Article and photos by John Sparks In recent years, 23 species of duck have been observed at Oaks Bottom, including two exotics (Muscovy duck and Mandarin duck). Some ducks, such as red-breasted merganser, cinnamon teal, greater scaup, and common goldeneye, pop up only occasionally. Others are seen with seasonal frequency; these include ring-necked duck, bufflehead, […]
Get Your Ducks in a Row: The Common Ducks of Oaks Bottom Read More »
Getting instructions – Photo: Andrew Cohen On April 12th, Friends of Oaks Bottom worked on mulching plants in Oaks Bottom’s South Meadow. These young native plants (Oregon grape, spiraea, serviceberry, etc.) need some protection in order to survive our dry summers. There were 18 volunteers, including a cohort of Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members, as
FOOB Work Party: April 12th, 2025 Read More »
Article and photos by John Sparks Three species of frog, one of them a predatory interloper, call Oaks Bottom home. Two native frogs, the well-known Pacific chorus frog and the red-legged frog, seem to be increasing in numbers. The “interloper” is the American bullfrog, which – alas – is the amphibian you are most likely
The Frogs of Oaks Bottom Read More »
As the end of the year approaches, we wanted to take stock of all the wonderful work that we’ve done together to take care of our beloved refuge. Here are the highlights. Jenna and Wayne (FOOB crew leaders) with Christian (Portland Parks) at a litter pickup in July Over the course of the year, we
2024 – Year in Review Read More »
Hooded merganser male (Lophodytes cucullatus) There were nine attendees on Friends of Oaks Bottom’s fall nature walk, Saturday, November 9th. Joshua Meyers and John Sparks were the official guides, but we were fortunate to be joined by Laura Guderyahn, one of Portland Parks’ five urban ecologists. Laura contributed much interesting information about refuge projects. It
Fall Nature Walk: November 9th, 2024 Read More »
Friends of Oaks Bottom is pleased to announce the winners of its first “Take Your Best Shot” photo contest. All first and second place winners had their photos printed and hung at the Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters in Sellwood (7901 SE 13th Ave.) during the month of July. Mike Liggett and Marianne Nelson, Friends of
Take-Your-Best-Shot Photo Contest Winners Read More »
On August 10th, Sellwood Flower Company, Sellwood’s premier flower shop located in an old Victorian on Sellwood’s Antique Row, celebrated the birthday of shop-bird, Alouette and donated ten percent of all sales–$250–to Friends of Oaks Bottom. Shop owner Kerri Evans, who wanted the proceeds to go to a place that protects birds, thought Friends of
Sellwood Flower Company Raises $250 for Friends of Oaks Bottom Read More »
For the second straight year, Friends of Oaks Bottom sponsored a booth at Sundae in the Park, an event that has embodied the spirit of the Sellwood neighborhood for decades. Throughout the day hundreds mingled under the welcome shade of the fir trees at the South end of Sellwood Park, where they could enjoy live
Sundae-in-the-Park with Friends of Oaks Bottom Read More »
Sellwood Flowers, our fantastic local flower shop, will be celebrating the birthday of Alouette, the adorable shop bird, on August 10th. Ten percent of all sales will go directly to Friends of Oaks Bottom. Please come celebrate Alouette, buy some flowers, and support Friends of Oaks Bottom while you’re doing so. See below for more
Support Friends of Oaks Bottom by Supporting Sellwood Flowers on August 10th! Read More »
On Saturday, June 29th, a small but determined group of volunteers spent three hours beneath a clear blue sky picking up garbage on the north side of the refuge. Volunteers focused on the upper area around the parking lot, but also ventured down into the ravine to the east of the connection to the Spring
A Beautiful Day, A Successful Clean-Up Read More »
Scanning the main pond for bird life from the Springwater Corridor It was a rainy Saturday morning, but we still had nine hardy attendees! Joshua Meyers and John Sparks led the group around Oaks Bottom, noting spring blooms and an abundance of bird life, 51 species tallied in the three hours we were out. Cinnamon
FOOB Nature Walk: 4th May, 2024 Read More »
Four Friends of Oaks Bottom formed a team to participate in the City Nature Challenge on the morning of April 27th. This is a worldwide “contest,” and we were invited to participate by the local Nature Conservancy. We split into two groups, one focusing on birds and the other on plants. Everything had to be
FOOB Participates in BioBlitz on April 27 Read More »