The botanical gardens are a combination of a formal Japanese garden, wooded wetland, a glen of rhododendrons, a fuchsia garden, and perennial flower beds. The cable bridge at The Ravine has been known as a roost for Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl has been seen irregularly in the upper woodland.

Spring/Summer: Migrating spring warblers may make brief stops here and flowers attract Rufous Hummingbird. Anna’s Hummingbird is active in spring and resident all year.

Fall/Winter: Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Bewick’s and Pacific Wrens, and Brown Creeper are resident birds.

Trails and Accessibility: Concrete walks lead from the asphalt parking area where there is free parking. The area around the visitor center shop is paved and suitable for wheelchairs. Trails through the park are packed gravel and there are some steep sections. The Japanese Garden trail is narrow packed gravel. Restrooms are available in the main building.

Map and Directions

The Lake Hills Greenbelt winds through a mixed woodland and small farmlands as it stretches from Phantom Lake in the south to Larsen Lake in the north. It is a popular with joggers and walkers with and without dogs.

Spring/Summer: Migrating Yellow and Wilson’s Warblers make their way through in May. Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker Song Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, House Finch, and Steller’s Jay are all resident birds.

Fall/Winter: The lakes provide respite for wintering ducks including Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, and Mallard. Varied Thrush and Wilson’s Snipe can be found. Common Redpoll may make an appearance in irruptive years.

Trails and Accessibility: The main trail from the parking area on SE 116 th Street to and around Larsen Lake is compacted dirt and uneven in a few places. There is little elevation change. Good wheelchair access is provided at Phantom Lake by the asphalt parking area and trail to the wooden boardwalk. There are restrooms at the Phantom Lake parking lot, but none at Larsen Lake.

Map and Directions

Mercer Slough is comprised of 326 acres of wetland, meadow, and mixed woodland. It is the largest remaining wetland on Lake Washington and provides good habitat for birds. Begin your walk at either the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center on 118 th Ave SE, or at the Sound Transit parking garage on Bellevue Way.

Spring/Summer: The park supports breeding Barn Owl, Common Yellowthroat, Spotted Towhee, and Song Sparrow. The park is also a stopover for warblers, Warbling Vireo, and Western Flycatcher.

Fall/Winter: Wintering waterfowl include Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Gadwall, and Canada Goose. Steller’s Jays and American Robins gather in winter flocks. Yellow-rumped Warblers, House Finches, and Pine Siskins arrive in fall.

Trails and Accessibility: The dirt trails in the park are mixed packed dirt and grass. There is a circular drive drop-off area at the education center and an asphalt path leads south from the parking garage along Bellevue Way to the Sweyolocken Boat Launch where the trail becomes packed gravel or wooden boardwalk. Restrooms are available at the education center but may not be open all the time.

The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #9

Map and Directions

This small park on Lake Washington provides respite and habitat for many bird species through the year. It combines a dirt loop trail and short boardwalk through a wooded area and a grass field with picnic tables and sandy beach.

Spring/Summer: Common Yellowthroat and Yellow-rumpled Warbler join Red-winged Blackbird, House Finch, and Anna’s Hummingbird in the wetland and shrubs east of the parking area.

Fall/Winter: Fox Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, and Brown Creeper pass the winter in the Himalayan blackberry bramble in the woods. Wintering American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, and Horned Grebe prefer the protected cove south of the 300-foot dock. Double-crested Cormorant, and Common and Hooded Mergansers frequent the open lake.

Trails and Accessibility: The main path around the park is asphalt and the dock is a wooden boardwalk. The parking lot is part asphalt and part loose gravel. The loop trail is packed dirt with wood chips and can be soft in wet weather. Restrooms at the beach are open year-round.

Map and Directions

Driving west in Fall City, take SR 202, Redmond-Fall City Road, SE, turn right onto W. River Road. The road is lined with hedges and blackberry bramble and winds through farm fields along the Snoqualmie River. Turn right onto W. Snoqualmie River Road SE which follows the river to Carnation Marsh, a popular location for woodpecker viewing.

Spring/Summer: There are many snags along the road and a walk here can be enjoyed while viewing a variety of birds including migrating Wilson’s and Yellow Warblers in spring, Black-headed Grosbeak and Western Tanager in summer.

