South Slough Reserve, Oregon

Endangered Species

At least two bird species known to use South Slough (within and beyond reserve) appear on state and federal threatened or endangered species lists. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) are regularly observed feeding on the Slough's tidal mudflats and nest nearby. A small flock of the state and federally listed brown pelican seasonally feeds near the mouth of South Slough. One of the largest remaining populations of federally listed western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is found on the North Spit, four miles north of reserve. Sea-run cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki clarki) and coho salmon (Oncorhyncus kisutch), both of which have been nominated for federally protected status, are found in reserve's streams and elsewhere in the estuary.

Three somewhat rare plants - the California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), sea lavender (Limonium californicum) and salt marsh bird's beak (Cordylanthus maritimus) - grow in the slough watershed. Based on the abundance of listed plant species in Coos County and the number of state protected species, it is likely that more state or federally listed species will be discovered in reserve as a result of future inventory and monitoring efforts.

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