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Rogue River

Chetco River



To Roseburg

To Crescent City

Coquille

Reedsport

Coos

Bay

Bandon

Sixes

Remote

Myrtle Point

North Bend

Gold Beach

Brookings

Port Orford

 Floras Lake

N. Tenmile Lake

Oregon Coast Range

Tenmile Lake

Coos River

 Coquille River

Middle Fork

Sixes River

 South Fork

Elk River

 Rogue River

Mountains

Klamath

 Cape Ferrelo

 Coquille River

North Fork

Powers

 Eel Lake

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

Coquille River Lighthouse

Cape Arago Lighthouse

42s

State Scenic Waterway

 mpqua River Lighthouse

101

42

101

101

38

99

100

102

101

103

104

106

105

112

113

114 115

120

121

122

123

134

133

138

140

141

142

149 150

145

146

147

SOUTH COAST

99. Tahkenitch Dunes/

Threemile Lake Trails

From Hwy 101 in Reedsport, drive 

N 8 mi to MP 204, turn W (L) into 

Tahkenitch Campground, and follow 

signs to trailhead.

A moderately difficult 6.5-mile loop 

trail begins in mature coniferous forest and meanders past Butterfly, Elbow, and Threemile Lakes on the way 

to the ocean. Tahkenitch is a Native 

American term for “many-armed”; 

which refers to the lake fingers. 

Watch for Rufous Hummingbird, Violet-green and Tree Swallow, Vaux’s 

Swift, Belted Kingfisher, Western Tanager, Varied Thrush, Brown Creeper, 

Olive-sided Flycatcher, Wrentit, Red 

Crossbill, Swainson’s Thrush, and 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Along 

the beach look for Western Snowy 

Plover.

ABCDEFG

Sponsor: US Forest Service, 

Siuslaw National Forest

100. Stowe Marsh/Smith 

River Road

From Hwy 101 in Reedsport, drive N 

and turn E(R) on Smith River Rd. Use 

pullouts to view the mudflats and wet 

pastures. Continue driving 6 mi, turn 

R on South Smith River Rd, cross the 

river, and access Stowe Marsh.

During low tide the mudflats harbor 

Greater Yellowlegs, Killdeer, Longbilled Dowitcher, and Great Blue 

Heron. In summer, Purple Martin use 

nest boxes on the old pilings. Stowe 

Marsh abounds with waterfowl fallspring. Marsh Wren and Green Heron 

are also common.

EFGK

Rugged and largely undeveloped, the south coast of Oregon lures birders to a 

place where wildlife seldom encounters people. The highest density of offshore rocks and islands, habitat for 1.2 million nesting seabirds and protected as 

part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, is seen along this stretch 

of the coast. The area identified as America’s Wild Rivers Coast begins in Port 

Orford and extends 101 miles south to Klamath, California. This is a place where 

eight of America’s most beautiful wild and scenic rivers tumble down through 

towering forests of Douglas-fir, Port Orford cedar, myrtlewood, and redwoods. 

As these rivers flow to the Pacific Ocean, they pass through quiet, historic waterfront towns with picturesque working ports, vibrant art communities, and more 

parks per mile than anywhere in the country. The area is also home to the Siskiyou National Forest, which boasts habitats ranging from active sand dunes and 

tidally influenced estuaries to wind-swept headlands and ancient forests.

Don’t miss the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve near Charleston with its 5,000 acres of saltwater marshes and mixed conifer forest that attract 

Band-tailed Pigeon and Wrentit. In April and August Bandon Marsh National 

Wildlife Refuge is a hotspot that attracts rare shorebirds in addition to providing 

a feeding and resting stopover for thousands of migrating Pacific Golden-Plover, Dunlin and Whimbrel. A journey through the majestic old-growth trees of 

Humbug Mountain to hear Hermit Warbler and a scan of the open ocean for 

Red-throated Loon and White-winged Scoter from Cape Sebastian can be part 

of your memorable birding experience. 

Pacific Wren

PHOTO BY: Wayne Hoffman

107-111

116-119

124-132

135

139

136

143

144 148

137
29

101. Umpqua Discovery 

Center

From Hwy 101 in Reedsport, take 

Hwy 38 E, turn L on 3rd St, then R on 

Water Ave, turn L on Riverfront Way, 

and proceed to parking lot on L.

The Center provides an Oregon 

“Tidewater Community” experience 

for visitors of all ages. Interactive 

exhibits and programs illustrate how 

land, water, and people have shaped 

each other over time. Walk the 

boardwalk along the Umpqua River 

estuary to see Mallard, Belted Kingfisher, Double-crested Cormorant, 

Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Osprey 

and Western, Glaucous-winged and 

Ring-billed Gull. In winter look for 

Bufflehead, Common Loon, Surf Scoter, Greater Yellowlegs, and Western 

Sandpiper.

CDEFG

102. Dean Creek Elk Viewing 

Area

From Hwy 101 in Reedsport, take 

Hwy 38 E 3.5 mi to viewing area on 

R (S).

A pastoral setting on the Umpqua 

River contains a mosaic of verdant 

fields, woodlands, and wetlands. The 

Bureau of Land Management has a 

large viewing deck and interpretive 

panels to share the story of Roosevelt 

elk, 60 to 100 of which are resident. 

At the west end of the viewing area 

is a boardwalk overlooking a tidal 

slough and freshwater wetlands used 

by Mallard, Northern Pintail, Hooded 

Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Wood 

Duck, Gadwall, and Canada Goose. In 

spring and summer, watch for Redwinged Blackbird, Red-tailed Hawk, 

Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, Turkey 

Vulture, Barn Swallow, Marsh Wren, 

Green Heron, and American Bittern. 

During winter, White-tailed Kites and 

Canada Goose flocks are common 

with an occasional Snow Goose.

CEFG

103. John Dellenback Dunes 

Trail

From Hwy 101 in Reedsport, drive S 

10 mi to MP 222.6, turn W (R) into 

trailhead parking lot.

A moderate to difficult trail loops 

through shorepine forest, open sand 

dunes, and wetland deflation plain, 

culminating at a sandy beach. The 

first part of the trail usually holds 

the most birds; watch for Hermit 

Thrush, Spotted Towhee, Song and 

Dark-eyed Junco in winter, Western 

Tanager, Wilson’s, Orange-crowned 

and Yellow-rumped Warbler in summer, and Hutton’s Vireo and Wrentit 

year-round.

ABCDEFG

Sponsor: US Forest Service, 

Siuslaw National Forest

104. Bluebill Loop

From Hwy 101 S, 2 mi N of North 

Bend, turn W (L) onto Trans-Pacific 

Ln, drive 1 mi, veer R with road, turn 

R onto Horsefall Rd, go 1.5 mi, and 

turn L into trailhead parking lot. 

A 1.2 mile loop trail takes visitors 

around a marshy seasonal lake and 

through a shorepine forest, active 

sand dunes and deflation plains. 

