Birding Ashland OR

The following is a list of birding locations in Ashland. Each location includes a brief list of birds you may see, but are by no means limiting!

Lithia Park

See beautiful Ashland Creek flow through Lithia Park, and don’t miss a chance to see the American Dipper and Wood Duck.

Directions: The main entrance to Lithia Park is located on the south end of the main plaza. There are two duck ponds indicated on the entrance main map here and trails where you can see many other bird species.

North Mountain Park

A quaint location full of must-see’s.

Common Merganser, American Kestral, Red-tailed Hawk, Acorn Woodpecker, Northern flicker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Killdeer, Red-winged Blackbird, Canada Goose, Great Blue Heron. Spring/Summer: Western Kingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Swainson’s Thrush, Western Tanager, Sparrows: Song/Golden-crowned/White-crowned, Warblers: Wilson’s/Yellow/Orange-crowned. Spring migration: Cedar Waxwing.

Directions: From downtown Ashland, head southeast on Siskiyou Blvd. Turn left onto Mountain Avenue (a small brown sign will point you downhill: “N. Mountain Park Nature Center ←”). The entrance to the park is on the right hand side near a baseball diamond.

Ashland Ponds

Tucked away along the Bear Creek Riparian corridor.

Same species at North Mountain Park, plus Cassin’s/Hutton’s Vireo, Western Wood-pewee, Anna’s/Rufous Hummingbird, Lazuli Bunting, Green Heron, Pacific-slope Flycatcher.

Directions: From downtown Ashland, head North on Lithia Way. Turn right onto Helman Street. Turn left onto Nevada Street, then right onto Glendower Street. Park at the end of Glendower and walk down the dirt path.

Roca Canyon

A small treasure with much to see!

Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Western Scrub Jay, Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, American Robin, Stellar’s Jay, Turkey Vulture, Red-tailed Hawk, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Hermit Thrush, Evening Grosbeak, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-capped Chickadee, Lesser Goldfinch, Acorn Woodpecker, Anna’s Hummingbird, and many more during spring migration!

Directions: From downtown Ashland, head southeast on Siskiyou Blvd. Turn right onto Mountain Avenue, follow uphill and turn left onto Ashland Street. Take second right (with SOU Science building to your left). Turn right onto Roca Street. To your left is a wooded glen known as “Roca Canyon”. Explore! You can also view birds around the neighborhood by following Roca Street uphill and turning right onto any of the side streets, and then continuing on an incline.

Ashland Watershed Trails

Ashland is known for an excellent trail circuit. Take advantage of the exercise, but don’t forget your binoculars!

Western Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Stellar’s Jay, Brown-headed Cowbird, Evening Grosbeak, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Acorn Woodpecker.

Directions: From downtown Ashland, head southest on Siskiyou Blvd. Turn right onto Park Street. Follow Park Street to the very top. You will see a clearing that connects to a few trails. Pick a trail and go for it!

Emigrant Lake

Emigrant Lake and surrounding areas consist of diverse bird habitats—this is why your “spotted list” has the potential to be so long! Take advantage of the day and spend it winding around the lake and taking the opportunity to hike around.

Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Oak Titmouse, Swallows: Violet-green/Barn/Northern Rough-winged, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Common Merganser, Common Raven, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper, Red-winged Blackbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Western Meadowlark, Spotted Towhee, White-tailed Kite, Eurasian-collared Dove, Rock Pigeon, European Starling, Osprey, Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, Vaux Swift, Black-headed Grosbeak, Chipping Sparrow, Pileated Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hermit Warbler.

Directions: From downtown Ashland, head southeast on Siskiyou Blvd. Take a left onto Ashland Street and follow it past the freeway entrances and curve to the right (Ashland Street becomes OR-66/Greensprings Hwy). Turn left onto Emigrant Lake Road, or remain on OR-66/Greensprings Hwy to loop around the lake.

Outdoor Recreation Safety Note: Please be sure to read our safety note on our Outdoor Recreation home page.