Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge on Oregon's coast. It is located in southern Tillamook County, on the state's northern coast. It is one of six National Wildlife Refuges comprising the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The verdant pastures around Nestucca Bay harbor six subspecies of geese including the world's small population of Semidi Islands Aleutian Cackling geese, a subspecies of the Aleutian Cackling Goose, and the only coastal wintering population of dusky Canada geese. The Aleutian Cackling goose was once endangered due to the introduction of arctic foxes by fur trappers to their nesting islands in Alaska. The geese had not evolved with the non-native foxes and thus had no defense against these predators. Unsurprisingly, their populations were greatly decimated by this change in the ecosystem. As a result of fox removal and other management efforts, numbers have increased from a low of 800 birds in 1962 to 118,000 in 2006. The species was removed from the endangered species list in 2001.
Late October to early April marks an exciting time of year at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This is the period when the geese can be seen feeding on the surrounding short grass pastures.
Wildlife and Habitat
In addition to managed pastures, other refuge habitats include wooded uplands, riparian wetlands, salt marsh, and open meadows. These habitats provide safe haven for waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, mammals, anadromous fish and amphibians.
The Neskowin Marsh unit of this refuge is the southernmost coastal sphagnum bog on the Pacific Coast. It is a rare and outstanding ecosystem with exceptional biological value. In addition to bird and mammal species, the sphagnum bog is home to many unusual and beautiful plant species such as the carnivorous Round-leaved Sundew.
Visitor Opportunities
Come visit and explore the trails of Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The patient observer will be rewarded with many wildlife viewing opportunities on the refuge. The Cannery Hill Unit is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There are two parking lots on the Cannery Hill Unit, the Pacific View Parking Area has minimal parking so we encourage you to leave your car at the first parking lot and walk the graveled Christensen Road/Trail which is a moderately difficult, 15 minute one way trip that leads you to the Pacific View Trail. Be mindful that you will be sharing the roadway with cars. On the Pacific View Trail you will experience an easy, 10 minute walk on a paved surface with rest benches. The trail ends at an observation deck where you will be treated to a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean, Haystack Rock, Nestucca Bay, the Coast Range, and the Little Nestucca River.
See also
External Links
References
45°10′21″N 123°56′49″W / 45.17248°N 123.94707°W
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