Join us for a mini bird walk! Every first and third Saturday through the summer (June 6-August 15), we will explore D River and the surrounding area for a quick but rich birding experience. Seven Capes volunteers will be present with binoculars to guide the walk, answer questions, and help identify birds. We’ll start at Hostetler Park on D River, take the boardwalk through wetland habitat, and as time permits, continue through the campground at Devils Lake State Recreation Area to the Devils Lake dock. Along the way, we’ll look for a variety of bird life including waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.

This walk is intended to be shorter than our regular monthly bird walks but will provide ample opportunity for good birding!

Length, difficulty/conditions: The parking lot is gravel but can be flooded and muddy. The walk is initially on an old service road that crosses a closed bridge to a wide gravel area. The boardwalk is wide and the walk through the campground is paved. This is one of our more accessible walks – it’s mostly flat with only slight, short elevation changes.

Facilities: Restrooms at the campground.

Directions: In Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on NE 1st St. The Hostetler Park parking lot where we will meet will be on your immediate right. Watch for our sign. 

General info: These bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. Birding by D River walks are guided by Seven Capes volunteers and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our bird walks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

We’ve teamed up with Salishan Coastal Lodge to host “Perch & Pour”–a bird-oriented happy hour starting at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in The Attic.

Salishan opens The Attic an hour early for birders of all levels—both Salishan guests and the public—to gather in conversation and sip on a craft cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage in a cozy setting. A Seven Capes volunteer will be present to answer your questions about local birding!

In addition to beverages, The Attic presents a farm-to-fork dinner menu crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Perch & Pour participants are welcome to stay when The Attic opens to the public at 4 p.m. And don’t miss out on live music every Wednesday from 5–7 p.m.—come for the birds, stay for the tunes! 

Salishan Coastal Lodge is easily accessible at 7760 US-101 in Gleneden Beach. Join us to share your latest bird sightings and stories!

We invite you to explore tidepools at Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area just north of Depoe Bay on Wednesday, June 17, 8:00  - 10:30 a.m.

Join Fawn Custer, a highly experienced environmental marine science educator, in discovering the spectacular tidepools and shorebirds of Fogarty Creek–a designated Marine Conservation Area. The rocky shore captures seawater in pools as the tide recedes, providing habitat for a concentration of colorful sea stars, green anemones, crabs, mussels, barnacles, sponges, and fanciful sea slugs called nudibranchs. Western Gulls and  Black Oystercatchers roam the tidepools looking for a tasty treat. 

All Seven Capes Bird Alliance outings are free, family-friendly, and easy to moderately easy. Extreme low tides promise excellent exploration, but wear rubber boots or water shoes to wade in. Dress for the weather; we go rain or shine. Dogs are not allowed. Be sure to carry water.

Group size is limited, and pre-registration is required.

Join us as we walk a portion of the 4-mile loop trail using the service road access off of South Beaver Creek Rd. We’ll stroll through the woods looking for nesting birds including warblers and swallows, and listening for marsh birds like Sora and Virginia Rail. If time allows, we will continue to the viewpoint. 

Length, difficulty/conditions: The initial mile of trail is a wide access road with packed dirt/gravel and is pretty accessible. From there, the trail narrows and has some minor elevation changes. 

Facilities: There is a porta-potty about a mile in.  The trail is less than a mile in and back. 

Directions: South of Newport (Seal Rock area). From Hwy 101 at Ona Beach, turn west on N Beaver Creek Rd. Continue about .5 of a mile where you will turn right onto S Beaver Creek Rd. Continue about 2.5 miles to the pullout. We will meet at the wayside across from the trailhead. Watch for our sign. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

Join us for a walk through diverse habitat along D River, crossing a hidden boardwalk through unique wetlands, then on through the campgrounds to Devils Lake. At D River, we’ll start by the river for a look at the herons and hope to spot a Mallard or Canada Goose family.  As we walk to the boardwalk and across, we'll look for songbirds such as chickadees and kinglets. At the lake, we’ll hope to catch a look at Osprey fishing on the lake while swallows fly over and dip in the water. 

Sponsorship: Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

Length, difficulty/conditions: The parking lot is gravel but often flooded and muddy. The walk is initially on an old service road that crosses a closed bridge to a wide gravel area. The boardwalk is wide and the walk through the campground is paved. One of our more accessible walks - it’s mostly flat with only slight, short elevation changes.

