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July 24 @ 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Snowy Plover Interpretive Walk – Netarts Spit (RSVP required)

When: Wednesday, July 24, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Cape Lookout State Park  

Join Bird Alliance of Oregon and Friends of Netarts Bay – Watershed, Estuary, Beach, & Sea (WEBS) to learn about the threatened Western Snowy Plover and Oregon’s coastal ecosystem while hiking the length of Netarts Spit. We hope to observe Snowy Plovers and other coastal creatures on this 13-mile round trip hike. Please bring your own binoculars, water, lunch, and comfortable attire. Participants can opt for a portion of the hike.

Other Interpretive Snowy Plover walks will occur on: June 22 (Sitka Sedge), July 12 (Clatsop Spit), and August 25 (Netarts Bay)

A photo of a Snowy Plover family, two babies and one adult on the beach.
Western Snowy Plover, photo by Mick Thompson

Why Western Snowy Plovers?

The Pacific coast population of Western Snowy Plovers has been in decline for several decades due to loss of habitat and disturbances from development, recreation, and other human pressures. In Oregon, the population hit a low of about 50 individuals in the early 1990s. Subsequently this species was listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act in 1993. 

Due to targeted recovery efforts in Oregon, mostly focused on the south and central coast, the bird has bounced back to a few hundred individuals and are starting to recolonize traditional north coast nesting sites. 

Plover Patrol engages communities to monitor plovers on the north coast, helping Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Bird Alliance of Oregon track where Plovers are and how they are recovering to inform management. 

Details

Date:
July 24
Time:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Event Categories:
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Accessibility Information

Distance: 12-13 miles
Elevation Changes: None
Terrain: Sandy beach
Amenities: Flush and Vault Toilets in campground (limited dune access on the beach); water is available in campground; large parking lot with $5 day use fee
Public transit: No public transit
Rest stops and pace: We will move at a slow pace, stopping frequently to look at birds, washed up items in the wrack line, and other points of interest. We will break for lunch on the beach.

Venue

Cape Lookout State Park (Netarts Spit)
13000 Whiskey Creek Rd
Tillamook, OR 97141
+ Google Map

Organizer

Cara Gates
Email:
cgates@birdallianceoregon.org