Umatilla County

Umatilla County Birding Locations

McNary Dam and McNary Wildlife Nature Area return to the top

DeLorme (copyright 2001) Pg 85 A-7 DeLorme (copyright 2008) Pg 73 A-10 geographic coordinates 45 55’ 55” N 119 18’ 04” W

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: The Pendleton Bird Club website defines the McNary Wildlife Area as "the area in Oregon from one-half mile above McNary Dam to the freeway bridge, 2.5 miles below the dam". From Umatilla, take any road north to 3rd Street. Take 3rd Street east under the freeway and turn left at the first opportunity (Brownell Blvd.). Take this road to the river and bird the marshy area near the bridge. There are several side roads that wind through the natural area. Take them all and look for surprises around every corner. Check the park below the dam for gulls and passerines. This is a good place to look for Harris's Sparrow in winter. Work your way around and above the dam to McNary Beach where you can view gulls, grebes, and ducks loafing above the dam. A complete list of birds seen at this location can be viewed from the Pendleton Bird Club's website (Choose Umatilla County Bird Checklists from the side bar menu). Probably the three most unusual birds seen at this location include a Swamp Sparrow in 1983, Ross's Gull in 1994 and a Rusty Blackbird in 2003.

Power City Wildlife Area return to the top

Google Map

ODFW Map

Location: From Hermiston, take Hwy 395 north a couple of miles through the community of Charleston and take a right (east) on Benzel Road (dirt road). Go 1.5 miles to the parking area and walk the trail.

Habitat and Birds: This region recently burned so more information needs to be gathered about birding opportunities here. It is a relatively large marshy area this is likely to come back and yield marsh species like Virginia Rail, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Marsh Wren, and possibly Tricolored Blackbird.

Hat Rock State Park return to the top

Google Map

State Park Brochure

Location: From I-84 west of Hermiston, go north on I-82 for 10 miles. Before you get to the Columbia and cross into Washington, turn right on Hwy 730 and travel east. Go 12 miles to Hat Rock Road. This road takes you to the park (look for the brown sign).

Habitat and Birds: Birds that have been seen here before include Wood Duck, Redhead, Hooded Merganser, many other duck species, grebes (Eared, Horned, Western, Clark's, & Pied-billed), White Pelican, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Virginia Rail, Osprey, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Common Loon, Glaucous-winged Gull, Caspian, Common & Forster's Tern, Common Nighthawk, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Cassin's Vireo (migrant), Eastern Kingbird, migrant flycatchers & warblers, Black-capped Chickadee, and Western Meadowlark. Watch the blackbird flocks for Tricolored and Rusty Blackbirds. Rarities that have shown up here include Eurasian Wigeon, Red-eyed Vireo and Least Flycatcher.

Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: To reach this destination take 395 north from I-84 through the town of Stanfield. Follow the signs to Hermiston. On the outskirts of Hermiston, turn right on E. Highland Avenue (Look for the 7-11). At 1.6 miles, the road forks. Take the left fork which is E. Loop Road. Take E. Loop east for 5 miles and E. Loop turns 90 degrees to the right. Take a left here (follow the signs to the reservoir) and the reservoir will appear in about a half mile. There are several parking areas to scope the lake from. The north side of the lake is not open to the public but much of the south is. On the southeastern part of the refuge, look for the Memorial Marsh Unit around Parking Lot F. This area has several good foot trails that go out into the marsh and allow access. A complete list of birds seen at this location can be viewed from the Pendleton Bird Club's website (Choose Umatilla County Bird Checklists from the side bar menu). Stilt Sandpiper was found here in 1980 and a Black-and-White Warbler showed up here as well.

Lost Lake return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: Shorebirds and waterfowl on this small lake.

