Malheur Refuge

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Stretching from the base of Steens Mountain to the north shore of the Malheur and Harney Lakes complex, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is one of the crown jewels of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's refuge system.
Habitats included within this refuge include the alkali waters of Harney Lake, the fresh water of Malheur Lake, vast marshes, willow thickets, stands of large cottonwoods, and plenty of sage steppe.

The Malheur National Wildlife refuge has more than 320 species of birds, and 58 species of mammals. Just take a look around at the beautiful country side and it's vast inhabitants for an experience like no other.

The marshes and wet meadows around the lakes and along 32 miles of river floodplain draw a spectacular variety of birds. Three streams flow through the refuge to the lakes: Blitzen River arising in the Steens Mountain in the southeast; Silver Creek fed by springs around Harney Lake; and Silvies River flowing from the northern mountains.

In the spring waterfowl using the Pacific Flyway stop at the refuge and on the Silvies River flood plain around Burns to refuel for their journey northward. Large flocks of lesser and greater sandhill cranes, and flocks of snow and Ross' geese provide spectacular viewing opportunities. During the summer greater sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans and a variety of ducks and shorebirds nest on the refuge. Large flocks of greater sandhill cranes return in the fall to feed before their journey to the Central Valley of California. Winter is quiet, however ducks, geese, ravens, a variety of raptors, bald eagles, great horned owls and black-billed magpies can be seen.