WILLAMETTE ZONE VIEWING auvie Island Wildlife Area Nesting season is winding down and now it is time to start looking for a variety of song birds, also shorebirds starting their fall migration and juvenile bald eagles and great blue heron taking their first flights. The best viewing opportunities are at Coon Point, Oak Island Nature Trail and Rentenaar Road.
Kokanee are spawning above Wallowa Lake. They have recently started coming into the river, and can be fun to watch. They will be spawning till the middle of October.
Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties Summer is here, most of the young are leaving the nest. Fledglings can be seen in most yards. The long billed curlews have headed back to the wet areas with fledglings. Crows are starting to fledge as well.
Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties Long billed curlews can be seen in the wheat stubble fields. Mobs of ravens can be seen in the foothills, as can golden eagles. Ferruginous hawks can be seen the northern portion of the District on their nests. Short-eared owl can be seen along the grasslands of the north end of the District.
Morrow, Gilliam and Wheeler Counties The signs of spring are all here in the Heppner area. Sandhill cranes have been seen heading north for the summer. The official first sign of spring for the Heppner area, a Say’s phoebe has been seen and heard in the area. Our summer migrants are starting to appear.
Northeast Zone VIEWING GRANT COUNTY Bighorn sheep can be viewed along the South Fork of the John Day. The first ducklings and goselings are being seen in the valley. As spring progresses it is important to remember to leave any baby wildlife where you found them. It usually won’t be long before mom returns to check on them. A few sandhill cranes can still be heard as they migrate back through the valley.
