Wildlife  (return to things to do home page)

Watchable Wildlife includes a wide array of animals from a bird at a backyard feeder to rarely-seen species that provide the dedicated viewer with a reward for hours of patient waiting.

Raccoons, cougars, otters, deer, black bears and coyotes make their homes on the Kitsap Peninsula, but you're not likely to see them unless you go looking.

You may see a deer or two, but you are far more likely to see our many bird populations, both resident and those that migrate through the area. We offer many parks where bird watching is likely to be successful, but just looking up you may see a Bald Eagle or Osprey soar overhead.

Looking down, on the beach at low tide, you may see sea stars, sand dollars, clams, oysters and small microcosms caught in the tide pools.

A variety of salmon return to area bays and streams each year and a rather large supply of sea lions and harbor seals spend hours sunning themselves, or fishing, along our shores.

On occasion we are visited by Orcas (aka Killer Whales), both the local, salmon eating, resident pods that spend most of their time further north around the San Juan Islands, and on occasion, the transient, meat eating, pods that come in from the ocean. A few Gray Whales wander into Puget Sound each year and an occassional Humpback Whale has been seen.

More Information:

• Bird Watching on Kitsap
• Salmon Watching on Kitsap
• Whales and other Marine Mammals around Kitsap
• Kitsap Wildlife Recreation Areas- Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition
• Wildlife Viewing Ethics
• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife - Wildlife Viewing Guide
• INJURED, SICK or ORPHANED birds, mammals or other wildlife - Contact West Sound Wildlife Center

We've even had a Bigfoot report!

Below are some suggested locations to view the wildlife on the Kitsap Peninsula:

	Results 1 - 10 of 31 (refine this search)	Next >>

	city(ies)		category(ies)		contact info		description
	Kingston  add item		Wildlife		A Quiet Place Park 360.337.5350		9.3 Acres - Walking trails, viewpoints. Directions: From Highway 104 in Kingston turn left on Ohio Street. Parking is just below the entrance to the trail.
	Silverdale  add item		Wildlife		Anderson Landing Nature Preserve Silverdale, WA 98383 360.337.5350		68 Acre nature preserve with walking trails, view point. Directions: From Silverdale take Bucklin Hill Road to Anderson Hill Road. After about 3.5 miles, turn right on Warren RD. The trailhead and a small parking lot are about 200 yards down the road on the right side of Warren.
	Tracyton  add item		Wildlife		Anna Smith Park 7601 Tracyton BLVD NW Bremerton, WA 98311 360.337.5350		6.6 Acres - Saltwater beach access, picnic areas, demonstration garden, butterfly house, children's programs, and restrooms. This magical garden was the very first Demo Garden for the WSU Kitsap County Master Gardener Program and is lovingly tended by a crew that meets there every Wednesday from 9 a.m. until noon. Vegetables and fruit are grown and donated to the local food banks. There is also a children's gardening area that will be planned, planted and tended by a 4-H group on another day of the week. Classes and tours occur on a regular basis during the growing season. Compost tea is brewed at this garden for sale to the Master Gardeners.
	Port Orchard  add item		Wildlife		Banner Forest Heritage Park Port Orchard, WA 98366 360.337.5350		635.0 Acres - Walking trails, equestrian trails. Directions: Take Sedgwick Road to Banner Road and go south on Banner Road to the intersection of Banner and Olalla Valley Roads. The property will be to your right.
	Belfair  add item		Wildlife		Belfair State Park 410 NE Beck RD Belfair, WA 98528 360.275.0668		Belfair State Park is a 63-acre, year-round camping park on 3,720 feet of saltwater shoreline at the southern end of Hood Canal.
	Blake Island  add item		Wildlife		Blake Island State Park Blake Island, WA 360.731.8330		This beautiful 475-acre island camping park, with five miles of saltwater beach shoreline, is only reachable private boat or via tour boats. Kitsap Harbor Tours, which departs from Port Orchard, and Argosy Cruises, departing from Seattle, take visitors to Blake Island and to the famous, Tillicum Village to enjoy a unique Northwest Indian dining and cultural experience. The journey includes traditionally prepared Native American salmon cooked over open fires and a presentation Native American dancing and songs.
	Hansville  add item		Wildlife		Buck Lake County Park 6959 Buck Lake RD NE Hansville, WA 98340		20.0 Acres - Lake access, beach, swimming area, picnic areas, playground, ball fields, basketball court, volleyball court, BMX track, native plant demonstration garden, and restrooms. The Hansville Greenway Wildlife Corridor is accessible from the park.
	Kingston  add item		Wildlife		Carpenter Lake/Nike Site/Saltmarsh - Park Kingston, WA 98346 360.337.5350		67.0 Acres - Walking trails, education center and view point Directions: Take Highway 104 in Kingston to Barber Cut-Off Road. The park site is located behind Gordon Elementary School off of Barber Cut-off Road.
	Silverdale  add item		Wildlife		Clear Creek Trail		Five miles of scenic trail winds through Silverdale's urban areas along Clear Creek. Salmon are visible during spawning season and the area is great for bird watching or just getting away from it all!
	Silverdale  add item		Wildlife		Clear Creek/Saq'ad Interpretive Center 9641 Levin RD Off Bucklin Hill Rd and Levin RD Silverdale, WA 98383 360.692.0929		The Clear Creek Interpretive Center, located off Bucklin Hill RD and Levin RD in Silverdale, hosts educational programs for children and families. Naturalists lead guided walks along Clear Creek Trail, through nearshore, estuary, wetland, and woodland habitats. The "big red barn" also features exhibits, occasional speakers, and special events. Don't miss their "Salmon Run Art Contest" which migrates through Silverdale each fall. And make sure to bring the kids and grandkids to their Discovery Play Days in the spring and summer.

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