Plan Your Visit
The expansive mudflats along the Siletz River estuary churn with a motley assortment of clams, crabs, worms, and shrimp—vital nutriment for migrating shorebirds. Visitors in the spring or fall can expect to see thousands of these birds, including Western and Least Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Whimbrel, Dunlin and such rarities as Ruff.
Waterfowl like Mallard, Northern Pintail, American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal,
Bufflehead, Red-breasted Merganser, Hooded Merganser, and Canada and Cackling Geese feed and rest on the marshes. Also found here are Beaver, Mink, and River Otter. Forested areas of the refuge teem with black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, salamanders and frogs.
Be sure to bring binoculars, a spotting scope or camera: There's always a wealth of wildlife to be found at Siletz Bay Refuge.
Last Updated: Nov 17, 2020