August 12, 2017 Kilchis Point Reserve

Nine birders headed to Kilchis Point Reserve in Bay City. Immediately, we should tell you that if you are traveling north to locate it, you might bypass it since there is no directional signage telling you to turn west off of Hwy 101. However, you will find a sign as you head south from Garibaldi. Anyway, meeting and greeting each other at the parking lot, we began the walk along a very well-maintained path with numerous informational signs leading us to the bay. The weather was perfect and the camaraderie was excellent. Initially, we heard numerous American Robins squawking about something in their area. Soon, we saw the flash of a Great Horned Owl as it flew away from the ruckus. Many bird species were seen once we arrived at the bay opening. The tide was very low so shorebirds were quite a distance away but we did manage to identify several of them. On our return trip, a Downy Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker were sighted in close proximity. All in all, it was a pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable walk.

Sightings of the Day
American Crow
Barn Swallow
American Goldfinch
Great Egret
Steller's Jay
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Great Horned Owl
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson Thrush
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Band-tailed Pigeon
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Least Sandpiper
Semi-palmated Plover
Osprey
California Gull
Wilson Warbler
Violet-green Swallow
Downy Woodpecker
Turkey Vulture
Black-headed Grosbeak
Common Raven
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk

July 8, 2017 Buell County Park and Mill Creek Park

A county park just a ways off the main road was a pleasant surprise to 16 birders that joined our outing. The morning was warm and the shade of the Bigleaf Maple and Oregon white oak trees hosted a variety of species that we don't usually see on the Oregon Coast. It was a clear, sunny morning as we gathered in the parking lot of Buell County Park, a location that was not familiar to many who came. As a Great Blue Heron squawked in retreat, binoculars were focused on Willow Flycatchers, Chipping Sparrows, and the brightly-colored Western Tanager. At Mill Creek Park, on the other side of Hwy 22, we had another sighting of the Western Tanager as well as Cedar Waxwings. Moving about half a mile from the park we stopped along the creek for any new sightings. And there it was! An American Dipper wading in the water and stopping on a rock long enough for a photo op!! We couldn't have asked for a better morning for a bird walk!

Sightings of the Day
Willow Flycatcher
American Goldfinch
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
American Robin
Chipping Sparrow
Turkey Vulture
Great Blue Heron
Northern Harrier
Warbling Vireo
Song Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Cedar Waxwing
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Western Tanager
Dark-eyed Junco
Swainson's Thrush
Spotted Towhee
California Scrub Jay
Red-tailed Hawk
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
European Starling
American Kestrel
Common Raven
Stellar's Jay
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
American Dipper
California Quail

June 10, 2017 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

The weather was a question mark for our Saturday morning bird walk at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. As it turned out we had another beautiful bird walk with very little wind and 14 fellow birders. We were not disappointed by the action of resident Peregrine Falcons as they fed two young birds. Our walk to the rocks below showed us that the eagles and the gulls have taken toll on the Common Murre population. Very few birds were nesting on the rocks surrounding the lighthouse and we saw at least three eagles close by.

Sightings of the Day
Peregrine Falcon
White-crowned Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
American Crow
House Finch
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Rufus Hummingbird
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Western Gull

May 13, 2017 Open Spaces Bird Walk: Villages of Cascade Head to Roads End Park Beach

With the recent weather giving us nothing but downpours one would think Saturday's bird walk would be a no show. Instead everyone was pleasantly surprised by the fact there was very little rain and 11 people showed up for the event, including two couples from Vancouver, Washington!

Sightings of the Day
Black-headed Grosbeak
Northern Flicker
Hairy Woodpecker
American Robin
White-crowned Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
American Crow
Brewers Blackbird
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian-collared Dove
Pacific Wren
Dark-eyed Junco
Great Blue Heron
Song Sparrow
Tree Swallow
Mallard
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Marsh Wren
Western Gull
Brown Pelican
European Starling
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Anna's Hummingbird
American Goldfinch
Purple Finch
Western Wood-pewee
Cedar Waxwing
Yellow Warbler
Turkey Vulture
Steller's Jay

April 8, 2017 Alder Island Nature Trail Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge

While the rest of Lincoln City was experiencing rain and hail, 15 birders walked the Alder Island Nature Trail at the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the sun. We watched 8-10 Great Blue Herons flying in and out of the alders some with nesting materials in their beaks.

Music of the songbirds filled the air and added to the beauty of the sun-filled morning.

