Burrowing Owl Nest

Viewers of this camera look out over dry, open grassland on the Columbia Plateau, where burrowing owls stand at the mouths of their underground burrows. The birds are small and long-legged, often seen scanning the ground or bobbing near the burrow entrance. The flat, pale terrain and scattered low vegetation make the site recognisable, and the owls blend closely with the soil around them.

Early morning and late afternoon are usually the most active periods, when the owls come out to hunt insects and small prey. Spring and summer bring the nesting season, with more movement around the burrows and young birds appearing at the entrances. Weather changes the scene quickly, from bright dry light to wind and rain that send the birds underground.

The site lies in north-central Oregon near Umatilla, on land that once served as a military depot and has since been restored as wildlife habitat. The surrounding Columbia Plateau is dry, grassy country shaped by wind and ancient floods. Visitors to the region come for birdwatching, open-country walks and learning about how disturbed land can be returned to nature.