October 8, 2022 Boiler Bay to Devil's Punchbowl
Birders with scopes by Caren Willoughby
Twenty birders met Mark Elliott at Boiler Bay in hopes that the fog would lift enough to see some birds in the sea. The group was rewarded with a few good birds that happened to be close in. We saw large flocks of Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones in Depoe Bay!
Sightings of the day:
Song Sparrow
Brown Pelican
American Crow
Pelagic Cormorant
Bald Eagle
Great Blue Heron
Large flocks of Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones
Surf Scoter
White Crowned Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Pacific Loon
Western Gull
Stormy day birders by Caren Willoughby
October 7, 2022 EXPLORIENCE Road's End
It was an interesting morning with all the fog we’ve been having. There were 22 people that joined us on our Friday morning walk, including Field Trip Guide Mark Elliot and Field Trip Coordinator Caren Willoughby. The trail through the woods provided a beautiful glimpse of the changing season. We talked of bird migration and listening for bird sounds to identify. The walk to Roads End wasn’t a disappointment because the fog had lifted somewhat. It was a successful walk even though the birds were few and far between.
Sightings of the day:
Birding group by Caren Willoughby
Pacific Wren
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Song Sparrow
American Crow
Stellar’s Jay
Raven
Brown Pelican
Western Gull
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
October 10, 2020 Boiler Bay to Devil's Punch Bowl
Six intrepid birders joined us to drive along the rocky shores from Boiler Bay to Devil's Punch Bowl. Trip leader Mark Elliott pointed out the sights and the birds as the weather improved from site-to-site.
Sightings of the day:
Western Grebe • Great Blue Heron • Canada Goose • Cackling Goose • Harlequin Duck • Bald Eagle • Peregrine Falcon • Black Oystercatcher • Black Turnstone • Western Gull • California Gull • Anna's Hummingbird • Steller's Jay • American Crow • Song Sparrow • Fox Sparrow
March 13, 2020 Spring Lake Open Space
Sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation and Explore Lincoln City, ten birders walked the trails around Spring Lake searching for various bird species, whether being seen or heard. About an hour into the walk the weather got progressive worse, going from light to heavy showers. And because of the rainfall, we didn't get photos of the birds we saw. Nonetheless, everyone enjoyed being outside.
Sightings of the day:
American Robin • Varied Thrush • American Crow • Golden-crowned Kinglet • Rufous Hummingbird • Spotted Towhee • Canada Goose • Stellers Jay • Red Crossbill • Ruby-crowned Kinglet • Chestnut-backed Chickadee • Pacific Wren
February 8, 2020 Hostetler Park with Devils Lake State Park
Saturday’s birdwalk began with a big question mark. Sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation, it started at Hostetler Park with trip leader Mark Elliott welcoming 31 participants. We had birders from Pacific City, Waldport, Tacoma, WA, Keizer, Brooks, Salem, Depoe Bay, Albany, Dallas, and Tillamook Community College. The weather challenged us to stay dry. We lost! We also lost entrance to the boardwalk in the direction to Devil's Lake State Park due to repairs. It didn’t take us long to realize that Devil’s Lake State Park was completely flooded and closed to everyone, so we decided that we needed to go to Regatta Park and check out the birds there. The walk through the woods and neighborhood gave us a few birds and kept the group out of high water!
Sightings of the day:
Pacific Wren
Mallard
Red-tailed Hawk
American Robin
Canada Goose
Bald Eagle
Rock Dove
Common Raven
American Crow
Bufflehead
Western Grebe
Western Gull
Lesser Scaup
January 11, 2020 OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center Nature Trail and Yaquina Bay South Jetty
12 birders that joined trip leader, Camden Bruner, got a break from the rain but did have to fight the wind. We got good looks at a variety of waterfowl but the birds of the day were the Marbled Godwits, Whimbrel, and a Eurasian Wigeon. It just proves Birding can be fun in all kinds of weather.
Sightings of the day:
American Wigeon ~ Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal ~ Surf Scoter
Bufflehead ~ Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe ~ Red-necked Grebe
` Rock Pigeon ~ Anna's Hummingbird
` Whimbrel ~ Marbled Godwit
Mew Gull ~ Western Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Western-Glaucous-winged (hybrid)
Pacific Loon ~ Common Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron ~ Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher ~ Northern Flicker
Merlin ~ American Crow
Pacific Wren ~ European Starling
Fox Sparrow ~ White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow ~ Song Sparrow
January 10, 2020 Siletz Bay: Taft Waterfront and Salishan Nature Trail
To say the weather was crazy during our Taft/Cutler City Bird Walk is an understatement. There were nine of us that forged through the wind and rain in search of birds. There weren't many to find until we turned a corner and heard bird music so loud that we could not believe what we were hearing. Following the sound we could see small flocks of Starlings and Juncos going back and forth from tree to tree. Looking further up in the sky we spotted three Bald Eagles that were upsetting the birds. We right then and there decided it was worth it. Happy ending to the rainy day!
