finish your tour with a visit to the Harney County Historical Society Museum, open Friday and Saturday from 10 to 4. *Free, but please pre-register by adding this tour to your shopping cart.
TOUR – Free, 3 to 5 p.m.
Departs from: Harney County Library – 80 W ‘D’ St., Burns, OR, 97720
SUNRISE BALD EAGLE FLY OUT TOUR
TOUR – $30 / vehicle, 5:15 to 9:30 a.m. |
BASIN BIG DAY TOUR
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BIRDERS CONNECT – COFFEE HOUR
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WATERFOWL ID TOURTime to put your new knowledge to the test! Using what you learned in the Waterfowl ID class, we will go out and identify waterfowl in the basin. This is a great opportunity to try out your new knowledge, ask questions and see waterfowl in their natural habitat. Please dress for the weather, as we will be in and out of the van. This tour is led by Melissa Petschauer, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator for High Desert Partnership. Her career has been based in avian research with a focus on waterfowl. VAN-GUIDED (You ride with us) |
BIRDING BY EAR TOUR
*Tour-goers who attended the Birding By Ear Workshop will have priority for seats available on this tour. |
RAPTOR ID WORKSHOP
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BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – SOUTH
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URBAN BIRDING DROP-IN WALK
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WORKING RANCH TOUR
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BIRD PHOTOS: Composition, Light, & Action [Field Practice]
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BIRD CRAWL NORTH
If you want to go to the Bird Crawl locations without having the passport, go for it (you just don’t get the 2024 passport and commemorative sticker)! For free! TOUR – $20 / passport, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (docents on site) – YOU ONLY NEED ONE PASSPORT FOR THE WEEKEND. ONE PASSPORT COVERS BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH LOCATIONS |
CRANE CARAVAN TOUR
TOUR – $30 / vehicle, 8 to 10 a.m. |
BIRDING BENSON POND TOURNamed for Malheur’s first “game protector”, George Benson, Benson Pond provides access to a diversity of habitat types, many of which are associated with the Civilian Conservation Corps era. Benson Pond provides open water for viewing waterfowl including duck species, swans, and geese; emergent vegetation good for finding Marsh Wrens, Sora, and the occasional mink; and the CCC era willows and homestead era cottonwoods provide ample opportunities for finding Great Horned Owls, a variety of passerines, and as a migrant trap the fairly regular appearance of wayward passerines. This tour leaves Malheur HQ at 8:00 and will provide approximately 1.5 hours of birding the .75 mile trail with Tara Lemezis. Tara is the Assistant Director of Adult Learning & Engagement at Bird Alliance of Oregon and has birding at Malheur for nearly a decade and has been leading trips to Malheur for Portland Audubon since 2019. VAN-GUIDED (you ride with us). |
DOUBLE O UPLANDS HIKING & PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
Camera gear, scopes and collapsible tripods can be accommodated, but should be well protected against possible jostling. Small folding chairs can also be taken along. Travel distance from Burns to the birding site is about forty miles and is a birding opportunity in its own right. Bring snacks, lunch and drinks. Hiking experience is strongly recommended. A birding guide will join this tour for expertise! CARAVAN TOUR (We lead, you drive). TOUR – $100 / person, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
BOCA LAKE HIKING TOUR
TOUR – $95 / person, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
KIDS’ STORYWALK
ACTIVITY – Free, 9 to 10 a.m. |
BIRDING BY BIKE – HALF THE WHEELS, TWICE THE FUN
TOUR – $20 / person, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
ART SHOW & SALE
ACTIVITY – Saturday, April 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
FIELD SKETCHING / JOURNALING
WORKSHOP, TOUR – $20 / person, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
KIDS’ FAIR IN THE FIELD
ACTIVITY – Free, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
RAPTOR ID TOUR
Tour-goers who attended the Raptor ID Workshop will have priority for seats available on this tour. TOUR – $45 / person, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |
BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – SOUTH
TOUR – $45 / person, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
KIDS’ BIRDHOUSE BUILDING
ACTIVITY – Free, 12 to 2 p.m. |
BIRDING P-RANCH TOUR
TOUR – $45 / person, 12 to 3 p.m. |
FOREST BIRDS TOUR
TOUR – $40 / person, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. |
URBAN BIRDING DROP-IN WALK
ACTIVITY – Free, 1 to 3:30 p.m. |
CRANE CARAVAN
TOUR – $30 / vehicle, 2 to 4 p.m. |
FIELD SKETCHING / JOURNALING WORKSHOP/TOUR
WORKSHOP, TOUR – $20 / person, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. |
HARNEY COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM TOUR
SELF-GUIDED TOUR – $3-5 person, 10am to 4 pm |
SATURDAY SWOOP + FOCUS ON FINLEY
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: Join us for this casual, fun, and fascinating event! Game participation is not required, only encouraged! SOCIAL, PROGRAM – $25 / person, 5 to 9 p.m. |
Sunday, April 14, 2024
BIRDERS CONNECT – COFFEE HOUR
SOCIAL – Free, 6 to 7 a.m. |
BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – SOUTH
TOUR – $45 / person, 7 to 10 a.m. |
WONDERFUL WATERFOWL TOURHarney County is an important stopover for migratory birds, during this tour we will focus on the waterfowl that use this area as an important refueling site and resident birds that stay here to rear their young. We will look for the numerous species of waterfowl that use the flooded wet meadows in the Silvies floodplain. This tour is led by Melissa Petschauer, Harney Basin Ecological Coordinator for High Desert Partnership. Her career has been based in avian research with a focus on waterfowl. TOUR – $40 / person, 7 to 9 a.m. |
URBAN BIRDING DROP-IN WALK
ACTIVITY – Free, 7:30 to 10 a.m. |
CRANE CARAVAN TOUR
TOUR – $30 / person, 8 to 10 a.m. |
HIKING THE WILD DOUBLE O TOUR
TOUR – $80 / person, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
LLAMA RANCH VISIT ON THE WILD GOOSE MEADOWS TOUR
The activities provide great photographic opportunities. During the tour we will also present you with a complete background on the care, history, breeding, and uses of these fascinating animals. Collectively we have nearly sixty years of experience that covers all manner of llama activities, ranging from leading a 4H club, to training llamas to pull carts, and taking lengthy wilderness pack trips. The tour provides an excellent opportunity to answer your questions at length. CARAVAN TOUR (We lead, you drive). TOUR – $50 / person, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
BIRDING BY BIKE – HALF THE WHEELS, TWICE THE FUN
TOUR – $20 / person, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
ART SHOW & SALE
ACTIVITY – Free, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
BRUNCH WITH THE BIRDS
SOCIAL, ACTIVITY – $40 / person, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
BIRDING THE HOT SPOTS TOUR – NORTH
TOUR – $45 / person, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. |
MALHEUR STEWARDSHIP WORK PARTY
ACTIVITY – Free, 1 to 4 p.m. |