October 11, 2014 Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island
Sightings of the Day
Great Egret
Double-crested Cormorant
Clay-colored Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Belted Kingfisher
Great Blue Heron
Western Grebe
Peregrine Falcon
American Robin
American Crow
Common Raven
Common Merganser
Western Gull
Varied Thrush
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco
Golden-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Brewer's Blackbird
Savannah Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Thayer's Gull
California Gull
Northern Pintail
Steller's Jay
Northern Flicker
Purple Finch
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Cackling Goose
Mallard
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brush Rabbit
Douglas Squirrel
September 13, 2014 Salmon River Estuary
What an absolutely beautiful morning for a kayaking trip on the Salmon River! Finding a place to park was more challenging than paddling against the current. Many fishermen and other boaters were also out enjoying the calm water.
Because the tide was going out, we decided to head toward the mouth of the Salmon rather than fight the current. Our flotilla of about 12 kayaks lazily made its way to the mouth where we exited the crafts and walked along the spit looking for shorebirds.
Sightings of the Day
Canada Goose
Double-crested Cormorant
Belted Kingfisher
Barn Swallow
Long-billed Curlew
American Crow
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Western Gull
California Gull
Pelagic Cormorant
Common Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Band-tailed Pigeon
Barn Swallow
Spotted Sandpiper
August 9, 2014 Bayocean Spit/Tillamook Bay
It was a beautiful day, if a bit windy at the start, for a bird walk along the water. There were 18 people who joined us. A couple having just moved to Rockaway from Idaho, and someone from Tacoma, and Olympia, Washington enjoyed birding in a new area. It was nice to be able to share this time with them. Our leaders Dick Demarest, and Jack Hurt did an amazing job of helping the group identify those shore birds that we were hoping to see.
Sightings of the Day
Canada Geese
Double-crested Cormorant
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Ring-billed Gull
House Finch
Pelagic Cormorant
Western Gull
American Crow
Cedar Waxwing
Western Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Song Sparrow
American Robin
Purple Finch
Great Blue Heron
Least Sandpiper
Wrentit
Dark-eyed Junco
European Starling
July 12, 2014 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Due to the inversion effect which is caused by very high temperatures in the valley, we kinda guessed that our Yaquina Head bird walk was going to be fogbound. And sure enough it was for the 23 birders who gathered at the Interpretive Center of the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area just north of Newport. A White-crowned Sparrow greeted everyone even though the early fog kept all from any hope of seeing the resident Peregrine Falcon family. So, trip leader Mark Elliott and fellow field guide Dick Demarest led the group on a walk to the lighthouse. Nested Pelagic Cormorant chicks were viewed crying for food from their parent, Pigeon Guillemots were paddling the water, gulls and Turkey Vultures were patiently waiting for their next meal, and an immature Bald Eagle sat motionlessly perched in a nearby tree hoping the damn gull would quit diving at it. Eggs were found nearby which were already opened by marauders, and the viewing scopes pinpointed locations of Cormorant and Western Gull fledglings. Having returned back to the Interpretive Center parking lot, all got to finally see a Peregrine fly and land on the cliff edge directly in front of them. A lucky few birders were able to photo the falcon as it flew from one spot to another. Although all could see the falcon, the fog was still too dense to get a great photograph of the bird. Nonetheless, all birders left pleased with what they had experienced. Ahh, another enjoyable experience!
Sightings of the Day
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Crow
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Osprey
Peregrine Falcon
Western Gull
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Pigeon Guillemot
Common Murre
Brown Pelican
Black Oystercatcher
June 14, 2014 Tamara Quays and Pixieland
24 birders enjoyed an easy and pleasant walk just north of Lincoln City. Both Tamara Quays and Pixieland had undergone extensive restoration to bring them back to their original state of being. Thirty-four species were sighted during the morning. Bald Eagle made a couple of appearances, and a variety of swallows constantly buzzed the sky for their next meals. Wood Duck, Willow Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo and other not-often-seen birds surprised the birders with their appearances. A very enjoyable birdwalk it was, indeed!
