April 7, 2023 The Villages and Roads End

Birders doing what they do best by Caren Willoughby

The Village birdwalk didn’t disappoint 17 people that joined leader, Mark Elliott on a walk through the woods. Most of the participants were new to the area and were excited to learn about Lincoln City’s Open Spaces. The walk gave us a chance to observe the following species:

Trip leader Mark Elliott with a spotting scope by Caren Willoughby

Stellar’s Jay
American Robin
American Crow
Dark-eyed Junco
Varied Thrush
Pacific Wren
Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mallard
Canada Geese
Bushit
Eurasian-collared Dove
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets

March 11, 2023 Spring Lake Open Space

Saturday, March 11, was a great day to get out and enjoy nature. Spring Lake is an amazing walk through the woods and 17 birders pointed out signs of spring and watched and listened for birds.

Birders on trail by Caren Willoughby

Sightings of the day:

Mossy nest by Caren Willoughby

Canada Geese
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Stellar’s Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Pacific Wren
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker

Townsend’s Warbler by Caren Willoughby

February 11, 2023 Friends of Wildwood Open Space

Birders at Friends of Wildwood by Caren Willoughby

The morning was cold and clear and the woods were quiet... 22 people joined Audubon Society of Lincoln City group leaders dawn villaescusa and Caren Willoughby on a birdwalk adventure through Friends of the Wildwood Open Space in Lincoln City last Saturday, sponsored by Lincoln City Parks & Recreation.

The birds were scarce for the first half of the walk - we heard a few, but had no sightings. Several of us got out our phones to try the new sound identification on the Merlin app. It picked out a Pacific Wren (which we all could hear singing), Brown Creeper, and Red Crossbills.

At the end of the trail, we turned around to head back - and found the birds that we had missed! Flocks of small songbirds - chickadees, kinglets, and even a Townsend's Warbler - tripped around the tops of bare deciduous branches. Looking at a Northern Flicker, we happened to spot a Downy Woodpecker high in the canopy.

Once out of the woods, we wandered down to the boardwalk for a look at the wetlands, then crossed the street to get better views of the lake - where we saw Pied-billed Grebes, Bufflehead, and several distant ducks.

Sightings of the day:

Birders on trail by Ruth Shelly

22 Species observed
Canada Goose
Mallard
Bufflehead
Pied-billed Grebe
Anna's Hummingbird
Bald Eagle
Northern Flicker
Hutton's Vireo
Steller's Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
European Starling
American Robin
Red Crossbill
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler

Ruby-crowned Kinglet by Ruth Shelly

Yellow-rumped Warbler by Ruth Shelly

January 7, 2023 Yaquina Bay and South Jetty

21 intrepid birders showed up for our first 2023 Bird Walk. Dressed in rain gear and lead by volunteer Elizabeth Laver Holencik, they walked the trail along Yaquina Bay then drove to the South Jetty of the Yaquina River for more good birding. 32 species on the day in spite of the weather! Thanks to Ruth Shelly for the photos and to Liz for the great job leading in the rain!

Birders in the rain, photo by Ruth Shelly

Sightings of the Day:

Surf Scoters by Ruth Shelly

Pacific Loon by Ruth Shelly

Harlequin Duck by Ruth Shelly

American Wigeon
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Whimbrel
Marbled Godwit
Black Turnstone
Least Sandpiper
Red Phalarope
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
American Crow
European Starling
American Robin
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

November 12, 2022 Salmon River Estuary at Knight Park

We had blue skies and plenty of action for 23 birders on our Explorience walk. The hawks were out in numbers and so were the smaller birds trying to chase them off. As the walk continued we saw a variety of birds in the trees. The fact that it was sunny made us all happy.

Sightings of the Day:

Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Greater Yellowlegs
Belted Kingfisher
Raven
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Pied-bill Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Townsend Warbler
Brown Creeper
Hummingbird
Common Merganser
Surf Scoter
European Starling
Stellar’s Jay
Northern Flicker
American Robin 
American Crow

October 8, 2022 Boiler Bay to Devil's Punchbowl

Birders with scopes by Caren Willoughby

Twenty birders met Mark Elliott at Boiler Bay in hopes that the fog would lift enough to see some birds in the sea. The group was rewarded with a few good birds that happened to be close in. We saw large flocks of Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones in Depoe Bay!

