SAS Brown's Ferry Park Bird Walk Report

[ung...@gmail.com]

SAS Brown’s Ferry Park Bird Walk

Oct 18, 2025 8:54 AM - 11:46 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.135 mile(s)

Twelve (12) birders from Salem, Keizer, Portland, Tualatin and Woodburn started in cool weather with some fog. It later cleared to sunshine with some clouds. We began at the wetland across the street, remaining on the trail at road in the area of Wood Duck Nest Box. We did not hear Virginia Rail but two have been heard counter calling recently. We started picking up passerines like Anna's Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, Mourning Dove, Black-capped Chickadee and walked to the pond having less Water Lilies and many ducks to enjoy with a total of  seven (7) species, noting the gender differences. Nice to see these fall/winter plumage changes. Very special to watch so closely!  We then walked to the overhang deck, talked about Barred Owl could be here; and followed the concrete trail over two bridges and heard and viewed species past the upward grade trail and the favored fishing spot to look at the river; and then this-Spring's Bushtit nest (1 of 3 found) that was shrinking and collapsing but still recognizable. On return we went by the small pond with copious duckweed with two Mallards. On our return we finally got Bewick's Wren, a flying Red-tailed Hawk-adult, and a small  flock of Cackling Geese. We discussed the Art Camp and other events like kayaking, visited the Board showing other adventure areas and looked at the newest planting at the Parking which includes native flowering plants around a growing Sequoia.  A handout was provided with highlights of the Tualatin and Park Birds and Natives. Thank you to all who joined, providing eyes and ears for songs and calls.

Upcoming events:

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. 

Barbara Dolan

Brown’s Ferry Park Checklist Summary for October 18, 2025

Identified Species: 33 (+1 other taxa)

Cackling Goose (minima) (Branta hutchinsii minima)  20
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)  50
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)  4
Gadwall (Mareca strepera)  12
American Wigeon (Mareca americana)  1
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)  23
Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)  4     Flew in together as we were watching pond duck activity.
Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)  1     Male
Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)  2
Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)  2
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)  1     Calling. Just as we started.
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)  1     Calling as well.
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)  3
Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri)  1
California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)  4
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)  6
Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)  5
Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens)  1
Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)  4
Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula)  3     Jit d jit calls. Able to follow very active 2nd bird. 1 also @ back pond trail.
Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa)  3
White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)  1     1 minute call. Not RBNU.
Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)  5
Brown Creeper (Certhia americana)  1     Early in parking.
Pacific Wren (Troglodytes pacificus)  1
Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii)  3
American Robin (Turdus migratorius)  6
House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)  2
Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis [oreganus Group])  7
Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)  7
Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus)  6     Many had mew calls.
Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)  8
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)  1     In parking area
passerine sp. (Passeriformes sp.)  8

View this checklist online at https://ebird.org/checklist/S280186884