Stanfield Meadows & Echo Meadows return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, travel 26 miles west on I-84 (45 miles east of Arlington ) to exit 182 (Hwy 207 look for signs to Hermiston). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right (north) and immediately turn right (east) on Stanfield Meadows Road (paved). Travel 4.3 miles and turn right onto Echo Meadows Road. Go over the freeway and watch for the intersection of Emert and Andrews Roads with Echo Meadows Road. Go straight on Andrews Road. Go 3.1 miles and turn right (north) on Rosenberg Road. Go 1 mile and turn right (east) on Emert Road. Emert Road intersects with Andrews and Echo Meadows Roads. Continue straight (east) to get on Echo Meadows Road. Stay on Echo Meadows Road as it winds its way south. Turn left (east) onto Hwy 320, which takes you to the town of Echo. The road becomes W. Main Street/Hwy 320 in Echo. Just past the railroad tracks, there is a stop sign at N. Thielsen Street, the end of the route. To return to I-84 (Exit 188), go left (north) on N. Thielsen Street for 1.5 miles. A right (south) turn onto S. Thielsen Street goes to Rieth (also spelled Reith) Road, which follows the Umatilla River for about 20 miles to Pendleton.

Habitat and Birds: Wet farmland (especially in spring), ponds, and dry grasslands. Waterfowl here include Greater White-fronted Goose, Snow Goose, Ross’s Geese. Ducks are common here including all three species of teal. This is a good place to look for Eurasian Wigeon, Tundra Swans, and Trumpeter Swans in late fall and winter. Shorebirds include Dunlin, Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs, Least and Western Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitcher, the occasional Red-necked Phalarope. Virginia Rail and Sora may be present in the cattails and tall grasses around the ponds. American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, Killdeer, Long-billed Curlew, Wilson’s Snipe, and Wilson’s Phalarope breed in this area, especially along Stanfield Meadows Road. This is one of the best places to find White-faced Ibis in the county. Check the gull flocks in the spring. This is a good stopover for Sandhill Cranes and a good place to compare the Greater and Lesser subspecies. Look for Long-billed Curlew and Great Egret here too. Check the feedlots along this route. Just about any Oregon blackbird can be found here including the occasional Rusty Blackbird (winter). Check the cattails for small flocks of breeding Tricolored Blackbirds. Watch for Short-eared Owls around dusk.

Pendleton return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: Pendleton is 207 miles east of Portland on I-84. It's 52 miles NW of La Grande. The Umatilla River runs through the town and McKay Creek and Wildhorse Creek feed into the Umatilla River nearby. Places that are worth birding within the city limits include Olney Cemetery and Pendleton Community Park (see the map). A White-winged Dove in was located here in 2007 and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was here in 2006.

Adams Road & Wildhorse Creek Area return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: Adams Road follows Wildhorse Creek eastward out of Pendleton. From the eastern end of Pendleton, take Hwy 11 for a short distance across the Umatilla River and look for Adams Road off to your left. Take Adams along the creek to the town of Adams which is about 13 miles NE of Pendleton. This area can be good for migrating passerines and winter raptors. A Hooded Warbler was found here in 1983.

McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: From I-84 in Pendleton, take Hwy 395 south for 5 miles to McKay Reservoir. Turn in and take a left to access the dam area. Use the access road that skirts the western shore to bird the rest of the reservoir's west side. To reach the east side (the best shorebird flats are in the SE corner), return to Hwy 395. Go left (south) to the end of the reservoir and turn left (east) on Spring Creek Road (you will have to turn onto the frontage road about 0.3 miles before Spring Cr. Rd.). Take Spring Creek Rd. to Shaw Road. Turn left (north) on Shaw and go about a mile to the parking area. Walk down to the water to check out the shorebird flats. The following birds have been noted at McKay Creek NWR: Wood Duck, Tundra Swans, Ring-necked Pheasant, Common Loon, Horned Grebes, Eared Grebe, Western Grebes, Clark’s Grebe, American White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Herring Gull, Sabine's Gull (rare), Bonaparte’s Gull, Franklin Gull, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern, Common Tern, Black Tern, Black-bellied Plover, American Golden-Plover (rare), Semipalmated Plover, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Long-billed Curlew, Western Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper (rare), Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Sanderling (rare), Stilt Sandpiper (rare), Solitary Sandpiper (annual), both yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover (rare), Wilson’s Snipe, Red-necked Phalarope, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Northern Harrier, Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, Say's Phoebe, Western Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Western Kingbird, Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Tree Swallow, Bewick’s Wren, American Pipit, Savannah Sparrow, American Tree Sparrow (winter), Western Meadowlark, and Bullock's Oriole.

