Getting to the Water's Edge: A Field Guide to Island County Beaches

During summer low tides, Double Bluff Beach is a popular spot for skimboarding. © 2008 Russell Sparkman

WSU Beach Watchers bring citizen science to the shore

Island County's beaches are teeming with life, but constantly changing with the ebb and flow of tides and human activity. Trends in intertidal life are a key indicator of the health of upland areas as well as marine waters. So every year since 1995 an army of volunteers from WSU Beach Watchers has diligently mapped the diversity and density of intertidal plants and animals at more than 30 shoreline sites ranging from quite mudflats to wave-battered cobbled shorelines. It is challenging work, often on rocky and slippery terrain, but is building a priceless, quality-controlled database to help marine scientists understand what is changing over time. Beach profiling is a labor of love for these volunteers, who are adept at recognizing dozens of different plants and creatures, and who rigorously adhere to a field-tested monitoring protocol. They are the only group annually collecting and compiling such baseline information about Island County beaches.

Great Blue Herons can be found throughout the islands, along shorelines, lakes and ponds. © Bart Rulon

Birds of the beach

Select any beach around Island County and you might see the birds as you stroll. The most common will likely be gulls-perched on pilings, standing on mudflats or floating on the bay. If you see a gull standing in shallow water, watch closely and you may observe it "treading" the sand to stir up invertebrates for lunch. A family of crows might fly past or call from overhanging trees. A bald eagle could be perched high on a snag or sitting right on the beach. Gulls, crows and eagles all scavenge tidbits washed in by the last high tide. Both gulls and crows carry shellfish into the air; then drop them onto rocks or pavement to crack the shells and reach the meat inside.

A group of killdeer might scamper along the sandy beach. If you approach too closely they'll voice a warning. Above them a belted kingfisher might fire its loud rattling call as it flies up and down the beach. In the winter watch for flocks of sanderlings, a small shorebird with pale gray back, pure white belly and coal black legs, eyes and bill, chasing waves on sandy beaches in a blur of running feet. Stand still and they may pass close by you.

Out on the water, especially in winter, you can see groups of ducks, and seabirds. These could be scoters, buffleheads, goldeneyes, wigeons, scaups, and grebes. You might even see a black and white loon swimming along; then diving underwater to seek pretty.

Salmon cruise the eelgrass highway

Island County sits at the center of Puget Sound, on the migration corridors used by salmon from nearly all of Puget Sound's major river systems. The many pockets estuaries and eelgrass beds on both sides of the islands provide critical shelter and refuge from predators and high-energy marine environments. Migrating salmon feed on herring, which lay their eggs directly on the eelgrass. Salmon also consume surf smelt and sand lance, which spawn on the gravels of Island County's many healthy beaches. Because healthy beaches and eelgrass beds are so important to the entire marine food chain, Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) and WSU beach Watchers have been working for several years to survey and inventory critical near shore resources. Together with Island County Shore Stewards, they are helping the public understand how we can help preserve and protect these precious natural resources for future generations.

Interested in reading more?

If you live on Whidbey or Camano islands, or are planning a visit, you need this book. Getting to the Water's Edge is the definitive field guide to shoreline public access, with helpful information on intertidal life, and where to go bird-watching, kayaking, clamming, hiking and much more. It emphasizes enjoyment while explaining the importance of good stewardship and etiquette. Start planning your 2010 visit now.

Would you like a copy? You may order Getting to the Water's Edge from:

Washington State University (WSU) Extension or from our local bookstores in Island County:

• Moonraker Books at Phone: 360-221-6962. Watch a video about Moonraker Books;
• The BookBay, 1638 Main Street Freeland, WA 98249: 360.331.5404. Call or Email To Order.Toll Free: 1.800.386.0061. Email: Shop@Bookbay.com.

Click here for an online downloadable map of boat launches and marinas:

Island County Boat Launches & Marinas - 7.1MB Large map of Whidbey & Camano Islands boat launches, marinas & trails.

The Port of South Whidbey has taken over the marina located in the City of Langley on South Whidbey Island. The Saratoga Passage location make a great stop for boats seeking protected passage between Central and South Puget Sound and North Puget Sound (Oak Harbor, La Conner, Anacortes, Bellingham and the San Juan Islands). The City of Langley offers galleries, antiques, boutiques, restraints, gourmet chocolate and a specialty florist shop. During the evening the local movie house offers current movies at only $6 for Adults!

For moorage information contact the Harbormaster (VHF 66A) Office contact Tel: (360) 221-1120 or email: Harbormaster - Marina offers transient moorage, electric, water, showers, lauch ramp and pump out.

Seeking tidal charts? Simply select a location listed under Possession Sound. Saratoga Strait, or Rosario Strait and the month you are interested in visiting. Learn more.

• Langley's municipal marina Book your mooring reservation NOW for the Island County Fair – August 19-22th. Join us for the 86th Island County Fair in 2010! Just a short walk from the marina, fun for the whole family.
  Come enjoy the community celebration of Whidbey Island's rich arts heritage for the Choochokam Arts Festival, July 10-11, 2010. The picturesque streets of downtown Langley are lined with artists. The air is filled with the sounds from three separate stages, each with its own flavor.
  
• To make reservations for the Langley Marina:
  Email: Harbormaster@portofsouthwhidbey.com or call 360-221-1120 or 425-387-4950 with date of arrival, length of stay, Boat name, LOA, Beam and Draft. Include contact your information. or Contact the Harbormaster at 360 221-1120 always has plenty of moorage for visitors.
• In Coupeville, you can access the town from the dock all day, and anchoring in Penn Cove overnight will offer a truly serene sleep. For more information regarding moorage at Coupeville wharf call (360) 678-5020.
• Oak Harbor's marina has visitor moorage, gas and charters. At Cornet Bay, located on the north end of Whidbey Island, you'll enjoy breathtaking views and gas and goods are available. http://www.whidbey.com/ohmarina/ or call (360) 679-BOAT or (360) 679-2628.
• Camano Island State Park has a floating dock for landing.Camano Island State Park
  2269 S. Lowell Point Rd.
  Camano Island, WA 98282 - (360) 387-3031
  Latitude 48D 7' 39.37" N (48.1276)
  Longitude 122D 29' 57.12" W (-122.4992)
  Body of Water Puget Sound
  Hours Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  Winter: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  The park is open year-round for camping and day-use.
  
• Camano Island Yacht Club
  Clubhouse Telephone: (360) 387-3737
  Email: camanoislandyachtclub.com
  Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1041, Stanwood, WA 98282
  Club Location: 129 North Sunset Drive, Camano Island, WA 98282

• Adventures in Boating Washington: This handbook is published by Boat Ed, the provider of Washington's boating safety course. Although this handbook is a convenient reference tool, students wanting to receive official Washington boating safety certification would benefit from studying Boat Ed's comprehensive boat safety course. All boating safety course material has been developed in conjunction with Washington Parks & Recreation, and is the same material used in their classroom courses. Take the Washington boating safety course.

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Whidbey and Camano Islands are only 25 miles north of Seattle, and 2 hours south of Vancouver. See Directions and Maps to learn more about how to get here.