| Coxcomb Hill is the highest point in Astoria,
Clatsop Co. OREGON. As such, it is regularly the place where migrating
birds fallout after a night of travelling. The hill was completely
forested except for the Astor Column Park at the top until about 1992 when
most of the south and west sides were clearcut (it's a long story).
The west area was cleared and re-planted with grasses; the southern
edge re-planted with native shrubs (salal and evergreen huckleberry mostly).
The migratory fallouts can be quite spectactular in the fall when 100's of warblers, vireos and sparrows are moving along the scrubby southern edge. The best way to bird the column is to arrive near sunrise and walk the road from the park down to the lower trail. |