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Wildlife at Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Washington. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Dungeness
National Wildlife
Refuge
Watchable Wildlife
Introduction
Home for Wildlife
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
was set aside by executive order
in 1915 as a refuge, preserve, and
breeding ground for native birds.
Located in the northwest corner of
Washington State on the Salish Sea,
approximately 60 miles northwest of
Seattle, it offers a diversified habitat
of sand beaches, protected bay
waters, seagrass beds, mudflats, and
forested and grass uplands.
©Guy Monty
Good wildlife viewing opportunities
occur throughout the year on the Refuge.
In winter, the area is important to sea
ducks and other waterfowl who feed
and find storm shelter in the
protected waters of Dungeness Bay.
The Bay remains an
important migration stop
and wintering ground for
brant. Many shorebird
species also feed on the
shorelines and mudflats
during the spring and fall
migrations with a few species
overwintering on the Refuge.
Bald eagles and other raptors
are commonly seen year
round on the Refuge.
Harlequin duck
Brant. ©Guy Monty
Summer brings nesting songbirds to
the forested and grass uplands and on
to the spits. Often visitors see harbor
seals swimming in the marine waters
and hauling out on shore to rest and
nurse their pups within the protection
of the Refuge boundaries. Visitors have
also spotted other marine mammals,
such as orca and minke whales, in the
Refuge waters.
About this
Checklist
The following fish and wildlife species
list includes 244 species of birds, 29
species of mammals, 8 species of
reptiles and amphibians, and 26 species
of fish that are found on the Refuge.
Since most birds are migratory, their
seasonal occurrence and abundance, as
well as associated habitats are coded.
The list was prepared with the
assistance of Bob Boekelheide, Rod
Norvell and other knowledgeable
birders. If you see something rare or
unusual, please share the information
with the Refuge biologist. We will
periodically update this checklist with
new information and we welcome your
wildlife sightings on the Refuge.
Bird species are listed according to
the seventh edition (1998) American
Ornithologists’ Union checklist and
the 52nd supplement to that checklist
(August 2011). Symbols used in this list
are defined on the following page.
Wildlife List Key
Wildlife Watching Tips
Seasons
Sp
S
F
W
-
Spring (March-May)
Summer (June-July)
Fall (August-November)
Winter (December-February)
Patience and
Magnification
Viewing marine birds can be
challenging. At first glance the
waters appear empty, but slowly
scan the area with binoculars or a
scope for a closer look.
Seasonal
Abundance
a
- abundant – occurring in large
numbers in proper habitat
- common – likely to be seen or
heard in proper habitat
- uncommon – present, but not
certain to be seen
- occasional – present only a
few times a season, but may
be more common in habitat
adjacent to the Refuge
- rare – may be present but not
every year
- irruptive – occurs in large
numbers some years, but is
absent in others
- hypothetical – within normal
range, but not recently
documented
- accidental – outside of normal
range
Natural Blinds
Some areas are closed to public entry
to provide wildlife sanctuary. Watch
for closed area signs and stay to the
north, or strait-side, as you view
wildlife from the cover of driftwood.
Nature's
Soundtrack
Walk quietly in designated areas,
being aware of sounds. Teach
children quiet observation. Other
wildlife watchers will appreciate
your consideration.
Super Sleuthing
Be aware of animal sounds, smells,
and signs. Tracks, scat, feathers, and
nests left behind tell interesting stories.
Wild Diets
Don’t share your food. Your lunch
could disrupt wild digestive systems.
Family Ties
Leave all young animals alone. A
parent is probably close by waiting
for you to leave.
c
u
o
r
i
h
x
A symbol (*) precedes species known
to nest or breed on the Refuge.
Threatened or endangered species
are preceded by (✔) symbol.
