Things You'll Need:
- Bird watching guide
- Spotting scope or binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Notebook
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Step 1
Start birding in Washington at the international renowned Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia to find the best concentration of birding areas. Over 300 bird species have been identified in the area around the Refuge. The high biodiversity is due to the varied habitats. By walking the 5.5-mile Brown Farm Dike Trail, visitors can see six very distinct habitat types. Bird species vary depending on which side of the Refuge's dike birders visit.
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Step 2
Travel along the Olympic Loop Birding Trail for the opportunity to view over 360 bird species. The Olympic Loop follows along the Nisqually River delta in south Puget Sound, over to the edge of the contiguous U.S. at Fort Flattery and over the Olympic Peninsula. The trail includes Olympic National Park and four national wildlife refuges. Migratory species fill the sky during various seasons, and the Olympic Loop gives birders year-round opportunities for viewing dozens of species in a day.
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Step 3
See several endangered or threatened bird species at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. The area around the Refuge has at least eight Bald Eagle nesting territories. A small population of Western Snowy Plovers calls the Refuge home, and there have been rare sightings of Peregrine Falcons also. Other interesting birds in the Refuge include the Marbled Murrelet and Harlequin Duck.
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Step 4
Enjoy northwest Washington's famous wintering of seabirds, Bald Eagles, Snow Geese, and Trumpeter and Tundra Swans. The Cascade area of Washington is home to 225 of Washington's bird species. Bird watching is especially good in the area around the Columbia River.
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Step 5
Print out maps, guides, checklists, directions and species identification information. This article's resources offer more in-depth and up-to-date information on Washington birding. Be sure to check for seasonal variation in bird species in order to plan the perfect time for bird watching in Washington State.
