Floras Lake/New River
Seasons
Checklists
Location
Fourteen miles south of Bandon and 10 miles north of Port Orford, you will find the road to Floras Lake. From central Bandon, OR at Highway 101 and Fillmore Ave., head south 15 miles on Highway 101. Turn right (west) onto Floras Lake Loop. Take Floras Lake loop 1.1 miles west and turn right (west) on Floras Lake Road. At 1.4 miles there is a sharp left. Continue for 459ft. and then turn right (west) onto Boice Cope Lane. In 0.3 mile make a slight right onto Park Lane. There is a day use fee for parking in this county facility. Locate the Floras Lake outlet and you will find a trail that leads across a pedestrian bridge to the beach. Access can be limited here during Snowy Plover nesting season (summer). This trail eventually ends at the mouth of the New River. Don’t forget to scan the lake for waterfowl. Check the riparian area around the bridge for migrants. The biggest draw here is the grassy area between the bridge and the beach. Many rarities have appeared there.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
Lake, marsh, pasture, and river bottom habitats exist here. In winter, look for Tundra Swans on the way into the lake. Raptors are abundant and American Bittern can be found around the parking lot. Ocean birds can be scoped from the trail and Snowy Plovers may be on the beach. The trail to New River is famous for rarities. Lapland Longspurs and Swamp Sparrow can be about as well as just about anything. This seems to be an active flyway so keep your eyes open for anything (Gyrfalcon has been seen here). Look for open fields in the surrounding countryside. A Mountain Plover was spotted here in Nov. 1999 and again in 2008. Other rarities include Bristle-thighed Curlew, Elegant Tern, and Tropical Kingbird.
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