Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge w/ Rose City Bird Collective

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