May 2022

Dear Reader,

The wind is howling and rain pounding against my window - what a contrast from our dry spring a year ago! Up at the Landscaping with Love Greenhouse, we're struggling with the mud whereas last year we were busy trying to keep things watered!

MAY BIRD WALKS

Thanks to Lincoln City Parks & Rec, we have two walks this month! Our
special Lincoln City bird walk is this Friday, May 13th at 9am. We'll be visiting Cutler City Wetlands, a unique wooded wetland full of native rhododendron!

Our regular Second Saturday walk is this Saturday, May 14th at 9am. We'll meet at Mike Miller Park in Newport and enjoy the birds in the beautiful wooded park, then on to South Beach for more bird action.

CONSERVATION UPDATE
Drones: We asked you to contact Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and let them know that drones should be prohibited in state parks and the ocean shore, except in areas determined by scientists where drones neither disturb wildlife nor mar the visitor experience. Thanks to strong public opposition to drone use, OPRD is redoing the drone rule process. OPRD is putting together a work group that will meet over the summer to draft criteria for where drone take-off and landing could be allowed and where it should be restricted. The work group will apply the criteria to draft maps and deliver them to OPRD. OPRD will then restart the drone rule process by reconvening a Rule Advisory Committee (RAC). Two environmentalists are members of RAC, and they have both invited to serve on the summer working group.

Rocky Habitat proposals: The Rocky Habitat Core Team has spent a lot of time this spring preparing for workshops to further evaluate our proposals to designate Cape Lookout and the Cape Foulweather Complex as Marine Conservation Areas.

The two, three-hour workshops were held at the end of April. Coastal Coordinator Kent Doughty capably presented each proposal to state agency representatives and answered their questions. The next step is to present the proposals at the upcoming spring Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) meeting. OPAC will vote on whether or not to approve the proposals at its fall meeting.

SPRING TERM BIRD ID CLASS

Registration is still open for our June "Birding Basics" class at the OCCC's Lincoln City campus. You don't want to miss this class! More info...

BE PART OF OUR OUTSTANDING TEAM

We have our annual Board elections coming up in June and are looking for some new faces to help us with our important work! Please let me know if you're interested in exploring the possibilities with us.

SAVE THE DATE

Our annual potluck will be June 23rd, location TBD. Mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

March 2022

Dear Reader,

I'm writing from our hotel room in Medford, where we are waiting to visit my husband's father, who is back in the hospital for the 2nd time in as many weeks. He is to be released today so we will pop over to visit and offer our hugs and support. So I'm taking these few minutes to catch you up on what's happening this month. As usual, we are busy!

BIRD WALKS
Please note there is a change to our Saturday bird walk this month. Due to closures at the planned site, we will instead go to The Villages in Lincoln City and walk through the woods to the beach. One of our most popular walks, sponsored by Lincoln City Parks & Rec. The walk will be on Saturday, March 12 at 9am. More info...

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

54 birders in Tillamook county reported 121 species. High counts were Cliff Cordy with 76 species, Jamie Simmons 75 species, and Kevin Scaldeferri with 67. In Lincoln county, 72 birders reported 114 species. High counts were David Rudholm with 67 species, Tom Myers 61 species, and Tyler Wilson with 56. We had a great turnout from our two counties - thank you to all who participated!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Congratulations and a big thank-you to everyone who helped get some major forestry bills through the legislature this short session. The Elliott State Research Forest will remain public, gain protections, and no longer be obligated to provide revenue for the Common School Fund. The Private Forest Accord bills passed and will be handed off to the Board of Forestry and Oregon Department of Forestry for rule-making and development of a Habitat Conservation Plan proposal. Good job, everyone.

ACTION ALERT ~ Help influence drone-use regulation!

Wildlife disturbances due to improper drone use are increasing on the Oregon coast. Last year alone the Oregon Black Oystercatcher Project documented a rate of more than three drone disturbances per week at active Black Oystercatcher nests. We have an opportunity to better protect nesting sea and shore birds. Oregon State Parks is accepting public comments to help inform where drone take-off and landings within State Parks and along the ocean shore. Comments are due by April 7th. More info...

OUR IMPERILED SEA WEBINAR

We are excited to be partnering with Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC) to bring Dr. Charlotte Whitefield, Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife's expert on Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia, to a special webinar on Tuesday, April 26th at 6:30pm. More info...

SPRING TERM BIRD ID CLASS

Registration is now open for our Spring "Birding Basics" class at the OCCC's Lincoln City campus. You don't want to miss this class! More info...

EXPECTED BIRDS AND POSSIBLE FINDS ~ Lincoln County

Although Herring are not birds, they are arriving in the Yaquina River and they will bring birds! Spawning Herring attract hundreds of birds each year and it’s an amazing sight to see! Hundreds of Surf Scoters will line up in an organized fashion and dive in a certain order feeding on the Herring eggs! Every year from late February to early March, Scoters snake across the bay forming unusual patterns that resemble crop circles! So far, only small spawns have occurred but any day now, the Herring will spawn in large numbers bringing in a variety of birds and mammals that eat their eggs! Look for feeding frenzies of Sea Lions, gulls, and Scoters. - Our expected finds are still the large population of wintering ducks. They've molted into their breeding plumage and are looking pretty sharp! Look for Pintails, Widgeon, Scaup, Green-wing Teal, and Buffleheads. Loons and Grebes are still here, but will be leaving soon for their nesting grounds. - New highlights: Long-tailed ducks are being seen in the Yaquina bay and should stay as long as the Herring are in. We have many Surf Scoters, and some Black Scoters and White-winged Scoters. Brandt's Cormorants are getting their breeding plumage and so are Pelagic Cormorants. Swallows are starting to arrive and Turkey Vultures are making an early showing this year! Lincoln county has been lacking on unusual finds the past few weeks, but the potential hopefuls are endless - spring is upon us! ~ Report submitted by Liz Holencik

HOT OFF THE PRESS ~ SNOWY PLOVER ETIQUETTE CARDS

Thanks to input from area experts and hard work by ASLC members, especially Nancy Thomas, we have a new Snowy Plover etiquette handout in addition to our Black Oystercatcher handout.

Preview Plover card here...

Preview Oystercatcher card here...

To order copies, please contact us.

February 2022

Dear Reader,

I just returned from another quick trip to Orlando to help my daughter unpack and organize. She has a cute little house in College Park, walking distance to shops, restaurants, and parks. The weather cooperated so I enjoyed taking walks to look at birds while she was at work. I added eleven new species to my "life list" and even got a few photos!

