(Courtesy of the Harney County Library Claire McGill Luce Western History Room)
During one extraordinary weekend, the John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival and Art Show allows birders, from beginners to life-long wildlife enthusiasts, the opportunity to witness the spring migration in the Harney Basin of Southeast Oregon. Named after Jon Scharff for his contributions at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, visitors not only gain the opportunity to watch birds, the festival is full of historical and cultural information, as well.[1] In addition, an art show and sale featuring local and regional artists takes place in the Burns High School gymnasium.
Every year also features a notable speaker, and this year (2014), Trish Nixon a Raptor Specialist from the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho will be presenting “From One Extreme to the Other.”[2] This presentation will illustrate the contrast between birds of prey adapted to hot climates to those of cold climates.
2014 Tours: (Basic Information)
Birding British Style: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday-8:00 to 4:00; 8 hours. Fee: $80
Birding the Alvord Desert Lakes: Friday and Saturday-6:00 to 5:00; 11 hours. Fee: $95
Birding the Hot Spot: Friday-1:00 to 4:00, Saturday-9:00 to 12:00, Sunday-8:00 to 11:00; 3 hours. Fee: $30
Birds of Prey: Friday and Sunday-6:00 to 1:00; 7 hours. Fee: $70
Blitzen Valley Birding Tour with Noah Strycker: Satudary-6:00 to 3:00; 9 hours. Fee: $90
Boca Lake Hiking: Satuday-8:00 to 4:00; 8 hours. Fee: $80
Extreme Birding: Friday-6:00 to 7:00; 13 hours. Fee: $95/Satuday-6:00 to 4:00; 10 hours. Fee: $80
Harney Basin Rock Art: Friday-8:00 to 12:00; 4 hours. Fee: $40
Harney County Cattlewomen's Working Ranch: Saturday-7:30 to 2:30; 7 hours. Fee: $35
Hike the Wild Double O: Sunday-8:00 to 2:00; 6 hours. Fee: $60
Llama Ranching Amid the Flocks: Sunday-9:00 to 12:00; 3 hours. Fee: $30
Llamas in Flight at the Double-O: Friday and Saturday-8:00 to 4:00; 8 hours. Fee: $75
Paradise Birding-Birding the Silvies River Flood Plain: Friday-12:00 to 5:00, Saturday-7:00 to 12:00 & 12:30 to 5:00, Sunday-7:00 to 12:00; 5 hours. Fee: $50
Paradise Birding--Blue Mountains Woodpecker Tour: Friday-12:00 to 5:00, Saturday-7:00 to 12:00 & 12:30 to 5:00, Sunday-7:00 to 12:00; 5 hours. Fee: $50
Sage Grouse "Strutting" Early Bird: Early Friday-5:30 to 9:30; 4 hours. Fee: $40
Steens Mountain/Alvord Desert: Early Saturday-6:30 to 4:30; 10 hours. Fee: $90
Willows, Cattails, and Meadow-Oh My: Friday-12:30 to 5:30, Sunday-7:00 to 12:00; 5 hours. Fee: $50
Malheur Refuge Tour: Behind the Gates Refuge Tour: Friday-8:00 to 4:00; 8 hours. Fee: None, $0
**Must be Registered to Participate in any Fee Activity, All Events take place in April.**
**All Tours Depart from the Burns High School.**
More Information can be found at: http://migratorybirdfestival.com/Tours.html.
Contact Information:
John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival
484 North Broadway | Burns, OR 97720 | (541) 573-2636
Email: [email protected]
Notes
[1]John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival, “The Festival,” last modified 2014, http://migratorybirdfestival.com/index.html.
[2]John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival, “The Festival.”
