On this early spring day, we’ll walk approximately 2.5 miles on both paved and dirt trails along Mission Lake and the Willamette River. Osprey, Common Yellowthroat, Chipping Sparrow, Vaux’s Swift, and various swallow species will have recently arrived, and some overwintering Fox, Lincoln’s, and White-throated sparrows should still be present as well. This time of year is also great for seeing both subspecies of Yellow-rumped Warbler (Audubon’s and Myrtle) in their bright alternate plumages. We should finish up around noon. Meet in the Filbert Grove day-use area. A state park pass is required for this location. Single day permits can also be purchased for $5 from the fee station near the park entrance. Directions: From Salem, take River Road N through Keizer to Wheatland Road NE, which is just past the entry to McNary Estates. Turn left on Wheatland Road NE to the entrance to Willamette Mission State Park. An alternate way is to take I-5 north to the Brooks/Gervais exit (Brooklake Road NE), turn left, continue to Wheatland Road NE, turn right, and continue to the park entrance. Hope to see you there!