FAQ
Pacific Wren © Liam Hutcheson
ANSWERS TO your QUESTIONS
Planning a birding trip can have a lot of factors to consider and some unknown variables. This guide to frequently asked questions will help you with the process. Please ask us if you need further clarification on any of these points or if your question isn’t here.
Where do I go?
Oregon is a big place, and each region has different habitats and ecosystems. Each region hosts its own suite of specialty birds, often containing multiple species that aren’t readily found elsewhere in the state. Take a look at our locations page to get an idea of which regions are home to which species. Consider your birding objectives, how much you want to travel, and your budget. If the sky’s the limit, consider a tour from east to west, exploring the grasslands and dry mountains, crossing the Cascades, and wrapping up on the coast!
When do I come?
Oregon birding is great year-round, though different regions are best at different times of year. Coastal Oregon is at its best in the cooler months, when the waters are teeming with migrants from up north. Don’t miss out on spring and summer either, when breeding specialties adorn the rocky coast. The mountains are best in the summer, when resident birds are breeding and migrants have returned. Eastern Oregon is best in late spring, when breeding activity is peaking for resident birds and migrants shorebirds are thick.
What will I see?
This depends on when you come, where you go, and your objectives. The Oregon Birding Association produces a useful up-to-date state checklist and while eBird is without doubt the most dynamic tool. Use the downloadable lists to the right to determine which species you can expect to see or target during your visit. You can view species sorted by taxonomic order (evolutionary relationships) or sighting frequency (percentage of checklists that have reported the species). NOTE: frequency does not necessarily reflect the likelihood of seeing a given species.
TAXONOMIC Order
Sighting FREQUency
What do I bring?
Start with whatever you bring out birding on a regular basis – binoculars, spotting scope, camera, appropriate outerwear (including sunscreen, bug spray, and chapstick), daypack, and water/snacks. Check out our services page for a list of what we’ll bring along as well. Bring at least one layer each of clothes for warm, cold, and wet conditions, and be sure to check with your guide to see if more layers make sense based on the location or weather conditions. We recommend sticking with long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toed shoes when in the field.
What do I eat?
Food is handled per circumstances and preferences. Breakfast is quick, usually at your lodging, a quick restaurant, or packed ahead of time for the field. Similarly, lunch is often on-the-go, either packed or ordered at a quick restaurant along the way. Dinner is the best time to relax and enjoy some good food out. Oregon is home to some famous eateries. Throughout the state, you’ll see Tillamook cheese and Umpqua ice cream. If you’re in season, be sure to try marionberries! For beverages, you can’t go wrong with any of the state’s numerous local breweries. Yelp and Trip Advisor are excellent resources to surf Oregon’s non-birding highlights!
What is the weather like?
Oregon’s climate varies seasonally and regionally. The state is wetter west of the Cascades. The coast has fairly moderate weather year-round but is warmer in the summers. Mountains have snowy winters and beautiful, warm summers. Eastern Oregon has warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Of course, weather is always changing. It is always best to check conditions where you will be before you go. Accuweather and Weather Underground are the best resources.
