Past Activity

Delta Ponds #1

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Start date: 09/11/2026
Start time: 8:30 AM

Description:

My plan is to visit Delta Ponds early each month thru Spring 2027 to see how the duck population changes as visitors migrate in and out. September will be the first visit and there will only be few common residential types.

We will meet at the Owens Rose Garden, where Jefferson St. ends by the Willamette River. The full 7 mile walk will include both the Delta Ponds and looping out to the Owosso Bridge. This figure 8 is a bit over 7 flat and mostly paved miles. There are a variety of options for shorter walks. Other than slowing down a bit at the Ponds, the pace will be moderate to brisk. Inclement weather is, as you know, good for ducks so that won’t stop us!

The walks will not be the “stop, stand around, and identify birds” type visit. Rather we will just slow down some while circling the Ponds. Bring your binocs, but leave that spotting scope home! (Come back on your own and dawdle all you want.) There are only a dozen or so total varieties of ducks we should ever expect to encounter. Some only show up for a month (or a day) or two, others are residents.The free Audubon app is user friendly and has up-to-date sightings.

Equipment: personal needs, binocs, pavement shoes

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Photo by: Whitney Gould

Event Leader: Whitney Gould
Event Leader Phone: 5103688941
Event Leader Email: whitneygould@yahoo.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Urban
Departure Location: See Trip Description
Rating: Moderate
Roundtrip total drive miles:
Season: 2026
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: personal needs, binocs, pavement shoes
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 2-7
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 10
Non-Member Fees: 5
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Seven Obsidians and one very welcome Non-Member trekked a large loop starting at the Owen Rose Garden, through Delta Ponds, and back along the Ruth Bascom River trails. Though the stated purpose was to observe the birds and ducks at the start of the migratory season, we also enjoyed the opportunity for a long walk on a late summer day. Thanks to birdwatcher Eva and her binoculars the following birds and waterfowl were identified: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Merganser, Rufous Hummingbird, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vulture, Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Downy Woodpecker, Black Phoebe, Steller\'s Jay, California Scrub Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Golden Crowned Kinglet, Red-Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Berwick\'s Wren, European Starling, Cedar Waxwing, American Goldfinch.

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