North Coast

Watch for Whales

From mid-December to mid-January, about 18,000 gray whales will pass the Oregon coast on the way from Alaska to Mexico. The main body of whales is about 5 miles off shore, but some can be seen as close as 1-2 miles off shore. So, binoculars and spotting scopes are very helpful!

Excellent viewing areas on the north coast include Ecola State Park and Silver Point near Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park, both Cape Falcon and Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain near Manzanita, Cape Meares State Park and National Wildlife Refuge near Oceanside, Cape Lookout State Park near Netarts, and Cape Kiwanda State Park near Pacific City. Best viewing occurs on days with relatively calm oceans and good weather.

Watch for Eagles

The holiday season is a great time to view our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle. On the north coast, bald eagles can be seen in estuaries such as Tillamook Bay, Young’s Bay and Netarts Bay. Three Arch Rocks, Sand Lake and Twilight Eagle Sanctuary are also good viewing locations for eagles. Look for a white spot among the tall conifers at the edge of the bay. The white spot will be the eagle’s white feathered head. Bald eagles are often found near water with large numbers of waterfowl or fish.

When viewing eagles, stay in your vehicle if possible, unless you’re watching from an observation deck or viewing platform. As with many wildlife species, your car acts as an excellent blind. Movement from people toward a perched eagle may chase it off its roost. Flying takes away from the needed energy an eagle requires to survive in the cold winter temperatures.

Astoria Area

Twilight Eagle Sanctuary

Twilight Eagle Sanctuary, located east of Astoria off of Hwy 30, is not only a haven for bald eagles but also for numerous water-loving birds. The Wolf Bay area is currently host to a variety of ducks, including both divers and dabblers. At lower tides, shorebirds can be seen feeding on the mudflats. Bring your binoculars, or better yet, your spotting scope.

Pacific City Area

Sand Lake

Sand Lake is a relatively undeveloped estuary, north of Pacific City. Whalen Island, which sits in the middle of the estuary, is home to the Clay Myers State Natural Area. Not only can you see loons, grebes, shorebirds, ducks, geese and other water-loving birds in the estuary, the island also has a short and easy trail through the uplands portion where resident and wintering songbirds can be seen. Also, keep your eyes on the tall conifers surrounding the estuary for wintering bald eagles. The adults are actually easy to spot, with their white heads, against the dark green foliage of the trees.

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located just south of Pacific City along Hwy. 101. If you’re a Canada goose enthusiast, here you can see a variety of races of geese, both resident and migratory ones. The best viewing is right along Hwy. 101 in the fields that the refuge staff keep managed for grazing geese and other wildlife.

Seaside Area

Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area

Elk viewing has been excellent at Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area. During the week of Dec. 24, 175 elk were visible from the viewing areas along Hwy 202 and another 35 have been seen along Beneke Creek Road. Best viewing times are from 9:00 am to noon, but elk have been visible all day.

A bald eagle was observed soaring over the meadows this week. Look for eagles perched in tall trees along the far edge of fields and near creeks.

Tillamook Area

Tillamook Bay

Tillamook Bay is an excellent place to see some uncommon waterfowl because of its many diverse habitats and the surrounding landscape. Near the mouth of the bay, Harlequin ducks can sometimes be seen from the north jetty parking lot near Barview. Thousands of American wigeon can usually be seen on the south or upper end of the bay. Careful observation will usually reveal the rare Eurasian wigeon. The males of the species can be distinguished from the more common American wigeon by its dark rufus-colored head and buffy forehead.

Cape Meares Lake

Cape Meares Lake, located west of Tillamook on Bayocean Spit, is a spot to find migrating waterbirds such as grebes, coots and loons. Occasionally, bald eagles can be seen roosting in the tall spruce trees just south of the lake. Recent observations have shown that some migrating ducks from the north have arrived, and the lake is a favorite hangout of canvasbacks and, occasionally, seaducks.