It is one of four major staging areas for migrating shorebirds in the Pacific Flyway.

Up to one million shorebirds gather here in spring and fall to feed and rest.

The refuge is also used by peregrine falcon, bald eagle, northern harrier, Caspian tern, great blue heron, songbirds, and a variety of waterfowl.

[3] The accessible boardwalk offers a means to develop and implement interpretation and education programs for the more than half a million shorebirds who pass by each year on their way through the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula.

[3] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.