Yaquina Bay Bird Count Report

The public is invited to a talk by wildlife artist Ram Papish at the MidCoast Watersheds Council meeting on Thursday, January 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Newport, to learn about the results of the annual Yaquina Bay Christmas Bird Count and changes in bird populations that have been observed over the years.  The meeting will be held in the public meeting room of the Central Lincoln PUD building, located at 2129 N Coast Hwy in Newport, across from the Safeway complex.  Refreshments will be served.

Papish is a self-declared “professional bird enthusiast” who lives in the area and participates in the yearly bird counts.  The Yaquina Birders and Naturalists have been participating in the event, which is administered by the National Audubon Society and organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Yearly bird counts have indicated, for example, that Anna’s hummingbirds have been increasing steadily from 1973 until now, while Canvasback ducks have been declining during these 42 years.  Other results will be shown along with Ram’s beautiful photographs.

Now retired to concentrate on his art, Papish spent 20 years as a field biologist, working nationally and internationally.  In addition to prints and custom pieces, he has illustrated field guides and contributed work to many books and publications.  He has designed and illustrated interpretive panels for agencies and programs and has also written two wildlife related children’s books, as well as non-wildlife related mysteries.