Volunteers are for the birds

Volunteers make the world go ’round. You can find volunteers doing their thing coast-to-coast, border-to-border.

I am a member of East Cascade Bird Conservancy (ECBC), which is also run by volunteers. If you are into birds, or if you want to get into birds, you won’t find a better opportunity. Diane Kook, ECBC Volunteer Coordinator sent me an e-mail with a list of projects for which ECBC needs volunteers. It made me want to jump out of my chair, grab my binoculars and head for the hills.

Every one of the projects is vital to wildlife conservation, fills the gaps where government agencies do not have the budget or personnel to conduct the projects and YOU can have a great time being involved — like this one on the Crooked River Grasslands:

“The Crooked River National Grasslands has contracted with the ECBC to survey habitat preferences for Gray Flycatchers in preparation for some large Juniper Burn projects they have planned. Volunteers will travel on back roads and stop at pre-determined locations to listen for Gray Flycatchers and other bird species.

“Where Gray Flycatchers are found, volunteers then try to locate nest sites and record data about those locations. Trip leaders should be able to identify grassland bird species by ear but ride-a-longs can be of all experience levels. Volunteers should be willing to be in the field early in the morning (by 6 a.m.) and be prepared for 3-4 hours of surveying per trip. Each route is surveyed three times between May 1 and July 10.

“If you would like to help out with this project contact Chuck Gates: [email protected]”

If the Crooked River Grasslands doesn’t turn you on (and I can’t for the life of me understand why it doesn’t…) perhaps the following U.S. Forest Service project will catch your fancy:

“The USDA Forest Service team up each spring with local vendors and educators to offer this program that is designed to educate the public about the birds of Central Oregon. The ECBC has agreed to supply personnel to help with guided bird walks during this annual event. Volunteers are needed to take small groups on walks and discuss the birds they meet.

“These walks would occur in Bend on May 14 and in Madras on May 21. It would require a time commitment of 1/2 day. Volunteers should be able to identify local birds and be comfortable leading and communicating with a small group of novice participants. Less experienced volunteers are welcome to join in and participate. If you would like to help out with this project contact Chuck Gates: [email protected]”

Then there’s the North American Migration Count on May 7 where Volunteers are needed for Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook and Lake Counties.

This is a great time to get out-and-about birding in Central Oregon at a very exciting time of the year.

The best thing about the ECBC projects are they don’t cost a cent to become involved in, and even if you’ve never birded before — or don’t know which end of the binoculars to look through — you will have the opportunity to learn from people who enjoy sharing birds.

These are the people to call if you want to laugh when your friends say, “Oh, he (or she) is for the birds”:

Deschutes County — Steve Dougill, 548-4430; Crook County — Chuck Gates, 923-1320; Jefferson County — Sue Tank, 549-4315; Lake County — Craig and Marilyn Miller, 389-9115.