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Past Activity

Finley Wildlife Refuge

  • Start date: 12/04/2021

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 12/04/2021

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This is primarily a hiking trip. But we are going to make a brief stop at Bruce Rd to check out what is on one of the largest ponds on the refuge. Then on to headquarters where we will start the hike. We will do the entire loop that includes the Mill Pond trail and the Woodpecker trail and come back to cars. With rain we have had it will be muddy so wear appropriate foot gear or bring a change of shoes. This is a mixed forest of firs and oaks with hanging moss very prehistoric.

  • Event Leader: Jane Hackett

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-953-7046

  • Event Leader Email: hackett1575@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: Eugene Target, W11th, parking lot closest to W11th

  • Rating: Easy

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 72

  • Season: 2022

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Covid precautions. Water, snacks, rain gear. Golden age pass. Binoculars for the pond stop if you like.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 5

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 100

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Although this was primarily a hike I added two side trips after receiving photos of tundra swan at the McFadden Pond plus’s the Cheadle Pond. McFadden Pond had two to three hundred swans, along with, pintails, Canadas, female harrier’s and both immature and mature bald eagles. We made the stop at Cheadle Pond and found maybe 50 swan but two immature Bald Eagles hanging out on snags in the middle of the pond. They seem to be practicing harassing the local water fowl. We continued on to headquarters where we started the hike after observing one bluebird sitting on a stake for a prolonged period. Everyone got a good look. We started on the Mill Pond trail loop and had it to ourselves. Very quite. Two of our party went back to headquarters while four of us continued to the Woodpecker trail. We enjoyed a snack break at the education shelter along with the views of the valley before completing the loop and returning to the cars. We all enjoyed this trip very much.