Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is renowned among bird watchers for being able to view rare shorebirds including Ruff, Hudsonian Godwit, and Mongolian Plover.
Last expanded in 1999, it now has 889 acres (360 ha) in two units: Bandon Marsh and Ni-les'tun.
Bandon Marsh is popular for hunting, fishing, clamming, birding and photography. The refuge protects the largest tidal salt marsh in the Coquille River estuary. The mudflats are rich in clam, crab, worm, and shrimp and attracts migrating shorebirds, waterfowl, Coho Salmon, as well as the endangered California Brown Pelican. More common shorebird species include Western and Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Plover, Black-bellied Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Red Phalarope, Whimbrel, Dunlin.
The Ni-les'tun unit is a habitat restoration project which will eventually benefit fish and wildlife. In consists of intertidal and freshwater marsh, and riparian land. It also protects a 4,500 year-old Native American archaeological site of the Coquille Indian Tribe.
There are several overlooks, as well as access for hunters, birders, fisherman, and clammers. State and federal regulations are in effect.
The Marsh is located just north of Bandon, on the east side of the Coquille river across from Bullards Beach State Park.
Read more about this topic: Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex
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