Birding Around Corvallis:
Whether you are a first time visitor to Oregon and
the Willamette Valley or a life-long resident, it doesn’t take long to
discover that one of the fastest growing hobbies in the Northwest is Oregon
birding. Oregon has recorded at least 465 species of the total 800 species
of birds in all of North America. 206 of these bird species are found within
a 30 mile radius of Corvallis/Salem, Oregon. This large div
ersity
of birds in Oregon can be attributed to the varying habitats and distinct
climates found here. With over 300 miles of coastline, a valley protected by
two large mountain ranges creating a relatively mild climate, birds make
Western Oregon a prime stopping place during migration and year-round. In
the mid-Willamette Valley alone, three Wildlife Refuges; Ankeny,
Baskett Slough, and
William Finley, contain the
varied habitats of wetlands, prairies, riparian and upland forests, and
cultivated farmlands. The refuges provide a welcome wintering habitat for
Dusky Canada geese, six other subspecies of Canada geese, and the occasional
Tundra Swan. These refuges also are home to several species of endangered
plants and the endangered Fender’s Blue Butterfly.
For a list of birds available to watch and the best times of year and
location to see them, click here.
Oregon lies directly under a large bird migration route known as the
Pacific
Flyway. The Pacific Flyway originates in southern Alaska and follows
a path between the Pacific coastline, Willamette Valley, and Eastern Oregon
terminating in southern Mexico. The Flyway covers coastline, mountains, and
rivers that provide abundant food supplies and a kind of migratory "map" for
the birds to follow. Birds do not, however, always follow this north-south
route. From studies of banded birds, it is known that they may travel east
to west to migrate into other flyways and several local species migrate
east-west to change elevation with the seasons. This east-west migration in
the winter provides Corvallis with birds such as the Varied Thrush and the
Black-Capped Chickadee.
If you are visiting or happen to live in Corvallis,
Oregon, you have several birding options nearby. Within a 30 mile radius of
the city you will find: Finley National Wildlife Refuge,
E.E.Wilson National Wildlife Refuge,
Baskett Slough NWR, Ankeny NWR, and within city limits, the Jackson-Frazier
Wetlands Preserve. If you would like to see a short video about birding in
the area
click
here. To find more information on birding
in the area go to the Corvallis
Audubon website,
