2019 Oregon – Klamath Basin & the Coast – Extension

The most likely scenario is that we will pick up exactly where we left off yesterday, at Fort Stevens State Park. This is not only a prime birding area, but it has a great reputation for rarities, much like Cape May Point on the Atlantic Coast. Some of the more likely species that we will see include Red-throated Loon, Western Grebe, Pelagic Cormorant, Heerman’s Gull, Bald Eagle, Orange-crowned Warbler, and Golden-crowned Sparrow.

After a full round of all the prime spots, we’ll drive south to Del Ray, the Seaside sewage ponds, and Ecola State Park. We should find a number of new seabirds, waterfowl, and songbirds, and we’ll search the gull flocks for anything out of the ordinary.

We’ll do our best to be at Saddle Mountain State Park between 5 and 6 PM for Varied Thrush, Ruffed Grouse, and possibly Sooty Grouse. Western Screech-Owl is also quite possible.

Overnight: Astoria

Depending upon the tides and weather, we’ll spend at least part of the day at Fort Stevens and the South Jetty. But, with Washington State just a short bridge crossing away, it seems a shame not to pay a visit to Oregon’s neighbor to the north. We’ll make stops at Fort Columbia State Park and Chinook Park, still on the Columbia River.

Then we’ll make our way to Cape Disappointment, Fort Canby State Park, and the North Jetty of the Columbia River. We’ll be right across the Columbia from the South Jetty, looking for south bound migrants before they cross the mouth of the river. It will be a fun day of exploring coastal southwest Washington.

Overnight: Astoria

We have about a two-hour drive to the Portland Airport. If everyone will make their departure flights for noon or later, we’ll have a couple of hours to check some coastal spots, or perhaps return to Saddle Mountain for another try at Sooty Grouse and some high altitude birds.

This extension to the Oregon Tour will end in Portland by mid-day.

Yes! We have birding planned if time allows and everything is on schedule.

Check the weather for the destination as close to your departure date as possible, and dress accordingly for your comfort level. You can also review our What to Bring page for more information.

There are many items the will be useful to you while on a Bird Treks tour. We have put together our list of recommendations on the What to Bring page.

Our tours are all conducted in English, but we do have some experience working with client that don’t speak English well – Some English would be needed for safety reasons. In locations where another language is predominately spoken, a native guide may accompany the tour.

Yes, we will always try our best to help with anything at all! We’re here to serve you. However, it is usually easier if you book your flight through your own travel agent as we can’t always get the best deals from your particular country. But we will help whenever needed!

While Day 1 is usually a travel (arrival) day, and the last day of the tour is usually also a travel day (departure), many people do like to arrive early and/or leave late. We can indeed book extra nights before and after the trip, and we in fact recommend you let us book them, as it avoids confusion and allows us to book the accommodation that is most convenient for the tour.

NOTE: Most often it is the same hotel or lodge that you use on the first night of the tour, but in some instances, it could be an airport hotel or an accommodation establishment where the guide is staying.

No, we do not. We find that it is better for trip participants to purchase their own medical, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance through their own insurance provider in the country they reside in. We expect all tour participants to have comprehensive insurance, and we encourage everyone to send us a copy of their insurance documents.

For most tours, meals are included in the tour price. This may include a hotel-provided breakfast, or guide-provided box lunches. For dinners, we strive to find interesting and delicious local restaurants – this allows us to give back to the local economy, and find exciting new place to eat.