 |
| Dawn Grafe leads a birdwatching tour in Newport last year. |
|
International Migratory Bird Day 2008
This year’s theme is “Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People.” For details, head to birdday.org.
Check out the May 2008 feature on the Oregon Coast's osprey population.
Friday, May 9
Nehalem • Birding 101 — Dawn Grafe, supervisory park ranger for the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge, will discuss tools for birding, what to look for when you bird and identification using field guides. She’ll also offer an identification slide show of common coastal birds. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., North County Recreation District Gallery, 36155 Ninth St., suggested donation of $6.
Lincoln City • Audubon Birdathon — The Lincoln City chapter is taking part in Audubon’s largest annual fund-raising event, collecting pledges for the number of birds they count on May 9 and 10. They’ll be roaming around in Lincoln and Tillamook counties, trying to reach their goal of $5,000 for local education and conservation projects. For details or to donate, call Kathleen Nickerson at 541-921-4009.
Saturday, May 10
Newport • Black Oystercatcher: Life History, Status, Ongoing Monitoring and Research — The Pacific Northwest is home to an estimated 11,000 black oystercatchers, which inhabit the rocky intertidal shores. Elise Elliott-Smith (USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Corvallis) will present her efforts to inventory this species and monitor their reproductive success here in Oregon. Also presenting will be OSU graduate student, Caleb Spiegel, who is conducting research on black oystercatchers in Harriman Fjord on Prince William Sound, Alaska. Spiegel will present original video footage of breeding birds and their chicks. 1:30 p.m. in the Hennings Auditorium, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 Marine Science Drive in the South Beach area of Newport, 541-867-0100.
Lincoln City • Devils Lake PADL Party — The Preservation Association of Devils Lake invites kayakers and canoers to meet Al Rice at East Devils Lake State Park at 10 a.m. for a Devils Lake orientation (including information about viewing wood duck nest boxes by boat). The Salem Chemeketan outdoor club is offering “Devils Lake Birding by Boat.” The Union 50 Club at 1115 SE 1st St. (turn east at the D River Wayside traffic signal to the blue building south of the D River), will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a free cup of shade-grown coffee, as well as other refreshments. The movie “Fly Away Home” will be shown at 1 p.m. All activities are free. For information call 541-994-6178 or 541-992-3535, or visit devilslakeor.us
Nehalem • Birding Walk – USFWS supervisory park ranger Dawn Grafe will lead a guided birding tour of two trust properties. The tour will start at Vosburg Creek (at the corner of Hwy. 101 and Dubois Street, just south of downtown Wheeler) and continue on to Alder Creek Farm (at the end of Underhill Lane off of Hwy. 101 north of Nehalem.). Grafe played a pivotal role in the recent development of the Oregon Coast Birding Trail, which includes Alder Creek Farm as a birding stop. She is also one of the coordinators and teachers at the Oregon Shorebird Festival and the Pacific City Birding and Blues Festival. 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., meet at Vosburg Creek, free, 503-368-3203 or LNCT@nehalemtel.net.
Tillamook Forest Center • All day festivities — Begin the day having breakfast with the birds, followed by a short bird walk. Explore the world of birds by visiting touch tables, making crafts and playing games. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., east of Tillamook on Hwy. 6 between mileposts 21 and 22, 503-815-6800, tillamookforestcenter.org.
Looking ahead: Saturday, May 31
Newport • Migratory Sea Birds — Oregon Coast Aquarium staff and volunteers will help you dive headfirst into the ocean to learn about the wonderful world of migratory sea birds. Biofact tables, special presentations and crafts will be offered throughout the day. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the OCA, 2820 SE Ferry Slip in Newport, free with admission, 541-867-FISH.
|