Because the south Oregon and northern California coast is relatively undeveloped, it offers an opportunity where birders on vacation can observe wildlife that rarely encounters people. It is located within the Pacific Flyway and as a result, there are more than 450 species of migratory birds that may be spotted.
The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge is also located here and is the highest density of offshore islands and rocks, a habitat for over 1 million nesting seabirds. Also of special interest to Birders is the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. Crescent City is home to the California Redwood Birding Trail and the International Migratory Bird Day.



Look for the Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle, Hutton’s Vireo, Spotted Towhee, Northern Flicker, Greater White-fronted Goose, American Dipper, Downy Woodpecker, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Varied Thrush, Song Sparrow, Common Merganser, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, and…
For detailed descriptions of birds and the best places to go birding, see Oregon Coast Birding Trails.
Download a PDF about birding. This brochure, provide by the Oregon Coast Birding Trail identifies over 50 sites for birder.
Download a PDF the complete Catalog of Oregon Seabird Colonies from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
Coos Bay – Charleston
Birders are in for a special treat. In addition to several trails and state parks in the area, Charleston is the home to the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
The reserve is located on Seven Devils Road between Charleston and US 101.
For more information about the South Slough NERR, visit their website.
Bluebill Lake Trail
Directions: From Coos Bay / North Bend, proceed north on route 101 for 1.5 miles. From Reedsport, proceed south for 22 miles. Turn west at the Horsfall Dunes and Beach road sign at Jordan Cove Road and proceed 1 mile, turning right on Transpacific Highway. Travel 100 feet, turning right on Horsfall Beach Road. Travel 1 & 1/2 miles down Horsfall Beach Road to a left turn. Download a PDF of the trail.
Bandon
Bandon is also home to the Shoreline Education for Awareness organization. SEA, Inc., which is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that has grown in influence and support, reaching 10,000 visitors annually.
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Bird species include the California Brown Pelican, the Pacific Golden Plover, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Red Phalarope, Western and Least Sandpiper, Whimbrel, and Dunlin.
The refuge is 889 acres and is one of six National Wildlife Refuges along the Oregon Coast and is part of the Pacific Flyway.
Coquille Point
There is a paved walking trail that features interpretive panels with information about the wildlife in the area as well as local Native American history. Stairways access the beach on opposite sides and this allows hikers to make a loop of the beach during mid to low tides.
Notable offshore rocks include Table Rock on the north, Middle Coquille Point Rock in the center, and Elephant Rock on the south.
Coquille Point can be accessed from a parking lot where 11th street ends at the ocean in Bandon.
As with all wildlife, be certain to stay away form the seals and Sea Lions. Do not touch seal pups. If they appear abandoned, leave them alone. The mother will return with food to feed the young.
Download a PDF of a map of the Coquille Point.
Floras Lake – Boice-Cope County Campground
Gold Beach – Port Orford
There are also scenic points at Cape Sebastian, Otter Point, Cape Blanco, among others that offer excellent opportunities for birding. Perhaps the best birding is along the coast from Gold Beach to Brookings [see Brookings Harbor, below].
Brookings – Harbor
To go bird watching near Brookings – Harbor, most travel north along US Route 101 to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor to see marine birds. Common and rare birds, such as the slaty-backed gull, can be found along the coast. Yet don’t miss the other opportunities along the Chetco River or in the Oregon redwoods.
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor starts just north of Brookings Harbor and continues to about half way to Gold Beach.
For more information, download a brochure of the park.
Crescent City, CA
Del Norte County is unique in that approximately 80% of the land is protected and undeveloped and it is home to Smith River, which is the nation’s longest Wild and Scenic River. It is also home to Lake Earl which is the largest coastal lagoon outside of Alaska. Del Norte County is also home to Alan Barron who has identified 420 species of birds in Del Norte County. He also identified 160 different avian species in a single day.
Castle Rock Wildlife Refuge
May through July is the best time to view breeding of the sea birds. There are spectacular fly-offs at dawn.
There are more than 80,000 seabirds nesting and breeding on the island of at least eleven species.
To reach the refuge, follow signs to the airport from route 101 near Crescent City. Turn left on Pebble Beach Drive. Parking and interpretive signs are almost immediately on your right.
Tolowa Dunes and Lake Earl
Hundreds of species of birds can be photographed, including
the rare Canada Aleutian goose, canvasbacks and the Peregrine falcon. Sea lions and harbor seals and gray whales can be spotted along the coast.
The Tolowa Dunes State Park is located north and south of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area.
There are two primitive campgrounds and includes a ride-in horse camp within the State Park. Off road, or ATV use is not allowed.
A directional map of the Lake Earl Wildlife Area is available.
Directions: From Crescent City, California, turn onto Northcrest Drive north from The Pacific Coast Highway US 101. From Northcrest Drive, access roads are Old Mill Road and further along Northcrest Drive (which becomes Lake Earl Dr.) turn left on Lower Lake Road to Kellogg or Pala Roads.
(707) 464-6101
Download a kmz file for use in Google Earth to see the hiking area.