Coos Bay
Seasons
Checklists
Location
Coos Bay is on Hwy 101 about 21 miles north of Bandon and 26 miles south of Reedsport. 1) From Hwy 101 and Ivy Ave, park across from the Motel 6 (43.378974, -124.217201) on the bay side of the highway. 2) South of Ivy Ave 0.7 miles, turn right (west) off Hwy 101 onto Commercial Ave. Follow Commercial Ave (bear right after the light) until the stop sign at 10th St. Turn right (north) onto 10th St. and park on the right at the softball field (43.369911, -124.222131). Walk across the street to Mingus Park and bird the pond. 3)Three blocks south of Mingus Park on 10th St., turn right (west) on Anderson Ave. Continue west on Anderson Ave about 0.4 miles to a small parking area on the right where the road is bisected by power lines (43.367032, -124.229615).
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
A small number of Willits winter in the bay here, and scope the exposed mudflats for shorebirds and deeper channels for water birds. At Mingus Park check the domestic waterfowl for wild birds such as scaup and wigeon. Gulls are tame here and offer close study of good diversity in the winter. A paved path leads into conifers at the NW corner of this small park where one can encounter woodland species. A Green Heron has occasionally been seen in this corner of the pond. There is a swamp on the left where Red-shouldered Hawks, Virginia Rails and Wood Ducks breed. Rarities recorded around Coos Bay include Fulvous Whistling Duck, King Eider, Yellow-billed Loon, Bristle-thighed Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Ruff, Elegant Tern, Long-billed Murrelet, Tropical Kingbird, and Hooded Oriole.
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