Did you know that many species of wildlife live in Ocean Shores?
Habitat provides shelter, food, and a place to raise young. Look around you and estimate the number of different types of habitat that could support wildlife along the High Dunes Trail. Top predators have been observed here including coyotes and cougars. Bears are also common in the high dunes ecosystem.
Habitat for wildlife in the high dunes
Species of herbivores, or plant eaters, and omnivores, animals that eat both plant and animals, are found throughout the high dunes. Species include black-tailed deer, opossum, and Douglas squirrel. Garter snakes, newts, salamanders, and frogs are also found in the high dunes ecosystem in Ocean Shores with plant communities functioning as the base of the food web.
High dune bird communities
Over 300 species of bird have been identified in Ocean Shores. Shorebirds can be seen flying over the High Dunes Trail and sometimes visiting the wetlands. Ducks and geese visit the wetlands during the late fall, winter, and spring months. Song birds are common in the shore pine, beach willow, and Pacific wax myrtle that define the high dune ecosystem. Listen and you may hear the stark call of a belted kingfisher or the poignant melody of a Swainson’s thrush.
Thanks to Steven Edwards and Michal Rosencrans for additional photos.