May can be excellent month to go trout fishing

Two-day float trip cleans up 40-mile corridor before Memorial Day 

A party of 12 rafters organized by Grant and Lottie Richie launched onto the Wallowa River May 5 at Minam on a two-day float trip to clean up 90 campsites along a 40-mile corridor of the Wallowa and Grande Ronde rivers. 

dd Marsh Birdathon is conducted each year during the height of the spring migration and nesting in the Grande Ronde Valley. It is always put on close to International Migratory Bird Day, which is on the second Saturday of May in the United States. CHRIS BAXTER / The

The seventh annual Ladd Marsh Birdathon, set for May 18-20, will be paradoxical in nature.

Those attending it will have outstanding opportunities to see sandhill crane chicks, striking redhead ducks and countless other waterfowl with assistance from some of the most knowledgeable birders in Northeast Oregon.

Birding enthusiasts will also have an opportunity during the birdathon to learn illuminating details about a bird which thrives in sub freezing temperatures — the Adelie penguin. 

Elk in Union and Wallowa counties survived the winter of 2011-12 in good condition, according to spring Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife population surveys. JIM WARD photo

Elk and deer in Union and Wallowa counties emerged from the relatively mild winter of 2011-12 in good condition overall according to spring Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife population surveys.

The surveys indicate that for the most part fawn and elk calf survival was good.

Following is a breakdown of what ODFW biologists found.

Meadow Muncher: Ground squirrels are out in full force on ag lands throughout Northeast Oregon. In high numbers, these rodents can cause considerable damage to crops, so hunters can often get access from ranchers and farmers suffering losses. Studies have shown that squirrel carcasses left by hunters often contain lead fragments which can be devastating to raptors like golden eagles when they find and feed on these. Fortunately, most rifle cartridges now come in lead-free choices. Young hunters should be observant of their background when shooting rifles in open country. A small .22-caliber bullet can travel up to one mile and larger calibers even farther. JIM WARD photo

Squirrel hunters find active targets

A northern harrier takes a tree break (no crumpets, please) at Ladd Marsh. ODFW photo

Birdathon flies in May 18-20

Catch of the Day: Ron Harrod, from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, releases a brightly-colored steelhead into Roulett Pond northeast of Elgin. After hatchery quotas are met, more than 260 hatchery-born steelhead are released in area ponds to provide additional fishing opportunities. Fisherman can log onto the ODFW website to learn of planned releases. JIM WARD photo

May can be an excellent time to go trout fishing 

Colt Foltz of La Grande tied for third place in the 7-to-10 age category at the La Grande Optimist Club-Bi Mart Morgan Lake Fishing Derby by landing this 1-pound, 8-ounce catfish.

Isaak Carson of La Grande displays some of the fish he caught at the La Grande Optimist Club-Bi Mart Morgan Lake Fishing Derby. The fish he caught included a 1-pound, 8.6-ounce catfish, the heaviest fish caught in the derby.

The annual La Grande Optimist Club-Bi Mart Morgan Lake Fishing Derby took some  long-time residents down memory lane Saturday.

It cast their thoughts back to an era before    spinning reels, a time when Morgan Lake was filled with perch and catfish. 

Carnivorous Vegetarian: Black bears are well known for their fondness for fresh meat or carrion, but veggies, including grasses and forbs, actually make up the largest part of their diet. Good places for hunters to look for bears are open, grassy slopes in the early morning or late evening hours. Later in the season, bears will be looking for newborn elk or deer. Calls simulating young animals in distress can be very effective in luring bears at this time. Oregon’s bear season began on April 15 and ends on May 31. JIM WARD photo

Find bears in spring green-up

Mouseketeers: Young northern harriers, also known as marsh hawks, have an almost insatiable appetite. Their daily menu might include white-footed mice for breakfast, a couple of garter snakes for lunch and a young pheasant for dinner. In-between snacks could include a blackbird and a fat gopher. Northern harriers are very common throughout Northeast Oregon, but they’re especially common at Ladd Marsh. Look for their tell-tale white saddle patch near the tail and their distinctive habit of gliding low over the marsh. JIM WARD photo

Marsh wonders

Northern harriers among many raptors commonly seen at wildlife refuge