Umatilla National Forest (Sunflower Flat Road or Road 22)
Seasons
Checklists
Location
WARNING! This area is very remote and should not be accessed during adverse weather conditions (high wind, more than light rain, snow…). Located 25 miles south of Heppner off of Hwy 207. You can access this area from the north by starting in Heppner and traveling south on Hwy 206 for 10.7 miles to the small town of Ruggs. Turn south onto Hwy 207 and go 14.6 miles to Sunflower Flat Road 45.108508, -119.625206. Take Sunflower Flat Road south and explore the forest at your whim. It will eventually hook up with FR 21 and you can take FR 21 back to Hwy 207 or on to Ukiah. You can access this area from the south by taking Hwy 207 just east of Spray, Oregon (44.830814, -119.754396). Travel north on Hwy 207 for 26 miles to Sunflower Flat Road. If you have time, check out Anson Wright County Park right by Sunflower Flat Road (45.108508, -119.625206).Take Sunflower Flat Road south and explore the forest at your whim. It will eventually hook up with FR 21 and you can take FR 21 back to Hwy 207 or on to Ukiah.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
Tall pines, mixed forest, canyons and riparian areas. Look for mountain species like grouse, accipiters, Vaux’s Swift, Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds. Woodpeckers include Hairy, Northern Flicker, White-headed, Red-naped Sapsucker, Black-backed, Downy, Pileated, and (rarely) Three-toed. Red and White-breasted Nuthatches are common as are Mt. Chickadees and Brown Creeper. Flycatchers include Dusky, Hammond’s, and “Western-type” (the distribution of Cordilleran and Pacific-slope Flycatchers in Eastern Oregon is not well understood). Pacific Wrens are here year round and Brown-headed Cowbirds can be found in summer. Western Tanagers, Hermit Thrush, Townsend’s Solitaire, Western and Mountain Bluebirds are all here. Listen for both Cassin’s and Warbling Vireos. Warblers include Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and Townsend’s. Spotted Towhee, Chipping Sparrow, Lincoln Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, and “Oregon” Junco are here. Black-headed and Evening Grosbeaks can be found along with Cassin’s Finches and Lazuli Bunting. Watch for flocks of Pine Siskins and Red Crossbills.
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