Overview
Described as an exceptional part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is 187,757 acres/75, 982 hectares in the high desert of the State of Oregon.
Within this expanse of habitat lives a significant, diverse population of animal and bird species. Precisely what a visitor might find can depend on the season of the year they visit.
Spring can bring the Northern Pintail to an area where the Sandhill Crane can be seen in the meadows by visitors. Migrating waterfowl and shorebirds have been arriving since late in the winter.
As summer becomes the rule, nesting birds are beginning to make their presence known, with young ducks and geese becoming numerous around the Refuge's ponds and wetlands as can shorebirds on their migration as they stop for a break in the journey. Some of the species that have made their appearance have included the Solitary Sandpiper and Pectoral Sandpiper.
The Sandhill Crane begins to appear as fall approaches, and birders may see species of songbirds with some sparrows.
Warblers have headed south as winter makes its presence known. Species of swans, ducks, and geese might be present, but the counts will be lower due to the temperature and less available open water.
Malheur, with its great diversity of animal and bird species, will have completed a cycle of seasons in preparation for another year to come in what has been called the high desert of the State of Oregon.[1]
Birds
Notable Species
Malheur, in terms of available birding resources, has been described as staggering.[3]
Within the refuge's 187,757 acres/75,982.5 hectares, it is host to approximately one half of the world's Ross's Goose population, as much as 20 percent of the White-faced Ibis, and more Sandhill Crane than any other refuge in the western part of the United States. [2]
Approximately 290 species of birds, with the Snow Goose and American White Pelican leading the count, have been sighted here, according to reports submitted to eBird. Locations for birding abound here, with approximately 30 separate Hotspots available in the area of the refuge.[4]
Rarities
While there have been no species specifically noted as rare for this location, some of those species not frequently seen here could include the Blackburnian Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Northern Mockingbird, Gray Catbird, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Pygmy Nuthatch, Peregrine Falcon, Western Screech Owl, and the Northern Goshawk, to name a few. [4]
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Mallard, California Quail, Mourning Dove, Red-winged Blackbird, Canada Goose, American Avocet, Black Tern, Snow Goose, Lesser Golfinch, Greater White-fronted Goose, White-faced Ibis, Sandhill Crane, American Coot, Barn Swallow, American Robin, Northern Pintail, Franklin's Gull, Tundra Swan
Other Wildlife
While general wildlife, other than birds, have not been investigated extensively, over 55 species of mammals found here, including mule deer, antelope, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions, and on occasion, a Rocky Mountain Elk. Rattlesnakes are a possibility also. [1]
Site Information
History and Use
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was one of the wildlife refuges established during President Theodore Roosevelt's office term. When established, it became the 19th of the 51 created while Roosevelt was in office, the third in Oregon, and one of the six created west of the Mississippi River. [1]
Areas of Interest
Visitor Center & Nature Store
The visitor center and the store is a good starting point for an adventure into Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Here you can get information on recent bird sightings along with maps and brochures.
George Benson Memorial Museum
The museum has taxidermy mounts of birds that you might see on the refuge and exhibits about sights in the park.
Auto Tour Route
The tour is a self-guided route along a gravel road in the refuge offering good wildlife viewing opportunities. A brochure and checklist are available. [1]
Access and Facilities
The Refuge visitor's center is located 35 miles south of Burns, Oregon, and is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
The Boise Airport (BOI) in Boise, Idaho, United States, is the closest major airport to Malheur, offering scheduled airline service. Malheur is approximately a 3 ½ hour drive west of the airport.
Consult a trusted travel professional for specific, up-to-date information regarding a trip to this destination.
Contact Details
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
36391 Sodhouse Lane
Princeton, OR 97721
Phone
541-493-2612
References
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service - https://www.fws.gov/refuge/malheur/
- Portland Audubon - https://audubonportland.org/
- Audubon - https://www.audubon.org/
- eBird – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L742936
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Malheur_National_Wildlife_Refuge
External Links
Maps
Content and images originally posted by robertmortensen
Reviews
robertmortensen's review
My father-in-law traveled from Nampa, Idaho to Malhuer (about a 3 hour drive) and we were able to identify 70 different species in the middle of the summer. Malhuer is also a prime location for migrating birds in the spring and fall. Malhuer consists of miles of marsh lands in the middle of the desert, thus an oasis for birds.
Pros
- A birding paradise in the middle of the desert
Cons
- It's a long ways from everywhere