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

We are excited to report that we distributed more than 20 calendars in our year-end membership drive. Our local membership has grown over the past three years from 78 members to our current count of 121. We are excited by the growth and the opportunity to make a difference for birds and their habitats in our two-county service area!

BIRD WALKS
Join us as we walk through Friends of the Wildwood open space in Lincoln City on Saturday, February 12 at 9am. More info...

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

This fun, free, family event takes place in mid-February, from the 18th through the 21st. Everyone is welcome to participate! It takes as little as 15 minutes, or you can count each day for as long as you like. More info...

If you're interested, but not sure you can identify the birds in your backyard, there's a special webinar on Wednesday, February 16th at 11am. Click here to register... (Note: this is not an ASLC webinar).

ACTION ALERT 1 ~ Thank Representative Gomberg for his support of the new Private Forest Accord!
You should have received an update a few minutes ago on the Private Forest Accord. Please join us in thanking Rep. Gomberg and encouraging his continued support as it moves through the legislature in this special short session. More info...
ACTION ALERT 2 ~ Help us pass legislation for long-term protection of the Elliott State Forest
For the past three years, Portland Audubon and other conservation organizations have served on an Elliott State Stakeholder Advisory Group charged with charting a new path forward for the Elliott. We now have the opportunity to put in place strong, durable protections for the Elliott, its older forests, and its imperiled species.
More info...

EXPECTED BIRDS AND POSSIBLE FINDS ~ Tillamook County
Raptor heaven! Tillamook county is a favorite place for wintering buteos and other raptors. Each year it seems that a different agricultural field is the most popular-probably because of food availability, of course. This winter, in addition to many Red-tailed hawks, we are seeing more Red-shouldered hawks, and a beautiful Swainson’s hawk, rare for the west side of the Cascades. Bald Eagles, American Kestrels, and Northern Harriers love these same fields. If you drive these roads after dark, or before sunrise, you are likely to see Barn owls on the fence posts.
Repairs to the north Tillamook jetty at the entrance to Tillamook bay have started and will last until at least September. This has limited access to this popular birding spot. Instead, try looking from the Garibaldi public pier (aka the crabbing dock), for good views of the bay and channel. Many birds float in and out on the tide. A Barrow’s Goldeneye pair is frequently there. Harlequin ducks and loons love the tide pool area between Garibaldi and Barview. This is where the rare Yellow-billed Loon was seen at the end of January. For more information on birding in Tillamook, visit http://www.tillamookbirder.com/ ~ Report submitted by Kathy Krall

UPCOMING COASTAL WEBINARS

We are excited to be partnering with Oregon Coast Community College to bring you a series of webinars for the spring term, which starts in April. Stay tuned for more info!
That's it for this month.

Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

January 2022

Dear Reader,

Wow, that was some wind storm last night! We did a quick walk around this morning and are fortunate to have little if any damage. A neighbor delivered a small package to us a few minutes ago (it had somehow blown into his yard) the sad, soggy box was ruined but the mug inside was intact (late Christmas or early birthday gift from my brother in Tennessee).

2022 BIRD WALKS

We are excited to resume our contract with the City of Lincoln City again this year. January is one of several months in which we have TWO bird walks scheduled - one located in Lincoln City and the other somewhere in either Lincoln, Tillamook, or Polk county. This month we have:

Friday January 7th - Regatta Park, Devils Lake
Saturday January 8th - Hatfield Nature Trail and South Jetty
BEYOND THE BEACH
As you know, we are partnering with Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and Oregon Coast Community College on a series of Beyond the Beach webinars. If you haven't already, be sure to register for final in the series:
January 12th, 6:30-7:30 PM

Beyond the Beach: Mysterious Undersea Kelp Forests

ACTION ALERT ~ Private Forest Accord

Recently industrial timber, small woodlands, and conservation representatives hammered out an agreement known as the Private Forest Accord. This is a tremendous opportunity to update and modernize Oregon’s Forest Practices Act to the benefit of all Oregonians. Learn more about the Accord at our upcoming webinar:

January 27th, 6:30-7:30 PM
The New Private Forest Accord: A Watershed moment for the Future of Oregon's Forests.

!YEAR END MEMBERSHIP DRIVE EXTENDED!

We've extended the deadline for our year-end membership drive. Now through the end of January, give a gift of a Wood Duck $50 or more ASLC membership and your gift recipient will get a beautiful 2022 calendar designed and illustrated by our own Nora Sherwood, local scientific wildlife illustrator! Prefer to have your own? Upgrade your own membership to Wood Duck or higher! More info...

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

Thanks to all who took part in our Christmas Bird Counts. In Tillamook county, twenty-six volunteers endured pouring rain and gusting winds throughout the day. The final tally for the day was 119 species (well below the 130 species average for the 57 year old count). In Lincoln City, the weather was cold and damp, but the winds were mere breezes. We had twenty-seven field counters and a record eight backyard/feeder counters! The final tally for the day was 114 species (the average for our eight-year-old Lincoln City count is 119). Due to Covid, we were unable to have the preliminary breakfasts or end-of-day countdown potlucks - looking forward to next year!

That's it for this month.
Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

December 2021

Dear Reader,

Enjoying the break between the rain this morning - I hope you are out there enjoying the waves, the birds, and the views! I'm indoors with a winter cold, drinking OJ and watching the waves. This weekend we have King Tides again - if you can safely get photos of the tides and their impact on human structures and estuaries, it will help build the data for analyzing the effects of Ocean Rise. Learn more below.*

BIRD WALKS

There is no bird walk this month, instead, check out one of the three area Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs)!
Saturday Dec 18th - Tillamook Bay CBC
Sunday Dec 19th - Lincoln City CBC

Wednesday Dec 29th - Yaquina Bay CBC
Read about all three and contact the compiler to be part of the fun!

BEYOND THE BEACH

As you know, we are partnering with Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition on a series of Beyond the Beach webinars. If you haven't already, be sure to register for the next two in the series:

December 8, 6:30 PM
Beyond the Beach: Oregon’s Rocky Coast

January 12th, 6:30 PM
Beyond the Beach: Mysterious Undersea Kelp Forests New additional partner, Oregon Coast Community College!

