USFWS Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office

09/03/2026

Oregon Snowy plover numbers for 2026 are in and there’s some good news – this year we counted 618 birds, breaking our record from last year’s count of 488 birds!!! 💛 🌊

The US Fish and Wildlife Service counts western snowy plovers across their range (southern WA to southern CA) twice a year in January and May. Numbers in Oregon and Washington have been steadily increasing since at least 2001 due to coordinated management efforts by local, state and federal partners. In 2022 for both Oregon and Washington combined, there were 541 birds counted. This year, 774 birds were counted. All of this is a sign that everyone’s efforts are helping recover this beautiful little bird! ✨✨✨

We all can help snowy plovers while visiting the beach by staying out of marked “nesting plover” areas, by keeping dogs on a leash during the breeding season, and by avoiding flying kites where birds are nesting.

Learn more about Snowy Plovers: https://www.fws.gov/species/western-snowy-plover-charadrius-nivosus-nivosus

Photo: A mother snowy plover and her two adorable, fluffy chicks patrol a sandy beach for food. Credit: Roy W. Lowe

08/31/2026

We are mourning the loss of one of our own. Federal wildlife officer David Taylor, 38, born in Scio, Oregon, is believed to have died while helping evacuate residents threatened by the Railroad South Fire in Oklahoma. Evidence recovered from a structure where Taylor was working to help a resident escape indicates that he died during the evacuation effort.

“Everything we know about David's actions demonstrates extraordinary courage and selflessness,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik. “When people were in danger, David was there helping them get to safety. He remained committed to protecting others under the most dangerous circumstances. We mourn alongside his family, friends and colleagues, and we will never forget his service.”

All of us at the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office wish to express our gratitude for David’s dedicated life of service and we want to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and community.

Learn more: https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-08/interior-mourns-loss-federal-wildlife-officer-oklahoma-fire

08/27/2026

We appreciate this dual Dolly recognition post and want to add this inspiring quote: “Dream more, learn more, care more, and be more.” — Dolly Parton, Vanity Fair, 2012

Today feels like the right day to appreciate the Dolly Varden. ❤️

A beautiful fish with a coat of many colors, found in cold, clear waters across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

There are a lot of beautiful things in this world, and we’ll always have a special place in our hearts for the Dollys.

Photo by USFWS

08/26/2026

Come celebrate Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery's 125th anniversary with an Open House on September 19th, 10:00-2:00 🐟

Spring Creek National Fish Hatchery has been producing salmon for 125 years! That's over one billion fish since 1901! This special day will highlight adult salmon viewing as they jump up the fish ladder and swim around in the holding ponds. Interpreters will be explaining all stages of the spawning process. Come enjoy an educational, fun day with engagingactivities for all ages.

Learn more: https://www.fws.gov/event/spring-creek-national-fish-hatcherys-125th-celebration-and-open-house

08/24/2026

The Borax Lake chub is one of Oregon's Endangered species recovery success stories! Learn more about our collaborative efforts that led to recovery of this remarkable fish. Fish of the Week Podcasts: https://www.fws.gov/fish-of-the-week-podcast

08/22/2026

Bats are essential! 🦇 💚 From forests to farmlands, to deserts and our neighborhoods, bats help keep Oregon’s diverse landscapes and people healthy!

All of Oregon’s 15 native bat species are insectivores. They can eat their entire body weight every night, which is equivalent to thousands of insects. The voracious appetite of these natural pest controllers helps reduce the populations of mosquitos and other insect pests, resulting in billions of $$$ saved each year for farmers.

Despite the important role they play, bat populations are declining. One of the leading causes of their decline is habitat loss. The good news is we all can help bats by installing bat houses!

Learn more about how to build and install your own bat house:https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/BatHandout-How%20to%20Build%20a%20bat%20house.pdf

Learn more about Oregon’s native bats: https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/bats

Photos: Photo 1 shows a large brown bat clinging to the side of a building. Credit: Alex Galt/USFWS. Photo 2 includes examples of two bat boxes hanging on the side of a building. Credit: R. Primmer/USFWS. Photo 3 shows a flyer explaining how to build a bat house and where to install it.

08/19/2026

Monarch butterflies aren’t the only Oregon insect that completes a remarkable multi-generation, annual migration – the green darner dragonfly does too!! Many of Oregon’s dragonflies remain as year-round residents, but the green darner dragonfly travels from Mexico to southern Canada and back again. It takes them three generations to complete this journey!

- Spring/Early Summer: First generation adults migrate from southern overwintering sites northward, where they breed, lay eggs, and then die.
- Summer: Second generation eggs hatch and the larvae develop in northern freshwater habitats.
- Late Summer/Early Fall/Fall: New second generation adults emerge in northern regions and eventually migrate southward toward overwintering grounds where they lay their eggs and die.
- Winter: The hatched eggs become the third generation that spends it’s whole life in southern refuges. They do not migrate but the eggs they lay become the next generation.
- Following Spring: Cycle repeats with a new generation continuing the northward migration.

Migrating green darner dragonflies are present in Oregon July through October. All along their journey these beautiful, predatory insects play a key ecological role by controlling mosquito and small, flying insect populations, as well as by providing food for many.

Learn more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dragonfly-undertakes-epic-multi-generational-migration-each-year-180971190/

Photo: A vibrant colored green darner dragonfly rests on a branch. Credit: Tina Shaw/USFWS

08/18/2026

We love this bit of good news: Seven new condors have recently been added to the Northern California population!