The “H” column lists the habitat
types that are found on the Refuge
in which the listed bird species can
be found. The habitat codes are as
follows:
f
g
h
m
s
t
b
o
-
mixed coniferous/deciduous forest
grassland
hedges/shrubs
marsh/pond
sand spit/strand
tideflats/open mudflats
bay marine
open marine
Bufflehead
Peter Davis/USFWS
Habitat
Birds of Dungeness NWR
Common Name
Common Name
Habitat Sp S
F
W
Loons
Red-throated Loon
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Yellow-billed Loon
ob
ob
ob
ob
u
c
c
r
u
c
c
r
c
c
c
r
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Eared Grebe
Western Grebe
mb
ob
ob
ob
ob
o
c
c
o
u
o
c
c
o
u
o
c
c
o
u
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
Fulmars, Petrels and Shearwaters
Northern Fulmar
o
Sooty Shearwater
o
Short-tailed Shearwater
o
Storm-Petrels
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel
Leach’s Storm-Petrel
o
o
Pelicans
Brown Pelican
ob
Cormorants
Brandt’s Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant
Pelagic Cormorant
ob
bo
bo
Bitterns, Herons and Egrets
American Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
m
tms
m
o
u
o
r
r
r
r
r
o
o
r
c
c
r
c
u
r
c
c
u
c
c
o
c
o
c
r
o
c
o
c
Swans, Geese and Ducks
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Brant
*Canada Goose
Mute Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
Gadwall
Eurasian Wigeon
American Wigeon
*Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal
Northern Shoveler
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
Harlequin Duck
Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter
Black Scoter
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
Ruddy Duck
New World Vultures
Turkey Vulture
Habitat Sp S
F
W
m
bgm
bt
btgs
b
gm
gm
mf
mtb
tbm
tbm
tbm
m
mt
tm
tbm
tm
bm
bm
bm
b
bm
bto
bo
bo
ob
ob
bom
bom
bom
bm
bm
bot
bm
o
r
a
c
x
o
r
o
o
u
c
c
r
r
u
c
c
r
r
o
u
o
c
c
c
u
u
c
c
o
o
o
c
r
o
r
c
c
x
o
r
o
o
u
a
a
r
r
u
a
c
r
r
o
u
o
c
c
c
u
u
c
u
o
o
u
c
r
r
r
a
c
x
o
r
o
u
u
a
a
st
u
u
r
r
c
x
o
o
o
o
r
r
o
o
o
o
o
u
u
u
r
r
o
o
o
u
Surf scoter. ©Mike Baird
u
a
c
r
r
o
c
o
c
a
a
u
c
c
c
o
o
o
c
o
Osprey, Kites, Hawks and Eagles
Osprey
Bald Eagle
*Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
*Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Goshawk
*Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Habitat Sp S
F
W
bf
sbtf
gs
f
f
f
fg
g
fg
o
c
c
u
u
r
u
r
c
c
u
u
r
u
r
r
u
c
c
u
u
r
u
gs
tsf
sb
stf
sg
Gallinaceous Birds
Ring-necked Pheasant
*California Quail
gh
gfh
o
c
m
m
mb
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
American Golden-Plover
Pacific Golden-Plover
✔Snowy Plover
Semipalmated Plover
*Killdeer
ts
ts
ts
s
st
st
Oystercatchers
*Black Oystercatcher
Sandpipers and Phalaropes
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
Wandering Tattler
Spotted Sandpiper
u
r
Falcons and Caracaras
American Kestrel
Merlin
Gyrfalcon
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
Rails
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
u
c
c
o
u
r
o
o
r
r
o
r
u
r
o
u
o
u
r
u
o
o
c
u
c
u
c
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
r
o
c
u
a
o
o
a
r
u
c
r
u
c
c
c
r
u
s
c
c
c
u
tm
tm
ms
st
s
st
u
o
r
r
u
o
r
r
r
o
r
r
o
o
r
r
Common Name
Habitat Sp S
F
W
Whimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Ruddy Turnstone
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Rock Sandpiper
Dunlin
Stilt Sandpiper
Ruff
Short-billed Dowitcher
Long-billed Dowitcher
Wilson's Snipe
Wilson’s Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
Red Phalarope
ts
m
t
t
st
st
st
t
st
mt
ts
ts
ts
mt
mt
s
tsm
m
m
tms
tms
m
o
o
o
c
r
o
c
c
o
o
c
r
c
c
o
o
r
r
c
r
r
u
u
o
r
o
r
o
r
u
u
c
r
r
o
u
u
o
o
c
r
c
u
r
r
u
r
r
u
u
u
u
u
c
r
u
u
o
r
o
r
u
o
c
o
o
r
a
r
o
r
A killdeer performs its
broken wing act in an
attempt to lure a predator
from its nest.