ACTION ALERT ~ Private Forest Accord

Recently industrial timber, small woodlands, and conservation representatives hammered out an agreement known as the Private Forest Accord. This is a tremendous opportunity to update and modernize Oregon’s Forest Practices Act to the benefit of all Oregonians. The agreement prepares for development of a Habitat Conservation Plan designed to protect endangered species. While the agreement does not specifically mention drinking water, the proposed no-cut buffers will improve both water quality and quantity in streams that cross private timber

lands. This is a big deal for coastal communities like Lincoln City.

You can help! Tell Rep. Gomberg and Sen. Anderson to get behind these efforts and pass the legislation required to make this happen. Rep. Gomberg’s phone number is: 503-986-1410, Sen. Anderson’s is: 503-986-1705. While you’re at it, tell your City Councilors and County Commissioners to do the same. More info...

!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 a beautiful 2022 calendar designed and illustrated by our own Nora Sherwood, local scientific wildlife illustrator! Prefer to have your own? Upgrade your own membership to Wood Duck or higher! More info...

NEW FEATURE**
EXPECTED BIRDS AND POSSIBLE FINDS
December ~ Tillamook County
The ducks are back! Bufflehead can be seen on many Tillamook county bays and ponds, along with Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, and many others. A Eurasian Wigeon might be spotted along BayOcean spit or at the Bay city or Nehalem sewage treatment ponds. If you are lucky, a Redhead or Canvasback might be on Cape Meares Lake. Goldeneye numbers will be increasing soon.

Search the fence posts or telephone poles along Hughey Lane or Wilson River Loop Rd, in Tillamook, for a Rough-legged hawk. They are here for the winter after breeding on the tundra far to the north of Oregon. Sparrows seen here in winter include Fox, Golden-crowned, Swamp, and Lincoln’s; less common are White- throated sparrows.

Check the Tillamook Birder website and the East Cascades Audubon Society Oregon Birding Locations list [PDF] for ideas on where to bird in Tillamook county. And, if you're a Facebook user, join our new Birds and Wildlife of Lincoln and Tillamook Counties to share your photos and finds!
-- Submitted by Kathy Krall

**Let me know what you think of our new feature. We will alternate Tillamook and Lincoln county reports in our monthly eNews, or possibly create a separate mailing for them.

That's it for this month.
Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

November 2021

Dear Reader,

Watching the chickadees at the feeder under grey skies this morning - right now the seas are relatively calm but more strong winds are on the way. There's no place like the coast during blustery weather. I hope that you were able to get some sea- watching done last week while the wind was onshore - several interesting sightings were reported, including many migrating Northern Fulmar, various shearwaters and some kittiwakes.

BIRD WALKS

Our November walk will feature the Salmon River estuary, our traditional location for this pre-winter walk. Join us at the Fraser Rd interpretive kiosk parking area, Saturday November 13th, 9-11am. Google "North Fraser Rd, Otis Oregon" for directions. Masks are recommended.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS

The Tillamook Bay Christmas Bird Count (CBC) will be on Saturday, December 18th, and the Lincoln City CBC will be on Sunday, December 19th. This year, we will not be having a breakfast meeting - our sector leaders will have pre-assigned teams and will contact each team member with instructions.

CELEBRATING THE OSPREY!

Two fun things are happening, all centered around the Osprey, our Oregon State Raptor and one of my favorite birds.
First, partnering with Lincoln City Parks & Recreation, we have a new Osprey page on their website. Visit it here and tell us what you think!

Secondly, public broadcasting is currently running a one-hour special on the Osprey. View it here (runs through November 24th).
BEYOND THE BEACH
We're partnering once again with Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and Coast Range Association to bring you a series of three webinars we're calling "Beyond the Beach."

We all love Oregon’s public beaches but there is so much more to our amazing coastline. Join us for three exciting upcoming webinars to learn more about the resilience of our communities, special places along the coast, and mysterious undersea forests. We have a great lineup of guest speakers who will share their expertise and passion for all things coastal. Click on the Facebook links below to learn more and to register.

November 16th, 6:30 PM
Beyond the Beach: King Tides and Response to Ocean Rise
Peter Ruggiero, professor at Oregon State University, will share on how coastal communities can increase their resilience to catastrophic risk from tsunamis as well as chronic risks of coastal erosion, flooding and ocean rise with climate change. The evening will open with an introduction to the Oregon King Tides Project, a citizen science tool to help communities plan for the future. https://www.facebook.com/events/1544829332558213

December 8, 6:30 PM
Beyond the Beach: Oregon’s Rocky Coast
Dave Fox (Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife), Roy Lowe (retired USFWS and photographer), and Dick Vander Schaaf (The Nature Conservancy) will present a panel discussion on the ways special places along the Oregon coast are designated to be protected for the marine life that is dependent on them. Find out where these places are located and how to enjoy them in a responsible manner so their bountiful resources are available for generations to come. https://www.facebook.com/events/565828217855729

January 12th, 6:30 PM
Beyond the Beach: Mysterious Undersea Kelp Forests
Oregon's Kelp Forests: Past, Present, and Future
Sara Hamilton, PhD student from Oregon State University and a subtidal ecologist, will fascinate you with descriptions of what Oregon's kelp forests used to look like, how are they doing today, and how can Oregonians influence what they will look like 100 years into the future? She is passionate about studying kelps and will share about current research conducted by divers on the southern Oregon coast, and about restoration and recovery of kelps in Oregon. https://www.facebook.com/events/439252887845715

ACTION ALERT ~ Ocean Policy Advisory Committee

Tomorrow, November 4th, the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) will consider amendments to Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan, Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. For more information and to register, visit oregonocean.info.

Our two proposals for Marine Conservation Areas at Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather will undergo further review this winter and be heard by OPAC in the Spring. Thank you for your continued support of these efforts!

That's it for this month.
Let's keep working together for birds and nature!
--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

October 2021

Dear Reader,

We're excited that our expanded art exhibit, Reserve Inspiration, is now on display at the Newport Visual Arts Center. If you missed the exhibit in Lincoln City, this is your chance to check it out! The exhibit will be on display throughout October.

BIRD WALKS

We had a great time on the bird walk to Ona Beach and Beavercreek! Check out Deborah Lynn's photos here.

Our November walk will feature the Salmon River estuary, our traditional location for this pre-winter walk. Join us at the Fraser Rd interpretive kiosk parking area, Saturday November 13th, 9-11am.

