Pacific Northwest Trip: Newport to Florence

*This is a self-catered tour. Lodging (book ahead), all meals, transportation, and park entrance fees are your responsibility. 

We will meet at Boiler Bay at 8 a.m. to try for seabirds. This stop is heavily dependent on the weather and sea conditions. After a quick stop at Devil’s Punchbowl, where we hope to see Rock Sandpiper, we will head into Newport trying for Black Scoter en route. At the Marine Science Center, we will walk the trail; there are always some interesting birds. Brant should be visible from there. In the channel, we will look for gulls, grebes, loons, and Harlequin Duck. We will also have time to visit both jetties. Overnight in Newport. 

The next day, our first stop will be South Beach State Park just south of Newport, which is where we will meet in the morning at 7 a.m. On the way south, we will hit One Beach/Beaver Creek, Seal Rock, Alsea Bay, and Yachats. In Florence, we will work both jetties for waterfowl, grebes, loons, and shorebirds. A big target bird for the day is the endangered Western Snowy Plover, and we have a few spots to check for these cuties. Overnight in Florence. 

This morning we will try to see a Wrentit! The meeting place will depend on the most recent sightings. Otherwise, we will spend time to “clean up” and look for regular coastal species we may have missed the previous 2 days. On the way back, we will make a stop at Fern Ridge near Eugene, where we target White-tailed Kite and Acorn Woodpecker. Back in Portland by about 6:30 p.m. 

Note: You will need an Oregon State Parks Pass for this trip.

Closer to the trip date, Stefan will email recommended accommodations as well as meeting details to all participants.