The nest step for birders

Photo by Ruth Shelly

 Every spring, Ospreys return to nest in Lincoln County, often meeting up with the same mate and using the same nesting site from previous years.

Seven Capes Bird Alliance is seeking new volunteers to learn about becoming an Osprey nest monitor. Trainings are scheduled at two Oregon Coast Community College campuses: Lincoln City on Thursday, March 6, and Newport on Friday, March 7.

Seven Capes’ Osprey Awareness Initiative pairs volunteers with nest sites to observe the birds’ return, nest building, incubation and number of chicks.

Previous birding experience, personal transportation to the nest site, and availability to make two to three 15-minute observations each week from mid-March to mid-September are helpful volunteer traits. Substitute observers can be scheduled for volunteers’ occasional travel plans.  To help expand the project’s reach, volunteers from Newport, Waldport and Yachats are especially encouraged.

The trainings are from 5 to 6:30 at the Oregon Coast Community College Lincoln City campus, located at 3788 SE High School Drive and from 2 to 3:30 pm at the Newport campus, located at 400 SE College Way. Email heatherg@sevencapes.org to reserve your space at one of the training sessions, or to arrange a private training. For more information, go to sevencapes.org.