Chasing Coastal Birds

Astoria OR

 Rare bird alerts all over...new car...no brainer.  Whirlwind coastal tour to see two target birds from Crescent City, CA, to Astoria, OR in three days. We left in rain, drove four hours to Crescent City in mostly rain, walked the harbor in driving rain.  The common scoter is usually seen in northern Europe or Asia. Ron found it swimming in and around the boat slips in the marina. We high-fived each other, watched the bird paddle around for a while, wiped off our binocs and jumped back in the car. We landed in Brookings, OR, for the night.  It continued to rain hard.  

Columbia River, Astoria OR

Tuesday morning it was still raining as we drove north along the coastal highway.  The usually appealing beaches were not welcoming today!  We were just as glad to get to our destination with no sandy detours.  But, the further north we went the nicer it got.  By the time we stopped for lunch in Douglas County it was sunny and warm.  A perfect beach day...

Black-headed gull on Young's Bay

We arrived in Astoria about an hour before dark.  We had detailed directions for the gull, but he wasn't around.  We found a motel on the Astoria Riverwalk, underneath the big bridge.  We were right on the waterfront, overlooking the marina.  We will return here another time in better weather to fully enjoy the area, but today it is all business!

Young's Bay, Astoria OR

Wednesday morning it had stopped raining, although it was still grey outside.

We were at Tapiola Park along Young's Bay at 8:30AM .  Set up the scope, and immediately saw the black-headed gull.  The gull is usually seen in northern Europe and Asia.  This gull has a beautiful red bill and red feet and legs.  A municipal truck pulled up next to us and wondered what we were looking at as he had seen people there all week long, peering through scopes and binocs. Ron invited him to  look through the scope to see for himself.  

Two for two!  Not to mention the snowy owl we saw a few days ago at Fern Ridge in Eugene.  By the way, the new car served us well!