Crook County offers great birding opportunities with very few birders and other people. Being a little further east, several species breed and are more common as migrants (Willet, Avocet, Stilt and Ferruginous Hawk) compared to its neighbor, Deschutes County.
This account was provided by Steve Dougill with help from Chuck Gates.
1) Powell Butte - DeLorme Pg 51 B-8
Location: Access of Hwy 126 between Redmond and Prineville. Many roads leave the highway and cross through the agricultural fields. For wintering Short Eared Owls take Rief Rd south from Hwy 126 just west of the town of Powell Butte. Check the fields just north of the Fire Station near the Community Center close to dark.
Habitat and Birds: The agricultural fields hold high numbers of wintering raptors, flocks of Blackbirds and Sparrows. Near the community center there is a small regular wintering group of Short Eared Owls.
2) Houston Lakes - DeLorme Pg 80 C-1
Location: Leave Prineville on hwy 126. After the airport and the top of the grade, turn north on Tom McCall Rd, which becomes Houston Lake Rd at the sharp bend. The main lake is on the south side of the road after about 7 miles. Little Houston Lake is accessed off Lester Wick Rd to the north of the main Houston Lake. This is a very small road and should not be blocked. No access beyond the road.
Habitat and Birds: In Summer this is a great place to see American Bitterns, Virginia and Sora Rails. Winter Raptors are abundant and wildfowl including Geese (Canada and White Fronted) and Swans build up in the early spring, when, depending on water levels, there may be shorebirds present.
3) Prineville Sewage Lagoons - DeLorme Pg 80 C-1
Location: Leave Prineville north on the O’Neil Hwy (leaves Hwy 126 just west of the bridge over the Crooked River) and the main entrance is on the east side of the road close to the edge of town. You must have permission to visit this site, which can be obtained through ECBC. A combination lock restricts access to the ponds.
Habitat and Birds: Several large ponds that normally have some open “water” even in the coldest months. These hold large numbers of ducks and a variety of shorebirds in the Spring and Fall. The rough ground close to the river is excellent for migrants, sparrows and occasional Short Eared Owls and Night Herons. This site annually hosts rare birds.
4) O’Neil Valley - DeLorme Pg 80 C-1
Location: Leave Prineville north on the O’Neil Hwy (leaves Hwy 126 just west of the bridge over the Crooked River). The entire valley is visible from this road to the east up to the junction with Lone Pine Rd. There are a few choice pull outs that offer safe viewing opportunities.
Habitat and Birds: This valley is covered with agricultural fields, marshy lands and rough ground. Wintering raptors hunt this area and large flocks of Canada Geese group throughout the area (occasionally with Tundra Swans and Snow Geese). Golden Eagles are often seen soaring over the rim rock. When flooded large numbers of ducks and the occasional Great Egret use the ephemeral pools.
5) Grizzly Mountain - DeLorme Pg 80 C-1
Location: Between Madras and Prineville on Hwy 26. Turn to the east on Grizzly Mountain Rd. This becomes a graded dirt, but well maintained road leading to the communication towers at the summit. This road is often impassible in the winter and early spring.
Habitat and Birds: Often with the first really cold snap of the fall, a few Gray Crowned Rosy Finches can be located close to the summit. On the East side there are extensive pine and fur forests with Pygmy Owl. The cleared area at the summit is an excellent vantage spot to look for migrating raptors in the spring and fall and holds Mountain Bluebirds and Rock Wrens in the summer.
6) Barnes Butte - DeLorme Pg 80 C-1
Location: Leave Prineville north on Main St. After a couple of miles turn east on Barnes Butte Rd. The main reservoir is viewed from the south side of the road at the base of the butte. There is no access and must be viewed from the road. Check the marsh to the north side of the road for Tri Colored Blackbirds.
Habitat and Birds: A Private Fishing Lake surrounded by marsh, agricultural fields and Juniper. The cattail area to the north of the road offers fantastic views of breeding Tri Colored Blackbirds. The lake holds good numbers of wintering Ducks with Bald eagles, Prairie Falcon and other Raptors in winter.
7) Prineville Cemetery - DeLorme Pg 80 C-1
Location: Leave Prineville north on Main St. A short distance after the railroad tracks the entrance can be seen on the west side of the road.
Habitat and Birds: This area is full of mature spruce, fruiting and other trees. The flowering trees attract a wide variety of migrants in the spring and fall.
8) Ochoco reservoir - DeLorme Pg 80 C-2
Location: Leave Prineville east on Hwy 26. The reservoir is on the south side of the road after about 7 miles and can be viewed from several pullouts. Check out the State Park that offers views of the lake, toilets and an area of Juniper Forest that often has Red Breasted Sapsucker in the winter. Also, check out the eastern end of the reservoir which can be especially good in the fall when water levels have fallen exposing mud for shorebirds.
Habitat and Birds: A large lake with surrounding rim rock. The reservoir can hold good numbers of wildfowl including Common Loons and Western grebes. Clarks Grebes occasionally nest. In the summer California Gull numbers build up with Caspian Terns, Herons and White Pelicans. As water levels drop, shorebirds can be seen (at some distance) on the mud flats. Golden Eagles and Chukka can be found on the rim rock.
9) Ochoco Ranger Station - DeLorme Pg 80 C-3
Location: Leave Prineville east on Hwy 26. Take the 23 Rd to the east and follow signs to the Ranger Station.
Habitat and Birds: Riparian forest surrounded by Pines. This area holds all the common forest birds and has regularly had Veery in June.
10) Walton lake - DeLorme Pg 80 C-3
Location: Past the Rangers Station, the road becomes the 22 Rd. The lake is signed to the north after several miles.
