Trip to Seattle area 9/9 - 9/24 (1 Viewer)

Wife and I are flying out on the 9th, leave on the 24th. Planning on about 10 mornings of birding (maybe into some afternoons). We have the Birding Washington by McNair-Huff and ordered the Washington Birding Trail map from Seattle Audubon. We are get to as many of the sites listed for Puget Sound section and the Olympic Peninsula sections as we can within reason and whatever shows up when we get the Birding Trail map within a couple of hours max driving time from Seattle.

Specific site suggestions, whether listed in McNair-Huff or the birding trail map or not would be appreciated. Figure we will be lucky if we see a small fraction of the area in that short time but besides the common western birds that we expect (have been on birding trips to northern CA and southern CO (around Gunnison)), so have seen a lot of the western birds by now). We would like to see as many western shore birds, especially any rarities that are around, as possible. Also if possible, at least a puffin, an auk and as many of the murres as possible without taking a pelagic trip. Am interested in Ferries that might have something show up.

All responses will be deeply appreciated,

Thanks,

Jaeger near Chicago

Nisqually

I'm not familiar with the listings which may be in the guide you mention, but one of the real gems in the area is the Nisqually resersve just North of Olympia. This a wetland area with marshes, and the Nisqually River that runs into Puget Sound. It seems to provide a habitiat for lots of interesting birds. I've seen Kingfishers, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Terns, Hooded Mergansers, Teals, and Northern Bitterns. The trails are well maintained and it makes a wonderful place to spend a day. I would recommend a spotting scope, as some of the viewing of the Sound can be a couple hundred yards depending on the tide.

Keenan said:

I'm not familiar with the listings which may be in the guide you mention, but one of the real gems in the area is the Nisqually resersve just North of Olympia. This a wetland area with marshes, and the Nisqually River that runs into Puget Sound. It seems to provide a habitiat for lots of interesting birds. I've seen Kingfishers, Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Terns, Hooded Mergansers, Teals, and Northern Bitterns. The trails are well maintained and it makes a wonderful place to spend a day. I would recommend a spotting scope, as some of the viewing of the Sound can be a couple hundred yards depending on the tide.

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Thanks for your suggestion. Am certain we will spend some time at Nisqually.

Attn: North American birders!

Just bumping this up to get a few west coast members' attention. :t: