Field Trip: Sandy River- Exploring the West Bank FULL

Name: Field Trip: Sandy River- Exploring the West Bank *FULL*
Start: 2024-03-23T08:30:00-07:00
End: 2024-03-23T11:30:00-07:00

Join us, as we explore the west bank of the Sandy River at its mouth, as well as the surrounding cottonwood-ash forest, in search of its late winter birdlife, which often includes an impressive array of woodpecker species.

Please bring binoculars, scope if you have one, and wear appropriate footwear and layered clothing for cool, wet weather. Also, don’t forget to bring water and lunch/snacks (if needed) given the trip’s duration.

For those interested, please see the link below for historical data on species occurrence at the refuge for the month of January, just to get an idea of what could be seen during the visit:

Sandy River West Bank- Historic March Sightings

Accessibility

Walking distance: 3 miles
Elevation changes: minimal
Trail: Wide pavement, some gravel-hard packed dirt, some loose sand at sandy-columbia river confluence lookout
Pacing: Slow
Rest stops: None
Sun exposure: partial to full
Amenities (bathrooms and parking): No bathrooms, parking in dirt lot on north side of NE Sundial Rd.

Pileated Woodpecker, photo by Justin Schmidt

We'll search for later winter birds and hope for an array of woodpeckers!

Field Trip Details

Date: March 23, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $45 members / $65 non-members
Limited to 12 participants

Trip Leader

Ross Barnes-Rickett

Ross caught the birding bug in the spring of 2011, while living in the Piney Woods of Northeast Texas. Since then, he has lived in Texas' High Plains, conducted breeding bird and environmental impact surveys in the region, as well as birded extensively throughout the Lone Star State and led trips for local Bird Alliance of Oregon chapters. He and his partner moved to the Portland area in 2016, and he has thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience Oregon's rich diversity of habitats, while becoming intimately familiar with its unique birdlife. Ross has birding experience in the UK, Costa Rica, and Australia, and delights in camping and traveling with family whenever possible. He has a keen interest in birding by ear, encouraging his toddler to identify flyover calls while on local hikes. Ross also has interests in birding equity and inclusion, particularly at the intersection of disability and universal design/access, and looks to promote birding opportunities for all.

Questions? Email us

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