Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area
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Location
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is located in Pacific City.
To reach the site from the 4-way stop at the intersection of Brooten Rd. and Pacific Ave., travel west on Pacific Ave. over the Nestucca River bridge. Immediately past the bridge, turn right (north) on Cape Kiwanda Drive. Travel 1.0 mile to the signed Tillamook County Day Use area (45.215591, -123.970416 ) on the left (west). This is a Tillamook County Day Use fee parking area. Parking passes are required and sold at a kiosk on site. The parking area has beach access and restrooms. On the north side of the paved beach access road, there is a small observation.
To reach the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area (45.218700, -123.976341) walk the beach northerly for about .5 miles.
Chief Kiawanda Rock (aka Haystack Rock -Tillamook Co.) (45.211938, -123.986731) is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. It is visible 0.8 miles offshore.
DirectionsHabitat and Birds
Chief Kiawanda Rock (aka Haystack Rock) is a protected offshore island habitat, with large seabird nesting colonies. From the small observation deck on the beach access route, the nearshore waters and Chief Kiawanda Rock can be viewed. Scoping Haystack Rock and nearby waters can yield views of Tufted Puffins, Rhinoceros Auklets, and with luck both Ancient and Marbled Murrelets. The views are distant, a scope will be helpful.
The habitats found at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area are outer coast rocky headlands, beaches, dunes, and nearshore ocean. This headland requires walking north about 0.5 miles along the beach to the base of the cape. While walking the beach, bird the rocky shorelines for Black Oystercatchers and Black Turnstones. Ascend the informal dune trail to the northwest for approximately 0.2 miles. The perimeter of the area is marked. There are several overlooks for viewing the ocean and rocky shores. Again, a scope will be helpful.
Birds seasonally found at these sites include all cormorant species, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, all scoter species, Brown Pelicans, gulls, shorebirds including Sanderling and Black Oystercatcher, grebes, and all loons. Snow Buntings have been found in the dune areas on the cape. Peregrine Falcons are regular in the area.
eBird Checklists
eBird Hotspot checklist for Cape Kiwanda SP
eBird Hotspot checklist for Chief Kiawanda Rock (aka Haystack Rock – Tillamook Co.)
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