Fall-spring the open water has Bufflehead, Northern Pintail, American 

Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, and Common 

Merganser. Habitat around the lake 

attracts White-tailed Kite, Northern 

Harrier, Violet-green Swallow, Downy 

Woodpecker, Great Horned Owl, 

Great Egret and Hermit, Townsend’s, 

Black-throated Gray, Yellow, and 

Orange-crowned Warbler. The deflation plains can harbor Fox, Song and 

White-crowned Sparrow and occasionally American Pipit.

ABCDEFG

Sponsor: US Forest Service, 

Siuslaw National Forest

105. Millicoma Marsh

From Hwy 101, on the south end of 

Coos Bay, turn E onto Coos River/Allegany Rd, go 1.1 mi and turn L on 

D St, continue two blocks and turn R 

on 4th Ave, go 500 ft and turn R on 

gravel road going downhill to small 

parking lot adjacent to a football 

field.

The trailhead is located on the southeast side of the football field, keep left 

at each fork to complete a one mile 

loop. Wander through cattail marsh 

and woodlands in late fall and winter 

to find Swamp and White-throated 

sparrow with the occasional Claycolored and Harris’ Sparrow. Other 

wintering species include: Yellowrumped Warbler, Golden-crowned 

Kinglet, Hutton’s Vireo, Varied and 

Hermit Thrush, Northern Shrike, 

White-tailed Kite, Red-shouldered 

Hawk, and Black Phoebe. This is a 

good location to find species rarely 

seen in Oregon during winter, such 

as Orange-crowned Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Marbled Godwit, 

and American Bittern. Spring and fall 

migrants include Willow Flycatcher, 

Pectoral Sandpiper, Short-billed 

Dowitcher, and Lesser Yellowlegs. 

Western and Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black Turnstone, Greater Yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, and 

Black-bellied Plover can be seen in 

the bay. At dawn and dusk watch for 

Barn Owl hunting over the extensive 

saltmarsh. 

AEFGH

Sponsor: Oregon Field 

Ornithologists

BIRDING TIP

Fog usually settles on the 

coast late in the evening 

and remains until

morning. Expect it to 

burn off by mid-morning 

during the summer.

Orange-crowned Warbler Steller’s Jay Aleutian Cackling Goose PHOTO BY: Lois Miller PHOTO BY: Wayne Hoffman

PHOTO BY: Dave Ledig / US Fish&Wildlife

Brown Pelican

PHOTO BY: TerrySteeleNATUREPHOTOGRAPHY.com

29
30

106. Golden and Silver Falls 

State Natural Area

From Hwy 101 in Coos Bay, drive S, 

turn L on Allegany/Coos River Hwy, 

drive 1 mi to dead end at D St, turn R. 

Go 22.5 mi to parking lot; last 5 mi of 

road is graveled. 

A hidden gem in the dense coastal 

forests of southwestern Oregon, 

this area is hard to find, but worth 

the effort. Moss-covered Oregon 

myrtles shade the banks of Glenn 

and Silver Creeks, attracting Winter 

Wren, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Varied and 

Swainson’s Thrush and Pacific-slope 

Flycatcher. Hike trails through scenic canyons to see American Dipper 

at the base of either waterfall. Hike 

to the top of Golden Falls to get a 

raven’s eye view of the cascading 

water and giant old-growth firs and 

cedars.

AC

Sponsor: Oregon Coast Visitors 

Association

Glaucous-winged, Mew, and occasionally Glaucous Gull. Scan the 

water of the bay for Pelagic, Brandt’s 

and Double-crested Cormorant, 

Horned, Red-necked, and Western 

Grebe, Common, Red-throated and 

Pacific Loon, Black, Surf and Whitewinged Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, 

Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, 

and Marbled Murrelet.

EFG

109. Shore Acres State Park

From Hwy 101 in North Bend, drive S 

and follow signs to Charleston, turn 

W (R) onto Newmark St, go 3 mi, turn 

L onto Empire Blvd/Cape Arago Hwy, 

and follow 9 mi to Shore Acres on L 

(W).

Perched on rugged sandstone cliffs 

high above the ocean, this unique 

birding area combines native Sitka 

spruce forest with lushly planted 

formal gardens, once the grand estate of pioneer timber baron Louis 

Simpson. The tailored grounds attract Golden-crowned Kinglet, Cedar 

Waxwing, White-Crowned Sparrow, 

Dark-eyed Junco, and Violet-green 

and Barn Swallow. Scan the coastline for Black, Surf and White-winged 

Scoter, Black Oystercatcher, and 

Marbled Murrelet. Watch for migrating gray whales in December and 

again in March.

ACDEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Coast Visitors 

Association

110. Cape Arago / 

Simpson Reef 

From Hwy 101 in North Bend go S 

and follow signs to Charleston, turn 

W (R) onto Newmark St, go 3 mi, turn 

L on Empire Blvd/Cape Arago Hwy, 

and drive 10 mi to park.

A must see on the south coast, Cape 

Arago overlooks Simpson Reef, the 

largest marine mammal haulout 

in Oregon, featuring thousands of 

harbor and northern elephant seals, 

and Steller’s and California sea lions. 

The road ends at a scenic headland 

long used by Native Americans, and 

first sighted by Sir Francis Drakes’ 

expedition in the late 1500s. The 

pristine rocky intertidal habitat attracts Harlequin Duck, Black Oystercatcher, Pigeon Guillemot, Surfbird, 

Black Turnstone, and Black, Surf and 

White-winged Scoter, and an occasional Rock Sandpiper. From the 

viewing deck watch for Common 

Murre, Marbled Murrelet, Pigeon 

Guillemot, Western Grebe, and Pelagic and Brandt’s Cormorant. 

ACEFG

Sponsor: US Fish and Wildlife 

Service

111. South Slough National 

Estuarine Research Reserve

From Hwy 101 in North Bend, drive S 

and follow signs to Charleston, turn 

W (R) onto Newmark St, go 3 mi, turn 

L onto Empire Blvd/Cape Arago Hwy, 

go5 mi, turn L onto Seven Devils Rd, 

go 4.5 mi to main entrance on L.

South Slough protects nearly 5,000 

acres of mixed conifer forest, fresh 

and saltwater marshes, and mudflats. Walk through the woodlands 

to find Wrentit, Winter Wren, Bandtailed Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Spotted Towhee, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 

Song Sparrow, Violet-green Swallow, 

Rufous Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped 

Warbler, Red Crossbill, Varied Thrush, 

and Sharp-shinned Hawk. Take the 

boardwalk near the water to see 

Greater Yellowlegs, Great Egret, Bufflehead, Double-crested Cormorant, 

Osprey, White-tailed Kite, and Bald 

Eagle. The Interpretive Center offers 

exhibits, educational programs, trail 

guides, and bird checklists. 

ACEFG

112. Bandon Dunes

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, drive N 

over the Coquille River Bridge, turn W 

(L) at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort 

sign.