Sightings of the day:

Song Sparrow
Brown Pelican
American Crow
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron
Large flocks of Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones
Surf Scoter
White Crowned Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Pacific Loon
Western Gull

Stormy day birders by Caren Willoughby

October 7, 2022 EXPLORIENCE Road's End

It was an interesting morning with all the fog we’ve been having. There were 22 people that joined us on our Friday morning walk, including Field Trip Guide Mark Elliot and Field Trip Coordinator Caren Willoughby. The trail through the woods provided a beautiful glimpse of the changing season. We talked of bird migration and listening for bird sounds to identify. The walk to Roads End wasn’t a disappointment because the fog had lifted somewhat. It was a successful walk even though the birds were few and far between.

Sightings of the day:

Birding group by Caren Willoughby

Pacific Wren
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Stellar’s Jay
Raven
Brown Pelican
Western Gull

September 9, 2022 EXPLORIENCE Cutler City Wetlands Open Space

Leaders Mark Elliott (field trip guide) and dawn villaescusa talk about Lincoln City Exploriences and the history and value of our Lincoln City Open Spaces before we start our walk. Photo: Janet Bleck

It was a beautiful day for an Explorience! Our Lincoln City Audubon field trip leader, Mark Elliott, took 13 bird enthusiasts to Cutler City Wetlands Open Space, a unique wooded wetland just south of Lincoln City! A Swainson's Thrush greeted us when we arrived, but the woods were mostly quiet as we walked.

Coming out of the woods, we walked to the south end of Cutler City where we had great views of the mouth of Drift Creek at Siletz Bay - the tide was low but coming in and we had great views of herons, egrets, cormorants, and more! Two Osprey and a Belted Kingfisher were hunting. Walking back along the roads, a flock of Barn Swallows and Vaux's Swifts were fly-catching over our heads - a rare opportunity to see the two. Mark talked to us about swallows and swifts and how to identify them while they swooped overhead. In spite of a quiet start, we ended up seeing 27 species!

Sightings of the day:

Janet gets some smiles before snapping a photo of our bird walk leaders. Photo: Janet Bleck

Swainson's Thrush
Great Blue Heron
Steller's Jay
Band-tailed Pigeon
Cedar Waxwing
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Turkey Vulture
Eurasian Collared Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
American Crow
European Starling
House Sparrow
House Finch
Northern Flicker
Red-winged Blackbird
Great Egret
Osprey
Brandt's Cormorant
California Gull
Western Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Belted Kingfisher
Rock Pigeon
Barn Swallow
Vaux's Swift
Brown-headed Cowbird
Western Tanager

Looking out over Siletz Bay at the mouth of Drift Creek. This was where we saw the most bird life. Photo: dawn villaescusa

This walk was part of Lincoln City Exploriences! https://www.oregoncoast.org/events/exploriences

Thank you to our sponsors Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks & Rec.!

August 13, 2022 Alder Island Bird Walk

While the birds were few in numbers the 35 participants were not disappointed. With the season beginning to change Mark Elliott shared our interpretive signage along the trail. The signs were a joint effort between Lincoln City Audubon and US Fish & Wildlife, designed by Ernie Rose, illustrated by Nora Sherwood, with information provided by Peter Pearsall. The Alder Island Osprey nest caught everyone’s attention. 

Species panels illustrated by Nora Sherwood.

Here are the birds we saw:

Cedar Waxwing
Canada Geese
Belted Kingfisher
Osprey
Western Gull
Song Sparrow
Great White Egret
Steller's Jay
Purple Martin

After short walk to the beach:

White-crowned Sparrow
Mallard
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Western Grebe
Red-necked Phalarope

July 9, 2022 Yaquina Head Bird Walk

Photo by Caren Willoughby

It was nesting time at Yaquina Head Lighthouse and 22 birders had a chance to observe this once-a-year behavior. For many it was a once in a lifetime chance to view a Black Oystercatcher chick. Western Gulls were nesting and an Eagle was watching close by.

Sightings of the day:

Photo by Caren Willoughby

American Crow
Peregrine Falcon
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
White-crowned Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Brown Pelican
Pigeon Guillemot
Common Murre
Black Oystercatcher
Western Gull
Turkey Vulture
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant

July 8, 2022 EXPLORIENCE Nesika Park

Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

Our bird walk to Nesika Park, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City didn’t disappoint the 17 birders in attendance. Part of Lincoln City's 2022 Exploriences, several participants had already signed up and all were happy with their wooden Explorience tokens! 

