Birding For The People

Join us for a relaxed spring bird walk at Chapman Landing on the Crown Zellerbach Trail, hosted by Rose City Bird Collective and led by Kim. We’ll explore this peaceful Columbia County trail through forest and wetland habitat, moving at an easy pace with plenty of stops to watch, listen, and learn together.

What to Expect

• Birding is for everyone, and everyone is invited. We welcome beginners, curious first-timers, and experienced birders alike.
• This will be a friendly, social walk with time to share sightings, ask questions, and enjoy birding together at a relaxed pace.
• Expect a mostly flat walk on a wide gravel trail with frequent stops, gentle pacing, and potentially damp conditions in places.

Chapman Landing offers a nice mix of riparian habitat, evergreen forest, wetlands, and open edges that can be productive in spring. We’ll take our time over an easy route, listening for songs and calls and watching for movement in the trees, along the trail, and overhead.

Meet-Up & Logistics
Parking: Trailhead parking is available on site
Distance from parking: Very short walk from parking to the trail
Transit: Limited transit access; driving is recommended

Possible Birds
Spring on this stretch of trail can produce a nice variety of birds, often with around 20 to 40 species possible during the walk.
Notable possibilities include:
Great Egret
American Kestrel
Osprey
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
Common Yellowthroat

Accessibility & Trail Conditions
Surface: Wide paved/gravel trail surface
Grade: Mostly flat with gentle grades
Expect: Frequent stops, damp spots, and some uneven gravel
Crowds/noise: Generally quiet, with occasional trail users
Shade/sun: Mostly shaded with some open sections
Seating: Limited formal seating/benches
Restrooms: Amenities are limited, possible portopotty; plan accordingly
Binoculars / Optics

• A group scope may be available, but not guaranteed
• Extra binoculars may be available in limited numbers
• Binoculars are not required

Weather + What to Wear
Spring weather in Columbia County can be cool, damp, and changeable, with a mix of clouds, light rain, and mild temperatures possible during the morning.
Please wear layers and sturdy walking shoes or boots suitable for gravel and wet spots. A light rain layer is a good idea, and bring binoculars if you have them.

Safety & Responsibility
This is an outdoor community walk on public trails. Conditions may be muddy, uneven, or slippery depending on weather. Please use your best judgment, stay within your comfort level, and help us keep the group together. By attending, you agree to take responsibility for your own safety and personal belongings.
All ages are welcome—minors must stay with a parent/guardian at all times.
We’d love to have you join us—whether it’s your first bird walk or your millionth!

Join us for a relaxed, beginner-friendly birding walk at Salish Ponds in Fairview, hosted by FBC.PDX and led by Julia More. This casual outing focuses on tuning into bird sounds and enjoying a slow-paced walk through a mix of pond and woodland habitat.

What to Expect

• This outing is designed as an affinity event for Queer, BIPOC, and/or Neurodivergent folks who want to spend time birding in a welcoming community space
• A friendly, social atmosphere for birders of all experience levels

This is a slow-paced, out-and-back walk covering about 0.5–1 mile on mostly flat gravel trails. We’ll take frequent stops to listen, observe, and learn, with a focus on beginner-friendly identification and photography. Julia will bring a scope to share and there may be binoculars to borrow (though not 100% needed).

Meet-Up & Logistics
Meet-up location: Target Parking Lot Trail
Parking: Large parking lot with ADA-designated spaces available
Transit: Bus stop nearby
More info: https://fairvieworegon.gov/facilities/facility/details/salish-ponds-wetland-park-9

Possible Birds
Typical species count: 10–20 species
Notable possibilities include:
Bewick’s Wren
Northern Flicker
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Pileated Woodpecker

Accessibility & Trail Conditions
Surface: Packed gravel
Grade: Mostly flat
Expect: No major obstacles expected; possible muddy sections
Crowds/noise: Moderate ambient noise; generally low crowd levels
Shade/sun: Mix of shade and sun
Seating: Benches available
Restrooms: No restrooms available
Cell service: Reliable

Weather + What to Wear
Expect potentially muddy ground depending on recent weather.
Dress for the weather of the day and wear shoes appropriate for damp or muddy conditions.

Safety & Responsibility
This is an outdoor community walk on public trails. Conditions may be muddy, uneven, or slippery depending on weather. Please use your best judgment, stay within your comfort level, and help us keep the group together. By attending, you agree to take responsibility for your own safety and personal belongings.
All ages are welcome—minors must stay with a parent/guardian at all times.
We’d love to have you join us—whether it’s your first bird walk or your millionth!

Join us for a beginner-friendly birding walk at Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area led by Nicole. We’ll explore this unique wetland habitat at a relaxed pace, looking and listening for a wide variety of birds across open water, marsh, and surrounding forest.

What to Expect

• We believe birding is for everyone, thus this is a beginner-friendly walk with bird ID support and low stakes.
• A relaxed, slow pace with frequent stops and time for questions
• A welcoming, all-ages environment focused on connection, curiosity, and shared joy

We’ll likely spot 30+ species in about two hours, possibly more depending on conditions. Expect migrant warblers, swallows, woodpeckers and raptors like Bald Eagle. Some ducks and turtles!

Accessibility & Trail Conditions

• Surface: Mostly paved Interlakes Trail and short paved loops; some sections may have bumps or tree-root ripples typical of urban forest paths
• Grade: Mostly flat
• Expect: Slow, easy ~1–2 mile loop over ~2+ hours depending on group
• Crowds/noise: Urban natural area; occasional nearby road or trail noise
• Shade/sun: Partial shade under cottonwoods with sunny marsh openings
• Seating: Benches at viewpoints and near wildlife observation platforms
• Restrooms: Accessible restrooms at main parking area
• Cell service: Generally reliable

Meet-Up & Logistics

• Meet-up location: Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area main parking lot, near the Covered Tables
• Parking: Free parking available on site
• Distance from parking: Immediate access to paved trails

Binoculars / Optics

• The leader will bring a spotting scope for shared views
• Extra binoculars will be available to borrow, including kid-friendly sizes (on request)
• Binoculars are helpful but not required

Weather + What to Wear
Spring Smith and Bybee can bring a variety of temps and moisture. Dress in layers and anticipate it feeling colder than the forecast suggests, especially at a slow birding pace. Waterproof shoes are recommended in case of soft or muddy ground near the wetlands. Bring water if you’d like.

Safety & Responsibility
This is an outdoor community walk on public trails. Conditions may be muddy, uneven, or slippery depending on weather. Please use your best judgment and stay within your comfort level. By attending, you agree to take responsibility for your own safety and personal belongings.
All ages are welcome—minors must stay with a parent/guardian at all times.
We’d love to have you join us—whether it’s your first bird walk or your millionth