Video of laser harassment at Haystack Rock has prompted calls for wildlife protection after nesting birds abandoned their chicks over the weekend.
CANNON BEACH, Ore. — A video of someone flashing a laser pointer at Haystack Rock last weekend has sparked new calls for wildlife protection after a nesting bird pair lost their chicks.
The Haystack Rock Awareness Program announced Monday that the rock’s black oystercatcher pair lost their chicks over the weekend, citing the green laser incident and reports of people climbing on the rocks — both federal violations.
“When you find out that this has happened when it was off our watch, it just breaks your heart,” said Jenny Gooldy with the Haystack Rock Awareness Program.
The program posted on Facebook that this was the birds’ third nesting attempt this season and likely their last because of how late in the summer it is.
Gooldy said the rock hosts a delicate ecosystem that can be easily disturbed.
“To someone, it can seem like such a small situation, but they just don’t understand the impact that something like that can have, especially for nesting birds,” Gooldy said. “It doesn’t take much for those birds to feel threatened and abandon their situation, and they can leave those chicks unprotected, the eggs unprotected.”
Seven different species of birds use the rock as a nesting ground, including the beloved tufted puffin.
“A little bit of human interference can have a devastating impact to those birds,” Gooldy said.
The laser incident was captured on video July 25 at 11:45 p.m. and later posted to social media. The person who filmed it said it was the second time the individual used the laser, noting that the first time “all the birds woke up and started squawking.”
Cannon Beach Police Chief Rob Schulz said officers would investigate such incidents.
“We’d come down, identify those people because they are disturbing wildlife on the rock, we would document that and that report would get forwarded to Fish and Wildlife, and even though they might be up by the driftwood here, if they are disturbing wildlife with a laser pointer, that’s a federal wildlife violation,” Schulz said.
Dawn Harris with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service emphasized the importance of giving wildlife space.
“It’s very important that visitors recognize that there are places to view this wildlife, but to give them space and follow any signs that we have posted about closed areas, or seabirds are nesting in this area, don’t climb these islands — just view from afar with your binoculars,” Harris said.
Those caught disturbing the animals can face fines of up to $250 per incident from Fish and Wildlife.
The awareness program noted that guidelines to stay out of restricted areas apply 24/7 year-round, not just when staff are present on the beach.
Anyone who sees inappropriate activity around the rock should call Cannon Beach City Hall or the non-emergency police number at 503-436-2811.