August 12, 2023 Alder Island Loop Nature Trail
Group and spotting scope, photo by Ruth Shelly
It was a beautiful morning for a bird walk and a total of 45 people thought so too. We were able to see some interesting bird behaviors as we walked along the trail, including a juvenile Osprey feeding on a fish it caught.
Bird sightings included:
Osprey by Ruth Shelly
Cedar Waxwing
House Finch
Osprey
Canada Geese
Goldfinch
Great Blue Heron
American Robin
American Crow
Turkey Vulture
Mallard
Purple Martin
Double Crested Cormorant
Western Gull
Tree swallow
Song Sparrow
European Starling
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Barn Swallow
Common Raven
Osprey by Ruth Shelly
July 8, 2023 Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Brandt’s Cormorants with chicks, photo by Ruth Shelly
Yaquina Head in July never disappoints! We enjoyed watching colonies of nesting seabirds including Common Murres, Brandt’s and Pelagic Cormorants, and Pigeon Guillemots. A great time was had by all who attended!
Turkey Vulture and Common Murres, photo by Ruth Shelly
Birders at Yaquina Head, photo by Ruth Shelly
July 7, 2023 Nesika Park
Caren Willoughby assisting a young birder with the spotting scope, photo by Ruth Shelly
28 birders strong, we began our walk by observing the resident Osprey nest near Nesika Park. We were lucky to see all three juveniles with both adults at the nest! We then continued on to the Nesika Park trail to search for songbirds in the forest and wetlands. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed sharing the love of birding with the next generation of birders!
Adult female and juvenile Ospreys on the nest, photo by Ruth Shelly
Birders on trail, photo by Ruth Shelly
June 10, 2023 Ona Beach & Beavercreek
Belted Kingfisher by Ruth Shelly
It was a bright, sunny day for a bird walk on the beach! We started with a walk through the woods along the creek where we saw a great variety of nesting songbirds including warblers and swallows. We then moved on to the beach where we looked for wading shorebirds.
Birders on trail by Ruth Shelly
Birders on the beach by Ruth Shelly
June 9, 2023 The Knoll
Birders resting and taking in the views after a steep climb up to The Knoll by Ruth Shelly
We had 8 people total (2 from the class, Jane and Cindy, and one from the Osprey project, Juliette, and 5 Audubon folks).
Bird list:
Wilson's warbler
Steller's jay
Pacific slope flycatcher
Warbling vireo
Golden-crowned kinglet
Crow
American robin
Pacific wren
Black-headed grosbeak
Brandt's cormorant
Brown pelican
Eurasian collared dove
Surf scoter
May 12, 2023 Cutler City Open Space
Mark Elliott walked 21 birders through the beautiful Cutler City Open Space. It was a warm and pleasant morning. Participants were delighted to see the native rhododendron in full bloom. While listening and looking for birds it’s also an opportunity to make new friends.
Sightings of the day:
Birders on trail at Cutler City Open Space
Great Blue Heron
Canada Geese
Wilson’s Warbler
Blackheaded Grosbeak
Bushtit
American Robin
Tree swallow
European Starling
Common Merganser
White-crowned Sparrow
Black-capped Chickadee
Violet-green Swallow
Vaux’s Swift
Dark-eyed Junco
Orange-crowned Warbler
Band-tailed Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
House Sparrow
Rhododendrons in bloom
May 13, 2023 Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Birders on trail by Tom Rice
The variety of coastal habitats teemed with life as we followed the trail that winds through tidal flats, saltwater marshes, and forested wetlands to the ocean. It was a beautiful day, and we spotted lots of songbirds and shorebirds along the way.
Birders on the beach by Tom Rice
Birders on the beach by Tom Rice
April 8, 2023 Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The rain held off while 26+birders joined, Mark Elliott for the Audubon walk. This walk provides a variety of birds and a beautiful close up look at the signs of Spring.
