SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

[ung...@gmail.com]

SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

April 6, 2026 

This morning, Tim and I led the Salem Audubon bird walk at Minto-Brown Island Park, joined by 16 enthusiastic participants. It was a pleasant day with temperatures ranging from 48 to 66°F under clear skies and only a light breeze up to 8 mph. Our group covered 2.27 miles, following the Orange Turtle Trail on the park’s west end. The bird walk lasted 3.25 hours.  In all, we recorded an impressive 52 bird species—an excellent total for early spring and a notable increase from last year’s count of 40.

Highlights of the Walk

• Bird Activity: The activity was immediately noticeable as soon as we stepped out of our vehicles, with numerous birds singing all around us. Our first stop was the Oxbow Slough, where we observed 10 species on or near the water, including nine Wood Ducks, several Mallards, a Pied-billed Grebe, and a Canada Goose tending a nest. Just as we were leaving, two Belted Kingfishers flew overhead across the slough.
• Notable Sightings: Three standout moments highlighted the walk. First, we watched a Red-breasted Sapsucker busily working on a tree along the trail to the river, and before long, another sapsucker appeared nearby. We also spotted three Rufous Hummingbirds, one perched prominently at the top of a pine tree—a rare occasion when Rufous outnumbered Anna’s Hummingbirds. Along the river, several Bushtits were active, including one seen entering its distinctive hanging nest.
• Raptors: Raptor activity was strong throughout the walk. We observed a pair of Ospreys flying overhead and another settled on its nest. A Turkey Vulture soared high above, and early in the morning we spotted a Bald Eagle while later there was a single Red-tailed Hawk. As we wrapped up and reviewed our bird list, two American Kestrels were seen hovering over distant trees, and a Cooper’s Hawk was perched nearby.
• Woodpeckers: Four of the five expected woodpecker species were seen: Northern Flicker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and the Red-breasted Sapsucker.
• Warblers: Four warbler species were recorded: Orange-crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and a Townsend’s Warbler seen by several in the group. It’s still early in the season for most warblers, but more are arriving in the valley each day.
• Sparrows: Sparrows were plentiful as we observed six sparrow species including 20 White-crowned Sparrows that were vocal throughout the walk.  Another abundant sparrow was the Spotted Towhee with some performing their trill calls while others preferred the mew call. Other sparrows included Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, and Savannah Sparrow.
• Other Observations: We counted 21 American Robins and 20 Black-capped Chickadees, many of which were quite vocal and put on lively displays in several areas. Among the most vocal species of the day were the Purple Finches, whose songs accompanied us throughout the walk as they perched prominently atop trees. We also heard both nuthatch species and spotted several Brown Creepers moving along tree trunks. 

Upcoming Events

Join us for these upcoming bird walks:

 

• Saturday, April 11 at 9:00 AM – Baskett Slough NWR
  Meet at the Rich Guadagno Trailhead off Coville Rd.

 

• Friday, April 17th at 9:00 AM – Keizer Rapids Par
• 1900 Chemawa Rd N, Keizer - Meet in the far parking lot near the boat ramp.

• Saturday, April 25th at 8:00 AM Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
  Meet at Ankeny Hill Nature Center (130 Ankeny Hill Rd., Jefferson). 

We hope to see you there! 

Mike Unger
Keizer, OR 

Minto-Brown Island Park Checklist Summary for April 6, 2026

Identified Species: 52

9 Canada Goose
8 Wood Duck
7 Mallard
9 Bufflehead
2 California Quail
2 Anna's Hummingbird
3 Rufous Hummingbird
2 Pied-billed Grebe
2 Great Blue Heron
1 Turkey Vulture
3 Osprey
1 Cooper's Hawk
1 Bald Eagle
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Belted Kingfisher
3 Red-breasted Sapsucker
4 Downy Woodpecker
2 Hairy Woodpecker
9 Northern Flicker
2 American Kestrel
1 Black Phoebe
1 Steller's Jay
3 California Scrub-Jay
2 American Crow
20 Black-capped Chickadee
3 Tree Swallow
5 Violet-green Swallow
13 Bushtit
2 Ruby-crowned Kinglet
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 Red-breasted Nuthatch
7 Brown Creeper
4 Bewick's Wren
8 European Starling
1 Western Bluebird
21 American Robin
5 House Finch
12 Purple Finch
2 Lesser Goldfinch
4 American Goldfinch
1 Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)
20 White-crowned Sparrow
3 Golden-crowned Sparrow
4 Savannah Sparrow
3 Song Sparrow
15 Spotted Towhee
2 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
6 Orange-crowned Warbler
5 Common Yellowthroat
8 Yellow-rumped Warbler
1 Townsend's Warbler 

See the eBird list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S318016601