SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

[ung...@gmail.com]

SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

August 9, 2026 

Yesterday, Tim and I led a Salem Audubon bird walk at Minto-Brown Island Park. Twenty enthusiastic birders joined us for a pleasant 2.5-mile outing along the Purple Rabbit and Blue Heron Trails on the park’s west end. Clear skies, light but variable winds of 5–10 mph, and temperatures ranging from 63 to 72°F—according to Salem NWS data—made for comfortable conditions.

Over 2.77 hours, we completed the walk and recorded 38 bird species by sight or sound, up from 34 species on last year’s walk.

The highlights were as follows:

·         We saw three Spotted Sandpipers and a Great Blue Heron along Oxbow Slough. Other birds present included Mallards, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Pied-billed Grebe. At the slough’s far eastern end, eight American Goldfinches foraged on the mudflat.

·         We observed five raptor species during the walk: Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and American Kestrel. Just as we were preparing to leave the park, we also spotted a Bald Eagle.·        The most numerous birds were the American Goldfinch (10) and Black-capped Chickadee (7).

·         We observed three of the five expected woodpecker species. We heard several Northern Flickers, observed three Downy Woodpeckers—two seen and one heard—and spotted a Hairy Woodpecker.

·         We heard several nuthatches during the walk, including two White-breasted Nuthatches and four Red-breasted Nuthatches. We also observed six Brown Creepers

·         Our only warblers of the day were two Northern Yellow Warblers, whose songs were faint.

·         Other notable sightings included several Red Crossbills flying overhead, a Green Heron, a Black Phoebe, and a lone Swainson’s Thrush. 

·         Several species were observed in double digits: Mallard (31), American Robin (15), Black-capped Chickadee (14), Western Wood-Pewee (10), and American Goldfinch (10). 

The upcoming events include: 

Special Birding Evening – Common Nighthawks – Tonight - Monday, August 10, 2026, at 7:00 AM.  Meet in Parking Lot #3 at Minto-Brown Island Park.  

Illahe Hills CC Bird Walk, Monday, August 17, 2026, at 8:00 AM.  Meet in front of the clubhouse. Park in the main parking area, not opposite the clubhouse!  Please contact the leader at paule...@gmail.com to confirm your registration for this trip.

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 8:00 AM.  Meet at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center off Ankeny Hill Road SE at 8:00 am.

Please join us if you can. 

Mike Unger

Keizer, OR 

Minto-Brown Island Park Checklist Summary for August 9, 2026

Identified Species: 37

View this checklist online at: https://ebird.org/checklist/S381677691