Hillsboro Library bird walk

Great Blue Heron on nest, Hillsboro, Oregon on 14 April 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

Every Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 - 3:30 I lead a free bird walk at the Main Library at Hillsboro, Oregon. The library backs up to the Dawson Creek Corporate Park. There are a series of artificial ponds here that attract more than their share of birds that are very easy to observe.

There are three GREAT BLUE HERONS nesting in the park. Surprising is the one photographed above in a 20-foot tall Douglas-fir right next to the paved and busy trail.

In the ponds floated RING-NECKED DUCKS, LESSER SCAUP, AMERICAN WIGEON, GREEN-WINGED TEAL, MALLARDS, BUFFLEHEADS, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, CANADA GOOSE, and CACKLING GOOSE. Had we been there earlier in the day we might have seen Wood Ducks, too. Not bad for a busy city park in mid April. The winter list of ducks is much longer.

A colony of ACORN WOODPECKERS works the wetlands on the south edge of the property. The trees there are riddled with holes where they store their acorns. And, if you know where to look, there is a broken snag with a GREAT HORNED OWL nesting in it.

Additionally, today we spotted a LESSER GOLDFINCH, some WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHES, and a RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER apparently excavating a nest hole.

No reservations are necessary if you want to join me on a future walk. Show up at the bike pavillion on the north side of the library parking lot. This is on Brookwood Parkway, east of the Hillsboro Airport (take Shute Road exit off Hwy 26 if coming from Portland.

Free bird walk Wednesdays

Northern Flicker, Jackson Bottom Wetlands, Hillsboro, Oregon on 8 March 2010 by Greg Gillson.

 

It seems quite early, but this Northern Flicker apparently already is excavating a nesting cavity.

This bird is just one of the 55 species seen this morning on an impromptu bird walk at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Wednesdays are going to be my free bird walk days, going forward...

From 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays I will lead bird walks at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve (map) from the Education Center. We'll start this week, March 10 and 17, then skip a few weeks and start again regularly on April 21. We'll walk liesurely on up to 3 miles of wetland trails (can be a bit muddy, but no wading).

For one hour at noon (starting April 7) is Wednesday's regular Lunch With The Birds. For this community program I'll set up scopes on the back deck of the Jackson Bottom Education Center and greet visitors and answer their bird questions as we watch the many birds visible from that new location. Until then we will still meet at the North View Shelter, which provides distant views of the Bald Eagle nest.

Then, starting March 24, I will lead a free Wednesday bird walk at the Hillsboro Library Main Branch (map), from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. This is near the Hillsboro Airport off Brookwood Parkway, and we'll walk a mile or so of the paved walkways around Dawson Creek Corporate Park. Many ducks winter here, and some are residents, including the striking Wood Ducks. Acorn Woodpeckers have a large colony in the swale behind the park. Park on the north side near the Bike Pavillion.

Attendance is limited to about 15 persons for the Jackson Bottom and the Hillsboro Library bird walks, so advanced registration is requested. Send email to Greg Gillson at greg@thebirdguide.com to see if space is available.

I hope to see you at one of these activities on Wednesdays!

Lunch with the Birds

Today at noon I volunteered an hour of my time for the Jackson Bottom Wetlands' "Lunch with the Birds" program. This is the 12th year of the program, though my involvement only started a couple of weeks ago. Jackson Bottom Wetlands is immediately south of Hillsboro, Oregon as Main Street turns into Hwy 219.

The official announcement is as follows:

"Come join us as we begin our 12th year of Lunch With the Birds! Meet at the north viewing shelter just south of Hillsboro on Highway 219 next to the Clean Water Services water treatment plant. Our naturalist will help you identify birds and other wildlife that call Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve home. Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and many different kinds of waterfowl are just a few of the wonderful creatures that may be observed on the Preserve. This event is free and open to everyone. The site is wheelchair accessible. For more information call 503-681-6278."

The fall rains started this week, though the skies became mostly sunny as the noon hour progressed. The water added to the ponds and 600 or so Cackling Goose were present. I explained (to the only person to join me this day) that these were recently split from the Canada Goose as a separate species. It was easy to see the Canada Goose was twice the size of the Cackling Goose. A Great Egret was working the shoreline.

We spotted an adult Bald Eagle perched high in a Douglas-fir tree behind its nest in a cottonwood. The eagles just returned last week after being absent most of the autumn. Later its mate appeared, making a strafing run at the geese. A previously hidden Greater White-fronted Goose flew up from the back pond along with all the Cackling Geese.

A flash of white over the back marsh revealed an adult Bonaparte's Gull! This species is a rare annual spring and fall migrant in the county.

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve has a new web site where you can read more about its activities and birding opportunities.

Lunch with the Birds is presented every Wednesday from noon to 1 pm. Check the web site calendar to verify the program each week. This venue is suitable for local families, nearby workers taking a lunch break, small school groups, and beginning birders wishing to know more about the local birds.

At the south end of Jackson Bottom is the Education Center and hiking trails (no dogs allowed). These take you along the ash groves beside the Tualatin river and out along several ponds. The wetlands are open all year, though the entire area can flood following heavy rains.

Will you meet me there next week for Lunch with the Birds?