Salem Audubon Society

09/28/2026

Squirrel Lifespan: How Long Do Squirrels Live? Find out about squirrels lifespan and more... in this Birds and Blooms article.

You see them often, but how long are you seeing the same squirrels? Find out how long squirrels live, and what affects a squirrel's lifespan.

09/20/2026

SAS ANKENY NWR FIELD TRIP SUMMARY
September 19, 2026

Today, Joseph and I led Salem Audubon’s monthly birding field trip to Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. We were joined by 16 other birders, including several first-time participants. It was a pleasant morning, with cloudy skies, temperatures ranging from 52°F to 54°F, and light winds from calm to 8 mph.

We made three stops around the refuge: Ankeny Hill Nature Center, Eagle Marsh, and Pintail Marsh. Across all locations, we observed—either by sight or sound—45 bird species. This was down from 50 species last month and 51 species during last September’s field trip.

Observations at Ankeny Hill Nature Center

During our visit to the Ankeny Hill Nature Center, we observed a total of 21 bird species. This is the highest number of species observed during our outing’s at this location that I can recall. The field to the west of the center was active with several Great Egrets, a Red-tailed Hawk, Killdeer, and an American Kestrel in a tree overlooking the field. There were also lots of birds in and around the plantings surrounding the center including Anna’s Hummingbird, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, Black-capped Chickadee, and goldfinches.

Eagle Marsh Birding Highlights

During our visit to Eagle Marsh, we recorded 33 bird species as we looped around the west side before returning to the parking lot. We ventured out as far as Teal and Willow Marshes. Upon arrival at Eagle Marsh, we saw three Green Herons on the west side of the marsh. As we walked along the west side the herons continued to fly ahead of us. We were also greeted with eight American White Pelicans. There was little activity on Willow Marsh as we only saw two Pied-billed Grebes and several distant ducks. Teal Marsh was better as we saw seven Wilson’s Snipe, several Mallards, and Least Sandpiper. Other nice sightings included Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Black Phoebe.

Pintail Marsh Highlights

There was little activity at Pintail Marsh as we only observed seven species. The highlight was 57 Long-billed Dowitchers busily foraging in the marsh along with several Least Sandpipers and a single Western Sandpiper.

Notable Sightings

• Raptors: We observed five raptor species: we heard a Bald Eagle at the Nature Center, and saw American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and Northern Harrier.
• Woodpeckers: We spotted only two woodpecker species: the Downy Woodpecker and the Northern Flicker.
• Wrens and Warblers: We observed one Marsh Wren but did not detect any Bewick’s Wrens. Many participants had good views of several Common Yellowthroats flitting through the vegetation, and we also observed several Yellow-rumped Warblers.

Abundant Species

Nine species reached double-digit counts in individual observations, reflecting the rich bird life along the trail this morning. The Mallard was the top species with 230 individuals. Some of the other double-digit species included Long-billed Dowitcher (65), Barn Swallow (55), House Finch (30), and American Goldfinch (23).

For a detailed checklist of all species observed, please refer to the eBird checklist link at the end of this report. Look for the great photos by our elite photographers!

Our next bird walks are as follows:

Thursday, September 24th, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Champoeg State Park, 8239 Champoeg Rd NE, St Paul, OR. Meet in the Oak Grove Day Use Parking Lot. A valid Oregon State Parks Pass is required; a $10.00 day pass can be purchased on site.

Monday, September 28th, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Illahe Hills CC Bird Walk. Meet in front of the clubhouse located at the end of Country Club Drive SE (3376 Country Club Drive South). Please contact the leader at [email protected] to confirm your registration for this trip.

