WHAT IS THE BIRD CRAWL?
Think ‘pub crawl,’ but with a vehicle (not walking) and birds (not beer…you’re driving!). Meet up with biologists, scientists, wildlife spotters or subject matter experts in the field! We’ve strategically selected several locations throughout Harney County where you can drive to yourself and join a specialist who will help with birding in that area, share information and guidance, and support a great birding experience in the field. How does it work?
- Purchase a passport online (add it to your cart during registration), then pick it up in person at the Harney County Chamber of Commerce on Festival Thursday before 5 p.m. or at Bird Central (at Geno’s Youth Center – 135 E Washington St, Burns, OR, 97720) on Friday or Saturday, starting at 6 a.m.
- Over festival weekend, take your passport with you to the various stops on the passport and get stamped by a docent. Some of our tours even go to Bird Crawl locations!
- Bring your stamped passport back to Bird Central before 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, to be entered into a drawing for something AWESOME!
- Can I go to the Bird Crawl locations and talk with docents WITHOUT a passport? YES! The passport is a fun addition to the Bird Crawl, but not required.
What is the PASSPORT? Just a handy little commemorative booklet. Visit sites and get your passport stamped! Passports come with an annual sticker, part of the Harney County Migratory Bird Festival series. In 2025, we are featuring the Yellow-headed Blackbird, and keeping all Bird Crawl stops to the SOUTH! The 2025 Bird Crawl Passport is designed by video colorist and nature illustrator, Jasmine Vazquez.
SELF GUIDED. Locations: Page Springs Campground, Buena Vista Overlook, P Ranch, Benson Pond, Malheur Refuge Headquarters
BIRD CRAWL LOCATIONS
Docents on site from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12. Stamps available all weekend!

PAGE SPRINGS CAMPGROUND: Wrens, robins, quail, flicker, kingfisher
From the center stoplight in Burns at Parr Lumber, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen, Oregon. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Follow the Loop Road for approximately 3 miles before turning into Page Springs Campground to the right, just across the Donner und Blitzen River.

BENSON POND: Great horned owls, swallows, tundra and trumpeter swans
From the center stoplight in Burns at Parr Lumber, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 47.1 miles. Turn left on Krumbo Reservoir Rd, then take the first right onto Center Patrol Road. Follow for approximately 1 mile to Benson Pond. Turn left; pond will be on your right.

MALHEUR REFUGE HEADQUARTERS: Great horned owls, Red Tail hawks
From the center stoplight in Burns at Parr Lumber take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 23.9 miles to The Narrows, Oregon. Turn left onto Narrows-Princeton Rd/Sodhouse Ln. Follow for approximately 6 miles before turning left at Center Patrol Rd and into Headquarters.

P RANCH: Bullock’s Oriole, Willows Flycatcher, Cedar Waxwing, Western Tanager, vultures
From the center stoplight in Burns at Parr Lumber, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for 60 miles to Frenchglen, Oregon. Just past Frenchglen, turn left onto the Steens Mountain Loop Road. Follow the Loop Road for approximately 2.5 miles, then turn left onto Center Patrol Road. The P Ranch is just ahead, on your left.

BUENA VISTA OVERLOOK: Wrens, swallows, sparrows, Bullocks Oriole, Western Kingbird
From the center stoplight in Burns at Parr Lumber, take State Highway 78 southeast for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto State Highway 205 and travel south for approximately 38.7 miles, then turn left onto the gravel toward Buena Vista Station. Take the first right and follow the road around the hill and to the top of the knob to park and walk a very short distance to the overlook.