Oregon Coast Birding in the Winter

The Oregon Coast is the number one reason I love Oregon.  From Astoria to the north,  Brookings to the South, and every stretch in between, there are places to stop for amazing pictures and quiet beach time. The uncrowded Oregon coast is one of the most beautiful places in the United States.

Below are a few of the many birds I found this winter while birding this spectacular area.  Some can be found year-round along the coast, and others are only here for the winter.   

The Black Oyster-catcher is one that's easy to spot with their bright orange beak.
These can be found year-round.

Black Oyster-catcher

The magnificent Bald Eagle
They are easily seen along the coast where there's an abundance of tasty food for the pickin'.

It was fun to watch this pair of Bald Eagles interact.

Double-crested Cormorant
There are three types of Cormorants along the Oregon Coast and all are easy to find:
Double-crested Cormorant, Brandt's Cormorant, and Pelagic Cormorant

Pelagic Cormorant

 

Harlequin Duck (female and male) - My favorite winter duck to visit us.

A closer look at the beautiful male Harlequin Ducks 

The very fast Peregrine Falcon is always a treat to see. 

Common Loon (non-breeding)

Sanderling - The Sanderling is easy to identify with their black bill and black legs as they
 move quickly, flying and hanging out in large groups on the beach in the winter.

The colorful Western Bluebird (male)

The Surf Scoter is one of three types of Scoters we see in the Pacific Ocean in the Winter.
(Black Scoter and White-winged Scoter are the other two) 

Black Scoter
This is not the best picture of these Winter Scoters since 
they were pretty far out at sea, but still very fun to see! 

The Common Goldeneye is another winter only duck.

Black Turnstone - These winter birds blend in and very often difficult to spot.

The pretty Bufflehead who you'll see in the winter along the Pacific Coast

Thousands and thousands of Common Murre's arrive in Oregon in the Winter,
and stay until the end of summer typically.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Brant - This goose is a winter visitor to the Oregon Coast.

The American Wigeon is a winter only duck along the coast.

Lincoln Sparrow

I love seeing sea stars (or starfish which they used to be called)

The beautiful Oregon Coast