Sightings of the Day
Common Raven
Wilson Warbler
European Starling
Eurasian Dove
Great Blue Heron
Black-headed Grosbeak (heard)
Marsh Wren (heard)
Swainson's Thrush (heard)
Song Sparrow
Belted Kingfisher
American Robin
American Crow
Common Yellowthroat
Rufous Hummingbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Black-capped Chickadee (heard)
Mallard
Red-winged Blackbird
White-crowned Sparrow
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Wood Duck
Cliff Swallow
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Tree Swallow
Willow Flycatcher
Brewer's Blackbird
Warbling Vireo
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Double-crested Cormorant
April 12, 2014 Siletz Bay Natural Wildlife Refuge
It was a great day for birding, especially for Siletz Bay. Not much wind at all. Sunny and nice. We had a great turn out, with people from Eugene, Laughlin NV and Portland. I think we had over 20 people. Laura and Jack did a great job on the walk. Jack Hurt was there for back up info. The field trip started at the Salishan Market parking lot. We walked the foot path that runs along Siletz Bay. The tide was coming tide so a lot of the birds we saw were a little far out. We saw Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Whimbrels, Rufous Hummingbird, and Laura spotted a "Black-legged Kittiwake. " Jack Hurt said it was a bird you don't normally see along the shore. You see that bird more out in the ocean.
Some of us stopped at Siletz Keys on the way home from the field trip. We saw a sweet little Marsh Wren that was just carrying on . . . singing a loud, vibrant song. We think it might have been telling another wren to stay away. Whatever its reasons, we really didn't care, it was just cool to listen. I wish I had recorded it. I did get to see him, just before he flew away. Not quick enough to photo though. Laura and Caren saw him and commented on his tail sticking up. When I finely got a glimpse of the little guy, they were right, his tail was sticking straight up and I mean straight up... It was pretty funny to see. So he was either showing off to a damsel or shooing away a rival. The photo of the "Osprey" was at Siletz Quay. The others are from the field trip.
(As reported by Jody Picconi)
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
January 11, 2014 OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail, Newport
It was raining in Lincoln City but when we arrived in Newport the sky opened up. Nonetheless, those who had full raingear put it on anyway. Even though there were only 6 of us crazy enough to weather the storm, we had a fun time sighting about 25 birds in the sky and on the water. Let's get Jody's point of view on the morning: "Hi all ... We missed some of you today, and boy, what a day. It was a little brisk and windy but, NO RAIN, (mostly). We had coffee 'n donuts to start the day. Of the 6 birders we had today . . . that's right, 6 . . . of the 6 birders today, 3 were experts. We saw a nice variety of water birds. Brandt, Eared Grebe, Loon, King (queen) eider, Oystercatchers, gulls, N. Harrier, and of course, Ernie's eagle. Just to name a few. Thank you Mark for being our fearless leader. You did a great job as usual. Thank you Laura for keeping track of the birds we saw. Thank you Ernie for your excellent spotting. Thank you Eric and Chuck for your expertise and identifying what we were seeing. Thank you me for coffee and donuts. I don't think I left anyone out. Nope, that's all 6 of us! "Here are a few photos taken today. The King Eider was hard to photograph but we, and others present from the Portland Audubon Society, witnessed its presence amongst the Black Scoters and Surf Scoters.
Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western Gull
Mew Gull
King Eider (female)
Surf Scoter
Black Scoter
Western Grebe
Eared Grebe
Horned Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Bufflehead
American Coot
Common Loon
Red-necked Phalarope
Brant
Great Blue Heron
Harlequin Duck
California Gull
Northern Pintail
Lesser Scaup
Greater Scaup
Hooded Merganser
Black Oystercatcher
Ruddy Duck
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
American Crow
European Starling
November 9, 2013 Cascade Head Scenic Area along the Salmon River
A gathering in the Cascade Head Ranch River House, sipping hot apple cider.
The air was quietly still and misty. Silence periodically broken by Kingfisher chatter.
Flitterings of feathers weaving in and out of brush and boughs.
A perfect morning for 13 people.
