Ellisport Waterfront Bird Habitat

From the parking area along Chautauqua Beach Road SW, one can often see hundreds of wigeon feeding on eel grass just a few feet away in the fall and winter. At least one Eurasian Wigeon may usually be found with the flock by December. Brant join them in February or March for several weeks. A few goldeneye, scoters and Bufflehead usually come close-in, and many other loons, grebes and ducks swim and dive further out.

The beach and rip rap where the old pilings come to shore hosted a flock of Black Turnstones in December 2002. Purple Martin boxes placed by Rich Siegrist adorn the old pilings and many Purple Martin adults and young use them during the summer. Double-crested Cormorants, Great Blue Herons and Glaucous-winged Gulls rest on the pilings in winter. For some reason, the boats anchored here provide a favorite resting place for Common Terns in the fall. In August, one can compare California, Mew, Bonaparte’s and Glaucous-winged Gulls all washing together in one of the creeks that drain into Tramp Harbor.

To find the Ellisport pull-off, head east from the four-way stop at the intersection of Vashon Highway and 204th. Pass the high school and continue down hill to the bottom where the road reaches Vashon’s eastern shore. Take a left turn, or north onto Chautauqua Beach Road SW, and look immediately to the right to find a dirt parking strip.