COVID-19 NOTICE: Tillamook County
Please take note of and comply with current State and County rules and recommendations.
Respect and protect yourself and others. Please get vaccinated. Thank you!
Please take note of and comply with current State and County rules and recommendations.
Respect and protect yourself and others. Please get vaccinated. Thank you!
Last Update: January 2, 2022
We encourage you to check back regularly. If you have comments, contributions, sightings, suggestions or if you notice anything that needs fixing, please let us know! We are here for you.
We encourage you to check back regularly. If you have comments, contributions, sightings, suggestions or if you notice anything that needs fixing, please let us know! We are here for you.
Swans Visit Tillamook
At the tail end of 2021, into the first week of 2022 we had some visitors from the Genus Cygnus. Six swans were initially seen on 12/30 by Julie and Conor Scotland from Goodspeed Road, and identified as Tundras. Later that day, Kathy and Michael Krall viewed 7 birds, including a first year bird, from Goodspeed and Makinster Roads. Photographs of those birds appeared to show good evidence for Tundras (Cygnus columbianus) including pink at the base of the 1st year bird's beak and a rounded border to the adult bird's beak at the forehead. Other field marks such as rounding of the back, and shape of the edge of the bill were more difficult to appreciate. Trumpeters are significantly larger and heavier (80" wingspan and 23# compared to 66” and 14.4#, on average) but since they were not side by side this too was a difficult call. Speaking of call, the birds were not vocalizing, thus depriving us of this important clue. The following day, Kevin Scaldeferri observed a total of three swans from Makinster Road at almost the same location, but surprisingly these birds appeared to have characteristics to support Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator)! Was this a case of misidentification? A mixed group? Or an entirely new set of birds apparently replacing the others? Kevin's photos clearly showed more black in contact with the eye in the adults than in Michael's earlier photos. The 1st year (juvenile) bird also appeared to be different than the earlier one, with much less pink apparent on the bill. The consensus of several experienced birders was that in fact these were two different groups of birds, the first set Tundras and the second set Trumpeters. Both species are seen in Tillamook County, with Tundra more regular and expected. Check out the comparisons below and tell us what you think! Photos taken at distance and not ideal, yet hopefully instructive.
(Click on photos for caption and to enlarge.)
At the tail end of 2021, into the first week of 2022 we had some visitors from the Genus Cygnus. Six swans were initially seen on 12/30 by Julie and Conor Scotland from Goodspeed Road, and identified as Tundras. Later that day, Kathy and Michael Krall viewed 7 birds, including a first year bird, from Goodspeed and Makinster Roads. Photographs of those birds appeared to show good evidence for Tundras (Cygnus columbianus) including pink at the base of the 1st year bird's beak and a rounded border to the adult bird's beak at the forehead. Other field marks such as rounding of the back, and shape of the edge of the bill were more difficult to appreciate. Trumpeters are significantly larger and heavier (80" wingspan and 23# compared to 66” and 14.4#, on average) but since they were not side by side this too was a difficult call. Speaking of call, the birds were not vocalizing, thus depriving us of this important clue. The following day, Kevin Scaldeferri observed a total of three swans from Makinster Road at almost the same location, but surprisingly these birds appeared to have characteristics to support Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator)! Was this a case of misidentification? A mixed group? Or an entirely new set of birds apparently replacing the others? Kevin's photos clearly showed more black in contact with the eye in the adults than in Michael's earlier photos. The 1st year (juvenile) bird also appeared to be different than the earlier one, with much less pink apparent on the bill. The consensus of several experienced birders was that in fact these were two different groups of birds, the first set Tundras and the second set Trumpeters. Both species are seen in Tillamook County, with Tundra more regular and expected. Check out the comparisons below and tell us what you think! Photos taken at distance and not ideal, yet hopefully instructive.
(Click on photos for caption and to enlarge.)
