Category Archives: reptiles & amphibians

Northwest Portland Wetlands

Posted on May 26, 2017 by

I went out to Smith and Bybee Wetlands and Vanport Wetlands to check for migrants. The Smith and Bybee area was pretty slow. Water levels were high so some of the trails were inaccessible. Vanport had some really interesting birds, … Continue reading →

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Commonwealth Lake

Posted on July 11, 2016 by

I brief walk around Commonwealth Lake in Beaverton revealed lots of recently fledged Barn Swallows. They were perching on branches above the water, waiting for their parents to fly in with food. still waiting note the bulging crop on the … Continue reading →

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Fernhill Wetlands

Posted on April 4, 2016 by

If you haven’t been to Fernhill Wetlands since the major renovations were completed, you should definitely check it out. There is still a fairly large lake to attract divers, but now there is also a large emergent wetland to explore. … Continue reading →

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Jackson Bottom

Posted on August 9, 2015 by

I scouted Jackson Bottom Wetlands Reserve in Hillsboro for my shorebird class this week. Much of the area is dry, but Pintail Pond still has enough water to create mudflats and easy fishing for the Great Egrets. One Ring-billed Gull … Continue reading →

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Fernhill Wetlands and Jackson Bottom

Posted on July 5, 2015 by

We are two weeks into a nasty heat wave in the Portland area. Sunrise is the only time of day when you can bird in any comfort and hope to find any birds active and singing. So I got up … Continue reading →

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Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Posted on June 7, 2015 by

Nesting season is in full swing at Smith and Bybee Wetlands in northwest Portland. There is a small colony of Cliff Swallows nesting under the highway overpass. Here is the tail end of a Cedar Waxwing sitting on a nest. … Continue reading →

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Sauvie Island

Posted on April 1, 2015 by

I made a couple of trips out to Sauvie Island for my Little Brown Birds class. The weather was freakishly nice for late March, although the mild winter has not been conducive to large sparrow flocks. One highlight of the … Continue reading →

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Tualatin River NWR

Posted on June 9, 2014 by

I made a quick visit to Tualatin River NWR in the afternoon heat. One of the main trails is closed off until this young Bald Eagle decides to leave the nest. Despite the flock of European Starlings cheering him on, … Continue reading →

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Fernhill Wetlands 10 April 2014

Posted on April 12, 2014 by

I took a quick tour of Fernhill Wetlands this week. Great changes are planned for this site. The main lake will be made smaller, and the other two impoundments will be replaced with emergent wetlands. I am looking forward seeing … Continue reading →

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Slow Spring

Posted on April 3, 2014 by

The end of March and beginning of April have been cool and wet. Spring is progressing, but seemingly very slowly. Here are a few images from the past week. Pacific Wrens are singing everywhere. This bird was at Powell Butte … Continue reading →

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