Places We Love to Bird - Ballston County Park

The small community of Ballston was originally called Ballsville after railroad backer Isaac Ball. The park is made up of this tiny one-room school nestled in a grove of oak trees. The school was originally built in 1855 a half a mile away and later moved to this location on log rollers pulled by oxen in 1874. Today as a Polk County Park it is an inviting spot to stop, and for us a good place to check out the birds. Acorn Woodpeckers are the most dependable species to be heard and seen here because of cavity nests in the oak trees. On this visit on August 6th, we set up the lawn chairs in the shade and listened and watched and made up our eBird list. I'm sure this will continue to be a place we love to visit and enjoy.

   

 

Thursday's Bird Watch

This Red-breasted Sapsucker was photographed by Dallas Retirement Village Resident Del Warren.  Del took this photo from his car as he was driving through the Dallas Cemetery last month.  The worldwide database of eBird.org recognizes the Dallas Cemetery as an official birding location.  Del has birded here several times and is currently the top birder at this location, having identified 37 different species of birds.  
 

Chemeketan Bird Walk

This was a bird walk Jeanette and I led for the Chemeketans this morning. We met up at Kingsborough Park here in Dallas and walked the West-end of the Rickreall Creek Trail System, listening, looking, and identifying birds. Here is our eBird Observation List. It was great to spend time with friends that we have hiked with over the years.  I joined the Chemeketans 50 years ago this season.  It was a tough time in my life, and the Chemeketans provided a new direction for me. They welcomed me and took me hiking, cross-county skiing, mountain climbing, snow camping, and back-backing. I am forever grateful, and always interested in a small measure of repayment.      

 

Thursday's Bird Watch

 Wild Turkeys have found their way back to Dallas Retirement Village!  A number of residents have reported seeing them in the past several weeks, but we didn't ge a chance to see them until the morning of July 17th, and that was only because Mary Ransier, better known as "Front Desk Mary", tipped us off as to their location.  This is the momma Turkey and one of seven of her juveniles, known as "poults".  Hopefully more DRV residents will get a chance to watch this family as the mother continues to guide her poults around and through the yards of Dallas Retirement Village.

Yaquina Meander

Chitwood Bridge

 We took off for Toledo early Saturday morning for an overnighter in our Solis Pocket camping van to indulge ourselves with some cooler temperatures. We choose Highway 20 as our route, making a rest stop at Ellmaker State Wayside.  The sweet song of the Swainson's Thrush greeted us as we stepped out of the van, which prompted us to make a bird list. Seeking more birds in the woods next to the restrooms, we stumbled onto a trail that led down to the small stream of Ellmaker Creek. 

We soon ventured off the modern route of Hwy 20, and onto the old route which next took us through Eddyville where Little Elk Creek joins the Yaquina River. There the route gets interesting as the highway parallels the historic Oregon Pacific Railroad and hugs the Yaquina River on its meandering way to join the Yaquina Bay at Toledo.

Our next stop was Chitwood Bridge, a revisit of our trip in May. Conveniently it was time for lunch, so we set up our chairs in the shade with a view of this historic covered bridge across the Yaquina River.  I had a chat with the neighbor that actually owns this little viewpoint.  He maintains this out of the goodness of his heart for people to enjoy for a day visit. Overnight parking is not allowed due to past problems of trash and theft. 

We next joined the main route of Highway 20 for a short stint before turning left over the hill to reconnect with the Yaquina and the railroad. It's a gravel road. I recommend a slow pace as you continue on and eventually you will be rewarded with the hamlet of Elk City and the Elk City County Park. This is where Big Elk Creek joins the Yaquina, and at 22.5 from Yaquina Bay is I believe the head of tidewater.

Continuing along the Yaquina River, we made a stop in the shade at Cannon Quary Park and a look for birds. We had been tipped off by the Chitwood Bridge viewpoint owner that Toledo was having their Summer Festival and would be crammed.  It was a godsend because arriving at Toledo we discovered an impossible crowd.  So, it was on to Paddle Park for a little recovery stop and a bit of pondering our options for the night. We ended up at Boiler Bay State Wayside, and a quiet night except early morning thunder, lighting, wind and rain.  

Refreshed, we headed home to unpack and plan the next adventure, 

Thursday's Bird Watch

The most dependable bird song to hear and enjoy on a daily basis here at Dallas Retirement Village currently is the White-crowned Sparow as is shown here singing his heart out.  He hangs out in the shrubbery of the parking strip of the Jasper Street Entrance to The Lodge.  It's a sure-fire bet when you walk out that door you will hear him sing out.  His purpose is not to entertain you, but instead, impress a female sparrow.  White-crowned Sparrow's nest low in shrubbery, and because they have multiple broods each summer, this particular sparrow is probably working on a second breeding for this season.  During our latest walk through DRV, we heard White-crowned Sparrows singing in 5 different locations in the Village.
 

Places We Love to Bird - Lent Slough Trail

 We first discovered this quiet hidden trail in June of 2021. It was an instant favorite which we have returned to many times.  The trail takes you into lush coastal forest along the edge of Lent Slough off the Alsea Bay in Waldport. The quietness gives you a sense of remoteness that belies the proximity to the hustle and bustle of busy Highway 101 and the madness of tourism.    

Yesterday, we were able to share it with our good with friends Michael and Melissa Garguilo. They now live in Lincoln California, but at one time we all lived in Elkton Oregon. They called us the other day and let us know they are vacationing in Waldport Oregon, so Jeanette and I planned a day to get together with them and do some birding on the Lint Slough Trail and share some lunch. Here is our eBird Observation List.