Redwood National Park - Wildlife: A Safari in Your Backyard

Biodiversity. Redwood has it in spades. The variation of animals in the park is shocking. You can see everything from Roosevelt elk to killer whales. Yes, you read the last part right. Killer whales. Redwood is a wildlife wonderland and is seriously overlooked in this regard. It’s remarkable that once can potentially view elk and gray whales at the same time.

The completely unique old-growth forest combined with wild rivers, rugged terrain, meadows, and the Pacific Ocean forms an ecosystem impossibly rich in life.

Threatened and Endangered Species of Redwood National Park: Western Snowy Plover (they closed the beaches to off-road use to protect this bird), Tidewater Goby, Stellar’s Sea Lion, Steelhead, Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet(close to extinction due to road building, logging), Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Brown Pelican, Bald Eagle.

Key Takeaways

Redwood National Park offers a diverse array of wildlife, ranging from Roosevelt elk to killer whales.
The park’s unique ecosystem includes old-growth forests, wild rivers, rugged terrain, and the Pacific Ocean.
Conservation efforts are vital for endangered species like the Marbled Murrelet and Northern Spotted Owl.
Wildlife sightings in the park vary seasonally, with different species more visible at various times of the year.
Visitors should respect wildlife by maintaining a safe distance, staying on trails, and minimizing noise pollution.
For wildlife photography, use appropriate equipment and techniques for different species and environments.

Where to Spot Wildlife

Roosevelt Elk – Elk Prairie, Gold Bluffs beach
Osprey – Beaches, rivers
Bald Eagles – Beaches, Rivers
Seals and Sea Lions – Ocean shore areas
Whales – Klamath Overlook, higher shoreline areas
Northern Spotted Owl – Coniferous forests.
Pacific Giant Salamander – Coniferous forests
Pacific Tree Frog – Coniferous forests
Black bear – Coniferous forests, meadows, rivers, creeks
Bobcat – Forests and meadow edges
Big Brown Bat – Coniferous forests
Purple Chore Crab: Tidepools
Shield Limpet – Tidepools
Willet – Beaches
Western Sandpiper – Beaches
Western Snowy Plover – Beaches
Brown Pelican – Seastacks
Double Crested Cormorant – Seastacks
Red Shouldered Hawk – Rivers, forests
Great Blue Heron – Rivers, Marshes
Mountain Lions – Shorelines, forest edges and forest
River Otter – Rivers and creeks
Beaver – Creeks, rivers, ponds
Salmon – Rivers
Steelhead – Rivers
Black-Tailed Deer – Meadows
Coyote – Meadows, forests, creeks

Photography

For landscape photography, you are going to want an ultra-wide angle lens. There’s no way around it. This kind of lens is essential for shooting inside the forest. A tripod is a must due to the dark nature of these environments. A minimum of 300mm is required for wildlife, although shorter lengths would be ok for some species. Taking pictures of animals in the forest is incredibly difficult due to the low light. Well-lit beach areas offer great chances to photograph osprey, bald eagles, gulls, and pelicans – not to mention the animals that may be swimming just offshore. An ultra-wide lens, a fast medium length prime, and a zoom or prime to 300mm would be the ideal Redwood lens kit. Be sure to use filters to protect your lens from wind-blown sand.

The meeting of the beach and forest environment is a spectacular wildlife viewing zone with almost constant action. You never know what the ocean is going to turn up – from seals to birds to whales. On our trip to Gold Bluffs, we encountered a marten, elk, a mink, bald eagles, osprey, gulls, numerous pelicans and a seal. This was all within 45 minutes!

Those interested in the landscape will want to visit Gold Bluffs Beach and Enders Beach. I found the summer fog at Redwood to help create good light as opposed to the harsh midday light of drier inland California. But again, you have to have a tripod to photograph anything in the forest unless you are filming motionless people with a fast prime lens.

Which Animals Are Present And Which Not?

