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 10, 2023 Ona Beach & Beavercreek

Belted Kingfisher by Ruth Shelly

It was a bright, sunny day for a bird walk on the beach! We started with a walk through the woods along the creek where we saw a great variety of nesting songbirds including warblers and swallows. We then moved on to the beach where we looked for wading shorebirds.

Birders on trail by Ruth Shelly

Birders on the beach by Ruth Shelly

June 11, 2022 Ona Beach & Beaver Creek State Recreation Area

Mark Elliott led 13 birders along the trail to the sea. We saw a variety of birds as well as a pair of nesting Eagles waiting to dine on a Harbor Seal that washed ashore. The rain held off for the rest of the trip up Beaver Creek. 

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Ona Beach sightings:

Photo by Caren Willoughby

American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
White-crowned Sparrow
American Crow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Canada Geese
Song Sparrow
Killdeer
Barn Swallow
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Semi-palmated Plover
Beavercreek Sightings
Steller’s Jay
Anna’s Hummingbird
Violet-green Swallow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
Spotted Towhee

Photo by Caren Willoughby