Gary Ivey with a Sandhill Crane

Free, fun and friendly!

May 17, 18 and 19, 2013

A unique, non-competitive birding opportunity for all ages scheduled during the height of spring migration and nesting in the Grande Ronde Valley. Whether you are a novice or an experienced bird watcher, you’ll find much to enjoy. On Saturday, experienced birders will staff l birding stations offering assistance in finding and identifying birds and providing information about area birds and bird watching.

Schedule of Events

Sandhill Cranes of the Pacific Flyway

Gary Ivey will be the Friday night speaker to kick-off the event. Gary Ivey, a Research Associate of the International Crane Foundation, will discuss the 3 subspecies of Sandhill Crane that use the Pacific Flyway. He will have the latest information about their breeding ranges, migration paths and wintering sites, much of it from his own research. He focuses on the Sandhill cranes in the Pacific Flyway, from Alaska to California.

Gary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist at Malheur NWR for 15 years, is currently working on a PhD at Oregon State University on wintering ecology of Sandhill cranes. Committed to the conservation of all water birds in western North America, Gary is also the current president of The Trumpeter Swan Society, non-profit organization dedicated to assuring the vitality and welfare of wild Trumpeter Swan populations.

Six field trips are offered this year, pre-registration is encouraged

• Field trip descriptions and a registration form (pdf)

Friday, May 17	Friday activities will be at the Blue Mountain Conference Center, 404 12th Street, La Grande.	American Avocet - Photo by Cathy Nowak - American White Pelican - Photo by David Bronson - Arlene and Nolan - Photo by Mary Hoverson-
6:30 p.m.	Register and receive passport with information directing you to staffed birding stations and other “birdy” areas. Register for Sunday’s field trips.
7 p.m.	The Odd-Strings (Karen Antell and Cindy Frick) perform Karen’s original songs about birds and birding.
7:30 p.m.	“Sandhill Cranes of the Pacific Flyway” presentation by Gary Ivey
Saturday, May 18
4:45 a.m.	Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area opens to public access with passport.
6 a.m.	Registration at Tule Lake Public Access Area on Peach Road Register and receive passport with information directing you to staffed birding stations and other “birdy” areas Register for available spaces on Sunday’s field trips
9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Kids’ Activities
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.	Lunch available for purchase
1 p.m.	Birds of Prey presentation by Blue Mountain Wildlife Center
2:30 p.m.	Guided Bird Walk on Tule Lake Public Access Area
4 p.m.	Registration closes
8:45 p.m.	Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area closes to public access
Sunday, May 19
4:45 a.m.	Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area opens to public access with passport.
6 a.m.	Registration at Tule Lake Public Access Area.
10 a.m.	Registration closes
8:45 p.m.	Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area closes to public access

Registration and Lodging

• Register at the event.
• Hotels and Motels in La Grande
• Services in Union

Ladd Marsh Bird and Wildlife Viewing Guide

• Ladd Marsh Wildlife Viewing Guide - part 1 (pdf)
• Ladd Marsh Wildlife Viewing Guide - part 2 (pdf)

Friends of Ladd Marsh

The Friends of Ladd Marsh is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to assisting ODFW with enhancement, conservation and public enjoyment of the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.