Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex facts for kids
The Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a special group of six National Wildlife Refuges found along the beautiful Oregon Coast. These refuges protect thousands of small islands, rocks, reefs, and marshy areas. They cover about 371 acres (150 ha) and stretch for 320 miles (515 km) along Oregon's coastline. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service takes care of all these important places.
The six refuges include three that are mostly ocean-based and three that are in river mouths (estuaries). They stretch from Tillamook Head in the north down to the California border. The ocean refuges are Three Arch Rocks, Oregon Islands, and Cape Meares. The estuary refuges are Bandon Marsh, Nestucca Bay, and Siletz Bay.
Most of these islands are closed to visitors to protect the wildlife. Boats must stay at least 500 feet (150 m) away. Airplanes need to fly at least 2,000 feet (600 m) above them.
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Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge was the very first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River. It has protected Oregon's largest seabird nesting colony since October 14, 1907. More than 230,000 birds live here!
Three Arch Rocks is made up of 15 acres (6 ha) of rocks. There are three large rocks and six smaller ones. They are located about half a mile (1 km) offshore from Oceanside. It's one of the smallest protected wilderness areas in the U.S.
Amazing Wildlife
This refuge is home to the biggest group of breeding tufted puffins. It also has the largest common murre colony south of Alaska. It's the only place in northern Oregon where the threatened Steller sea lions have their pups.
History of Protection
President Theodore Roosevelt created the refuge in 1907. He was convinced by two young conservationists, William L. Finley and Herman Bohlman. They studied and photographed Three Arch Rocks starting in 1901. They saw how many sea lions and seabirds were being harmed. People were taking seabird eggs, which reduced the bird populations. Finley and Bohlman suggested a wildlife refuge. This helped protect the shrinking populations of seabirds and marine mammals.
Visiting Three Arch Rocks
The islands are closed to public access. To keep the animals safe, boats must stay at least 500 feet (150 m) away in summer. Aircraft must fly at least 2,000 feet (600 m) above the refuge.
Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge protects many small islands, rocks, and reefs. It also includes two headlands. In total, it covers 371 acres (150 ha). This refuge stretches for 320 miles (515 km) along Oregon's coast. It goes from the Oregon-California border up to Tillamook Head.
Refuge History
The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1935. Haystack Rock near Cannon Beach was added to the refuge in 1968. It became a wilderness area in 1978. The first part of the refuge on the mainland was added in 1991. This was Coquille Point near Bandon.
Wildlife and How to See Them
This refuge is a safe place for 13 species of nesting seabirds. It has some of the most important seabird colonies in the U.S. More than 1.2 million birds nest here! This is more than on the California and Washington coasts combined.
Common birds you might see include black-and-white common murres and tufted puffins. You can also spot rhinoceros and Cassin's auklets, pigeon guillemots, and Leach's storm-petrels. Several types of gulls and Caspian terns also live here.
Four types of pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) use these lands. They breed, molt, and rest here. These include harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and California sea lions. The southern part of the refuge has the most breeding and pupping sites for Steller sea lions outside Alaska.
Most of the islands are closed to visitors. This helps protect the animals. Boats must stay at least 500 feet (150 m) away. Airplanes need to fly at least 2,000 feet (600 m) high. However, you can get great views from Coquille Point in Bandon. Other good viewing spots are suggested by the Oregon Coast Birding Trail.
Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge
Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the last remaining old growth forests on the coast. This means it has very old, tall trees.
This refuge is located on Cape Meares in Oregon. It has been protected since 1938. It is home to Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees. Some of these trees are over 200 feet (60 m) tall and hundreds of years old.
Wildlife at Cape Meares
The forest here is a perfect home for several threatened bird species. These include bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Peregrine falcons were once very close to disappearing. A pair of peregrine falcons has lived here since 1987.
The Oregon Coast Trail goes through the middle of this refuge. There are signs that explain about the animals living here. You might see migrating gray whales from the cape. You can also spot three types of scoter ducks, western grebe, and common loons. A special viewing deck lets you see the nest of a falcon pair during certain seasons.
From Cape Meares, you can easily see Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The Cape Meares Light (a lighthouse) and an Oregon state park are also nearby.
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is famous among bird watchers. It's a great place to see rare shorebirds. These include birds like the ruff, Hudsonian godwit, and Mongolian plover.
The refuge was expanded in 1999 and now covers 889 acres (360 ha). It has two main parts: Bandon Marsh and Ni-les'tun.
Activities and Wildlife
Bandon Marsh is a popular spot for hunting, fishing, and clamming. It's also great for birdwatching and photography. The refuge protects the largest tidal salt marsh in the Coquille River estuary.
The muddy areas are full of clams, crabs, worms, and shrimp. This attracts many migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. You might also see coho salmon and the California brown pelican. More common shorebirds include western and least sandpipers, semipalmated plovers, and black-bellied plovers.
The Ni-les'tun unit is a project to bring the habitat back to its natural state. This will help fish and wildlife. It includes areas of marsh and land along the river. It also protects a very old Native American site, about 4,500 years old. This site belongs to the Coquille Indian Tribe.
There are several spots to look out over the marsh. Hunters, birdwatchers, fishermen, and clammers can access certain areas. State and federal rules apply here. The marsh is just north of Bandon. It's on the east side of the Coquille River, across from Bullards Beach State Park.
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is very important for dusky Canada gooses. About one-tenth of all the dusky Canada geese in the world live here! The refuge has at least seven different types of habitats. These include tidal marsh, muddy areas, grasslands, and woodlands. It also has special freshwater bogs. One of these is the southernmost coastal sphagnum bog habitat on the Pacific Coast.
Unique Habitats
The sphagnum bog is home to many interesting and unusual plants. These include the insect-eating sundew plant and the bog cranberry. Scientists have found many layers of sand and peat under Neskowin Marsh. This shows a long history of tsunami activity. These layers might be the best record of tsunami activity in the Cascadia subduction zone.
The refuge was created in 1991. It is located on Nestucca Bay. This is where the Nestucca and Little Nestucca rivers meet. It's about 3 to 5 miles (5 to 8 km) south of Pacific City. Across the bay to the west are Nestucca Spit and Robert W. Straub state parks.
The refuge is mostly closed to the public. However, it opens for two special events each year, usually in February and October. A viewing area is planned for the future.
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1991. Its main goal was to return the salt marsh to its natural condition. Before, it had been changed with dikes and ditches to create pasture for dairy cows. Over 9,300 feet (2.8 km) of dikes were removed. Also, about a quarter mile (500 m) of ditches were filled. This helped start the restoration.
Wildlife and Features
You can still see "skeleton trees" along both sides of U.S. Route 101. This road runs through the refuge. These trees died when the salt marsh was diked. Red-tailed hawks and bald eagles often perch on these tall, dead trees. Many great blue herons and great egrets also live nearby.
The refuge is located on Siletz Bay. It's just south of Lincoln City, where the Siletz River flows into the bay. This refuge is also closed to public use, except during special events.
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