Sightings of the Day
Common Loon
Bald Eagle
Surf Scoter
Great Blue Heron
Western Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Belted Kingfisher
American Crow
Sooty Fox Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Spotted Towhee
Brown Pelicans
Downy Woodpecker
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Oregon Junco
Anna's Hummingbird
Pacific Loon
Western Grebe
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Gold-crowned Kinglet
Pelagic Cormorant
Steller's Jay
Pacific Wren
Song Sparrow
Marsh Wren
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Bufflehead
Canada Goose
River Otter
Harbor Seal
Roosevelt Elk
October 15, 2013 Beaver Creek State Natural Area
Leaving Lincoln City this morning to head for the Beaver Creek waterway field trip was a bit concerning. It was raining! But, those who live along the coast know about micro-climates and are aware that the weather could be totally different from one location to another. We were optimistc that the rain would stop when we arrived at Beaver Creek, located midway between Newport and Waldport. Sure enough, the rain had stopped and there were patches of blue sky in-between the big puffy clouds. Yeeesssss!!!! As the birders arrived, they backed up to the put-in and dispatched their watercrafts. 14 birders, led by Dawn Grafe-Harris, USFWS, (newly furloughed, by the way) and ASLC field guide Mark Elliott, were ready to enjoy a lazy paddling upriver as they kept their eyes alert for sighting birds. Before all were ready, a mature bald eagle flew low right over us . . . and not one photographer was fast enough to capture its image! Gathering in a watery circle, introductions were made and all were amazed to learn that a newly transplanted New Englander was amongst the group. Around the first bend a Great Blue Heron was sighted atop an old snag tree and around a couple of more bends a Great Egret flew from the river grass and brush ahead. A Cooper's Hawk swooped down into the grass bank. But the greatest surprise to all were the number of Nutrias eyeing us from the banks as we paddled past each of them . . . about 30 or more!! Meanwhile, the sprinkling of rain turned into a shower which then turned into a heavy shower which made it near impossible to take photos of our outing. As the watercrafts were beginning to fill with rainwater, it was decided to turn around and head back to land. And, wouldn't you know it! When we arrived back where we had started, the rainfall had stopped! Ugh!!!
Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Mallard
Northern Harrier
Short-billed Dowitcher
Belted Kingfisher
Pied-billed Grebe
Red-tailed Hawk
American Robin
Marsh Wren
American Crow
Song Sparrow
September 14, 2013 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon
Interesting. The weather at Baskett Slough was no different than on the coast. Drizzly, cloudy, somewhere between cool and cold. The big difference was that there was very little water at the Slough, unlike the coast!! It's our guess that that was caused by the very dry summer and the opening of the dam on the north side of the road. Yet, none of the conditions deterred the 13 attending birders from enjoying the refuge and its offerings. This time, there was not a great presence of birds although 27 species were identified. Hard to believe that we didn't even see one Song Sparrow or chickadee!!
Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Western Scrub Jay
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
American Crow
Mallard
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Mourning Dove
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
Brewer's Blackbird
Bewick's Wren
White Pelican
Northern Harrier
Killdeer
Red-tailed Hawk
Least Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Cedar Waxwing
European Starling
Greater Yellowlegs
Long-billed Dowitcher
American Kestrel
Belted Kingfisher
Nutria family of six
Garden Spiders
Black-tailed Deer
August 10, 2013 Bird Walk at Bayocean Spit, Tillamook, Oregon
This year's bird walk at Bayocean came with a few surprises. Generally, our field trips begin at 9am. Last year's trip to Bayocean began at that time, but the tide was not right so we made up for it this year. We counted about twice as many birders this year over last year. Including 4 guides, twenty-nine birders gathered in the Spit's parking lot at 2pm when the tide was coming in rather than going out. That brought the shorebirds closer to us along the bank of the spit. Immediately, a young Brown-headed Cowbird was bold enough to let the birders get quite close to it, which delighted the photographers in the group. Flying over the group were gulls, terns, cormorants, and swallows. In the nearby mudflats were geese, gulls, plovers, and yellowlegs. After traveling about 1/4 to 1/3 distance to the end of the spit, most of the birders turned around and split into separate groups, some wanting to get back soon to the mudflats before the tide was completely in, others heading over to the ocean side, and a few others continuing ahead a bit further before returning back to the parking lot. Back at the cars, several folks were chatting when 3 immature Bald Eagles flew over offering perfect photo opportunities. All in all, it was once again a very enjoyable bird trip!
