Birding For The People

Location: Tualatin River NWR Visitor Center
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QNCCCZax3n8Ge91z6
Leader: Emma

Overview
Join Emma for a late-summer afternoon bird walk at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, one of the Portland area's best places to experience the changing seasons through birds. The refuge protects a diverse landscape of wetlands, open water, grasslands, and riparian forest along the Tualatin River, providing important habitat for both resident birds and migrants passing through the region.

By late summer, fall migration is beginning to pick up across the refuge. Shorebirds and early-arriving waterfowl may be moving through the wetlands, while the wooded trails and edges can host migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other songbirds. Raptors are often visible hunting over the open fields and marshes, and resident species remain active throughout the refuge. We'll enjoy a relaxed walk with plenty of opportunities to observe, identify, and photograph birds while learning about migration and the refuge's importance to wildlife throughout the year.

Accessibility & What to Expect
Parking: Parking Lot (Plentiful)
Restroom Access: Standard and ADA Restrooms
Pace: Easy
Distance: Approximately 3 miles
Terrain: Trails are primarily wide, compacted gravel and generally flat, with benches along the route.
This walk is open to birders of all experience levels and is especially well suited for beginners. We'll move at an easy pace with frequent stops for viewing, photography, and identification.

Habitat & What We’ll See
By mid September, fall migration is well underway at TRNWR. The refuge’s mix of wetlands, open water, seasonal marshes, grasslands, riparian forest, and oak woodland creates excellent habitat for a wide variety of birds. Migrating shorebirds and songbirds may be passing through, while increasing numbers of ducks begin returning to the refuge as fall approaches.

Some of the birds we'll be looking for include:
• Northern Pintail
• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• Green-winged Teal
• Wood Duck
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Killdeer
• Greater Yellowlegs
• Northern Harrier
• Red-tailed Hawk
• American Kestrel
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Savannah Sparrow

Raptors such as Northern Harrier, Cooper’s Hawk, and Red-tailed Hawk may be seen hunting over the open fields, while the wetlands can attract migrating shorebirds and newly arriving waterfowl. Mixed flocks of warblers, chickadees, and other songbirds may also move through the wooded edges, making mid September an especially exciting time to visit the refuge.

What to Bring
• Binoculars or Scope (if you have them)
• Water
• Sun protection
• Comfortable shoes
• A light jacket or hoodie, as temperatures often cool near sunset

Location: Cooper Mountain Nature Park Parking Lot
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Vb7js6f9extjk2k9
Leader: Lauren & Mel

Overview
Join Lauren and Mel for an early-fall morning bird walk at Cooper Mountain Nature Park, a beautiful natural area just south of Beaverton featuring a mix of upland prairie, Oregon white oak woodland, and conifer forest. More than three miles of trails wind across the hillside, creating excellent opportunities to explore several distinct habitats while taking in sweeping views of the Tualatin Valley.

By mid September, fall migration is well underway. Some summer residents may still be lingering, while migrating warblers, vireos, sparrows, and other songbirds move through the park on their way south. Cooper Mountain’s open prairie and oak habitat can also be productive for raptors, bluebirds, woodpeckers, and mixed flocks moving through the trees and shrubs. As the season begins shifting toward fall, we’ll keep an eye out for both migrants and the resident species that call the park home year-round.

This beginner-friendly walk will move at a relaxed pace with frequent stops to observe birds, practice identification, and talk about migration and the unique prairie and oak woodland habitats found at Cooper Mountain.

Accessibility & What to Expect
Parking: Parking Lot (Moderate)
Restroom Access: On site restrooms
Pace: Easy
Distance: 2-3 miles
Terrain: Mostly flat, gravel paths but some trails include areas of uneven natural surfaces, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

This walk is open to birders of all experience levels and is especially well suited for beginners. We'll move at an easy pace with frequent stops for viewing, photography, and identification.

Habitat & What We’ll See
By mid September, fall migration is well underway at Cooper Mountain Nature Park. The park’s mix of upland prairie, Oregon white oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, and open meadow edges provides excellent habitat for both resident birds and migrants moving south. During the morning hours, we’ll have a good chance to catch active mixed flocks feeding through the trees and shrubs, while the open prairie and woodland edges can be productive for sparrows, bluebirds, woodpeckers, and raptors.

Some of the birds we'll be looking for include:
• Western Bluebird
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Chestnut-backed Chickadee
• Bushtit
• Bewick’s Wren
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Downy Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Orange-crowned Warbler
• Spotted Towhee
• Song Sparrow
• American Goldfinch
Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper’s Hawks may be seen moving over the open areas or hunting along the woodland edges, and migrating warblers, vireos, and other songbirds can add a few surprises. Western Bluebirds are also a specialty of Cooper Mountain and may be found perched along the prairie and open woodland edges.

What to Bring
• Binoculars (if you have them)
• Water
• Sun protection
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• A light jacket or hoodie for a cool September morning

Location: Oak Island Nature Trail trailhead
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8kD2KLB3CRWWm7Wg6
Leader: Kim

• Permit Required: An ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit to park at the Oak Island trailhead.
• Cost: Permits cost $10 for a daily pass or $30 for an annual/seasonal pass.
• Where to Buy: You can purchase permits online via the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or at local island stops like the Cracker Barrel Grocery Mart. If you print a digital receipt or write the permit info on paper, display it clearly on your vehicle dashboard.