Thursday, October 8th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Minto-Brown Island Park -- Meet in Parking Lot #3 at the end of Minto Island Road SE.
Please join us if you can.
Mike Unger
Keizer, OR

Ankeny NWR Checklist Summary for September 19, 2026
Number of Species: 45

Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Ankeny NWR--Ankeny Hill Nature Center @ 7:51 AM
(2): Ankeny NWR – Eagle Marsh @ 8:38 AM
(3): Ankeny NWR – Pintail Marsh @ 10:38 AM
Follow these links for the eBird lists:

(1) - https://ebird.org/checklist/S394256582

(2) - https://ebird.org/checklist/S394299437

(3) - https://ebird.org/checklist/S394307495

Trip Report link: https://ebird.org/tripreport/573429

09/15/2026

SAS Keizer Rapids Park Bird Walk Report
September 15, 2026

I led a bird walk at Keizer Rapids Park on Tuesday morning with 10 enthusiastic birdwatchers. Over the course of two hours, we covered 1.14 miles, beginning at the boat ramp, following the east-side path, and returning along trails on the west side of the park. We spent more time in the forested sections than on previous walks, which contributed to strong bird activity throughout the morning.

Conditions were comfortable but overcast, with temperatures ranging from 57 to 63°F and light winds up to 8 mph. The group recorded an impressive 37 species, either seen or heard—just two fewer than the 39 species observed during last year’s walk.

It turned out to be a wonderful morning for birding, with birds active throughout the walk. During the first two short segments alone, we recorded 25 species. Even more remarkable, we saw approximately 85% of those birds—an unusually high proportion. On most bird walks, observers hear the majority of species, often around 85%, while seeing only about 15%.

The highlights were as follows:
• Along the river, we observed a variety of species, including Mallard, Common Merganser, Cedar Waxwing, Green Heron, Belted Kingfisher, and Great Blue Heron. One of the walk’s highlights was finding a Hairy Woodpecker in a riverside tree, along with two Red-breasted Sapsuckers in a nearby tree. Everyone enjoyed excellent views of both woodpecker species.
• Along the path to the east side of the park, we encountered a lively flock of Black-capped Chickadees actively foraging in the riverside trees. The chickadees were especially vocal, filling the area with their familiar “chick-a-dee-dee-dee” calls. A couple of Chestnut-backed Chickadees and few Song Sparrows were also nearby.
• Other enjoyable observations included numerous, Red-breasted Nuthatches, two White-breasted Nuthatches, and a Brown Creeper. In the dense foliage, we also spotted a lingering Common Yellowthroat.
• The most frequently observed species were Cedar Waxwing (20), Mallard (17), Song Sparrow (15), Black-capped Chickadee (10), and American Goldfinch (10).

The upcoming events include:

Saturday, September 19th, 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge -- Meet at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center off Ankeny Hill Road at 8:00 AM.

Thursday, September 24th, 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM – Champoeg State Park, 8239 Champoeg Rd NE, St Paul, OR. Meet in the Oak Grove Day Use Parking Lot. A valid Oregon State Parks Pass is required; a $10.00 day pass can be purchased on site.

Monday, September 28th, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Illahe Hills CC Bird Walk. Meet in front of the clubhouse located at the end of Country Club Drive SE (3376 Country Club Drive South). Please contact the leader at [email protected] to confirm your registration for this trip.

Thursday, October 8th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Minto-Brown Island Park -- Meet in Parking Lot #3 at the end of Minto Island Road SE.

Please join us if you can.

Mike Unger
Keizer, OR

Keizer Rapids Park Checklist Summary for September 15, 2026
Identified Species: 37

17 Mallard
3 Common Merganser
4 Mourning Dove
2 Vaux's Swift
4 Anna's Hummingbird
2 Killdeer
1 Green Heron
4 Great Blue Heron
6 Turkey Vulture
1 Cooper's Hawk
1 Red-tailed Hawk
2 Belted Kingfisher
2 Red-breasted Sapsucker
2 Downy Woodpecker
1 Hairy Woodpecker
5 Northern Flicker
1 American Kestrel
1 Steller's Jay
2 California Scrub-Jay
2 American Crow
10 Black-capped Chickadee
2 Chestnut-backed Chickadee
3 Barn Swallow
2 White-breasted Nuthatch
6 Red-breasted Nuthatch
1 Brown Creeper
2 Bewick's Wren
2 European Starling
2 American Robin
20 Cedar Waxwing
3 House Finch
10 American Goldfinch
7 White-crowned Sparrow
1 Golden-crowned Sparrow
15 Song Sparrow
5 Spotted Towhee
1 Common Yellowthroat

You can see the checklist at:

Submitted by Mike Unger.