Fall/Winter: Varied Thrush often accompany flocks of American Robins in fall. Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers are regular here.

Trails and Accessibility: There is a pullout at the southern edge of the marsh where a narrow trail heads into the woodland. A small parking and picnic area is located on the west side of the road. Birding along the one-mile section of road is usually by car or walking on the asphalt road. Watch for traffic. There are no restrooms or portable toilets at this location.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 158-160.

Map and Directions

From SR 203 north of Carnation take NE Carnation Farm Road across the Snoqualmie River. Stop at Chinook Bend named for the horseshoe bend formed by the Snoqualmie River. The fields at Carnation Farm are more active in winter, but Sikes Lake hosts both summer and wintering birds.

Spring/Summer: In summer American Bittern may be along the shoreline of Sikes Lake. The farmland is good for Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, and a rare Golden Eagle.

Fall/Winter: Carnation Farms provides winter habitat for thousands of Cackling and Canada Geese. Wintering ducks include Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, and Hooded Merganser. American Coot are also regular in winter. Lesser Scaup and intermittently, Canvasback and Horned Grebe are possible.

Trails and Accessibility: There is a short thick grass loop trail from the packed gravel parking area at Chinook Bend. There are no trails at Carnation Farms. Parking is especially difficult at Sikes Lake and available only on a narrow strip on either side of the bridge. Restrooms are available at Chinook Bend, and a portable toilet is at Carnation Farms. There is no restroom at Sikes Lake.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 158-160.

Map and Directions

The park is located just north of the confluence of the Tolt and Snoqualmie Rivers. East of the river is a parking area and ballfields. To the west across the suspension bridge is a hilly park with a perimeter trail.

Spring/Summer: Cliff Swallow, Wilson’s, Yellow-rumped, and Black- throated Gray Warblers, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, and Bullock’s Oriole are present. American Dipper viewing under the Tolt River bridge is accessible from SR 203.

Fall/Winter: On the east side Song, Fox, and White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows populate the shrubbery. Pacific Wren prefers thick habitat, and Common Merganser is possible all year.

Trails and Accessibility: The parking area and walking trail along the east side of the river are asphalt and a loop walk can be completed using the sidewalk along SR 203. On the wooded west side of the park the foot trail is compacted dirt with muddy areas in wet weather. The entire area is subject to flooding in heavy rain and spring snowmelt making the park subject to closure. The suspension bridge is wooden boardwalk and can sway a bit when walkers are moving on it.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 158-160.
The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #13

Map and Directions

North of Carnation the Stillwater Unit of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area is located just north of the intersection of SR 203, which is now Carnation- Duvall Road, and NE Stillwater Hill Road. The landscape is grassland and wetland habitat.

Spring/Summer: American Bittern, Marsh Wren, and Warbling Vireo are present most summers. Hairy Woodpecker, and Tree and Violet-green Swallows nest in the snags along the trail. Willow and Western Flycatcher, and Wilson’s and Yellow Warblers use the riparian areas.

Fall/Winter: Song Sparrow and Spotted Towhee winter in the park. Black- capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Downy Woodpecker, Bushtit, Northern Harrier, and Red-tailed Hawk are possible all year.

Trails and Accessibility: Bird north and south along the packed gravel Snoqualmie Valley Trail or walk through the grasslands on primitive footpaths. This area is subject to periodic flooding in rain and spring snowmelt and fields can stay soggy into summer. Knee-high boots are recommended for off-trail hiking. There are no restrooms or portable toilets at this location. A Discover Pass is required for parking.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 158-160.
The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #13

Map and Directions

In the town of Duvall, the compact McCormick Park provides access to the Snoqualmie River and the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. It is the site of the train depot which has been restored and open for visitors.

Spring/Summer: The riparian habitat is good for migrating Black-throated Gray, Yellow, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Other birds of riparian habitat are resident year-round.

Fall/Winter: A walk in season will turn up, Golden-crowned, White-crowned, Song, Fox, and Savannah Sparrows and Spotted Towhee.

Trails and Accessibility: The Snoqualmie Valley Trail is wide and evenly packed gravel. From it a soft dirt trail switches back on the way down to a small grassy park and sandy bank of the Snoqualmie River. Restrooms are available on the concrete sidewalk which leads from the asphalt parking lot to the trail. The sidewalk and trail are steep in places.

