August 10, 2024 Alder Island

Today’s walk was very well attended - 41 by Terry D.’s count. We had to direct about a dozen vehicles to park up on the east shoulder of 101 due to limited availability in the parking lot. The Ospreys as well as several Purple Martins along the Siletz put on a good show, recorded by a large number of long lenses fielded by the participants. We were ably guided by Liz, Laura and Caren, as well as a number of knowledgeable ASLC volunteers.

Photo by Tom Rice

Sightings of the day:
Barn Swallow
Great Blue Heron
Song Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Eurasian Collared Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Anna’s Hummingbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
American Crow
Great Egret
Western Flycatcher
Common Merganser
Western Gull
Osprey

Photo by Tom Rice

July 13, 2024 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Common Murre colony by Ruth Shelly

Thirty-eight birders, some fleeing the inland heat (as far away as Boise!), found cool but gusty winds on Yaquina Head. Nesting seabirds—including myriad Common Murres and Brandt's Cormorants—kept everyone looking for chicks. Unfortunately, murre eggs were nowhere in sight. According to the ranger, Bald Eagles have been active predators, and the group found one keeping an "eagle eye" on the rookeries. These nesting sites, along with harbor seals hauling out and Black Oystercatchers patrolling the mussel beds, gave everyone a new appreciation for Oregon's dynamic rocky coast.

Sightings of the day:

Brandt’s Cormorant chick feeding by Ruth Shelly

Bald Eagle
Turkey Vulture
White Crowned Sparrow
Western Grebe
American Crow
Harlequin Duck
Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorant
Common Murre
Black Oystercatcher
Orange-crowned Warbler
Bewick’s Wren
Song Sparrow

Harbor seals by Ruth Shelly

July 12, 2024 Nesika Park

Nesika Park Osprey nest by Ruth Shelly

This Friday was a beautiful day for 25 birders to gather at Lincoln City’s newest park. We met near the park entrance to observe the resident Osprey nest and admired the Osprey chick that has grown astonishingly quickly! We then moved on to walk the trail through Nesika Park, ably guided by ASLC volunteers who pointed out and identified the various birds we saw in the forest.

Sightings of the day:

Birders at Nesika Park by Caren Willoughby

Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Flicker
American Crow
Spotted Towhee
Stellar’s Jay
Wilson’s Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco

June 8, 2024 Ona Beach & Beaver Creek

Tree Swallow adult and chick, photo by Ruth Shelly

The fog cleared for 30 eager bird watchers to explore Ona Beach and Beaver Creek on June 9. As leader Liz described, "We're under the Great Blue Heron flyway" as several soared above. Youngsters in the group were delighted to see a Tree Swallow with chick, while Violet-green and Barn Swallows also swooped overhead. The combination of riparian and beach habitats makes this walk a treat, with sightings of Cedar Waxwings, an Orange-crowned Warbler and Killdeer.

Sightings of the day:

Great Blue Heron
Rock Pigeon
Barn Swallow
Northern Flicker
Turkey Vulture
Song Sparrow
American Robin
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Cedar Waxwing
Swainson Thrush
Tree Swallow
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Purple Finch
Wilson’s Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Pacific Wren
Mallard
Osprey
Canada Geese
Western Gull
Red-winged Blackbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Killdeer
Black-headed Grosbeak
Dark-eyed Junco

Killdeer, photo by Ruth Shelly

Birders, photo by Ruth Shelly

June 7, 2024 D River Open Space & Devils Lake

On a gorgeous sunny day, 16 people joined the ASLC bird walk through the D River Open Space to Devils Lake. While Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds rejoiced in the good weather, Barn Swallows gathered mud for their nests, and Cedar Waxwings flocked in abundance. Spotted Towhees watched us carefully, while a Mallard gathered her spring brood. After the walk, volunteers helped cut invasive ivy from the trees that provide a Lincoln City forest respite. 

