What a scenic place to stroll in springtime! We like the “loop” trail off Goodpasture Island Road. It’s neighborly “forest bathing” at its best! People are friendly, and the woods are wondrous with new plant life, birds, & surprising finds guaranteed to lift your spirits!From the moment you arrive, you’ll see pairs of Canada Geese winging across the sky or battling it out in ponds to win a mate; Turtles heaped haphazardly on floating logs; Mallards waddling onto pathways; Swallows gliding in fanciful orbs; & if you’re lucky – Bald Eagles soaring beneath spectacularly cloud-filled skies.You’ll also hear Black-capped Chickadees & Ruby-crowned Kinglets as they forage for insects in the newly leafed trees. Look up into the branches to see the pretty floral dangles (racemes) of the Big-leaf Maples. Inhale the woodsy aroma of the unfurling Cottonwood leaves as they waft a subtle sweetness when you walk past them!The flat, gravel-packed trail (suitable for strollers & wheelchairs) winds around the scenic ponds – often resounding with the honking of Canada Geese. Attractive interpretative signs along the trail describe the history of the area, as well as highlighting the wildlife.Short, side paths off the main trail lead to bench overlooks across calm waters where you may a variety of swimming birds – like Ring-necked Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Pied-billed Grebes, Buffleheads, Coots, and more. You may even see some strange-looking, furry, semi-aquatic rodents – Nutria (cute, but unfortunately invasive)!Peek below the bridges along the way, & you may see bulging-eyed bullfrogs sitting stoically on the muddy banks, or half-submerged at the water’s edge; or spy a pair of Mallard ducks cruising the shallows. As you walk farther, look high up for an Osprey perched atop its huge platform nest of sticks! Along the way – watch for the green-sheened, Anna Hummingbirds darting around the showy Red-flowering Currant bushes – whose pendulant pink wands brighten the woodlands with rosy splendor. Also watch for these hummingbirds amid the fragrant, yellow clusters of Oregon Grape flowers (Oregon’s state flower, & a native shrub) which is a great nectar source for bees, butterflies, & hummingbirds!Rain or shine, people are there, and they’re not in a hurry. Some are dog-walkers or those out to get some exercise, but many are birders and nature photographers – frequently pausing to tell of their exciting finds. Curving pathways cater to conversations, & most folks greet you with a friendly hello & further chat as they pass by. Don’t forget to see the new bridge area – which is a more open walkway. If the weather is warm & sunny, you may see a large Mourning Cloak butterfly (which overwinters as an adult) sunning, wings wide open, laying in the path. Or watch for a classy Great Blue Heron poised at water’s edge!Despite the hum of traffic noise from the nearby Delta Highway, these wetlands offer wildlife and people a pleasant place to be! You can easily spend 2-3 hours leisurely wandering around! Bring your binoculars to see more wildlife up close! And bring an umbrella for the intermittent showers that are sure to fall in spring!Open 6 am to 11 pm. Porta-potties on site. Dogs on leash. Free parking in two small lots, off Goodpasture Island Road.

If you want a place where you are guaranteed to see wildlife and don't want to go too far, Delta Ponds is a perfect place. Beavers, Nutrients, a huge assortments of birds... Go in early August to see the Northwest Turtle babies!

When you need to get away from the hustle, bustle, stress and just day-to-day grind visit one of the Delta Ponds sites. In the spring and fall you an new birds making stop overs. It's not unusual to see blue herons and snowy egrets but there are plenty more as well. Or, close your eyes and listen to the running river....

These are recovered marshy ponds from the Willamette river. The viewing paths are good and the ponds are most often muddy and marshy (and smell a little appropriately) but a good place to see turtles sunning and plenty of waterfowl.

This is a great little park in the middle of the city. There are LOTS of birds including an Osprey nest that is quite difficult to miss on the right side of the trail coming down from the second parking lot (North). If you walk all the way to the very top of the trail (North) you will find a secluded board walk area (not sure what to call it) and if you take your camera or binoculars out you may get a glimpse of the osprey chicks that hatch this time of year. (May-June, into July). Other bird species include Canadian Geese as well as Wood Ducks, Mallard ducks (of course), Green Herons, Great Blue Herons, Killdeer, and Red Winged Blackbirds as well as many many more. See how many you can spot!