Coombs Canyon Road return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 395 south for 5 miles. Directly across from the entrance to McKay Creek Reservoir, turn right (west) onto Coombs Canyon Road.

Habitat and Birds: Grasslands and sage. Gray Partridge, Chukar, Long-billed Curlew, Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Great Horned Owl, Common Poorwill, Western Kingbird, Say’s Phoebe, Loggerhead Shrike, Northern Shrike, Horned Lark, Sage Thrasher, Vesper Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Bullock's Oriole, and Western Meadowlark. Grasshopper Sparrows are known to nest along this road in proper habitat (check out Reinhart Rd. for Grasshopper Sparrow too.).

Weston Kirk Road return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: Weston is a tiny community in the NE part of Umatilla County. From the east end of Pendleton, take Hwy 11 over the Umatilla River and set your odometer. Go 19 miles and turn right on Key Road which will take you into Weston. Look for the Weston Sewage Ponds on your left as you approach town. In many ways this is a typical eastern Oregon town and you bird it like you would bird any other little town on this side of the state. Drive the streets and check for feeders and migrants in the trees. Check for Western Scrub-Jay and Eurasian Collared-Dove as both are expanding into this area. A Tennessee Warbler was found here in 1980.

Harris County Park return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 11 North and east for 27 miles to Milton-Freewater. From the south end of Milton-Freewater, turn right (east) on 14th Avenue. Take a quick right on Main Street and then a left on 15th Avenue. Take this road out of town traveling east. Go 5 miles and turn right onto South Fork Walla Walla River Road. The park is 7 more miles down this road.

Habitat and Birds: Park, pines, rocky hillsides, and riparian strip. Ruffed Grouse, California Quail, Vaux’s Swift, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond’s and Western Flycatcher, Cassin’s and Warbling Vireo, Steller’s Jay, Violet-green and Rough-winged Swallow, Winter Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Veery, American Robin, Varied Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Spotted Towhee, Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrow, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. Periodically, check the Walla Walla River for American Dipper (especially southeast of the campground).
The road to the park follows the Walla Walla River. You should stop several times and check the vegetation along the river. Canyon Wren, Red-eyed Vireo, Wild Turkey, Ring-necked Pheasant, Bewick's Wren, Gray Catbird, Lazuli Bunting, and Bullock's Oriole are just of the few possibilities along this strip of road.

Langdon Lake return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 11 North and east for 20 miles. Turn east on Hwy 204 just north of Weston. Travel another 20 miles to the small community of Tollgate. Go 0.7 miles past the Tollgate store and look for the entry to Woodward Campground on the lake (it's on your right). If the gate is closed, park here and walk down to the lake.

Habitat and Birds: Mixed Conifer and Mt. Lake vegetation. Look for Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye (nesters), Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Ruffed Grouse, Sora, Calliope Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Hammond's Flycatcher, Violet-green Swallow, Vaux's Swift, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, American Robin, Townsend’s Solitaire, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin. Rarities include Surf Scoter, Barred Owl, American Three-toed Woodpecker, White-winged Crossbill, and Pine Grosbeak.

Target Meadows and Burnt Cabin Trailhead return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 11 North and east for 20 miles. Turn east on Hwy 204 just north of Weston. Travel another 20 miles to the small community of Tollgate. Continue east on Hwy 204 for a little over a mile and turn left (northeast) on Kendall/Skyline Road (FR 64). Go a short distance and turn left on FR 6401. Go 1.5 miles and turn right on FR 050. The campground is 2 miles down this road and the trailhead is 2.8 miles.

Habitat and Birds: This is a high altitude area and is best birded from May to October. Some of the species you might encounter include Ruffed Grouse, Calliope Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson's Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Black-backed Woodpecker, American Three-toed Woodpecker, Dusky Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Gray Jay, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Swainson’s Thrush, American Robin, Townsend’s Solitaire, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Wilson's Warbler, Western Tanager, Fox Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin. Interestingly, Boreal Owl has been heard from the campground recently (2008).