Facilities: Restrooms at the campground

Directions: In Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn west on NE 1st St. The Hostetler Park parking lot where we will meet will be on your immediate right. Watch for our sign. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

Join us for a mini bird walk! Every first and third Saturday through the summer (June 6-August 15), we will explore D River and the surrounding area for a quick but rich birding experience. Seven Capes volunteers will be present with binoculars to guide the walk, answer questions, and help identify birds. We’ll start at Hostetler Park on D River, take the boardwalk through wetland habitat, and as time permits, continue through the campground at Devils Lake State Recreation Area to the Devils Lake dock. Along the way, we’ll look for a variety of bird life including waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors.

This walk is intended to be shorter than our regular monthly bird walks but will provide ample opportunity for good birding!

Length, difficulty/conditions: The parking lot is gravel but can be flooded and muddy. The walk is initially on an old service road that crosses a closed bridge to a wide gravel area. The boardwalk is wide and the walk through the campground is paved. This is one of our more accessible walks – it’s mostly flat with only slight, short elevation changes.

Facilities: Restrooms at the campground.

Directions: In Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on NE 1st St. The Hostetler Park parking lot where we will meet will be on your immediate right. Watch for our sign. 

General info: These bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. Birding by D River walks are guided by Seven Capes volunteers and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our bird walks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

This webinar is part of our Restoring Our Kelp Forests virtual series brought to you by Seven Capes Bird Alliance in partnership with Friends of Otter Rock, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oregon Kelp Alliance, and the Elakha Alliance.

Sea otters once thrived along the Oregon coast, playing a critical role in maintaining healthy kelp forests. Their removal during the maritime fur trade left a missing link in Oregon’s nearshore ecosystem, contributing to unchecked sea urchin populations and declining kelp habitat.

In this engaging and science-based presentation, marine biologist Chanel Hason explores how sea otters function as keystone predators, the cascading ecological benefits they bring to kelp forests and estuaries, and what restoration could mean for Oregon’s biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal resilience. Attendees will gain insight into the collaborative, tribal-led efforts underway to develop a responsible reintroduction plan by the Elakha Alliance–and how restoring this iconic species could help rebalance Oregon’s underwater forests for generations to come.

Chanel Hason is a marine biologist, environmental educator, and passionate ocean advocate serving as the Director of Outreach & Community Relations for the Elakha Alliance. With a background that includes working with sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, conducting marine research on the Great Barrier Reef, and educating communities about the wonders of the natural world, Chanel brings science to life with energy and heart. At Elakha, she leads public engagement efforts to support the restoration of sea otters to the Oregon coast–reviving an essential keystone species to help restore balance to nearshore ecosystems. Whether she’s giving a science pub talk, running a fundraiser, or tabling at community events, Chanel loves inspiring people to fall in love with sea otters and the kelp forests they call home.

We’ve teamed up with Salishan Coastal Lodge to host “Perch & Pour”–a bird-oriented happy hour starting at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in The Attic.

Salishan opens The Attic an hour early for birders of all levels—both Salishan guests and the public—to gather in conversation and sip on a craft cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage in a cozy setting. A Seven Capes volunteer will be present to answer your questions about local birding!

In addition to beverages, The Attic presents a farm-to-fork dinner menu crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Perch & Pour participants are welcome to stay when The Attic opens to the public at 4 p.m. And don’t miss out on live music every Wednesday from 5–7 p.m.—come for the birds, stay for the tunes! 

Salishan Coastal Lodge is easily accessible at 7760 US-101 in Gleneden Beach. Join us to share your latest bird sightings and stories!

Join us for a guided walk featuring seabirds and their dependence on Oregon’s rocky habitat at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area in Newport on Wednesday, May 20, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

May is a spectacular time to observe the nesting seabirds at Yaquina Head, when thousands of Common Murres crowd the top of colony rock. Hundreds of Brandt's Cormorants will be displaying their electric turquoise throats, showing off to their mates. Pelagic Cormorants will be showing their bold white flank patches, making them easy to identify. Nesting Black Oystercatchers are particularly vocal in spring, as they chase intruders from their territories.  We’ll also get great looks at the harbor seals through the spotting scope. Offshore, the loon migration is well underway, and we’ll see them in breeding colors as they stream north.

We’ll discuss how to responsibly enjoy watching seabirds and other wildlife dependent on Oregon’s rocky habitat, and learn what is being done to protect these natural habitats.