Redwood Whales:

North Pacific Bottlenose Whale – present
Sperm Whale – present
Sei Whale – present
Minke Whale – present
Killer Whale – present
Humpback Whale – present
Gray Whale – present
Grampus – present
Goosebeak Whale – present
Fin Whale – present
False Killer Whale – present

Redwood Dolphins and Porpoises:

Pacific White-Sided Dolphin – present
Harbor Porpoise – present
Dall Porpoise – present
Common Dolphin – present

Seals and Sea Lions:

Stellar Sea Lion – present
Harbor Seal – present
Elephant Seal – present
California Sea Lion – present

Land mammals:

Roosevelt Elk – present
Black-Tailed Deer – present
River Otter – present
Ringtail – present
Racoon – present
Striped Skunk – present
Spotted Skunk – present
Pine Martern – present
Mink – present
Longtail Weasel – present
Fisher – present
Ermine – present
Gray Fox – present
Coyote – present
Black Bear – present
Mountain Lion – present
Bobcat – present
Porcupine – present
Muskrat – present
Beaver – present
White-footed Vole – present
Townesend’s Vole – present
Western Red-Backed Vole – likely
Red Tree Vole – present
Long-Tailed Vole – likely
Creeping Vole – likely
California Vole – present
Norway Rate – present
Black Rat – likely
house Mouse -likely
Western Harvest Mouse – present
Pinyon Mouse – likely
Pacific Junping Mouse – present
Deer Mouse – present
Dusky-Footed Woodrat – present
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat – present
Botta’s Pocket Gopher – present
Western Gray Squirrel – present
Northern Flying Squirrel – present
Golden-MAntled Ground Squirrel – likely
Douglas’s Squirrel – present
California Ground Squirrel – present
Belding’s Ground Squirrel – Uknown
Sonoma Chipmunk – likely
Siskiyou Chipmunk – present
Allen’s Chimpunk – present
Mountain Beaver – present
Brush Rabbit – present
Black-Tailed Hare – present
Townsend Mole – present
Shrew-Mole – present
Coast Mole – present
Broad-Footed Mole – likely
Vagrant Shrew – present
Trowbridge Shrew – present
Pacific Shrew – likely
Marsh Shrew – Likely
Virginia Opposum – present

Redwood Bats

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat – likely
Pallid Bat – likely
Yuma Myotis – present
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat – likely
Silver-Haired Bat -likely
Long-Legged Myotis – likely
Long-Eared Myotis – likely
Little Brown Myotis – present
Hoary Bat – present
Fringed Myotis – likely
California Myotis – present
Big Brown Bat – present

Turtles, Frogs, Newts, Skinks, Lizards, Snakes and Salamanders:

Common Garter Snake – present
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake – present
Aquatic Garter Snake – present
Pacific Gopher Snake – present
California Kingsnake – present
Ring-neckSnake – present
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake – present
Sharp-Tailed Snake – present
Western Yellow-Bellied Racer – present
Pacific Rubber Boa – present
Northwestern Fence Lizard – present
Sagebrush Lizard – present
Western Skink – present
Southern Alligator Lizard – present
Alligator Lizard – present
Rough-skinned Newt – present
Southern Torrent Salamander – present
Dunn’s Salamander – present
Del Norte Salamanders – present
Ensatina – present
Pacific Giant Salamander – present
California Slender Salamanders – present
Wandering Salamanders – present
Arboreal Salamander – likely
Black Salamanaders- present
Northwestern Salamander – present
Bullfrog – present
Foothill Yellow-legged frog – present
Northern Red-legged Frog – present
Pacific Treefrog – present
Western Toad – present
Tailed Frog – present
Western Pond Turtle – present

