July 11, 2026 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Kai Frueh led 31 birders along the trail to the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. The morning started out with a rather heavy mist, but as we proceeded, the lighthouse finally became visible. We were able to see a variety of species and many nesting birds.
Brandt’s Cormorant by Ronald Breeze
Sightings of the day:
Birders in the fog
American Crow
White-crowned Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
Pigeon Guillemot
Surf Scoter
Great Blue Heron
Northern Flicker
Pelagic Cormorant
Common Murre
Western Gull
Brandt's Cormorant
Brown Pelican
Bald Eagle
Harlequin Duck
Barn Swallow
Turkey Vulture
Black Oystercatcher
Brown-headed Cowbird
Swainson's Thrush
July 10, 2026 Nesika Park
Observing the Osprey nest
It was a beautiful morning as Aaron Timm led 16 birders along the Nesika City Park trail. We learned a lot about the Ospreys that made this spot their home and observed some interesting behaviors! The walk through the trees is always enjoyable.
Sightings of the day:
Birders and volunteers on trail
American Crow
Osprey
Tree Swallow
Barn Swallow
Great Blue Heron
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
White-crowned Sparrow
Steller's Jay
Turkey Vulture
Rock Pigeon
Black-capped Chickadee
House Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Eurasian-collared Dove
June 13, 2026 Beaver Creek State Natural Area Loop Trail
Trip leader Eric Horvath provided 29 birders with a wealth of information. We were given tips on how to identify birds by their song, specific plants that bear fruit that birds will eat and the wonderful nursery at the top of the hill. We were rewarded with the following list that we either heard or saw.
Sightings of the day:
Steller's Jay
Marsh Wren
Common Yellowthroat
American Goldfinch
Barn Swallow
Song Sparrow
Wilson's Warbler
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Turkey Vulture
Swainson's Thrush
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Orange-crowned Warbler
Tree Swallow
American Robin
Mourning Dove
June 12, 2026 D River/Hostetler Park
It was a perfect morning for birding. Birdsongs filled the air as Arron Timm led 18 birders along the board walk through the state park to the dock. Interesting to note was the Red-eared slider that has taken up residence in the pond by the bridge.
Sightings of the day:
Evening Grosbeak
American Goldfinch
Osprey
Mallard
Rock Pigeon
Red-winged Blackbird
Turkey Vulture
American Crow
Western Gull
Barn Swallow
Canada Goose
Steller's Jay
Cedar Waxwing
Anna's Hummingbird
Song Sparrow
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Eagle
Brewer's Blackbird
Oregon Junco
House Finch
May 9, 2026 Eckman Lake
Purple Martins by Ruth Shelly
On Saturday, May 9, leader Liz Laver-Holencik led 23 birders (including 8 for the first time!) on Seven Capes' first bird walk at Eckman Lake near Waldport. We were greeted by nesting Purple Martins and saw Tree and Barn Swallows as well. Mallards, a Wood Duck, and Spotted Sandpipers graced the lake, while Marsh Wrens flitted among the cattails and Belted Kingfishers darted overhead. Quick eyes caught glimpses of the elusive Common Yellowthroat and Western Flycatcher--a first sighting for several participants!
Sightings of the day:
Western Flycatcher by Ronald Breeze
Purple Martin
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Mallard
Belted Kingfisher
Osprey
Eurasian-collared Dove
Steller's Jay
Red-winged Blackbird
Lesser Scoter
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Song Sparrow
Spotted Sandpiper
Wood Duck
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Crow
Turkey Vulture
Marsh Wren
Spotted Towhee
Common Yellowthroat
Western Flycatcher
Canada Goose
May 8, 2026 Cutler City & Siletz Bay
Group shot at Siletz Bay
A large group of 27 birders led by Evan Hayduk picked a perfect day to bird through Cutler City Open Space. We spotted the Great Blue Heron rookery and found that incubation was underway. We observed several species when looking out at Siletz Bay during low tide.
Sightings of the day:
Birders on trail
Great Blue Heron
American Robin
American Crow
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Wilson's Warbler
European Starling
Tree and Violet-green Swallow
Marsh Wren
Spotted Towhee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Anna's Hummingbird
Yellowthroat
Red-winged Blackbird
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Steller's Jay
Northern Flicker
Turkey Vulture
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Whimbrel
Double-crested Cormorant
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Osprey
Lesser Yellowlegs
Western Gull
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Brown-headed Cowbird
Bald Eagle
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Common Merganser
Brewer's Blackbird
Black-bellied Plover
April 11, 2026 Tillamook Bay Wetlands at Goodspeed Road
Sixteen participants, including several experienced birders, enjoyed a delightful and rain-free walk just north of Tillamook on Goodspeed Road. Our guide, Mike Krall, did a great job of keeping the group informed of what we were seeing and hearing. Several participants said they intend to go back on their own to the area.
