By Dan Streiffert

In 2024 I managed to make three trips to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge. The first in April, for their Migratory Bird Festival.  The second the last two weeks in May. And the last in September for the Fall migration.

April was very dry due to almost no snowpack on Steens Mountain resulting in almost no water for irrigating the hay fields which is normally a big draw for the migrating birds.  Fortunately, it rained a lot for the next two months making everything green by the end of May.  By September, everything had dried up again.

Despite all the dry weather, Malheur always provides entertainment especially when you least expect it.