Dear Reader,
I'm writing from our hotel room in Medford, where we are waiting to visit my husband's father, who is back in the hospital for the 2nd time in as many weeks. He is to be released today so we will pop over to visit and offer our hugs and support. So I'm taking these few minutes to catch you up on what's happening this month. As usual, we are busy!
BIRD WALKS
Please note there is a change to our Saturday bird walk this month. Due to closures at the planned site, we will instead go to The Villages in Lincoln City and walk through the woods to the beach. One of our most popular walks, sponsored by Lincoln City Parks & Rec. The walk will be on Saturday, March 12 at 9am. More info...
GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
54 birders in Tillamook county reported 121 species. High counts were Cliff Cordy with 76 species, Jamie Simmons 75 species, and Kevin Scaldeferri with 67. In Lincoln county, 72 birders reported 114 species. High counts were David Rudholm with 67 species, Tom Myers 61 species, and Tyler Wilson with 56. We had a great turnout from our two counties - thank you to all who participated!
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Congratulations and a big thank-you to everyone who helped get some major forestry bills through the legislature this short session. The Elliott State Research Forest will remain public, gain protections, and no longer be obligated to provide revenue for the Common School Fund. The Private Forest Accord bills passed and will be handed off to the Board of Forestry and Oregon Department of Forestry for rule-making and development of a Habitat Conservation Plan proposal. Good job, everyone.
ACTION ALERT ~ Help influence drone-use regulation!
Wildlife disturbances due to improper drone use are increasing on the Oregon coast. Last year alone the Oregon Black Oystercatcher Project documented a rate of more than three drone disturbances per week at active Black Oystercatcher nests. We have an opportunity to better protect nesting sea and shore birds. Oregon State Parks is accepting public comments to help inform where drone take-off and landings within State Parks and along the ocean shore. Comments are due by April 7th. More info...
OUR IMPERILED SEA WEBINAR
We are excited to be partnering with Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) to bring Dr. Charlotte Whitefield, Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife's expert on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, to a special webinar on Tuesday, April 26th at 6:30pm. More info...
SPRING TERM BIRD ID CLASS
Registration is now open for our Spring "Birding Basics" class at the OCCC's Lincoln City campus. You don't want to miss this class! More info...
EXPECTED BIRDS AND POSSIBLE FINDS ~ Lincoln County
Although Herring are not birds, they are arriving in the Yaquina River and they will bring birds! Spawning Herring attract hundreds of birds each year and it’s an amazing sight to see! Hundreds of Surf Scoters will line up in an organized fashion and dive in a certain order feeding on the Herring eggs! Every year from late February to early March, Scoters snake across the bay forming unusual patterns that resemble crop circles! So far, only small spawns have occurred but any day now, the Herring will spawn in large numbers bringing in a variety of birds and mammals that eat their eggs! Look for feeding frenzies of Sea Lions, gulls, and Scoters. - Our expected finds are still the large population of wintering ducks. They've molted into their breeding plumage and are looking pretty sharp! Look for Pintails, Widgeon, Scaup, Green-wing Teal, and Buffleheads. Loons and Grebes are still here, but will be leaving soon for their nesting grounds. - New highlights: Long-tailed ducks are being seen in the Yaquina bay and should stay as long as the Herring are in. We have many Surf Scoters, and some Black Scoters and White-winged Scoters. Brandt's Cormorants are getting their breeding plumage and so are Pelagic Cormorants. Swallows are starting to arrive and Turkey Vultures are making an early showing this year! Lincoln county has been lacking on unusual finds the past few weeks, but the potential hopefuls are endless - spring is upon us! ~ Report submitted by Liz Holencik
HOT OFF THE PRESS ~ SNOWY PLOVER ETIQUETTE CARDS
Thanks to input from area experts and hard work by ASLC members, especially Nancy Thomas, we have a new Snowy Plover etiquette handout in addition to our Black Oystercatcher handout.
Preview Oystercatcher card here...
To order copies, please contact us.