The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #13

Map and Directions

The Snoqualmie River flows northward to Fall City where birding along Neal Road and several spots along Fall City-Carnation Road SE provide good access to the river. The habitat is mixed deciduous woodland dominated by black cottonwoods interspersed with meadows and farm fields.

Spring/Summer: Bullock’s Oriole has nested in the black cottonwood trees near Richter’s boat landing at the northern end of Neal Road. Spotted Sandpiper can be seen along the riverbank.

Fall/Winter: The large cottonwood trees in the Richter’s boat landing area also host large flocks of Red-winged and Brewer’s Blackbirds and European Starlings. In some winters birders have located Rusty Blackbird in the flocks. Western Meadowlark and White-crowned Sparrow are common in the fields and hedgerows. Glaucous-winged and Short-billed Gulls loaf in the fields. Woodpeckers are likely.

Trails and Accessibility: There are no trails. Birding from the car is possible along the lightly traveled Neal Road, but pullouts are scarce. The small dirt parking area has ruts and potholes. It is a state wildlife location and a Discover Pass is required. There are no restrooms in this area. Fall City- Carnation Road has fast traffic and again pullouts are scarce.

Map and Directions

This 512-acre day-use state park provides a variety of habitats for birds including deciduous forest, shoreline wetland, and riparian woods along Issaquah and Tibbitt’s Creeks. The park is popular, and it is worth checking the schedule of activities and festivals before choosing a birding date.

Spring/Summer: Green and Great Blue Herons, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Spotted Sandpiper, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Red-eyed Vireo, and Western Tanager nest in the park. A variety of warblers and Rufous Hummingbird are common in summer.

Fall/Winter: Wintering Western and Pied-billed Grebe, Canada Goose, California, Ring-billed, and Glaucous-winged Gulls frequent the lake. Bald Eagles patrol the area and feed on American Coot.

Trails and Accessibility: The entrance area parking lot is compacted gravel but is uneven and potholed in places. An asphalt parking lot lies farther along the park road. An asphalt trail begins at the entrance and follows Tibbets Creek and the lakeshore to a wooden boardwalk along Issaquah Creek. Other trails in the park are compacted dirt and can be uneven and muddy. New restrooms by Sunset Beach are open all year. A Discover Pass is required for parking.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 148-150
The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #12

Map and Directions

The Tradition Plateau is located about 1.5 miles east of Issaquah. Exit I-90 at High Point and drive to the parking lot for the West Tiger Mountain trail system. Take the loop trail around Tradition Lake and Round Lake and return via the Seattle Public Utilities service road.

Spring/Summer: Red-eyed Vireo, Western Tanager, and Black-headed Grosbeak join MacGillivray’s, Black-throated Gray, and Wilson’s Warblers. Cedar Waxwing, White-crowned Sparrow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, and Red-breasted Nuthatch are also present.

Fall/Winter: Bufflehead, Common and Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Duck, and Mallard winter on the lakes. Pileated and Hairy Woodpeckers are uncommon. Saw-whet Owl will call before dawn in late fall.

Trails and Accessibility: The trails on the Tradition Plateau are flat or gently undulating. The section of trail to Tradition Lake is narrow. From Tradition Lake and around Round Lake the trail narrows to a footpath and in the forest past Round Lake winds through trees. The Seattle Public Utilities service road is packed gravel and provides easy walking but has a few hilly sections. Poorly maintained restrooms are at the trailhead.

Map and Directions

This 316-acre state park includes 3,000 feet of Lake Washington shoreline. The park is on land once owned by the Catholic Church for a seminary. The building architecture is protected by historical preservation and is now a lodge which rents rooms and serves meals. The remainder of the park and trails are undeveloped.

Spring/Summer: Hermit and Swainson’s Thrushes, Barn Swallow, and Western Flycatcher breed in summer, and resident woodland species including Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Brown Creeper, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets. Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers are common.

Fall/Winter: Barred Owl breeds in the park and is seen best in the early morning from November to January. Wintering Common Merganser, Western and Horned Grebes, and Double-crested Cormorant are found on the lake.

