Among The Beaver Ponds—Beginner Birding at Errol Heights City Park

Errol Heights is a micro-urban-wilderness in SE Portland. In the last couple years it has lit up as a terrific little birding patch, with 137 species found on its 16 acres.

It started with beavers. Decades ago they found the springs on the corner of 45th and Harney and moved in. Now several terraced ponds form a wetland connected to the Johnson Creek watershed. Dead snags support cavity-nesters like chickadees and sapsuckers, geese and wood ducks rear young, and mink fish for newts only a mile from the Woodstock town center. Recent sightings include Merlin, Pacific Wren, and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

This outing is designed for newcomers to birding! We’ll cover some tips to enhance your bird experience. And I’ll have one pair of binoculars to share if you don’t have them.

Meeting Location: meet in the upper park by the playground (another Bird Alliance event is meeting by the skate park, 200 feet away!) There are multiple entrances to Errol Heights, so be sure to come the upper park, 4547 SE Tenino Dr, Portland, OR 97206
Trail Condition: 1 mile round trip of paved fiberglass/metal elevated trail and packed gravel at lower trails
Elevation Change: long slopes with some hilly sections on gravel trail
Amenities: toilet by the playground (sometimes closed), also benches there
Exposure: mixed shade/sun exposure in forested and pond sections of walk
Pacing: slow with frequent stops
Public Transit: Trimet Bus 75, 71, and 34