McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon lies about five miles south of Pendleton between the plains and the Blue Mountains. In a dry region with few nearby wetlands, it provides especially important habitat for native plants, rare and endangered species, breeding and migratory birds, wintering waterfowl, small mammals, mule deer, songbirds, and birds of prey. Osprey nest in its cottonwoods, bald eagles appear in fall and winter, and late-summer mud flats feed migrating shorebirds. Named for early pioneer Dr. William C. McKay, who settled nearby around 1851, the area was earlier known to Native people as Houtama and now also serves as a popular outdoor destination.