Jefferson County has it all for Central Oregon. It is birded far less than Deschutes County to the south, but it has a wide range of habitats and great birding spots. Most of this information was provided by Craig and Marilyn Miller. Steve Dougill and Chuck Gates filled in the gaps.

Madras Area

1)Crooked River National Grasslands - DeLorme Pg 51 A-8

Location: This area lies south of madras and between Hwy 97 and Hwy 26. There are many access roads that become quite rough close to Gray Butte; 1) North of Redmond on Hwy 97 turn off to east on Norris Ln, 2) South of Madras on Hwy 26 (just south of Rim Rock Springs) turn west on Ramms Rd, 3) to access Gray Butte and Squaw Hollow take Lone Pine Rd in the southern region and follow signs to the northwest to Squaw Hollow.

Habitat and Birds: The flat “grasslands” is mostly Juniper forest and sagebrush lands. On the slopes of Gray Butte there are some interesting springs where Lazuli Buntings can be found and migrant songbirds. The flat areas have breeding Lark, Sage, Vesper and Brewers Sparrows. Sage Thrashers are common and you can see Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagles, Gray Flycatchers and Loggerhead Shrikes in the summer. In the winter look for Northern Shrike and winter raptors.

Best Times to Visit: Spring and summer.

(This area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Amenities: Birding! Horse & car camping. Campground has a restroom.

This spot deserves more attention from birders. A nice loop is to start at Peter Ogden Wayside, continue through Hawk Alley, stop at Haystack Reservoir, continue to CyrusSprings and end your day of birding with Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management Area.

Key Species		Rarities/Exceptional
Gray Flycatcher		Peregrine Falcon
Ash-throated Flycatcher		Northern Goshawk
Townsend's Solitaire		Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Sage Thrasher		Tricolored Blackbird
Northern Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
Brewer's Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Sage Sparrow
American Goldfinch

2)Peter Ogden Wayside - DeLorme Pg 51 A-7

Best Times to Visit: Spring, summer and fall.

Habitat: Gorge with Shear Cliffs

General Birds in Area: Cliff and Canyon birds

(This area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Key Species

White-throated Swift

Violet-green Swallow

Directions: From Bend, drive north on Hwy 97. It is near the DeschutesCounty and JeffersonCounty line. Turn left at sign before you come to the new suspension bridge over the CrookedRiver. This is a nice spot to stop and stretch your legs and peer over the side into the canyon.

Amenities: Birding! Looking into the canyon - quite scenic and the wayside has nice, big, restrooms.

3)Haystack Reservoir - DeLorme Pg 51 A-7

Location: On Hwy 97, go south of Madras about 9 miles past the turnoff to Culver. Look for Jericho Lane. Take Jericho to the east and travel about a mile. Follow the signs to Haystack Reservoir on Haystack Dr. which is south of Jericho Lane. . It is approximately 35 miles from Bend to Haystack Reservoir.

Habitat and Birds: Open water, willows and surrounding Juniper forest. This is a local hotspot for shorebirds, ducks and grebes. There are two good migrant songbird areas: to the south end of the western car park, and at the south end of the reservoir. Bald Eagles are general present year round and the surrounding agricultural fields are good for winter raptors.

Amenities: There is a nice campsite on the other side of the reservoir. Birding, car camping, hiking, photography and boating. Campsites with restrooms.

Best Times to Visit: Fall and winter.

