September 9, 2022 EXPLORIENCE Cutler City Wetlands Open Space

Leaders Mark Elliott (field trip guide) and dawn villaescusa talk about Lincoln City Exploriences and the history and value of our Lincoln City Open Spaces before we start our walk. Photo: Janet Bleck

It was a beautiful day for an Explorience! Our Lincoln City Audubon field trip leader, Mark Elliott, took 13 bird enthusiasts to Cutler City Wetlands Open Space, a unique wooded wetland just south of Lincoln City! A Swainson's Thrush greeted us when we arrived, but the woods were mostly quiet as we walked.

Coming out of the woods, we walked to the south end of Cutler City where we had great views of the mouth of Drift Creek at Siletz Bay - the tide was low but coming in and we had great views of herons, egrets, cormorants, and more! Two Osprey and a Belted Kingfisher were hunting. Walking back along the roads, a flock of Barn Swallows and Vaux's Swifts were fly-catching over our heads - a rare opportunity to see the two. Mark talked to us about swallows and swifts and how to identify them while they swooped overhead. In spite of a quiet start, we ended up seeing 27 species!

Sightings of the day:

Janet gets some smiles before snapping a photo of our bird walk leaders. Photo: Janet Bleck

Swainson's Thrush
Great Blue Heron
Steller's Jay
Band-tailed Pigeon
Cedar Waxwing
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Turkey Vulture
Eurasian Collared Dove
Anna's Hummingbird
American Crow
European Starling
House Sparrow
House Finch
Northern Flicker
Red-winged Blackbird
Great Egret
Osprey
Brandt's Cormorant
California Gull
Western Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Belted Kingfisher
Rock Pigeon
Barn Swallow
Vaux's Swift
Brown-headed Cowbird
Western Tanager

Looking out over Siletz Bay at the mouth of Drift Creek. This was where we saw the most bird life. Photo: dawn villaescusa

This walk was part of Lincoln City Exploriences! https://www.oregoncoast.org/events/exploriences

Thank you to our sponsors Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks & Rec.!

August 13, 2022 Alder Island Bird Walk

While the birds were few in numbers the 35 participants were not disappointed. With the season beginning to change Mark Elliott shared our interpretive signage along the trail. The signs were a joint effort between Lincoln City Audubon and US Fish & Wildlife, designed by Ernie Rose, illustrated by Nora Sherwood, with information provided by Peter Pearsall. The Alder Island Osprey nest caught everyone’s attention. 

Species panels illustrated by Nora Sherwood.

Here are the birds we saw:

Cedar Waxwing
Canada Geese
Belted Kingfisher
Osprey
Western Gull
Song Sparrow
Great White Egret
Steller's Jay
Purple Martin

After short walk to the beach:

White-crowned Sparrow
Mallard
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Western Grebe
Red-necked Phalarope

July 9, 2022 Yaquina Head Bird Walk

Photo by Caren Willoughby

It was nesting time at Yaquina Head Lighthouse and 22 birders had a chance to observe this once-a-year behavior. For many it was a once in a lifetime chance to view a Black Oystercatcher chick. Western Gulls were nesting and an Eagle was watching close by.

Sightings of the day:

Photo by Caren Willoughby

American Crow
Peregrine Falcon
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
White-crowned Sparrow
Bald Eagle
Brown Pelican
Pigeon Guillemot
Common Murre
Black Oystercatcher
Western Gull
Turkey Vulture
Brandt’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant

July 8, 2022 EXPLORIENCE Nesika Park

Cedar Waxwing. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

Our bird walk to Nesika Park, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City didn’t disappoint the 17 birders in attendance. Part of Lincoln City's 2022 Exploriences, several participants had already signed up and all were happy with their wooden Explorience tokens! 

Nesting Osprey. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

The nesting Ospreys put on quite a show. The male brought in a nice trout to share with the single chick. The walk to Nesika Park was filled with other birds for all to enjoy. 

Sightings:

Osprey with trout. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

Osprey
American Crow
Barn Swallow 
Violet-green Swallow 
Steller’s Jay 
American Robin 
Spotted Towhee 
European Starling 
Northern Flicker 
Song Sparrow 
Turkey Vulture 
White-crowned Sparrow 
Cedar Waxwing

Osprey. Photo by Ruth Shelly.

June 11, 2022 Ona Beach & Beaver Creek State Recreation Area

Mark Elliott led 13 birders along the trail to the sea. We saw a variety of birds as well as a pair of nesting Eagles waiting to dine on a Harbor Seal that washed ashore. The rain held off for the rest of the trip up Beaver Creek. 

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Ona Beach sightings:

Photo by Caren Willoughby

American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
White-crowned Sparrow
American Crow
Brown-headed Cowbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Canada Geese
Song Sparrow
Killdeer
Barn Swallow
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Semi-palmated Plover
Beavercreek Sightings
Steller’s Jay
Anna’s Hummingbird
Violet-green Swallow
Black-headed Grosbeak
Red-winged Blackbird
Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
Mourning Dove
Spotted Towhee

Photo by Caren Willoughby

June 10, 2022 Regatta Park & Devils Lake

Photo by Caren Willoughby

We did not get rained on! Trip leader, Mark Elliott led 9 birders through the woods around the Regatta Grounds. The trail was well marked and we checked out the signage along the way.  It was warm and the birds did not disappoint us. 

