Blades of grass flash orange, leaves in trees are beginning to turn, and an abundance of life is set to return to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge as fall is here.
At the end of September, the lakes of the River S Unit at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge sit dry, awaiting the first rains. The average amount of bird species seen per birder sits from 15 to 25. But bright and early in the morning, some have documented over 40 avian varieties on eBird.
A variety of waterfowl have begun to arrive or have stayed all summer at the refuge. Cackling geese, wood ducks, and mallards are among the September visitors. But by the end of this month, swans will start to return. Northern shovelers, northern pintails and other ducks and geese will start to arrive as the lakes begin to show during the fall migration.
On a visit to the refuge on Wednesday, Sept. 24, birds and mammals were few and far between, but western painted turtles were soaking up the last of the sun rays.
The turtles will continue their summer life usually until the water temperature dips below their preference. Turtle hatchlings tend to overwinter in nests, but adults will overwinter in bottom sediments or within flooded banks of water bodies as they hibernate for months. The native turtle species will start to be active again in early spring.
A need for the weather to turn
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported the zone where the wildlife refuge resides was below 50% of monthly precipitation levels from Sept. 1 through Sept. 23. For the same timespan in September, NOAA reported that the temperature departure was 3 to 6 degrees above normal.
As rain starts to arrive to local forecasts, an abundance is needed to create the proper habitat and rising water table for migratory birds.
Deer rut is near
Life doesn’t just become abundant with birds. Columbian white-tailed deer will increase activity in the fall as the rut will ensue from November into early December. The Columbian white-tailed deer in Clark County are unique to the wildlife refuge.
The deer species was historically located throughout the lowlands of southwestern Washington and western Oregon, but there are now two geographically isolated populations of the Columbian white-tail. One exists in Douglas County, Oregon, while the other, known as the Columbia River Distinct Population Segment, is found on islands in the Columbia River and adjacent areas of Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiahum counties in Washington and counties along the lower Columbia River in Oregon.
The Ridgefield population was translocated to the wildlife refuge from 2013 to 2015 in order to establish a subpopulation to help the species’ numbers. According to a 2014 report, the Columbia River Distinct Population Segment consisted of 600 deer.
Visiting the refuge
Visitors to the wildlife refuge’s River S Unit have to remain in their vehicles from October through April. Wildlife can be spooked by the presence of a person, but a slow-moving vehicle often won’t have the same effect, which provides the viewer with good photo opportunities or allows them to simply enjoy the sights and sounds of nature from the comfort of their vehicle.
The refuge’s River S Unit is accessible to everyone. The River S auto tour, 1071 S. Hillhurst Road, provides 4 miles of road access, a short trail and bathrooms midway through that are open year round.
The refuge does require a fee to access both the River S and the Carty unit to the north. The daily fee is $3 and is submitted in an envelope at an unmanned kiosk.
Daily fees can be paid by cash or check. Exact change is needed at the unmanned kiosk.
Since the refuge is a federal site, park passes can be used to enter. They include the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge annual pass, the America the Beautiful annual pass, the annual or lifetime senior pass, an access pass for those with a permanent disability, active duty military and dependent passes, veterans and Gold Star families passes, the Every Kid Outdoors fourth grade pass, and the volunteer pass, which is earned through 250 hours of service.
Those with a pass are still required to stop at the kiosk to fill out a pass-holder form and submit it into the drop box.
An annual pass to the refuge can be purchased by submitting $15 in a provided envelope with the name a person wants on the pass and the mailing address clearly printed.
People can also obtain a pass by mailing a check to P.O. Box 457, Ridgefield, WA, 98642.
For more information about the wildlife refuge, visit fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield or call the main office at 360-887-4106. To see eBird information about the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge’s River S Unit, search for the Ridgefield NWR-River “S” Unit at ebird.org.
