Resident nesting species such as mallards, gadwall and cinnamon teal are still numerous, but will be harder to locate as females will be busy tending nests and broods. American wigeon, shoveler, green-winged teal and wood duck can still be seen, but are less common as most have migrated through. Numerous Canada goose broods have been seen and can be found throughout Crook County.
Bird watching is not just limited to wild places, as residents and visitors to Bend can watch an osprey pair nesting adjacent to the Parkway that runs through Bend. Sandhill cranes have been spotted in a meadow near Sisters and at the Ryan Ranch area along the Deschutes River; above Dillon Falls. And Vaux’s swifts can be seen flying over the former Bend library at 507 NW Wall St., and disappearing into the chimney at dusk.
Crook County The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) North shore road is open to motorized traffic. The WMA offers camping, shoreline angling and opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, otter, beaver, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Maps of the wildlife area are available at the Prineville ODFW office and at Prineville Reservoir State Park office.
CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING Crook County The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) North shore road is now open to motorized traffic. The WMA offers camping, shoreline angling and opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, otter, beaver, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Maps of the wildlife area are available at the Prineville ODFW office and at Prineville Reservoir State Park office.
CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING Crook County The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) North shore road is now open to motorized traffic. The WMA offers camping, shoreline angling and opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, otter, beaver, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Maps of the wildlife area are available at the Prineville ODFW office and at Prineville Reservoir State Park office.
CENTRAL ZONE VIEWING Crook County The Prineville Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) North shore road is now open to motorized traffic. The WMA offers camping, shoreline angling and opportunities to see a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, otter, beaver, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl. Maps of the wildlife area are available at the Prineville ODFW office and at Prineville Reservoir State Park office.
Wasco and Sherman counties The Lower Deschutes River provides ample wildlife viewing opportunities. California Bighorn Sheep are frequently observed in the canyon and can provide fantastic viewing this time of year. The best spot to view sheep is from the BLM access road just downstream and across the river from Sherar’s Falls (along Hwy 216).
