Birding For The People

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

Join Seymore Gulls, author of Backyard Birds West and Founder of Birding for the People, for an intimate full-day birding adventure through the Columbia Gorge, Tygh Valley, Maupin grasslands, and Mount Hood!

This fundraiser trip supports Birding for the People, with proceeds helping expand our optics lending library and our ability to support free bird walks and assist other local community birding groups throughout the greater Portland area.

Only 5 seats are available for this experience.

We’ll depart at 6:45 AM from an East Portland park and ride and spend the day exploring a huge variety of habitats across Hood River County, Wasco County, and Clackamas County. Depending on weather, bird activity, and group energy, expect a flexible adventure that could last up to 12 hours.
Expect waterfalls, alpine forest, river canyons, grasslands, oak habitat, old-growth forest, scenic mountain stops, and lots of opportunities for birding, photography, and iNaturalist observations along the way.

Potential target birds include:
Lewis’s Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadee, Hermit Warbler, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-billed Magpie, Golden Eagle, Western Meadowlark, Western Kingbird, Say’s Phoebe, Bullock’s Oriole, Rufous Hummingbird, Pygmy Nuthatch, Chipping Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Williamson’s Sapsucker, and more.

We will finish our day by stopping at Timberline Lodge for a drink and a snack and then searching for carnivorous sundews, sub-alpine flowers, Canada Jays, and additional mountain species.

Your event ticket includes:
• Transportation in a private minivan
• Coffee and light snacks in the morning
• Water and beverages throughout the day
• Loaner binoculars available
• Guided birding and natural history interpretation

Participants should bring:
• Lunch and any additional snacks or drinks desired
• Layers for changing mountain and desert weather
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking shoes
• Camera and binoculars if you have them
• Funds for incidentals, restaurant stops, and optional guide tips

This trip will happen rain or shine, though exact stops and walking routes may shift slightly depending on weather and road conditions. Expect 10,000+ steps over the course of the day. Walking will be on a variety of paths including dirt/rock/forest floor with some paved areas and optional scrambling over downed logs or steeper hillsides. Portions of the trip may be moderately strenuous at times, but there will be plenty of breaks and relaxed scenic (bathroom) stops throughout the day.

Sliding Scale Pricing:

$150 - Community Access Ticket (promo code "access")
Helps cover transportation, fuel, guiding, and trip expenses.

$225 - Supporter Ticket (promo code "support")
Helps Birding for the People expand our reach and support additional free bird walks throughout the Portland area.

$300 - Steward Ticket
Helps expand our optics lending library while supporting the long-term growth of Birding for the People and future community programming.

No experience needed — birding is for everyone!

If you are interested in attending but need financial assistance, please reach out. If the tour does not fill, scholarship spots may be available through the waiting list. We sincerely believe birding is for everyone and want this special trip to be enjoyed by as many people as is comfortably possible in a minivan.