Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) is offering access to its protected properties this year! Help BMLT document bird species and communities, experience unique landscapes, and learn about the protection and stewardship of important natural resources from BMLT staff and partners.
Phipps Meadow is 278 acres and located at the headwaters of the Middle Fork John Day River outside Prairie City, OR. The property is home to over 200+ species of wildlife, birds, plants, and fish.
Join us on Saturday, June 1st, to conduct bird counts on Phipps Meadow! BMLT is committed to tracking the impact of forest restoration on bird populations. To do this, we need your help documenting the bird communities at preset point counts and walking transects. After forest restoration, we will resurvey bird communities and track the response to restoration. The bird count protocol surveys birds during the dawn chorus, so we will camp near Phipps Meadow Friday evening and conduct the counts Saturday morning.
BMLT has a robust bird count protocol with six permanent point counts and one walking transect. Over the past three years, 67 bird species have been identified over ten days. All species are recorded on the Phipps Meadow eBird Hotspot, and the protocol will be provided to folks when they sign up.
What you will learn:
Learn how to survey bird communities by identifying birds using site and sound at point count stations and walking transects. We will break into groups and rotate across each site; you will have the opportunity to hike across Phipps and use your bird identification skills to document bird species.
The tour will be led by BMLT conservation manager Fraser Moore and partners from the Walla Walla’s Audobon Society and Grant County Birders.
Learn more about the incredible conservation vision of the property, hike in the upland forest, survey birds, and hear about the river restoration process to protect this vital habitat forever.
What’s included:
Mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use ($0.67/mile)
Dinner Friday night
Breakfast and snacks
Campground fees covered
Unique guided tour of the best meadow landscapes of Eastern Oregon
NOTE: Camping will be provided, and we will offer more information on all of these logistics upon registration. If you do not desire to camp, Prairie City and John Day have hotels but these accommodation options will not be covered by BMLT.
Questions? Please get in touch with Fraser Moore at fraser@bmlt.org
Space is limited. Reserve your spot today! Registration closes on May 28th
Trip Details
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Meeting Location:
Bates State Park
Old West Scenic Bikeway
Bates, OR, 97817
(Download directions prior to departure since cell service is unavailable)
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Carpooling from Walla Walla
Please indicate whether you would be open to carpooling to Phipps Meadow.
Schedule
Friday, May 31st
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Arrive at Bates State Park’s campground.There are 26 dispersed campgrounds at Bates State Park. Both tent camping and RV camping are available; there are hookups for RV’s.
6:00 - 7:00 pm Welcome and dinner.
BMLT will brief you on the bird counts, walk through the protocol, and provide dinner.
Saturday, June 1st
5:00 am - 5:15 am Shuttle to Phipps Meadow.Parking at Phipps Meadow is very limited due to ecological reasons. Your car will be safe at Bates State Park. The ride to Phipps Meadow is approximately 10 minutes. This is your last chance to use a restroom. We will have a camping toilet set up for emergencies at Phipps Meadow.
5:15 am - 8:00 am Bird count commences: split into teams of 3 and rotate across half the point count and transect
The BMLT protocol includes six 10-minute stationary Point Counts (Point Count Station 1 – 6) and a one-way approximately 1-km Walking Transect count.
Data will be collected using the Phipps Meadow eBird hotspot.
All Point Count Stations (except for Point Count Station 6) and the Walking Transect are accessible on foot. Point Count Station 6 is located off U.S. highway 26 at a paved pull out on the side of the road and will need to be accessed by vehicle.
The property has no cell coverage and eBird will need to be downloaded prior to driving to Phipps.
The uplands portion of the tour includes steep elevation gain on rocky and sometimes loose soil. Hiking poles and boots with ankle support are advised.
8:00 - 8:45 am Return to base camp for breakfast
8:45 - 10:00 am Second part of the tour.
Restoration vision for Phipps Meadow’s river and forestMore details to come
10:00 - 10:30 Say goodbye and return to Bates State Park
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Bates State Park
Old West Scenic Bikeway
Bates, OR, 97817
(Download directions prior to departure since cell service is unavailable)
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Please email fraser@bmlt.org and let us know whether you would be open to carpooling to Phipps Meadow.
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✅ Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing (sun shirt, pants)
✅ Hiking boots w/ ankle support, muck boots for meadow tour✅A change of clothes in case you step in deep mud
✅ Field notebook &pen
✅Binoculars
✅Sunglasses & Hat
✅Sunscreen
✅Hiking poles✅Bandana or buff
✅ Water (2 L or more per day)
✅ Snacks / meals
✅ Pack to carry water, snacks, extra socks etc.
✅ Packable camp chair / picnic blanket
✅Bug spray /DEET/ Permithean for ticks
✅ Camping gear & food (if applicable) -
Dinner and breakfast are provided on Friday evening and Saturday, free of charge for attendees. We will ensure that there are options for any dietary restrictions noted in your registration. We will also have cold water, Gatorade, and ice.
Please bring other food/water/drink based on your needs. -
PLEASE NOTE: HOTEL IS NOT COVERED
Baker CityBest Western
Geyser Grand Hotel
Super 8
Roadway Inn
John Day
Best Western
Dreamers Lodge
Prairie City
Prairie City Hotel
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A group will be camping overnight at Bates State Park. If planning to camp, please bring all gear, food, and water to support your needs.
There are additional campgrounds around the area as well: https://thedyrt.com/camping/oregon/near/prairie-city
If interested in camping, contact Fraser Moore: fraser@bmlt.org
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Phone service is limited in and around Phipps Meadow. Please get in touch with us ASAP prior to the event and download directions to the Bates Campground prior to departure.
Space is limited, please register soon. Registration closes on May 27th
For more information about this event, please get in touch with with Fraser Moore at fraser@bmlt.org
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Please email Fraser Moore, Conservation Manager, if you have questions. fraser@bmlt.org
NOTE: Phone service will not be available at Phipps Meadow and surrounding areas. Please plan accordingly and communicate with us before departure.
We’re currently following CDC guidelines for all BMLT sponsored events. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.