Willamette Zone

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.

Tips to recreate responsibly

We continue to urge anglers and others recreating outside to stay close to home, keep your social distance, and travel safely. Here’s more information about how to recreate responsibly.

Corvallis Area

EE Wilson Wildlife 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

Fern Ridge Wildlife 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. 

Portland Area

Band-tailed pigeon activity at mineral springs appears average compared to previous years.

Anecdotally, this year appears to be a productive year for California quail. A very young group of 2 adults with over 12 hatchlings (potentially second clutch given time of year) was observed by a local biologist.

Still a great time to watch for breeding birds as many are singing their hearts out, making ID a little easier. Some helpful identification phone apps if a decent picture can be taken are Merlin and Google Lens.

Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

The Sauvie Island Wildlife Area Westside, Oak Island and North units are open. The beaches remain open, so please practice social distancing guidelines while recreating. The trail to Warrior Rock Lighthouse is open and offers a great hike along with bird viewing. All open areas are on Reeder Road and require a parking permit.

Bird watching is excellent with spring migrants and summer resident arriving. White pelicans and cliff swallows are showing up in larger numbers. Purple martins are now nesting and active around their colonies. The bald eagles chicks are getting ready to fledge and osprey are still nesting and may be viewed from various observation points.  Baby ducks are starting to be seen as well as a lot of song birds. The best opportunities for viewing are Raccoon Point, Eastside Viewing Platform, Rentenaar Road and the Oak Island Nature Trail.

Sauvie Island is a main stopping point for migratory birds as they travel along the Pacific Flyway. ODFW actively manages the 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 Highway 30. A parking permit is required for the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area and can be purchased at ODFW License agents, ODFW offices, or online.

For more information, call (503) 621-3488.