Alkali Canyon Road and Mud Springs Canyon Road return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 395 south to Hwy 74. Go west on Hwy 74 for 1.6 miles to Alkali Canyon Road. Turn right (north) onto Alkali Canyon Road. Bird Alkali Road for 4.1 miles. Go straight at Mud Springs Canyon Road. Travel north for 11 miles to the junction of Speare Canyon Road and Coombs Canyon Road. You can either take Coombs Rd. back to Pendleton (15 miles) or you can continue on Mud Springs for another 7 miles to Cunningham Road. Go right on Cunningham and continue to the Umatilla River. Turn right on Rieth Road and follow the signs back to Pendleton via Rieth Road.

Habitat and Birds: Dry grasslands and farmland. Look for these birds along this route: Gray Partridge, Ring-necked Pheasant, Swainson’s Hawk, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Rough-legged Hawks, Golden Eagles, Long-billed Curlew, Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl, Snowy Owl (eruptive years), Burrowing Owl, Long-eared Owl, Say's Phoebe, Gray Flycatcher, Horned Larks, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Sage Sparrows, American Tree Sparrow (winter), and Grasshopper Sparrow (breed along Mud Springs Canyon Road annually).

East Birch Creek and Pearson Creek Roads (SE of Pilot Rock) return to the top

Google Map

Location: In Pilot Rock, take Hwy 395 to the south end of town and turn left on East Birch Creek Road (Look for an old "school" building by this intersection). Take East Birch Creek Road and bird along the way. There are open farm fields here and the road follows a riparian strip with cottonwoods and willows. After about 9 miles, look for Pearson Creek Road off to your right. Pearson Creek Road travels 25 miles through the Umatilla National Forest. Though closed in winter, this road during late spring through fall offers some nice forest birding.

Habitat and Birds: Expect the regular species like Ring-necked Pheasant, Gray Partridge, Chukar, Cooper's Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk (winter), Northern Saw-whet Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Common Nighthawk, Vaux's Swift, Calliope Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Williamson's Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Hammond's Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Western Kingbird, Cassin's Vireo, all three nuthatches, 5 wren species (Canyon, Bewick's, Winter, Rock, & House), both kinglets, several thrushes, 9 warbler species, Western Tanager, several sparrow species, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, blackbirds, and several finches. Less common but still possible are Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Northern Goshawk, Swainson's Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, and Eastern Kingbird,

Indian Lake return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 395 15 miles south to Pilot Rock. In Pilot Rock, take Hwy 395 to the south end of town and turn left on East Birch Creek Road (Look for an old "school" building by this intersection). Take East Birch Creek Road 19 miles and look for the Indian Lake Campground .

Habitat and Birds: Mountain Lake and mixed conifer forest. Species seen here include Mallard, Ruffed Grouse, Osprey, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, Western Wood-Pewee, Cassin’s Vireo, Tree Swallow, Gray Jay, Clark's Nutcracker, Mountain Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Mountain Bluebird, Hermit Thrush, American Robin, Cedar Waxwing, American Pipit, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Cassin’s Finch, and Pine Siskin. Though difficult to locate, Great Gray Owls nest in this area.

Emigrant Springs State Park return to the top

Google Map

Location, Habitat and Birds: Travel 23 miles south on I-84 from Pendleton to this park. Take exit 234 and follow the frontage road south for a quarter mile to the park entrance. There are several trails which will take you through mixed conifers. Species you might find here include Red-naped Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Vaux’s Swift, Cassin’s Vireo, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Western Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Varied Thrush, Townsend’s Warbler, Pine Siskin, Western Tanager, MacGillivray’s Warbler, and Red Crossbill.

Summit Road return to the top

Google Map

Location: This is a very high elevation route so only attempt it in late spring through early fall. From Pendleton, travel east for 33 miles on I-84 (16 miles NW of LaGrande). Take exit 243. Travel east over the freeway and take Summit Road north for 38.5 miles to Hwy 204. Side roads FR 3109 and FR 90 can be productive.

