Bird Walk, Camp Polk Meadow Preserve

Get out and explore your Land Trust Community Preserves! Photo: Rane Johnson.
Get out and explore your Land Trust Community Preserves! Photo: Rane Johnson.

Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Jan Rising for a bird walk at one of Central Oregon's birding hot spots--Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Tune your ear and focus your binoculars as you stroll around Hindman Springs and into the meadow, watching for warblers in the willows and woodpeckers working the pine groves. More than 160 species of birds have been observed at the Preserve--see how many you can find! Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event. This outing will only proceed if pandemic conditions allow.


COVID-19 Guidelines: We take the health and safety of our volunteers and staff seriously. After careful consideration, we have implemented COVID-19 Walk + Hike Guidelines to promote the health and wellbeing of volunteers and staff. Please read and be ready to adhere to these guidelines so everyone can have a safe experience.

  • Outing Details + Route

    Hike Rating: This is a moderate ~2 mile hike. Portions will be on a gravel trail and through a grassy meadow.

    Route: This hike will start at the Camp Polk Meadow Preserve kiosk, follow a gravel trail, and then venture off-trail into the meadow. Terrain will be uneven and wet at times. Wear waterproof footwear.

    Elevation gain/loss: There is very little elevation gain/loss on this hike.

  • What to Bring

    Binoculars (due to COVID, we will unfortunately not be loaning any to attendees), snacks, water, closed toe shoes that are waterproof (or you don't mind getting wet), face coverings (homemade is fine), hand sanitizer. Dress for the weather.

  • About the Property

    Camp Polk Meadow Preserve is a 152 acre Preserve on Whychus Creek near Sisters, Oregon. The Preserve was first established by the Deschutes Land Trust in 2000. The Preserve contains approximately 1.4 miles of Whychus Creek, wetlands, meadows, aspen groves and ponderosa pine stands. It is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species and is one of Central Oregon's birding hot spots. The Preserve also has a long and illustrious history as a crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, soldiers and settlers.

  • Accessibility

    The Land Trust is working to make our Walks + Hikes as accessible as possible. Please let us know (541-330-0017) at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this outing to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.