Sightings of the day:
American Crow
Western Gull
Rock Pigeon
Dark-eyed Junco
Black- capped Chickadee
Anna's Hummingbird
Bald Eagle
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Steller's Jay
Song Sparrow
December 15, 2019 7th annual Christmas Bird Count
Halle Renn, with assistance from Caren Willoughby and Ernie Rose, did a superb job of coordinating our 2019 Christmas Bird Count. We had 30 field counters and 2 feeder counters. Although individual counts were down, we ended up with the second highest total for our CBC, 126 species. Our highest was 131 in 2014. Our "rare bird" of the day was a TROPICAL KINGBIRD found by Liz Laver-Holencik. The Siletz Bay team also spotted a CALIFORNIA SCRUB JAY, not really rare anymore, but a good find for Lincoln City. Other treats included a couple of SNOW GEESE, which have gotten pretty regular on one of the farms in the area, three MERLIN, WESTERN BLUEBIRD (regular here, but often hard to find), and a small flock of CANVASBACK on the lake. Phil Pickering did some owling for us, netting a GREAT-HORNED OWL, NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL, NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL, and one of our three BARN OWLS (the other two were found in the north section by the team of Jack Hurt, Ernie Rose, Ben & Kai Frueh, and Margaret Powell). Misses included: AMERICAN DIPPER (count week), WOOD DUCK, RUFFED GROUSE, RED PHALAROPE (count week), ANCIENT MURRELET, CANADA JAY, and AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
December 6, 2019 Siletz Bay: The Bayhouse to Cutler City
Photos complements of Ernie Rose
Explore Lincoln City sponsored this walk starting at the Bay House. Mark Elliott led a group of 10 birders through Cutler City. The rain did not put a damper on the group’s enthusiasm. We scored a list of over 20.
Sightings of the day:
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Belted Kingfisher ~ Steller's Jay
Varied Thrush ~ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ American Robin
Northern Flicker ~ European Starling ~ Song Sparrow
American Crow ~ Dark-eyed Junco ~ Anna's Hummingbird
Cooper's Hawk ~ European-collared Dove ~ Rock Pigeon
Bald Eagle ~ Great Blue Heron ~ Golden-crowned Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Red-winged Blackbird ~ Bufflehead
Double-crested Cormorant ~ American Wigeon ~ Surf Scoter
Common Merganser ~ Mallard ~ Gadwall ~ American Coot
Western Grebe ~ Townsend Warbler
November 9, 2019 Salmon River in the Cascade Head Scenic Area
Hah, what a fun morning for a bird walk at Knight Park along the Salmon River, although it started off a bit chilly and gray. After introductions, the thirty-one birders were entertained by a Bald Eagle attempting to put a grebe on the breakfast menu! The eagle hovered and unsuccessfully swooped down at the grebe for about 5 minutes, each time being frustrated by the grebe’s diving underwater to escape its approaching talons! Another surprise was the amount of birds sighted and heard at the end of Three Rocks Road where it led down to a wetland meadow. Two more eagles were viewed in trees on the other side of the river. Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a couple of Golden-crowned sparrows and a Bewick’s Wren made their appearances for most to see! From Knight Park, many of the birders drove to Frasier Road on the other side of the estuary. Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, chickadees, and a Great Blue Heron were sighted. Twenty-three species were tallied for the morning. Yes, it was an event enjoyed by all . . . and the hot cider provided by the Willoughby’s was very much appreciated!! We had guest birders from Spokane, Pendleton, Newberg, Pacific City, Depoe Bay, McMinnville and Yachats.
Sightings of the day:
Bald Eagle ~ Red-tailed Hawk ~ Common Merganser
Belted Kingfisher ~ Western Gull ~ Hybrid Gull ~ Song Sparrow
Ruby-crowned Kinglet ~ Northern Flicker ~ American Robin
Dark-eyed Junco ~ Bewick's Wren ~ Yellow-rumped Warbler
Chestnut-backed Chickadee ~ Steller's Jay ~ Northern Harrier
Golden-crowned Sparrow ~ Black-capped Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler ~ Anna's Hummingbird
Great Blue Heron ~ Red-breasted Nuthatch