LEFT: Mussels
sit on rocks in
the Haystack
Rock tide
pools.
BELOW:
Oystercatchers
are among the
birds often
spotted in
the spring at
Haystack Rock.
Photos by
Carolyn Hoard
Continued from Page 4
eagles and peregrine falcons
also nest in nearby trees. One
may see them swoop above
the giant rock, stirring the
other seabirds into fl ight.
Binoculars are a helpful
tool for birdwatchers. Thank-
fully, volunteers and staff with
the Haystack Rock Awareness
Program supply binoculars
and viewing scopes for the
public. The program’s dedi-
cated staff monitor the rock at
low tide daily between Feb-
ruary and October to answer
questions, share their knowl-
edge and encourage protec-
tion of the beautiful and frag-
ile intertidal areas of Haystack
Rock. Program staff members
love to interact with the pub-
lic and enjoy meeting visitors
from all over the globe who
come to explore the 235 foot
sea stack.
But the program’s conser-
vation eff orts require diligence
and community education.
“Everything at Haystack Rock
below high tide line is a state
protected m arine g arden and
everything above high tide
line is protected by the Ore-
gon Islands National Wildlife
Refuge system,” said Angela
Whitlock, a staff member of
the Haystack Rock Awareness
Program. “All day, every day
we have to remind folks not to
walk on the rocks themselves
because that’s where the crea-
tures live. Ninety nine percent
of the time people just don’t
know they are walking on liv-
ing creatures and are very
interested to learn and cooper-
ate,” Whitlock added. As for
those who ignore the educa-
tors, Cannon Beach Police are
supportive of the program’s
eff orts and are willing to step
in when necessary.
In addition to the coast’s
famous puffi ns, the intertidal
ecosystems of Cannon Beach
are home to an incredible vari-
ety of sea life, including bar-
nacles, snails, sea anemones,
limpets, sea stars, mussels
and nudibranchs, commonly
known as sea slugs. “Chil-
dren especially love discover-
ing the hermit crabs hiding in
shells,” Whitlock said.
Head out to Cannon Beach
over the course of the next
few weeks to spot puffi ns
along with other creatures.
Bring a pair of binoculars or
look for the Haystack Rock
Awareness Program’s bright
red truck and volunteer staff in
red jackets. These volunteers
are happy to share information
about the amazing birds and
sea life in the m arine g ardens,
including a tufted puffi n sight-
ing or two, sitting on a calm
afternoon at low tide with
bright plumage on the grassy
ledges of Haystack Rock.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 // 5