Eric Horvath will lead the walk. Eric holds a degree in zoology from Oregon State University and has written scientific papers on birds and mammals.  He has conducted ornithological research in Oregon, Arizona, Mexico, and Australia, and has guided birding tours since 1990 throughout the U. S., and to Panama, Peru, and Ecuador.  Eric's interests also include photography, botany, and geology.

The event is free, but registration is required. Binoculars will be provided, or bring your own. Dress for the weather, as we’ll go rain or shine. Yaquina Head is located at 750 N. Lighthouse Dr., Newport, OR.  The entrance fee for the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is $7 per vehicle, which covers access to the lighthouse, interpretive center, and tidepool areas. Day passes are purchased at the park entrance, and America the Beautiful or Oregon Coast Passport passes are accepted.

The Black-backed Woodpecker is typically considered a post-fire associated species. However, it was recently discovered that this woodpecker is nesting successfully in old lodgepole pine forests in the western portion of its range. This talk by Mark Kerstens will explore some of the natural history of this important woodpecker, and how its dual habitat associations tie together to teach us lessons about historical forest conditions and wildfire, and what this means for contemporary forest management, wildlife, and communities in our fire-adapted landscapes.

Mark earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His honors thesis studied how overwintering birds in mixed-species flocks respond to pishing vs. chickadee mobbing calls. He has since spent several years on avian point count and nest monitoring projects in Oregon punctuated by teaching outdoor education in southern California. His main research interests are how to manage forests both before and after wildfires to provide habitat for cavity-nesting birds, and to use these species as indicators for ecosystem health. For his M.S. he studied Black-backed Woodpecker vital rates in fire-prone landscapes, and he has been expanding work on that species for his Ph.D. When not chasing birds, Mark likes to spend his time climbing/skiing volcanoes, trail running, mountain biking, or sewing his own outdoor gear.

MEETING LOCATION:

OSU Extension Lincoln County
1211 SE Bay Blvd
Newport, OR 97365

This presentation is brought to you by Yaquina Birders & Naturalists.

This quiet little lake offers several distinct habitats and is an ideal Spring birding spot.  After viewing birds in the small park, we’ll walk carefully along the highway to the road that encircles about half of the lake. In spring, the lake has Double-crested Cormorant, Wood Duck, Osprey, and Pied-billed Grebe while the slough hosts waterfowl and shorebirds. 

Partner: MidCoast Watersheds Council

Length, difficulty/conditions: We’ll be walking primarily on the edges of paved roads with no elevation changes. However, the sides of the road are narrow and rough, in some places there is little space between the road and the guardrail or brush. The walk is about 1.3 miles to the marsh and back to the parking area. 

Facilities: Restroom at parking area

Directions: East of Waldport. From Hwy 101, turn east on Hwy 34 E/NW Hemlock St. Continue about 3 miles to WB Nelson State Recreation Site. We will meet in the parking lot there. Watch for our sign. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

Cutler City wetlands is a wooded wetland that is unique along the Oregon coast. There are many trails that cut through the forest - we will stick with the outer trail. The large trees host species such as Brown Creepers and Hairy Woodpeckers while the marshy brush is home to Common Yellowthroat and other songbirds. Great Blue Herons have built a rookery there so we should see their large nests and hear their noisy behaviors. After walking the woods, we’ll move on to Josephine Young Memorial Park at Siletz Bay where we will look for early arriving shorebirds. 

Partner: MidCoast Watersheds Council

Sponsorship: Lincoln City Parks and Recreation

Length, difficulty/conditions: The trail is mostly flat but is narrow and has exposed tree roots in some spots. There are some minor elevation changes and a few short boardwalks that span low spots. Good shoes are recommended. The outer trail in the woods is about 1.5 miles, and it’s another .5 mile to the park, making the total distance about 2.5 miles.

Facilities: Josephine Young Memorial Park has a restroom.

Directions: In Cutler City (just south of Lincoln City). From Hwy 101, turn west on SW 63rd Ave. Continue about .5 of a mile. We will meet at the pull-out on SW 63rd. Watch for our sign. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

This webinar is part of our Restoring Our Kelp Forests virtual series brought to you by Seven Capes Bird Alliance in partnership with Friends of Otter Rock, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oregon Kelp Alliance, and the Elakha Alliance.

