Halle Renn, with assistance from Caren Willoughby and Ernie Rose, did a superb job of coordinating our 2019 Christmas Bird Count. We had 30 field counters and 2 feeder counters. Although individual counts were down, we ended up with the second highest total for our CBC, 126 species. Our highest was 131 in 2014. Our "rare bird" of the day was a TROPICAL KINGBIRD found by Liz Laver-Holencik. The Siletz Bay team also spotted a CALIFORNIA SCRUB JAY, not really rare anymore, but a good find for Lincoln City. Other treats included a couple of SNOW GEESE, which have gotten pretty regular on one of the farms in the area, three MERLIN, WESTERN BLUEBIRD (regular here, but often hard to find), and a small flock of CANVASBACK on the lake. Phil Pickering did some owling for us, netting a GREAT-HORNED OWL, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, and one of our three BARN OWLS (the other two were found in the north section by the team of Jack Hurt, Ernie Rose, Ben & Kai Frueh, and Margaret Powell). Misses included: AMERICAN DIPPER (count week), WOOD DUCK, RUFFED GROUSE, RED PHALAROPE (count week), ANCIENT MURRELET, CANADA JAY, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
December 6, 2019 Siletz Bay: The Bayhouse to Cutler City
Photos complements of Ernie Rose
Explore Lincoln City sponsored this walk starting at the Bay House. Mark Elliott led a group of 10 birders through Cutler City. The rain did not put a damper on the group’s enthusiasm. We scored a list of over 20.
Sightings of the day:
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Belted Kingfisher ~ Steller's Jay
Varied Thrush ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ American Robin
Northern Flicker ~ European Starling ~ Song Sparrow
American Crow ~ Dark-eyed Junco ~ Anna's Hummingbird
Cooper's Hawk ~ European-collared Dove ~ Rock Pigeon
Bald Eagle ~ Great Blue Heron ~ Golden-crowned Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Red-winged Blackbird ~ Bufflehead
Double-crested Cormorant ~ American Wigeon ~ Surf Scoter
Common Merganser ~ Mallard ~ Gadwall ~ American Coot
Western Grebe ~ Townsend Warbler
November 9, 2019 Salmon River in the Cascade Head Scenic Area
Hah, what a fun morning for a bird walk at Knight Park along the Salmon River, although it started off a bit chilly and gray. After introductions, the thirty-one birders were entertained by a Bald Eagle attempting to put a grebe on the breakfast menu! The eagle hovered and unsuccessfully swooped down at the grebe for about 5 minutes, each time being frustrated by the grebe’s diving underwater to escape its approaching talons! Another surprise was the amount of birds sighted and heard at the end of Three Rocks Road where it led down to a wetland meadow. Two more eagles were viewed in trees on the other side of the river. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a couple of Golden-crowned sparrows and a Bewick’s Wren made their appearances for most to see! From Knight Park, many of the birders drove to Frasier Road on the other side of the estuary. Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, chickadees, and a Great Blue Heron were sighted. Twenty-three species were tallied for the morning. Yes, it was an event enjoyed by all . . . and the hot cider provided by the Willoughby’s was very much appreciated!! We had guest birders from Spokane, Pendleton, Newberg, Pacific City, Depoe Bay, McMinnville and Yachats.
Sightings of the day:
Bald Eagle ~ Red-tailed Hawk ~ Common Merganser
Belted Kingfisher ~ Western Gull ~ Hybrid Gull ~ Song Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Northern Flicker ~ American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco ~ Bewick's Wren ~ Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Steller's Jay ~ Northern Harrier
Golden-crowned Sparrow ~ Black-capped Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Anna's Hummingbird
Great Blue Heron ~ Red-breasted Nuthatch
October 12, 2019 Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint to Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area
The weather held for Audubon’s outing to Boiler Bay and down the coast to Devil’s Punch Bowl. Led by Mark Elliott the group of 16 birders spotted a variety of sea birds. The most exciting bird moment was the drive along the Otter Crest Loop when flocks of hundreds of Pine Siskins were flying in and out of the evergreen trees. This was a perfect time to put the windows down and listen to the music of nature. It was so loud and so perfect.
October 11, 2019 Salishan Nature Trail (Siletz Bay)
It was a beautiful morning along the Salishan Nature Trail and the Pacific Ocean did not disappoint the 19 birders that participated. Calm seas provided the group with some nice sightings.
