Spring Migration Begins

March in Portland: A Birder's Paradise

As a Portland based hobbyist photographer primarily focused on bird photography, March now holds a special place in my heart. It’s a month that signals the changing of seasons, but more importantly, the beginning of the great Spring Migration. After months of winter's constant drizzling rain, these things make it an exciting time to be out in the field. March is when the city and its surrounding areas truly begin to buzz with life — and as a wildlife photographer, that means one thing: it’s time to capture the magic.

The Thrill of Spring Migration

One of the main reasons March is so significant for birders in the PDX area is the arrival of migrating birds. Portland lies on the Pacific Flyway, a major route for migratory birds traveling between their breeding grounds in the north and wintering spots in the south. By March, many of these birds are on their way back, and the city’s parks, wetlands, and coastal areas provide essential stopover points to rest and refuel.

For me, experiencing my first spring migration, this means an abundance of species that I haven’t yet seen during the other times of the year. Some of my recent highlights include Ruddy ducks, Snow Geese, Long-tailed Ducks, Western Bluebirds and even a Brandt’s Cormorant. The birding hot-spot known as Fernhill Wetlands, for example, becomes packed with bird activity, with large flocks of waterfowl congregating in the shallow waters. These birds are often in the midst of their courtship rituals, offering opportunities to sneak in intimate shots that capture not only the beauty of the birds but also their behaviors. One of my favorite trips this month was here.

Making new connections and meeting new friends of the human variety has required some effort in this new city I call home, but the people around me have made this large city feel so much smaller and more accepting, I truly cherish their company.

The Changing Light of March

One of the things that makes this time of year such an exciting month for photography is the quality of light. Portland’s weather during this time of year is notoriously unpredictable, with frequent rain showers, summer-like sun breaks, and cloudy skies. This mix of conditions results in some truly stunning lighting opportunities.

In the early morning hours, the soft light filtering through the mist or fog can make for magical bird portraits. The cool, diffused light adds a dreamy quality to images, especially when photographing waterfowl or our resident songbirds. And as the sun rises higher in the sky, those occasional bursts of golden sunlight provide perfect moments for capturing birds in flight, their feathers illuminated in warm tones.

As a new photographer, I’ve had to learn to embrace the often overcast days of the area. The clouds act like a natural light diffuser, reducing harsh shadows, allowing for evenly lit, albeit sometimes flat images. Learning to bring out the natural colors in my photos on these days has been a challenge to say the least. On sunnier days, however, the dramatic lighting creates striking contrasts, especially when photographing birds against the backdrop of a blue sky or the delicate greens and yellows of spring foliage.

The Challenge of Capturing Migration

March is also the month when I push my skills as a photographer. Birds in migration don’t stay in one place for long. They’re constantly moving, flying from one patch of land to another, or resting in the wetlands before continuing their journey. This means that I need to be quick and prepared to capture fleeting moments, whether it’s a flight of swallows soaring overhead or a pair of mergansers landing in a pond. The challenge lies in predicting where the birds will be and anticipating their behavior.

The fast-moving action is exciting, and it tests my ability to track birds in flight, adjust camera settings on the fly, and stay patient as I wait for that perfect shot. One of the most rewarding moments is when I finally catch the perfect moment, a birds silhouette against a dramatic sky, or a close-up of a robin as it plucks a worm from the ground.

Something’s Fishy…

Another aspect of March that excites me as not only a bird photographer but also one who loves to photography wildlife in general is the run of the smelt! In the tranquil waters of the Lewis River near Woodland, Washington, an extraordinary natural spectacle unfolds each spring as bald eagles and sea lions converge to hunt smelt. The river becomes a prime feeding ground during the smelt’s annual spawning run, attracting these powerful predators. Bald eagles, with their keen eyesight and surprisingly long talons, soar above the river, expertly spotting schools of smelt from great heights. They swoop down, banking sharply through the air and into a dive to snatch the unsuspecting fish from the water with absolute precision. Their dramatic calls echo through the misty landscape. Below the surface, sea lions also hunt the smelt, using their agility and strength to dive beneath the water’s surface in pursuit of the silvery fish. The river becomes a battleground, with eagles circling overhead and sea lions emerging from the depths, each vying for a piece of the smelt-filled bounty. It’s a thrilling, wild display of nature’s raw beauty and the interconnectedness of the species that thrive in the Pacific Northwest.

A Time of Renewal

For me, March is about more than just capturing beautiful images. It’s a time of renewal — both in nature and in my own creative process. The arrival of spring, the burst of natural activity, and the changing light all inspire me to push my boundaries as a photographer. The dynamic diversity of wildlife in the PNW during this time of year offers endless opportunities to learn, grow, and capture images that tell the story of migration, courtship, and the quiet transformation of the season.

As I head into the month of April, I’m excited to continue exploring Portland’s birding hot-spots and documenting the ever-changing world around me. If you’re in Portland during this time, I highly encourage you to get outside, observe the birds around you, and see how the magic of spring unfolds through the lens of a camera, or simply with your own eyes. It’s a beautiful time of year for bird lovers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts alike.