A View from the Board

Photo by Karl Bohan

Wildlife Calendar and Photography

As the name implies, Camas National Wildlife Refuge is all about wildlife. Incredible diversity can be found there from mammals to birds to reptiles, but the show really doesn’t happen all at once. To see all that the Refuge has to offer, you need to visit throughout the year. That is where the Events/Wildlife calendar can help you. For instance, do you want to know when the spring songbird migration is at its peak? Check the calendar. Want to know when you might start seeing deer fawns? Again, the events/wildlife calendar has the answer. You can find out what is new and what is expected at any given time by consulting the calendar. Then you can plan your visits accordingly.

This information is essential to anyone who wants to view wildlife. It is even more important to those who hope to take compelling wildlife images. If you go looking for tree sparrows in summer, you are going to be disappointed as the calendar indicates that tree sparrows aren’t expected to migrate through until December. You can’t photograph what isn’t there.

When you look at the calendar, you will notice that the dates can be pretty specific. Don’t get hung up on the exact date though. As the disclaimer indicates, these dates are averages from records kept over the years. They will vary with weather, seasonal availability of food, marsh flooding and a lot of other factors, many of which we can’t even see. If you are particularly interested in an activity on the calendar, I suggest that you start looking a bit in advance (a week or more wouldn’t be inappropriate) to ensure that you don’t miss the peak or even the entire event.

For 2018, we have decided to combine the events and wildlife calendars into one calendar. This should make it easier for you to find out everything that is going on with the Refuge and the Friends of Camas.

For photographers, this is a reminder that the 2018 photography contest is open. Last year was the first year for this contest and participation was less than we had hoped for but the winning images were fantastic. Categories include wildlife, scenics and flora. Only DIGITAL submissions will be considered. Prizes are small but your fame could be tremendous. Winning photos will be posted on this website and may be used in promotional materials for Friends of Camas NWR. So, get your submissions ready and check back here often for the official opening of the contest. You can see the official rules by clicking here.

We hope you will visit Camas NWR in a variety of seasons to take advantage of a wildlife show that never stops and whose actors change throughout the year. It is a show you won’t want to miss!

To view the previous View from the Board, click here.

Terry Thomas

What's New - 2018

Peregrine Webcam is up for 2018!

Join in the Fun! The third annual Bucks for Birds Birdathon is scheduled for May 26-28 with a potluck celebration on June 9. This is fundraiser for Friends of Camas and Snake River Audubon Society. Both organizations strive to support birds and their environment and will split the net proceeds 50:50 to be used for environmental education, conservation, and scientific study. Click here to find out more.

For more information and a donation/pledge form contact: Pam Johnson - prbrkr@aol.com

(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)

Friends of Camas is hosting
the 2nd annual photo contest.
Click on the image below
for more information.

Photo: First Place 2017 by Sue Braastad

Click here for more information
and for the entry form.

Fred Meyer Rewards Program

You can help Friends of Camas NWR earn donations just by shopping with your Fred Meyer Rewards Card!

Fred Meyer donates over $2 million per year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give. Here’s how the program works:

Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to Friends of Camas NWR at: www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards
You can search for us by our name or by our non-profit number 85837.
Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping Friends of Camas NWR earn a donation.
The great thing is that YOU still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points and Rebates, just as you do today.
If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Custome Service desk of any Fred Meyer store.

For more information, please visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards

Refuge Notes

May 17, 2018

The water situation this spring has been fantastic for the Refuge and currently most of our wetlands have some level of water in them. The wetlands around the auto-tour route are full to capacity or close to it. With this amount of habitat, the birds we have are pretty spread out with lots of elbow room.

The flows in Camas Creek will start slowing down as much of the snow has come out of the mountains. The Crab Creek Snotel site is now at zero for snow and water equivalent. Spring rains are helping out and future storms could keep the creek moving if they are significant enough.

Most of the waterfowl that you are seeing are going to stay here and nest on the Refuge. Recently we have been seeing goose broods showing up on various ponds. In the next few weeks we should also see broods from early nesting waterfowl and sandhill cranes. Songbird migration seems to be making a push and birding in the tree belts really should be getting interesting over the next two weeks.

If you like to see the Refuge with lots of water, now is a good time to come and see the landscape. Lots of wildlife are using the habitat around the auto-tour route. Looks for hawks and owls especially around the wetlands. With the creek starting to slow down, our wetland levels will begin to back down depending on weather conditions, so come now!

Brian Wehausen, Refuge Manager

To view previous Refuge Notes,
click here.