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Birding and Bird-Watching near Gold Beach, Oregon
According to Oregon Coast Birding Trail, around every curve the
stunningly beautiful southern Oregon coast landscape will compete for
your attention as you search for the more than 450 birds that have been
recorded in its habitats. Birdwatching on the Oregon coast is productive
throughout the year, and it is exceptional during the seasonal drama of
spring and fall warbler and shorebird migration. As hundreds of
thousands of birds journey along the Pacific Flyway, you may see
hundreds of one species fly by or stop to swarm over every available
spot on the beach and offshore rocks. The next day they may be gone. So
grab your binoculars and a favorite field guide and make Gold Beach on
the Oregon coast your next birding destination.
Using the map to the right as a guideline, the information below shares
the locations of birding hotspots and lists birds to be seen on the
Southern Oregon coast - including Cape Blanco, Port Orford, the Rogue
River, Gold Beach, Cape Ferrelo, the Chetco River, Brookings and all
areas in between. The data was compiled by local birders, wildlife
professionals and tourism specialists to help you make the most out of
your birdwatching experience - all a short distance from Turtle Rock RV
Resort.
Birding Hotspots
123. 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.
124. 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, phalarope, and an
occasional American Bittern also use the area. Raptors include
Red-shouldered Hawk, White-tailed 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.
125. 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 rigorous 2.4-mile hike. 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, Yellowrumped Warbler,
Pine Siskin, and Hammond’s Flycatcher.
126. 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 righ to adddress 42497 Gull Rd. Birders are welcome from
dawn to dusk at this lovely private wildlife sanctuary. Old gravel 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.
127. Port Orford Mill Pond and Pinehurst Fishing Dock
From Hwy 101 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.
128. 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 Owl or Common Nighthawk. Take a
short walk to the beach to see a wide variety of shorebirds.
132. 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.
133. 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, Pelagic 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.
134. 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 mist-shrouded 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.
135. 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.
136. 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.
137. 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 ¼-mi
trail well maintained by Oregon Stewardship, 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, Blackthroated 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.
138. Schrader Old Growth Trail
From Hwy 101 in Gold Beach turn E on Jerry’s Flat Rd and drive 11.2 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.
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, ing-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.
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.
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 ½ mi S and again ½ 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 via car, keep in
mind the area along the road is often private land. Please be respectful
by staying on the main road and near your vehicle. 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.
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.
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.
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
oceangoing 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.
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 from the bridge or 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, and
Bullock’s Oriole.
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, Purple Martin, House
Wren, Western Bluebird, Swainson’s and Hermit Hairy Woodpecker.
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, Varied and
Hermit Thrush, kinglets, and Steller’s Jay. The section along the river
can also have Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, and Spotted Sandpiper.
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.
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, Gadwall, 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.
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. 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 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.
Additional Birding Resources
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