Sightings of the day:

Cedar Waxwing, photo by Ruth Shelly

Barn Swallow collecting mud, photo by Ruth Shelly

Barn Swallow
American Crow
Song Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Warbling Vireo
Red-winged Blackbird
Osprey
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Anna’s Hummingbird
Hawk
American Robin
Steller’s Jay
Bewick’s Wren
Tree Swallow
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Black-headed Grosbeak

Volunteer pulling ivy, photo by Tom Rice

May 11, 2024 Grass Mountain on Cascade Head

The Sitka Center for Art & Ecology generously offered their Grass Mountain property for an ASLC bird walk. This 80-acre preserve on the southwest side of Cascade Head is privately owned and nestled within the national Scenic Research Area, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and bordered by federal forest. Jake Simondet, Sitka's Facilities and Ecology Manager, led our group of 16 through a stunning landscape made all the more meaningful by his knowledge of the area's history, ecology, and botany. Mark Elliott complemented Jake's narrative with a search for birds that were more heard than seen, but everyone left enriched to have experienced such an inspiring hike through towering trees and rolling meadows.

Sightings of the day:

Birders on trail, photo by Tom Rice

Wilson’s Warbler
Hermit Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
Raven
Pacific Wren
Townsend’s Warbler
Chestnut-back Chickadee
Stellar’s Jay
Turkey Vulture
American Crow
Band-tailed Pigeon

Group listening to Jake, photo by Ruth Shelly

May 10, 2024 Cutler City Wetlands & Siletz Bay

Great Blue Heron juveniles, photo by Ruth Shelly

Cutler City was the perfect place to welcome birders from Denver, San Jose and Gresham. Right there we were greeted with the sounds of hungry juvenile Great Blue Herons. This rookery is only two years old and all 19 birders were very excited. As we walked through the wooded area, the native rhododendrons were in full bloom. The bay provided more excitement.

Birders on trail, photo by Ruth Shelly

Sightings of the day:
Wilson’s Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Great Blue Heron
Downy Woodpecker
American Crow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
European Starling
Great Egret
Osprey
Mallard
Tree Swallow
Canada Geese
American Goldfinch
Violet-green Swallow
House Sparrow
Barn Swallow
Double-crested Cormorant
Sanderling
Bald Eagle

April 13, 2024 Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

ASLC had a busy day at Nestucca Wildlife Refuge. Mark Elliott led 17 birders along the Refuge’s trails. We didn’t get far when 2 sub-adults and one Adult Bald Eagle welcomed us. Not to be outdone a Peregrine Falcon flies not far behind. This is the perfect time to visit and see the area awaken from winter.

Sightings of the day:

Birders on trail, photo by Caren Willoughby

Bald Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
White-crowned Sparrow
Pacific Wren
Canada Jay
American Robin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Orange-crowned Warbler
Surf Scoter
Mallard
Bufflehead
Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorant
Red-breasted Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Western Gull
Dowitcher
White Egret
Northern Harrier
Brewers Blackbird
White-winged Scoter
Early Blue Violet 
Paintbrush 
Spruce
Fawn Lily

Blue Violets by Caren Willoughby

April 12, 2024 The Knoll Open Space & Roads End State Park

It was a perfect day for a walk in the woods. Mark Elliott led 14 birders including a family of 5 from Seattle. The sounds of spring filled the air and plants were shooting up everywhere. All participants were enjoying the beautiful Open Space. 

Sightings of the day:

Mark Elliot shares the wonder of a Rough-skinned Newt, photo by Caren Willoughby

Pacific Wren
Raven
Townsend Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco 
Stellar’s Jay
Violet Green Swallow 
Song Sparrow 
Mallard 
Red-winged Blackbird 
White-crowned Sparrow 
American Crow
House Finch
European Starling 
Western Gull
Cow Parsnip

March 9, 2024 Yakona Nature Preserve

Twenty folks enjoyed a rainy morning deep in the forest of the Yakona Nature Preserve on Yaquina Bay. The beautiful 850 acre preserve is privately owned and public access is limited. We're grateful to executive director Dr. Natalie Schaefer for the guided walking tour.

Sightings of the day:

Birders at Yakona by Caren Willoughby

Western Gulls
Common Mergansers
Red-breasted Mergansers
Kingfisher
Goldeneye
Common Loon
Pacific Wren
Hairy Woodpecker
Red Crossbills 
Golden-crowned Kinglets
Brown Creepers
Buffleheads
Bald Eagle
American Crow
American Robin

Group shot by Caren Willoughby