| Date: March 30, 2009 | | Location Siltcoos Hiking/Birding | | Where: Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area | I had planned this outing as a hiking trip, but has we began hiking along the Siltcoos River, it sort of morphed into more of a birding trip. Joining us for the day were two of Elkton's newest residents Michael and Melissa Garguilo, and as it turned out they are as interested, if not more, in birding as Jeanette and I.
|  | | Waxmytle Trail along the Siltcoos River We first hiked the Waxmyrtle Trail to the beach, making numerous stops along the way to identify birds. We spotted Bufflehead, Hooded Mergansers, Mallard Ducks, Ringed-neck Ducks, Canada Geese, Coots and a Great Blue Heron. Our strangest sighting occurred at the beach, an Osprey making off with a eel. The Osprey landed on a piece of driftwood and seemed a little perplexed as what to do next with his squirming prey. While retracing our steps from the beach we saw Bushtits, Wrentits, Song Sparrows, Turkey Vultures, and a Northern Harrier.
|  | | Siltcoos Lagoon Returning from the beach, we enjoyed lunch at a picnic table in the Waxmyrtle Campground and then crossed the road to hike the Lagoon Loop Trail along the Siltcoos Lagoon. Here we continued to enjoy identifying a number of birds, among them Steller's Jays, Western Flickers, a Downey Woodpecker, a Red-breasted Nuthatch, a Marsh Wren, and a Varied Thrush.
|  | | a successful day After completing the Lagoon Loop we attacked the Chief Tsiltcoos Trail to make our final mile before finishing at the car at the Stagecoach Trailhead. A very successful day of hiking and birding in the sunshine with a total of 20 birds identified! |  | | Osprey with eel |
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