Fish and Other Water Creatures

Chinook Salmon – present
Steelhead – present
Coho salmon – present
Coastal Cutthroat Trout – present
Pink Salmon – present
Sockeye Salmon – present
Eastern Brook Trout – present
Brown Trout – PresentPacific Lamprey – present
Western Brook Lamprey – present
Prickly Sculpin – present
Black Rokfish – present
Cabezon – present
Fluffy Sculpin – present
Tidepool Sculpin -present
Tidepool Snailfish – present
Mosshead Sculpin – present
Sharpnoe Sculpin – present
Penpoint Gunnel – present
Largemouth Bass – present
Sacremento Sucker- present
Golden Shiner – present
Klamath Small Mouth Sucker – present
Brown Bullhead – present
Green Sunfish – present
Pea Mouth – present
English Soe – present
Northern Anchovy – present
American Shad – present
White Sturgeon – present
Green Sturgeon – present
Japanese Pond Smelt – present
Threespine Stickleback – present
Eulachon- present
Tidewater Goby – present
Starry Flounder – present
Saddleback Gunnel – present
Pile Perch – present
Rubberlip Surfperch – present
Redtail Surfperch – present
Shiner Surfperch – present
Night Smelt – present
Longfin Smelt – present
Surf Smely – present
Pacific Herring – present
Coastrange Sculpin – present
Staghorn Sculpin – present
Prickly Sculpin – present

Redwood Birds:

