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 Haystack Rock Awareness Program

Protecting, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock.

News

We’re back! HRAP set to return for the 2024 season 

CANNON BEACH, OR – Let the countdown begin! The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is excited to return to the beach for our 2024 season on February 16th! Come down and explore Haystack Rock with our team of Rocky Shore Interpreters on the beach, daily during low tide, until November. Interpreters will be on the beach to educate visitors about the tidepool and bird life found at Haystack Rock. Our complete beach schedule can be found here.

This year marks the program’s 39th anniversary of education and stewardship at Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Having educated millions of visitors and tens of thousands of students over the years, the program’s mission remains to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Island National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock.

Want to get involved? Our program has employment and volunteer opportunities available!

2023 Tufted Puffin Population Estimate Announced

CANNON BEACH, OR – The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) estimates that 106 individual puffins came to Haystack Rock this nesting season. This is a notable increase from the 74 puffins observed in 2022, marking it the lowest count on record since surveys began in 2010.

Haystack Rock is home to Oregon’s second largest tufted puffin colony. Its proximity to the shore allows for the monitoring and recording of data from land-based stations, an ideal approach as conducting research directly on these islands can potentially disrupt the puffins and their habitat.

Tufted puffins (Fratrecula cirrhata) are found throughout the upper latitudes of the North Pacific Ocean. Tufted Puffin have an extensive breeding range which stretches from California to Alaska, and from Siberia to Japan. Over the past twenty years, their population has significantly declined throughout the southern portion of their range. Potential factors contributing to the decline of tufted puffins include climate change, habitat loss/degradation, an increase in predation pressures, and food availability.

Despite this decline, tufted puffins were not considered to be listed under the U.S Endangered Species Act. A Species Status Assessment conducted by USFWS in 2020 showed that while the tufted puffin’s southern range will continue to decline due to climate change, models showed that they are expected to maintain resilient colonies throughout a large portion of their range. Friends of Haystack Rock and researchers are working to determine if tufted puffins along the California Current are genetically distinct from those in Alaska.

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program is proud to partner with the USFWS on this project. Our program recognizes the importance that this data will play in the management and protection of tufted puffins.

Today’s Tides

 *It’s best to visit during low tide. Find our full schedule here.