Sightings of the Day

Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Bufflehead
American Robin
Double-crested Cormorant
Rufous Hummingbird
Mallard
Barn Swallow
Song Sparrow
Canada Goose
American Crow
Bald Eagle
Red-breasted Merganser
Purple Finch
Orange-crowned Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Common Raven
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Violet-green Swallow
Turkey Vulture
European Starling
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-winged Blackbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Western Grebe
Stellar's Jay
Anna's Hummingbird
Common Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Yellowthroat
Belted Kingfisher
Western Gull
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Rock Pigeon

March 11, 2017 Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Despite the lovely rain that fell, 15 determined birders showed up at the Nestucca Wildlife Refuge. We could see and hear signs of Spring everywhere including the return of the Turkey Vulture. The dark, rainy weather kept us from getting many photos to post!!

Sightings of the Day
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
European Starling
American Crow
Common Raven
Great Blue Heron
Tree Swallow
Anna's Hummingbird
Cackling Goose
Red-tailed Hawk
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Northern Flicker
Dark-eyed Junco
Bald Eagle
Turkey Vulture
Steller's Jay
Pacific Wren
Rufus Hummingbird
Scrub Jay
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Canada Goose
Killdeer
Great Egret
Brewer's Blackbird
Violet-green Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird
Bufflehead
Common Merganser
American Coot
Cooper's Hawk
Brown-headed Cowbird

February 11, 2017 Siletz Bay, Alder Island Loop, and Salishan Nature Trails

Today was the first blue sky day we have had in a long time. It lasted all day and 25 birders came and took advantage of the sunshine and birds. While we were waiting for everyone to gather, all eyes went to the sky to see two immature and one mature Bald Eagles. To top that off a sighting of a Barn Swallow and Tree Swallows surprised us with their early arrival to the area.

Sightings of the Day
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Bald Eagle
American Crow
Common Raven
Rock Dove
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Surf Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Barrows Goldeneye
Stellar's Jay
Common Goldeneye
Great Blue Heron
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Song Sparrow
Anna's Hummingbird
Canada Goose
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eared Grebe
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pacific Wren
Hermit Thrush
Northern Flicker
Horned Grebe

January 14, 2017 OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail and South Jetty

We gathered for our monthly Audubon field trip led by Mark Elliott at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. For a change, it was a bright sunny day but with a pretty good east wind that brought the temperature down to about 25 degrees! About 20 people braved the weather in search of birds that winter over in this bay. After scouting the bay loop trail, without seeing anything out of the norm, we all jumped in our cars to warm up and drive the short distance to the south jetty in the bay. Here we saw a flotilla of Western Grebes which were very close to the road. A short distance further down the jetty we spotted male and female Long-tailed Ducks. These ducks are not uncommon at this time of year but seldom seen. It was a first sighting for most of us.

Sightings of the Day
Surf Scoter
American Wigeon
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Western Grebe
Bufflehead
Mallard
European Starling
Horned Grebe
Greater Scaup
Common Goldeneye
Northern Pintail
American Crow
Common Raven
Rock Dove
American Robin
Northern Harrier
Song Sparrow
Red-headed Merganser
Hooded Merganser
Varied Thrush
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Long-tailed Duck
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western Gull
Brant Goose

November 12, 2016 Cascade Head Scenic Area at the River House

We had our monthly Audubon field trip this morning, the subject being how to take bird pictures. For the participating 17 birders, the morning started with high winds and overcast skies but no rain. In our talk about bird photography, we explained how difficult it was to take a picture into a very light background. Turns out we needed all our expertise in taking pictures of a Northern Pygmy Owl. Field guide, Mark Elliot, mentioned when we first started our trip to look out for this owl. We don't know why he said that since we very, very rarely see them. Just before our walk got over and only 50 yards from where we started, one of our group spotted this owl on a branch next to the road. He happened to be the only person from out of state, Kansas of all places, where they do not have this bird. What a treat for all of us!

Sightings of the Day
Common Loon
Surf Scoter
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
Marsh Wren
Pacific Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Northern Pygmy Owl
Steller's Jay
Western Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Bald Eagle
Common Raven
Western Gull

October 8, 2016 Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint to Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area

It was the calm after the rains that drew 20 birders to Boiler Bay. The morning was gray but with no wind or precipitation. Meeting in the parking lot at Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint 20 birders, from as far away as Indianapolis IN and Yachats OR, gathered in a circle to introduce themselves to each other before scoping out the area for sea and shore birds . . . but not before immediately spotting Gray Whales just north of the parking area. So it took a while to get everyone together and to direct their attention to birding!

During stops from Boiler Bay to Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area, field guide Mark Elliott continuously set up his scope so others could get close views of Black Oystercatchers, Pacific Loons, Harlequin Ducks, and more. Brown Pelicans and Surf Scoters were migrating south in large and numerous groups. In all, it was a very pleasant morning and an enjoyable birding experience.

