If you’ve ever walked the trails at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and caught a glimpse of something tiny zipping past — a flash of green, a glint of rose — chances are you’ve crossed paths with one of the refuge’s smallest residents: the Anna’s hummingbird.
These birds are not just eye-catching; they’re remarkable in every sense. And thanks to the careful observations of longtime volunteer naturalist Beverly LaBelle, we know more than ever about how these dazzling creatures use Oaks Bottom to nest and raise their young.
A Nesting Sanctuary in the City
Anna’s hummingbirds are year-round residents in Portland. Unlike their migratory cousins, they brave our winters and begin nesting as early as February. Oaks Bottom, with its mix of mature trees, vines, shrubs, and quiet corners, provides ideal conditions for them to build their nests, raise young, and re-nest — often in the same area year after year.
Over the past three years, Beverly has located:
- 33 nests in 2022
- 41 nests in 2023
- 16 nests in 2024 (a year marked by a harsh winter storm that likely reduced survival)
Nests have been found in Douglas Fir, Oregon Ash, Cottonwood, and Western Red Cedar, as well as in unexpected places like Clematis and Himalayan Blackberry vines. Some nests are tucked just four feet off the ground, others more than 40 feet high, sometimes at the very tip of a swaying branch.
Observing the Unseen
Bev began studying hummingbirds in the early 2000s. The first nest she ever found was at Oaks Bottom — built on a low-hanging fir branch at eye level. With a long camera lens and a quiet presence, she documented the progress of that nest: from careful construction, to the appearance of two tiny eggs, to the joyful sight of hatchlings being fed.
That first experience launched a deep and lasting commitment. With permits and care, Beverly now spends hours each week from February to May scanning branches, tracking individual females, and noting patterns in nest location, success, and behavior.
“I got into birds in my 30s — it was their sound that drew me in,” she says. “And hummingbirds, well, they’re just amazing creatures. The way they fly — hover, zoom, dart backwards. They’re fearless. I’ve seen them buzz right up to owls.”
Secrets of the Nest
Only the female Anna’s hummingbird builds the nest, incubates the eggs, and feeds the young. A typical nest takes 3 to 10 days to complete and is built entirely using materials the female gathers — moss, plant down, and spider silk for stretch and strength. She’ll then camouflage the nest with lichen to blend into bark and branch.
Eggs hatch after about two weeks, and young birds fledge about 3–4 weeks later. Sometimes, the same female will build a second nest nearby once her first brood is raised — or start again if a nest fails due to predators or weather.
Predation is the leading cause of nest failure at Oaks Bottom. Jays are the main culprits, but nest abandonment can also result from stress, cold snaps, or human disturbance.
Where the Hummingbirds Nest: A Tour of Oaks Bottom’s Hidden Homes
Over the years, Anna’s hummingbirds have shown strong preferences — and occasional surprises — when it comes to where they build their nests at Oaks Bottom. Bev’s observations across more than a decade provide a detailed map of their favorite corners of the refuge.
Here’s where they’ve been found:
The Paved Path
This well-traveled trail has consistently hosted some of the refuge’s most active nesting areas. Many nests are built in Douglas firs and Oregon ash along this route — some reused across years. It’s not uncommon for several nests to be found within just a few trees. Visitors walking this stretch in early spring might be unknowingly passing within feet of a nest.
The Bluff Path (Up to and South of the Mausoleum)
The Bluff Path offers a blend of open views and tall vegetation. Hummingbirds here tend to build a bit higher, sometimes placing nests at the ends of red cedar branches or tucked into alder and ash trees. This area has seen both nesting success and predation, making it a microcosm of the challenges hummingbirds face.
The Wet North Area
Once the crown jewel of nesting activity — and affectionately nicknamed the “Wet Popular Area” by Bev — this section near the wetland pools was historically the most reliable spot to find nests. For over a decade, it was a hummingbird hub. But in 2024, for the first time, not a single nest was found here. Whether due to weather, habitat change, or natural variation, its quietness in 2024 was notable.
The North End & North Meadow
These areas have yielded a mix of successes and failures over the years. Nests are often built high in cottonwoods and ash trees. The North Meadow in particular has seen fewer nests overall, but the ones found there tend to be memorable — like a towering nest 35 feet up that successfully fledged two young.
South End Past the Mausoleum
A lesser-known but still active nesting zone, this area has a mix of tall trees and dense vine growth. Some nests here have been built in clematis vines, while others appear in cottonwood or alder trees. Hummingbirds in this section seem more susceptible to disturbance from other bird species, particularly in areas of thick underbrush.
Each of these areas offers different nesting conditions — from shelter and camouflage to elevation and distance from disturbance. Taken together, they illustrate just how adaptable and resourceful these tiny architects truly are.
A Place That Matters
Oaks Bottom is more than just a field site to Beverly — it’s a place of personal significance.
“When I moved to the Brooklyn neighborhood, Oaks Bottom wasn’t even a city park yet. It felt wild, a little sketchy, but beautiful. I’ve always come back because there’s so much to see. It’s changed over the years, but it still means a lot to me. I feel comfortable there. It’s a refuge — for the birds and for me.”
Her advice to fellow visitors: “Please be respectful. Stand back. Just observe and enjoy. Do no harm.”
How You Can Help Hummingbirds
- Give them space, especially during nesting season. If you suspect a nest is nearby, pause and enjoy from a distance.
- Plant native trees and shrubs that provide shelter and nesting options — like Douglas fir, Oregon ash, and red cedar.
- Avoid pesticides that harm the insects hummingbirds rely on.
- Keep feeders clean and filled with a 1:4 sugar-water mix — but no red dye.
Urban Wildlife, Up Close
The Anna’s hummingbird is a small, fierce, brilliant part of Portland’s wild identity — and Oaks Bottom plays a vital role in its life cycle. Thanks to the dedication of community scientists like Bev LaBelle, we can witness and celebrate a deeper story: one of resilience, beauty, and the ongoing dance of life in the treetops just beyond the trail.
Next time you visit, stop. Listen. Look a little closer. You might just spot a mother hummingbird weaving a nest, high above the bustle of the city.
Learn MoreWant to dive deeper into Anna’s hummingbirds at Oaks Bottom? Read Beverly LaBelle’s reports from 2022, 2023, and 2024 below.
