At this place, one of our forested mountains meets farmland, a fresh-water stream, and a salt water bay. On November 5th, I stood here, where four of these different habitats come together. I was overwhelmed by the richness of life. In ten minutes, in my immediate vicinity, I saw a Stellar Jay, a Red-Tailed Hawk, a Peregrine Falcon, a Great-Blue Heron, and a Bald Eagle (who happened to catch some unidentified, aquatic creature). The hawk and falcon flew directly over my head, both from a nearby stand of Douglas Firs. Looking out on the bay, I saw at least one-half million ducks (mostly Northern Pintails and American Wigeons), rafting between Blanchard Mountain and Samish Island. According to the man standing next to me, this was a conservative estimate.
ECOTONE: WHERE DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS MEET
Blanchard Mountain Skagit Farmland Samish Bay
I was standing at an ECOTONE. An ecotone is simply where two or more ecosystems or habitats come
in contact with each other. It is a transition zone; an interface. It can be the best of two worlds coming together or a clashing disharmony. Some animals are ecotone lovers and some are ecotone haters. Those that have evolved to exploit the resources of more than one habitat will fall into the first category. Those species who avoid ecosystems may be limiting their evolutionary options as we humans change the environment.
in contact with each other. It is a transition zone; an interface. It can be the best of two worlds coming together or a clashing disharmony. Some animals are ecotone lovers and some are ecotone haters. Those that have evolved to exploit the resources of more than one habitat will fall into the first category. Those species who avoid ecosystems may be limiting their evolutionary options as we humans change the environment.
This Great Blue Heron was fishing where the waters of a freshwater river and saltwater, Drayton Harbor mix.
Great Blue Heron
This Bufflehead and Belted-Kingfisher were at the same river-harbor-forest confluence where I saw the Great Blue Heron.
Bufflehead Belted - Kingfisher
Bald Eagles are seen fishing in the salt-water bays, hunting salmon up the Nooksak and Skagit Rivers, and perched by our many lakes and ponds. However, you'll also see them patrolling dairyfarms for placental afterbirth, and of course they scavenge dead calves. They also steal food hunted by hawks. While volunteering at Sardis Raptor Center, I had to rescue one unfortunate Red-Tail that got the worst of such an encounter. He required stitches, but recovered and was later released.
Adult Bald Eagle on Farmland
An Impressive Raptor who Exploits Several Habitats
A tidal shoreline is obviously an ecotone between land and water. Birds that exploit the tidal zone fit into those adapted to this ecotone. They include gulls and shorebirds, like this Black Oystercatcher and this Glaucus-Winged Gull.
Immature Glaucus-Winged Gull
with a Mussel, at Semiahmoo
Two Black Oystercatchers at Semiahmoo
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Humans can create ecotones where there were solid, unbroken ecosystems. Within a short time, old-growth temperate forests can become a patch-work of logged meadows, old-growth forest, farms, and urban development. Where they meet we see instant ecotones.
Some species retreat in the face of ecotones, like the Spotted Owl. They only succeed in
old-growth forests. Some very closely related species do well in ecotones...like the Barred Owl. We are seeing this eco-drama being played out right now in Washington State. The Spotted Owl is retreating into remaining old-growth forests. The Barred Owl is moving into former, degraded habitats of the Spotted Owl. While I have seen several Barred Owls in the 'wild' (Parks, Gold Courses, Rural properties), and one Spotted-Barred Hybrid in Custer, I have never seen a Spotted Owl. The photo of this Spotted Owl is not my own, but a free domain download. I wish you Happy Holidays!
Spotted Owl Barred Owl
