A pair of spring, loaded outings

Northern Flicker • Photo by Ruth Shelly

Spring migration is underway, and Seven Capes Bird Alliance invites birders of all experience levels to join two guided bird walks to watch for newly arriving songbirds along the Central Oregon Coast this Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14.

The outings offer opportunities to explore a variety of coastal habitats while looking for species such as chickadees, kinglets, wrens, woodpeckers, sparrows, herons and waterfowl.

Friday’s walk will explore Spring Lake Open Space in Lincoln City, a wooded area and lakeside habitat located just off NE 14th Street. Participants will begin along the paved trail before descending toward the lake to search for forest and shoreline birds.

The group will meet at 9 am at the Spring Lake Open Space parking lot on Port Avenue.

Saturday’s walk will visit Neskowin Beach State Recreation Area and the Nestucca National Wildlife Refuge area, where birders might encounter geese and ducks on flooded fairways, flocks of songbirds along neighborhood streets and marsh birds along wooded paths.

The group will meet at 9 am at the Neskowin Beach parking lot.

All Seven Capes Bird Alliance walks are free, family-friendly, easy to moderately easy and no pre-registration or experience is required. Binoculars and guidebooks are provided. Walks are held rain or shine; dress appropriately for coastal weather and muddy trails. For more information, go to sevencapes.org.