Ridgefield NWR and the Kewa Trail: Wildlife and beautiful landscapes

On June 17th, 2023, at approximately 2 pm, I arrived eager to partake in the splendors of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Auto Loop. Nestled in the town of Ridgefield Washington, just a few minutes off the highway, this refuge has a remarkable history of wildlife preservation and the auto loop provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature’s wonders; all while staying in the comfort of your car.

Established in 1965, Ridgefield NWR consists of over 5,300 acres of sprawling nature. It provides a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife and a place for us humans to get away from the bustle of city life. This refuge serves as a key location along the Pacific Flyway and is situated in the floodplains of the Columbia River. Ridgefield NWR and the surrounding land is a vital stop for numerous species and a great adventure for those who like to explore.

This was my third visit to this refuge and unlike my previous visits which I fully enjoyed from within my car, I had plans to get out for a bit and explore the Kiwa Trail, which is located about halfway along the auto loop. My previous visits had been during the off season when the Kiwa Trail is closed, so the opportunity to explore a bit on foot excited me. The Kiwa Trail is open from May 1st to September 30th and is a loop trail that is approximately 1.43 miles and consists of flat, easy terrain.

Entering the Refuge

I pulled down the gravel trail entrance and over the bridge into the refuge and took in the view. Just over the bridge is a small parking area with a booth and info board. There is a fee to visit the auto loop portion of Ridgefield NWR ($3 I think) but they will waive it if you have the America the Beautiful National Parks pass.

In the first section of the auto loop, I spotted a deer grazing peacefully in the field. To my amazement, a bird landed momentarily on the deer’s back, creating a remarkable scene. Unfortunately, due to the distance between us, it proved challenging to capture clearly.

The first section of the auto loop features open fields and wetlands on the left and a small pond and waterway on the right. Many waterfowl can be spotted here year-round, and birds and deer frequent both sides of the drive. On this visit, swallows, starlings, and red-winged blackbirds darted across the sky, landing briefly in the fields around me, showcasing their aerial prowess. The red-winged blackbirds were the most willing to sit for a photo, their vibrant wings and dark bodies contrasting beautifully against the refuge’s backdrop.

As I advanced, I spotted a Nutria and a male Cinnamon Teal Duck, with its captivating red eyes, swimming near each other in the waterway. I pulled over to get some shots of them and was surprised by a female red-winged blackbird foraging for ground food to feed it’s young.

After taking a 90 degree turn to the left, I moved on to what I consider the second section of the auto loop. This section starts with a brief wooded area. I’ve spotted birds and seen deer up close here before, but this time I had no encounters of note. Once clear of the wooded area, I went through a short section of open fields. The sides of the road have some low brush and tree growth which offer the chance to spot perched birds. Here I was lucky to find a playful Bullock’s Oriole. It darted from bush to bush, seemingly engaging in a game with me, and I managed to capture a series of delightful photographs.

This section also features a small parking area with a bathroom and a very short trail. I’ve stopped here before but skipped it on this day. Just after this is another turn which presents open fields to the left while the waterway and trees continues on the right side. This area was filled with deer, making for some captivating landscapes shots.

The Kiwa Trail

I advanced to the next parking area, which is also the entrance to the Kiwa Trail. The trail splits early on, but being a loop, I knew either direction would work and decided to go right. The initial wooded portion of the trail provided a serene ambiance, with the wind whispering through the trees and scattered branches strewn across the ground. The woods here were filled with the melodic sounds of song sparrows nestled among the trees. Within minutes, a deer appeared before me, and for a fleeting moment, we locked eyes before it vanished into the brush. Soon after, the trees cleared and the woods gave way to expansive fields.

It was during this leg of my journey that an eagle soared majestically overhead, getting just close enough to capture some photographs.

Around the halfway point of the trail, I spotted what appeared to be an injured Killdeer. I quickly realized it wasn’t really injured and was leading me further down the path. I think it had a nearby nest, which it didn’t want me to find, so I was happy to follow it. It let me get extremely close which provided for some fantastic photos.

