Harlequin ducks hang out near Port Angeles

Harlequin ducks hanging out at Freshwater Bay, near Port Angeles, WA. Image: Love Our Earth, 2023.

Winter is great for Harlequin watching! And these ducks are so fun to watch. You’ll find them easily in Port Angeles at Ediz Hook and at these Clallam County parks just outside town: Freshwater Bay and Salt Creek Recreation Area.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says Harlequin Ducks have low population numbers overall in Washington, however one of the best places to see these colorful ducks is here in Port Angeles where the population seems to be stable and where they live year-round.

Climate change

Conservation concerns include the effects of human disturbance, degradation of coastal habitats, pollutant discharge and reduction of marine forage. They have a moderate/high exposure to climate change due to global warming.

Here’s some info about Harlequin concerns in other parts of the country: Harlequin hardships