Trails and Accessibility: The trails are degraded by overuse and lack of maintenance. They are narrow, dirt and grass, and steep in places. Exposed tree roots present a danger of tripping. and offer difficult walking. The South Ridge Trail is especially risky. Restrooms are available in the lower parking area and at the lakeshore.

Map and Directions

In a protected corner of Lake Washington in Kirkland, the 144-acre Juanita Bay Park provides wetland and woodland habitats. The park is popular with walkers, runners, families, and wildlife photographers who use the boardwalks for close access to water birds. Eastside Audubon leads a monthly bird walk in the park.

Spring/Summer: Bewick’s Wren, Spotted Towhee, Red-winged Blackbird, and Common Yellowthroat nest in the park. Red-tailed Hawk and Bald Eagle are common. Green-winged Teal, Wood Duck, Virginia Rail, Downy Woodpecker, and Belted Kingfisher are resident. The mud flats at the north end of the old road are good for Killdeer and Wilson’s Snipe in spring.

Fall/Winter: Wintering waterfowl include Bufflehead, Mallard, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, and possibly, Canvasback. Tundra and Trumpeter Swan winter occasionally.

Trails and Accessibility: The parking lot and paved trails are asphalt, and they connect with two wooden boardwalks to the lakeshore. Some interpretive signs aid self-guided walkers. Restrooms are open in summer, and a wheelchair accessible portable toilet is available in winter.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 146.
The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #10

Map and Directions

From I-90 East take Exit 32 and drive south on 436 th Ave SE to the large parking area. Most birders begin on the Rattlesnake Lake Trail along the shoreline. A productive trail from the parking area heads to Christmas Lake. The trail to Rattlesnake Ledge is crowded on weekends and difficult to bird, but Canada Jays and other forest birds have been reported at the higher elevation.

Spring/Summer: Look for Bald Eagle, Osprey, Common Raven, Warbling Vireo, Western Tanager, Spotted Sandpiper, and Rufous Hummingbird along the lakeshore. Western and Olive-sided Flycatchers (uncommon) and Yellow and MacGillivray’s Warblers nest here. Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Downy, Hairy, and Pileated Woodpeckers frequent the area.

Fall/Winter: Rattlesnake Lake birds include Common and Hooded Merganser, Varied Thrush, Double-crested Cormorant. Bufflehead and Band-tailed Pigeon prefer Christmas Lake.

Trails and Accessibility: The Rattlesnake Lake Shore Trail is asphalt. The ledge trail is dirt with no handrails. The Christmas Lake trail is a dirt footpath with grass and some wet areas. There is no car birding. Fixed and portable restrooms at Rattlesnake Lake are accessible.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 153-154.

Map and Directions

Marymoor is a 640-acre King County park that is home to the Audubon Bird Loop, which traverses the grassy East Meadow, a woody thicket and forest along the shore of Lake Sammamish, and trails on the bank of the Sammamish River which pass through the off-leash dog area.

Spring/Summer: Migrating warblers are common in May. A large heronry is populated by up to 90 breeding Great Blue Herons. Raptors include Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, and Short-eared and Barn Owls. Western Tanager and Black-headed Grosbeak nest in the park. Look for Wilson’s Snipe and Spotted Sandpiper on the mud flats when the river is running low.

Fall/Winter: Large flocks of wintering Cackling Geese winter here. Lake Sammamish hosts Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, and Short-billed and California Gulls. In the river observe Common Merganser, Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon, and American Coot.

Trails and Accessibility: The packed gravel path and wooden boardwalk along the East Meadow to Lake Sammamish is wheelchair accessible. Trails are narrow and may be muddy. The parking lots are loose gravel. Portable toilets are available near parking. Restrooms are near the concert arena.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 147.
The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #11

Map and Directions

Snoqualmie Falls is a major tourist destination. The Salish Lodge and the Snoqualmie Falls Gift Shop & Visitor Center are owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. However, Puget Sound Energy manages the falls for electricity production. Downstream Tokul Creek flows into the Snoqualmie River. A state park parking area at Plum Landing requires a Discover Pass. SE Fish Hatchery Road is closed about a quarter mile north of the confluence.

Spring/Summer: Pairs of Peregrine Falcons have nested on the cliffs south of the falls for nearly two decades. American Dipper and Spotted Sandpiper also nest near the river. Cliff and Northern Rough-winged Swallows are around in summer. Common Merganser can be seen most of the year.

