Oregon in Spring

On our first morning, we'll become acquainted with  common  western Oregon birds such as this Song Sparrow.
On our first morning, we'll become acquainted with common western Oregon birds such as this Song Sparrow.
We'll also visit wetlands where Marsh Wren may be heard and maybe even seen...
We'll also visit wetlands where Marsh Wren may be heard and maybe even seen...
...and elegant Cinnamon Teal pairs are common.
...and elegant Cinnamon Teal pairs are common.
Once at the coast, around every corner is a breathtaking view begging to be photographed.
Once at the coast, around every corner is a breathtaking view begging to be photographed.
Our two nights on the coast are in the small town of Netarts where our hotel overlooks the mouth of the small bay, famous for its crabbing and oysters.
Our two nights on the coast are in the small town of Netarts where our hotel overlooks the mouth of the small bay, famous for its crabbing and oysters.
We'll view the bustling seabird colonies at Cape Meares State Park and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge  from the quaint village of Oceanside...
We'll view the bustling seabird colonies at Cape Meares State Park and Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge from the quaint village of Oceanside...
...as well as from the Cape Meares lighthouse...
...as well as from the Cape Meares lighthouse...
...and also stop at the colony at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, where one can watch Common Murres and Brandt's Cormorants just offshore.
...and also stop at the colony at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, where one can watch Common Murres and Brandt's Cormorants just offshore.
Moving into the Coast Range we'll hear Varied Thrush's haunting song from the dark, lichen-draped forests.
Moving into the Coast Range we'll hear Varied Thrush's haunting song from the dark, lichen-draped forests.
We're then in the Willamette Valley, where California Scrub-Jay is common and conspicuous...
We're then in the Willamette Valley, where California Scrub-Jay is common and conspicuous...
…and the “Coastal” Bushtit is also common but furtive.
…and the “Coastal” Bushtit is also common but furtive.
We'll then drive over the Cascade Mountains, stopping at rushing mountain streams...
We'll then drive over the Cascade Mountains, stopping at rushing mountain streams...
...to look for American Dipper...
...to look for American Dipper...
...and the coastal subspecies of Gray Jay, known as the "Oregon Jay"...
...and the coastal subspecies of Gray Jay, known as the "Oregon Jay"...
...or the recently split Pacific Wren.
...or the recently split Pacific Wren.
We will of course pay our respects to the ancient old-growth forests.
We will of course pay our respects to the ancient old-growth forests.
We'll then spend a morning in the High Cascades, where snow-capped peaks, such as Mount Bachelor, create a distinctive skyline.
We'll then spend a morning in the High Cascades, where snow-capped peaks, such as Mount Bachelor, create a distinctive skyline.
Woodpeckers are at their most diverse in these coniferous forests, thanks in part to the forest fires that create habitat for them.
Woodpeckers are at their most diverse in these coniferous forests, thanks in part to the forest fires that create habitat for them.
We'll stop at willow-lined streams where the charming Calliope Hummingbird stakes out its territory...
We'll stop at willow-lined streams where the charming Calliope Hummingbird stakes out its territory...
...and we'll also check draws along canyons in the drier areas...
...and we'll also check draws along canyons in the drier areas...
...where the evocative song of the Canyon Wren can be heard.
...where the evocative song of the Canyon Wren can be heard.
The vistas change dramatically during our days at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the fault-block Steens Mountain in the distance dominating the horizon.
The vistas change dramatically during our days at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the fault-block Steens Mountain in the distance dominating the horizon.
Much of the region is covered in dry sagebrush flats, home to Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher...
Much of the region is covered in dry sagebrush flats, home to Sage Sparrow and Sage Thrasher...
...but the wet areas are even more alive with birds, such as...
...but the wet areas are even more alive with birds, such as...
...this intent American Avocet, just one of the thousands of birds in the thriving marshes.
...this intent American Avocet, just one of the thousands of birds in the thriving marshes.
We'll bird here just as the very first Common Nighthawks are arriving on migration.
We'll bird here just as the very first Common Nighthawks are arriving on migration.
Woodpecker diversity is a highlight of this tour, White-headed Woodpecker always being a favorite...
Woodpecker diversity is a highlight of this tour, White-headed Woodpecker always being a favorite...
...along with Acorn Woodpecker...
...along with Acorn Woodpecker...
...and Lewis's Woodpecker.
...and Lewis's Woodpecker.
Tours with Rich Hoyer are always a complete natural history experience, here showing a Red-spotted Garter Snake...
Tours with Rich Hoyer are always a complete natural history experience, here showing a Red-spotted Garter Snake...
...or stopping to admire this Desert Horned Lizard...
...or stopping to admire this Desert Horned Lizard...
…or this Anise Swallowtail “hilltopping” at Aldrich Mountain…
…or this Anise Swallowtail “hilltopping” at Aldrich Mountain…
…or even a spontaneous stop to marvel at wildflowers such as White Mule-ears and Small Camas.
…or even a spontaneous stop to marvel at wildflowers such as White Mule-ears and Small Camas.
We'll stop for mammals too. This American Badger was digging a burrow right by a state highway.
We'll stop for mammals too. This American Badger was digging a burrow right by a state highway.
Our final day includes a stop at the famous Multnomah Waterfalls...
Our final day includes a stop at the famous Multnomah Waterfalls...
...and culminates in the grand vista from Crown Point just east of Portland.
...and culminates in the grand vista from Crown Point just east of Portland.
Photo credit: Rich Hoyer
May - Jun, 2026
Tour Price to be Determined
2026
(2024 Price was $4,090)
Maximum group size is seven with one leader.
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

Oregon is well known for lush ancient forests and a picturesque coastline that teems with waterbirds. This is the Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains, where most of the human population resides. Less well known is how radically different the habitat and climate become as one moves south and east. In the “rain shadow” of the Cascades one finds dry, open conifer forests, desert-like shrub-steppe, and stark vistas of canyons and fault-block mountains, while farther south one experiences warm summers with virtually no rain. It’s this meeting of Pacific, Continental, and Mediterranean climates in astonishingly close proximity that gives the state of Oregon an avian diversity greater than any other area in the world at a similar latitude—especially in woodpeckers and owls. We’ll explore most of this diversity in scenic state parks on the coast, vibrant national wildlife refuges in the Willamette Valley, extensive coniferous forests on both sides of the Cascades and open expanses of sagebrush in the eastern deserts.

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Tour Notes

Maximum group size is seven with one leader.

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