ramble

As the sun settles into the western sky and temperatures begin to cool off just a bit, this is a great time to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Preserve. Be prepared to walk up to two miles on level trails and be steered by nature's whims as we view wildlife, explore habitats and listen to the heartbeat of the Tualatin.  Meet at the Education Center. Free. Call 503-681-6283 to reserve a spot.

All ages

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve

Staff and volunteers

Thu       7/2 -- 7/30        7 pm -- 8:30 pm

1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24

Have you ever wished you could tell one evergreen from another, or identify a tree in winter by its bark or buds? Can you read the history of a piece of land by looking at its forest? Join Metro naturalist Deb Scrivens for a walk in the woods to unravel these mysteries and more. The forest at this natural area is a living laboratory of Northwest trees. Suitable for ages 12 and older.

Registration and payment of $6 per adult or $11 per family required in advance. You can register and pay online for Metro activities. Go to www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar, find your event by searching or browsing, and follow the instructions. For questions, call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Annual event celebrates birds of prey

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9

Explore Sauvie Island in search of magnificent bald eagles, hawks and falcons that spend the winter on the island. On this special day devoted to raptors, experienced naturalists and hawk experts host activities and answer questions at four locations around the island. Enjoy guided bird viewing, meet live raptors up close and sharpen hawk identification skills. Hot drinks and doughnuts are available in the morning. Have breakfast with the birds!

How does the road trip work?

Begin at Kruger's Farm Market and pick up an event map and raptor identification guide. The event fee is $10 per vehicle, cash only, and includes a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permit, which is needed to park at the sites. To reach Kruger's, take Highway 30 to the Sauvie Island Bridge and go straight on Sauvie Island Road 1.5 miles (past Howell Territorial Park). Kruger's Farm Market is located on the right. Carpooling is encouraged. Three of the four event locations offer wheelchair access.

Spotting scopes help with raptor identification and are provided, with naturalists on hand to point out the birds. Field guides are available. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. This event takes place rain or shine. The road trip is suitable for birders of all ages and skill levels, and families are welcome. While you don't have to be an early bird and get up at the crack of dawn to see these birds of prey, allow approximately three hours to visit all four locations.

What will you see?

It all depends on what nature has in store. Regularly sighted raptors include bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels and Northern harriers. With a little luck, you might spot a rough-legged hawk, Cooper's hawk, merlin or peregrine falcon. Beautiful snow geese, sandhill cranes and great blue herons are commonly seen at this time of year, as well as abundant waterfowl.

Sponsored by Metro, Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and HawkWatch International. For more information, www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar.

Join a REI Outdoor School Instructor for a guided hike to one of Portland's natural gems. We'll teach you about the 10 essentials of backcountry travel and introduce you to the 7 Leave no Trace principles. In addition, we'll share a few tips to making hiking more comfortable and help you hike at your own pace. We will cover the following on this outing:

• Learn about local hiking venues
• Learn about the 10 essentials
• Learn the 7 Leave no Trace principles
• Learn tips for making hiking more comfortable
• Learn a bit of natural and cultural history

Exploring The Intertwine: Birds and Beer at Fernhill Wetlands - Saturday, October 6th

Birding Fernhill Wetlands with Mike Houck: Join Mike Houck, Eric Brattain of Friends of Fernhill Wetlands, and staff from Clean Water Services on a birding foray that combines birding and a tasting of McMenamin's newly released Fernhill Pale Ale. The trip celebrates the inaugural release of Fernhill Pale Ale and improvements to one of the region's premier birding spots, especially if you're into shorebirds and waterfowl and bald eagles at Fernhill Wetlands, the crown jewel of Forest Grove's "Emerald Necklace.” Efforts are afoot to connect the wetlands to trails along the Upper Tualatin River, Gale's Creek, and ultimately, to the Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail. 

Recent improvements at Fernhill Wetlands include a new information kiosk , benches, and at long last, a restroom and picnic shelter near the parking lot. While great for human visitors the most exciting development will be Clean Water Services' creation of a world class demonstration wetland with water features designed by renowned landscape architect Hoichi Kurisu's to cool and aerate the water that will spill into Fernhill Lake.