How USFWS Supports Marine Feathered Fauna
Seabirds of the Oregon coast require places to safely rest, nest, and raise their young close enough to their fishy food sources. So, where do these breeding birds find themselves in the summer months? Rearing chicks on sheer coastal cliffs and rugged, wind-swept islands which dot the majority of Oregon’s coastline.
These birds are well-adapted to the harsh life on the sea stacks, but human-caused disturbance and threats, as well as natural pressures, pose risks to seabirds each year. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages all the rocks, reefs and islands which comprise Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, in addition to five other National Wildlife Refuges along the Oregon Coast. Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge spans more than 320 miles of Oregon’s coastline, from Seaside to the California border. The 1,853 rocks, reefs and islands support 1.2 million nesting seabirds of more than 14 species and four species of marine mammals.
Explore this page for more resources on how the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex supports our seabirds through habitat management, research, and community engagement.
- Oregon Coast Wide Tufted Puffin Colony Survey (poster PDF) (accessible PDF)
- Tufted Puffins in the News
Habitat of the Oregon Islands
This short video describes how a strong focus on managing and monitoring habitats on the Oregon Islands is important for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accomplishing our goals of preserving and conserving for current and future generations. By learning more about the habitats that seabirds nest in during the breeding season, we are able to continue our work in monitoring healthy populations along the Oregon Coast. Watch the video to learn more. View with auto-generated captions.
Seabird Research
We have several seabird monitoring programs at the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex, including Tufted Puffin research, cormorant nest monitoring, and aerial monitoring. This video describes these three programs and emphasizes the importance of tracking seabird population changes. View with auto-generated captions.
Community Engagement
This short video describes how important community engagement is for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in accomplishing our goals of protecting seabirds and enhancing their habitat on the Oregon coast. Working closely with partners and volunteers to manage and restore habitat, educate the public, and learn more about the natural resources is essential to the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex’s seabird program. Watch the video to learn more. View with auto-generated captions.
CONTACT:
Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex
541-867-4550
Email | Facebook | Oregon Islands Website