Aleutian Geese by Ruth Shelly
Sightings of the day:
Travelers/Lesser/Cackling/Aleutian Geese
Green-winged Teal
American Wigeon
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Anna’s Hummingbird
Kingfisher
Great-blue Heron
American Robin
Canada Jay
Bufflehead
Song Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Mallard
Double-crested Cormorant
Barn Owl
Pacific Wren by Ruth Shelly
April 7, 2023 The Villages and Roads End
Birders doing what they do best by Caren Willoughby
The Village birdwalk didn’t disappoint 17 people that joined leader, Mark Elliott on a walk through the woods. Most of the participants were new to the area and were excited to learn about Lincoln City’s Open Spaces. The walk gave us a chance to observe the following species:
Trip leader Mark Elliott with a spotting scope by Caren Willoughby
Stellar’s Jay
American Robin
American Crow
Dark-eyed Junco
Varied Thrush
Pacific Wren
Rufous and Anna’s Hummingbirds
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mallard
Canada Geese
Bushit
Eurasian-collared Dove
Red-winged Blackbird
Ruby and Golden-crowned Kinglets
March 11, 2023 Spring Lake Open Space
Saturday, March 11, was a great day to get out and enjoy nature. Spring Lake is an amazing walk through the woods and 17 birders pointed out signs of spring and watched and listened for birds.
Birders on trail by Caren Willoughby
Sightings of the day:
Mossy nest by Caren Willoughby
Canada Geese
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Stellar’s Jay
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
American Robin
Pacific Wren
Anna’s Hummingbird
Northern Flicker
Townsend’s Warbler by Caren Willoughby
February 11, 2023 Friends of Wildwood Open Space
Birders at Friends of Wildwood by Caren Willoughby
The morning was cold and clear and the woods were quiet... 22 people joined Audubon Society of Lincoln City group leaders dawn villaescusa and Caren Willoughby on a birdwalk adventure through Friends of the Wildwood Open Space in Lincoln City last Saturday, sponsored by Lincoln City Parks & Recreation.
The birds were scarce for the first half of the walk - we heard a few, but had no sightings. Several of us got out our phones to try the new sound identification on the Merlin app. It picked out a Pacific Wren (which we all could hear singing), Brown Creeper, and Red Crossbills.
At the end of the trail, we turned around to head back - and found the birds that we had missed! Flocks of small songbirds - chickadees, kinglets, and even a Townsend's Warbler - tripped around the tops of bare deciduous branches. Looking at a Northern Flicker, we happened to spot a Downy Woodpecker high in the canopy.
Once out of the woods, we wandered down to the boardwalk for a look at the wetlands, then crossed the street to get better views of the lake - where we saw Pied-billed Grebes, Bufflehead, and several distant ducks.
Sightings of the day:
Birders on trail by Ruth Shelly
22 Species observed
Canada Goose
Mallard
Bufflehead
Pied-billed Grebe
Anna's Hummingbird
Bald Eagle
Northern Flicker
Hutton's Vireo
Steller's Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
European Starling
American Robin
Red Crossbill
Song Sparrow
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend's Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet by Ruth Shelly
Yellow-rumped Warbler by Ruth Shelly
January 7, 2023 Yaquina Bay and South Jetty
21 intrepid birders showed up for our first 2023 Bird Walk. Dressed in rain gear and lead by volunteer Elizabeth Laver Holencik, they walked the trail along Yaquina Bay then drove to the South Jetty of the Yaquina River for more good birding. 32 species on the day in spite of the weather! Thanks to Ruth Shelly for the photos and to Liz for the great job leading in the rain!
Birders in the rain, photo by Ruth Shelly
Sightings of the Day:
Surf Scoters by Ruth Shelly
Pacific Loon by Ruth Shelly
Harlequin Duck by Ruth Shelly
American Wigeon
Green-winged Teal
Greater Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
Whimbrel
Marbled Godwit
Black Turnstone
Least Sandpiper
Red Phalarope
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Brandt's Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
American Crow
European Starling
American Robin
White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
November 12, 2022 Salmon River Estuary at Knight Park
We had blue skies and plenty of action for 23 birders on our Explorience walk. The hawks were out in numbers and so were the smaller birds trying to chase them off. As the walk continued we saw a variety of birds in the trees. The fact that it was sunny made us all happy.
Sightings of the Day:
Rough-legged Hawk
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Greater Yellowlegs
Belted Kingfisher
Raven
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Pied-bill Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Pelagic Cormorant
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Townsend Warbler
Brown Creeper
Hummingbird
Common Merganser
Surf Scoter
European Starling
Stellar’s Jay
Northern Flicker
American Robin
American Crow
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