Malheur NWR, Oregon Copyright © 1996, Don Baccus (dhogaza@pacifier.com)
Copyright © 1995, Don Baccus
All images copyright © 1995, Don Baccus
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 water which gives life in this refuge originates high on Steens Mountain, which dominates the southern horizon. The refuge's southern boundary is at the point where the Donner und Blitzen River leaves the mountain, and it stretches northward along the valley for over forty miles until the river empties into Malheur Lake.
Malheur Lake has no exit to the sea, but it empties into nearby Harney Lake which serves as the evaporation pan for the pair. Thus, Malheur Lake is fresh, while Harney Lakeis laden with minerals left behind in the evaporation process.
Such opportunities await you at every point on the refuge, but I do have some recommendations for the first time visitor. Begin your visit at the Refuge Headquarters, and pick up maps, checklists, and information on recent sightings. As this is an oasis that attracts vagrants on a regular basis, and is full of tons of warblers and other songbirds, plan to spend a couple of hours here.
The next place to hit is the Center Patrol Road, driving to Buena Vista. Benson Pond, further south, can not be missed, nor can the southern end of the refuge's P Ranch.
Of course, if you tire of the refuge and watching thousands of birds like white-faced ibis, you can always take a break, leaving the refuge to have freshly-baked pie or cobbler ala mode at the hotel in Frenchglen!
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