The rugged Oregon Coast is a rich habitat for a wide variety of birds. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or are craving a unique travel experience, the Oregon Coast is the vacation destination of your wildest dreams. The Inn at Otter Crest is tucked away in a pristine forest by the rugged Pacific Ocean Coast. Our Otter Rock hotel can be a little hard to get to and requires guests to walk or take a golf cart from the parking lot to their rooms.
After that minor inconvenience, guests can hear the wildlife and ocean without modern disturbances at one of the best Oregon Coast oceanfront hotels for nature lovers. You will have private access to one of the seven protected Oregon Coast Marine Gardens, 35 acres to explore on walking paths, our resident harbor seals, and so much more. You won’t have to give up modern luxuries, though, with comfy accommodations, plush amenities, and nearby towns/cities with plenty of fun to explore. Book your next adventure today at The Inn at Otter Crest!
5 Oregon Coast Birds To Watch for During Your Vacation
1. Tufted Puffin
This is one of the easiest Oregon Coast birds to recognize with its stunning large orange beak, bright white face, red-rimmed eyes, and black body. Some of the best spots to find these birds are Yaquina Head and Cape Foulweather, less than 10 miles from The Inn at Otter Crest. Cape Mears and Cape Lookout are also great spots to find Tufted Puffins, just a little over a one-hour drive from The Inn at Otter Crest.
2. Marbled Murrelet
These are one of the most mysterious Oregon Coast birds, commonly called the “enigma of the Pacific.” Their nests weren’t even discovered until 1974. They are a part of the Oregon Conservation Strategy in the Coast Range, Klamath Mountains, and Nearshore regions.
3. Pigeon Guillemot
These are some interesting love birds on the Oregon Coast. During the breeding season, these birds dress in red legs and red around their mouth like lipstick. They will flirt with water games and form monogamous relationships.
4. Black Oystercatcher
These lovely Oregon Coast birds are also quite the romantics and tend to mate for life. Couples will defend a specific territory during the breeding season to raise their young. After the breeding season, some families will remain in their breeding territory while others will look for more prosperous feeding areas. They are a part of the Oregon Conservation Strategy in Nearshore regions.
5. Western Gull
You can find these lovely birds year-round on the Oregon Coast. Many more females than males are in their colonies, so females sometimes pair up. Both will lay eggs and take care of each other’s young. The oldest discovered Western Gull was almost 34 years old.