Three Capes Scenic Loop Bird Watching

The Cape Meares Loop is accessable from 3rd Street west out of Tillamook. Walk down the paved path to the lighthouse. On the way, stop at a fenced overlook to your right. Scan the air below and the dirt areas of the cliffs for tufted puffin, which nest here in large numbers. At the lighthouse you will, in early to mid-summer, see the large murrer and cormorant colonies on the offshore rocks.

Just after crossing the Tillamook River, turn right on the South Bay road. Plan to stop every mile or so and get out. In winter, the bay will be covered with ducks.

When the main road turns south away from the bay, take the gravel road out to the mud flats - good for whimbrel, red knot, black-bellied plover, and perhaps marbled godwit in migration.

If you have the time, the three-mile hike out on the sandspit to the south jetty is highly recommended. The road past the parking lot is in good shape, but no motorized vehichles are allowed on it. There are basically four sections to this hike with varying habitats. Watch for bay ducks and raptors as you come out of the wood, particularly marsh hawks and bald eagles.

See more Birding on the Oregon Coast.

The Most Anticipated Upcoming Oregon Events Are: Eagle Watch 2010 Culver February 27 thru February 28 Hood River Last Chance Holiday Bazaar Odell December 12 thru December 13 Winter Carnival at Hoodoo Sisters February 6 thru February 7 Traditions Holiday Celebrations Sunriver continuing thru January 1 Gingerbread Jubilee Medford continuing thru November 25

Other upcoming events include: Winter Beach Party North Powder February 6 82nd Annual Yachats Ladies Club Christmas Bazaar Yachats December 5 thru December 6 International Film Festival Portland February 11 thru February 27 Barbershop Cabaret Seaside January 15 thru January 16 Mardi Gras Jambalaya Cook-Off Lincoln City January 30