Oregon has long been known as a haven for birds and a great place to enjoy outdoor activities. The arrival of springtime in the Willamette Valley is a particularly great time to be out in the wilderness with your binoculars and birding checklist. 

The Corvallis and Albany areas are located directly under the Pacific Flyway, and hundreds of bird species may be spotted in this part of the Willamette Valley. Our real estate agents are excited to share some of their favorite birding locations in the region. 

• Riverfront Commemorative Park - 2 NW 1st St, Corvallis, OR 97333
  Located between the Willamette River and 1st Street in the heart of downtown Corvallis, Riverfront Commemorative Park is a prime location to spot water birds close to home. Herons are common along the waterfront, and osprey and bald eagles may both be observed hunting above the river. Colonies of cliff swallows commonly nest under the bridges, and you might also spot the rarer northern rough-winged swallow. 
  
  
• Bryant Park - 801 Bryant Way SW, Albany, OR 97321
  A great outdoor resource in the community of Albany, Bryant Park overlooks the Willamette River and offers a variety of wooded riverside habitats. Keep an eye out for osprey nests atop utility poles in and around the river! Bald eagles are often sighted, too, as are kingfishers and various species of ducks. Bryant Park is also a popular fishing spot and features outdoor ball fields and a disc golf course. The Dave Clark Riverfront Trail passes through Bryant Park, making it easily accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
  
  
• Mary's Peak Day Use Area - NF-3010, Philomath, OR 97370
  The highest peak of the Oregon Coast Range, 4,097-foot Mary's Peak, offers some of the best opportunities for mountain birding close to the Willamette Valley and in the Philomath area. The Mary's Peak Day Use Area, located within Siuslaw National Forest, is just 45 minutes from Corvallis. Summer songbirds like thrushes, sparrows, and warblers are common, and both mountain quail and northern pygmy-owl are residents here. The "hooting season" for sooty grouse extends from March through June, and Cascade species like Clark's nutcrackers and Gray-crowned rosy-finches sometimes show up. 
  
  
• Jackson-Frazier Wetland - 3600 NE Lancaster St, Corvallis, OR 97330
  You'll find great opportunities to get a look at marsh-dwelling birds in their natural habitat at Jackson-Frazier Wetland. This county park just outside Corvallis features an extensive boardwalk through the wetlands, opening up the normally-inaccessible marshy area to visitors. More than 70 bird species have been spotted here, some of the most common being red-winged blackbirds, great blue herons, and sparrows. Carriers and coopers hawks frequently hunt in the area as well. 
  
  
• EE Wilson Wildlife Area - 29555 Camp Adair Rd, Monmouth, OR 97361
  Located less than 15 minutes from both Corvallis and Albany, EE Wilson Wildlife Area spans over 1,700 acres. It's one of the richest bird habitats in the region, hosting the Willamette Valley's largest summer population of yellow-breasted chats. EE Wilson Wildlife Area encompasses woodlands, marshes, and open meadows, allowing it to host a great diversity of birds, including waterfowl and various raptor species, including owls. Vagrant species more common to the Cascade Range may also be seen due to Monmouth's proximity to the Cascade foothills.

Contact us today to learn more about outdoor adventures in the Willamette Valley, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about finding your dream home in Corvallis, Albany, and the surrounding areas.