A large marine epidemic known as sea star wasting disease hit the Oregon coast in 2014. This caused an important sea urchin predator, the sunflower sea star, to decline by more than 98% in population size. This large, fast, up to 28-armed sea star influences urchin populations not only by directly consuming urchins, but also by indirectly affecting their behavior through fear. The loss of this predator is linked to a 70% decline of Oregon’s kelp forests and an increase in urchin populations, creating urchin-dominated barrens. Miles will walk us through his laboratory research, where he quantified how many urchins a sunflower sea star can eat, and his field experiments, where he dove in Oregon’s cold turbulent waters to test the effect of sunflower sea star presence on urchin behavior and grazing. 

Miles Rough is a Ph.D. student at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology in the laboratory of Dr. Aaron Galloway. Miles is fascinated by kelp forest dynamics, particularly the shifts between healthy ecosystems and urchin-dominated barrens. He uses field and laboratory experiments to understand the role of sunflower sea stars as a key predator influencing urchin populations and ecosystem stability. Miles is an AAUS scientific diver and SCUBA instructor, using diving both to conduct research and to train others in underwater observation techniques. He earned his B.S. in Biology with a focus on Marine Biology from Oregon State University in 2024.

We’ve teamed up with Salishan Coastal Lodge to host “Perch & Pour”–a bird-oriented happy hour starting at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in The Attic.

Salishan opens The Attic an hour early for birders of all levels—both Salishan guests and the public—to gather in conversation and sip on a craft cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage in a cozy setting. A Seven Capes volunteer will be present to answer your questions about local birding!

In addition to beverages, The Attic presents a farm-to-fork dinner menu crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Perch & Pour participants are welcome to stay when The Attic opens to the public at 4 p.m. And don’t miss out on live music every Wednesday from 5–7 p.m.—come for the birds, stay for the tunes! 

Salishan Coastal Lodge is easily accessible at 7760 US-101 in Gleneden Beach. Join us to share your latest bird sightings and stories!

These wetlands were created where rivers converge at Tillamook Bay. Much work has been done over recent years to remove the dikes and restore wetland habitats. Early April offers a unique opportunity to view early migrants along with lingering winter birds and waterfowl. We will hope to enjoy early arriving swallows who nest in the many dead trees. The fields often host raptors such as Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks and Bald Eagles. We might be lucky enough to see a White-tailed Kite or Northern Harrier as we walk. 

Partner: Netarts Bay WEBS

Length, difficulty/conditions: Goodspeed Rd is a gravel road and can be full of potholes. Drive slowly. The trail is an access road that’s not in good shape most of the time. However, it’s all pretty flat with no elevation changes. The walk is about 2 miles in and back. .  

Facilities: None

Directions: In Tillamook (city). Goodspeed Rd is just south of Fred Meyer, which is on the north end of Tillamook. From Hwy 101, turn west on Goodspeed Rd. Continue about 1.5 miles to the end  where we will meet. Watch for our signs. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

The Villages walk provides diverse habitat for an interesting array of birds. We will walk along the road watching for the last of the wintering songbirds and enjoy early arrivals such as warblers. From there, we’ll take a narrow trail past the Sal La Sea wetlands where we’ll hope to spot Virginia Rail or even a Black Phoebe. We’ll continue to beach at Roads End State Park to look for nearshore birds before returning along the same route. 

Sponsorship: Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

Length, difficulty/conditions: The first part of the walk is paved, but as we leave the street the trail is narrow and winding, with elevation changes. It can be muddy so good shoes and walking sticks are recommended. It’s about 1.3 miles up and back. 

Facilities: Restroom at Roads End State Park.

Directions: In Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn north on NE Devils Lake Blvd which is just west of the Chinook Winds Golf Course. Continue up NE Devils Lake Blvd past the golf course, watching for our signs. We will meet and park along the road. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

This webinar is part of our Restoring Our Kelp Forests virtual series brought to you by Seven Capes Bird Alliance in partnership with Friends of Otter Rock, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oregon Kelp Alliance, and the Elakha Alliance.

Sara will tell the story of the Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA), starting with its origin in 2020. She will discuss the 2024 Kelp Forest Status Report, which for the first time documented the changes taking place in Oregon's kelp forests over the past 15 years. Learn about the ongoing Oregon Kelp Forest Stewardship Initiative and how ORKA is working to restore and preserve these vibrant ecosystems. Sara will close with a few thoughts about the future of kelp forest stewardship here in Oregon, followed by audience Q & A.

