Common Loon, Western Grebe, Osprey and Lewis’s Woodpecker have all been seen here among other species.

Sagebrush and juniper forest in the Millican Valley rising up to pine and fir forests on the mountain. Be sure to check out the water trough on the left side of the road at the base of the mountain, which is a magnet for birds and other wildlife. ...

This marshy site can produce plenty of waterfowl variety including Blue-winged Teal and Red-breasted Merganser. Look for the occasional Great Egret, Green Heron, or even a night-heron. Shorebirds could include just about anything but recent sighti...

Along with a river mouth and estuary, the Pistol River provides birds with varied habitats that include pastures, ponds, coastal scrub, riparian areas and trees like spruce, alder, and willow. Golden Eagles can be found at this location. Other bir...

The Pittock Mansion is a stately house built in 1912 with a commanding view of Portland, Cascade peaks and the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.  The grounds are part of the Portland park system and have second-growth mixed forest...

All but the last mile or so of the road is heavily managed Coast Range Douglas Fir forest in varying stages of harvest. The best strategy is to just get out at promising looking areas. Any place is subject to radical change from year to year. Soot...

Open farmland with a couple of creeks running through it. Watch for large flocks of shorebirds in flooded fields.

Plat I Reservoir – Habitat: open water, marsh on east end, brushy meadows, ranchland, some riparian and a snag patch on the east side. The water level is lowered significantly in the winter.

Birds: Great Egret, Great Blue Heron and a ...

Most of this area is open farmland but there are several riparian strips and some dry scrub-land. Long-billed Curlew are plentiful here in season. This might be a good area to check for Burrowing Owl and Short-eared Owl.

This is a “bombed out” burn with little in it except the occasional Three-toed Woodpecker. This is one of the main areas to search for this species.

Shorebirds and waders are the primary attractions here though raptors, ducks, grebes, pelicans, and loons can be seen at higher tides. Great Egret, Black-bellied Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Greater Yellowlegs, Whimbrel, Marbled Godwit, Red Knot, ...

The town itself can produce some local rarities. Oregon’s first confirmed Common Moorhen was found here in 1976. Other oddities include a Blackpoll in 1992 (another in 1993), Rose-breasted Grosbeak in 1998, and Dickcissel in 1993. Common Gra...

During the warm summer months watch for Western Rattlesnakes in this area. They are not common, but present. The birding here can be outstanding from mid-May through late August with Pygmy Nuthatches, Western and Mountain Bluebirds, Western Tanage...

Riparian and conifer habitat. Possible birds here include: American Dipper, Song Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Red Crossbill, Vaux’s Swift, Western Wood-pewee, forest warblers and flycatcher...

The agricultural fields hold high numbers of wintering raptors, flocks of blackbirds and sparrows. Drive the farmlands in winter for hawks (Rough-legged, Red-tailed, Ferruginous, Northern Harrier…) and falcons (American Kestrel, Prairie, and...

There is a large system of trails over this volcanic butte with dark forested flanks and a circular summit trail at the top with scrub/savannah habitat.  With these different habitats a good variety of birds can be found.  Some specialties inclu...

Habitat and Birds: This area recently burned so more information needs to be gathered about birding opportunities here. It had been a relatively large marshy area but has been drying out the past few years. Marshy conditions vary from year to year...

Birds found here might include Gray Partridge, Chukar, Northern Goshawk, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Clark’s Nutcracker, three chickadee species, Brown Creeper, Mountain Bluebird, Varied Th...

Highway 26 between John Day and Prairie City is excellent for hawks and Bald Eagles during the winter. Check the gravel/sand pit north of the highway just west of Pine Creek Road for Bank Swallows (

The surrounding forest holds Woodpeckers, Hermit, Nashville and Townsend’s Warbler, Flycatchers and Sooty Grouse. The springs can be good for fall migrants and summer nesters.

The river view can have any manner of river birds, loons, grebes, gulls and ducks in season. The passerine habitat here is decent. No patch list has been generated.

Lots of things can show up on this scrubby butte. Mixed conifers are scattered among oak savannah, manzanita, mountain mahogany, and oak woodlands. Oak Titmouse can be found here along with Downy Woodpecker and American Goldfinch. Nesters include ...

Birds here include Osprey, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Pygmy Nuthatch, Western and Mountain Bluebird, many species of ducks on little ponds, shorebirds, geese, and blackbirds.

The area offers camping, a vault toilet and a boat launch. Most of the camping areas are in the open, but there is a stand of tall Cottonwoods and a riparian area along the John Day River. Look for raptors, including Swainson’s, Norther Harr...

The town of Prineville can be productive as a birding location. The neighborhoods between N. 3rd and Lynn Blvd on the south side of town have plenty of fruiting trees for waxwings and birches for the finches. The north side of town, near the hospi...

The lake often hosts Common and Pacific Loons and good numbers of ducks in late fall. Surf Scoters are almost annual here.  Check with the camp host at Prineville Reservoir and they will tell you about the nesting Great Horned Owls. Prineville Re...

THE PRINEVILLE SEWER PONDS ARE NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.  PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER THIS FACILITY!  WE HOPE THIS WILL BE A TEMPORARY SITUATION SO WE ARE STILL INCLUDING THIS IMPORTANT LOCATION IN THE SITE GUIDE.  WATCH FO...