September 20, 2019 Hostetler Park (D River) and Devil's Lake State Park, Lincoln City

Mark Elliott was joined by 17 enthusiastic adults and two children for our Hostetler Park/Devil's Lake Bird Watching Clinic. The weather was perfect and the birds a delight! We started the morning watching a flock of Mallards on D River when a beautiful Green Heron flew by right in front of us! We were disappointed that it didn't stop to allow better looks, but it was a treat to see!

Belted Kingfishers entertained us throughout the walk, chasing one another or perched for nice looks. There were dozens of Cedar Waxwings - and a flock of seven Great Egrets flew overhead in a vee formation. At the lake, a pair of Caspian Terns flew over, a pair of Double-crested Cormorants were swimming and diving, while a small flock of California Gulls splashed nearby.

We were just getting ready to leave the lake when someone spotted an Osprey "swimming" in the water. While we watched, it used its powerful wings to lift itself out of the water, looped around and, while we watched, dove with a crash into the lake. It again struggled briefly, then flew up out of the water - but once again, without its prey. It dove a 3rd time, also unsuccessfully, then flew away.

Sightings of the day:
Mallard ~ Common Merganser ~ Rock Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird ~ Western Gull ~ California Gull
Caspian Tern ~ Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret ~ Green Heron ~ Great Blue Heron
Osprey ~ Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker ~ Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay ~ American Crow ~ Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Chestnut-backed Chickadee
swallow sp. (dozens circling up in the high clouds)
Wrentit ~ Red-breasted Nuthatch ~ Bewick's Wren
European Starling ~ American Robin ~ Cedar Waxwing
Dark-eyed Junco ~ Song Sparrow ~ Spotted Towhee
Brewer's Blackbird ~ Red-winged Blackbird

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

August 10, 2019 The Knoll Open Space, Lincoln City

All photos complements of Steve Griffiths

Nineteen people joined our expert guides in climbing to the top of The Knoll. A few birds, lots of sunshine, and great views! Species included a Cooper's Hawk, Pacific Wren, and Brown Pelican.

This walk was one of our special Bird Watching Clinics, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

July 13, 2019 Alder Island Loop Trail, Siletz Bay NWR

The new Alder Island Loop Trail has become a local favorite for nature-lovers of all ages. Twenty-nine of us enjoyed a two-hour walk through the trees, wetlands, and along the river's edge.

Photo complements of Ernie Rose

Highlights included a family of Canada Geese on the river, pairs of Warbling Vireo singing in the trees, and two Belted Kingfishers. This walk was one of our special Bird Watching Clinics, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

Wilson's Warbler complements of Ruth Shelly

Juvenile Golden-crowned Kinglet complements of Ruth Shelly

Sightings of the day:
Canada Goose ~ Western Gull ~ Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle ~ Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker ~ Warbling Vireo ~ Steller's Jay
American Crow ~ Purple Martin ~ Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow ~ Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Marsh Wren ~ Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush ~ American Robin ~ European Starling
Cedar Waxwing ~ House Finch
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Song Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird ~ Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat ~ Wilson's Warbler

Photos complements of Ernie Rose

June 8, 2019 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

Photos complements of Ernie Rose

At the headquarters parking lot, our large, enthusiastic group of 28 got great and prolonged views of the Peregrine Falcon chicks and parent! Other special sightings included a Black Oystercatcher sitting on its egg, nesting Pelagic and Brandt's Cormorants, and thousands of chattering Common Murre.

Sightings of the day:
Violet-green Swallow ~ Barn Swallow
American Goldfinch ~ Peregrine Falcon
White-crowned Sparrow ~ American Crow
Pelagic Cormorant ~ Brandt’s Cormorant
Pigeon Guillemot ~ Black Oystercatcher
Common Murre ~ Harlequin Duck
Western Gull ~ Caspian Tern

June 7, 2019 Regatta Park with Devil's Lake, Lincoln City

A group of 15 people, including 3 children, braved the rain for a walk through the Regatta Park nature trail and vicinity, including Devil's Lake. We enjoyed 23 species of birds. This walk was one of our special Lincoln City Bird Walks, sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation and Explore Lincoln City.

