September 13, 2024 Sitka Sedge

Group photo by Ruth Shelly

The drizzle stopped just in time for 16 birders to gather at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area. The variety of habitats resulted in a diversity of birds. Molting Mallards dabbled alongside gulls, herons, and egrets in the estuary; flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds and Ruby-crowned Kinglets took refuge in cone-laden pines, and a Harrier Hawk cruised over the meadow. Our birders were tantalized by myriad mushrooms on the forest floor, and a Steller's Jay scolded us for sampling the huckleberries. Fall and feathers were in the air!

Sightings of the day:

Birders on trail, photo by Tom Rice

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, photo by Ruth Shelly

White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Western Gull
Mallard
Ring-billed Gull
Great Egret
American Crow
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Western Sandpiper
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Barn Swallow
Red-winged Blackbird
Steller's Jay
Cedar Waxwing
Whimbrel
Bewick’s Wren
Spotted Towhee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Pacific Wren
Northern Harrier
American Kestrel
Ruby-crowned Kinglet

May 13, 2023 Sitka Sedge State Natural Area

Birders on trail by Tom Rice

The variety of coastal habitats teemed with life as we followed the trail that winds through tidal flats, saltwater marshes, and forested wetlands to the ocean. It was a beautiful day, and we spotted lots of songbirds and shorebirds along the way.

Birders on the beach by Tom Rice

Birders on the beach by Tom Rice

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