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• Shorebirds: Elegant Travelers on Long-Distance Journeys

  • When
    May 09, 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Upstairs at the Salt Hotel and Pub 147 Howerton Ave, Ilwaco, WA
  • Spaces left
    38

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  Doors open at 5:30 for no-host dinner and beverages. The presentation starts at 6:30 pm. 

  Join the Friends of the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge for an opportunity to learn about shorebirds’ long and demanding migration as they pause to feed and rest on our local beaches and estuaries. Shorebirds breeding in North America migrate extremely long distances to winter in the Southern Hemisphere on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

  Our speaker, Roy Lowe, a Waldport, Oregon resident, is an avid wildlife photographer and a seasoned expert in the field. His extensive experience includes over 37 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Roy was the Refuge Manager of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

  In retirement, he worked with the Paulson Institute and World Wildlife Fund, helping to train coastal wetland managers in China, and has been monitoring the return of western snowy plovers to Lincoln County Oregon following and absence of 39 years.

  Thank you to Salt Hotel and Pub in Ilwaco for hosting this Friends event!

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• Leadbetter Point Hike with Roy Lowe

  • When
    May 10, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Meet at the Oysterville Road Beach Approach; after a period of time here the group will move to the northern-most parking lot at Leadbetter Point
  • Spaces left
    13

  Register

  Join Naturalist Roy Lowe on a guided walk to explore the fascinating birds of the nearshore ocean and sandy shoreline! Look for loons, grebes, gulls, and shorebirds on a stroll along the beach, starting from the Oysterville Road Beach Approach in Ocean Park.

  Afterward, we’ll hop into our cars and drive to the northernmost parking area at Leadbetter Point on Stackpole Road. The hike will continue on the beautiful Bay Loop Trail with viewing opportunities for shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds nestled along the shoreline through a shore pine forest.

  • Discover Pass required for parking at Leadbetter Point.
  • The trail difficulty is rated as easy. Be prepared to walk up to 1.5 miles on wet, loose sand and a natural surface nature trail.
  • Bring binoculars if you have them.
  • Dress according to the weather and bring water.

  Our hike leader, Roy Lowe, a Waldport, Oregon resident, is an avid wildlife photographer and a seasoned expert in the field. His extensive experience includes over 37 years with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Roy was the Refuge Manager of the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

  In retirement, he worked with the Paulson Institute and World Wildlife Fund, helping to train coastal wetland managers in China, and has been monitoring the return of western snowy plovers to Lincoln County Oregon following and absence of 39 years.

  
  

  
  

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• Porter Point hike with Rebecca Lexa

  • When
    May 10, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Porter Point Loop Trail, east end of 67th Place off Sandridge Rd, Long Beach WA
  • Spaces left
    16

  Register

  Join Naturalist Rebecca Lexa for this 2.4-mile hike around Porter Point. You will have tremendous views of Willapa Bay and large flocks of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl on the bayside of the trail.

  Following a loop, the trail enters a serene cedar swamp before climbing to and then descending from the ridgetop above Porter Point. A new viewing area towards Long Island has been opened near the top of the route. Forest mammals are a rare but treasured sight, and raptors including bald eagles, northern harriers and American kestrels are often seen.

  Hike is rated as moderate difficulty with some elevation gain.

  Rebecca has a long history on the Refuge and has led many field trips  here and around the Pacific Northwest. She is a certified Oregon Master Naturalist, as well as a certified Wilderness First Responder. 

  Rebecca's new book, The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go is available from Ten Speed Press June 17, 2025.

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