Tundra Swans
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Trumpeter Swans
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Tillamook Bay Christmas Bird Count (CBC)
The count happened on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Twenty-six intrepid birders endured rain and winds up to 45 mph on the 57th year of the Tillamook Bay CBC. The final species count was 119, below the average of 130 species. There were also 7 "count week" species (not seen on count day, but within the week). Participants traveled 251 miles in 72 combined hours and found 31,558 individual birds from the 119 species. Only 5 Common Murre were reported, due to poor ocean viewing conditions. There were 75 Bald Eagles, found in all sectors, down from the record 82 in 2018 and 63 Eurasian Collared-Dove, down from 515 in 2018.
New count highs included: 358 Ring-necked Ducks (previous high 248 in 1999), 367 Great Egrets (previous high 212 in 2019), 31 Black Phoebes (previous high 23 in 2011) and 248 White-crowned Sparrows (previous high 208 in 2018) Noteworthy misses were Black Oystercatcher (found during count week) and Black-bellied Plover, Black Scoter. Two firsts for this CBC were found by Sarah and Kevin Scaldeferri: a Black-headed grosbeak, and a beautiful intermediate morph Swainson’s hawk (count week bird). A juvenile Red-naped Sapsucker (possibly hybridized), was found just outside the count circle by Tim Janzen. A good time was had by all! Mark your calendar for next year! Special thanks to Kathy Krall and Dawn Villaescusa for coordinating and recording this year’s count.
The count happened on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Twenty-six intrepid birders endured rain and winds up to 45 mph on the 57th year of the Tillamook Bay CBC. The final species count was 119, below the average of 130 species. There were also 7 "count week" species (not seen on count day, but within the week). Participants traveled 251 miles in 72 combined hours and found 31,558 individual birds from the 119 species. Only 5 Common Murre were reported, due to poor ocean viewing conditions. There were 75 Bald Eagles, found in all sectors, down from the record 82 in 2018 and 63 Eurasian Collared-Dove, down from 515 in 2018.
New count highs included: 358 Ring-necked Ducks (previous high 248 in 1999), 367 Great Egrets (previous high 212 in 2019), 31 Black Phoebes (previous high 23 in 2011) and 248 White-crowned Sparrows (previous high 208 in 2018) Noteworthy misses were Black Oystercatcher (found during count week) and Black-bellied Plover, Black Scoter. Two firsts for this CBC were found by Sarah and Kevin Scaldeferri: a Black-headed grosbeak, and a beautiful intermediate morph Swainson’s hawk (count week bird). A juvenile Red-naped Sapsucker (possibly hybridized), was found just outside the count circle by Tim Janzen. A good time was had by all! Mark your calendar for next year! Special thanks to Kathy Krall and Dawn Villaescusa for coordinating and recording this year’s count.
Thrushes Galore
Tillamook County is the home to four different members of the thrush family. The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is the most common, and as such this beautiful bird often doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Juveniles are spotted and can be confusing. The Varied Thrush (Ixoreus navius) at first glance looks similar to a Robin. However, in these beauties note the rust colored bold supercilium (eye stripe) and wing bars in both sexes and the dark black "necklace" in the males. They are present in the fall and winter in our area. Swainson's Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) are a summer visitor, arriving when the salmon berries ripen. They are more often heard than seen, with their distinctive pwip call and their ethereal fluting, smooth, rising song. A similar appearing bird, only present in late fall and winter, is the handsome Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). These birds have a complete white eye ring and a reddish tail. Like the Swainson's, these birds can be secretive, but will show themselves well at times. Can you identify the images below? (Mouse over or click on the images for the answers.)
Tillamook County is the home to four different members of the thrush family. The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is the most common, and as such this beautiful bird often doesn't get the respect that it deserves. Juveniles are spotted and can be confusing. The Varied Thrush (Ixoreus navius) at first glance looks similar to a Robin. However, in these beauties note the rust colored bold supercilium (eye stripe) and wing bars in both sexes and the dark black "necklace" in the males. They are present in the fall and winter in our area. Swainson's Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) are a summer visitor, arriving when the salmon berries ripen. They are more often heard than seen, with their distinctive pwip call and their ethereal fluting, smooth, rising song. A similar appearing bird, only present in late fall and winter, is the handsome Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus). These birds have a complete white eye ring and a reddish tail. Like the Swainson's, these birds can be secretive, but will show themselves well at times. Can you identify the images below? (Mouse over or click on the images for the answers.)
