In 2006, ECBC became more active in direct conservation work.  We partner with other organizations to improve bird habitat throughout Central Oregon and have shared projects with Oregon Natural Desert Association, Deschutes Basin Land Trust, Oregon, Natural, Resource Council, Forest Service and the City of Redmond. 

On of our first projects aimed at enhancing nesting habitat for the Lewis’s Woodpecker enjoys great support from a dedicated group of volunteers including local residents and school groups [find out more] 

Our Kestrel Nest box program provides nesting sites for hundreds of these small raptors and a chance for people to see these fantastic birds close up for the first time in the presence of a trained birder bander [find out more ….] 

ECBC Workday at Big Summit Prairie, Ochoco National Forest, June 21, 2008

Big Summit Prairie is a wonderful place for wildflower viewing and birding. This vast prairie, mostly private land, is surrounded by Ochoco National Forest land.  For more information and general driving directions see this link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/pacificnorthwest/BigSummitPrairie/index.shtml

Pockets of aspen make up the forest surrounding Big Summit Prairie.  Aspen protection and restoration is an important conservation issue in Central Oregon.  We will be assisting the Forest Service by installing cages around aspen sprouts to protect them from browsing by elk, deer, and cattle.

Our project:

·          Caging aspen sprouts

·          Documenting cavity use by birds in the aspen stands

When:

·          Saturday, June 21, 2008

·          Birding to begin at 8 am (or earlier for those that want to); aspen caging to begin at 10am

·          Camping on Friday night - exact location around the prairie to be determined

What to wear:

·          Sturdy shoes

·          Comfortable layers for any kind of weather- may want long sleeves for working with fencing materials

What to bring:

·          binoculars

·          bag lunch (and any other food needed for camping the night before)

·          mosquito repellent, sun screen

·          work gloves if you have them

What will be supplied:

·          fencing materials

·          work gloves

·          water, juice, snacks

Glaze Meadow Fence Removal Saturday, August 16, 2007

Description of Barbed Wire Fence Removal Project:

We will meet at Indian Ford Campground and then drive a mile to the Glaze Meadow project area.  We will bird from 7:30am to 9am and work from 9am-3pm, with a lunch break of course.  Participants may leave ealire if they wish.

ECBC will supply gloves and fence removal tools.  If you have gloves and tools, please bring them. 

We spent two days last year removing fence but more remains to be done. 

 The Forest Service will pick up our piles of fence posts and barbed wire so that we won’t have to pack out the fence.   Before the workday we will map all the fence that needs to be removed, both standing and downed fence.

Glaze Meadow is a beautiful area and very birdy.  Of course, we will be “birding” at the same time that we will be removing fence.  We will be working in some riparian areas, and both brushy and open meadow habitats. 

Safety

Craig and Marilyn Miller are very experienced in barbed wire fence removal and will give a safety talk before we start that morning.  Safety is always a priority in removing a fence and they will show you and explain the proper safe way to remove fence posts and barbed wire.

Purpose and Need: 

Downed and existing Barbed Wire Fence is hazardous to various species of wildlife.  Great Horned Owls when hunting have been known to fly into barbed wire fences, get tangled and die slow and painful deaths.  Numerous other species can become tangled in barbed wire fence.

There are areas where the fence is down and cannot be seen easily by people or wildlife and poses a hazard.