Yachats is a fantastic area for year round bird watching, from our resident Bald Eagles and Blue Herons to the migrating pelicans and shorebirds, there’s always a feathered friend to watch!
If you’ve ever spent some time at Yachats Ocean Road Beach, you may have seen our resident Bald Eagles flying over town, or perched in one of the windblown trees. Get your binoculars and big lenses out to see them close up in all of their glory.
A variety of coastal birds can always be found in and around the area, especially around Yachats State Park, in the Wetlands, at Cape Perpetua,and along the 804 Trail. Listen for the sweet squawking sounds of the Black Oystercatchers at the waterline, watch the Surf Scotters ride the waves, and don’t forget the array of gull species that call Yachats home!
If you happen to be in Yachats during the Spring and Summer, keep your eyes peeled for Brown Pelicans. These large birds migrate every year from Southern California and Mexico, and spend the warmer months along our coastline- in fact, the Oregon Coast becomes home to over 20,000 of them every year!
The Yachats and Cape Perpetua area is also home to a rare and special bird species named the Marbled Murrelet. These beautiful small birds only create nests in old growth coniferous forests and eat primarily small ocean invertebrates like krill- which is why the Yachats area is a perfect place for them to call home.
A few other local species to keep your eyes peeled for are, Great Blue Heron, Murres, Cormorants, Turnstone, Whimbrel, Harlequin Ducks, Sand Pipers, and of course Plovers!
As always, please don’t feed or chase any of our local birds. Stay on trails to avoid any nesting areas. Grab a field guide at the Cape Perpetua Visitors Center or use the iNaturalist app to track species! Please keep pets on leashes, and always make sure to not let them run after wildlife. If you come across an injured bird, please do not pick it up and take matters into your own hands, for the safety of everyone involved.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Injured Animal Line- 503-947-6042
Injured Raptors- Cascades Raptor Center (Eugene) 541-485-1320
Photography and Author: Girl In Water Photography