©Greg Dahlman
Common Name
Common Name
Habitat Sp S
F
Skuas, Jaegers, Gulls and Terns
Parasitic Jaeger
Bonaparte’s Gull
Heermann’s Gull
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
California Gull
Herring Gull
Thayer’s Gull
Western Gull
*Glaucous-winged Gull
Glaucous Gull
*Glaucous-winged/Western Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
*Caspian Tern
Elegant Tern
Common Tern
*Arctic Tern
Forster’s Tern
ob
tbso
sobt
stbo
stbo
stbo
stbo
stbo
stbo
stbo
st
stbo
os
bos
bos
bos
bos
bos
o
u
c
c
u
c
r
o
u
a
r
a
r
c
r
u
r
r
Auks and Puffins
Common Murre
*Pigeon Guillemot
✔Marbled Murrelet
Ancient Murrelet
Cassin’s Auklet
Rhinoceros Auklet
Tufted Puffin
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Pigeons and Doves
Rock Pigeon
Band-tailed Pigeon
*Mourning Dove
Barn Owls
Barn Owl
r
u
c
o
o
r
o
u
a
r
a
u
o
o
c
u
r
u
o
o
a
o
o
c
o
a
c
c
u
u
c
u
r
r
c
u
u
c
u
o
r
c
W
u
r
c
u
u
o
u
u
c
o
a
r
Common Name
Habitat Sp S
F
W
f
sfg
sm
f
f
sg
f
o
o
i
r
o
u
o
r
u
r
o
o
i
r
o
u
o
o
o
i
r
o
u
o
mfg
o
o
o
mfb
mfg
o
u
o
u
o
u
*Rufous Hummingbird
f
c
c
u
Kingfishers
*Belted Kingfisher
btms
c
c
u
u
Woodpeckers
Red-breasted Sapsucker
*Downy Woodpecker
*Hairy Woodpecker
*Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
f
f
f
fg
f
o
c
u
u
o
o
c
u
o
r
o
u
o
u
r
o
u
o
u
r
Tyrant Flycatchers
*Olive-sided Flycatcher
Western Wood-Pewee
Willow Flycatcher
Hammond’s Flycatcher
*Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Tropical Kingbird
Western Kingbird
f
f
f
f
f
g
g
u
o
o
o
c
u
o
o
r
c
u
o
o
o
u
x
g
r
f
f
f
f
u
u
u
o
Typical Owls
Western Screech-Owl
Great Horned Owl
Snowy Owl
Northern Pygmy-Owl
Barred Owl
*Short-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
Swifts
Black Swift
*Vaux’s Swift
o
o
Hummingbirds
u
c
o
o
r
o
gf
f
fg
o
o
u
o
o
u
o
o
u
o
o
u
g
o
o
o
o
Shrikes
Northern Shrike
r
o
o
u
u
u
u
Vireos
Belted kingfisher
©Kevin Cole
*Cassin’s Vireo
*Hutton’s Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
u
u
o
o
Common Name
Habitat Sp S
F
W
f
tf
t
f
u
u
u
c
u
u
u
c
u
u
u
u
sg
s
x
r
Crows, Jays and Magpies
*Steller’s Jay
American Crow
Northwestern Crow
*Common Raven
Larks
Sky Lark
Horned Lark
x
h
h
bmtg
bmtgf
bsmgf
bsmg
bsmg
bsmg
r
c
c
c
c
c
r
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
c
r
Titmice and Chickadees
Black-capped Chickadee
Mountain Chickadee
*Chestnut-backed Chickadee
f
f
f
u
u
u
u
x
c
c
c
c
f
u
u
u
u
f
c
c
c
c
f
u
u
u
u
fh
f
f
m
u
o
c
o
u
o
c
o
u
u
c
o
c
o
Nuthatches
*Red-breasted Nuthatch
Creepers
*Brown Creeper
Wrens
*Bewick’s Wren
House Wren
*Pacific Wren
*Marsh Wren
Chestnut-backed chickadee
©Alan Vernon
Habitat Sp S
F
W
*Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
fh
fh
c
u
c
r
c
u
c
c
Thrushes
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Townsend’s Solitaire
*Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
*American Robin
*Varied Thrush
g
g
f
f
fh
fgm
f
r
r
r
o
u
o
c
u
r
u
r
c
u
o
o
o
c
u
r
u
u
Starlings
European Starling
gmts
u
u
u
c
Wagtails and Pipits
American Pipit
sgt
o
u
r
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
Cedar Waxwing
f
r
u
u
r
u
r
f
f
f
f
f
f
f
hmg
f
c
r
u
u
o
u
o
u
c
c
Kinglets
u
u
u
c
Swallows
Purple Martin
*Tree Swallow
*Violet-green Swallow
*Northern Rough-winged Swallow
*Cliff Swallow
*Barn Swallow
Bushtits
*Bushtit
Common Name
Wood Warblers
*Orange-crowned Warbler
Nashville Warbler
*Yellow Warbler
*Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
*Townsend’s Warbler
MacGillivray’s Warbler
*Common Yellowthroat
*Wilson’s Warbler
u
u
o
u
o
u
c
c
r
u
u
o
u
o
o
u
r
r
r
o
r
Common Name
Habitat Sp S
F
f
u
u
o
f
f
gs
gs
fh
sgfh
g
hg
hg
f
sg
sg
c
o
h
c
c
c
o
c
u
c
c
o
h
c
u
c
r
c
o
c
r
c
o
r
c
c
c
o
u
u
c
r
r
*Black-headed Grosbeak
f
u
u
u
Blackbirds and Orioles
