Dear reader,
We had a great time on our family vacation - we took our grandson to Disneyworld for his birthday then we all headed to Nassau in the Bahamas to relax. None of the family had been there before so it was a new experience. Desi and I took a half-day birding trip to the west end of the island with a wonderful guide and added 20 new birds to our life list, then met at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville for a sunset cruise. But the best part was spending time with our kids and grandson - a priceless experience!
ROCKY HABITAT CONSERVATION UPDATE
We are almost there!
Do you want to help protect ecologically important rocky habitat? The Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will meet on December 9 to vote on our proposals to designate nearshore rocky habitat at Cape Foulweather and Cape Lookout as marine conservation areas. You can show your support by attending via Zoom or in-person at the Mill Casino in North Bend. The agenda for the December 9 meeting and Zoom registration information is here. We could not have gotten this far in our efforts to protect these special places without your help. OPAC will also be voting on designating four other rocky habitat sites on our beautiful Oregon coast. These designations will ensure these astounding sites are there forever to provide habitat for seabirds and marine life while also maintaining access for their responsible use and enjoyment. More info…
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS
You can be part of the oldest Community Science effort in the United States! We have three Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) in our area - Tillamook Bay, Lincoln City, and Yaquina Bay. If you live in one of the count circles, you can participate from your own backyard. If not, come on out and join one of our teams.
Tillamook Bay CBC Saturday December 17th, contact Kathy Krall krallfamily@comcast.net
Lincoln City CBC Sunday December 18th, contact Halle Renn aslcoregon@gmail.com
Yaquina Bay CBC Wednesday December 28th, contact Kai Frueh kaifrueh2@gmail.com
JANUARY BIRD WALKS
We are again contracting with the city of Lincoln City to offer additional walks in 2023. In January, we start with Regatta Park and Devils Lake on Friday, January 6, 9-11am. The next day we’ll have our regular second Saturday walk. This one will be at OSU HMSC Nature Trail and Yaquina Bay South Jetty, Saturday, January 7, 9-11am. Mark your calendars!
INTRODUCING THE SWIFTYs
SWIFTY (Swallows in Flight to Yachats) is a group, based in Yachats, who build and monitor nesting boxes for birds. Their main focus has been on boxes for swallows (tree and violet-green), but they also do boxes for chickadees, ducks, owls and purple martins. Partnerships in the coming year include Lincoln City Audubon, Oregon State Parks, US Fish and Wildlife, Hatfield Science Center, City of Waldport, and Port of Alsea. They are seeking volunteers and donations to support these projects. If you’re interested in helping with money or time or have a project in mind, contact Jim Welch 970-217-4424 (text or voice) jameswelch1009@gmail.com or Wally Orchard 541-606-0055 wallyorchard@outlook.com. View their video here.
BIRTHDAY PARTY POTLUCK
We had a great time celebrating our 17th birthday and raising some money for our programs! Sarah Swanson presented her new coastal bird guide and signed copies, while Nissa Parker, our new Digital Media Coordinator, revealed our new website. More info..
WE HAVE A NEW LOOK!
Check out our redesigned web page! Our new digital media coordinator, Nissa Parker, did a fantastic job of giving our web page a new look. It is now even easier to find out about events, outings, and coastal conservation news.
!YEAR END MEMBERSHIP DRIVE!
It's time again for our year-end membership drive. Give a gift of a Wood Duck $50 or more ASLC membership and your gift recipient will get your choice of:
a beautiful 2023 calendar, or
a set of four 3” ASLC bird stickers, or
A set of five 3” Oregon Marine Reserve decals.
All three are designed and illustrated by our own Nora Sherwood, local scientific wildlife illustrator! Prefer to have your own? Upgrade or renew your own membership to Wood Duck or higher! More info...
That's it for this month - let's keep working together for birds and nature!
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dawn villaescusa, President
Audubon Society of Lincoln City