Sightings of the day:
Merlin ~ Spotted Towhee ~ American Crow ~ Great Blue Heron
Red-breasted Nuthatch ~ European Starling ~ Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk ~ Song Sparrow ~ Pine Siskin
American Robin ~ Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Northern Flicker ~ Anna's Hummingbird
White-Crowned Sparrow ~ Double-crested Cormorant
Pacific Loon ~ Clark's Grebe ~ Western Grebe ~ Mallard
Marbled Murrelet ~ White-winged Scoter ~ Scaup
American Wigeon ~ American Coot
September 20, 2019 Hostetler Park (D River) and Devil's Lake State Park, Lincoln City
Mark Elliott was joined by 17 enthusiastic adults and two children for our Hostetler Park/Devil's Lake Bird Watching Clinic. The weather was perfect and the birds a delight! We started the morning watching a flock of Mallards on D River when a beautiful Green Heron flew by right in front of us! We were disappointed that it didn't stop to allow better looks, but it was a treat to see!
Belted Kingfishers entertained us throughout the walk, chasing one another or perched for nice looks. There were dozens of Cedar Waxwings - and a flock of seven Great Egrets flew overhead in a vee formation. At the lake, a pair of Caspian Terns flew over, a pair of Double-crested Cormorants were swimming and diving, while a small flock of California Gulls splashed nearby.
We were just getting ready to leave the lake when someone spotted an Osprey "swimming" in the water. While we watched, it used its powerful wings to lift itself out of the water, looped around and, while we watched, dove with a crash into the lake. It again struggled briefly, then flew up out of the water - but once again, without its prey. It dove a 3rd time, also unsuccessfully, then flew away.
Sightings of the day:
Mallard ~ Common Merganser ~ Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird ~ Western Gull ~ California Gull
Caspian Tern ~ Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret ~ Green Heron ~ Great Blue Heron
Osprey ~ Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker ~ Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay ~ American Crow ~ Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Chestnut-backed Chickadee
swallow sp. (dozens circling up in the high clouds)
Wrentit ~ Red-breasted Nuthatch ~ Bewick's Wren
European Starling ~ American Robin ~ Cedar Waxwing
Dark-eyed Junco ~ Song Sparrow ~ Spotted Towhee
Brewer's Blackbird ~ Red-winged Blackbird
September 14, 2019 Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Photos complements of Steve Griffiths and Caren Willoughby
It was a beautiful morning and we had 10 birders coming from Newport, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Dallas, and Florida! It was warm and the occasional falling leaf played tricks on the eye as we looked for birds. We were rewarded with a nice variety.
Sightings of the day:
American Robin ~ Stellar’s Jay ~ Great Blue Heron
California Gull ~ Western Gull ~ Great Egret
Brown Creeper ~ Pacific Wren ~ Black Phoebe
Anna’s Hummingbird ~ Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker ~ Song Sparrow ~ Spotted Towhee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Black-capped Chickadee
Osprey ~ Common Murre ~ Surf Scoter
Red-necked Grebe ~ Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
August 10, 2019 The Knoll Open Space, Lincoln City
All photos complements of Steve Griffiths
Nineteen people joined our expert guides in climbing to the top of The Knoll. A few birds, lots of sunshine, and great views! Species included a Cooper's Hawk, Pacific Wren, and Brown Pelican.
This walk was one of our special Bird Watching Clinics, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.
July 13, 2019 Alder Island Loop Trail, Siletz Bay NWR
The new Alder Island Loop Trail has become a local favorite for nature-lovers of all ages. Twenty-nine of us enjoyed a two-hour walk through the trees, wetlands, and along the river's edge.
Photo complements of Ernie Rose
Highlights included a family of Canada Geese on the river, pairs of Warbling Vireo singing in the trees, and two Belted Kingfishers. This walk was one of our special Bird Watching Clinics, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.
Wilson's Warbler complements of Ruth Shelly
Juvenile Golden-crowned Kinglet complements of Ruth Shelly
Sightings of the day:
Canada Goose ~ Western Gull ~ Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle ~ Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker ~ Warbling Vireo ~ Steller's Jay
American Crow ~ Purple Martin ~ Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow ~ Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Marsh Wren ~ Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush ~ American Robin ~ European Starling
Cedar Waxwing ~ House Finch
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Song Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird ~ Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat ~ Wilson's Warbler
Photos complements of Ernie Rose
June 8, 2019 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Photos complements of Ernie Rose
At the headquarters parking lot, our large, enthusiastic group of 28 got great and prolonged views of the Peregrine Falcon chicks and parent! Other special sightings included a Black Oystercatcher sitting on its egg, nesting Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorants, and thousands of chattering Common Murre.
