Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
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Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is located roughly 45 miles south of the town of Burns, Oregon, situated around Frenchglen. Named for an early pioneer, the refuge is a hotspot for birding, fishing and hiking. As many as 320 species of birds and 58 species of mammals can be found in the refuge. The Donner and Blitzen River flows through the middle of the refuge, and is irrigated out to create a large artificial wetland, where once a real wetland stood. Water from the Donner and Blitzen flows into Malheur Lake, which flows into Harney Lake forming a large salt sea. This open water brings thousands of migrating birds through the widlife refuge every year. Along with the long array of marsh land, the total size is 187,000 acres. Exceptionally hot in the summer, and cold in the winter, the late spring and early fall are popular times to visit this desert oasis.