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Puffinology 101
We are puffin’ with joy 🎉 we’ve spotted the first tufted puffins of the season! This morning, our Director and Education and Volunteer Coordinator hit the beach to try and spot the first arrivals 🔎 While none were seen lingering outsi
We are puffin’ with joy 🎉 we’ve spotted the first tufted puffins of the season! This morning, our Director and Education and Volunteer Coordinator hit the beach to try and spot the first arrivals 🔎 While none were seen lingering outside of their burrows, they did observe three tufted puffins intermingling with a raft of common murres beyond the waves! Needless to say, we will be keeping our 👀 eyes glued to the Rock for the rest of the week! At Haystack Rock, the tufted puffin burrows can be spotted in the grassy meadow on the north and western face 🪨 Do 🫵🏼you🫵🏼 want to learn more about these amazing seabird? Be sure to join us at our Puffin Welcome Celebration at Haystack Rock on April 13th from 8 - 12! 📸: Barb and Larry Hauser 📸: Mylasia Miklas | HRAP #Haystackrockawarenessprogram #Cannonbeach #Haystackrock #Oregoncoast #PNW #tidepooling #puffins #tuftedpuffins
Common murres (Uria aalge) have been spotted at the rock 🪨 over the past few weeks, which means nesting season 🪺is right around the corner! Historically, they arrive in March to scope out the nesting grounds before settling in April. Many visitor
Common murres (Uria aalge) have been spotted at the rock 🪨 over the past few weeks, which means nesting season 🪺is right around the corner! Historically, they arrive in March to scope out the nesting grounds before settling in April. Many visitors mistake these seabirds for tufted puffins. While they are similar in size, common murres have a white underbelly and black upper body, whereas the tufted puffins are entirely black! #Haystackrockawarenessprogram #Cannonbeach #Haystackrock #Oregoncoast #PNW #commonmurre #seabird #puffins #tuftedpuffins
🌊The rocky intertidal is a beautiful, yet fragile, ecosystem. Before heading out to the pools, be sure to be familiar with tidepool etiquette. Following these guidelines keeps both our marine life and 🫵🏼 YOU 🫵🏼 safe! 💡Know before you go: Many
🌊The rocky intertidal is a beautiful, yet fragile, ecosystem. Before heading out to the pools, be sure to be familiar with tidepool etiquette. Following these guidelines keeps both our marine life and 🫵🏼 YOU 🫵🏼 safe! 💡Know before you go: Many rocky intertidal areas, like Haystack Rock, are protected! Be sure to know the rules and regulations governing the area you intend to explore before heading out 🚶🏻‍♀️Walk on Sand: Anemones, barnacles, mussels, snails, sea stars, and so much more call these rocks their home. Let’s be good ‘house guests’ by not stepping on them. 🔎Explore carefully: There is so much life in the rocky intertidal to discover. Take it slow - you’re likely to see more and avoid accidental injury. When exploring, look with your eyes and gently with your hands. Avoid poking, prying, kicking, or crushing animals. Only turn over rocks that are the size of your hand. Be sure to place the rock exactly how you found it to keep these spaces hospitable. 🪶Give Wildlife Space: During low tide, many shore birds take the opportunity to forage among the rocks. Be considerate of their needs by giving them ample space. 🐚Avoid Collecting: Everything within the tidepools has a purpose. Empty shells are used by different animals, like hermit crabs. 🚮Pack it in, Pack it out: Refrain from littering and make an effort to pick up debris whenever possible. #Haystackrockawarenessprogram #Cannonbeach #Haystackrock #Oregoncoast #PNW #tidepooling #tidepooletiquette #stewardship
Even on the beach, there are signs of spring 🌸 Native to coastal areas of western North America, Hooker’s willow (Salix hookeriana), also known as coastal willow or dune willow, can be found in coastal habitats like beaches, marshes, and bluff
Even on the beach, there are signs of spring 🌸 Native to coastal areas of western North America, Hooker’s willow (Salix hookeriana), also known as coastal willow or dune willow, can be found in coastal habitats like beaches, marshes, and bluffs. 🌱 In early spring, specialized flowering structures, known as catkins emerge, often acting as one of the first signs of #spring. #Haystackrockawarenessprogram #Cannonbeach #Haystackrock #Oregoncoast #PNW
It's hard to believe it's already been a month since we returned to the rock 🪨 So far, we have braved the wild Oregon coast weather, marveled at amazing tidepool/wildlife sightings, and have engaged with over 3,000 visitors! We can’t wait to &
It's hard to believe it's already been a month since we returned to the rock 🪨 So far, we have braved the wild Oregon coast weather, marveled at amazing tidepool/wildlife sightings, and have engaged with over 3,000 visitors! We can’t wait to ‘sea’ what the rest of the season will bring 🌊! Be sure to stop by and explore with us ❤️ You can find our beach and event schedule on our website 🔗 link in bio (P.S. Don't forget! Our annual Puffin Welcome Celebration 🎉 is on April 13th from 8:00 to 12:00 at Haystack Rock!) 1) 📸: Mylasia Miklas | HRAP 2) 📸: Kelli Ennis | HRAP 3) 📸: Jane | HRAP 4) 📸: Jane | HRAP 5) 📸: Michelle | HRAP
Puffinology 101
We are puffin’ with joy 🎉 we’ve spotted the first tufted puffins of the season! This morning, our Director and Education and Volunteer Coordinator hit the beach to try and spot the first arrivals 🔎 While none were seen lingering outsi Common murres (Uria aalge) have been spotted at the rock 🪨 over the past few weeks, which means nesting season 🪺is right around the corner! Historically, they arrive in March to scope out the nesting grounds before settling in April. Many visitor 🌊The rocky intertidal is a beautiful, yet fragile, ecosystem. Before heading out to the pools, be sure to be familiar with tidepool etiquette. Following these guidelines keeps both our marine life and 🫵🏼 YOU 🫵🏼 safe! 💡Know before you go: Many Even on the beach, there are signs of spring 🌸 Native to coastal areas of western North America, Hooker’s willow (Salix hookeriana), also known as coastal willow or dune willow, can be found in coastal habitats like beaches, marshes, and bluff It's hard to believe it's already been a month since we returned to the rock 🪨 So far, we have braved the wild Oregon coast weather, marveled at amazing tidepool/wildlife sightings, and have engaged with over 3,000 visitors! We can’t wait to &