Bird Sightings:

Mallard
Barn Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Turkey Vulture
American Robin
Downy Woodpecker
Spotted Towhee
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
European Starling
Purple Finch
Cedar Waxwing
Anna’s Hummingbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Canada Geese

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Group shot! Photo by Caren Willoughby.

April 8, 2022 Spring Lake Open Space

It was a small group that had no problem with the weather forecast. Trip leader Mark Elliott led around Lincoln City’s Open Space Spring Lake. It was magical with wildflowers in bloom and birds singing all around us. It was a haven for Warblers! In just three words “It Was Wonderful.” We were all thankful for the well maintained trails and Parks and Recreation of Lincoln City.

American Robin photo by Ruth Shelly

Listening and looking for those Warblers.

Down the trail.

Across the bridge to watch the Canada Goose fly in.

Photo by Caren Willoughby

Are these Myosotis scorpioides (Marsh-forget-me-not) growing along the path?

Sightings of the day:

Pacific Wren
American Crow
American Robin
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Townsend Warbler
Black-throated Grey Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Osprey
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Bald Eagle
Canada Goose
Mallard
Hairy Woodpecker

Canada Goose photo by Ruth Shelly

January 8, 2022 Hatfield Marine Science Center

Photo by Ruth Shelly

What a difference a day makes! Friday was cold and miserable, but we still had 7 people enjoy the walk at Regatta Park in Lincoln City. On Saturday, the sun shone all day - while chilly, it was perfect for spotting birds on Hatfield Marine Science Center's nature trail and the South Jetty at Yaquina Bay. 17 people joined us, including our bird experts and expert photographers.

Red-throated Loon photo by Ruth Shelly

Great Blue Heron photo by Ruth Shelly

Species seen on Saturday (Yaquina Bay & South Jetty):

Eurasia Wigeon
American Wigeon
Greater Scaup
Harlequin duck
Surf scoter
White-winged Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Horned Grebe
Western Grebe
Rock Pigeon
Whimbrel
Iceland Gulls (Thayer’s)
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western x Glaucous-winged gull (Olympic gull)
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Brand’s Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Red-shouldered Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Steller’s Jay
American Crow
European Starling
Bewick's Wren
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow

Western Gull photo by Ruth Shelly

February 13, 2021 Alder Island Loop Trail at Siletz Bay NWR

Weather reports were saying that this day would be the same as the day before – very cold, windy, and soaking wet. The birders who assembled for the bird walk were glad that the temp was in the high 40s rather than in the mid-30’s, and with little or no wind. As one of the walkers reported, “I think we began with 11 participants today, but ended up with nine after the one couple bailed early when the sideways rain began right as we headed out.” Those who weren’t wearing rainpants walked around with wet britches!

Birding in the rain at Alder Island, photo Joanne Daschel

We sighted a number of waterfowl species but very few woodland birds. All in all, we enjoyed ourselves and loved the beautiful new descriptive signage on the trail which was produced last year (2020) in collaboration with ASLC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Great Blue Heron sign, photo by Ernie Rose

Sightings of the day:
Bufflehead ~ Hooded Merganser ~ Common Merganser ~ Red-breasted Merganser ~ Song Sparrow ~ Mallard ~ Common Goldeneye ~ American Robin ~ Canada Goose ~ Great Blue Heron ~ Horned Grebe ~ Double-breasted Cormorant ~ Red-winged Blackbird ~ Common Loon ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Golden-crowned Sparrow ~ American Crow ~ Bewick’s Wren

January 9, 2021 Yaquina Bay and Yaquina River South Jetty

The day started sunny but cold for the 9 birders who gathered in the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) parking lot in Newport. Hand warmers for one of the birders weren't enough to keep his fingers from getting cold and numb. Amongst the number of species seen and photographed, the birding group was surprised to see Brant as well as a group of Marbled Godwit with Whimbrel in the mix. From HMSC, they headed over to South Jetty on the west side of Hwy 101. There they viewed a number of other species including Harlequin Duck, Horned Grebe, and Common Loon. In all, the birders counted 31 species. Great way to start the year!!

Sightings of the day:
Common Loon ~ Surf Scoter ~ Greater Scaup ~ Brandt’s Cormorant ~ American Wigeon ~ American Crow ~ Western Gull ~ Brant ~ California Gull ~ Marbled Godwit ~ Mew Gull ~ House Finch ~ Anna’s Hummingbird ~ Dark-eyed Junco ~ Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Eurasian Collared-dove ~ Rock Pigeon ~ Northern Harrier ~ Horned Grebe ~ Red-necked Grebe ~ Red-breasted Merganser ~ Harlequin Duck ~ Belted Kingfisher ~ Pelagic Cormorant ~ Whimbrel ~ Great Blue Heron ~ Common Goldeneye ~ Bufflehead ~ Mallard ~ Pigeon Guillemot ~ Western Meadowlark