WILDLIFE 
McNary NWR is primarily a resting and feeding area for up to 100,000 migrating waterfowl, although many other species of wildlife also use the Refuge habitats.  Most common species are Canada geese and mallards and large concentrations can be seen November through February.

HABITAT 
Originally established at 3,600 acres, the Refuge now encompasses over 15,000 acres of backwater sloughs, seasonal wetlands, shrub-steppe uplands, irrigated farmlands, river islands, delta mudflats, and riparian areas.  The Refuge also includes riverine wetlands and shoreline bays that serve as an important nursery for developing fall chinook salmon. 

RECREATION AND EDUCATION 
Wildlife observation, study, and photography 
Self-guided Nature Trail, 1.9 miles - begins at the Refuge Environmental  Education Center and winds around part of the Burbank Slough.  Interpretive signs and a photo/birdwatching blind are located along the trail.  The first 700 foot section of the trail is paved and accessible to wheelchairs, as is the blind itself. 
Environmental Education Center staffed by refuge employees and volunteers,  open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. most weekdays, call (509) 543-8322 

Waterfowl and upland bird hunting 
Fishing for largemouth black bass, catfish, crappie, steelhead, and trout 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 
Volunteers are an important part of the McNary Refuge program.  To volunteer your time, please call the refuge office or Environmental Center, or mail a volunteer application to the refuge office. 

 
WILDLIFE
McNary NWR wildlife throughout the seasons: 

Fall and winter:  Large concentrations of migrating waterfowl can be seen from October through February,  usually peaking in December. Canada geese, mallard, American wigeon, northern shoveler, canvasback and redhead ducks are other common species present in Refuge marshes and croplands.  Since large numbers of waterfowl feed away from the Refuge, magnificent flights of ducks and geese can commonly be seen departing or arriving at the Refuge during the morning and early evening hours.  American white pelicans, double-crested cormorants and great blue herons are among the variety of other bird species present during the fall and winter.  Bald eagles also are regular visitors to refuge marshes. 

Visitors may also see red-tailed, sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks, and northern harriers.   Peregrine falcons are occasionally seen, particularly around the basalt cliffs in the Stateline and Juniper Canyon Units. 

Spring / Summer:  As winter gives way to spring, most of the waterfowl and songbirds depart the Refuge for northern nesting grounds.  Those that stay to nest at McNary are joined by birds that have wintered further south.  Nesting species include mallard and redhead ducks, Canada geese, pied-billed grebes, burrowing owls, marsh wrens, and yellow-headed blackbirds.  The Columbia River islands are host to a great blue heron rookery, as well as nesting colonies of cormorants, black-crowned night herons, Caspian terns, and white pelicans. The Walla Walla River delta is a productive area for viewing thousands of migrating shorebirds and wading birds in early spring and late summer. 

The white pelicans are a familiar spring and summer sight in the Burbank Slough Unit.  Also common are American avocets, killdeer, osprey, and great  blue herons.   Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels are commonly seen hunting over Refuge fields in the summer. 

Visitors to the Stateline and Juniper Canyon Units can view hawks and other cliff dwellers around the basalt cliffs where they nest and hunt.  Mule deer are also common, and a variety of songbirds use the canyons and riparian zones for their summer activities. 
 

HUNTING 
Hunting opportunities for waterfowl, ring-necked pheasants and several other wildlife species on the refuge units are in accordance with State (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife - State Regs ) and Federal regulations.  The refuge also has special refuge-specific regulations.  Be sure to read our information page (link to our Refuge Regs , “under construction” until we get them set for this year) to learn more about hunting days, permits, and more.  Descriptive leaflets are also available from Refuge headquarters.  Several disabled-accessible blinds ( Accessible Blinds) are available on a permit basis. 
 
FISHING 
Our fishing information page is available. For State fishing regulations see State Fishing Regs.  
 
VOLUNTEER 
We hope to have a volunteer form on this webpage in the future. For now, please see our Volunteer's Corner . 

A teacher accreditation program is held each year by volunteers and refuge staff.  These teacher workshops were designed to supplement science and nature classwork for teachers and youth leaders, and to attract public interest.  Contact the Center at (509) 543-8322 for more information. 

Active partners in the  McNary Environmental Education Center include: 

Friends of MidColumbia River Refuges

 Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society - Audubon Refuge Keepers 
 The Nature Conservancy 
 Chinook Council of Campfire Boys and Girls 
 Columbia - Burbank School District 
 Mid-Columbia Girl Scout Council 
 Blue Mountain Boy Scout Council 
 Washington Ornithological Society 
 National Wildlife Federation 
 Regional Youth Service Corps 
 Benton-Franklin Volunteer Center