Birding in Washington

Explore 108 birding hotspots across forest, coastal, mountain, grassland, wetland, meadow, riparian, lake, urban park, marsh, river/riparian, canyon habitats in Washington.

108

Locations

125+

Notable Species

12

Habitat Types

4

Peak Seasons

Complete Washington Birding Guide

Top locations, species, seasonal tips, and more

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Birding Locations in Washington

Moss-draped temperate rainforest in Olympic National Park

Washington

Moderate

Olympic National Park

Rainforest-to-coast park with Marbled Murrelets, seabirds, and alpine species.

ForestCoastalMountainSpringSummer
Snow Geese in flight over Skagit Valley farmlands

Washington

Easy

Skagit Valley

Northwest Washington valley with exceptional wintering raptors, swans, and Snow Geese.

GrasslandWetlandCoastalWinter
Puget Sound view from coastal bluffs at Discovery Park Seattle

Washington

Moderate

Discovery Park

Seattle's largest park with old-growth forest, Puget Sound shoreline, and 270+ bird species.

ForestCoastalMeadowSpringWinter
Restored salt marsh and boardwalk at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Washington

Easy

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Puget Sound estuary refuge with 300+ species, massive waterfowl concentrations, and restored salt marsh.

WetlandCoastalRiparianWinterFall
Restored wetland and grassland at Union Bay Natural Area with Lake Washington

Washington

Easy

Montlake Fill (Union Bay Natural Area)

UW campus restored wetland with 200+ species, easy access, and excellent year-round urban birding.

WetlandGrasslandLakeWinterSpring
Wetland and forest landscape at Marymoor Park in Redmond Washington

Washington

Easy

Marymoor Park

King County's largest park with river floodplain, restored wetlands, and nesting Purple Martins.

WetlandGrasslandRiparianSpringWinter
Estuary wetland with trees at Spencer Island near Everett Washington

Washington

Moderate

Spencer Island

425-acre river island with restored tidal marsh, excellent for waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors.

WetlandMarshRiparianSpringWinter
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Alki (including north and south beaches)

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 210 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Challenging

Bateman Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 242 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Bennington Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 235 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
A small bird perched on top of a tree branch

Washington

Moderate

Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 271 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Blaine Marine Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 202 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Bottle Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 241 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Brady Loop

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 220 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Calispell Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 213 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Cameron Lake Road

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 212 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Cape Disappointment State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 237 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Cape Flattery

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 209 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
a couple of birds standing on top of a lush green field

Washington

Easy

Carkeek Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 243 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Cassimer Bar Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 226 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Cedar River mouth

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Washington with 201 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Central Ferry HMU

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 206 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Crockett Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 213 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Deer Lagoon

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 218 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Discovery Park - West Point

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 233 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 241 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Ediz Hook

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 228 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
brown trees on green grass field during daytime

Washington

Moderate

Edmonds Waterfront

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 215 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Eloika Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 200 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Elwha River Mouth

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Washington with 228 recorded species.

River/RiparianSpringFall
green pine trees near lake during daytime

Washington

Moderate

Gardiner Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 215 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Getty's Cove

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 202 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Golden Gardens Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 205 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 222 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Griffiths-Priday State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 212 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Hobuck Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 252 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Hoquiam STP

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 232 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Two colorful birds perched on a tree branch

Washington

Easy

Juanita Bay Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 217 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 205 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Kent Ponds

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 223 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

La Push

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 210 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 204 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Leadbetter Point

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 239 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Challenging

Leque Island - Eide Road

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 220 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Leslie Groves Park/Nelson Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 200 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 217 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Lummi Flats

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 207 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Lyons Ferry Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 236 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
a body of water surrounded by trees and houses

Washington

Easy

Magnuson Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 226 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

March Point

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 201 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Wooden boardwalk through a dry grassy field

Washington

Easy

Marymoor Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 245 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Headquarters/Quail Trail

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 231 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Millet & Woodland Ponds

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 222 recorded species.

ForestWetlandSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Two Rivers Unit

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 219 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Walla Walla River Delta

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Washington with 240 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Midway Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 229 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Canyon birding habitat

Washington

Challenging

Mill Canyon

Canyon birding hotspot in Washington with 213 recorded species.

CanyonSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Neah Bay - general area

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 274 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Neah Bay - town and bay only

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 307 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Ocean City State Park

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 203 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Ocean Shores

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 275 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Ocean Shores - Damon Point

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 221 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Ocean Shores - Point Brown Jetty

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 221 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Olympic National Park - Kalaloch

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 201 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Pearrygin Lake State Park

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 207 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 229 recorded species.

CoastalUrban ParkSpringFall
a black and white photo of a bird on a roof

Washington

Moderate

Point No Point

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 282 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Point Roberts

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 234 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Point Wilson

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 211 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Port Williams - Holland, Schmuck, John Scott Rds.

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 208 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Potholes State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 254 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Reardan Ponds

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 207 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 227 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
A hawk sitting on top of a sign in a field

Washington

Moderate

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Washington with 243 recorded species.

River/RiparianWetlandSpringFall
River/Riparian birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Salt Creek County Park

River/Riparian birding hotspot in Washington with 203 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Saltese Flats

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 202 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Saltese Wetlands

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 201 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Samish Flats

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 215 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Challenging

Samish Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 223 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Sandy Point

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 210 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Semiahmoo Spit

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 225 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Sentinel Bluffs

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 200 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
A park filled with lots of trees covered in leaves

Washington

Challenging

Skagit Wildlife Area - Fir Island Farm Reserve (Hayton Reserve)

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 232 recorded species.

