Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge,
near the mouth of the Columbia River, provides
wintering and resting areas for an estimated
1,000 tundra swans, 5,000 geese, and 30,000
ducks.
Other species include shorebirds and bald
eagles.
Estuary waters provide vital food resources
for juvenile salmon as they pause to become
acclimated to salt water before entering the
Pacific Ocean.
Bald eagles are present year-round; there
are 30 to 35 active nest sites.
Other fish species using the estuary include
American shad, smelt, perch, starry flounder,
bass, catfish, and Pacific lamprey.
Harbor seals use sandbars and mud flats as
resting sites at low tides, while seals and
California sea lions feed on fish in the estuary.
Beaver, raccoon, weasel, mink, muskrat, river
otter, Columbian white-tailed deer and invasive
nutria also live on the islands.
== Gallery
