Photo: Brent Lawrence/USFWS · Public Domain, cropped; resized
Malheur Refugewildlife
Wildlife refugeAt Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, southbound northern pintails and shovelers reach their peak numbers by mid-August, per the refuge brochure. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Updated
Sources for this timing ↓About Malheur Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Oregon
- A little history
- The Harney and Stinking Lake Research Natural Areas were established in 1975.
- What you'll see
- Pintails and shovelers · usual peak mid-August
Right now at Malheur Refuge
Right now in Malheur Refuge · October
- Lesser and greater sandhill cranes feed in the grain fields (fall, September–November) · Sep–Nov
- Tundra swans may gather at Knox, Benson and Marshall ponds (October and November) · Oct–Nov
Next 7 days at Malheur Refuge
- TodayPartly Sunny72° / 47°–
- SatSunny75° / 48°–
- SunSunny77° / 50°2% rain
- MonMostly Sunny76° / 48°2% rain
- TueSunny73° / 47°–
- WedSunny72° / 46°–
- ThuSunny73° / ––
Today: sunrise 6:55 a.m., sunset 6:36 p.m., light until 7:05 p.m. · moon last quarter, 54% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
- Malheur RefugeLocal timing: mid-AugustThis page
Where to watch
- Benson Pond TrailA trail with many birds to watch and hear; trumpeter swans typically nest on the pond
- Buena Vista Overlook TrailA trail to a wide view of Steens Mountain, the Blitzen Valley and the refuge
- Marshall Pond at HeadquartersTundra swans may gather here in October and November; one of the refuge's suggested winter stops
Worth the drive
- RedwoodNational park301 miNovember through December
- OlympicNational park400 milate September to early October
- Golden GateNational park422 miSeptember and October, 10 am to 2 pm
- Channel IslandsNational park623 mibegins at the end of December and lasts until AprilSatSunny
- CabrilloNational park737 miMid-January is the peak time for migration, but whales are visible from mid- to late December through MarchSatSunny
- Tijuana Slough RefugeWildlife refuge745 mifrom mid-March to mid-SeptemberSatSunny
The year at Malheur Refuge
- Spring waterfowl: greatest variety, late winter through the end of MayFeb–May
- Visitor center open 8 a.m.–4 p.m., April 1 to September 30 (limited hours in March)Apr–Sep
- Mosquitoes can be ruthless (summer, June–August)Jun–Aug
- Jul: Southbound shorebirds start arriving (July)Jul
- Historic Sod House Ranch open for birding (August 15 – October 1)Aug–Sep
- Lesser and greater sandhill cranes feed in the grain fields (fall, September–November)NowSep–Nov
- Tundra swans may gather at Knox, Benson and Marshall ponds (October and November)NowOct–Nov
- Winter: raptors, ducks, geese and swans, in smaller numbersDec–Feb
Malheur Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?
Southbound northern pintails and shovelers reach their peak numbers by mid-August, per the refuge brochure: mid-August. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: mid-August, local timing.
When were Malheur's Research Natural Areas established?
The Harney and Stinking Lake Research Natural Areas were established in 1975.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where can I find tundra swans in the fall?
Large groups may be on Knox, Benson and Marshall ponds in October and November.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is winter a good time for birds?
Raptors, ducks, geese and swans use the refuge in winter, but in smaller numbers than the rest of the year: it's cold and little water stays open. Try Marshall Pond at headquarters, the Blitzen River, Benson Pond, Knox Pond and the Narrows Pullout.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Do the swans stay all winter?
Both kinds of swans may stay through the winter, in smaller numbers.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Should I get out of the car to watch?
Stay in it if you can: your vehicle makes an excellent blind for watching and photographing without scaring the wildlife.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge?
Benson Pond Trail: a trail with many birds to watch and hear; trumpeter swans typically nest on the pond; Buena Vista Overlook Trail: a trail to a wide view of Steens Mountain, the Blitzen Valley and the refuge; Marshall Pond at Headquarters: tundra swans may gather here in October and November; one of the refuge's suggested winter stops.
What is Malheur National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Spring waterfowl: greatest variety, late winter through the end of May (Feb–May), Southbound shorebirds start arriving (July) (Jul), Lesser and greater sandhill cranes feed in the grain fields (fall, September–November) (Sep–Nov), Tundra swans may gather at Knox, Benson and Marshall ponds (October and November) (Oct–Nov), Visitor center open 8 a.m.–4 p.m., April 1 to September 30 (limited hours in March) (Apr–Sep), Historic Sod House Ranch open for birding (August 15 – October 1) (Aug–Sep), Mosquitoes can be ruthless (summer, June–August) (Jun–Aug) and Winter: raptors, ducks, geese and swans, in smaller numbers (Dec–Feb).
How we know · Sources (7)
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 2) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Trails (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Malheur NWR: Auto tour (birding: when to go and best sites) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)