Salmon River Estuary

 

We make a lot of repeated trips to count and photograph birds to many of the same locations. Some become favorites, and we probably visit them at least once or more every month.  But every now and then we find a new, to us, location.  This was the case for this eBird Hotspot on the Salmon River Estuary at the Oregon Coast. It's almost hidden away on Fraser Road, just off busy Highway 101, north of Lincoln City.  There are no signs to announce a name of the parking lot, complete with an Information kiosk, restrooms, graveled trails, and picnic tables. There are only signs to the effect that it is "only open dawn to dusk, no camping or over-night parking", and a gate that is electronically controlled. I had recently picked up a clue, when a birder put in an e-bird observation list, and left the comment, "what is this place?". That of course caught my attention, and I followed up with some map research. Taking Highway 18 west, we took the exit to the right towards Tillamook and Hwy 101, and then a quick left on Fraser Road. Out of sight around the bend we found this wonderful parking lot and proceeded to enjoy a wonderful bird walk.  See our list here.