For bird watchers, the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is a “must do.” The refuge sits at the mouth of the Coquille River, located just north of Bandon on Riverside Drive off Hwy 101. Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge protects the largest remaining tidal salt marsh within the Coquille River estuary. This 712-acre refuge is an oasis for migrating shorebirds, waterfowl and endangered birds. This may be the premium shorebird site on the Oregon Coast. Thousands of shorebirds of numerous species are routinely found here, and peak counts have reached 60,000. An observation deck allows viewing of species such as sandpipers, whimbrel, dunlin, California brown pelican and bald eagle. Stairs lead down to the mudflats. The observation areas are open daily from sunrise to sunset. For more information, call (541) 347-1470. www.fws.gov/refuge/bandon-marsh
