Walterville Reservoir & Canal Birding Trail

The 70-ac pond has open water habitat, with willow thickets at the E edge. Young Douglas-fir grow on the hills to the N of the pond. Other habitats include white oak woodland, orchards and farm fields. Common winter birds include Great Blue Heron, Pied-billed and Western Grebes, Double-crested Cormorant, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, Hooded and Common Mergansers, and American Coot. Canvasback and American Wigeon sometimes visit, and Barrow?s Goldeneye, Forsters Tern and Pacific Loon have also been seen. Common summer birds include Osprey, four species of swallows, Western Wood-Pewee, House Wren, Yellow-breasted Chat, Wrentit, Black-headed Grosbeak and Common Yellowthroat.

From 58th St and Main St (Hwy 126) in Springfield, drive E on Hwy 126 for 6.9 mi to Walterville Reservoir. As you continue E from Walterville for 0.4 mi, you will cross Eugene Water & Electric Board?s Walterville Canal. At the E end of the bridge over the canal, make a very immediate and sharp L turn onto a road that heads W along the N bank of the canal. Proceed 0.2 mi to the parking area. From the parking area, Walterville Pond is up the slight incline ahead of you to the W. Transit: Lane Transit District Bus 91 stops at Walterville (limited schedule).