Northwest Zone

March 5, 2025‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Tillamook County

Birds

Northward migrants should be visible during March as they make their way back towards breeding grounds in Alaska and beyond. Many species of shorebirds and some waterfowl are only likely to be sighted for a few short weeks in the spring and fall as they travel between winter and summer locations. Different species of shorebirds will use rocky and sandy ocean shorelines, upper and lower estuaries, fields and riverbanks/gravel bars as they move through the area. Most will eventually move on to breeding grounds in Alaska and western Canada. Likewise, the large numbers of geese and ducks will soon be moving northward to breed.

Pastures and fields continue to be heavily used by a variety of waterfowl when flooded and by wading birds under nearly any conditions. Recent rainstorms and high waters have moved herons and egrets mostly away from bays and estuary areas. This time of year, they can be seen hunting amphibians and small mammals in local farm fields.

Bald eagle pairs have begun staking out their territories around the north coast. Established nests will be added to in the coming weeks and eagles can be seen near estuaries and rivers carrying branches and driftwood to add to the already massive structures. Nesting and incubation should begin in March-April.

Clatsop County

Birds

Clatsop beaches and the lower Columbia River provide opportunity to view many seldom-seen shorebirds during northward migration as noted for Tillamook County above. Oregon is only a brief stop-over for many of them but the productive beach and mudflats are important for rest and refueling along a trip that may span thousands of miles between South and Central America and the Arctic Circle.

Thousands of geese and other waterfowl are still present in fields adjacent to the Columbia River and Young's Bay as well as lower stretches of the Klaskanine, Young's and Lewis and Clark rivers. They are joined by numbers of grebes, raptors and wading birds as well as the first few north-migrating shorebirds of the season.

Pastures and fields continue to be heavily used by a variety of waterfowl when flooded and by wading birds under nearly any conditions. Small groups of ‘peeps' (sandpipers and other small shore birds) have also been sighted using flooded field edges recently, well ahead of the usual northward migration of these species. Peeps can be extremely difficult to identify due to small size and subtle differences in plumage – a good guide and optics are a must.

Resident passerines should begin appearing in the woods and fields of Clatsop County shortly. Swallows have already returned to Jewell Wildlife Area and other local breeders will begin claiming territories as spring progresses.

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

Elk viewing has been excellent at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Elk have been out every day with best viewing in the mornings between 9 a.m. and noon and again in the evenings. Viewing should continue to be good through about mid-April when weather starts to warm and elk use forested areas more during the day. Bulls should start shedding their antlers soon and continue through April. New antler growth can be seen within a couple weeks after losing their old antlers.

Good places to view elk are the Fishhawk Tract along Hwy 202 and the Beneke Track along the first 1.5 miles of Beneke Road.

Jewell Meadows has concluded the winter elk tour program for the 2024-2025 season. Staff will continue to provide some supplemental feed on an irregular basis through March or until the natural vegetation becomes sufficient and elk stop eating the alfalfa hay.

Currently at Jewell Meadows Pacific tree frogs can be heard in the evenings. Hooded mergansers have been spotted on area wetlands and wood ducks should be returning soon. We also should see the return of violate-green swallows, turkey vultures, and band-tailed pigeons this month.

Brochures with maps are available at the main viewing area kiosk. Remember that areas posted as "Wildlife Refuge" are closed to public entry. Posted portions of the Beneke Tract are closed to public entry Aug. 1 through March 31. (See Big Game Hunting Regulations for exceptions.)

A parking permit is required to park at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. Find out how to buy a parking permit.

Lincoln County/western Lane County

Several species of birds, such as herons, osprey, eagles, pelicans, pintails, widgeon, mallards and teal, use our coastal estuaries and lakes for foraging and resting. They can often be found along the edges of the estuary and roosting in adjacent trees. Some good places to check out are the mouth of the Salmon River, Devils Lake, Siletz Bay, Yaquina Bay, Alsea Bay, Yachats River mouth, multiple lakes around Florence and the mouth of the Siuslaw River. Take your binoculars and try to catch a glimpse of these birds as they begin their migration south.