Key Species		Rarities/Exceptional Birds continued
Common Loon		Great Egret
Pied-billed Grebe		Trumpeter Swan
Horned Grebe		Snow Goose
Eared Grebe		Greater Scaup
Western Grebe		Black Scoter
Double-crested Cormorant		Surf Scoter
Tundra Swan		White-winged Scoter
Greater White-fronted Goose		Red-breasted Merganser
Bald Eagle		Semipalmated Sandpiper
Golden Eagle		Black-bellied Plover
Prairie Falcon		Black-necked Stilt
Wood Duck		American Avocet
Blue-winged Teal		Solitary Sandpiper
Canvasback		Dunlin
Redhead		Long-tailed Jaeger
Common Goldeneye		Glaucous-winged Gull
Semipalmated Plover		Franklin Gull
Western Sandpiper		Herring Gull
Red-necked Phalarope		Thayer's Gull
Baird's Sandpiper		Forster's Tern
Caspian Tern		Common Tern
Great Horned Owl		Black Tern
Downy Woodpecker		Yellow-billed Cuckoo
American Pipit		Barn Owl
		Long-eared Owl
Rarities/Exceptional Birds		Eastern Kingbird
Red-throated Loon (two records)		Northern Waterthrush
Pacific Loon		Harris's Sparrow
Red-necked Grebe		Lapland Longspur
Clark's Grebe		Tricolored Blackbird

4)Rim Rock SpringsWMA- DeLorme Pg 51 A-8

Location: Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management area is located on Hwy 26 between Madras and Prineville. From Madras, travel south on Hwy 97 to the Jct of Hwy 26. Take 26 SE (follow the signs to Prineville). About 10 miles down this road is a wayside with bathrooms and a hiking trail to access the wildlife area. I would recommend traveling a mile further toward Prineville and looking for a dirt road called Ramms Rd. (this is sometimes labeled as Grizzly Rd on some maps). Take this road for ¾ of a mile and turn left on NFD Rd. 1270. This will take you to a parking area and better access to the wildlife area.

Habitat and Birds: A series of reed fringed pools surrounded by juniper forest and sagebrush. This is a good area for Ducks, Rails and Northern Harriers. The open Juniper forest is home to many Brewers Sparrows and Mountain Bluebirds with Sage Sparrows and Sage Thrashers in the denser sagebrush.

(This area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

For more information contact:

Crooked River National Grassland

813 Southwest Highway 97

Madras, Oregon97741

(541) 475-9272

Key Species		Sage Thrasher
American Bittern		Brewer's Sparrow
Cinnamon Teal		Vesper Sparrow
Blue-winged Teal		Loggerhead Shrike
Gadwall		Yellow-headed Blackbird
Golden Eagle
Prairie Falcon		Exceptional:
Virginia Rail		Burrowing Owl
Sora		Black-throated Blue Warbler
Common Snipe		Swamp Sparrow
Marsh Wren		Tri-colored Blackbird

5)Metolius, Culver, CrookedRiver Campground and surrounding farmlands DeLorme Pg 57 A-7

Best Times to Visit: Fall and Winter

Habitat: Irrigation Ponds, Agricultural, and Deciduous Trees.

General Birds in Area: Raptors and Sparrows.

(Part of this area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Directions: Crooked River Campground is on the way to Lake Billy Chinook right before you start down the steep hill and on the left. The tiny towns of Metolius and Culver are north of Bend on Hwy 97 and south of Madras.

Amenities: Birding, photography.

Key Species		Exceptional:
Hooded Merganser		Great Egret
Rough-legged Hawk		Peregrine Falcon
Northern Harrier		Blue Jay
Prairie Falcon		Northern Mockingbird
Ring-necked Pheasant		Harris's Sparrow
Long-eared Owl
Yellow-breasted Chat
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

6)Madras Sewage Lagoons- DeLorme Pg 57 A-7

Location: From downtown Madras, turn east on “C” St. and follow it out of town. This road becomes SE Grizzly Rd. and will pass right next to the sewer ponds. There is no access to these ponds but they can easily be viewed from the road.

Habitat and Birds: Many ducks are attracted here in the winter. Low numbers of shorebirds pass through during the migration periods

7)LakeBilly Chinook- DeLorme Pg 57 D-6

Location: From Madras, travel south about 8 miles on Hwy 97. Turn west on SW Iris Drive and travel about 4 miles through the town of Culver until Iris dead ends at Feather Dr. Turn north on Feather and take it several miles following the signs to CovePalisadesState Park. Turn west on Frazier Dr. and turn west at the Cove Palisades Store. Follow the signs to Lake Billy Chinook.

