Birding is such sweet soar-o

The bald eagle, a symbol of the US, was once critically endangered. Thanks to conservation efforts and the banning of DDT, numbers are now soaring and it's a rare morning walk on the coast that you don’t catch a glimpse of one of these stunning birds.

Eagles are only one of the many cool avains that make Oregon their permanent or seasonal home. But if you are bird sighting challenged, join the local experts of the Audubon Society of Lincoln City, who will lead a local bird walk on Friday, Sept. 9, at Cutler City Wetlands Open Space and a field trip on Saturday, Sept. 10, to the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Mill Creek Park.

Cutler City Open Space is a unique wooded wetlands habitat. Large trees host species such as the pileated woodpecker, while the marshy brush is home to common yellowthroats and other songbirds. The group will look for early fall migrants, then move on to Josephine Young Memorial Park to look for migrating shorebirds.

The group will meet at the pull-out on SW 63rd Street, west of Highway 101.

Take a road trip toward Salem to explore Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, a huge bird sanctuary with diverse habitat including wetlands, meadows, oak savannas and woodlands. You’ll see residents such as bald eagles and northern harriers. In addition, songbirds and shorebirds will be migrating south through the refuge, and the first flocks of winter resident waterfowl will be arriving.

If you have time, bring a lunch and continue with the group to Mill Creek Park for a picnic and more birding.

From Highway 22, turn north on Smithfield Road, across from Kings Valley Hwy., and take the first right onto Colville Road. Travel about a mile on the gravel road until you see the Audubon sign.

Both walks begin at 9 am, are easy to moderately easy, are held rain or shine and no pre-registration or experience is required. Binoculars and guidebooks are provided. For more information, go to lincolncityaudubon.org.