Habitat and Birds: Lake surrounded by forest. This is an excellent area for Woodpeckers, Pygmy Owl and Grouse (both Rough and Dusky).
11) Big Summit Prairie - DeLorme Pg 80 C-3
Location: In the Ochoco national Forest. Take the 42 Rd off the 23 Rd (The Ranger Station rd). This is private property but can been seen from the road.
Habitat and Birds forest and grassland. This is an excellent area for butterflies and has had breeding Mountain Plovers in the past.
12) Crooked River hwy - DeLorme Pg 80 D-1
Location: Leave Prineville south on Main St. This becomes the Crooked River Hwy and joins with hwy 20 to the south. The road soon becomes gravel but is well maintained.
Habitat and Birds: Juniper forest. There is a view of Prineville Reservoir from the dam that can produce wildfowl. The riparian areas are good for Lazuli Bunting and the surrounding Juniper forest holds Prairie Falcon, Townsend’s Solitare and breeding Loggerhead Shrike. Western Screech Owls can be found in the spring.
13) Eagle Rock - DeLorme Pg 80 D-2
Location: Leave Prineville south on Coombs Flat Rd at the east end of Prineville. This becomes the Paulina Hwy. After about 12 miles the road descends down a hill. Mid way down look for the large crag/ pinnacle on the west side of the road.
Habitat and Birds: Rocky crag and Juniper forest. White throated Swifts breed here.
14) North Shore Rd and Prineville Reservoir - DeLorme Pg 80 D-2
Location: Leave Prineville south on Coombs Flat Rd at the east end of Prineville. This becomes the Paulina Hwy. After about 12 miles the road descends down a hill. Past Eagle Rock, at the base of the hill an un-graded road takes off to the west. This accesses most of the area but can become difficult to cross after heavy rains due to mud. The road is close from mid Nov – mid April. The State Park, further to the west, can be accessed by taking the Juniper Canyon Rd off Coombs Flat Rd just south of Prineville.
Habitat and Birds: open water, riparian scrub and Juniper. The scrub close to the Crooked River is excellent for migrants and often has a few Blue Gray Gnatcatchers in early August. Large numbers of Warblers and Flycatchers can be found. In the fall Long Eared Owls pass through, as do Night Herons, White Faced Ibis, White Pelican and many shorebirds. In October large numbers of Sparrows and American Pipits can be founds. This is an area that has produced some rare birds and has great potential. The lake often holds Common Loons and small numbers of Ducks in the late fall.
14) North Shore Rd and Prineville Reservoir - DeLorme Pg 80 D-2
Location: Leave Prineville south on Coombs Flat Rd at the east end of Prineville. This becomes the Paulina Hwy. After about 12 miles the road descends down a hill. Past Eagle Rock, at the base of the hill an un-graded road takes off to the west. This accesses most of the area but can become difficult to cross after heavy rains due to mud. The road is close from mid Nov – mid April. The State Park, further to the west, can be accessed by taking the Juniper Canyon Rd off Coombs Flat Rd just south of Prineville.
Habitat and Birds: open water, riparian scrub and Juniper. The scrub close to the Crooked River is excellent for migrants and often has a few Blue Gray Gnatcatchers in early August. Large numbers of Warblers and Flycatchers can be found. In the fall Long Eared Owls pass through, as do Night Herons, White Faced Ibis, White Pelican and many shorebirds. In October large numbers of Sparrows and American Pipits can be founds. Close to the turn off road Lark Sparrows and Yellow Breasted Chats are to be found. This is an area that has produced some rare birds and has great potential. The lake often holds Common Loons and small numbers of Ducks in the late fall.
15) Gutierrez Ranch - DeLorme Pg 80 D-4
Location: This is off the Paulina Hwy between Post and Paulina. This is a private ranch and requires a guided tour with Chuck Gates who is the only local birder with access.
Habitat and Birds: This is a prime wetland habitat with extensive shallows pools and flats. Large numbers of geese and ducks are found year round and huge flocks of shorebirds (especially phalaropes) flock up during migration times. Raptors include Swainson’s and Ferruginous Hawks; Sage Grouse, Stilts, Avocets, Willets, Sandhill Cranes and Eastern Kingbirds breed and good numbers of Sage, Brewers, Lark and Vesper Sparrows can be found.
16) Paulina Valley - DeLorme Pg 81 D-5
Location: This is located in the far eastern part of the County. Leave Paulina on the Bear Creek Rd. These are well maintained gravel roads. After decending into the valley check both sides of the road.
Habitat and Birds: The habitat and birds is similar to the Gutierrez Ranch. Private land surrounds so you must keep to the road. Black Terns are common in summer and Burrowing Owls can occasionally be seen. Check out the small community of Paulina for migrants.
17) Rager Ranger St - DeLorme Pg 81 C-5
Location: Continue Bear Creek Rd.(58Rd) which takes you to the Ranger station. There are many access points and trails to the forest from here. It is possible to make a circular trip back to Paulina via the 135 Rd along the north fork of Bear Creek (Lister Rd). Bobolinks have been seen along this road.
Habitat and Birds: The area close to the Ranger District has forest and riparian forest. Turkeys often walk through the housing unit area. Check the feeders. This area has huge potential but is little visited.
18) Antelope Reservoir - DeLorme Pg 81 D-3
Location: Leave the Paulina Hwy between Post and Paulina, south on Pine Creek Rd (Rd 17). The Reservoir is at the end of this rd.
Habitat and Birds: You pass through the Maurry Mountains to get to the reservoir that can hold shorebirds and ducks. The Forested land is good for woodpeckers, Flamulated Owl and Flycatchers.