Bandon Dunes is a public golf resort 

that boasts 7 miles of hiking trails. 

Visitors must stop at main lodge to 

pick up a map of the resort’s trail 

111

South 

Slough

108

109

110

Cape Arago Hwy

Coos Bay

Seven De v ils Rd

107. Charleston Marina

From Hwy 101 in North Bend, drive S 

and follow signs to Charleston. After 

crossing the Charleston Bridge, turn 

R on Boat Basin Dr and continue to 

end parking by the Oregon Dept of 

Fish and Wildlife, and walk the onelane road to the packing plant.

A quick stop at the marina can be 

rewarding, especially in fall and winter. The small sandy beach by ODFW 

and the fish packing facility is excellent for gulls during winter including 

Heermann’s, Western, California, 

108. Sunset Bay State Park

From Hwy 101 in North Bend, go S 

and follow signs to Charleston, turn 

W (R) onto Newmark St, go 3 mi, turn 

L on Empire Blvd/Cape Arago Hwy, 

drive 7 mi to park.

Situated in one of the most scenic 

areas on coast, this park is worth a 

quick stop as the sandy beach draws 

Western, Glaucous-winged, Mew, 

Ring-billed and Bonaparte’s Gull and 

the towering sea cliffs provide protection from summer winds. In summer, Double-crested Cormorant nest 

in dead trees on a small offshore 

island. In winter both Marbled and 

Ancient Murrelet can sometimes be 

seen. A network of hiking trails connects Sunset Bay with nearby Shore 

Acres and Cape Arago. The trails 

carry you through temperate rainforest and past ocean vistas; watch for 

Black Oystercatcher, Surfbird, Black 

Turnstone, Fox Sparrow, Hairy Woodpecker, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 

Steller’s Jay, and Winter Wren.

ABCEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Parks and 

Recreation Department Band-tailed pigeon

PHOTO BY: Ron Green

107

Charleston

Anna’s hummingbird

PHOTO BY: Wayne Hoffman
31

system. Birders please be attentive 

near golf courses to avoid disturbing 

golfers. Habitats include shorepine 

forest, freshwater lakes, vegetated 

dunes, and deflation plains that support Savannah, White-crowned and 

Golden-crowned Sparrow, Orangecrowned warbler, Northern Harrier, 

and Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Dune 

Trail winds through a conservation 

area with a willow and alder wetland, large Port Orford cedars, and 

elevated dune ridges. Woodland species include: Wrentit, Swainson’s and 

Varied Thrush, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Pileated Woodpecker, and Western Tanager. Mixed 

forests open to native meadows with 

edges of manzanita and huckleberry 

for Anna’s, Rufous, and Allen’s Hummingbird, Bushtit, and Black Phoebe. 

Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, 

Pied-billed Grebe, Osprey, Belted 

Kingfisher, and Olive-sided Flycatcher 

use the ponds and riparian areas.

ACEFGL

113. Bandon Marsh 

National Wildlife Refuge 

– Ni-les’tun Unit

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, drive N 

over the Coquille River Bridge, turn E 

(R) onto North Bank Ln, drive 1 mi and 

turn R into the paved viewing area.

Fresh and saltwater marshes and riparian areas make this an excellent 

birding location with high diversity. A 

viewing deck offers a place to scan 

with a spotting scope for wigeon, Bufflehead, Green-winged Teal, Great 

Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Bald 

Eagle, White-tailed Kite, Northern 

Harrier, Sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, 

Red-shouldered, and Red-tailed 

Hawk. Winter songbirds include 

Black Phoebe, Palm Warbler, Marsh 

Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Lapland 

Longspur, and Western Meadowlark. Summer brings clouds of Tree, 

Violet-green, Barn, and Northern 

Rough-winged Swallow, and the occasional Vaux’s Swift. 

CEFGKH

Sponsor: US Fish and Wildlife 

Service

114. Coquille River Valley

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, drive N 

over the Coquille River Bridge, turn E 

(R) onto North Bank Ln, and continue 

15 miles to Hwy 42 intersection. Turn 

R towards Coquille and drive 5 mi 

following signs to Bandon. Take Hwy 

42 S back toward Bandon.

North Bank Lane follows the Coquille 

River, traversing flooded pastures and 

small wetlands dense with alder and 

willow. Fall to spring is the best time 

to drive this scenic loop. Use pullouts 

along the road to scan the river and 

surrounding flooded pastures for 

thousands of wintering waterfowl 

including Tundra Swan, Wood Duck, 

Gadwall, American and Eurasian Wigeon, Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Green-winged 

Teal, and Hooded Merganser, Canvasback, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser 

Scaup, Bufflehead, and Ruddy Duck. 

Raptors perch on the powerlines and 

snags: watch for White-tailed Kite, 

American Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine 

Falcon, and Red-shouldered Hawk. 

Black Phoebe are abundant and 

Great Egret and Cattle Egret (rare) 

hunt the pastures.

EFGK

115. Bullards Beach 

State Park

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, drive N 2 

miles and turn W (L) into park. 

A large full-service park nestled in 

shorepine forest, which protects from 

strong ocean breezes. 

A paved trail by the campground leads 

to the beach and weaves through 

open, grassy fields and lowland forest. 

The historic Coquille River Lighthouse 

is located at the end of the road, 

where the beach ends at the Coquille 

River’s north jetty. At the beach watch 

for Sanderling and White-winged and 

Surf Scoter. Look along the Coquille 

River for Pelagic, Brandt’s, and Double-crested Cormorant and Osprey. 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Wrentit, 

Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson’s 

Thrush, Townsend’s Warbler, Spotted 

Towhee, and Pacific Slope Flycatcher use the campground and woods. 

Northern Harrier, White-tailed Kite, 

Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Tree and 

Violet-green Swallow, and Savannah 

and White-crowned Sparrow use the 

fields and deflation plain habitat along 

with the occasional Lapland Longspur 

and American Pipit in fall.

ABCEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Parks and 

Recreation Department

116. Bandon Marsh 

National Wildlife Refuge 

– Riverside Dr

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, go 1.3 mi 

N, turn W on Riverside Dr, and go 0.6 

mi to parking on W (R) side.

The most expansive tidal salt marsh 

within the Coquille River estuary is 

a stopover for migrating shorebirds, 

which can be seen by the tens of 

thousands during their peak in late 

We are located in the heart of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation 

Area, which is famous for the tallest dunes in Oregon. More than 247 

species of birds can be found in its 47 miles of ocean beaches, the 

Umpqua River, 32 freshwater lakes, an abundance of streams, ponds and 

marshes, estuaries and salt marshes, grasslands and lush coastal forest.

. Hike the coastal trails of Tahkenitch Creek, Taylor Dunes, Drift Creek, 

and many others. 

. Explore the Dean Creek Elk Viewing area where numerous bird 

species reside along with a herd of approximately 100 Roosevelt Elk.