Sightings of the day:
Violet-green Swallow ~ Barn Swallow
American Goldfinch ~ Peregrine Falcon
White-crowned Sparrow ~ American Crow
Pelagic Cormorant ~ Brandt’s Cormorant
Pigeon Guillemot ~ Black Oystercatcher
Common Murre ~ Harlequin Duck
Western Gull ~ Caspian Tern
June 7, 2019 Regatta Park with Devil's Lake, Lincoln City
A group of 15 people, including 3 children, braved the rain for a walk through the Regatta Park nature trail and vicinity, including Devil's Lake. We enjoyed 23 species of birds. This walk was one of our special Lincoln City Bird Walks, sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation and Explore Lincoln City.
Sightings of the day:
American Robin ~ American Crow ~ Swainson’s Thrush
Band-tailed Pigeon ~ Pacific Wren ~ Wilson Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Barn Swallow ~ Violet-green Swallow
Osprey ~ Turkey Vulture ~ Mallard ~ House Finch ~ American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow ~ White-crowned Sparrow ~ Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco
Steller's Jay ~ Vaux's Swift ~ Pacific-slope Flycatcher ~ Spotted Towhee
Great Blue Heron ~ Hummingbird – probably Rufous (heard)
May 24, 2019 The Villages Open Space, Lincoln City
It was a damp, dismal day but 9 hardy folks joined us for a walk through The Villages Open Space, through the woods and along Sal a Sea drive to the Road's End park. We could hear birds singing and chittering all along the way, but few came out for us to see well. Visibility was poor at the beach, but we were rewarded by a distant view of a small group of shorebirds.
Sightings of the day:
Canada Goose ~ Mallard ~ Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird ~ Dowitcher ~ Western Gull
California Gull ~ Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle
Downy Woodpecker ~ Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher ~ Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo ~ Steller's Jay
American Crow ~ Common Raven ~ Barn Swallow
Pacific Wren ~ Marsh Wren ~ European Starling
Cedar Waxwing ~ American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco ~ White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow ~ Red-winged Blackbird
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler ~ Western Tanager
Black-headed Grosbeak
April 26, 2019 Cutler City Wetlands Open Space and Josephine Young Memorial Park
Our regular team was out of town, but Ger Killeen, Kate Saunders, and Deborah Bergeron stepped up to lead the walk through the Cutler City wooded wetlands and over to Siletz Bay in Cutler City. Seventeen people were on the bird-walk. Ger with help from Kate did a great job leading this walk!
Sightings of the day:
Wilson's Warbler ~ Song Sparrow
Eurasian-collared Dove ~ Wrentit
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Bushtit
Tree Swallow ~ Steller's Jay
Semipalmated Plover ~ Dunlin
Western Sandpiper ~ Western Gull
Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle
American Crow ~ Bufflehead
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Rock Pigeon
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Caspian Tern
European Starling ~ American Robin
Brown Creeper ~ Spotted Towhee
Violet-green Swallow ~ Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Photos complements of Deborah Bergeron
April 13, 2019 Two Rivers Nature Trail, Nestucca Bay NWR
Fifteen people joined ASLC field trip leader Mark Elliott at Nestucca National Wildlife Refuge to walk the new Two Rivers Nature Trail. The weather was cool, grey, and drizzly and we all got a bit damp, but it was well worth it. The newly opened section of the refuge meanders through woods full of fern, flowers, and massive trees.
One spot had remnants of a garden, complete with a large Magnolia tree. It was our birdiest spot, with warblers, thrush, chickadees, and kinglets all singing and flitting from tree to tree.
At the two-rivers lookout, we stopped and admired the view, spotting waterfowl such as Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser along with a couple of Great Egrets. All-told we saw or heard 38 species!