Sightings of the Day
Brandt Goose
Brown-headed Cowbird
Caspian Tern
Whimbrel
California Gull
Great Blue Heron
Savannah Sparrow
Double-crested Cormorant
Ring-billed Gull
Cedar Waxwing
Barn Swallow
Semipalmated Plover
Lesser Yellowlegs
Greater Yellowlegs
Belted Kingfisher
Black Capped Chickadee
And those that stayed longer…..
Brown Pelican
Pacific Loon
Common Murre
American Crow
Wrentit
White Crowned Sparrow
Western Gull
Bald Eagle
July 13, 2013 Bird Walk at Yaquina Head, Newport, Oregon
(Sorry but there were no photographers to share photos - 18 birders were present)
Sightings of the Day
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Peregrine Flacon and 2 chicks
Black Oystercatcher
Western Gull
Common Murre
Pigeon Guillemot
Rufous Hummingbird
American Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
House Sparrow
American Goldfinch
June 8, 2013 Tamara Quays and Pixieland in Lincoln County, Oregon
Sightings of the Day
Barn Swallow
Cedar Waxwing
Turkey Vulture
Swainson’s Thrush
American Goldfinch
Warbling Vireo
Song Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Pacific Wren
Band-tailed Pigeon
American Robin
Osprey
Rufous Hummingbird
Purple Finch
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Wilson’s Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
American Crow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Hermit Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Steller's Jay
Killdeer
Violet-green Swallow
Brewer's Blackbird
Common Yellowthroat
Green Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Raven
Western Wood-Pewee
Hermit Thrush
April 13, 2013 Siletz Bay Natural Wildlife Refuge
13 birders from Bend, Portland, Lincoln County were grateful for the change in the weather on Saturday. We started the morning birding field trip at the Taft docks in rain and at low tide. Several species were out and about including Bald Eagles. The group then moved south to the Keys and Salishan where we were treated to sun and views of some waterfowl and forest birds. We hope to see many of the participants at another field trip when the weather and tide are more cooperative. Don’t miss next month’s trip to Cape Meares!
Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Western Gulls
Common Merganser
Common Loon
Great Blue Heron
Canada Goose
European Starling
Black-capped Chickadee
American Robin
Bufflehead
Rock Dove
Mallards
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
Anna's Hummingbird
American Crow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Steller's Jay
Great White Egret
Northern Pintail
March 9, 2013 Boiler Bay • Rocky Creek • Devil's Punch Bowl
25 birders arrived at the Boiler Bay parking lot to begin a very enjoyable morning of bird watching led by field guide, Mark Elliott. After enjoying the sightings, the birders then migrated to Rocky Creek and Devil's Punch Bowl.
Sightings of the Day
Glaucous-winged Gull
Herring Gull
Western Gull
Killdeer
American Crow
American Robin
Black Turnstone
Western Grebe
Brown Pelican
Pelagic Cormorant
Black Oystercatcher
Osprey
Bald Eagle
Red-necked Grebe
Rock Dove
Song Sparrow
Pacific Wren
Starlings
Red-throated Loon
Surf Scoter
Spotted Towhee
Pine Siskin
Horned Grebe
Red-tailed Hawk (on way to event)
Douglas Squirrel
February 9, 2013 Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Upon the arrival of some of us, we were greeted by a flyover of what is fast becoming our group's mascot, the Bald Eagle, which has been present at all but one ASLC field trip in the past 4-5 years. When all were present in the lower parking lot of the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, we gathered in a circle, announced our names and resident towns, and then made a slow procession uphill toward the observation platform. With binoculars in hand, cameras at the ready, eyes and ears sensitive to the slightest movement and/or faintest sound, field guides Mark Elliott and Dick Demarest gave the other 28 birders an idea of what birds we might observe at this place during this time of year. It was a gray, misty morning with fog heading toward us from the north. When we arrived at the upper parking lot, the fog was dropping down to the top of the trees of the wooded hillside on our right. As we made the turn on to the path heading to the observation platform, a Bald Eagle flew right over us before any of the photographers had a chance to snap a shot prior to its being dissolved by the fog. If that wasn't unfortunate enough, another eagle followed the same flight path within a few minutes, and still no photos! By then we could see the fog had dropped below the trees, so it was decided we would travel the Meda Loop Rd that circles the wetland of the Little Nestucca River on the east side of Hwy 101. In the past it has always rewarded us with greating sightings, and it continued to do so on this day. In all, between the two locations, 35 species were viewed. Not bad for such a gray day!
