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
- Lincoln City Sewage Ponds
- Kernville/Siletz River - Cannery Slough
- Millport Slough
- Salishan Nature Trails
- Salmon River Estuary
- Roads End State Recreation Site
- Drift Creek Meadows at Gorton Road
- D River State Recreational Site
- Taft Waterfront Park
- Siletz Bay-Alder Island Unit
- Devil's Lake State Park
- Spring Lake Open Space
- Josephine Young Park
- Knight Park
- Drift Creek Falls
- Rock Creek Marsh
- Lincoln City 15th Street Beach Access Rocks
- East Devil's Lake State Park
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