Ocean Shores, the heart of the beautiful Pacific Northwest, is a coastal gem renowned for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and abundant wildlife. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Grays Harbor, this charming coastal town offers a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of the natural world. From the rich marine life of the ocean to the diverse bird species inhabiting its shores, Ocean Shores is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Marine Life in the Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the main attraction in Ocean Shores, and it teems with diverse marine life. Visitors can often spot gray whales during their annual migrations along the coast. These majestic creatures make their way past Ocean Shores between March and May, providing a breathtaking sight as they breach and spout water into the air. The waters off Ocean Shores are also home to a variety of other marine species. Seals and sea lions can be seen basking on the sandy beaches, while dolphins and porpoises frolic in the waves
Birdwatching Paradise
Ocean Shores is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a rich avian population year-round. The diverse habitats, including beaches, estuaries, wetlands, and forests, attract a wide range of bird species. One of the most iconic birds in Ocean Shores is the bald eagle. These majestic raptors can often be seen soaring above the shoreline, hunting for fish, or scavenging for food along the beach. Ospreys are also a common sight, and their aerial acrobatics while hunting are a sight to behold. The estuaries and wetlands around Ocean Shores provide essential habitats for a variety of shorebirds, including sandpipers, plovers, and herons. During migration seasons, flocks of these birds stop here to rest and feed, offering fantastic opportunities for birdwatchers to observe and photograph them.
Coastal Forests and Inland Wildlife
While the coast is the main attraction, Ocean Shores also offers access to lush coastal forests and nearby wildlife reserves. Exploring these areas can lead to encounters with deer, raccoons, and even the occasional black bear. The forests are home to a variety of bird species, including owls, woodpeckers, and songbirds. The nearby Olympic National Wildlife Refuge, just a short drive from Ocean Shores, provides a haven for a wide array of wildlife. Visitors may spot Roosevelt elk, river otters, and various waterfowl while exploring the refuge’s trails and wetlands.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts are a crucial part of preserving Ocean Shores’ unique wildlife. Local organizations and community members work tirelessly to protect the delicate ecosystems that support the diverse fauna of the area. Efforts include beach cleanups, wildlife monitoring, and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of conservation.
Here is a list of some of the notable wildlife species you can find in the Ocean Shores area:
Sealife: The sandy beaches, tidal flats, and tide pools are home to various sea life including clams, jellyfish, sea stars, anemones, and crabs. Gray whales migrate along the coast (and into Grays Harbor Bay) from December to May, with peak sightings occurring in January and February. Humpback whales are more commonly seen during the summer months, from June to September, while blue whales can be spotted from May to November. You can spot seals and sea lions basking on the beaches and near the harbor. The coastal waters of Ocean Shores are inhabited by various species of fish, such as salmon, halibut, and rockfish, which in turn support the local marine ecosystem.
River Otters: River otters are known to inhabit the wetlands and waterways in the Ocean Shores region. River otters are active day and night; around humans, they tend to be more nocturnal. Otters spend their time feeding and at what appears to be group play. Never instigate a close encounter with river otters. They have been known to attack humans, and females with young are unpredictable.
Black Bears: Occasionally, black bears can be spotted in the nearby forests, particularly in the Olympic National Park and surrounding areas. Black bears are notable members of their ecosystems no matter where they live. Bears aren’t out to cause problems; they are very smart and super-resourceful, and will do their best to take advantage of all the easy-to-get at calories we make available like our trash cans, bird seed feeders, and pet food.
Cougars: More than half of Washington is cougar habitat. Cougars are solitary and, while they generally avoid people, they may live adjacent to, travel, hunt, and cache their food in areas close by people.
Coyotes: The sand dunes are full of coyotes who venture into our neighborhoods. You may hear coyotes more frequently than you see them, especially when they have pups. Juvenile coyotes are often heard in summer, trying out their voices.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Everywhere in Ocean Shores you can find snakes (mostly the common garter snake), frogs, and the Pacific banana slug. As its name suggests, the banana slug is often bright yellow in color, resembling a banana, but a banana slug can also be brown, white, or green. A banana slug can live up to seven years and can reach up to ten inches in length and four ounces in weight, making it the second-largest slug in the world!
Deer: Black-tailed deer are commonly seen in and around Ocean Shores, sometimes wandering through neighborhoods. In terms of human predation, within the city limits of Ocean Shores, there is no deer-hunting season. However, vehicle – deer accidents are fairly common. Local deer thrive in the ideal habitat. Deer forage on a wide variety of vegetation readily available. If you think your neighborhood deer look familiar, they most likely are. Black-tailed deer typically maintain a range up to 3 square miles. In Ocean Shores, with the amount of available forage, one can quickly recognize the same general group of deer within a few blocks of their residence.
Birds: The area is a haven for birdwatchers, with a wide variety of avian species, including geese, ducks, crows, owls, woodpeckers, seagulls, pelicans, and songbirds. Best of all we have Bald Eagles & Ospreys in Ocean Shores. These iconic birds of prey can often be seen soaring along the shoreline and hunting for fish.
Raccoons and Possums: These adaptable mammals are often seen in both natural and urban environments. Possums are nocturnal, spending the day in dens or other protected spots. Possums are scavengers. They move from place to place in search of good food sources and a comfy place to sleep. They are beneficial for helping to control the overpopulation of snakes, rodents, and insects. Opossums act like little vacuum cleaners when it comes to ticks, including those that spread Lyme disease. Raccoons prefer forest areas near a stream or water source but have adapted to various environments throughout Washington. Raccoon populations can get quite large in urban areas, owing to hunting and trapping restrictions, few predators, and human-supplied food. Raccoons make several types of noises, including a purr, a chittering sound, and various growls, snarls, and snorts.
Insects: The area’s diverse habitats also support a variety of bees, butterflies, and other insect species. The most common spiders in Ocean Shores is the Orb Weaver or the Common House Spider (for a list of spiders with pictures click here), rarely will you see a Black Widow and according to the Washington State Department of Health the brown recluse spiders do not live in Washington. However, that is not to say they cannot be introduced to the area from people relocating to our area. Where there are deer there are ticks. Click here for information about ticks.
Although Ocean Shores is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers there is a law against feeding the wildlife ~ keep the wildlife wild. If you come across a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal please contact the Animal Control Office: (360) 533-8765 or the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network: (866) 767-6114.
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife has links to Living with Wildlife and Species Fact Sheets.
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