Perry South Campground. From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 20/126 and turn right, (north), on Road 11, to Road 1170, and turn left on to Road 64. It is near the mouth of the MetoliusRiver where it flows into Lake Billy Chinook. A beautiful campground with large Ponderosa Trees, boat ramp, scenic setting. FlyLake: From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 20/126 and turn right, north, on Road 11, to Road 1170, and turn right on to Road 64. It is on the corner of Road 64 and Graham Road; you will have to look closely for Road #016. It is a 4Wheel Drive road, but is only about two blocks or less, so you could park and walk to Fly Lake.

Amenities: Perry South Campground has birding, car camping, hiking, picnicking, photography and a boat launch. Campsites with restrooms. Lake Billy Chinook is a resort area and has multiple amenities. Birding, picnicking, boat launch, kayaking, marina, boat rentals, supplies, swimming, flush toilets, camp store, cabins for rent, etc.

Habitat and Birds: Large open water body surrounded by steep cliffs and juniper scrub. This reservoir rarely freezes and often holds Ducks, Grebes and Common Loon. Often large numbers of Gulls are attracted to the boat ramp at the CovePalisadesState Park. At the same location it is possible to see Chukka on the cliffs and Canyon Wren. There are several car parks that give access to the water. Often these hold interesting birds, especially in the migration periods and winter (often Yellow rumped Warbler and Varied Thrush can be found in the winter).

Best Times to Visit: Spring, Fall & Winter.

(Part of this area is in the Utopia Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Key Species		Bushtit
Double-crested Cormorant		Rock Wren
Common Merganser		Canyon Wren
Tundra Swan
Bald Eagle
Golden Eagle
Cooper's Hawk		Exceptional:
Sharp-shinned Hawk		Pacific Loon
Ring-billed Gull		Herring Gull
California Gull		Black Swift

8)PeltonDamOverlookarea/WarmSpringsMuseum and

Dry Creek Recreation Area - DeLorme Pg 71 C-7

Best Times to Visit: Spring, Fall & Winter

Habitat: Deep Water, Mud Flats, and Agricultural Fields

General Birds in Area: Waterfowl, Raptors, Passerines and Sparrows

Directions: Bend to LakeSimtustus is approximately 53 miles. Hwy 97 Madras, North on Hwy 26, turn right on Pelton Dam Road, follow signs to overlook. To Dry Creek: North on Hwy 26 past Warm Springs Museum, turn right, west, on Agency Hot Springs Road to Dry Creek Road.

Amenities: Birding! There is camping at Dry Creek Recreation Area and photography. The WarmSpringsMuseum is a must see and a great place to have a picnic.

Pelton Dam is a large water area surrounded by riparian woodland with some mud flats. It holds much wildfowl in season. The surrounding area holds Mountain Quail and Chukka. In the summer Herons nest and there is an impressive Turkey Vulture roost. In winter there is always large sparrow flocks near the car park.

Key Species		Exceptional:
Pied-billed Grebe		Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe		Eurasian Wigeon
Double-crested Cormorant		Scrub Jay
Green Heron		Green Heron
Canada Goose		Ross's Goose
Greater White-fronted Goose		Black Tern
California Quail		Band-tailed Pigeon
Western Screech-Owl		Eastern Kingbird
White-crowned Sparrow		Scrub Jay
Golden-crowned Sparrow		Gray Catbird
Yellow-breasted Chat		Northern Mockingbird
		White-throated Sparrow

9)Agency Planes- DeLorme Pg 57 C-7

Location: This is an area of agricultural lands north of Madras between Hwy 97 and Hwy 26. There are many access roads. Try Dogwood Ln for Gray Partridge.

