Quamash Prairie
Seasons
Checklists
Location
Formerly known as Gotter Bottom. To reach this area from Portland, take 217 to the Scholls Ferry Road exit. Take SW Scholls Ferry Road (OR-210) through Beaverton and continue West through the traffic circle, staying on Scholls Ferry Road. About 1.3 miles past the traffic circle you will pass a small red brick building on the right. Continue for about 100 feet and pull off onto a gravel path immediately before a yellow street sign marking Rowell Rd. If you miss the turn continue another 30 feet past the sign and turn right on the other end of the gravel path. Make sure to park so that you don’t block the gate.
Walk around the gate just North of the parking area and head down the gravel road. Depending on how long it has been since Metro last mowed the road, you may find yourself walking through a substantial amount of vegetation. The mowed path continues NW and then N for about 0.4 miles to near the Tualatin River.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
This is a relatively new wetland area first established in 1996. Waterfowl are attracted by the open flooded fields. Ducks and geese can be found in good numbers. Band-tailed Pigeons and Mourning Dove are common here. The woods can produce Red-breasted Sapsucker and Black-headed Grosbeak. In the open areas watch for Vaux’s Swift, Bewick’s Wren, Common Yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, and American Goldfinch.
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