Whidbey Island lies in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. It is part of the San Juan archipelago of over 100 forested islands. Wildlife habitats include old growth and mature second growth Douglas fir forests, old orchards and open fields, fresh and salt-water wetlands, and miles of scenic coastline.

Species noted are representative and not a complete list. Gray whales and many of our birds are migrants and may be seen only part of the year. Field guides can help determine seasonal patterns. Complete island bird lists are available at local libraries and inns and Bed & Breakfasts.

H-habitat M-mammals B-birds

1. Deception Pass
   Off Hwy 20. H-old growth forest, wetland, rocky/sandy shore, tide pools, rare beach plants. M-seal, deer, squirrel. B-loons, murrelets, other waterfowl, bald eagle, kingfisher, warblers, other passerines
   
   
2. Dugualla Bay & Lake
   From Hwy 20, East on Frostad Rd., North on Dike Rd. H-sheltered bay, mud flats, salt & freshwater mix. M-river otter. B-kingfisher, trumpeter swan, peregrine falcon, osprey, dabbling ducks (pintail, etc.)
   
   
3. Oak Harbor City Beach
   From Hwy 20, South on 30th St. SW in Oak Harbor. H-bay, beach. B-abundant waterfowl (inc. occ Eurasian wigeon), heron, gulls (mew, ring-billed, Thayer's & others)
   
   
4. Joseph Whidbey State Park/West Beach/Swantown Lake
   From Hwy 20, West on Swantown Rd, West on Crosby Rd. to West Beach Rd. H-Rocky/sandy beach, freshwater lake, cattail marsh. M-seal, otter, gray whale. B-bald eagle, harrier, shorebirds, red knot, wide variety of waterfowl including loons, ruddy ducks, oldsquaw
   
   
5. Partridge Point
   From Hwy 20, West on Libbey Rd to end. H-rocky beach, thickets. M-seal. B-grebes, harlequin duck, guillemot, scoters, mergansers, other waterfowl & alcids, sparrow, wrens.
   
   
6. Ft. Ebey St. Park
   From Hwy 20, West on Libbey Rd, South on Ft. Ebey Rd. H-second growth forest, thickets, lake, beach, wildflowers. M-deer, squirrel, otter. B-marbled murrelet, merganser, other waterbirds, kingfisher, great mix of forest species, pileated woodpecker, kinglets, brown creeper.
   
   
7. Kennedy's Lagoon
   From Hwy 20, South on Madrona Way, pullouts East of road. H-sheltered lagoon. M-seal, sea lion. B-abundant waterbirds, goldeneyes, cormorant, shorebirds-black turnstone, yellowlegs.
   
   
8. Perego Lake & Bluff Trail
   From Hwy 20, South on Terry, South on Ebey Rd, parking on right at bottom. H-prairie, fields, thickets, forest, rocky beach, rare prairie flowers. M-Dall's porpoise, orca. B-mourning dove, great horned owl, warblers, finches, yellowlegs, killdeer, willet, cormorants
   
   
9. Coupeville Wharf
   From Hwy 20, North on Main St., West on Front St. H-saltwater. M-otter, seal. B-cormorants, loons, goldeneyes, kingfisher, scaups, bufflehead. Abundant sea life visible from wharf-jellyfish, sea stars, etc.
   
   
10. Ft. Casey State Park
    From Hwy. 20, South on Main St. becoming Engle Rd. H-rocky beach, thickets, wildflowers. M-gray whale, seal. B-grebes, auklets, murrelets, gulls, oystercatcher, other waterfowl.
    
    
11. Crockett Lake
    From Hwy 20, South on Main St. becoming Engle Rd. H-brackish lake. B-large numbers of shorebirds-dunlin, western sandpiper, black-bellied plover, etc. Peregrine falcon, northern harrier, merlin, bald eagle. Waterfowl include pintail, green-winged teal, shoveler, oldsquaw, Virginia rail.
    
    
12. South Whidbey State Park
    From Hwy 525, West on Smugglers Cove Rd. H-old growth forest (ancient cedars & firs), beach. M-deer, raccoon, squirrel. B-osprey, thrush, western tanager, woodpeckers, violet-green swallow, small perching birds (chickadee, etc.)
    
    
13. Double Bluff & Bayview Beaches
    From Hwy 525, South on Double Bluff Rd. H-sandy beach, high bluff. M-seal. B-gulls, waterfowl, eagle. Great beachcombing for shells; respect private property please.
    
    
14. Lone Lake
    From Hwy 525, North on Bayview Rd 1.8 mile then West on Andreason Rd. to stop sign, South on Lone Lake Rd. H-lake, woodlot, thickets. B-mergansers, shoveler, scaup, other waterfowl; Steller's jay, bushtit, thrushes, other passerines/ quail. Blackberries in Aug/Sept!
    
    
15. Langley City Beach & Marina in Langley
    Beach access off First St. and Marina at East end off Wharf St. H-saltwater, thickets. M-orca, seal. B-cormorants, grebes, mergansers, loons, other waterfowl; eagle, small perching birds. Sea stars, jellyfish, crab visible from pier.