April 9, 2016 Beaver Creek State Park

There were 9 people present for the bird walk. We saw or heard 16 birds we could identify and heard a lot of birds we couldn’t identify or find to see. Birding was mostly by ear at this site. Unfortunately, the marsh trail was not available – closed this time of year, and the south access point parking can’t handle more than 6-8 cars. The road we walked did provide some marsh overlook but no view of open water so no view of waterfowl.

Sightings of the Day

Anna's Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbird

Northern Flicker

Steller's Jay

Red-winged Blackbird

Turkey Vulture

Red-tailed Hawk

Great Blue Heron

Morning Dove

Song Sparrow

Tree Swallow

Violet-green Swallow

Barn Swallow

Belted Kingfisher

Marsh Wren

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Red-eyed Vireo (?)

Northern Rough-winged Swallow (?)

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

February 13, 2016 Siletz Bay at 51st and Salishan Nature Trail

"Red sky morning, sailors take warning." That's the way the morning started but 26 birders lucked out. Although it was a bit chilly morning, there was no rain, yet! With field guide, Mark Elliott, the morning started at the dock next to Mo's restaurant. Unfortunately the dock was closed off but we did manage to see quite a few birds such as Great Egret, Common Loon, Bald Eagle, grebes and mergansers, gulls, and other species. From 51st Street we headed to the Salishan Marketplace to walk the Salishan Nature Trail along the north side of the golf course. This is a short yet interesting trail with a variety of bird species. A great morning for all.

Birds shown: Red Crossbills, Anna's Hummingbird, Great Blue Heron

Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
Rock Dove
Western Gull
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Great Egret
Western Grebe
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Great Blue Heron
Common Merganser
Anna’s Hummingbird
Red-tailed Hawk
Canada Goose
Pine Siskin
Red Crossbill
Northern Flicker
American Robin
Eurasian Collared Dove
Song Sparrow
Hermit Thrush
Pelagic Cormorant
American Crow
Common Raven
Steller’s Jay

January 9, 2016 Newport's OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail, South Jetty, and South Beach

Another great Audubon outing for 18 birders, this time at Newport. Rainy and cold to begin with and then the bright sun and warmth broke through the clouds as predicted by Mark Elliott, our Field Guide and weather prognosticator. Mark located several outstanding and rarely seen birds by us. They included Bullock's Oriole, Snowy Plover, Mountain Plover, Harlequin Duck, Brants, and a flotilla of more common species. Thank you Mark Elliot for leading the charge.

Sightings of the Day
American Crow
Bald Eagle
Common Loon
Surf Scoter
Great Blue Heron
Bufflehead
Belted Kingfisher
Bald Eagle
European Starling
Northern Pintail
America Wigeon
Brandt
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Northern Harrier
Eurasian Wigeon
Dark-eyed Junco
House Sparrow
American Robin
Townsend Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
House Finch
Red-winged Blackbird
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Bullocks Oriole
Western Grebe
Brown Pelican
Horned Grebe
Common Goldeneye
Harlequin Duck
Red-breasted Merganser
Snowy Plover
Mountain Plover
Sanderling
Double-crested Cormorant
Bufflehead

October 15, 2015 Oregon Coast Community College Basic Birding Class, Lincoln City, Oregon

It was a beautiful ending to our Basic Birding class. We met at the dock in Taft and right away our resident Eagle flew in and allowed everyone a great look through Mark's scope. We were able to get a good look at the gulls and the crows before we jumped in our cars and headed towards the D River. Fog decided to roll in but we were still able to see some birds in the bush. What a great class and everyone was filled with enthusiasm and realized that there is some pretty wonderful things to see right in their own yard.

