November 30, 2020 . Regardless, most breeders occur in the western Great Basin counties of Klamath, Lake, Harney, and Malheur. Oregon Seabirds is the former blog of The Bird Guide's pelagic trips. From the cliffs and overlooks at Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge near Tillamook, take in the view of tufted puffins, pelagic cormorants, common murres and pigeon guillemots. Folks can also marvel at migrating Gray Whales, and visit the historic lighthouse. One of their most notable traits is a long, slender upturned bill. In winter, these small sandpipers are gray above with white underparts. It is an uncommon to locally common migrant on shorelines and open wet areas statewide. Watching birds is a lot of fun – you can do it anywhere! Stellar's Jay - Port Orford, May 2013. Like the rhinoceros auklet and tufted puffin, Cassin’s auklets dig burrows for their nests, typically 2 to 6 feet long. Western Snowy Plover. The tufted puffin easily wins the title of “most-wanted bird to see” among nature enthusiasts visiting the coast of Oregon. Below are some notable species found along the Oregon coast. Known to some as “parrots of the sea,” these charismatic birds return annually to a few nesting islands on the coast. Like a local tour guide in your inbox. Coastal Rocks are Breeding Oasis for Puffins, Murres, and Cormorants. History of Oregon sightings: August 16, 2005: Seabird expert Peter Pyle reported a single bird 115 miles off Tillamook Co. A large, long-legged wader distinguished from similar species in a flight by flashing rufous underwings and dark brown primaries. This bird had a decided hitch in its gait, which helped me differentiate it from the five other creepers I saw regularly, none of which shared this trait. More than 29 species of marine mammals make their home on the Oregon Coast, including several species of seal, including the Steller's sea lion and harbor seal, as well as the less common northern elephant seal … When observed on the ground, the Long-billed curlew's head lacks the strongly streaked pattern of other cerlews or Whimbrel. It is uncommon to locally abundant statewide in migration, with most birds along the coast and at larger lakes and marshes inland. Along the sandy central coast, they are present only as an occasional dispersing or wandering individual, typically on jetties. Lincoln City’s windy beaches have their own magic with nature-inspired glass-art workshops and ample beachcombing — keep an eye out for handmade glass floats hidden in the sand year-round. Map. The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a huge resource for anyone who wants to bird watch on the Coast. It’s no surprise that bird lovers flock to birdwatching spots on the central coast. They return at night to regurgitate food for their chicks, using a well-developed sense of smell to locate individual burrows amidst the colony. Outside of the breeding season, look for flocks of these unmistakable birds foraging on our coast. Western Oregon observers enjoy these large, elegant plovers almost year-round, and as a consequence they are one of the most familiar larger shorebirds. There is a very wide variety of Oregon birds for people who are into bird photography. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It sometimes uses freshwater outfalls for bathing. A few can be found on sand beaches and even occasionally on rocks, but the great majority are found feeding and resting on open mud. Newport, Oregon — The Oregon Coast Aquarium is saddened to announce the passing of Quill. It is an uncommon to rare migrant in fresh water or brackish habitats throughout Oregon; rarest along outer coast and in alkali habitats. However, most Ruffs seen in Oregon are juveniles that appear as lanky, buff-colored, pot-bellied, short-billed sandpipers showing white on both sides of the rump in flight. Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren / Flickr / CC by 2.0. Oregon is home to more than 500 bird species. Found in both fresh- and saltwater habitats, Double-crested cormorants get their name from the jaunty white plumes sported by breeding adults. Small numbers occasionally remain to summer east of the Cascades. Most of the year, these birds can be identified by their yellowish cheeks and lores—the area between the bill and eye. They are uncommon to common spring and fall transients, primarily offshore, small numbers are regular onshore. Some have been seen inland, near Sauvie Island. It has become a regular spring and fall migrant through eastern Oregon and irregular spring and casual fall migrant through western Oregon. Road’s End State Recreation Site From Hwy 101 in Lincoln City, turn N on Logan Rd, and drive 1 mi to park-ing lot. Check out our list for where to find them. It is