BIRDS AND KELP

Roy Lowe will present a webinar for the Elakha Alliance the evening of October 21st titled "Birds & Kelp”. We love birds and we love kelp, so what could be better? As Roy told me, "the subject matter is very germaine to what you and others in LC Audubon are working on/interested in." Here’s the weblink for registering for the webinar. https://www.elakhaalliance.org/webinar-birds-kelp/

BIRDING BASICS

Twelve enthusiastic students attended our fall Birding Basics class at Oregon Coast Community College. We got really good feedback, this class is always very popular. Our next classes will be in the Spring, so watch for news.

ACTION ALERT ~ BLUE CARBON

Following Governor Brown’s directive in Executive Order 20-04, the Oregon Global Warming Commission worked in coordination with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board to develop and submit a proposal for setting a carbon sequestration and storage goal for Oregon’s natural and working lands.

You can send a message to Oregon Governor Kate Brown urging her to move forward with the Oregon Global Warming Commission’s Natural and Working Lands Proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ROCKY HABITAT MANAGEMENT

Our joint work continues on the amendments to Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan, Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. The revised proposal evaluation process will be heard by the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) on November 4th. For more information and to register to attend, visit oregonocean.info.

Our two proposals for Marine Conservation Areas at Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather will undergo further review this winter and be heard by OPAC in the Spring. Thank you for your continued support of these efforts!

STATE OF THE COAST CONFERENCE

Interested in taking a deeper dive into all things coastal? Register and join the virtual conference for State of the Coast October 28-29. This will be an exciting conference sharing science and art on many coastal issues we all deeply care about.

That's it for this month.
Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

September 2021

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed our Marine Reserve Awareness Month activities! This is the first time we've taken on such a big venture - I am looking forward to hearing your impressions of our events, programs, kids activities, and art exhibition! Please let me know your thoughts! And be sure to get out to the Chessman Gallery in Lincoln City for the last weekend of the exhibit!

BIRD WALKS

Due to the surge of Covid cases in Tillamook County, we are cancelling the September walk to Sitka Sedge. We will keep you apprised of our decisions on future birdwalks.

BIRDING BASICS

Our fall adult education class will be at the Oregon Coast Community College in Lincoln City. The class is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 28 - October 7.

ROCKY HABITAT MANAGEMENT

We have been working closely with community groups along the coast, Portland Audubon, and the Dept. of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) on the amendments to Oregon's Territorial Sea Plan, Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. A revised proposal evaluation process will be heard by the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC) later in the fall.

Our two proposals for Marine Conservation Areas at Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather will undergo further review this winter and be heard by OPAC in the Spring. Thank you for your continued support of these efforts!

That's it for this month.
Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President

Audubon Society of Lincoln City

August 2021

Dear Reader,

It's finally here! August is Marine Reserve Awareness Month in Lincoln City! We hope that you all have a chance to come to some or all of our events! And we would love to have more of our members volunteer to help with our Sunday booth and children's art activities. We have several one or two-hour shifts to cover on each Sunday from now through September 5th. Reply to this email if you can help!

Marine Reserve Awareness Month (MRAM) will feature a month-long
exhibition, Reserve Inspiration, at the Chessman Gallery. Throughout August, we will have outings, kids' art activities, programs and presentations. Activities will be based in Lincoln City because our main focus will be the Cascade Head Marine Reserve, one of five on the Oregon Coast.

Visit our website for more information about Marine Reserve Awareness Month!

RESERVE INSPIRATION ART EXHIBIT

Reserve Inspiration opens on August 13 and runs through September 5 in the Chessman Gallery at Lincoln City Cultural Center. Seven coastal artists share work inspired by the beauty and diversity of the Cascade Head Marine Reserve in media ranging from painting to scientific illustration, ceramics, photography, and even FirePainting.

SPECIAL PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS

We are happy to bring two fascinating presentations to you at the Lincoln City Cultural Center.
> August 13 7:00pm Diving into Oregon’s Marine Reserves—A Virtual Underwater Tour by Cristen Don, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

> August 27 7:00pm Gifts from the Ocean: Oregon’s Marine Resources from a Tribal Perspective by Peter Sugus Hatch, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

BIRD WALKS and NATURE HIKES

This month we have 3 hikes to focus on Cascade Head Marine Reserve and its interconnectedness with the terrestrial ecosystem:
> August 14 9am bird walk from The Villages Open Space to the Roads End State Recreation Site. (This is our regular Second Saturday Bird Walk, no pre-registration)

> August 21 9am hike guided by Camp Westwind staff along the Salmon River and out to the beach. Must pre-register!
> August 28 9am hike along the beach by the Cascade Head Marine Reserve, with an optional extension up to the Knoll for stunning views. Must pre-register!

BIRDING BASICS IS BACK!

Enjoy birds but wish you knew how to identify them! We can teach you! Check out our Fall class here.

NOTE: with the increase in Covid-19 cases, masks will be required at all events.

I hope so see you during Marine Reserve Awareness Month! Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

July 2021

Dear Reader,

I hope that you enjoyed reading our latest issue of The Kingfisher! We are fortunate to have had Ernie Rose doing our graphics, layout, and editing for many years. Ernie, who has decided to retire from the ASLC board of directors, also designed our website and most of our flyers and brochures. We will miss him dearly, but are pleased that he's offered to continue to do graphics work for us!

ASLC Annual Meeting

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2020-21 annual meeting & Year in Review. If you missed the meeting, the meeting recording (about 43 minutes) is here. To view just the year-end report slide presentation click here.

ASLC Volunteer of the Year!

At our annual meeting, we were proud to name our 2020-21 Volunteer of the Year. Steve Griffiths, our Vice-President and chair of our Conservation Action Committee (CAC), has served on the ASLC board for five years and has been VP and CAC chair since 2018. Steve's hard work and dedication has brought us to the forefront of the work on forestry practices and coastal habitat protections. Thank you Steve!

BIRD WALKS

Join us this Saturday morning as we head inland to Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)! Bring a picnic lunch with you and, after birding the NWR, we will continue to Mill Creek Park for lunch. Mark Elliott will lead this bird walk starting at 9am.

AUGUST IS MARINE RESERVE AWARENESS MONTH

Marine Reserve Awareness Month (MRAM) will feature a month-long
exhibition, Reserve Inspiration, at the Chessman Gallery. Throughout August, we will have outings, kids' art activities, programs and presentations. Activities will be based in Lincoln City because our main focus will be the Cascade Head Marine Reserve, one of five on the Oregon Coast. Check our MRAM webpage for details.

