Bird Alliance of Oregon Birding Day: Oak Island Exploration FULL

Name: Bird Alliance of Oregon Birding Day: Oak Island Exploration *FULL*
Start: 2023-05-20T08:00:00-07:00
End: 2023-05-20T13:00:00-07:00

Oak Island, well really a peninsula, features a unique array of habitats hard to find in the north Willamette Valley: mature White Oak Forest, open grassland, and tidal lakefront. We’ll spend the morning and early afternoon searching these locales for oak savanna and mixed woodland breeders such as Bullock’s Oriole, House Wren, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Yellow Warbler. We may also have chances to find migrating shorebirds on the fringes of Sturgeon Lake.

Notes on this Bird Alliance of Oregon Birding Day

*Please bring binoculars, appropriate clothing, and boots for occasional wet grass or mud. Also, don’t forget water and snacks/lunch for the trip!

*Meeting Location: We will meet at the Oak Island parking lot. Unfortunately, no public transportation is available. An ODFW Wildlife Area parking permit will be required for Oak Island. Ross will reach out with further details ahead of the trip.

Rest Stops: There are no rest stops or benches.
Sun Exposure: Partial exposure in the first half, full sun exposure in the second half.
Amenities: Porta-potty at Oak Island parking lot
Public Transit: None available

Accessibility

Walking Distance: 3 miles
Elevation Changes: none
Trail: Mostly paved road, some gravel, and some flat grassy trails. Occasional wet, muddy spots along the lake.
Pacing: Slow, with frequent stops to view and listen for birds; a combination of mostly trail walking and some car caravan stops.

White-breasted Nuthatch, photo by Mick Thompon

Come bird with us, as we explore the unique habitats of Sauvie Island's Oak Island Trail and adjacent Sturgeon Lake, hoping to encounter a plethora of migrating and breeding birds.

Bird Alliance of Oregon Birding Day Details

Date: May 20, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Fee: $65 members / $85 non-members

Trip Leader

Ross Barnes-Rickett

Ross caught the birding bug in the spring of 2011, while living in the Piney Woods of Northeast Texas. Since then, he has lived in Texas' High Plains, conducted breeding bird and environmental impact surveys in the region, as well as birded extensively throughout the Lone Star State and led trips for local Bird Alliance of Oregon chapters. He and his partner moved to the Portland area in 2016, and he has thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience Oregon's rich diversity of habitats, while becoming intimately familiar with its unique birdlife. Ross has birding experience in the UK, Costa Rica, and Australia, and delights in camping and traveling with family whenever possible. He has a keen interest in birding by ear, encouraging his toddler to identify flyover calls while on local hikes. Ross also has interests in birding equity and inclusion, particularly at the intersection of disability and universal design/access, and looks to promote birding opportunities for all.

Questions? Email us

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