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

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

July 13, 2019 Alder Island Loop Trail, Siletz Bay NWR

The new Alder Island Loop Trail has become a local favorite for nature-lovers of all ages. Twenty-nine of us enjoyed a two-hour walk through the trees, wetlands, and along the river's edge.

Photo complements of Ernie Rose

Highlights included a family of Canada Geese on the river, pairs of Warbling Vireo singing in the trees, and two Belted Kingfishers. This walk was one of our special Bird Watching Clinics, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City and Lincoln City Parks and Recreation.

Wilson's Warbler complements of Ruth Shelly

Juvenile Golden-crowned Kinglet complements of Ruth Shelly

Sightings of the day:
Canada Goose ~ Western Gull ~ Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture ~ Bald Eagle ~ Belted Kingfisher
Northern Flicker ~ Warbling Vireo ~ Steller's Jay
American Crow ~ Purple Martin ~ Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow ~ Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee ~ Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Marsh Wren ~ Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson's Thrush ~ American Robin ~ European Starling
Cedar Waxwing ~ House Finch
White-crowned Sparrow ~ Song Sparrow
Brown-headed Cowbird ~ Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat ~ Wilson's Warbler

Photos complements of Ernie Rose

September 8, 2018 Alder Island Loop Trail, Siletz Bay NWR

15 birders were delighted to find mostly sunny skies instead of the forecast rain at Alder Island Saturday morning. The trees and brush were filled with birds and birdsong. American Goldfinch and Warbling Vireo families were plentiful, with begging youngsters being fed by patient parents. Ducks have started to arrive at the bay, and several Common Merganser were feeding in the canal by the trail. Most plentiful birds were Song Sparrows and Cedar Waxwings.

Sightings of the Day

Common Merganser
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Vaux's Swift
Rufous Hummingbird
Western Gull
California Gull
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Turkey Vulture
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Warbling Vireo
Steller's Jay
Common Raven
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Marsh Wren
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
House/Purple Finch
American Goldfinch
White-crowned Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Spotted Towhee
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend's Warbler

April 8, 2017 Alder Island Nature Trail Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge

While the rest of Lincoln City was experiencing rain and hail, 15 birders walked the Alder Island Nature Trail at the Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the sun. We watched 8-10 Great Blue Herons flying in and out of the alders some with nesting materials in their beaks.

Music of the songbirds filled the air and added to the beauty of the sun-filled morning.

Sightings of the Day

Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
Bufflehead
American Robin
Double-crested Cormorant
Rufous Hummingbird
Mallard
Barn Swallow
Song Sparrow
Canada Goose
American Crow
Bald Eagle
Red-breasted Merganser
Purple Finch
Orange-crowned Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Common Raven
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Violet-green Swallow
Turkey Vulture
European Starling
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-winged Blackbird
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Western Grebe
Stellar's Jay
Anna's Hummingbird
Common Merganser
Red-tailed Hawk
Common Yellowthroat
Belted Kingfisher
Western Gull
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Rock Pigeon

February 11, 2017 Siletz Bay, Alder Island Loop, and Salishan Nature Trails

Today was the first blue sky day we have had in a long time. It lasted all day and 25 birders came and took advantage of the sunshine and birds. While we were waiting for everyone to gather, all eyes went to the sky to see two immature and one mature Bald Eagles. To top that off a sighting of a Barn Swallow and Tree Swallows surprised us with their early arrival to the area.

Sightings of the Day
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
Bald Eagle
American Crow
Common Raven
Rock Dove
Mew Gull
Western Gull
Surf Scoter
Red-breasted Merganser
Bufflehead
Hooded Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant
Barrows Goldeneye
Stellar's Jay
Common Goldeneye
Great Blue Heron
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Song Sparrow
Anna's Hummingbird
Canada Goose
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hairy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk
Eared Grebe
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Pacific Wren
Hermit Thrush
Northern Flicker
Horned Grebe