Painted Cove (No public access)
Seasons
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Checklists
Location
Painted Cove is part of a large reservoir called “Painted Hills Reservoir” that is in the NW corner of the monument. After just over 5 miles from Hwy 26, turn into the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The road will fork. The left fork takes you to a nice picnic area that is worth birding. The right fork takes you to Painted Cove, but the area is privately owned and there is a sign saying “no trespassing.”
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
This is the largest body of water in the county and is a magnet to waterfowl. Look for many species of ducks, grebes, herons, shorebirds, terns and plenty of other things. Some unusual species here have included Baird’s Sandpiper, Pied-billed Grebe, and Red-necked Phalarope.
Nearby Birding Locations
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Unit
- Waterman Road
- Fopiano Reservoir
- Waterman Road
- Richmond Sixshooter Road
- Mitchell (Town)
- Dollarhide Pond
- OSU Geology Field Station
- Gable Creek Road
- Bridge Creek Road
- Painted Cove Trail - Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hills Picnic Area
- Parish Creek Road
- Meyers Canyon
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