SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

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SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

October 7, 2025 

This morning, Tim, Paul, and I led the Salem Audubon bird walk at Minto-Brown Island Park, joined by 18 other participants. We enjoyed clear skies, calm to light winds (up to 3 m.p.h.), and temperatures ranging from 55 to 66 degrees. The group walked 2.28 miles over about 2.5 hours (8:55 AM – 11:28 AM), following the Blue Heron and Orange Turtle Trails at the west end of the park. We observed or heard 41 species—surpassing last year’s total of 28 species, and the 31 species observed in 2023.

The highlights were as follows:

-       Our first stop was the Oxbow Slough, where we observed a Green Heron, a Great Blue Heron, and a pair of Pied-billed Grebes. In addition, we saw a couple of Wood Ducks and several Mallards.

-       After leaving the slough, we turned right and crossed the bridge. Just as we were leaving the bridge, a Belted Kingfisher flew overhead. At the tree line along the left side of the trail, we encountered a flock of Black-capped Chickadees, and among them, a Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Throughout this stretch of trail, we observed a variety of species, including Hairy Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hutton’s Vireo, Bewick’s Wren, and Spotted Towhee, among others.

-       Along the fence line of the landfill, we spotted a Northern Flicker perched on a post. Other sightings in this area included an Anna’s Hummingbird, American Goldfinch, Golden-crowned Sparrow, and a Turkey Vulture soaring overhead. In the field south of the landfill, we observed a Northern Harrier flying low over the grass.

-       While passing through the thicket on the way to the river, several participants spotted a Red-shouldered Hawk (see photos in the eBird checklist). Along this trail, we heard a Fox Sparrow and a couple of Spotted Towhees. There was also a possible Lincoln’s Sparrow, though the identification could not be confirmed.

-       The Willamette River was fairly quiet, with only a few distant Mallards and a Great Blue Heron spotted. There were no Cedar Waxwings, Spotted Sandpipers, or Bald Eagles observed during the visit.

-       The bird of the day was the Black-capped Chickadee, with 33 individuals observed, mainly along the trail between the bridge and the landfill. These chickadees were abundant and very vocal, their distinctive chickadee-dee-dee calls echoing throughout the corridor.

-       Other nice observations included Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and both nuthatches.

The upcoming events include: 

Brown’s Ferry Park Bird Walk, Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM.  Meet at the park located in Tualatin at 9:00 AM. The park address is 5855 SW Nyberg Lane, Tualatin, OR.

Illahe Hills CC Bird Walk, Monday, October 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM. Meet in front of the clubhouse. Park in the main parking area, not in front of the clubhouse!  Please contact the leader at paule...@gmail.com to confirm your registration for this trip.

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Wednesday, October 22nd at 9:00 AM.  Meet at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center off Ankeny Hill Road SE at 9:00 am.

Keizer Rapids Park Bird Walk, Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM.  Meet in the far parking lot near the boat ramp at 9:00 AM. The park address is 1900 Chemawa Rd. N, Keizer, OR (turn left onto Walsh Way N. and follow it to the end).

Please join us if you can. 

Mike Unger

Keizer, OR 

Minto-Brown Island Park Checklist Summary for October 7, 2025

Identified Species: 41

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S277857928