CENTRAL/LOWER REFUGE County

Park at the trailhead and walk the Benson Pond Trail into the grove of trees at the end of the road.

Scan for the Trumpeter Swans th...

1. the rock outcrop: Drive up the side of Buena Vista Butte and park at the small parking lot at the top, th...

Prime season here is late May through June, when there is still plenty of water in the hay fields throughout the Diamond Valley. These wet fields showcase a number of wetland bird species including White-faced Ibis, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Sand...

Look for raptors, Chukar, Say’s Phoebe, Rock Wren, sparrows including Black-throated, Lark and Vesper.

Frenchglen’s many large deciduous trees are a magnet for migrant passerines. Rare vagrants have been found here with regularity in the spring and especially the fall.

From the main road, search the trees in the area for woodpeckers, s...

The first stop along Krumbo Reservoir access road is at mile 0.6 Stop here to view the large ma...

Most of the regular birds of Malheur NWR can be seen from the CPR. Also watch for some of the nearly 60 species of mammals that occur on the refuge. Depending on water levels, the south section is generally considered the more birdy.

During...

The Field Station is a campus of buildings and mobile homes that house the staff and visiting birders. Small trees are found in this area and migrants will sometimes fall out here. The trees are small so a chance for a “birds-eye” view...

The grounds around headquarters are small, totaling only around 5 acres, but is a green oasis. Mature trees here are magnets for migrating passerines, including a long list of rare vagrants. Marshall Pond is good for water birds. Take the short tr...

Follow the signs and you won’t have to worry about trespassing. Search the trees for woodpeckers and passerines. Walk the two track ditch road that heads north out of the parking area. Migrants like Eastern Kingbird, Gray Catbird and Bobolin...

Canyon Wrens, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Black-throated Gray Warblers, and Lesser Goldfinches are commonly found here. The riparian area from the bridge to the campground is one of the best places in the county to find a Yellow-breasted Chat during t...

Wetlands to the west and to the north offer good birding opportunities. Also see nearby Diamond Craters