Due to the inversion effect which is caused by very high temperatures in the valley, we kinda guessed that our Yaquina Head bird walk was going to be fogbound. And sure enough it was for the 23 birders who gathered at the Interpretive Center of the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area just north of Newport. A White-crowned Sparrow greeted everyone even though the early fog kept all from any hope of seeing the resident Peregrine Falcon family. So, trip leader Mark Elliott and fellow field guide Dick Demarest led the group on a walk to the lighthouse. Nested Pelagic Cormorant chicks were viewed crying for food from their parent, Pigeon Guillemots were paddling the water, gulls and Turkey Vultures were patiently waiting for their next meal, and an immature Bald Eagle sat motionlessly perched in a nearby tree hoping the damn gull would quit diving at it. Eggs were found nearby which were already opened by marauders, and the viewing scopes pinpointed locations of Cormorant and Western Gull fledglings. Having returned back to the Interpretive Center parking lot, all got to finally see a Peregrine fly and land on the cliff edge directly in front of them. A lucky few birders were able to photo the falcon as it flew from one spot to another. Although all could see the falcon, the fog was still too dense to get a great photograph of the bird. Nonetheless, all birders left pleased with what they had experienced. Ahh, another enjoyable experience!

Sightings of the Day

White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Crow
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Peregrine Falcon
Western Gull
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Pigeon Guillemot
Common Murre
Brown Pelican
Black Oystercatcher