Habitat and Birds: In the summer Swainson’s Hawks, being replaced in the winter by other raptors including Rough Legged Hawks and is good for wintering flocks of Sparrows, Pipits and Horned Larks. A few Long Billed Curlews breed in this area.

10) Ashwood Area - DeLorme Pg 80 A-1

Location: Directions: North on Hwy 97 to Madras, continued North on Hwy 97 (bear right); turn right on Pony Butte Road. This road also has a sign that says "Ashwood 17 miles). Across the street from this turn is a large red barn with a silver roof and other surrounding outbuildings..

Habitat and Birds: Canyon with riparian vegetation and creek. This is a great area for the secretive Mountain Quail. Rock and Canyon Wren can be found on the canyon walls.

Best Times to Visit: Late Spring or summer.

11) Gateway, Trout Creek Campground & Area DeLorme Pg 63 B-8

Best Times to Visit: Spring and Fall

General Birds in Area: Neotropical Migrants, Game Birds.

Location: From Bend, drive north on Hwy 97 to Madras, bear right and stay on Hwy 97. Turn left on Cora Drive/Clark Drive to the town of Gateway. Follow the signs to Trout Creek Recreation Area, the road to Trout Creek on the map is called Clemens Drive turning into Cook Lane and then turning into Coleman Road.

Amenities: Birding! Car camping, hiking, boat launch, picnicking, photography. Campground has restrooms.

Habitat and Birds: Black backed Chickadees can be found in the riparian woodland along the sides of the river. This is also a good area to check for migrant songbirds and Red eyed Vireos can occasionally be seen. The area is good for raptors in the summer including Prairie Falcons, Golden Eagle and Swainson’s Hawk.

Key Species		Exceptional:
Black-capped Chickadee		Eastern Kingbird
Bushtit		Red-eyed Vireo
Ring-necked Pheasant		Yellow-throated Vireo
Gray Partridge
Chukar
Nashville Warbler
Warbling Vireo

Western Area

12)Alder Springs - DeLorme Pg 51 B-6

Location: From HWY 97 Just north of Terrebonne, turn west on Lower Bridge Rd. Travel about 10 miles and turn left on Holmes Rd. Travel 2.2 miles to the entrance road on the right. Turn in and go a short distance to a gate. This gate is unlocked but needs to be closed behind you. Travel another 5 miles to Alder Springs. FROM SISTERS From Sisters travel 5 miles east on Hwy 126. Turn left on Holmes Rd. Travel about a mile and a half to a “T” in the road. Take a right and go 6.5 miles to milepost 7. Turn left onto the entrance road to Alder Springs.

Habitat and Birds: Riparian Habitat, cliffs and open dry brush habitat. Associated with the cliffs are Golden eagles, Canyon and Rock Wrens and White Throated Swifts. Close to the river Lazuli Buntings, Dippers and Lewes’s Woodpeckers. During migrations periods many migrants drop it. In the upper dry areas, there are breeding sparrows (Brewer’s and Lark), Gray Flycatcher and you can find Pinyon Jays passing through.

Best Times to Visit: Spring, Summer, and Fall

Amenities: Birding! Dispersed camping, hiking, picnicking and photography.

Key Species		Cordilleran Flycatcher
Hooded Merganser		Pinyon Jay
Common Poorwill		Lazuli Bunting
Rufous Hummingbird		Green-tailed Towhee
Lewis's Woodpecker		Bullock's Oriole

13)Green Ridge - DeLorme Pg 56 D-4

Location: Travel west out of Sisters about 5 miles to Indian Ford Rd. Turn north on Indian Ford and travel just a short distance and turn left on Forest Rd. 11. Take this road about 10 miles until the pavement ends and take a left on Forest Rd. 1150. Go 6 miles and turn left on Forest Rd. 800. Follow the signs for 2 miles to the lookout. To explore more of this ridge, purchase a Deschutes Nat. Forest Map from any Forest Service Office.