Swallows and Red-winged blackbirds continued to grace the area darting with extreme speed through the fields. I managed a few reasonable in flight photos on the day, but nothing too amazing. Swallows are a tough subject to capture when in flight, as they’re so dang fast and fly erratically! I also caught what I believe is the same Killdeer from earlier in flight, further confirming my suspicion that it wasn’t really injured.

Near the end of the trail, is another short wooded section. Similar to the wooded area at the start of the Kiwa Trail, the calls of sparrows and the creaking of wind through the trees dominated the sounds and sights. After the trails had joined together and just a minute from being back to the car, I spotted a Black Phoebe perched on a branch above a marsh.

Continuing Along the Auto Loop

Pleased with my first-time experience of the Kiwa Trail, I sat for a moment in my car and ate a quick snack. After a few moments, I was ready to move on. I backed out of my parking spot, put the car into drive, looked up and noticed a vibrant California Scrub Jay perched on the traffic sign. It was kind enough to stay perched while I adjusted my cars positioning for a better shot.

Continuing along, I entered a wooded area, which I consider the third section of the auto loop. This part is narrow and only presents a few spots to stop for more than a moment if there are cars behind you. I hoped to see the Great Horned Owls and other forest denizens known to inhabit this area, but unfortunately that was not in nature’s plans for me on this day. I did spot a Great Blue Heron through the trees, but it seemed content to stay at a distance.

Once I was clear of the wooded area, I advanced along the road taking a few turns and eventually crossed over the waterway. This starts what I consider the fourth and final section of the loop. In terms of road length, this is also the largest part of the loop.

These longer sections of road feature fields on both sides and the waterway along the left for much of the journey. If you move fast through this area, it’s possible to not see much wildlife. I’ve found it’s best to just pull over at one of the wider spots and watch for a bit. So, I did just that and was rewarded with a red winged blackbird trying to land in the bush just a few feet away from the car.

Driving a little farther down the road I stopped again and took a moment to take in my surroundings. I caught sight of a Yellow-headed Blackbird, whose restless nature made capturing the perfect shot impossible this day.

The rest of the loop presented further bird sightings, although none quite as extraordinary as those I had already experienced and no new species. The American Kestrel that are often spotted perching on the refuge boundary signs in this section, eluded me on this occasion, but I was content with the sightings of the day. Here is a photo of the Kestrel from one of my previous visits.

Reaching the end of the loop, I parked as I needed to use the restroom. I stepped out of the car, noticed a flurry of activity among the trees and swiftly reached back in the car to grab my camera, momentarily forgetting my need to use the restroom. A California Scrub Jay gracefully hopped from one perfect vantage point to another. First a pole and then a sandwich style board giving directions to those entering the refuge. Mere seconds later, an American Robin appeared, indulging on a cherry just a few feet away from where I was standing.

Amazed by this final encounter, I wandered for a moment and took a few more shots of the deer grazing in the field before deciding again to finish up for the day. Finally, I used the restroom, got back in my car and headed off to Portland Oregon, which was my final destination for the day.

Summary

The Ridgefield NWR Auto Loop, coupled with the Kiwa Trail, provided for an extraordinary afternoon of exploration and photography. Every time I have visited this refuge, I’ve seen new species and an abundance of wildlife. The refuge’s diversity and remarkable landscapes really showcase the beauty of nature and the pacific northwest.

Whether you are an avid wildlife enthusiast, photographer or simply enjoy the beauty of untouched landscapes, Ridgefield NWR is a destination not to be missed. It truly is one of the finest wildlife reserves in the region. Next time you find yourself traveling along Interstate 5, take a short detour to Ridgefield NWR and explore the auto loop, the Kiwa Trail or it’s Northern Carty Unit which includes additional pedestrian trails. No matter which you decide to explore, I’m sure you will enjoy the natural world that awaits you.

Want more info on the Ridgefield NWR? You can visit it’s official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site here: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ridgefield