Cooper’s Hawk – present
Northern Goshawk – present
Sharp-shinned Hawk – present
Spotted Sandpiper – resent
Clark’s Grebe – present
Western Grebe – present
Northern Saw-whet Owl – present
Red-winged Blackbird – present
Wood Duck Present
Grasshopper Sparrow – present
Sage Sparrow – present
Black-throated Sparrow – present
Northern Pintail – present
American Wigeon – present
Northern Shoveler – present
Green-winged Teal – present
Cinnamon Teal – present
Blue-winged Teal – present
Eurasian Wigeon – present
Mallard – present
Gadwall – present
White-fronted Goose – present
American Pipit – present
Scrub Jay – present
Surfbird – present
Golden Eagle – present
Great Egret – present
Great Blue Heron – present
Ruddy Turnstone – present
Black Turnstone – present
Short-eared Owl – present
Burrowing Owl – present
Lesser Scaup – presentRedhead – present
Ring-necked Duck – present
Greater Scaup – present
Canvasback – present
Cedar Waxwing – present
Bohemian Waxwing – present
Ruffed Grouse – present
American Bittern – present
Marbled Murrelet – present
Brant – present
Canada Goose – present
Great Horned Owl – present
Cattle Egret – present
Bufflehead – present
Common Goldeneye – present
Barrow’s Goldeneye – present
Red-tailed Hawk – present
Rough-legged Hawk – present
Red-shouldered Hawk – present
Green-backed Heron – no
Green Heron – present
Lark Bunting – present
Sanderling – present
Dunlin – present
Baird’s Sandpiper – likely
Red Knot Probably – present
Stilt Sandpiper Probably – present
Western Sandpiper – present
Pectoral Sandpiper – likely
Least Sandpiper – present
Rock Sandpiper – likely
California Quail – present
Anna’s Hummingbird – present
Lawrence’s Goldfinch – present
Pine Siskin – present
Lesser Goldfinch – present
American Goldfinch – present
Cassin’s Finch – unconfirmed
House Finch – present
Purple Finch – present
Great Egret – no
Turkey Vulture – present
Hermit Thrush – present
Swainson’s Thrush – present
Canyon Wren – present
Willet – present
Pigeon Guillemot – present
Rhinoceros Auklet – present
Brown Creeper – present
Belted Kingfisher – present
Vaux’s Swift – present
Wrentit – present
Snowy Plover – present
Semipalmated Plover – present
Killdeer – present
Snow Goose – unconfirmed
Emporer Goose – unconfirmed
Ross’ Goose – unconfirmed
Black Tern – present
Common Nighthawk – present
American Dipper – present
Northern Harrier – present
Marsh Wren – present
Oldsquaw – likely
Evening Grosbeak – present
Yellow-billed Cuckoo – present
Northern Flicker – present
Band-tailed Pigeon – present
Rock Dove – present
Olive-sided Flycatcher – no
Olive-sided Flycatcher – present
Western Wood-pewee – present
American Crow – present
Common Raven – present
Blue Jay – present
Steller’s Jay – present
Tundra Swan -present
Mute Swan – present
Black Swift – present
Blue Grouse – present
Yellow-rumped Warbler – present
Black-throated Gray Warbler – present
Hermit Warbler – present
Palm Warbler – present
Yellow Warbler – present
Townsend’s Warbler – present
Black-footed Albatross – present
Bobolink – present
Pileated Woodpecker -present
Gray Catbird – present
Snowy Egret – present
White-tailed Kite – present
Pacific-slope Flycatcher – present
Hammond’s Flycatcher – present
Dusky Flycatcher – unknown
Willow Flycatcher – present
Horned Lark – unconfirmed
Rusty Blackbird – present
Brewer’s Blackbird – present
Merlin – present
Prairie Falcon – unconfirmed
Peregrine Falcon – present
American Kestrel – present
Tufted Puffin – present
Magnificent Frigatebird – present
American Coot – present
Northern Fulmar – present
Common Snipe – present
Common Moorhen – unconfirmed
Arctic Loon – unconfirmed
Common Loon – present
Pacific Loon – present
Red-throated Loon – present
Common Yellowthroat – present
Northern Pygmy Owl – present
Blue Grosbeak – present
Black Oystercatcher – present
Bald Eagle – present
Wandering Tattler – present
Black-necked Stilt – unconfirmed
Cliff Swallow – present
Barn Swallow – present
Harlequin Duck – present
Yellow-breasted Chat – present
Bullock’s Oriole – present
Hooded Oriole – unconfirmed
Northern oriole – present
Varied Thrush – present
Dark-eyed Junco – present
Northern Shrike – present
Loggerhead Shrike – unconfirmed
Herring Gull – present
California Gull – likely
Mew Gull – present
Ring-billed Gull – present
Glaucous-winged Gull – present
Heermann’s Gull – present
Glaucous Gull – present
Western Gull – present
Bonaparte’s Gull – present
Franklin’s Gull Probably – present
Thayer’s Gull Present
Short-billed Dowitcher – likely
Long-billed Dowitcher – likely
Marbled Godwit – present
Hudsonian Godwit – present
Bar-tailed Godwit – present
Hooded Merganser – present
Red Crossbill – present
Red-headed Woodpecker – unconfirmed
Acorn Woodpecker – present
Lewis’ Woodpecker – present
White-winged Scoter – present
Black Scoter Probably – present
Surf Scoter – present
Swamp Sparrow – present
Lincoln’s Sparrow – present
Song Sparrow – present
Common Merganser – present
Red-breasted Merganser – present
Northern Mockingbird – present
Black-and-white Warbler – likely
Brown-headed Cowbird – present
Townsend’s Solitaire – unconfirmed
Ash-throated Flycatcher – present
Clark’s Nutcracker – present
Long-billed Curlew – present
Whimbrel – present
Snowy Owl – present
Black-crowned Night-Heron – present
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel – present
Leach’s Storm-Petrel – present
MacGillivray’s Warbler – present
Mountain Quail – present
Flammulated Owl – unconfirmed
Western Screech Owl – present
Ruddy Duck – present
Osprey – present
Northern Parula Warbler – present
Black-capped Chickadee – present
Mountain Chickadee – unconfirmed
Chestnut-backed Chickadee – present
House Sparrow – present
Savannah Sparrow – present
Fox Sparrow – present
Lazuli Bunting – present
American White Pelican – present
Brown Pelican – present
Gray Jay – present
Double-crested Cormorant – present
Pelagic Cormorant – present
Brandt’s Cormorant – present
Common Poorwill – likely
Red Phalarope – present
Red-necked Phalarope – present
Wilson’s Phalarope – unconfirmed
Ring-necked Pheasant – present
Black-headed Grosbeak – present
Ruff – no
Downy Woodpecker – present
Hairy Woodpecker – present
Pine Grosbeak – unconfirmed
green-tailed towhee – likely
California Towhee – present
Rufous-sided Towhee – no
Brown Towhee – no
Spotted Towhee – present
Western Tanager – present
Snow Bunting – likely
American Golden-Plover – likely
Pacific Golden-Plover – likely
Black-bellied Plover – present
Horned Grebe – present
Red-necked Grebe – present
Eared Grebe – present
Pied-billed Grebe – present
Vesper Sparrow – present
Sora – present
Purple Martin – unconfirmed
Prothonotary Warbler – present
Bushtit – present
Cassin’s Auklet – present
Sooty Shearwater – present
Short-tailed Shearwater – present
Virginia Rail – present
American Avocet – present
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – present
Golden-crowned Kinglet – present
Bank Swallow – present
Black-legged Kittiwake – present
Rock Wren – unconfirmed
Black Phoebe – present
Say’s Phoebe – unconfirmed
Ovenbird – present
Rufous Hummingbird – present
Allen’s Hummingbird – present
American Redstart – present
Mountain Bluebird – present
Western Bluebird – – present
Red-breasted Nuthatch – present
White-breasted Nuthatch – present
Red-breasted Sapsucker – present
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker – present
American Tree Sparrow – present
Brewer’s Sparrow – present
Chipping Sparrow – present
Northern Rough-winged Swallow – present
Calliope Hummingbird – unconfirmed
Parasitic Jaeger Probably – present
Pomarine Jaeger – present
Caspian Tern – present
Elegant Tern – present
Forster’s Tern – likely
Common Tern – present
Arctic Tern – present
Great Gray Owl – present
Spotted Owl – present
Barred Owl – present
Western Meadowlark – present
European Starling – present
Ancient Murrelet – present
Tree Swallow – present
Violet-green Swallow – present
Bewick’s Wren – present
Lesser Yellowlegs – present
Greater Yellowlegs – present
Solitairy Sandpiper – present
House Wren – present
Winter Wren -present
American Robin – present
Tropical Kingbird -present
Eastern Kingbird -present
Western Kingbird -present
Barn Owl -present
Common Murre -present
Orange-crowned Warbler – present
Nashville Warbler -present
Cassin’s Vireo – present
Warbling Vireo – present
Hutton’s Vireo – present
Wilson’s Warbler – present
Yellow-headed Blackbird – present
Sabine’s Gull – present
Mourning Dove – present
White-throated Sparrow – present
Golden-crowned Sparrow – present
White-crowned Sparrow – present
Harris’ Sparrow – present