Dr. Sara Hamilton is Science Coordinator for the Oregon Kelp Alliance (ORKA), where she has worked since 2022. She came to ORKA after receiving her Ph.D. studying kelp forest ecology and conservation at Oregon State University. She was also a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California-Davis, researching patterns of hypoxia and acidification across the California Current and the implications of these patterns for shellfish. At ORKA, she led the writing of the 2024 Kelp Forest Status Report and is helping to implement the NOAA-funded Oregon Kelp Forest Stewardship Initiative. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, on the occupied lands of the Kalapuya peoples, whose descendants are often enrolled in the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. After her day job, Sara goes to her night job, where she works full time adoring her rescue dog, D. B. Cooper.

Jim Welch will tell the story of local wildlife who migrate along our coast from as far away as New Zealand, Brazil and Russia.  He will focus on the ecology of examples such as the gray whale, the monarch butterfly, the Chinook salmon, the Barn Swallow and the Purple Martin. You will learn about the advancements in science that has allowed us to tag a butterfly and track its progress from Michigan to Mexico, how birds have a compass in their eyes that allows them to see the magnetic field and orient in migration, and how hummingbirds can fly nonstop 500 miles in 20 hours and return to the same feeder every year. You will also learn what happens to the human brain when it gives up its natural ability to orient and navigate by using GPS.  Please come to the presentation using your brain’s internal map and visual environmental cues and you will receive a free “Bird City Yachats” bookmark. 

Jim Welch is a lifelong environmentalist who has been active in conservation related projects in Oregon. Besides co-founding SWIFTY (Swallows in Flight to Yachats), a local bird box building group, he established the Yachats annual environmental festival, Wild Things, where kids and families learn to enjoy and protect our treasured coastline and wildlife. He serves as a board member for the Seven Capes Bird Alliance and led the effort to get the City of Yachats certified as the first “Bird City” on the Pacific Coast. 

This talk is sponsored by Yachats Lions Club and Bird City Yachats.

We’ve teamed up with Salishan Coastal Lodge to host “Perch & Pour”–a bird-oriented happy hour starting at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in The Attic.

Salishan opens The Attic an hour early for birders of all levels—both Salishan guests and the public—to gather in conversation and sip on a craft cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage in a cozy setting. A Seven Capes volunteer will be present to answer your questions about local birding!

In addition to beverages, The Attic presents a farm-to-fork dinner menu crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Perch & Pour participants are welcome to stay when The Attic opens to the public at 4 p.m. And don’t miss out on live music every Wednesday from 5–7 p.m.—come for the birds, stay for the tunes! 

Salishan Coastal Lodge is easily accessible at 7760 US-101 in Gleneden Beach. Join us to share your latest bird sightings and stories!

Neskowin community has a wonderful variety of habitats - the flooded golf course during the winter, beach access, marsh and wetlands, and more. We will walk along the golf course edge and the road, birding along the way. On the flooded fairways, we’ll look for wintering geese and ducks. Along the streets we’ll watch for flocks of songbirds such as warblers, siskins, and chickadees. At the north end of the golf course we’ll take the wooded walking path crossing the marsh where we hope to see marsh birds, herons, and egrets before returning along the streets to the parking lot. 

Length, difficulty/conditions: Most of the walk is along paved streets but there is very little traffic. There is a narrow trail across the marsh that we will take. No elevation changes, but it can be muddy. Walk is about 1.5 miles. 

Facilities: Fully equipped restroom at parking area. 

Directions: In Neskowin. Neskowin is about 14 miles north of Lincoln City. As you enter the town, there will be a public parking area directly in front of you. We will meet in the Neskowin Beach parking lot on Salem Ave (as you enter Neskowin from Hwy 101).  Watch for our signs. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

Spring Lake Open Space is a hidden treasure within the city limits about a quarter of a mile from Highway 101 on NE 14th Street. We’ll start on the top, paved trail looking for songbirds like chickadees, kinglets, and wrens. From there we leave the paved trail and take the narrow path down the hill toward the lake itself. In the woods we’ll look for woodpeckers and flickers. As we cross the narrow bridge and follow along the lake, we should see a variety of sparrows and other songbirds. Sometimes a heron or egret is on the lake and occasionally a mallard.  