Sightings of the Day
Great Blue Heron
Song Sparrow
Brown Pelican
Pacific Loon
Western Grebe
Surf Scoter
Common Murre
Pelagic Cormorant
Savannah Sparrow
European Starling
Brewer's Blackbird
Belted Kingfisher
American Crow
American Robin
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Harlequin Duck
Red-necked Grebe
Common Loon
Stellar's Jay
Western Gull
California Gull
Bald Eagle

September 9, 2016 Birding the Little Nestucca River in Kayaks

What a beautiful, sunny morning to spend in kayaks searching for the winged ones! Six birders, from Lincoln City, Otis and Depoe Bay enjoyed paddling and birding the Little Nestucca River. Even before we launched our kayaks in the river, a Bald Eagle made an appearance just on the other side of the river. We caught the river during slack tide and headed down river toward the bay. Up ahead, 150-200 yards, about a dozen Great Egrets and just as many Great Blue Herons were mingling along the river bank. And just in front of them on a sandbar must have been about 75 Double-crested Cormorants. In all 26 bird species were sighted. On the return trip, a Belted Kingfisher led us upriver for quite a distance. Oh, and let's not forget that we saw 2 other Bald Eagles perched on a tree at river's edge. Fantastic morning!!

Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Double-crested Cormorant
Spotted Sandpiper
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Canada Goose
Mallard
Common Merganser
American Crow
Western Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Immature Gulls
Red-winged Blackbird
Marsh Wren
Northern Flicker
Song Sparrow
Sandpipers - flock of -Least or -Western
American Robin
European Starling
Belted Kingfisher
Wilson’s Warbler
Turkey Vulture
Steller's Jay

August 13, 2016 Bayocean Spit/Tillamook Bay

Had a very nice bird outing this morning guided by Jack Hurt. To our surprise we shared Bayocean with a 5K and 10K foot race. In spite of such a foggy morning, birders did manage to see and photograph a number of birds. The highlighted bird of the morning was the Wrentit. Jack Doyle managed to get a great shot of the elusive bird. Another great find were Caspian Terns.

Sightings of the Day
American Goldfinch
White-crowned Sparrow
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Glaucus-winged Gull
Semi-palmated Plover
Belted Kingfisher
American Robin
Black-headed Grosbeak
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Crow
Cedar Waxwing
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Common Yellowthroat
Wrentit
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Double-crested Cormorant
Northern Flicker
Least Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Song Sparrow
Canada Goose

July 9, 2016 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

The Peregrine Falcons were quite active when the eighteen birders arrived at the visitor center parking lot. One was chasing a Turkey Vulture and two others were playing war games as they easily maneuvered with death-defying, high-speed dives. Down below, birders had their cameras aimed in the sky to record what was happening above. Back on the walk, after his recent knee replacement surgery, field guide Mark Elliott gathered everyone together and proceeded to walk in the direction of the lighthouse. On the way, we witnessed a mother Barn Swallow feeding its chicks in the nest. Whewww, the wind was howling as we tried to steady our cameras and spotting scopes, yet it was a beautiful sunny morning. The murres, cormorants and gulls were either gathering new nesting material or tending to their young as the vultures were scoping them out from above. The falcons were the only raptors we saw this morning. Once again, we had a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Sightings of the Day

Peregrine Falcon
Turkey Vulture
Barn Swallow
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Pelagic Cormorant
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Western Gull
Harlequin Duck
American Goldfinch
House Finch
House Sparrow
Brandt's Cormorant
Black Oystercatcher

June 11, 2016 Salmon River Estuary: Tamara Quays and Pixieland

It was a warm morning with the sun breaking through the clouds. There were 17 of us walking along the road listening to the songs of the birds. Tamara Quays was our first stop and while we could tell the song of the Swainson's Thrush it was never in our sight until.....it decided to rest on a branch.

Sightings of the Day

Song Sparrow

Barn Swallow

Anna's Hummingbird

Swainson's Thrush

American Robin

Turkey Vulture

Pacific Wren

Wilson's Warbler

Black-headed Grosbeak

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Cedar Waxwing

Warbling Vireo

American Goldfinch

Belted Kingfisher

Common Yellowthroat

Canada Goose

American Crow

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Bald Eagle

Western Wood-Pewee

Osprey

May 14, 2016 Villages at Cascade Head/Roads End Park

It was too wet for cameras. We had about 10-12 birders and considering the weather saw some interesting birds.
First bird of the day was the Olive-sided Flycatcher. When we arrived at the beach, we were surprised to see a pair of Black Oystercatchers
on the beach and you could tell by the birds that were present it was "migratory bird day" for Mew Gull, Bonaparte’s Gull, Dunlin, etc.

