Ritzville
Washington, United States β 159 km
Hermiston - Burrowing Owls at Former Umatilla Chemical Depot
πΊπΈ Oregon Β· United States β Altitude 142 m
This camera points at a colony of burrowing owls on the grounds of the former Umatilla Chemical Depot, a large area of shrub-steppe in north-central Oregon. It is a way to observe small owls that nest in the ground rather than in trees, which is unusual for birds of prey. The live stream is provided by its owner, and the page adds local time and weather for Hermiston.
Hermiston sits on the Columbia River in the Umatilla Basin, where irrigated farmland meets dry sagebrush hills. The former Umatilla Chemical Depot covers a wide area of open steppe that was closed to the public for decades, and much of it has since been managed for wildlife. The landscape is flat and open, with big skies and few trees, the kind of country where burrowing owls have room to dig and hunt. Oregon's high desert east of the Cascades has a quiet character that many visitors find striking.
Burrowing owls are most active around dawn and dusk, when they leave their burrows to hunt insects, small mammals and lizards. Owls often stand at the entrance of their burrow or perch on nearby mounds, and in the warmer months you may see adults bringing food to young. Activity depends on the weather and the season, so quiet stretches are normal, especially in the middle of a hot day. The stream is a live view of wildlife, so nothing is staged.
The Columbia Basin has hot, dry summers and cold winters with occasional snow, so spring and early summer are often the most pleasant times to see birds active. Hermiston is a short drive from larger towns along the Interstate 84 corridor. Other cameras in the region include views from La Grande, Ritzville, Ellensburg and Baker City, which give a sense of the wider high-desert and plateau landscape.
Source: explore.org
Washington, United States β 159 km
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The current conditions and a three-day forecast for Hermiston are shown in the live weather block on this page, updated automatically.
The local time for Hermiston, in the Pacific time zone, is displayed on this page and updates live alongside the camera.
The camera is located on the former Umatilla Chemical Depot near Hermiston in north-central Oregon. The map on this page shows its position.
Burrowing owls are most active around dawn and dusk, so early morning and evening are usually the best times to see them out of their burrows.
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