Wildlife

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge preserves a number of unique ecosystems including salt marshes, muddy tide flats, rain drenched old growth forests, and dynamic coastal dunes and beaches. Freshwater marshes and grasslands are found along the southern shore of Willapa Bay. Visitors to the Refuge can enjoy viewing a wide variety of wildlife. Roosevelt elk, black bear, shorebirds, and spawning salmon are just a few of the many species that reside on the Refuge.

The Refuge is home to several endangered and threatened species including the snowy plover, marbled murrelet, and brown pelican. Other birds that are commonly spotted throughout the refuge include bald eagles, great blue herons, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, marsh wrens, and golden-crowned kinglets.

Western Snowy Plover

Western Snowy Plover, adult, non-breeding plumageThe western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is a small shorebird distinguished from other plovers (family Charadriidae) by its small size, pale brown upper parts, dark patches on either side of the upper breast, and dark gray to blackish legs. They are part of the Pacific coast population found breeding from Washington State to Baja Mexico. Western snowy plovers are classified as a threatened species because their numbers have declined due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and increasing threats from predators.

Snowy plovers weigh between 1.2 and 2 ounces. They are about 5.9 to 6.6 inches long. During the breeding season (March through September), plovers can be seen nesting along the shores, peninsulas, offshore islands, bays, estuaries, and rivers of the United States' Pacific Coast.

Marbled Murrelet

Nesting high up in the old-growth conifers of the Pacific Coast, these enigmatic little seabirds were one of the last North American birds to have their nests discovered. Marbled Murrelets are strongly tied to a narrow strip of land and water along the West Coast, usually nesting within 30 miles of the ocean and foraging at sea within three miles of the coastline. These birds face a powerful triumvirate of threats -- logging, gill-net mortality, and oil spills -- and have experienced dramatic recent population declines.

Marbled Murrelets are small, puffin-like birds with short bills, long wings, and short tails. Adults in breeding plumage are brown overall, with the head and upper parts darker brown and the upper parts mottled lighter brown. In contrast, adults in non-breeding plumage are a mixture of black, white, and gray. Birds have black heads, white collars, white underparts, grayish backs, extensive white on the sides of the rump, and black wings.

Other Wildlife

There are many places on the refuge where you can commonly view and photograph large herds of Roosevelt elk. Black-tailed deer, black bear, and bobcat are more elusive, but still abundant on the Refuge. If you're lucky, you may also spot playful river otters or harbor seals. The Refuge is home to 13 species of amphibians. Rough skinned newts, Pacific tree frogs, and red-legged frogs are commonly seen on the trails on cool, moist days (watch where you step!). Other species such as Dunn's, Van Dyke's, and northwestern salamanders are more challenging to spot.

The unique creatures (and flora) that inhabit Willapa depend upon its pristine waters, its estuarine exchange of salt and fresh water, and lack of population or development pressures to survive and thrive. Many of these species are poorly understood and Willapa Refuge offers a unique laboratory to observe, study their impact/contribution on the broader ecosystem.

For more information on wildlife on Willapa Refuge, go to the Wildlife & Habitat page on the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge web site.