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 #3
Jasper Pond
S. 32nd and Jasper Rd.
A location rich in riparian and pond species
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Shown above: Ruby-crowned Kinglet and Swainson's Thrush
Facts
• This is a stormwater facility owned by the city of Springfield
• 2 acres
• Interpretive information
• No parking (if you drive, park on S. 32nd Place and follow the walkway
between houses opposite Osage St. to S. 32nd Street)
• No restrooms
Habitat
The Jasper Pond site is adjacent to Jasper Slough. The site was historically prairie with riparian vegetation beginning at Jasper Slough and continuing south to the Middle Fork of the Willamette River. Much of the site is now a detention pond processing stormwater runoff from the neighboring residential area. A willow thicket surrounds the shallow pond with Oregon ash and bigleaf maple along Jasper Slough. Good riparian habitat still exists beyond Jasper Slough.
Birding Highlights
Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Winter Wren can be found in winter months. Wood Ducks are abundant in Jasper Slough in winter. Wilson’s Warbler, Violet-green and Tree Swallows, Western Wood-Pewee, and Swainson’s Thrush can be observed in summer. Spotted Towhee, Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, and Mallard are found year-round.
Other Attractions
The shallow water of both Jasper Slough and Jasper Pond provides abundant rearing habitat for dragonflies and damselflies. Tree frogs sing heartily in spring. Western pond turtles make use of the site. Beaver are resident in the slough south of the pond. Agnes Stewart Middle School is just to the north of this site. Two interpretive signs exist at this location. They describe the pond’s contribution to water quality and to wildlife habitat.
Getting There
From Main Street, go south onto S. 32nd Street. After crossing the railroad tracks and passing Agnes Stewart Middle School, the road curves left onto Jasper Road. Jasper Pond is straight ahead at the end of S. 32nd Street before the curve onto Jasper Road. There is no on-street or off-street parking in the immediate vicinity. To park, drive south on S. 32nd Street as noted above. After crossing the railroad track, turn left (east) on Douglas Drive. Immediately turn right on S. 32nd Place. Park in the vicinity of Osage Street. There is a walkway from S. 32nd Place to S. 32nd Street between 904 S. 32nd Place and 910 S. 32nd Place. The walk from this parking location to Jasper Pond is about 500’. Please use care not to block neighbors’ driveways when parking.
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