09/14/2026

Bird of the week:

With my intense blue color, you'll understand why I am named for a gemstone. My scientific name means beautiful sparrow. Look for me in backyards across the western states. Who am I.

Hint: I have been seen at Minto-Brown Island Park this summer but I am on my way south now.

09/04/2026

September 12, 2026, at 7:30 AM - Join us at Seven H Reserve just outside of McMinnville!

Join Salem Audubon volunteers (and birding aficionados) Dominic Valenti and Mike Unger for an early morning bird watching hike through oak woodlands, forests and upland prairies. Fall migration will be getting underway and birds rare to the lowlands of Yamhill County could be seen and heard. Coffee, hot chocolate & snacks provided for some walking power! Please download the free Merlin bird app on your phone prior to the tour to see how even novice birders can learn quickly about birds.

Please be aware that this property is relatively remote and undeveloped. There are no restroom facilities on site. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and insect repellant. If you have binoculars, please bring them.

This property in Yamhill County is managed for sensitive native plants and wildlife. It is not normally open to the public. The address will be provided to registered participants via email a few days before the event.

Note: Registration is free but required.
Sign up here:

Join Dominic Valenti, Salem Audubon, to learn about locally uncommon birds that may be passing through during the fall migration.

08/23/2026

SAS ANKENY NWR FIELD TRIP SUMMARY
August 23, 2026

Today, Tim and I led Salem Audubon’s monthly birding field trip at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge. We were joined by 20 enthusiastic birders, making for a lively group. The morning offered ideal birding conditions, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 63°F to 70°F, overcast skies, and winds of 3 to 9 mph. Our route included three stops around the refuge: Ankeny Hill Nature Center, Pintail Marsh, and Eagle Marsh. Collectively, we observed or heard 49 species—one more than the 48 recorded last year and the same number recorded in 2024.

Most notable sightings:

We had an enjoyable stop at Ankeny Hill Nature Center, where we observed 15 species. The large field west of the center was particularly active. A Northern Harrier flew low over the field, with a Red-tailed Hawk nearby. The field also held two Great Egrets, two Great Blue Herons, a Common Raven, and a Killdeer. Near the center, we saw Anna’s Hummingbird, several goldfinches, and a Spotted Towhee. We also heard a Bald Eagle calling nearby.

Our most productive stop was Pintail Marsh, where we tallied 26 species, compared with 40 species last year. The lower total was largely due to a difference in coverage: this year, we did not walk around the marsh, which significantly reduced the area surveyed. Highlights included a Baird’s Sandpiper, a Lesser Yellowlegs, and a close Wilson’s Snipe that provided excellent views. The only ducks detected were Mallards, Gadwalls, and several Cinnamon Teal. The most numerous shorebirds were the Long-billed Dowitcher, with 125 individuals observed. Other waterbirds included Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Least Sandpipers, and a Great Egret. We also saw a Black Phoebe and heard a Northern Yellow Warbler.

After scanning Pintail Marsh, we made our final stop at Eagle Marsh, where we observed 23 species. Highlights included two Semipalmated Sandpipers and four Green Herons. These birds were seen on the mudflats to the left of the trail along the west side of the marsh, just before the willows began.

Other shorebirds included Least Sandpipers and Western Sandpipers. We observed only three species of ducks: six Wood Ducks, a couple of Gadwalls, and approximately 200 Mallards. Along the western edge of the trail, we heard a Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, Black-capped Chickadee, and White-breasted Nuthatch.

Links to the eBird checklists and the eBird Trip Report follow.

The Minto-Brown Island Park bird walk is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, starting at 8:00 AM. Meet us in Parking Lot #3, the park’s last parking lot. The walk is expected to conclude around 10:30 AM. For directions, take River Road South, turn west at the traffic signal onto Minto Island Road, and continue to the final parking lot.

The Keizer Rapids Park bird walk will be held on Tuesday, September 15th, starting at 9:00 AM. Please meet in the far parking lot at the end of the road leading to the boat ramp. Remember to bring water and a snack for the trail. The walk is expected to last approximately two to two and a half hours.

