Yachats becomes first ‘Bird City’ on the Pacific Coast

Visitors driving into the small coastal town of Yachats will soon notice something new along U.S. Highway 101.

Signs welcoming travelers to a designated “Bird City” will mark the community as the first on the Pacific Coast to receive the conservation honor.

Seven Capes Bird Alliance, a coastal branch of the Bird Alliance of Oregon, began efforts to bring Yachats into Oregon’s Bird City program in 2025.

The initiative works to raise awareness of local threats to birds and other wildlife and to encourage community solutions and conservation efforts.

The Bird City Network awards Yachats the designation of “Bird City,” which recognizes the community’s commitment to protecting bird habitats through education, conservation projects, and public engagement.

Nearly 300 communities across North and South America participate in the program, but Yachats is the first along the Pacific shoreline.

Local leaders say the recognition reflects decades of grassroots conservation work and a growing effort to connect residents and visitors with the natural world that defines Oregon’s central coast.

What is a Bird City?

A Bird City is a community officially recognized for protecting bird populations through habitat conservation, education, and wildlife-friendly practices.

In Yachats, efforts include preventing bird entrapment in pipes and chimneys, installing window treatments to reduce bird strikes, and encouraging responsible pet ownership to limit threats to native species.

Organizers say the program also highlights the importance of birds to human wellbeing and environmental awareness.

Why was Yachats selected?

Yachats earned the designation following years of local conservation work focused on protecting coastal bird habitats.

In 2022, Yachats adopted dark-sky standards that limit the brightness of outdoor lighting, require shielding to prevent light spill onto neighboring properties, and direct illumination downward.

Bird populations across North America have declined by an estimated 30 to 40 percent since 1970 due to climate change, habitat loss, wildfires, and development.

Community volunteers worked alongside conservation groups to address local threats and improve nesting conditions throughout Lincoln County.

Recent surveys of 24 state parks identified more than 150 open pipes that could trap birds. Funding and volunteer coordination are now helping cap those hazards as part of ongoing maintenance projects.

When will the designation become official?

The city will formally celebrate the recognition on March 1, when Mayor Craig Berdie receives a Bird City Network certificate at Yachats Lions Hall.

The event will also include information about nearby coastal wildlife refuges managed by federal and state wildlife agencies that provide critical seabird nesting habitat.

What conservation projects are planned next?

Organizers say education will play a major role moving forward.

Planned initiatives include:

• Community speaker series focused on wildlife and conservation
• Guided bird walks throughout the year
• A summer project tracking Western purple martins as they travel nearly 16,000 miles between Oregon estuaries and Brazilian rainforests
• Efforts to convert city streetlights to Dark Sky standards to reduce nighttime disruption for wildlife

An exhibit featuring local bird and wildlife photography is also now on display at the Yachats Public Library.

Where can visitors learn more about birding in Yachats?

Travelers can find birding maps and information at the Yachats Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center along Oregon Coast Highway.

Local leaders hope the designation encourages visitors to slow down, explore coastal habitats, and experience wildlife responsibly.

Where to Stay in Yachats

Visitors planning a birdwatching getaway or coastal weekend have several scenic lodging options nearby:

Adobe Resort
Located on oceanfront cliffs just south of Yachats, the Adobe Resort offers sweeping Pacific views and easy access to shoreline trails popular for seabird spotting.

Overleaf Lodge & Spa
This quieter retreat in Yachats overlooks the rocky coastline and is ideal for travelers wanting sunrise walks and storm watching between birding excursions.

Drift Inn Hotel & Restaurant
Located in downtown Yachats, the Drift Inn Hotel offers visitors a walkable stay in the heart of town, close to galleries, cafés, and coastal viewpoints.

Dublin House
Located along U.S. Highway 101 in the heart of Yachats, the Dublin House offers a convenient and budget-friendly stay within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, and coastal viewpoints.