Edmonds Marsh


Edmonds Discovery Programs
A Leader in Conservation Education since 1980

Edmonds Marsh

 
 Edmonds Marsh The Edmonds Marsh is one of the few urban saltwater estuaries remaining in the Puget Sound area. Before settlement this salt marsh occupied nearly 40 acres. Development has reduced this area to 22.5 acres. The City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department invites everyone to come and visit this hidden gem along our waterfront. The Interpretive Walkway is located south of Harbor Square at Dayton Street, west of State Route 104. Look for the signs.

The first stop on Audubon Washington's Great Washington State Birding Trail - Cascade Loop; this marsh hosts up to 90 species of birds during the course of the year. A Bird Checklist for birds of the Edmonds Marsh and adjacent beaches (in PDF format) can be downloaded for free here.

After urbanization, the railroad and man-made barriers blocked the tidewater flow. This situation for a time created a freshwater dominated wetland as Willow and Shellabarger Creek's outlet was blocked. In 1988 the saltwater flow was reestablished by opening the tidegate most of the year. As a result the marsh has now reverted towards its former saltwater condition. The cattails have diinished and the site contains diverse wildlife habitat supported by both fresh and saltwater vegetation.

 Marsh Signs The Edmonds Marsh Interpretive Walkway includes over 300 feet of boardwalk, 1700 feet of asphalt walkway, and four interpretive stations chronicaling the history, habitat and wildlife of this unique salt and fresh water marsh estuary. The walkway is used by birders, the public, and Edmonds Ranger-Naturalists leading educational interpretive programs.
 

 

INSECTS IN THE MARSH

More than 500 species of insects are believed to be found in the Edmonds Marsh. Read the 2019 REPORT ON THE INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS OF EDMONDS MARSH by David B. Richman, Ph.D., and see some of Dr. Richman's photos below. 
Araneus diadematus Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Bee Wolf Wasp on Yarrow Demonstration Garden edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Black tailed Bumble Bee Willow Creek Hatchery Edmonds WA REDUCED Bubble nest of a Froghopper nymph Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED
 Araneus diadematus  Bee Wolf Wasp on Yarrow  Black-tailed Bumble Bee  Bubble nest of a Froghopper nymph
       
Caterpillar of Silver spotted Tiger Moth Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Common Whitetail Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Great Golden Digger Wasp on flowering plant Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Harmonia axyridis eating Mealybugs Willow Creek Hatchery WA REDUCED
 Silver-spotted Tiger Moth Caterpillar   Common Whitetail   Great Golden Digger Wasp   Harmonia axyridis eating Mealybugs
       
Harvestman Willow Creek Hatchery WA REDUCED Paddle tailed Darner Aeshna palmata Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Western Tiger Swallowtail Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED Yellow faced Bumblebee on thistle Edmonds Marsh WA REDUCED
 Harvestman  Paddle-tailed Darner  Western Tiger Swallowtail  Yellow-faced Bumblebee on thistle
       
Zebra Spider Edmonds Marsh WA Reduced      
 Zebra Spider