Sauvie Island Wildlife Area

Sauvie Island is a quick 30 minutes out of Portland city and encircled either side by the Columbia River. The wildlife area is a beautiful section of hiking trails, woodlands and wetlands populated by exactly what you might expect - Our trip had us sight blue birds, water fowl, Vireo and deer. A stunning place to spend Sunday afternoon. Its location keeps it quiet and its traffic low, increasing the chances of seeing nature in its purest form.

Coon Point and Viewing Platform No. 1 along Reeder Rd offer views of large wintering duck and goose flocks, with chance of rare Emperor or Ross's Goose along with Canada, Cackling, Snow and Greater White-fronted Goose. Rentenaar Rd at the N end of Reeder Rd is one of Oregon's best winter sparrow patches, with Swamp and White-throated Sparrows found annually along with more common Song, Sooty Fox, Lincoln's, Golden-crowned, White-crowned, and Savannah Sparrows. Coon Point and beaches along Reeder Rd draw migrant shorebirds in late summer. The beaches along Reeder Rd are very popular summer destinations; birders will also enjoy nesting Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Black-headed Grosbeak, and Bullock's Oriole. From the Sauvie Island park-and-ride lot, go N on Sauvie Island Rd 1.1 mi to Howell Territorial Park on the R. Continue N on Sauvie Island Rd another 1.1 mi to a R turn onto Reeder Rd. On Reeder Rd go 3.2 mi (2.0 mi past the Oak Island turnoff) to a gravel parking lot on the L. To get to Viewing Platform No. 1, continue N on Reeder Rd another 4.0 mi beyond Coon Point; turn L into the parking lot. Rentenaar Rd is 3 mi further N on Reeder Rd, which turns to gravel farther N.