COASST Beachcast Bird Surveys-
The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) is a citizen science project sponsored by the University of Washington and ongoing since 1999. COASST focuses on the beach environment of the northeast Pacific and has engaged over 4,500 participants on more than 450 beaches spanning four states since its founding. COASST participants collect data on beachcast (dead) birds, marine debris, and evidence of human use of the beach environment.
This data is collated, stored and used by scientists to study the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and other influences. Learn more about COASST here: https://coasst.org/about/ More volunteers are needed and no special prerequisite knowledge is required as training and tools are provided.
Since 2001, there have been nearly 6800 COASST surveys done on the northern Oregon coast, each survey covering about a 1 KM stretch of one of 52 beaches. Nearly 26000 birds have been identified, representing 122 different species. The surveys of each beach are generally done once per month. The three most common species found are Common Murre (32%), Northern Fulmar (15%) and Cassin’s Auklet (11%). For a few images of some example specimens, click here, but warning, these images may disturb some people.
The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) is a citizen science project sponsored by the University of Washington and ongoing since 1999. COASST focuses on the beach environment of the northeast Pacific and has engaged over 4,500 participants on more than 450 beaches spanning four states since its founding. COASST participants collect data on beachcast (dead) birds, marine debris, and evidence of human use of the beach environment.
This data is collated, stored and used by scientists to study the impacts of climate change, environmental degradation, and other influences. Learn more about COASST here: https://coasst.org/about/ More volunteers are needed and no special prerequisite knowledge is required as training and tools are provided.
Since 2001, there have been nearly 6800 COASST surveys done on the northern Oregon coast, each survey covering about a 1 KM stretch of one of 52 beaches. Nearly 26000 birds have been identified, representing 122 different species. The surveys of each beach are generally done once per month. The three most common species found are Common Murre (32%), Northern Fulmar (15%) and Cassin’s Auklet (11%). For a few images of some example specimens, click here, but warning, these images may disturb some people.
Winter Ducks are back
Every winter we are blessed with some very stylish ducks from the Family Anatidae. Buffleheads (Bucephala alveoli) and Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) can be found especially in bays and estuaries. It's always a pleasure to see them, especially when they are strutting their stuff (displaying). If you are lucky, you may catch them in courting displays.
Every winter we are blessed with some very stylish ducks from the Family Anatidae. Buffleheads (Bucephala alveoli) and Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) can be found especially in bays and estuaries. It's always a pleasure to see them, especially when they are strutting their stuff (displaying). If you are lucky, you may catch them in courting displays.
Bufflehead Male and Female. Photo: M Krall
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Hooded Merganser Male, displaying.
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Hooded Merganser Female, displaying, and Male looking coy Photo: M Krall
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New Photographs added to Gallery
Check out new photographs added to the Gallery by Jules Evans, including an amazing Grey-Crowned Rosy Finch, seen on Manzanita Beach, December 29, 2015. If you have photos or other items of interest to contribute, please use the Contact link, under "more", above.
Check out new photographs added to the Gallery by Jules Evans, including an amazing Grey-Crowned Rosy Finch, seen on Manzanita Beach, December 29, 2015. If you have photos or other items of interest to contribute, please use the Contact link, under "more", above.
Fall Shorebird Migration
There have been many recent sightings of expected and some less common shorebirds that are on their way south. In July there were many sightings of Red-Knots. In August Baird's Sandpipers have been present in higher than usual numbers. Western and Least Sandpipers, and Sanderlings are moving through in numbers now. Semi-palmated Plovers, Wandering Tattlers, and Black-bellied Plovers can also be observed. What a wonderful time to enjoy our beaches, estuaries and bays! Get out and bird!