Sightings of the Day

Olive-sided Flycatcher

Red-tailed Hawk

Anna’s Hummingbird

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

(heard)Wilson’s Warbler

Mallard

Turkey Vulture

Orange-crowned Warbler

American Robin

Black-headed Grosbeak

Red-winged Blackbird

White-crowned Sparrow

Song Sparrow

American Crow

Western Gull

Mew Gull

Bonaparte’s Gull

Dunlin

Western Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper

Black Oystercatcher

Surf Scoter

Pelagic Cormorant

Scaup

Brown Pelican

American Goldfinch

April 9, 2016 Beaver Creek State Park

There were 9 people present for the bird walk. We saw or heard 16 birds we could identify and heard a lot of birds we couldn’t identify or find to see. Birding was mostly by ear at this site. Unfortunately, the marsh trail was not available – closed this time of year, and the south access point parking can’t handle more than 6-8 cars. The road we walked did provide some marsh overlook but no view of open water so no view of waterfowl.

Sightings of the Day

Anna's Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Steller's Jay

Red-winged Blackbird

Turkey Vulture

Red-tailed Hawk

Great Blue Heron

Morning Dove

Song Sparrow

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Belted Kingfisher

Marsh Wren

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-eyed Vireo (?)

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (?)

March 12, 2016 Seal Rock State Recreation Area

When we left Otis it was 39 degrees, dark, cold and raining with a forecast of 100% rain all day. Rained all the way down to Seal Rock but at 9am the sun came out for us to start birding, the surrounding sky was black. After 30 minutes the sun went behind a few clouds as we moved to a location looking south down the coast. It was then we saw lightning followed by thunder and more rain. We went back to the parking lot to wait out the downpour before heading down 101 in search of more birds. At the second spot all the birds that were on the beach suddenly took off indicating the fly over by a Bald Eagle. The highlight of the trip was a lone Peregrine Falcon sitting atop a high rock formation 100 yards out.

Sightings of the Day

Bald Eagle
Pelagic Cormorant
Brandt's Cormorant
Western Gull
Black Oystercatcher
Peregrine Falcon
Surf Scoter
Glaucous-winged Gull
American Crow
Common Raven

February 13, 2016 Siletz Bay at 51st and Salishan Nature Trail

"Red sky morning, sailors take warning." That's the way the morning started but 26 birders lucked out. Although it was a bit chilly morning, there was no rain, yet! With field guide, Mark Elliott, the morning started at the dock next to Mo's restaurant. Unfortunately the dock was closed off but we did manage to see quite a few birds such as Great Egret, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, grebes and mergansers, gulls, and other species. From 51st Street we headed to the Salishan Marketplace to walk the Salishan Nature Trail along the north side of the golf course. This is a short yet interesting trail with a variety of bird species. A great morning for all.

Birds shown: Red Crossbills, Anna's Hummingbird, Great Blue Heron

Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Rock Dove
Western Gull
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Great Egret
Western Grebe
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Common Merganser
Anna’s Hummingbird
Red-tailed Hawk
Canada Goose
Pine Siskin
Red Crossbill
Northern Flicker
American Robin
Eurasian Collared Dove
Song Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
Pelagic Cormorant
American Crow
Common Raven
Steller’s Jay

January 9, 2016 Newport's OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail, South Jetty, and South Beach

Another great Audubon outing for 18 birders, this time at Newport. Rainy and cold to begin with and then the bright sun and warmth broke through the clouds as predicted by Mark Elliott, our Field Guide and weather prognosticator. Mark located several outstanding and rarely seen birds by us. They included Bullock's Oriole, Snowy Plover, Mountain Plover, Harlequin Duck, Brants, and a flotilla of more common species. Thank you Mark Elliot for leading the charge.

Sightings of the Day
American Crow
Bald Eagle
Common Loon
Surf Scoter
Great Blue Heron
Bufflehead
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
European Starling
Northern Pintail
America Wigeon
Brandt
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Northern Harrier
Eurasian Wigeon
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
American Robin
Townsend Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
House Finch
Red-winged Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Bullocks Oriole
Western Grebe
Brown Pelican
Horned Grebe
Common Goldeneye
Harlequin Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Snowy Plover
Mountain Plover
Sanderling
Double-crested Cormorant
Bufflehead

October 15, 2015 Oregon Coast Community College Basic Birding Class, Lincoln City, Oregon

It was a beautiful ending to our Basic Birding class. We met at the dock in Taft and right away our resident Eagle flew in and allowed everyone a great look through Mark's scope. We were able to get a good look at the gulls and the crows before we jumped in our cars and headed towards the D River. Fog decided to roll in but we were still able to see some birds in the bush. What a great class and everyone was filled with enthusiasm and realized that there is some pretty wonderful things to see right in their own yard.

Sightings of the Day
Mallard
Bushtit
Steller's Jay
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Great Egret
Common Raven
Western Gull
Herring Gull
American Crow
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Double-crested Cormorant
California Gull
Red-breasted Merganzer
Pacific Loon
Bald Eagle