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Description:
Cape Meares Refuge is located on a small headland just south of Tillamook Bay on the northern Oregon coast. It is adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and Cape Meares Lighthouse State Park. Designated as a research natural area in 1987, it protects one of the few remaining stands of coastal old growth forest in Oregon. The refuge forest provides habitat to a diversity of wildlife, including threatened species such as northern spotted owls, bald eagles, and marbled murrelets. Vertical sea cliffs provide nesting habitat for endangered peregrine falcons and such seabirds as Brandt's and pelagic cormorants, common murres, tufted puffins, pigeon guillemots, western gulls, and black oystercatchers. Migrating loons, grebes, and flocks of shorebirds and waterfowl are also commonly observed. Marine mammals, including California and Steller sea lions, harbor seals and gray whales can often be seen from this overlook during the proper time of year. Directions:
Cape Meares NWR is 9 miles west of Tillamook on the Three Capes Scenic Route.
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