Rufous Hummingbird photo complements of Ernie Rose
Sightings of the day:
Cackling Goose ~ Canada Goose ~ Wood Duck
Mallard ~ Green-winged Teal ~ Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye ~ Red-breasted Merganser
Band-tailed Pigeon ~ Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird ~ Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron ~ Great Egret ~ Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier ~ Bald Eagle ~ Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher ~ Steller's Jay ~ American Crow
Common Raven ~ Tree Swallow ~ Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Brown Creeper ~ Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Varied Thrush
American Robin ~ European Starling ~ Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Song Sparrow ~ Spotted Towhee
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Townsend's Warbler
March 9, 2019 Tillamook Raptor Survey
Eleven people met at Fred Meyer in Tillamook for our first raptor survey. We carpooled around a set route with expert leader Jimmy Robert Billstine. We modeled our survey after the official Winter Raptor Survey surveys, which are held throughout the Pacific Northwest. We took parts from two of the Tillamook surveys and created a map and a survey sheet. Starting at Goodspeed Rd, we drove a little over 20 miles in our two-hour timeframe, enjoying a wonderful mix of raptors.
Survey Results
Red-tailed Hawk: 12
American Kestrel: 7
Northern Harrier: 3
Bald Eagle: 6 adults, 2 sub-adults
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Peregrine Falcon: 2
Rough-legged Hawk: 1
Raptor photos complements of Ernie Rose
March 8, 2019 Hostetler Park (D River) and Devil's Lake State Park
It was a cold and rainy morning for a bird walk at Hostetler Park and our trip leader, Mark Elliott, predicted there would be two additional birders that would show up. He was pleasantly surprised that there was a total of 16 that wanted to search this area for birds. Some were surprised that this little park was hidden within our city! We saw 23 species including, a first for many, Lincoln’s Sparrow!
Thanks to Lincoln City Parks & Recreation for sponsoring!
Sightings of the Day
Mallard
American Crow
Bufflehead
Common Raven
American Robin
Steller’s Jay
Song Sparrow
Ring-necked Duck
Canada Goose
Northern Flicker
Western Gull
Rock Pigeon
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Dark-eyed Junco
Fox Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Violet-green Swallow
Greater Scaup
Ruddy Duck
Hummingbird sp.
Spotted Towhee
February 9, 2019 Siletz Bay - Taft Waterfront and Salishan Nature Trail
Nine birders decided to take a chance on the weather Saturday morning. Starting off at the Taft Dock we saw a beautiful Eagle swoop down and picked up its breakfast. There were Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Rock Pigeon, Mew Gull, Kingfisher, American Crow, and Raven on the bay. As we drove to Salishan Nature Trail we were not disappointed and were greeted by a pair of Mallards, Great Blue Heron and snow! As we walked and laughed a flock of Golden-crowned Sparrows were searching for food along with Fox and Song Sparrows. Great White Egret provided contrast in the flurry of snow and the Eagle disrupted a large flock of Pintails. Starlings and Canada Geese finished out the morning. Seeing and watching the six Bald Eagles in action was the highlight of the morning -- and the snow of course.
Thanks to Lincoln City Parks & Recreation for sponsoring!
January 18, 2019 Siletz Bay - Bay House to Cutler City
This was the first time we've met at the Bay House and walked through the Cutler City neighborhood to view the other side of the bay. There were 20 hardy souls braving the bracing weather - the wind kept the water choppy so it was hard to scope for waterfowl. From the parking lot we meandered through the neighborhood where we got some of our best birds. We ended at end south end of Fleet Street where we enjoyed two Black Turnstones, a couple of Common Loons, and a distant Bald Eagle.
Sightings of the Day
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Horned Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
Black Turnstone
Western Gull
Common Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
American Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
American Robin
European Starling
House Finch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Townsend's Warbler
Thanks to Lincoln City Parks & Recreation for sponsoring!
January 12, 2019 Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail and South Jetty
25 people enjoyed this walk along the Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail, enjoying a wide variety of birds. The air was chilly with a cool breeze and no rain(!) We were treated to a diving Belted Kingfisher, a pair of adult Bald Eagles sitting on the mudflats, a tree full of Great Blue Herons (more than a dozen!), and much more. There was so much activity that the nature trail took up two hours, so several had to leave before the trip to the South Jetty. There, the remaining birders enjoyed a variety of loons and other seabirds.
Photos complements of Marlene Stellato
Sightings of the Day
Brant
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Northern Pintail
Greater Scaup
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird
Western Gull
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Belted Kingfisher
American Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
House Finch
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler