SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

[ung...@gmail.com]

SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report

May 7, 2026 

Tim and I led the Salem Audubon bird walk at Minto-Brown Island Park this morning, with nine participants. Conditions were overcast with calm to light winds up to 9 mph; temperatures ranged from 55–61°F (NWS Salem and field estimates). Over three hours, we covered 2.25 miles on the Purple Rabbit and Blue Heron Trails (west end), recording 45 species—slightly above last year’s 44 (51 in 2024; 49 in 2023).

Highlights from the Walk:

• Spring Migration in Full Swing: Spring filled the park with a lively chorus of birdsong. Most of the passerines were singing enthusiastically, especially Bewick’s Wrens, Purple Finches, and Black-headed Grosbeaks. We also enjoyed excellent views of Bewick’s Wren singing out in the open.
• Wood Duck Surprise: Not entirely unexpected, we saw 25 last year—but it was still a treat to find 22 Wood Ducks on Oxbow Slough, including several young ducklings.
• Warbler Variety: Five warbler species recorded: Orange-crowned, Yellow, Wilson’s, Black-throated Gray, and Common Yellowthroat. Notable was the high number of Northern Yellow Warblers—16 detected across the park, an underestimate (9 at this time last year).
• Raptor Roundup: Raptor diversity was low, with only Turkey Vulture and Osprey observed; no American Kestrel, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, or Red-tailed Hawk detected.
• Woodpecker Watch: Highlight of the day was two Pileated Woodpeckers; one provided excellent views atop a snag while foraging. Also recorded Red-breasted Sapsucker, Downy Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker; no Hairy Woodpecker detected.
• Other Notable Sightings: Additional highlights included a female Belted Kingfisher perched on a limb overlooking Oxbow Slough west of the bridge. Several Warbling Vireos were vocal, and we recorded our first Swainson’s Thrush of the year.
• Water’s Edge Finds: Along Oxbow Slough, four duck species were observed, including Wood Ducks. Several Great Blue Herons were present, along with geese and a Killdeer; no coots, grebes, or mergansers detected. 

The upcoming events include: 

Illahe Hills CC Bird Walk, Monday, May 11, 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, May 17th at 8:00 AM.  Meet at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center off Ankeny Hill Road SE at 8:00 am.

Champoeg State Park, Thursday, May 21st at 9:00 AM.  Meet in the Oak Grove Day Use Parking Lot. A valid Oregon State Parks Pass is required; a $10.00 day pass can be purchased on site. Please bring water and binoculars! We should be finished by noon.

Please join us if you can. 

Mike Unger

Keizer, OR 

Minto-Brown Island Park Checklist Summary for May 7, 2026

Identified Species: 45

11 Canada Goose
22 Wood Duck
2 Gadwall
8 Mallard
2 Ring-necked Duck
1 California Quail
2 Mourning Dove
1 Anna's Hummingbird
1 hummingbird sp. -- Flew away too fast to ID.
1 Killdeer
3 Great Blue Heron
3 Turkey Vulture
1 Osprey
1 Belted Kingfisher
1 Red-breasted Sapsucker
1 Downy Woodpecker
2 Pileated Woodpecker
5 Northern Flicker
7 Western Warbling Vireo
1 Steller's Jay
1 California Scrub-Jay
1 American Crow
4 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Tree Swallow
1 Bushtit
2 Red-breasted Nuthatch
2 Brown Creeper
15 Bewick's Wren
3 European Starling
2 Swainson's Thrush
11 American Robin
10 Purple Finch
10 Lesser Goldfinch
1 American Goldfinch
4 White-crowned Sparrow
9 Song Sparrow
13 Spotted Towhee
1 Red-winged Blackbird
1 Brown-headed Cowbird
3 Orange-crowned Warbler
1 Common Yellowthroat
16 Northern Yellow Warbler
3 Black-throated Gray Warbler
3 Wilson's Warbler
1 Western Tanager
8 Black-headed Grosbeak

View this checklist online at  https://ebird.org/checklist/S334296452