Sponsorship: Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

Length, difficulty/conditions: The trail at the top is wide and paved, highly accessible if you want to come for just the first half of the walk. As we leave to walk down through the woods, it becomes narrow and uneven with exposed tree roots and can be muddy. Good shoes and walking sticks are recommended.  All told, the walk is about 1.4 miles. 

Facilities: None

Directions: In Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on NE 14th which becomes NE West Devils Lake Road. Continue .4 of a mile to Port Ave. Turn left - the parking area where we will meet will be on your immediate right.  Watch for our signs. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

Bird City Yachats (BCY) will hold its official launch on March 1st, 1:30 PM at the Yachats Lions Hall where Bird City Oregon will present the designation to the Mayor of Yachats. This will be followed by a talk entitled “Taking Refuge on the Oregon Coast”, a history of our coastal wildlife refuges, which provide critical seabird nesting habitat. BCY is sponsored by the Yachats Lions Club. 

In the Fall 2025 the city of Yachats was awarded an Oregon Bird City, the first bird city on the Pacific Coast. This certification rewards cities for their efforts to help wildlife. Bird City Yachats (BCY) is part of a national program, Bird City Network ( https://birdcity.org/) of more than 300 “Bird” cities across the country. A steering committee for BCY has been established to encourage our citizens to protect and enjoy our precious wildlife and to develop projects for their protection. 

BCY projects range from education (e.g., speaker series, bird walks) to removing threats (e.g., bird strike prevention) and marketing (e.g., website, ads promoting Yachats as a birding destination). Birds have unique threats. One that kills millions of birds a year is striking windows. In that regard BCY been working with the city manager on window treatments for the new pavilion that will minimize bird strikes. Open pipes and chimneys that can trap birds are another threat. Working together with Seven Capes Bird Alliance, BCY has surveyed 24 state parks in Lincoln County and identified over 150 open pipes which we will help cap. 

BCY now has a website (https://birdcity.org/oregon/yachats) and information available at the Visitor Center on birds and birding sites. This month we will unveil a photo exhibition of local birds and wildlife in the children’s section of the new Yachats library. 

Established in 1950, the Yachats Lions Club serves Yachats and South Lincoln County. With our motto of “WE SERVE”, we provide service for eyeglasses and exams, hearing aids and exams, eye screening in Lincoln County schools, pancake breakfasts, crab feed, lunch bunch, speaker series, peace poster and flag day events in our schools, and community use of our clubhouse. Through community donations to the Yachats Lions Thrift Store our sales allow us to donate to local needs such as student scholarships, food pantries, school programs, and conservation projects. 

Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it. 

Have you thought about getting involved in local habitat conservation, wildlife education, or community science projects? Would you like to put your skills to good use and get involved in an inviting community that shares your interests? Join Seven Capes Bird Alliance on Saturday, February 28 to learn how our amazing team of volunteers:

• Runs monthly bird walks

• Assists with classroom programs

• Engages with our community

• Advocates for conservation

• Educates the public about birds & other wildlife

• Conducts annual Osprey nest surveys

  And so much more!

Our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do, and we want YOU to join our team! You’ll have the chance to chat with current volunteers, explore available opportunities, and get outside to see what being a Seven Capes volunteer is all about. Note: if you’re unable to attend but are interested in working with Seven Capes, please see our available volunteer opportunities and fill out our Volunteer Interest Form to let us know!

We can never adequately thank those who devote their time to helping us achieve our mission. If you’re already a Seven Capes volunteer, please join us to be recognized and receive a special token of our appreciation!

Lunch will be provided. Please register in advance if you plan to attend!

Saturday, February 28 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Guin Library at Hatfield Marine Science Center | Newport, OR

We’ve teamed up with Salishan Coastal Lodge to host “Perch & Pour”–a bird-oriented happy hour starting at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in The Attic.

Salishan opens The Attic an hour early for birders of all levels—both Salishan guests and the public—to gather in conversation and sip on a craft cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage in a cozy setting. A Seven Capes volunteer will be present to answer your questions about local birding!

In addition to beverages, The Attic presents a farm-to-fork dinner menu crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Perch & Pour participants are welcome to stay when The Attic opens to the public at 4 p.m. And don’t miss out on live music every Wednesday from 5–7 p.m.—come for the birds, stay for the tunes! 

Salishan Coastal Lodge is easily accessible at 7760 US-101 in Gleneden Beach. Join us to share your latest bird sightings and stories!