There have been many recent sightings of expected and some less common shorebirds that are on their way south. In July there were many sightings of Red-Knots. In August Baird's Sandpipers have been present in higher than usual numbers. Western and Least Sandpipers, and Sanderlings are moving through in numbers now. Semi-palmated Plovers, Wandering Tattlers, and Black-bellied Plovers can also be observed. What a wonderful time to enjoy our beaches, estuaries and bays! Get out and bird!
Western Sandpiper with snack.
Photo: Michael Krall
Sanderlings. Photo: Michael Krall
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Western Sandpiper and Semi-palmated Plovers.
Photo: Michael Krall
Wandering Tattler. Photo: Michael Krall
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Breeding Plumages Abound
One of the wonderful treats this time of year is seeing many birds in their breeding plumages. Even some birds that aren't regular breeders here, have hung around long enough to give us glimpses of the spectacular plumages we usually associate with "up North" (as in Canada or Alaska). In the last couple of weeks we've seen nice examples of Eared Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, and Common Loon showing off their fancy feathers.
One of the wonderful treats this time of year is seeing many birds in their breeding plumages. Even some birds that aren't regular breeders here, have hung around long enough to give us glimpses of the spectacular plumages we usually associate with "up North" (as in Canada or Alaska). In the last couple of weeks we've seen nice examples of Eared Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, and Common Loon showing off their fancy feathers.
Eared Grebes. Photo: Michael Krall
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Common Loon. Photo: Michael Krall
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Red-necked Grebe. Photo: Michael Krall
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Lesser is More!
Another new Tillamook County bird- a Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) was sighted April 6th by Annika Andersson and seen by a few other lucky and alert birders at Goose Point just south of Bay City. Good photos were obtained. Any Nighthawk is very unexpected here in spring, whereas Common Nighthawks are, well, common in the summer. Lesser Nighthawks winter in Baja and elsewhere in Mexico. In summer they are expected in the Central Valley of California and elsewhere in the Southwest. Unfortunately this bird apparently didn’t stick around more than one day. Congratulations to those who saw it.
Ah, Spring!
Happily, the days are (mostly) getting warmer and we’re beginning to see some spring migrants. Rufous Hummingbirds are back, as are Turkey Vultures and Osprey. Many of the winter birds have left including Ruff-legged Hawks. There is a lot of mating activity in evidence. Bald eagles are on the nest across the estuary near the oyster hatchery on Netarts Bay. They have two hatchlings in the nest as of mid June 2021, getting larger and ready to fledge.
Another new Tillamook County bird- a Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) was sighted April 6th by Annika Andersson and seen by a few other lucky and alert birders at Goose Point just south of Bay City. Good photos were obtained. Any Nighthawk is very unexpected here in spring, whereas Common Nighthawks are, well, common in the summer. Lesser Nighthawks winter in Baja and elsewhere in Mexico. In summer they are expected in the Central Valley of California and elsewhere in the Southwest. Unfortunately this bird apparently didn’t stick around more than one day. Congratulations to those who saw it.
Ah, Spring!
Happily, the days are (mostly) getting warmer and we’re beginning to see some spring migrants. Rufous Hummingbirds are back, as are Turkey Vultures and Osprey. Many of the winter birds have left including Ruff-legged Hawks. There is a lot of mating activity in evidence. Bald eagles are on the nest across the estuary near the oyster hatchery on Netarts Bay. They have two hatchlings in the nest as of mid June 2021, getting larger and ready to fledge.
Bald Eagle nest along Netarts Bay. Look down the tallest tree about thirty feet.
Photo: Michael Krall
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Adult and Fledgling Bald Eagle from 2020 season. Photo: Michael Krall
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Purple Martins
Purple Martin nesting success at the Netarts Boat Basin in 2021 was uncertain, at least to this observer. We saw adult birds entering and hanging around the nesting boxes on several occasions. However, we never observed definite feeding behavior or fledglings. What about other observers? If you had definite sightings we'd love to hear.
Purple Martin nesting success at the Netarts Boat Basin in 2021 was uncertain, at least to this observer. We saw adult birds entering and hanging around the nesting boxes on several occasions. However, we never observed definite feeding behavior or fledglings. What about other observers? If you had definite sightings we'd love to hear.