We need your help to ensure that our first Marine Reserve Awareness Month is as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

- Sunday Farmers and Crafters market (Five Sundays Aug 8 to Sep 5): we need folks to take shifts staffing our booth between 9am and 2pm

- Sunday "Help Build a Tidepool" art activity (Five Sundays Aug 8 to Sep 5): we need help supervising young artists, shifts between 9am and 2pm.
- Friday Aug 13 program: help setting up and taking down (6:30pm and after 7pm program).

- Friday Aug 27 program: help setting up and taking down (6:30pm and after 7pm program).

Please email Tom Rice at traa151@aol.com if you are able to help for even a portion of one of these dates - we especially need folks on Sundays! Thank you!

That's it for this month.

Let's keep working together for birds and nature!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

June 2021

Dear Reader,

Well, I'm trying to double-task here. I've been sitting here folding ASLC newsletters (yes, our Summer Kingfisher is coming to you soon!). And, of course, that made me think of you and that it's been awhile since I've gotten our eNews out to you! So, here's what is happening...

AUGUST IS MARINE RESERVE AWARENESS MONTH

ASLC has designated this August as Marine Reserve Awareness Month (MRAM). A number of related activities, gatherings, and presentations are planned. Our primary focus is Cascade Head, so activities will be based in Lincoln City. We are reaching out to you for assistance in making sure our first Marine Reserve Awareness Month is as enjoyable and memorable as possible.

Event setup and takedown, information booth staffing, and activity monitoring are a few of the roles we need volunteers to fill. If we have enough volunteers, this won’t take up a lot of your time. If you’d like to be involved and help us out, please let me know (preferably within the next week or so) and I'll have our volunteer coordinator get in touch. THANK YOU!

THE OREGON COAST ROCKS

Our work to recognize Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather as iconic sites within Oregon's Rocky Habitat Management Strategy continues. The Ocean Policy Advisory Council met and voted to have our two proposals, plus four others, receive further consideration over the coming months starting with a summer worksession. We will keep you informed as we learn more.

BIRD WALKS

Join us tomorrow morning at Yaquina Head! Dawn Harris will lead this bird walk starting at 9am.

ASLC Annual Meeting

We have decided to once again hold our annual meeting online due to continued restrictions on indoor gatherings. I hope you saw our "Save the Date" email and plan to participate!

JOIN OUR TEAM!

If you are interested in serving and being part of our exciting activities, or would like to nominate someone to serve on the Board, please let me know! Annual elections will be held at our meeting on June 24th and we need volunteers to serve with us! Please call, text, or email me if you are interested or know someone who is.

That's it for this month. Stay safe and be well!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

April 2021

Dear Reader,

As I'm writing this, the Violet-green Swallows are swooping outside my windows with nest materials and entertaining gymnastics! It's exciting to see our breeding birds coming home to nest -- we have several Osprey nests in Lincoln City, where I live. I'd love to hear about Osprey nesting in other parts of Lincoln and Tillamook counties! We have a new Facebook group, Birds and Wildlife of Lincoln and Tillamook Counties and would love to see your photos and hear your stories about returning Osprey and other spring wildlife and bird sightings.

THE OREGON COAST ROCKS
Thank you to all of you who signed our petition and commented on our proposal to recognize Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather as iconic sites within Oregon's Rocky Habitat Management Strategy. We gathered over 200 signatures, which we submitted, along with our own response, to the Department of Land Conservation & Development (DLCD). The working group assigned to review will hold public meetings on April 26 and April 29.

VIEW OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Be sure to check out our stunning videos, produced by Andrew Collins-Anderson for Audubon Society of Lincoln City. Videography by Matt Brandt.

Cape Foulweather Complex
Cape Lookout

BIRD WALKS
16 birders, including one from Pendleton, enjoyed a brisk outing at Bayocean Spit in Tillamook County earlier this month. The group sighted over 40 species of birds along the lake, bay, and ocean sides of the spit.

Next month we'll have our annual drive from Boiler Bay to Devil's Punch Bowl. Don't miss this opportunity to visit one of the sites (Cape Foulweather Complex) that we've proposed as a Marine Conservation Area. Enjoy the majestic views while looking for migrating birds and whales on the way.

MARINE RESERVE AWARENESS MONTH
We have designated this August as Marine Reserve Awareness Month, with a focus on Cascade Head Marine Reserve. Highlights include Reserve Inspiration exhibition at the Chessman Gallery in Lincoln City, outings to Cascade Head, two presentations by keynote speakers, and much more! More information to follow!

SPECIAL GRANTS
We are pleased to announce that we have received funding for our part-time coastal habitat coordinator Kent Doughty to continue to work with us for the rest of the year. We also obtained funding for our August Marine Reserve Awareness month!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are sorry to announce that ASLC board member Miracle Fingerson has decided to step down. Miracle has been an asset to our board, and we will miss her! We will be looking to fill her seat as soon as possible. If you are interested in serving and being part of our exciting activities, please let me know! We would love to have you on our team!

That's it for this month.

Stay safe and be well!

dawn villaescusa, PresidentAudubon Society of Lincoln City

March 2021

Dear Reader,

We need your help! Our proposals to recognize Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather as iconic sites within the Rocky Habitat Management Strategy are currently under review - see our Rocky Habitat update below to learn how you can support that effort!

BIRD WALKS

It was cold and wet, but eleven of us enjoyed walking the Alder Island Loop Trail at Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge last month. This Saturday, we'll Cutler City and Josephine Young Wayside (time permitting). Social distancing and masks are required.

ROCKY HABITAT CAMPAIGN

We were dealt a blow at the first meeting of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council’s (OPAC’s) Rocky Habitat Working Group on Feb. 25, during which neither of our proposals - one for Cape Foulweather and one for Cape Lookout - was recommended for advancement to the next step in the evaluation process. This was despite previous high praise from agency and working group personnel. And we were in good company; of the twelve (12) proposals presented by various communities and organizations along the coast, seven (7) were denied an initial recommendation.

It is important to note that the Working Group’s concerns are simply based on needing more information and clarity.

So what are the next steps? We’re taking action in two ways:
1) preparing written responses to the issues raised by the working group, and
2) undertaking a public awareness campaign.
And we need your help! We are publishing two stunning videos to showcase the capes, running ads in Oregon Coast Today, posting on Facebook, and much more!

