VOL. 47, ISSUE 15
FREE
JULY 21, 2023
CANNONBEACHGAZETTE.COM
People and Dogs Disturbing Nesting Birds at Ecola Point
Black Oystercatcher chick
PHOTO BY BOB KROLL PHOTOGRAPHY BobKrollPhotography@gmail.com • www.BobKrollPhotography.com
By TABEA GOOSSEN
J
uly 4th was an extraordinarily beautiful day along the Oregon coast, with extreme minus tides that allowed visitors to reach areas not accessible at normal low tides. People were out in large numbers, and like many others, I spent time at Ecola Point. Located within the boundaries of Ecola State Park, Ecola Point is a unique spot and recently received protection as a state-designated Marine Conservation Area. Ecola Point is also part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, dating back to 1935, that includes our local offshore rocks, islands and rocky habitat at Silver Point, Jockey Cap, Haystack Rock, the Chapman Point Bird Rocks and the Ecola Point headland. The Chapman Point area south of Ecola
Point was recently designated as a Marine Education Area, receiving the same level of protection as Haystack Rock. These rocky habitats include many bird species such as Tufted Puffins, Brown Pelicans, Common Murres, Cormorants and Black Oystercatchers, as well as marine mammals and a diverse array of marine life in spectacular tide pools. Climbing on rocks within the National Wildlife Refuge is strictly prohibited; these rocky habitats are off-limits to humans, pets, and drones. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras to enjoy and photograph the magnificent wildlife of these unique and sensitive areas of the Wildlife Refuge. On July 4th, a number of visitors and pets illegally climbed these rocks into the habitat of nesting seabirds and shorebirds, in spite
of warnings from several people. More than a few dog owners also allowed their off-leash pets to roam the beach, barking at and chasing seabirds. Dogs are required to be on a leash in state parks. On beaches, off-leash dogs are required to be within sight of the owner and within voice control, and the owner must carry a leash. Many dog owners believe it is acceptable for their dog to chase wildlife as long as the dog doesn’t catch its target, but the law says dogs can chase balls and sticks, not living animals or humans. Any type of marine mammal disturbance, drone harassment or operating a drone from National Wildlife Refuge or State Park lands without a permit is also illegal. As the National Wildlife Refuge website states, “A good rule of thumb is: if the animal reacts to your activities, you are too close!”
Black Oystercatcher and Chick in their Rocky Habitat PHOTO BY TERRI NEAL
(OAR 736-21-0090(13)(a)) It’s a tough life in the wild. Birds, marine mammals and elk see dogs and drones as predators, forcing them to expend valuable energy to escape perceived harm. Disturbance can be harmful to nesting seabirds, forcing them to flee their nests, potentially reducing reproductive success and survival. When birds are off their nest, eggs and chicks are exposed and vulnerable to predators. Chicks can be on the beach before they are able to fly, leaving them defenseless against being killed by off-leash dogs. No Black Oystercatcher chicks have survived at Ecola Point for the past four years, partly due to increased levels of disturbance by humans and dogs. The Wildlife Center of the North Coast treats wildlife injured by off-leash dogs, and it is distressing that most of
the injured birds come from the Cannon Beach area. Nesting in rocky habitat, Black Oystercatchers are considered to be a “Species of Concern”; with the Portland Audubon Black Oystercatcher Monitoring program reporting that disturbance to nesting Black Oystercatchers from unleashed dogs, drones and people climbing on rocks is increasing as more people visit the coast. The National Wildlife Refuge intends these rocky habitats to be areas “where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” Please be respectful while traveling through these rocky habitats and do your part to protect these sensitive wildlife species.
Visitors Illegally Climbing on Rocks at Ecola Point on July 4th
Minimizing Drone Impacts to Wildlife in Oregon State Parks By JOE LIEBEZEIT Interim Statewide Conservation Director for Portland Audubon
H
ere is an update on the ongoing process to regulate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) in Oregon State Parks. For some quick background, during the 2021 legislative session, a bill was passed that instructed Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to develop rules for drone takeoff and landing on lands they manage, which includes over 200 parks as well as the entire ocean shore. This presented a golden opportunity to better manage drone use in lands OPRD manages. An important nuance is that regulations only apply to takeoff and landing locations. The
FAA has separate regulations for drones while airborne. The Oregon coast supports over a million nesting seabirds, including endangered species like the Snowy Plover. The iconic sight of 60,000 Common Murres on Yaquina Head is one spectacular example of the importance of our coast to nesting birds. At the same time, people love to visit the coast, with the number of visitors steadily increasing. In recent years recreational drone use has skyrocketed, reflecting a nationwide trend. This in turn has led to increasing disturbances to birds, marine mammals, and other wildlife. Such disturbances have been documented to negatively impact nesting success of many bird species. In a recent dramatic case in California, a
drone crash caused an entire colony of 3,000 Elegant Terns to abandon 1,500 active nests. In addition to wildlife impacts, drone usage can negatively impact the peaceful, safe, and private experience visitors to State Parks and the coast seek when exploring and enjoying Oregon’s natural places. Unfortunately, the process got off to a rocky start as the initial Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) put together by OPRD inexplicably did not include representatives from Oregon conservation organizations, recreational user groups (other than drone users) or Tribal nations, who all have interests affected by the rule. In addition, the RAC did not include representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages
the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge. OPRD then belatedly included Portland Audubon and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition on the RAC for the second meeting, but by then the damage was done, with draft rules slanted significantly toward pervasive usage of drones on park lands. After public outcry and a brief but effective campaign, OPRD decided to pause the RAC process and formed a working group to begin the process from scratch. The working group (which includes Portland Audubon) comprises a good balance of conservation, agency, drone, and other recreational stakeholders. This group met last summer several times to develop criteria to decide where drones should be per-
Cougar Spends Day on Haystack Rock By BOB ATIYEH
E
A seagull soars in front of the stranded cougar on Haystack Rock at 6:40 am on Sunday morning (July 16, 2023). PHOTO CREDIT BY KHULA MAKHALIRA
arly on the morning of Sunday July 16th, photographer Khula Makhalira arrived at Haystack Rock with the intention of taking puffin photos and was surprised to spot a cougar on the north side of the rock. Makhalira reported the sighting to personnel of the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) Members of the Cannon Beach Police
Department, Cannon Beach Fire District, Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State Parks quickly arrived on scene to ensure the safety and welfare of the public as well as the cougar. Cannon Beach Fire District personnel circled the rock on jet skis with a likely sighting of the cougar on the northwest side of the rock. SEE COUGAR PAGE A6
manently prohibited, seasonally prohibited, or allowed on State Park lands. We have made progress as part of the working group, and draft criteria currently prohibit drone takeoff and landings in areas that contain state or federally protected species, areas sharing borders with existing protected areas, and where they would pose a risk for other uses. Seasonal restrictions would apply in areas where wildlife concentrate for migration, breeding or wintering, with drones prohibited when wildlife are most vulnerable (for example during nesting season). The working group will meet at least once more to finalize draft criteria. Portland Audubon is pushing for the strongest criteria to narrow usage of drones to places where wildlife impacts
would be negligible. The devil will be in the details, though. OPRD staff are developing maps that will delineate these prohibited, seasonally prohibited, and allowed drone use areas based on the criteria. Once the maps are completed (likely late summer or fall), the working group will review them and make adjustments. However, there is currently no formal period that would allow public review of and comment on these drafts. We are currently working with OPRD leadership to allow this critical public engagement. All Oregonians deserve a say in drone usage in their State Parks and on the ocean shore. Stay tuned for opportunities to help guide responsible drone usage on State Park lands.