Back at Malheur NWR, based at P Ranch. Arrived yesterday, today snow all morning and most of afternoon. Made it hard to spot sandhill pairs, because of poor visibility, though the birds do stand out against the snow. Will be scouting sites for the birding festival next week, where Shep Thorp and I will co-lead 4 trips. South part of refuge has lots of water, but as of today in crummy weather, not many birds (lots of cranes and white geese near Burns, but we are in a drought so the fields may not stay wet very long). Clarice got a good sighting of 5 Mountain Bluebirds, 17 Curlew, and 38 horned lark (in beautiful plumage, in really close), along south part of Central Patrol Rd. Several scattered Greater Sandhill pairs, in south part of refuge. North part of refuge, not much activity Usual turkey vulture gang, Great Horned Owls, Flickers, Collared Doves, pair of Kestrels, but not as many Wilson Snipe as usual, at P Ranch. Have not seen many passerines, nor any Ibis, so far. The Ibis should all flood in over a few nights pretty soon.

Jerry Broadus
Puyallup, WA.