Have you ever wondered where on the Oregon Coast you should visit to see a puffin, a brown pelican, a red-shouldered hawk, or a band-tailed pigeon? Although these birds might be anywhere, the problem is that Oregon has a huge coastline and it's difficult to know where to start. Or, you may have the opportunity to visit a part of the coast you're unfamiliar with and would like to know what birds you might find there. Well, I have great news. There is now a resource to help you pinpoint any of these birds and others and show you what birds are likely to be seen at any part of the Oregon Coast. It's the "Oregon Coast Birding Trail Guide."

In the early 1990s the state of Texas established a "birding trail" along its coast to help visiting birders find the "Texas specialties." Realizing that visiting birders contribute millions of dollars to the local economy, Texas birders and state parks and wildlife officials began marking "birdy" locations with maps and signs. The "trail" stretches from the Houston area to the Mexico border. The result was a huge success bringing thousands of birders to visit these sites, some of them little known and "off the beaten path."

Other states soon caught on to this great idea and followed suit by making their own trails. Florida organized and promotes a wonderful trail and now Oregon has officially opened its second trail.

The first trail follows the Cascades and this newest one follows the coastline from Washington into Northern California.

You can find brochures at many locations along the coast or you can log on to www.oregoncoastbirding.com/ for complete information.

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The Web site is divided into North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast and California Redwood Trails. There is a map for each trail and each birding site is numbered and accompanied by a description including directions to the site and a list of birds common at that location.

The birding trail Web site includes 173 numbered sites starting in the north and heading south. It is very colorful, easy to navigate, and includes photos of many of the birds likely to be seen on your trip.

There is also a handy checklist that can be printed out with 250 species of birds so that you can mark the birds off the list as you find them. Also included is a list of sponsors who helped make all this possible.

So, if you would like to see what's out there along the coast or if you are searching for a place to find that black turnstone or mew gull, check out this Web site. I know you'll find it very interesting and informative.

Richard Cronberg is a birding enthusiast and photographer who lives in Central Point. Write him at P.O. Box 4283, Medford, OR 97501.