8 Great Places to See Birds in the Greenway

Itinerary

1. Seward Park, Seattle

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   The old growth forest of Seward Park gives you an idea of what the region once looked like. Amidst the tall trees and shaded understory, you might hear the birds before you see them. 

   

   Common birds: Black-capped chickadee, song sparrow
   Special birds: Pileated woodpecker, western tanager 

2. Discovery Park, Seattle

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   Featuring forests, grasslands, and beaches, Discovery Park offers habitat for more than 250 species of birds. The lighthouse at West Point is an especially good place to scan the waters of Puget Sound for seabirds and shorebirds. 

   

   Common birds: Pigeon guillemots, bald eagle
   Special birds: Harlequin duck, marbled murrelet 

3. Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah

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   Lakeshore, wetlands, and forest habitats make this state park as popular with birds as it is with people. You can also see the progress of more than 20 years of habitat restoration along Issaquah and Tibbet’s Creek. 

   

   Common birds: Mallard, American robin
   Special birds: Wilson’s warbler, red-breasted sapsucker 

4. Stillwater Wildlife Area, Carnation

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   The Snoqualmie Valley Trail runs through this natural area, making it a great destination for a hike or bike, as well as a bird walk. Wetlands are the attraction, though you can also find interesting birds among the trees too. 

   

   Common birds: Great blue heron, wood duck
   Special birds: American bittern, Bullock’s oriole 

5. Stampede Pass Road, near Easton

   Just off of I-90 along Stampede Pass Road, you’ll find some paths through dramatic old growth trees. Road noise is a distraction, but with sharp eyes you can find a number of forest and montane birds. 

   

   Common birds: Dark-eyed junco, common raven
   Special birds: Red crossbill, MacGillivray’s warbler 

6. Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds, Cle Elum

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   Tucked between Cle Elum and South Cle Elum, the Northern Pacific Railroad Ponds offer a little bit of history alongside the ponds, willows, and ponderosa pines that create a popular birding hotspot. 

   

   Common birds: Red-winged blackbird, osprey
   Special birds: Pygmy nuthatch, hooded merganser 

7. Upper Yakima River Canyon, Cle Elum

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   The Palouse-to-Cascades Trail runs through the scenic Upper Yakima River Canyon, offering a great out-and-back hike. Viewpoints reveal the dramatic scenery, as well as chances to find many different birds.  

   

   Common birds: Red-tailed hawk, violet-green swallow
   Special birds: American dipper, northern pygmy-owl 

8. Robinson Canyon, Ellensburg

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   Part of the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, Robinson Canyon is a great place to explore dry steppe habitat. Deer and elk can be found along with birds, and the often sunny weather is a bonus.  

   

   Common birds: Black-billed magpie, California quail
   Special birds: Lazuli bunting, common poorwill