WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Oregon

By species reported, the top birding spots in Oregon are Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, and Local Government 9. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge has the longest list (250 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Malheur National Wildlife RefugeHarney County2504,41029219187199
Fern Ridge Wildlife AreaLane County2284,157121177176173
Local Government 9Benton County2256,965124188160189
Yaquina BayLincoln County2255,414135176141172
Nehalem Bay State ParkTillamook County2151,78992171131161
Fernhill WetlandsWashington County2056,516136176152177
Ona Beach State ParkLincoln County2002,54887143145154
Wood River MarshKlamath County2001,09473165137167
Tualatin River National Wildlife RefugeWashington County1975,254108170152154
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (Bird Waterhole)Harney County1971,29835157137149
Thief Valley ReservoirUnion County19381347145149153
Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge (Rock Creek)Washington County1883,37697164149148
Ankeny National Wildlife RefugeMarion County1883,18298140133153
Bayocean Peninsula County ParkTillamook County1871,36497153109148
Fern Ridge Wildlife Area (Coyote Creek)Lane County18798172130147137
Page SpringsHarney County1841,74856152126144
Agate Lake and DamJackson County1841,280106144100132
Rest LakeLake County18388353155125126
South Beach State ParkLincoln County1823,41311914989138
Jackson Bottom Wetlands PreserveWashington County1822,662112160126137
William L. Finley National Wildlife RefugeBenton County1821,76088152125153
Emigrant LakeJackson County18282883127119140
M James Gleason Memorial Boat RampMultnomah County1815,5509912899152
Smith LakeMultnomah County1813,604106135142141
McFadden MarshBenton County1792,691108144105123
Fort Stevens State ParkClatsop County1791,81870129123128
Bybee LakeMultnomah County1791,688108136138146
Perkins PeninsulaLane County1791,66269140120154
Clay Meyers State Natural Area - (Beltz Farm)Tillamook County1791,49987145128133
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge (northeast)Marion County1782,47991134122134

By county