Habitat and Birds: Upland forest of Pines and fur. During the fall migration (September and October) large numbers of raptors migrate over to rival Bonny Butte to the north. ECBC monitors this migration each year. The surrounding forest holds Woodpeckers, Hermit, Nashville and Townsend’s Warbler, Flycatchers and Sooty Grouse.

14) CampSherman, Lake Creek Lodge, Candle Creek Campground, WizardFalls Fish Hatchery - DeLorme Pg 56 A-4

Best Times to Visit: Spring and summer.

Habitat: Riparian and River corridor

General Birds in Area: Forest Birds, Neotropical Migrants and Hummingbirds

Location: From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 20/126, turn right on to Road 14. Drive north on Road 14. It is approximately 35 miles from Bend to CampSherman.

Amenities: Birding! Car camping, hiking, photography and picnicking. Campsites with restrooms. There is access to numerous trailheads with opportunities for backpacking.

Key Species		Black-headed Grosbeak
Rufous Hummingbird		Lazuli Bunting
Calliope Hummingbird		Purple Finch
Anna's Hummingbird
White-headed Woodpecker		Exceptional:
Hammond's Flycatcher		Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Dusky Flycatcher		Black-chinned Hummingbird
Cassin's Vireo		American Redstart
Western Bluebird		Pine Grosbeak
Swainson's Thrush		Common Redpoll
Western Tanager

15) Metolius Preserve - DeLorme Pg 50 A-3

Location: For maps, directions, and information, go to http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org/MetoliusMap.htmTO SOUTH FORK KIOSK FROM SISTERS Drive 10.6 miles west of Sisters on Hwy 126/20. Take a right on Forest Rd. 2064. Travel 2.6 miles on 2064. Turn right on Forest Rd. 800. Go ¼ mile and turn right on Forest Rd. 810. Go ¼ mile to the kiosk. Maps are available here. TO NORTH FORK KIOSK FROM SISTERS, Drive 9.8 miles west of Sisters. Take a right on Rd. 14 (CampSherman). Travel 2.6 miles until you come to a “Y”. Stay left and go 2.2 miles. Turn left on Forest Rd. 1216. Drive 1.4 miles and take a left on Forest Rd. 600. Drive ¼ mile to the kiosk. Maps are available here.

Habitat and Birds: Upland forest of Pines and fur. This is a prime birding spot that holds most of the upland forest birds. White Headed and Pileated Woodpeckers (close to north fork of Lake Creek) are fairly easy to see. Both Sooty Grouse and Ruffed Grouse can be found. This is a fantastic area. Unusual strays that are more common to the east have been found here in the summer.

16) SuttleLake - DeLorme Pg 50 A-3

Best Times to Visit: Fall and Winter.

General Birds in Area: Water birds, Raptors, and Woodpeckers

(This area is in the Santiam Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Location: From Sisters, drive west on Hwy 20/126, turn left at the first SuttleLake turn, Suttle Lake Campgrounds. It is approximately 35 miles from Bend to SuttleLake.

Amenities: Birding! Car camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The campsites have restrooms. SuttleLake is a resort area and has a small restaurant, boating, cabins for rent, etc. There is a nice hiking trail that goes around SuttleLake. BlueLake is near SuttleLake and part of BlueLake is in CorbettState Park.

Habitat and Birds: Large Lake surrounded by forest. The lake holds wildfowl. And the surrounding forest holds most of the local woodpeckers and Pygmy Owl

Key Species		Exceptional:

Common Loon		Pacific Loon
Pied-billed Grebe		Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe		Clark's Grebe
Western Grebe		Greater Scaup
Common Goldeneye		Long-tailed Duck
Barrow's Goldeneye		Surf Scoter
Hooded Merganser		White-winged Scoter
Bald Eagle		Black Scoter
Belted Kingfisher		Red-breasted Merganser
Black-backed Woodpecker		Herring Gull
Pileated Woodpecker		Sabine's Gull
Gray Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Winter Wren
American Dipper
MacGillivray's Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Lincoln's Sparrow

17) Jefferson Wilderness Trail Heads - DeLorme Pg 50 A-3

Location: Leave Sisters west on Hwy 20/126, turn right on Road 12. Take Road 12 to Road 1234. Follow signs. To RoundLake, follow signs from Road 12 to Road 1210.

