Discovery Park
Washington · Pacific Northwest
Moderate
April-May
Free
4:00 AM – 11:30 PM daily
About This Location
Discovery Park is Seattle's largest park at 534 acres, occupying a dramatic bluff overlooking Puget Sound on the former Fort Lawton military base. The park's mix of old-growth forest, coastal bluffs, sandy beach, and restored meadow habitats has recorded over 270 bird species, making it the city's premier birding destination.
The Loop Trail circles the park through dense forest where Pileated Woodpeckers, Hutton's Vireos, and Varied Thrushes are resident, emerging to open meadows and coastal bluffs with sweeping views of the sound. The beach and tideline attract shorebirds, sea ducks, and loons, while the South Meadow hosts raptors and sparrows. During migration, the park's position on Magnolia Bluff creates a natural concentration point for passerines moving along the Puget Sound corridor.
Location
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Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
Black Turnstone
Arenaria melanocephala
American White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Western Kingbird
Tyrannus verticalis
Northern House Wren
Troglodytes aedon
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Bald Eagle
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Hermit Thrush
Dark-eyed Junco
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Surf Scoter
Common Merganser
Bonaparte's Gull
Short-billed Gull
American Herring Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Arctic Tern
Red-necked Grebe
Common Loon
Black-billed Magpie
Tree Swallow
Violet-green Swallow
American Herring x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid)
Birding Tips
- 1
Walk the Loop Trail early morning and detour down to the lighthouse beach for waterbirds
- 2
The South Meadow is productive for raptors and sparrows, especially during migration
- 3
Scan Puget Sound from the bluffs for Marbled Murrelets, loons, and sea ducks in winter
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- West Point Lighthouse
- Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
More in Washington
Olympic National Park
Rainforest-to-coast park with Marbled Murrelets, seabirds, and alpine species.
Skagit Valley
Northwest Washington valley with exceptional wintering raptors, swans, and Snow Geese.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Puget Sound estuary refuge with 300+ species, massive waterfowl concentrations, and restored salt marsh.
Washington Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Washington →