Let’s Bird the Tualatin River NWR

The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is a gem of a birding spot that gets even better in migration. The 1,000 acres have ponds that dry up to muddy edges, drawing in shorebirds like sandpipers. Shorebirds are truly the early birds of migration, starting in early summer.

We may see Least and Western Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitchers, and Greater Yellowlegs, as well as waterfowl like Cinnamon Teal. There’s a fair bit in every direction at TRNWR, with Savannah Sparrows in the grasslands and all five of our local woodpeckers in the woods.

We’ll spend a good bit of our time out in the open, so consider a hat. (Shorebird outings assume headgear.) We may run a few minutes over if we attempt the loop trail to pick up more songbirds, depending on interest. You never know what’s going to show up at bird-rich places like TRNWR, making early migration a serendipitous adventure.

I’ll have a scope (please feel free to bring your own!), and I’ll have a spare pair of binoculars.

Everyone is welcome on this outing. Hope you can join us!

Trail Condition: 3 miles round trip of grass, dirt, and gravel paths
Elevation Change: Steepest section: 5% at switchback by Education Shelter, 25% at Ridgetop Overlook spur
Accessibility: A descending short staircase near the trailhead to access the seasonal trail
Amenities: Vault toilets in the main parking lot. Several benches along trail
Exposure: Full sun exposure along the open meadows and wetlands, mixed shade/sun exposure in forested and riparian sections of walk
Pacing: Slow
Public Transit: Trimet Bus 94