Nesting Osprey. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

The nesting Ospreys put on quite a show. The male brought in a nice trout to share with the single chick. The walk to Nesika Park was filled with other birds for all to enjoy. 

Sightings:

Osprey with trout. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

Osprey
American Crow
Barn Swallow 
Violet-green Swallow 
Steller’s Jay 
American Robin 
Spotted Towhee 
European Starling 
Northern Flicker 
Song Sparrow 
Turkey Vulture 
White-crowned Sparrow 
Cedar Waxwing

Osprey. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

June 11, 2022 Ona Beach & Beaver Creek State Recreation Area

Mark Elliott led 13 birders along the trail to the sea. We saw a variety of birds as well as a pair of nesting Eagles waiting to dine on a Harbor Seal that washed ashore. The rain held off for the rest of the trip up Beaver Creek. 

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Ona Beach sightings:

Photo by Caren Willoughby

American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
White-crowned Sparrow
American Crow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Canada Geese
Song Sparrow
Killdeer
Barn Swallow
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Semi-palmated Plover
Beavercreek Sightings
Steller’s Jay
Anna’s Hummingbird
Violet-green Swallow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
Spotted Towhee

Photo by Caren Willoughby

June 10, 2022 Regatta Park & Devils Lake

Photo by Caren Willoughby

We did not get rained on! Trip leader, Mark Elliott led 9 birders through the woods around the Regatta Grounds. The trail was well marked and we checked out the signage along the way.  It was warm and the birds did not disappoint us. 

Bird Sightings:

Mallard
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Turkey Vulture
American Robin
Downy Woodpecker
Spotted Towhee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
European Starling
Purple Finch
Cedar Waxwing
Anna’s Hummingbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Canada Geese

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Group shot! Photo by Caren Willoughby.

April 8, 2022 Spring Lake Open Space

It was a small group that had no problem with the weather forecast. Trip leader Mark Elliott led around Lincoln City’s Open Space Spring Lake. It was magical with wildflowers in bloom and birds singing all around us. It was a haven for Warblers! In just three words “It Was Wonderful.” We were all thankful for the well maintained trails and Parks and Recreation of Lincoln City.

American Robin photo by Ruth Shelly

Listening and looking for those Warblers.

Down the trail.

Across the bridge to watch the Canada Goose fly in.

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Are these Myosotis scorpioides (Marsh-forget-me-not) growing along the path?

Sightings of the day:

Pacific Wren
American Crow
American Robin
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Townsend Warbler
Black-throated Grey Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Osprey
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bald Eagle
Canada Goose
Mallard
Hairy Woodpecker

Canada Goose photo by Ruth Shelly

January 8, 2022 Hatfield Marine Science Center

Photo by Ruth Shelly

What a difference a day makes! Friday was cold and miserable, but we still had 7 people enjoy the walk at Regatta Park in Lincoln City. On Saturday, the sun shone all day - while chilly, it was perfect for spotting birds on Hatfield Marine Science Center's nature trail and the South Jetty at Yaquina Bay. 17 people joined us, including our bird experts and expert photographers.

Red-throated Loon photo by Ruth Shelly

Great Blue Heron photo by Ruth Shelly

Species seen on Saturday (Yaquina Bay & South Jetty):

Eurasia Wigeon
American Wigeon
Greater Scaup
Harlequin duck
Surf scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Whimbrel
Iceland Gulls (Thayer’s)
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western x Glaucous-winged gull (Olympic gull)
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Brand’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Steller’s Jay
American Crow
European Starling
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

Western Gull photo by Ruth Shelly

February 13, 2021 Alder Island Loop Trail at Siletz Bay NWR

Weather reports were saying that this day would be the same as the day before – very cold, windy, and soaking wet. The birders who assembled for the bird walk were glad that the temp was in the high 40s rather than in the mid-30’s, and with little or no wind. As one of the walkers reported, “I think we began with 11 participants today, but ended up with nine after the one couple bailed early when the sideways rain began right as we headed out.” Those who weren’t wearing rainpants walked around with wet britches!

