HawkWatch Count at Bonney Butte

A HawkWatch International monitoring crew has returned to Bonney Butte to conduct annual counts of migrating raptors. This project is contributing to long-term research about birds of prey and their populations.  

The public is invited to stop by - keep in mind the access road to Bonney Butte is rough. Visitors are encouraged to come prepared with the 10 essentials including items like sun protection, water, and binoculars. 

For more information and to check the bird count, visit: https://hawkwatch.org/migration-network/bonney-butte/

Site directions from Hwy 35/Hwy 26 junction:

From Hwy 26, travel north on Hwy. 35 towards Hood River.  After 4.7 miles (just after passing over White River), turn right onto Forest Rd. (FR) 48. After 6.8 miles, turn left onto paved  FR 4890. After 3.6 miles, at a 4-way intersection, turn left onto 4-wheel drive FR 4891, following signs for Bonney Meadows. Keep right at the spur to stay on FR 4891 and after 4.2 miles (just past Bonney Meadow Campground), park in the unmarked Bonney Butte parking area on the right side of the road. Hike 0.5 miles up the old lookout tower road (walk around the gate) to the summit.