You can perch yourself right out on the Nest balcony or side-yard and see/hear a lot of different varieties of birds but if you venture out to some nearby wild places you’ll greatly increase your chances of sighting some lesser seen species like great blue herons, osprey, puffins, kingfishers, just to name a few.
Nehalem Falls Campground
From Hwy 101 in Nehalem, go S 1.5 mi to Hwy 53, turn E and go 1.3 mi to Miami Foley Rd, turn S, then turn E (L) on Foss Rd, and go 7 mi to campground on L.
American Dipper, Hermit Warbler, Kingfisher.
Alder Creek Farm
From Hwy 101 in Manzanita drive S, turn W (R) on Underhill Ln, proceed until road ends, park in front of barn.
Hike the primitive trail that runs along Alder Creek to Nehalem Bay.
Kestrel, Purple Martin, and Tree Swallow, Red Phalarope.
Nehalem Bay State Park
Map with driving directions >>
You will need to purchase a day pass. Drive down the main road about 1/4 mile past the small airport to the bay parking lot (where the bike trail crosses the road. Take the trail a few hundred feet to the bay. Another great place to birdwatch (longer hike) is do drive all the way to the end of the main park road, park, and follow the gravel road on foot farther out on the sandspit (it’s 2 miles to the end if you wish to go all the way to the channel for some seal-watching.)
Great blue heron, osprey, bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, harlequin duck.
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach
From Hwy 101 in Seaside go S, and take 2nd St exit, follow to Hemlock St, turn S (L) and use public parking lot on corner of Hemlock and Gower St. Public walkway across from the parking leads to the beach and Haystack Rock.
Best accessed at low tide.
The best place on the coast to see Tufted Puffin from April to August.