Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Flora and Fauna and the Holman Family! We've created a video to help get you into the spirit, featuring Don, Kelli, Ariana, Caleb and Aidan. Click here http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/1X19O4KcJYKXepn4

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION

There is only two days until the International Day of Climate Change. Find an action of interest and take part. Click here for a list of actions http://www.350.org/map

Blog Action Day - Climate Change

Today is Blog Action Day, an effort to create awareness and solutions to climate change around the world. Over 5000 bloggers from 126 countries are participating in this event!

Climate change impacts nearly all aspects of our lives, from business and technology to food, transportation and travel. It's a large issue, but we all can be involved and make a difference. A great way to start change is to find out your "carbon footprint" by using a carbon calculator that offers a ballpark figure of a person's, business's or household's "carbon footprint" — that is, all the greenhouse gases emitted either directly or on one's behalf. The Nature Conservancy offers a good calculator and tips on how to lower your footprint.

After you've calculated your footprint you can find ways to reduce your number and take action. Another worldwide event on October 24th is the International Day of Climate Action where you can take part at events around the world!

Salmon Run at Oxbow

Now is a great time to see the fall Chinook salmon run on the Sandy River at Oxbow park! In past years Oxbow hosted a Salmon Festival in October which was a great event. Unfortunately this year there will be no festival, but the salmon are still there! Best viewing of spawning locations is down the trail at picnic area D and upstream from the boat ramp. Good numbers of eagles can usually be seen scavenging on the spawned-out salmon.

If you visit this weekend the park is providing guides who will take you on a Salmon Walk and answer questions. There is an entrance fee to get into the park, but with all the nature activities in the park it is well worth it.

Get Out in Nature - Mt Tabor Park

One of Portland’s “nature jewels” is the extinct volcanic butte Mt. Tabor. A 200 acre green space, it is a birding hotspot, especially in earl spring and early summer when many spring migrants are abundant. The park bird list is nearly 200 species, not bad considering it’s only about 5 miles from downtown Portland!

The summit of Mt. Tabor is 643 ft. and has some of the best vistas of Portland to the west and Mt. Hood to the east. The park has an off leash pet area, several miles of paved trails, and a picnic area. Located between Division and Belmont and 60th and 71st in SE Portland. Enjoy!

Watch Hawks at Bonney Butte

Hawk Watch International has been monitoring the fall raptor migration at Bonney Butte on the southeastern flanks of Mt. Hood in northcentral Oregon since 1994. This ongoing effort monitors long-term trends in populations of raptors using this part of the Pacific Coast Flyway through the Cascade Mountains. The project runs from 27 August through 31 October each year. Annual counts typically range from 2,500-4,500 migrant raptors of up to 18 species. The most commonly seen species are the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Turkey Vulture, and Golden Eagle, but this site is noted for relatively high numbers of Merlins (up to 100 or more per year).

We've visited Bonney Butte for several years and it is well worth the adventurous trip up the mountain (high clearance vehicles only). Viewing up close from the blind is awesome, and you may be able to release a netted bird. Click here for a pdf site brochure