March brings the southward movement of many migratory land birds. The Oregon Cascades Birding Trail, (OCBT) is a self-guided tour highlighting nearly 200 prime birding destinations designed to showcase Oregon’s birds and spectacular scenery. This blog will focus on the Mt Hood Loop of the Oregon Cascade Birding Trail. Let’s get settled first before we begin our birding adventure. The Old Parkdale Inn is near many an OCBT trailheads where you can begin your day with a northwest culinary breakfast and the knowledge our innkeepers have to share.
The Mt. Hood Loop of the OCBT rises from the Columbia River to Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon, and combines some of the best of the region’s birding with legendary Oregon scenery. This loop traverses the Columbia River National Scenic Area and the Mt. Hood National Forest and visits 19 birding sites.
Lewis and Clark traveled the Columbia Gorge corridor. The Lewis’ Woodpecker, Clark’s Nutcracker and Clark’s Grebe were named in their honor. Many species of waterfowl and raptors including the Bald Eagle inhabit the river and further up the mountain you’ll observe woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and so many more.
When asked, as innkeeper of the Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast, for a good birding hike, I suggest the Tamanawas Falls trail. The falls are amazing at 100 feet high and 40 feet wide. The trailhead footbridge is the midpoint of a 8-mile stretch of the East Fork of the Hood River hosting nesting Harlequin Ducks. A riparian habitat and mature mixed-conifer forest surrounds the trail to the falls. American Dipper and Belted Kingfisher are common along the river. Songbirds such as Yellow-rumped and Townsend’s Warbler, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet migrate through river corridor.
Bring out the hiking boots and binoculars, pack your bags and begin your Oregon Birdwatching adventure. We at the Old Parkdale Inn are here to accommodate you.
