Viewing of wildlife can be greatly enhanced by a pair of binoculars or spotting scope, due to the large expanse of the Hart Mountain area. This equipment enables visitors to observe all wildlife from a distance without disturbing the animals. For Your Safety Because of the isolation and vastness of the refuge inquiries should be made at Refuge Headquarters about current road conditions before traveling to the more remote portions of the refuge especially during the winter and spring months. Birds Bird populations vary greatly in numbers and species according to seasons. Heavy migrations of waterfowl and waterbirds occur in the Warner Valley, partially included in the refuge, during the spring and fall.
Many species remain to breed on the valley's lakes and meadows.
Throughout the warmer months a wide variety of smaller birds and birds of prey are present, attracted to the numerous rugged cliffs adjoining isolated spring-fed riparian areas and the vast sagebrush and grassland portions of the refuge. The best opportunity to observe the greatest diversity of bird life on Hart Mountain is from May to October. The following list contains 264 species that have been recorded on Hart Mountain and in the adjacent Warner Valley. It is not considered final as observations by many people continue to add to the list and the accuracy of its notations. We encourage and appreciate these observations and ask that they be reported to the Lakeview or Hart Mountain offices.