Habitat and Birds: Mixed forest of pine, fir, and spruce along with some meadows and rocky areas. Species that can be found along this route include Ruffed Grouse, Dusky Grouse, Cooper’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, Black-backed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Calliope Hummingbird, Common Nighthawk, Vaux’s Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, House Wren, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend Solitaire, Yellow-rumped Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Brown-headed Cowbird, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak. Great Gray Owl has been found on FR 3109 and FR 90 and Dusky Grouse are present in this area but hard to find.

Gurdane Road return to the top

Google Map

Location: From Pendleton, take I-84 exit 209 and travel south on Hwy 395. Go through Pilot Rock. At the jct. of Hwys 74 and 395, stay left on 395. Go about 9 miles and look for Gurdane Road on your right. This road is approximately 24 miles long and is one of the favored birding location of the locals. At 9.3 miles, a private road on the left leads to a gate and a creek crossing. The property owner allows birders to WALK down this road and bird the riparian area only. If you take this road, please walk and stay on the road.

Habitat and Birds: This road travels through canyonlands, riparian strips, and farmland. This wide variety of habitats produces a varied bird list. Specialties in this area include Common Poorwill, Gray Partridge, Chukar, Swainson's Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Willow Flycatcher, Say's Phoebe, Eastern Kingbird, both shrikes, Black-capped Chickadee, Sage Thrasher, Green-tailed Towhee, Vesper Sparrow, Brewer's Sparrow, and Grasshopper Sparrow.

Battle Mountain Scenic Corridor return to the top

Google Map

Location: This area is 35 miles south of Pendleton on Hwy 395. The corridor is 4 miles long and is signed on both ends. Battle Mountain State Park is in the middle of the corridor. Birding is good throughout the area so use pullouts and get out and walk.

Habitat and Birds: This area has a mixed forest of pine, larch, Douglas fir, and spruce. The park is closed in the winter but you can park at the gate and walk around. Birds you might find here include Ruffed Grouse, Dusky Grouse, Mountain Quail, Wild Turkey, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Great Horned Owl, Great Gray Owl, Long-eared Owl, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common Nighthawk, Vaux's Swift, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cassin’s Vireo, Warbling Vireo, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Steller’s Jay, Violet-green Swallow, all 3 nuthatches, Brown Creeper, House Wren, both kinglets, Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Brown-headed Cowbird, Red Crossbill, and Cassin’s Finch to name a few.

Ukiah-Dale State Scenic Corridor return to the top

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State Park Brochure

Location: From Pendleton, travel south on Hwy 395 for 47.3 miles to the junction of Hwy 244 (Ukiah is just a mile east of here). The corridor runs south along Hwy 395 for 14.2 miles (technically, it goes all the way to Dale but Dale is in Grant County). Check out Camas Creek between (mileposts 55 and 60) and the north fork of the John Day River (11.3 miles from the 395/244 Jct., you can take a detour at west along the north fork of the John Day River for a nice birding opportunity. Click here to go to the write-up for this location).

Habitat and Birds: Pine forests, mixed conifers, rocky slopes, and riparian strips. A bird list from this location could include Common Merganser, Ruffed Grouse, Dusky Grouse, Cooper’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Spotted Sandpiper, Belted Kingfisher, White-headed Woodpecker, Black-backed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Red-naped Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Calliope Hummingbird, Common Nighthawk, Vaux’s Swift, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Dusky Flycatcher, Say’s Phoebe, "Western-type" Flycatcher (The distribution of Cordilleran/Pacific-slope Flycatcher in Eastern Oregon is not well known) , Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Cassin’s Vireo, Steller’s Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, House Wren, Rock Wren, Canyon Wren, Winter Wren, American Dipper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Townsend Solitaire, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, MacGillivray’s, Warbler, Western Tanager, Chipping Sparrow, Lincoln’s Sparrow, White-crowned, Dark-eyed Junco, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Brown-headed Cowbird, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, Pine Siskin, and Evening Grosbeak.

