Bandon Events: Bullards Beach Takes You to Oregon Coast Birds, Walks and Shipwrecks

Published 08/24/25 at 7:05 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) – Evening programs continue at Bullards Beach State Park on the south Oregon coast, where Bandon plays host to a variety of engaging talks and even walks (sometimes). This time around, you get to hear about local birds, shipwrecks and some intriguing hiking tips. (Bandon's Coquille River Lighthouse in the snow - Courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts).

The evening programs have everyone gathering at the Meeting Yurt, beginning Wednesday, August 27.

On Wednesday at 7:00 pm, Harv Schubothe of the Cape Arago Audubon Society will present “Birds of Bandon,” offering insights into the wide variety of bird species found in the area and explaining why Bandon is such a popular destination for birdwatchers.

What kinds of birds? Schubothe may cover:

Puffins can occasionally be spotted around Bandon, though the coastline also hosts a variety of other seabirds including common murres, cormorants, black oystercatchers, surf scoters, and at times, the elusive peregrine falcon. According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), tufted puffins return to the region each spring, with the best viewing opportunities often coming after a major coastal storm.

Photo Seaside Aquarium

These puffins are known to linger at Simpson Reef near Coos Bay, where they’re typically easier to observe than in more southern locations. ODFW also notes that Coquille Point sometimes sees puffin activity, though sightings there aren’t guaranteed every year.

On Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 pm, Jay Besse from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will lead a session titled “How to Walk the Oregon Coast,” sharing practical advice and best practices for those interested in exploring the coastline on foot.

Bandon's Wizards Hat Rock - Courtesy Manuela Durson - Manuela Durson Fine Arts

Friday evening, August 29 at 7:00 pm, Richard Whitwer will present “Lighthouses of the Oregon Coast,” a program that explores the history and current status of the region’s iconic coastal beacons and their role in maritime safety.

On Saturday, August 30 at 7:00 pm, Jim Proehl of the Bandon Historical Society will share “Shipwreck Stories,” recounting dramatic incidents along the treacherous Bandon Bar and highlighting the area’s rich maritime history.

Olson in '54

What shipwrecks happened around Bandon? Some of the tales Proehl may delve into include:

On the stormy night of November 2, 1953, the 507-foot Oliver Olson struck the Coquille River jetty, tearing three massive holes in its hull. With 29 crew members aboard and the lower decks flooding, the men remained stranded for several days before being evacuated by line as another storm approached. Owned by Oliver J Olson and Company, the vessel was abandoned just three days later—its fate sealed after its sister ship had already run aground near Bandon earlier that year and required costly repairs.

Following legal negotiations, congressional involvement, and insurance dealings with Lloyds of London, the wreck was repurposed to extend the south jetty - an idea long favored by locals due to the hazardous bar entrance. Salvage crews recovered usable materials before dismantling the ship piece by piece in early 1954. The remaining hull was packed with rock, ultimately adding 450 feet to the jetty’s length.

The wreck of the J.A. Chanslor, a tanker belonging to a Coos Bay company in 1919, still resonates through the last 100 years with a harrowing tale that takes place from Cape Blanco to Bandon.

That harsh fog and those disruptive currents caught even the Chanslor's captain by surprise, a man named A.A. Sawyer. All anyone knows is somehow they hit a reef of jagged rocks about 400 feet from shore, and only a mile or so from Cape Blanco and its lighthouse. Foggy conditions were so bad neither crewman aboard or lighthouse personnel could see each other. The lighthouse wouldn't have a clue until well after dark the next day. Yet it was the lighthouse in Bandon that actually had to respond.

Later, those that survived in a lifeboat didn't know it then but they had drifted some 30 miles north to a spot just north of Bandon.

In addition to these evening programs, the Coquille River Lighthouse is open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm for visitors interested in exploring one of the coast’s most enduring landmarks. 541.347.2209.

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