Last week Jason Kirchner (ODFW) observed snow plovers on Bayshore Beach in
Waldport during a plover survey. This is the first observation of snowy
plovers at Bayshore in 37 years. I observed and photographed the birds on
Saturday and again today and I have seen a total of 11 birds (7 color-banded
and 4 unbanded). Color band codes indicate the birds were produced at New
River, Coos Bay North Spit and the Oregon Dunes. It’s great to see snow
plovers reoccupy sites as their population recovers.
While searching for the plovers today I saw 7 western bluebirds foraging on
the beach. They were very efficient at capturing invertebrates by sprinting
around in the sand.
Roy
