Visitors to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now have a couple more seasonal trails to choose from and the ability to step out of their vehicle at the River S Unit until the end of September.
At the beginning of each May, lasting until the end of September, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge allows for foot traffic on the auto tour route. Additionally, sections of trails that are closed mainly during the fall, winter and early spring seasons open up at the Carty Unit. But, per the usual as of late, the Kiwa Trail along the auto tour route at the River S Unit will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to the possibility of nesting Sandhill Cranes, a listed state endangered species by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Walking the flat, gravel auto-tour loop can provide both opportunities for noticing the smaller migratory birds that bounce from branch to branch and a spot to get out and walk as the loop totals a distance of 4.2 miles.
A new abundance of bird species has been spotted at the River S Unit as more migratory birds make a stop, either brief or an extended stay over the summer. New species in May to look for include waterfowl like the cinnamon teal, shorebirds such as the least sandpiper, and songbirds such as the Savannah sparrow, yellow-headed blackbird, yellow warbler, goldfinches and more.
Reptiles such as the western painted turtle are making frequent sunbathing appearances, and garter snake sub-species are also crossing the roadway.
With a trip to the wildlife refuge on Thursday, May 1 that included some on-foot photography, the goal, “Road to 100: Photographing the bird species of southwest Washington,” has reached 84 bird species photographed. The four new species added to the tally included a lesser yellowleg shorebird, common yellowthroat, Savannah Sparrow, and barn swallow.