Note: There will be other bird walks in September so check the Kestrel newsletter and our website’s Events Calendar after September 1st.

Mike Unger
Keizer, OR

Ankeny NWR Checklist Summary for August 23, 2026
Number of Species: 49

Checklists included in this summary:
(1): Ankeny NWR--Ankeny Hill Nature Center @ 7:49 AM
(2): Ankeny NWR – Pintail Marsh @ 8:38 AM
(3): Ankeny NWR – Eagle Marsh @ 9:43 AM

Ankeny Hill Nature Center - https://ebird.org/checklist/S386205849
Ankeny NWR – Pintail Marsh - https://ebird.org/checklist/S386233008
Ankeny NWR – Eagle Marsh - https://ebird.org/checklist/S386254663

Follow this link for the eBird Trip Report: https://ebird.org/tripreport/563319

08/11/2026

A timely topic with all the wildfires in Oregon. Birds and Blooms Magazine has a nice recent article entitled, "How does Wildfire Smoke Affect Birds?"

Here is the link:

Wildfire smoke isn't good for anyone — human or bird. Here's how smoke affects your feeder guests, and what you can do to help them.

08/10/2026

SAS Minto-Brown Island Park Bird Walk Report
August 9, 2026

Yesterday, Tim and I led a Salem Audubon bird walk at Minto-Brown Island Park. Twenty enthusiastic birders joined us for a pleasant 2.5-mile outing along the Purple Rabbit and Blue Heron Trails on the park’s west end. Clear skies, light but variable winds of 5–10 mph, and temperatures ranging from 63 to 72°F—according to Salem NWS data—made for comfortable conditions.

Over 2.77 hours, we completed the walk and recorded 38 bird species by sight or sound, up from 34 species on last year’s walk.

The highlights were as follows:
• We saw three Spotted Sandpipers and a Great Blue Heron along Oxbow Slough. Other birds present included Mallards, a Belted Kingfisher, and a Pied-billed Grebe. At the slough’s far eastern end, eight American Goldfinches foraged on the mudflat.
• We observed five raptor species during the walk: Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and American Kestrel. Just as we were preparing to leave the park, we also spotted a Bald Eagle.• The most numerous birds were the American Goldfinch (10) and Black-capped Chickadee (7).
• We observed three of the five expected woodpecker species. We heard several Northern Flickers, observed three Downy Woodpeckers—two seen and one heard—and spotted a Hairy Woodpecker.
• We heard several nuthatches during the walk, including two White-breasted Nuthatches and four Red-breasted Nuthatches. We also observed six Brown Creepers
• Our only warblers of the day were two Northern Yellow Warblers, whose songs were faint.
• Other notable sightings included several Red Crossbills flying overhead, a Green Heron, a Black Phoebe, and a lone Swainson’s Thrush.
• Several species were observed in double digits: Mallard (31), American Robin (15), Black-capped Chickadee (14), Western Wood-Pewee (10), and American Goldfinch (10).

The upcoming events include:

Special Birding Evening – Common Nighthawks – Tonight - Monday, August 10, 2026, at 7:00 AM. Meet in Parking Lot #3 at Minto-Brown Island Park.

Illahe Hills CC Bird Walk, Monday, August 17, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Meet in front of the clubhouse. Park in the main parking area, not opposite the clubhouse! Please contact the leader at [email protected] to confirm your registration for this trip.

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Meet at the Ankeny Hill Nature Center off Ankeny Hill Road SE at 8:00 am.

Please join us if you can.

Mike Unger
Keizer, OR

Minto-Brown Island Park Checklist Summary for August 9, 2026
Identified Species: 38
View this checklist online at:

Submitted by Mike Unger.

08/04/2026

Hello everyone,

Due to unhealthy smoke and particulate levels in the air, the Common Nighthawk bird walk scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at Minto-Brown Island Park has been rescheduled. We want to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

The event will now take place on Monday, August 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Minto-Brown Island Park. As usual, please meet in Parking Lot #3.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Mike

07/27/2026

I'm a small shorebird, about the size of an American robin. My name is fitting, considering how my breeding plumage mimics the sand of my preferred beach habitat. Who am I?