Most natives of Portland don’t need to be told that they live in a sea of natural beauty, but they may not be aware just how close some of the outdoor wonders are to their doorsteps. One of these is the Tualatin RIver National Wildlife Refuge, just off of Highway 99W a few miles southwest of downtown Portland. It’s 1,856 acres of reserved wetlands may not look extraordinary from a distance, but just a few steps from the visitor center parking lot, you can see the place for what it is: a major stop on the north-south West Coast flyway for geese and other migratory birds. On the day I visited, a flock of about two thousand Cackling Geese sat feeding by a pond not far from the visitors’ center, with many more groups flying in and out at a rate that would make Chicago’s O’Hare Airport look positively idle. It was a light day according to the staff, who noted that in peak migratory season the birds swarm the refuge like mosquitoes. From the camera equipment and binoculars I saw people carrying, it was apparent that the place is a major draw for birders, but even if you’re not anxious to add to your observation life list, the refuge is still worth not just one visit, but several over the course of the year to see the varieties of birds and other wildlife that pass through the area. Afterward, you will understand that when environmental groups spend time and effort to keep even small areas of wilderness unspoiled for the sake of biological diversity, they do so for good reason.
