The Birding Hub

The Birding Hub

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh

Oregon · West

ModerateView on eBird

Habitat

Wetland

Best Seasons

SpringFall

Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

March-May, September-November

About This Location

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh is a productive birding destination in Oregon, with 225 species recorded on eBird. This wetland habitat attracts Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, and Wood Duck among many others. The diverse terrain supports both resident specialties and Pacific Flyway migrants throughout the year.

Location

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Notable Species

Cackling Goose Canada Goose Wood Duck American Wigeon Mallard

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/5/2026Eureka Rd1 observed

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipes

3/3/20264028–4032 Bellfountain Rd, Corvallis US-OR 44.52210, -123.337841 observed

Chipping Sparrow

Spizella passerina

3/2/2026Eureka Rd2 observed

Vesper Sparrow

Pooecetes gramineus

3/2/2026Eureka Rd1 observed

Hammond's Flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii

2/28/2026Willamette Park (Benton Co.)1 observed

Hammond's Flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii

2/28/2026Willamette Park (Benton Co.)1 observed

Hammond's Flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii

2/28/2026Willamette Park (Benton Co.)1 observed

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulva

2/27/202633140 Highway 34 SE, Albany US-OR (44.5551,-123.0672)1 observed

Swamp Sparrow

Melospiza georgiana

2/27/2026Willamette Park (Benton Co.)1 observed

Black-throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga nigrescens

2/27/2026Willamette Park (Benton Co.)1 observed

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulva

2/26/202633249–33281 Highway 34 SE, Albany US-OR (44.5560,-123.0640)1 observed

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulva

2/26/202633140 Oregon 34, Albany, Oregon, US (44.555, -123.067)1 observed

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulva

2/26/202697322, Albany US-OR (44.5545,-123.0667)1 observed

Pacific Golden-Plover

Pluvialis fulva

2/26/202633144 Highway 34 SE, Albany US-OR (44.5551,-123.0669)1 observed

Tricolored Blackbird

Agelaius tricolor

2/26/202634195–34399 Tangent Dr, Tangent US-OR 44.54099, -123.020473 observed

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus

2/24/2026Creek Dr.4 observed

Harris's Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula

2/23/20261544 Main St Philomath1 observed

Long-billed Curlew

Numenius americanus

2/22/202632500–32510 Linn West Dr, Halsey US-OR 44.42535, -123.107224 observed

Tricolored Blackbird

Agelaius tricolor

2/22/202634343 Tangent Drive, Tangent, Oregon, US (44.541, -123.02)3 observed

Tricolored Blackbird

Agelaius tricolor

2/21/202634195–34399 Tangent Dr, Tangent US-OR 44.54107, -123.020381 observed

Recent Observations

Cackling Goose

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

69 birds

Canada Goose

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

2 birds

Wood Duck

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

1 birds

American Wigeon

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

12 birds

Mallard

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

350 birds

Ring-necked Duck

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

12 birds

Bufflehead

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

5 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

1 birds

Tree Swallow

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

75 birds

Violet-green Swallow

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

7 birds

American Robin

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

7 birds

Song Sparrow

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

1 birds

Red-winged Blackbird

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/5/2026

12 birds

Snow Goose

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/3/2026

4 birds

Northern Shoveler

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/3/2026

25 birds

Cinnamon Teal

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/2/2026

3 birds

Gadwall

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/2/2026

4 birds

Northern Pintail

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/2/2026

6 birds

Green-winged Teal

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/2/2026

8 birds

Common Merganser

William L. Finley NWR--McFadden Marsh

3/2/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

1
Bring waterproof boots for marsh trails and muddy edges.
2
Scan the edges of open water for herons, egrets, and rails at dawn.
3
Early mornings provide the best light and bird activity along the coast.

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Auto Tour Route

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Birding Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Fall Bird Migration: Hawks, Sparrows, and Confusing Plumages

10 min read

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Spring Birding in New York City: The Complete Urban Migration Guide

12 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh for birding?▼

The best months to visit William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh for birding are March-May, September-November. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh?▼

Notable species at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh include Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Wood Duck, American Wigeon, Mallard. The area supports wetland habitats.

How difficult is birding at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh?▼

Birding at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.

What amenities are available at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh?▼

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge - McFadden Marsh offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.