The Liberty Bay Watershed
contains wildlife habitats
that support a variety of animal communities.
Some species are of special value for educational,
recreational or divers species use.
These include areas used by rare, endangered and
highly regarded species. The protection of these habitats
will always be beneficial to wildlife and water quality.
Many mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects
are found within the watershed's habitats.
Mammals found in the watershed include Columbia black-tailed
deer, Douglas squirrels, cottontail rabbits, black bears, beavers,
foxes, muskrats, river otters, martens, fishers, weasels,
skunks, bobcats, coyotes, voles, bats,chipmunks,
mice, and raccoons. Populations of lizards (two species)
snakes (four species), salamanders (seven species),
and frogs (four species) are also
inhabitants of the watershed.
Eighteen different species of
ducks are common in the watershed,
including all five species of cavity nesting ducks.
Cavity nesting ducks require wetlands, snags and wood
vegetation in order to survive.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's
list of priority bird species that nest in the watershed include
the bald eagle, osprey, pileated woodpecker, and great blue heron.
The eagle is listed as threatened within the state,the osprey
and the pileated woodpecker are state candidates
for classification as endangered, threatened
or sensitive species. All three birds nest in large snags.
The eagle and osprey are both fish eaters
and nest near water.
The great blue heron is listed as uncommon and
a state monitored species. Heronries are commonly
found in large groves of mature red alder, usually in wetlands,
and near open water. There are two that are often seen
on the dock in front of our house.
Other water-dependent birds include the kingfisher,
lesser, and greater yellowlegs, plovers, killdeer,
and double-crested cormorant. In addition, more than 90
other bird species nest, or winter over, in the watershed.
Check out some links below to
find out more!