Sightings of the day:
American Robin ~ American Crow ~ Swainson’s Thrush
Band-tailed Pigeon ~ Pacific Wren ~ Wilson Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Barn Swallow ~ Violet-green Swallow
Osprey ~ Turkey Vulture ~ Mallard ~ House Finch ~ American Goldfinch
Song Sparrow ~ White-crowned Sparrow ~ Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco
Steller's Jay ~ Vaux's Swift ~ Pacific-slope Flycatcher ~ Spotted Towhee
Great Blue Heron ~ Hummingbird – probably Rufous (heard)

May 24, 2019 The Villages Open Space, Lincoln City

It was a damp, dismal day but 9 hardy folks joined us for a walk through The Villages Open Space, through the woods and along Sal a Sea drive to the Road's End park. We could hear birds singing and chittering all along the way, but few came out for us to see well. Visibility was poor at the beach, but we were rewarded by a distant view of a small group of shorebirds.

Sightings of the day:
Canada Goose ~ Mallard ~ Band-tailed Pigeon
Anna's Hummingbird ~ Dowitcher ~ Western Gull
California Gull ~ Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle
Downy Woodpecker ~ Northern Flicker
Pacific-slope Flycatcher ~ Hutton's Vireo
Warbling Vireo ~ Steller's Jay
American Crow ~ Common Raven ~ Barn Swallow
Pacific Wren ~ Marsh Wren ~ European Starling
Cedar Waxwing ~ American Goldfinch
Dark-eyed Junco ~ White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow ~ Red-winged Blackbird
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Common Yellowthroat
Wilson's Warbler ~ Western Tanager
Black-headed Grosbeak

April 26, 2019 Cutler City Wetlands Open Space and Josephine Young Memorial Park

Our regular team was out of town, but Ger Killeen, Kate Saunders, and Deborah Bergeron stepped up to lead the walk through the Cutler City wooded wetlands and over to Siletz Bay in Cutler City. Seventeen people were on the bird-walk. Ger with help from Kate did a great job leading this walk!

Sightings of the day:
Wilson's Warbler ~ Song Sparrow
Eurasian-collared Dove ~ Wrentit
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Bushtit
Tree Swallow ~ Steller's Jay
Semipalmated Plover ~ Dunlin
Western Sandpiper ~ Western Gull
Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle
American Crow ~ Bufflehead
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Rock Pigeon
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Caspian Tern
European Starling ~ American Robin
Brown Creeper ~ Spotted Towhee
Violet-green Swallow ~ Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Photos complements of Deborah Bergeron

April 13, 2019 Two Rivers Nature Trail, Nestucca Bay NWR

Fifteen people joined ASLC field trip leader Mark Elliott at Nestucca National Wildlife Refuge to walk the new Two Rivers Nature Trail. The weather was cool, grey, and drizzly and we all got a bit damp, but it was well worth it. The newly opened section of the refuge meanders through woods full of fern, flowers, and massive trees.

One spot had remnants of a garden, complete with a large Magnolia tree. It was our birdiest spot, with warblers, thrush, chickadees, and kinglets all singing and flitting from tree to tree.

At the two-rivers lookout, we stopped and admired the view, spotting waterfowl such as Common Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser along with a couple of Great Egrets. All-told we saw or heard 38 species!

Rufous Hummingbird photo complements of Ernie Rose

Sightings of the day:
Cackling Goose ~ Canada Goose ~ Wood Duck
Mallard ~ Green-winged Teal ~ Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye ~ Red-breasted Merganser
Band-tailed Pigeon ~ Anna's Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird ~ Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron ~ Great Egret ~ Turkey Vulture
Northern Harrier ~ Bald Eagle ~ Red-tailed Hawk
Belted Kingfisher ~ Steller's Jay ~ American Crow
Common Raven ~ Tree Swallow ~ Violet-green Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Brown Creeper ~ Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Varied Thrush
American Robin ~ European Starling ~ Dark-eyed Junco
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Song Sparrow ~ Spotted Towhee
Orange-crowned Warbler ~ Townsend's Warbler

March 9, 2019 Tillamook Raptor Survey

Eleven people met at Fred Meyer in Tillamook for our first raptor survey. We carpooled around a set route with expert leader Jimmy Robert Billstine. We modeled our survey after the official Winter Raptor Survey surveys, which are held throughout the Pacific Northwest. We took parts from two of the Tillamook surveys and created a map and a survey sheet. Starting at Goodspeed Rd, we drove a little over 20 miles in our two-hour timeframe, enjoying a wonderful mix of raptors.

Survey Results
Red-tailed Hawk: 12
American Kestrel: 7
Northern Harrier: 3
Bald Eagle: 6 adults, 2 sub-adults
Red-shouldered Hawk: 1
Peregrine Falcon: 2
Rough-legged Hawk: 1

Raptor photos complements of Ernie Rose