Overview
Join Kim for an early-evening bird walk at Oak Island on Sauvie Island, a beautiful area of wetlands, open fields, oak woodland, and shoreline habitat surrounding Sturgeon Lake. September is an especially exciting time to visit Sauvie Island, as fall migration brings increasing numbers of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and other migrants through the lower Columbia River floodplain. Oak Island and the nearby wetlands are particularly well positioned for watching this seasonal movement.

With a 6:00 PM start, we’ll be birding during one of the most active times of day. As daylight begins to fade, ducks and geese may move between feeding and roosting areas, raptors can still be hunting over the fields, and songbirds may become more active before settling in for the night. Late September is also when the first substantial waves of Cackling Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese begin reaching the region, while Sandhill Cranes and other fall migrants become increasingly possible.

This beginner-friendly walk will move at a relaxed pace with frequent stops to scan Sturgeon Lake, surrounding wetlands, fields, and wooded edges. We’ll talk about fall migration, evening bird behavior, and how Sauvie Island changes as thousands of birds begin arriving for the colder months.

Accessibility & What to Expect
Parking:

• Permit Required: An ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit to park at the Oak Island trailhead.
• Cost: Permits cost $10 for a daily pass or $30 for an annual/seasonal pass.
• Where to Buy: You can purchase permits online via the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife or at local island stops like the Cracker Barrel Grocery Mart. If you print a digital receipt or write the permit info on paper, display it clearly on your vehicle dashboard.

Restroom Access: Porta-Poty
Pace: Easy
Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles
Terrain: Mostly flat gravel and natural-surface trails with a few uneven sections. Grass may be tall, so prepare for the additional possibility of bugs.

This walk is open to birders of all experience levels and is especially well suited for beginners. We'll move at an easy pace with frequent stops for viewing, photography, and identification.

Habitat & What We’ll See
By late September, fall migration is in full swing on Sauvie Island. The Oak Island Nature Trail passes through a mix of Oregon white oak woodland, open fields, brushy edges, and shoreline habitat around Sturgeon Lake, creating a great variety of places for birds to stop, feed, and rest. Sauvie Island is an especially important migration stopover in the Pacific Flyway, so this time of year can bring a changing mix of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds.

Some of the birds we'll be looking for include:
• Sandhill Crane
• Wood Duck
• Mallard
• Northern Pintail
• Great Blue Heron
• Great Egret
• Killdeer
• Northern Harrier
• Red-tailed Hawk
• American Kestrel
• Belted Kingfisher
• Northern Flicker
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Savannah Sparrow
• White-crowned Sparrow

As migration continues, mixed flocks of songbirds may move through the oak woodland and brushy edges, while Sturgeon Lake and the surrounding wetlands can begin attracting increasing numbers of ducks and other waterbirds. Sandhill Cranes are always a target species this time of year, and late September always offers the possibility of other unexpected migrants passing through.

What to Bring
• Binoculars or Scope (if you have them)
• Water
• Sun protection
• Comfortable shoes
• A light jacket or hoodie, as temperatures often cool near sunset

Location: We'll meet at the Whitaker Ponds Nature Park parking area
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9JocGhDGRtfaRd2g8
Leader: Nicole

Overview
Join Nicole for an early-fall morning bird walk at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, one of Northeast Portland's best urban birding locations. This compact natural area features two ponds, Whitaker Slough, and a beautiful black cottonwood forest surrounded by native shrubs and wetland vegetation, providing excellent habitat for an impressive variety of birds.

By late September, fall migration is well underway. Many summer visitors are beginning their journey south while migrating warblers, vireos, sparrows, and other songbirds continue moving through the Portland area. At the same time, waterfowl numbers begin to increase on the ponds as birds return for the fall and winter months. We'll explore the trails around the ponds at a relaxed pace, watching the water, treetops, and dense vegetation for both resident birds and seasonal migrants.

This beginner-friendly walk will include frequent stops to observe birds, practice identification, and talk about migration and the seasonal changes taking place around Whitaker Ponds.

Accessibility & What to Expect

• Parking: Parking lot (moderate)
• Restroom Access: Porta-potty
• Pace: Easy
• Distance: Approximately 1.5–2 miles
• Terrain: Mostly flat, paved and well-maintained gravel paths with minimal elevation change.

This walk is open to birders of all experience levels and is especially beginner friendly. We'll stop often to observe birds, answer questions, and enjoy the peaceful setting.

Habitat & What We’ll See
Whitaker Ponds is known for attracting a wide variety of wetland birds, woodland species, and early migrants. We'll explore the ponds, wooded trails, and slough edge while watching for both year-round residents and the first southbound migrants.

Some of the species we'll be looking for include:

• Wood Duck
• Green Heron
• Great Blue Heron
• Belted Kingfisher
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Downy Woodpecker
• Black-headed Grosbeak
• Cedar Waxwing
• Yellow Warbler
• Warbling Vireo
• American Goldfinch
• Barn and Tree Swallows

Waterfowl numbers begin to build as fall progresses, while mixed flocks of chickadees, kinglets, warblers, and other songbirds can often be found feeding through the trees and brush.

What to Bring

• Binoculars or a spotting scope (if you have them)
• Water
• Sun protection
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bug repellent if you’d like