Spring in Oregon is a great time to spot wildlife, from migrating gray whales to hundreds of bird species resting and feeding along the Pacific Flyway.

Spring Whale Watch Week

Some 200 gray whales call the Oregon coast home from July through October. However, the odds of seeing one of these majestic mammals increase this month when some 18,000 migrate between Alaska and their breeding grounds in Mexico. This March 21-28, 2009, is Spring Whale Watch Week, when Oregon State Parks sets up 28 whale-watching spots along the coast. Volunteers will be available to answer any and all questions, including where to point your binoculars.

Bird-watching

Oregon is home to nearly 500 bird species, and the number jumps into the thousands during spring migration when exotic birds come to rest and feed under the Oregon stretch of the Pacific Flyway. Here are three prime spring bird-watching destinations.

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

Thousands of migrating birds stop in this eastern Oregon area in the spring to feed on the 187,000 acres of wetlands and meadows at the refuge, which was established in 1890 by Theodore Roosevelt. Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival, which is April 3-5 in nearby Burns.

Oregon Coast Birding Trail

There are 173 designated bird-watching sites on this trail that runs along Oregon’s stunning coast. A free brochure maps each site and lists the species you are likely to see—some 250 in total.
Download the guide.

Oregon Cascades Birding Trail

There are nearly 200 designated bird-watching sites along 1,000 miles of scenic roads in the Cascade Mountains. Along the route, bird-watchers may see bald eagles, great horned owls, dark-eyed juncos and other species.
Download the guide.