Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuges

02/27/2026

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals from agricultural producers to enter into a Cooperative Agriculture Agreement at the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Cloverdale, Oregon.

https://doifws.prod.acquia-sites.com/service/cooperative-agriculture-agreement-opportunities-nestucca-bay-national-wildlife-refuge

02/23/2026

What's the Coast’s Early-Bird Special?

It's a flower, filled with nectar and it's native to our area. The Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), is a local powerhouse for our pollinators.

As one of the first native shrubs to bloom—sometimes as early as February — it’s a critical "early-bird" buffet. Its nectar-rich blossoms act as beacons for migrating Rufous Hummingbirds and provide vital fuel for Anna’s Hummingbirds and Queen Bumblebees emerging from winter. We are already seeing blooms at Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Want to help pollinators in your yard? Plant Red Flowering Currant in a sunny, well-drained spot.

Photo by Andrew A. Reding/Flickr

02/17/2026

📢 INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex has announced two internships available for the summer of 2026.

02/15/2026

We are seeking public review and comment on a Draft Compatibility Determination for seed collection at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This is a new proposed use for the refuge. The Service will accept comments received or postmarked on or before February 27, 2026.

Learn more at:

The Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Seeks Public Comment on a Compatibility Determination We are seeking public review and comment on a Draft Compatibility Determination for seed collection at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This is a new proposed use for the refuge. The Service will ac...

02/13/2026

25 years of frog data?!

That's right, this marks the 25th year our staff has teamed up with the Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School to survey freshwater ponds and waterways at Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Surveys are conducted in February and March each year. Yesterday three teams, in canoes, found and collected data for six egg masses in one small pond. Masses were from Red-legged frog and northwestern salamander.

01/20/2026

Aurora Borealis over Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach

As predicted, a geomagnetic storm brought the Northern Lights as far south as Oregon last night and former refuge volunteer Tim Halloran was delighted to capture this image with his upgraded iPhone 16 which he says he got specifically to best capture this natural wonder!

Haystack Rock is part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo by Tim Halloran

01/12/2026

The 2025-26 waterfowl hunting season is about to draw to a close. January 25th is the last day to hunt ducks and coots at Bandon Marsh, Siletz Bay, and Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuges. For more information on hunting at these locations visit:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bandon-marsh/visit-us/activities/hunting

Photo by Sunny Lo/Flickr

01/09/2026

🚶🏽‍♀️‍➡️⛅☀️Weather on the Oregon coast looks promising for a hike in the coming days!

Have you visited Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge just south of Lincoln City? The Alder Island Nature Trail is a short and easy walk that boasts lovely views of the river, the slough, and often many small songbirds.

Sunrise at the wildlife refuge captured by Wayne Sanman of https://www.facebook.com/sanman.photography

01/07/2026

“Duck, Duck… DRAMA: The Red-Breasted Merganser’s Wild Courtship Show”

Red-breasted Merganser males do not believe in subtlety. When mating season hits, the spiky-crested males turn the water into a stage—throwing their heads back, sinking their chests, lifting their tails, and bobbing around.

Females watch these dramatic poses, sometimes given in synchronized displays by multiple males. Eventually a female will make her selection from the flock and mate with her chosen one.

Thanks to refuge volunteer Roy W. Lowe for these photos, snapped just this week!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! 💚

The morning sun rises, illuminating Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. In the distance a rainbow brings promise of hope and beauty for this brand new year.

As we welcome 2026, we look forward to your visit to a national wildlife refuge and hope you will join us in celebrating the beauty of nature and our commitment to protecting wildlife and wild places for generations to come.

Thanks to Susan Dimock Photography for this beautiful capture of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

12/22/2025

The murres and our staff wish you all a very happy holiday season!