Purple Martin's claiming nesting box and fending off House Sparrow. Photo: Michael Krall
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Purple Martins at nesting box. Photo: Michael Krall
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Hiking the Tillamook Spits
In December 2015, Portland Monthly had a feature article on hiking Netarts and Bayocean Spits. Bayocean is popular among birders, but Netarts spit is less frequently birded. Read what writer Adam Sawyer had to say about them both.
A picture is worth...
Jack Booth has been absent for a while, but missed. Here are a few samples of his wonderful photos. Be sure to look at his photo gallery.
In December 2015, Portland Monthly had a feature article on hiking Netarts and Bayocean Spits. Bayocean is popular among birders, but Netarts spit is less frequently birded. Read what writer Adam Sawyer had to say about them both.
A picture is worth...
Jack Booth has been absent for a while, but missed. Here are a few samples of his wonderful photos. Be sure to look at his photo gallery.
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Clay-colored Sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow, Nielsen Rd, 29 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth
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Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Tillamook Bay Wetlands, 28 Nov 2015 Photo Jack Booth
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Cattle Egret
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Swamp Sparrow
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Cattle Egret, Hwy 101 s of Tillamook city, 26 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth
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Swamp Sparrow, Tillamook Bay Wetlands, 23 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth
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Protecting Bayocean Spit
Dickcissel, Bayocean Spit, 21 Nov 2015 Photo: Jack Booth
Updated 7/12/2020
Tillamook County held a public hearing November 12, 2015 to discuss the future of Bayocean Spit.
Marg Tweelinckx gave the photos of the DICKCISSEL and NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD provided by Nels Nelson and talked about birding at Bayocean Spit and how it has influenced her.
The Tillamook County Department of Community Development accepted the photos and many people there were interested in the birding.
In a 5-2 vote the Planning Commission voted to change the zoning from Recreation Management (RM) to Recreation Natural (RN), which aims to "... designate and preserve areas that contain significant natural and/or scenic values."
The Tillamook Planning Commission Report may be accessed here.
Additional Bayocean information:
Oregon Coast Alliance
Tillamook County held a public hearing November 12, 2015 to discuss the future of Bayocean Spit.
Marg Tweelinckx gave the photos of the DICKCISSEL and NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD provided by Nels Nelson and talked about birding at Bayocean Spit and how it has influenced her.
The Tillamook County Department of Community Development accepted the photos and many people there were interested in the birding.
In a 5-2 vote the Planning Commission voted to change the zoning from Recreation Management (RM) to Recreation Natural (RN), which aims to "... designate and preserve areas that contain significant natural and/or scenic values."
The Tillamook Planning Commission Report may be accessed here.
Additional Bayocean information:
Oregon Coast Alliance
Bonaparte's Gull, Nov 2014 Photo: Jack Booth
Do you have photos, notes or field reports you'd like to share, or suggestions about the website? Let us know!
eBird "Hotspot Explorer"
We've added links to eBird's new "Hotspot Explorer" for each of our featured birding locations on our Where to Bird pages. These links take you to a new eBird feature that includes recent sightings, top listers, bar charts and more. They have also added an interface for counties, so here's a link to Tillamook County. More information...
Black Turnstone, Nov 2014 Photo: Jack Booth
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Oregon Birding Sites Guide (new links)
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Red-breaster Sapsucker, Nov 2014 Photo: Jack Booth
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What is Tillamook Birder?
Tillamook County is located on the north Oregon coast, between Lincoln county, to the south, and Clatsop, to the north. Its coastline offers rocky ocean beaches, majestic Capes, and numerous bays. Moving inland, fertile fields and wetlands give way to lush forested mountains as you move further east. On our website, we plan to provide up to date reports of birding activity and conditions, information about local birding events, and much more. We plan to keep updating and revising to best meet your needs. Special thanks to Jules Evans, Dawn Villaescusa, Cliff Cordy, Tim Blount, Jack Booth and Ken Chamberlain for their input, advice, and fantastic photos. Editor is Michael Krall.