Ukiah/Mossie Road/Cable Creek Loop return to the top

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Location: From Pendleton, travel south on Hwy 395 for 47.3 miles to the junction of Hwy 244. Turn left (east) on Hwy 244 and travel 1 mile to Ukiah. From Main St. in Ukiah, turn right on Camas Street and travel south. Cross Camas Creek and turn left on Mossie Road. The Ukiah Sewage Ponds are at mile 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4. Do not enter these ponds even if the gates are open but you can view them from the fence. Continue on Mossie Road into dryer grasslands. After about 5 miles turn left on Cable Creek Road. Take this road for about 7 miles to Hwy 244 and return to Ukiah.

Habitat and Birds: Dry pine forest, residential area, sewer pond, wet meadows, and riparian areas. Watch for Gray Partridge around the sewage pond area and waterfowl at the ponds include Canada Geese, Gadwalls, Mallards, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shovelers, Redheads, and Ruddy Ducks, Blue-winged Teal, Tundra Swans, Trumpeter Swans (rarely), Wood Ducks, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Ducks, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, Common Merganser, Hooded Merganser, Barrow’s Goldeneye, Canvasback, Great Egrets, Sandhill Cranes, Long-billed Curlews, Wilson’s Phalaropes, Red-necked Phalaropes, Yellow-headed Blackbirds. On the dryer portions of Mossie Road, look for Horned Larks, Savannah Sparrows, and Western Meadowlarks. Shortly after turning onto Cable Creek Rd., you will begin finding pine species. American Dipper, Western Bluebird, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cassin’s Finch, and Red Crossbill can be seen here along with many others. Near the Jct. of Cable Creek Rd. and Hwy 244, look for a burned area that can produce some good species. Make sure to bird the town itself. Several houses often feed the birds (keep an eye out for Broad-tailed Hummingbird as this is a possibility albeit a slim one) and there is an active Bobolink Colony on the SW side of town (In Ukiah, go south on Pendleton Street, go two blocks, turn right, go one block, turn left and go until the road goes into pastures. This is still a public road but may be flooded. This is where the birds are. Others here include Gray Partridge, Wilson’s Snipe, Long-billed Curlew, Northern Harrier, Red-winged Blackbird, and Savannah Sparrow.) Look for Short-eared Owls between Ukiah and Hwy 395.

Texas Bar Road (FR 55) return to the top

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Location, Habitat and Birds: From the center of Ukiah, take Camas Street south out of town. It will become Soap Hill Road and eventually FR 52 as you travel south. About 12 miles south of Ukiah, turn right (south) on FR 55. This is Texas Bar Road. Shortly, you will enter a burned area (Tower Burn). Go 7 miles through the burn and beyond and bird as you go. Turn right when you get to the river and continue birding another 5 miles to Hwy 395. Birds you can find here include Dusky Grouse, Cooper’s Hawk, Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, Common Nighthawk, Vaux’s Swift, Calliope Hummingbird, Red-naped Sapsucker, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Black-backed Woodpecker (rare), Clark’s Nutcracker, Dusky Flycatcher, House Wren, Rock Wren, Winter Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Nashville Warbler, Green-tailed Towhee and Brewer's Sparrow.

Bear Wallow Creek(NFDR 54) return to the top

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Location, Habitat and Birds: Take SR 244 east out of Ukiah until FSRD 54 is reached (about 12.8 miles). Turn left or north onto FSRD 54 and bird this road for the first 4 miles. All the expected Blue Mountain forest birds can be seen along this route including Great Gray Owl, Northern Goshawk and in summer Williamson's Sapsucker.

Ukiah-Albee Road return to the top

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Location, Habitat and Birds: Go north out of Ukiah on the Ukiah-Albee Road. May-August is the best time to bird this gravel road. It winds north along a large wet meadow that has hosted many species of sparrows as well as dry forest birds (There may be a small colony of Upland Sandpiper here but it is extremely rare to see them from the road. Just keep an eye/ear out.). This is a loop road and, by taking Albee Road north, you will reconnect with HWY 395. Watch this huge, bird-filled meadow complex for gray wolf. One was poached here in 2006. This area is also home to a herd of 12-15 Pronghorn as well as a few pair of Greater Sandhill Cranes.

