La Center Bottoms
La Center Bottoms is located in northern Clark County adjacent to the town of La Center, Washington. It is stop number 28 on the Audubon Washington State Birding Trial – southwest loop https://wa.audubon.org/node4211/southwest-loop and only one of three state designated “watchable wildlife” sites in Clark County https://clark.wa.gov/public-works/la-center-bottoms . La Center Bottoms is approximately 180 acres in size. It is comprised of wetlands/marsh and riparian habitat along the East Fork of the Lewis River corridor. Primarily low-lying wet areas with patches of dense willow, cottonwoods, the occasional cedar tree, hazelnut, brambles and other types of vegetation. In addition, a few acres of forestland exist, primarily Douglas-fir and big leaf maple on the north side of a seasonal marsh pond which fills after fall and early winter rains.
Access to La Center Bottoms is from interstate 5 via exit #16 (La Center). Head east from the interstate towards the town (approximately 1.8 miles). Cross over the East Fork of the Lewis River bridge and take a right onto West 3rd Street and another quick right onto Aspen Avenue which leads to a small parking lot adjacent to the water treatment facility. There is a small kiosk in the parking lot letting you know you have arrived. From the parking lot there is a flat paved trail which crosses Brezee Creek into the “Bottoms”. After crossing Brezee Creek the trail, which is now gravel, comes to a “T” intersection in front of the seasonal marsh pond. The main trail leads to the right through marsh/wetland habitat on your left and Lewis River riparian habitat on your right. The main trail eventually turns from gravel to grass/dirt and terminates at fenced private property, the Bar UK River Ranch. Total trial length from parking lot to fence line is just over a mile, all flat ground. The first two thirds of the trail is ADA wheelchair accessible, and has two wooden blinds to accommodate wildlife viewing. However, the final third of the trial, the grass/dirt portion, can be slippery and a bit muddy after a recent winter rain. A few days of dry weather usually makes the trail passable. From the “T” intersection back by the marsh pond. A short, approximately .2 mile gravel trial leads uphill into a conifer stand. It is not wheelchair accessible.
La_Center_Bottoms_trail_rev.pdf
The best opportunities to view a variety of bird species is in the Spring and in the late fall and winter. Spring time species include a number of warblers – Orange-Crowned, Yellow, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-Rumped Warblers are fairly common. In addition, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Tanagers, Western and Willow Flycatchers, and Anna’s Hummingbirds are often observed and/or heard. The occasional Rufous Hummingbird can be found as well. Late fall and winter species common in the “Bottoms” especially on the marsh pond include a number of species of waterfowl – both Tundra and Trumpeter swan, Cackling and Canada geese, Northern Pintail, Ring-Necked Duck, American Wigeon, Wood Duck and Mallard to name a few. Other winter species include both White-crowned and Golden-crowned sparrows which are commonly observed along the trail’s edges in the brambles and underbrush and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.
La Center Bottoms also has a number of year -round residents you may observe. Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets can be observed around the edge of the marsh pond and along the Lewis River. Belted Kingfishers are often heard and occasionally seen patrolling for a meal along the Lewis River; Downy Woodpeckers, Red-Breasted Sapsuckers, Song Sparrows, and Spotted Towhees can also be seen and heard throughout the year. Other year-round residents of the forestland include Steller’s Jays, Red-Breasted Nuthatches, and Brown Creepers.
eBird Hotspot: La Center Bottoms
La Center Bottoms is open to the public from 7 am to dusk every day. No fee is required. The nearest restrooms can be found in Sternwheeler Park, which is adjacent to the water treatment facility.
Vancouver Audubon 