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Astoria is centrally located along the banks of the Columbia River and seven miles from Pacific Ocean beaches, perfect in its natural beauty for birding. The north coast area is rich in dry and wetland birds from Bald Eagles to Sand Pipers, all can be easy viewed and enjoyed.

Least Sandpiper Surf Scoter Western Grebe Clatsop spit is Oregon's farewell to the Columbia River. The gyrfalcon is a casual bird this far south. But if you are going to see one in Oregon, the place to look is along the dunes and beach to the west of the spit road. These magnificent raptors have been seen a number of winters. Another apparently favored spot is the small bay east of the road. There is also a parking areas with some small ponds just to the west and north. These ponds are superb for shorebirds. Walk out to the base of the jetty and scan over the water to the south. Landlubbers should know that Clatsop Spit is an outstanding place to see pelagic species without risking seasickness. Check Out Astoria's Sixth Street Pier Restoration - great viewing and birding. At Fort Stevens State Park, a bunker sign marks the route to parking lot D and what appears to be a concrete gun emplacement. In reality, it is a cleaverly disguised bird blind, a grass topped bunker. Though the interior is spartan, a photographic pisplay on the back wall identifies more then 50 bird species native to the area. Vertical openings to the south overlook the sanctuary. Coffenbury Lake is another good location. There is a parking lot at the north end of the lake, from which a trail leads around the lake, a hike of about two miles. The habitats on the two sides of the lake are quite different. During spring, this hike is a must.

Common Land Birds on the Oregon Coast Northern Flicker Steller's Jay American Crow Black-capped Chickadee Chestnut-backed Chickadee Bushtit Winter Wren Golden-crowned Kinglet Ruby-crowned Kinglet American Robin Varied Thrush Wrentit European Starling Yellow-rumped Warbler Townsend's Warbler Rufous-sided Towhee Fox Sparrow Song Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Golden-crowned Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco Red-winged Blackbird Brewer's blackbird Western Meadowlark House Finch Pine Siskin Birds With Oregon Coast Winter Habitats Shores and Estuaries Common Loon Horned Grebe Western Grebe Double-crested Cormorant Brandt's Cormorant Great Blue Heron Great Egret Tundra Swan Green-winged Teal Mallard Northern Pintail American Wigeon Canvasback Greater Scaup Lesser Scaup Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Harlequin Duck Bufflehead Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Canadian Goose (Central) Ruddy Duck Northern Harrier Red-tailed Hawk American Coot Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Black Oystercatcher Black Turnstone Surfbird Sanderling Western Sandpiper Least Sandpiper Dunlin Common Snipe Red-necked Phalarope Mew Gull Ring-necked Gull Belted Kingfisher

FortStevens:

Constructed during the Civil War, Fort Stevens and its gun batteries protected the entrance of the Columbia River until shortly after World War II. Today it is the centerpiece of the largest campground in the Oregon State Parks system.

Facilities include 9 yurts, 213 full RV hookups, 128 electrical campsites, 6 campsites for people with disabilities, 7 group camping areas, reservable group picnic area, boat dock and ramp, restroom and shower facilities. Max RV, 50 feet.

Fort Stevens is located off Hwy 101, west of Astoria. The wreck of the Peter Iredale is on the beach. There are many opportunities for hiking, photography, wildlife viewing, and swimming.