Morning Bird Song Walks 2011

7a.m. Monday – Friday:  FREE

Common Yellowthroat - Jim Cruce

Audubon Society of Portland is proud to sponsor the 2011 season of weekday-morning Bird Song Walks! From beginners to advanced birders, anyone who is fascinated by the sounds of birds should take advantage of these volunteer-guided walks to the metro area’s prime spring migration hot-spots. By starting with the earliest trips you can become familiar with the songs of the common resident species and then keep pace with the migrants as they arrive.

All Walks begin at 7 a.m.

No pre-registration required.  Leave whenever you like.  Bring your binoculars and a field guide and be sure to dress properly for the weather. Spring mornings can be surprisingly chilly.

Try taking the bus if available.  Go to www.trimet.org or call 503-238-RIDE (7433) for route information.  For natural history information, maps, and directions for any of these natural areas see the book Wild in the City - A Guide to Portland’s Natural Areas available at the Audubon Society of Portland Nature Store.  Or visit the organization’s website for each locale.

MONDAYS:   April 4-11-18-25  May 2-9-16-23-30

Tryon Creek State Park.  Leaders Rick and Stephanie Wagner.

Directions for Tryon Creek: Take the Terwilliger Blvd. exit off I-5 and head south on

Terwilliger Blvd. toward Lewis and Clark College. Keep on Terwilliger Blvd. past the intersections with Taylors Ferry Road and Boones Ferry Road. At the traffic circle, continue past the entrance to Lewis and Clark Northwest School of Law and follow the brown and white sign to Tryon Creek State Park. The park is approximately 1 mile ahead on the right.  Meet at the Nature Center.  For more information about Tryon Creek State Park visit:  www.tryonfriends.org 

TUESDAYS:  April 5-12-19-26  May 3-10-17-24-31

Cooper Mountain.  Leader Bonnie Deneke.

Directions for Cooper Mtn:  From Highway 217 take the Scholls Ferry Road exit and head west on Scholls Ferry past Murray Boulevard. At Southwest 175th Avenue, turn right and go north, uphill, about 1.8 miles and turn left on Kemmer Road. The park entrance is on the south side of Kemmer Road.   From Southwest Farmington Road (Highway 10), turn south on 185th Avenue, which will become Gassner Road, turn left on 190th Avenue and left on Kemmer Road.  Cooper Mtn. Nature park is a partner ship between Metro and Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District.  For more information on Cooper Mtn. programming visit:  www.thprd.org.

Also on Tuesdays: May 10, 17, 24, 31

Leach Botanical Garden.

Meet leaders Ron Escano (10 and 24) and Jon Nikkel (17 and 31) at 7am in Leach Botanical Garden Administrative Annex parking lot located 6550 SE 122nd Ave (NOT at the Garden Manor House).

Directions: To get to the Administrative Annex go south on SE 122nd from Foster Rd. for about a block and turn left into the driveway of the white administrative building (looks like a house) just before 122nd veers to the right and down the hill.  Bring binoculars and field guide if you have them.  Be prepared for the weather, it can be surprisingly cool in the morning shade.  Restrooms are limited to the port-a-potty in the upper garden.  Steady rain cancels the event.  You can depart from the group as needed but please be aware that Leach Botanical Garden is not open to visitors until 9am.

WEDNESDAYS:  April 6-13-20-27  May 4-11-18-25 

Mt. Tabor.  Leader Gerard Lillie

Directions: From SE Belmont, go south on SE 69th two short blocks, just into the park turn right and drive as far as possible to gate - park along street.  Mt. Tabor Park is closed to vehicle traffic on Wednesdays, so be sure to use this entrance. [Mt. Tabor Tri-Met Bus #15 stops at SE 69th & Yamhill St.] .  Be aware of bicyclists on Mt Tabor!  Make room and share the road!

For more information on this and other Portland Parks visit:  www.portlandonline.com/parks

THURSDAYS:  April 7-14-21-28  May 5-12-19-26

The Nature Conservancy’s Camassia Preserve.  Leader Paul Sullivan.

Directions: Drive S from Portland on Highway 43 (SW Macadam Avenue) through Lake Oswego to West Linn OR drive S from Portland on I-205 to the West Linn Exit # 8 and turn left at the end of the exit ramp and pass under I-205. Just before the gas station, turn right onto Willamette Falls Drive, go uphill 1 block then left 90 degrees to follow Willamette Falls Dr. Veer right in 1/4 mile onto Sunset Avenue, still going uphill, cross I-205, and immediately turn right on Walnut Street. The preserve is at the end of Walnut Street. 

For more information on this and other TNC preserves visit:  www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oregon/preserves

FRIDAYS:      April 1-8-15-22-29  May 6-13-20-27 

Pittock Mansion.  3229 NW Pittock Drive, Portland, OR 97210

Leader: Wink Gross

Directions: Follow W Burnside about 1.2 miles west of NW 23rd and turn right onto NW Barnes Rd. Follow the well-marked signs through the neighborhood for another .7 mile to the park. Meet at the parking lot of the Pittock Mansion.  [West Burnside Tri-Met Bus #20 stop #687 at West Burnside and NW Barnes is closest stop.].  For more information on Pittock Mansion visit:  www.pittockmansion.org