SCRATCHPAD
Islands of sand
By LISSA BREWER
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
The Columbia River has historically
been home to many a Sand Island, from the
mouth of Baker Bay to the dunes of Rooster
Rock State Park. Near St. Helens, more
than 50 campsites mark the 32-acre Sand
Island Marine Park, a popular getaway with
trails, a volleyball court and marina store.
Despite the name, however, none of these
islands are fully composed of sand. Near the
mouth of the Columbia, Baker Bay’s Sand
Island houses a mature forest and network
of shrubs. However, many low-lying islands
within the Columbia River estuary, includ-
ing East Sand Island, rise and fall with the
tides. Other large sandbars, sometimes large
enough to be considered islands, can be seen
at low tide from the Astoria Bridge.
Despite its close proximity to Chinook,
Washington, the 62-acre East Sand Island is
a part of Oregon. It’s a notable spot for bird-
watchers, supporting some of the world’s
largest nesting colonies of both Caspian
terns and double-crested cormorants.
These migrating seabirds spend time
across the estuary’s islands of sand, feast-
ing on smolt, salmon and steelhead. They’re
visible from a distance and, aside from the
few adventurous boaters who make the trip,
are most often seen through binoculars, as
are the curious islands themselves.
Lissa Brewer
A fl ock of cormorants fl y above a group of ships. The Columbia River estuary contains many
wetlands and islands of sand, which host many species of birds.
ON THE
COVER
STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
COAST WEEKEND EDITOR
LISSA BREWER
THURSDAY
JULY 14
2022
Children study
items under a
microscope in
front of the Seaside
Aquarium.
Discovering
the shore
CALENDAR COORDINATOR
SARAH SMITH
SEASIDE BEACH
PROGRAM RETURNS
PAGE 8
A PRACTICAL
HISTORIC
FEATURE
PAGE 12
PENINSULA
SAND
SCULPTURES
PAGE 6
CAVIAR
OMELETS
PAGE 16
CONTRIBUTORS
DAVID CAMPICHE
M.J. CODY
ALYSSA EVANS
KATHERINE LACAZE
NANCY MCCARTHY
BARBARA LLOYD MCMICHAEL
LAURI KRAMER SERAFIN
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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022 // 3