Northwest Zone

Oct. 9, 2024‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

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Tillamook county

Birds

Coastal headlands in Tillamook County include Cascade Head and Capes Kiwanda, Lookout, Meares and Falcon. Sandy beaches occupy the stretches in between. Species of birds found along the shore range from the easily identified black oystercatcher with its huge orange bill to the dizzying array of "peeps" – sandpipers, sanderlings and the like – which take more effort and a good field guide to properly identify species. Some (oystercatchers and the generally non-descript surf bird) spend more time foraging among the rocks, others in the wet sand while dodging waves (sanderlings and sandpipers) and still others in the dry sand along the "wrack line" (snowy and semi-palmated plovers).

Large numbers of waterfowl arrived before November and will likely spend the rest of the winter here. They will raft up out in the middle of most local estuaries on calm days but will move around with the incoming tide and on windy days. Many species of diving ducks can be seen on area lakes and bays. Likewise, many migrating geese are beginning to arrive and are using area fields, along with many egrets, herons and wintering raptors.

See note below for Clatsop County storm-watchers – the same holds true coast-wide.

Clatsop county

Birds‌

The Columbia River estuary is stopover spot #1 for migrating ducks and geese during November. Puddle ducks will more likely be found around flooded fields and creek mouths, while diving ducks will be using deeper water in lakes, bays and sometimes larger sloughs. Bald eagles will be found nearby, looking to pick off the unwary or injured.

Coastal storm-watchers may find interesting pelagic species pushed closer to shore by the rough weather. Some species which may be viewed during and just after storms include skuas, jaegers, petrels, storm petrels, shearwaters, fulmars and even the occasional albatross. These species are best viewed from headlands (also the best spots for storm-watching) with good optics on clear days just following storm activity and high winds.

The southern Clatsop County coast – from Tillamook Head to Arch Cape – offers a variety of habitats for bird watchers from forested headlands (resident and neo-tropical migrants) to sandy beach (shorebirds) to rocky beach (different shorebirds) to offshore rocks (colonial-nesting seabirds). Some good viewing is possible even without binoculars while offshore rocks require a good spotting scope to see the goings on.

Three of the lesser-seen wading birds on the north coast are the green heron, black-crowned night heron and American bittern. These species are most often seen and best viewed from the water by kayak or canoe while paddling the still waters of upper bays and sloughs and some coastal lakes. All are very secretive and well camouflaged, using vegetation at the water's edge to good advantage; quiet approach or drifting with the tide yield the best chances for sightings. Other seldom-seen (yet often heard!) birds in these areas include rails (Virginia and sora) and marsh wrens.

Young's Bay provides a scenic loop with many viewing opportunities along the way. Start at the mouth of the bay in Astoria and follow Hwy 202 along the water's edge all the way to Olney. Cross over onto Young's River Loop and head back north again to Miles Crossing. Many species can be viewed from various pull-outs along the way and the mix of waterfowl, wading birds, marsh birds and upland passerines changes with every mile. Deer, elk and small mammals can also be seen near field edges and the farm/forest interface.

A car or bike tour around the Brownsmead/Aldrich Point area this time of year yields many viewing opportunities along the sloughs, Columbia River, woodlands, marsh and farmland. Species include bald eagles, ospreys, various hawks, geese, ducks, wading birds and numerous passerines. Also look for Columbian white-tailed deer in lowland areas near the river and black-tailed deer near the forest edge. Elk may be present at times in open fields as well.

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area‌

Elk viewing has been good at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. The best viewing has been in the early mornings and again in the evenings. On warm sunny days viewing has been limited to the first hour of daylight and the last couple of hours before dark. Days that are overcast and cooler, elk tend to stay out longer in the mornings and return to the open meadows earlier in the evening. Fog can limit visibility in the mornings.

The breeding season or "rut" is starting to wind down for the year. Bulls can still be heard bugling, but much less often than 2 weeks ago.

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

Other wildlife to watch for include coyotes in the fields, bald eagle perched in tall trees near the creeks, and songbirds migrating through the area. Listen for pileated woodpecker calls in the mornings or Pacific tree frog croaking in the evenings.

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.