Nature Article
Birding in District Parks
01/01/2010
Kyle Spinks, Natural Resources Technician
The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has many natural areas which are wonderful birding locations. Many of these have trails and benches where the observant birder can sit for hours and enjoy the songs of robins, warblers, ducks, geese and h
undreds of other migratory birds that pass through our area. Here's four such parks:
Willow Creek Nature Park: A winding trail and boardwalk follows Willow Creek for about ¾ mile, crossing through wetland meadows, hardwood forests, and patches of tall Douglas-firs. Songbirds abound! Parking at NW Waterhouse Ave., NW Blueridge Dr., NW Winged Terr., and NW Eastmoreland Ct.
Tualatin Hills Nature Park: Approximately 6 miles of paved and dirt paths wind through a mosaic of forests and wetlands surrounding the confluence of Cedar Mill Creek with Beaverton Creek. Pileated woodpeckers and great horned owls are seen or heard regularly. Tuesday morning bird walks, starting at 7:00, run from April through September. Meet other birders and share the fun! Check out the bird list for the Nature Park at www.thprd.org/facilities/nr.cfm, then click on 'Birds in the Nature Park' along the left side of the screen. Parking at the Interpretive Center at 15655 SW Millikan Way.
Koll Center Wetlands: Home of a multiple great blue heron nests in the tall trees along the SE edge of the park, the pond and surrounding wetland is the stopover for hundreds of waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors, including Canada geese, common and hooded mergansers, blue-winged teals, wood ducks, red-shouldered and red-tailed hawks, belted kingfishers, and violet-green swallows. Parking at the east end of the ponded area off SW Nimbus Ave. Parking and great viewing from the elevated area behind the Creekside VII building at 9125 SW Gemini Drive.
Jenkins Estate: Numerous narrow dirt trails through a conifer forest. Owls, hawks, and turkey vultures are commonly seen soaring over the treetops, and the understory is alive with songbirds. Parking in either of two lots after you enter the main gate off SW Grabhorn Road.
For more information, please contact the Natural Resources Department at 503-629-6305 x2950 or nature@thprd.org.
