Hi all,
Marilyn and I braved the Malheur NWR debacle, and drove the Central Patrol
Road from the Malheur Field Station to P-Ranch. Except for a
well-documented encounter with some skittish Armed Loons ( (subscribe to
the boo list if you want to learn more about that!) the day was
spectacular. We saw lots of wildlife including 27 species of birds, many
coyotes and mule deer, a beaver, cottontail, and jackrabbit.
Krumbo Reservoir was 95% frozen over. The CPR road was in excellent
condition the entire way. South of the field station we didn't see another
vehicle or person. We learned later that the refuge is technically
(although not physically) closed. The further south we traveled, the more
birdy it became. There were hoards of American Robins that last 5 miles
before P-Ranch. There was not a person camped at Page Springs campground,
and there did not appear to be anyone at Frenchglen. No lights were visible
as we drove by at dusk.
Bird highlights include:
Trumpeter Swan - 12
Tundra Swan - 8
Common Goldeneye - 19
Hooded Merganser - 4
Bald Eagle - 7
Rough-legged Hawk - 5
Prairie Falcon - 1
Mountain Bluebird - 3
and many Mallards (450)
It won't be long before waterfowl begin arriving in large numbers.
Hopefully the managers will be able to get back to the refuge in time to
accommodate them.
Cheers,
Craig Miller
Bend