We need you to write letters to the editors of our local papers, share our Facebook posts, talk to friends and neighbors, and sign our petition! In April, the Working Group will reconvene to consider public input, including our responses to their technical concerns. Your comments and support are essential to shaping the final recommendations to OPAC. We’re truly confident everyone’s hard work will pay off, and we appreciate your support!

Visit us at lincolncityaudubon.org to learn more and to sign our petition or email your comments to: TSP.Comments@state.or.us

Thank you for continuing to hang in there with us - we are excited to be sharing this momentous effort in Oregon's coastal management strategy with you!

That's it for this month. Stay safe and be well!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

January 2021

Dear Reader,

Well, I've been remiss in getting updates to you timely! Personally, I've been volunteering most days at the Salmon River Grange relief distribution center. We still have hundreds of people without homes - less than 10 of the 300 destroyed homes have been replaced (modular homes) or new homes built. We have a long way to go but the community has been wonderfully supportive! If you'd like to learn about the relief center and how you can help, check out the Facebook group!

While that keeps me busy, our Audubon work continues!

BIRD WALKS

Nine birders joined us for our January walk at Yaquina Bay and jetty. In
February, we'll visit Alder Island Loop Trail at Siletz Bay Wildlife Refuge just south of Lincoln City. We'll get our first group look at the eight new interpretive signs we told you about a couple months ago. The signs were created in a joint ASLC/USFWS project. ASLC Board members Nora Sherwood, a scientific wildlife illustrator, and Ernie Rose, a photographer/graphic designer, worked on the project. The signs include Nora's illustrations and Ernie's graphic design. Social distancing and masks are required.

WOOD DUCK BOX PROJECT

Our education team, unable to have classroom sessions, have been hard at work on a project to restore, replace, and add new Wood Duck boxes on Devil's Lake in Lincoln City. If you would like more information about the project, please contact Education coordinator Caren Willoughby (tcwilloughby@charter.net).

CONSERVATION ACTION

Our Conservation Action Committee, in addition to working on our Rocky Habitat campaign, continues to work hard on our conservation priorities. This month, we'd like to ask you to please take action on recent attacks to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) that would eliminate bird protections and give industries a free pass on bird deaths. Bird populations are at a serious risk from long-term declines and climate change. Take a few minutes of your time to demonstrate your support for the MBTA by urging the new Congress and new Interior Department leadership to reinstate bird protections. Here’s the link: https://act.audubon.org/a/reinstate-mbta

ROCKY HABITAT CAMPAIGN

We successfully submitted proposals for designating both Cape Foulweather and Cape Lookout as Marine Conservation Areas. Our proposals, along with ten other coastwide proposals, are being reviewed at this time. After the initial review, which will end in late February, there will be a 30 day public comment period and we will need your support!

Check our website for more about how you can help and to learn about our campaign and the two sites we've selected. Or contact Kent at kentd@lincolncityaudubon.org.

FOCUS ON THE BOARD:

For the last couple of months we've focused on our programs: Education, Conservation, and Citizen Science. In December, we focused on membership and held a very successful year-end membership drive. Thank you to everyone who supported the drive - we hope that you are enjoying your Wildlife Calendar illustrated by Nora Sherwood.

Our Board of Directors is responsible for the oversight and day-to-day operations of Lincoln City Audubon, operating under bylaws that are reviewed each year. We currently have ten directors on the board.

Board members serve two-year terms, with elections being held at our June annual meeting. Check out our website to meet all of our directors, and consider joining us this June! We have open positions and would love to have you aboard!

That's it for this month. Stay safe and be well!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

November 2020

Dear Reader,

These are exciting, challenging, and stressful times - we need to be sure that we are each taking care of ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. Take time to appreciate the birds and wildlife around you. Breathe in the salty sea air. Drop a note to a friend, send a virtual hug to a loved one. A little kindness goes a long way!

BIRD WALKS

If you're up for a walk, we'll be meeting at Knight Park just north of Lincoln City for our November birdwalk. Each year we visit the mouth of the Salmon River and the estuary to see the fall arrival of migratory birds that winter there. Social distancing and masks are required.

ALDER ISLAND PROJECT

New interpretive signs, featuring illustrations by our own Nora Sherwood and graphic design by our own Ernie Rose, have been installed along the trail at Alder Island. Alder Island Loop Trail was opened in 2017 and offers an easy walk through the alders that grace Millport Slough in the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge. We plan to celebrate with a bird walk and scavenger hunt in the spring.

ROCKY HABITAT CAMPAIGN

Under the leadership of campaign coordinator Kent Doughty, our rocky habitat team has been hard at work - reaching out to communities, meeting with local and state leaders, engaging experts, and soliciting public input. Our proposals for adding protections at Cape Foulweather and Cape Lookout are coming together.

Find out more about how you can help and learn about our campaign and the two sites we've selected.

One specific thing that you can do for us is to write an email or letter of support for our campaign. Tell us why you love Cape Lookout and/or Cape Foulweather and that you support added protections there. Contact Kent at kentd@lincolncityaudubon.org.

FOCUS ON MEMBERSHIP:

For the last couple of months we've focused on our programs: Education, Conservation, and Citizen Science. This month, we'd like to focus on Membership.

We offer varying levels of membership - regular membership, Individual or Family, costs from $20-$30 per year. You can also choose to support us on a more substantial basis through special, annual membership levels.
Wood Duck - $50

Osprey - $100
Western Meadowlark - $200
Red-tailed Hawk - $300
Bald Eagle - $500
Your membership dues support our core programs and enable us to continue to provide free monthly bird walks, education for kids, and events such as our migratory bird festival.

This year, we'll be offering a year-end incentive for gift memberships and membership upgrades - stay tuned for more on that!

That's it for this month. Stay safe and be well!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

October 2020

Dear Reader,

Wow, it's cold this morning! Once again I'm at my window gazing over the ocean - lovely blue skies, puffs of clouds - from in here you'd never know it's downright brisk out there!

I'm behind, as usual, but want to share some things with you before I head out to my work at the Salmon River Grange Wildfire relief center - I've been working there 4 or 5 days a week since the outset. So grateful to our communities who are coming together to help those displaced by fire. It will be a long haul, but we're in this together!

In addition to our volunteering to help with wildfire relief, we continue to work on our ASLC priorities.