. Walk miles of estuarine shoreline in and around Gardiner, 

Reedsport and Winchester Bay.

. View the large cormorant nesting grounds on Bolon Island.

Gardiner, Reedsport, & Winchester Bay

Reedsport/Winchester Bay 

Chamber of Commerce

800-247-2155

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

PHOTO BY: Ron Green
32

April to early May and early September. The area is known for rarities 

including Bar-tailed Godwit and Ruff. 

Look for Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plover, Pacific and American 

Golden-Plover, Willet, Whimbrel, 

Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, 

Ruddy Turnstone, Western, Least, 

Baird’s and Pectoral Sandpiper, Rednecked Phalarope, Long- and Shortbilled Dowitcher, Dunlin, and Greater 

and Lesser Yellowlegs. Scan the trees 

around the marsh for Band-tailed Pigeon, Wrentit, and Chestnut-backed 

Chickadee. Bald Eagle, Northern 

Harrier, and Peregrine Falcon are 

often seen. In winter, Canada Goose, 

Northern Pintail, Mallard, Greenwinged Teal, and Bufflehead are 

abundant.

CEFGH

Sponsor: Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

117. Coquille River South 

Jetty 

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, turn N at 

stoplight onto Fillmore, drive 1 block 

and turn L onto First St. Drive 0.5 

mi, turn R onto Jetty Rd, and drive 

0.6 mi to gravel parking lot at end 

of the road.

The waters between the Coquille River’s north and south jetties are often 

tumultuous but full of birdlife. From 

the south jetty, watch for Surf, Black 

and White-winged Scoter, Common 

and Pacific Loon, Pelagic, Brandt’s, 

and Double-crested Cormorant, 

Brown Pelican, and Harlequin Duck. 

In late April and again in early September, walk east from the parking 

lot at low tide and scan the exposed 

rocks for migrant Wandering Tattler, 

Rock Sandpiper, Ruddy and Black 

Turnstone, Sanderling, Western and 

Least Sandpiper, and Surfbird. Along 

the beach, you can test your skills at 

gull identification; regulars are Glaucous-winged, Western, California, 

Bonaparte’s, and Herring Gull. Watch 

for harbor seals swimming in the river. 

CEFG

118. Coquille Point

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, turn W on 

11th St and drive to parking lot at the 

end of the road.

A mainland unit of Oregon Islands 

National Wildlife Refuge, this spectacular viewpoint overlooks a series of 

offshore rocks that provide habitat for 

thousands of seabirds. A paved trail 

winds over the headland, featuring 

interpretive panels about the area’s 

wildlife and its rich Native American 

history. Access the beach via stairways located on opposite sides of 

the headland. In winter find Common 

and Red-throated Loon, and Western, Horned, and Red-necked Grebe. 

Spring and fall migrations bring Red 

and Red-necked Phalarope, Pacific 

Loon, and Surf, Black, and Whitewinged Scoter. Look for Common 

Murre, Tufted Puffin, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Oystercatcher, Brown 

Pelican, Caspian Tern, Western Gull, 

and Pelagic and Brandt’s Cormorant, 

as well as harbor seal, sea lion, and 

rocky intertidal invertebrates. 

ACEFGH 

Sponsor: US Fish and Wildlife 

Service

119. Face Rock State 

Scenic Viewpoint

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, turn W 

(R) on 11th St, then S (L) onto Beach 

Loop Dr, and proceed to wayside entrance on W (R).

From the Face Rock Viewpoint you 

can see the area’s most famous offshore rock, which resembles a face 

gazing skyward. Nearby are a series 

of islands called “Cat and Kittens,” 

part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. From the top of the bluff, 

scan the ocean for Rhinoceros Auklet, 

White-winged and Surf Scoter, Pigeon 

Guillemot, and Pelagic and Brandt’s 

Cormorant. Tufted Puffin nest on Face 

Rock. Black Turnstone, Black Oystercatcher and Surfbird use the lower 

portion of the rock. Hike the short trail 

leading to the beach and watch for 

Sanderling and Western Gull.

ACEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Parks and 

Recreation Department

120. New River Area of Critical Environmental Concern

From Hwy 101 in Bandon, drive S 9 

mi, turn W (R) on Croft Lake Rd, go 

1.5 mi, stay R at fork and proceed 

0.3 mi to first parking lot. When road 

is open, proceed 1 mi to boat ramp 

along narrow, gravel rd. 

This shifting river mouth flows parallel 

to the Pacific Ocean and passes fragile meadows, wetlands, and coastal 

pine and spruce forest. Pedestrians 

can access all the trails and walk the 

one mile to the riverside year-round. 

Explore the three miles of trails in 

spring and early summer to see 

common nesting species including: 

Mourning Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, 

Vaux’s Swift, Allen’s, Anna’s, and Rufous Hummingbird, Olive-sided and 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Western 

Wood-Pewee, Hutton’s Vireo, Bushtit, 

Bewick’s Wren, Swainson’s Thrush, 

Wrentit, Cedar Waxwing, Blackthroated Gray and Wilson’s Warbler, 

and Western Tanager. Spring migration brings thousands of Aleutian 

Cackling Goose along with Caspian 

Tern, Bonaparte’s Gull, and tens of 

thousands of shorebirds including 

Western and Least Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-bellied and Semipalmated 

Plover, dowitchers, yellowlegs, and 

Whimbrel.

ACEFGH

Sponsor: Oregon Field 

Ornithologists 

116

117

118

119

11th St

Coquille River

BANDON

Riverside Dr

Edna Ln

Beach Loop Rd

Face Rock Dr

Edna Ln

8th St

1st St

2nd St

Bullards

Beach

State Park

Face 

Rock

Ring-necked Duck

PHOTO BY: Richard Cronberg

115

Bandon Marsh

National Wildlife Refuge
33

121. Floras Lake/Boice 

Cope Park

From Hwy 101, 10 mi N of Port Orford, turn W on Floras Lake Loop Rd 

and go 1 mi, then turn W on Floras 

Lake Rd, and go 1.4 mi. After road 

veers L, turn R on Boice-Cope Rd, 

drive 0.3 miles to park entrance. Park 

in lower lot for trail access.

Scan the pastures on the north side 

of the road as you drive in for Tundra 

Swan in winter and Aleutian Cackling 

Goose in April. Bring a scope to bird 

at the lakeshore in fall and winter as 

waterfowl are abundant and include: 

Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Greater and 

Lesser Scaup, American Wigeon, 

Northern Pintail, Common Merganser, 

Western Grebe, Common Loon, with 

a few Redhead, Canvasback, and 

Eared and Horned Grebe some years. 

There are two short trails to hike and 

during late fall and winter it’s possible 

to find Wilson’s Snipe, White-tailed 

Kite, Swamp and Savannah Sparrow, and Lapland Longspur. Listen for 

American Bittern at the lake’s outlet. 

Fall-winter the area north of Floras 

Lake usually has American Pipit and 

Lapland Longspur.

ABCDEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Coast Visitors 

Association

122. Cape Blanco Lighthouse

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, drive 

N 4 mi, turn W onto Cape Blanco Rd, 

drive 5 mi, and park at day-use area. 

Cape Blanco is the westernmost 

point in the state; the lighthouse is 

the southernmost in Oregon, and 

was the first to be outfitted with a 

first-order Fresnel lens in 1870. Near 

the lighthouse you can access miles 

of hiking trails that provide stunning 

ocean views and some woodland 

birding. Scope from the parking lot 

at the lighthouse gate for views of: 

Red-throated, Common, and Pacific 

Loon, Horned, Red-necked, Eared, 

and Western Grebe, Brandt’s, Pelagic, and Double-crested Cormorant, 

Black, Surf, and White-winged Scoter, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Marbled and Ancient Murrelet, 

Rhinoceros Auklet, and occasionally 

Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwater. 

Look for a pair of Peregrine Falcon 

nesting on the Cape Blanco headland, and for flocks of Western Bluebird and American Pipit in the upper 

fields. Other birds include American 

Kestrel and Aleutian Cackling Goose.

ABCDEFGH

Sponsor: Compass Rose Bed 

and Breakfast

123. Sixes River Estuary 

and Beaver Marsh

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, drive 

N 4 mi, turn W onto Cape Blanco Rd, 

drive 2 mi to State Park entrance. 

This site boasts the Historic Hughes 

House, tidepools, and elk viewing 

opportunities in addition to outstanding birding. Along the way use pull 

out to view Beaver Marsh. Midway 

along the marsh the old corrals on 

the right provide parking. Begin 

here by observing hundreds of nesting Red-winged Blackbird as well 

as swallows, Savannah and Whitecrowned Sparrow, or Lincoln’s 

Sparrow in winter. The marsh and 

open grasslands host an abundance 

of Marsh Wren, Sora, Virginia Rail, 

and Wilson’s Snipe. Green-winged 

Teal, American Wigeon, Great Egret, 

Western and Least Sandpiper, phalPacific Wren

WILD RIVERS 

COAST TRAIL 

Port Orford to Brookings

Baird's Sandpiper

BY: KevinSmithnaturephotos.com
34

arope, and an occasional American 

Bittern also use the area. Raptors 

include Red-shouldered Hawk, Whitetailed Kite, and Northern Harrier. 

Proceed another mile to a right turn 

signed Hughes House and hike the 

trail to the beach. Large flocks of 

American goldfinch feed in the thistle with Purple and House Finch. In 

spring look for Western Meadowlark 

and Western Bluebird and scan the 

fields for migrating Aleutian Cackling 

Goose. The forested areas are good 

for Red Crossbill, Golden-crowned 

Kinglet and Chestnut-backed Chickadee. Northern Shrike is occasionally found in winter. While hiking the 

trails, please leave the gates as you 

found them. 

ABCEFGHK

Sponsor: Compass Rose Bed 

and Breakfast

124. Grassy Knob

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, drive 

N 4 miles and turn E on Grassy Knob 

Rd, drive 7.7 mi on both paved and 

gravel road to a barricaded parking 

area. Walk up the road 0.4 mi to access trailhead.

Explore misty temperate coastal 

rainforest replete with native plants 

and shrubs, along a short 1

/3-mi trail. 

Grassy Knob Wilderness nurtures the 

fragrant Port Orford cedar, drooping 

with its characteristic twisting limbs in 

rare stands of old growth, with some 

trunks exceeding six feet in diameter. 

The pristine streams of the area support active salmon runs. Within the 

forest interior and in openings you 

can see Anna’s Hummingbird, Pileated, Hairy and Downy Woodpecker, Common Raven, Steller’s Jay, 

Bushtit, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, 

Wrentit, Golden and Ruby-crowned 

Kinglet, Fox Sparrow, Varied Thrush, 

Yellow-rumped Warbler, Pine Siskin, 

and Hammond’s Flycatcher.

A

Sponsor: National Forest 

Foundation

125. Compass Rose 

Bed and Breakfast

From Hwy 101 at the northern city 

limit of Port Orford, turn W on Paradise Point Rd, go 0.8 mi, turn R on 

Gull Rd, and turn into first driveway 

on R. Address: 42497 Gull Rd. 

Birders are welcome from dawn to 

dusk at this lovely private wildlife 

sanctuary. Old logging roads and 

game trails take you through forest 

and along wetlands to see Great 

Egret, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, 

Osprey, Bewick’s and Winter Wren, 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and 

Hairy Woodpecker. Nearby Paradise 

Point Beach is a good location to 

search near shore ocean waters for 

Marbled Murrelet.

AEFGL

126. Port Orford Mill Pond 

and Pinehurst Fishing Dock

From Hwy101 in Port Orford, turn W 

on 18th St/Pinehurst Dr, drive 0.3 mi 

to parking area on L beyond the pond. 

Return to 18th and enter parking lot 

across the street for the Pinehurst 

Fishing Dock.

Scan the waters of these freshwater ponds for many species of duck 

in winter and Wood Duck, Hooded 

Merganser, Pied-billed Grebe, Black 

Phoebes, and Great Blue Heron in 

summer. Dense vegetation at the 

banks of the Mill Pond provides opportunities for more reclusive wetland 

species like American Bittern. 

ACEFG

127. Port Orford Wetland 

Interpretive Walkway

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, turn W 

on 18th St, then L on Idaho St, then 

L at sign for Walkway, and park on 

R shoulder.

This short boardwalk with several 

viewing platforms provides access 

to a small freshwater wetland lush 

with sedge and skunk cabbage. Bird 

this wetland oasis without getting 

PORT

ORFORD

Paradise Point Rd 125

126

19th St

9th St

18th St

127

128

131

12th St

P

Dock Rd

ort Orford Hwy 14th St Idaho

Port 

Orford 

Heads

State Park

132

129

5th St

C e m

130 e t e r y Loop Rd

Garrison Lake

Black-crowned Night-Heron

PHOTO BY: Don Munson

Townsend’s Warbler

PHOTO BY: Ron Green
35

your feet wet and watch for Wood 

Duck, Virginia Rail, Sora, Red-winged 

Blackbird, Wilson’s Warbler, Northern 

Flicker, Hairy Woodpecker, and an occasional American Bittern. In summer 

watch for Cedar Waxwing foraging on 

plentiful twinberry.

ACEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Coast Magazine

128. Garrison Lake 

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, turn W 

on 12th St, go 0.7 mi, and after dip, 

turn into parking lot on R.

A forested, many fingered lake that 

can be birded from the boat ramp 

but best results are from a canoe 

or kayak. Scan the lake for Bufflehead, Wood Duck, Greater Scaup, 

Green Heron, and Osprey. In the 

nearby freshwater wetland look for 

Red-winged Blackbird, Marsh Wren, 

Wrentit, Violet-green and Barn Swallow, and the reclusive American Bittern, Virginia Rail, and Sora. Northern 

Flicker, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and 

Red Crossbill are seen regularly.