Conservation Efforts in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is not just a sanctuary for human visitors; it’s a critical haven for numerous endangered species. The park’s conservation programs are a testament to its commitment to preserving biodiversity. A notable example is the protection of the Marbled Murrelet, a bird whose nesting habits in old-growth forests have been severely impacted by logging.

Conservation efforts include habitat preservation and monitoring programs to track population trends. Similarly, for the Northern Spotted Owl, the park has implemented measures like habitat conservation and research into the effects of invasive species. These efforts showcase a proactive approach to preserving the delicate balance of this diverse ecosystem.

Seasonal Variations in Wildlife Sightings

The flora and fauna in Redwood National Park dramatically change with the seasons, offering a unique experience throughout the year. Spring brings a flurry of bird activity, with migratory species passing through the park.

This season is ideal for birdwatchers hoping to catch a glimpse of rare migrants. Summer provides opportunities to see mammals like Roosevelt Elk in the meadows, while fall is the perfect time to observe the salmon run in the park’s rivers.

Winter, although quieter, can be an excellent time for spotting resident species in a more serene setting. Understanding these seasonal patterns can greatly enhance the wildlife viewing experience.

Visitor Guidelines for Responsible Wildlife Enjoyment

Responsible enjoyment of wildlife is a cornerstone of preserving Redwood National Park’s natural beauty. Visitors are encouraged to observe animals from a safe and respectful distance – this not only protects the wildlife but also ensures visitor safety.

Staying on designated trails is crucial to prevent habitat destruction and to respect the home of the creatures residing in the park.

Noise pollution is another concern; maintaining a quiet demeanor helps in not startling the wildlife. Littering is strictly prohibited as it can harm the animals and their habitat. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the park remains a pristine sanctuary for all its inhabitants.

Final Words

Redwood National Park is a true testament to nature’s splendor, offering an unforgettable experience for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. Its remarkable biodiversity and dedicated conservation efforts make it a crucial sanctuary for both endangered species and nature lovers. As we immerse ourselves in this wonderland, it’s essential to remember our responsibility to protect and respect this irreplaceable natural heritage.

Redwood National Park – Wildlife: A Safari in Your Backyard