SAS Ankeny NWR Field Trip Report

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SAS ANKENY NWR FIELD TRIP SUMMARY

January 18, 2026 

Today, Tim and I led Salem Audubon’s monthly birding field trip to Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, joined by sixteen enthusiastic participants. The weather was clear and sunny, with brilliant blue skies, though early-morning temperatures were below freezing. Over the course of the day, temperatures ranged from 30 to 45 degrees, and the wind remained mostly calm at 0–9 mph, picking up only near the end of the trip. We made five stops around the refuge—Ankeny Hill Nature Center, Eagle Marsh, Pintail Marsh, Willow Tree parking lot, and the Rail Trail—and identified a total of 54 species, either seen or heard.

 Most notable sightings:

·   We began our walk at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center, where we recorded 21 species—a good tally for the time we spent there. Bird activity was lively, especially to the west and north of the center. In the trees to the west, we spotted a Red-tailed Hawk, an American Kestrel, and a California Scrub-Jay. Cackling Geese filled the nearby field, joined by another Red-tailed Hawk and a distant Bald Eagle. To the north, around Peregrine Marsh, we observed a variety of ducks, a Great Egret, and several Red-winged Blackbirds. The sparrows, meanwhile, stayed close to the nature center itself.

·     Our next stop was Eagle Marsh, where we observed 15 species. Among them were seven species of ducks, including a pair of Ruddy Ducks. Around the edges of the marsh, we spotted three Bald Eagles and four Red-tailed Hawks. We also noted a Black Phoebe and a Great Egret.

·       On our way to Pintail Marsh, we made a stop at the Willow Tree parking lot. Soon after arriving, a pair of Western Meadowlarks flew into a tree above us, with the male repeatedly singing its beautiful song. The field surrounding the lot held five American Pipits among about twenty-five Killdeer. A Great Egret and four Least Sandpipers were also foraging in the same area. Just as we were getting ready to leave, a Bewick’s Wren appeared in a nearby tree and kindly posed for a few moments.

·       Pintail Marsh was bustling with activity. The first thing that caught our attention was a group of sixteen Tundra Swans. The marsh also hosted six species of ducks, along with a Pied-billed Grebe and several American Coots. We heard both a Northern Flicker and a Savannah Sparrow, and as we were leaving the parking lot, three Bushtits made a brief appearance.

·     Our final stop was the Rail Trail, where we recorded 26 species. Soon after starting down the trail from the parking lot, we heard a Red-shouldered Hawk calling. Other raptors included a Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Northern Harrier. We enjoyed excellent views of a pair of Brown Creepers, a Downy Woodpecker, and both kinglet species. While we were watching the creepers, a family with young children passed by. We pointed out the birds and showed the kids a photo of a Brown Creeper, and they were delighted to spot them in the trees. It’s always rewarding to see children get excited about birds and nature. We also observed three wren species—Pacific, Bewick’s, and Marsh Wrens.

     We searched diligently for the Swamp Sparrow that has been reported at Ankeny NWR but were unable to locate it. Near the far end of the Rail Trail, a few of us thought we might have caught a glimpse, but the small sparrow quickly dove into the grass before we could get a clear view.

     The eBird checklists from today's trip follows.  Our next SAS bird walk will be to Sauvie Island on Saturday, January 24th at 9:00 a.m.  See our website or the Kestrel newsletter for details.

     Also on Saturday, January 24th at 10:00 a.m.  We have a Raptor ID class.  It will be held at the Salem Scottish Rite Center, 4090 Commercial St. SE, Salem.  The cost is only $20 with all proceeds going to Salem Audubon.  Please register in advance using this link so we have enough handouts: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W-p8Bxn1SV2YbTCIgc0qeg

    The Minto-Brown Island Park bird walk is on Tuesday, February 10th at 9:00 AM.  Meet in parking lot #3 at the end of Minto Island Road S. 

Please join us if you can.

Mike Unger

Keizer, OR 

Ankeny NWR Checklist Summary for January 18, 2026

Number of Species: 54

Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Ankeny NWR--Ankeny Hill Nature Center @ 8:54 AM -
(2): Ankeny NWR--Eagle Marsh @ 9:41 AM
(3): Ankeny NWR-Willow Tree parking lot @ 10:10 AM

(4):  Ankeny NWR—Pintail Marsh @ 10:40 AM
(5): Ankeny NWR-Rail Trail @ 11:01 AM

eBird checklist links: 

Ankeny Hill Nature Center - https://ebird.org/checklist/S294976339

Eagle Marsh - https://ebird.org/checklist/S294985590

Willow Tree parking lot - https://ebird.org/checklist/S294993772

Pintail Marsh - https://ebird.org/checklist/S294998353

Rail Trail - https://ebird.org/checklist/S295020272

Trip Report link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/465624