Bird migration is one of the true marvels of the natural world. Some 350 species of North American breeding birds make the arduous journey north to take advantage of burgeoning insect populations, budding plants, and an abundance of nesting locations. Often they follow the same route to their summer homes, year after year. Northern summers offer longer daylight hours and more insect food to help them nest, feed, and fledge their young in a short span of time–six to eight weeks! It is a very efficient process, even though they had to make the long trip north.

Thanks to Rose Britton
New Nature-Oriented Event Calendar for Adults
Volunteer Breeding Bird Surveyor Needed
Booth Set-Up Volunteer Needed

Thanks to Rose Britton

 Many thanks to Rose Britton for presenting an “Introduction to Birdwatching” for kids at the Springfield Public Library. Rose was assisted by LaRue Rodgers, Lauri Costa, Janet Barnes, and Rose’s niece. During her excellent presentation, she managed to keep all 61 attendees interested in learning about birds. Perhaps some new birders were inspired that day.

New Nature-Oriented Event Calendar for Adults

If you can identify most of this region’s birds by sound, the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) would be grateful for just a couple days of your time this year, between late May and early July. There are 2 routes within about an hour’s drive of Eugene which need a volunteer: Green (west of Roseburg) and Blue River (east of Springfield). Locations of these and other “Vacant Routes” can be viewed by zooming in to the Oregon map at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/RouteMap/Map.cfm

Or contact me for details.

We are sharing an important action alert from Portland Audubon. Please consider signing. 

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking permits to kill up to 1,500 Common Ravens in Baker County over the next three years. 

The birds will be killed using poisoned eggs, a food source for both ravens and other species. The young of the poisoned birds will be left to starve to death in their nests and non-target species will also be put at significant risk of poisoning.