CEFGK

Sponsor: Kalmiopsis Audubon 

Society

129. Battle Rock Beach

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, turn W 

into the Battle Rock Wayside on the 

south side of town.

The site of a bloody battle between 

Native Americans and the first European-American settlers of Port 

Orford, this stretch of sandy beach 

buttressed by forested cliffs is now 

popular with surfers and kayakers. 

Look for Western, Glaucous-winged, 

California, and Heermann’s Gull, 

Black Oystercatcher, Turkey Vulture, 

Mourning Dove, and harbor seals 

and sea lions. Summer brings spectacular numbers of Brown Pelican. 

Watch for migrating gray whales in 

December and again in March. Stop 

by the visitor center for additional information, open daily.

ACEFG

Sponsor: WildSpring Guest 

Habitat

130. WildSpring Guest 

Habitat 

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford across 

from Battle Rock Park, take the N end 

of Cemetery Loop Rd, which veers off 

at an oblique angle S from the Hwy. 

Drive 0.5 mi, turn R into Wildspring 

Habitat. Park on L. Open to birders 

from 10am to 5pm. Call ahead for 

arrangements.

Stroll through a serene forest of 

80-foot fir, myrtle, and spruce overlooking the ocean. See and hear 

birds like Pacific-slope Flycatcher, 

Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Swainson’s 

Thrush, Wrentit, Orange-crowned 

and Hermit Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed 

Junco, and Purple Finch. An overnight stay in one of the luxury guest 

cabin suites gives you extra time to 

explore the area and maybe glimpse 

a Northern Pygmy-Owl or Common 

Nighthawk. Take a short walk to the 

beach to see a wide variety of shorebirds.

AEFGJL

131. Port Orford Heads 

State Park

From Hwy 101S in Port Orford, turn 

W onto 9th St, then L on Port Orford 

Hwy, and follow signs to park.

Bring your spotting scope and plan 

on spending some time watching 

thousands of seabirds flying by during migration. Common birds include 

loons, Western and Glaucous-winged 

Gull, Brandt’s, Pelagic and Doublecrested Cormorant, Common Murre, 

and Pigeon Guillemot. Overlooking 

the port area from the south trail is 

a good place to spot Marbled Murrelet. In summer, Osprey hunt for fish 

in Nellie’s Cove, and Peregrine Falcon 

are regular. Explore the hiking trails 

to see Allen’s and Rufous Hummingbird, Wrentit, Bushtit, Brown Creeper, 

Pacific-slope Flycatcher, and Cedar 

Waxwing. A resident black-tailed 

deer population feeds in the park.

ACEFGH

Sponsor: WildSpring Guest 

Habitat

lagic Cormorant, Black Oystercatcher, Black Turnstone, Surfbird, Western 

and Horned Grebe, and Marbled and 

Ancient Murrelet. Northern Fulmar 

can sometimes be seen around the 

docks in winter. Check around the 

memorial for American Goldfinch, 

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Anna’s and 

Rufous Hummingbird, and Whitecrowned Sparrow. Winter storms can 

blow seabirds such as Red Phalarope 

and Ancient Murrelet into the harbor.

CEFGH

133. Humbug Mountain 

State Park - Brush Creek

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, drive 

S 6 mi and turn R into parking lot at 

Brush Creek Picnic Area.

Brush Creek is an excellent spot to 

watch American Dippers feeding in 

the swift moving waters. Along the 

creek banks, dense understory attracts Orange-crowned, Wilson’s, 

Black-throated Gray and Townsend’s 

Warbler. Near the beach many species of gulls congregate including 

Western, Glaucous-winged, California, Heermann’s and occasionally 

Thayer’s, Herring and Mew Gull. Scan 

the ocean for Common, Pacific and 

Red-throated Loon, Western, Rednecked and Horned Grebe, Common 

Murre, and Pigeon Guillemot. On the 

way to the beach in spring and summer, stop under the Hwy 101 bridge 

to see a large colony of nesting Cliff 

and Barn Swallow. The often mistshrouded and mysterious Humbug 

Mountain, rising to a towering 1,756 

feet from the beach, dominates this 

area of lush, forested hills. For a vigorous hike to the summit, start from 

a second parking lot across the highway, and ascend through old-growth 

Sitka spruce and Douglas-fir. Watch 

and listen for Swainson’s and Varied 

Thrush, Winter Wren, Red-breasted 

Nuthatch, Hermit and Wilson’s Warbler, and Pileated Woodpecker along 

the way. Many of these species can 

also be found at Brush Creek or by 

hiking a less challenging trail which 

starts near the amphitheater.

ABCEFG

Sponsor: Oregon Coast Visitors 

Association

132. Port of Port Orford

From Hwy 101 in Port Orford, follow signs to the Port of Port Orford, 

go 0.2 mi as you approach the port 

area, and park on R right across from 

Fishermen’s Memorial.

Watch fishing boats being lowered 

into the water and hoisted back out at 

this uniquely compact working port. 

Bird life abounds in habitats which 

include open-ocean, rocky shore, 

dense willow thickets, and sandy 

beach. Watch for Common Murre, 

Pigeon Guillemot, Brown Pelican, PeWhimbrel PHOTO BY: TerrySteeleNATUREPHOTOGRAPHY.com

Audubon’s Yellow-rumped 

Warbler

PHOTO BY: Richard Cronberg
36

134. Nesika Beach Bank 

Swallow Colony

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach, drive 

N 8 mi and turn W on Nesika Rd at 

N north end of the Nesika Rd loop 

(across from Ophir Rd). Take immediate R and head N on the Old Coast 

Rd for 0.5 mi and park on shoulder 

where it dead ends. From there, walk 

S on the beach 0.5 mi to view colony. 

The beach is not accessible during 

high tide.

Don’t miss seeing this active colony 

of beautiful Bank Swallows from 

May to July. During the beach walk, 

watch the surf for White-winged and 

Surf Scoter, Common Murre, Pelagic 

and Double-crested Cormorant, and 

Sanderling.

EFGL

135. Indian Creek

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach at the 

south end of the Rogue River Bridge, 

turn E on Jerry’s Flat Rd. Drive 0.7 

mi and park in large lot on L across 

from Indian Creek Cafe.

Hike the well-maintained trail system which meanders through willows along the Rogue River out to 

large gravel flats and levees of the 

upper harbor area. Watch for Snowy 

Egret, Great Blue Heron, Bufflehead, 

Hutton’s and Warbling Vireo, and 

Orange-crowned, Hermit, and Wilson’s Warbler.

AEFG

136. Elephant Bar/

Jerry’s Flat

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach at the 

south end of the Rogue River Bridge, 

turn E on Jerry’s Flat Rd, and go 2.2 

mi to parking lot on L before Freeman Rock gravel operations. 

