Leucistic Northern Flicker

Here is a photo of a leucistic Northern Flicker that Rick Ahrens captured on our last Wetland Wander, December 8th at Stewart Pond. You can see that there is partial pigment loss on his back, and other photos reveal a similar coloring on his chest.

Learn more about Leucism here:

Wrap up of December's Wetland Wander

Here is a list of all the birds we saw/heard on our Wetland Wander December 8th. Despite being a still and gray morning, Stewart Pond was bustling with life.

Bald Eagle
Scrub Jay
Cackling Geese
American Robin
European Starling
Canada Geese
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Dark-eyed Junco
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Anna's Hummingbird
Pine Siskins

As we followed the bark trail from the parking area, we wove our way through open prairie, upland oak woodlands, Oregon ash swales, and followed levees along side the Amazon creek. We also saw many lichens, fungi, wetland and ash swale plants, heard Pacific Chorus frogs calling, and discussed species succession, invasive species impacts, and the behavior of raptors such as the Red-tailed hawk and American Kestrel. We saw a leucistic Northern Flicker, learn more about Leucism here.

Thank you to all who joined us and WREN hopes to see you on our next Wetland Wander on January 12th, 2016 at Golden Garden Ponds.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 Naturalist Rick Ahrens describing Western Red Cedar. 

There are 3 different lichen species, and a moss on this one tiny twig.

 Fungi and Slime mold, cool!

WREN's Wetland Wander at Stewart Pond

Tuesday, December 8th

9:00am-11:00am

Our fourth and final "seasonal" walk of 2015, Bertelsen Nature Park and Stewart Pond offer the highest diversity of dragonflies and damselflies (odonates) in the West Eugene Wetlands. Western pond turtles are present in the ponds, and river otters have also been observed using this natural area. WREN Naturalist Rick Ahrens will lead this wander. Participants should bring water. Waterproof clothing and footwear is ideal for late Autumn outings. WREN will provide binoculars.

Directions: From West 11th Ave, North on Bertlesen Rd, right on Stewart Rd, approx. 1/2 mile on left. 

For more information 

call 541.338.7047 

or 

email info@wewetlands.org

FREE!

CANCELLED - WREN's October Family Exploration Day at Meadowlark Prairie

WREN has cancelled it's October Family Exploration Day. We hope you will stay tuned for our Spring Family Exploration Day series, starting March 2016. 

Until then, feel free to get out with your family and friends and explore the West Eugene Wetlands. These are YOUR public lands!

WREN’s Wetland Wander at Wild Iris Ridge

Tuesday, October 13th

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

***Please Note Extended Time***

Explore the West Eugene Wetlands at our monthly Wetland Wander held this month at Wild Iris Ridge. WREN Wanders are casual walks through various West Eugene Wetlands sites each second Tuesday of every month. These exciting opportunities are FREE to the public and provide observation, education and inspiration in our surrounding natural spaces.  WREN staff and volunteers will guide this walk.

Directions to Wild Iris Ridge:

From Bailey Hill go 1/3 mile south on Bailey Hill Rd.

Turn left on Warren St. and go 1/3 mile; Turn right on Warren St.

Right on Summit Terrace

Right on Bailey View

Participants are asked to Park on Bailey View Drive in Eugene, walk to the end of the street and meet our group at the entrance. Participants should bring water and wear sturdy shoes. WREN will provide binoculars.

For more information 

call 541.338.7047 

or 

email info@wewetlands.org

FREE!