Sightings of the day:
Birders by Tom Rice
American Robin
Violet Green Swallow
Bald Eagle
Tree Swallow
Great Blue Heron
Purple Finch
Mallards
Song Sparrow
Osprey
Wilson’s Snipe
Orange-crowned Warbler
Northern Flicker
American Wigeon
Cackling Goose
Marsh Wren
Fox Sparrow
Belted Kingfisher
Black-capped Chickadee
Raven
Savanna Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker
Egret
April 10, 2026 The Knoll (aka The Villages) and Road’s End
Halle Renn led 10 birders through the woods and along the road to the ocean. Signs of spring were everywhere while birds entertained us along the way!
Sightings of the day:
Birders on trail by Caren Willoughby
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Pacific Wren
American Robin
Black-capped Chickadee
Steller's Jay
Wrentit
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Song Sparrow
Purple Finch
Canada Goose
American Crow
Dark-eyed Junco
Mallard
Red-winged Blackbird
White-crowned Sparrow
Marsh Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Hummingbird
Western Gull
Brown-headed Cowbird
Brewer's Blackbird
Barn Swallow
Brown Pelican
Clark's Grebe
Western Grebe
Pigeon Guillemot
Birders at Road’s End by Caren Willoughby
March 14, 2026 Neskowin
Red-winged Blackbird by Ruth Shelly
On a beautiful rain-free day, 23 birders gathered for Seven Capes' first-ever bird walk in Neskowin, led by Ger Killeen and Kate Saunders. We strolled down a new path along the marsh and enjoyed waterfowl on the flooded golf course, tallying 38 species in all. Highlights included seeing Western Bluebirds, a Wood Duck, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Goldfinch, and Red-winged Blackbirds in cheerful abundance--all signs of spring on the wing!
Sightings of the day:
Birders by Tom Rice
Western Bluebird by Ruth Shelly
American Robin
Song Sparrow
Steller's Jay
Red-winged Blackbird
Golden-crowned
Brewers Blackbird
Tree Swallow
Mallard
American Wigeon
Bufflehead
Black Phoebe
Green-winged Teal
Hooded Merganser
Western Bluebird
Common Merganser
House Finches
Red-breasted Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Anna's Hummingbird
European Starling
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bald Eagle
White-crowned Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Eurasian-colored Dove
Rock Pigeon
Wood Duck
Fox Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Western Gull
Turkey Vulture
American Goldfinch
March 13, 2026 Spring Lake Open Space
Mark Elliot led 8 birders along the beautiful Spring Lake Open Space. It was raining and the birds were few in numbers, but it didn't stop us from enjoying the trail. Spring was starting to show in the woods.
Sightings of the day:
Birders on trail by Caren Willoughby
American Robin
American Crow
Spotted Towhee
Bewick's Wren
Dark-eyed Junco
Steller's Jay
Raven
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Townsend Warbler
Red-winged Blackbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
February 14, 2026 Friends of the Wildwoods Open Space
Mark Elliott led 11 birders through the Friends of Wildwood Open Space, a beautiful area in the woods with a well maintained trail. It was a successful walk and there was no rain! The following birds shared our walk:
Birders on trail by Caren Willoughby
Raven
Ring-necked Duck
Canada Goose
Steller's Jay
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Song Sparrow
American Robin
American Crow
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Great Blue Heron
January 10, 2026 HMSC Nature Trail & Yaquina Bay South Jetty
Photo by Tom Rice
Liz Laver-Holencik led 21 birders on the Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail. The day was perfect with only a slight wind. Birders were able to spot a variety of species.
Sightings of the day:
Surf Scoter
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Barrow's Goldeneye
Bufflehead
Great Blue Heron
Common Murre
American Crow
Common Goldeneye
White-crowned Sparrow
Black Brant Geese
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Wigeon
American Robin
Northern Harrier
Song Sparrow
House Sparrow
Western Meadowlark
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Anna's Hummingbird
Oregon Junco
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Goldfinch
House Finch
Rock Pigeon
Black-capped Chickadee
Raven
January 9, 2026 Regatta Park & Devils Lake
Eric Horvath led 12 birders on a bird walk at Lincoln City's Regatta Park. Eric shared his extensive knowledge of the area. Participants were not disappointed and were able to see the following birds:
Photo by Caren Willoughby
Northern Flicker
Bald Eagle
American Coots
Ring-necked Duck
Great Egret
Common Loon
Lesser Scaup
Pied-billed Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
American Crow
Steller's Jay
Belted Kingfisher
Bufflehead
Pacific Wren
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Eurasian Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-breasted Merganser
Short-billed Gull
Western Gull
December 5, 2025 Taft Waterfront & Siletz Bay
Ten intrepid birders joined leader Joe Youren at the Taft waterfront for a bird walk on Friday, December 5. While gathering under the awning at Mo's restaurant, the group was entertained by a Belted Kingfisher diving into Siletz Bay for breakfast. Ultimately, the pouring rain forced the group to disband early, but not until we gained an appreciation for the hardiness of Oregon bird life in any type of weather!
