Koll Creekside Marsh

Escape the winter doldrums with a Westside birding adventure to Koll Creekside Marsh!

by Elaine Murphy

This marsh, situated along Fanno Creek, is an excellent place to watch Belted Kingfishers in action.  Look for them perched on an exposed branch or cruising over the open water, sometimes hovering momentarily before hitting the surface with a splash.  Successful dives usually result in a catch of a small minnow, which the bird carries to a nearby perch.  Occasionally the prize is a large frog, nearly as big as the bird itself!

The Great Blue Heron is a common resident and can often be seen feeding on fish or frogs or squabbling with a neighbor over a favorite fishing hole.
The marsh abounds in other wetland birds.  It’s my favorite place for viewing the snipe, a secretive and well-camouflaged bird.  Other birds to look for include Hooded and Common Mergansers, Cinnamon and Green-winged Teal, wigeon, shovelers, coots and – of course – mallards.

Scan the trees for Red-tailed Hawks, kestrels, Band-tailed Pigeons, Mourning Doves and a variety of sparrows and finches.  Listen for the calls of the Ring-necked Pheasants.

You may want to view: OPB-TV’s Oregon Field Guide Episode 102.  A segment on the marsh provides interesting background information on its dual function as a wildlife refuge and a high tech industrial site. 

How to get there:  From Highway 217 take the Progress exit and head west on SW Hall Blvd.  Turn left on Nimbus Avenue.  The first viewing area is the Koll Center parking lot, near the red brick building.