Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way

Washington · Pacific Northwest

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Habitat

CoastalUrban Park

Best Seasons

Spring Fall

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

April-May, September-October

About This Location

Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way is a productive birding destination in Washington, with 229 species recorded on eBird. This coastal and urban park habitat attracts Canada Goose, Surf Scoter, and Bufflehead among many others. Coastal and forest habitats support impressive year-round resident species and seasonal migrants.

Location

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Notable Species

Canada Goose Surf Scoter Bufflehead Common Goldeneye Common Merganser

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days

Black Phoebe

Sayornis nigricans

6/2/2026DeCoursey Park1 observed

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

6/1/2026Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR1 observed

Short-billed Gull

Larus brachyrhynchus

6/1/2026Etta Turner Park1 observed

Common Nighthawk

Chordeiles minor

5/31/20266320 Grandview Drive West, University Place, Washington, US (47.202, -122.577)2 observed

Tufted Puffin

Fratercula cirrhata

5/31/2026Ruston Way Waterfront1 observed

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

5/31/202620305 59th Ave. E. Spanaway B. Hanson residence1 observed

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatus

5/30/2026Point Defiance Park--Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way1 observed

Common Murre

Uria aalge

5/30/2026Upper Case Inlet--Victor Overlook1 observed

Rhinoceros Auklet

Cerorhinca monocerata

5/30/2026Upper Case Inlet--Victor Overlook11 observed

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

5/29/202612523 Southeast 261st Street, Kent, Washington, US (47.368, -122.174)1 observed

Sabine's Gull

Xema sabini

5/29/2026Point Defiance Park--Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way1 observed

Recent Observations

Species reported at this location in the last 14 days

Canada Goose

376/2/2026

Rock Pigeon

66/2/2026

Anna's Hummingbird

16/2/2026

Killdeer

46/2/2026

Rhinoceros Auklet

296/2/2026

Pigeon Guillemot

36/2/2026

California Gull

36/2/2026

Western x Glaucous-winged Gull (hybrid)

306/2/2026

Pelagic Cormorant

16/2/2026

Double-crested Cormorant

16/2/2026

Great Blue Heron

26/2/2026

Osprey

16/2/2026

Northern Flicker

26/2/2026

American Crow

26/2/2026

Violet-green Swallow

16/2/2026

Purple Martin

26/2/2026

Barn Swallow

16/2/2026

Bushtit

26/2/2026

White-crowned Sparrow

36/2/2026

Savannah Sparrow

26/2/2026

Birding Tips

1
Check rocky shorelines and jetties at low tide for shorebirds.
2
Scan offshore waters with a spotting scope for seabirds and waterfowl.
3
Pack rain gear — the best birding often coincides with drizzly conditions.

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

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.

Discovery Park

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

Washington Birding Guide

Complete guide to birding in Washington →

Birding Guides

Fall Bird Migration Guide

10 min read

Bird Identification: The Four Keys

11 min read

Beginner's Guide to Birdwatching

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way for birding?▼

The best months to visit Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way for birding are April-May, September-October. The best seasons are Spring and Fall.

What birds can I see at Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way?▼

Notable species at Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way include Canada Goose, Surf Scoter, Bufflehead, Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser. The area supports coastal, urban park habitats.

How difficult is birding at Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way?▼

Birding at Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

What amenities are available at Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way?▼

Point Defiance Park - Dune Peninsula & Wilson Way offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.