Tualatin River NWR

Ok, I know it's not on the coast, but a couple of weeks ago we had to make a trip to Portland, and had a couple of hours on our return trip.  We chose to use them at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.  Spring was in the air with WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS singing loudly near the entrance.

Killdeer

A beautiful solitary KILLDEER greeted us in a large puddle in the median.  We walked through the visitor center first, then stopped by the viewing area between the two main buildings.

Rufous Hummingbird

A flash of movement caught our eye, as a brilliant RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD flicked through the flowers.










On the water, large flocks of WHITE CHEEKED GEESE were interspersed with a variety of other waterfowl, including COOTS, BUFFLEHEAD, MALLARDS and RING NECKED DUCKS.

Ring-Necked Duck

Bufflehead

Follow the Leaders

A pair of CANADA GEESE appeared to lead a line of CACKLING GEESE in a large loop.

There were a few other visitors on the trail, and we all stopped to watch the BULLFROGS in one of the ponds.

Bullfrog

 Along the way towards the woods, WHITE-CROWNED, GOLDEN-CROWNED and SONG SPARROWS were plentiful. 

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

White-Crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

Lincoln's Sparrow

As we watched another unique sparrow, an experienced birder stopped by and told us we were looking at a LINCOLN'S SPARROW - our first!

Mallards

We found a pair of MALLARDS drifting along the edges of a well-hidden creek - I wonder if they had a nest nearby?






 

The singing of WARBLERS greeted us as we moved from the open meadows and wetlands to the dense forest.

 

Yellow-Rumped Warbler (Audubon's)

Many other creatures were enjoying the rich forest, including SPOTTED TOWHEE and tiny CHIPMUNKS.

Spotted Towhee

Black-Capped Chickadee

Trillium

A loud knocking caught our attention, and we were thrilled to watch a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER working its way around a tree.

Red-Breasted Sapsucker

Stopping at the wetlands viewing area, we heard and then saw our first GREATER YELLOWLEGS, along with a GREAT EGRET and a number of waterfowl, including EURASIAN and AMERICAN WIGEON and NORTHERN SHOVELERS.  

Tualatin River NWR is a beautiful place to visit, with a nice visitor center, public restrooms and plenty of parking.  The paved paths are available year round, and other paths are open during the summer.  A wide variety of habitat makes the number and variety of species a constant surprise.  Plan to visit!