Sundial Island at the Sandy River

I have been trying to get to Sundial Island all winter to do a bird survey, the weather finally cooperated today the 24th of January.

For some more information I posted last week about this area and some excerpts from Lewis and Clark's journals try this :  Sandy River

I started off from Camas at 8:15, it is a quick 20 minute paddle across the Columbia. Huck agreed to go along as bow ballast.  The keen observer will note I am paddling the canoe backwards.  A trick when paddling alone is to do just that. It places you closer to the center of the boat, helpful in wind and current.

I hope to visit this island two times per season.  I was disappointed in the number of birds seen, perhaps a slow day.  I wonder if the winds that are common this far up the river keep bird numbers down. There are however lots of great habitat spots. I found only one flock of juncos.  Juncos were a bird I was expecting to see in larger numbers.  I also expected to find some Savannah Sparrows. 

A look upriver from Camas.

And downriver as well.  Lewis and Clark saw huge numbers of geese, swan and ducks here.

The island looked much like it did when it was connected to the mainland.  Except the trails are gradually being overgrown, a few of the marginal trails I once hiked are all but gone.

A Bald Eagle was enjoying an overlook of the Sandy River.

The eagle decided I was not a threat.

A Great Blue Heron relaxing along the restored eastern fork of the Sandy River created an eerie scene.

American Robins were singing away.

There are still good numbers of woodpeckers out there, Hairy Woodpeckers were common.

After a 5.25 mile loop I was happy to find my canoe.  It is not that close to the water, it is sitting up on a bank.

This is my map of the whole delta, it is available on the ECAS web site under Multnomah County, Sandy River.

My bird list:


Sundial  Island, Multnomah, Oregon, US
Jan 24, 2016 8:40 AM - 1:40 PM
Protocol: Traveling
5.25 mile(s)
Comments:     overcast, one very slight and brief rain shower for maybe 10 min, some sun, no wind, high 40's temp.
28 species (+1 other taxa)

Bufflehead  3
Common Goldeneye  1
Common Merganser  1
Double-crested Cormorant  3
Great Blue Heron  3
Bald Eagle  3
Red-tailed Hawk  3
California Gull  1
Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid)  1
Anna's Hummingbird  1
Belted Kingfisher  3
Downy Woodpecker  4
Hairy Woodpecker  8
Northern Flicker  5
Pileated Woodpecker  1
American Crow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  35
Bushtit  50
Brown Creeper  3
Pacific Wren  3
Bewick's Wren  2
Golden-crowned Kinglet  20
Ruby-crowned Kinglet  6
American Robin  6
European Starling  7
Dark-eyed Junco  12
Golden-crowned Sparrow  5
Song Sparrow  7
Spotted Towhee  4

Thanks for visiting!

No Snow

There is not much snow up in the Mt Hood Forest this winter.  Areas where there should be 5-6 feet of snow have none, only a few small patches.  The area looks like how it should in early July.  I have taken advantage of this by going on some hikes. 

On Sunday, March 8th, I parked at Frog Lake Sno-Park and hiked to Devil's Half Acre.  This area can be full of birds once the warblers, vireos and flycatchers arrive. 

Below is a view of Mt Hood from Palmateer.  I should be chest deep in snow at this location. 

Below is a shot looking south.  I have wondered if hawks migrate over these ridges and is it a good spot to watch in September.  Bonney Butte is over the next ridge to the east (left).

Huck is searching for scraps from previous hikers.  I was a bit surprised and happy that I saw only one other hiker on the trail from Frog Lake to Devil's Half Acre.

Only birds up on Palmateer were a flock of Robins. Robins are under appreciated for their patterns and color. This one had a wonderful light gray back.

While I was up there a large shadow passed right over my head. Made me jump a bit. This Raven swooped over the ridge in search of what Ravens search for.

Huck reluctantly posing at Devil's Half Acre, the lower portion..should be buried in snow.  The trees in the area and along the trails have their moss line at about 6 feet, it shows where the snow gets up to in a normal winter.

Gray Jays follow you everywhere.

Black-backed Woodpeckers are the most common ones found in this area.  I like their blue sheen in the sunlight.   I also heard Pileated and Hairy. 

Upper Twin Lake.  No ducks.

I did hear a few flocks of Red Crossbills. This group was down on the forest floor.  I am going to try and figure out which type these were.  More later.

Steller's Jays are just beautiful birds, I like their racing stripes on the forehead.

Who  do you think owns these big nasty feet?

Ravens are big birds, with nasty looking feet.

Bummed that I did not find nor hear any Pine Grosbeaks.  With all the nice weather I might try for some owls next week as suggested by some folks on OBOL.  I will probably try around Clackamas Lake, I hiked south from there two weeks ago into the Warm Springs Reservation. On that hike I passed by some large clearcuts which may be worth exploring for owls as well.

Thanks for visiting.