What Are the Best Places for Birdwatching in Seattle?
Seattle, filled with the spirit of both nature and urban life, boasts of numerous exciting locations for birdwatching. For the professional birder or the first-timer, the city’s landscapes, ranging from the coastal belt to the forests, present great opportunities to view many species. Below is a list of some of the most recommended places for birding in Seattle, Washington where nature presents the most breathtaking shows through birds.
1. Discovery Park
The Discovery Park is Seattle’s largest urban park, and therefore provides the best of both worlds; sea cliffs, sandy beaches, and dense forests. This variety makes it a bird watchers’ paradise. Local favourite, the Loop Trail offers chances to observe birds of prey including Bald Eagles and Cooper’s Hawks while the area around the lighthouse affords good views of seabirds like Cormorants and Puffins.
2. Washington Park Arboretum
This is an amazing park with 230 acres of space to explore and a wide variety of native and exotic trees that are popular with birds. The park features wetlands and waterways which make it a great place to identify water birds such as the Wood Ducks and Great Blue Herons. Birdwatching can be done at the Arboretum because environment is relatively quiet compared to the noise produced by city life.
3. Magnuson Park
Located on the shores of Lake Washington, Magnuson Park is one of Washington’s rustic parks with bird-watching areas especially in the winter season. Some of the sections of this park are the wetlands that have been rehabilitated and act as convenient habitation to birds. Still, spotting water fowls such as the American Wigeon, Canvasbacks and in winter the Snowy Owls are expected by visitors .
4. Seward Park
Located around Bailey Peninsula, Seward Park has vast forest and shoreline spread over more than 300 acres of area. Here there is the old-growth forest that hosts owls, woodpeckers and warblers. As for the feathered species, one is able to observe both the birds of the canopy as well as the birds of the adjacent Lake Washington.
5. Schmitz Preserve Park
This park is a hidden gem in West Seattle, featuring one of the last remaining old-growth forests in the city. It’s a quiet spot, less frequented by large crowds, making it ideal for those seeking a more secluded birdwatching experience. Here, one can find species such as the Pileated Woodpecker and the Pacific Wren amidst towering Douglas firs and western red cedars.
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6. Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park in West Seattle is not only a perfect place for a walk or a picnic with friends, but also is the perfect venue for birding by the sea. Seabirds and songbirds can all be found in the park because of the rich and diverse ecosystem of the area. Be on the lookout for the Red-breasted Nuthatch and the Bald Eagle, which is the bird of the United States.
7. Union Bay Natural Area
Favored by locals as the Montlake Fill, the Union Bay Natural Area is among the best places to watch birds in an urban setting. Some of the reclaimed land has been turned into wetland which is ideal for the migrating birds. It is ideal for bird watching and other guided tours for residents of naturalist societies within the region
8. Carkeek Park
Carkeek Park has forest, meadows and saltwater beach, thus bird watching in the park is diverse. From scanning the shoreline for small waders to walking through the woods and looking for migrants, this park offers a fulfilling visit for any level of birder.
All in all, Seattle’s diverse flora offers a multitude of occasions for birding lovers to become one with nature and appreciate the tranquillity of the birds. No matter where exactly you are – be it in the downtown or on the outskirts – it is possible to find a suitable place for a quiet activity of bird watching. Grab your binoculars, field guide, and spirit for discovery before heading out to the best bird watching locations in Seattle.
