SAS Ankeny NWR Field Trip Report

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SAS ANKENY NWR FIELD TRIP SUMMARY

August 24, 2025 

Today, Tim, Paul, and I led our Salem Audubon monthly birding field trip at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. We were joined by eight other enthusiastic birders, making for a lively group. The morning offered ideal birding conditions with comfortable temperatures ranging from 66 to 75 degrees, mostly clear skies, and barely a breeze. Our route included three stops around the refuge: Ankeny Hill Nature Center, Pintail Marsh, and Eagle Marsh. Collectively, we observed or heard 48 different species—just one fewer than last year’s impressive count of 49. 

Most notable sightings: 

·        One of the highlights of the day was spotting Lewis’s Woodpecker perched in a tree just south of the nature center. We enjoyed excellent views of this striking woodpecker through several scopes which was a special treat, as we usually see Lewis’s Woodpeckers only in winter. While at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center, we watched flocks of Lesser and American Goldfinches swirling into the nearby bushes and trees, estimating around 60 goldfinches in all. In total, we recorded 11 species at this stop, including three Anna’s Hummingbirds fiercely contesting the feeder, much like the behavior typical of Rufous Hummingbirds. Other notable sightings included a Northern Harrier and a Red-tailed Hawk. 

·        Our most productive stop was at Pintail Marsh, where we tallied 39 species, just one fewer than last year’s total. It is difficult to single out just one or two highlights since the diversity was so impressive. A standout moment was seeing four Green Herons near the parking lot. Just before we left, we spotted three Green Herons and a male Belted Kingfisher perched on the west railings—a scene our talented photographers are sure to capture for the eBird checklist.

Another remarkable sight was a gathering of 37 Great Blue Herons on the marsh, the largest number I have ever seen at Pintail Marsh. Among them, we also found two Great Egrets. Duck diversity was solid, with seven species observed, including two Blue-winged Teal as the fall migrants started to return. While overall duck numbers remain low aside from Mallards, their arrival was encouraging.

For shorebirds, we counted 165 Long-billed Dowitchers, along with three Killdeer, three Least Sandpipers, seven Greater Yellowlegs, and heard a Lesser Yellowlegs in the area. Raptors included Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, American Kestrel, and a calling Red-shouldered Hawk. The only warbler species seen were several Common Yellowthroats.

·        After scanning Pintail Marsh, we made a brief stop at Eagle Marsh. The highlight here was spotting six Semipalmated Plovers just beyond the island in the center of the marsh. We recorded six species of ducks, including a group of eight Wood Ducks. A Sora was heard calling from the back of the marsh.

Other notable shorebird sightings included 60 Long-billed Dowitchers, 6 Greater Yellowlegs, 15 Killdeer, and 60 Least Sandpipers. We also found four more Green Herons, one of which was seen catching a large frog, and a Black Phoebe perched right in front of the kiosk.

Links to the eBird checklists and the eBird Trip Report follow.  

We have several upcoming bird walks planned for September. Our next Salem Audubon Society outing will take place at Champoeg State Park on Thursday, September 4th, starting at 9:00 AM. Please meet in the Oak Grove Day Use Parking Lot. Remember, a valid Oregon State Parks Pass is required (a $10 day pass is available for purchase on site). Be sure to bring water and binoculars. We expect to wrap up by noon.

The Minto-Brown Island Park bird walk is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, starting at 7:30 AM. Meet us in Parking Lot #3, the park’s last parking lot. The walk is expected to conclude around 10:30 AM. For directions, take River Road South, turn west at the traffic signal onto Minto Island Road, and continue to the final parking lot.

Join us for the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge bird walk on Sunday, September 14th, beginning at 9:00 AM. Meet at the Rich Guadagno Trailhead Parking Lot on Coville Road. Restroom and picnic facilities are available at the site. Please bring water, binoculars, a snack, and dress appropriately for the weather. Trails may be uneven, so wear sturdy footwear. We plan to finish around noon.

The Keizer Rapids Park bird walk will be held on Tuesday, September 16th, starting at 9:00 AM. Please meet in the far parking lot at the end of the road leading to the boat ramp. Remember to bring water and a snack for the trail. The walk is expected to last approximately two to two and a half hours.

Mike Unger

Keizer, OR 

Ankeny NWR Checklist Summary for August 24, 2025
Number of Species: 48 

Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Ankeny NWR--Ankeny Hill Nature Center @ 7:33 AM
(2): Ankeny NWR – Pintail Marsh @ 8:01 AM

(3): Ankeny NWR – Eagle Marsh @ 10:03 AM

https://ebird.org/checklist/S269238310   (Ankeny Hill Nature Center)

https://ebird.org/checklist/S269274206   (ANWR – Pintail Marsh)

https://ebird.org/checklist/S269284844   (ANWR – Eagle Marsh)

Follow this link for the eBird Trip Report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/405367