10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 12, 2019

Nisqually NWR is a major staging area for migratory birds , a wintering area for many ducks and geese, and a breeding area for numerous songbirds. Although it is a two-hour drive from Portland, I recently visited Nisqually NWR, which is located near Olympia, Washington. Fortunately, the refuge was awash in beautiful Autumn colors.

Washington 227

Washington Portland Birds Geese 227

10,000 Birds

JULY 14, 2020

I recently drove from my home in Portland to Conboy Lake NWR in southern Washington for a birding day-trip. Adams, the refuge is one of the few breeding locations for Sandhill Cranes in Washington. The refuge now supports most of the nesting Sandhills in Washington, with around 25 breeding pairs.

Washington 158

Washington Portland Birds Deer 158

10,000 Birds

JULY 13, 2021

And I wanted to be able to fly directly from Portland, so I would not lose a day to travel. In mid-summer, the refuge is full of breeding birds, including Canada Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe, Virginia Rail, Sandhill Crane, Black Tern, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, etc.

Wisconsin 262

Wisconsin LACS Milwaukee Birds 262

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2016

Crotty is a birder and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon. Farallon NWR , a group of islands near San Francisco, hosts the largest colonies of breeding seabirds south of Alaska. These refuges support huge numbers of swans, geese, ducks, cranes, and shorebirds as they hopscotch their way to breeding grounds in the north.

Wildlife 189

Wildlife Grizzly Bear Puerto Rico United States 189

10,000 Birds

JUNE 5, 2017

While I was in Maine for Memorial Day weekend I managed to get away early one morning, on Memorial Day itself, to check out Scarborough Marsh, mere minutes from where we were staying in South Portland. I was really hoping this was a Little Egret which would be a first in North America for me, but the patchwork plumage was really throwing me.

Portland 113

Portland United States North America America 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2017

Crotty is a birder and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon who loves to share thoughtful , in-depth conservation pieces with 10,000 Birds readers. WPAs provide critical breeding, resting, and nesting habitat for millions of ducks, geese, and swans, as well as shorebirds and grassland birds.

Factory 116

Factory Ducks North Dakota Nebraska 116

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 6, 2022

we learn) that are home to coveted boreal species, breeding wood-warblers, and two species of Grouse. And of course, two raptors that are a part of North American birding history: the Great Black Hawk of Portland and the Steller’s Sea-eagle of Boothbay Harbor and other local areas. (

Los Angeles 186

Los Angeles Birds District of Columbia Parrots 186