Elephant Bar provides a graveled 

1⁄4-mi rugged trail, which winds 

through a freshwater floodplain forest, a small creek and pond lined 

with rich riparian habitat. As you walk 

through the cottonwood trees, watch 

for Hairy Woodpecker, Northern 

Flicker, and Yellow-rumped Warbler. 

Where the creek joins the river are 

waterfowl, Green Heron, Bald Eagle, 

and nesting Osprey. After birding 

the bar, continue east on Jerry’s 

Flat Road 1.2 mi to Jerry’s Flat, an 

extensive area of scrub, brush, and 

willows with river rock adjacent to 

the Rogue River. Ring-billed Gull 

can often be seen in the river. Hutton’s and Warbling Vireo, Yellow, 

Yellow-rumped, Black-throated Gray, 

and Orange-crowned Warbler inhabit 

the willows. Northern Shrike are occasional north of the river in winter. 

If you wade across the river in summer to the small island adjacent to 

the flat, there are nesting Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Chat, and 

Vesper Sparrow. 

AEFG

137. Rogue River Walk

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach turn E 

on Jerry’s Flat Rd and proceed 4.7 

mi to trailhead located east of the 

buildings at the Old Mill Site.

A flat, easy 6 mi trail with benches 

follows the south bank of the Rogue 

River weaving through willow thickets, Myrtlewood groves, and over 

11 bridges. Watch for Common and 

Hooded Mergansers, Ruffed Grouse, 

California Quail, Northern Flicker, 

Pileated Woodpecker, Cassin’s and 

Warbling Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, 

Black-throated Gray Warbler, and 

Wilson’s Warbler.

AEFG

138. Schrader Old 

Growth Trail

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach turn 

E on Jerry’s Flat Rd and drive 11.2 

139

135

Harbor Way

Jetty Rd

Airport GOLD BEACH

Rogue River

Jerrys Flat Rd

Spotted Towhee

PHOTO BY: Wayne Hoffman

Varied Thrush

PHOTO BY: Lois Miller

mi to Lobster Creek. Turn R on Forest Service Rd 090 and go 2.1 mi to 

trailhead on L.

Visit some of the Northwest’s largest 

hardwoods and stately old growth 

Douglas fir trees as you hike an easy 

1-mile loop trail. Several of the oldest 

trees show fire scars from ancient 

fires. If you visit in early summer the 

native rhododendrons will be in full 

bloom. Forest birds include Northern 

Pygmy-Owl, Varied Thrush, Steller’s 

Jay, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned 

Kinglet, Hermit Warbler, Mountain 

Quail, and Olive-sided Flycatcher.

A

Sponsor: National Forest 

Foundation

139. Rogue River 

Mouth and Estuary

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach, cross 

the Rogue River and turn W into the 

Port of Gold Beach, go 0.1 mi, turn L 

on Harbor Rd for 0.2 miles, and turn 

R into the marina parking area. Scan 

the marina, and then continue W to 

jetty overlook. 

Popular with anglers and California 

Sea Lions, this is where the Rogue 

River and the Pacific meet to create habitat for waterbirds. Wander 

along the waterfront and view Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorant, 

California, Thayer’s, Ring-billed and 

Western Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, 

Long-tailed Duck, Caspian Tern, 

Snowy Egret, Osprey, Bald Eagle, 

and Peregrine Falcon. Check the jetty 

rocks for Black Turnstone, Wandering Tattler, Surfbird, and occasionally 

Rock Sandpiper.

CEFG
37

143. Harris Beach 

State Park

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, drive 

1.5 mi N, turn W into park entrance.

The access road, day-use area, trails 

and beaches provide beautiful views 

of the coastline and nearshore waters. Goat Island, located just offshore, is protected as part of Oregon 

Islands National Wildlife Refuge. 

Nesting seabirds include Leach’s 

Storm-petrel, Common Murre, Pigeon 

Guillemot, and Rhinoceros Auklet. 

Look for Tufted Puffin April-August 

around the north end of the island 

where they nest. Scan the ocean for 

Marbled Murrelet, Brandt’s, Pelagic, 

and Double-crested Cormorant, Redthroated, Pacific, and Common Loon. 

A variety of gulls frequent the beach 

around the creek outlet. Along the 

trails are Wrentit, Chestnut-backed 

Chickadee, Townsend’s Warbler, 

and Allen’s Hummingbird. Watch for 

migrating gray whales in December 

and March and head down to the 

rocky shore to explore the tidepools.

ABCEFGHK

144. Chetco Point

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, turn W 

on Wharf St. Go 0.7 miles to parking lot on L, adjacent to the sewage 

treatment plant.

Don’t miss this natural gem, allowing a quiet retreat from the bustling 

industry of Brookings. This small 

coastal headland is replete with 

rocky outcroppings, scrub-shrub, 

a small beach, and wildflowers. 

Walk the short trail past the picnic 

area and out on the headland to 

view ocean-going birds like Black 

Oystercatcher, Pelagic, Brant’s and 

Double-crested Cormorant, Common 

Murre, Western Gull, Common Loon, 

and Pigeon Guillemot. Along the way 

you may discover Peregrine Falcon, 

Savanna Sparrow, Black Phoebe, 

Belted Kingfisher, and Wrentit in addition to harbor seals and migrating 

gray whales.

ACEFG

Sponsor: Kalmiopsis Audubon 

Society

145. Chetco River 

at North Fork

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, go S 

and turn E following signs for N Bank 

Chetco River Rd. Turn R at T to continue on N Bank Chetco River Rd. Go 

4.4 mi to Don Cameron Bridge and 

park in wide turnouts on road.

This scenic area at the confluence 

of the Chetco and North Fork Rivers includes lush riparian vegetation 

and some scrub on a gravel bar. It 

is best birded by walking the gravel 

road serving a water intake facility 

to the confluence. Watch for Snowy 

Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned 

Night-Heron, Common Mergansers, 

Red-shouldered Hawk, Spotted 

Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk, 

Varied Thrush, Western Scrub-Jay, 

Black Phoebe, Willow Flycatcher, 

Yellow-breasted Chat, Hutton’s Vireo, 

and Bullock’s Oriole.

EFG

Harris Beach

State Park 143

144 Boat Basin Rd

Lower Harbor Rd

BROOKINGS

W ha rf St

148

140. Cape Sebastian 

State Park

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach, drive 

S 7 mi to MP 335, turn W at State 

Park sign, and follow 0.6 mi to parking lot. 

Cape Sebastian is often overlooked 

by tourists and offers birders a quiet 

sea watching experience from a striking vista overlooking the Pacific. Hike 

the moderately difficult 1.5-mile trail 

through wind-blown Sitka spruce forest to access the cape, which overlooks Hunters Island. Along the trail 

find Hermit Thrush, Golden-crowned 

Kinglet, Red Crossbill, Chestnutbacked Chickadee and Wrentit. From 

the end of the cape, scan the ocean 

for Pacific and Red-throated Loon, 

Western Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, 

Surf and White-winged Scoter, California and Western Gull, and Common Murre. A large colony of Brandt’s 

Cormorant nest on Hunter’s Island.

