Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Some tips to make watching wildlife enjoyable and rewarding:

• Download our Watchable Wildlife guide, consult Oregon Explorer's Watchable Wildlife page to locate hotspots for wildlife, or look for the "Wildlife Viewing Station" sign wherever you visit. Plan your visit according to the season, tidal phase, and time of day. Wildlife is generally more active in the mornings and early evenings than in the afternoon.
• Download a copy of the Oregon Coast Birding Trail guide.
• Keep voices down while approaching a viewing area to avoid scaring wildlife away before you get there. Although animals may disappear when you arrive, they often return shortly if you are quiet and still.
• Use binoculars and spotting scopes to bring animals "closer" to you without disturbing them.
• Bring a field guide to help you identify various species and the habitats they prefer. But, remember the goal is to identify with the wildlife, not just identify it.
• Often a close look reveals more. Look up, look down. Or peer through a hand lens to enter the world of insects. Animals come in a range of sizes and occupy a variety of niches.

During the summer, volunteers offer interpretation on weekends to visitors at various locations up and down the coast, including: Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, Cape Arago State Park, Coquille Point, and Harris Beach State Park

For a truly immersive tidepooling experience, visit Bandon's Coquille Point in summer to meet volunteer USFWS interpreters during low-tide days.