A wet morning, photo by Ruth Shelly
November 8, 2025 Salmon River in the Cascade Head Scenic Area
Blue skies welcomed 23 birders to Knight Park. Bald Eagles were the stars of morning along with a Merlin who provided a little action.
Sightings of the day:
Photo by Tom Rice
Song Sparrow
Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Marsh Wren
Bald Eagle
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Red-tailed Hawk
Spotted Sandpiper
Double-crested Cormorant
Merlin
Hermit Thrush
Steller's Jay
Dark-eyed Junco
Surf Scoter
Hairy Woodpecker
American Robin
Townsend Warblers
California Gull
October 11, 2025 Boiler Bay to Devils Punchbowl
Halle Renn led 14 birders from Boiler Bay to Devil’s Punch Bowl. It was a wonderful outing with no rain and plenty of interesting wildlife to see. In fact, we were having so much fun looking at the wildlife that we forgot to take pictures along the way!
Sightings of the day:
Black Oystercatchers by Ruth Shelly
Western Grebe
Black Oystercatcher
Brandt’s Cormorant
Surf Scoter
Brown Pelican
Leach’s Storm Petrel
Shearwater
American Crow
Black Turnstone
Bald Eagle
European Starling
Song Sparrow
Anna’s Hummingbird
Pacific & Red Throated Loon
Great Blue Heron
Surf Bird
Seals
October 10, 2025 Lincoln City Wastewater Treatment Plant
Birders at the wastewater treatment plant by Ruth Shelly
On a new Seven Capes bird walk, 14 participants discovered that Lincoln City's Wastewater Treatment Plant is a birder's best-kept secret. Led by Jen Sanford and Caren Willoughby, we were treated to a diverse variety of waterfowl, Great Blue Herons, and a friendly Black Phoebe. Regrouping at the Taft dock, we enjoyed squadrons of Brown Pelicans, numerous gulls, and animated harbor seals taking advantage of the salmon run. Everyone agreed that they'd be back to check out the treatment ponds again during fall migration. We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Dan Christian and the City of Lincoln City for giving Seven Capes a chance to view the ponds!
Sightings of the day:
Black Phoebe by Ruth Shelly
Northern Shoveler
Belted Kingfisher
Wood Duck
American Wigeon
Green-winged Teal
Northern Pintail
Great Blue Heron
Canada Geese
Deer
Bufflehead
Fox Sparrow
Ring-necked Duck
Black Phoebe
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Western Gull
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Killdeer
Brown Pelican
Heermann’s Gull
Bald Eagle
Brown Pelicans at Siletz Bay by Ruth Shelly
September 13, 2025 Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Photo by Caren Willoughby
Ger Killeen led 23 birders through this beautiful area. We spent time looking at the bay and following the trail that winds through the trees until it reaches the ocean. The morning certainly didn’t disappoint!
Sightings of the day:
Photo by Caren Willoughby
Great Blue Heron
Western and California Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Steller’s Jay
Song Sparrow
California Gull
American Crow
Female Merganser
Raven
Golden-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Brown Pelican
Surf Scoter
Dark-eyed Junco
American Robin
Barn Swallow
September 12, 2025 Cascade Head Interpretive Wayside
Our trip leader, Kate Saunders, couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to lead 22 birders on Fraser Road at Cascade Head Interpretive Wayside. Nature was at its best on this fall day!
Photo by Tom Rice
Sightings of the day:
American Crow
Song Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Barn Swallow
Northern Harrier
Great Blue Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Mallard
American Kestrel
Belted Kingfisher
August 9, 2025 Alder Island Loop
It was a perfect morning for birding with leaders Dave Irons and Shawneen Finnegan who shared their expertise with 39 birders. Alder Island is changing and moving towards fall, and so are the birds! We saw or heard 25 species.
Sightings of the day:
Birders at Alder Island by Caren Willoughby
Cedar Waxwing
Barn Swallow
American Goldfinch
American Robin
Great Blue Heron
Song Sparrow
Cliff Swallow
Eurasian Collared Dove
Chestnut-Backed Chickadee
Pine Siskin
Turkey Vulture
Canada Goose
Stellar’s Jay
Tree Swallow
Northern Flicker
Great Egret
European Starling
American Crow
Warbling Vireo
Purple Finch
Wilson’s Warbler
Purple Martin
Blacked-capped Chickadee
Belted Kingfisher