The 3rd Saturday Bird Outing on July 20 will be at Clearwater Park in Springfield…
Birding Report:
What an amazing morning we had for the 3rd Saturday Bird Walk on March 16! This walk was led by McKenzie River Trust staff members Charlie Quinn and Sarah Merkle. Although this property is not open to the public, Charlie and Sarah provided this special event so that we could see the many birds that are benefiting from the property’s restoration and protection. Clearly many people were interested in birding this beautiful property and enjoying a sunny, almost-spring day. We had 54 individuals in our group! Two Wood Ducks flew overhead near the parking area. Our birders spread out along the gravel road into smaller groups. As we crossed the bridge, two Black Phoebes were calling from a willow along the river’s edge. In a wooded area Brown Creepers and a Pacific Wren were singing. A Lincoln Sparrow was seen in the sunshine. We were surprised to see a Tundra Swan on one of the ponds. Two adult Bald Eagles flew over and were beautiful in the blue sky. Thank you for McKenzie River Trust and Charlie Quinn and Sarah Merkle for a wonderful event.
A full bird list follows.
Willamette Confluence Preserve – Restricted Access
Mar 16, 2024 7:50 AM – 11:01 AM Protocol: Traveling 2.75 mile(s)
53 species:
Cackling Goose 1000
Canada Goose 25
Tundra Swan 1
Wood Duck 2
Gadwall 13
Mallard 5
Green-winged Teal 3
Ring-necked Duck 12
Lesser Scaup 4
Bufflehead 1
Common Goldeneye 4
Hooded Merganser 3
Common Merganser 4
Pied-billed Grebe 3
Mourning Dove 3
Anna’s Hummingbird 1
American Coot 4
Killdeer 3
Spotted Sandpiper 2
Double-crested Cormorant 32
Great Blue Heron 5
Turkey Vulture 2
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1
Bald Eagle 3
Red-tailed Hawk 1
Belted Kingfisher 3
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1
Downy Woodpecker 2
Pileated Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 3
American Kestrel 1
Black Phoebe 4
Steller’s Jay 1
California Scrub-Jay 3
American Crow 1
Black-capped Chickadee 5
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 1
Tree Swallow 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 4
White-breasted Nuthatch 2
Brown Creeper 2
Pacific Wren 1
Marsh Wren 1
European Starling 6
Varied Thrush 2
American Robin 7
Lesser Goldfinch 4
Dark-eyed Junco 13
Song Sparrow 6
Lincoln’s Sparrow 1
Spotted Towhee 3
Red-winged Blackbird 6
Yellow-rumped Warbler 3
8am – 10:30 am. This McKenzie River Trust property is located just upstream of the confluence of the Middle & Coast Forks of the Willamette River, west and north of Mt. Pisgah. It is not open to public access at this time, but staff members Charlie Quinn & Sarah Merkle have volunteered to lead this outing to see the many birds that are benefiting from its restoration and protection. (Sarah also leads our First Saturday Inclusive Bird Outings, and we hope we’ll be able to get regulars from both Saturdays to attend!)
We will be walking primarily on relatively flat, wide gravel roads for 2-3 miles. There is one gradual rise of less than 100 feet and some spots of larger cobbles. One short detour is available via side trails, but is not required. There are a few larger logs and rocks, but no benches. There is a larger accessible porta potty at the internal parking area. Third Saturday Birding continues to be open to all participants.
Please arrive before 8:00 AM at the gated driveway immediately east of 33995 Seavey Loop Rd, Eugene, OR 97405. Because this site is closed to the public, those wishing to join us need to be on time to drive a few miles to the internal parking area. The gate will be locked at 8:05 AM and anyone attempting to enter after that will be trespassing illegally. Thank you for being respectful, not trespassing, and giving our wildlife space to be wild! For another map see the calendar.
Our Third Saturday Bird Outings continue to be open to all participants. FMI: tolalla@gmail.com Or questions? Contact Charlie at charlie@mckenzieriver.org
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