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48. Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, Salem, OregonExcellent viewing of wintering waterfowl, raptors, marsh species, and upland songbirds just 12 miles south of Salem, Oregon.
Published: June 20, 2008 Ankeny NWR is easy to get to and provides excellent viewing of wintering waterfowl, raptors, marsh species, and upland songbirds. Located just off the interstate and designed to make wildlife observation easy and accessible to all, the refuge features an abundance of observation blinds, platforms, boardwalks, and information kiosks. I enjoy birding the site for the diversity of species and sheer number of birds.
The refuge was established in 1965 to provide wintering habitat for the rare Dusky Canada Goose, whose entire population winters in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Ankeny is also the winter haven for up to three other races of Canada Goose, three races of Cackling Goose, and smaller numbers of Snow, Ross's, and Greater White-fronted Geese. Emperor Geese and Brant join in on occasion.
In spring, look for American Bitterns, rails, Wood Ducks, and other marsh birds. The Rail Trail leads through an ash swale that attracts migrant warblers, owls, and Red-breasted Sapsuckers in addition to the Virginia Rails that give the boardwalk its name. - John Rakestraw
John Rakestraw is the author of Birding Oregon (Falcon, 2007). He wrote about Smith and Bybee Wetlands, Hotspot Near You No. 28, in our October 2007 issue.
View John's photo of the Rail Trail at Ankeny. |
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Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge is a 2,800-acre waterfowl sanctuary located 12 miles south of the capital Salem. From I-5, take Exit 243, Ankeny Hill Rd., and drive west 0.25 mile to the intersection with Wintel Rd. Turn right onto Ankeny Hill Rd. to reach the Ankeny Hill Overlook or continue on Wintel Rd. to explore the southern parts of the refuge. |
At a glance
Click on the coordinates below to view location:
44°48'4.86"N 123°3'51.25"W
Habitat
Wetlands, riparian woods, farm fields.
Terrain
Flat. Hiking trails up to two miles in length. Easily birded by car.
Birds
Cackling and Canada Geese, Tundra Swan, Wood Duck, Northern Pintail, Green-winged, Blue-winged, and Cinnamon Teals, Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded and Common Mergansers, Ruddy Duck, Bald Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, American Bittern, California Quail, Spotted and Western Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitcher, other migrant shorebirds, Belted Kingfisher, Rufous Hummingbird, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Vaux's Swift, Western Bluebird, Varied Thrush, Northern Shrike, Black-throated Gray, Townsend's, and MacGillivray's Warblers, Purple Finch, Brewer's Blackbird, Bullock's Oriole.
When to go
October to March for geese and raptors, April to June for nesting songbirds and marsh species, July to September for migrant shorebirds.
Amenities
Primitive restroom, two boardwalks, observation platforms and blinds, informational signage.
Access
Federal wildlife refuge. Open sunrise to sunset, no admission fee, ample parking/pullouts. Much of refuge closed to public access October to March, but both boardwalks and all observation sites are open year-round. No public transportation.
Tips
A spotting scope is useful for sorting through the flocks of waterfowl.
For more info
Ankeny NWR, (503) 588-2701
Salem Audubon, (503) 588-7340
Oregon Rare Bird Alert, (503) 292-6855
Refuge checklist
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