November 9, 2024 Salmon River in the Cascade Head Scenic Area

Birders by Ruth Shelly

The morning was overcast but dry when 37 participants gathered at Knight Park to enjoy a fruitful morning of birding along the Salmon River. A pair of Belted Kingfishers darted overhead while Hooded Mergansers glided in the distance. Several Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons kept watch as the gulls entertained with their crabby squabbles and harbor seals drifted with the tide. A Hermit Thrush, kinglets, and chickadees flitted through the brush as the group enjoyed a concentration of different habitats within an easy distance.

Sightings of the day:

Belted Kingfisher by Ruth Shelly

American Crow
Bald Eagle
Common Raven
Northern Harrier 
Herring Gull
Great Blue Heron 
Marsh Wren
Song Sparrow 
Hooded Merganser 
Belted Kingfisher 
Bufflehead 
Western Gull
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 
Hermit Thrush 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Northern Flicker 
Ring-billed Gull
Steller's Jay 
American Robin
Downy Woodpecker 
Bewick’s Wren
Red-tailed Hawk

Birders by Tom Rice

October 12, 2024 Boiler Bay to Devil's Punchbowl

We were greeted by a warm, sunny October day for trip leader Mark Elliott to lead a group of 10 birders down the coast on a driving tour! We saw a great variety of waterfowl along our way from Boiler Bay to Devil’s Punchbowl.

Sightings of the day:

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Brown Pelican
American Crow
Western Gull
Song Sparrow
Black Oystercatcher
Western Grebe
Pigeon Guillemot
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Belted Kingfisher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
White-crowned Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Pelagic and Double-crested Cormorant
Common Murre
Short-billed Gull
White-winged Scoter
Surfbird
Black Turnstone

October 11, 2024 The Knoll

The weather decided to cooperate, and seven birders led by Halle Renn were not disappointed! The walk through the wooded area was filled with little birds flitting around the tops of the trees, and a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers put on a show for us!

Birders on trail, photo by Caren Willoughby

Sightings of the day:

Our new SCBA volunteer vest! Photo by Caren Willoughby

Steller's Jay
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Dark-eyed Junco
Pacific Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Song Sparrow
American Crow
European Starling
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared Dove
Fox Sparrow
Mallards
House Finch
Anna’s Hummingbird
White-crowned Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Brown Pelican
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer’s Blackbird
Pacific Loon
Western Gull

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

September 12, 2024 Cutler City & Siletz Bay

On a beautiful fall morning, 22 people​ gathered to enjoy a bird walk in Cutler City Wetlands. Although birds were not abundant in the forest, ripe huckleberries were found in profusion. Once we arrived at Siletz Bay, everyone's binoculars were trained on Greater Yellowlegs, Brown Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants, and numerous gulls. Mark Elliott enjoyed his last bird walk weekend as our fearless leader, and his first under our new name, Seven Capes Bird Alliance.

Sightings of the day:

American Crow 
Steller's Jay
European Starlings
White-crowned Sparrow 
Eurasian-collared Dove
Brown Creeper
Swallow 
Red Crossbill 
Red-winged Blackbird
Greater Yellowlegs
Turkey Vulture 
Double-crested Cormorant 
Western Gull
Brown Pelican

Greater Yellowlegs, photo by Ruth Shelly

Group at Siletz Bay by Tom Rice

Trip leader Mark Elliott with our new Seven Capes Bird Alliance sign, photo by Ruth Shelly

August 10, 2024 Alder Island

Today’s walk was very well attended - 41 by Terry D.’s count. We had to direct about a dozen vehicles to park up on the east shoulder of 101 due to limited availability in the parking lot. The Ospreys as well as several Purple Martins along the Siletz put on a good show, recorded by a large number of long lenses fielded by the participants. We were ably guided by Liz, Laura and Caren, as well as a number of knowledgeable ASLC volunteers.

Photo by Tom Rice

Sightings of the day:
Barn Swallow
Great Blue Heron
Song Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
Eurasian Collared Dove
Belted Kingfisher
Anna’s Hummingbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Downy Woodpecker
American Crow
Great Egret
Western Flycatcher
Common Merganser
Western Gull
Osprey

Photo by Tom Rice

July 13, 2024 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Common Murre colony by Ruth Shelly

Thirty-eight birders, some fleeing the inland heat (as far away as Boise!), found cool but gusty winds on Yaquina Head. Nesting seabirds—including myriad Common Murres and Brandt's Cormorants—kept everyone looking for chicks. Unfortunately, murre eggs were nowhere in sight. According to the ranger, Bald Eagles have been active predators, and the group found one keeping an "eagle eye" on the rookeries. These nesting sites, along with harbor seals hauling out and Black Oystercatchers patrolling the mussel beds, gave everyone a new appreciation for Oregon's dynamic rocky coast.

Sightings of the day:

Brandt’s Cormorant chick feeding by Ruth Shelly

Bald Eagle
Turkey Vulture
White Crowned Sparrow
Western Grebe
American Crow
Harlequin Duck
Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorant
Common Murre
Black Oystercatcher
Orange-crowned Warbler
Bewick’s Wren
Song Sparrow

Harbor seals by Ruth Shelly

July 12, 2024 Nesika Park

Nesika Park Osprey nest by Ruth Shelly

This Friday was a beautiful day for 25 birders to gather at Lincoln City’s newest park. We met near the park entrance to observe the resident Osprey nest and admired the Osprey chick that has grown astonishingly quickly! We then moved on to walk the trail through Nesika Park, ably guided by ASLC volunteers who pointed out and identified the various birds we saw in the forest.

Sightings of the day:

Birders at Nesika Park by Caren Willoughby

Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Turkey Vulture
Osprey
Northern Flicker
American Crow
Spotted Towhee
Stellar’s Jay
Wilson’s Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco

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 7, 2024 D River Open Space & Devils Lake

On a gorgeous sunny day, 16 people joined the ASLC bird walk through the D River Open Space to Devils Lake. While Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds rejoiced in the good weather, Barn Swallows gathered mud for their nests, and Cedar Waxwings flocked in abundance. Spotted Towhees watched us carefully, while a Mallard gathered her spring brood. After the walk, volunteers helped cut invasive ivy from the trees that provide a Lincoln City forest respite. 

Sightings of the day:

Cedar Waxwing, photo by Ruth Shelly

Barn Swallow collecting mud, photo by Ruth Shelly

Barn Swallow
American Crow
Song Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Warbling Vireo
Red-winged Blackbird
Osprey
Cedar Waxwing
Spotted Towhee
Anna’s Hummingbird
Hawk
American Robin
Steller’s Jay
Bewick’s Wren
Tree Swallow
Mallard
Turkey Vulture
Black-headed Grosbeak

Volunteer pulling ivy, photo by Tom Rice