The state of Washington is a diverse landscape, with coastal waters, rivers, and mountain. Because of that, it is home to more than 500 species of birds. If you are a bird lover, you’ll be thrilled to explore Washington’s trails to spy on numerous feathered friends. We’ve put together a list of top Washington hotspots to visit for bird sightings.
Mount Rainier
To begin our list of birding hotspots is Mount Rainier. Your elevation plays a part in which birds you see. Here you will find many species year round and some particular birds will be found only during specific seasons. The endangered Northern Spotted Owl can be seen from the lowest part of the park. Other birds like the Gray Jay, Mountain Chickadee, and Evening Grosbeak are common in the to find as you move up in elevation. Bald Eagles and Peregrine Falcons are known to pass overhead as they migrate.
Great Washington State Birding Trail
At the Great Washington State Birding Trail, you’ll find some of the best birding in the state. This trail has 7 identified routes where you’re apt to spot a number of birds. This diverse trail includes coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, rivers and wide valleys. It is the home of hundreds of birds including Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, Tufted Puffins, and Black-Chinned Hummingbirds.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
This is a large natural resource in southwestern Washington. It is a popular destination that has diverse habitats. Visit in late fall into spring for views of birds such as Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, Ring-Necked Ducks, and White-breasted Nuthatches. There are a few different trails to hike as well as an auto-trail to drive through to view the waterfowl.
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
If waterbirds are on your list of birds to see, visit the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. A 5-mile trail affords you views of mudflats, grasslands, and the bay and all the variety of birds that live in these habitats. Included are ducks, loons, sandpipers, sparrows, and hummingbirds.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
At the southern end of the Puget Sound, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to go birding any time of year. Freshwater from the Nisqually River meets the salt water of the Puget Sound makes for a diverse variety of birds including waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and more. Osprey and Peregrine Falcon can also be seen.
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge is glacial in an area called the “Channeled Scablands”. There are hundreds of marshes in vast wetlands. Turnbull is home to many birds including three species of nuthatches, Northern Pygmy-Owls and several species of woodpeckers. There are both walking trails and trails to take by car.
Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge
Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge finishes our list of top birding destinations. It is home to a huge migration in late April/early May, tens of thousands of shorebirds. They even hold festivals at this time of year. The trails are great to view birds such as Ivory Gulls, Horned Puffins, and the rare Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Sometimes, the Peregrine Falcon can be spotted hunting overhead.
We hope our list of great destinations in Washington will help you plan your next birding expedition. Happy birding!
Leave a Reply