Birds and Wildlife

This is a park with a small footpath that takes you down to Shadow Lake. The trumpeter swans mostly stay to the other side of the lake, but are easy to view, especially if you bring binoculars or a long camera lens. It's fun to watch the swans take off in the morning.

We've posted a hike along the trail here on one of our routes pages.

Small island is about five miles off the west coast of Whidbey Island. Smith Island is a protected aquatic reserve. boats must keep a certain distance from shore to protect the wildlife there.

Notable species found here are tufted puffins, rhinocerous auklets, rockfish and bull kelp. But you might also see harbor seals and sea lions on shore, cormorants, and glaucous wing gulls.

I viewed a large flock of trumpeter swans off of Port Williams Road in Sequim in January 2023. Be aware, however, that the area around here are largely private farms. I did find a pullout on the roadside to view the swans -- at a distance, but with seeing a large herd of elk as a bonus!

I offer this as an approximate location representing an area where you MAY see the birds on Winter mornings. The best area I've seen the birds is at Shadow Lake in Snohomish.

This platform, and the area surrounding it (as well as the general area including the nearby campground) are common places to view elk.

The image of the two bull elk, here, were taken while standing on this observation platform. One thing to note, though, is that if you're using a tripod and someone is walking around on the platform, there will be some vibrations.

The Wiley Slough and Skagit Wildlife area are a possible place to find wintering swans. Note: area is closed for renovations through November 2023.