I did a quick check this morning of a section of the Columbia River between
I-5 and I-205. Not much on the river yet. At Wintler Park there was a
White-throated Sparrow along the open stretch of trail leading to the point
in front of the condos, and a dozen Lesser Goldfinches (probably regular
here.) The Water Resources Education Center has feeders (and cover if it is
raining), a good place to look for redpolls and lowland-tending Mountain
Chickadees (no, I didn't see either today). Also if the building is open,
the second story has a balcony view of the Columbia River which is difficult
to access with the trail closure due to the washout. I hiked through the
forest (I suggest rain gear) and found 4 Common Loons and 2 Pacific Loons.
Near the boat ramp downstream there was a nice adult male Barrow's
Goldeneye. Further downstream, a little west of McMenamins, I found a
Red-necked Grebe in front of the apartments, at the same location as last
fall.



Randy Hill

Ridgefield