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Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
Adjacent to the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in a relatively industrial area of north Portland, Multnomah County. The site features Smith and Bybee wetlands and the closed 250-acre St. Johns Landfill, which provides grassland habitat.
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Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area
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Adjacent to the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers in a relatively industrial area of north Portland, Multnomah County. The site features Smith and Bybee wetlands and the closed 250-acre St. Johns Landfill, which provides grassland habitat.
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Location:
Adjacent to the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, in north Portland, Multnomah County.Description: At nearly 2,000 acres, Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is one of the nation’s largest protected urban wetlands. The perimeter of the wetlands is riparian forest, which includes approximately 15-acres of ash forest, including mature tree specimens. The IBA also includes the 240-acre St. Johns Landfill, which provides valuable grassland habitat adjacent to the wetlands.
Ornithological Highlights
Smith and Bybee Wetlands are known to host over 100 bird species. Great Blue Heron nest on site, as well as Bald Eagle, Osprey, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, and Savannah Sparrow. Peregrine Falcon and Northern Harrier hunt the marshes and meadows. Bald Eagle, Pileated Woodpecker,Tens of thousands of waterfowl winter in the wildlife area including: Canada goose, Green-winged teal, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ringneck Duck, American Widgeon, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, and Great Egret. There are also occasional sightings of Canvasback, Redheads, Blue-winged Teal, and Tundra Swan.
The only documented breeding population of Streaked Horned Larks in Multnomah County exists on the nearby Port-owned Rivergate site, and they have been observed within the wildlife area of the landfill in winter months. Metro has seeded native grasses and forbes on five acres, and has been attempting to attract breeding Streaked Horned Larks to the site.
For more information about Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, please see the Technical Site Report in the National IBA database.Links:
• Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area (Metro)
• Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area (Portland Parks and Recreation)
• Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes
• Map (pdf format; Avenza)Contacts
Contact the Metro Natural Areas Program at naturalareas@oregonmetro.gov for more information or call 503-797-1545.
- 45.614567 -122.748374
Location:
Adjacent to the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, in north Portland, Multnomah County.
Description: At nearly 2,000 acres, Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is one of the nation’s largest protected urban wetlands. The perimeter of the wetlands is riparian forest, which includes approximately 15-acres of ash forest, including mature tree specimens. The IBA also includes the 240-acre St. Johns Landfill, which provides valuable grassland habitat adjacent to the wetlands.
Ornithological Highlights
Smith and Bybee Wetlands are known to host over 100 bird species. Great Blue Heron nest on site, as well as Bald Eagle, Osprey, Pileated Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, and Savannah Sparrow. Peregrine Falcon and Northern Harrier hunt the marshes and meadows. Bald Eagle, Pileated Woodpecker,
Tens of thousands of waterfowl winter in the wildlife area including: Canada goose, Green-winged teal, Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Common Merganser, Bufflehead, Lesser Scaup, Ringneck Duck, American Widgeon, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, and Great Egret. There are also occasional sightings of Canvasback, Redheads, Blue-winged Teal, and Tundra Swan.
The only documented breeding population of Streaked Horned Larks in
Multnomah County exists on the nearby Port-owned Rivergate site, and
they have been observed within the wildlife area of the landfill in
winter months. Metro has seeded native grasses and forbes on five
acres, and has been attempting to attract breeding Streaked Horned Larks to the site.
For more information about Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, please see the Technical Site Report in the National IBA database.
Links:
• Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area (Metro)
• Smith and Bybee Lakes Wildlife Area (Portland Parks and Recreation)
• Friends of Smith & Bybee Lakes
• Map (pdf format; Avenza)
Contacts
Contact the Metro Natural Areas Program at naturalareas@oregonmetro.gov for more information or call 503-797-1545.
