BIRDING SITES
01. Willamette Heights
02. Dorris Ranch
03. Jasper Pond
04. Clearwater Park
05. Volunteer Park
06. Wyatt Meadows
07. Jasper Meadows
08. Walterville Pond
09. Bob Artz Park
10. Wallace Ruff Park
11. Lively Park
12. EWEB Bike Path
13. Harvest Landing
14. Corporate Way
15. Guy Lee Park
16. By-Gully Path
17. Kelly Butte
18. Eastgate
19. West D Greenway
20. Island Park
21. Millrace Park
Photo Credits
Unless otherwise noted, all bird photographs courtesy of Greg Gillson thebirdguide.com.
Birding Trail Site #4
Clearwater Park
South end of Clearwater Lane
Old growth riparian forest
Back
to BIRDING HOME PAGE
Go
to Site #5: Volunteer Park
Shown above: Osprey and Dark-eyed Junco
Facts
• A boat ramp on the Middle Fork of the Willamette River is located
here
• 65 acres
• Site is heavily used, especially in summer
• There is a pit toilet
• Clearwater Park will be the trailhead location for the Middle Fork
multi-use path to be constructed in 2009
• There can be lots of mosquitoes near areas of standing water
• Park hours:
Summer (May 1 – Sept. 30), 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Winter (Oct. 1 – April 30), 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Habitat
The riparian habitat is dominated by black cottonwood and Oregon ash with an understory of willows, snowberry, blackberry, and Pacific ninebark. Sedges and rushes line the pond edges. The site has several sloughs and ponded areas that are parts of former river channels. There are some open grassy fields on park property away from the river’s edge. Many invasive species are present including blackberries, false brome, reed canary-grass, and shining geranium.
Birding Highlights
Bald Eagle, Osprey, Common Merganser, and Spotted Sandpiper are sometimes seen near the river. The older riparian habitat supports Great Horned Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, and Wrentit. Although Red-eyed Vireo has not been observed here, the habitat is very similar to locations upstream on the Middle Fork where Red-eyed Vireo has been reported.
Other Attractions
The boat ramp is used for launching boats, rafts, canoes, and kayaks, although the river tends to dump gravel at the base of the boat ramp. Bank fishing and swimming (at your own risk) are other popular activities. A bark path allows quiet walking through some parts of the park with a bench near one of the ponds and one along the river. There is also a picnic table near the parking lot. Deer and other wildlife use the riparian habitat extensively. Shallow water supports good populations of dragonflies and damselflies.
Getting There
From Main Street, go south on South 42nd Street, following S. 42nd Street almost .8 mile to the roundabout at Jasper Road. Turn left onto Jasper Road for .3 mile. Turn right onto Clearwater Lane for approximately .5 mile. Jog slightly to the right as the road leaves Clearwater Lane and continue on the park entrance road to the parking area.
Detailed Site Map
Click here to download a larger version of the map.
Back
to BIRDING HOME PAGE
Go
to Site #5: Volunteer Park