WILDLIFE HOTSPOTS - THE BEST PLACES TO SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH WILDLIFE
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Oregon's Wildlife
and Birding Hotspots


MALHEUR  NWR


Tucked away in the southeastern corner of Oregon is  Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 187,000 acres of sagebrush, wetland and riparian habitat.  Over 320 species of birds and 58 species of mammals benefit from the refuge.  And bordering Malheur are the glacially carved canyons of Steens Mountain Wilderness.

Many species come to Malheur to breed and nest, including Short-eared Owls, Sage Grouse, Western Snowy Plovers, Sandhill Cranes and Trumpeter Swans.    Migrating neotropical songbirds find refuge in cottonwood trees adjacent to refuge headquarters in the spring and return in late summer.  Joining them are southbound shorebirds headed for Malheur's alkali playas and mudflats.  

In September, Malheur's fields of grain are home to both migratory and nesting Sandhill Cranes.   As the wetlands evaporate, pelicans, ibises and herons gather at refuge ponds, and beautiful Tundra Swans rest at Knox Pond before continuing their southward journey.

Raptors remaining at Malheur during the winter include Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons and American Kestrels.  They survive by preying on wintering waterfowl, rodents and rabbits.  Also staying through the winter are hearty Sage Grouse.  There are approximately 35,000 Sage Grouse in Oregon, and most are found in Malheur, Lake and Harney counties. The males' booming courtship displays begin during March. 
Picture
Alford Hot Springs. Copyright Steven Holt.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The Alvord Desert, including natural hot springs at  Alford Hot Springs, is approximately 100 miles south of Burns, and Hart Mountain National Antelope Range  is located 65 miles northeast of Lakeview, Oregon.

LODGING-CAMPING

Malheur Field Station:   Run by the Great Basin Foundation, the Field Station offers dormitory lodging, a mess hall and natural history classes.
Frenchglen Hotel:   On the National Historic Register, this inn has character and also serves excellent homemade pies in its restaurant.
Crane Hot Springs:   Crane Hot Springs offers campsites and basic cabins.  Even better are its private soaking tubs and hotsprings pond.
Hotel Diamond:  This bed and breakfast in Diamond offers comfortable rooms, a continental breakfast and an optional homestyle meal for dinner.
Motels and restaurants are also available in the town of Burns.
CAMPGROUNDS

Page Springs Campground:  
Page Springs offers its own rewards - including a riverside trail winding through a rimrock canyon.  Other  BLM campsites are located on Steens Mountain road.

Malheur is for the Birds Owl T-Shirt
Malheur is for the Birds Owl T-Shirt by wildlifehotspots
DIRECTIONS  

Follow Highway 78 two miles east of Burns, Oregon.  Go south on Highway 205 for 24 miles.  Go east on Harney County Road 405 for 6 miles and then turn left at the top of the hill to arrive at refuge headquarters.

LINKS
Malheur NWR Bird List
Malheur NWR Mammal List
John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival

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  • HOME
  • DESTINATIONS
    • NorthAmerica >
      • CANADA >
        • Churchill, Manitoba
      • UNITED STATES >
        • ALASKA >
          • Arctic NWR
          • DenaliNP
          • Glacier Bay National Park
          • KenaiNWR
          • Nowitna NWR
        • CALIFORNIA >
          • ArcataMarsh
          • Lassen Volcanic NP
          • MorroBay
          • Piedras Blancas
          • Redwood National Park
        • THE MID-ATLANTIC
        • BlackwaterNWR
        • GREAT PLAINS >
          • Badlands
        • MOUNTAIN WEST >
          • Glacier National Park
          • Grand Teton National Park
          • NationalBisonRange
          • Yellowstone National Park
        • THE NORTHEAST >
          • Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge
        • PACIFIC NORTHWEST >
          • OREGON >
            • CharlestonOR
            • HecetaHead
            • KlamathBasin
            • MalheurNWR
            • Oregon Coast Aquarium
            • Oregon Islands NWR
            • Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
        • SOUTHWESTERN STATES >
          • ArizonaDesertMuseum
          • Bosque del Apache NWR
          • GrandCanyonNP
          • Wupatki National Monument
        • TEXAS >
          • AransasNWR
          • BigBendNP
          • RioGrandeValley
    • Antarctica
    • Africa >
      • Central Kalahari Game Reserve >
        • Etosha National Park
      • KgalagadiTransfrontier
      • Kruger National Park
      • Maasai Mara
      • Mountain Zebra National Park
      • OkavangoDelta
    • Asia >
      • UjungKulonNP
      • CorbettNP
      • GunungLeuserNP
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • South America >
      • Amazon Basin
  • BLOG
  • IMAGES
  • SHOP
    • T-Shirts and Tank Tops
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT