Burrowing Owls at Umatilla Military Depot

Burrowing Owl cam in north-central Oregon, located on a former U.S. Army Chemical & Weapons Depot now being restored as a critical wildlife habitat. Here, a network of artificial burrows, built from repurposed materials, has helped recover a once-declining population, growing from just a 3-4 breeding pairs in the early 2000s to a record year in 2024 with nearly 100 nesting pairs and over 400 chicks banded in one season. This site now serves as a vital conservation hub, research area, and training ground for biologists studying Burrowing Owls in the Pacific Northwest. Special thanks to the Owl Research Institute, Global Owl Project, Boise State University, the Oregon Military Department, and especially the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, who named this land Papuunmí Tanawtpamá Tičám, or “Home of the Burrowing Owl.” We appreciate their partnership and land access for our research and cam placement.