March 12, 2016 Seal Rock State Recreation Area

When we left Otis it was 39 degrees, dark, cold and raining with a forecast of 100% rain all day. Rained all the way down to Seal Rock but at 9am the sun came out for us to start birding, the surrounding sky was black. After 30 minutes the sun went behind a few clouds as we moved to a location looking south down the coast. It was then we saw lightning followed by thunder and more rain. We went back to the parking lot to wait out the downpour before heading down 101 in search of more birds. At the second spot all the birds that were on the beach suddenly took off indicating the fly over by a Bald Eagle. The highlight of the trip was a lone Peregrine Falcon sitting atop a high rock formation 100 yards out.

Sightings of the Day

Bald Eagle
Pelagic Cormorant
Brandt's Cormorant
Western Gull
Black Oystercatcher
Peregrine Falcon
Surf Scoter
Glaucous-winged Gull
American Crow
Common Raven

March 14, 2015 Seal Rock State Recreation Site

Wheww, what a morning! The rain and the wind were insistent on crashing down and around the 9 folks who came to Seal Rock for a morning of birding. Although we got pretty soaked and chilled, the experience was laughable because it reminded this writer of young kids sloshing through mud puddles in the rain! The song birds were smarter than us by hunkering down in this weather. We saw quite a few seals (thus the name Seal Rock, eh?!), crows, gulls, and sea birds. The Harlequin Ducks, Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, and a Peregrine Falcon were the hits of the day. All in all, yes we were soaked but we left with smiles on our faces!!

Sightings of the Day
Western Gull
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Brown Pelican
Black Oystercatcher
American Crow
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Peregrine Falcon
Mourning Dove
Steller's Jay
Junco
Song Sparrow

March 8, 2014 Seal Rock Wayside Park

The day before this walk, the weather was absolutely beautiful with full sun and temps in the 60s. Today threatened rain. Fortunately, the rain held off till after our Saturday morning bird walk along the coast south of Newport. About 20 birders gathered at the Seal Rock Park Wayside to sight as many coastal birds as we could see. At the overlook, the scenery was more impressive than the count of birds. The black volcanic outcroppings stood stark against the whiteness of the crashing waves. From there we drove south about a quarter mile and gathered at a pull off for another viewing perspective. There we saw Surf Scoters, Black Oystercatchers, and a Whimbrel. A Pacific Loon was also foraging along the surf. We then traveled about another half mile and took a road that led us closer to the beach. ASLC member Caren Willoughby put aside all our fears of this possibly being our 2nd bird walk in 3-4 years where we hadn't seen a Bald Eagle. Ah hah, she saw one in the distant sky flying over the beach south of us! Down on the beach, we saw Black Oystercatchers, Pelagic Cormorants, Surf Birds, and a Harlequin Duck. All in all, we once again had a very pleasurable experience in the company of wonderful people, mild weather, and birds that gave us joy in their presence. (The last 5 birds listed were seen to/from Seal Rock.)

Sightings of the Day

Pelagic Cormorant
Surf Scoter
Whimbrel
Black Oystercatcher
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
American Robin
European Starling
Bald Eagle
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Harlequin Duck
Common Loon
Common Raven
Hooded Merganser
Eared Grebe
Long-tailed Duck
Lesser Scaup
American Coot