Ankeny NWR Field Trip Report

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SAS ANKENY NWR FIELD TRIP REPORT

March 18, 2026 

This morning, the Salem Audubon Society held its monthly birding field trip at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. Tim and I led the field trip with 20 enthusiastic birders along for the adventure. The weather felt distinctly spring-like, with temperatures ranging from 52 to 63 degrees and a gentle wind between 3 and 12 mph. We made five stops around the refuge, including the Ankeny Hill Nature Center as well as Eagle and Pintail Marshes. Bird activity was excellent, and by the end of the trip, we had identified (by sight or sound) 55 species.  

Most notable sightings:

The highlight of the day was a Great Horned Owl spotted along the Rail Trail. The owl, likely a female, was perched on a nest with at least two young owlets. Interestingly, three years ago we observed another Great Horned Owl along the railroad tracks on Buena Vista Road. To protect the active nest from disturbance, we’re not sharing its exact location.

At the Nature Center, we observed 14 species, including several Violet-green Swallows squabbling over a nest box. Two Western Meadowlarks added to the atmosphere with their lovely songs.  Anna’s Hummingbird was quite active around the center’s feeder, though we missed the Rufous Hummingbird reported earlier in the morning. Other birds showing good activity included California Scrub-Jays and Red-winged Blackbirds.

The water level at Eagle Marsh was quite high but we observed 25 species. Although many ducks were scattered in the distant areas of the marsh, several Ruddy Ducks and a couple of Buffleheads were conveniently close by. As we scanned the right side of the marsh, we spotted Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, and a Pied-billed Grebe. Just as we were preparing to leave, someone noticed a Bald Eagle perched in a tree east of the marsh—and then we realized there were two or three other raptors nearby. One bird initially looked like a Peregrine Falcon, but even through the scope it was a tough call. After some spirited debate, we identified it as a Red-tailed Hawk. The other raptors turned out to be a pair of American Kestrels and another Red-tailed Hawk. We thought that was the end of the mystery, but one of our talented photographers went back to get some photos of the raptor. After reviewing his shots, he confirmed it—bingo, it really was a Peregrine Falcon!

Our next stop was the Willow Tree Parking Lot, where portions of the surrounding field were flooded. We observed twelve species here. As we entered the lot, a Western Meadowlark flew off its perch. The first waterfowl of note was the American Wigeon. We carefully scanned the flock, hoping to spot a Eurasian Wigeon, but no luck this time. Then the sky suddenly filled with hundreds of Cackling Geese flying overhead. They circled and landed in the nearby field—a spectacular sight as row after row descended. Other highlights included several Dunlin, five Killdeer, and two Northern Harriers.

We observed 14 species at Pintail Marsh. Eight species of ducks were present, along with a couple of American Coots and a Pied-billed Grebe. Along the marsh edge, we first heard the chattering calls of Marsh Wrens, then watched as a few briefly popped into view before darting back into the reeds. Three Bald Eagles were seen around the marsh, including a striking sight of a subadult perched near an adult.

Finally, we made it to the Rail Trail, which held the promise of a Great Horned Owl and we were not disappointed. We were running short on time, so we only walked as far as the boardwalk entrance. In addition to the owls, we observed 19 other species. In the parking lot, we caught a flash of a falcon flying over the forested area, and a brief look confirmed a Merlin.

On the way back to the parking lot, the activity was tremendous. There was a symphony of birdsong, including Bewick’s Wren, Pacific Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, and Song Sparrow, along with a cacophony of drumming from three species of woodpeckers. Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, and Hairy Woodpecker were all drumming at the same time, with a Northern Flicker inserting its call between the beats. Just when we thought we had seen it all, we spotted three Brown Creepers. Two of them disappeared into a peeling slab of bark against a tree trunk that looked very much like it could be a nest site.

This report ran a little long, but with so many great sightings, it was hard to stop writing!

All the eBird checklists and Trip Report are listed at the end of this report.

Our next SAS bird walk will be at Minto-Brown Island Park on Monday, April 6th at 8:00 a.m.  Meet at Parking Lot #3 (last lot in the park).

Please join us if you can.

Mike Unger

Keizer, OR 

Ankeny NWR Checklist Summary for March 18, 2026

Number of Species: 55 

Here are the eBird checklist links:   

Ankeny NWR--Ankeny Hill Nature Center: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310336606

Ankeny NWR--Eagle Marsh: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310352209

 

Ankeny NWR - Willow Tree Parking Lot: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310364847

Ankeny NWR-Pintail Marsh: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310371903

 

Ankeny NWR-Rail Trail: https://ebird.org/checklist/S310389812

Trip Report link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/489724