Amenities: Birding! There is car camping at RoundLake and the campsite has a restroom. Hiking, photography, and backpacking. The trailhead at JackLake has a restroom.

Habitat and Birds: High elevation forest. The burns close to RoundLake have been a good location for Black backed and Three Toed Woodpecker. Lazuli Buntings have taken to the burnt open areas and Sooty Grouse and Mountain Quail can be found.

Key Species		Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Blue Grouse		Golden crowned Kinglet
Northern Goshawk		American Dipper
Spotted Owl		Hermit Warbler
Three-toed Woodpecker		Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Black-backed Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker		Exceptional:
Clark's Nutcracker		Chestnut-sided Warbler

18) CorbettSnoPark and Adjacent Forest Service Road - DeLorme Pg 50 A-3

Best Times to Visit: Summer and Fall

Habitat: Mountain Ponds and Marshes, Pine and FirForests

General Birds in Area: HighMountain birds

(This area is in the Santiam Christmas Bird Count Circle)

Location: From Sisters west on Hwy 20/126 past Suttle Lake. Turn left at signs to CorbettSnoPark. Continue through parking lot to a dirt road, Forest Service Road #800, and then follow Road #800 to multiple, small beautiful lakes.

Amenities: Birding, car camping, hiking, photography, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. There is a restroom at the SnoPark.

Key Species:		Gray Jay
Northern Goshawk		Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Williamson's Sapsucker		Lincoln's Sparrow
Black-backed Woodpecker
Three-toed Woodpecker		Exceptional Species
		Boreal Owl is likely

19) OlallieLake, JeffersonPark and Jefferson Wilderness Area DeLorme Pg 56 B-2

Best Times to Visit: Summer and Fall (Winter inaccessible except by skiing)

Habitat: HighElevationLakes, Subalpine Forests, and Timberline

General Birds in Area: Waterfowl and Finches.

Location: From Bend, drive to Sisters, and then stay on Hwy 20/126 to Hwy 22 to Detroit. Turn right on Road 46 (follow signs to Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort). (From the town of Detroit it is 37 miles to OlallieLake). Turn right on Road 4690. (Road 4690 turns into a gravel road). Then turn right on Road 4220. (Road 4220 is gravel). Follow Road 4220 to OlallieLake.

To get back to Detroit, you can either go back the same way you came or you can continue on Road 4220 and make a loop out of the drive. Continuing on the loop back to Road 4690 on Road 4220, the road becomes very rough. You must have a high clearance vehicle. This way is not recommended unless you like rocky, slow roads, it is scenic though!

Amenities: Birding, car camping at some of the smaller lakes, hiking, and photography. There are some campsites with restrooms. Paul Dennis Mt. Hood National Forest Campground is right on the shore of OlallieLake. There are tent sites, and both cabins and yurts for rent. There are numerous small lakes and ponds if you continue on Road 4220. OlallieLake is a water source, so swimming is not allowed. At TriangleLake there is a horse camp. HorseshoeLake was my favorite.

Disclaimer: There may be many more amenities at some areas, and some of them may not be open at times in others. We have tried to be as accurate as we could! It is best to always take a couple of good, detailed maps with you.

Key Species:		Exceptional:
"Western" Flycatcher		Harlequin Duck
Clark's Nutcracker		Black-throated Blue Warbler
Gray Jay		"Timberline" Brewer's Sparrow
Western Tanager		White-winged Crossbill
Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Evening Grosbeak