Delving Into Finley Wildlife Refuge

Just over 10 miles south of Corvallis lies a land of riparian forests and wet prairie. While open to the public, Finley Wildlife Refuge is truly meant as a place of protection and preservation for a huge array of animals and their habitats. When we humans visit the refuge, it is important to remember that we are outsiders here and to tread lightly.

Area Map

Welcome to Finley Wildlife Refuge

There is a serious air about the place when it comes to maintaining a peaceful environment for the animal inhabitants.

On an overcast Wednesday, I set forth with Rose, Nick, and Tobey into a land preserved. Tobey was the most familiar with the area and took the lead.

The well-constructed path winds through the forest, with the occasional clearing dominated by water and grass.

The forest is dense and overhung, with thick underbrush and streams that feed the lake where migratory birds rest. I always enjoy the feeling of safety and cover that the trees provide.

Bird boxes are randomly distributed throughout the wooded areas and are intentionally unobtrusive so can be easy to miss.

A Pair of Bird Boxes

As we neared the lake, an area of forest was covered in lichen that I believe is Usnea, known as Old Man's Beard. I may need to bring a lichenologist the next time I come.

Near the end of the wooden path is a permanent duck blind for observing the lake during migration season. Nick advanced with his Staff of Voldemort to investigate.

The lake was largely empty this day as it was outside of the regular migration season.

From the duck blind, the wooden path turns to connect to a dirt track that leads around the lake.

Though the lake seemed empty, we spotted a group of geese that appeared to be three mated pairs, two of which had goslings in tow.

As we got closer along the shore, the parents led their young out to the safety of open water.

The landscape around the lake is a varied patchwork of habitats, though the descriptor "wet" could be applied to all of them.

There were fewer flowers in bloom than on our previous outings, but the wild rose made its regular appearance.

Wild Rose Briar

As I bent to examine the small purple flowers woven among the grasses, Tobey identified it as wild sweet pea, which, oddly, I had initially mistaken the vetch on Bald Hill for.

Wild Sweet Pea

 I really don't know what this was, but it was the only patch of it we saw, and it stuck out like a sore thumb.

As we reached the opposite side of the lake from the duck blind, we found a hand-carved bench to take a rest at.

The surfaces of the bench had various carvings, with the central motif being a heron amongst the cattails.

But it had gotten cold, and the grey sky was rolling overhead, so after our rest we headed back the way we came.

Finley Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to visit for the whole family, and an excellent place to teach children about respecting the plants and animals that share our planet. There are many paths and tracks that are open to the public, some more accessible than others. In nearly two hours out, we saw just a fraction of the refuge. I'm sure to go back again.