Dayville/South Fork John Day River

Habitat and Birds

Take the South Fork Road to the south along the South Fork John Day River and look for warblers, Lewis’s Woodpeckers and Mountain Quail. The South Fork Road which can be driven to the Izee Country, is quite scenic. It is mostly gravel – some places a bit rough, and will take at least an hour to drive its full length. Also keep an eye out for bighorn sheep. Highway 26 west towards Picture Gorge and the John Day Fossil Beds passes through more ranches – check out the wet areas for shorebirds during migration. At Picture Gorge (C8) there is a pond and willows on the west side of the highway. Also check the fields east of the gorge for waterfowl during the spring and early summer.