Birds Pictured (clockwise from top left):
Black Phoebe
Marsh Wren
Great Blue Heron
Northern Pintail and Canada Goose
Sightings of the Day
Red Crossbill
Northern Flicker
Dusky Goose
Bald Eagle (5 adults, 1 immature)
American Robin
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Merlin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
American Kestrel
Hooded Merganser
Gold-crowned Kinglet
Townsend's Warbler
Bufflehead
Red-winged Blackbird
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Belted Kingfisher
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Pied-billed Grebe
Mallard
Gold-crowned Sparrow
Northern Pintail
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black Phoebe
American Crow
American Coot
Ring-necked Duck
Gadwall
Glaucous-winged Gull
Dark-eyed Junco
Steller's Jay
Wilson’s Snipe
Marsh Wren
January 12, 2013 OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail, Newport
First time in three years, this field trip was sunny and cold. Previously, we'd endured cold and wet weather. Still, as always, this was a very enjoyable bird walk which was led by field guide, Mark Elliott. No sooner did we exit our cars when an immature bald eagle flew right over us . . . a perfect photo op with great lighting and its being maybe only 75 feet above us, if that! Down below, Brandt, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Great Scaup, Horned Grebe, and a couple of Common Loons were busy seeking food in the bay. Walking further along the trail, we saw American Wigeons, Eurasian Wigeons and Northern Pintails in large groups that we were only able to ID with binoculars. Still further along the path, 2 mature eagles were viewed upon a log in the water looking in the direction of the group of forementioned waterfowl. As we made the turn back toward the parking lot, a small flock of Red Crossbills settled on the high branches of a nearby tree and in the open brush below an Anna's Hummingbird lighted weightlessly on an upper branch in unobstructed view. We then drove over to the Newport South Jetty where for the 2nd year in a row we saw a pair of Harlequin ducks. Another pleasant surprise was discovering a Black Turnstone standing on a rock at water's edge. As we worked at ID'ing the various gulls, we witnessed one that appeared to have something wrapped around its neck to make its neck look like a bib . . . poor bird. To get out of the cold and to warm our bellies, many headed to Rogue Brewery for lunch. Great ending to a fun morning.
Sightings of the Day
Immature Bald Eagle (2)
Mature Bald Eagle (2)
Surf Scoter
Common Loon
Bufflehead
Horned Grebe
American Coot
Pelagic Cormorant
Greater Scaup
Western Gull
Brandt
Song Sparrow
Brown Pelican
American Crow
American Wigeon
Eurasian Wigeon
Northern Pintail
European Starling
Black-capped Chickadee
Red Crossbill
Anna’s Hummingbird
Mew Gull
White-winged Scoter
Red-throated Loon
Double-crested Cormorant
Red-breasted Merganser
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Barrow’s Goldeneye (female)
Black Turnstone
Harlequin
Glaucous-winged Gull
Red-necked Grebe
Hooded Merganser (female)
Western Grebe
November 10, 2012 Cascade Head Scenic Area along the Salmon River, Oregon
ASLC held a photo tips class and a field trip on the Salmon River at the foot of the Cascade Head Scenic Area. Birding was great with 20 people participating. Photos were taken from the road that goes along the river next to the riverhouse. Martha Wylder's house is just above this spot and is where she experienced the taking of one of her beloved Gray Jay's while feeding them under the eaves of her home. She thought it might have been one of the small migrating hawks such as the Sharp-shinned Hawk or Merlin Falcon. Meanwhile, down below, the group viewed and ID'd two Peregrine Falcons cruising along the foothill.
Sightings of the Day
American Crow
Belted Kingfisher
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Common Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Fox Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Northern Flicker
Peregrine Falcon
Pine Siskin
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red Crossbill
Ring-billed Gull
Song Sparrow
Surf Scoter
Western Gull
White-fronted Geese
Steller's Jay