On a cloudy Saturday, Brodie Cass Talbot from Bird Alliance of Oregon led 22 participants on our first bird walk at Kilchis Point Reserve in Bay City. A Brown Creeper made a fleeting appearance on this lovely trail, which featured a lot of birding by ear...along with budding plants, frog eggs, and a tree snag awaiting spring residents. Our patience was rewarded with numerous waterfowl, shorebirds, herons, and two Bald Eagles once we reached Tillamook Bay.

The full list of 21 species included:

Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Green-winged Teal
Bufflehead
Short-billed/Long-billed Dowitcher
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater/Lesser Yellowlegs
Short-billed Gull
Western Gull
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Downy Woodpecker
Hutton’s Vireo
Steller’s Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
American Robin
House Sparrow
Red Crossbill

Nine birders headed to Kilchis Point Reserve in Bay City. Immediately, we should tell you that if you are traveling north to locate it, you might bypass it since there is no directional signage telling you to turn west off of Hwy 101. However, you will find a sign as you head south from Garibaldi. Anyway, meeting and greeting each other at the parking lot, we began the walk along a very well-maintained path with numerous informational signs leading us to the bay. The weather was perfect and the camaraderie was excellent. Initially, we heard numerous American Robins squawking about something in their area. Soon, we saw the flash of a Great Horned Owl as it flew away from the ruckus. Many bird species were seen once we arrived at the bay opening. The tide was very low so shorebirds were quite a distance away but we did manage to identify several of them. On our return trip, a Downy Woodpecker and a Hairy Woodpecker were sighted in close proximity. All in all, it was a pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable walk.

Sightings of the Day
American Crow
Barn Swallow
American Goldfinch
Great Egret
Steller's Jay
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Great Horned Owl
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson Thrush
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Band-tailed Pigeon
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Least Sandpiper
Semi-palmated Plover
Osprey
California Gull
Wilson Warbler
Violet-green Swallow
Downy Woodpecker
Turkey Vulture
Black-headed Grosbeak
Common Raven
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk

March 8, 2025 Kilchis Point Reserve

August 12, 2017 Kilchis Point Reserve