BIRD WALKS

A small group of us enjoyed the Rocky Habitat field trip from Boiler Bay to Devil's Punch Bowl.

In November, we plan to have our regular 2nd Saturday Bird Walk at the Salmon River estuary. We're not going to require pre-registration, but masks and social distancing are imperative. We will not be loaning binoculars and there will be no carpooling. Meet at Knight Park at 9am Saturday, November 14th.

FACEBOOK

Our Facebook page and groups continue to grow. Tony Valente was the winner of our My Favorite Rocky Habitat group. cover photo contest. Tony won a beautiful Protect Oregon Rocky Habitat T-shirt. You can purchase your own t-shirt online here.

ROCKY HABITAT PROJECT

Our project is moving along, we created a new web page where you can read about our project and learn how you can help. Be sure to follow the links at the bottom of the page to read about our plans at Cape Foulweather and Cape Lookout.

FOCUS ON CITIZEN SCIENCE:

Last month, we featured our Conservation program. This month, we'll talk about Citizen Science. Here are our 2020-21 citizen science goals and objectives. Goals: Provide opportunities for members and others to participate in activities to preserve birds, other wildlife, and habitats in Lincoln and Tillamook counties through community science efforts.

Objectives:

1. Continue to sponsor Christmas Bird Counts in both counties

2. Maintain Swallow boxes at Crowley Creek

3. Improve coordination with Portland Audubon survey & monitoring programs

4. Develop relationship with CoastWatch for efforts such as BioBlitzes

5. Work with Rocky Habitat team on outreach, projects, etc.

6. Maintain a list of current and future Citizen Science projects

   Special projects:

1. Alder Island signage: Collaborate with USFW on the installation of signs about flora

   & fauna at Alder Island.

2. Work with Devil’s Lake community and Wildflower Grill to install 6 new Wood

   Duck boxes

3. Work on LIncoln City Osprey Project (if adopted)

   We have 4 volunteers serving on our Citizen Science committee, which is lead by me, dawn villaescusa. To volunteer, please contact me at dawnv@birdlover.com

   That's it for this month.

   Stay safe and be well!

   --

   dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

September 2020

Dear Reader,

How much can change overnight! Winds brought horrific fires to our communities last week. Hundreds of people in our two counties are unable to return home or have no home to return to. If you've been affected by the fires, here is a link to the state Wildfire resources. If you're wondering how you can help, visit Oregon Recovers volunteer portal. We are all in this together!

In addition to volunteering to assist people who are affected by the fire, we've been continuing to do our ASLC work. Here are some updates for you:

BIRD WALKS

On Saturday, October 10th, we'll be touring rocky habitats in Lincoln county. Join us at Boiler Bay wayside at 9am. From there we will drive along stunning rocky habitats including Depoe Bay, Whale Cove, Rocky Creek, Cape Foulweather, ending at Otter Rock Marine Reserve.

FACEBOOK

We're excited to have over 900 followers on our ASLC Facebook page! If you haven't already, be sure to check it out! Also, you'll want to join our Rocky Habitat Facebook group, My Favorite Rocky Habitat Facebook group. We have a monthly cover photo contest. The winning photo is on the cover for a month and the photographer gets a Protect Rocky Habitat T-Shirt! Winners are selected by the community.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Beach Clean-up Bingo - one more drawing! Due to the fires, we postponed the final drawing so there is still time to participate! Lincoln City residents & visitors can pick up or print a Bingo card, clean-up some beach debris, post a selfie on Facebook, and be entered to win prizes! The final 2020 drawing is September 29th.

CONSERVATION -
Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund
The OCRF was unable to get the $1 million matching funds this year, so our Conservation Action Committee decided to hold off on donating $500 to the fund at this time. We are hopeful to raise the issue again next year.

ROCKY HABITAT PROJECT

We are excited that several of you are helping with our two site proposals! We can still use more help - we need to reach out to the communities and decisions-makers. We have specific things you can help us with, please consider volunteering!

We need you to tell your story! What's your favorite spot on our rocky coastal shores? Send us your story join our My Favorite Rocky Habitat Facebook group and share your stories (and optional photos) yourself! Help us build the case for protecting our rocky habitats! We'll be happy to send you our 3" weather-proof decal!

FOCUS ON CONSERVATION:

Last month, we featured our Education program. This month, we'll talk about Conservation. Here are our 2020-21 conservation goals and objectives.
Goals: Advocate, inform, and act to protect imperiled species, reduce threats to birds and other wildlife across the Oregon landscape, preserve high-priority habitat, fight climate change, and advocate for equitable access to nature for all Lincoln and Tillamook county residents and visitors.

Objectives:

1. Participate in Cascade Head Work Group

2. Implement Rocky Habitat project with the support of the RH Team and

   Coastal Coordinator.

3. Produce and distribute new ASLC reusable shopping bag

4. Continue to partner with Oregon Audubon Council on OAC priorities

5. Continue to partner with allies on priority issues (e.g., Public Private

   Climate Change Partnership, MidCoast Watersheds Council, etc.)
   We have 8 volunteers serving on our Conservation Action Committee, which is lead by Steve Griffiths. Our focus areas this year are Forests, Climate change, Marine reserves, Rocky habitat, and Plastic pollution. To volunteer, contact Steve at sgoregon@gmail.com.

   That's it for this month.

   Stay Safe and be well!

   --

   dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

August 2020

Dear Reader,

Suddenly, summer is almost over! I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of the hot weather - that's one reason we chose to live on the coast! Today there's a nice marine layer hanging just off the beach and it's keeping temps down so
far! Well, time has certainly flown by and we've been busy!

BIRD WALKS

We are cautiously resuming some activities with restrictions. Visit our Calendar for information and to register for our September 12th walk to Sitka Sedge Natural Area. Tillamook county resident James Billstine will be our guide.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Beach Clean-up Bingo continues: We partnered with Lincoln City Parks & Rec to bring you Beach Clean-up Bingo. Lincoln City residents & visitors can pick up or print a Bingo card, clean-up some beach debris, post a selfie on Facebook, and be entered to win prizes! The next drawing is September 15th.

CITIZEN SCIENCE

A huge thank you to all of you who participated in the July Marine Reserve Bioblitzses! Each location reported excellent participation and results!

Volunteer opp: This has been a great summer for Brown Pelicans! Have you noticed them flying by or fishing in the ocean? You can help with an effort to count them! This involves only a single afternoon in a set, stationary location. Check Portland Audubon's information page and sign up!

