Wander in Whidbey
Explore three birdy hot spots on this island in Puget Sound.
1 Hike, bike or drive around Penn Cove, a large saltwater inlet, from Coupeville Wharf. Or grab a kayak and a pair of binoculars to look for kingfishers, herons, loons, buffleheads and goldeneyes. Be on the lookout for river otters, harbor seals and sea stars, too!
2 Crockett Lake is an Important Bird Area (IBA) because 17 shorebird species plus raptors like peregrine falcons and merlins use it as a staging area before fall migration. Bring a spotting scope to the birding platform to view wading birds and waterfowl on the lake.
3 To diversify your sightings, head inland to Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship. Prairie and forest trails are open to walkers, bikers and bird-watchers. Look for swallows, chestnut-backed chickadees, and white-crowned and Savannah sparrows.