A

Sponsor: US Fish and Wildlife 

Service

141. Lower Pistol River

From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach, go S 

11 mi. After crossing the Pistol River 

Bridge, go 0.5 mi, turn E at Pistol 

River Carpenterville Rd, go 0.1 mi to 

a T intersection. From the T, bird 1⁄2 

mi S and again 1⁄2 mi N to the intersection at the Old Pistol River store. 

Turn R and continue 2 miles for more 

birding. 

As you bird the Pistol River habitats, 

keep in mind the area along the road 

is private land. Please be respectful 

by staying on the main road. River, 

riparian forest, and fertile pasture 

attract almost 200 species of birds. 

Northern Harrier, American Kestrel, 

and Peregrine Falcon are visible 

along the river or in the open fields. 

Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Marsh 

Wren, Wrentit, Bufflehead, Greater 

and Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked 

Duck are regular. Golden Eagle is 

occasionally seen along this route. 

The brushy areas along the roads are 

good for warblers, sparrows, wrens 

and flycatchers. This site is also a 

good spot for unusual and vagrant 

birds during spring and fall migration 

such as Say’s Phoebe, Horned Lark, 

Bobolink, and Solitary Sandpiper.

EFGKHL

142. Lone Ranch Beach

From Brookings, drive N 4.5 mi on 

Hwy 101 and turn W (L) into Lone 

Ranch Beach State Wayside. 

The willows along the creek and 

along the beach are home to a good 

variety of passerine birds. Rock 

Wren has been found in the rocks 

along the shoreline and Bobolink 

along the hillside above the beach. 

Near the creek look for Harlequin 

Duck and Black Oystercatcher. The 

hillside above the beach often has 

American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, 

and Northern Harrier. Offshore loons, 

grebes, scoters, and Common Murre 

are seen. In September use a scope 

to see Sooty Shearwater migrating.

ACEFG

Hooded Mergansers

PHOTO BY: Lois Miller
38

146. Gardner Ridge Road

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, go S 

and turn E following signs for N Bank 

Chetco River Rd. Turn R at T to continue on N Bank Chetco River Rd, and 

go 4.5 miles to the intersection with 

Gardner Ridge Rd. 

Stop at a wide shoulder on the right 

to look for Black Phoebe around the 

barn, Western Scrub Jay and possible Chipping Sparrow. Travel up 

Gardner Ridge Road 3.5 miles to a 

wide pullout on the right and begin 

birding an upland area with views of 

the Klamath Mountains. Best visited 

April to August, stop at numerous 

pullouts to look for Allen’s Hummingbird, Mountain Quail, Blue and 

Ruffed Grouse, Common Nighthawk, 

Northern Pygmy-Owl, Band-tailed 

Pigeon, Cassin’s and Warbling Vireo, 

Hairy Woodpecker

PHOTO BY: Wayne Hoffman

Western Bluebird

PHOTO BY: Richard Cronberg

Purple Martin, House Wren, Western 

Bluebird, Swainson’s and Hermit 

Thrush, Hermit, Black-throated Gray 

and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Western 

Tanager, Black-headed Grosbeak 

and Lazuli Bunting. 

EFGK

147. Redwood Nature Trail 

From Hwy 101 in Brookings turn E on 

North Bank Rd and go 7.3 mi to Loeb 

State Park on R. 

A riverside nature trail begins here 

and leads to the Redwood trail. Alternatively, continue on N Bank Chetco 

River Rd to parking area at Redwood 

trailhead on L. 

Densely shaded by redwoods and 

gnarled myrtlewoods, and blanketed by maidenhair fern, this forested 

park is bordered by an oxbow of the 

Chetco River. Hike the easy 1.2-mile 

loop trail to see Western Tanager, 

Yellow-rumped Warbler, thrushes, 

kinglets, and Steller’s Jay. The section along the river can also have Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, and Spotted 

Sandpiper.

ABCEFG

Sponsor: National Forest 

Foundation

148. Chetco River Mouth

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, go S, 

cross Chetco River Bridge, then turn 

W, and follow signs to the Port of 

Brookings. Go 0.9 mi, turn R on Boat 

Basin Rd and go 0.4 mi to parking 

lot.

This busy marina is a great place to 

see Common and Pacific Loon, California and Western Gull, Pelagic and 

Double-crested Cormorant, Marbled 

Murrelet, Surf Scoter, grebes, Rhinoceros Auklet, Osprey, and occasionally Black-legged Kittiwakes 

perched on the end of the north jetty. 

During low tide walk the levee and 

look for Black-crowned Night-Herons 

at dawn and dusk. Elegant Tern are 

occasional in August.

BCEFGK

149. Winchuck Ponds/

Peavine Road

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, go S, 

cross the Chetco River and drive 5 

mi to Winchuck River Rd. Turn E and 

go 1 mi to park at pullout overlooking 

pasture and wetlands at MP 1 on R. 

Bird here and then continue another 

0.5 mi, turn R onto bridge leading to 

Peavine Rd/Forest Service Rd 1101, 

and follow this road until it ends at 

4 mi.

The area along the river is best birded by car. The verdant pastures and 

freshwater wetlands harbor Virginia Rail, Sora, Marsh Wren, Solitary 

Sandpiper, Snowy Egret, Great Blue 

Heron, Mallard, Northern Pintail, and 

American Wigeon. At the bridge look 

for Black Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher, 

Spotted Sandpiper and Northern 

Rough-winged Swallow. Proceeding 

up the graveled Peavine Road look for 

Allen’s Hummingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, Swainson’s Thrush, Lazuli 

Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Winter Wren, and Olive-sided Flycatcher 

in the first half-mile. Farther along 

vireos, warblers, and six species of 

owl have been found.

EFGK

150. Oregon Redwood Trail

From Hwy 101 in Brookings, drive S 

to Winchuck River Rd, and turn E (L), 

drive 2 mi to Forest Rd 1101, and 

turn R. After crossing the Winchuck 

River drive 4 mi to the trailhead. 
39

of birds can be limited in this cathedral-like stand, the songs of Varied 

Thrush, Black-throated Gray and 

Hermit Warbler can be heard high 

in the canopy as Winter Wrens move 

furtively through the understory. 

Barred Owl are occasional.

A

Sponsor: National Forest 

Foundation

There are two loops on this trail 

system. The 1106 loop is 0.5 mile 

and wheelchair accessible; it winds 

through a grove of majestic oldgrowth redwood and Douglas-fir. The 

1107 loop starts from the 1106 trail 

and traverses into the upper Moser 

Creek drainage to provide access 

to another grove of old-growth redwoods and Douglas-fir. While views 

Greater Yellowlegs

PHOTO BY: Richard Cronberg

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Common Murre colony

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