unique among North American shorebirds in having a lek mating system. This album contains only photos of birds obtained in Oregon, in taxonomic order as of 2014. About Estuaries in Oregon. They are a common to locally abundant coastal migrant, less common and more local in western interior valleys, and rare bur regular east of the Cascades. Location and habitat use, bill shape and body proportions help identify individual species. These long-legged shorebirds have contrasting black and white upperparts and during the breeding season, the head and neck turn from gray or white to a deep rust color. In the fall, it's rare in the Cascades; in winter, it's uncommon at larger estuaries, especially on the south coast, is rare in western interior valleys and essentially is absent east of the Cascades. It is the only shorebird that regularly breeds on Oregon's beaches. Osprey - Port Orford, May 2012 Migrant juveniles rather than adults appear in Oregon. For example, they are ecologically important to many fish and wildlife species, providing migration routes and habitat for reproduction, rearing, resting, and foraging. Brick red in their breeding plumage, they are mostly gray and white in winter. Common murre. It is also a rare migrant in northeast Oregon and Malheur County. Pale carpal bar does not extend all the way to the leading edge of the wing. They are an irregular transient in fall on the Oregon coast. In shallow waters it stirs the bottom with its feet or spins rapidly to expose the tiny organisms that it picks up with its needlelike bill. They feed offshore during the day and return to the colonies at night to avoid predation by gulls. Major threats include: When walking the beach or exploring the rocky intertidal. EFGKH Sponsor: Oregon Coast Visitors Association 45. After mid-November, a few stragglers are seen until late December. The Black oystercatcher is easily recognized with its black plumage, long, strait, laterally compressed, orange-red bill with a yellow tip, orange-red eye ring, yellow iris, and pale pink legs. The coast is divided into four sections that list 173 sites, numbered from north to south. If a bird is dive-bombing or appears to have a broken wing, it is trying to lure you away from its nest. it often perches in pine trees or on fence posts adjacent to nesting areas. Hear the call of the Pacific golden-plover. Home / What To Do / Bird Watching on the Oregon Coast; Tillamook County is for the birds! Our coastal ranges give way to high mountains, which give way to the deserts. Known to some as "parrots of the sea", these charismatic birds return annually to a few nesting islands on the coast. Seabirds spend most of their lives in the open ocean and have special adaptations to survive this cold and wet environment. It is a fairly common migrant along the coast during fall and spring with large numbers resident during the winter months. History of travel on the Oregon Coast, a great video on the construction of the new bridge inn 1991, friendly volunteers, and travel info for all of Oregon, especially Waldport." The marine ecology of the Oregon Coast is some of the most diverse in the world. They raise their chicks on rocks and cliff ledges in colonies of tens of thousands of birds. It is also the only dowitcher in the state that regularly winters. Featured . They are an irregular spring and occasional fall transient inland west of the Cascades. Juveniles migrate south several weeks later than most adults. The largest concentrations of migrant birds are usually found at Tillamook Bay, Bandon Marsh and the Columbia River estuary. The tufted puffin easily wins the title of “most-wanted bird to see” among nature enthusiasts visiting the coast of Oregon. A small plover-like head and short, strait bill seem out of proportion to its body, which is reminiscent of a small curlew. The larger size, larger bill, and different habits of the Sanderling help distinguish it in all plumages from other small sandpipers. It's a fun activity you can do from home in your own backyard or you can travel to one of ODFW's Wildlife Areas or National Wildlife Refuges located around the state. The largest flocks are seen during spring and fall migration at Bandon. Central Coast Wildlife Getaway. Since breeding occurs from January to May, many pelicans spend the summer months “wintering” here afterward. (800) 338-0507. Willet are present on breeding grounds in Oregon for a short period of time during spring and summer, but displaying birds are conspicuous and emit a loud and persistent "pill-will-willet" call. In breeding plumage they have a rich rufous-chestnut back, cheeks and cap, dark-centered scapulars with rufous-chestnut edges, grayish throats streaked with dark chevrons through the flank, and whitish underparts.