Whalen Island/Clay Myers Natural Area

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Cape Lookout State Park

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Sitka Sedge State Natural Area

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Netarts Bay

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Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

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Cascade Head

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Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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Seasons

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Location

Whalen Island/Clay Myers Natural Area (45.273286, -123.948553) are side-by-side parks surrounded by the Sand Lake estuary. Whalen Island is located 19.5 miles south of Tillamook.

To reach the area from Tillamook, drive south on Highway 101 for approximately 11 miles to Sandlake Road. Turn right (west) travel 9.3 miles to a 3-way stop. Turn left (south) to continue on Sandlake Road (no name change after the turn) for 3.5 miles to Whalen Island Road. Turn right (west) and continue .2 miles to both parks.

Whalen Island County Park is managed by Tillamook County for camping and boat launch. It is a day use fee area.

Clay Myers State Natural Area is a no-fee Oregon State Park with parking, trailheads, a picnic area, and a restroom.

Oregon Birding Trail: Choose the Oregon Coast Birding Trail, click on the North Coast tab and go to section 40

NOAA Tide Prediction for Nestucca Bay Entrance  Note that this tide prediction is for the beach area. Tides at the Whalen Island area occur approximately 1 hour later than this prediction.

Directions

Habitat and Birds

Both parks provide access to a variety of habitats including coastal Shore Pine/Sitka Spruce forest with a diverse understory, fresh and saltwater wetlands, tidal flats, and dunes.

The forests can be birded from the Clay Myers Loop Trail. The trail is a 1.4-mile loop around the perimeter of the island. The trailheads of this loop are at either end of the parking area, and start at either end. From the loop trail, informal spur trails lead down to the shoreline and tidal flats on the south and west side of the Island. The forest area is good for Wrentit.

The tide flats can be reached from either park. They are relatively firm and can be walked at lower tides. Shorebirds are present in migration. Waterfowl, Herons, and Gulls are common in winter.

eBird Checklists:

ebird Hotspot checklist for Clay Myers State Natural Area 

ebird Hotspot checklist for Whalen Island County Park

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