CONSERVATION

Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund

ASLC has banded with numerous other partners in a grassroots coalition effort to support Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife through a new fund. Our ASLC Conservation Action Committee is donating $500 to the fund, and hope that our members will donate as well. As little as $10 per person will make a huge difference!

ROCKY HABITAT PROJECT

Our Rocky Habitat team has grown, thanks to many of you who have volunteered to help! The teams are now meeting regularly to develop messaging, conduct research, reach out to others, and develop proposals for additional protected sites in Lincoln and Tillamook counties. You can help!

We need you to tell your story! What's your favorite spot on our rocky coastal shores? Send us your story, with permission for us to share it (anonymously is fine). Or you can join our My Favorite Rocky Habitat Facebook group and share your stories (and optional photos) yourself! Help us build the case for protecting our rocky habitats!

2020-21 Plans

We approved our 2020-21 Annual Plan and Budget at our July board meeting, adopting goals and objectives for each of our core programs. This month, we're featuring our Education program:
Goals: Support the community by providing resources, classes, outings, trips, and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn about and enjoy the birds, other wildlife, and habitats in their backyards and beyond.

Objectives:

1. Recruit and train new teachers for adult and children’s classes.

2. Restart Wild About Birds in elementary schools, add other elementary

   schools if able to get more teachers.

3. Expand Our Neighbor the Osprey program

4. Establish senior outreach program in Lincoln City

5. Create and publish “Find the Bird (brick)” handout for LC Plaza Bird

   Bricks.

6. Set up an external Migratory Bird Day festival board and host another

   festival with partners

   That's it for this month. Stay Safe and be well!

   --

   dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

July 2020

Dear Reader,

Spring is for babies! Caren Willoughby and Tom Rice report lots of baby Wood Ducks on Devil's Lake (Lincoln City) this spring! They said the success rate is much higher this year than last. Caren is also monitoring our Lincoln City Osprey pairs - a couple of nests have failed, but there are hungry young in several nests. I've been fortunate to see Osprey regularly flying past my windows with large ocean perch and other fish. Check our map of Osprey nest sites.

ANNUAL MEETING

We held our annual meeting online on June 25th. If you missed it, we have a recording that you can view (about 40 minutes in length).

Board of Directors

We elected two new board members and re-elected four others. At the July board meeting, we elected officers. Our Board of Directors for 2020-21 is:
dawn villaescusa, President
Steve Griffiths, Vice-President & Conservation chair

Nora Sherwood, Secretary
[vacant], Treasurer
Miracle Fingerson (new)
Halle Renn, Membership coordinator Tom Rice

Ernie Rose, Newsletter editor & Business liaison
Ruth Shelly (new)
Caren Willoughby, Education coordinator
Visit our website to learn more about our Board. We have open positions and would love to have you join us! We're especially interested in folks from Tillamook county and south Lincoln County.

BIRD WALKS

Our bird walks are cancelled through August. We are making decisions month-to- month and will continue to keep you updated.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Beach Clean-up Bingo: We're partnering with Lincoln City Parks & Rec to bring you Beach Clean-up Bingo. Pick up a Bingo card at various locations, clean-up some beach debris, take a selfie and post it on Facebook, and be entered to win prizes! Drawings are August 15th and September 15th.

Black Oystercatcher info flyer: We partnered with US Fish & Wildlife, Portland Audubon, and Friends of Otter Rock to develop a lovely handout to inform visitors about protecting Black Oystercatchers on the coast. These rack card size handouts are available at locations up and down the coast, or you can order them from us or print your own.

Alder Island Loop Trail (Millport Slough, Siletz Bay) interpretive signage. Our team is finalizing the design and layout for the eight interpretive panels. US Fish & Wildlife plans to install them this fall.

CITIZEN SCIENCE
Marbled Murrelet surveys: A huge thank you to all of you who responded to the request for boat drivers!

Oregon Marine Reserves Bio-Blitz 2020

July 17th through 26th - Bio-blitzes are usually conducted on a single day in groups, with teams of experts to assist. Due to the pandemic, the July bio-blitzes will be conducted by volunteers over a ten day period. You can help!

CONSERVATION -
ROCKY HABITAT PROJECT
We hope that you've enjoyed the Rocky Habitat articles in The Kingfisher. We're also featuring our project on our website - this month's feature article is about the new rocky habitat site designations and how they will be used to protect special rocky sites along the coast.

In June, we hired Kent Doughty as our Rocky Habitat project coordinator. Kent resides at the Nestucca National Wildlife Refuge and is working part-time for us.

Webinars: Our first "On the Rocks" Rocky Habitat webinar, featuring Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge presented by Roy Lowe, is available to stream.

Be sure to join our My Favorite Rocky Habitat Facebook group and share your photos and stories of your favorite spots along the coast!

That's it for this month.

Stay Safe and be well!

--

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City

June 2020

Dear Reader,

BIRD WALKS

Our bird walks are cancelled through June, but we have posted the schedule for the remainder of the year in The Kingfisher, on our website, and on Facebook. We'll be making decisions month-to-month and will keep you updated as we get nearer to July.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

We are excited to begin a new joint project with US Fish & Wildlife to create and install interpretive signage at Alder Island Loop Trail (Millport Slough, Siletz Bay). Scientific wildlife illustrator and ASLC secretary Nora Sherwood is the illustratrator; writer and naturalist Peter Pearsall is providing the interpretive text, and Ernie Rose, ASLC outreach coordinator, photographer, and graphic designer, is doing the layout.

CONSERVATION -
ROCKY HABITAT WEBINARS
We are partnering with North Coast Rocky Habitats and Oregon Shores CoastWatch to bring you "On the Rocks" Rocky Habitat webinars weekly beginning tomorrow, June 10th, at 6pm. This week we feature Roy Lowe who will bring to life Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge:

Details on this and the rest of the series: website and Facebook

ROCKY HABITAT MAILING LIST

We have a special mailing list for folks who want to be informed about what's happening with Rocky Habitat and possibly become involved in helping us out! Please reply to this email to let me know you want to be added to the mailing list!

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Our Annual business meeting will be on June 25th. If you didn't receive your invitation and link, please let us know. Mark your calendars and be prepared to "Zoom" with us!

--

That's it for this month. Stay Home and Stay Safe!

dawn villaescusa, President Audubon Society of Lincoln City