Sandy River Delta
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Seasons
Checklists
Location
From I-84, take exit 18. Turn right onto Jordan Rd, go under freeway and turn right into parking area. There is a fee for parking.
Go to the Oregon Birding Trails Website. Choose the Willamette Valley Birding Trail. Click on the Trail Guide and choose the Portland Loop Guide. Section P-6.
Note that much of this area is an off-leash dog area (and the area that isn’t is often used as one anyway) so expect many dogs especially on a pleasant weekend day.
Directions
Habitat and Birds
The Sandy River Delta is a unique area of extensive open habitat near the mouth of the Columbia Gorge. As such, it draws birds that are otherwise hard to find in the northern Willamette Valley. In late spring through summer, look for nesting Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Bullock’s Oriole and Yellow Warbler. Western Kingbird and Say’s Phoebe can often be found in spring migration. For many years Eastern Kingbird nested there, but as of 2022 they have been absent for several years. Many intermontane-region migrants such as Mountain Bluebird and Sage Thrasher have been found. Northern Shrike can be present in winter and Harris’s Sparrow can occur in the sparrow flocks. In summer, Rufous Hummingbird, Western Wood-Pewee, Willow Flycatcher, Turkey Vulture, Warbling Vireo, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Swainson’s Thrush, Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch, White-crowned Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Black-headed Grosbeak and Lazuli Bunting are among the birds commonly seen.
A unique elliptical bird blind designed by Maya Lin can be reached via a 1.2 mile “confluence” trail from the parking area.
Terrific Intra-site Map By John Notis Showing The Locations Of Commonly Targeted Species
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