The island of New Guinea has some of the most flamboyant and flashy birds in the world, including Birds of Paradise, Bowerbirds, Pittas and Paradise Kingfishers. But is it really paradise for birders? Come and find out at this speaking event.

Ram Papish is a professional illustrator specializing in wildlife and historic depictions. His interests include flowering shrubs, birdwatching, wildlife photography, community theater, and world travel. His major achievement is appearing in the 2024 “Chicken Daddies” calendar.

This presentation is brought to you by Yaquina Birders & Naturalists.

MEETING LOCATION:

OSU Extension Lincoln County
1211 SE Bay Blvd
Newport, OR 97365

Take a walk through the forest right in the heart of Lincoln City. We’ll start on the short boardwalk that overlooks a marsh, looking for raptors and sparrows. As we enter the woods, we’ll look for year round residents such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and kinglets, along with wintering sparrows. With luck, we’ll spot a flock of warblers. 

Sponsorship: Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

Length, difficulty/conditions: The boardwalk is wide and accessible. As we enter the woods, the trail becomes more narrow and uneven as we walk, and is often muddy with some elevation changes. Good shoes and walking sticks are recommended. The trail is about .5 miles up and back. If we decide to continue through the streets at the far end of the trail, the total walk is about 2 miles. 

Facilities: None

Directions: In Lincoln City. From Hwy 101, turn east on NE 14th which becomes NE West Devils Lake Road. Continue 1.4 miles to the open space. We will meet at the trailhead on NE West Devils Lake Rd. There is limited parking along the street at the trailhead. 

General info: All of our Seven Capes bird walks are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. No prior experience is needed and you do not need to pre-register. The walks are led by experienced birders  and we provide the free use of binoculars and field guides. Dress for coastal weather as we hold our birdwalks rain or shine. Please remember to bring water. Note that dogs are not allowed on these walks.

SWIFTY—Swallows in Flight to Yachats—is a passionate volunteer group dedicated to giving our local birds a fighting chance. From their home base in Yachats, volunteers build, install, and carefully monitor nest boxes for ducks, owls, songbirds, and especially the swallow family. Join Oregon Coast Learning Institute (OCLI) for a presentation by Jim Welch, SWIFTY co-founder and Seven Capes board member.

Their impact is impressive: more than 250 nest boxes now support Tree and Violet-green Swallows, and another 90 boxes provide crucial habitat for Purple Martins.

In this illustrated talk, you’ll be invited into the hidden world of these remarkable species—their ecology, their nesting behaviors, and the powerful role that thoughtfully placed nest boxes play in their survival. You’ll also learn about the growing challenges these birds face, from shifting climate patterns to habitat loss, and how community action can make a real difference.

The presentation will conclude with highlights from this year’s monitoring results, offering an inside look at what’s working, what’s changing, and how WIFTY’s efforts are helping our local bird populations take flight.

BIO: Jim Welch bought a home on the Oregon coast in 2016 when he retired from the renewable energy industry in Colorado. As a lifelong environmentalist, he has been active in conservation related projects in the area. Besides co-founding SWIFTY, he established Yachats annual environmental festival, Wild Things, where kids and families learn to enjoy and protect our treasured coastline and its wildlife. He is currently serving as a board member for the Seven Capes Bird Alliance and is in the process of getting the City of Yachats certified as one of the first “Bird Cities” in the state. 

We’ve teamed up with Salishan Coastal Lodge to host “Perch & Pour”–a bird-oriented happy hour starting at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in The Attic.

Salishan opens The Attic an hour early for birders of all levels—both Salishan guests and the public—to gather in conversation and sip on a craft cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage in a cozy setting. A Seven Capes volunteer will be present to answer your questions about local birding!

In addition to beverages, The Attic presents a farm-to-fork dinner menu crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Perch & Pour participants are welcome to stay when The Attic opens to the public at 4 p.m. And don’t miss out on live music every Wednesday from 5–7 p.m.—come for the birds, stay for the tunes! 

Salishan Coastal Lodge is easily accessible at 7760 US-101 in Gleneden Beach. Join us to share your latest bird sightings and stories!

Yaquina Bay regularly hosts thousands of wintering waterfowl. After walking the trail, we’ll drive to the south jetty as time permits. We should see Harlequin and other diving ducks, loons, and other wintering birds. This trip offers short easy walks to viewing areas.

Location: Meet in the HMSC visitor center parking lot.