Hawksie-Walksie Research Natural Area

Lakeview District , BLM

Northern Basin and Range Ecoregion

Cell(s):

• Big sagebrush/Idaho fescue community
• Wyoming big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass
• Wyoming big sagebrush/Idaho fescue

Access by gravel and low standard dirt roads

Hawksie Walksie RNA comprises 2,920 ha in Lake County, Oregon, at the northwestern corner of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province, just south of the High Lava Plains. Rainfall averages 25 cm per year. The dry playa valley and surrounding hills of the RNA receive some the lowest amounts of rainfall in the Lakeview District with cold winters and hot, dry summers. This RNA consist of two separate parcels of land (originally called Hawk Mt I and Hawk Mt II) which lie on the upper slopes between Acty Mountain and Hawk Mountain. The RNA protects excellent condition big sagebrush grasslands with a mix of grass species at upland elevations between 1800 and 1980 m. The southern portion is located to the southwest and centers on a series of dry washes at 1450 m elevation that are approximately 5 km west of the Hawksy Walksy playa. Grazing has been light in the area due to lack of water and the general remoteness of Hawk Mountain. The RNA lies in faulted volcanic uplands primarily characterized by Tertiary- to Quaternary-age volcanic domes and flows that are rhyolitic to dacitic in composition. Minor Tertiary-age silicic welded tuffs are present and Tertiary-age basalt flows, tuffs, and tuffaceous siltstones and sandstones are present. Some of the plant communities in Hawksie Walksie include Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. wyomingensis)/Idaho fescue, Wyoming big sagebrush/Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass, low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula)/Idaho fescue, and Wyoming big sagebrush/Thurber needlegrass. Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana) occurs on the higher elevations at the site as well. Grass species include Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), Thurber needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides). A Bureau sensitive plant species, thick-stemmed wild cabbage (Caulanthus crassicaulis) is found in the big sagebrush/Idaho fescue grasslands. Much of the southern area is covered by Wyoming big sagebrush with a Thurber needlegrass understory and a low sagebrush/Thurber needlegrass community grows near the western boundary. The dry washes in the center of the site have vigorous bunchgrasses on the side slopes with some green rabbitbrush (Ericameria viscidiflora) in the bottom. Perennials include Truckee green rabbitbrush (Ericameria humilis) and Hood's phlox (Phlox hoodii). The washes contribute topographic diversity, offering alternative wildlife habitat. The entire RNA is good antelope range. To date, wild horse use has not significantly impacted RNA values. Wild horses, as well as livestock grazing, are being monitored. Genetic variability of grass species and steppe dynamics related to fire and grazing pressures figure among potential research topics. The Hawksie Walksie RNA is located completely within the Hawk Mountain and Sage Hen Hills WSA boundaries.