CoastalWetlandSpringFall
a group of mountains covered in clouds and trees

Washington

Moderate

Skagit Wildlife Area - Wiley Slough

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 244 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Challenging

Spencer Island

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 216 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Sprague Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 228 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Sprague Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 216 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Steamboat Rock State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 201 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 217 recorded species.

LakeWetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Sun Lakes State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 216 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Urban Park birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Swallows Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in Washington with 209 recorded species.

Urban ParkSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Theler Wetlands

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 208 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Three Crabs

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 256 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Tokeland

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 228 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 214 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Tsoo-Yess River Valley & Beach

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 211 recorded species.

CoastalRiver/RiparianSpringFall
Coastal birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Tulalip Bay (Tulalip Reservation)

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 220 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 221 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Mallard ducks resting on a fallen log near water.

Washington

Moderate

Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill

Coastal birding hotspot in Washington with 264 recorded species.

CoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Vancouver Lake lowlands

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 209 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Wanapum State Park

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 223 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Washtucna

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 222 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Wenas Area

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 212 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Lake birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Wenas Lake

Lake birding hotspot in Washington with 220 recorded species.

LakeSpringFall
Wetland birding habitat

Washington

Easy

Wenatchee Confluence State Park/Horan Wildlife Area

Wetland birding hotspot in Washington with 230 recorded species.

WetlandSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Westport

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 246 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 205 recorded species.

ForestCoastalSpringFall
Forest birding habitat

Washington

Moderate

Woodland Bottoms

Forest birding hotspot in Washington with 226 recorded species.

ForestSpringFall

Notable Species

Key species found across birding locations in Washington:

Marbled MurreletHarlequin DuckAmerican DipperVaried ThrushSooty GrouseDowny WoodpeckerCanada JaySteller's JayAmerican CrowCommon RavenSnowy OwlGyrfalconTrumpeter SwanSnow GooseShort-eared OwlCackling GooseCanada GooseAmerican WigeonMallardNorthern Pintail

Habitats & Best Seasons

Habitat Types:

ForestCoastalMountainGrasslandWetlandMeadowRiparianLakeUrban ParkMarshRiver/RiparianCanyon

Best Seasons:

SpringSummerFallWinter

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots in Washington?
The top birding locations in Washington include Olympic National Park, Skagit Valley, Discovery Park, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Montlake Fill (Union Bay Natural Area), Marymoor Park, Spencer Island, Alki (including north and south beaches), Bateman Island, Bennington Lake, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Blaine Marine Park, Bottle Beach, Brady Loop, Calispell Lake, Cameron Lake Road, Cape Disappointment State Park, Cape Flattery, Carkeek Park, Cassimer Bar Wildlife Area, Cedar River mouth, Central Ferry HMU, Crockett Lake, Deer Lagoon, Discovery Park - West Point, Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Ediz Hook, Edmonds Waterfront, Eloika Lake, Elwha River Mouth, Gardiner Beach, Getty's Cove, Golden Gardens Park, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Griffiths-Priday State Park, Hobuck Beach, Hoquiam STP, Juanita Bay Park, Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge, Kent Ponds, La Push, Lake Sammamish State Park, Leadbetter Point, Leque Island - Eide Road, Leslie Groves Park/Nelson Island, Lighthouse Marine Park, Point Roberts, Lummi Flats, Lyons Ferry Park, Magnuson Park, March Point, Marymoor Park, McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Headquarters/Quail Trail, McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Millet & Woodland Ponds, McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Two Rivers Unit, McNary National Wildlife Refuge - Walla Walla River Delta, Midway Beach, Mill Canyon, Neah Bay - general area, Neah Bay - town and bay only, Ocean City State Park, Ocean Shores, Ocean Shores - Damon Point, Ocean Shores - Point Brown Jetty, Olympic National Park - Kalaloch, Pearrygin Lake State Park, Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way, Point No Point, Point Roberts, Point Wilson, Port Williams - Holland, Schmuck, John Scott Rds., Potholes State Park, Reardan Ponds, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - River 'S' Unit, Salt Creek County Park, Saltese Flats, Saltese Wetlands, Samish Flats, Samish Island, Sandy Point, Semiahmoo Spit, Sentinel Bluffs, Skagit Wildlife Area - Fir Island Farm Reserve (Hayton Reserve), Skagit Wildlife Area - Wiley Slough, Spencer Island, Sprague Lake, Sprague Lake, Steamboat Rock State Park, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Sun Lakes State Park, Swallows Park, Theler Wetlands, Three Crabs, Tokeland, Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge, Tsoo-Yess River Valley & Beach, Tulalip Bay (Tulalip Reservation), Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, Union Bay Natural Area/Montlake Fill, Vancouver Lake lowlands, Wanapum State Park, Washtucna, Wenas Area, Wenas Lake, Wenatchee Confluence State Park/Horan Wildlife Area, Westport, Whitman Mission National Historic Site, Woodland Bottoms. Each offers unique habitats and species.
When is the best time to go birding in Washington?
The best seasons for birding in Washington are Spring and Summer and Fall and Winter. Spring migration brings diverse species through the area. Winter offers opportunities for cold-weather specialties and waterfowl.
What birds can I see in Washington?
Notable species in Washington include Marbled Murrelet, Harlequin Duck, American Dipper, Varied Thrush, Sooty Grouse, Downy Woodpecker, Canada Jay, Steller's Jay, and more. The state supports forest, coastal, mountain, grassland, wetland, meadow, riparian, lake, urban park, marsh, river/riparian, canyon habitats.

Plan Your Birding Trip

Get the most out of your birding adventure in Washington with our expert guides.