Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

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Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

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The Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes McNary, Umatilla, Cold Springs and McKay Creek Refuges

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11/05/2026

GUIDED BIRD WALK - November 14!!

Come out for our Second Saturday guided bird walk along the Quail Trail at McNary National Wildlife Refuge! November is a great time for birding at the refuge. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars if you have them. We have loaners. Meet at 9am at the refuge headquarters at 64 Maple Street, Burbank, WA. Free and fun for the whole family. Beginners welcome!

Photo Credit: Walt Haerer

10/29/2026

The fall gathering of Bonaparte’s Gulls has begun at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. These elegant birds are attracted to the ponds next to the headquarters and Quail Trail by large numbers of midges and other aquatic invertebrates. Bonaparte’s Gulls are smaller and much more agile fliers than other gull species in our area. They are also only here for a short period during migration. So come out to the refuge to see them soon. Most will be gone by mid to late November.

Photo Credit: Walt Haerer

10/26/2026

Burrowing Owl Volunteer Events - 9am-12pm, November 7 and 14!!

Would you like to help install Burrowing Owl nest structures at Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge? These owls used to nest commonly at the refuge. But a loss of ground squirrels and badgers has meant a loss of burrows for the owls to nest. The remaining owls that nest at the refuge currently use artificial burrows. These volunteer events will expand upon the number of burrows we have there.

The work will entail digging holes approximately 4' deep for the nest chamber, plus an approximately 10' long X 1' deep trench for the entrance tube. After the structures are placed in the excavated area, they will be buried. The soil is sandy and loose, but it is still exercising work, especially if large rocks are encountered.

Please email [email protected] if you are interested or have questions. We may have to limit the number of participants so the sooner you reach out the better.

This effort was made possible by a Wildlife Diversity Grant from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Photo Credit: USFWS

10/19/2026

We would like to highlight a collaborative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration to enable the nesting colony of Western and Clark’s Grebes at McNary National Wildlife Refuge to successfully produce chicks this year. Maintaining a lower McNary Pool elevation and limiting water level fluctuations for about a month this summer allowed the eggs in 20 grebe nests to hatch 26 grebettes. This is the best year of reproduction since 2022. Western and Clark’s Grebe populations have declined over 80% across their range over the past several decades. Consequently, both species are on several lists of rare and declining species. A special shout out to our refuge volunteers who have conducted hundreds of grebe surveys over the past two years and helped illuminate the relationship between pool elevations and grebe nest success.

Photo credit: Nancy Morrison

10/13/2026

The maintenance of the Quail Trail pavement at McNary National Wildlife Refuge has been completed and it is back open. A Coyote with muddy feet was one of the first to take a stroll.

Photo Credit: Elke Davis

10/08/2026

In a cooperative effort with Walla Walla 2020 and the Oregon-California Trails Association a sign now marks a historic path crossing North Shore Road at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. This path was originally established thousands of years ago by the region’s tribes and was part of a network that reached to Celilo Falls, the Blue Mountains, the Clearwater, and beyond. Marcus and Narcissa Whitman used this route after establishing their Mission in 1836. During the 1840s it was part of the Oregon Trail. In 1853 the Longmire and Biles Wagon Train coming from the east used this route. And the U.S. military’s Mullan Road, which was built between 1858 and 1860 also followed this route. Come out to the refuge to check out the sign and learn more about this place of many paths.

Photo Credit: Steven Kahl/USFWS

10/07/2026

Mid-Columbia River and Central Washington NWRCs have started offering a class introducing people to the fundamentals of archery. This group from the Boys and Girls Club visited the Ringold Unit of Hanford Reach National Monument for their session.

These were the first students through these classes but if you know of a non-profit group that might be interested in participating then please contact us!

10/02/2026

**NOTICE** QUAIL TRAIL CLOSED OCTOBER 5-9.
Please be advised that if you plan to take a stroll along the Quail Trail at McNary National Wildlife Refuge it will be closed October 5-9 for maintenance.

Many thanks to Walt Haerer for sharing this photo of a California Quail eating flower buds along its namesake trail.

09/30/2026

This Elk photo was recently captured along North Shore Road at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. This animal may be part of the herd that summers in the Blue Mountains and travels to lower elevations for the colder months. There is also a population that uses the nearby Juniper Canyon. If you visit the refuge's Wallula Unit at this time of year you may hear the unique and eerie bugling calls of a bull!

Photo Credit: Casey Klein/USFWS

Address

64 Maple Street
Burbank, WA
99323

Telephone

+15095468300

Website

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/McNary/

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