[obol] Yachats birding

[Andy Frank]

Not recalling reading any mention of birding in Yachats in Lincoln County, I 
thought I would share my impression having just returned from a weekend 
there.  Due to the geography of the hotels relative to the ocean, it was 
wonderful.

There are several nice hotels, including Adobe, Fireplace, and Overleaf 
Lodge that are on a rocky bluff overlooking the sea without a beach. Being 
somewhat high up, and not having the extra distance that occurs when the 
hotel is back from the water's edge by the distance of the beach, it makes 
it very easy to sea watch right from one's room.  I loved the convenience of 
just walking out onto our deck, sitting down and scanning the ocean when I 
had a few minutes.  Surf Scoters dominated, but there were also White-winged 
Scoters, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled Murrelet (seen each day), 
Western Grebe, Loons, and one Red Phalarope and one Cassin's Auklet.  Lots 
of Brown Pelicans floated by (I never tire of watching them with their 
undulating seemingly effortless flight), as well as Heerman's Gulls, and an 
occasional Caspian Tern.

The rocks themselves had many Black Turnstones, relatively few Surfbirds and 
up to 4 Wandering Tattlers, as well as an occasional Black Oystercatcher, 
Spotted Sandpiper and Killdeer.  Red Crossbills and Cedar Waxwings were seen 
frequently in the nearby trees.  A Red-shouldered Hawk and American Kestrel 
were seen near the Adobe this morning.

Walking North from there is a 6 mile long beach that goes all the way to 
Waldport.  About 2 miles north, we saw Whimbrels and Marbled Godwits each 
day, with maximum numbers of 9  and 2 respectively on Saturday.

Andy Frank