Sightings of the Day
Mallard
Bushtit
Steller's Jay
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Northern Flicker
Great Egret
Common Raven
Western Gull
Herring Gull
American Crow
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
Double-crested Cormorant
California Gull
Red-breasted Merganzer
Pacific Loon
Bald Eagle

October 12, 2015 Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island

A group of 12 enthusiastic birders gathered at Whalen Island to check out any birds that were willing to brave the weather along with us.
The winds from the storm Oho picked up about halfway through the walk. It was wet and fun! The birds decided for the most part to stay under cover. We did manage to see a few good birds.

Sightings of the Day
Bald Eagle
American Robin
Common Raven
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Song Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Gold-crowned Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Yellowthroat
American Crow
Western Gull
California Gull
Belted Kingfisher
Varied Thrush

September 26, 2015 Villages at Cascade Head

It turned out to be a beautiful day for the walk, in the woods, to the Pacific Ocean, and back.
There were 8 of us that met on this perfectly sunny day.
It is the time of year when some birds are passing through and some are beginning to show up.
We saw a little of both. The whales even showed up to give us all a thrill.

Sightings of the Day

Eurasian Collared-Dove
Northern Flicker
Steller’s Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
White-crowned Sparrow
Oregon Junco
Pine Siskin
Song Sparrow
Bewick’s Wren
Spotted Towee
Turkey Vulture

Golden-crowned Sparrow
Mallard
European Starlings
Brewer’s Blackbird
Pelagic Cormorant
Pacific Loon
Brown Pelican
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Black Phoebe

September 12, 2015 Salmon River Estuary

The morning started out with some fog but by the time we got all 12 kayaks in the water the fog lifted and the sun poked through the clouds. Which of course meant a little wind with the sun. The group paddled up the Salmon River and decided to launch and check out the birds along the western shore. While we didn't see a large number of birds it was interesting to watch the fishermen trying to hook the big one and the guys on sea kayaks twisting and turning in the Pacific. Everyone agreed that we all had a great time.

Sightings of the Day
Belted Kingfisher
Great Blue Heron
Double-crested Cormorant
Turkey Vulture
American Crow
Common Raven
Bald Eagle
Barn Swallow
Steller's Jay

July 17, 2015 Village at Cascade Head Open Space Bird Walk

There were 12 birders on this walk and it was a calm and sunny day. The weather was wonderful for us as well as the birds. We kept adding to the list as we walked slowly through this space to the Pacific Ocean. Visitors from out of town were impressed with our Open Spaces and expressed how fortunate we were to have such a spot so close to the city.

Sightings of the Day

Cedar Waxwing
White-crowned Sparrow
American Goldfinch
Common Raven
Swainson’s Thrush
Northern Flicker
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Violet-green Swallow
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
Band-tailed Pigeon
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Mockingbird
Rufus Hummingbird
American Robin
Wilson’s Warbler
Western Tanager
Orange-crowned Warbler
Black-capped Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Turkey VulturePacific Wren
Mallard
Hooded Merganser
Great Blue Heron
Song Sparrow
Anna’s Hummingbird
Black-headed Cowbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Barn Swallow
House Wren
Brewers Blackbird
Western Gull
Pelagic Cormorant
Brandt’s Cormorant
Common Murre
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
American Crow
Black Phoebe
Hermit Warbler

July 11, 2015 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

The morning started with gray skies and very little wind as 24 birders gathered at the Lighthouse Headquarters. We watched a female Peregrine Falcon watch us. Perhaps letting us know this is her home. The paved trail along the coastline always provides us with new sightings. The baby gulls and cormorants were a joy to watch. Sadly missing was the young of the Common Murre.

Sightings of the Day
Peregrine Falcon

Turkey Vulture

Barn Swallow

White-crowned Sparrow

Rufus Hummingbird

Song Sparrow

House Finch

Pigeon Guillemot

Common Murre

Pelagic Cormorant

Brant's Cormorant

Western Gull

Wandering Tattler

Surf Scoter

Black Oystercatcher

Whimbrel

Rhinoceros Auklet

Brown Pelican

Spotted Towhee

American Crow

Bald Eagle