Birding in the rain at Alder Island, photo Joanne Daschel

We sighted a number of waterfowl species but very few woodland birds. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves and loved the beautiful new descriptive signage on the trail which was produced last year (2020) in collaboration with ASLC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Great Blue Heron sign, photo by Ernie Rose

Sightings of the day:
Bufflehead ~ Hooded Merganser ~ Common Merganser ~ Red-breasted Merganser ~ Song Sparrow ~ Mallard ~ Common Goldeneye ~ American Robin ~ Canada Goose ~ Great Blue Heron ~ Horned Grebe ~ Double-breasted Cormorant ~ Red-winged Blackbird ~ Common Loon ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Golden-crowned Sparrow ~ American Crow ~ Bewick’s Wren

January 9, 2021 Yaquina Bay and Yaquina River South Jetty

The day started sunny but cold for the 9 birders who gathered in the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) parking lot in Newport. Hand warmers for one of the birders weren't enough to keep his fingers from getting cold and numb. Amongst the number of species seen and photographed, the birding group was surprised to see Brant as well as a group of Marbled Godwit with Whimbrel in the mix. From HMSC, they headed over to South Jetty on the west side of Hwy 101. There they viewed a number of other species including Harlequin Duck, Horned Grebe, and Common Loon. In all, the birders counted 31 species. Great way to start the year!!

Sightings of the day:
Common Loon ~ Surf Scoter ~ Greater Scaup ~ Brandt’s Cormorant ~ American Wigeon ~ American Crow ~ Western Gull ~ Brant ~ California Gull ~ Marbled Godwit ~ Mew Gull ~ House Finch ~ Anna’s Hummingbird ~ Dark-eyed Junco ~ Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Eurasian Collared-dove ~ Rock Pigeon ~ Northern Harrier ~ Horned Grebe ~ Red-necked Grebe ~ Red-breasted Merganser ~ Harlequin Duck ~ Belted Kingfisher ~ Pelagic Cormorant ~ Whimbrel ~ Great Blue Heron ~ Common Goldeneye ~ Bufflehead ~ Mallard ~ Pigeon Guillemot ~ Western Meadowlark

October 10, 2020 Boiler Bay to Devil's Punch Bowl

Six intrepid birders joined us to drive along the rocky shores from Boiler Bay to Devil's Punch Bowl. Trip leader Mark Elliott pointed out the sights and the birds as the weather improved from site-to-site.

Sightings of the day:
Western Grebe • Great Blue Heron • Canada Goose • Cackling Goose • Harlequin Duck • Bald Eagle • Peregrine Falcon • Black Oystercatcher • Black Turnstone • Western Gull • California Gull • Anna's Hummingbird • Steller's Jay • American Crow • Song Sparrow • Fox Sparrow

March 13, 2020 Spring Lake Open Space

Sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation and Explore Lincoln City, ten birders walked the trails around Spring Lake searching for various bird species, whether being seen or heard. About an hour into the walk the weather got progressive worse, going from light to heavy showers. And because of the rainfall, we didn't get photos of the birds we saw. Nonetheless, everyone enjoyed being outside.

Sightings of the day:
American Robin • Varied Thrush • American Crow • Golden-crowned Kinglet • Rufous Hummingbird • Spotted Towhee • Canada Goose • Stellers Jay • Red Crossbill • Ruby-crowned Kinglet • Chestnut-backed Chickadee • Pacific Wren

February 8, 2020 Hostetler Park with Devils Lake State Park

Saturday’s birdwalk began with a big question mark. Sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation, it started at Hostetler Park with trip leader Mark Elliott welcoming 31 participants. We had birders from Pacific City, Waldport, Tacoma, WA, Keizer, Brooks, Salem, Depoe Bay, Albany, Dallas, and Tillamook Community College. The weather challenged us to stay dry. We lost! We also lost entrance to the boardwalk in the direction to Devil's Lake State Park due to repairs. It didn’t take us long to realize that Devil’s Lake State Park was completely flooded and closed to everyone, so we decided that we needed to go to Regatta Park and check out the birds there. The walk through the woods and neighborhood gave us a few birds and kept the group out of high water!

Sightings of the day:
Pacific Wren
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
American Robin
Canada Goose
Bald Eagle
Rock Dove
Common Raven
American Crow
Bufflehead
Western Grebe
Western Gull
Lesser Scaup