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Crockett Lake
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Status |
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Protection Pending |
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Location |
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Central Whidbey Island |
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Acreage |
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355 |
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Public Benefits |
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Provides critical feeding grounds for migratory waterbirds, scenic vistas and wildlife habitat, located within Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
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Description |
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Crockett Lake is a shallow brackish lake and complex of salt and freshwater marshes. It provides vital habitat for a variety of resident and migratory birds. Thousands of shorebirds (more than 17 different species) rely on the lake as an important migration staging area. The area provides critical wintering and nesting habitat for more than 13 species of ducks. At least nine species of raptors are regular visitors, including Peregrine Falcons and Merlins. And, more than 238 species of birds have been recorded in the Crockett Lake area.
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PROJECT STORY
A Wetland Project That’s for the Birds – and the People Who Love Them
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In January, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $850,000 in National Coastal Wetlands Conservation grant funds to Washington State Parks for this project. The Land Trust wrote and secured the grant, put the multiple partnerships together, and will carry out the real estate and land protection work.
More than half of the nearly 700+ acre Crockett Lake wetland area is still in private ownership. The Land Trust has begun working to acquire lands from private landowners in the area who are willing sellers. If successful in these efforts, up to 355 acres of critical habitat at Crockett Lake will be permanently protected and added to Fort Casey State Park, which is located in Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. With the addition of this acreage, almost the entire Crockett Lake wetland system (approximately 700 acres) could be protected.
The Land Trust’s partners in this project are: Washington State Parks, National Park Service, Whidbey Chapter of the Audubon Society and private landowners.
Some interesting facts:
- Audubon reports Fall migration numbers at Crockett Lake as high as 222,700, with an average of 162,400 shorebirds and Spring migration numbers as high as 25,000.
- Much of the use of Crockett Lake during migrations is attributed to the lake’s saline condition, its extensive mudflats and marsh as well as its protected location in relation to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
- Provides habitat for several thousand (up to 5,000 at one time) Pintail, Widgeon, Gadwall and Mallards, as well as Green-Winged Teal and Shovelers.
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