Red-winged Blackbird
Western Meadowlark
*Brewer’s Blackbird
*Brown-headed Cowbird
Bullock’s Oriole
mgh
gh
gm
fg
fg
o
o
u
u
o
o
o
u
u
o
o
o
o
o
r
o
o
o
r
Finches
Purple Finch
*House Finch
Red Crossbill
White-winged Crossbill
Common Redpoll
Hoary Redpoll
*Pine Siskin
*American Goldfinch
*Evening Grosbeak
fgh
g
f
f
hg
hg
f
gh
f
o
o
i
o
o
i
o
o
i
c
c
i
c
c
i
i
i
c
u
i
r
o
i
r
i
i
c
r
g
o
o
o
Tanagers
*Western Tanager
W
Sparrows and Towhees
*Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
*Savannah Sparrow
*Fox Sparrow
*Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
*White-crowned Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
*Dark-eyed Junco
Lapland Longspur
Snow Bunting
c
r
c
c
r
o
u
c
r
r
Cardinals, Grosbeaks and Allies
Old World Sparrows
*House Sparrow
o
Song sparrow
©Dow Lambert
Mammals of Dungeness NWR
Amphibians and Reptiles of Dungeness NWR
Northern harrier
© Roger Windemuth
Terrestrial
Mammals
Many mammals are difficult to
observe due to their nocturnal or
secretive behavior. Although they
may not be seen, watch for evidence
of their presence, such as fresh
tracks, scat or a burrow hole.
Common Name
Abundance
Shrews and Moles
*Marsh Shrew
Pikas, Rabbits and Hares
Snowshoe Hare
u
o
Rodents
Aplodontia (Mountain Beaver)
Townsend’s Chipmunk
*Douglas’ Squirrel (Chickaree)
Northern Flying Squirrel
*Deer Mouse
*Southern Red-backed Vole
Townsend’s Vole
*Creeping Vole
u
u
c
u
u
u
u
u
Carnivores
Northern Raccoon
*Short-tailed Weasel (Ermine)
*Long-tailed Weasel
Northern River Otter
*Striped Skunk
*Coyote
Red Fox
u
u
u
u
c
u
u
Hoofed Mammals
*Columbian Black-tailed Deer
Columbian
black-tailed deer
USFWS
c
Common Name
*Rough-skinned Newt
*Northwestern Salamander
*Western Toad
*Pacific Chorus Frog
*Red-legged Frog
Northern Alligator Lizard
*Northwestern Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Abundance
a
u
o
u
u
u
u
o
Marine Wildlife of Dungeness NWR
Field Notes
Marine
Mammals
Have you seen
me lately?
Visitors often observe marine
mammals in the waters around the spit.
Only the harbor and elephant seals haul
out (come out of the water) on the
shoreline. Please report to Refuge staff
any individual (single) seal or any other
marine mammals observed on land.
Common Name
✔Northern (Steller) Sea Lion
California Sea Lion
Northern Fur Seal
*Harbor Seal
Northern Elephant Seal
✔Orca (Killer Whale)
Harbor Porpoise
Dall’s Porpoise
Gray Whale
Minke Whale
Sea Otter
Abundance
o
o
r
a
o
o
o
o
o
o
r
Anadromous Fish, The following is a selected sample of
fish and shellfish that visitors might
Shellfish and
see in Dungeness Bay. Included are
Others
anadromous fish, that is a term used
for fish that hatch in fresh water,
migrate to sea, and return to fresh
water to spawn.
Common Name
✔Chinook (King) Salmon
Coho (Silver) Salmon
Pink Salmon
✔Chum Salmon
Sockeye Salmon
Steelhead
Cutthroat Trout (coastal)
✔Bull Trout
Pacific Sand Lance
Pacific Herring
Surf Smelt
Native Littleneck Clam
Manila Littleneck Clam
Date & time
Observer
Weather
Species
Behavior
Comments
Date & time
Observer
Weather
Cockle
Butter Clam
Horse Clam
Geoduck
Softshell Clam
Pacific Oyster (commercial)
Mussel
Dungeness Crab
Red Rock Crab
Oregon (Hairy) Shore Crab
Horse Shore Crab
Hermit Shore Crab
Giant Pacific Octopus
Species
Behavior
Comments
If you find a rare, accidental or
unlisted species, please share your
observations with us. And remember,
a picture is worth a thousand words.
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
715 Holgerson Road
Sequim, WA 98382
Telephone: 360/457 8451
Fax: 360/457 9778
http://www.fws.gov/washingtonmaritime/dungeness
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
Refuge Information
1 800/344 WILD
August 2014
Black oystercatcher. Peter Davis/USFWS