Fall/Winter: Fox and Golden-crowned Sparrows, Varied Thrush, Ruby- and Golden-crowned Kinglets, and Pacific Wren winter here. Hutton’s Vireo has been recorded. Occasionally, Trumpeter Swan and Snow Goose are reported.

Trails and Accessibility: A pay to park lot at the upper falls area has free parking for those with disabilities. The concrete walk to the falls overlook is wheelchair accessible, but a bit steep in places. The short trail from the Tokul Creek parking area to the Snoqualmie River is narrow, steep, and primitive. The lower falls area requires a drive along SE Fish Hatchery Road. Restrooms are located at the upper and lower falls parking areas.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 155-157.

Map and Directions

Three Forks Natural Area was named for the confluence of the three forks of the Snoqualmie River above Snoqualmie Falls. The west entrance is opposite Centennial Park in Snoqualmie. Here, birders can pass through the off-leash dog area and walk along a section of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. The smaller east portion of the park is located at the intersection of SE Reinig Road and 428th Ave SE. This area has close access to the river.

Spring/Summer: Red-eyed Vireo, Swainson’s Thrush, Western Tanager, Spotted Sandpiper, Yellow Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat are regular in summer. Lazuli Bunting is possible. Hooded Merganser is often in the ponds near the west entrance.

Fall/Winter: Common and Hooded Mergansers winter in the river and ponds. Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers are possible.

Trails and Accessibility: The Snoqualmie Valley Trail is well-packed crushed stone. However, the trail through the dog park is often muddy, and the trail across the grassland is narrow and somewhat rutted. Wide swing gates allow passage through the dog park. The closest restroom is across the street in Centennial Park.

A Birder’s Guide to Washington, pp. 155-157
The Great Washington Birding Trail Map, Puget Loop Stop #13

Map and Directions

The narrow dirt loop trail at Gold Creek Park climbs steeply through Douglas fir and western red cedar and then descends through riparian habitat to cross a stream. This walk is short, and it is worth taking a ride to 21 Acres Farm on NE 171 st St in Woodinville to provide a full morning of birding. The farm store is fun to visit, and staff welcomes birders who can walk the perimeter of the farm.

Spring/Summer: In Gold Creek Park Steller’s Jay, Western Tanager, Brown Creeper and Pacific Wren are common. Barred Owl and Merlin are infrequent. At 21 Acres, Savannah Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Black- capped Chickadee, and Barn and Violet-green Swallows are common. Canada Geese which nest on the roof of the store are a hit with visitors.

Fall/Winter: Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, and Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers winter at Gold Creek Park. At 21 Acres White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Black-capped Chickadee dominate. Red-tailed Hawk is a resident bird.

Trails and Accessibility: The trails at Gold Creek Park are steep and uneven. The parking area is paved asphalt, but there is no trail on flat ground. 21 Acres has a paved parking lot which becomes loose gravel toward the back. The trail around the gardens requires walking through tall grass or along the edge of a plowed field.

Map and Directions

A stretch of good bird habitat has been preserved along the Sammamish River in Woodinville. The Tolt Pipeline Trail crosses 148th Ave NE just north of NE 145th Street. Park in the small lot on the west side of the road. The short leg of the compacted gravel pipeline trail crosses farmland habitat. In about two hundred yards, it intersects with the paved Sammamish River Trail. Despite being used by walkers, runners, and bicyclists, and abutting a nearby pickleball court, the trees and shrubs along the river provide adequate riparian habitat. The sports fields to the south provide a roost for wintering gulls.

Spring/Summer: Summer birds include Common Yellowthroat, Yellow- rumped Warbler, Pied-billed Grebe, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Black- capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees.

Fall/Winter: The farmland is good for White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, Brewer’s and Red-winged Blackbirds, Red-tailed Hawk, and Mallard, Green-winged Teal, and American Wigeon.

Trails and Accessibility: The Tolt-Pipeline Trail parking area is a small loose gravel spot. The trail is packed gravel and level for easy walking. The Sammamish River Trail is asphalt and very popular. Care is needed when walking as the trail winds and bicyclists can be surprisingly fast.

Map and Directions