Birding around Eugene for budding birders

Editor's note: We asked The Quail mailing crew to come up with some easily accessed places for beginning birders who want to explore the Eugene area. Eva Schultz and Clare Watson, with collectively over 70 years of birding experience, submitted this article.

Need a nearby place to spend a nice fall day and see some neat birds? At this time there are some "summer" birds still around and some migrants, as well as our year-round residents--a nice variety of birds. Here are a couple suggestions of where to go.

Fern Ridge Reservoir is a favorite of many birders, with numerous spots where various birds can be found. One such easy place to bird out that way is the area around the western end of Royal Avenue. On your way there, check for Acorn Woodpeckers in the oak grove on the right, about .2 miles past Fisher Road. When you reach the end of Royal Avenue, park and then walk through the gate, looking for various sparrows (Song, Savannah, White-throated, Golden-crowned) and American Goldfinches in the shrubs and small trees. Watch for Northern Harriers flying low over the marsh and Osprey, Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles soaring overhead. At dusk check for Short-eared Owls coursing over the marsh. At Kirk Park, just north of the Fern Ridge Reservoir dam, Pied-billed Grebes, American Coots, Double-crested Cormorants and several species of ducks can be found. As the water level is lowered for winter, look for Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets and shorebirds from spots like Perkins Peninsula and other viewing areas. No wonder Fern Ridge is such a favorite--and so nearby!

At Skinner Butte Park, right on the butte or along the river, you can find various passerines such as Red-breasted Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Spotted Towhees, Winter and Bewickís Wren, Cedar Waxwings, and migrating warblers. Birds similar to those in Skinner Butte Park can be found at Mt. Pisgah and other parks in the area.

And don't miss the big show! Just before sunset, thousands of migrating Vaux's Swifts "go to bed" in the tall chimney at 17th and Agate. They rest here in September and early October. If you haven't seen this, but only heard about it, it's a must!

But, no need to limit yourself to special areas; birds can be found anywhere!