May 2, 2026
8:00 AM
LMWA Headquarters

The First Saturday Bird Walk for May is coming up on the 2nd, this Saturday. It is our annual “Big Sit”. We have a place all picked out settle in and let the birds come our way. There will also be the opportunity for those who wish to take a guided stroll through the Marsh from our “sitting spot”. Bring your favorite camp chair/stool/sit pad and a thermos of hot chocolate/tea/coffee (we will provide the pastries). Water fowl, Bittern, geese, cranes, Marsh Wrens, blackbirds, pheasants, and sparrows have been seen in the area. This is a once-a-year treat, so don’t be late. We meet at 8:00 am at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Headquarters on Pierce Road.

Do not forget your ODFW parking permit. 

The Ladd Marsh Bird Festival schedule for 2026 is now posted on the website, www.friendsofladdmarsh.org. Free registration for the festival and fee-based field trips remain open until May 14th. All registered participants will receive their LMWA access permit (passport) and group information packet either at the Friday evening event on May 15th at the Union County Senior Center in La Grande, or at the Tule Lake entrance off Peach Lane, LMWA on the morning of May 16. Passports are required for the festival, so do not forget to register and pick up your passport/information packet on the 15th or 16th.

Directions to Ladd Marsh HQ:

• From La Grande: Take the Union Highway (203) to Pierce Road (near B&K Auto Salvage). Turn right (south) on Pierce. Continue for approximately 1.25 miles to HQ on the right.
• From Union: Turn left on Pierce Road and continue for approximately 1.25 miles to HQ on the right.
• HQ can be reached from I-84: Take exit 268 (Foothill Road) then turn east. At the “T” with pierce Road, turn left (north). Continue about 1.5 miles to HQ on the left.