March 8, 2024 Spring Lake Open Space

On the morning of Friday, March 8, seventeen intrepid birders participated in a Birdwalk at Spring Lake in Lincoln City. Sponsored by Lincoln City Parks and Recreation as well as Explore Lincoln City, the walk was hosted by the Audubon Society of Lincoln City.

Spring Lake is one of the area’s more challenging bird walks, with greater-than-average elevation gain/loss, but the group had a somewhat smooth time of it due to the relatively dry trail conditions.

Twelve bird species were documented, including:

Birders at Spring Lake by Tom Rice

American Crow
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Song Sparrow
Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Mallard Duck
Canada Goose
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Anna’s Hummingbird

February 10, 2024 Friends of Wildwood Open Space

Birders on trail, photo by Ruth Shelly

It was a beautiful morning to walk through Friends of Wildwood Open Space. Mark Elliott led 28 birders through the beautifully maintained forest. This open space provides a quiet space to listen for birds and enjoy the beauty of nature. Devil’s Lake is close by and just a few steps away we were able to add to our list of birds.

Sightings of the day:

Hairy Woodpecker, photo by Ruth Shelly

Golden-crowned Kinglet
Pacific Wren
Brown Creeper
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Northern Flicker
American Crow
Hairy Woodpecker
European Starling
Western Gull
Steller's Jay
Great Blue Heron
Rock Pigeon
Anna’s Hummingbird
Pine Siskin
Double-crested Cormorant
American Robin
American Coot
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Canada Geese
Bufflehead
Lesser Scaup
Red-necked Grebe

Birders at Devils Lake, photo by Ruth Shelly

January 12, 2024 Devils Lake and Regatta Park

Ring-necked ducks by Ruth Shelly

This walk through the woods and neighborhood was led by dawn, ASLC President. It was a perfect morning before the storm. Eleven participants talked about getting groceries before the weather changed, and as you can see from this amazing list, so did the birds!

Sightings of the day:

Great Egret by Ruth Shelly

Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Common Merganser
Ruddy Duck
Pied-billed Grebe
Western Grebe
Anna's Hummingbird
American Coot
Western Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Egret
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker
Steller's Jay
American Crow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
European Starling
Varied Thrush
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Song Sparrow

Birders by Ruth Shelly

December 8, 2023 Taft Waterfront and Siletz Bay

In December there is never a guarantee that the weather is going to be good.  On this Friday morning it was perfect for the 16 birders that showed up at Taft dock. The group, led by Mark Elliott, was not disappointed by the number of birds that were seen.

Group at Taft dock by Ruth Shelly

Buffleheads by Ruth Shelly

Sightings of the day:
Surf Scoter
Bufflehead
Red-breasted Merganser
Western Grebe
California Gull
American Crow
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Great Egret
Song Sparrow
Northern Flicker
Varied Thrush
Chestnut-back Chickadee
Red-winged Blackbird
Rock Pigeon
Great Blue Heron

Yellow-rumped Warbler by Ruth Shelly

November 11, 2023 Salmon River within the Cascade Head Scenic Area

Mark Elliott led 26 birders along the Salmon River to the mouth of the Pacific Ocean. A morning seeing some amazing birds and without rain. It was perfect. 

Sightings of the day:

Group shot by Steve Griffiths

Varied Thrush
Black Phoebe
Western Gull
Hooded Merganser 
American Crow 
Belted Kingfisher 
Bald Eagle 
Cooper’s Hawk 
Hooded Merganser 
Red Phalarope 
Common Goldeneye 
Steller's Jay
American Robin
Northern Flicker
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Red Crossbill
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant 
Song Sparrow 
Yellow-rumped Warbler 
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Harrier 
Great Egret

Salmon River by Steve Griffiths

October 14, 2023 Boiler Bay to Devils Punch Bowl

No wind or rain made it a perfect day for 21 birders that gathered at Boiler Bay. Mark Elliott led this event and we were happy to join the caravan to Otter Rock and Devil’s Punchbowl.

Sightings of the day:

Black Oystercatchers, photo by Ruth Shelly

Black Oystercatcher
Western Gull
Surfbird
Whimbrel
Pelagic and Double Crested Cormorant
American Crow
Bald Eagle
Northern Flicker
Stellar’s Jay
Song Sparrow
Harlequin Duck
Black Turnstone
Western Grebe

Birders at Boiler Bay, photo by Ruth Shelly

October 13, 2023 The Villages and Roads End State Park

Mark Elliott led 9 birders through the woods and to the beach. For some this was a new experience. As we walked we could identify some by ear as well as sight. We saw a variety of birds even though the season is changing.

Sightings of the day:

Trip leader Mark Elliott and group, photo courtesy of Tom Rice

Stellar’s Jay
Pacific Wren
Dark-eyed Junco
American Crow
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Spotted Towhee
Fox Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Mallard
Western Gull
Brewers Blackbird
European Starling
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown Pelican
House Sparrow

September 9, 2023 Bayocean Spit

We were a small but mighty group that explored the Bayocean Spit. Our goal was to find and observe migratory shorebirds. Mark Elliott helped with identification and we were not disappointed.

Sightings of the day:

Trip leader Mark Elliot and group, photo courtesy of Caren Willoughby

Great Blue Heron
Western Gull
Short Billed Gull
Pelagic Cormorant
Barn Swallow
Brown Pelican
Semipalmated Plover
Western Sandpiper
White-crowned Sparrow
Belted Kingfisher
Cedar Waxwing
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Northern Flicker
Canada Goose
Great Egret

September 8, 2023 Cutler City & Siletz Bay

ASLC’s birdwalk sponsored by Lincoln City Explorience was led by Halle Renn with 24 participants. It was a quiet walk through Cutler City Wetlands and the neighborhood. We spent time watching an Eagle and Cormorants enjoying the sun.

Sightings of the day:

Group, photo by Tom Rice

Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Cedar Waxwing
Chipmunk
Anna’s Hummingbird
Stellar’s Jay
Northern Flicker
Black-capped Chickadee
Spotted Towhee
House Finch
White-crowned Sparrow
Eurasian Collared Dove
Brewers Blackbird
American Crow
Bald Eagle
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Rufous Hummingbird
Merganser
Red-winged Blackbird
Pied-billed Grebe
Brewer’s Blackbird