Stellar’s jay – Cyanocitta stelleri If you’ve spent some time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, you have most likely come across a Steller’s jay. Common residents along the northwest coast, Steller’s jays can be found in conifer forests, pine-oak forests, and forested suburbs. Identified … Continued
Anna’s Hummingbird – Calypte anna Have you been lucky enough to spot a hummingbird this winter? Only one species over-winters here in the Puget Sound area, and that’s the Anna’s hummingbird. These birds are bronze-green above and gray below with … Continued
Northern Spotted Owl – Strix occidentalis caurina If you are lucky enough to notice a chocolate brown, medium sized owl with dark eyes, you may have spotted this nocturnal creature. Classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened, these … Continued
Starting soon, SHADOW’s amphibian monitoring team will be conducting monitoring of SHADOW’s two amphibian ponds. This team will be looking for egg masses and other evidence of amphibian breeding that will then be reported back to Woodland Park Zoo. In … Continued
Rough-skinned Newt – Taricha granulosa The rough-skinned newt, named for its rough granular skin, is a medium to large-sized newt with a rounded snout and bright orange underside. The rough-skinned newt is the most common salamander found in the Pacific Northwest … Continued
Peregrine falcons – Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcons are found all over the world. Adult peregrines are blue-gray above with barred underparts and a dark head with thick dark sideburns resembling a helmet. Juveniles are heavily marked, with vertical streaks … Continued
Little Brown Bat – Myotis lucifugus Although often considered pests, bats are essential species of ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. The little brown bat Myotis lucifugus is the most commonly observed bat in Washington state. Next time you see … Continued
North American River Otter – Lontra canadensis River otters are semi-aquatic mammals commonly thrive in rivers, lakes, coastal bogs, swamps, wetlands, or estuary ecosystems in the USA and Canada. Aided by their webbed feet, streamlined body, muscular tail, and thick waterproof … Continued
North American Racoon- Procyon lotor Masked and slinking through the night, racoons are often considered a wily bandit of North American mammals. This nocturnal predator is an incredibly adaptable and has found a home in the urban environment. Native to North … Continued
White-tailed deer – Odocoileus virginianus As the weather is heating up you might be seeing extra tracks in your garden. Some of these tracks may belong to this month’s mammal: the white-tailed deer. Here at the Nature Preserve, we are seeing … Continued