Siletz Bay
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Siletz Bay is a State Important Bird Area, with at least 100 Brown Pelicans, 5,000 waterfowl (in marine estuarine habitats), 1,000 shorebirds, and 50 Caspian Terns recorded in season. Part of the marshlands of Siletz Bay is also a National Wildlife Refuge. Siletz Bay is often separated into North and South Siletz Bay. The Bay north of Josephine Young Park is North Siletz Bay, and the Bay south of the Park is South Siletz Bay. North Siletz Bay can be viewed from Taft Waterfront Park and has a sandy bottom. Another good place to scope the north bay is from the Siletz Bay Pier which is right next to Mo’s Restaurant on 51st Street.
A stop at the mouth of Schooner Creek is essential. There is a pullout just after you cross the creek bridge going south (44.924722, – 124.014382). The rocks here host Harlequin Ducks and other divers (A common Scoter was found here in 2016). South Siletz Bay has more of a mud bottom and can be surveyed from Josephine Young Park and Salishan Nature Trails. Many species of water birds differ in whether they occur in North or South Siletz Bay.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
This is a great place to scan for waterfowl, gulls, and shorebirds. In season, you can expect to see Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Bufflehead, and Red-breasted Merganser. Shorebirds are rarely abundant here but you can regularly find small groups of peeps and plovers. Gulls include Short-billed, Western, California, and a smattering of others. You might run into all 3 loons from early winter to early spring. Bald Eagles are often present in the cold months.
Nearby Birding Locations
- Devil's Lake State Park
- Kernville/Siletz River - Cannery Slough
- East Devil's Lake State Park
- Rock Creek Marsh
- Taft Waterfront Park
- Lincoln City 15th Street Beach Access Rocks
- Millport Slough
- Siletz Bay-Alder Island Unit
- Roads End State Recreation Site
- Josephine Young Park
- Knight Park
- D River State Recreational Site
- Salmon River Estuary
- Drift Creek Meadows at Gorton Road
- Lincoln City Sewage Ponds
- Drift Creek Falls
- Spring Lake Open Space
- Salishan Nature Trails
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