Humpback whales, sea otters and harbor seals are scattered throughout the Beardslees, with whales and otters most likely to be seen on the western side of the islands - nearest to open water. Watch the shore for black bears and moose. Black oystercatchers – black shorebirds with bright red-orange bills – nest on the islands. Look for harlequin ducks, pigeon guillemots, pelagic cormorants, arctic terns, marbled murrelets and large flocks of molting mergansers as well.
Harbor seals and sea birds are drawn to feed in the calm, sheltered waters of the Beardslees, and moose come each summer to browse on the abundance of plants on the islands. Look for moose swimming, or "moose paddling," between islands as they feed and raise their calves throughout the summer.
