BURNS AREA County

This pond hosts a wide variety of duck species and is productive year round. Actually there are two separate ponds here separated by a levee. Double-crested Cormorant, herons, shorebirds, gulls, terns, and swallows are all here in season. Swainso...

These ponds have some of the best waterfowl diversity in the area. Expect diving ducks, grebes, gulls, terns, and swallows in season. Watch for rarities such as Sabine’s Gull and White-winged Scoter. Wilson’s Phalaropes are joined by Red-n...

Take NF 47 out of Hines and stop frequently as it travels through different habitats. Many of the common juniper species like Gray Flycatcher and Ash-throated Flycatchers can be found in the first few miles of the road.

After 7 miles, NF-47...

The towns of Burns and Hines are often under-birded as many are focused on getting to Malheur NWR. Yet while Malheur gets all the press, a respectable list of rarities have appeared in Burns/Hines as well.

Often, migrants can be found in go...

A morning trip can be very productive as this route takes you through some diverse habitats and some good forested areas. It also takes you through some good burns that are very productive. (See

There are two good burns along NF 41. The first burn is called the Pine Spring Burn which happened in 1990. This burn was heavily salvaged so most of the burned trees are gone, replaced by Ceanothus. This is a great place t...

Explore the riparian habitat at this junction from the bridge over the creek on NF 47 and to the west along the creek. This thick patch of willows can harbor just about any migrant and can be very productive as the birds use Emigrant Creek to guid...

This area can be very productive especially in the spring. Early spring will produce huge flocks of Snow Geese and Sandhill Cranes. A little later, gulls (Franklin’s in particular), Long-billed Curlew, Black-crowned Night-herons, and flocks ...

In spring, there are flooded fields and small pools along this road. Western Meadowlarks sing along the route and Yellow-headed Blackbirds adorn the fence posts. Mixed flocks of ducks, geese, gulls, and waders blanket the flooded fields.

As...

This is the most forested location Harney County and an area favored by birders. The higher elevation campground provides large ponderosa pines which host Gray Jays, White- headed Woodpeckers, nuthatches, creeper, Clark’s Nutcracker and Nort...

The habitat is similar to Idlewild and many of the same species can be found.

Drinking water is available here only from late May to October.

Check the National For...

The Experiment Road Loop offers the largest flocks of waterfowl in the Burns area. Drive slowly, birding from the road. This is one of the best places to find Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Gadwall, and other dabblers. Franklin’s Gull fl...