Natural areas for bird watching

George Walter

Photo by Jill Severn

Following a recent column I received a request – “Could you please recommend some good local bird watching places beside the Nisqually area?” Here are some suggestions, including recommendations suitable for strollers and/or wheelchairs.

But before discussing specifics, I want to add some general comments. First, our Thurston County area has many parks and natural areas; so many that it would take months, if not years, to explore them all. To find them, try the following in your search engine - “Thurston County Natural Areas” or “local parks and natural areas near me.” If your preference is guidebooks, in 2017 Mountaineers Press published a small book titled “Urban Trails Olympia.” It is available in some local bookstores, and online from the Mountaineers.

The Woodward Bay Overlook Trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back that follows a paved road. It passes by some huge old-growth trees and ends at a marine water overlook. There are always various marine birds here, especially in winter, and probably a Bald Eagle or two. There is a longer loop hiking trail through the forest, unpaved and not suitable for strollers, etc. Parking requires a Washington State Discover Pass, which costs $30/year. You can buy it online, or when you renew your car tabs.

Discover Pass

The Discover Pass will also get you free parking at Tolmie State Park, on Puget Sound, north of Lacey. This park is good for birds year-round; it has beach access and a great unpaved and hilly nature trail wandering through the forest. The Pass will also get you parking at the McLane Creek Natural Area with its 1.9-mile loop trail. It is located off Delphi Road west of Olympia and Tumwater and although not promoted for stroller and wheelchair access, a portion of the trail is paved and level. It circles a beaver pond and is also good for birds and other wildlife year-round.

One of the best winter birding areas is Capitol Lake. It has a mostly flat, paved 1.7-mile loop trail and is perfect for both strollers and wheelchairs. It is also popular with runners. In winter, there are abundant waterfowl on the lake and, as of earlier week, some migratory swans. Binoculars and possibly a telescope will help you identify bird species. And at the upper (south) end of the lake is the Tumwater Historic Park. It has children’s play areas as well as access to natural areas and good birding haunts.

And here’s one additional area not on everyone’s list – the LOTT Hawks Prairie Infiltration Ponds located at 3001 Hogum Bay Rd. in Lacey. It’s a 40-acre site with unpaved level walking trails that loop around ponds. It has great bird habitat and, as a bonus, offers information signs about how Thurston County’s urban areas are treating wastewater. It’s also a good place for children to run around.

Common Redpoll

An uncommon visitor: Common Redpolls

I also want to alert you to a special treat: a relatively rare winter visitor that is in our area, the Common Redpoll. These are small finches that breed in the far northern latitudes of both hemispheres. They venture south in winter and are found in Eastern Washington most years. Very occasionally, in years when food is scarce, they may wander into Western Washington. This winter seems to be one of those years, as Common Redpolls are being reported from various local places, including the Nisqually area.

Common Redpolls are very small brown and white birds with streaked sides and white wing bars. As their name implies, they have a red cap, although it is sometimes faint in females and immature birds. They have a small yellowish conical seed-eating bill, set off with black feathers.

These are very active birds and are similar in size and behavior to Pine Siskins; siskins, however, have yellow on their wings and body. Redpolls might also be confused with House Finches, which have various bits of reddish, pinkish feathering, but the House Finches are larger and their bills are much bigger. Some older male redpolls have a pinkish wash on their chests, but it is that bold red cap that stands out. This combination of small size, brown and white body, yellow bill, and red cap makes them pretty easy to identify.

In Eastern Washington, Common Redpolls are seen in small flocks, moving around and looking for food. Here you are more likely to encounter them as single birds mixed in with other small finches. Because they are seedeaters, they may visit your bird feeder. Keep your eye out this winter for this unusual small finch with a stylish red cap.

George Walter is environmental program manager at the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s natural resources department; he also has a 40+ year interest in bird watching. He may be reached at george@theJOLTnews.com

Photos for this column are provided by Liam Hutcheson, a 16-year-old Olympia area birder and avid photographer.