Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit

Washington · Pacific Northwest

Habitat
River/RiparianWetland
Best Seasons
SpringFall
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

April-May, September-October

Entrance Fee

$3 per vehicle

Hours

Open daily, sunrise to sunset

About This Location

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit is a productive birding destination in Washington, with 243 species recorded on eBird. This river/riparian and wetland habitat attracts Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, and Trumpeter Swan among many others. Coastal and forest habitats support impressive year-round resident species and seasonal migrants.

Location

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Notable Species

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Redhead

Aythya americana

3/5/2026Shillapoo Lake1 observed

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

3/5/2026Yellow headed blackbird stakeout1 observed

Brandt's Cormorant

Urile penicillatus

3/5/2026Columbia Point Hayden Island1 observed

Loggerhead Shrike

Lanius ludovicianus

3/5/2026Shillapoo Lake1 observed

Orchard Oriole

Icterus spurius

3/5/2026stakeout Orchard Oriole, Portland (2026)1 observed

American White Pelican

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

3/4/2026Woodland Bottoms -- Austin Point, Lewis River Dike, & Kuhnis Rd54 observed

Sora

Porzana carolina

3/4/2026Ridgefield NWR--River 'S' Unit1 observed

Black-crowned Night Heron

Nycticorax nycticorax

3/3/20269009 N Oswego Ave, Portland US-OR 45.59231, -122.748165 observed

Greater White-fronted x Cackling Goose (hybrid)

Anser albifrons x Branta hutchinsii

3/3/2026Vancouver Lake lowlands1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Cackling Goose

1003/5/2026

Trumpeter Swan

503/5/2026

Wood Duck

63/5/2026

Northern Shoveler

753/5/2026

American Wigeon

123/5/2026

Mallard

123/5/2026

Northern Pintail

203/5/2026

Green-winged Teal

83/5/2026

Ring-necked Duck

303/5/2026

Bufflehead

83/5/2026

American Coot

203/5/2026

Killdeer

23/5/2026

Greater Yellowlegs

13/5/2026

Great Egret

13/5/2026

Red-tailed Hawk

13/5/2026

Black-capped Chickadee

13/5/2026

White-breasted Nuthatch

13/5/2026

European Starling

63/5/2026

American Robin

43/5/2026

Red-winged Blackbird

303/5/2026

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Walk along the water slowly, scanning overhanging branches for kingfishers and warblers.

  2. 2

    Check sandbars and gravel bars for shorebirds and terns.

  3. 3

    Pack rain gear — the best birding often coincides with drizzly conditions.

  4. 4

    Stop at the visitor center for current bird sighting reports and trail maps.

  5. 5

    Check the refuge website for seasonal road and trail closures before visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit for birding?
The best months to visit Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.
What birds can I see at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit?
Notable species at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit include Cackling Goose, Canada Goose, Trumpeter Swan, Tundra Swan, Wood Duck, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Sandhill Crane, American Kestrel, California Scrub-Jay, Black-capped Chickadee. The area supports river/riparian, wetland habitats.
How difficult is birding at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit?
Birding at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
Is there an entrance fee at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit?
The entrance fee at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit is $3 per vehicle. Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
What amenities are available at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit?
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails, Auto Tour Route.