North Fork John Day River Road return to the top

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Location, Habitat and Birds: Turn right off HWY395 onto River RD.. This is a gravel road that winds west along the north shore of the N.Fk. of the John Day River for twenty some miles. This is one location to look for Mountain Quail in Umatilla County. In August 2004 (admittedly a good hatch year) one surveyor counted 54 quail along this road (please note that Mountain Quail remains very difficult to find in Umatilla County and is rare even at this location). This is a canyon road and is dusty and hot in summer. Great spot for rattlers and many birds in late summer. For you adventurous souls, this road will take you out to Potomus Creek and the mixed western juniper-ponderosa pine forests. This is a great area to do some late summer owling. It's outstanding for Flammulated Owls and Northern Saw-whet Owls in April-May. You will depart Umatilla County on this road and enter Grant County.

Divide Well Campground return to the top

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Location, Habitat and Birds: From the junction of Hwy 395 and Hwy 244 just east of Ukiah, take the NFDR 53 Road west for about 9 miles until you reach the 5312 Road. Turn south onto the 5312 Road and follow it until you reach the 5320 Road (about 6.7 miles). This is the Divide Well Campground. You are in a very dense population of Flammulated Owl, Long-eared Owl, Williamson's Sapsucker, Cassin's Vireo, Western Tanager, and Cooper's Hawk. Camp here and be prepared to meet all kinds of wild animals. Bring your own water.

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Power City Wildlife Area return to the top

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Hat Rock State Park return to the top

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Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge return to the top

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Lost Lake return to the top

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Location, Habitat and Birds: Shorebirds and waterfowl on this small lake.

Stanfield Meadows & Echo Meadows return to the top

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Pendleton return to the top

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Adams Road & Wildhorse Creek Area return to the top

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McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge return to the top

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Coombs Canyon Road return to the top

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Location: From Pendleton, take Hwy 395 south for 5 miles. Directly across from the entrance to McKay Creek Reservoir, turn right (west) onto Coombs Canyon Road.

Weston Kirk Road return to the top

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Harris County Park return to the top

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Langdon Lake return to the top

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Target Meadows and Burnt Cabin Trailhead return to the top

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Alkali Canyon Road and Mud Springs Canyon Road return to the top

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East Birch Creek and Pearson Creek Roads (SE of Pilot Rock) return to the top

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Indian Lake return to the top

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Emigrant Springs State Park return to the top

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Summit Road return to the top

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Gurdane Road return to the top

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Battle Mountain Scenic Corridor return to the top

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Ukiah-Dale State Scenic Corridor return to the top

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State Park Brochure

Ukiah/Mossie Road/Cable Creek Loop return to the top

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Texas Bar Road (FR 55) return to the top

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Bear Wallow Creek(NFDR 54) return to the top

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Ukiah-Albee Road return to the top

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North Fork John Day River Road return to the top

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Divide Well Campground return to the top

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Umatilla County Oregon

Umatilla County Oregon

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Umatilla County Birding Locations

McNary Dam	Power City WA	Hat Rock State Park
Cold Springs NWR	Lost Lake	Stanfield & Echo Meadows
Pendleton	Adams Road/Wildhorse Creek	McKay Creek NWR
Coombs Canyon Road	Weston Kirk Road	Harris County Park
Langdon Lake	Target Meadows/Burnt Cabin	Alkali & Mud Springs Cyn. Roads
E. Birch & Pearson Cr. Roads	Indian Lake	Emigrant Springs State Park
Summit Road	Gurdane Road	Battle Mt. Scenic Corridor
Ukiah-Dale Scenic Corridor	Ukiah Area	Texas Bar Road (NFDR 55)
Bear Wallow Creek (NFDR 54)	Ukiah-Albie Road	North Fork J.D. River Road
Divide Well Campground