Located on the east side of Portland, Powell Butte Nature Park (Birding Oregon p. 66) offers a variety of birds and some nice views of the nearby mountains.
The butte is tall enough to produce its own rain shadow, so the western slope is forested with a dense understory.
The top of the butte is drier and dominated by grassland and small scattered trees. Mount Hood looms in the distance.
Fox Sparrows are among the birds found in the brushy patches.
The open habitat is very attractive to raptors, like this American Kestrel. Northern Harriers and Red-tailed Hawks are also frequently seen.
I love to see these guys. Urban and suburban Coyotes are a songbird’s best friend. Studies have repeatedly shown that the presence of Coyotes coincides with larger populations of songbirds, since Coyotes reduce the number of free-roaming domestic cats. For more information on the effects of domestic cats on wildlife, check out the American Bird Conservancy site.
Looks like a nice part of Oregon..I will have to check it out our next visit.