IBA of the Month: Killin Wetlands
“ This is the singular magic of birds--to exist on two planes, as biological entities of bones and tissue, but also to live a separate existence in the human heart, and in both respects--physical and metaphysical--tying up the scattered and beleaguered wild places of the world and knitting them into a seamless whole by the simple act of flight.” --Scott Weidensaul, author and naturalist.
On a recent visit to Killin Wetlands, I drove west out of Portland that morning with my cup of coffee in anticipation of Willow Flycatchers, elusive marsh birds, and yes, even eager to put my binoculars on the Common Yellowthroat that had been eluding me on two recent wetland outings. I was not to be disappointed on this trip.
Just west of Banks, Oregon, Killin Wetlands (aka Cedar Canyon Marsh) is situated in a landscape of rolling hills, farmland, and gathering coniferous forest. Arrival at the wetland is presaged by an Oak forest stand along the two-lane Wilson River Highway. Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces acquired this 373-acre parcel as part of the 1995 Greenspaces bond measure used to build a regional network of protected natural areas. Killin represents the last two percent of Willamette Valley scrub-shrub marsh habitat on organic peat soils. The 98% decline in this habitat that has occurred since the 1850’s is concurrent with Neotropical migratory bird declines. The Killin Wetlands parcel contains one of the largest intact contiguous stands of the uncommon Geyer’s willow (Salix geyeriana) in the valley, as well as other native wetland vegetation which provides important habitat for breeding migratory birds. Metro is working on site to remove exotic Reed canarygrass, reintroduce native plants, and support concurrent avian monitoring to quantify the effects willow, cattail, sedge, and rush restoration.
Species of Ornithological Importance
The stocky and secretive American Bittern is a wader that cloaks itself in tall, emergent wetland vegetation. It is often detected only by its resounding and eerie watery call. Twice on this visit, a Bittern flushed from still grass, flashing its blue-black flight feathers for just seconds before alighting, swallowed wholly in the grass. This was that magic moment of birds that Scott Weidensaul talks about, the moment that Killin lodged in my heart. And this simple act provided a poignant reminder that every habitat harbors birds in need of conservation.
Visitors to Killin can expect to hear or see a number of other wetland bird species. Wood Duck, Cinnamon Teal, Hooded Merganser, Sora, and Virginia Rail grace the site. These wetlands support one of the highest densities of American Bittern in the state, and as many as 200 Greater Yellowlegs have been present here in March (one of Oregon’s highest concentrations), thus earning an Important Bird Area designation and inclusion on the Willamette Valley Birding Trail list.
The site also supports a number of nesting Passerines: Willow Flycatcher, Marsh Wren, Common Yellowthroat, and Red-wing Blackbird populate the marsh, with adjacent on-site wooded areas hosting Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-Breasted Sapsucker, and Orange-crowned Warbler.
Projects
The Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax trailii), is an Oregon State Sensitive Species that occupies wet, brushy areas. It is best identified by its distinctive voice, a song that is, unlike those of most songbirds, innate and not learned. It is a Neotropical migrant subject to Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism, and has declined considerably in northwest Oregon during the last century, primarily due to habitat degradation. Like nearly ¼ of all U.S. birds reliant on freshwater wetlands, conservation of this species relies on the protection and restoration of wetland nesting habitat. More than half of our nation’s original wetlands have been drained or converted, and though wetland bird populations are still well below historic levels, conservation efforts have helped many species remain resilient. According to the 2009 State of the Birds Report, many of these species show an increase over the last 40 years, reflecting an era of strong wetland protection campaigns.
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board has awarded biologist Max Smith a grant to monitor Willow Flycatchers during habitat restoration and Reed canarygrass suppression at Killin for the next two years in an effort to identify management actions that result in increased site use by this species. Monitoring will entail a combination of both Point Counts (recording detections of all species present at a series of preset stations) and Area Searches (Willow Flycatcher territory mapping). Reports suggest that breeding Willow Flycatchers are on the rise at Killin Wetlands. Biologists will attempt to quantify this by monitoring nest success, and visitors to the wetland are certain to be rewarded with a crisp chorus of fitz-bews.
To assist with Willow Flycatcher monitoring at Killin Wetlands IBA or to monitor on another IBA, contact Mary Coolidge at mcoolidge@audubonportland.org.
