Egrets, Nutria and Goslings

The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is located a few miles southwest of Portland, Oregon. It’s one of only a handful of urban wildlife refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Since 1992 the Federal government and volunteers have been working to turn the Refuge back to a more natural state within the floodplain of the Tualatin River Basin.

On a cloudy springtime day we hiked the Refuge’s four-mile perimeter trail. Several bald eagles were spotted soaring high in the sky. But, the old oak tree that once held an eagle’s nest had long fallen over.

To our delight, there was a family of Canada geese with little goslings to watch. And, later on the hike we saw great blue herons, egrets, ducks, song birds and a family of nutrias to keep us entertained.

Nutrias are not native to North America and can do lots of damage in places.They are a large, herbivorous, semi-aquatic rodent that can weigh up to 20 pounds. We watched a young one get out of the water and then spend awhile washing its face. 

Always a nice place to visit.

Young Nutria

Goslings

Wildlife Refuge

Redwing Blackbird

Adult Nutria

Egret

Western Robin with a snack

Young Nutria washing its face

Canada Goose