Recreation Report
Willamette Zone
Recreation Report
If there’s not a photo, it didn’t happen
Submit your viewing photo to ODFW and we might use it here or elsewhere on MyODFW.com.
Corvallis Area
There are lots of deer, shorebirds and waterfowl to see on the wildlife area – look for goose, mallard, hooded merganser and wood duck broods. Wildlife viewing remains good for waterfowl and shorebirds. Neotropical migrants in the area include yellow-breasted chat, American goldfinch, various swallows, warblers, thrush, kinglet and common yellowthroat.
Note: Dogs are required to be on a leash inside the wildlife area boundary. Rifles and pistols are prohibited year-round. Find directions to EE Wilson Wildlife Area.
A parking permit is required to park at EE Wilson Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit.
Eugene Area
Observant visitors may catch a glimpse of black-tailed deer and furbearers including beaver, otter, mink, red fox and coyotes. Some of the unusual and special bird species to be on the lookout for include white pelicans, black terns, band-tailed pigeons, yellow-headed blackbirds, osprey and bald eagles.
Throughout the year look for waterfowl, shore birds, wading birds, songbirds, raptors, reptiles, and amphibians. During summer, visitors may also see western pond turtles basking on logs, branches, and rocks in sunny areas of rivers, off-channel ponds, and other wetlands. Please report sightings of turtles here.
An elevated viewing platform in the Fisher Butte unit just south of Royal Avenue is open year-round. A second viewing platform is located 1/4 mile north of the Fisher Butte unit parking lot on Hwy. 126.
A parking permit is required to park at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit. Maps of the wildlife area can be found on the ODFW website.
Portland Area
The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is now open.
Bird watching is excellent with spring migrants and summer resident arriving. While pelicans and cliff swallows are showing up in large numbers. Sandhill cranes and cacklers are still hanging around different points on the island. Purple martins are now nesting. The bald eagles and osprey are nesting and can be seen from various observation points. Northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrel may still be seen on the wildlife area and other points on the island. Roadside viewing is very good, so be sure to bring your binoculars.
The best opportunities for viewing are Coon Point, Eastside Viewing Platform and Rentenaar Road. All areas require a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Parking Permit.
Sauvie Island is a main stopping point for migratory birds as they travel along the Pacific Flyway, and ODFW actively manages the Wildlife Area to provide food and cover for these creatures.
Sauvie Island Wildlife Area is located on Sauvie Island, only 10 miles north of Portland off Hwy. 30. A parking permit is required for the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and can be purchased at ODFW license vendors or online at myodfw.com. For more information, call (503) 621-3488.
For more information about other birding opportunities in the greater Portland area, Portland Audubon has a great list of Portland Metro Area Birding Hotspots on their website.