Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center — Attraction in Burns

The Visitors center and Bird museum is a great starting point on your visit to Malheur Refuge. The enter was closed due to staffing when we were there but the gift shop is staffed by knowledgeable volunteers and Marsha and her husband were excellent and gave us some great info on bird locations Marsha was kind enough to write some bird sightings they had from a few days ago on the free Refuge map and without it we would not have known to follow the Center Patrol Rd. We ended up spending almost 2 full days (one day in the Northern section and one day in the south). The visitors center area also has a lot of picnic tables for you to enjoy a packed lunch. There is a covered picnic area down by the gift shop and several picnic tables by the visitors center in the front and the back. There is also a few very clean well stocked rest rooms. Also,download the “Friends of Malheur NWR” Auto tour from Spotify. Down load each stop as cell service is spotty. You will see sighs along the way. And best of all it...

You would never know that the headquarters to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge would be a hidden oasis in the midst of ranch lands. We drove several miles on a washboard gravel road, thinking we missed this place. The milage on the sinage is a smidge off, or maybe it's our vehicle. On the perimeter of miles of wetlands frequented by migratory birds lies this place. A paved path from the parking area leads you into beautifully groomed grass and gardens. An interpretive center is there as is a cool little museum that has information on every migratory bird, their eggs, etc. The gift shop is worth a visit too! You can bird watch by sitting in the blinds that are available. Talk with the hosts who can inform you of recent bird sightings, or simply sit and enjoy all the bird activity around you. This was my first ever sighting of a great horned owl. It was a baby that the parents kept very busy feeding. Bring a lunch or snack and take your time there. A bird...

Malheur is an amazing place to see migrating birds, such as White Faced Ibis, Willets, Curlews, Dowicher, Wilson's Snipe, Black Neck Stilt, American Avocet, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, Sandhill Cranes, a wide variety of waterfowl, various swallows and a tree swallow nest, and of course, resident birds such as pheasants, chuckars, and quail. There are bald and golden eagles as well as various kinds of blackbirds and other small birds, like the Marsh Wrens. We also had the opportunity to see a Great Horned Owl and the chick in the nest. In short, this is an amazing place to experience a wide variety of birds in a high desert setting with the backdrop of Steens Mountain in the distance. Starting your visit at the Visitor Center is a great...