Bird Survey Results for 2012
Community volunteers last May and June revealed 82 different bird species living in Gresham.
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This total includes beautiful native woodpeckers, ducks, hummingbirds and raptors (birds
of prey).
Gresham is also home to two non-native, invasive birds: European starlings and house
sparrows.
Gresham is home to the Pileated Woodpecker and Olive-sided Flycatcher – both are state
listed species of concern.
What Bird Watchers Saw
Along the Springwater Trail
Volunteers surveying on the Springwater Trail near Butler Creek reported 33 different bird
species. The song sparrow, a native “little brown bird” was the most abundant species observed.
This area attracts an incredible variety of birds because it contains distinct habitats, and lots of
variety in a relatively small area. This is why the Springwater Trail/ Butler Creek Greenway is
one of the birding jewels of Gresham. Follow the Springwater Trail west from Eastman Parkway,
then take a left onto the Butler Creek Greenway Trail, you’re bound to see a number of birds
anytime of the year.
At Grant Butte
This site, located in southwest Gresham, is home to 21 bird species. This year American robins
were the most commonly observed species. American robins have always been a commonly
observed species but they are now considered the most abundant bird in North America. This
distinction was once held by the charismatic red-winged blackbird, however due to the national
trend of shrinking wetland areas the red-winged blackbird has fallen to second place.
The ubiquitous European Starling and House Sparrow, invasive species which display aggression
toward our native birds, are noticeably absent from our survey at Grant Butte.
Kelly Creek
Located in SW Gresham, Kelly Creek along with an adjacent meadow turned out to be a great
place to find water loving mallards and red-winged blackbirds. Both species rely on standing
water - mallards famously ‘dabble’ for their food underwater, while red-wing blackbirds enjoy a
diet of mostly insects in the summer and seeds in the winter. Mallards are often fed by humans;
however well intentioned, the act of feeding the ducks is more often than not harmful for these
waterfowl. Human food does not offer the kind of nutrition a duck needs, and reliance on feeding
has led to ducks becoming reliant on hand-outs and unable to fend for themselves when regular
visits from people drop off in the winter months.