08-25-2007, 04:10 AM
Focus on Astoria
Several viewing opportunities exist in the greater Astoria area for birdwatchers. The viewing bunker at Ft. Stevens State Park overlooks Trestle Bay and offers viewing of gulls, terns, pelicans and some waterfowl. Binoculars or a spotting scope are helpful to enhance viewing. The nearby South Jetty platform on the western side of Clatsop Spit is a great place to observe brown pelicans and occasionally seabirds. It's best to bring binocular to view from the platform.
The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary is located east of Astoria just off of Hwy 30 adjacent to Wolf Bay on the Columbia River. The platform there offers great viewing of resident waterfowl, some shorebirds and will soon be host to early migrating waterfowl. Spotting scopes are very useful at this platform. The Twilight Creek Eagle Sanctuary is about six miles east of Astoria.
Other North Coast Viewing Opportunities
Band-tailed pigeon
- Photo by Greg Gillson-
As berry crops ripen in abundance, many species of birds can be observed taking advantage of the opportunity. Band-tailed pigeons can be seen working elderberries and cascara in the coast range foothills. Wild currant is a favorite of grouse. Cedar waxwings may dine on backyard berries, but are especially numerous along bays and waterways. Since insects also tend to be abundant around berry patches, insectivorous birds like flycatchers, thrushes, swallows and wrens may be spotted as well.
Brown pelicans are a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, but can become very plentiful on the north coast in late summer and early fall. In recent weeks, they have shown up along the north coast and will continue to increase in numbers. These birds usually roost on near-shore rocks and feed on fish in the ocean and north coast estuaries, including the Columbia River. During low tides, Netarts Bay has been host to hundreds, if not thousands of the birds, fishing in its shallow waters. Brown pelicans are both humorous and awe-inspiring to watch. This big, gangly bird that almost recklessly dives into the water can glide over the ocean waves gracefully with its wing tips seemingly inches from the waves.
Waterfowl molting
Ducks, such as the mallard, are going through a molting period where the male with its typical green head, is almost indistinguishable from the uniformly brown female. This temporary plumage is called the "eclipse" plumage, and lasts for a relatively short time. By October, the birds should be in their typical plumage.
Elk<br />
- Photo by Robert Mutch -<br />
Seaside Area
The elk breeding season or "rut" should begin in about a week or so and last throughout September. Bulls will battle for dominance and start their unmistakable bugling call. A great place to view elk is at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. The best times to watch are early in the morning and late in the evening. With the start of hunting seasons, visitors to the wildlife area are reminded that areas posted as "Wildlife Refuge" are closed to entry all year and posted portions of the Beneke Tract are closed during elk hunting seasons including general archery season. Consult the 2007 Big Game Regulations for more information.
Directions and information
Tillamook Area
Currently, hundreds of thousands of seabirds, including murres, auklets and puffins are completing rearing of young at Three Arch Rock National Wildlife Refuge located near Oceanside. It is home to the largest and most diverse seabird colony in Oregon, and supports a breeding population of Steller sea lions. In recent weeks brown pelicans have also been using the rocks as roosting place. A good spotting scope is very helpful for viewing. Other great seabird nesting colonies include Pyramid Rock west of Cape Meares and Castle Rock west of Arch Cape.
Yaquina Bay
Harlequin Ducks<br />
- Photo by Greg Gillson-<br />
Harlequin ducks are often sighted at the Yaquina Bay south jetty and at Seal Rocks. Numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds are actively feeding in and around coastal estuaries and lakes.
Summer is a great time to visit Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to see colonial nesting birds such as Common Murre, Brandt's Cormorant and Pigeon Guillemot. Nearby shores and rocky beaches are good locations for spotting Harbor Seal and California Sea Lion. The Historic Lighthouse just off Hwy 101 is a great place to view migrating Gray whales. The trail leading to the tide pools is ADA accessible.
Several viewing opportunities exist in the greater Astoria area for birdwatchers. The viewing bunker at Ft. Stevens State Park overlooks Trestle Bay and offers viewing of gulls, terns, pelicans and some waterfowl. Binoculars or a spotting scope are helpful to enhance viewing. The nearby South Jetty platform on the western side of Clatsop Spit is a great place to observe brown pelicans and occasionally seabirds. It's best to bring binocular to view from the platform.
The Twilight Eagle Sanctuary is located east of Astoria just off of Hwy 30 adjacent to Wolf Bay on the Columbia River. The platform there offers great viewing of resident waterfowl, some shorebirds and will soon be host to early migrating waterfowl. Spotting scopes are very useful at this platform. The Twilight Creek Eagle Sanctuary is about six miles east of Astoria.
Other North Coast Viewing Opportunities
Band-tailed pigeon
- Photo by Greg Gillson-
As berry crops ripen in abundance, many species of birds can be observed taking advantage of the opportunity. Band-tailed pigeons can be seen working elderberries and cascara in the coast range foothills. Wild currant is a favorite of grouse. Cedar waxwings may dine on backyard berries, but are especially numerous along bays and waterways. Since insects also tend to be abundant around berry patches, insectivorous birds like flycatchers, thrushes, swallows and wrens may be spotted as well.
Brown pelicans are a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, but can become very plentiful on the north coast in late summer and early fall. In recent weeks, they have shown up along the north coast and will continue to increase in numbers. These birds usually roost on near-shore rocks and feed on fish in the ocean and north coast estuaries, including the Columbia River. During low tides, Netarts Bay has been host to hundreds, if not thousands of the birds, fishing in its shallow waters. Brown pelicans are both humorous and awe-inspiring to watch. This big, gangly bird that almost recklessly dives into the water can glide over the ocean waves gracefully with its wing tips seemingly inches from the waves.
Waterfowl molting
Ducks, such as the mallard, are going through a molting period where the male with its typical green head, is almost indistinguishable from the uniformly brown female. This temporary plumage is called the "eclipse" plumage, and lasts for a relatively short time. By October, the birds should be in their typical plumage.
Elk<br />
- Photo by Robert Mutch -<br />
Seaside Area
The elk breeding season or "rut" should begin in about a week or so and last throughout September. Bulls will battle for dominance and start their unmistakable bugling call. A great place to view elk is at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. The best times to watch are early in the morning and late in the evening. With the start of hunting seasons, visitors to the wildlife area are reminded that areas posted as "Wildlife Refuge" are closed to entry all year and posted portions of the Beneke Tract are closed during elk hunting seasons including general archery season. Consult the 2007 Big Game Regulations for more information.
Directions and information
Tillamook Area
Currently, hundreds of thousands of seabirds, including murres, auklets and puffins are completing rearing of young at Three Arch Rock National Wildlife Refuge located near Oceanside. It is home to the largest and most diverse seabird colony in Oregon, and supports a breeding population of Steller sea lions. In recent weeks brown pelicans have also been using the rocks as roosting place. A good spotting scope is very helpful for viewing. Other great seabird nesting colonies include Pyramid Rock west of Cape Meares and Castle Rock west of Arch Cape.
Yaquina Bay
Harlequin Ducks<br />
- Photo by Greg Gillson-<br />
Harlequin ducks are often sighted at the Yaquina Bay south jetty and at Seal Rocks. Numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds are actively feeding in and around coastal estuaries and lakes.
Summer is a great time to visit Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area to see colonial nesting birds such as Common Murre, Brandt's Cormorant and Pigeon Guillemot. Nearby shores and rocky beaches are good locations for spotting Harbor Seal and California Sea Lion. The Historic Lighthouse just off Hwy 101 is a great place to view migrating Gray whales. The trail leading to the tide pools is ADA accessible.